in case of fire, save our dog #giveaway

As a professional pet sitter, I go in and out of homes every day. Many of those homes have stickers in the window that say "in case of fire, save our pets" or some such thing. I wanted to know how effective these stickers are, so I contacted my local fire department.

I spoke with a fire fighter who outlined his department's policies, which–he made very clear–vary from city to city. He explained to me that the number one priority of fire fighters is to save lives, both human and animal. However, human life has a higher value than animal life. In the case of a fire, the fire fighters on scene will risk their own lives for other savable lives, and, as individuals, they have to calculate the risk based on the specific circumstances. They will not risk their own lives to save property or unsavable lives (in a room that is completely engulfed and collapsing, for example). Though animals are not as high a priority as humans, they rank much higher than property. Odds are, most fire fighters would go in after your pet, provided the risk of losing their own (human) life was low. Our local fire fighter said "our policy is to risk a little to save a lot." That includes pets.

So where do the window stickers come in?

Apparently, they were all the rage in the not so distant past. Fire departments printed them and gave them out. Our local fire department no longer does this, and, chances are, yours doesn't either. "It's a program that doesn't exist any more," our local fire fighter explained.

So does that mean the stickers in our window are obsolete?

Absolutely not. Though most pets are saved because a pet owner who got out of the home tells the fire fighters on scene that their pet is inside, in a case where the pet owner is unable to speak, fire fighters usually pay attention to a sticker, if they see it on a window. They will try to rescue any pets they find, so long as the risk to their own lives is low. The stickers, when updated, can be helpful to them for determining which pets they are looking for.

But if most fire departments aren't providing the stickers any more, how do we get one?

Designer Laura Sly has a fantastic solution in her "save our dog" stickers ("save our cat" stickers are coming soon!). Not only are the stickers she designed functional and arresting, they look great! Even the most stylish home can feel good about sticking one of these in the front window.

Laura has generously offered to give away ten "save our dog" stickers to ten well minded readers. Please enter this important giveaway and help protect your pets in case of fire.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Please contact your local fire department to discuss their policies on rescuing pets and window stickers and come back to tell us about it.

wordless wednesday: what's wrong with this picture?

my girls. my heart. #recipeformoments

Love is in the air. Around my house, it's less about candlelight and champagne and more about snuggles and slobber. It's about my girls. 

The human-animal bond exhibited by my four-year-old daughter, Campbell, and our family dog, N.A.S.H.A., surpasses any I've seen. It all began the second I brought Campbell home from the hospital as a newborn. We thought our furry "daddy's girl" would be jealous and pay the baby no mind, but the opposite was true. N.A.S.H.A. magnetized to Campbell, and the two have shared the princess throne in our house ever since.

My girls are inseparable. When one moves, the other follows, their lives intertwined whether they are playing or sleeping (or sharing a snack). I often spy on them and try to snap some photos without them knowing. I try to document the wonder that is their love, but I inevitably blow my cover and ruin the moment. I got lucky this week when I caught them snuggling.

N.A.S.H.A. is making her purr noise. Sort-of snort-ish and dog-like, but, still, distinctly a purr. She gives an enormous sigh and feels settled and safe in the arms of Campbell. 

Then, of course, when they caught me looking, they had to ham it up:

As you can see, N.A.S.H.A. does not like being caught in the act. "I roll my eyes at you," she says. Campbell, on the other hand...well, she's just her Campbell self. 

The only thing that gets to my heart deeper than my littles or my pets is a moment with my littles and my pets together. "Does that melt your heart, Mommy?" my daughter asks. 

Why, yes, yes it does.

And, then, when the world starts to calm toward the end of the day and they've both had enough, they're still joined at the hip, literally:

When things gets crazy, I have to just pause and take a moment. Looking at these girls and their bond makes me realize what's really important. They don't pretend or stray. They just simply love.

Our story is part of the #RecipeForMoments blog hop hosted by BlogPaws. Link up below to share your story of the bond you and your pet share. What do you think your pet feels in your special moments? Five random U.S. winners who link up their blog post will win a Nature's Recipe lightweight collar camera to capture special moments from their pet's point of view. See BlogPaws for official rules and details.

This post is sponsored by Nature's Recipe® on behalf of the BlogPaws Blogger Network. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Nature's Recipe For Moments on behalf of Nature's Recipe, but we only share information we feel is relevant to our readers. Nature's Recipe is not responsible for the content of this article. 

wordless wednesday: lucky looks longingly

how to approach and pet a dog: ten steps kids need to know

Even if you don't own a pet (though, likely, you're not reading this blog, if you don't), it is important to teach your children about how to respect animals. One of the most important lessons is how to approach a dog they are unfamiliar with. This teaching can and should begin as soon as your child is mobile, and can be talked about even before then. Ultimately, it is a dog owner's responsibility to control a dog in public, but children must be taught how to behave for their own safety and out of respect for the animal. Here are ten important steps to teach your kids about approaching dogs they don't know:

1. Walk, don't run. Running up to a dog can cause it to become fearful or aggressive. A timid dog will cower and feel uncomfortable, guaranteeing the child won't get a chance to pet her. Even worse, a dog with fear aggression may bite.

2. Don't try to approach a dog that is over-excited, even if it is friendly excitement. The dog may knock you over, and is likely already over-stimulated. No need to add to the chaos by exciting the dog further. Because you're a kid...you're exciting!

3. Allow personal space. Do not get close enough to a dog to touch it before you declare your intentions. 

4. Ask. While maintaining a safe distance, ask the dog owner if you may pet the dog. Instead of asking "is your dog friendly?" ask "may I please pet your dog?" This lets the owner know exactly what you're after, and allows him to say "no" without branding his dog as unfriendly. 

5. Approach slowly, and make sure the dog is facing you. You want the dog to understand that you will do him no harm. Remember, he doesn't know you, either. Never approach a dog from behind, as you may startle them into a fearful reaction. Most dogs will be aware of your presence, but some may be distracted by other things or may be hard of hearing. Be sure the dog sees you. 

6. Put your hand out away from your body, palm up. Dogs see palms as an offer of friendship (and sometimes treats). Palm down can be interpreted as aggressive to some dogs, especially if the hand is above the dog's head.

7. Come in under the dog's chin, and allow her to sniff you. Patting a dog on the head is often our first instinct, but it is a sign of dominance that the dog may not appreciate until he gets to know you better. It's always best to approach from below where the dog can see you. 

8. Give a little chin scratch. Once the dog has sniffed you and seems comfortable, give him a little scratch under the chin. This says "I'm friendly, and I respect you."

9. Pet away. If the dog is comfortable with you petting his chin, move to the ears and back and top of the head and rump and belly...you get the idea. Enjoy a friendly dog, but use self control. Never wrestle or grab a dog around the neck for a hug. If the dog seems a bit uncomfortable, don't proceed to this step. Some owners don't know how to say "no," so learn to pick up on a dog's signals.

10. Never put your face in a dog's face. Though some dogs, especially puppies, are hard to resist, you never want to risk being bitten in the face. Doggie kisses can be loads of fun, but, even if they are offered, consider where the dog's mouth may have been. Did he just enjoy a poo snack? Kissing your own dog is one thing, but kissing a dog you don't know is a different story (I have a hard time following this rule, myself). 

In addition, we always have to respect a dog owner if she doesn't offer permission to pet. It's rare, but it does happen, and it doesn't always mean the dog is unfriendly or the owner is mean. As a professional pet sitter, it is my policy to not allow anyone to pet my clients' dogs. Even if I know the animal well and am certain it would do well in the situation, I stick to my policy. Children and dogs are both unpredictable, and I'm not willing to take the risk with a dog that isn't mine. While I'm walking the dog, it is my responsibility. I simply say "I'm sorry, this dog isn't mine, and I'm not sure how he'll react, so I can't let you pet him today." 

When I'm walking my own dog, it's a different story. I say "sure you can pet her! She'll probably jump on you and kiss you, but if you're okay with that, go for it." 

Dogs and kids are a classic combo of fun and happiness. Every situation is different, but by following these steps, you can set your child up for successful friendships and experiences.