Labor Day and Changing Seasons

We want to wish all of our friends in the United States a happy Labor Day! We hope your day is relaxing and free of labor.

For me, and I believe for many others out there, Labor Day edifies that summer really is coming to an end. By Labor Day, most schools have already gone back into session. In my town, Labor Day is also the last day the local swimming pool is open. If the swimming pool closing its doors doesn't signify the end of summer, I don't know what does.

The above being said, the imminent change of seasons is what inspired the Sparks sentiment I chose for today. Though Annie of McGuffy's Reader is taking a well-deserved blogging break, many of us still feel compelled to continue sharing positive thoughts in honor of the Sparks blog hop she initiated. And so, here is a sentiment that I hope inspires you:

Happy Labor Day! Happy Monday! Happy unofficial beginning of autumn! Happy days to all!

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Our Tip of the Day:

As part of our autumn series of pet safety tips, we recently mentioned keeping school supplies out of your furbaby's reach. In addition to this, there are further potential dangers that might pose a risk especially as the weather cools. One such hazard is, as you all certainly know, antifreeze. Without going into the chemistry of it, coolants such as antifreeze contain components that are highly toxic to cats and dogs. At the same time, it also can smell or taste sweet and enticing to our furbabies, making it all the more dangerous. For such reasons, try to avoid all emergencies by simply keeping antifreeze, and other similar products, hidden away where your cats and dogs cannot reach.

We'll also mention one more toxic group of products that is often more commonly used once the weather cools. We're referring to rodenticides. When the temperatures outside start to lower, critters like mice might very well try to find ways to enter our homes in order to find warmth. This might result in some people using rodenticides. However, these products can be highly toxic to our furbabies. Not only is it dangerous if a cat or dog finds and ingests the chemical itself, but they can also become sick if they ingest a rodent that has eaten the rodenticide. All of that being said, it is likely best to avoid using rodenticides altogether, to ensure that your furbaby is not affected by them at all. Of course, keep in mind that snapping mice traps can also pose a risk, especially if they contain  enticing cheese or peanut butter and are somewhere that your furbaby can potentially access. One safer option is to look into using humane mouse traps, such as catch-and-release types. Of course, it is still wise to place these somewhere hidden away to avoid complications with your furbaby.

As lovely as autumn is, it can still pose risks to our kitties and pups. As the seasons change, think of any and all new products that you might be using. Then, consider how such products might affect your furbaby and their health, and then only use and store them in manners that keep your furbaby safe.