Adventures with Astrid

Pup Astrid is loving her springtime walks, especially now that Mother Nature is actually giving us some weather appropriate for the season.

That there bridge takes us to one of Astrid's favorite paths to walk. It also takes us over the creek that runs through our neighborhood, as you can see in these photos. We shared this bridge and a couple of others when we first started these Adventures with Astrid posts last summer, but expect to see these bridges many more times. After all, they are some of Astrid's favorite places to visit.

I love taking these walks just as much as Astrid does. Especially when it's as beautiful and temperate as it has been here lately. We had a number of unseasonably hot days a couple weeks ago, and then we had some days more suited for winter, but now it's truly spring and both Astrid and I are soaking it up while it lasts.

These photos are also proof that Astrid gives me a short amount of time to snap some cute photos of her on her walks, but then she loses her patience and tries to remind me that bridges are meant to be crossed, not idly stood upon. I understand, Astrid. We can go now.

Happy Wednesday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

We already given recent tips on the importance of keeping up with parasite preventatives, especially as the weather warms up. Similarly to this, also make sure that your kitty or pup is up-to-date with vaccines for diseases that might affect them. If spring weather means that your furbaby will be venturing outside more, interacting with other dogs and cats, or even potentially coming into contact with wildlife, then keep this in mind when it comes to vaccinations.

For example, feline calicivirus is a respiratory disease that can be somewhat easily passed from cat to cat. Canine distemper is a similar disease in dogs, affecting the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems, and being passed through direct contact between dogs or their secretions. There are vaccinations against both of these diseases, as well as other diseases, that could prevent sickness in furbabies at risk of contracting them. This is especially something to consider if your cat or dog will indeed be coming into contact with an environment or animals that might put them at risk of sickness.

There is often debate over the necessity of certain vaccinations. The important thing is to weigh out the options and risk factors. Is your cat or dog going to be traveling or boarding somewhere with other animals? If so, vaccines might perhaps be wise to prevent them from contracting anything, which is why many boarding facilities will require certain vaccinations. Of course, you also have to take your furbaby's overall health status into consideration before vaccinating them. This is when it is important to discuss all circumstances and options with your veterinarian, to discuss the safest, most healthy option for your kitty or pup.