Tag: english bulldog

Doggy Christmas Dangers

Sabrina A.W.
Merry Christmas from the old Purser Street Posse!

Christmas is a fun time of year around our house and I am sure, yours. Let’s keep it that way by protecting our pets from some of the hazards that could potentially hurt them over the Christmas season. The following is a list of hazards that dog owners should be aware of to keep their pet safe this holiday.

Pexels.com
  1. Ornaments and hooks – I was out taking my girls for a walk when we ran into one of our neighbors who happens to own a bulldog puppy. He told us that their puppy just had surgery for ingesting a bunch of Christmas ornament hooks! Seriously…hooks. There is nothing that a bulldog puppy will not put into their mouths. We put up a gate to keep our girls out of the Christmas tree. We found that by the time they were two years old, they lost interest in the tree but that first year it was the biggest chew toy they have ever seen!
  1. Christmas plants – Rumour has it that Poinsettias are poisonous to dogs but the truth is that they are not that bad. If ingested it will probably give them the poops so I probably would still keep them away. Mistletoe and Holly on the other hand, are much more toxic and really need to be avoided. The Christmas plant of all Christmas plants, the Christmas tree, can also cause harm to our pooches. The needles of a Fir tree, if eaten, can mess up their tummy and cause punctures and blockages. And keep those fluffy butts out of the Christmas tree water too! The water can contain bacteria, moulds and fertilizers and other chemicals that can make them sick really quickly.
  1. Christmas lights – this is pretty obvious I am sure, but dogs can easily electrocute themselves if they chew the cords. Make sure that they are out of the way of chewy puppies.
  1. Food – Oh the food! So much food, unfortunately not all of it is good for our pets. Remember to keep the chocolate out of their reach and also anything with artificial sweeteners as both are toxic to dogs. Also, try to keep an eye on turkey bones! My girls are freakin’ vultures waiting for anything to fall from a plate or counter. Keep those bones away, especially cooked bones that can be very dangerous as well.

Another couple things worth mentioning even though they are not exactly “Christmas hazards” but they are around a lot this time of year are silica packets and Chapstick. Silica packs are those little baggies you find in so many products, such as shoe boxes, purses etc. that are filled with silica gel and labelled “do not eat”. They aren’t toxic but they will make you feel crummy. Chapstick is another one of those things that isn’t toxic but you will regret afterwards I’m sure. I keep Chapstick everywhere in the house during the winter and have learned the hard way to keep it away from the dogs.

Thanks for reading and hope this list helps keep all your furry ones safe this holiday season!

What I Look for in a Puppy Applicant

Sabrina A.W.
I love this little family!

There is a lot of information out there regarding how to find a reputable breeder but I think it is just as important, if not more, for the breeder to select the right buyer. They have the responsibility to make sure that the puppy goes to the right home and that it is a good fit for both the puppy and the buyer. I wanted to share with you some of the questions I ask on my puppy application and what I am looking for in a prospective puppy home.

Biggie and Rocky right before going to their forever homes

I always say that it takes a special person to take care of a bulldog. They have special needs that have to be taken care of daily. Not everyone is up for that. It wouldn’t take much neglect to really see its effects on the dog. Therefore, I really want to know that a person knows what they are getting into. I know that bulldogs are cute, funny and super-trendy right now but is that the only reason you want one? I want to know the “why”. How long have you wanted a bulldog? How long have you thought of this and how much research have you really done? Are you wanting a puppy because of Covid-19 and you are currently working from home? What happens when you return to work? Will the dog suddenly be left on its own for lengthy stretches at a time? Through these questions and a little intuition, I try and decipher if the potential buyer will make a good bulldog owner.

As I already mentioned, grooming and daily care is a big responsibility for an English or French bulldog owner. Bulldogs require more care and are one of the more expensive breeds to own. They require high quality, grain-free diets. They need wrinkle creams, butt wipes, cooling matts, and coats just to name a few things. They also tend to suffer more from skin issues and allergies. People need to know what they are getting into beforehand. The last thing any breeder wants is to see the puppy being rehomed due to a bad pairing.

I was talking to my 9 year old son the other day about this very topic. He asked me why I had people fill out applications. I explained that the first reason is that it filters out people just by asking them to apply. People that are serious about adopting a puppy will not hesitate to fill one out. Secondly, we want to make sure that our puppies are going to good homes and are going to live their best lives possible. Asking the right questions helps us make a good match. There are people that are open to sharing their personal stories with me. I find these are the people that make the best homes for bulldogs.

These are just a few questions that I like to ask. I hope that by asking the right questions and trusting my intuition, that I make the right choices. These puppies are my babies and my responsibility. An active, loving family that truly appreciates the puppy is all I want for my babies. There is nothing better than receiving a picture of a past puppy with their forever family and knowing that I helped make that family complete.

Winter Care for Furry Family Members

Sabrina A.W.
Mom…might be time to turn up the heat..it’s freakin’ snowing in here!

We are in full winter mode in our home and that means extra socks and mitts packed in the kid’s backpacks, along with chapsticks, moisturizers, tissues….you get the idea. We know that we need special care to protect ourselves and our children from our cold, harsh, Canadian winters but we also cannot forget our pets. They get cold too!

The follow are the top three things that we rely on in the winter to keep our furry ones comfortable so that they can enjoy the snow too.

Walk?! Crazy lady won’t find me here!
  1. Coats and sweaters – they aren’t just for cute insta pics…they are a necessity. French bulldogs are especially sensitive to cold and need our help to keep warm. Sweaters, coats and even hats and boots can help prevent hypothermia in our little buddies. Even English bulldogs with their thicker coats, can use an extra layer on those cold days. It can be a little challenging finding one that fits their unique (ya unique..that’s a good way to put it..ha!) bods. Their short, wide trunks and thick necks make it challenging to say the least. There are a few companies that cater to bulldogs but be prepared to pay dearly. If you purchase one of these or have one custom made, I would suggest waiting until they are full grown to make that investment. We have bought some that fit our girls around their bodies and tailored the bottom to shorten it up so it fits a little better. Honestly, Im working on my sewing skills so I can make them their own custom coats. There are a few great free patterns online that look totally do-able.
  2. Boots, paw balms and towels – help to protect our pets from all the chemicals and salt found on the ground in the winter. These chemicals can cause our pets to develop sore, cracked paws. Further, if left on their paws, most dogs will lick at them to try and clean them and in turn will ingest these harmful chemicals and salts that can in turn make them very sick. That is why it is very important to wipe their feet clean with a towel when returning in from a walk. We also like to use a paw balm that works as a barrier between their paws and the ground. There are many great brands out there to try. You can also use coconut oil in a pinch. More about coconut oil coming up! Lastly, some dog owners swear by rubber boots for their pooches. Our dogs won’t have anything to do with them. They drew the line there. But it was totally worth the purchase just to see them trying to walk in their booties. Too funny!
  3. Coconut oil – man, we love coconut oil around our house! It really is a great item to use on yourself and your dogs, especially in the winter. As mentioned above, it is great to use as a barrier balm on their paws but it is also great to use on their nose when it becomes dry. We use it to moisturize their paws, their nose and if there’s any left on my hands I will just rub it over their coat. The great thing is that you know it won’t harm them if they lick it. Another great use for the oil is during nail trimmings. If you dab a little of the coconut oil on their nose right before you trim their nails, it will help keep them distracted during the process. Isn’t that a great one!?

Just remember, when it gets too cold, just like when it’s too hot in the summer, keep those little guys inside. There will be many days to enjoy the snow together when you are properly prepared.

Welcome Friends!

Sabrina A.W.

Dallas our English bully and Luna our French

I’m excited to share my adventures, my thoughts and my tips on bully life. My name is Sabrina, I am a stay-at-home mom to two boys but also three furry girls. Over the years I have picked up a thing or two that you may find helpful (or maybe not..let me know either way!) while raising your fur babies. I’ll share stories, tips, recipes, rants and our family’s adventures as we prepare our home and our lives for our first litter of Bulldog babies!