1. Choose the Right Spot. Pick an area where the tree can be enjoyed by the family but so much in the center activity that it can be easily knocked over. An area by the wall or in a corner is ideal and out of the traffic flow pattern of the house. Try to place the tree near an outlet so you don't have to run electrical cords long distances.
2. Prepare the Area. Lay down plastic sheeting or buy a "tree bag." This is an extra large trash bag used for live trees. Center the tree on the bag. When the season is over and you have removed the tree ornaments, pull the bag over the tree. This will catch the pine needles as they fall from the tree – and prevent them from being chewed or swallowed by your pet.
3. Secure the Tree. Many trees have been sent swaying by a rambunctious dog or puppy. Dogs can knock over a tree by rubbing against or playing under it. Pet can be injured if the trees or ornaments fall and break. You can place the tree in a corner and secure it from two sides to small hooks in the walls. Another trick is to place a small hook in the ceiling above the tree and use clear fishing line from the top of the tree to the hook. Apply gentle tension and tie. The clear line is invisible.
4. Hide the Cords. Electrical cords are a grave danger to pets – especially puppies and that tend to chew on anything. Cords can cause electrocution and serious injury or even death. Secure the cords by positioning them higher than the pet can reach or hiding them with special covers.
5. No Hooks. Check your ornaments and replace hooks with a loop of string tied in a knot. Ornaments often fall from the tree and pets may catch their mouths on or swallow the hooks.
6. Choose Safe Ornaments. There is no perfectly pet-safe bulb, as any ornament can be ingested and cause an intestinal obstruction. Pet "safer" bulbs would be plastic or wood. Glass bulbs on the lower limbs can be especially dangerous. If broken, pets can step on them and cut their feet or worse yet – treat the bulbs like a ball and chew on them causing them to break, resulting in mouth or throat trauma and bleeding. Many pet owners have learned the hard way not to place any ornaments on the lower limbs. Ornaments made of food may be especially attractive to pets.
7. Ribbons. Big red velvet ribbons are a lovely addition and may replace tinsel and garland that can be eaten dogs and caught in their intestine. Cats are especially attracted to the bright shiny tinsel and should really be avoided in households with cats. Ingestion of this material can cause intestinal obstruction that may require surgery.
8. Presents. Dogs love to investigate and most don't understand that the presents are not meant to be opened before Christmas Day. Decorative ribbons and string can be ingested, gifts can be destroyed by a playful pet. Consider storing the presents in a safe area until right before the holiday or make sure your pet is always supervised while investigating and searching for his special gift.
9. Sweep and Water. Sweep up the pine needles. Ingestion of needles can cause vomiting and gastric irritation. Keep the tree watered and only turn the lights on when you are at home. Risk of fire is always there with a live tree. Do not allow your pet access to the tree water to drink.
10. Supervise. The safest thing to do is to allow your pet access to the tree only when supervised. Pets that continue to want to bother the tree should be encouraged – using positive reinforcement – to leave it alone. Bitter apple can be sprayed on low branches for persistent chewers.
Consider these steps for a holiday safe tree. For other tips on holiday hazards, please click on Holiday Hazards.
I found this and thought I would share it for all the pet and dog lovers out there, Sara
Ingredients
· 4 cups all-purpose flour
· 1 cup salt
· 1 1/2 cups warm water
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
2. Mix flour and salt well. Gradually add water, stirring with a large spoon. Finish mixing with hands. Knead until soft and pliable.
3. Roll out on floured surface about 1/8 inch thick. Cut shapes with cookie cutters. Place on cookie sheets. With a toothpick make a hole in the top of the ornament for threading string. Bake at 325 degrees F (165 degrees C) until hard, about 1 hour. Decorate with paint and varnish to preserve.
metal dog bone cookie cutter-
Dog bones ready to be decorated.
I used paint, and striped ribbon.
I also used hot glue to attache the ribbon to the back.
I need to bring a Christmas treat or Cookie for an exchange tomorrow.
Since I moved to Colorado..I just can not bake.
So...............I am making
Chocolate Peppermint Popcorn
Here is What I used:
1 Bag Microwave Popcorn (plain) popped
1 bag Peppermint Marshmellows
6 Blocks of Melting Chocolate
2 Blocks of white melting Chocolate
Red and White Sprinkles ( do not use the sugar kind, it's too grainy)
Several Candy canes Crushed
Wax paper
2 cookie Sheets
25 Christmas Sandwich Bags.
1. Lay out the wax paper in the Cookie Sheets.
2. Melt 2 blocks of the Cho. and drizzle across the wax paper.
3. Spread the popped popcorn across the Drizzzled cookie Sheets.
4. Sprinkle the marshmellows across the pop corn.
5. Melt the rest of the Choc. and drizzile across them again.
6. Sprinklle with the Crushed peppermint and the sprinkles.
7. Melt the white Choc. and Drizzle that also Across them.
8. Flip the mixture around gently, lightly coating the popcorn and the marshmellows.
9. Leave them To Dry about a hour, then divide into individual portions
putting them in the ssandwich bags.
Makes 25 individual bags, plus some left over for you to try.
Materials :
Hook - H / 5.00 MM Yarn- Bulky (5 or 6) Bernat Denim- Lava Wash (This is a chunky Yarn, you can also use strand each of a Red and White Worsted weight yarn.) Peppermint Button or PLASTIC decorations- I found these in the mini. Christmas Tree Section at Hobby Lobby. Do Not Use real Peppermints!!!
Ch 27 for a 10 inch neck - (to make larger or smaller add chs in increments of 4.)
R: 1 Sc in the 2nd ch from the hook, *skip the next ch, 4 dc in the next ch, skip the next ch, 1 sc in the next ch, Repeat from * 5 more times for 6 shells, 1 sc in the last ch, ch1
R: 2 - Working down the opposite side of the ch, 1 sc in the 1st sc, *skip the next ch, 4 dc in the next ch (should be in the center of the last shell) skip the next ch, sc in the next ch, repeat 5 more times for 6 shells, sc in the last ch. do not tie off.
1st Tie - Ch 25, 1 dc in the 2nd ch from the end, sl st back down the ch to the collar, join with a sl st and tie off.
2nd Tie - join yarn to the opposite end of the collar with a sl st, Ch 25, 1 dc in the 2nd ch from the end, sl st back down the ch to the collar, join with a sl st and tie off.
I cut off the loops from the plastic peppermints.
Then I Hot Glued one in each shell center.
The package comes with 9 peppermints,
so if you need to make the collar larger you have a few extra.
Keep the collar on securely so dogs are not tempted to bite or chew on the peppermint pieces.
My Daughter in law and her friend asked if I would like to make new Christmas wreaths with them. So we went to Hobby Lobby, picked out a wreath and all the bobbles and ribbons to make them.
I Bought 3 ceramic Chihuahuas and bright colorful decorations and ribbon.
A Chihuahua Themed Christmas Wreath!
To make the Wreath,
I purchased an wreath that was empty.
Then I used a lot of Hot Glue.
I placed everything were I wanted it and just
glued it in place. Even the ribbon is glued on.
It is really easy, Just choose a them and let your imagination take over.
Materials:
Hook - J / 6.0 MM
Yarn - Chunky(5) Yarn Soft Essential Pixie Stripe(C2) and Rose(C1) - 2 oz of each yarn)
Yarn Needle
Tape measure for adjusting the pattern
Stitches-
Chain (ch)
Single Crochet (sc)
Half Double Crochet (hdc)
Double Crochet (dc)
Front Post Double Crochet (fpdc)
Skip (sk)
Space (sp)
Change to (chgto)
Sizing - 1 size fits most
Boot Cuff measures 10 inched around and 8 inches long.
4 rows of the band = approx. 1 inch
Notes:
Ch2 Does not Count as a st.
Ch2 counts as a HDC
Ch3 Counts as a dc
Round are joined with a slst
Pattern:
R: 1 - Beginning at the top band, With C1, Ch 11,
1 sc in the 2nd ch from the hook, 1 sc in the next 9 chs, ch1 turn (10 sc)
R: 2 - Working in the back loops, 1 sc in each sc, ch1, turn (10 fpsc)
R: 3 - 28 - Repeat R- 2
R: 29 - Repeat R : 2 , do not tie off, put the 2 ends together to form a circle,
and sc closed, do not tie off.
R: 30 - Turn Band up and sc around the top of the cuff,
putting 1 sc in the top of each row for 29 scs, join
R: 31 - Chgto C2, Ch2, 1 hdc in the 1st sc, sk the next sc,
*2 hdc in the next sc, ch1,skip the next sc*
Repeat from *to * around cuff, sk last 2 sc,
1 hdc in the 1st st, join, ch 2
(14 sets of 2hdc, ch1)
R: 32 - Ch2, 1 hdc in the 1st ch1 sp, ch1,
*2 hdc in the next ch1 space, ch1*
Repeat from *to * around cuff,
1 hdc in the 1st st, join, ch 2
(14 sets of 2hdc, ch1)
R: 33-39 - Repeat R: 31
R: 40 - Forming the bottom cuff, Chgto C1,
1 dc in each hdc and in each ch1 around, join, ch3
(42 dc)
R: 41 - Ch 3, 1 dc in the 1st st, *1 fpdc in the next st, 1 dc
in the next st, repeat from * around cuff.
R: 42 - Repeat R: 41, Tie off and weave in your ends.
Make Sure you stitch up 2.
Wear Them up, or roll them down over your boots.
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