Richness of existence can be had when we open to the special gifts of the Creator’s creatures.
This particular April morning is warm and sunny, not exactly indicative of the month in general. This is a dog’s day. Our two little life-sharers are a Beagle-Chihuahua cross and a Manchester Terrier aka Rat Terrier. This adorable partnership is a joy to watch, with rolly-polly blond Gizmo wandering around with the tall, beautiful Josie Rat Terrier.
And, being April, it was time to do something about the ticks and fleas. We live in deer country, and the simplicity of nipping-it-in-the-bud by addressing this serious concern is beneficial to all. Everyone knows both varmints carry diseases that are harmful to people and dogs. Just deal with it! Home remedies include everyday consumption of garlic and orange solutions.
Our dogs get garlic in their chicken gizzard and rice stew that is their morning breakfast. I personally eat oranges like popcorn and have learned several uses for the peel. An empty gallon jug is filled ¾ with water, adding about 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, and into this mix I throw my orange peels. Let this ferment for 2 months, opening daily so it doesn’t explode. This concoction is a great household cleaner.
Spraying this mixture on your dog will also discourage fleas and ticks. Cleaning floors with this orange cleaner will discourage ants, and if one adds vinegar, all the better. I have never seen ants in an area I have consistently cleaned using apple vinegar.
But I’m talking about the health of my dogs here; and an April trip to the family dog-doctor is my version of using a sledge hammer to kill a flea. It’s about the dog, and no half measures for them.
This beautiful April morning they were off over hill and dale were the deer live. I worry while they are gone, but I don’t worry about the ticks and fleas.
My husband has begun a very effective training program of dog retrieval methods. He carries treats in his pockets and when he needs a dog appearance, he whistles. Gizmo and Josie have learned this means treats and love and they come running. Not as expert at whistling as is he, I scream “treat”, and this is just as effective. My husband dislikes hearing me scream outside (he’s only less offended when I scream inside), but it works.
We still keep an ear peeled to ensure the dogs don’t get into trouble when they’re out roaming. We are quite aware of the dangers they may encounter. We believe the danger is balanced by the benefits of freedom (not unlimited) and exercise. We are also strong believers in freedom as a general right. With freedom one must accept some degree of risks. But these little creatures are our responsibility, and what they feel as freedom comes with stress on our part, just as it should.
And at the end of a long day, when we all four crawl into bed, we feel adequately protected against that which would be a concern, having first taken the precautionary steps to keep everyone relatively safe.
