Becoming a “dog friendly destination” makes it easier for people with animals to visit, which appeals to dog loving tourists and locals alike. Following Michigan, Ohio is currently considering similar legislation.  In many regions, local nonprofit rescues and businesses have a history of partnering to offer dog friendly fundraising events. Many folks are already enjoying the Dog Days of Summer in Cleveland, Ohio showing off the ways that patio pups offer tail wagging way to engage with customers.

Find more on dog friendly travel destinations!

• Play Days: making a little more play-time in the morning may lead to slightly more sleep in the night
• Have a Ball: a feeding ball may offer some entertainment in the wee hours of the night (especially if cats wake up the house in order to be fed). Be careful not to over-feed when considering other feeding times and follow suggested weight guidelines for amounts.
• Multiple Cats: if introducing a second (or third) cat, introduce them slowly and allow plenty of time for them to get used to each other, including pre-introduction and introduction steps.
• Toy Rotation: offer a variety of toys, selecting one or two varieties to stimulate interests that you set out at night so cats can entertain themselves instead of focusing on your wiggling toes.

• Talk to your vet. Like people, as animals age it’s important to know what kinds of behaviors should be avoided. Discuss any particular health challenges and their limits with your vet in advance of launching a new exercise routine for senior companion animals.
• Slowing familiar games down is a great way to adapt.  For example, for an older dog who always loved a good game of fetch as a pup, try rolling a ball a short distance in the living room instead of pitching it across a field. The activity will still bring stimulation and engagement without vigorous exercise that may exacerbate physical challenge. An older cat may need increased access to different levels so s/he doesn’t have to jump as high to reach ‘t a favorite perch or window.
• Let play be play – keep it fun. Play time is all about fun, so don’t bring out the nail clippers, training challenges, or whatever it is your animals have learned to tolerate over the years. For an older animal, a bait and switch may result in frustration that is hard to undo.
• Dogs don’t need to learn how to lose. It may be helpful for a human to learn they won’t always win, but don’t teach that lesson to your dog. For an older dog, games like keep away may lead to just that, but they will keep away from engaging. Dogs often give up on games they can’t win. For an older dog especially, that may translate into the loss of important social and mental stimulation as well as bonding- so play nice.
• Most of all, love. Seems obvious, but spending time with an animal who is slowing down is all about letting them know you care. Make the most of your furry friends’ older years!

•  If you want to allow your dog to swim, find a place where dogs are welcome. Dog Beach anyone? 
• If the water looks dirty, still, or full of algae, skip it. Blue Green Algae, in particular, is toxic and can cause moderate to severe health complications.  For signs and symptoms of poisoning, check out the pet poison helpline.
• Pay attention to your canine friend and stay close- a dog can slip into the water by accident or be pulled under by tides and waves. Consider trying a comfy fitting k9 life jacket equipped with a safety grip; these make an emergency lift simpler and are brightly colored, making it easier to keep an eye on your pooch.
• Not all dogs know how to swim!
  • Never force a dog to enter the water. Seriously. Never.
  • Make sure they can enter/exit water easily (no steep jumps, barriers, etc.)
• Bring Water: offering fresh water to drink is better than risking stomach problems. The Water Boy and H204K9 are Tooth’s top hydration choices.
• Enjoy! Summer fun is a great way to bond with your canine friends.

Domestic Animals – In a nutshell, it’s best for cats and dogs to be indoors, especially over the winter months and at least overnight.  Despite the persistent idea that dogs can just take care of themselves, not all dogs are suited to outdoor life.  If extended periods of outdoor time are unavoidable, here are some simple steps you can take to minimize risks of injury from extreme temperatures:

• Gimme Shelter: Make sure adequate shelter is accessible and appropriate for their size (room to stand up and turn around).  Place the dog house so the door faces away from prevailing winds and on a sheltered side of house or garage. Add a door flap as a layer of protection from harsh elements. Make sure the doghouse is moisture and windproof and made of nontoxic materials. Bedding: A dog house with a layer of straw can help insulate against the cold. Bedding should be changed regularly to make sure it’s clean and dry.
• Water: Even if your dog is only outside part time, make sure there is always access to fresh, clean water
• Food: Extra caloric intake may be appropriate, so monitor food intake and weight carefully
• Paws First: Use a non-toxic ice-melter in paths your dog travels at home and wipe their paws after walks to clean irritating chemicals off of their tender paw pads.
• Exercise: If it’s too harsh to play or walk, indoor play can be a great substitute

Wildlife – Yes, wildlife is wild, but you can make even a small backyard more hospitable and welcoming with a few easy steps, like those suggested for the National Wildlife Federation’s Backyard Habitat. Planning ahead, you can plant shrubs with edible berries to offer natural food sources to birds, but there are other ways to offset winter extremes, too.

• Shed Happens: If you shedding dogs, don’t throw it away! Set it outside, stuff that fuzzy fur into the fence or into a small netted bag so birds can use it as insulation in their nests.
• Food: Offering bird seed and suet from raised feeders can make a big difference over the winter months.  Mythbuster: No bird eats all its food from one source, so bird feeders don’t “create dependency,” they create options.
• Shelter: Bird houses, wood piles, leaf piles – all offer options for critters of various sizes.
• Water: Offering water over winter can help, too. Placing a bird bath in a very sunny area of the yard can help keep ice melted. Place stones and sticks in the bird bath so visitors have perches at various levels. Do not use anti-freezing additives in water features in your yard.