It's really easy to get caught up in the merriment stirred up by October's beloved end-of-the-month holiday. But what is meant to be festively ghoulish for us humans far too often becomes inadvertently "cruelish" for our pets. Think about it ... the commotion of constantly ringing doorbells and unknown visitors, the endless trail of tasty & tempting tidbits, the startling and unfamiliar costumes. Why, it's enough to make a grown dog cry and cower in the corner!
But fear not, Rover's
reticence and residual reactions can easily be cur-tailed by keeping these three
simple but important tips in mind.
1. Keep holiday confections ... especially those that are high in sugar or contain chocolate ... out of the paws of your pooch. Ingesting even small quantities can cause gastric upset, pancreatic distress, and even more dire results. Ditto for those pesky wrappers which can get caught in their throats or intestines. Don't want your beloved bow-wow to feel left out? Splurge on a supply of seasonally prepared treats available from local dog bakeries and boutiques. OR ... check out the fast & easy recipe at the end of this article and bake up a batch of your own!
2. You may think the constant stream of neighborhood children dressed as superheroes and aliens arriving at your door is cute, but your fur friends will most probably be in a heightened and perpetual state of arousal as the result of unremitting doorbell ringing and strange voices. Such unfamiliar commotion can easily cause extreme anxiety, door dashing, and perhaps an uncharacteristic nip or bite from even the most even tempered of dogs. Do Fido or Fluffy a favor by safely secluding them in a room far removed from the hubbub of the holiday. Soothing music, a favorite chew toy, and periodic reassuring visits from their beloved family will make this year's Halloween a REAL treat!
3. If you're planning to costume your canine (oh come on, you KNOW you want to!), be sure to strike that all important balance between "adorable" and "appropriate". Beware of those parts of the outfit that may obstruct movement, hinder breathing, or entice chewing. Ease him into the idea by practicing the dressing process and ensuing activity over the course of the days prior to Halloween; some encouraging words and extra treats might help make the process more tolerable for them. But the bottom line is, if Fido or Fluffy look or act miserable in their holiday attire, they probably are. 'Nuff said?
Pumpkin Howl-A-Ween Treats
Ingredients
2 eggs
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons dry milk
2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
water, as needed
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350F
2.
Blend
eggs and pumpkin; add salt, dry milk, and flour
NOTE:
- you will need to mix dough with your
hands ... it is too stiff for an electric mixer
- add water as needed to make the dough
somewhat workable
- the dough should be dry and stiff (don't
be concerned with crumbs being left in the bowl)
3. Roll dough to " thick
4. Cut dough into shapes
5. Place 1" apart on an ungreased cookie sheet
6. Bake for 20 minutes on one side, then turn over and bake another 20 minutes
7. Allow cookies to cool before serving