Category: animals

Dewey Dude and the Skunk (plus a recipe for de-skunking the dog)
animals

Dewey Dude and the Skunk (plus a recipe for de-skunking the dog)

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I was out in the back garden the other day when the powerful smell of skunk hit my nose. My first thought was “Where’s Dewey Dude and what’s he gotten into now?!” I know my dog, and I know what his response to seeing a skunk would be. “Oh boy! A funny looking black and white kitty! I wonder if he wants to play?”

I didn’t see the offending skunk, but there was no doubt that Dewey had seen him- that boy was ripe! And do you know the first thing he wanted to do when he came trotting up from the barn? Rub on Mommy! I don’t think so puppy- 6 feet back! Hey now, there’s a great tool for social distancing- skunk spray! LOL

Luckily I had a de-skunking dog deodorizing recipe handy. Dewey Dude hates getting a bath, so I put on his harness and wrapped his leash around a pole on the porch so he couldn’t run off. He may not remember that skunks themselves are bad news, but I have a feeling he’ll remember the bath that followed his skunky adventures.

Here’s the recipe that I used:

1/4 cup baking soda

1-2 teaspoons dish soap

2 cups warm water

1 cup apple cider vinegar

Mix all the ingredients in a bucket and use a soft rag to thoroughly soak the fur and rub in the mixture, starting at the area that was sprayed and moving outward. The Dude was hit on the neck, so I started with his head, carefully avoiding his eyes and nose and moved all the way down to his tail, using up all the solution (it can’t be stored and has to be used immediately). Let the solution sit on the dog for at least 5 minutes. This was probably the hardest part, with The Dude sitting there looking at me so pathetically like, “What did I do to deserve this?” 😦 After it’s had time to work rinse the solution off with warm water. I filled another bucket with warm water and slowly poured it over him, using a clean cloth to be sure I removed all the vinegar and baking soda. Then I dried him off and let him loose. Of course he promptly went and rolled in the dirt. *sigh* Well he was really clean for about 2 minutes. At least he doesn’t stink any more. By the way, I highly recommend doing this whole process outside if at all possible, and be sure to wear gloves, unless you want to smell like skunk too 😉

Thanks for stopping by!

~Michelle

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Dewey Dude and His Flock
animals

Dewey Dude and His Flock

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It’s that time of year again- time for Spring chicks! I got my day old Rhode Island Red chicks about a month ago and Dewey Dude has been helping me take care of them from day one. He loves the little fluffy baby chicks and is so gentle with them. I’ll hold one of the chicks for him to smell and he’ll give her tiny gentle kisses on the cheek. He is just the most loving dog I’ve ever known! (He’s great with the cats too)

The chicks are growing fast and I wanted to give them more room to stretch their wings and play, so I fenced off an area in the greenhouse where I just pulled the old lettuce and hadn’t planted anything new. This was the first time the chicks had been out in the sunshine and felt dirt under their feet. At first they weren’t sure what to do with all this freedom and space, so they didn’t go too far from the food. It didn’t take them long to get comfortable though. Within a few minutes they were running around (chicken zoomies!) flapping their wings and having lots of fun.

I let them play out in the greenhouse during the day, frequently checking on them, with Dewey Dude’s assistance, of course. So far I’ve only had one chick get out of the enclosure, and Dewey Dude came and told me a chick was in trouble. I heard her squawking as I approached the greenhouse. She was up against the fence, just trying to get back in to be with her sisters. I made the fencing more secure (she had slipped out under the fence) and I have the row cover on top to keep them from flying out. I haven’t had any more escapes so far. Dewey Dude keeps a good eye on the chicks though, and I’m sure he’ll let me know if they’re in trouble.

In the evening, as the temps start to drop (before it gets too cold) I load the chicks back into their carrier and take them back to their cage with the heat lamp in the garage. Dewey Dude leads the way, prancing along, tail held high, like he’s doing the most important job in the world. Once in the garage he watches very closely as I put each chick back in the cage. I always let him kiss at least one of them 😉 Whenever I go out during the evening to check on them that hard working dog has to come with me, even if he was sleeping. It’s his job to protect those chicks, and he takes his job very seriously. And the chicks quickly come to love Dewey and see him as a bit of a Mamma Hen. They’re not scared of him, and actually seem comforted by his presence. And that continues even as they grow to maturity. Dewey hangs out right in front of the chicken coop, and a bunch of the hens will be laying right up against the fence, as close to the dog as they can get. So far Dewey’s raised four batches of chickens.

I surely was blessed when this wonderful dog came into my life! He brings a smile to my face every single day, no matter what else might be going on.

Thanks for stopping by!

~Michelle

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The Box
animals

The Box

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Best box ever, according to Ginko and Calcifer! Ginko likes the more traditional position and enjoys the roominess 😉 Plus the sturdy corners are excellent for rubbing on.

“I seriously love this box”

Of course Calcifer, being the furry rebel that he is, prefers the box flipped. Now he can be King of his cardboard castle 😉

King Calcifer
Just kicking back, soaking up the sun!

And it also makes a lovely sun room 😉 I like how he has his paw sticking out through the hole on the side. Calcifer certainly knows how to make himself comfortable!

It also makes a great bath house

Hope you enjoyed today’s kitty cuteness!

Thanks for stopping by!

~Michelle

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Cute Kitten Wall Decor
animals · Gallery

Cute Kitten Wall Decor

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It may be cold and snowy outside but this cute kitten rolling around in the flowers makes me feel like Spring is right around the corner!

Kitten with Spring Flowers and Butterflies Heart Shaped Wall Hanging

This joyful heart shaped wall hanging celebrates Spring as only a kitten can! An adorable little cat blissfully rolls in the grass surrounded by yellow and blue flowers and pink butterflies. Laying on his back, paws tucked up to his belly, this kitten revels in that warm Spring sunshine! The kitten was sculpted by hand in shades of brown and white Premo polymer clay which was swirled together to create his unique fur pattern.

Kitten with Spring Flowers and Butterflies Heart Shaped Wall Hanging

The kitten has bright golden eyes, tiny pink paw pads, and a little pink nose. The cat rolls around between three clumps of tiny blue flowers with white beads for centers. Pretty little yellow flowers with blue beads for centers grace the perimeter of the grassy heart. The grass and the kitten were textured for added detail and realism, and each flower and leaf was individually sculpted. Three bright pink, blue, and gold butterflies flutter around the kitten and he soaks up the sun. 

Kitten with Spring Flowers and Butterflies Heart Shaped Wall Hanging

 This happy little wall hanging or miniature plaque measures about 5 inches tall and 4 inches wide. I securely attached a metal saw tooth hanger on the back of the heart so it can easily be hung anywhere you need a bit of sunshine and kittens 😉 I’ve stamped my signature on the back of the heart so you know this is a one of a kind creation hand crafted by Michelle of CreativeCritters.

Click on any of the picture to be taken to the listing on ArtFire.

Thanks for stopping by!

~Michelle

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Homemade Dog Biscuits
animals · recipes

Homemade Dog Biscuits

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These home made dog treats are made with healthy carrots, squash, and sweet potatoes, along with delicious peanut butter and oatmeal.

Dewey Dude definitely approves!

You can make this recipe with any combination of butternut squash, carrots, and/ or sweet potatoes, depending on what you have on hand.

Ingredients:

3 cups flour

2 cups oats

1 cup peanut butter

2 1/2 cups total – combination of cooked, mashed butternut squash, carrots, and sweet potato

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4- 1/2 cup olive oil or coconut oil- add if dough is too crumbly

Directions:

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Combine all ingredients except oil. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface. Add oil if dough is too crumbly. Roll dough to 1/4″ thick and use a cookie cutter to cut out treats or roll dough into balls and flatten slightly. Bake on a cookie sheet 25 minutes or until lightly browned. Store in the refrigerator.

Thanks for stopping by!

~Michelle

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