When I refer to my kids, I generally refer to the two human ones I gave birth to, but the reality of it is I really do have two “other” kids.
They often take as much time, energy and attention as the real ones. Although they rarely talk back and truly seem more grateful for the things I do for them.
Both of my other kids have been through a lot in their lives, through different circumstances, but one thing remains constant – the unconditional love they offer.
Simon, our “oldest” is going to be 11 in December. He weighs around 85 lbs now after a diet overhaul, having been at almost 100 lbs last year. He is a pure-bred Golden Retriever and had major hip surgery when he was 8 months old. He has endured infections, allergies, seizures and many more maladies and yet he is the happiest guy around. He is intelligent, loving and has fantastic manners. He is the dog to judge other dogs by, and frankly I don’t expect anyone to measure up. Ever.
Toby is our “youngest” and was a very recent and unplanned addition to our family. He is around 10 months old, and weighs about 25 lbs. They say he is a wire-haired terrier / husky mix. We adopted him from a rescue group who saved him from a kill shelter. He was on “the green mile” and had 4 days left to live when they rescued him. He really does complete our lives and has helped our old man Simon re-discover his youth. Toby has given Simon back something we didn’t realized he missed. Canine companionship. They play and wrestle and Simon is happier than ever.
One of the things they share a love of is a tennis ball. Simon loves to fetch the ball, Toby prefers to run around with it in his mouth while Simon chases him.
Oops, the ball got away from both of them…
They will spend hours playing in the backyard. Running and chasing each other. Resting in the shade. Enjoying the fresh air.
But spending so much time outdoors has particular hazards for dogs. Fleas and ticks are very prevalent in my area and I panic every time I see them itching thinking we have been infested. Aside from just being icky, and certainly not something I want tracked back into my house (or our beds, because Toby is spoiled rotten) fleas can cause some major health issues for them. Flea Allergy Dermatitis, Anemia and Tapeworms are just a few of the issue fleas can cause for our beloved “kids”. Ticks are even worse. Lime Disease (which can transfer to people) and Babesiosis which can be deadly are just 2 of a number of diseases pets can get from ticks.
The good news is, fleas & ticks are no match for a good flea & tick control product and it really is very easy to ensure your pets stay flea and tick free. Simon and Toby receive a monthly application of preventative, it’s easy to apply, you do it once a month and it keeps them happy and healthy.
Because they both adore that tennis ball, flea & tick preventative gives me the peace of mind I need to let them play and wrestle in the grass without worrying they are bringing potential disease back into the house.
ENTER TO WIN A $50 VISA TYPE GIFT CARD
To enter, there are 2 simple steps:
- Upload a picture of your pet in the linky below. Make sure you include a caption with your name and your pet’s name to make it uniquely identifiable – so for example mine would be: Simon & Toby (Kim G). (You can leave the ‘where to link it to’ part blank or link it to your blog if you have one or mine – accidentalmommies.com) If you have trouble with the linky you may email submissions to kim@accidentalmommies.com.
- Leave a comment (and include your name and your pet’s name link you did for the picture caption) telling me why flea & tick prevention is important for your pet.
LINKY:
Giveaway is open to the 48 U.S. contiguous states and ends on July 16, 2012 at 12:01 am EST. Winners will be selected at random from all eligible entries and will be contacted by email. Winners will have 48 hrs to respond. Please add kim@accidentalmommies.com to your trusted email filter. If original winner does not claim their prize within 48 hrs, it is forfeit and a new winner will be selected promptly.
Note: I received compensation from FRONTLINE Plus to share this promotion. Opinions expressed are my own.
No purchase necessary to enter or win. Odds of winning are not increased by a purchase.
And while you’re at it, enter the “My Pet Loves… Interactive Sweepstakes” at mypetlovessweeps.com. Simply share a photo of your pet, and a note about what your pet loves, and you’ll be entered to win a monthly prize award of $500!
About Kimberly Grabinski
My darling Stony is what I uploaded…Preventing fleas and ticks is important because I absolutely hate for my Stony to suffer any uncomfortability! when she hurts, I hurt
Gwen is my 8 month old adopted Chow Chow mix. As you can see, she has a very beautiful thick coat. She primarily stays inside, especially since it is so hot out lately, and flea and tick prevention is a must of her. First of all, we live in the south, were fleas are prevalent, along with heart work disease, so it is huge for us that she be on flea and tick prevention as well as heart worm meds. So far, because we do have her on flea and tick prevention, we have been lucky and not encountered any this season. She will be on the flea and tick prevention all year round because of where we live. Thank you so much for the chance! And Gwen thanks you, too! Paw up!
Flea and Tick prevention is important to me because fleas and ticks carry Lyme disease, fleas can infest your home if not prevented, they cause heart worms, and can make animals extremely ill.
Zorro gets a treatment once a month to prevent fleas even though he doesn’t go outside. I don’t want to take the chance of him ever getting them. Thanks so much!
ashleygatewood1(AT)gmail.com
Zorro is my cat
Jersey and Nevada are our children (well two out of five). It is important to us that we take care of them just as well as we take care of ourselves and that means protecting them from fleas and ticks, preventing heartworm and keeping them vaccinated! We love them too much to lose them :)
Scout is my baby. I do everything possible to keep her happy and healthy because she is part of the family. That is why flea and tick prevention is important to us. Fleas and ticks are not good for Scout so we make sure she is protected.
my cat is always outside and it is so important she not bring fleas/ticks into the house or get bitten herself.
Jammie and Bones… Flea and tick prevention is very important for my pet because we live in the South where they seem to be a bit more active, when my dog starts to scratch because of those pesky bugs, it bugs (no pun intended) me… I hate to see him being annoyed by something that can be prevented.
Flea and tick prevention is so important because I want to keep all members of my family, happy and feeling their healthiest best!
I uploaded the picture “Cocoa the Poodle”. It’s the 2nd entry. I should have put my name on there, too. Sorry about that!
Flea and tick protection is very important because I want my dog to stay healthy and also keep my home free of fleas and ticks.
Flea & tick prevention is very important to my family! I have always used Frontline Plus year round! It works wonders for a house dog! I don’t want my Becky to be miserable & uncomfortable scratching all day due to these pesky pest! And I sure enough don’t want fleas or ticks in my house!
Becky (Tinha F.)