Pets & You + Win a Kroger Gift Card

UPDATE: This giveaway has ended. Due to an upgrade to my blog, comments are no longer showing for some posts prior to May 4, 2010.

National Kids and Pet Day is April 26th

As a family, we had talked about getting a pet for a number of years before actually going forward with choosing one. Just like any new addition to a family, a pet requires care, love, and visits to the doctor. Pets get sick, have accidents, and need their shots. I always say having a pet is like having another child. Well, I guess that really depends on the pet. I suppose a simple goldfish doesn’t cost all that much.

Family Friendly breeds:

Cocker Spaniel – These lap dogs are sensitive and sweet and enjoy the attention of children. Cocker Spaniels are obedient with training and friendly around people.
Pug – This affectionate breed loves being part of a family. Outgoing and mischievous, they make playful companions for children.
Golden Retriever – Similar to Labs in personality, Goldens are mild mannered and enjoy being around families and other people. These dogs are easy to train are gentle with children.
Basset Hound – This breed is good with children of all ages. They are known for their docile nature and gentleness. Their long backs need to be supported when they are picked up, and an eager child can accidentally injure them.

Our beautiful puppy is a hound/lab mix. This makes for some interesting times around our house. Ivy has the talkative nature of a lab with her gentle whimpers and outright barking when she wants something. She is also known to cuddle up under the covers and she snores. Then she has these beautiful markings showing she is part Blue Tick hound and the nose to the air or ground depending on what she happens to be tracking. Yes, she’s the best of both worlds.

Teach your children safe pet play:

Teach children to pet softy, stay away from food dishes, toys and bones, and not to startle your dog or cat when it is sleeping.
Keep babies and toddlers at a level higher than your dog. Dogs perceive height as representative of their hierarchy. Keep children off the floor when the dog is in the room.
Don’t give your dog toys that resemble your children’s toys or clothing. Stay away from fabric stuffed dog toys that resemble your child’s stuffed animals.
Involve your child in your dog’s care. Just the presence of your child in the same room while your dog is receiving his favorite things or activities can help build a positive association to children.

Ivy really loves tug toys and toys which dispense treats. An old tennis ball works well, too.

Remember, puppies are like toddlers they get into everything and need constant supervision. I haven’t raised any kittens, but am sure they are just as mischievous as puppies. Although, sometimes we think Ivy is part cat. She has 9 lives after all.

Visit Kroger’s Pet Health blog for more information on family friendly breeds or additional tips on teaching your children about pet safety.

Ivy going for a ride in the car

{this was recorded with my cellphone}

My puppy

We adopted Ivy from the pound in August 2007. She was shy and scared and so cute. Oh, and she had parvovirus. Ivy stayed overnight at the vet and this was our first big expense. Next came her first round of shots. Then there is heartworm pills and flea & tick prevention.

Our next big expense came on Superbowl Sunday, 2008. We took Ivy outside to do her business and when she came back inside she left bloody paw prints everywhere she walked. We bandaged her up and off we went to the emergency vet. A few hours later, and about a $100, Ivy was patched up and we were on our way home.

About a year later, on a pretty Saturday, Ivy was running free in the yard. We live on about 5 1/2 acres. We had gone inside. When we went outside to call her back in we found her lying by the back door. She had been hit by a car and limped there for us to find. Back to the emergency vet she went. This time she stayed overnight. Thankfully no major damage had been done.

Did you know Kroger offers pet insurance?

click to see full size image

Offered through PetFirst, Kroger pet insurance policies cover routine care and medical procedures for dogs and cats, and is available at more than 2,400 stores in the Kroger family including City Market, Dillon’s, Fred Meyer, Frye’s, King Sooper, Owen’s, Pay Less, QFC, Ralph’s and Smith’s.

A little about PetFirst

Started in July 2004
Founded by Lansdon B. Robbins and A. Brent Hinton
Privately held and owner operated
Available in all 50 states
Headquartered in Jeffersonville, Indiana
Underwritten by AM Best A+ rated insurance companies

In addition to being available in-store, Kroger’s pet insurance can be purchased online at http://www.krogerpersonalfinance.com/pet-insurance/. Kroger’s pet insurance works at any veterinarian nationwide, with reimbursement typically occurring within two weeks. Coverage starts as low as $9.95 per month and right now, individuals who purchase online can save $10.

Win a $20 Kroger Gift Card

Kroger Co. through the Global Influence Network have generously sent me a $20 Kroger gift card to give away to one of my readers so you can spoil the pet [or pets] in your life. Sounds pretty good, right?

Giveaway Rules:

Let’s keep this simple, shall we?

Tell me ~ how are you going to spoil your pet?
Like me on Facebook. [if you're already a fan, let me know that, too]
Follow me on Twitter.
Follow Kroger’s Pet Health account on Twitter @PetsOfHealth
Tweet about this giveaway [may do this once per day]. Be sure to include a link to your tweet for verification. Make sure to include #pethealth or use this:
{ RT @AnneOnline Win a $20 Kroger gift card & show your pet how much you care #pethealth http://anneonlife.com/?p=5798 }
Blog about this giveaway. [5 entries, please leave a comment for each]

Leave a comment for each thing you do. This giveaway will end Monday, April 26th at midnight EST.

This giveaway is open to U.S. residents, 18 years or older.