#BarkToSchool at My Household Zoo?

 I am participating in an opportunity to receive a spot as a free sponsor in the #BarktoSchool Twitter Party, to be hosted by Event Barkers on August 12. Event Barkers is a social media promotions group run by http://www.AllThingsDogBlog.com and  http://www.DogTipper.com and their team. In exchange for blogging about their party, posting to my Facebook page about the event, and Tweeting about the theme, I will be entered in a drawing to win a free sponsorship. As a sponsor, I will receive 3 weeks of pre-party promotion at several top blogs such as DogTipper.com, AllThingsDogBlog.com, CatTipper.com, MyPetAllergies.com, and 5MinutesforFido.com, and ParisandJohn.com. In addition, I will be mentioned in promotional Tweets by these sites' handles along with @EventBarkers, receive Facebook postings by their sites, and the Twitter Party will encourage guests to visit my site. Event Barkers will even encourage their readers to sign up for my newsletter. I hope you will join the fun by following the hashtag #BarktoSchool. Wish me luck!

In light of the event, I'll let you guys know what #BarkToSchool means for the inhabitants here at My Household Zoo:

• For me? Not much. I've been #BarkToSchool all Summer long. Okay, I take that back - I had last week off. That's still pretty ruff. Oh well, my Associate's Degree is that much closer!
• I babysit my sisters throughout the Summer, so when they get #BarkToSchool, I'll have more time to volunteer at the zoo, and do other, personal household zoo duties.
• One thing that will actually be ending for me rather than starting is my AmeriCorps term! Yup, that's why the blog's been so quiet. Rest assured, though. I'll be done in mid-August. 

  I hope the transition goes smooth for all of you that live in a student-inclusive family. I also hope I'll be seeing all of you at the #BarkToSchool twitter party! It will be tons of fun, I promise!

-Cynthia

Your Stray Dog Kit

Image from Tesss.com

Stray Dog Kit

From the essentials for your average Samaritan, all the way down to the optional, but helpful things. Use this list as a guideline and check list, and work your way down according to your community's need: if you frequent loose-dog neighborhoods with antisocial residents, you'll need more supplies than if you live in neighborhoods with helpful residents and few loose dogs. Keep these supplies in your glove box, under your seat, or in your purse/bag. Just don't forget them at home because they are then useless!

Slip Lead - The cheaper, the better. Frequently, owners will take the leash with them because they have no other means of getting their loose dog from one location to another. Alternatively, in a pinch, use a normal dog leash and slip the clip through the handle.

Cell Phone and Adequate Phone Numbers: 

• Your local emergency veterinary clinic
• At least one local non-emergency veterinary clinic
• Your local animal law enforcement agency
• Additional veterinary clinics, helpful friends, rescue and shelter contacts

A Strong, Willing, and Helpful Attitude - Owners will give you nasty, or "so what?" responses when you return their dogs. Sometimes, you'll see the same dog loose many times. Don't give up. Just know that every time you get the dog back in the house or yard, you're preventing at least one accident. If it becomes habitual in your neighborhood, call your local animal law enforcement agency.

 An Extra Lead or Gauze Wrap and the Know-How of How to Make an Impromptu Muzzle

 Smelly, Tasty Treats With a Long Shelf Life

Towels and Blankets - To absorb bodily fluids and/or use as a stretcher.

a Carrier

a Filled Water Bottle and a Bowl

 a Non-Electrical Heating Pad

 a Stress-Relieving Remedy, like Pet Essences Emergency(for you and the dog)

This post and list is dedicated to Hannah, the beautiful Husky who was hit by a car this morning. Wherever she is now, I hope she is comfortable and happy, and I send her family healing thoughts. Hopefully, the awareness that this accident created for me, channeled into this list, can help other dogs like her. Other dogs that are scared, loose, or hurt.