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We Like: Gate Closing Springs

gatespringHurray for gate springs!  They are an inexpensive (~$11) way to make sure your gate closes and latches anytime someone opens it.  This a a great way to keep your dog safe without having to rely on people actually remembering to make sure the gate is closed.

Gate springs can be found at most hardware stores and are really easy to install.  Use some care in adjusting the tension on the screw.

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Friday Fun: Boxer Meets Kitten

Here’s some serious sweetness!  Lennon the Boxer meets Figgy the kitten.  Lennon is such a polite pup—very nice manners.  He’s showing lots of great body-language.

  • play bow
  • lowering his body
    trying to get his head lower than the kitten’s (not easy to do!)
  • turning head
  • averting gaze
  • licks & nibbles
  • gentle pawing

Do you see any more polite body language?  If you want to know more about canine body language, check out one of my favorite books, Canine Body Language: A Photographic Guide.

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DIY: Huge Valentine’s Dog Toy Round-Up

I love Valentines—so pretty!  Here are a bunch of DIY Valentine’s Day projects for you to make for the pups you love. Just add a squeaker or mylar, if your dog likes crinkly toys.  All of these patterns are free.  Be nice and don’t use patterns to make things to sell if the author asks you not to.  These people have been really generous in providing all these patterns, so consider supporting them if they have etsy shops, stores, books, or patterns for sale.

 

Row 1:

  1. knitted winged heart tattoo
  2. crocheted heart tug toy (pics are gone, but instructions are there)
  3. knitted anatomically correct heart
Row 2:
  1. crocheted anatomical heart
  2. no-sew tug toy with loop–use pink, red, or heart patterned fleece.
  3. sewn a candy heart—one that said “Bite Me” would be fun!
Row 3:
  1. 4″ knitted heart
  2. 5″ crocheted heart
  3. knitted fuzzy heart
Row 4
  1. knitted cupcake
  2. knitted candy heart
  3. sewn heart-shaped dog bed—enlarge a heart template to the right size for a bed for your dog, sew according to the instructions, & stuff with appropriate filling such as a foam layer with batting layered on top.
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DIY: Giant Valentine’s Cat Toy Round-Up

How cute are these?!  Here are heaps & heaps of Valentine’s Day DIY projects for your cat.  Be sure to add some catnip to their stuffing.  All of these patterns are free.  But don’t be a tool and use patterns to make things to sell if the author asks you not to.  And please support the people providing all these patterns if they have etsy shops, stores, books, or patterns for sale.  These people totally rock for providing these patterns for free!

 

Row 1

  1. knitted & felted hearts
  2. more knitted & felted hearts also available in German and French
  3. crocheted heart

Row 2

  1. hand-sewn felt hearts
  2. crocheted cupcake (I would leave off the beads)
  3. hand-sewn felt cupcake (I would avoid using glue and sew everything, if you do use glue make sure it’s non-toxic)

Row 3

  1. knitted cupcakes 
  2. knitted chocolates
  3. crocheted chocolates

Row 4

  1. hand-sewn felt chocolates & heart box
  2. knitted strawberries
  3. crocheted strawberries

Row 5

  1. hand-sewn felt strawberries
  2. crocheted rose with leaves
  3. knitted rose with leaves
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