A Check List To Consider When You are Taking a Puppy Home

So, you have just decided to purchase your puppy and you are ecstatic! There’s no reason not to be. Owning a puppy can be so fun. Suddenly, you have this gorgeous little dog to share your home but really, owning a puppy involves a huge responsibility and it goes with any breed regardless of whether you chose to buy a bulldog, a fierce breed like the Doberman or a German Shepherd. Remember that while you find it an exciting event for you and your family, the puppy may feel a little confused and may experience some insecurity and it is important to do everything to keep the pup safe and sound.

As the puppy learns its surroundings and lives with you, you need to do everything possible to keep the puppy safe and sound. That means ensuring that your puppy does not reach for anything that might be dangerous to it. Because puppies are in the chewing stage, they tend to tug or chew at anything they find including electrical cords! So, be vigilant and keep your puppy safe by removing all dangerous items within its reach.

As you take your puppy outdoors, make sure your fence is also secure and does not have any holes to let it out. Puppies are always exploring for new things and might let themselves out. Keep all items away from the puppy including ponds which should be covered.

An Angel Puppy Dog

Here’s a step-by-step guide on what it takes to bring your puppy home and care for it.

1. Provide the puppy with its sleeping arrangements

Your puppy needs a place to sleep. Find a spot that is relatively quiet so the puppy can sleep without being disturbed. An ideal place can be the kitchen or family room. You can use a crate to hold the puppy. Get one that is large enough to hold your puppy as it grows. Place a comfortable blanket in the crate to keep the puppy comfortable so it can snuggle into the blanket as it sleeps.

2. Get the puppy his own food and water bowls

Find food and water bowls that allow the puppy to eat and drink comfortably without dirtying his ears and nose. Keep also a fresh supply of food available for your puppy – consult the breeder for what works for your pup.

3. Get your puppy toys

Your puppy will probably be teething so invest in some puppy toys since it will find ways to chew. When you create his crate, do not use any new blankets because the puppy may chew and bite the new blanket. Instead, it will be a good idea to give your puppy his toys to chew, as it will prevent the pup from exploring other areas in the house to chew off. The least you need is the puppy exploring parts of your home to sink its teeth into! So, buy some toys that are non-toxic and large enough so the puppy will not break it or eat it accidentally.

A Bulldog Watches Attentively in this adorable sculpture for the garden

 

4. Buy a collar and leash

Purchase a collar preferably one with a quick release feature and a leash for your puppy even though you will not be able to take the puppy for walks until it has completed all its vaccinations. The collar should be soft and fit nicely around your puppy’s neck. It should not be too loose because it could catch on something and hurt the puppy as it tries to yank itself free.

5. Groom Your Puppy

Consult your breeder on what brushes may work with your puppy and groom your pup on a regular basis with a brush.

6. Get a Veterinarian

Every dog owner needs a vet to go to. Make sure you keep the name and address of your vet handy. There are also local hospitals and clinics for animals which should be located in your county or living area.

One of our greyhound statues which was featured by Domino Magazine

Angels are Spiritual Beings Associated with the Divine

So you love angels? Well, don’t we all! So many of us purchase angel statues and sculptures as a way of celebrating angels and the love they bring to us. We place angel statues in our home and garden hoping to usher in celestial protection to our home. Look around you and you will notice that the marketplace is filled with so many angel themed merchandise from angel bookends, angel figurines to even large scale angel sculptures made of bronze and marble for those looking to set up such pieces as a memorial or for the garden landscape. There are even angel bird baths and angel fountains you could use to place in your garden.

Angels Vibrate at High Frequencies and the Reason Why We Cannot Hear Them

So, what are angels and why do they preoccupy us so much? Angels are spiritual beings which originate from Heaven and are spiritual beings of love and light. However, there isn’t a true picture that can prove how angels really look like. Some say they are shapeless and appear as light forms while others have claimed that angels can exist in human form. Take the case of theFBI agent who claimed to have seen a legion of angels guarding the crash site where Flight 93 crashed during the terror attacks in September 11, 2001. She had stated that the angels took the form of warrior angels. However, in the case of the incident where an angel was spotted on the

We celebrate angels by adorning our home and garden with statues of angels

hospital camera monitor, the angel appeared as a light form. The angel was said to have touched 14-year old Chelsea Banton who was stricken by pneumonia and was on life support. Chelsea regained strength and was saved that day with the angel’s touch. The news of the angel’s visitation received major worldwide coverage and threw light and interest on the existence of angels in our world.

Well, angels are said to be in direct communion with the Divine. This connection with the Divine enables angels to work as divine messengers for us in the real world we live in. However, angels are said to respect us and honor our free will and they will not interfere in our life without our permission. Most of us who may believe in the angels may ask for their presence and protection. Keeping an angel statue is one way of aligning our beliefs in the angel world and the angels feel attracted to you when they know that you wish to have them around. Sometimes, angels can intervene without your permission and this happens when the reason is guided by a higher form like God.

Angels will always interest us. All of us like to be protected by angels and if we believe in them, chances are they will respond positively to us. There are no limits to the areas of life that angels can offer to the human world. On a personal level, I have been saved many times because of the help of the divine and know that angels exist. And so, I do firmly believe that angels exist to offer us powerful guidance and support. They are compassionate and powerful beings which will visit when called upon. So many of us would like to understand the way to reach out to them but sometimes, you can do that by speaking to them through a prayer. Trust me, they will hear you quite well!

You can visit MyGardenGifts for sales on angel statues.

Saint Francis and the Wolf of Gubbio

Saint Francis is known to have tamed the wolf in Gubbio

Do you know Saint Francis of Assisi is sometimes depicted with a wolf by his side? The story has it that Saint Francis of Assisi was living in Gubbio when the village was assaulted by a fierce wolf. One day, a large wolf appeared and began terrorizing the village and its residents. At first, it began attacking the livestock and became a nuisance. As the villagers became more afraid, the wolf seemed to become braver and began attacking the villagers. It is said that many of the villagers faced their death and were sometimes devoured by this fierce wolf.

The villagers were desperate. It seemed no measure taken was enough to stop the wolf from causing harm to the village and its people. It was at this point that Saint Francis decided to meet the wolf and although the saint was advised against it, nothing could stop him. With God behind him, Saint Francis entered the gates of the village with a small group of his followers. This attracted the attention of the wolf and records indicate that the wolf rushed to attack Saint Francis with its jaws wide open.

Saint Francis was not afraid. It is said he did the sign of the cross and commanded the wolf to stop hurting the villagers. This seemed to take a dramatic effect on the wolf and it is said that the wolf padded up to the saint meekly and laid its head in the saint’s hands. The story has it that Saint Francis then broke out and asked the wolf why it was doing so much evil on the land and destroying and killing people. He asked the wolf then to make peace with the village and said that the villagers should no longer be afraid of it. This caused the wolf to bow its head in shame. Saint Francis then said that the villagers will feed the wolf from that day on in exchange for a peaceful resolution made that the village will no longer live in fear of the wolf.

On hearing this, the wolf was said to have placed one of its forepaws in the saint’s hand and the agreement was made. Saint Francis then walked the wolf to Gubbio where villagers watched in shock as they saw the saint and the animal which terrorized them, move side by side in harmony. It almost seemed as if the wolf had become the pet of Saint Francis. From that point on, the village of Gubbio was no longer assaulted by the wolf which soon became a peaceful part of their everyday lives.

The Belief in Saint Michael the Archangel

Saint Michael the Archangel

Many of us keep statues of Saint Michael to protect us. Saint Michael is the Archangel of Protection whose name means “who is as God” and is one of the seven archangels. He is loved and revered in the Jewish, Christian and Islamic faiths, and is one of the more famous archangels. In Jewish legend he stands besides Gabriel, Raphael and Uriel with God. The archangel which is often depicted in images as slaying a dragon is known to hold the energy of the color blue. Many people who have been saved by Saint Michael have sensed the color blue around them.

Most often, Saint Michael is depicted in art wearing the armor of the Divine, and very often a red robe or red lining to his cloak signifying his role as a Seraph. He carries the silver sword of righteousness. In Christianity, Saint Michael is seen sometimes holding the scales and is the angel who at the Last Judgment will weigh and balance good deeds against the bad. In the Bible, the archangel wears battle gear and heads an angelic army, holding his unsheathed sword and the scales of justice. He argues with the devil (Jude1:9) and is the slayer of the Dragon (Rev 12:7).

Most often too, Saint Michael is called the ‘Prince of Light’ and leads the battle against the angels of darkness. It is said that amongst the Dead Sea Scrolls were fragments of a book entitled Words of the Archangel Michael, in which Saint Michael revealed a vision to Gabriel. However, these fragments were not enough to decipher and not much could be deduced from it.

You can ask the Archangel Michael to give you physical protection when you are traveling simply by asking ‘Archangel Michael protect me’. Try to imagine his blue light of protection surrounding you and your space. You can also invoke the archangel by seeking both emotional and physical protection in time of confrontation. He is one of the most profound archangels and is the Archangel of the Sun.

The Truth of About Well-Laid Out Paths to Your Home

Statues can be placed alongside your paths to add a mystery and surprise

Well designed paths create an experience. Depending on the materials used and the way they are laid up, paths can help elevate a mood or a setting. They are also the widest paths to your home and are created this way to command attention. Try creating a path that allows at least two people to walk side by side to your house. The width of the path must feel comfortable and not too crowded. In fact, well-designed paths to the front door tell the guests the place you call “home” and straight paths from the garage to the front door tells how quickly you wish to get to your house.

The types of path you design all add up to the experience of walking that path. It is expressed in the way the path is laid out, the materials you use and how these materials are set forth to create the formality or informality of your path. This often is guided by the architectural appeal of your home. Generally, the more traditional your home, the more formal the path to your home becomes. One of the best ways of sprucing the landscape of your house would be to complement the path with the architectural appeal of your house. If you have a wood framed house, try seeding a concrete path with colored stones or adding some stain to complement the color of your house. A straight path means it is the easiest and least expensive structure to build while a curving path adds to some enchantment by encouraging your guests to enjoy the look of the surroundings as they walk the path.

Some people may choose bricks to design their paths and these come in many colors and textures. You can find yellowish brown bricks to those that get brown and deep red in color while textures may range with bricks being made smooth, stippled or matte. You can also find bricks based on their thickness. Bricks used for paths as an instance tend to be thick while those that are used for a wall or fireplace can be half the thickness. Some people may also fancy stone for the path like the flat and irregular shaped flagstone as an instance. Others may choose concrete pavers which can be versatile and durable since it can make way for creating paths which are patterned.

As you plan the layout of your path, think about how it should look from where it begins and ends. Experiment with the layout by changing the width or making the curves gentler or steeper. Shift the path in direction and consider the ease of accessibility to your home. Some may choose to have two paths to the house with one originating from the garage and the other, at the front door. The truth is a well-laid out path adds character and can complement the look of your house. It sets a welcome to your home.

Designing Your Courtyard

Accents can be used to supplement the courtyard theme

Courtyards are becoming a popular choice among many home owners and they come in all ways to suit the needs of the home owner. These outdoor solutions are also no longer confined to warm climate regions like California and Florida but have become increasingly commonplace across the country. Many look upon courtyards as mini outdoor rooms which allow the family and guests to congregate from public view. It is common to find walls, arbors and plantings and even hedges used as choices to provide relief from the hot summer sun and noise pollution.

The decision to set up a courtyard will very much depend on your tastes, budget, the architecture of your house and the time allotted. Most look upon courtyards as private areas for enjoying the outdoors. The courtyard is a place for relaxing after a hard day’s work, a place for reading the newspapers and can be even a spot for dining and entertaining your guests. Some house owners even include a water feature within its confines since the sound of water and light can add to a pleasing effect.

Designing Your Courtyard:

Add Colored Plantings To Soften the Look of the Courtyard

When designing your courtyard, think about how it will serve your purpose and ensure there is enough room to enjoy those activities. Those who enjoy having walls made of stone, brick and wrought iron as a way of screening your privacy, should consider if such structures will reduce the amount of sunlight coming to your space. One way to check on this is to create some tall stakes with string tied between them to match the expected height of your walls. Sit back and see how it feels. Imagine the views. Move your wall stakes if needed and change your string height to make any adjustments. But of course, the cheaper solution to all this would be to create hedges but even a fast growing hedge can take several years to happen.

When designing the flooring, a good rule of thumb is to ensure that the materials chosen would complement the surrounding elements of the courtyard like the ceiling and the walls. You would not want the materials used to compete with the other and result in the courtyard looking too hyped and busy. Choose plants to complement the look of the courtyard since they come in all colors and can be used to soften the look of the hard surfaces like the walls and the flooring. Vines are also a popular consideration since they can be used to add character to a wall or trellis. A water feature is also a perfect solution towards making your time in your courtyard a relaxing one since water can distract surrounding noise and offer a calming way of screening undesirable sounds.

The Importance of the Front Entry to Your Home

The front entry to your home is the place where your visitors should feel comfortable and remember the kind of reception given to them. And so, the front entry should be warm and inviting with details placed like a pot of flowers and a shiny brass knob to complement the front door so your visitors can appreciate them and feel more welcomed. Some homes even provide a shelter to wait at the front door. These can be expanded as gathering places depending on the space and act as an open invitation for your guests to commune with you over a conversation or two.

Add Front Door Hardware Which Communicate a Theme

Create your front door as part of your landscaping project. Where the front door does not appear to be obvious as part of the landscape as could happen with homes that are not designed to bear architectural symmetry, include strong visual points like the lighted pathways or include statues and potted plants lining the path to the front door. If your entry is small, you can create more attention by upgrading your front door hardware like its door knockers and handles or setting aside potted plants to add attention or better still, resurfacing your landing and steps with thin stone or brick pavers. You can also add character by adding vine covered trellises and hanging basket planters to accentuate the front door.

The bottom line is the front door is the gateway to your house. It is the place where you meet your guests and family, and where you set them off after the visit. You will want the best impressions made at such times and so it is important for the entry to your front door designed as a warm and inviting place. Small detail always add a lot more towards building the character of your front door and promotes the degree of hospitality expected once the visitor gets past the front door.