Tips And Treats

I can’t believe it’s almost the end of October already. Where did this year go? I do know one thing. The older I get, the faster time flies. Oh well, we can have fun while we’re here. And, we have a lot to do this weekend.

First, I have a couple tips for you. Since it’s fall, a lot of people are mulching their gardens and flower beds. Be sure you don’t use cocoa mulch. It’s the same plant that we get chocolate from. And, it has the same ingredients as chocolate. Fifty percent of the dogs that ate it died and it causes convulsions before death. A better mulch is cedar because it isn’t toxic. It may cause a tummy ache if it’s eaten but nobody dies from it.

I gave you a recipe for salmon treats a couple weeks ago. Someone I know said her cat can’t have fish because it makes her sick. If your pet can’t have fish, or doesn’t like fish, just use a pound of ground beef, ground turkey, or pureed liver instead. You may have to add a little broth to make it easier to spread but it works just as well as the salmon.

Now for the fun events. There’s a lot of them this week.

Ballentine Bark Park Barktoberfest is tomorrow, the 24th. It’s going to be at Balletine Bark Park from 1 to 4. The park is at 2717 Tait Terrace in Norfolk. There’s going to be doggie massages, Story time with PT Custard and Superhero Dill, costume contests, and talent contests. It costs $5 per dog and $3 for senior dogs 8 years and older. Check out the website at www.ballentinecivicleague.com.

Great Dane Rescue of the Commonwealth is having a yard sale tomorrow from 8 to 12. It’s being held at 3440 Newcastle Road in the Kings Grant area of Virginia Beach.

Heritage Humane Society is also having a yard sale. They’re holding it today from 12 to 4, and tomorrow from 8 to 12. It’s at 430 Waller Mill Road in Williamsburg.

Suffolk Humane Society will have a booth set up in front of their office in Driver for the Driver Days Fall Festival. They’re having an adoptathon on Saturday and fostered animals in the office on Sunday. There’s going to be lots of family activities, food, music, demonstrations, and a motorcycle ride. Admission is free. Festival hours are 9 to 6 Saturday and 11 to 5 on Sunday. Proceeds go to Suffolk Humane Society, Driver Volunteer Fire Department, and other local charities. Check out the website at www.driverevents.com.

Somebuddies will be at the Varina Episcopal Church Fall Festival tomorrow at 11. The festival starts at 10 and goes until 3. It’s at the corner of New Market and Mill Roads in Varina east of Richmond.

United States Equine Rescue League is having a horse show tomorrow starting at 9 in the morning. It’s at Flintrock Farm in Reidsville, NC. Proceeds benefit the horses in the rescue. You can get more info at www.userltriad.org.

Virginia Beach SPCA is having their 31st annual Walk for the Animals on Sunday. They’re going to have games, a pet costume contest, a kids costume contest, a pet trick contest, a Blessing of the Animals, and a pledge walk. Everything begins at 11:30 at the 31st Street Park on the Virginia Beach Oceanfront.

Whew! That’s a lot to do! Get out there and have some fun while you support our local rescues. I’ll have more for you next week.

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