Getting a Puppy? How to Go About It

Thinking of getting a puppy? There’s a good reason that dogs are referred to as “man’s best friend”. They really are a great companion who can keep you company, entertain you, love you and generally prove a great member of the family. But it’s important, before getting any dog, to make sure that you know what you’re letting yourself in for, what your responsibilities will be and whether this is the right decision for both you and the pup you pick. Here’s some information to help with this.

Why Do You Want a Puppy?

First, consider why you want a puppy. All too many people get a dog for the sake of it, to show off on social media or because they feel a little bored. At the end of the day, a dog is a living, sentient being who will be entirely dependent on you for the duration of their lives - which can last up to two decades or more! You need to make sure that you’re fully prepared for the responsibilities ahead of you.

It’s also important to remember that all dog breeds have unique personalities that may play a role in your reasons for wanting a puppy. For instance, some breeds such as Akita, Bullmastiffs, and Belgian Malinois have natural protective instincts, making them great choices as guard dogs to protect your home and family.

But if you’re looking for a dog that can protect you, then you may want to consider a service like Scott's K9 instead so you don’t have to wait years for your pup to grow up! Of course, many people choose these breeds not only for their strengths as guard dogs, but because they like how the breed looks. Just remember that a breed’s natural instincts will eventually come through!

But what kind of responsibilities will you have as the owner of a new pup?

Responsibilities

Some key responsibilities to prepare yourself include:

• Food - remember some dogs will have specific dietary requirements or intolerances, so food may be more expensive than standard store bought options.

• Toys - dogs will go through these regularly, meaning they will need to be replaced frequently.

• Bedding - different dogs prefer different options, but all dogs will need their own bed to sleep in.

• Daily walks - some will require a short walk, some ongoing exercise throughout the day.

• Play time - some dogs like to play a lot. Some like to be challenged with smart toys.

• Grooming - non malting and curly breeds tend to need professional grooming, which can be costly.

• Pet insurance - every dog needs pet insurance to ensure they can have the treatment they need as and when they may need it.

• Routine veterinary care - routine treatments like vaccinations, flea treatment, worming and more are not usually covered by insurance, but will still need to be paid.

To Buy or To Adopt

When you get a dog, you’re going to have to decide whether to buy a puppy or adopt. You can often find puppies for adoption. Of course, buying a dog is straightforward. You find a breeder and purchase the breed and age you want. However, if you’re choosing to buy a dog, make sure to use a reliable breeder like ABC’s Puppy Zs, who treats their dogs (fathers, mothers and puppies) extremely well - not just as money making tools. If you adopt, you will be providing an existing dog with a home. This is great. Just make sure to check the dog’s history, any behavioral issues you may need to look out for and any health issues they may have.

Choosing the Right Breed

Whether buying or adopting, you need to make sure you’re choosing a dog that is right for you and your lifestyle. Remember that all breeds of dogs were initially bred for a purpose, so will often share specific physical and personality traits. Research any dog you’re interested in. Some will require more exercise, more attention, more play, more grooming, more space or other lifestyle characteristics. Find a dog that matches you and your lifestyle. There’s no point getting a working dog if you’re not going to be able to provide eight hours of exercise a day and ongoing play. There’s no point getting a companion dog who requires more attention if you’re going to be out of the house for hours at a time.

Hopefully, the above steps will help you to find the right dog for your needs!

National Geographic Kids' "Hop Into Spring Giveaway"

Disclosure: Susie's Reviews receives compensation or products from brands in exchange for the posts on this site Our opinions are honest and our own.

Whether you're looking for candy-less Easter basket ideas or fun Spring reads, the National Geographic Kids' "Hop Into Spring Giveaway" features six books for kids of all ages that are filled with fuzzy animals, fun facts, and all things sports -- a perfect fit for Easter and the celebration of Spring!

That's Fact-tastic! Mind-Blowing, Eye-Popping, Jaw-Dropping Stuff About Our World (Hardcover, $19.99, ages 8-12,192 pgs)

Did you know that a giraffe’s eye is as big as a Ping-Pong ball? Or that about 19 million hot dogs are sold at major league baseball games every year? Or that there is only one bone in your body that’s not connected to another one?  This book is chock-full of fascinating facts, silly stats, and catchy little knowledge nuggets in all kinds of awesome categories, from amphibians to black holes to the gold rush.

Special features include Extreme Weirdness, Strange Places, What's the Difference, and more. Bold, colorful photographs in a supersize format and spectacular information create a winning combination for curious kids who can't wait to learn more about the world.

Little Kids First Board Book: Becoming a Butterfly  (Board Book, $7.99) Follow one of nature's most fascinating creatures from egg to caterpillar to butterfly in this vibrantly illustrated board book that introduces babies and toddlers to these incredible insects.

Bursting with vivid photos and featuring super-simple facts, this charming board book explores how a butterfly becomes a butterfly.  Little readers will be dazzled by the variety of colorful butterflies they meet as they learn how these beloved insects develop from egg to caterpillar to chrysalis to an adult ready to spread its wings and fly.

Little Kids First Big Book of Sports (Hardcover, $14.99, ages 4-8, 128 pgs)

Climb, dive, skate and race into the wide world of sports! This lively reference book, co-branded with ESPN, introduces young readers to a variety of sports from across the globe and explores how they are played.

Whether a sport needs a ball or a stick, a pool or a field, a racquet or a ski pole, young readers can explore each sport’s history and the rules and skills that make that sport unique. From basketball to soccer, lacrosse to cricket, archery to diving, bowling to skateboarding, snowboarding to playground games, this lively reference book covers a variety of team and individual sports. Special sections look at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Whether you’re interested in team sports, solo sports, or watching from the stands, this book has something for everyone. Let’s play!

Features include:

• Age-appropriate descriptions of dozens of sports, and the rules and skills that make each sport unique
• Activities that encourage interactive learning and exercise
• Simple text for reading aloud or for beginning readers
• Fun facts on every spread
• More than 200 incredible photos
• Parent tips that extend the experience beyond the book

Zeus the Mighty: The Voyage on the Oddest Sea (Hardcover, $12.99, ages 8-12, 192 pgs)

Join Zeus the overconfident hamster, Athena the wise cat, Ares the treat-loving pug, Poseidon the proud pufferfish, Demeter the loyal grasshopper, and Hermes the daring chicken on another laugh-out-loud adventure through Greek mythology.

Plunge into stormy waters with Zeus the hamster and his gaggle of gods as they meet a shape-shifting soothsayer and uncover the mysteries of the deep in the spellbinding fifth book in this hilarious romp through Greek mythology.

After an earthquake rocks the Aegean Sea, Zeus and Demeter set sail in a not-so-seaworthy vessel to find out what really happened. When their ship is capsized by a slithering sea monster, the duo find themselves trapped in a mystifying underwater realm. The other Olympians mount a rescue mission, only to encounter enchanting mermaidlike creatures with hypnotic songs and a tentacled shape-shifter who tells tales of the future. His uncanny abilities make the Olympians question themselves―and each other. Can the god squad stick together, or will the strange currents of this underwater world tear them apart? www.zeusthemighty.com. 

5-Minute Baby Animal Stories (Hardcover, $14.99, ages 6-8, 208 pgs)

If baby animals make you go aww, this collection of stories is the book for you!  Curl up with 12 true tales about some of the most adorable baby animals on the planet.  Each story is the ideal length to be read aloud in five minutes, perfect for bedtime, story time, or anytime.

From inspiring tales of baby manatee and baby wombat rescues to irresistible stories of how panda cubs, penguin chicks, and more babies grow up, this nonfiction 5-minute storybook will engage and enchant animal lovers of all ages. Illustrated with colorful photographs, these true stories are perfect for any time you need a little boost of cute!

My Favorite Animals Super Sticker Activity Book  (Paperback, $12.99, ages 4-8, 112 pgs)

Chock-full of kids' favorite animals: dogs, cats, bunnies, hamsters, birds, cows, sheep, pigs, and many more! With a colorful design and loaded with tons of games and activities--such as mazes, matching, drawing, and counting -- kids are sure to love these pages of 2,000 stickers!

Giveaway

The National Geographic Kids' "Hop Into Spring Giveaway" (consists of all 6 books listed above, ARV $76, US only and ends on April 10th. Good Luck!

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Urban Originals Women's Maui Overnight Duffle Bag

Disclosure: Susie's Reviews receives compensation or products from brands in exchange for the posts on this site Our opinions are honest and our own.

No bags are as simple, versatile, and satisfying to use as a duffle. Its utilitarian design—a soft, oblong bag with one zippered opening plus two handles and/or a shoulder strap—suits anything from a daily commute to a weekend away to a camping trip. My new favorite is Urban Originals Women's Maui Overnight Duffle Bag in Leopard. Also available in Melon. 

Maui Overnight Bag can fit enough items for an overnight stay, or there's plenty of room for your gym essentials. It comes with an adjustable and removable strap and has a double handle when the strap is not necessary.

Product Details

• Material - cotton, polyester and polyurethane, trim- 100% polyurethane, lining - 100% viscose
• Extra large sized bag, 19" W x 9" H x 10" D
• Strap - handle drop - 7", adjustable strap drop - 12.5" to 23.5", adjustable strap length - 23.5" to 45"
• Zipper closure
• Exterior details - 2 zip side pockets, 2 flat with magnetic button
• Interior- 1 zip pocket, 2 slip pockets
• Hardware - brushed brass
• Weight - 5 lbs
• 30-days limited manufacturer warranty from defects
• This item purchased online must be returned to the vendor by mail only. This item cannot be returned to Macy's stores.
• Spot Clean
• Imported

Made with a blend of vegan leather and recycled materials, Urban Originals is paving the way to better and ethical fashion across the world. You’ll never see animal leathers and fabrics of any kind ever being used, proving that chic and adorable handbags can be kind too.

Urban Originals is also taking a stand against human cruelty. Along with fighting against unethical fashion practices, Urban Originals strives to end human trafficking and protect human rights. They proudly donate 10% of all online sales to causes that work to free modern-day slaves and ensure that no one else becomes a victim.

Be sure to visit Urban Originals and follow on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Giveaway

Enter to win the Urban Originals Women's Maui Overnight Duffle Bag. Open to US and ends on 4/1. Good Luck.

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The Worx Nitro Power Share Cordless 9" Work Fan

Disclosure: Susie's Reviews receives compensation or products from brands in exchange for the posts on this site Our opinions are honest and our own.

Worx has a solution for keeping cool in the shop, or anywhere else that could benefit from a nice, stiff breeze. The Worx Nitro Power Share Cordless 9" Work Fan is a good choice. 

The key feature of this hybrid fan revolves around the options it delivers. Plugging it into the wall with the included AC power cord lets you run it indefinitely, but with the battery, you can take it anywhere.

With its Ready Charge feature, the Worx Power Share Fan also functions as a battery charger. With both the battery and AC cord plugged in, the fan will charge the battery, even while in use.

The Worx fan has two-speed settings. In Low speed, the fan churns out 310 CFM at 1,500 RPM. Set to High, it generates 450 CFM at 2,500 RPM. When operating on the kitted 2.0Ah Power Share battery, you can expect up to 5.5 hours of airflow. In High, you’re looking at about an hour and a half of runtime.

The Worx Nitro Power Share Cordless 9" Work Fan  comes mounted to a tubular style base that provides 360° north/south rotation. Locking knobs at the sides let you set the position. It also features a hanging hook, and you can even mount it to the wall for a more permanent cooling solution.

The Worx fan weighs 5 pounds and is constructed from a durable, high-impact nylon resin. The base is aluminum. A carrying handle helps when you choose to take it with you to the job.

Details

• Proven Power—Worx NITRO™ tools are built for pro-level performance to elevate power, speed, and productivity on every task.
• Ready Charge feature allows you to plug in and charge the battery while the fan is running.
• Compact 9 in. blade diameter, but still powerful enough to cool down any workspace, with 310 or 450 CFM depending on the speed.
• Only 5 lbs., wall-mountable, with a hanging hook and carry handle, so you can take it and place it almost anywhere.
• 360° head allows for blowing up in the air, spinning around to ventilate the room, or dry off a project.
• High & Low Speed—0-1500 RPM on Low when you just need a small amount of air, or 2500 RPM on High, when you want a stronger airflow.
• Same Battery, Expandable Power. The same battery powers over 75+ 20V, 40V, and 80V lifestyle, garden, and power tools in the Power Share™ family.

Extra steamy temperatures won't ruin your good time with the Worx Nitro Power Share Cordless 9" Work Fan that you can take just about anywhere, land or otherwise 🐟

Reach out to WORX Tools by visiting: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Enter below to win the Worx Nitro Power Share Cordless 9" Work Fan! Open to US only. Ends 4/1/2023. Good Luck!

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10 Ways To Up The Ante On Your Fashion Game

Are you looking to add some spice to your wardrobe? With the right mix of colors, textures and cuts, you can transform your look with just a few simple additions.

Here Are 10 Ways To Up The Ante On Your Fashion Game:

1. Add a pop of color

A bright-colored accessory or piece of clothing is an easy way to make any outfit stand out. Consider introducing one bold hue per outfit to create a striking contrast with neutral tones.

2. Layer it on

Layering different items is another great way to give your style dimension and depth. You can layer multiple pieces in complementary colors for an eye-catching ensemble, or opt for a more subtle approach by layering same-color items in different textures.

3. Look for interesting cuts

Experiment with silhouettes and shapes you wouldn’t normally try on. From asymmetrical hems to off-the-shoulder styles, there are countless ways to make a statement with your look.

4. Try out trends

Keep an eye out for emerging trends in the fashion world and have some fun experimenting with them. Pick one trend per outfit so you don’t end up looking too over the top, but rather chic and stylish instead.

5. Play around with prints/patterns

Animal prints, florals, polka dots… whichever pattern or print you choose, always remember that moderation is key here too! Introduce one bold print per outfit and balance it with neutral pieces in solid colors.

6. Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize!

Accessories can make all the difference when it comes to your look. From Fast-Fix custom jewelry to sleek bags and shoes, having a few good pieces on hand will help you complete any look with ease.

7. Show off your personal style

You don’t have to follow trends or stick to certain rules if you want to show off your style. Find what works best for you and mix it up however you like! Sometimes the most interesting outfits come from throwing together pieces that complement each other but may not initially seem compatible.

8. Put a spin on classic looks

You can easily spice up any classic outfit with just a few tweaks. Change the fit, add unexpected accessories or simply try a new color and you’ll have yourself an entirely different look!

9. Invest in basics

Every wardrobe should include a few timeless pieces to which you can always turn for reliable style solutions. Stick to neutral colors and quality materials so that your essentials stay on-trend year after year.

10. Don’t be afraid to experiment

When it comes down to it, fashion is all about having fun! So feel free to take risks and express yourself without being limited by trends or preconceived notions of what “looks good”. Have confidence in your own sense of style and you’ll be sure to stand out from the crowd.

In Closing

By following these tips, you’ll have a wardrobe that speaks volumes about your personal style. Keep experimenting and don't forget to have fun with it! With a few simple additions, you can update your look in no time. Now go ahead and let your fashion flag fly!

Win $20 PayPal Cash in the Chasing Rainbows Giveaway Hop!

 

Welcome to the Chasing Rainbows Hop hosted by Mama The Fox. This event runs 3/16/ - 3/31.  Enter below to win $20 PayPal Cash! Open WW. Be sure to visit all the blogs in the hop for even more chances to win. Good Luck!

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MamatheFox and all participating blogs are not held responsible for sponsors who fail to fulfill their prize obligations.

5 Things Every New Writer Needs to Succeed

Writing can be one of the most rewarding and fulfilling activities. It is a way to express yourself, tell your stories, and inspire others. But it can also be difficult to break into the world of writing if you don’t know where to start. Most of the time, you may find that you are just stopping yourself from getting started. So if you want to stop doing that and finally make it happen, here are five things every new writer needs to succeed.

1. A Good Idea

The first thing a new writer needs is an idea for their project that will capture their audience’s attention. If you have an original, creative idea, then you’ll have something to build off of when it comes time to put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard. You already have a great starting point if you ever find yourself staring at a blank page—just ask yourself what kind of story you would want to read.

2. Perseverance

Writing isn’t easy. There will be days when you don’t feel like writing or when progress seems slow. That’s why it’s important for any new writer to stay motivated and committed to the task at hand. You just need to start. Make sure that you have a laptop and an ST4000NM0023 to store your notes, or a notebook and post-it notes if that works better for you. Writing takes time, so take small steps and keep going until you reach your goal.

3. Feedback

One essential element in becoming a successful writer is being able to accept feedback from others without taking it too personally. Constructive criticism from trusted sources can help point out areas in which your work could use improvement so that it can become even better than before. Asking for feedback will also show potential publishers that you are open-minded and willing to make necessary changes in order to create the best possible product.

4. A Support System

Having people who believe in what you're doing is just as important as having an idea or perseverance as a writer—maybe even more so. Having friends or family members who believe in what you're doing is essential for keeping motivation high and staying on track with your project timeline. Plus, these people can provide invaluable feedback and advice that could be the difference between success and failure in the publishing world.

5. Knowledge of Publishing Processes

Knowing the intricacies of how books are published will help any new writer navigate the process more easily than one who does not understand how publishing works from start to finish. Understanding things like contracts, editing processes, and marketing strategies is key for getting your work out into the world without wasting too much time or energy on unnecessary tasks or procedures that won't bring results.

Getting Your Writing Career off the Ground!

Starting out as a new writer can seem daunting but with these five tips, any aspiring author can begin their journey towards achieving writing success. From coming up with an original idea all the way through understanding how books are published, once you know where to begin, you can make it happen. So start writing, and make sure not to forget these five essentials while doing so.