Ho Ho Ho, Fleas and Ticks Don't Die in Snow! (and Here's Where They Go) #12Bravecto

When I was in kindergarten, my class sang "Up on the Housetop" in the school Christmas program. I had to memorize the words and to this day, I remember many of them: ♪♫ "Ho ho ho, who wouldn't go? Ho ho ho, who wouldn't go-oh, up on the housetop, click click click; down through the chimney with good St. Nick?" ♫♪

Can someone tell me what the heck that means? I mean, who would go down the chimney with Santa, and more importantly, WHY would anyone be on the roof with Santa to begin with? And why does Nell get a doll in her stocking, but Will gets a hammer, tacks, whistle, ball and whip? I, frankly, don't even like the Santa in this song; he's creepy!

Clearly, I am the only one with a problem.

But I digress. You see, that story has nothing to do with anything I need to tell you in this post about fleas and ticks NOT dying in snow (or frigid cold), except that it's what inspired the title. #theMoreYouKnow

FLEAS AND TICKS MIGHT NOT SURVIVE THE APOCALYPSE, BUT THEY WILL SURVIVE SNOW AND COLD

So, who's ever wondered whether fleas and ticks die when the temperatures dip below freezing and/or there's snow on the ground? (If not, what exactly was it about the title of this post that hooked you? [wink])

I certainly have! I've googled it at least once, but to tell you the truth, until I got into planning this post, I might as well have known NOTHING about the subject. If you thought fleas and ticks were genetically built for survival (aka, alien mutants from hell) before, wait until you find out how they outwit winter weather (and us, if we're not careful)!

This post is sponsored by BRAVECTO® and the BlogPaws® Pet Influencer Network™. I am being compensated to help share information about BRAVECTO.  But we only share information we feel is relevant to our readers. Neither Intervet Inc., nor Merck & Co Inc., are responsible for the content of this article and have not written, reviewed, or edited it in any fashion. For more information about BRAVECTO, please click here.

Off-topic side note: I don't believe I've ever mentioned before that when I need to research health-related things about my pets online, one of my trusted, go-to sources has always been the Merck Veterinary Manual. Seriously. It's not a substitute for an actual vet, but if one needs the straight facts, from experts in the field, it is one excellent resource. And this is a huge reason why I signed on as an ambassador for, and give my own dogs**, BRAVECTO® (Fluralaner), a chewable flea and tick preventative (that lasts up to 12 weeks* in ONE dose)!

* BRAVECTO kills fleas, prevents flea infestations, and kills ticks (black-legged tick, American dog tick, and brown dog tick) for 12 weeks. BRAVECTO also kills lone star ticks for 8 weeks.
** BRAVECTO is approved for use in dogs only. Ask your veterinarian about appropriate flea and tick prevention for your cat. 

THERE ARE PLENTY OF WARM PLACES IN AND AROUND YOUR YARD FOR FLEAS AND TICKS TO HIDE (OR RIDE)

Cold out? Snow on the ground? No problem, said the fleas and ticks in your yard! Here's where they're hiding (some in plain sight):

• In warm pockets on the ground, carved out by grass and leaves. And, when that first snow falls, it serves as a blanket, keeping bugs extra toasty. For real, they can survive all winter tucked in these warm spots!
• In your garage, covered patio, wood pile, shed or basement. Essentially ANYWHERE that there is shelter from the cold. They're tiny, y'all, and can crawl right in (and lay their disgusting eggs) undetected. 
• On the warm bodies of wild (and tame) animals. That's right; think the squirrel gets a break from fleas? Probably not. And if your pet comes in contact with one of these flea/tick-ridden animals, they can get infested too. Unless, of course, they were infested already. 
• In your home. Now, this is their FAVORITE place to hide during winter: on your pet where they can breed and lay eggs all over your home! (Click here to read about the time MY home was infested with fleas.)

Jedi wisdom. 

FLEA- AND TICK-BORNE ILLNESSES ARE DIAGNOSED IN WINTER

Even in places where winters are long and hard. In fact, ticks will start looking for a blood meal when the temperature rises to only 39 ℉; that's COLD to me!

GIVE YOUR DOG THE GIFT OF A FLEA- AND TICK-FREE HOLIDAY...ALL YEAR!

See your vet for BRAVECTO to not only ensure a pest-free home for the holidays (and a comfy, itch-free dog), but year-round. It can be done in less than five doses a calendar year!

HAVE YOU EVER DEALT WITH FLEAS AND/OR TICKS BITING IN COLD WEATHER? HAVE YOU EVER HAD TO FORGO HAVING COMPANY OVER, OR TRAVELLING WITH YOUR DOG, BECAUSE HE HAD FLEAS?

BRAVECTO is FDA approved and available only from a veterinarian or clinic. Ask your dog's veterinarian about it today. (Locate a veterinarian or clinic that carries BRAVECTO. P.S. It's accurate; I've used it myself!)

Money-saving tip: Register at My Pet Rewards for deals, such as cash rebates!

For the latest news and promotions, follow BRAVECTO on social: Facebook | Twitter

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information published. However, it remains the responsibility of the readers to familiarize themselves with the product information contained on the USA product label or package. More product information is available here: https://intervetus.naccvp.com/product/view/1047512?e=d97b22ed63e734e84c1a5910a9c8f531z1688

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Six years ago on December 29, I published the following picture on this blog. It was my very first post. How far we've come, and at the same time, how little we've changed! Thanks for sticking with us! 

Stay toasty and insect-free! Happy holidays, y'all!

Love, 

Elizabeth, Jon Farleigh, Dewi, Lele, Maddox, Tigger, Bobby Flay, Bertie, Lulabelle and Frances

Classic Cardigan: People Like to Crawl Inside Dog Crates at My House

It is 49 degrees below zero* outside, and there's a 3-inch layer of ice and snow covering every horizontal surface. My purse strap broke in the grocery store and I spent so much time today trying to find a replacement (online), that I can no longer stand the sight of Etsy. My cat, Bobby Flay (O'Fish), took his collar off three times. I finished one of the most depressing books I've ever read in my life...

And yet, none of those distractions from my day explain why I've decided to remind the whole Internet about this...

Originally published on 7/21/2011,

The question isn't just whether the crate is big enough...

...it's whether the crate can double as a club house.

Don't ask me to explain. :)

(By the way, it's a 36" crate.)

~~~~~

And, then, there was this (photo from "Oscar" night in 2012)...

It's Dewi's (crate) view of Jon Farleigh bedded down for the night. Except Dewi, obviously, isn't the one who had the photo opportunity.

And (because you thought it), yes, I was all the way in there with the door shut. Didn't even have to fold myself into quarters!

Well, tell me. Have you ever tried out your dog's crate?

* It's not really 49 degrees below zero outside, it's a "balmy" 19 degrees above zero (F), and expected to drop down to 6(F) overnight. Brrrrr!

My #RecipeForMoments (Awesome Moments) in the Snow With One's Dog (Hint: No Pajamas!)

It seems to hardly ever snow here in Central Virginia anymore. But this time it was coming--the weatherman said it was coming! A 100% chance, and based on his sage computer model predictions, all the local school systems had announced a snow day, even before the first flake had drifted from the sky.

But, while 80%* of my household's humans were ecstatic, 100% of the furry residents were oblivious, including Jon Farleigh and Dewi. (It hardly seems fair, does it? Being deprived of the anticipation leading up to the season's first major snow event?)

At first it (the dogs not knowing) made me sad, but then--as the green blot of frozen precipitation on the radar inched closer to my side of town--I'd decided that I could handle being excited enough for all three of us. And, so it was. Like on Christmas Eve with my kids--except in January, and with fur-children who'd never even heard of Santa Claus--I went to work, planning the best backyard snow adventure my dogs had ever seen.

Some of you might remember that last year--when I decided to photograph a big snow adventure with the dogs--it had been so impulsive, that I hadn't even thought to change out of my pajamas. And that despite having remembered to grab a coat and my camera, the lengths to which I went to get shots from the dogs' point of view (read: squatting so low that my flannel-covered backside hovered mere inches from a blanket of packed ice) left me hurried to get back inside, lest the numbness in my bottom half topple me over into a scantily clad heap in the snow. It wasn't pretty, nor was I proud for having squelched the dogs' unbridled wintry bliss.

Thank goodness for hindsight, though, because this time? I WAS READY! Not only would I dress in appropriate clothing for a romp in the snow at corgi level, but I would wear a waterproof barrier over my bum, so I could plant it directly in the white stuff: a GIANT TRASH BAG with arm and neck holes!

My #RecipeForMoments = snow, 1 Jon Farleigh, 1 Dewi, 1 appropriately dressed, doting human, 1 good camera, 1 giant trash bag, altered with arm and neck holes

And, friends, that is how I got all these beautiful shots of my furry babies--running around (almost) like they'd expired and gone to heaven (for it to have been fully heavenly, I'd have needed to make it rain bacon).

To whoever is viewing Dewi's gorgeous face on Wednesday, February 12 (publishing day):
IT'S HIS 4TH BIRTHDAY! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SWEET DEWI! ☺

Oh, what fun, indeed! (Jingle bells, optional.)

That'll do, mom. That'll do.
(25 points for wintertime human x animal bonding!)

*My poor husband doesn't get snow days from work, and was, therefore, not so ecstatic as the rest of the humans. 

Do you have a #RecipeForMoments with your dog(s)?

(♥)

Our story is part of the #RecipeForMoments blog hop hosted by BlogPaws. Link up below to share your story of the bond you and your pet share. What do you think your pet feels in your special moments? Five random U.S. winners who link up their blog post will win a Nature's Recipe® lightweight collar camera to capture special moments from their pet's point of view. See BlogPaws for official rules and details.

This post is sponsored by Nature's Recipe® on behalf of the BlogPaws Blogger Network. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Nature's Recipe For Moments on behalf of Nature's Recipe, but The Chronicles of Cardigan only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Nature's Recipe is not responsible for the content of this article.

It Rhymes With 'Hump' Day: Encore Dump (I Keel You! Edition)

And by that, I DON'T mean, "I make you keel over with my encore dump." OMG, that would be SO rude! No, I mean, "It SNOWED AGAIN, and look at these pictures of Jon Farleigh and Dewi acting like they're gonna 'keel' each other"! ;)

Full disclosure: My child took these pictures today (after I bribed persuaded her); therefore, I do not deserve photo credit. I did, however, edit all of them in PicMonkey.com, using (among other things) the Tranquil filter (to dial down all that "angry" white snow). Also, no surprises in here. I pinky promise!

All good snow romps begin with a butt munch.

And those make Dewi want to keel Jon Farleigh.

However, Jon Farleigh's reflexes are too quick.

Next, having regained his footing, Jon goes on the offensive with a low shoulder stance.

Which progresses into full-blown desire to keel Dewi.

Except that he gets distracted by a pile of deer poop.

~The End~

Tune in next Wednesday when I rhyme "hump" with...?

It Rhymes With 'Hump' Day: Dump

Oh, hi there, you! Yeah, you. No, not the person over your shoulder, you. Hey, mind if I ask you a couple questions before you check out the rest of this post? Great! Okay, 1) Do you know this is a mostly dog blog? 2) Do you know me (read: I'm not exactly known on this blog for my couth and inhibition - just saying).

Okay, okay, so assuming you do know this is a dog blog and you know me, is it fair to say that when you saw the word "dump" up there in the title, you probably spent a second or two deciding whether or not it would be a good idea to come over here and look? ;) I mean, since you probably assumed I would be putting up pictures of Jon Farleigh and Dewi in the post, you had to have gotten a mental image of something, right? Okay, fine! You don't have to answer my rhetorical questions, but you and I both know that when I said "dump," you immediately thought of...

SNOW!

YEP, WE GOT A SNOW DUMP LAST NIGHT! YAY!

And by dump, I mean we got two whole inches! Whee!

I took over 100 pictures today!

With my Nikon point-and-shoot super zoom!

It was FREEZING!

Can you find Jon Farleigh up there??

There he is!

Isn't Dewi handsome??

Wow, Jon Farleigh looks so serious...

Wha??? 

bwahaha MADE YOU LOOK!!!   

Tune in next Wednesday when I rhyme 'hump' with...

P.S. I'm saving the majority of the snowy day pics I took today for a much more civilized post in February. I hope you will have forgiven me by then! :)

P.P.S. PLEASE don't let me forget that I'm hosting this on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. EST! I'd DIE!

Dear Arctic People of Nunavut, I Offer Hams and Warm Fuzzy Dwarf Dogs...

And by hams, I mean hammy, warm fuzzy dwarf dogs (also known as corgis). And please, the Americana
is only here by coincidence, not by statement. Unless you find it hospitable, in which case, I totally meant to include it. 

I've been meaning to write this letter for months, actually. The thing is, dear Nunavummiut, you, - unlike Canadians in all 12 other provinces and territories (whether by accident* or not) - have eluded my catchy titles and strategic social-sharing maneuvers for the entire. existence. of this blog. And, it's about time that I extended a friendship offering. 

This makes me sad. 

The timing of this letter couldn't be more appropriate, honestly, since the only thing on the news for the last few days has been the "polar vortex," which, from its rightful axis in the sky (over you, weather-withstanding people of Nunavut), has come unhinged (so to speak) and will be spreading ungodly cold air southward, wreaking havoc among those of us who (almost) never see temperatures this extreme. (Note: We are scared poop-less, and tips would be appreciated.)

Yes, after this week, we will share an atmospheric (weather) bond that (before I installed the Flag Counter widget on my blog) I might never have known otherwise. 

I'd also like you to know that I appreciate your kindred love of companion animals, namely dogs and cats, and knowing this, I hope you might find joy in observing the finer, furry things my two low riders have to offer - like good face...

Hello, my name is Jon Farleigh. I like to kiss people on the lips.

....and posture.

Hello, my name is Dewi. I am a spooner in bed. 

Shoot, they can even hula dance...

...take themselves for a walk in the snow...

...and, boy, do they love their rescue kittens.

Mmm, the smell. It's intoxicating.

So, you see, we are here (24/7, at the beck and call of your mouse, or your finger on a touch screen) to make your day a little brighter, more tolerable...and yes, warm and fuzzy (the opposite of cold and prickly). And, we'd sure love to meet you!

Affectionately yours, 

Elizabeth, Jon Farleigh, Dewi, and even all six of the kitties

* It is possible that the one visitor from the Northwest Territories was led astray by Google. However, since I'm an optimist, please forget I told you that. ;)

P.S. If you are in Nunavut reading this, I heart you. Please leave a comment!

P.P.S. If you are not in Nunavut reading this, I heart you, too. And I will heart you even more if you can bribe get a Nunavummiuq to visit us! ☺

Stay warm, friends!