Eco-Friendly Pet Products We Love...

Courtesy of Katie Friedman

Hi Friends,

Get the scoop on training pads, leashes, scratching posts and other items that are perfect for pets and the planet.

Note: Price and stock could change after publish date, and they may make money from these links.

Locally-Sourced Leash

Buy It: Urban Outfitters, $62

Staying connected to your pet can be sustainable and stylish with a leash like this. Made from locally-sourced materials and marine-grade rope, this ombre leash can withstand hundreds of pounds of pull. You can even use the brass carabiners to clip the lead to your waist or secure it over your shoulder.

Reusable Waste Bag Dispenser

Buy It: Anthropologie, $16 (Originally $20)

Something tells us you won't mind scooping up this reusable waste bag dispenser. Featuring a bright pattern and small brass clip, this handy accessory attaches to your dog's leash and discreetly keeps bags at the ready.

Waste Bag Rolls With Cardboard Cores

Buy It: Petco, $12.99

Be a responsible pet parent by filling your waste bag dispenser with eco-friendly equipment. These rolls are leak-resistant, break down faster than regular bags and have biodegradable cardboard cores instead of plastic tubes.

Earth-Conscious Potty Pads

Buy It: Petco, $29.99

Potty training a new puppy? Swap those plastic squares for a pack of earth-conscious pee pads. Their bleach-free, dye-free design is highly absorbent and kind to your pet, with 50-percent recycled fabric that's kind to the environment.

Natural Pine Litter

Buy It: Target, $9.99

Let your cat sink their paws into this all-natural kitty litter. Instead of relying on harsh chemicals and synthetic perfumes to mask offensive odors, this litter has pine fibers that absorb liquid and prevent smells from spreading.

All-Natural Shampoo & Conditioner

Buy It: Amazon, $17.97 (Set of 2)

Leave harmful sulfates and colorants out of your dog's coat with the help of natural shampoo and conditioner. This set uses colloidal oatmeal and honey to moisturize your pet's skin and make their fur look extra glossy.

Silicone Can Covers

Buy It: Amazon, $9.25 (Set of 2)

Why waste plastic wrap when you could preserve your pet's food with a silicone can cover? This pack contains two BPA and phthalates-free can covers in light green and blue hues. Use them throughout the week, then toss them in the dishwasher.

Small Stoneware Bowl

Buy It: Crate & Barrel, $14.95

Melamine dishes might be cute, but they just don't last as long as a set of stoneware bowls. Go ahead and snag these diamond-print pieces for your pup. Although the bowls look delicate, they have a chip-resistant coating that will survive dinnertime and the dishwasher.

Repurposed Dog Passport

Buy It: Anthropologie, $6.40 (Originally $8)

We think an adventurous pup deserves their own passport, particularly one that squeaks and is made from recycled PET bottles. Purchase this toy to divert waste away from landfills and give your dog a free pass to Grandma's house.

Wool Sushi Set

Buy It: Anthropologie, $11.20 (Originally $14)

When you want to treat your favorite feline to some plastic-free play, serve up these sushi toys. Your cat will love chasing after their "fresh catch," which is soft and made from sustainably-sourced wool.

Owl-Shaped Cat House

Buy It: Anthropologie, $70.40 (Originally $88)

Your cat will happily move out of their condo when they see this eco-friendly unit in the corner. Shaped like an owl and decked out with soft merino wool, this house has the curb appeal and comfort they've been looking for.

Recycled Polyester Pillow

Buy It: Pottery Barn, $99 - $149

Put this large, recycled polyester bed at the top of your dog's wishlist. Your furry family member will love having such a soft crash pad in the house, while you'll enjoy seeing the bright yellow bands light up your floors.

Cardboard Cat Ramp

Buy It: Petco, $14.99

We're all for satisfying your cat's clawing instincts, especially if it's with a cardboard ramp. After your cat's worn out the incline, you can just pack the piece up and put it in the recycling bin.

We are not only reducing our footprint but those of our pets.

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Live well,
Yvonne

10 Ways to Love Your Pet and the Planet, Too..

Courtesy of Leanne Potts
Photo By: Stacy Zarin Goldberg

Hi Friends,

You recycle, say no to straws and take your own bags to the grocery because you want to reduce your carbon footprint. But don’t forget your pet’s carbon paw print. Here’s how to care for your fur child without harming the environment.

Keep Your Cat Inside

Photo By: Stacy Zarin Goldberg

Your kitty’s cuddly when he’s indoors on your lap, but he’s lethal when he goes outside. America’s felines, both pet cats and feral ones, kill as many as 3.7 billion birds each year. The average outdoor pet cat kills two animals a week. This puts pressure on bird populations already threatened by pesticides and habitat loss. Keeping kitty inside is good for him, too. Indoor cats live as long as 17 years. Outdoor ones live an average of two to five years.

From: Allie Mann

Pick Up Dog Poop With Biodegradable Bags

Photo By: Getty Images/mauro grigollo

Clean up your pet’s poop in a plastic bag, toss it in a trash can and it will still be in a landfill a century from now. Use compostable or biodegradable bags for cleanup. And for heaven’s sake, pick up your pooch’s poop. Not only is leaving it on the ground rude, that poop will pollute the planet’s water supply. Get this: The EPA found that 90 percent of fecal coliform in storm water was from dogs. Ick.

Choose Sustainable Toys

Photo By: Melissa Caughey

Look for pet toys made of recycled, repurposed or organic materials. Bonus points if they’re made nearby, because then you’ll cut out a long, gas-guzzling journey from the manufacturer to your pet. Get crafty and make your own pet toys. And donate your pet’s clean, used toys to a local shelter or pet rescue. Better to make a homeless pet happy than send more stuff to a landfill.

Make Your Own Treats


Buy pet treats, and you also get a box or bag that will end up in trash. Plus, those treats likely traveled a long way to you via gas-guzzling, greenhouse-gas emitting trucks. Bake your own treats at home for your dog. Grow catnip or other feline-friendly plants for your kitty. Not a baker? Buy treats at a local dog bakery where they make them on site. Or look for treats made from organic ingredients.

Spay or Neuter Your Pets

Photo By: Eric Roth Photography

The overpopulation of dogs and cats is hard on the environment. Feral cats are one of the most invasive species on the planet. A wild feline kills an average of 35 birds a year, and they’re responsible for 14 percent of extinctions on the planet. Roaming dogs kill wildlife, too, and strays can spread rabies to wild animals. Make sure your fur kid can’t make puppies or kitties that will grow up and become part of the problem.

From: Martha's Vineyard Interior Design

Walk Your Dog


Instead of driving that mile or two to buy stamps or a loaf of bread, leash up your pup and walk there. You both need the exercise, and the planet needs a break from the greenhouse gases belched by your car. You’re thinking that driving a few less miles a week won’t make a difference, but if half of the 43 million Americans who own dogs park their car and walk their pup a few times a week, the impact would be significant: Cleaner air, fewer fat dogs.

Don’t Buy Exotic Pets

Photo By: Getty Images/Bobbushphoto

Monkeys, parrots, iguanas and snakes are cool animals. But they’re terrible pets. Many species are protected or even endangered, so chances are good the creature for sale as a pet was procured illegally. Exotic pets can also become an invasive species that’s a menace to the ecosystem if they escape. Boa constrictors and iguanas who were once pets (or are the descendants of former pets) are devastating the native wildlife in Florida. So skip the macaw and go to a shelter and adopt a conventional pet. If you must have a parrot, adopt one from a bird rescue.

Choose Sustainable Pet Food

Photo By: Debbie Wolfe

The problem with pet foods is the boatload of chemicals and fossil fuels used to make them. Pet food production pumps 64 million tons of greenhouse gases into the air every year. Buy pet foods made with organic ingredients. And look for pet food made by companies that use ingredients produced near their factories, and package their food in recyclable containers. Cans are recyclable. Most kibble bags are not, because they’re coated in plastic.

Use Earth-Friendly Grooming Products

Photo By: Getty Images/Aleksandar Nakic

Buy shampoos, conditioners and other cleaners packaged in recyclable containers, or better yet, in containers made from recycled materials. All that single-use packaging is piling up in landfills. Use products made from organic ingredients. And look for groomers who believe cleaning dogs doesn’t require dirtying the planet and use sustainable grooming techniques and products.

Look for Eco-Friendly Cat Litter

Photo By: Getty Images/Lightspruch

Many cat litters contain clay, and guess where that comes from? Strip mines, which are about as destructive to the environment as it gets. Go with cat litters that use wood chips or corn, or litters made from recycled newspaper. Another reason to switch: a lot of traditional cat litter contains silica dust that can coat you and your kitty’s lungs and cause breathing problems.

Ways to love our pets and Earth too...

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Live well,
Yvonne

Happy Martin Luther King Day!

Photo Compliments of Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Hi Friends,

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech on Wednesday, August 28, 1963 at the Lincoln Memorial for the March on Washington, DC. Words that resound in our history today, however, most publications only reveal a portion of the speech and we thought this would be the perfect opportunity to share the speech in it's entirety.

I HAVE A DREAM
By Martin Luther King, Jr.
Wednesday, August 28, 1963

"I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.

Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of captivity.

But one hundred years later, we must face the tragic fact that the Negro is still not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later, the Negro is still languishing in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land. So we have come here today to dramatize an appalling condition.

In a sense we have come to our nation's capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men would be guaranteed the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check which has come back marked "insufficient funds." But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. So we have come to cash this check -- a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice. We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to open the doors of opportunity to all of God's children. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood.

It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment and to underestimate the determination of the Negro. This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality. Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but a beginning. Those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual. There will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights. The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.

But there is something that I must say to my people who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice. In the process of gaining our rightful place we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.

We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force. The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny and their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom. We cannot walk alone.

And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall march ahead. We cannot turn back. There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights, "When will you be satisfied?" We can never be satisfied as long as our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel, cannot gain lodging in the motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities. We cannot be satisfied as long as the Negro's basic mobility is from a smaller ghetto to a larger one. We can never be satisfied as long as a Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and a Negro in New York believes he has nothing for which to vote. No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.

I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from narrow cells. Some of you have come from areas where your quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality. You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive.

Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed. Let us not wallow in the valley of despair.

I say to you today, my friends, that in spite of the difficulties and frustrations of the moment, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a desert state, sweltering with the heat of injustice and oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day the state of Alabama, whose governor's lips are presently dripping with the words of interposition and nullification, will be transformed into a situation where little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls and walk together as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.

This is our hope. This is the faith with which I return to the South. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

This will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with a new meaning, "My country, 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim's pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring."

Happy Martin Luther King Day!

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Live well,
Yvonne

The 15 Best Dog Breeds for Apartment Dwellers

Courtesy of Erin Gifford
Photo By: Getty Images; mpikula

Hi Friends,

Not all dogs are well-suited to apartment living. These adorable pups have what it takes to make the most of small spaces. Sassy and loyal Chihuahuas have lit up the big screen in films like Beverly Hills Chihuahua and Legally Blonde. These pint-sized pups prefer to be close to their owners and do well in small spaces, like apartments. They also don’t need a lot of exercise, but if you go out in the cold, keep him warm with a sweater. Chihuahuas can lose body heat quickly. Inside, you may find that this pup’s favorite spot is on your lap, settled in for a Netflix marathon.

French Bulldog

Photo By: Getty Images; sanjagrujic

French bulldogs are well-mannered and affectionate. They love to play and spend quality time with their humans, making them fantastic companion dogs. However, they also value their beauty sleep (Frenchies can sleep 12 to 14 hours a day). These pups are compact and don’t require a lot of activity. French bulldogs also don’t bark much - at least not for no reason - and have much love to give. No wonder Frenchies are the most-hashtagged dog breed on Instagram.

Havanese

Photo By: Getty Images; Dorottya Mathe

The lesser-known Havanese is the national dog of Cuba. This small, spunky pup is also the only dog breed native to this tropical island nation. Havanese doggos love to play, but always with a watchful eye, making sure their owner is near. This pup’s not clingy; he’s just loyal to his human. The Havanese does well in small spaces and doesn’t shed much, despite its thick coat of fur (a bonus for those with allergies).

Lowchen

Photo By: Getty Images; brians101

In German, Lowchen means "little lion dog," but this dog is more friendly than fierce. Once among the rarest dogs in the world, this toy pup’s numbers grew in the 1960s and 1970s. Today, he’s a popular companion dog, especially in Europe. This pup is smart, playful and one of the healthiest breeds, often living 15 years or more. The Lowchen is gentle and devoted without high exercise needs. He’s no couch potato, but he will make a good sofa pal in a small apartment.

Shih Tzu

Photo By: Getty Images; susanguestphoto

The lovable shih tzu may have been bred as a lapdog, but this gentle pup enjoys frolicking at the park, too. However, he can easily get all the exercise he needs roaming about your apartment. This cuddly canine is eager to be your best friend and a loving companion for life. As a bonus, the shih tzu tends to be less yappy than other toy breeds. It’s hard to go wrong with such a friendly and good-tempered pooch.

Yorkshire Terrier

Photo By: Getty Images; Byrdyak

It’s hard not to love a Yorkshire terrier thanks to his gentle, affectionate nature. Yorkies are petite pups that can get a day’s worth of exercise scurrying about your apartment. With strangers, they can be cautious, even feisty, but they’re simply being protective of their humans. These cuddle-bugs will love a good snooze on your lap, but you’ll want to acclimate them to the world outside your apartment. This will help ensure a secure and social pooch.

Bichon Frise

Photo By: Getty Images; Pekic

The clever and charming bichon frise loves to be around people and is thankfully hypoallergenic, a plus for allergy sufferers eager to add a furry friend to their lives. The bichon frise is also a great pick for first-time pooch owners given their calm, even-keeled personality. These small pups don’t need a lot of exercise - a romp around your apartment will do - but these doggos are so adorable you may want to show them off around the neighborhood.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Photo By: Getty Images; MikhailZykov

Sex and the City fans may instantly recognize the Cavalier King Charles spaniel, the breed owned by Charlotte York in the series. This loving and friendly dog is well-known for its comforting nature, snugly falling into place on your lap. Thanks to its small size - the breed tops out at 18 pounds - they don’t need much to stay active, but they can also be taken out for long walks. A small apartment is fine for this pooch, though you may find he keeps close wherever you roam.

Boston Terrier

Photo By: Getty Images; Amy Newton-McConnel

Nicknamed "American Gentleman" for his tuxedo-like coat, the Boston terrier is a gentle, loving pup that’s eager to please and doesn’t require much exercise. A couple of daily walks is just fine for this doggo. Thanks to their short hair, Boston terriers are easy to groom and won’t shed much on your furniture. It’s easy to fall in love with this pup at first sight thanks to his inquisitive expression and large eyes that seem to peer deep into your soul.

Corgi



We all love the Royals, and by association, we all love corgis. Queen Elizabeth herself has owned more than 30 corgis since taking the throne in 1952. These fluffy and adorable pups have little legs that don’t require long walks, making them well-suited for small spaces. They’ll do just as well in big spaces too, like Windsor Castle. However, this loving doggo does like to shed, so brush him regularly and keep several lint rollers within easy reach around the apartment.

Maltipoo

Photo By: Getty Images; heathernemec

A cross between a Maltese and a toy poodle, the Maltipoo is, in one word, adorable. This little furball is smart, sweet and friendly. He’s also well-suited for apartment life, weighing in at just 10 pounds and not needing loads of exercise. He may scamper about your living space from time to time, but he’s equally keen to cuddle up with you on the sofa. A good choice for first-time dog owners, Maltipoos are relatively easy to train and are fast learners.

Chow Chow

Photo By: Getty Images; Pim-upsorn Aunskul

The chow chow may be larger than many other apartment-friendly dog breeds - they can weigh up to 70 pounds - but they’re not especially active and will do just fine in smaller spaces. Chow chows are also quieter and more independent than smaller breeds, but their soft, fluffy coats draw you in for a warm hug. These pups are protective, so socialize them to ensure they are comfortable around family and friends. Keep their heavy coats trimmed in the summer to stave off grouchiness.

Whippet

Photo By: Getty Images; Capuski

The whippet is another medium-sized dog that does just fine in an apartment. These doggos may not make good watchdogs, but they do make loyal and loving companions. A relative of the greyhound, whippets aren’t fluffy or furry, but that doesn’t mean they don’t love a good cuddle. They’re also calm and love themselves a good snooze session on the couch. More prone to cold than other breeds, keep them warm with a jacket or sweater in winter months.

Greyhound

Photo By: Getty Images; stelo

A greyhound may be able to hit speeds of 45 miles per hour, but despite popular belief, they don’t need lots of exercise. Instead, a couple of daily walks will do, but more for the mental stimulation than the physical activity. You may find that a greyhound’s favorite space in your apartment is your sofa, like the entire sofa, since they can weigh in at nearly 90 pounds. These gentle giants rarely bark and agreeably adapt to new living situations.

Poodle

Photo By: Getty Images; ClarkandCompany

There’s so much to love about the poodle. The breed is well-behaved, even-tempered and hypoallergenic. They’re also quick learners. Smaller poodle breeds (e.g., toy poodles) are better suited for apartments and require less daily exercise. Standard poodles, however, need more activity to burn off energy if you have the time to dedicate. Poodles don’t like to bark and prefer calm environments with minimal chaos. These pups are natively people-pleasers and enjoy a good social session with neighbor dogs and humans.

Care for them and they will care for you...

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Live well,
Yvonne

What's the Best Dog Breed for You?

Courtesy of Erica Reitman

Hi Friends,

Whether you're a first-time dog owner, have allergies or simply like to snuggle on the couch with your pooch, we've got your perfect four-legged match.

If You're a First-Time Dog Owner...
Photo By: Chalabala

If you're a first-time dog parent, you want to choose an easy breed that will help ease you into your new role. It's difficult to find a more friendly and happy-go-lucky breed than the Labrador retriever. Vet Street asked 218 veterinarians and animal professionals which breeds they thought were best for newbies, and Labs were tops on the list. Often chosen as service or therapy dogs, Labs are smart, easily trained and deeply loyal. They are great family dogs, which is why we're not surprised that they're considered the most popular breed in the U.S..

If You Have Allergies...

Photo By: sestovic

According to the American Kennel Club, certain breeds of dogs are considered "hypoallergenic," and poodles are one of those breeds. Poodles are broken down into three size classes: standard, miniature and toy, so you have lots of choices depending on you and your family's needs. Poodles are known for being incredibly intelligent and affectionate. They have a coat that can get quite long, but you can also easily keep their fur short, which means much less maintenance.

If You're a Runner...

Photo By: alvarez

If you're a runner who's looking for a new canine companion, we think an adorable, spotted Dalmatian might be the pick for you. Runner's World Magazine rounded up their list of the perfect run-buddy dog companions, and Dalmatians fit the bill. They love long, steady runs, so they would be great marathon-training partners. They do tend to run pretty hard, pounding the pavement as they go, so if possible, softer trail running is a great idea for these sweet, exercise-loving pups.

If You're a Couch Potato...

Photo By: darrya

Not all of us want to hit the running trail with our pups. Sometimes a snuggle buddy is what we're really looking for. If this sounds like you, a cute-as-a-button French bulldog is a great fit. All dogs need exercise, including Frenchies, but according to Vet Street's roundup of the best couch potato pups, these guys and gals are truly happy curling up in your lap to watch an all-day Fixer Upper marathon, too. Normally, Frenchies weigh less than 28 pounds, so they're also a great choice for anyone living in an apartment.

If You Have a House Full of Kids...

Photo By: darrya

Many breeds of dogs have trouble acclimating to the craziness of a young, loud, growing family but not beagles. Expert dog trainer Cesar Millan thinks these friendly, clever hounds are the perfect dog for an active family who is always on the go. They love to exercise and can easily run around the yard with the kids for daily play sessions. They also have a lot of patience, which works well with kids who are learning what life is like with a pup in the family. Remember: Beagles are hound dogs and can easily wander off if they get a scent of something they want to follow, so fenced yards are best for these pups.

If You Live Alone...

Photo By: Maya

If you're looking for a companion and a dog who will help you feel safe and protected, a German shepherd is an amazing breed to go with. Brazilian vet and animal behavior expert Dr. Mark thinks that German shepherds are perfectly suited to anyone living alone, as they have a deep, loud bark and are very protective of their owners and homes. They can weigh up to 90 pounds, and they are extremely intelligent and trainable. The breed does tend to have some common medical issues, such as hip dysplasia, so if you go with this regal pup, make sure you visit your vet regularly.

If You Have a Cat...

Photo By: bodza2

If you already have a cat at home and you're looking to add a pup to your family, you need a breed that is patient, easy-going, and lovable: meet the basset hound. According to Catalogical Magazine, bassets are an ideal cat companion because of their typical happy-go-lucky demeanor and "nothing bothers me" attitude. They'll usually give a cat as much space as they need and won't need to be constantly entertained. It's a misnomer that these dogs don't need much exercise and are all couch potatoes; however, they definitely have less stamina than many other breeds, so their walks and play time can tend toward the brief. Note: If you're a clean freak, bassets might not be the best fit for you; they slobber, drip water everywhere and drag their ears around in the dirt. But they're also one of the most lovable, sweet pup companions you could ever hope for.

If You're a Neat Freak...

Photo By: Alekssandar Geordgiev

Mud tracked into your house, slobber, dog hair everywhere...pups are not necessarily known for their neatness. However, there are certain breeds that are better suited for those that fall more into the "neat freak" category at home...and chow chows are one of them. According to the AKC, this breed might actually win the "cleanest" dog award. They don't tend to have much in the way of doggie odor, and they're very fastidious about keeping their coat clean. They do shed, but it's only at certain times during the year. They also don't need a ton of exercise, so they're a great fit for smaller homes or for slightly older human companions.

If You Live in a Small Space...

Photo By: Linda Raymond

Tiny home and apartment dwellers love pups just as much as the rest of us, but not every breed is well-suited for smaller spaces. Pugs, however, are a great fit. Reader's Digest polled some vets, and pugs were at the top of the list for pooches they recommended most for tiny-space living. They're compact in size, so they don't take up a lot of room, and they love relaxing at home. They also seem to get along well with adults, children and even other animals, so they're a versatile pick for almost any type of small-space family.

If You Work From Home...

Photo By: Capuski

If you're lucky enough to work from home and have a bit more flexibility in your daily schedule, consider adopting a special needs or a senior pup who might require a bit more attention and care. Often, these types of dogs will sit in a shelter or a foster home because many people aren't willing to take on the extra responsibility of caring for these pups. Adding an older or special needs pup to your family might just be the most rewarding thing you ever do. While it's true that these dogs might sometimes have some special medical requirements (such as daily meds, shots, etc.), oftentimes caring for them is not much different than caring for any other average pup. And almost universally, when you bring a senior or special needs dog into your family, they're so grateful and happy to be in a wonderful home. In addition to doing good, it's also an amazing way to teach your kids about true compassion and patience at an early age.

Hope we made the day for all the pet lovers...

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Live well,
Yvonne