August boasts days of higher-than-average temps – often referred to as the “Dog Days of Summer – and is also host to a literal dog day! Since 2004, August 26th has been recognized annually as National Dog Day. To celebrate your favorite furry friend, here are four ways to pamper the pooch in your life while reducing their carbon paw print.
- Best Dog Parks in Your Watershed – Take your four-legged friend for some fun and exercise at a local dog park. Check out these terrific options for each watershed, and don’t forget to scoop the poop!
- Ditch the Disposable – Don’t bring a plastic water bottle to offer your dog water while you’re out. Instead, choose a portable reusable water bowl for dogs. Some options have a carbon filter so you can use water from a river or lake.
- Doggy Day Spa – If you bathe your pet outdoors, wash them on grass or other surfaces that will absorb the excess water. Be sure to choose products with these natural ingredients. Look for products that are packaged in recyclable materials. Consider trying a shampoo bar which has minimal packaging.
- Toy…Toy…Squirrel! – Have some fun with toys made of bamboo or hemp and avoid plastic or rubber toys. Make DIY dog toys by re-purposing old items from around the house like stuffed animals, balls, or braid together strips of an old t-shirt to make a cool “new” tug rope.