Dreading Taking Your Dog To The Vets? These Strategies Can Make It Much Easier

Let be honest, even if it's just for a routine check-up taking our dog to the vet can often be a real ordeal, both for
them and for us! After all, they usually aren't too fond of the vet's office with all its strange smells and multitudes of
other critters in the waiting room. They can even act up in the car in the way there, even if they are usually as good
as gold on journeys! Luckily, there are some things you can do to make the whole experience a little easier on your
both. Read on to find out what they are.

Pick the right vet in the first place

First of all, you can cut out so much hassle an heartache by choosing the right veterinary clinic in the first place. Of
course, what we mean by this is that some clinics are so good with you animals that they alleviate much of their
fear and apprehension before they even go in. Something that can make getting them back for another visit much
easier as well.

To help you to find a clinic like this, it can be worth checking out the testimonials of other dog owners that have
used the vets in your local area. Then you will be in the best position to pick the one that will make your next vet
visit a breeze.

Don't tell them where they are going

Yes, OK so it may sound a little sneaky, but dogs are smart and pick up on emotions of their owners. Therefore, if
you start talking about the vet and working yourself up, they will pick up on it as well.

Instead, it can be a lot more practical to get them into the car without mentioning the destination. Sound crazy, I
know, but it can really work!

Make the journey itself easier

There is a whole bunch of things that you can do to make the journey to the vets easier. First of all, remember to
take some treats to coax Fido into or out of the car, in case he is being stubborn.

Secondly, avoid having them sit alongside you if you can and instead use a proper hammock or crate. The
reason for this is that not only can it help you both stay calmer on the journey there, but it can make for a much
safer trip back if they do have to have any minor procedures done.

Also, avoid taking anyone else along that your pup isn't entirely familiar and relaxed with as well, as their
presence could cause unneeded stress during the trip.  

After the visit

Lastly, when you get home, be sure you praise your dog as much as possible and give him lots of attention.
Also, prepare a quiet spot in the house where he can recover from his experience without being bothered for a
while.

Something that should allow him to get back to normal as quickly as possible, and will hopefully minimize the
negative associations with a trip to the vets from now on.

Tips and Tricks that will Help you to Sleep Better at Night

If you are having trouble sleeping at night then you will know how frustrating this can be. After all you
may wake up feeling groggy and you may even feel as though you have had no sleep at all. If you want
to avoid all of this then you have to make sure that you put the work in to try and minimise distractions
while also making the room feel as comfortable as possible.

Maintain Temperature

If you can, you should always maintain an ambient temperature in the room. This can vary depending on
who you are and what you like in a room, but you have to remember that you won’t sleep if you are too
hot or too cold. If you find that your room gets far too hot at night then you need to try and turn on the
ceiling fan or you can try and leave the window open during the day. If you are too cold during the night
then consider turning on the electric blanket so that you can easily warm up while getting nice and
cosy.

https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-sleeping-935777/

Say No to Tech

Sometimes having technology in the bedroom can really distract you. If you want to stop this from
happening then try and avoid TV as much as possible throughout the home. You should also make sure
that you limit your access to computers and anything else of the sort as well. The main reason for this is
because it can stop you from drifting off and it can also cause you to have a much higher level of
disturbed sleep. Avoiding this isn’t as easy as it sounds because you probably need your phone for your
alarm, but by turning the brightness down and by putting it at the other side of the room, you can really
help yourself.

https://www.pexels.com/photo/alone-bed-bedroom-blur-271897/

Smells

Some smells can help you to sleep. This can include lavender and warmer scents. If you are not sure
how to get these into the bedroom then one thing that you can do is try and light a candle. If you are
worried about sleeping with the candle on then just stick to essential oil diffusers. These are completely
safe and you can even get some that have a timer on them as well. This is super easy to do and you
would be surprised at how easy it is for you to relax at night.

New Mattress

If you can you should always buy another mattress if you know that yours is wearing out. A good rule of
thumb is to try and buy a new mattress every six years or so. If you need a new mattress then you can
try and look into savvy rest as this is one of the best ways for you to get a good night’s sleep. You would
be surprised at how easy it is for you to really benefit from this and it can make all the difference to your
sleeping routine.

So there are plenty of things that you can do to try and sleep better at night, and when you try some of
the above tips, you will soon see how easy it is.

Selling Houses 101: Get Your Interior Design On Point

If you have finally outgrown your humble abode as your brood has grown exponentially, you have stuff
coming out of every interior orifice, and you need more space, it might be time to put your home on the
market. While you have made many happy memories in your pad and you will be sad to say goodbye to
this little patch of bricks and mortar, now is the right time to move onto pastures new. The kids are
growing up, you might fancy a move to a more rural environment, or you might simply fancy a change.

To master the art of selling your property in the fastest time and for the highest price, you need to
understand the motives of potential purchasers and seduce them with a lifestyle. Toys strewn across
your living room, more clutter than you can shake a stick at, pet hair everywhere and old, well worn
furniture isn’t going to cut it. You need to invest some of your hard earned cash into your property to sell
it. You simply have to speculate to accumulate. Venturing into the world of real estate, whether it is your
first time selling a property or whether you have sold tens of houses before, is pitfall ridden. Take a look
at how you can get your interior design on point to sell your home quickly and for its optimum price.

Image by

Basics

You need to think objectively when you take a look at your rooms. Inspect your house and make a note
of the very basic features that may need sorting out. Are your walls marked? Do they need a lick of
paint? Perhaps your skirting boards have cracks in them, you need to seal your window frames, or your
cornice is looking a little tired. Make a list of all of the odd jobs that need completing. Set aside a couple
of weekends and get them sorted. Pop to your local DIY store, pick up some sealant, a magic eraser
sponge and some paintbrushes and neaten up your space.

When it comes to the paint on your walls, you will need to consider the colours that you choose. While
you may have adored the deep damson feature wall in your living room or your lime green kitchen, the
chances are that this is a little too niche and personal for your potential buyers. Go neutral. While it may
seem a little boring to play it safe, white walls in every room of your pad will brighten your home, freshen
up the space and be a neutral palette for your potential purchasers to put their own mark on their new
home.

Image by

Cleanliness

With a family, it can be hard to keep up with the chores every single day. Inevitably, there will be the odd
day when there is clutter across every room of the house. This is normal and more than ok when you are
settled at home, and you aren’t planning on selling. However, when you are looking to move on, you
need to maintain a perfectly coiffed home at all times. The clutter needs to be out of sight. This means
packing away anything that you haven’t used for six months and putting it away in the attic or neatly in
the garage. Boxes are useful to stack, or even plastic crates are effective.

When storing items, ensure that they are packed away neatly. Your potential buyers may want to pop
their head into your loft space to check out the potential for an extension. They won’t want to see a
bomb site of junk. Stack sensibly and appear neat and tidy. You might even be able to put the smaller
pieces of clutter like toys and games in cupboards or drawers.

To make your interior clean, you may need to seek out a provider of local carpet care who can restore
your carpets to their original condition. Using premium shampoos, powerful cleaning equipment, and
non-toxic chemicals, these companies can have your upholstery and carpets looking and smelling like
new. While it may seem like a false economy to spend money to clean your carpets when you aren’t
taking them with you, the red wine stain in the corner of the living room or that odd odour that you are
now used to emanating from the carpet can put potential buyers off. Clean up your carpets, and you
could find yourself selling up quicker, saving you money on your mortgage in the long run.

The same goes for your sofas, walls, bathroom suite and kitchen. Give everything a deep clean. The
scent will be pleasant, and you can enjoy a fresh, new and hygienic environment for the remaining time
you are in your humble abode.

Image by

Kitchens And Bathrooms

While you don't want to whip out your bathroom suite or change the kitchen simply to sell your home,
you may have to spend a few hundred dollars to give these important areas of your pad a facelift. The
old adage that kitchens and bathrooms sell houses remains true. For a fraction of the price of a brand
new kitchen, you can alter the cabinet doors. This is wise if you have a loose drawer, handles coming
off your units or if your style is more 1980s housewife rather than slick millennial. Go high gloss for a
modern look or keep it cosy with a shaker style design.

For your bathroom, you may need to spend a little more. While avocado suites were all the rage in the
1970s, the chances are that they will never see a resurgence. You are better off whipping in a simple
white suite if your budget will allow. Mould can be the bane of many a bathroom’s existence. Get yourself
down to your DIY store and pick up the strongest and most effective mould remover you can find. Get
scrubbing, clean your grouting and give your bathroom a much deserved makeover. Remember, you are
trying to seduce your buyers. If they can view your home and not pick any holes in the decor, the style or
the cleanliness, then they will know that they can just move in and start living. Having a relaxed and
spacious vibe in your home is vital.

Image by

Don’t Be Clinical

While minimalism has its place and white walls are great at creating the illusion of space and brightening
up any room, you do need to add a touch of flair and personality to your home. Your buyers will be
expecting to see personal touches so keep your canvas landscape above your fireplace and leave your
family photo gallery wall up the stairs. This shows that your pad is homely, lived in and well loved. It
would be odd for any potential buyer to walk through the door and be greeted by a stark blank space.

Use fabrics to add layers of texture to your interior and use complementary colours to create a chic look
in every room. Use throws within your living room, add cushions to your sofas to show off a sense of
luxury and elegance, and use your fabrics to add the hues and tones that are missing from your walls. If
you have a focal point, make a feature of it. Fireplaces, wood burning stoves, and range cookers are
awesome bonus additions to any home.

If you are looking to sell up any time soon, make it a point of business to organise your interior in such a
way so that it is at its most conducive for selling. Clean up your humble abode, refresh your kitchen and
bathroom, and enjoy decluttering. With your interior design on point, you will be moving onto pastures
new in no time.

Frisco Water Resistant Hammock Car Seat Cover Is A Must For Dog Owners!

Posts may contain sponsored content and/or affiliate links. Please check out my disclosure policy for more info.

Let's face it, we all love our dogs and love to take them wherever we go. Those of you, like me, who have dark seats in your car know what a hassle it is to clean up all that dog hair after Fido rides in the back! Thanks to the Frisco Water Resistant Hammock Car Seat Cover I don't have to worry about that anymore!

As you can tell, it's called a hammock because it simply drapes and hangs like a hammock and securely attaches to not only keep the hair at bay, but also since it's water resistant it will protect your seats from any accidents your furry friend might have with their bladder. Some dogs get car sick too so this is also an option for those types of situations!

Available in different sizes, you can find it on Chewy.com where it will be shipped directly to your door. It's easy to put on and can save your seats! It's also machine washable making cleaning it a breeze!

It's designed to fit most car seats (bench seats) and secures with the adjustable straps. Also, it contains built in anchors to prevent any shifting. To add to it, there is a non-slip mesh backing to help keep it in place on your seat. 

Chewy.com has amazing customer service, I love dealing with them! The products that they carry are phenomenal and no matter if you are just shopping for a gift or looking out of necessity, you are sure to find what you are looking for or need!

Thinking About A Teaching Career From Home?

Being a teacher is a career for life. However, sometimes our childcare commitments and life don’t allow
us to go to the school every day and spend 8-10 hours away from home. If you don’t want to give up
your career, and would like to carry on teaching, you can set up your tutoring business from home.
Whether you provide childcare and after-school activities or only teaching, you will find that setting your
own hours and having more time to spend with your family has its perks. If you are thinking about this
option right  now, check out the below tips.

Image via Flickr

Consider Space

If you are looking to teach kids or adults from home, it is important that you will create a welcoming
space for your students. At the same time, you will have to separate your teaching space from your
home, so you will not get distracted. You can create a separate entrance or a professional environment
in a spare room, so you are able to keep an eye on your family members but don’t have to interrupt your
own lessons every few minutes. Alterations to your home can help you separate your living and working
space.

Create a Comfortable Environment

If you would like to focus on your students and get them engaged with them, you will need to make sure
that the environment you teach in is comfortable. Take care of the ventilation and heating, and
consider getting an oil heat for your home so you can keep the temperature level and make your
students feel comfortable in the classroom. Decorate the space with inspirational quotes and
personalize it so you can connect with people in a personal level.

Try Online

If you have made your assessment and simply don’t have the space, you might consider teaching
online. This can be much more comfortable for you, and you can set your own hours at the same time.
People will be able to schedule their lessons through the internet, and - due to the latest
communication technology developments - they will feel as if they were in the room with you. Find an
app that allows you to share your screen with others, and you can even set up your virtual classroom
from home.

Don’t Start Too Big

One of the mistakes people make when starting teaching from home is that they start with too many
students. You will need to get used to the new method and environment, so don’t go out chasing clients,
instead allow yourself some time to develop your methods and routine. A couple of students a week will
give you a good idea of how much you can take in later once you are used to doing the job, so make
sure that you don’t overcommit.

Include Additional Services

If you would like to enter the market in a  way that you stand out from the competition, you might
consider including additional services. From picking up kids from home and dropping them off, providing
light refreshments and drinks, or offering individual homework, there are plenty of ways you can
differentiate your services on the market.

Language Skills

If you would like to offer additional services, you might want to target bilingual or ESL students. If you
can offer English courses or teach in a different language, you will be able to tap into a market that is
underserved. There are plenty of parents who would be happy to get help for their children do better in
school by getting them up to speed with reading and writing in English. Consider taking an ESL course,
so you can support children who are struggling with their language acquisition.

Interactive Environment

Image via Keesler Air Force Base - Air Force

If you would like to be an amazing homeschool teacher who is recommended by clients, you will need to
make the best use of technology. An interactive classroom with all the tools, apps, and educational
games will help you attract new students and improve their experience. You will - after all - want them to
look forward to coming back, instead of looking at learning as a necessary evil.

Regulations and Certifications

It is also crucial that you check with your state and your local authority which qualifications and
certifications you will need to teach from home. If you are planning on offering light refreshments, you
will need to get a food certification, and a hygiene certificate, too. It might be a good idea to take out a
professional liability insurance, too, so you can prevent legal issues and cover the expenses. If you have
accredited qualifications and up-to-date degrees, you are more likely to get the business permit.

Setting Your Fees

Once you have started your teaching and tutoring business, it is important that you do your market
research. Check how much other people in your area are charging, and make sure that you are
comfortable with your earnings before you create a price list. If you would like to get started straight
away, you might want to offer an initial discount for the first 10 students or for a limited time, so you can
get testimonials and feedback and attract more people in your business.

Taking Extra Courses

You will also have to understand that teaching from home is completely different from being a part of a
team in a school. You will have more freedom, but fewer guidelines. You will have to create your own
lesson plans and develop methods to manage your classes. You can look for free or low-cost courses
that will help you manage your time and resources better, plan ahead, and improve your personal
productivity, too. If it’s been a couple of years since you graduated and got your teaching degree, you
can also enroll in refresher courses.

Teaching is one of the most rewarding careers. If you would like more freedom and autonomy, you might
build a business around your experience and knowledge. Create a business plan and make sure that
you can keep your promises. Create a point of differentiation, and you can have the freedom and job
satisfaction you’ve been dreaming of.