My Dear Friends and Fellow Castile Soap Enthusiasts,
About two years ago, my family embarked on a quest to add a four-legged friend to our household. So many of our neighbors already had dogs, my offspring were pushing us to join the club. I had many hesitations, allergies, space and even responsibility topped our list. Since that time, we've encouraged the offspring to help our neighbors with dog sitting and dog walking to give them a better picture of the effort and costs it takes to care for a canine. It's been about a year and a half since the initial request, and it has surfaced again in early January.
We've taken up the search again, and we are now in active dog-search mode. We understand that there are many dogs waiting to be adopted and we it is our preference to get a dog from a shelter or a rehoming agency, rather than purchasing from a breeder.
Our local veterinarian has been very helpful in our search giving us a great list of information that is crucial to investigate before bringing a fur baby into our home.
Adopt a dog over 2 years old
Medium-sized to be considerate of space limitations in our home
Search for a sporting or herding breed (like a lab, retriever etc.) rather than a protective breed (such as a chow or a Rottweiler)
The Care and Keeping of a Dog
What will be on the calendar of daily and weekly care for our dog? Brushing its teeth, trimming its nails and fur, food, toys, exercise, training, the list goes on!
Castile Soap as a Dog Shampoo*
It's no surprise that dogs Whole Naturals is great as dog shampoo.
Castile soap can be a safe and effective - Just like human shampoo, it contains no harmful additives
Unscented - with no synthetic fragrances it will be gentle for their fur (you could add dog-safe essential oils, if you love the smell of freshly washed fur!
Wet your dog thoroughly and apply the soap directly to their fur. The amount of soap needed depends on your dog's size, fur type, and dirtiness. Massage the soap into their fur, avoiding their eyes and ears.
Rinse completely to remove all soap residue. Incomplete rinsing can cause irritation and attract dirt. Allow your dog to shake off excess water and air dry naturally.
If you'd like a recipe with NEEM OIL, head on over to page 46 of my ebook for an alternative!
*Remember, always consult your veterinarian before using any new product on your dog, including Castile soap. They can advise you on the suitability of castile soap for your dog's individual needs and suggest appropriate brands or blends to use.
It's no surprise that dogs require a lot of care - and a never ending supply of love and affection!! We've budgeted for a year's worth of vet visits, bedding, collar, grooming, micro-chipping, medication, food and treats. Did I forget anything? Please let me know in the comments if you have any additional advice, and I'll keep you posted when our new fur baby joins our family!
Cheers!
