Thanksgiving is a time of joy, gratitude, and family - and that includes our furry family members too! At Ormond Beach Dog Boarding, we believe in making every occasion special for our canine friends. This Thanksgiving, why not create some fun and memorable moments for your dog? Here are some unique ideas and dog-friendly recipes to help you celebrate Thanksgiving with your pooch.

1. A Thanksgiving Feast for Fido: While you savor your Thanksgiving dinner, don't forget to whip up something special for your dog. A simple yet delicious meal can be made by mixing boiled, boneless, unseasoned turkey with a little pumpkin puree and carrots. This not only allows your dog to partake in the Thanksgiving festivities but also keeps their diet safe and healthy.

2. Thankful Walks: Take the spirit of Thanksgiving outdoors with a 'thankful walk' with your dog. As you enjoy the scenery and calmness, reflect on the joy and companionship your dog brings into your life. This can be a serene and bonding experience, perfectly aligning with the essence of the holiday.

3. Turkey Chase Dog Game: Engage your dog in a playful 'Turkey Chase' game. Use their favorite toy and initiate a fun chase around the house or yard. This activity not only keeps your dog entertained and active but also lets them engage in a Thanksgiving-themed play.

4. Dog-Friendly Pumpkin Cookies: Bake some pumpkin dog cookies as a special Thanksgiving treat. 

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour (substitute with gluten-free flour if your dog is sensitive to wheat)
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup canned pumpkin (ensure it's pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling)
• 2 tablespoons of dry milk (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional, and only a small amount as cinnamon should be used sparingly in dog treats)

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures the oven is ready by the time you finish preparing the dough.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the whole wheat flour, dry milk, salt, and cinnamon. These dry ingredients form the base of your cookie dough.
3. Add Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs and canned pumpkin together until smooth. The pumpkin not only adds flavor but also moisture to the cookies, making them chewy and delicious.
4. Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the pumpkin mixture to the dry ingredients, stirring to incorporate. Mix until the dough is somewhat stiff. If the dough is too sticky, you can add a little more flour.
5. Roll Out the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/2 inch thickness. The thickness can be adjusted based on how crunchy or soft you want the cookies to be.
6. Cut Out Cookies: Using a cookie cutter (you can choose festive shapes like leaves or pumpkins for Thanksgiving), cut out cookies from the rolled dough. Re-roll the remaining dough and continue cutting until all the dough is used.
7. Baking Time: Place the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in the preheated oven for about 35-40 minutes or until the cookies are hard and golden brown.
8. Cooling: Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack before serving them to your dog. This is important as it allows the cookies to harden and become crunchy.
9. Serving and Storage: Serve these tasty treats to your dog while enjoying your own Thanksgiving feast. You can store the cookies in an airtight container for up to two weeks, or in the freezer for longer storage.

These homemade pumpkin dog cookies are a fantastic way to include your dog in the Thanksgiving festivities. They are not only fun to make but also a safe and healthy treat for your furry friend. Remember to introduce any new treats in moderation, especially if your dog has a sensitive stomach.
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As always, it's important to consider any dietary restrictions or allergies your dog may have and consult your veterinarian with any concerns about homemade dog treats.

5. Puppy Pampering and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Watch Party: Treat your dog to a relaxing spa experience before all the family dinner mayhem occurs. A gentle bath, a soothing brush, or a calming massage can help them feel extra loved and pampered (and look their best for when guest arrive!). Dress them in some cute fall attire and cuddle up to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. This quiet time with them in the morning before family arrives will give them the affection they crave before your attention is diverted to the dinner festivities. 

6. A Moment of Gratitude: This Thanksgiving, amidst the hustle and bustle of preparing meals and gathering with family and friends, it's important to pause and reflect on the special bond we share with our dogs. Our furry companions provide us with unconditional love, joy, and comfort, enhancing our lives in countless ways. Here at Ormond Beach Dog Boarding, we understand deeply the value of this bond and are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to care for these wonderful animals.

Dogs have a unique way of bringing happiness into our lives. They greet us with wagging tails after a long day, offer comfort when we're feeling down, and share in our moments of joy with exuberant energy. They don’t just live in our homes; they live in our hearts, becoming irreplaceable members of our families. This Thanksgiving, take a moment to appreciate the countless ways your dog has enriched your life:

• Unconditional Love: Dogs love us unconditionally. They don't care about our job, how we look, or what mistakes we've made. They simply love us for being there.
  
• Companionship: Whether it’s a walk in the park or a quiet evening at home, dogs are our faithful companions. They teach us about loyalty and the value of being present.
  
• Stress Relief: Studies have shown that interacting with dogs can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. The act of petting a dog can lower blood pressure and bring a sense of calm.
  
• Life Lessons: Dogs teach us about resilience, forgiveness, and living in the moment. They don’t dwell on the past or worry about the future – they live for the now.
  
  
  

Our Gratitude at Ormond Beach Dog Boarding

As a team dedicated to caring for dogs, we at Ormond Beach Dog Boarding feel a profound sense of gratitude for being able to look after your beloved pets. We understand the trust you place in us to care for a member of your family, and we don't take this responsibility lightly. Every wagging tail, playful bark, and contented nap they take under our care reminds us of the joy and privilege we have in being a part of their lives.
In this season of thankfulness, let's all take a moment to appreciate the incredible gift that is our dogs. They ask for little but give so much in return, teaching us about love, joy, and companionship. This Thanksgiving, let’s make sure our furry friends know just how much they are cherished.
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Interested in booking a stay or scheduling a meet-and-greet? Visit us at www.OrmondBeachDogBoarding.com and send us a message, we'll promptly reply with our availability for your stay request! As this is quite a busy time of year for travel, we are nearly fully booked until the new year, however we are accepting 2024 reservations! 

If you love your dog, but need to travel for work or pleasure, the last thing you want to do is leave Fido behind. When we started going through the process of trying to decide where our previous dog would be safe while we were away on business trips or vacations, traditional kennels didn't seem like an option. They often smell bad and are far from sanitary when it comes to cleanliness. And then there's always something sad about leaving your pet in a cage with strangers that don't really know them or care about them as much as we do as their owners!
Thankfully there is another option: booking an in-home pet sitter. Your dog will appreciate the luxuries of a home-like environment, in the sitters home, while you're away and best of all you'll rest easy knowing they are being spoiled! Here are 10 reasons why in-home dog boarding is better (in our opinion!) than traditional kennel style boarding. 

1. Your pets receives lots of individual attention when they're being board in someone's home.

Your pet will receive lots of individual attention when they’re being boarded in someone's home. The sitter will know your pet's personality, likes and dislikes. They will know their routine and medical history, which means that they can provide an even better level of care than a kennel would be able to offer (noise, barking and other stress factors). If you're worried about leaving your dog alone at home for long periods of time this may be a good option for you as well because it gives them more space to move around within a home-like environment instead of being confined to one room like traditional boarding does.


2. Meet-n-greets

A meet-n-greet is a great way to get an idea of what the sitter's home will be like, and whether it will be a good fit for your pet. Many in-home boarders offer meet-n-greets as an option so that you can spend time with them and see the home before deciding whether or not to board with them.
Meet-n-greets are also helpful because they give you the opportunity to learn about the sitter's credentials, experience and approach to pet care. If your dog has allergies or other health issues, for example, you'll want to make sure that your chosen sitter has experience handling these situations naturally so that he or she can provide excellent care during his stay!

3. Familiarity with the environment, surroundings and routine.

In-home boarding offers a more familiar environment and surrounding for your dog. This makes them feel more comfortable and they are less likely to exhibit any behavioral changes than if they were in a traditional kennel style facility.
The pet sitter will also be able to maintain their pet's daily routine of eating, sleeping and potty schedules. This helps reduce anxiety for the dog because he/she knows what's coming next.

4. More humane for the animal.

The main reason why in-home boarding is so much better than traditional, outdoor kennel boarding is that it's more humane. Dogs are social creatures, and they shouldn't be locked up in a kennel for hours on end. They don't like being left alone and can experience separation anxiety.

In fact, many dogs with separation issues will thrive at an in-home facility because the caretakers there are able to monitor their behavior closely and tailor the dog's schedule to fit its needs.

5. With an in-home pet sitter, you can set up regular communications so that you can check in on your pet from anywhere in the world and see how they're doing while you're away from home.

When you board your dog in a traditional facility, they may be isolated from humans. This means that they won't get the same amount of attention and love that they would at home, which can lead to health issues and other problems. With an in-home pet sitter, you can set up regular communications so that you can check in on your pet from anywhere in the world and see how they're doing while you're away from home. Your sitter will inform you of any changes in their behavior, eating or sleep schedules or anything else that needs attention.

​6. Your dog won't have any interactions with potentially sick dogs at a typical boarding facility.

When you take your dog to a traditional boarding facility, there's a chance he will be exposed to other dogs who are sick. Because of this, your dog may develop an illness and then spread it back home with him. In-home dog boarding is safer because the pet is kept in his own home without exposure to other pets or their germs. This can help avoid illness and also keep it from spreading through your home!

7. ​If there are any emergencies, your qualified pet sitter will only be a call or text away!

If you experience an emergency or travel delay, your qualified pet sitter will only be a call or text away! Unlike traditional kennels, who can sometimes seem more like factories than places of comfort and care, in-home pet sitters are available to help you through almost any situation. And we're not just talking about medical emergencies—if you need to check in with the dog sitter from anywhere in the world, they will be able to provide updates on how your pup is doing.

8. ​1-on-1 attention and care

• Dogs that have been in-home boarded thrive by the increased 1-on-1 dedicated time spent being walked and playing with the sitter.
• Dogs that have been in-home boarded generally have much less stress because they are not confined to one room. Instead of being cooped up all day long in a small kennel or crate, they are free to move around; run around the house; explore different rooms and parts of the house; interact with people etc.

9. Your pet is usually better fed when they are being boarded by someone who cares about their needs and not just the bottom line at a kennel boarding facility.

• You can provide your pet with the food they are used to eating.
• You can make sure they get the right amount of food.
• You can have their favorite treats readily available for the sitter to provide

10. ​In-home pet care is far less expensive than kennel boarding and is often cheaper than hiring a dog walker.

• In-home pet care is less expensive than kennel boarding. The cost of boarding your dog in a kennel can add up quickly, especially if you have a large dog or two dogs to board. Not only will you have to pay for the stay at the kennel itself, but you also have to think about food, toys, treats and other supplies that will need to be purchased while your dog is away. If you're planning on going out of town and need someone to watch your pets while you're gone, this can get very expensive very quickly.
• In-home pet services are often cheaper than hiring a dog walker. An alternative option is hiring someone who comes into your home on a regular basis (drop-in style services) to take care of any needs your pets may have during their owner's absence (i.e., feeding them, walking them). 

To wrap it all up...

If you're looking for a better way to care for your pet while you're away from home, we encourage you to consider hiring an in-home dog boarder. Not only will your furry family member be happier, but they'll also receive more individual attention than at a traditional kennel boarding facility. With an in-home pet sitter, you can set up regular communications so that you can check in on your pet from anywhere in the world and see how they're doing while you're away from home. The dog won't have any interactions with sick dogs at the boarding facility; instead, they'll participate in more activities such as playing fetch or going on walks. Your qualified pet sitter will only be a call or text away! Book a stay today with Ormond Beach In-home Dog Boarding at www.OrmondBeachDogBoarding.com

When you're back from all your holiday travel, make time for your four legged friend by joining a 40 mile dog walk challenge to raise awareness for St. Jude Childrens hospital! After burning all those calories, you'll be set to plan your next vacation again - make sure to reach out to Ormond Beach Dog Boarding to book a stay when you do! 

Join supporters like you who are taking on the 40 Mile Dog Walk in January Challenge to raise funds and support the St. Jude mission: Finding cures. Saving children.® Because of generous donors and fundraisers, families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food — so they can focus on helping their child live.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is a 401(c)(3) organization under the Internal Revenue Code and is eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions. Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20% to more than 80% since the hospital opened in 1962. St. Jude won't stop until no child dies from cancer. St. Jude shares the discoveries it makes, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children.

Sign up for the St. Jude Challenge: https://www.facebook.com/groups/696876701730440
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St. Jude is not affiliated with Ormond Beach Dog Boarding - we just love them! 

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