The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide

Tips for Easter and springtime for you and your pet

This spring, as people prepare to celebrate Easter or go on spring vacation, The Humane Society of the United States offers tips to keep pets safe and happy

Baby chicks and rabbits aren’t Easter gifts

Bringing a new pet into your home is a serious commitment that should only be made if your family is prepared to provide lifelong care for the animal. Some local and state laws regulate the ownership of animals such as chickens and ducks, and those animals aren’t always appropriate pets.

If you are sure about making this Easter the time to get a new family pet, consider adopting from your local animal shelter. Animal shelters are full of pets looking for homes, including rabbits and other animals.

Another consideration would be giving children a plush toy or a dark chocolate rabbit.

“Unless your entire family is committed to a pet who will need proper socialization, care, and companionship for many years, think twice before adding a baby animal to your Easter celebrations,” said KC Theisen, the society’s director of pet care issues.

After cats and dogs, rabbits are the animals most frequently surrendered to animal shelters, often because people acquire them as youngsters but aren’t prepared for the long-term commitment involved. Others are released into backyards by people who mistakenly believe they’ll be able to fend for themselves.

Unlike wild rabbits, domestic pet rabbits can’t survive on their own outdoors. Chickens also need dedicated, consistent care and far too many of them end up in shelters, rescues and sanctuaries. 

TheShelterPetProject.org or PetFinder.com lists rabbits, chickens, and other pets already in local shelters and rescues waiting for a new home.

The society’s resources on rabbit care and adopting and caring for backyard chickens can help you decide whether a rabbit or a chicken is the right pet for you. 

Air travel with your pets for your spring vacation should be avoided

The society encourages everyone to consider his or her pets’ travel needs carefully before departure day arrives. If at all possible, drive with your pets on your spring adventures or leave them at home with a trusted caretaker, as air travel can be dangerous for pets. Cargo space in an airplane isn’t designed to meet the needs of a dog, and many pets are lost or injured annually during air travel.

If you must take your pet with you in the air, consult the Department of Transportation’s airline pet transport performance records for detailed information. Pets traveling in the airplane cabin must be screened through TSA outside of their carrier, so cats and dogs should wear a metal-free harness and leash during the security process. Passengers can also request secondary screening in a room with a door to reduce the risk of accidental escape.

Make travel easier by practicing with your pet’s accessories before you leave. Whether driving or flying, introduce the leash, carrier, and other new items well in advance, using lots of praise and treats. Practice putting the harness and leash on at home and walk around. This can reduce anxiety and make travel day much less stressful for both pets and their people.

Copyright 2013, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Blogging Boomer Carnival celebrates its fifth anniversary with travel tips, financial discussions, food and health issues, and pet love

By Rita R. Robison

Blog carnivals collect links pointing to blog articles on a particular topic. A blog carnival is like a special interest magazine. It has a title, a topic that flows through its postings, editors, contributors, and a focused audience. Editions of the carnival come out on a regular basis, often weekly.

A couple of weeks ago, I joined the Blogging Boomer Carnival. This week, the carnival is marking its fifth anniversary with a roundup by Laura Carter, blogging at The Midlife Crisis Queen.

Laura reports on using trout in salad, sightseeing in Dubai, helping adult children financially, hearing problems boomers face, challenging investment decisions, loving pets, and looming food shortages. See "Blogging Boomers Blog Carnival #260" for details.

Baby boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, are America’s largest age group so far, and a fascinating group they are.

Boomers are leading corporations, serving as governmental officials, heading up non-profits, worrying about retirement, and experiencing layoffs at a higher rate than younger workers. They’re also reinventing themselves in trying economic times, with some looking for their dream jobs to keep them happy in retirement.

At each stage in their lives, boomers have changed things. They’re continuing to make America different as they begin entering into their retirement years.

In addition to The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide, members of the Blogging Boomer Carnival are: The Accidental Locavore, The Midlife Crisis Queen, Sightings at 60, Arabian Tales and Other Amazing Adventures, So Baby Boomer, Vaboomer, Empty House Full Mind, and Witty Woman Writing.

Copyright 2012, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Free shipping was my best consumer experience this week, while loss of my strawberry patch is upsetting

By Rita R. Robison

I was able to get free shipping from a firm that hasn’t offered any coupons or deals. That cheered me up. However, when the weather turned nice, my weeds bloomed.

My best consumer experience: Free shipping from New York firm

Since I have allergies, I order my shampoo and body soap, laundry detergent, and dishwasher detergent from N.E.E.D.S., a company in New York. That’s heavy stuff. Often, my shipping bills are high.

On my last order, I was able to get free shipping. The customer service representative also pointed out that the sale catalog I’d received had a $5 coupon. I dug through the recycling and found it – the last thing in the bottom of the barrel.

My worst consumer experience: Loss of my strawberry patch to weeds

I don’t use pesticides in my yard. Pesticides are harmful children, adults, and pets. I don't think consumers should use them.

So I pull the weeds in my yard by hand. This spring, when it finally warmed up, the weeds seemed worse than usual.

Last year, I had a nice strawberry patch.

Here’s a close up of some of the strawberries.

I picked these strawberries for a tasty treat.

This year, my strawberry patch has completely disappeared. In its place is a weed patch.

Maybe the cold weather killed the plants.

I have lots of weeding to do. Are the weeds worse this year, or did I not keep up with them enough in the fall?

Copyright 2012, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Recall of the Week: California Innovations lunch boxes due to freezer gel pack ingestion hazard

By Rita R. Robison

About 248,000 expandable, insulated lunch boxes with freezer gel pack are being recalled by California Innovations Inc.

Gel that contains diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol can leak out of damaged freezer gel packs, posing a poisoning hazard if ingested by children or adults.

California Innovations has received two separate reports of a dog chewing and ingesting gel from the gel pack, the company and U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said in a statement. One dog reportedly died from ingestion of the gel. The other was reported to have received treatment and has recovered.

The recalled product is a Ci Sport three-piece, expandable, insulated lunch box set, which includes the lunch box, aluminum bottle, and the freezer gel pack. The lunch box of the recalled set has the code "1-61731-99-57" printed on one of the two white labels that are sewn under the white fastener inside the main compartment.

The lunch box is 8 inches wide, 5 inches deep, and 10.25 inches high. It’s made of vinyl, polyester nylon, and crushed nylon and has a logo with the words "Ci Sport" attached to the upper left corner.

The lunch box has a carrying handle on the top and a mesh-carrying pouch for the aluminum bottle on the side. The aluminum bottle measures 2.75 inches in diameter and 7.5 inches tall.

The gel pack is a 6-inch by 4-inch transparent plastic pouch filled with blue liquid gel. The words "Cryofreeze" and "Ice Pack/Hot Pack" are printed in white letters on the front of the pouch.

The lunch box was available in four colors: navy blue, red, black and denim blue.

Manufactured in China, the lunch boxes were sold at Costco Wholesale Clubs, Leon Korol, and Cost U Less stores between May 2007 and September 2008 for about $10.

Consumers should immediately stop using the gel packs and dispose of them according to federal, state, and/or local regulations, California Innovations and the commission advise. It’s recommended that consumers contact their local waste disposal authority for instructions.

Consumers may return the lunch box set to Costco for a full refund or may receive a $5 cash refund for the gel pack only by contacting California Innovations.

For additional information, call California Innovations at 800-722-2545 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, e-mail ci-recall@ca-innovations.com, or visit the firm's website at www.californiainnovations.com.

For details on other recalls, see www. recalls.gov.

Copyright 2012, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Top 10 tips for preparing for your holiday trip

By Rita R. Robison

When my friend comes to pick me up to go to the airport to go on a trip, I’m usually just finishing up all the tasks I need to do to get ready.

What can you do to prevent last minute frenzy?

1. Make a list of what you want to take. That way, you won’t forget important items. I’ve lost track of the number of times I’ve forgotten to take a sun hat for a visit to Miami.
2. Arrange well in advance to have neighbors or friends take care of your plants and pets. It’s stressful when the person you had in mind says she’ll be on vacation, too, and you have to scramble to find someone else at the last minute.
3. Print out your ticket and put it and other travel documents in your purse or backpack several days before you leave. You want to avoid the disaster of forgetting your passport if you’re headed overseas.
4. Have all your yard work caught up. One time, I was worried about my gutters just before I went to visit my daughter. Since I was ready a half hour early, I decided to check them out. I found they needed attention. I spent an hour quickly cleaning them. I arrived at the gate just before it closed to passengers.
5. Don’t get distracted by projects that can wait until later. Concentrate on having everything done on time. Another time, when I first started blogging, I thought I had to write my two daily posts before I could finish packing. I completed the posts at about 11:45 p.m. I finished packing into the early morning hours. I only got a couple of hours of sleep before my ride came.
6. Don’t worry about leaving your house spotless. Vacuum your house and mop your kitchen floor several days before you leave. Put away things as you go about your packing.
7. Plan out what clothes you’ll need well in advance of your departure date. That will give you plenty of time to get them washed, dried, folded, and packed. Don’t leave the packing to the day before you leave.
8. Put lotions, sun screen, vitamins, toothbrush, floss, toothpaste, and other items in a canvas bag or other small bag as you think about what you’ll need. That way, they’ll be ready to be popped into your suitcase, reducing your chances of forgetting something.
9. Start early with your holiday shopping. Put the presents you’re taking all in one place so you’ll get an idea of the space they’ll take. If the pile is too big, you may need to buy an additional suitcase.
10. Take a grab and go breakfast to eat on the way to the airport if you’re rushing to meet your deadline. This can help you save valuable time.

Good luck with your holiday travel preparations. I hope you have a great, safe trip.

Copyright 2011, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Tips for keeping pets safe on Halloween

By Rita R. Robison

Halloween is just around the corner. It’s a fun time for adults and children alike. But it can be a traumatic and even dangerous time for your pets. 

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals offers the following common-sense tips to protect your pet on Halloween:

• Don't leave your pets out in the yard on Halloween. There are too many stories of vicious pranksters who have teased, injured, stolen, or even killed pets on this night.

• Trick-or-treat candies aren’t for pets. Chocolate is poisonous to dogs and tin foil and cellophane candy wrappers can be hazardous if swallowed.

• Watch out for the “lethal wagging tails” or curious kittens near lit pumpkins or other flames. Pets can knock them over and cause a fire or burn injuries to your pet and people. 

• Don't dress your animals in costumes unless you know they love it. If you do dress them up, be careful not to obstruct their vision as even the sweetest dogs can get snappy when they can't see what's going on around them.

• Keep your dog(s) in a separate room during trick-or-treat visiting hours as too many strangers in strange garb can be scary for a dog. If you are having an indoor party, keep pets in a room where they won’t be disturbed or frightened by costumes.

• Make certain your pet is wearing a pet license in case your cat or dog darts out through an open door. 

While this can be a fun time for people and pets alike, remember that your pets are depending on you to keep them safe from the more dangerous goblins and ghouls that this holiday brings.

Copyright 2011, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Easy, cheap costumes for your dog on Halloween

By Andrea Woroch, Consumer Writer for Kinoli Inc.

Guest Blogger

Cats loathe costumes but some dogs revel in dressing up for Halloween. Strap on a pair of fairy wings, and they begin to strut their stuff, eager to trick-or-treat like a little kid.

Dressing up your dog can get pricey, however, without sewing skills or a big budget.

Here's a list of easy and frugal ideas to keep your dog happy on Oct. 31.

1. Octopus

This works best with taller dogs. Stuff pantyhose with a light material, sew eight of them together in a cluster, and pin to your dog's harness.

2. Chippendale Dancer

Cut the collar and cuffs from a disposable white shirt and secure to a large dog's neck and front paws. Create a bow tie out of a strip of black cloth. Encourage donations by tucking a few $1 bills into its collar. This works well if you have a dog able to dance on its hind legs.

3. Little Red Riding Hood

A good costume for a small dog, this one is also easy on the sewing impaired. Go to Jo-Ann Fabrics for a yard of red material with some starch to it, such as felt or flannel, and a length of red ribbon. Cut the material into a hood and cape shape then baste the ribbon to the neck of the hood. 

4. Gangster Pup

Let your street-wise hound go gangsta style with a hoodie and gold medallions. Make the jewelry out of Yoplait yogurt lids and pick up a hoodie on the cheapside with a Petsmart coupon from sites like CouponSherpa.com. 

5. Vampire

Cut a swath of black silk into a cape shape and attach it to the collar. If you have sewing skills or a glue gun, create a stand-up collar by melding red silk to a cardboard frame.

6. Winged Fairy

Tiny pups might be too small to handle wings, but a small dog should be able to pull off this low-cost outfit. Read how to create this look with directions from instructables.com.

7. Rescue Dog

Strap an empty beer or pop can to your dog’s collar and use a long piece of red felt to create a waistband painted with a white cross. For a humorous twist, larger dogs might be able to handle an empty coffee can instead as the beer barrel.

8. Pillow Camel

Turn your weiner dog into a camel by attaching an old sofa pillow in a caramel shade to a center harness. For a lumpier look, wrap a belt around the middle to give it two humps.

9. Go Pre-made

Wal-mart has added a line of outfits for dogs to their online costume section. You'll find everything from maid to sheriff costumes for various size dogs and all at bargain prices. And, with so many other online Halloween stores selling pet costumes, you'll likely find something fitting for your dog, whether it’s freaky, festive, or funny. Remember to search for promo codes to score savings and free shipping before checking out.

Before you put your dog in a costume, be sure to check out "Dog Halloween Safety Tips" from PuppyinTraining.com.

Copyright 2011, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Top 10 costumes for kids, adults, and pets for 2011

By Rita R. Robison

Are you planning to dress up for Halloween this year?

More adults are wearing Halloween costumes this year, joining the throngs of kids enjoying the spooky holiday.

Zombie costumes are increasing in popularity for kids and grownups alike. More than 2.6 million men, women, and children plan to dress as zombies this Halloween.

As in previous years, princess and witch costumes continue to be favorites along with superheroes and vampires.

Here are the top Halloween costumes this year, according to a National Retail Federation survey:

Adults

1. Witch

2. Pirate

3. Vampire

4. Zombie

5. Batman character

6. Cat

7. Vixen

8. Ghost

9. Nurse

10. Scary costume/mask

Children

1. Princess

2. Witch

3. Spiderman

4. Pirate

5. Pumpkin

6. Fairy

7. Action/super hero

8 (T). Batman

8 (T). Vampire

9 (T). Disney princess

9 (T). Zombies

10. Star Wars Characters

Pets

1. Pumpkin

2. Devil

3. Hot dog

4. Bee

5. Cat

6. Witch

7. Bowties/fancy collars/bandanas

8. Pirate

9. Dog

10. Ghost

Happy Halloween. I hope you have a great time dressing up and partying.

Copyright 2011, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

How much does it cost to own a pet?

By Rita R. Robison

The kids have been nagging you to buy a dog or cat for years. Now, you finally think you’re ready.

However, before you take the plunge, think about the costs you’ll incur.

Kiplinger’s Personal Finance offers the following on the costs of owning a dog, depending on size:

• Initial expenses – Purchase price, $50 to $1,000; spaying or neutering, $190 to $220; initial medical exam, $70; supplies, $95 to $225; and training, $110.

• Food, $55 to $235 a year.

• Toys, $40 to $75 a year.

• Routine veterinary care, $210 to $260 a year.

• Emergency veterinary costs, $2,000 to $3,000 plus $3,000 to $5,000 if surgery is needed.

• Pet insurance, about $225 per year, depending on the dog’s breed and age.

• Groomer/grooming aids, $265 to $410 per year.

• Travel care/kennel boarding, up to $700 a year.

• Dog walker, $3,900 to $5,200 a year.

• Lifetime ownership costs – First year, $710 to $8,730; annual, $310 to $7,100 plus unforeseen vet costs; lifetime, $4,070 to $101,070.

For more information on the cost of owning a pet, see Kiplinger’s “Nine Expenses Every Cat Owner Should Budget For” and “The Cost of Owning Five Popular Small Household Pets.”

Copyright 2011, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Recall of the Week: Marineland Stealth and Stealth Pro aquarium heaters due to fire and laceration hazards

By Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

United Pet Group is recalling about 1.2 million Marineland Stealth and Stealth Pro aquarium heaters.

A wiring problem can cause the aquarium heaters to overheat or break during normal use, damaging the aquarium and posing fire and laceration hazards to consumers, the U.S. Consumer Product Commission said in a statement issued with the company. Overheating can cause the heater to shatter or the aquarium glass to break.

United Pet Group has received 38 reports of fires resulting in property damage and 45 reports of broken aquarium glass. It received one report of a consumer who suffered an eye injury when the aquarium heater forcefully broke while he held it.

The recall involves the following Marineland Stealth and Stealth Pro aquarium heaters.

The heaters are black plastic tubes and have a temperature adjustment knob at the top. The model name "Stealth," in white letters, or "Stealth Pro," in red letters, is printed on the side of the heater. The model number and the wattage rating are printed below the model name. Stealth Pro heaters were also sold as part of aquarium starter kits.

Manufactured in China and Italy, the aquarium heaters were sold at pet stores nationwide and on various websites from January 2004 through February 2011 for $20 to $300.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled aquarium heaters and contact United Pet Group for a free replacement or a refund.

For additional information, contact United Pet Group at 800-338-4896 between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's website at www.marineland.com.

For details on other recalls, see www.recalls.gov.

Copyright 2011, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist