dog

Camping with Pets

/ Robert Bruton / Leave a comment

Camping with pets can be a fun and rewarding experience for you and your furry friend. Not only does it allow you to spend quality time together in the great outdoors, but it also allows your pet to explore new surroundings and get some exercise. However, it’s essential to keep in mind that camping with pets requires a little extra planning and consideration to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip for all involved.

First and foremost, ensure that your pet is up to the camping task. Some pets, especially older or smaller animals, may be unable to handle the physical demands of hiking or spending long periods in a tent. If you’re unsure whether your pet is fit for camping, consult your veterinarian or consider taking a shorter, more leisurely trip to test the waters.

Once you’ve determined that your pet is ready for a camping adventure, planning is essential. Research the campsite or national park you’ll be visiting to see if they have any specific rules or regulations regarding pets. Some camps may not allow pets or may have restrictions on where they can go or what they can do. It’s also a good idea to check with the local ranger station or park headquarters to discover any potential hazards, such as wildlife or poisonous plants, that your pet might encounter.

When packing for your trip, don’t forget to bring all the necessary supplies for your pet, including food, water, a leash, a collar with identification tags, and any medications they may be taking. It’s also a good idea to bring a portable water dish and a few plastic bags for waste disposal. If you spend a long outdoors, consider investing in a portable shade shelter or canopy to protect your pet from the sun.

Once you arrive at the campsite, keep your pet on a leash. Not only is this a requirement at many camps, but it’s also essential for the safety of your pet and other campers. It’s also a good idea to keep a close eye on your pet and ensure they don’t get into trouble, such as chasing after wildlife or eating something they shouldn’t.

Camping with pets can be a fun and rewarding experience for you and your furry friend as long as you plan and take the necessary precautions. You can ensure a safe and enjoyable trip for all involved with extra planning and consideration.

Five suggestions for safe camping with pets:

  1. Leash laws and campsite rules: Many campsites and national parks have specific rules and regulations regarding pets, including leash laws and designated areas where pets are allowed. It’s essential to familiarize yourself with these rules and follow them to ensure your pet’s and other campers’ safety.
  2. Wildlife: Camping in the great outdoors means you and your pet may encounter wildlife, such as bears, snakes, or other potentially dangerous animals. It’s important to keep your pet on a leash and closely supervise them to prevent them from getting into any trouble.
  3. Poisonous plants: Some plants, such as poison ivy or oak, can be harmful to pets if ingested or if they come into contact with their skin. It’s important to familiarize yourself with the plants that grow in the area you’ll be camping in and take precautions to prevent your pet from coming into contact with them.
  4. Heat exhaustion: If camping in hot weather, it’s vital to ensure your pet stays hydrated and has access to shade. Signs of heat exhaustion in pets include heavy panting, lethargy, and loss of appetite. If you notice any of these signs, it’s essential to provide your pet with water and a fantastic place to rest and seek veterinary care if necessary.
  5. Water safety: If you are near a body of water, keep a close eye on your pet and prevent them from drinking or swimming in any potentially contaminated water. It’s also a good idea to bring a portable water dish and plenty of fresh water to keep your pet hydrated during the trip.

Have fun with your fur babies!

a dog standing on the ground
Photo by Teodor-Ionut Ungureanu on Pexels.com

Glitzy Trains Daddy to do New Trick

/ Robert Bruton / Leave a comment

For those of you that follow the chronicles of Glitzy. One of the most spoiled dogs on the planet. She has again outdone herself! I wouldn’t have it any other way.

So, two nights ago, about 2:37 AM. I hear a bark coming from the living room. A precocious bark only Glitzy can make. Several attempts were made to call her to no avail.

The trek for the living room begins. Glitzy continue the sharp bark as I look at Glitzy to ask, “what do you want, Glitzy?” I’m scanning the room for toys, bones, or other potential daddies fetch for my items. Not seeing anything I sit on the couch.

Glitzy stands up and paws me as she does when asking to be picked up. Grabbing her, I put her on the couch. Immediately she makes a couple of turns and flops next to me to go back to sleep. She wanted to sleep on the couch and thought it was a good idea for me to be there with her.

She seriously called me down to the living room and wanted me to sit not lay on the couch so she could go back to sleep. Yes, diva is never too strong a word for my Glitzy.

Glitzy, pet, Dog

Glitzy Obeying the Leash Law

Now we have gone from barking in bed at night for me to move so she can get a new spot she wants, too bringing me to the living room so she can sleep on the couch next to me on her couch blanket (yes Glitzy has couch blankets, floor blankets and blankets on the bed).

As I am typing this article, my fur baby is staring at me, as I suspect she will have me fetching something for her forthwith. I was right she has gone to the bedroom, now barking. It’s the afternoon so she will want me to lay down so she can watch a movie. If you’ve read about Glitzy, you will know she loves to watch movies.

Glitzy, Movies, Pets

For now, this is the end until Glitzy trains me to perform a new service for her!

Snooze Button or Life

/ Robert Bruton / Leave a comment

Is your ass out of that bad at 4:00 AM every day. Ready to meet the day, be there when the break of a lifetime dumps right in your lap. Oh, wait you’re still in bed.

If you can’t get your ass out of bed. Why would I hire you? You need to tell people you get more done before 7:00 AM than most get done in a day!

“A life of leisure and a life of laziness are two things. There will be sleeping enough in the grave.”–Benjamin Franklin

Questions you seriously need to ask yourself:

  • Is sleeping in more important than my family?
  • Is sleeping in more important than my Success?
  • Is sleeping in more important than my Body temple?
  • Is sleeping in more important than my Workout?

We could list hundreds more. Go ahead, reach over, and hit the snooze button. Hell NO!

24-hour day – 6 hours sleep – 8-hour work day = 10-hours left to have a life! What are you prepared to do?

Stop convincing yourself morning-after-morning that you’re not a morning person. BS! The most exceptional salesperson in the world is you. You sell yourself everyday mediocrity, and you keep buying. Stop NOW selling yourself short in your life.

By the time you see this sunrise, you will have achieved more in your day than most will in an 8 hour day! 

society, self improvement, sunrise

Mind over HELL YES IT MATTERS! How bad do you want to succeed? This is NOT a sacrifice but an investment in your success. We’ve talked about this before, if you feel anything you’re doing involves sacrifice. Rethink your position. Every step you take is one step closer to success in every aspect of your life, that is NO sacrifice!

Begin your day at 4:00 AM. 

Or hit the snooze button and watch life pass you by. Who knows the person you can become if you get out of bed and blaze a trail for others to follow. For some of you by the time you get up the world has zipped by with opportunity, oh you were sleeping, huge break, oh you were sleeping, the love of your life was going to cross your path at the gym today, oh you were sleeping.

If your life right now does not wake you up. This is your wake up call it’s 4:00 AM and this day filled with your success! Or hit the snooze button, it’s a choice.

So just getting up is not enough. Here are some great investments you can make towards a great life:

  1. Roll out of bed onto your knees and pray! 
  2. Set time aside to meditate.
  3. Walk, take a brisk walk.
  4. Study something that fills your mind with more knowledge. 
  5. Finish a project you’ve put off. 
  6. Read.
  7. Feed your body healthy food, protein shakes, fresh juice. Take care of the body temple. 
  8. Yoga.

Eight simple things you can do all before 6:00 AM.

Here is food-for-thought:

1 hour of study per day = 365 Hours of research in one year! If knowledge is power, imagine 365 hours of it packed into your brain. Or you can hit the snooze button.

Change is not easy, but damn what are you waiting for. This is something I fight with myself every day. The voice in your head will convince you just five more minutes. Don’t get sold a sack of dog poo.

You will be in good company tomorrow morning if you wake up with me. At 4:00 AM I will look to the sky and say good morning, Dewayne “The Rock” Johnson will be hard at cardio, Bill Gates and Warren Buffet will be up. Not to mention the other winners just like YOU that say, “Enough is Enough its MY Time!”

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Glitzy a Film Star well for a Minute

/ Robert Bruton / 2 Comments

Everyone who reads me listens to my podcast or watches me on YouTube knows that my dog Glitzy is a considerable part of my life. So let me share with you a funny story about how Glitzy got her start in documentary filmmaking.

She even has her own page on my website: My Dog Glitzy

A few years ago, and I remember this like it were yesterday. It was enjoying a rare day off. Working retail never allows days off very often. So I took Glitzy with me she loves to ride in the car.

One of Glitzy’s greatest thrills in her life was going to the beach and chasing sea birds. Keep in mind Glitzy is half Chijuajua and half Pomeranian. So we’re in no danger of her ever catching a bird. When you ask Glitzy, “do you want to go chase your birds?” –oh my she goes nuts.

We left the house a little early to pick up my wife at the time. As we drove, I decided to stop at the bird sanctuary; it was early, and I am just enjoying my day. So we find a place to park, my mind is relaxed and enjoying the day.

As Glitzy and I were making our way down the boardwalk enjoying the stroll I was carrying her. She wiggled signaling for me to let her down. We were alone on the sidewalk, so I put her down.

Letting Glitzy down I continued down the boardwalk. In moments after putting her down, I remember hearing her nails on her feet making a clicking noise on the boards, and then it stopped. As I looked back, Glitzy was running then jumps off the boardwalk.

Looking in all directions, I finally see her racing off like a bullet. Mind you Glitzy stays with Daddy very well except for one thing sea birds. Keep in mind we’re at a bird sanctuary.

So just about the time I’m getting ready to call out to her, the whole place was empty. Glitzy looked like Carl Lewis running the 100 meters. I see this massive flock of sea birds on the beach.

Then you hear it. “What the Fu*&, cut, cut, damn-it, cut!” Dozens of people appear out from bird blinds. Some with cameras and one overly excited director. Two very forboding Texas Game Wardens. It gets worse. That day they’re shooting a documentary film about the birds Glitzy just scattered.

So I’m getting ready to jump off the boardwalk to get Glitzy and the Game Warden screams at me to stop, they will get the dog. So now you have these two Game Wardens chasing Glitzy while a cameraman who is laughing his ass off filming these officers chase this little bitty dog.

Oh and by the way Glitzy scattered the sea birds and is now barking at the Game Wardens. This too also gets worse, they’re a rare bird that had not come there for years. Hence the film crew.

Our story continues the game warden finally catches Glitzy and brings her to me. With a very stern, “You are aware of leash laws?” Can I see your identification have a seat on the bench with your dog! Oh shit!

As the film crew comes over and begins to play and hold Glitzy and laughing at the irony of the whole ordeal. The camera guy starts to playback the Game Wardens chasing Glitzy and everyone is laughing so hard, even the two officers were very cool about everyone joking with them.

The main camera guy begins to playback his film calls everyone over he too is laughing his ass off. Imagine the movie rolling these majestic sea birds chilling on the beach, nature at its finest. To all of a sudden see this little bitty bullet of a dog enter the screen and begin to chase these bird’s tail wagging and barking away.

The gasps of people the more than one saying “what the fu&* is that” and well you heard the rest earlier in the story. Back to a Game Warden who tells me not sure what to do with us right now.

I did explain that Glitzy enjoyed running on the beach chasing birds. That honestly I was daydreaming and never gave a second thought to letting her down to walk with me. Forgetting that I was at the bird sanctuary, hello.

So the main science folks came over and told the game warden they were not too worried about the birds coming back. That in nature, it could have just as quickly been a Coyote running after them as it was Glitzy.

Glitzy and I narrowly escaped incarceration. We did get a pretty stern warning about the dog being on a leash, however. Lesson learned no doubt.

If everyone could just get back to there positions per the director, once the birds saw it was safe to come back to the beach, they would naturally return. That was just what happened an hour or so later.

Sadly Glitzy’s film debut was short-lived and found herself on the cutting room floor. C’est la vie!

Glitzy, pet, Dog

Glitzy Obeying the Leash Law

 

Be Happy Where You Are

/ Robert Bruton / Leave a comment

If you’re going to be great, you must be great where you currently are! Make what you have work. When God sees you can handle any situation the flood gates will open. You can’t use doom & gloom about your current situation. Make your ongoing situation work with an eye towards a new future.

“When you rise in the morning, give thanks for the light, for your life, for your strength. Give thanks for your food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason to give thanks, the fault lies in yourself.”–Tecumseh
Let’s break this down a bit, so it makes sense if you hate your current job for example. As hard as this may be, you need to make it work. Why you do how you can expect God to bless you with more if you’re not grateful for what you have? Keep in mind you can let God know what your heart is with him and ask for a change. Pray for a new beginning but show him that you will stay in faith where you are.

I agree it is difficult. However, it makes total sense that before you can get more, you need to be okay where you are. Entrepreneurs can be handed a bag of dog poop and told that is the main ingredient for the Ice Cream they must make. Learn to make Ice Cream out of dog poop.

happy, life, love

My point is no matter what life looks like making the best of what you have. Do this and on the other side is the life you truly desire.

So, let’s assume for the sake of conversation that you detest where you are in your life. Your job stinks, you’re doing what you have to do not what you want to do. Right there with you! Apart from writing this blog post for me is a want-to-do not a have-to-do.

Here are some ideas I would like to share with you to accept where you are as temporary:

  • Make the best of each day. Don’t use negative narratives to describe where you are. You may very well think that life sucks where you are. Change that conversation to “thank you God for the new life that you are blessing me with.” Be grateful for where you are and what is coming.
  • Think about this. You have not because you ask not. Are you praying for a new life? Not, “oh please God get me out of here.” In prayer let God know as a friend your desires, then let him do his job.
  • Visualize and meditate on the life you want. See yourself in that place you desire. Do this daily. Let the Universe begin to move obstacles away and have patience and faith!
  • Keep this in mind. When doing something you may not like to do, work with jerks you don’t want to be with, stay in a relationship you have no hope of happiness. It’s all temporary. Focus on the solution NOT the problem. Learn to quiet your mind in meditation and believe with everything that is you, life can and will change!

Nothing negative we go through is a life sentence. It’s a season of life where the enemy will do everything necessary to bring you down. Change the narrative of your life. Focus on the outcome, be grateful for that outcome even if you see absolutely no way of getting there.

The life you want is on the other side of pain, frustration, hopelessness, if you stay in faith even when you see no way, I promise you will find a new season opening up for you. Never give up!

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