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Halloween Safety for Your Sunday Dog or Cat!

With Halloween approaching, cats come to mind. Not just because they are symbols of the holiday, but also because this can be a dangerous time for cats and dogs.

(Photo by Leslie Jones from the Boston Public Library's Leslie Jones Collection)

Tempted by Treats

Having extra candy and treats around for your family, holiday party, or trick-or-treaters can pose a danger to your pets. Chocolate in all forms, but especially the darkest chocolate, can cause symptoms ranging from gastrointestinal upset to seizures.

The ASPCA reminds us that, “Candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can be poisonous to dogs. Even small amounts of xylitol sweetener can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar which leads to depression, lack of coordination, and seizures.”

Even holiday decorations, like pumpkins and dried corn, can give your pet an upset tummy, if they try to dine on them. And, large pieces of these items, ribbons, and wrappers that are part of the decor can be hazards for choking or intestinal blockages.

As a puppy, Poppy dressed up as a frog in a onesie! As you can see, she was very relaxed in her outfit.

Stressed Out Playing Dress Up

There are a few pets who are total hams and will love wearing a Halloween costume. For many others it can be stressful. Choose costumes with care and give your dog or cat time to adjust before the big party. If your pet shows signs of stress, consider a t-shirt or jacket style costume that leaves the head and ears free. Or, if your beast has stage fright, you wear the costume and let your dog or cat be an accessory.

Dan, from Boston Pet Sitters, has been known to dress up instead of costuming his pack.

Another ASPCA reminder concerns the design and fit of holiday finery. “Take a closer look at your pet’s costume and make sure it does not have small, dangling or easily chewed-off pieces that he could choke on. Also, ill-fitting outfits can get twisted on external objects or your pet, leading to injury.”

This Bulldog says, "I'm going over the hill and there's nut-in' you can do bout it!"

(Photo by Leslie Jones from the Boston Public Library's Leslie Jones Collection)

Escape Artists

Trick-or-treaters in costume can frighten an otherwise well-mannered pet. If you love to dress up to answer the call of trick-or-treaters, you could scare your pet. And, when a pet is frightened, it can and will do the unexpected.

With doors opening and closing to admit partygoers or to hand out treats, there are many opportunities for a gentle homebody – let alone the veteran escape artist – to make a break for it.

Consider tucking your dog or cat away in a separate room with a favorite bed or blanket while you host Halloween visitors.

If you don’t normally keep ID on your dog or cat when they are indoors, this next week might be a good time to add that extra precaution to your Halloween safety checklist.

(Photo by Leslie Jones from the Boston Public Library's Leslie Jones Collection)

Keep Cats Indoors

Horror stories of animal cruelty to cats crop up every Halloween season. There are dozens of reasons cats should be kept indoors any time of the year. City cats are in danger from other animals, poisons like antifreeze, and bait set for rodents. Wandering the streets they can be hit by cars, become trapped in odd spaces, and be exposed to diseases and parasites from feral cats.

Some of the saddest signs around the neighborhood are the ones posted for lost cats. When you see one, you look around and worry about where that tiny creature may be hiding – alone and afraid.

Poison Control

Finally, if you think your dog or cat has eaten something that may have poisoned it, call the Animal Poison Control Hotline at 1-888-426-4435. This is a 24/7 poison hotline. A fee is required to use this service, but fast action could save the life of the pet you love.

Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: Poppy photo ©2012 Penny Cherubino, Poison symbol from Wikipedia commons, and the historic photos are by Leslie Jones from the Boston Public Library's Leslie Jones Collection.

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October 23, 2016
WBUR’s Magic Pill Podcast Has Me Out Walking Every Morning …

Since September 1st, I have been up and out for a walk every morning and have achieved my Fitbit goals every day. (When Ed pops in here to edit this post, he can confirm my record!) (Confirmed! And, although Poppy & I like to sleep in, we're beginning to feel pressured to join her.)

Thanks to WBUR and their inspiring podcast, The Magic PilI, I have reconnected with and have been motivated to increase my fitness by one of my favorite doctors, Eddie Phillips, MD.

When he was my sports medicine doc at MGH, I remember Doctor Phillips showing me the exact stretch he is demonstrating in the photo above. Sadly, for me, Dr. Phillips has moved on. He has founded and directs the Institute of Lifestyle Medicine in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School, www.instituteoflifestylemedicine.org.

As a former patient, I can say that what you hear on the WBUR Podcast is the same advice and attitude he had with me as a private patient.

He doesn't tell you what to do, he'll tell you what you can do. He will have you thinking about small, achievable, specific goals and milestones, not big scary, "I'll never really do that …" objectives.

His partner in this program is Carey Goldberg, editor of WBUR's CommonHealth blog. She is a well-respected journalist and adds warm, personal interviews and background research to each episode.

I waited to write about this until I was sure I was well on my way to being a continuing success story as a person following Doctor Phillips' philosophy that exercise is a Magic Pill that most of us can use to live a healthier life.

Here is a link to the Podcast Pilot. It's a great introduction and I hope it will lead you to take one episode daily (your daily dose of get-up-and-go) for the next twenty-one days and see if you, like me, find yourself still on the move two months from now.

I hope WBUR will add more episodes of this inspiring program. Anytime I feel that I'm about to slip off my training routine, I'll go back and listen to the 21 existing episodes again. But I would love to have this team offer some sort of Magic Pill continuing education and inspiration.

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: Courtesy of WBUR, Magic Pill

October 21, 2016
WBUR’s Magic Pill Podcast Has Me Out Walking Every Morning …

Since September 1st, I have been up and out for a walk every morning and have achieved my Fitbit goals every day. (When Ed pops in here to edit this post, he can confirm my record!) (Confirmed! And, although Poppy & I like to sleep in, we're beginning to feel pressured to join her.)

Thanks to WBUR and their inspiring podcast, The Magic PilI, I have reconnected with and have been motivated to increase my fitness by one of my favorite doctors, Eddie Phillips, MD.

When he was my sports medicine doc at MGH, I remember Doctor Phillips showing me the exact stretch he is demonstrating in the photo above. Sadly, for me, Dr. Phillips has moved on. He has founded and directs the Institute of Lifestyle Medicine in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School, www.instituteoflifestylemedicine.org.

As a former patient, I can say that what you hear on the WBUR Podcast is the same advice and attitude he had with me as a private patient.

He doesn't tell you what to do, he'll tell you what you can do. He will have you thinking about small, achievable, specific goals and milestones, not big scary, "I'll never really do that …" objectives.

His partner in this program is Carey Goldberg, editor of WBUR's CommonHealth blog. She is a well-respected journalist and adds warm, personal interviews and background research to each episode.

I waited to write about this until I was sure I was well on my way to being a continuing success story as a person following Doctor Phillips' philosophy that exercise is a Magic Pill that most of us can use to live a healthier life.

Here is a link to the Podcast Pilot. It's a great introduction and I hope it will lead you to take one episode daily (your daily dose of get-up-and-go) for the next twenty-one days and see if you, like me, find yourself still on the move two months from now.

I hope WBUR will add more episodes of this inspiring program. Anytime I feel that I'm about to slip off my training routine, I'll go back and listen to the 21 existing episodes again. But I would love to have this team offer some sort of Magic Pill continuing education and inspiration.

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: Courtesy of WBUR, Magic Pill

October 21, 2016
Why New Englanders Pay Attention to Tides: Boston 101

On a popular travel site, a visitor from the Midwest asked the local volunteers why information about tides was included in so much media. He or she wanted to know why we needed this information and what we did with it.

The king tides this week reminded me of that conversation and what I learned as I read the replies. Here's a king tide post with photos from Universal Hub. Here's another.

Unlike some bodies of water with minimal tides, we can have some pretty substantial changes in water depth when the tide flows in and out. Above is a house we rent on Provincetown Harbor, pictured at low tide. You can see the marks on the seawall and on the piles that support the deck showing a more than 12-foot change in water depth.

Here is what happens to that sandy stretch alongside the house at high tide.

Add a storm and you had better be prepared. Here's a post we wrote after spending a stormy day in this house:

Open the Hatches: Our Storm Adventure in Provincetown

Boaters Need to Know the Tides

When you are at the helm of a boat, you had better know the tides. In some cases, your boat may be aground for part of the tidal span. Or you may have to anchor it in a part of the harbor that is deep enough to allow it to float even at low tide.

You also need to check your charts and know the depth of your keel to know where you can and cannot go on a given tide. For many years, we sailed on a catamaran that allowed us to pull up the dagger boards and slip over sandbars that would ground other vessels.

If you paddle your boat or row the direction of the tide in or out, it will make your workout harder or easier.

Occupational Needs

Many of the people who provide us with all that delicious New England seafood depend on tide charts and tide reports to schedule their workdays. The same is true for contractors who work on seawalls and piers.

Recreation

Some beaches, like those on Provincetown Harbor, are better for walking at low tide than swimming. Our dog Poppy loves to walk the beach. At high tide, we take her to the stairway and show her that instead of sand at the bottom of the steps, there is water half way up the flight. We schedule her longest walk of the day for low tide.

Climate Change and Real Estate

As waters rise, the potential maximum high tide surge is becoming an issue in real estate matters. The FEMA flood plane maps have recently been revised and requirements for flood insurance will follow those guidelines. Property values in areas impacted by increased storm surges will eventually change. You want to know all about the tides in any area where you might be considering a purchase of property.

Your links to Tide Information

NOAA provides tide charts on the web at this site.

My preferred information source is a Tide App for my phone. In fact, I have two installed. I use TideApp most often because it is simple and clear and gives me a calendar that I can use to plan ahead for sailing, clam digging, or walking Poppy on the beach.

I like Tides Near Me because it gives me a map option to help pinpoint the tide measurement station.

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino

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October 20, 2016
Why New Englanders Pay Attention to Tides: Boston 101

On a popular travel site, a visitor from the Midwest asked the local volunteers why information about tides was included in so much media. He or she wanted to know why we needed this information and what we did with it.

The king tides this week reminded me of that conversation and what I learned as I read the replies. Here's a king tide post with photos from Universal Hub. Here's another.

Unlike some bodies of water with minimal tides, we can have some pretty substantial changes in water depth when the tide flows in and out. Above is a house we rent on Provincetown Harbor, pictured at low tide. You can see the marks on the seawall and on the piles that support the deck showing a more than 12-foot change in water depth.

Here is what happens to that sandy stretch alongside the house at high tide.

Add a storm and you had better be prepared. Here's a post we wrote after spending a stormy day in this house:

Open the Hatches: Our Storm Adventure in Provincetown

Boaters Need to Know the Tides

When you are at the helm of a boat, you had better know the tides. In some cases, your boat may be aground for part of the tidal span. Or you may have to anchor it in a part of the harbor that is deep enough to allow it to float even at low tide.

You also need to check your charts and know the depth of your keel to know where you can and cannot go on a given tide. For many years, we sailed on a catamaran that allowed us to pull up the dagger boards and slip over sandbars that would ground other vessels.

If you paddle your boat or row the direction of the tide in or out, it will make your workout harder or easier.

Occupational Needs

Many of the people who provide us with all that delicious New England seafood depend on tide charts and tide reports to schedule their workdays. The same is true for contractors who work on seawalls and piers.

Recreation

Some beaches, like those on Provincetown Harbor, are better for walking at low tide than swimming. Our dog Poppy loves to walk the beach. At high tide, we take her to the stairway and show her that instead of sand at the bottom of the steps, there is water half way up the flight. We schedule her longest walk of the day for low tide.

Climate Change and Real Estate

As waters rise, the potential maximum high tide surge is becoming an issue in real estate matters. The FEMA flood plane maps have recently been revised and requirements for flood insurance will follow those guidelines. Property values in areas impacted by increased storm surges will eventually change. You want to know all about the tides in any area where you might be considering a purchase of property.

Your links to Tide Information

NOAA provides tide charts on the web at this site.

My preferred information source is a Tide App for my phone. In fact, I have two installed. I use TideApp most often because it is simple and clear and gives me a calendar that I can use to plan ahead for sailing, clam digging, or walking Poppy on the beach.

I like Tides Near Me because it gives me a map option to help pinpoint the tide measurement station.

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Related articles

Steamers Leaving for Bass Point and Nahant from Lincoln Wharf

The Dogs of the Boston Public Library Collections

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October 20, 2016
Tip on Rotating Your Eggs with Links to our Other Eggy Posts

Boiling a batch of eggs is a regular assignment for my favorite little cooking pot. I use Jacques Pépin's egg boiling method. (You can see it in this video at the 1:30 location.) The pot lets me boil the water and then gently lower the eggs into it in their little basket.

We do a constant rotation of our egg supply. New eggs come in and the older ones are hard boiled. We find that hard boiled eggs are used up quickly around here. In fact, when we are facing a busy week, we may boil a dozen eggs to be sure we have material for quick meals.

We follow all of Jacque's directions if we are going to use the eggs right way. But, most of the time, we stop the cooking by replacing the boiling water with ice water and putting the whole, unpeeled eggs back into the pot.

Then we put them back into their carton marked as "hard boiled."

Links to our other Eggy Posts:

Click on the caption to go to the post!

Egg & Cauliflower Curry

Simple Spring Supper: Asparagus & Eggs

Eggs Overboard! A Rescue Plan

No Mayo Potato Salads (with eggs)

Breakfast for Supper on a Piece of Toast

What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2008-2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino

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October 19, 2016
Go Pet Friendly’s Complete Guide to Planning the Perfect Pet Friendly Road Trip

We have traveled with dogs for years and know a few things about that topic that we have passed along to you in past posts. But here's a link to a guide by someone who knows way more about dogs on the road than we do. Amy Burkert lives on the road with her husband and two large dogs.

She also writes about it on her Go Pet Friendly site. So click over and pick up some hard earned knowledge before you set off on that road trip to Grandma's house for the holidays.

Our Related Posts:

Traveling With Your Dog, Some Favorite Items

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Sunday Dog Assignment: Make Holiday Reservations Now!

Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino

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October 16, 2016
Go Pet Friendly’s Complete Guide to Planning the Perfect Pet Friendly Road Trip

We have traveled with dogs for years and know a few things about that topic that we have passed along to you in past posts. But here's a link to a guide by someone who knows way more about dogs on the road than we do. Amy Burkert lives on the road with her husband and two large dogs.

She also writes about it on her Go Pet Friendly site. So click over and pick up some hard earned knowledge before you set off on that road trip to Grandma's house for the holidays.

Our Related Posts:

Traveling With Your Dog, Some Favorite Items

Tips for Zipping Around in Rental Cars with Your Dog

Sunday Dog Assignment: Make Holiday Reservations Now!

Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino

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Petie Prances & Kicks Up His Heels with the Joy of Spring

October 16, 2016
Where to Buy or Rent Costumes in the Boston Area: Our Updated Resource Page
Whether you only think of altering your appearance on Halloween or also like to dress up for holidays, special events, parties, or other reasons, this post is for you. We've even included a couple of places that carry party goods and elegant seasonal home decor.

This post was updated for Halloween 2017.

Just before Halloween and the traditional holiday seasons seems like the best time for us to make a list and check it twice to help you locate places to buy or rent costumes for most any occasion. Costume season gears up at Halloween and continues for Santa time, New Years, Saint Patrick's Day, Mardi Gras, and beyond!

Please let us know if we've missed one of your favorite sources of costumes and accessories. And tell us about your all-time favorite Halloween Costume in the comments below.

The Garment District in Cambridge has a floor devoted to Boston Costume. This is probably the best-known spot to outfit yourself for any costume party.

It's open seven days a week. And "Open 'til Midnight ALL October!"

They sell and rent costumes and have lots of vintage & secondhand clothing, if you want to create your own.

They also sell items to finish the look, like:
- washout hair color in tones of atomic turquoise and cotton candy pink
- prosthetics like scars, bullet holes, horns, pointed ear tips, and witch noses with the materials to attach them
- masks from simple gold or black eye masks, to elaborate Venetian designs or feathery carnival styles
- heads to transform you into a bear, lion, or gorilla
- an endless selection of wigs includes: mullets, afros, clown colors, pigtails, geishas, ragdolls, cornrows, dreadlocks, flappers, and glam styles
- accessories include: hats, boas, go-go boots, and wings
Their "Boston Costume" division rents full rigs for the likes of Batman, Green Hornet, and Marie Antoinette. Or you can be a minute man, cowgirl, knight, or belly dancer.

Dorothy's Boutique

Soon you'll find people lined up (above) waiting to enter Dorothy's Boutique on Mass Ave. near Symphony Hall. They call themselves "Boston's Halloween Headquarters" and display masks, scary arm stumps, strange shoes, and accessories in the window. The website makes it clear that these are costumes for adults. Risque is their specialty.

If you want a quick look before you get in line, you can click over to the Google view of the store's fully stocked interior.

For luxe Halloween decor and fun accessories, visit Blackstone's of Beacon Hill. They have a fabulous selection of fun and tasteful decorations, masks, and accessories for the holiday.

Party Favors in Brookline in Coolidge Corner has lots of holiday party goodies!

New additions to our list.

Here are a couple of places recommended by our social media friends and readers. We have not checked these out personally but confirmed they are open this year.

Oona's in Harvard Square has this photo featured on their site. Vintage costumes can be fun.

Great Eastern Trading Co. in Central Square Cambridge sell vintage if that is the direction you would like to take with your costume.

The Costume Company in Belmont.

Note: These Are Closed

In case you have visited New Millennium Costumes on Tremont Street in the past, they have closed.

Reflections on Newbury Street had some great holiday items in past years but is now closed. The good news is that if you loved their style, you can get similar items at Blackstone's of Beacon Hill.

If you're more of an Internet shopper, you can find costumes for the entire family from this one page: Visit the Costume Store At Amazon.

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: © 2011-2014 Ed & Penny Cherubino plus a screenshot from The Garment District and top photo from iStockphoto.com
October 14, 2016
Where to Buy or Rent Costumes in the Boston Area: Our Updated Resource Page
Whether you only think of altering your appearance on Halloween or also like to dress up for holidays, special events, parties, or other reasons, this post is for you. We've even included a couple of places that carry party goods and elegant seasonal home decor.

This post was updated for Halloween 2017.

Just before Halloween and the traditional holiday seasons seems like the best time for us to make a list and check it twice to help you locate places to buy or rent costumes for most any occasion. Costume season gears up at Halloween and continues for Santa time, New Years, Saint Patrick's Day, Mardi Gras, and beyond!

Please let us know if we've missed one of your favorite sources of costumes and accessories. And tell us about your all-time favorite Halloween Costume in the comments below.

The Garment District in Cambridge has a floor devoted to Boston Costume. This is probably the best-known spot to outfit yourself for any costume party.

It's open seven days a week. And "Open 'til Midnight ALL October!"

They sell and rent costumes and have lots of vintage & secondhand clothing, if you want to create your own.

They also sell items to finish the look, like:
- washout hair color in tones of atomic turquoise and cotton candy pink
- prosthetics like scars, bullet holes, horns, pointed ear tips, and witch noses with the materials to attach them
- masks from simple gold or black eye masks, to elaborate Venetian designs or feathery carnival styles
- heads to transform you into a bear, lion, or gorilla
- an endless selection of wigs includes: mullets, afros, clown colors, pigtails, geishas, ragdolls, cornrows, dreadlocks, flappers, and glam styles
- accessories include: hats, boas, go-go boots, and wings
Their "Boston Costume" division rents full rigs for the likes of Batman, Green Hornet, and Marie Antoinette. Or you can be a minute man, cowgirl, knight, or belly dancer.

Dorothy's Boutique

Soon you'll find people lined up (above) waiting to enter Dorothy's Boutique on Mass Ave. near Symphony Hall. They call themselves "Boston's Halloween Headquarters" and display masks, scary arm stumps, strange shoes, and accessories in the window. The website makes it clear that these are costumes for adults. Risque is their specialty.

If you want a quick look before you get in line, you can click over to the Google view of the store's fully stocked interior.

For luxe Halloween decor and fun accessories, visit Blackstone's of Beacon Hill. They have a fabulous selection of fun and tasteful decorations, masks, and accessories for the holiday.

Party Favors in Brookline in Coolidge Corner has lots of holiday party goodies!

New additions to our list.

Here are a couple of places recommended by our social media friends and readers. We have not checked these out personally but confirmed they are open this year.

Oona's in Harvard Square has this photo featured on their site. Vintage costumes can be fun.

Great Eastern Trading Co. in Central Square Cambridge sell vintage if that is the direction you would like to take with your costume.

The Costume Company in Belmont.

Note: These Are Closed

In case you have visited New Millennium Costumes on Tremont Street in the past, they have closed.

Reflections on Newbury Street had some great holiday items in past years but is now closed. The good news is that if you loved their style, you can get similar items at Blackstone's of Beacon Hill.

If you're more of an Internet shopper, you can find costumes for the entire family from this one page: Visit the Costume Store At Amazon.

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: © 2011-2014 Ed & Penny Cherubino plus a screenshot from The Garment District and top photo from iStockphoto.com
October 14, 2016