Dyson’s Top Dog Event with Manny the Frenchie

The everlasting bond between dogs and humans has been around since the beginning of time. From licking your face when you wake up to sitting on your toes when they are cold, it is pretty clear as to why these caring companions have been labeled “man’s (or woman’s) best friend.” While dogs are always welcome at Abt, we always welcome the opportunity to show them a little extra love.  Continue reading to find out fun-facts on our fury friends, the perfect ways to spend time with your pooch, and see some pics from our Top Dog event with Manny the Frenchie and our friends at Dyson.

Fun-Facts:

Impress your friends with these interesting facts about our furry friends!

• The oldest dog to ever live was 29 years and 5 months old…that’s 203 in ‘dog years’!
• Contrary to what people believe, dogs are not completely color blind. They can actually see colors on a blue and yellow scale! They cannot however, distinguish between red and green.
• A dog’s sense of smell is around 100,000 times stronger than a human’s. It has even been proven that some dogs can actually smell some types of cancer.
• The average dog is as intelligent as a two-year old child, and they can recognize over 150 different words.
• Dogs release the “love hormone”, also known as oxytocin, in their brains when they interact with humans and other dogs.
• The only sweat glands a dog has can be found between their paw pads.
• The reason that most dogs sleep curled up is due to an age-old instinct to keep themselves warm and to protect their vital organs from predators.
• Dogs have their own ‘fingerprint’, and it’s not where you’d expect. In order to properly identify a dog, you must use their nose print. The ridges and creases of a dog’s nose are so distinct that they are considered to be as unique as a human fingerprint!

6 Ways to Celebrate Your Dog

Allow Abt to assist you in coming up with clever ways to celebrate your dog with these 6 suggestions:

Throw a party! What a better way to spend your day than with a party of pooches? Invite all your friends and gather the neighborhood pups. If you’re feeling real festive, set up an obstacle course for some entertainment, and send your guests home with a goody bag of dog treats or mini toys!

Visit a shelter: Help out during the holidays by offering to walk dogs, clean cages, or play with puppies. If you are short on time, consider dropping by to donate some old or new toys, blankets, and/or bedding.  

Pamper your pup: Show your pup how much they are appreciated with a full-on pampering session!  This includes anything from buying them a new collar or leash, clipping their nails, or fixing up their fir! Maybe even throw in some new toys, and don’t forget their back or belly scratches!Get outside: Enjoy the outdoors with your dog by bringing them to the local dog park or taking them for a nice long walk (or run if they prefer). Fire up that arm by bringing a ball or Frisbee, and let them run in the sun!

Treat em’ with Treats: Spoil your dog by feeding them their favorite dog-friendly dishes or treats! Super-sized snacks and bacon-flavored bones will be sure to leave your pup with a happy belly!

Adoption is an option: What better way to show your love for dogs than adopting one yourself? If you’ve been thinking about expanding your family, visit your local shelter or rescue organization to adopt and save a life!

And if you need further persuading, here are 5 reasons why  owning a dog can improve your quality of life:       

1. Dogs are known to increase the levels of dopamine and serotonin in your brain, which are two neurotransmitters responsible for feeling pleasure and tranquility.       
2. Having a dog improves your physical well being by encouraging a healthy fitness routine, increasing your social interaction, and decreasing the length of recovery time from a sickness.       
3. Searching for some extra security? Dogs make excellent watch dogs and can even protect your children from certain allergies and skin conditions.     
4. There’s never a dull moment if you have a dog. If you find yourself bored at home, there are so many things you can do with your dog including going on a walk, playing with toys, or taking them to the park.     
5.  Having a dog may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease due to their abilities to lower blood pressure.

We can definitely attest to #1 after spending the afternoon with the one and only Manny the Frenchie. That pudgy little guy brought smiles out in everyone who visited. Check out some pics from his visit, and see the full album on the Abt Facebook page next week!