The Ranch Pet Resort

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Holidays

DIY Halloween Dog Costumes!

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Halloween is next week, and if you’re like many, you enjoy dressing your dog up to go Trick-or- Treating with the kids or staying at home to pass out candy.

Finding just the right costume for your dog can be a tricky ordeal, between trying to keep the costume in place and not having your dog try to wiggle his way out of it or eat it!

If you’re one of the lucky few whose dog fancies being dressed up, the Halloween costume may be a bit easier for you to keep on. With a little imagination, some cooperation from your dog, and just a few materials, your dog can be the center of attention at your Halloween festivities!

Thanksgiving Turkey Dog Costume

It’s not Thanksgiving yet, but this Thanksgiving Turkey Dog Costume always gets a lot of laughs. For the more mellow fellow or lass, having a brown paper shopping bag taped around the middle isn’t a big deal. The paper bag can be loose enough so your dog doesn’t feel constricted but does serve as the main body of the turkey.

Simply cut the handles off a brown paper bag or tape two together, depending on the size of your dog, cut some feathers out of construction paper, write directions on how to cook the turkey on the side of the bag, and secure the brown paper bag together with tape.

For example, your directions could be, “Bake at 350 degrees for three hours. Let cool. Slice and enjoy!” For smaller dogs, you might just add, “Heat and serve!” Whatever creativity you want to add makes the costume that much better.


Should your dog be patient enough to allow a head dress, you can make a turkey head out of cardboard and tape it to a headband and place on your dog’s head. Or, in our case, we repurposed a turkey hat and tied it around our dog’s head.

Our dog was very patient and loved the attention and luckily, didn’t try to eat the costume. We did have to make sure that the bag allowed him to go to the bathroom which we learned the hard way!

Athletic Pup! or Princess Pup! Costumes for Little Dogs

With so many stuffies having their own outfits, especially if you ever shopped at Build a Bear Workshop, you have your choice of Halloween outfits. Consider using one of the t-shirts or outfits from your children’s stuffed animals or dolls to create an athletic pup.

Most of the clothes that fit a teddy bear or doll will be comfortable for a tinier dog to wear. No need to purchase one of the expensive costumes from the pet store if you have one already being modeled by a stuffed animal.

Make sure there are no small buttons or ribbons that can easily be swallowed by your fur baby.

Repurpose a Dog Sweater to Make a Costume

If you have a sweater, jacket or coat already that fits your dog, consider repurposing it to make a costume. Draw some bones on white paper or fabric, cut them out, then glue them to the outfit to make a skeleton dog. Or, for a more permanent effect, apply paint to the fabric and create a skeleton or skunk!

If you want to really be creative, you can always embellish the dog sweater and sew a fin on it to make a shark; stuff some colored socks, draw “M’s” on them for MnM’s, and velcro them onto the sweater; cut out circles from black felt or stripes from brown felt and make your dog into a spotted leopard or tiger! The possibilities are endless and affordable!

Hawaiian Shirt Dog Costume

Dig out that Hawaiian shirt you wear only once a year and put it on your dog. Secure a lei around its neck and your dog will be hula dancing in no time!

Rocky Balboa Dog

Take a sweatshirt and put your dog’s front legs through the arms of the sweatshirt. If the sweatshirt zips up, zip it up; if there is a hoody and your dog allows you to put it on, you can put on the hoody, add some sweatbands to the ankles, and you have Rocky Balboa in training!

Accessorize Your Dog

Some of the simplest accessories can make a darling dog costume. Adding a scarf, hat, boa, bow tie, veil, crown, or play jewelry is a simple way to turn everyday accessories into a costume. These work especially well for animals who may not feel comfortable with something around their body.

Bat Dog

This costume works really well if your dog has a harness. Paint a piece of cardboard black, draw bat wings on it and cut it out. Attach the bat wings to your dog’s harness by cutting small holes in the middle of the wings and securing the two together with zip ties or string. Your dog will be strutting the streets looking for Robin and the Joker.

Have a Safe and Happy Halloween

The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa wants all of you to have a safe and happy Halloween. Your dog’s safety is our primary concern, so make sure he can walk safely, see clearly, and be comfortable.

Don’t be surprised if the costume doesn’t last long, unless you have a warrior who is used to dressing up! Take lots of pictures and share them with us!

Also, just a reminder chocolate can be deadly for dogs or at least give them an upset stomach, so keep them away from all of the candy and goodies.

Enjoy yourself and have fun!

National Dog Day is Saturday, August 26, 2023

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National Dog Day is Saturday, August 26, 2023, an annual event started in 2004 by Colleen Paige, an author, conservationist, and pet and family lifestyle expert.

Paige chose to celebrate National Dog Day on August 26 because that is the day she adopter her first dog, Sheltie, from the local animal shelter. Her goal in celebrating National Dog Day is to “bring attention to the plight of animals around the globe and encourage adoption.”

Celebrate National Dog Day with these Doggie Deals

You don’t have to wait for the weather to be cooler to enjoy a Busch Pumpkin Spice Dog Brew. The non-alcoholic dog brew is made from all natural ingredients including pumpkin, cinnamon, ginger, turmeric and water and can be ordered from shopbeergear.com.

Dunkin’ Supports Dogs for Joy on National Dog Day

For every iced latte ordered on National Dog Day via the Dunkin’ mobile app, Dunkin’ will donate $1 to the Joy in Childhood Foundation to support the Dogs for Joy program.

Dogs for Joy is a program that matches in-residence service dogs with children who are hospitalized and in need of some loving canine support, training, and incentive during their treatments.

These dogs have a full-time job and responsibility to provide happiness to the young patients and to teach the children how to take medication, keep calm during medical intervention, and perform physical therapy.

“Since 2018, the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation’s “Dogs for Joy Program” has granted 33 full-time pediatric service dogs to 18 children’s hospitals across the country” (source).

So this Saturday, support dogs and children by downloading the Dunkin app and ordering your iced latte.

Pup’kin Spice Doggie Doughnuts Available at Krispy Kreme

Saturdays were meant for doughnuts, and dogs are no exception to the rule! Visit your local Krispy Kreme and pick up a Pup’kin Spice Doggie Doughnut for each doggie member of your family!

Choose from  Pup’kin Spice Original Glazed, Pup’kin Spice Cake, Pup’kin Spice Maple Peanut and Pup’kin Spice Cheesecake Swirl.

But hurry, as the biscuit shaped doggie doughnuts will only be available until August 31.

Get 50% Off Petco Orders Through DoorDash

Today through August 27, customers who use the DoorDash mobile app or website will receive 50% off Petco orders of $25 or more to honor National Dog Day.

Now The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa knows your dog is worth $25 in treats, toys, a new bed, collars, or more! Hurry, you only have a few days left to take advantage of the savings.

Happy National Dog Day from The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa

From our dogs to yours, The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa wants to wish you a very happy and loving National Dog Day! Spoil your dogs Saturday and every day!

Happy Father’s Day from the Dogs and Cats at The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa

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This upcoming Sunday is Father’s Day, and the dogs and cats at The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa want to wish all of the fathers and father-figures a restful, peaceful, joyful day filled with wet, sloppy kisses.

Without you in our lives, we might never have learned to sit, get off the sofa, eat only kibble and not food from the kids snuck under the table, sleep in a dog or cat bed or gasp! a crate instead of the bed, go to the bathroom outside or in a litter box and not on the carpet, keep all four paws on the ground, and BEHAVE.

We understand you are the alpha in the house and not as easily lured into giving us what we want based on our sad eyes or pawing action, so we respect you. We understand it is in our best interest to have you give us boundaries and rules, limitations, and consistency.

So on this Father’s Day weekend, we will try our very hardest NOT to dig up your lawn, drop a slobbery ball on your lap, mooch as you eat, jump on the bed before the kids do, eat, chew, or throw up any of your homemade cards and cereal necklaces made by the kids, scratch, claw, or bark at all of the guests invited over for the weekend, or steal a hamburger off the BBQ.

We wish you a very happy Father’s Day weekend and put together a list of activities you can do with us dogs or without us! I think you know which option we’d prefer, right, Dad?

Father’s Day Fun in the Tri-Valley

Searching for something different to do with Dad on Father’s Day weekend? Look no further! The dogs and cats of The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa have compiled a list of family fun activities in the Tri-Valley!

I Scream, You Scream, We all Scream for Ice Cream

Cute Cat and Delicious Ice Cream on White Background

Here’s a fun activity that any kid (or dog!) would want to participate in! Visit FIVE of the Tri-Valley’s participating local ice cream parlors, take a picture while you’re there, submit the photos, and earn a free ice cream scooper!

Order chocolate, peach, banana with fudge sauce dripping down the sides, peppermint, or all of the above and become the proud owner of a Tri-Valley ice cream scoop. Click here for details.

Wine Tasting

The Tri-Valley is full of amazing wineries! The Livermore Valley Wine Growers Association has a list of the fantastic wineries in Livermore. Find out which ones have won awards, what types of wines are served, which ones have picnic areas, food for sale, entertainment, and most importantly, which ones allow dogs!

From Cabernets to Pinot Grigios, Sauv Blanc, Merlot, and Sparkling Wines, Dad will have his choice and be set to enjoy himself against the backdrop of some of the most beautiful wineries in the world.

Fore! Set a Tee Time for Dad

Some dads just can’t get enough Tee time, and with Sunday being Father’s Day, Dad gets a free hall pass to golf! 9 holes? 18 holes? Golfing and wine? There are so many options from which to choose all in the Tri-Valley’s backyard.

Not sure which golf course to choose? Go to the PGA’s website for golf courses in Livermore and reserve time for dad pronto! We bet he won’t be the only dad hitting some balls on Sunday!

Hiking Trails for the Active Dad

Vacations in countryside. Silhouettes of family with dog walking on meadow at sunset.

For the active dad who wants to hit the running, walking, biking, or hiking trails, we recommend visiting the Tri-Valley Parks and Hiking Trails website. There are so many choices!

Let dad go alone, pick a trail or adventure for the whole family, or let him take me! the family dog! Whatever dad decides, know that now is a beautiful time to be out and about in the great outdoors of the Tri-Valley. Don’t forget to wear sunblock, a hat, sunglasses, and bring plenty of water humans and pets!

Happy Father’s Day to the Dads of The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa

The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa would like to wish a very Happy Father’s Day to the dads of The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa. Daniel and Michael, may you enjoy this special time.

We appreciate your hard work and dedication to making The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa a fun, safe, and creative play to stay, vacation, and play!

Happy Valentine’s Day to You! ❤️

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It’s Valentine’s Day, and all of us at The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa want to wish you and your fur babies a Happy Valentine’s Day!

Whether you are choosing to go out for a special Valentine’s Dinner with your special person or spend a night at home with your special furson/furdaughter, we want you to know that we love having your pets stay, play, beautify, and vacation with us!

Sharing the Love on Valentine’s Day

We want to make sure everyone feels the love on Valentine’s Day, so we hope to fill your inbox with just a big of aww 💖.

This is Pretzel, whose Momma loves her baby, and it shows!


Happy Valentine’s Day from Pretzel and Sammie, our Manager. 

Valentine Make-Overs at The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa

Valentine’s Day is no ordinary day, and our professional and friendly groomers are putting their best touches on our dogs.

Whether your pooch is looking for a bath, nail trim, indulgent facial, new ‘do, or the works, our grooming services are top of the line!

Our groomers make sure your pooch is calm and comfortable and feeling awesome throughout the entire process so a day at the spa is a special treat for your pooch!

Book your grooming appointment today! De-shed, get a hair/furcut, get glands expressed, trim up a bit or get the collar washed all in one place!

Happy Valentine’s Day from The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa 💖

From our family to yours, Happy Valentine’s Day!

 

 

 

Holiday Wishes from the Cats and Dogs at The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa

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“Twas a week before Christmas and all through the Ranch, not a creature was stirring nor fetching a branch. The stocking were hung by the chimney with care, and the cats knocked them down while their humans did glare.”

It’s us, the Cats and Dogs at The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa with our holiday wishes! We love being a part of what mom and dad call your “inbox,” and entertaining you with all the awesome happenings at The Ranch.

This year has flown by, and we sure enjoy all the love, attention, hugs, smiles, story telling, petting, fetching, picture taking, video taking (some of us are Stars! ⭐️), grooming, and training we have gotten. We can’t wait to see what’s in store for us next year! Woo hoo!

So Much Excitement at our Homes Away from The Ranch

You normally don’t get to hear about our home lives, so we wanted to give you an inside sneak peek into what is happening at our homes away from The Ranch.

There are lots of celebrations going around!

We see pretty wrapped presents under the tree with bows and ribbons but the cats are NOT allowed to touch them-what is up with that? You tempt us with pretty strings all the time and you laugh at us when we chase them, but then you put these shiny ribbons on the boxes and get upset when we want to attack them? We are confuzzled.

The dogs smell yummy baked goodies and sometimes these morsels called “ingredients” drop on the floor and when we go to lick them up, we are told, “No!” Such great smells, and we dogs aren’t allowed to have them…hmmm…we must get to the dropped food faster!

Most of us dogs and cats feel the excitement and a little bit of stress as our hoomans rush around cleaning our fur off the couches (we are not sure why, it’s just going to be there tomorrow), wiping off our muddy paws (to us, those are works of art!), tidying up the bathrooms and guest rooms (the ones we are not usually allowed in), and bathing us so we look pretty and smell fresh and clean (eww…yuck…cat vomit fur ball gross).

The mail person, UPS driver, and Fedex helper are visiting more than usual, and we have even started to like some of them, especially the ones who greet us at the door with treats! The cats love the boxes they bring while the dogs sniff to get a whiff of what might be inside!

There are beautiful candles lit up in celebration of the different ways people celebrate the holidays and some houses even have silly toys that stand still and have air in them. But we are not allowed to bite at them or bark at them or they “pop.” Who knew? They looked so fun to pounce on!

The cats like to climb the trees, I mean helloooo…that is what cats do, right? But not these special trees. The cats report some trees don’t even smell, taste or feel real…we are confuzzled again.

Can someone please explain to us dogs why we can’t mark these trees? I mean, we lift our legs on them outside…but get yelled at when we try to mark our territory on them inside. We are scratching our heads and our bellies trying to understand how any of this makes sense.

We haven’t talked about the balls! Oooh, there are so many balls! Bright, shiny, glittery balls and more glistening, flowing strings and ribbons on these “trees.” But we all get in trouble for biting, chewing, swatting, or batting at them.

This holiday madness is delightful and confusing, and we do wonder why it only happens once a year!

Happy Holidays from All of Us at The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa!

May all of you take the time to enjoy each other, sniff a few presents, and eat some delicious treats. Thank you for being a part of our The Pet Resort and Spa Family.

With our Sincere Gratitude

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Thanksgiving pet web banner banner with leaves and pumpkins with word Thanks carved

The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa wishes to express our sincere gratitude to our clients and their adorable dogs and cats. We appreciate the loyalty and support that you have given us as we continue to make The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa your number one pet care provider.

Since its inception, The Ranch has strived to make sure your pets are loved, well-cared for, safe, happy, groomed to perfection, and wiped out by the time you pick them up.

We know how much you love your pets, and we want you to feel secure and confident that your pets are being treated just like our own family of pets when you leave them in our care.

The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa knows that you have a choice of places where to leave your pets, but we want to stand out and be your number one choice!

We are proud to provide temperature-controlled lodging, safe and stimulating playground equipment, supervision by a professional staff, and the area’s only water park with water jets, splash pads, and wading pools.

During this holiday season, we want you to know how much your loyalty, positive reviews, and feedback mean to us. We aim to keep making tails wag and motors purr.

In gratitude for your partnership and trust with your canine and felines, The Gamache Family wishes you and your families a safe and healthy holiday season!

Friendly Reminders to Keep Your Pets Safe and Healthy During the Holidays

The holidays are a fun time for all! We want to remind you to keep your pets safe and healthy by avoiding certain foods. While it’s tempting to give the best beggars some of our holiday food, giving in to those precious faces could result in sickness or even death.

Here is our blog about keeping our pets safe while we indulge in holiday feasts!

Traveling with Your Pets this Holiday Season?

While we would love to be your second choice when it comes to the caring of your dog or cat during the holidays, we know your best friend would much rather be with you!

Let’s look back on some tips for traveling with your pets to ensure a great and safe time is had by all!

Make Reservations Now if you are Traveling this Holiday Season

If you are thinking of traveling this holiday season and want to book a vacation for your pet, please make your reservations early! We tend to fill up, so book quickly! We’d be honored to care for your dog or cat during your holiday vacation!