The Ranch Pet Resort

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Howl – O – Ween Costume Party!!

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Howl – O – Ween Costume Contest!!

Bring your pup in for Halloween Day Celebration on Friday October 30!  We will be having a very special Halloween themed play group full of tricks for treats!  Also bring your pet dressed to their best.  We will have a costume contest with fun prizes for the top 3 winners.  Every pup will be sent home with a very special gift bag along with a personalized Halloween picture and frame.

Sign your pup up today! Spots are limited

To learn more about our dog day care services click here

The Ranch
925.447.1729

Why Every Cat Lover Should Own a Black Cat

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With Halloween just around the corner, The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa in Livermore is feeling the excitement in the air!

Part of the allure and fun of Halloween is the association of spooky ghosts, playful pumpkins, creepy skeletons, and scary witches and monsters. Black cats, one of the most well-known icons of this holiday, have played a huge role in Halloween beginning in the Middle Ages.

Once thought to bring bad luck, black cats were associated with witches and witchcraft, drawing an unfair superstition to these amazing, beautiful creatures.

The truth is, black cats have some very unique qualities and associations that make them stand out from other cats. Ask anyone who owns a black cat, and they are sure to mention how their dark fur baby stands out from any other cat they have owned.

5 Reasons to Own of a Black Cat

1. Contrary to popular belief, black cats are believed to bring luck, prosperity, and love in certain areas of the world. If an ebony feline crosses your path in England, Ireland, or Asia, you are considered to prosper from good luck (source). Lucky enough to have a black cat show up at your doorstep in Scotland? You are going to be rich!

Japanese women, according to an article in the Spruce Pets, are more likely to attract a suitor. Looking for a date? Get a black cat!

Getting married in England’s Midlands? Expect to receive a black cat as a wedding gift as they are associated with bringing good luck and happiness to the bride.

2.  The fur on black cats can turn beautiful colors. Black cats’ fur, like any feline fur, can turn grey or white with age, but the color change is more visible on a cat with black fur. If your black beauty prefers to lie in the sun, its fur may show signs of a beautiful reddish-brown color. The sun’s rays break down the melatonin in the fur temporarily to reveal beautiful rusty colors. (Leader Blog)

3. Black cats have a better immune system than other cats. Researchers at the National Institutes of Health discovered that black cats are more resistant to illnesses such as Feline HIV which in turn can make them live longer. (source)

4. The eyes have it! Black cats have more melatonin in their eyes and can come in intoxicating colors of gold, green, or blue. (source)

5. Black cats are the least likely to get adopted, so if you want to make a huge difference, adopt a black cat and its partner. Cat owners know two cats truly are better than one! Think of all the cool names you can come up with when giving your new black feline their own identity!

Need a Vacation Home for Your Black Cat? Let The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa Help You!

The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa is Livermore’s answer to your vacation needs. We board cats in our brand new, state-of-the-art facility in Livermore’s beautiful wine country.

Your furry feline will indulge in four-level cat accommodations and have plenty of room to sprawl, play, and sleep! Don’t worry about any canines disrupting your cat’s vacation stay, as our cat room offers its own private space.

Do you need a place to put your feline bestie for a purrfect vacation? Check out our cat boarding details.

Fun with Fido! A Day with your Dog in the Tri-Valley

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The Tri-Valley is known for so many interesting places to visit, play, dine, shop, swim, and recreate!

When you have a four-legged best friend, a trip around town is always more fun when you’re together!

Bring Your Pooch to Play in Dublin!

Dublin has so much to offer a dog and his best friend. Dublin Hills Regional Park offers miles of trails to explore and views far beyond the reach of the human or canine eye. It’s a well-known good time for outdoor enthusiasts who want to romp, walk, or run, and it’s open for play!

The Doherty Hills Dog Park offers big dogs and little dogs their own separate space to play off leash. The soft grass and balls make this a dog gone good time for the dogs and offers benches for their adults to rest and watch. Dogs like the variety of breeds and sizes to wrestle and chase and owners like the respectful, responsible adults the dogs invite to come along.

Puppies in Pleasanton!

Dogs and their owners go crazy in Pleasanton! If you and your pooch are looking for a store that has everything for dogs, you must visit Murphy’s Paw in Downtown Pleasanton. Family-owned and operated, poochies go nuts for their treats, toys, accessories, and doggie ambassador, Gus.

Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area provides an excellent resource for humans and their besties to hike, boat, and swim. Currently, the park is allowing visitors on a walk-in basis and hasn’t reopened swimming yet, but when they do, make plans to visit this beautiful park.

Living Life in Livermore!

Dogs are welcome in many of the restaurants in Livermore which makes having lunch or dinner that much more fun! For a list of Livermore restaurants that accept dogs, check out our blog, No Need to Leave Man and Woman’s Best Friend Home on Date Night! Here are 10 Dog Friendly Restaurants in Livermore.

After a good meal for you and your pup, head out to Del Valle Regional Park in Livermore. Leashed dogs are welcomed on the hiking trails and can swim in all areas except East and West Swim Beach.

As of October 2, 2020, camping and boating will reopen at Del Valle Regional Park so head out for some fun in the sun but remember to bring sunscreen for both of you!

Life with Pups in Dublin, Pleasanton, and Livermore

Dogs truly are man’s best friend. We want to be with our canine bestie to share in our daily activities, whether they be playing at a dog park, shopping at dog stores, or hiking, boating, camping, or eating.

At the end of the day when your dog is a bit on the “outdoor adventure” smelly side. It’s a great idea to plan a spa day for them.

The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa in Livermore

Little maltese dog at spa

 

Grooming at Ranch Pet Resort and Spa

There’s no better dog grooming facility in Livermore than The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa. Our brand new, state-of-the-art grooming salon includes haircuts, luxury and basic bath packages, nail trims, and other important maintenance services to keep your pet looking and feeling their best.

For more information or to book a salon day for your canine pal, contact us today!

Ten Fun Facts About Dogs

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It’s just beyond sunrise on a Saturday morning, and all you want to do is sleep in. You roll over to take in that bonus sleep when you have an odd sense that someone, something is watching you.

You open your eyes and find yourself staring into the excited eyes of a pooch who just doesn’t understand why you aren’t getting up to take him on his morning run. You roll over and pretend not to notice that your fur baby is now whining softly, but methodically, and his tail is swishing in excitement. Suddenly, you feel a heavy paw tapping your back, until the entire body of your canine bestie is on top of you licking your face.

What is it about our beloved pooches that makes them one of the most popular pets to own? For anyone who has ever owned a dog, the answer is clear.

Dogs provide us with companionship, unconditional love and acceptance, a reason to get up in the morning (literally as well as figuratively), and fill our lives with joy and laughter.

Each dog is unique in their own ways which makes them such a popular pet and companion.

Here are some fun facts about canines that you may or may not know.

  • Dogs stare at us intentionally. They are showing their love for us; they are watching our behavior for cues to our emotions: sadness, excitement, loneliness; or they want something, such as a walk, attention, or food. With no voice, dogs speak with their eyes (Source).
  • Dogs’ noses are wet to absorb chemicals in scents which they can taste when they lick their noses.
  • A bloodhound’s sense of smell is so accurate it can be used as evidence in a court case.
  • Three dogs survived the sinking of the Titanic. Two Pomeranians and a Pekinese were among those rescued in the fatal shipwreck.
  • The cute, cuddly Ewoks for the Star Wars movies were based on George Lucas’ family dog.
  • Dogs chase their tails to get our attention, to be playful, relieve boredom, stress or anxiety, or because they have a medical condition that needs your attention.
  • Two types of dogs have black tongues: Chow Chows and Shar-Peis.
  • Zeus, a Great Dane, is the tallest dog in the world, standing at 44 inches tall.
  • Dogs can see color, but their perception and intensity of color is not as sharp and distinct as a human’s. Dogs are most likely to see blue, yellow, and grey, but unable to see red and green.
  • Newfoundlands are used as lifeguards due to their webbed feet and water-resistant coats. Owners of Newfoundlands often report their dogs try to “rescue” them when they are swimming. (Source).

Perhaps knowing a bit more about dogs may make you understand them a little more and have even more of an appreciation for them.

Bringing Home a New Dog or Puppy 🐶

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Dogs and puppies are so darn cute and irresistible. Add your own mini person to the mix begging for a dog or puppy and, depending on your answer, you either become the world’s best parent or the most evil parent on the planet.

Promises of “I will clean up after him,” “We will walk her every day,” or “She can sleep in my room!” combined with the whiny and unrelenting questions of, “PULEEEZE can we get one?” make even the most practical parent give in.

Congratulations! You have a new dog or puppy.

Tips for the Parent Who Gives in to a New Dog or Puppy

The first tip to abide by as a new dog owner is to recognize that the promises made by your unrelenting child will not last. But the responsible parent knows that. You will become the primary care owner, trainer, poop picker-upper, walker, and master of all canine needs.

New dogs and puppies are fun at first, but their needs do not often meet the timelines of a child who truly meant what he or she said when you got the pooch but didn’t realize it would interfere with sleep, fun with friends, or laziness.

Tip two: dogs and puppies live a long time. Responsible pet owners choose to have these animals as part of their family through their entire lifetime; so plan accordingly. Some smaller breeds can live well into their late teenage years.

Third tip to consider: dogs and puppies are expensive. They need to go to the vet, some might need grooming or teeth cleaning, others require medication, and all need healthy, nutritious food and treats! Don’t forget the toys, bedding, collars, leashes, microchipping, and crate

Fourth tip: dogs and puppies all need exercise to stay fit and trim! Come rain, shine, snow, and wind, dogs need to roam, walk, run, play! Keep this in mind when choosing your dog or puppy. Some dogs and puppies have higher exercise needs than others, but playtime with your pooch is an absolute must.

Exercise is a must!

Tip five: Dogs have many of the same emotional needs as people. Dogs are pack animals. If they do not have another canine friend in the family, or even if they do, they depend on their human friends to be part of their pack. Dogs and puppies count on you to be part of their family and need companionship. Nothing makes them happier than to spend much of their waking moments with you.

Tip six: Dogs need training! Much like a child, a dog turns to you, their Alpha pack leader, to correct their behaviors in a loving, patient manner. They will have accidents, chew, destroy if left unattended, and may cause utter mayhem.

Be prepared for this and take measures to train your dog. Look for advice from your neighborhood trainer, get referrals from friends and neighbors, look online, or read books. No two dogs are alike, so have an open mind to your dog or puppy’s needs.

Seventh tip: Your dog or puppy needs a time out. It sure is fun to play with your new puppy or dog, but they truly do need their own downtime. Allowing them to feel safe and secure without having to be with you 24/7 creates a secure dog who will not have anxiety when you are gone.

Eighth tip: Dogs and puppies are den animals and like crates. Contrary to the thought that crating a dog for a short period of time while you are gone or crating him at night is mean, dogs adapt well to a crate when introduced slowly over time.

Train the dog early to go in the crate; put toys or treats in the crate; leave the door open for her to go in as she pleases. All of these exercises will make having friends over more enjoyable, will keep the dog out of trouble, and will make for a happy pooch.

Tip nine: Dogs needs’ change as they age. Be prepared for a lifetime of adjustment. Changes in diet, activity level, and temperment are common. Dogs can’t show distress or pain, so watch behaviors carefully no matter the age.

Tenth tip: Dogs are the most loyal pets, and if given a lifetime of love and patience, training and care, they will reward you ten-fold. Constant companions who never judge or show disappointment in you, dogs and puppies will always be happy to see you.

They provide you with an excuse to get out of the house, meet new friends (often with dogs), and opportunities to explore. You just might find that dog or puppy your kids begged you to get will comfort you when those kids turn into adults and start their own lives.

Be prepared for your new dog or puppy to soften your heart and experience an unconditional love you never knew existed!

Good luck with your new dog or puppy!