Does the term helicopter parent apply to pet owners, too? I've always been encouraged to check-in when I leave my travel pro pup at daycare or a pet hotel and there are times I'd like to hear what's going on with my pooch, especially if he's at a new place.
Whether you've got the location on speed dial or go by a "no news is good news" policy instead, share your most common call frequency with us. After you answer the question, share what you ask, what you want to hear, and what's the craziest thing you've asked or heard in the comments below!
'Tis the season to hit the slopes. Yee haw! But if you're not well prepared, a day on the mountain can be pretty miserable. I have found that if my toes and my ears are warm, I am a happy skier. This is why I was stoked to test some gear a few cold weather gear companies sent my way.
I skied recently on a couple of seriously snowy windy days up in the Lake Tahoe area and was amazed that my toes stayed warm with the Women's Ski Light ($21) by Teko. This is the greenest sock around, made of merino wool in factories powered by wind. It is the perfect combination of thickness and wicking, with a little extra shin padding for your tight boots. This sock is thin, so you can keep your boots tight, but it manages to perfectly insulate your toes from the elements. Though the socks do stretch out a bit easily, I think they will hold up well as long as they don't get thrown in the drier.
As for my head, it was completely covered with the Alpine Hat ($28) by Outdoor Research, made of windproof fleece. This hat is cut to cover your ears, which is essential for the lift time on windy days. The hat fit perfectly under my ski helmet, for it is thin yet warm. My head stayed quite toasty when I went sledding sans helmet too. What this hat might lack in cuteness, it makes up for with practicality and warmth.
Admittedly, I often check my pampered pup into a pooch hotel (when he can't come along) though not quite as fancy as the deluxe room at D Pet Hotels — it has a bigger bed and flat screen than my actual apartment.
Admittedly, I often check my pampered pup into a pooch hotel (when he can't come along) though not quite as fancy as the deluxe room at D Pet Hotels — it has a bigger bed and flat screen than my actual apartment. Nevertheless, when I get my bill, I still wonder how many features lil North truly appreciates (play group, most definitely; blueberry facial, probably not). So I can't help cracking up at Triumph's behind-the-scenes doggie take at this Hollywood resort — Be warned, there is cursing . . . but there's also a whole lot of funny.
North and I have never been Down Under but, if we ever make it there, the new PawPaws Urban Retreat is first on our list. The grand-opening (complete with a green carpet) welcomed pampered pals and their people to a three-floor hotel for dogs in Sydney.
Not only do the services sound pretty sweet (doggie detox!) – and the design looks impeccable – but the location includes a rooftop playground and spa with nannies, chauffeurs, and even a concierge to make sure your lil one is well-taken care of in your absence. This is the first establishment of its kind in Australia, which reportedly has one of the highest pet ownership levels in the world with around 40 percent of households including at least one dog, with an estimated 3.75 million dogs in the country.
Although it largely depends on where you live, and what bonus services your pets receive, I'm curious how much you pay to board your furry friends . . . and if you know what your dollar buys you? Source
We all know that jetsetting with junior can be overwhelming. It's one thing if you're in danger of being deplaned, but it's another to be itching to board the plane. For quite some time, airlines have allowed families the luxury of getting set up for flight a few minutes before other passengers. According to one report, things are changing. When you have your kids in tow, do you take advantage of early boarding to stow luggage and buckle up, or do you wait until the last minute before strapping in your lil rascal? Source
I've raved about my fave so now it's your turn to tell me what you look for in a boarding facility – from special touches like phone calls or email updates to make you comfortable to pampering ways to let pets feel like kings and queens, what special features do you want when you need to get away without a furry friend?
I've raved about my fave so now it's your turn to tell me what you look for in a boarding facility – from special touches like phone calls or email updates to make you comfortable to pampering ways to let pets feel like kings and queens, what special features do you want when you need to get away without a furry friend?
Talk about separation anxiety! When you leave your pal at daycare or with a sitter, how often do you call to check in? Now, there are times when I like to hear what's going on with my pooch, especially if he's at a new place, and I'd hope I'd get a call if anything went wrong. For those of you frequent phoners on there, I'm curious – what do you ask, what do you want to hear, and what's the craziest thing you've asked or heard? After you answer the question, share your stories in the comments below!
Imagine being able to snowboard or ski without the mountain or the chairlifts. It's possible when you're snowkiting, holding onto a kite and using the power of the wind to propel you. It is the snowy version of windsurfing.
The wind pulls you along at amazing speeds and you can get lifted and jump and spin in the air like you're flying. You can lean your weight and adjust the position of the kite to help direct where you're going. It's an incredibly fast and weightless feeling like no other.
Look for free snowkiting demos at a frozen lake near you, where you can get a 3 hour lesson for about $85. All you need to start is what you already own if you ski or snowboard, and they'll provide everything else you'll need from the knees up.
Fit's Tips: You may want to check out the Stormboarding Kitestorm happening on Feb 24-5 on Lake Champlain in Burlington, VT.
You can also take a snowkiting lesson through the Boulder Outdoor Center on Lake Dillion in Frisco, Colorado. A beginner lesson costs $249, but it's 4-5 hours long and if you love it, 15% of that price can be applied to purchasing your own snowkite.
