pets

Sizzling Deals at Your Commissary in June

06/01/2015 By Rachel Tringali Marston

The weather is already hot here in northern Virginia. Same goes with the assortment of deals at the commissary, especially with the assortment of drinks and sweets that are on sale in June! Click to see all of our Commissary Specials!

Here’s a look at what’s on sale this month at your military commissary.

I’m loving the variety of discounts on refreshing beverages that are perfect for long summer days. From June 18 to July 8, Gold Peak Iced Tea (89 oz.) will only be $2. My husband loves his iced tea. Seriously, he drinks unsweetened iced tea everyday. So, we’ll definitely pick up some cartons.

For on the go, Honest Organic Tea (16.9 oz.) is on sale 10 for $10. They are just the right size for your car’s cup holder. Flavors are orange mango, pomegranate blue, honey green tea or peach tea.

I’m also covered because my absolute favorite summer drink is pink lemonade! You can pick up a 59-oz. sized Minute Maid Premium carton for $1 and the sale includes more than pink lemonade. Peach, berry punch, fruit punch or tropical punch are the other flavors in the deal. Why not pick them all up?

If you have little ones, the 10-pack of Minute Maid KIDS 100% Juice Orange with Calcium is $2. In addition, other Minute Maid drink packs are on sale like apple or orange (6-pack) and apple, fruit punch, mixed berry or white apple grape (10-pack). I can’t forget the 10-pack of lemonade too. They are perfect for camping or road trips. I take a couple to put in the cooler and recycle after I’m done with each bottle.

Camping is one of my favorite summer activities and there are some great powerbuys on camping treats this month.

My husband and I put a handful of Nature Valley Crunchy Granola Bars in our hiking pack. Right now, a box of 12 is $1.89 and it includes Oats ‘n Honey, Peanut Butter or the Variety Pack. You can combine this sale with a $0.50 coupon to save even more money.

For those that like crumbles of granola better than the bars, Cascadian Farm Organic Protein Granola is $2.25. They have a tasty selection, Dark Chocolate Coconut, Apple Crisp or Granola Berry Cobbler.

Looking for another healthy sweet snack? Yoplait’s Greek Yogurts are selling for 65 cents each. You can get either Cherry, Pineapple, Strawberry or Tangerine regular Greek yogurt or Coconut, Raspberry or Blueberry-blended yogurt.

For the bakers out there, select Betty Crocker and Pillsbury baked goods are powerbuys too!

Betty Crocker’s Fudge Brownie Mix (Milk Chocolate, Fudge or Dark Chocolate) are 99 cents and Pillsbury’s Big Deluxe Big Cookies Chocolate Chip or Oatmeal Raisin or Ready-to-Bake Cookies Chocolate Chip are $1.75.

Aside from brownies and cookies, you can bake some quick and easy cinnamon rolls for $1.50. Grab a tube of Pillsbury’s Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing or Orange Rolls with Orange Icing to fulfill your cinnamon craving.

This summer our furry family members are also treated with deals! Purina has some amazing discounts that I will be partaking for my feline friend.

My cat Xena goes bananas for Whisker Lickin’s Tuna Cat Treats! It’s only 80 cents for a pouch and that includes Salmon flavored too. One Smartblend Cat Food is $6.40 for a 3.5 lbs. bag (Hairball Formula, Healthy Metabolism, Indoor Advantage or Urinary Tract Health Formula).

For a more glamorous meal for Xena, Purely Fancy Feast (2 oz.) is $1.04. I can choose from Natural Steamed Wild Alaskan Salmon Entree, Natural Tender Tongol Tuna Entree or Natural White Meat Chicken Entree all in Delicate Broth.

On the not so glamorous side of cat parenting, litter is on sale! Purina Tidy Cats Non-Clumping Clay Litter 20 lbs. bag is 2 for $6 or Clumping Litter 14 lbs. is $5.21 both for Multiple Cats 24/7 Performance or Instant Action. Save an additional $1.05 with this coupon.

Let’s not forget the pups in our family! Here are some great deals at the commissary for them:

Beneful Dog Food (Health Smile, Playful Life, Healthy Weight or Original) 7 lbs. for $8.99
Beggin’ Strips Dog Snack (Bacon & Cheese or Bacon Flavor), 6 oz. for $2
Alpo Dog Food Chop House or Gravy Cravers Variety Pack, 12 ct. for $6.99

Want to know the weekly manager’s specials? Sign up for the newsletter to be kept up to date on all the sales at the commissary.

7 Ways Pets Make You Happier, Healthier

08/18/2014 By Jessica Aycock

While owning pets can be a big responsibility, you get way more out of it than you put into it.

Having a pet can be a lot of responsibility. They’re little beings that need love, shelter, food and care. It may seem like a lot of work, but what pets give back to you can be exponential.

It doesn’t matter which type of pet you fancy, either. Dog, cat, guinea pig, mouse, fish or snake. We connect with them on a level close to that with other humans.

Studies have been circulating for years linking emotional and physical well-being to pet ownership. Lonely and depressed people are urged to get a pet or to volunteer at a shelter where they can have interactions with animals in an effort to boost their social functioning.

While some may balk at the idea that stroking a puppy could make you more social, many swear that having a pet makes them happier, more productive people.

It’s not so difficult to see why when you break it down:

1) A sense of security. This can be key for children with special needs, though we all benefit from a sense of security. Pets can help ease separation anxiety and teach children how to calm themselves in stressful situations. As adults, it can be comforting to know you aren’t going home to an empty house.

2) No more lonely nights. The days of coming home and vegging out on your couch feeling sorry for yourself are long gone. OK, you will probably still veg on the couch if you’re a cat person, but at least you won’t be alone. Pets fill your space with energy and life.

In essence, animals fulfill a basic human need– touch.

3) Get fit. If you have a dog, chances are they’ll need some exercise which means getting up and getting out and walking yourself. Dog owners routinely say a side effect of getting a pup is getting into better shape. Now, that’s not to say you can’t walk a cat– I’ve seen it done– but you probably won’t. This is one area where dogs definitely rule.

4) Zap stress. While pets come with their own stressors as anyone who’s come home to a chewed shoe or accident can attest, they do a heck of a lot to reduce your overall stress. Some studies have shown that petting an animal can ease depression symptoms and even your heart rate, making you feel relaxed. This is why animals are used in hospitals for therapy.

5) A true confidant. Because animals can’t talk, many find it easier to spill the beans to a pet. Service animals are often used in this capacity and provide a safe place for people to talk out their problems. Animals are often used in treatment for traumatic stress for just this reason. Plus, just having someone to talk to who won’t talk back can be pretty sweet.

Pets make you more compassionate and considerate.

6) Live longer. Pet owners live longer than those without pets. Probably because they’re not as stressed out (see No. 4), are more active (see No. 3) and have something that adds meaning to their lives. Older adults with pets have 30% fewer doctor visits than their counterparts.

7) You’re just a better person. Pets can bring out the best in people. Pet owners tend to show more empathy and compassion to other people. They may be more generous and care more about others. When I was dating, I always knew a guy was decent if he had a pet.

In essence, animals fulfill a basic human need– touch. Pets love unconditionally and add a lot to the lives of their owners.

Take a look around at pet owners you know (or yourself) and see how pets have changed them.

What characteristics do you notice?

10 Tips to Keep Your Dog Safe This Summer

05/27/2014 By Jessica Aycock

I never had a pet growing up and while I adopted my cats nearly 10 years ago, this is my first rodeo with a dog.

Keeping your dog safe this summer is easy.

I couldn’t be more like a nervous first-time mom if I tried. I’ve spent a lot of time on Google reading about various canine topics. I should have bought a Dogs for Dummies book.

Summer came quickly here in eastern North Carolina and since the pup likes to run with me, I’ve been brushing up on my summer safety tips for dogs.

While many of these tips may be common knowledge, here are 10 reminders to keep your dog safe:

Never leave an animal in a parked car. The interior temperature can reach more than 100 degrees in less than 5 minutes. In this video, a veterinarian shows how quickly it can reach deadly temperatures:
If pets must be left outdoors during the day, provide them with a shady spot and lots of fresh water. Avoid using a doghouse for shade as it can trap heat and become just as hot as a closed vehicle. Consider filling a child’s pool with water for your pets to use to cool themselves.
Taking your pet to the beach? Keep in mind that dogs can sunburn too. Apply a pet-safe sunscreen to their nose and ears every 30 minutes or limit their sun exposure.
Exercise in early morning or late evening when temperatures are cooler and don’t forget that hot asphalt can burn paw pads.
Walk your dog during the cooler times of the day.
Carry ice packs to cool your dog when traveling. The ice packs double as drinking water once thawed.
Summer thunderstorms and fireworks can scare some animals. Be sure they have a safe place to go if they are frightened.
Keep pets off freshly fertilized or chemically-treated lawns. Citronella candles should be kept out of reach of pets too. Call Animal Poison Control if you think your pet has ingested any chemicals.
Like children, keep your eye on animals near the water. Some dogs love the water, while others dislike it. Never throw a dog into the water.
Bugs aren’t just annoyances to people. Be sure your pet is up-to-date with any flea and tick protection.
Rinse dogs after they’ve been in the pool or ocean. Chlorine and saltwater can damage their coats and give them an upset stomach if ingested. A quick rinse in fresh water will do the trick.

Does your dog enjoy the water?

In the summer excitement, don’t forget to enter to win some amazing products from Purina during National Pet Month!

Cats and Dogs Can Live in Harmony

05/19/2014 By Jessica Aycock

The biggest worry I had about moving in with my guy wasn’t which dishes to keep or where to put my (smaller) television. I was worried about how our pets would get along.

It doesn’t always have to be a fight with cats and dogs.

My cats (both male, 8 and 9 years old) had never met a dog before and are incredibly spoiled.

We tried introducing the cats to his dog –a 95-pound, 7-year-old female German shepherd– before the move and it did not go well. My cat, ironically named Lovie, bit my man after trying to attack his dog. Needless to say, I was convinced that our animals would be separated for life.

But our family, like any family needs time to blend and we found that time was all it took for our 3 “kids” to adjust to the change. (Or at least ignore each other, like good siblings.)

It took a few weeks of close supervision before they finally understood that they’re all here for good.

3 Tips for Cats and Dogs to Live in Harmony

How do your pets get along?

Here are 3 tips to get cats and dogs to cohabit without bloodshed.

Take it slow. Don’t force them to interact. Cats especially aren’t fond of being forced to do anything. Let them get used to the new space and new players on their own time. Use calming tools, if necessary. We used Bach Rescue Remedy and ComfortZone diffusers for both the cats and the dog.

Give them their own space. Cats need to feel like they have a safe haven in which to escape. We put a baby gate in an extra bedroom’s doorway so the cats could go in and out without worrying about the dog. The dog quickly learned that space wasn’t for her.

When they do interact, supervise but don’t interfere unless necessary. Just like siblings, they have to figure out what’s what on their own terms. Yes, our dog is about 5 times the size of the cats, but she won’t do much more than sniff them. If she’s too close, they let her know.

Honestly, the one with the biggest adjustment was me. Letting go of the worry and trusting that they would be OK was difficult for me. I wanted to hover all the time. But, the more I let them be, the faster they relaxed and got acquainted.

Maybe one day they will be best friends …

Or not. They are pretty set in their ways.