The Fine And The Furry Calendar: Fill & Download for Free

​Congratulations on getting your first dog! If it's a puppy, then Oh Boy! Are you in for some fun!I hope you're adopting from a shelter or rescue. In any case, here's what I can tell you from my experience.As a first-time dog owner, especially a puppy, you can count on three things for sure:1. cleaning up accidents2. sleep deprivation3. a major shift in your lifestyleIf you can make it through a couple of weeks of numbers 1 and 2, you won’t mind number 3 and you’ll have found the best friend you’re ever likely to have.Supplies you'll need when your new friend moves in:Stylish collar or harness with ID tag. Your vet or a good pet store will be able to recommend which option is best for your dog.Leash for training and walksGood quality dog food and treatsFood dish (weighted stainless)Water bowl (weighted stainless)Chew toy x 10Nail clippersDog BedBrush & comb for groomingCarrier (for smaller dogs)Training crate (optional)Time (yours)One of the first things you need to do is think of a name. Choose carefully. I’ve always gone with a 1 or 2 syllable name that does not rhyme with “No!”, “Get Down!”, "I said no biting”, ditto for jumping and “Has anyone seen the OxyClean?” You don’t want to confuse your new friend during the training period.And, this is kind of important too -- choose something you're comfortable shouting in public.I like this "hangin' out with my bro" pose.​​It's important for your dog to have some form of identification on him, especially when he's outside. Some options are an ID tag with his phone number, a tattoo (our vet applies it to the inside of the ear) or a microchip (inserted below the skin via injection). None of these I.D.s are foolproof, but they're certainly better than nothing if your dog happens to be lost or stolen.Opinions vary on whether to include the name on the tag. This is because in the case of an attempted dognapping, or if someone else tries to claim him if he's lost, it makes it more difficult to pull off the caper if the perpetrator doesn't know your dog's name.​​In the early days you want to make sure the puppy has a place to relax where he feels safe; a place that looks and smells familiar.Always keep a bowl of clean water available and feed your dog a quality food, the best you can afford. Be aware that puppies need to be fed more frequently with smaller portions throughout the day. Check the bags for specific instructions as to amounts. Overeating can be dangerous for puppies, especially large breeds. There’s a condition called bone growth disease when the weight gained is not in proportion to their skeletal growth. It can result in bowed legs and other malformations.Start basic training immediately. Simple commands like “sit”, “stay” and “come” will go a long way towards making both your lives easier and keeping your dog safe. Obedience classes are a great way to initiate your new dog into the world of obeying you and socializing with other dogs and people. Socialization is an important part of his training that will help avoid all sorts of behavioral problems later on.Training, whether in groups or alone, will also strengthen the bond between you. Choose a trainer who teaches with positive reinforcement rather than punishment for failing, a method which has proven to be less effective.​House training is one of those things that could cause you to lose some sleep in the initial stages of getting to know your dog. If you decide to crate him at night, he won’t be happy if he has to relieve himself inside the crate, so you’ll need to pay attention to the warning signs. You’ll become familiar quickly with your dog’s signals. First thing every morning and the last thing at night, (and as often as necessary in between) bring him outside to the same general area. It’s important to remain consistent throughout the process so your puppy can learn the habit.​Once the dog has successfully gone outside, reward the good behavior. It doesn't need to be a large, catered affair (although you just might feel that proud. I preserved the moment with a photo after all!). Just a simple sign of approval or a treat can get the message across of a job well done. And do not punish your dog for an accident or do anything to create a negative association with bodily functions. Stay calm and assertive and transfer him to the place where he was supposed to go.Always remember he wants to do the right thing and to make you happy. Before long, he'll adopt a fairly regular schedule and you can relax, confident he'll let you know when it's time to go outside.Find a reputable vet who is available for emergencies. Take your dog in for an initial checkup. They'll give him a good going over to get a baseline on his health and make sure he’s current on all vaccinations. They may test for heartworm at the initial visit and give you heartworm medication that you’ll give your dog once a month in warm weather, or year round if you live in a warm climate. Mosquitoes transmit heartworm and it’s fatal once it takes hold. So, don’t miss the once a month dose. The “pills” I use are more like little doggy treats and they must taste good because I've never had an issue getting my dogs to take them. They come with little heart stickers to put on a calendar so you won’t forget (use them).​​A few other common health issues to watch out for are fleas, ticks, and ear mites. Fleas are easily picked up by dogs that go outside or socialize with other animals. Fleas are a fact of life for most dog owners and they can drive you and your dog mad with itching and serious illness, including hair loss, dermatitis, and tapeworms (fleas are hosts to the worms' eggs). Fleas may even carry bacteria that can infect humans. And once your dog has them, you'll find that they can rapidly take over your house. A preventive treatment like Advantage or Frontline is the easiest way to eliminate this worry.Ticks, especially Lyme ticks, can be a serious concern for dogs that go outside, even if it’s only on walks. Check your dog every time he comes back inside. If you happen to find one that’s already embedded, don’t use the “hot match” or “suffocating with Vaseline” methods (they’re not reliable). Use a pair of tweezers and ease the tick straight out. Clean the area with alcohol or peroxide and keep an eye on it for a couple of days to check for any inflammation. If any develops, call your vet and ask if they want to see him.I hope this goes without saying, but that is not my furry leg on the sofa.​​If your dog is shaking his head excessively or pawing at his ears, he could have ear mites. They’re revolting little creatures that get inside the ear canal and feed on skin cells and other matter. If you can see something that looks like coffee grounds inside his ear, or smell an odor, then it’s a good possibility he has ear mites. They are contagious. Call your vet and get instructions for treatment before it escalates into a bigger problem.Grooming your dog is important to avoid matted fur, which can pull and inflame his skin. Invest in a good quality fine-toothed flea comb and dog brush. If the hair does become matted, don’t use the comb because you could tear the skin if you try to pull through a mat. If you do find a tangle of fur, try some baby oil, conditioner or tangle remover and rub it in. You may be able to pull the mat apart and gently comb it out. Electric trimmers are the safest way to remove stubborn mats, but the noise might scare some dogs. A helpful tip is to spray the brush with conditioner (I dilute it to about 80% water/20% conditioner); it will help remove the loose hair and cut down on static electricity (something most dogs don’t much care for). You want the brushing ritual to be enjoyable, not a battle.Speaking of battles, get him used to baths when he’s young. Brush him before he gets wet as water will only make any tangles or mats more difficult to remove. Start off with a small amount of water so he won’t feel threatened or frightened by the experience; and if you use a bath tub, be sure to put a rubber mat in the bottom so he won’t slip. What seems to worry our dogs most about baths is being unable to keep a solid footing. Wear clothes you don’t particularly care about, use only dog shampoo and keep it far away from his eyes and ears. There's really no reason to wash his face with shampoo. If it gets into the ears it can cause an infection and soap in the eye is known to cause an ulceration of the cornea, so this is important. Have lots of towels handy and above all, have fun!Most dogs don’t normally need to be bathed frequently, unless they tend to get particularly dirty. For instance, if you have a muddy stream on your property that they can't resist or they run up behind that skunk time and time again. If the dog gets covered in something hazardous, it's best to take him to a professional groomer.​​Clipping your dog's nails can be difficult, but it’s necessary to avoid snags on your carpets, scratches on your hardwood floors and a possible painful injury for the dog. Depending on the breed, you should talk to the vet about having the dew claws removed. We had our dog’s dew claws removed because he got one snagged on something outside (a briar branch, I suspect) and it was an awful mess.The sooner you start getting your dog used to having his nails clipped, the easier it will be in the long run. I recommend making it a fun ritual by incorporating some treats or a belly rub.Buy a good pair of dog nail trimmers. Clip the nail right where it begins to curve at the tip, before the point where the pink area, referred to as the ‘quick’, is visible. It's fairly easy to see the quick if the dog's nails are light, but those with dark nails require a bit more concentration. If you cut the quick accidentally, feel bad, but don’t panic. It will hurt and it will likely bleed. There are several options to deal with this depending on how much it's bleeding.You can use a piece of cotton or a tissue and hold pressure on it until it stops bleeding. You can also apply pressure with a moist teabag.An excellent tip from Ben Milnes: Keep styptic powder handy. This is an anti-septic clotting agent that causes the vessels to contract while clotting the blood. It will sting briefly on initial contact. Be careful to apply it only to the nail. If you really did a number on the dog, apply some antibiotic cream periodically for a couple of days. Take your time and pay attention -- good nail clipping takes practice.​​Neuter/Spay - Talk to your vet to determine the best age for your dog to have the procedure. There's some concern that neutering before sexual maturity allows growth plates to remain open longer, resulting in bones growing longer than normal, hip dysplasia and lower bone density due to the lack of hormone production. Nevertheless, neutering prevents many more problems than it might cause and all dogs should be neutered at the proper time. The same goes for spaying.There are quite a few foods that are toxic or just not very healthy for dogs: chocolate, macadamia nuts, grapes, raisins, ham (pork), alcohol and xylitol (sugar substitute), to name a few. If he likes to peruse the kitchen counter or tabletops, discourage that behavior ASAP.Treats are a good tool to use in training and a way for you and your new friend to bond. Don’t overdo it, though. Treats should comprise no more than 5% of a dog’s daily caloric intake, adult or puppy.Leave his toys around so he can play with them at will and chew on those when the urge strikes or it will be your shoes instead. Puppies in particular need to chew and rawhide chew toys last a fairly long time. I also use the dental chews meant to help keep their teeth clean.Try to get your dog out for a walk at least once a day to get him used to walking on a leash and to burn some energy. Whether it’s a walk or just running around on your property or at a dog park, dogs need exercise every day.There's more to caring for a dog then I could possibly cover here, including things that are breed specific, but this should give you a good idea of what's involved and how to get started.You'll both learn as you go and develop a unique and wonderful bond.All the best to you and your future best friend!​Thank you for the A2A, Bhavesh.

Fear is a funny thing. What terrifies one person, amuses another and movies that may give you nightmares can be tried and true favorites for someone else. When it comes to kids, the ground is even more tenuous if you’re trying to find a fun movie to introduce a younin’ to the genre without giving them a new phobia. Horror has a reputation as a niche genre, but the truth is, if you know where to look, there’s a little bit of something for everyone in search of a spooky thrill. From werewolves to zombies and everything in between, check out some of cour favorites below.A disclaimer first — no one knows what you or your kid can handle as well as you. What’s spooky to some is downright scary for others so use your judgment when it comes to what’s “too scary”.The Monster SquadFred Dekker‘s love letter to the monster movies of yore is a full-fledged 1980s family adventure that’ll please kids, horror-phobic adults, and hardened monster fans alike. A bit of a Goonies for creepy kids, The Monster Squad follows a group of young genre nerds (“Stephen King Rules”) who have to protect their hometown when Dracula and his monsterific buddies are unleashed in the quiet suburban streets. Dekker co-wrote the script with Shane Black, giving the film an edge of biting humor amongst the monster-hunting adventures, and with makeup effects by a team that included the legendary artist Stan Winston, the creatures themselves are reimagined in gorgeous, cinematic fashion. Spooky but not scary, stylish, and occasionally downright touching, The Monster Squad is an essential horror film for youngsters and a downright delight at any age.The FrightenersPeter Jackson made a couple of the goriest, stomach-churning, and decidedly not-for-kids movies of all time in his early career, from the viscera-soaked Brain Dead to the appropriately titled sci-fi B-movie, Bad Taste. With The Frighteners, Jackson brought his signature energetic direction and top-notch special effects to a bit more family-friendly fare. Emphasis on “a bit”. The Frighteners is rated-R and it still has some pretty intense gore effects, so proceed with caution if you’re easily spooked and definitely use your judgment with kids, but unlike most effects-driven horror films, and despite its title, The Frighteners doesn’t have much in the way of scares, making it the perfect horror flick to dip a toe into gory waters without traumatizing the little’ns.Happy Death DayThe most recent entry in the bunch, Happy Death Day pulls off the nigh impossible — a PG-13 slasher movie that’s actually fun and thrilling. Jessica Rothe stars as Tree, a sorority princess with good hair and a bad attitude, who wakes up with a mean hangover and an even meaner mood one day and quickly discovers she’s trapped in a time loop that ends in her murder.It’s Groundhog’s Day for the slasher set, but director Christopher Landon has made a film that’s proud of it’s cinematic predecessors and knowingly tips the hat to its influences at the regular. It never feels like robbery, but a fun and clever spin on the long-dormant slasher genre. Landon crafts a few scenes that’ll tie your stomach in knots, but Happy Death Day is gore-free and light on white-knuckle scares, making it the perfect slasher for the kiddos… or folks who like their thrills without chills.Little Shop of HorrorsInspired by Roger Corman‘s 1960 B-movie of the same name, Little Shop of Horrors is a monster musical that never fails to delight. Packed to the gills with 1980s comedy superstars, including Steve Martin, Jim Belushi, John Candy, Christopher Guest, Bill Murray, and of course, Rick Moranis as poor Seymour Krelborn, the beleaguered owner of a man-eating alien plant, Audrey II. Things start small when Seymour feeds Audrey II a bit of his blood, but before long the carnivorous creature blooms into a full-fledged monster hellbent on world domination and feasting on the flesh of its human inhabitants.Frank Oz directs for full-fledged fun (and a dose of social commentary amongst the spectacle), and though there’s not much in Little Shop of Horrors that’s downright scary, there’s plenty of man-eating monster action between the laughs and show-stopping musical numbers.ParaNormanThe incredible creative team at the stop-motion animation company LAIKA always adds some creepiness to their kid-friendly fare (which is why you’ll find two of their films on this list), but ParaNorman is the most overtly horror-oriented film in the bunch. A zombie film for folks who’d rather not see someone get disemboweled, ParaNorman also has ghosts and a main character who can talk to the dead and often prefers their company to the living. When he finds out the old town curse is not only real but about to come true, Norman is the only one who can save the day. It’s legitimately spooky at points and made with a clear love for the genre its playing in, but ParaNorman is one of the tamest entries on the list, making it the perfect pick for just about any audience.My Boyfriend's BackThis is one of those ones that you’re going to have to use your judgment on for the kiddos. Bob Balaban‘s horror comedy is rated PG-13 for some sex humor and while the jokes will most likely go over a youngsters head, there’s also a fair bit of soft swearing, if that’s a concern. But if you’re worried about the scares, fear not, Balaban’s spin on the undead is as goofy as could be and extremely light on gore.The film Andrew Lowrey as Johnny Dingle, a high school boy who’s been in love with Missy McCloud (Traci Lind) since the first grade and dies on the night he finally decides to make his move. Lucky for Johnny, he comes back from the dead in a hurry, and suddenly he’s got Missy’s full attention… but he’s also got the attention of the pitchfork (or shotgun) wielding townsfolk. It’s a supremely silly spin on the zombie genre with Balaban’s signature surreal satire skewering teen sex comedy and suburban culture in equal measure. Packed with laugh-out-loud quotables, delivered extra dry, My Boyfriend’s Back is an absurd zombie B-movie that won’t give you nightmares.The Creature from the Black LagoonTechnically removed from the age of Universal’s classic monster movies by about a decade, Creature from the Black Lagoon has endured as an iconic original creature creation thanks to the inspired design from Millicent Patrick. The embodiment of human fears tied to prehistoric beasts and the mysteries of aquatic life, the the Gill-Man provides stunning some iconic, utterly beautiful underwater scenes, executed with artful elegance by stuntman Ricou Browning. Directed by Jack Arnold, the film has tremendous sympathy for its title creature, but never forgets to make him a frightful figure of the imagination. You could probably show kids today any of the classic monster movies without conjuring too much terror, but for a purely cinematic and one-of-a-kind creature feature, you can’t beat Creature from the Black Lagoon.Sleepy HollowTim Burton has made a career of toeing the line between spooky and scary, but he never came closer to an all-out horror film than Sleepy Hollow, his gorgeous tribute to the horror legend and the spirit of foggy All Hallow’s Eve nights. Inspired by Washington Irving‘s classic creepy tale, Sleepy Hollow offers an update on the material from screenwriter Andrew Kevin Walker, starring Johnny Depp as the gangly inspector turned ghost hunter. Shot by Emmanuelle Lubezki, costumed by Colleen Atwood, and scored by Danny Elfman, Sleepy Hollow is a technically gorgeous film, drenched in creepy atmosphere. Burton dips a toe in horror with this one, but keeps it family friendly enough for all. Just be prepared to have a couple nightmares about a razor-toothed Hessian warrior with crazy Christopher Walkenhair.GremlinsDirected by Joe Dante from a script by Chris Columbus (two filmmakers who know their way around family-friendly genre fare), Gremlins is decidedly a creature feature for the kiddos, but it still packs a bite. Set in a quaint small town during the idyllic Christmas season, the film sets lose a pack of predatory Gremlins who raise havoc in the streets as the citizens of the sugary sweet small town to stop the destruction. It’s a Dante joint, so the horror spoof is loaded with metaphor and cultural commentary amongst the mischievous mayhem, skewering the silliness of commercial traditions and small-town security while serving up all the furry little creatures and their grotesque Gremlin counterparts you could ask for in a kid-friendly monster movie.Silver BulletAdapted from Stephen King‘s Cycle of the Werewolf when it was naught but an illustrated calendar, Silver Bullet is lacking in narrative strokes, but it’s a hell of a fun werewolf flick featuring a fine fearsome beast without the genre’s signature gross-out gore. Silver Bullet stars Corey Haim as a young boy who begins to suspect a murderous creature is prowling the streets of his small town and soon discovers that none other than the local revered is a flesh-hungry werewolf. With the help of his sister (Megan Follows) and his awesome uncle Red (Gary Busey), the trio teams up to take down the killer creature. It’s not a perfect film by any stretch, but it is a coming-of-age spook show in the Kingian tradition with just the right amount of scares for the young and horror-phobic.CoralineBased on Neil Gaiman‘s dark fantasy of the same name, Coraline is the second LAIKA entry on this list and while it’s less overtly a horror film than ParaNorman, it’s arguably the scarier of the two films. It’s definitely creeptastic, no way around it. The story follows a lonely young girl who’s bored with her humdrum life until she finds a doorway to a parallel universe where everything seems perfect… except for the fact that everyone has buttons instead of eyes. There’s something viscerally freaky about that imagery alone, but once Coraline discovers the true threat in the picture perfect world the freakiness is notched up to full blast, especially when it comes to Other Mother and her soul-hungry true form. More unsettling than outright scary, this one toes the line of nightmare fuel without becoming an outright horror film.