Thanksgiving is only one week away – are you prepared? Have you purchased your turkey, made travel plans, distributed cooking duties, unpacked the decorations, and worked out the seating chart? There is clearly a lot of work to do, and chances are, the family dog is low on your list of concerns.

DogWatch Hidden Fences wants to make sure the family dog has a fun, safe Thanksgiving, too, without adding too many new tasks to your growing list of to-dos. Review our quick and easy list, and don’t forget to sit back, relax, and enjoy the holiday (after the meal is served, of course!)

1) Keep dogs out of the kitchen

The kitchen on Thanksgiving Day should be a no-dog-zone. These curious creatures can run into serious trouble during this busy day – including getting burned by a hot dish or cut by a knife slipping out of someone’s hand. No pet owner wants to see their dog hurt – – or to run the risk of having the dog get into something in the kitchen that was intended for your guests. Why not send the dog out for a walk or a game of fetch in the den with the kids? You will have one less thing to worry about as you cook the turkey and mash the potatoes.

2) Watch out for bones

Bones are perfect chew toys for dogs, right? NO! Even though Snoopy carries one in his mouth all the time, cooked bones are actually very dangerous for dogs.  These bones (especially turkey and chicken bones) are often brittle and can break and cause damage if digested.  Rather than hand off the turkey bone to Fido, give him a dog-friendly rawhide bone or bully stick.  He can now safely chew and enjoy this holiday treat.

3) Don’t overdo it with the table scraps

Just like us, dogs can go a little overboard with the yummy food on this feast-filled day. Keep an eye on the amount of people food your dog is consuming throughout the day.  Bits and pieces of boneless, cooked turkey, green beans and mashed potatoes are fine – too much can cause an upset stomach or diarrhea. To avoid this potential disaster, inform all the guests that Sparky will get his treats after dinner, not at the table!

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It’s all politics this week at Dog Tails.  Tuesday was Election Day, and in honor of this annual tradition, Dog Tails is turning its attention to the pets of Washington, DC.

Small or large, young or old, cat or dog, Republican or Democrat, we salute all of the dogs who loyally follow their owners around the Oval Office or halls of Congress.  The DogWatch Hidden Fences team dove into the past and came up with a list of the most memorable political pets.  No matter which way you voted on Tuesday, we know you’ll love these famous furry friends!

Fala, President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s dog

Fala is arguably the most famous political dog of all time.  The Scottish terrier moved into the White House in 1940, at the beginning of Roosevelt’s third term.  He soon became a regular fixture in the halls of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., begging for food and performing tricks for guests.

Fala also enjoyed traveling with his master, joining the President on his many trips across the country and around the world.  In fact, the two were so inseparable that Fala is depicted alongside Roosevelt in his memorial on the National Mall in Washington, DC (see picture at left).  He is the only Presidential dog to be given such an honor.

Checkers, President Richard M. Nixon’s dog

Checkers, a cocker spaniel, never made it to the White House, but he still had a sizable impact on Presidential history.  In 1952, then-Vice Presidential candidate Nixon was embroiled in a financial scandal.  In an effort to save his candidacy, he gave a televised speech in which he spoke of his humble beginnings.

The most memorable line from the speech referred to his dog, Checkers, who had been given to Nixon for his then-6-year-old daughter by a campaign donor.  “Regardless of what they say about it, we’re going to keep him,” he said.  The address became known as the “Checkers Speech,” and not only did it save Nixon’s candidacy, but it is now a term used to describe any heart-tugging speech given by a politician.

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