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By Dog Breeds Specialist, February 10, 2012 10:35 am

Marcia Breitenbach
556

Overwhelming Feelings of Guilt Accompany This Decision
Many of us who have animal companions know that there will probably come a day when we have to make one of the most difficult decisions as a pet owner. Our pets age before our eyes, and we can see the difference in their activity levels and abilities as they grow older. The decision to euthanize our pet can bring on feelings of guilt and pain that add to the grief we already feel about the loss of our animal companion.
Although grief is a normal process, euthanasia adds a complexity that often includes guilt or doubt. Learning how to work through this difficult decision can bring us to a peace and clarity, thus making our healing journey easier and possibly more meaningful.
Remember that You Know Your Animal Companion Best
The first thing to remember when you have to face this difficult decision is that you are the one who knows your pet best. Asking others for advice is normal, but ultimately you need to trust your own knowledge of your animal to make the right decision for him or her. It may help to ask your veterinarian and friends for information so that you feel informed, but you will know best if it is time. Be wary of those who will want you to do it “their?way. Everyone has a valid opinion, but when it comes to recognizing your pet’s needs and cues, you are the expert, so your opinion matters most.
Sometimes people may tell you that euthanasia is an unnatural way for your pet to pass on, but really we treat our pets “unnaturally?every day by providing prepared foods, using medicine, giving them vaccinations, and providing other ways to keep them healthy and alive for longer than any animal in the wild. We defy nature every day with our pets, and often euthanasia is much more humane than what nature would do to our pets.
Is it Time to Euthanize Your Pet?
While listening to others can be helpful, so can listening to your pet. Each of us is intuitive, and you would be amazed at how much you actually communicate with your pet without even realizing it. Take time to sit down and relax deeply next to your animal companion. Take a few deep breaths, and quiet your mind. Think about connecting to your pet’s heart and mind. Tell your animal how much you love him or her, and then ask a question silently. Allow some time and space for a response. It may not be in the form of direct communication, but rather with images, or fleeting thoughts. Open your eyes and write down any thoughts, images, and feelings from that time. This exercise can give you more clarity than you think. If you feel that you are not able to make this connection yourself, you may want to speak with a pet psychic or animal communicator. Ask friends or your vet for a referral.
If you are still not confident about a decision, it is sometimes helpful to ask yourself about what regrets you will have. Will you regret more the euthanasia or letting your pet suffer? Which is more humane to you? Also, before you make a decision you also need to give your companion animal permission to let go. Sometimes our pets hold on in order to protect us. Let them know that it is okay for them to let go of life and that you will be fine. Let them know you will be sad for some time, but that ultimately you will heal and make good choices for a healthy and happy future. I have known of people who had this discussion with their pets, and the animal died on its own, and didn’t need to be euthanized.
Ways to Help Yourself If You Do Decide to Use Euthanasia
If you ultimately make the decision to assist your pet to die, make sure you do not do it alone. The process can be overwhelming at the time, so having another person there to support you can be helpful. There are some veterinarians who will come to your house to administer the injection, saving you and your animal a trip in the car and further trauma. If you do take your pet to a clinical setting, understand that you have the option to be with your pet when the injection is administered, and that sometimes it is helpful to hold onto them as they pass. However, you may want to avoid looking in their eyes as they pass, because often people are haunted by the look in their pet’s eyes, as many people project their own feelings of guilt and confusion on their pet. Once again, this choice is up to you.
Planning Ahead
Also, plan ahead for what to do after the euthanasia. In your grief, the decision of how to handle the body can be extremely difficult. Know if you want to use a pet cemetery, have the body cremated, or if you want to take the body home for burial. Some people ask to take their pet’s body home, to wash them and take more time for the family to say goodbye. You can then deliver your animal’s body for cremation, or sometimes the crematorium will come to pick up the body.
Planning ahead, you may also opt for a memorial service or funeral. This can be something attended only by you and your family, or you may also choose to invite friends as well. More and more, these types of services are being held and can be helpful in working through your grief.
Making the decision to euthanize a pet can be extremely difficult and disconcerting. Learn to trust what you know about your pet to make your decision. When they are gone, know that you made the right decision for them at the time and that there are no right or wrong decisions. Your pet did not judge you in life, nor will your pet judge you afterward. Be as gentle with yourself as you know your pet would be with you. Your pet’s love was unconditional, and that love will remain with you through the rest of your life.

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By Dog Breeds Specialist, February 9, 2012 12:16 pm

Mike Mathews
426

All dog breeds were developed for a purpose. Some breeds were developed to herd sheep, some to hunt game, and some to pull sleds. Dogs, like humans, enjoy having a purpose in life. Dogs like to lead a structured life and be able to associate with their owners in activities and be given the opportunity to please their owner. The following is a short list of fun activities that you may want to consider for your dog.
Dog Agility is a sport in which a handler must control and direct his dog around an obstacle course within a set period of time. Dogs must be controlled off-leash using only voice and body language commands. The handler runs beside the dog and directs the dog through the obstacle course with precision and speed ?trying to accumulate the minimum number of faults (both missed obstacles and time faults). Obstacles include: A-frames, elevated dog walks, teeter-totters, tunnels, jumps (such as hurdles and tires), weave poles (like a slalom), pause tables (where the dog must lie down for a fixed time), and other obstacles. In order to be fair, there are usually classes of competition to group dogs of similar size and experience. Therefore there will be several winners at a competition. Dogs and handlers need to be very well trained and seem to enjoy this sport immensely. There are a number of organizations involved in agility performance around the world who sanction clubs to allow them to host agility competitions. In the US, some of these organizations include: the American Kennel Club (AKC), the United Kennel Club (UKC), the United States Dog Agility Association, and the North American Dog Agility Council. Elsewhere in the world: the Kennel Club (in the UK), the Agility Association of Canada and the FCI (World Canine Organization) are all involved.
Obedience is a skill that ranges from mastering everyday commands that all dogs should know to competitive exercises that require significant training and aptitude to excel. You may start out teaching your puppy and young dog the basic obedience commands and find that you and your dog have an aptitude for obedience skills that you would like to take to a higher level. In competitive obedience the dog and handler team must perform prescribed activities off leash and in a carefully defined way. If the dog has the aptitude and training it will gain skills to allow it to advance through the ranks from Novice to Open (intermediate) to Utility (advanced) competitions. At each level the requirements become more difficult and the number of exercises to be performed get longer. Exercises are all done off leash using voice and body language commands and include such activities as: having the dog stay while you walk away; follow the handler in the heel position through complex patterns; come on command; sit and lie down for fixed periods of time while the handler is out of the dog’s sight; retrieve items over a high jump; and find a scented object amongst a group of identical non-scented objects. Dogs can earn obedience titles in obedience championships. Purebred dogs can compete in obedience trials sanctioned by the AKC, while the UKC recognizes other purebred dog competitions. As well, there are mixed breed competitions sanctioned by the Mixed Breed Dog Club of America and other organizations. In Canada, the Canadian Kennel Club sanctions obedience trials and awards titles.
Lure coursing is a sport for sighthounds that involves chasing a manually or mechanically operated artificial lure across a field in a “coursing?pattern. The competition is usually restricted to pure-bred sighthounds including: Afghan Hounds, Basenjis, Borzois, Greyhounds, Ibizan Hounds, Irish Wolfhounds, Italian Greyhounds, Pharaoh Hounds, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Salukis, Scottish Deerhounds, and Whippets. The operator keeps the lure or “prey?just in front of the chasing sighthounds until they have completed the course. The course must have a minimum number of turns and is usually 600 to 1000 yards long. The hounds love to play this sport and puppies can be introduced to the sport through lure coursing practice sessions. Competitions usually consist of two runs for each dog breed for dogs that have been pre-certified or qualified. In the US, the American Sighthound Field Association or the AKC can “certify?that dogs have been trained and are eligible to enter their sanctioned competitions. In Canada, the Canadian Kennel Club sanctions lure coursing but excludes the Italian Greyhound because they consider it a toy dog.
Tracking can be learned by all dog breeds because all dogs use their noses to identify things and explore the world. Training can be started as early as 10 to 12 weeks of age as all puppies love to use their noses to sniff out a trail. As with all training, positive rewards (treats, praise etc,) and re-enforcement work best. The AKC sanctions tracking tests and events in the US. This vigorous non-competitive outdoor sport allows dogs to demonstrate their ability to recognize and follow human scents. In Canada, the CKC sponsors tracking events and you can check their website for a list of nearby events.
Field Trials are regularly held for Basset Hounds, Beagles and Dachshunds to demonstrate their ability to find and track game. Similarily Field Trials and Hunting Trials are held almost every weekend across the country for: the Pointing Breeds, the Retrievers, and Spaniels to allow them to compete and demonstrate their hunting abilities under a strict set of conditions. If you are an owner of a hunting dog puppy, you will want to look into many of the organized activities designed for your dog. Check out the AKC or CKC websites for a list of contacts and field trials in your area.
Other Fun Activites that you might wish to explore include flyball, frisbee, herding and drafting competitions.

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By Dog Breeds Specialist, February 8, 2012 12:55 pm

Brigitte Smith
57

An essential to your dog’s health is his/her regular annual checkup with the vet. Whether or not you choose to have your dog vaccinated* at this time, the annual chekup is also an excellent opportunity for a thorough physical examination to be carried out, and a time to discuss any minor problems or issues which you feel may be affecting your dog’s health or wellbeing. This is a time when your vet may pick up inherited diseases and the like (when your dog is young) so they can be treated early, or just kept an eye on. And as your dog gets older, the vet may find the early signs of more sinister illnesses.
I recently took my dogs for their annual checkup, and for the first time alarms were raised about matters of significant concern – it was thought that Kara might have early stages of lymphoma (cancer) – which, fortunately, tests then proved to be not the case. And Jet apparently has something akin to the early stages of cataracts in humans in her eyes, and according to the vet, Jet is likely to go progressively blind over the next several years. At least knowing this in advance gives me the opportunity to watch for any developing signs and, if and when necessary, adapt her outings and home environment to take into account any sight loss, and most importantly, it has made me realise that vitamin and mineral supplementation in dogs is actually a very wise idea.
Worming and “de-flea-ing?your dog are the commonest forms of health measures which you probably undertake yourself for your dog. Fleas infest almost every dog at some time. Sometimes a lot of the time. Dogs which socialise with other dogs outside the home tend to become infested the most often. Fleas can carry disease and parasites, including tapeworm.
But fleas are extremely irritating for your dog. They often cause intense itching, which in turn can cause your dog to damage his/her skin by vigorous scratching. Some dogs are allergic to flea bites. Even after the fleas have been doused with flea poison and killed, the cycle of itch, scratch, itch, scratch, can remain.
My Rottweiler has been terribly affected two or three times now by this self-perpetuating cycle caused by her allergy to flea bites. Most of the skin damage has been caused by Kara incessantly scratching and injuring herself.
A dog with an infestation of fleas is neither a healthy nor a happy dog. So at the first sign of a flea, it’s important to treat your dog for this very common problem. And those pesky fleas don’t always readily show themselves. So if your dog is scratching more than usual, the first thing to do is a thorough search through your dog’s coat. If you sight even one flea, treat your dog immediately. Some people treat routinely just because it’s flea season, and still others actually treat throughout the year. And of course, it goes without saying that if you have more than one animal, you must treat them all at the same time.
This way, you’ll ensure that your dog is as healthy and happy as can be!
* There are natural alternatives to vaccinations, and signficant controversy as to whether vaccinations are necessary to desirable. For further information, subscribe to the Healthy Happy Dogs newsletter.
(c) 2004, Brigitte Smith, Healthy Happy Dogs

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By Dog Breeds Specialist, February 7, 2012 1:40 pm

Kirsten Hawkins
100

Dog ownership carries with it the burden of a number of other purchases. In order to properly care for a dog and to comply with certain local laws, the owner must have a number of dog accessories in his or her arsenal. Some of these items are necessary, others are merely conveniences. It is important to know exactly what you’ll need to properly care for your dog.
The Essentials
Most of the truly necessary items for dog care are fairly obvious. If you’ve got a dog you’ll need bowls for the dog’s food and water. Mid size to large dogs have a habit of moving their food bowls around the room as they eat. This can make a lot of noise and have the frustrating result of requiring the owner to hunt around for the bowl at feeding time. The problem can be solved by using a heavy ceramic bowl that is difficult for the dog to move around. A sturdy plastic bowl with a rubber lining on the bottom can be useful as well. The rubber on the bottom prevents the bowl from sliding around as Rover enjoys his meal.
For taking the dog on walks you’ll need a leash and a collar. These can be as simple or as elaborate as you’d like, but of course you’ll want to take the size and strength of your dog into account when selecting them. The collar can (and should) be adorned with a license tag or at least an ID tag that provides your name and contact information in case your dog is lost.
If you live in a big city like New York (Manhattan), Chicago, or other urban area, you’ll need to purchase that miracle of modern doggie convenience the “pooper scooper.?Most cities have laws against owners simply allowing their dogs to “foul the footpath?or leave little Poodle Bombs all over the city park. In some cities there is a hefty fine for such crappy behavior.
Optional Accessories
There are literally thousands of optional items available for people to purchase for use with their dogs. Some of these items, like the gravity refillable water dishes and food bowls, serve a very useful purpose, others ?the dog bandana comes to mind ?serve no real purpose and are merely decorative or just plain silly.
One item that some owners do find very useful, especially those that live in a hot climate, are “dog booties.?While they may seem like a simply precocious and relatively useless item, they do a good job of protecting the sensitive pads of a dog’s feet from rough terrain, rocky areas, and hot pavement. Those in cooler climates may not understand, but in some places, particularly the desert environments of cities like Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Albuquerque, the summer pavement can literally become hot enough to fry an egg. You wouldn’t walk barefoot on such a surface and neither should your dog.

Technorati Tags: certain local laws, dog accessories, Dog?, food bowls, gravity refillable water, heavy ceramic bowl, large dogs, little poodle bombs, modern doggie convenience, sturdy plastic bowl

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By Dog Breeds Specialist, February 6, 2012 3:18 pm

John Moore
196

Dog Grooming & Routine Care
All dogs need regular grooming. It improves the appearance of short coated dogs, and is essential for those with long coats. It also does much to stop unwanted hair on the furniture and carpets. Start as soon as you get your dog or puppy. If you get dogs used to grooming from an early age they will accept it as a normal routine and become to enjoy it.
For the shorter haired dogs a fairly firm clothes brush will be sufficient, but if you need one that’s a bit stiffer your local pet store should have a wide choice of brushes. Regular brushing will remove the loose hair and give a shine to the dogs coat. For long haired breeds a strong steel comb as well as a brush is essential. So many owners think they are grooming their dogs when they are actually only running a brush over the surface of the tangled coat. A daily grooming should prevent the formation of matts and tangles, even in spaniels and poodles.
Parasites
Remember while grooming your dog to look for parasites such as fleas and lice which may have been picked up by your dog. To see how to deal with these, please visit our pet website which is shown below.
You may also find grass seeds in the coat, and especially between the toes. These, if not removed, may penetrate the skin causing painful abscesses. A daily examination of the coat will also give you the opportunity to check for skin irritations that may need attention.
Foot Care.
The feet should be examined daily, especially the hairy types of dog such as spaniels, for the presence of thorns. It is better to keep the hair between the toes and under the pads trimmed short, and to wash the feet after exercise in muddy weather. The accumulation of grit and hard packed mud under the pads may contribute to the formation of cysts or boils on the feet. Keeping your dogs feet clean is a must.

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By Dog Breeds Specialist, February 5, 2012 3:36 pm

Colin L Wolfenden
512

What can you do to improve the health of your dog, its coat, and its skin that is cheap and effective? Grooming that’s what! The small investment of time and money involved for grooming can yield numerous benefits for your dog’s health!
Is your dog’s coat looking dull, tatty and matted? Is your dog’s sad looking coat causing you to worry about his/her overall health? Sometimes the simple things can often provide very effective benefits, and in the case of the health of your dog, grooming is one of these simple measures that can yield big results.
Dog health and grooming go hand in hand as the act of grooming has numerous benefits that can help prevent many dog health problems before they arise. Like humans, regular grooming and attention to changes in the skin, eyes, and teeth can help maintain health and prolong the life of your pet, as many indications of possible health problems are noticed and addressed before they progress to something more sinister.
Health Benefits of Grooming
Grooming removes dead hair leaving only the healthy hair behind, which immediately looks better. It also lets air circulate through the coat better reducing any odor, keeps the dog cooler, and looks cleaner. It is also a good idea to bath your dog regularly with a quality dog shampoo to further improve the benefits of general grooming.
Grooming stimulates blood flow, which in turn improves blood supply to the hair follicles working wonders for the health of the overall coat.
Grooming also stimulates the lymphatic system, thus having a positive affect on the dog’s overall health in the same way that a massage does for humans.
Residual Benefits of Grooming
Aside from the more obvious physical health benefits of grooming there are other benefits such as: –
Bonding with your Dog – While grooming your dog you are helping to create a bond between you and your pet because of the physical touching and interaction. This also has a positive effect on the dog’s emotional state as it feels more comfortable and safe in your hands. Dogs always love the attention they get during grooming.
Knowing your pet – While grooming your dog you get to know your pet better and know what he/she likes or dislikes, and its favorite and least favorite places to be touched or brushed. Knowing your pet will help you to notice any changes that may indicate a health problem, for instance if your dog suddenly flinches when touched in an area where it usually loves to be touched would alert you to investigate the cause of the tenderness.
Spot Possible Health Dangers – While grooming your dog you can check the skin for possible skin rashes and problems like hair loss or lumps. Also check for signs that your dog has been scratching a certain area of the skin which would indicate some sort of irritation such as worms, fleas, mites or ticks. Ticks in particular can be deadly if left undetected and a thorough visual check of the dog’s skin should be a regular part of your dog health and grooming strategy. It is a good idea to check the eyes for any signs of sight or health problems while grooming your dog. Also check the pads and nails of the paws for problems that may require attention along with the teeth for signs of decay or gum problems.
Possible Bonus Benefit for you
If you find that you enjoy grooming and become quite competent, you may consider starting your own dog grooming service to make a few extra dollars or perhaps turn it into a full time business. Dog grooming services are in high demand and can be very profitable. There is nothing better than making a living doing something that you enjoy.
What You Need to Start?
It is important to get the right grooming tools and information on grooming techniques. The internet has is a wealth of information about grooming along with numerous sites that sell a range of grooming tools. Other sources are local pet supply stores or alternatively most towns and cities have a local dog association where dog lovers can meet and exchange ideas. Public libraries may also have books on dog grooming.
The benefits to your dog’s health by regular grooming far outweigh the small outlay of money for the grooming tools, and time spent grooming. Your dog’s coat will look shiny and healthy and the health of your dog’s skin will also be improved. Spend a little time on your pet and he/she will love you for it.

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By Dog Breeds Specialist, February 4, 2012 5:13 pm

Neal Kennedy
127

Dog flu, a highly contagious and sometimes deadly canine disease has been detected in a number of states and may be spreading around the country.
Researchers reported that the mysterious dog flu is an influenza strain that jumped from horses to dogs.
The dog flu is highly similar to the equine flu that’s been in the U.S. for more than 40 years. Influenza has never before occurred in dogs.
Humans don’t get the virus from horses, and it’s unlikely they’ll get it from dogs, according to experts at the Influenza Branch of the Centers for Disease Control.
The medical term for dog flu is H3N8 influenza virus.
Symptoms of canine flu are a lot like those of “kennel cough.” Dogs with symptoms may have a nagging cough, fever, and nasal discharge.
Dogs with canine flu are susceptible to getting pneumonia.
Canine flu made the news earlier this year as greyhound racetracks closed to control outbreaks. Veterinarians struggled to tell if the illness was a new variant of kennel cough or an entirely new disease. It was first detected at a Florida racetrack and several dogs died from it.
Tests of blood stored by racetracks suggests the new canine flu strain began infecting dogs sometime between 1999 and 2003, well before the first outbreaks were recognized.
The announcement follows months of rumors and growing worry among dog-lovers, about canine flu.
Researchers have been working on a canine flu vaccine for three months. It’s not yet known how long it would take for such a flu vaccine to be to developed, tested, manufactured, and distributed for veterinary use.
For additional information visit http://www.dog-health.name/dogflu/dogflu.htm

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By Dog Breeds Specialist, February 3, 2012 5:33 pm

DogTwist
119

Feeding Time Should Be Training Time
Using Food Daily to Promote Good Obedience
Can you guess why feeding time is so important? Simply put, feeding time means your dog is HUNGRY and will therefore do almost anything to get fed. Since you, his loving owner, have the power to either feed or starve your pet, your dog looks to you as its only supplier of food. This means you play a vital role in your dog’s life. Now, learn how to use this to your advantage.
Your Advantage
Since you possess this role, it is time to use it to your benefit. No longer look at feeding time without the element of dog training involved. (http://www.dogtwist.com/dog-articles.html) This means that whenever your dog is to be fed, he is also expected to do something for the food. Never feed your dog without some sort of request from him. In this case, we want our dogs to do something pleasant such as not jumping or barking, but rather sitting down patiently and waiting for us. This is especially important when dealing with energetic dog breeds.
TIP: Consistent Feeding
Feeding times should be scheduled at the same time daily for sake of consistency. Nothing is worse than a confused dog wondering when it will get his next meal. Feeding time can be in the morning before work, and in the evening after work. The same person should feed the dog as much as possible to reinforce that person as the Leader — the one your dog obeys and listens to above all others. This is especially important for growing puppies, as they must know who is the leader from an early age.
Feeding Time
When it is time to feed your dog, use a command word like “Food?” each time to remind him what to expect. As you begin to fill the bowl and bring out the food, notice the dog’s behaviour. Is he jumping on you? Barking? Give him a stern NO and wait. If your dog persists, ignore him until he stops. Your dog will quickly realize that barking and jumping only prolong feeding time.
Before you lay his bowl down, tell him to sit. Do not feed him until he is sitting and quiet.
Be Persistent!
Don’t be discouraged if your dog isn’t an angel immediately. As long as you continue to encorce good habits, he will eventually learn. Soon your dog should be waiting patiently every time is it to be fed because he will understand that the quickest way to get fed is to obey!
It Doesn’t Stop At Feeding Time
Use other opportunities other than feeding time to encourage good habits. Before you bring him for a walk (You remembered to give him the keyword “Walk?”, didn’t you?) make sure he is also sitting patiently for you — otherwise don’t leave. Dogs are intelligent pets and they learn from experience. If sitting and waiting patiently mean a bowl of food, then your dog will be more than happy to comply. Just don’t forget to give him praise from time to time to further encourage dog bonding and good behaviour.

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By Dog Breeds Specialist, February 2, 2012 7:03 pm

Jennifer Shircel
313

Aren’t the children always begging for a pet or another pet?
You don’t want a cat ?there’s that whole litter box thing. You don’t want to train a puppy, plus what about when you want to go away for the night? Birds make such a mess and can be quite noisy. And then there’s those “rodent?things.
When we found out we were expecting our first child we decided to decorate the nursery in tropical fish decor. Then we thought a fish tank in the room would be perfect for the “white noise?and for a nice little night light. So we bought a 10 gallon tank set that cost about $40 for everything but the fish. We had no clue about caring for fish, so we only got a few fancy guppies that were about $3 each. How cheap!!
Who knew we’d become addicted? Well, me anyways. We learned that guppies are live bearers, meaning that they have “live?babies instead of laying eggs and they can be all sorts of pretty colors. Needless to say, we learned a few things about raising guppies and haven’t spent any more money buying fish (well, except for a few more different colored guppies and a bigger tank to start breeding our own)!
Fish are so easy to take care of and are rather inexpensive to keep. We clean out their tank a little bit each month and spend about $2 on food for them that lasts about 3 months. The kids all love the guppies ?their pretty colors and especially watching the babies grow. I love the guppies because they’re cheap, relaxing, neat, quiet and they teach the children about responsibility with having a pet.
So before you jump down their throats about not having a pet, tell the kids to consider some guppies. If you’re looking to do some more research on them, check out www.guppies.com . There are plenty of tips and people there that are willing to answer all of your questions.
For more tips on pets and more money saving tips, visit us at www.MomOnABudget.com.

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By Dog Breeds Specialist, February 1, 2012 7:38 pm

Lauren Franklin
166

You are engaged – congratulations! Undoubtedly, immediately after your friends and family squeal with delight over your news, the first question they will ask is, “So when is the date?” It can be somewhat annoying, especially if you are very recently engaged, but really all your loved ones are asking so they can mentally save the date.
So begins your wedding planning. Obviously the first thing you need to do is start viewing places for your ceremony and reception, because without those there is no wedding.
Once you have nailed down your wedding’s place and date – then its time to get the word out. This is especially important if you are having your wedding during peak wedding season (usually the spring, early summer) or over any holiday weekend. Keep in mind, that while surely your guests are looking forward to celebrating with you, they can have conflicts. Wedding season unfortunately conflicts with graduation season, and long weekends are usually booked up with vacation plans way in advance.
If possible, you want to send your save the date cards out 6-9 months in advance. Lean toward the longer end of that spectrum if you have guests coming long distance or if you have a popular wedding date booked.
Now comes the fun part.
What should they look like? Do they have to match? Who should I send them to? What should my save the dates say? How much information do I need to include? The answer to all those questions is easy. Its entirely up to you and your fiancee. As long as the most important information is on there – your names and your date all the rest is gravy. However, to help guide you through the decision making we offer these words of advice.
What should they look like?
Save the dates are your opportunity to get the word out about your approaching wedding in fun, expressive way. Save the date announcements can be more casual than your more formal wedding invitation. However, keep in mind this is your chance to create a first impression. Your guests will receive your save the date and start forming impressions on what kind of event it will be. So we suggest you be unique, but use high quality materials. Nothing sends the wrong message like flimsy materials.
Some suggestions for unique save the dates can be found here:
http://www.allthepieces.com/Productdesc.aspx?pID=146&cID=514
http://www.allthepieces.com/Productdesc.aspx?pID=141&cID=483
http://www.allthepieces.com/Productdesc.aspx?pID=142&cID=490 http://www.allthepieces.com/Productdesc.aspx?pID=234&cID=986
Do they have to match?
Nope. They don’t have to match the rest of your wedding, but they can. If you are the kind of person who has been dreaming of what your wedding would look like even before you were engaged then perhaps you have some ideas already for color themes, design styles, etc. If that’s the case, great! Work with it! However, often times those types of wedding decisions are not solidified so early in the game so don’t sweat it. The priority is to get those save the dates in the mail so you get on your guests’ calendars. Another consideration, if you are the type A personality with your wedding plans all mapped out, you are going to be seeing a lot of those colors or design decisions over the upcoming months. So much so that you might get a little sick of your chosen colors (gasp! Say it isn’t so!) The save the date offers the opportunity to use your second choice color ideas, just to mix it up a bit. The point is, if you see something completely unrelated to your wedding ideas that you absolutely love – go for it!
Who do I send them to?
Lose the notion that the save the date has to be sent to everyone on your list – because it doesn’t. In fact, (and you didn’t hear this from us) if there are people on your list that are what we like to call “obligatory invites” = people you really have to invite due to family ties, or professional connections, this would be a good time to hold off. We aren’t saying to disinvite them, but if they only receive the formal invitation then no harm done. The reality is if you are inviting your boss to the wedding simply because it’s the politically correct thing to do, then you are probably secretly hoping he/she doesn’t come. Having said all this, we do recommend you make sure you send your save the date to people who might interact with eachother. Say you have a distant Great Aunt Matilda who you are inviting purely out of family obligation. Normally you would not send her a save the date. However, if your Great Aunt Matilda has dinner over your cousin Amy’s house and sees your save the date hanging on her refrigerator there might be feelings hurt.
What should my save the dates say? How much information do I need to include? The way to think of save the dates is almost like directions. You are instructing your guests to save the date, and beyond that you are giving them all the most important information in order to make arrangements to attend. For a local wedding with not many long distance guests you could get away with just your names, the date of your wedding and the town where you will be holding the event. However, that is rarely the case. Usually planning couples have information they would like to communicate. Here are the various ways to do so and things you can include:
The date:
Obviously!
Your names:
You can keep it casual and just use your first names or if you are concerned this might confuse your guests you can use both of your full names. However, the point can be made if your guests don’t know you by your first names, why are they being invited?
The place:
You really don’t need to give them the exact GPS location of you wedding but just a general region would be a good idea. For example, “New York City.”
Everything beyond those first three elements is optional.
Hotel information:
Chances are you are going to reserving some hotel blocks for your guests. If you know that information it would very helpful to your guests to have it early with your save the date. However if haven’t gotten to your blocks yet, don’t worry. You can include that information with your formal invitation. If you aren’t doing blocks for your guests, its still not a bad idea to recommend places to stay to your guests.
Website URL:
Wedding websites are a great idea. It gives you a place to communicate all the information you have unlimited. It also can be updated as decisions are made – which should be a great comfort to you.
Airport information:
If a lot of your guests are flying to your wedding, then you might want to include how far your ceremony and reception location is from the airport. Also to note, several of the major airlines will offer a discount that you can pass onto your guests. You simply need to call the airlines in advance and explain that you are planning a large event.
Car rental information:
Car rental company will do the same. They will offer a discount that you can pass onto your guests. Again, call the car rental companies in advance and explain that you are planning a large event.
Things to do/Places to eat:
This type of information is totally optional but can be a nice touch for your guests especially if they are coming long distance to attend your wedding. It could convince your guests to make an extended weekend of your wedding if you suggest some fun activities for everyone before and after your wedding. Also, if you have favorite restaurant recommendations that can be a nice personal touch for your guests to enjoy.
Lastly, be sure to include the text “Formal Invitation to Follow”
If you don’t you will be surprised at how many people will call you thinking your save the date is your wedding invitation. Your great Aunt Matilda (assuming you sent her that save the date after all) is going to ask, “Where is the rsvp card?”
-written by Lauren Franklin
www.allthepieces.com

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