Make Sure You Have Money for Unexpected Medical Expenses

A lot of people don't realize how expensive veterinary care can be until they're faced with a huge bill. Before you adopt a furry pet, be sure you have enough cash to handle medical expenses for unexpected incidents. These can range from bites from other dogs to accidental trips-and-falls that result in damaged tootsies. Of course, you'll want to be sure you're able to accommodate regular visits to the vet for checkups, shots, and teeth cleanings, too.

Work Out a Schedule

If you'll be away at the office for most of the day, who will watch your pooch? Be sure to screen and approve any dog walkers or sitters who might offer to watch your dog. Ask neighbors for recommendations, look for reviews on Yelp or check on Nextdoor for companies your neighbors give kudos to. Be sure to walk your pooch every morning before you leave for work, immediately after you get home and just before you all lay down to go to bed, to establish a solid routine.

Establish House Rules

Will your dog be allowed on the couch, or should he stay on the floor? Will you crate your pooch or trust him to run free while you're away? Make sure you've established ground rules before your pup comes into your home so you can enforce them consistently.

Be Patient

Sometimes, dogs have accidents or get sick. They're usually not doing this on purpose. Read up on your dog's breed so you can learn the triggers that might make him more sensitive to certain stimuli, and talk to your vet if you think the food you're feeding him isn't going over well. He might have food allergies or other problems that need to be recognized in order to ensure he's as healthy and happy as possible.

As a pet-friendly Dallas apartment community, South Side Flats is happy to welcome residents of all sorts. If you're looking for a place you and Fido can call home, we invite you to schedule a tour of our community today!

The post How to Get Ready for a Newly Adopted Dog appeared first on South Side Flats Blog.

Here is a fun and fast recipe for PB&P (peanut butter and pumpkin) dog treats. You probably have the ingredients in your cupboard, and it will take only a few minutes to mix them.

Then, just pop these treats into the oven for 25 to 30 minutes.

PB&P (Peanut Butter and Pumpkin) Dog Treats

This is a fun recipe to make with the kids, for sharing, or even as a treat to take to the local shelter. Dogs love pumpkin and peanut butter, and these little biscuits are sure to impress. The hardest part is waiting for them to cool so you can let the pup dig in! 

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cup instant or one-minute oats 
• Half can of pumpkin puree (unspiced)
• 1/2 cup peanut butter (natural, no added salt, no xylitol)

Making the Dough

• Preheat your oven to 325 F. 
• Pulverize the oats in a blender or food processor, and add the peanut butter and pumpkin puree. Blend into the consistency of cookie dough.
• Place your dough in a mixing bowl, and add more oats if needed for thickness.
• Roll your dough out onto a floured cutting board. Cut into cookies or squares.

Baking the Biscuits

• Place the dough pieces on a baking sheet. Be sure the baking sheet is greased — or, preferably, covered with baking parchment paper.
• Bake the biscuits for 25 minutes. Remove them from the oven if they've become slightly browned and firm. If not, bake them another five minutes, until the treats are dry and hard.
• Allow plenty of time for the biscuits to cool before giving them to your pup.
• Store extra treats in a cookie tin. Or start sharing these around immediately!

In case you're wondering about the "no xylitol" rule — the vets tell us to avoid xylitol in peanut butter if we plan to share it with our dogs. 

South Side Flats Welcomes Dogs (and Cats Too)

You shouldn't have to make a choice between your pet and living in a desirable apartment home. Contact South Side Flats Dallas apartments to learn more about our architecturally significant, modern home in the artsy, culturally diverse, historic Cedars neighborhood, and see the perfect home for you and your pet today.

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Dallas is one of the most dog-friendly cities in the U.S. There are plenty of parks where you can spend time with your four-legged friend. Here are the perfect places to take your pet.

#1 Waggin’ Tail Dog Park

This seven-acre, fully-fenced park is located in far North Dallas. This well-planned park features a flagstone observation deck that soars 35 feet above White Rock Creek. There are lovely views of a waterfall and plenty of nicely landscaped ground for your pooch to roam off leash. Other features include a doggie watering area, stone decking and seating. There is also a picnic area with a grill.

#2 NorthBark Dog Park

NorthBark is the largest dog park in the Dallas area. It offers everything a dog could want, including a doggie swimming pond. There is even a shower for your pooch to wash off in after their swim. Other features include expansive trails, a large lawn area and a dog beach. You can bring a picnic and enjoy lunch at the pavilion, which has picnic tables and benches. NorthBark is located at the southeast corner of the George Bush Turnpike and the Tollway.

#3 Cedar Ridge Preserve

This 600-acre natural preserve is situated just 20 minutes from downtown Dallas.  The preserve features miles of native grasses, trees, butterflies and wildflowers. There are more than nine miles of trails to explore with your dog. Fido will enjoy chasing after the various birds, reptiles and insects in the park.

#4 Katy Trail

Katy Trail is one of the best places to walk dogs in Dallas. This 3.5-mile trail winds from American Airlines Center Arena to Dallas’s West End. The paved path is perfect for walking or running with your four-legged friend.  It is shrouded by trees, which provides some cool shade during the hot summer months.

#5 Bark Park Central

This off-leash urban dog park, also known as the Ellum Dog Park, is a great place to bring your pup. It offers whimsical artwork and sweeping views of downtown Dallas. Plus, there are many dog-friendly restaurants and bars all within close distance of the 1.2-acre park. Features of Bark Park Central include a fenced area, dog drinking bowl, dog shower and pet waste station. There are plenty of shaded areas for you to relax while your pup runs free. The park is located at the intersection of Commerce Street and the Good-Latimer Expressway.

Dallas is a great city for dog owners. If you’re looking for pet-friendly apartments in Dallas, TX, then check out South Side Flats. These pet-friendly apartments are situated just south of downtown Dallas, which puts them in great proximity to all of the best Dallas trials and parks.  

Our architecturally significant, modern apartments homes are in the artsy, culturally diverse, historic Cedars neighborhood.

The post Best Places to Take Your Dog in Dallas appeared first on South Side Flats Blog.