Hey Woofa’s,

This year Easter is not like any other we’ve had before.  Easter comes with one major rule – STAY AT HOME!

It’s really as simple as that – STAY AT HOME!

However, for some it’s easy to do and other’s not so much.  Some people aren’t use to being at home ALL THE TIME!

But for now it’s what we all have to do to stay safe from COVID-19!

We’re all in this together and we can all come through this together much stronger for it.

Usually over the Easter break we would go to the EASTER SHOW one day and on Easter Sunday, Dean’s family would gather at his Nan’s place.

We would have brunch, his aunts, uncles, cousins and their kids would all be there, a game of cricket would be had and then the infamous Easter Egg Hunt would commence.

But none of that will be happening this year, and that’s okay too.   Because I would much rather us all be safe and healthy,  and I’m sure we will really appreciate our Easter gatherings in 2021!!!

Easter 2020 will be Dean, Billy and myself at home!

This got me thinking about our dogs and how most of their life is spent in Isolation – with us as their rulers.

A DOG’S LIFE IN ISOLATION!

When you really think about it, our dogs are under our care and basically have to do everything we say.

Their whole lives revolve around us, they rely on everything to come from us.

Dog’s lives are all about lockdown –

• dogs have to stay within the confines of the house and yard – ALL THE TIME;
• they are only allowed to go where we say they can;
• dogs are only allowed to go out when we say they can;
• they rely on us for every bit of food they eat;
• they rely on us for their water;
• when leaving the house/yard they have to be on a leash;
• they can only go for walks or drives in the car when we say so;
• we can take them to the parks, cafes, beaches, holidays etc, when we feel like it;
• play dates with other dogs are on our terms;
• they may play with the neighbours dogs through the fence;
• when passing other dogs in the street we always walk within a safe distance from another dog.

Given that dogs pretty much hand their whole life experiences to us, they are always happy and content (well looked after dogs, that is)!

So this Easter I’m asking you to be happy and content to stay at home with your dog.

HOW TO CELEBRATE EASTER IN LOCKDOWN?

We can still celebrate but a little differently – here’s how!

1. Technology is a wonderful thing at times – so this Easter if you need to contact extended family members and friends do it on social media platforms.  (FaceTime, zoom, Skype, house party and the many other apps that are out there to keep us connected.
2. If you have prayer time – set up an alter in your home or garden and have your own ceremony.  If that’s not for you, you may want to write a list of everything you’re grateful for right now.  Or just take some time to appreciate the fact that we are alive.
3. The good old Easter Egg Hunt – If you’re lucky to have chocolate Easter eggs then you can have your hunt around the house or yard.  Remember – it’s important that you DO NOT FEED YOUR DOG CHOCOLATE this Easter!  If you want to include your dog in your Easter hunt, buy DOG CHOCOLATE or hide their favourite toys around the yard.  Just don’t let them get to your Easter eggs.
4. Each family/household member could make an Easter Hat and have a parade and prize for the best one.  Don’t forget to make one for the dog either.
5. Egg Decorating – if there’s enough eggs then you could decorate them.  HOWEVER, at this time sometimes buying eggs isn’t easy so to improvise, use golf balls, tennis balls, anything that is small and round – get creative.
6. Your Easter Feast – will have to be made at home this year.  So have each household member make a certain part of the feast.  If you’re going it alone with the dog, then feast as usual.
7. The EASTER SHOW – it’s heartbreaking that the show won’t be going ahead this year, but again it’ll make us appreciate it all that more for 2021.  The GOOD NEWS is that you can still buy some showbags online – click here!
8. Then after all these activities and food – it’s snuggle time with your dog relaxing in the yard or on the couch for some binge watching of your favourite movies or shows.

If none of that keeps you occupied over the Easter Break then you’re not living your life right now like a happy and content dog!

Dogs don’t need a lot to be happy and content, just unconditional love from you, food, water and shelter.

This is what we’re being asked to do, stay at home and be happy and content.

WHAT DOES ALL THIS MEAN?

It means that times are a little uncomfortable right now!

We’re  restricted with what we can and can’t do – just like we do to our dogs every day!

Yet our dogs are still happy and content with what they have.

We need to be like our dogs right now and appreciate what we DO HAVE and what we CAN DO for now!

IN THE COMMENTS BELOW – BILLY WOULD LIKE TO KNOW – HOW YOU ARE SPENDING YOUR EASTER IN ISOLATION?