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How to Protect Dog Paws
How to Hire Syrian Refugees
How to Organize Gardening Tools

Posted: 04 Apr 2018 01:00 AM PDT

Dog paws normally stand up to a lot of wear and tear. However, there are some situations when a dog's paws can use added protection. When the weather is extreme, it's a good idea to protect your dog's paws by limiting their contact with hot or cold ground. Also, keep an eye out for hazards on the ground, and inspect for and treat paw injuries promptly. Overall, it's important to minimize the risks to your dog's paws, to check them on a regular basis, and to give them proper care if they do get injured.

EditSteps

EditProtecting Your Dog's Paws in the Winter

Minimize your dog's time outside. When the weather is cold and there is snow or ice on the ground, contact with the frozen ground can injure your dog's paws. Limit your dog's time outside if the temperature is below freezing, so that its paws don't get damaged and the dog doesn't get too cold.^[1]
- If your dog's paws are in contact with the freezing ground too long they could get frostbite, or the pads of their paws could become brittle and crack. Don't stand in the same spot for too long — it's better to stay constantly moving, even if you're just walking around in circles.
- A good rule to follow is not to keep your dog outside longer than you would stay outside. If you have taken the dog outside and you are ready to come in from the cold, so should your dog.
- Don't leave your dog in a kennel that's resting on frozen ground or its paws could freeze.
Take your dog's breed and condition into consideration. Some dogs are better adept at dealing with the cold. If you have a small dog that has little body fat or thin fur, such as a chihuahua, then it should not spend much time outside in freezing conditions at all. If you have a husky with a thick coat, then it can spend a lot of time outside without any problems to its paws.
- A young, healthy dog is also more likely to thrive in cold weather than a very old dog. Take your dog's physical condition into consideration when taking it out in cold weather.
- The paws of dogs bred to live in cold temperatures are different from other dog paws. The blood in their paws is rewarmed faster and the pads themselves are made of more cold-resistant tissue.^[2]
Wipe down the dog's paws after contact with ice and snow. Once you have brought your dog in from the cold, be sure to remove any ice, snow, or water that has accumulated on its paws. This will help keep the paws healthy and will minimize the chance of frostbite or raw skin.^[3]
- Be sure to check between the toes for ice and snow. Sometimes ice balls can form between a dog's toes. If you notice your dog limping during the walk, make sure there aren't ice balls stuck to its paws.
- Wiping down the paws can also remove some of the salt and chemicals that can accumulate on the surface of pads.
Wash your dog's paws after contact with salt and chemicals. One of the major hazards for your dog's paws in winter is the salt or chemicals that are used to deice roads and sidewalks. Every time your dog spends a lot of time outside in areas that have been deiced, be sure to wash their paws afterward. Simply rinse the pads with warm water and then dry them off with a towel.^[4]
- Salt and chemicals are dangerous for your dog. They can injure the surface of the pads. They can also be ingested if the dog cleans its pads with its tongue.
Moisturize your dog's paws. If your dog spends any amount of time outside during the winter, it will likely need a bit of additional moisture added to its pads. Moisturizer for dog paws, commonly known as paw balm, can keep the pads supple and free of cracks or brittleness. Apply it both before and after your dog spends time in the cold.^[5]
- Use a moisturizer that is designed for the pads of dog' paws. This type of moisturizer can be found at pet supply stores and from online retailers.
- You can also make your own paw balm out of common household ingredients, such as coconut oil, olive oil, and shea butter.
Put booties on your dog's paws. If you plan to have your dog out in the ice and snow for a long time, you can get booties that will protect their paws. Dog booties are available at pet supply stores and online retailers. These booties can be hard for a dog to get used to though, so gradually acclimate your dog to them over several weeks before you need it to wear them for an extended period.^[6]
- When buying booties for your dog, be sure to get the right size. You will need to measure your dog's paws and get a size that is designed for your dog's paw size.
- Make sure you get booties that have rubber soles and that are waterproof. These things will help protect the dog's paws and will give it stability on the ice or snow.

EditProtecting Your Dog's Paws in the Summer

Walk your dog at cooler times of day. If you want to take your dog for a long walk in the summer, do it when the ground will be at its coolest. Early in the morning or long after sunset are usually good times to take dogs for walks.
- In addition to protecting your dog's paws, walking it during cooler temperatures will protect it from getting heat exhaustion and dehydration.
Check surface temperatures before taking your dog outside. When summer temperatures are high, it's important to protect your dog's paws from hot surfaces. One good way to do this is to go outside and touch the concrete before leading your dog onto it. It you can comfortably touch the concrete, then your dog's paws will be fine on it.^[7]
- Sand can also become so hot that it burns your dog's paws. Be cautious and test the temperature of sand before you lead your dog onto it.
Keep your dog on cooler surfaces. If you do take your dog outside during hot weather, make sure it is walking on grass or other cooler surfaces. Keeping your dog on vegetation will help it avoid burned pads.^[8]
- Consider taking your dog for a walk on a bark or dirt path instead of a concrete path.
Put paw protection on your dog. If your dog will put up with having something on its paws, you can use booties in the summer. Put them on your dog before taking it out in areas where it will walk on hot concrete or other hot surfaces.^[9]
- Booties are also a good choice if you're taking your dog for a long hike. They'll protect its paws from cuts and scrapes.
Treat burns on the pads. If your dog's pads do get burned by a hot surface, it's important to treat them so they can heal properly and quickly. If they have a slight burn, soak the pad in cool water, dry it off, apply a veterinary antibiotic, and then bandage them up. If the pads are severely burned, they should be treated by a veterinarian.^[10]
- Signs that your dog's pads have minor burns include the dog slightly limping, being hesitant to walk, and licking the pads after a walk in the heat. However, with a minor burn the pads themselves will look normal.^[11]
- Severe burns can be identified by looking at the pads. They will have areas that are discolored or blistered.

EditWatching for Paw Hazards in All Conditions

Keep your dog away from sharp objects on the ground. A dog's paws can be easily injured by walking on sharp or rough objects. Either keep your dog totally out of areas with sharp objects on the ground, or clean up the ground thoroughly before bringing your dog into one of these areas.^[12]
- For example, keep your dog out of work areas where metal shavings or glass fragments could be on the ground.
- As a rule of thumb, don't have your dog walk anywhere where you wouldn't walk barefoot.
Don't allow your dog near chemicals or toxins on the ground. If your dog walks through a toxic substance, it could injure the dog's paw. The dog could also ingest the substance when it licks its paw. For example, floor cleaners can contain chemicals that are hazardous for your dog.^[13]
- When cleaning your floor with a strong chemical, keep your dog out of the area.
- Also look at the labels on your floor cleaners to make sure they are non-toxic to dogs.
Check your dog's paws regularly for damage. In order to protect your dog's paws from serious injury, it's important to keep an eye on their condition. Inspecting them on a regular basis for cuts, cracks, or punctures can help you catch problems before they become serious.
- Inspect your dog's paws on at least a weekly basis, if not daily. Look at them more often if your dog is spending a lot of time outdoors or in areas where its paws could be injured.
- If you take your dog running or hiking, make sure you're checking its paws throughout your trip. If they look worn down, let your dog rest.
Be sure to look between your dog's toes. When inspecting your dog's paws for damage, you also need to look for problems between the toes, most often due to thorns or burrs getting embedded there. Removing these items quickly is important because they can easily cause infection and pain.^[14]
- If you spot a burr or thorn, use tweezers to remove it. Be gentle so that your dog is not resistant to your efforts, but also make sure you get a secure hold on the whole thing. A small piece that's broken off and left behind can be even harder to remove.
- If you cannot remove a burr or thorn completely, seek veterinary help. Leaving them embedded can create a severe infection and can impact your dog's ability to walk, so proper veterinary care is vital.

EditSources and Citations

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How to Hire Syrian Refugees

Posted: 03 Apr 2018 05:00 PM PDT

Many people in Syria have faced the tragic experience of leaving their home country to find a better life elsewhere. If your company has the means, hiring them is a great way to help. Start by connecting with state agencies in the United States to find refugees to hire, and then make the hiring process easier for them. Also, add additional training and support for these employees as they make their way in a new country.

EditSteps

EditFinding Syrian Refugees to Hire

Contact your state or local office for refugees. Most states and many cities have offices dedicated to helping refugees settle in the area. Employment counseling is part of the settlement process, so many of these offices have departments devoted to employment.^[1]
- Often, these agencies will be under health and human services. They may also be listed under workforce services. Check for their contact information on your local state and city government websites.
Let the agency know you want to hire refugees. Often, these agencies are more than happy to work with employers who want to hire refugees. Once you let the agency know you're interested, you'll likely be put on a list of potential employers for Syrian refugees entering the country.^[2]
Work with host organizations. Many agencies set up host organizations, which are typically churches or community organizations. If you work with these organizations, you can assist the hosts and refugees by helping them find employment in your organization.^[3]
- Ask your state agencies if they can give you a list of host organizations to contact.
- Contact the agencies to let them know you're willing to hire Syrian refugees so they can point them your direction.
- These hosts provide support to refugees, such as helping them with applying for government benefits, assisting them with enrolling children in school, and providing orientation training.
Drop applications off at these agencies. To make employment more accessible, have a stack of applications available at both the state agencies and the host organizations. Also, leave a list of commonly open jobs at your company. That way, anyone assisting a refugee can just walk them through one of your job applications.
List your jobs as open to refugees. A simple, more passive way to find Syrian refugees to hire is to state you're open to refugees in your job postings. That way, refugees will be more likely to apply for employment at your company.
- For instance, you could write the following at the end of your job posting: "We are an equal opportunity employer. Everyone is encouraged to apply."

EditAssisting Syrian Refugees through the Hiring Process

Translate your application to make it easier for Syrian refugees to apply. Though a number of languages are spoken in Syria, Arabic is the official language. Most of the minorities in the country speak it as a first or second language.^[4]
Allow translation services for interviews. State agencies often provide a translator when you're interviewing candidates. Make use of this service so that your potential employee can present themselves to the best of their ability.^[5]
- If the state doesn't provide a translator, consider providing one yourself.
Hire Syrian refugees at all levels. Syrian refugees will come from all walks of life, with all levels of education. Some will be suited for entry-level positions, but others will be perfect for higher level positions. Look at each person's background to figure out where they would be the best fit.
Accept Syrian degrees. One issue refugees face is employers often won't accept their degree, so they're forced to take a job below what they've trained for. Many Syrian refugees were professionals in their home country, and they have much to contribute if you're willing to accept their training.^[6]
- Many refugees submit hundreds of applications before a company is willing to accept a degree from their home country.
Look for the I-94 or Employment Authorization Document. Upon entering the country, a Syrian refugee will receive an I-94, which shows they have a legal right to be here. This document is enough to establish they can work legally in the United States, though they will eventually receive an Employment Authorization Document.^[7]
- The I-94 will have a refugee admission stamp.

EditOffering Training and Support

Provide English as a Second Language (ESL) training. While the government agency will likely provide this service, it can be beneficial to offer it to your new employees. Most refugees will need more ESL training than they received from the government to help improve their English.^[8]
- Specifically, provide ESL training related to your particular company and field, as the ESL classes provided by the state are likely to be more general.
Give an extended orientation. New employees from another country are likely going to need a longer orientation period than native employees. Set aside a long time period for the initial training, for instance, as the language barrier will make this step more difficult.
Allocate funds and space for vocational training. While many of these refugees do have professional training, some do not. If you can provide vocational training in your business, you'll give refugees a chance to start a new life here.^[9]
- Often, this training takes the form of customized job training, meaning you work to train the new person for a specific job.
- In addition, some states provide subsidies if you're willing to offer training to new employees. Check your state laws to see if your business can receive this benefit.^[10]
Offer apprenticeships. Apprenticeships combine classroom learning with on-the-job training. It's similar to vocational training, but it's more extensive. You can even register your apprenticeship program. If you do, you can receive certification to show your customers that your apprentices are qualified for the job.^[11]
- Typically, you'll agree to provide a mentor to apprentices for a year, as well as training at a community college, trade school, or apprenticeship school.
- Find your state representative at https://www.doleta.gov/oa/contactlist.cfm to learn more about setting up and running the program. You can also receive funds for these programs, depending on the state.
Provide housing programs. Syrian refugees do receive assistance in finding a place to live. However, providing housing to refugees you hire can make the transition that much easier for them.
- You can offer on-campus housing if you're working for a larger company.
- Alternatively, you can maintain a program that finds furnished housing and matches families to that housing, while also providing a housing stipend.

EditTips

Help your new employees integrate with the workforce by hosting company events. Consider a cultural exchange potluck, where everybody brings a dish made from or inspired by a family recipe.
Make your new employees feel more welcome by pairing them up with other employees who will help acclimate them to the workplace. Rather than a formal training program, this program would just give the new employee a familiar face to come to for help with basic questions.

EditSources and Citations

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How to Organize Gardening Tools

Posted: 03 Apr 2018 09:00 AM PDT

Working in the garden is satisfying and relaxing, but keeping up with your gardening tools can be a hassle. Bigger tools can get in the way and make a big mess, while hand tools and other smaller garden essentials are easily scattered and lost. Luckily, you can make the most of common household items to create convenient storage for your gardening tools.

EditSteps

EditOrganizing Smaller Tools

Hang a bike basket on the wall to hold a variety of small items. Bike baskets are designed to be easily hung, so they make an ideal option for hanging from the walls in your garden shed. Use them to store miscellaneous items like gloves, seed packets, pegs, or other small items that might be laying around otherwise.^[1]
Hang a rake head upside-down from the wall for a unique hand tool holder. A steel rake head makes a unique holder for your garden gloves, trowels, spades, and other small objects. If the tool won't fit on the tines of the rake, loop twine through the hole on the handle.^[2]
Place small objects in glass jars with lids, then line up the jars on a shelf. Your odds and ends will look organized and quaint when they're displayed in glass jars along a shelf. This will help you keep similar items grouped together, and the lids will keep the objects from spilling if the jars are knocked over.
- Small glass jars are the perfect place for keeping your extra seeds!
- Use chalkboard paint or paper labels to help you remember exactly what's in the jar
Use a hanging shoe organizer for even more storage space. Hanging shoe organizers with pockets are ideal for organizing any number of small objects. Group together seed packets, dowels and stakes, twine, weedeater string, or any of your other garden supplies.
Fill a clay pot with sand and stick your hand tools into the sand. If you have a lot of small hand tools, it can be hard to keep them sorted so they're easy to see. By keeping them upright in sand, you'll be able to quickly grab the tools you need.^[3]
- This will also keep the blades of your tools from becoming dull as they bump against each other in a box or a drawer.
Keep your extra pots on a shelf or in a cabinet. Having flower pots scattered around will make your space feel cluttered. You'll also run the risk of breaking your pots, leaving dangerous pieces of sharp ceramic in your shed or garage.
- If you don't have a shelf or a cabinet, try keeping your pots in a plastic box.
- Stack your pots inside of each other and place them in a corner if you don't have anywhere else to store them.

EditStoring Large Tools

Mount a pegboard to the wall and use the peg to hang your tools. Pegboards are a popular storage option because it's easy to move the pegs around to organize your tools exactly how you want them. Arrange your tools by size to make it easier to find what you're looking for.^[4]
Mount a bucket on the wall to store your garden hose and attachments. Hang the bucket so the bottom is flush against the wall. You can store your garden hose by wrapping it around the bucket, then use the inside of the bucket as a shelf for storing your sprinklers, spray nozzles, or other attachments.^[5]
Hang a pallet on your wall for a convenient way to hang large tools. Slide hooks over the wood slats on the pallet, or hammer nails into the wood, then hang your large tools from the hooks. This will free up floor space and is a great way to store your tools when you don't have a lot of space.^[6]
- Pallets are used for shipping heavy objects, so ask a few of your local businesses if they have any that you can have.
Gather your large tools into buckets to keep them in one place. If you don't have a lot of room or hanging your tools isn't an option, try placing a large trash can or other container in the corner of your garage or shed. Then, place your rake, shovel, and other large garden tools into the bucket to keep them out of your way.
Repurpose old furniture into storage for your tools. Any piece of furniture with shelves or drawers can be useful when you're trying to organize your tools, and you don't have to spend a lot of money on it. Ask your family and friends if they have any old furniture, or check thrift stores or classified ads for cheap options.^[7]
- Turn a filing cabinet on its side so the drawer openings are facing upwards, then remove the drawers. This creates ready-made cubbies for your larger tools. You can also lean them against the wall for a convenient way to keep them grouped together.^[8]
- Old bookshelves are a great way to add shelving without having to build anything. You can even place one outside of your garage or shed to free up space inside.
- An old china cabinet or computer desk will provide you with a combination of shelving, cabinets, and a work surface.

EditCreating Tool Baskets

Repurpose a wheeled cart into a portable garden center. If you'll be doing a lot of planting, a cart can help you keep all of your supplies together. This is a great option if you'll be moving heavy objects like garden soil or large ceramic pots. ^[9]
- Add baskets or buckets to the sides of your cart to hold all of the supplies you'll need in the garden.
- Make sure your cart has wire or slatted shelves so it can drain.
Attach a board with hat pegs or coat hooks to the side of your cart. Use the pegs or hooks to neatly hang your tools from the cart so you can reach the easily as you kneel in the garden. This will also help you free up space on the top of the cart for your seedlings, pots, fertilizer, or other supplies.^[10]
Use a shower caddy to keep your a few small tools handy. Keep your hand tools organized when you're working on small jobs by repurposing a portable shower caddy. The handle on the caddy will make it easy for you to carry as you move from plant to plant.^[11]
- If you don't have a shower caddy, you can also use an old milk carrier or any other container with a handle.
Mount a towel rack with S-hooks on the fence near your garden. If there's one area of your garden you work in a lot, consider hanging a small towel rack close by so you always have your tools handy. Use S-hooks to hang small garden tools from the rack.^[12]
Create a holder for your tools out of a bucket and old jeans. Cut the pockets off of a pair of old jeans, then use super glue to attach the denim to a garden bucket. You can store your hand tools, seeds, and other small objects in the pockets, while the inside of the bucket can hold spray bottles or seedlings.^[13]