They are saving our sanity…and making us crazy ;)

Brought to you by Bravecto

For the last few months, we have had to deal with so many changes as a family. While it hasn’t

been an easy road, the kids get through each day like little troopers.

Minty has been unwell with a serious skin infection since January of this year, and this, along with other

adjustments to our family, life haven’t been easy, but I know the kids have found comfort in their

two beasties (otherwise known as Thor & Coco).

Minty hasn’t been able to go to kindy since January, and hasn’t been allowed to see her kindy

friends or even her cousin who she loves playing with. The first couple of weeks she wasn’t

allowed to cuddle her dogs, and even if she had a little pat she had to sterilise her hands every

single time.

I never realised until those first couple of weeks just how much she loved to cuddle and be close

with her dogs every day. Thor, who would usually sleep right next to her, wasn’t allowed to so

instead he would sleep on the floor next to her every night where she would chat to him. It was

one of the biggest struggles for her during that stage of the condition, not being able to be close

and just give them both a nice pat and hug like she usually would.

She stayed so happy the whole time, but the best day for her was when the specialist said she

could play with her dogs again. She squealed and laughed as she was patting and playing with

them, as if life was brought back into her cute little soul again.

It was during this time that it made me realise just how important my gorgeous giant beastie

dogs are. Even though they can be huge furry handfuls, they have been one of the main

reasons Minty has been able to get through this hard time.

Our kids and their dogs thrive in each other’s lives. They are all so important and essential to

each other’s development and it’s so beautiful to see them all grow together. Did you know that

almost 40% of homes have a dog as a pet and children who grow up in a house with a pet are

proven to be more respectful, loving and confident?

In a survey of Australian dog owners, commissioned by long-lasting paralysis tick and flea

treatment Bravecto, results confirmed that kids and dogs really are a match made in heaven.

Not only that, but it found owning a dog has long-lasting effects on the entire household too.

Even if they drive me crazy and chew ALL the things, I’ll admit they’re good for me too…

It feels whole to have a dog in your family. And for us, living in rentals here and owners dictating

whether we could have animals was a serious struggle for us. The minute we found a home that

allowed for pets we were on a mission to adopt Coco.

It just feels so strange to NOT have a dog.

My favourite bit from reading about the Bravecto Dogs & Children survey was comments from

Laura V (much-loved animal behaviorist) where she says, “The purest love of all is the love

between a dog and child. Dogs teach children such invaluable lessons in life and ultimately

assist in raising them to be good, empathetic people.” That is so true for the bond between our

beasties, Minty and Iggy.

Coco and Thor have been more of a comfort to us all than we could ever imagined. They make

me yell louder than the kids do sometimes when they eat my incense burner like Thor did the

other day, or my pom pom maker like Coco ate a few days ago. Seriously, a pom pom maker

and an incense burner – no wonder I’m already grey! It’s all worth it though and they fill our lives

with love and no matter what kind of day you have, they are by far the happiest to see us all at

the end of the day.

My children are learning to be compassionate towards animals. They are also learning

responsibility. They are learning that friendship is not just for humans. They are also learning

that they have to look after their toys and put them away or Thor will eat them. This has

definitely been a valuable lesson for them!

Our dogs are clearly such an important part of our family, so products like Bravecto that keep

them healthy are a must. In just one dose every three months (a tasty oral chew that Thor &

Coco actually love) they’re protected from fleas and paralysis ticks.

For your chance to win a years supply of Bravecto   ( 5 lucky winners), head to our Instagram to share a photo of

you or your child with your much-loved dog and tells us a bit about their bond and what makes it

so special.

To find out more about Bravecto, visit www.bravecto.com.au or join their awesome online

community of passionate dog owners on Facebook and Instagram.

For full terms and conditions click here.