Although Tyson cannot see the pumpkin that our amazing volunteers ever so lovingly carved in his likeness, we know this sweet blind boy feels their tremendous love.
Here at Pasado’s Safe Haven, we celebrate every holiday with the animals who call our sanctuary home. From pumpkin carving to pumpkin eating and from creative costumes to special Halloween treats, Halloween is a fun and festive occasion at the sanctuary.
Keep Your Animal Companions Safe This Halloween
Outside of the sanctuary, Halloween is a frightfully fun time for humans, but that’s not always the case for our nonhuman companions. This Halloween, ensure that your pets enjoy this holiday as much as you do. Keep all pets safe and sound within your home when Trick-or-Treaters are out and about. It is especially important to keep black cats safe within your home, as they are traditionally associated with the holiday and may be susceptible to cruel treatment. Having frequent visitors knocking or ringing your doorbell in costumes can be unsettling for any pet, so keeping them in a quiet area away from the door can alleviate much of their holiday stress. Halloween also typically means abundant supplies of chocolate and other candy within the home, but these aren’t safe for nonhuman consumption. Candy and gum containing the sweetener xylitol are especially dangerous for pets. After consuming xylitol, your pet will experience rapid hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Liver failure after consuming xylitol has also been reported in dogs. If you have any candy in your home, ensure that it is safely kept within a cupboard or drawer that your pet cannot open. And if you have any candles lit within or outside of pumpkins, ensure that they are kept well beyond the reach of any of your pets.
Thank you Amy & Ted for the wonderful "Tyson Pumpkin"!
Blind Tyson Gets a Special Treat
While Halloween isn’t traditionally considered to be a holiday celebrated with pets, many pet owners celebrate by making costumes for their pets, carving pumpkins in their likeness, and giving them safe and healthy treats.
Some of our volunteers recently made a pumpkin for Tyson, one of the dogs available for adoption at Pasado’s sanctuary. The volunteers carved the pumpkin in his likeness – and they did an excellent job! Although he can’t see it, we know that he “sees with his heart” and does enjoy all the love he receives from his visitors and Pasado’s staff.
Pumpkin – Animals love it and it’s good for them, too!
Pumpkin is a tasty and nutritious treat for many animals. Tyson has his name written all over this one!
And pumpkins aren’t just great for making jack-o-lanterns – they’re also healthy and delicious. Pumpkin is loaded with vitamins C, K, and E, beta-carotene, fiber, and phylonturients such as lutein and ziazanthin. The seeds from a pumpkin also contain manganese, magnesium, zinc, potassium, copper, and iron, and they are high in essential fatty acids while containing no trans fats. What many pet owners don’t realize is that pumpkins aren’t only for human consumption: They’re excellent dietary additions for your pet’s diet, as well.
Pumpkins are high in fiber and are beneficial for treating and maintaining your pet’s digestive health. A small portion of pumpkin puree in your pet’s daily diet can keep them regular, healthy, and happy.
Visitors to Pasado’s have brought us pumpkins in the past and all of our residents relish this nutrient-rich food. Many dogs love the flavor of pumpkin, and some cats appreciate this taste, as well. Cats are obligate carnivores, but they seem to enjoy eating plant material such as pumpkin. The vegetable material is primarily not digested and the vegetable fiber passing through their digestive tract can quickly help them become regular and provides some relief with hairball-related issues. Ensure that you use pumpkin puree and not pumpkin pie filling.
We believe that the fact that Tyson is blind makes him extra special. He sees with his heart.
Tyson Needs a Home!
While we hope to keep our Tyson pumpkin here at the sanctuary for many weeks to come, we hope that the real Tyson will soon find his forever family. Tyson was rescued from a local shelter after being severely neglected – but now he’s happy, healthy, and very much ready to find love in his forever home. Tyson needs a home with no other pets and plenty of TLC. Can you open your heart and home to this big love? If you are interested in adding to your family this season, please click here to find out how to adopt this beautiful boy.
If you would like to help us continue to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome those who need our help the most, please consider making a donation today. Thanks to the support of readers like you, Pasado’s Safe Haven can continue to be a force and a voice for the animals.
Happy Halloween and thank you from all of the animals here at Pasado’s sanctuary!