It’s Earth Day, which means that we should be thinking of ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle. Today, I thought I’d focus on that middle one.
(Why? Well, Tavish is currently on a diet, so he’s got that whole reduce thing covered. With regard to recycling, I had to talk myself out of just posting this video again.)
The EPA has noted that the best way to reduce waste is to not create it in the first place. One way to create less waste is to reuse what we already have. When I was thinking about things I could reuse, it hit me. I have a dog. (Two, in fact.) Obviously, my dogs provide me with love, companionship, entertainment, and blog fodder. But… can they do more? I bet they can – and I bet your dogs can too.
Without further ado, here are five alternate uses for your dog:
- Foot warmer – Are your toes cold? Don’t invest in a space heater. Just ask your canine companion to curl up on your feet.
- Footrest – Why should you spend a pretty penny on a designer ottoman? The perfect footrest may already be under your nose… er, feet. (Obviously, please take the size and temperament of your dog into account. Not all dogs will be willing to put up with your nonsense.)
- Bookmark – If you saw it, then you should have put a paw on it.
- Shredder – If you simply must shred some documents (before you recycle the paper, of course), don’t invest in a pricey machine. Save your money and conserve electricity by giving your paper to the dog, nature’s shredder.
- Doorstop – Pesky door won’t stay open? Perhaps your dog can help. They’re probably going to curl up and take a nap anyway – why not hold that door open while they snooze away? If your dogs, like mine, would never agree to sit still for that long, try using a dog toy instead:
- Exercise equipment – Don’t buy a treadmill or an elliptical machine. Just clip a leash onto your furry beast and get moving.
- Alarm clock – Don’t buy a new clock. Your dogs can wake you up each morning. Unfortunately, the canine alarm clock does not allow you to choose what time you’d like to wake up. It’s also missing a snooze button.
There you have it – seven easy ways you can reuse your dog. Have some ideas to add to the list? Thought of some new ways to go green? Share them in the comments!
No need to compost when the dog cleans up the leftovers.
So true… and if you drop something, they’ll clean the floor too!
I hadn’t realized how ecological my dogs are.
jan recently posted..Former California shelter puppy assists in Texas explosion aftermath
I’m am put to shame by your Earth Day ideas. They’re going to run me out of crunchy Ithaca for not linking my alternative uses for a dog to saving the planet: http://www.somethingwagging.com/14-alternative-uses-for-a-dog/.
How timely and earth-friendly you are. 🙂
Awesome. I’m totally linking that post of yours in the main body of the post. Between the two of us, we’ve got quite the list going!
These are great! My dog also doubles as a pillow pet!
Good call!
You can save their combed out fur and use it to stuff toys and pillows!
Good idea. 🙂
I was going to say something similar to Ryker….dog hair sweaters! Just don’t get caught out in the rain while you are wearing one….. 🙂
Taryn recently posted..The First Dip of the Season
That is so funny & so TRUE!!! BOL!!
That would result in an interesting smell…
These are really good Earth Day tips. I will share them with my Mommys. I am all about helping them make their lives better.
Love Noodles
Noodles recently posted..A Very Merry UN-Birthday To YOU – Zoey
Great list! And having a dog saves water since you don’t have to rinse the dishes before they go in the dishwasher!
Jackie Bouchard recently posted..Monday Mischief: Photo Mischief
Or clean the floor when you drop food on it… 😉
Never used them as a door stop before, but i will have to try now.
Elizabeth recently posted..Dog Communicator Detects A ‘Huge Wedge’
After road testing a few of these tonight, I have decided the Casa de Kolchak dogs are not environmentally friendly. They won’t sit on meet feet or under them. Every time I use a toy to prop open a toy, Felix jealously snatches it up and takes it to his lair (aka under the kitchen table) and instead of being a bookmark, the turned into a pepper shredder. (Not really what I was hoping for.) I’ll have to find other ways to reuse them.
Jodi, Kolchak and Felix recently posted..Banana Carob Marble Dog Treat Recipe
Tavish has taken to stealing my bee doorstop too. He’s totally not getting with the program.
I save electricity by using my dog as a vacuum cleaner lol
Who knew there were so many ways to reuse dogs! Luna makes an excellent shredder. This post is so wonderful! It made us BOL! We are definitely sharing.
Beagles and Bargains recently posted..Product Review: Walk Your Dog With Love Harness PLUS Sale
Nice! This is very clever 🙂 I’ve been looking for that snooze button forever 😉 They wash and dry the floor and who can resist the free nose-print art they provide for our windows and patio doors?
Life In The Dog Lane recently posted..Five Years Ago Today…
I even have mobile nose print art in my car!
You’re brilliant. I’m going to put my dogs to work. Their current use is only cleaning up duck and chicken poo, but the resulting emissions make my eyes burn.
Flea recently posted..All Jones Chews in One Convenient Place
LOL I love your creative ideas! So Tavish is dieting? What are you doing to help him lose weight? I fear that the vet is going to tell me Ellie is overweight at our appointment this evening…
Stacy & Ellie
Stacy and Ellie recently posted..Wordless Wednesday: Happy Gotcha Day – 4 Year Anniversary
Well, he’s getting less food (which he is not a fan of) and we’re trying to get more exercise in. I hope Ellie does not have to diet too!
Hilarious!