I love when my readers reach out with an interest to write for No Ordinary Liz. I enjoy seeing how creative they get with their posts. This month, I have the pleasure of hosting Aimee Lyons, and her blog, DIYDarlin.  See what she suggests when you decide to bring home a little furry friend!

Photo courtesy of StockSnap.io

Congratulations on deciding to adopt a pet. Pet ownership involves a lot of responsibility, but it’s also very rewarding. Of course, it’s normal to have lots of questions about what to expect. Here are some of the most common scenarios you’ll encounter during pet adoption and tips for each stage.

Pet Adoption Process

Once you’ve decided to adopt, you’ll need to fill out adoption paperwork and may be required to complete an adoption interview. To ensure it’s a good fit, meet your new pet in person before adopting. Some facilities also require a background check before releasing a pet to an owner.

Pet-Proofing Your Home

Once you’ve found the perfect companion, your journey begins. Prior to bringing your new companion home, you’ll need to prepare your household for a pet. This includes pet-proofing your home to make it a calm, safe, happy environment for your four-legged friend.

There are many DIY home preparations you can do in advance. For instance, you might move medicines and cleaning supplies out of reach or secure any wires so your dog can’t chew on them. This Humane Society article offers excellent tips.

Naming Your Pet

One of the first things you’ll want to do after bringing home a new pet is determine his or her name. If you’re naming or renaming your new pet, you might be looking for some unique name ideas. Luckily, Rover.com has created the ultimate list of the most unique pet names. Here are the Top 10 Unique Pet Names that made Rover’s list this year:

1. Beau Dacious – Whether you love a good pun (“bodacious”—see what they did there?) or are simply a fan of “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure,” there are many reasons why this name is a, like, totally excellent choice, dude.
2. Won Ton – Although it might seem odd to name a pet after your favorite cuisine, one might argue that this name could be strangely appropriate if your pet is a Chinese breed. This name also makes sense if you choose to name your beloved pet after Wonton Soup.
3. Reeses Puppycups – This self-explanatory pun is appropriate for anyone who loves the chocolate/peanut butter combo.
4. Sitka – In addition to being a remote region (and a national historic park) in Alaska, the word “sitka” comes from the West Coast’s indigenous Tlingit tribe. It could be perfect for the right type of pet, such as a sled dog.
5. Lupin – This is one of many “Harry Potter”-themed names to make this list. Any J.K. Rowling fan fondly remembers Professor Remus Lupin as the werewolf from the series. The word “lupin” comes from the Latin word for “wolf.”
6. Willie Nelson – Whether you come from the Heartland of America or are Nelson’s biggest fan, naming your pet after him is one way to honor your favorite country musician.
7. Gryffindor – Another nod to “Harry Potter” on Rover’s list, this name pays tribute to Harry’s own Hogwarts house, known for bravery and courage. This pet shelter has even created a free online quiz to help you determine whether your dog is a Gryffindor or not.
8. Artoo Dogtoo – A play on R2D2 because what list is complete without at least one “Star Wars” reference?
9. Tater Tot – This name fits short, stocky pets. Think: Corgis or dachshunds.
10. Tyrion – Last but certainly not least, Tyrion is a name that will undoubtedly delight any “Game of Thrones” fan. A fan favorite in the books and show, what Tyrion lacks in appearance and height, he makes up for with intelligence and charm.

It’s a lot of responsibility, but if you decide pet adoption is for you, it can be one of the most rewarding choices you’ll ever make. The world is full of many animals in need of good homes. By making the choice to adopt, you’re saving

Aimee fancies herself a DIY goddess. She loves crafting, refurbishing furniture, remodeling rooms, and landscaping. She runs DIYDarlin, which provides DIY project resources and tutorials.

If you’re interested in being a guest blogger on No Ordinary Liz, feel free to contact me with your creative ideas!!