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🌳 Can your dog's food help the planet?

🌳 Can your dog's food help the planet?

Thursday 10/9: Sponsored by My Paw Co - Eco-friendly pet parent, sunset of the day, and preserving pumpkins

October 09, 2025

Thursday

“Every flower is a soul blossoming in nature.”

Gérard de Nerval

In today’s issue, we’ll take a look at:

Easy ways to be a greener pet parent
Win dog food that’s good for the Earth
Sunset of the day in Kuwohi
Tricks to keep pumpkins from rotting

True or False?

A sunflower isn’t a single flower, it’s hundreds.

Scroll to the bottom for the answer.

Easy Ways To Be a Greener Pet Parent

Being an eco-friendly pet parent doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start with small swaps that protect your pet and the planet. For cleaning, vinegar and baking soda can handle bowls, floors, and odors. No chemicals needed.

Feeding choices matter too. Look for pet foods with sustainable proteins that have a lower carbon footprint. Bonus points for locally sourced ingredients and recyclable packaging. Ceramic or stainless steel bowls are safer and longer-lasting than plastic.

Grooming and playtime can go green, too. Choose biodegradable shampoos and toys made from natural fibers like hemp or jute. Skip plastic-wrapped single-use items when possible, and reuse what you have, like old towels for bedding or toys. With a few simple changes, you’ll make life better for your pet and a little easier on the planet, too.

Dog Food That’s Good For the Earth

Most dog food is ultra-processed, made with fillers and animal byproducts that harm pets and the planet. PawCo Foods believes in Smart Nutrition: fresh, purposeful meals, toppers, and treats crafted by board-certified animal nutritionists with clean, functional ingredients to help pups thrive while protecting animals and the Earth.

Adding a PawCo meal even just a few times a week is proven to make a big difference for your dog’s health and the planet.

Why PawCo Meals?

100% plant-based & allergy-friendly
Formulated by board-certified nutritionists & vet-approved
Clean ingredients — no fillers or artificial additives
DHA, probiotics & postbiotics for whole-body wellness
Eco-friendly packaging
Flexible, customizable plans

Putting PawCo in your pup’s bowl is as easy as entering their info & subscribing on our website, but this exclusive offer won’t last long: Get 60% OFF your first PawCo box + FREE treats with code CANOPY (offer ends Oct 13).

Plus: Subscribe for a chance to win the Fresh Bites Giveaway — a FREE Variety Box with all PawCo recipes and treats.

Better nutrition for your pup. Kinder choices for animals. A healthier planet for all.

Thank you to PawCo for sponsoring The Canopy.

Sunset of the Day in Kuwohi

The Canopy reader Kelly shared this stunning view from Kuwohi, formerly known as Clingmans Dome, in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It may be an hour past sunrise, but the layered mountains, soft light, and clear morning sky bring the same kind of quiet pause we love in a sunset.

Thanks to Kelly for sending this in. If you’ve captured a moment that made you stop and breathe a little deeper, we’d love to see it too!

Image courtesy of The Canopy reader, Kelly.

Tricks To Keep Pumpkins From Rotting

Nothing ruins a Halloween vibe faster than a droopy, moldy jack-o’-lantern. Luckily, there are a few easy tricks to help your carved pumpkin stay fresh longer, just in time for spooky season.

The key is tackling mold and moisture loss. After carving, wipe your pumpkin with a bleach-and-water mix (3 tablespoons bleach to 3 gallons water) or try diluted tea tree oil. Just be sure to keep pets and wildlife away! Once dry, apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly or vegetable oil to seal in moisture.

You can also use store-bought pumpkin sprays. And for the most eco-friendly move? Carve your pumpkin close to Halloween and compost it when the festivities end. Bonus tip: If you plan to roast the seeds or cook the flesh, skip the bleach and carve just before you're ready to enjoy.

Quick Picks:

From everyday impact to thoughtful giving, check out this week’s top eco-friendly finds:

Final Thoughts:

Get 60% OFF your first PawCo box + FREE treats with code CANOPY (offer ends Oct 13).