Culture
Your Dog Deserves a Keyless Entry System Too
Remember when a doggy door was just a flap of plastic your pup could blast through like a furry cannonball? Not anymore! Your dog’s door can have an app, a light show, and a startup pitch deck.
Welcome to smart dog doors, the latest invention in the “my pet lives better than I do” category (isn’t that the truth). These are not your average swinging flaps. These doors come with bluetooth connectivity, customizable RGB lighting (yes, really), weatherproof seals, and access scheduling - all controllable from your phone. Think: "Siri, let the dog out, but only after 7PM, and make the lights purple."
Some models, like this much-hyped brand, attach to your sliding glass door and auto-unlock only for your dog thanks to a collar-linked tag. No more surprise visits from neighborhood raccoons or your neighbor’s oddly bold cat. You can even set it to lock at night, so Fido isn’t having a backyard rave at 2AM.
And the RGB lighting? Bonus. You can choose calming blue for bedtime exits or dramatic red if your corgi insists on making a Game of Thrones-style entrance. It's function and flair.
Why is this a big deal? Because more people are working hybrid jobs, going on weekend trips, or just trying to avoid that 17th “let me out, now let me in” bark loop. Smart dog doors give dogs independence while giving humans control and a little peace. And we just like the coolest latest things for our dogs. Win-win.
Don’t call this a door. It’s a freedom portal with LED mood lighting.
Show it, preach it, and ‘fess it
Culture
Nature, But Make It Turnkey, Darling
My idea of camping involves wet socks, showering with daddy long leggers all around me, and crying in a sleeping bag that smells faintly of bug spray and fear. Also wondering can I hold it until morning or do I grab a flashlight and shoes and go out toward some form of a restroom-ish. My summer camp years were defined by primitive tents, mystery food over campfires, and one very personal skunk encounter I’m still emotionally processing.
That’s why I’m thinking more now like nature meets Nespresso. Today’s “camping” sites aren’t just for influencers and Pinterest boards. They’re real, bookable, and mind-blowingly comfortable (ok, got my attention). You’re not pitching a tent anymore unless you are literally pitching it to the trash. You’re walking into a furnished canvas suite with hardwood floors and a do-not-disturb sign.
Here’s some of the amenities you’ll find out there right now and you’ll probably have to remind yourself that you are in the woods:
Memory foam beds (king-size, in some cases) with designer linens
En-suite bathrooms with rain showers, flush toilets, heated floors, and eco-friendly spa toiletries
Bluetooth speakers, solar charging stations, WiFi, and actual bedside lighting
Private decks with Adirondack chairs, gas fire pits, and sometimes hot tubs
Floating tents on lakes or overwater platforms
Stargazing domes with retractable ceilings and telescope setups
On-site chefs who prep forest-to-table meals and deliver charcuterie to your tent
Wellness add-ons like in-tent massage therapy, sound baths, and yoga with a view
Pet-friendly yurts with dog beds, treats, and walking trails
And yes - espresso machines. In tents. Powered by the sun.
Even the entry-level sites have blackout tents with insulation, luxe communal lounges, and curated activity menus - think goat cuddling, kayaking, and guided hikes with gourmet trail snacks.
Are we really still calling it a “tent”?!?! So no, it’s not “roughing it.” It’s smoothing it. And while a small part of me still flinches when I hear a twig snap (skunk flashbacks), the rest of me is reclining on a pillow-top mattress in a forest suite, sipping wine under twinkle lights. Nearly ever amenity tops my day-to-day home.
10-year-old me would never believe it. Now I may never camp another way again - I’ve never been more excited to go camping.
Is Last Year’s Sun Damage Showing Up As This Year’s Dark Spots?
You can’t go back in time and prevent sun damage from last year, but you can do something about it this year.
Chuckle
The fib is C. Dogs have up to three types of hair: guard hairs (the outer layer), undercoat (for insulation), and whiskers (yep, those count as specialized hairs).
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