Responsible pet owner considers their dogs as family members. The U.S. has become a highly pet-centric nation nowadays with about 4 in 10 houses with pets. When building a house, why not choose a floor plan layout that works for you as well as your dogs? In fact, any home built in such a way is more valuable in the market as the majority of the renters or home buyers look for houses where their pets can lead a comfortable life and if that is not the case then it is a deal breaker. By designing a pet-friendly home, you will not just be making the stay of your pets comfortable but also add more value to the property.

Recently I bought a new house which I had to renovate based on my requirements, keeping in mind the golden retriever puppies in Montana that I had welcomed into my family recently. The house was planned in such a way that all life stages of the dogs were considered 

Based on my experience, here are a few layout planning tips we have shared below that will make your pooch really happy.

1. Room to Roam:

The floor plan should be designed such that the flow of the home is natural and open. Too many twists and turns are not preferable, especially with a pet inside the home. An open floor space is ideal when you live with furry friends as it gives them more space to move around the house.

2. Design a Mudroom:

As soon as the dog enters the home, you do not want them roaming the house with their muddy paws. Hence, a mudroom in the foyer area is a must where you can clean the dog completely before giving it access to your house to ensure it does not get dirty with its muddy claws.

3. Add Dog Gates Where Required:

You would like to keep off-limits for the dog in a few areas of the home. Installing a dog gate in those entrances makes it easy. You can plan and design it so that it integrates with the home design and does not look out of place. Installing a barrier at the bottom of the staircase or the kitchen entry can be done to ensure your dog does not enter these areas without your permission. Also, you can plan on adding a dog gate at the house's entryway so that when you open the door, the dog does not escape outside.

4. Plan a Cabinet at the Entryway to Store Pet Essentials:

When you take the dog outside, you will need access to the leash, harness, pooper scooper, etc. A cabinet dedicated to those can make accessing these essentials easier and also, once used, you can easily store it away out of sight, keeping the entryway look mess-free.

5. Design a Pet Area:

Not every guest that comes into the house will be comfortable around your dogs. You need to plan a pet area where the dogs can go when you need uninterrupted time. This can be an entire room or an area that is blocked by the dog gates where the dogs can be restricted until you let them go. Keep space to place the water bowl and a toy basket in the restricted space. 

6. Chose Material Wisely:

Choosing the right flooring is a major decision in itself, but when you have pets, it becomes more important to make the right choice. Using wooden flooring means recipes of scratches and also your dogs will slip frequently, which may cause joint injuries. If your dog is allowed access to most of the home, try to carpet most areas as it is the best floor for their joint health. Yet again, maintaining carpet can be tough and you will have to vacuum it frequently. This can be a choice in the bedrooms and in the living area. Go for a low-pile carpet that is easier to clean. You will want to invest in a vacuum cleaner if you choose to carpet. 

Tiles are a great option, as maintaining them is easy, and it does not get easily scratched as well. Mopping the tiles, especially when there is a young puppy at home, is so much easier than cleaning spills on carpets. You can choose tiles for the kitchen and high-traffic areas in the home. You should place your dog's food and water bowl in an area where there is tiling as this area is going to get messy for sure. It is very easy to clean when the floor is tiled.

7. Don't Overlook the Outside:

With pets at home, planning a well-designed outdoor area for their play is a must which helps them calm down when they are tired later in the day. Fencing cannot be avoided as your pet is going to be outdoors and the most well-behaved dog may also not be able to resist all distractions. Also, it is safer for the dog too, as no one can lure the dog out of the house. The fence should not just be high but also deep enough so the dogs can't dig below the fence. Keep the grass shortened at all times so that it is easy to clean to avoid any injuries. An enclosed space for the dog outside is a must that should have water available all the time.

You can plan on adding a dog passage in the door for the backyard if you let your dog independently go outside and pee when needed. Make a shed to store away gardening tools that can be dangerous for the dogs.

The Bottom Line:

A home is designed and planned for the entire family members that should include your furry friend, too. This not only makes their lives comfortable, but you also will not struggle as much. When a home is planned as per the people living inside, it only makes the lives of each family member better. 

I love love. The 1889 Barn is love. I followed my heart and restored her. I led with my heart too, bravely dealing with the challenges of my budget exploding. My heart protected her. The energy inside her and around her has always been a magic that isn’t something you can put words to, but something you feel. Before the restoration she had the high vibration we all want to connect our hearts to. Now, being able to enjoy time at the 1889 Barn connecting with art, well, the space lifts you. The 1889 Barn is now yours to enjoy. She’ll stand for at least another 133 years. She has generations more of love to share.

Because I was also led by doing the right thing and thought, “If you have an 1889 Barn on your property…. then you must restore it. It is the only right thing, right?” 

Enter: The girl who saved the barn! Hi, I’m Patty Boyd and I saved a piece of history because I want to share it with others. Please come for a tour of this special space – a small events venue just South of Bozeman that sits on 21 acres in beautiful Gallatin Gateway. We will host an Open House on Saturday, Feb. 18 from 12-3 pm. 

Whether you’re looking to host a family reunion, a birthday party, an anniversary, a work lunch, a rehearsal dinner, a small wedding, a bridal shower, or any other celebration, the 1889 Barn will provide an unforgettable experience. Special events begin this month with tickets available to purchase at 1889barn.com.

We kick off our first of five Monthly Couples Dinners on Feb. 10. These dinners will be a unique and unforgettable experience. Each evening will begin upstairs in the 1889 Barn loft, moving to the main level, via a spiral staircase, for a seated dinner and then finishing with dessert fireside under the stars in the garden listening to the creek. It is perfectly fitting that From the Heart Foods is our first caterer for Monthly Couples Dinners. Check back to our website to learn who will be catering for the upcoming months. This food fills you and comforts you. It is made with love.

Also launching are Art Showings at the 1889 Barn on the first Wednesday of every month at 6 pm, all are welcome to view the artwork in our gallery. 

In celebration of our launch, you can enter to win a couples dinner AND an overnight stay at the vacation rental on our property. The contest begins on Valentine’s Day!

If you hurry you can book the Yellow Farmhouse with your couples' night dinner now. Only one couple gets to do this…..full breakfast included. An unplug, breathe, and smile overnight escape.

Wasn’t Kevin Costner directed from above in the “Field of Dreams”: “If you build it they will come.” I’m counting on you to come and explore this historic property restored with love.

On Thursday, February 2, 2023, at 6:54 pm, the Gallatin County Dispatch Center received a Garmin Device Activation requesting assistance for two lost snowmobilers that had become separated while recreating together.  The Garmin device put them in the area of Slide Creek off Taylor Fork Rd, south of Big Sky. Volunteers from the Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue Big Sky Section responded to assist the snowmobilers.

Volunteers deployed two teams and quickly located the first individual on the trail. One team remained with the first snowmobiler and warmed them in an enclosed Snowbulancewhile the other team went on to locate the second individual.  The second individual was found shortly after and both were returned safely to the trailhead.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind recreationalists that having communication and knowledge of your location is crucial information in the event of an emergency.  These two individuals prevented a prolonged scenario by being capable of providing their location and status to GCSSAR responders.

Photo courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

Playing a musical instrument has many benefits beyond the mere pleasure of making music. Even those who never plan on becoming professional musicians can still benefit from learning how to play an instrument. No matter what type of instrument you decide to pick up – whether it's a guitar or a piano – rest assured that it will bring numerous benefits into your life that go beyond just the joys of making music. Notably, with the help of contemporary technologies such as chords finder, learning instruments like the piano and guitar has become much more manageable. The technology helps learners find the chords to any song they wish to learn to play. It helps save time and energy in identifying the right chords to a song. So, what are some of the benefits of learning to play a musical instrument?

Enhanced cognitive abilities

Learning to play an instrument can have a positive impact on your cognitive abilities. Studies have shown that playing music can improve memory, concentration and problem-solving skills. It also helps multitask and increases the ability to focus on complex tasks. Additionally, playing an instrument has been linked to improved language skills, such as reading comprehension and verbal fluency. Playing music also encourages creativity and self-expression, which can help boost confidence levels. Furthermore, it has been found that playing music can reduce stress levels and increase overall happiness. All these benefits make learning to play an instrument a great way to enhance your cognitive abilities while simultaneously having fun.

The social and emotional benefits

Playing an instrument can profoundly affect a person's social and emotional well-being. It can help them develop better communication skills and increase their self-confidence and self-esteem. Playing an instrument also helps people express themselves in ways that words cannot, allowing them to explore different emotions and feelings. Furthermore, playing a musical instrument can be a great way to connect with others, whether it's through joining a band or orchestra or simply jamming with friends. This connection can lead to increased social interaction and improved relationships. Finally, playing music is often seen as a therapy for many people struggling with mental health issues such as depression or anxiety. By engaging in this creative activity, people can focus on something positive while healthily expressing themselves.

Economic/career-related advantages

Learning a musical instrument can provide numerous economic and career-related advantages. For starters, it can help you develop highly sought-after skills in the job market, such as creativity, problem-solving, discipline and teamwork. These skills can be applied to any field of work and make you more attractive to potential employers. Additionally, learning a musical instrument can open up opportunities for freelance work or teaching music lessons. It could be a great way to supplement your income or even become your primary source of revenue if you can build up enough clientele. Furthermore, knowledge of music theory and reading sheet music is an invaluable asset when working in the entertainment industry or with audio engineering software programs like Pro Tools. Finally, playing an instrument can also give you access to networking opportunities that otherwise may not have been available.

In conclusion, learning to play a musical instrument can have numerous physical and mental health benefits, as well as providing an enjoyable hobby and a potential career.

Damaged railway bridge removed

LIVINGSTON – A closure on an 8-mile section of the upper Yellowstone River has been lifted now that a damaged railway bridge near U.S. Highway 89 has been removed. The Highway 89 Bridge Fishing Access Site, which was part of the closure, has also reopened to public access.  The river closure extended from Mayor’s Landing Fishing Access Site to Sheep Mountain Fishing Access Site. It was in place since July after significant flooding damaged the railway bridge, causing a safety hazard.  

For a current list of waterbody restrictions and closures, visit fwp.mt.gov.  

At first glance, it is difficult to say what can be similar between an artist and a businessman. Well, it is worth starting with the fact that both are creators. This is quite a similarity. Indeed, the type of project management now can be compared to the art of classicism, where the artist depicted in the picture what he saw.

In the same way, business leaders take as a basis already known schemes and follow a well-trodden path. The artists decided not to stop there and keep up with the times. Despite even the fact that the imperialists succumbed to public condemnation at the presentation in the previously calm Salon, offering fleeting moments of light, color, and shadow, this did not stop them.

Modernism is a philosophical and artistic movement that, along with cultural currents and changes, arose due to large-scale and far-reaching transformations in Western society in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

It was a completely new trend with creative ideas, a non-standard performance technique that went beyond the existing framework. Business leaders have a lot to learn from such artists. This will allow the transformation of the business and the fortunes of the founder into something truly unique and successful.

Let's consider several options for where to start.

Look at the world

You never know what exactly can inspire you and lead to the emergence of a brilliant idea. A practical example is the artist Marcel Duchamp, known to us as a Dadaist. After four years in New York, he returned to Paris and strolled through the city. And suddenly, he comes across an ordinary postcard with a reproduction of Leonardo da Vinci's “Mona Lisa.”

Later, over a cup of coffee, he took a postcard out of his pocket and painted Gioconda's mustache and goatee. Then he set the date and wrote a small abbreviation, the meaning of which can be reduced to the fact that the author tells us to treat everything more simply and not glorify artists. This seemingly absurd work was sold at auction for more than 600,000 euros.

As a business leader, you should also spend more time not only on mechanical work. Delegation is the basis of success. For the operational part, you can use business analysis services. Walking, watching people and everything that is done around, visiting exhibitions and reading books about art, and more.

Thus, in the most unexpected places, you can find extraordinary solutions to business problems and add curiosities to the existing model.

Look at things from a different angle

Try to distance yourself from a flat vision and look at a business like the artists of modernism. Almost all artists of this movement had a professional education, where, of course, they were taught the basics of composition, the correct distribution of light, and much more. And only this enabled them to experiment with specific knowledge.

As Jacques Fresco said: "Creativity means taking already known elements and uniquely combining them." There is no need to forget everything you know about business management; just use this knowledge in a new way.

A good idea will involve creative people whose task will be to develop ideas. You and the team can organize brainstorming sessions, as a result of which you will get unexpected ideas through diligent efforts and discussion.

Conclusion

Developing artistic thinking for business leaders is not only necessary but extremely important. If you want to stay ahead of your competitors, the usual schemes of doing business will not be able to give you that. Don't be afraid to start something new and maybe even crazy. Not all artists become recognized immediately, but there comes a time when their works become priceless.

Author’s bio: Anastasiia Lastovetska is a technology writer at MLSDev, a software development company that builds web & mobile app solutions from scratch. She researches the area of technology to create great content about app development, UX/UI design, tech & business consulting.

On Saturday, January 28, 2023, Yellowstone National Park requested assistance for a snowmobile crash 1 mile west of West Yellowstone on the West Entrance Road. The snowmobiler was reported to have fractured their femur in the accident.

Volunteers from Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue in West Yellowstone, Custer Gallatin National Forest Service and Hebgen Basin Rural Fire District responded to assist with the rescue.

Volunteers quickly made contact with the patient, then packaged and transported them to the West Entrance where medical care was turned over to the waiting Hebgen Basin Ambulance for further evaluation.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind snowmobilers to ride within their abilities and be aware of changing trail conditions.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.