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BY METRO Pet owners soon learn that having a pet means they need to make room for all of the supplies necessary to keep companion ani- mals healthy and com- fortable. From food to toys to bedding, many pets require a hefty list of items. Developing a storage strategy means keeping items within reach but potentially out of sight. These suggestions can help individuals man- age pet-related clutter. Food storage Many dry pet foods are sold in bulk, which can be convenient for pet parents. Buying in quantity not only reduces the number of shopping trips, it also can help keep per-unit costs down. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration notes that proper stor- age of pet food and treats helps maintain the products' nutri- tional value and pre- vents spoilage. It also can keep pets from getting into their food and eating too much. Purchase a food grade and BPA-free plastic storage container that can accommodate the volume of food and has an airtight lid to main- tain freshness. If you are pouring the food directly into the container, save the product UPC code, brand name, lot num- ber and best-by date from the packaging in case you need to file a complaint about the food. Small containers can be used for treats or other edible items. Store all food in a cool, dry place. Toys and more Investing in some similar-size clear stor- age containers makes it easy to wrangle all of the accessories that come with pet owner- ship. Label the containers and fill them with the items you need, such as rubber balls, pet waste bags, coiled leashes or collars, squeaky toys, grooming brushes and combs, extra bird cuttlebones, fish nets, warming stones or whatever other supplies are needed for pets large and small. Devote a shelf or shelves in a storage closet for these items so they're always readily available. Medications Store medications separately from prod- ucts used for children and adults in the house. Keep medications in the original packages so labels can be referred to as needed. Place them in a sealed container so they're not easily opened by children or pets. Toys in use Many dogs and cats (or other small animals allowed to roam the house) will want ac- cess to their favorite toys. An easy solution is a ground-level basket that is slipped under a side table in the liv- ing room or den. It's easily accessible but kept out of sight. This helps make cleanup a quick sweep of toys that quickly can be tossed in the basket. Bedding Depending on the animal, bedding may mean a cozy stuffed fabric bed or a pile of shaved cedar. Both can be bulky. A desig- nated spot for storage helps keep the home organized, and dog and cat beds can be coor- dinated to the color scheme of the house so they blend in. Pets require many different supplies that, when properly stored, will not seem like they're intruding on pet owners' space. Storage solutions for pet supplies BY METRO Resolutions to get in shape are popular at the dawn of a new year. De- spite the best and most detailed intentions, many resolutions fall by the way- side shortly after January 1 has come and gone. Many people stop heading to the gym or working out at home because their exercise routines become stale. By making fitness more en- gaging and fun, individu- als may be more likely to stick with a new regimen. Exercise with a friend It can be tough to get motivated to exercise. However, when you have a buddy invested in the same activities, you can inspire one another to stick with the routine. A little healthy competition also can keep both of you focused. Head outdoors Exercising outdoors means there will always be something new to experience. Rather than seeing the same four walls of a gym or a home fitness area, venture out- side and embrace fresh air and sunshine, allow- ing the great outdoors to provide all the motivation you need. Try something new Change your routine every so often. This will force your brain and body to adapt and work a little harder and provide new inspiration for doing the workout. While you don't have to engage in a trendy workout if you don't want to, settle for trying one new class or machine a week to figure out what you may enjoy. Vary your schedule Think about sched- uling different types of activities for particular days of the week. For ex- ample, Monday may be for walking, Tuesday for swimming and Friday for some kind of recreational sports activity. This can make exercise more en- gaging. Use an exercise playlist Download several upbeat songs that can get you energized about ex- ercising. There even are specially curated playlists that match the songs' beats per minute with exercise cadence, to help you run or work out at a desired pace. Find ways to exercise when engaging in daily activities Exercise can come in all shapes and forms. 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