And so, just like that, we’re once again at the finale of another Walking Dead season. After the skull-crushing cliffhanger from this time last year, what exactly can we expect from this Sunday’s send-off?
With as many loose ends as Negan has enemies, the extended episode should at least tie up a few of those and so, too, a lot of burning questions will be answered: Will Dwight and Daryl ever see eye-to-eye? Who exactly can Rick, and indeed Negan, trust? And, most importantly, will Rick ever snare a darn deer?!
Whilst the comic will inevitably throw up a number of theories as to how the season will close, here are some of the best bets for the storylines that will keep fans on tenterhooks until its return in October:
Friend or Foe? No longer will Dwight kneel. Not for Negan anyway. After uncomfortably kowtowing to the Savior leader for the whole of the season, it seems a tad unfair on the guy that the first request of his new savior, Rick, is for him to ‘get on his knees’. At gunpoint, no less. Having said that, he did launch an arrow through Denise’s eye – albeit accidentally – so fair’s fair. Not that that’s any consolation for Daryl, his intended target. It remains to be seen whether Dwight really has switched allegiances or whether he is some kind of dastardly double-agent, but the finale should go some way to clearing that up.
All Hell breaks loose: It’s safe to say that this finale – as with every preceding edition – will be action-packed, blood-soaked and yet, hopefully, cliffhanger-free. Ever since the mid-season finale, Rick has been on a relentless crusade to recruit numbers for Alexandria’s cause: to dispatch of Negan and his cronies. While that is - let’s be honest - unlikely, we’re still likely to see a fight unlike any that has gone before. With Alexandria, Hilltop, The Kingdom, Oceanside and the Scavengers all heeding the call to ‘rise up’, the Saviors could be about to get a taste of their own medicine. Negan, however, may be more prepared for the impending chaos than any of those groups would like to believe…
Divided loyalties and ‘little birdies’: In the penultimate episode of the season, Negan divulged to Sasha that a ‘little birdie’ had told him that Rick and his gaggle of cohorts were ‘up to no good’. With so many divided loyalties right now – Eugene and Dwight being the prime examples – it is unclear as to who Negan’s snitch is. Or indeed if he is simply bluffing. Could it be one of Alexandria’s allies? A Kingdom know-it-all, perhaps? Possibly a gossiping Gregory? Or maybe, just maybe, a Judas in the form of Jadis, the Scavengers’ leader? One thing’s for sure, as the old adage goes: snitches get stitches
With a six month break between the upcoming finale and Season 8, now is the perfect time to kill two birds with one stone and fill that zombie-shaped hole in your summer.
Fun, but functional, The Walking Dead Survival Kit and ZPAK combo is perfect for Walking Dead fans. Contained within a high quality military style messenger bag, the survival kit could prove to be invaluable in a Zombie apocalypse or, indeed, more generic emergencies, providing 72 hours worth of supplies.
Supplementing the survival kit in this value-for-money combo is the ZPAK or, to give it it’s full name, the Zombie Preparedness Apocalypse Kit. Contained within a ZPAK branded water bottle are the perfect additions to the survival kit. Contents include a custom carabineer, emergency whistle and other essential survival items, while there’s even Walking Dead-inspired ZPAK artwork included to tide you over until Rick and his pals return in the Fall.
The summer months are a perfect time to travel - the kids are out of school, the weather is great, and it’s a great way to spend some quality time with your family. We know you’re prepared at home for a disaster or emergency, but are you prepared while traveling? Whether you’re flying, road tripping, or going somewhere close to home, it’s important to always stay prepared for the unexpected, check out some tips below.
Always Carry a First Aid Kit
Wherever you’re traveling, be sure to carry a small first aid kit with you with items like band aids, over-the-counter remedies, and any other common items you feel you might need. Sure you may get the help you need if a problem arises, but take as much action as you can by being prepared. Afterall, at the very least it can help you feel much more comfortable and at-ease when traveling. Did you know our TWDZPAK includes several emergency and first aid supplies and doubles as a water bottle? Check it out here.
Keep Emergency Cash and Back Up Cards
When you’re traveling it’s important to have back up cash and credit cards in case your belongings get lost or stolen. Remember the unexpected happens at the worst times, prepare yourself from as many situations as you can. Stay prepared and make sure you have the means to get your family home.
Have Travel Insurance
A great preparedness step you can take is to get yourself and your family travel insurance. Travel insurance will cover you in case you or a family member gets injured, your belongings get stolen, in many cases of emergencies, if you have to head home early, or if there are any unforeseen cancellations in your itinerary. If you can, try to get a high coverage limit on your policy that also covers emergency evacuations or care if you happen to be hiking in the woods.
Mosquito Protection and ZIKA Awareness
Mosquitos are everywhere in the Summer, but areas near water are their favorite place to hang out. If you’re traveling to an area you believe might have some sort of mosquito population, it’s important to wear bug spray repellent and to wear long pants and shirts in order to protect your skin from bites. Usually, you’ll just get an uncomfortable lump that can itch, but will go away in a few days. Right now however, there is an outbreak of Zika Virus that you have to be very careful about if you’re traveling anywhere in the Caribbean, Central and South America, and The Pacific Islands. There also have been cases in the Wynwood neighborhood of Miami, Florida. It is often advised that pregnant women should NOT travel to those places - the most common effect of the Zika Virus is severe birth defects of unborn children. If you are traveling to these places use powerful bug spray, and again, wear long pants and shirts, sleep with the air conditioning on and make sure there are screens on every window. Zika is extremely dangerous and should be avoided as much as possible.
Have fun and stay safe for the remaining of the summer!
According to recent statistics, about 77 Million people in the US include dogs as part of their extended family. Dogs are great companions for both indoors and outdoors activities. Whether it’s a trip to the beach, camping, hiking, or even just out to the park, pups love every second of being out-and-about. Taking dogs along during summer trips can be fun and memorable, but make sure to consider their safety and well-being during the sizzling summer months.
Our dogs can’t tell us when they are getting too hot, too tired, or are generally uncomfortable. This prompts the need for us to prepare for the many unforeseen emergencies that may occur when outdoors, for both you and they could be affected by them. Be aware of how to care for your pets during these long hot days, here are some tips on summer outdoor pet preparedness.
Water & Snacks
If you are outdoors all day you’re going to want to have some pet food on hand to give your dog a snack when they feel fatigued. Remember, just like humans get hungry from using up energy while outdoors, our dogs do too! It is also very important to give your dog access to plenty of water to drink during outdoor activities. Having a collapsable water bowl or plastic tupperware to fill with water for your pup is an easy way to help with their hydration, make sure that’s added to your Pet Prep Kit.
Keeping Cool
Of course, summertime means it is likely to be hot hot hot! While humans are able to wear summer clothing and go out for fresh air, our dogs are not able to take off their fur coats. So, it’s up to us to make sure they aren’t getting overheated. To keep help keep them cool, again, make sure they are getting plenty of water, and be sure to never ever leave them in a hot car (overheating happens very fast). Also, don’t be opposed to a little mid-day water spritz, if they are getting too hot, spray them lightly with some water since water helps to cool their internal body temperature. Lastly, keep a lookout: signs of heat exhaustion include heavy drooling, panting, very low energy, and little to no urination.
LED Light or Collar
Summer nights can be very relaxing for all family members, even pets. When outside during those summer BBQ’s or camping trips, it’s a good idea to attach an LED light to your dog’s collar so you can keep an eye on them when the sun has gone down. Remember that dogs love to explore and can get lost very easily especially if they don’t know the way home. Having a light on them will keep you from losing track of them in case they get distracted by any number of things. It also may be a good idea to keep an extra collar and LED light in your Pet Prep Kit.
Critter Control
If you are spending any time outdoors, keep in mind that you may be inevitably accompanied by uninvited animals, reptiles, and insects. The summer months bring dry, hot temperatures which happen to attract a plethora of critters. Consider getting a rattlesnake vaccine from your veterinarian, and keep plenty of insect repellent in your dog’s prep kit. Dogs love water activities, If your dog goes swimming in a beach or lake, you’ll want to make sure you dry your dog’s ears afterwards, especially if they’re floppy. Keep in mind that ear infections are very common in dogs, keeping ears dry is the first step in prevention. Lastly, always check for ticks after coming home from an outdoor trip. Even if your dog takes a flea and tick solution regularly, one could still latch on, so it’s important to make sure.
Summer is an amazing time to have lots of fun in the sun with the entire family, that includes our pets. Make sure everyone is safe and prepared!