My daughter complains that I love the dog more than I love her. The proof? Pictures. I have pictures of the dog everywhere. She claims I can produce a photo of the poodle in 2.9 seconds flat from any location in the world. But if someone asks to see the latest shot of her, I have to dig around in my pocketbook, scrape it off the bottom and the peel the old gum off of it first.
The sad thing is she's right. About the pictures of the dog, not that I love her any less (honest, honey!) I have the dog displayed prominently all over the house, the office and in my wallet. I have a photo of that child o'mine somewhere or other but she's all grown up now and not as cute as my little furry faced pom pom boy. And now, I have even more reasons to display pictures of my furrbutt.
FRAMES!! I discovered a company that produces custom made frames. Hand painted and personalized with any name or caption that enhances or identifies your picture. The poodle is a perfect models for such a thing.
Doncha think? This is an adorable Christmas ornament frame. It has his name at the top and the year on the bottom and in between there are festive bow-tied bones painted around the frame. Is that not the most adorable thing? I know what everyone on my holiday list is getting this year!
Feel Good Frames was created by Shelley Roupas in 2002. Her original career was in news reporting but she finally heard her heart calling out for her paintbrushes. Now she joyfully creates these beautiful and creative works of art in her own studio. She and her team of artists individually craft these frames for you and their job not only makes them feel good, but I guarantee you're going to feel good when you hold one of these frames made especially for your your beloved pet in your hand.
Oh, ok, you can probably prevail upon these wonderfully talented people to create something for your child's latest photo as well. Then your children won't grow up and tell their therapist that you preferred the family schnauzer over them.
All work is produced right here in good ole USA. North Carolina, in fact and there are retail locations on the east coast, but you don't have to be fortunate enough to live here to get yours.
Just go to http://www.feelgoodframesstores.com/. These are so beautifully done and each one has that special touch expressly for the person who requests it or receives it. They come in several designs, sizes and shapes and you don't even have to move off your couch in order to shop.
They make the perfect gift for any occasion and Feel Good Frames does not discriminate against cats!
So, whether you're a proud puppy protector, a happy human helpmate or a contented kitty keeper, there is a frame on the site just for you or someone you know and love.
Go take a look. I'm so excited to bring this product to your attention that I want you to go there NOW and be as delirious as I am!
I first spotted the Crazy Pet Bumble Ball on one of my favorite dog blogs called Agatha and Archie's Page. On the blog, you can see Archie (pictured right), a wire fox terrier, play with this engaging toy. It is hilarous to watch as he bites, buries and grows increasingly excited interacting with the Bumble Ball. To view the video, click here.
After seeing what fun Archie was having, I knew I had to get Axel one! The Bumble ball is an interactive mortorized ball that jumps, shakes and wiggles unpredictably, all the while emitting funny noises. The product is specifically reinforced for pets - but it is not a chew toy per se, and not recommended for dogs with agressive tendencies. The toy includes 3 alkaline AA batteries and comes in assorted colors.
Entertain your dog (and yourself) for hours, and enjoy a good laugh! The Crazy Pet Bumble Ball is on sale now at EntirelyPets.com - reduced from $16.99 to $10.99. Just enter "Bumble Ball" in the search box to find it.
My dogs love the pool. Okay, I take that back...the twins love the pool. Swan is a little princess and doesn't like it as much as the boys but I digress. The twins use the pool more than we do! The PoolPup Dog Safety Ramp helps keep your pet from accidental drowning by having a ramp for them to climb up on. What's more is that it works in spas, above-ground pools and in-ground pools! It's made with chlorine resistant ABS and is easily removed for cleaning. I feel much safer knowing my dogs have an alternative means of getting out of the pool.
Labor Day weekend is quickly approaching. For many people, this holiday signifies a last drive to and from the shore or the mountains; a final farewell to bathing suits, shorts and t-shirts; and last hurrahs with family and friends. For me, it means back to teaching, getting my daughter back on a routine of waking up early in the mornings and spending a little less time hanging around my puppy. Yes, he and I will be sad to loose those long afternoon walks together in the warm sunshine. But alas, there is always next summer.
Labor Day weekend also means good sales at your local malls for some fall wardrobe shopping. Why not find something great to wear and remember all the fun times you had with your pooch during the summer. I have just the place to do that.
A company called Dancing Dog Design makes belts and coats that come with embroidered dogs on them. You simply click on the breed of dog that you want on your belt or jacket and voila. The belts are 1 3/4 inches wide and come on a variety of ribbon colors. There are only 12 breeds of dogs available.
The coats are canvas and also come with a breed of dog "dancing" all over it. The coats are fully lined and have corduroy cuffs and collar. It has front pockets and a very important pocket for your cell phone. This coat would make a great transitional coat from fall to winter. A must have!
I have to tell you that I have worn my dachshund belt many times this summer. I have gotten so many compliments on it and it looks good with anything. Who know... maybe I'll be sporting the Dachshund coat this fall. Hmmm.... I think it's time to go shopping! Happy Labor Day!
Oh, I almost forgot. Dancing Dog Design is offering free ground shipping when you enter the code SWANKY.
Stop for a second and take a peak at your pup’s collar. If your dog is wearing a plain old nylon collar in a boring primary color, you need to get with the times and update your dog’s look with stylish ribbon collars from 8 Paws Collars. With beautiful, original and hand-made designs that are actually affordable, there is no reason not to spoil your furry friend with one of these fabulous collars this fall.
I received the Spumoni collar in the mail last week and could not wait to share it with all of our swanky pup readers who, like me, love style at affordable prices. This collar features rich chocolate brown combined with girlie pinks and cream for a feminine and stylish look, all hand sewn with meticulous craftsmanship. When I looked at the price tag and saw $13.75 I could hardly believe my eyes…since when can you get high quality items at low prices anywhere these days??
As if the price and the style wasn’t enough, there is even more good news. All of the products featured on the site can be custom-made to fit the exact size of your dog’s neck and can be made in to leashes or martingale collars for a small additional fee. So go ahead and see what I am raving about - check out more fun and trendy styles at 8 Paws Collars.
Diets. No one likes them, especially a four-legged fur ball who LOVES food. Before we get to the diet. Here is the back story.
Last year at this time, we noticed that Jax was limping on our daily walks.One morning, he started yelping and holding his right hind leg up.We rushed Jax to the animal emergency room at the Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital at the University of Pennsylvania.Upon examination we learned that Jax tore his cranial cruciate ligament in his right knee.Surgery was needed to repair the tear.
The surgery went really well and the prognosis was quite positive for Jax.But the recovery would be long.For the first 12 weeks, Jax was put on bed rest with outside activity limited to using the bathroom.This meant no more 60 – 90 minute walks in the Wissahickon Valley and no more visits to the dog park.It was challenging for all of us.
In addition to the bed rest, Jax was prescribed a rigorous physical therapy program. Slowly his knee started to heal through the physical therapy he received at West Chester Veterinary Medical Center.Jax aqua jogged and did strength training exercises on his visits to the Center.The physical therapy paid off. His range of motion in his right knee is quite good considering he tore a ligament.
Along with his recovery came the addition of nine pounds.Oops.To help Jax feel better, I sometimes ‘dropped’ an extra cookie on the floor.Who doesn’t like a cookie when feeling sad?Or we let him clean our plates after dinner.We saw it as pre-washing our dishes and saving water….
So a lot was going into Jax, but not much making its way out.Hence the nine pounds gained in seven months.During a follow-up visit to his surgeon, we were told Jax needed to lose weight.For his overall health, and his knee in particular, it was imperative that Jax get back down to where he started: 44 pounds.
So we had our mission.No more table scraps.Food limited to ¾ of a cup twice a day.And slowly increase his walks.It’s not easy saying ‘no’ to when he gazes lovingly with his big, brown eyes.But I reminded myself that if I want to continue to see those big, brown eyes, Jax needs to drop the weight.
I’m proud to report that Jax has lost seven pounds during the last five months!He’s on his way back to his fighting weight.And he seems happier and is definitely more energetic.He still gets the occasional treat, but we make sure to give them to him in moderation.
While I hope your swanky pups never have to endure a cranial cruciate injury, I highly recommend Penn Vet and West Chester Veterinary Medical Center should you ever need emergency services or a rehabilitation program.
So, my little poodleboy received some nifty toys for his birthday last week.
He couldn't figure out what to play with first but by the end of the day, there was a clear favorite. I could tell by the mishapen body and the chewed off ear of the blue monkey.
The blue monkey is special in that it makes a new kind of noise. It doesn't go "squeak squeak squeak" like those annoying teddy bears and bobos. No, sir. This little monkey goes "crunch. squish. smack. glub. etc.". Believe me, this is a definite improvement! I've heard so much squeaking and squawking going around that toy box that I've started to dig out the squeakers and sew up the telltale hole in the seams. Not to mention the rubber duckies and piggies and fishies that my guy likes to leave in places where we'll be sure to step on the them. I think he gets a big chuckle when we jump out of our skin. Dogs DO have a sick sense of humor, I'm sure you all know.
Instead of that annoying squeaker, this toy is made out of canvas and stuffed with an empty water bottle. It's practically indestructable. Except by obnoxious seven pound toy poodles intent on chewing it's head off just for the fun of it.
But Crunchy Monkey doesn't really seem to mind. At the end of the day, I just take his collapsed body and squeeze it back into the shape of a bottle. He can take a lot of punishment and never fights back. My killer poodle cannot resist the sound of the crunch or the feel of the canvas on his teeth. Contrary to the way it may look in the above picture, the toy is made to withstand many furious chewings and the water bottle is replaceable. When the crunching level gets too low to keep the dog happy, just toss out the mangled bottle and replace it with one of your own.
These toys are designed to hold a 12 or 20 ounce water bottle (depending on the size of your dog and his toy) and never runs out of crunches. It may run out of ears, or tails or eyes, but unlike these things, the crunch can always be replenished.
Buy this toy from Petsmart, Dogtoys.com or anywhere Munchkins, Inc. sell their products. They come in a variety of designs, so if your dog isn't that crazy about monkeys there will be an alternative life form for him to crunch on. The prices range from $7.99 to $12.99. But you beter buy more than one because this will quickly become your dog's favorite toy and favorite usually means destroyed in a week.
And did I mention that this toy also makes an excellent pillow at the end of the day when hostilities cease and all is forgiven?
We all remember the horrible pet food recall fiasco that occured last year. Thankfully, I was not feeding Axel any of the affected foods, but nevertheless, the recall was a wake up call for me. I started looking at WHERE dog food was manufactured and what the ingredients were. I then started researching dog food companies and their products. My search ended with Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance® Dog Food. I have fed Axel Natural Balance® for over a year now and not only does he eat his food with relish, his coat is shiny and he is the picture of good health.
Natural Balance® products provide all natural complete and balanced nutrition in a variety of foods, from dry, canned, dog food rolls, frozen loaves and treats. Axel suffers from seasonal skin allergies so we feed him Natural Balance's® Allergy Formulas over spring and summer when his allergies are at their worst. In winter and fall, he gets the regular kibble or the Reduced Calorie kibble because he is little "too substantial." In addition to the kibble, Axel loves Natural Balance's® Dog Food Rolls which to the uninitiated, look like big baloney rolls. We slice them, grind them up in the food processor or just break off pieces and mix it in with kibble. They come in different sizes and are perfect for travel or meals on the go. Axel loves it!
Our household is so keen on Natural Balance® that we buy their treats too. Before my awakening, we used to buy supermarket brand treats such as Pupperoni, Snausages, Milkbones etc. So Axel is how should I put it, used to treat junk food. I was thus highly skeptical that he'd enjoy healthy treats such as Turkey, Oatmeal & Cranberry biscuits. But, he gobbled them up and we've never looked back. With seven different treat formulas, Axel is never bored. Plus, they have no artificial preservatives, flavors or colors.
To find out more, check out their Web site. Sign up for their Great American Dog Sweepstakes and win a trip to California for you and your pooch plus Natural Balance® food for a year.
If your dog likes treats as much as mine do, you want to make sure that your dog is eating healthy products. B's Barkery has all natural goodies for your pets. All of their treats are made with human grade ingredients and are baked fresh daily. My dogs look forward to their treats as often as I can get them and I have a picky little pekingese! They also do custom themed baskets and holiday treats so you can get something for every occasion; even birthdays! Best of all, B's Barkery has great prices and hand delivers if you're in their local area. This week's special starts 8/27/08 and runs through 9/10/08. Buy one get one 50% off on all cookies.
My dog and I have been outside a lot this summer. We spend our weekends at the shore where we do a lot of walking. During the week, we try to either get together with our other dog friends, or we jump in the car for some time at the dog park. Whatever we are doing, we get hot... especially my dog.
So, after a day of being out in the sun I tend to come home and jump into a cool shower. Bernie, my Dachshund, is not a fan of the wet stuff. He does, however, love being rubbed down with a towelette from Herban Essentials.
The Herban Essentials Pet Towelettes are great for many reasons. First off, they are not just great for your dog. You too, can use the pet towelettes on your hands for after playtime, or a quick wash after picking up after your best friend. Secondly, the towelettes can be used on your dog to relieve itchiness caused by hot spots on your dog's skin.
The Herban Essentials Pet Towelettes are made from lavender oil. This oil not only makes the towels smell great, but also makes them naturally antibacterial and antiseptic. In addition, just like anything else made with lavender oil, the aroma is also very soothing and calming. It would be beneficial to throw a towelette into your dog's crate if they are going on a trip or to the vet's office to ease their worries.
Herban Essentials makes other towelettes too. There are many to choose from and they all would make a great gift for someone.
Handmade, Organic Dog Cuisine Fit to your Dogs Needs
Over the past few years, I have made the transition from "regular" food to all organic food for my family (as many people have done). This trend to more natural, wholesome and organic foods has also taken hold of the pet food market.
I was recently introduced to eModernDog -- a very unique and cutting-edge organization -- that combines modern technology, leading research, and old-world craftmanship to feed our dogs. Their latest program, Organic Nutrition Express (O.N.E) is a quick and easy way to get homemade, organic, nutritious meals directly to your pet.
The food consists of organic and naturally raised bison, chicken and/or turkey and is blended by hand with locally farmed organic vegetables and seasoned with anti-oxidant herbs and oils.
What's so amazing about this program is that the food and diet is customized specifically for your dog. Should your dog have specific allergies, a condition requiring certain foods or food avoidance, or weight issues, you can be confidant that your dog will be eating healthy, appropriate meals for their breed, body type, and conditions.
Getting involved in this program is simple. Check out the website and review the various programs. Complete a form to help determine which food and recipies would be best for your dog. Then email owner Daryll (very hands on and so nice!) with the form, any questions and to get involved. Once you place your order, your dogs meals will be made and then frozen, and shipped to you within 48 hours. (If you live in the LA area, you can have your meals delivered or can pick them up.)
Take advantage of a fabulous 20% discount with code TSP-517123 on all first orders. Your dog will love you for it!
A well-groomed dog is a handsome dog.And having a shorter fur coat during these hot, humid days of summer will help your pooch keep his cool.
Last summer, Jax enjoyed the services of a professional groomer.While he looked awesome, this “extra” set us back so much that we added a line item (Jax's Grooming) to our monthly budget. In May, I mentioned in passing to my husband that we should consider grooming Jax this summer to save money.
The Andis Clipper set is awesome.The instructions are easy to understand and the clipper is surprisingly simple to use.The set costs $69.51 on Amazon.I have already saved money (and gas!) by bathing and grooming Jax myself this summer.
One admission.While I am able to give Jax a decent cut, I am by no means able to do it as well as the professional groomers.But I’m ok with this, because the grooming session is also a nice bonding time for Jax and me.
The Andis set comes in a hard case that is great for storage and travel and it includes four snap-on comb attachments in sizes 1/8", 1/4", 3/8", 1/2" to vary the length of the cut and clipper oil.
The Dog Grooming for Dummies has wonderful tips such as essential grooming supplies, foods/supplements that enhance your dog’s coat (a cooked egg daily!) and an entire chapter on training your dog for grooming. The book and clipper set has given me a new hobby and saved us money!
Forgive my opinion, but I have always viewed doggy-dress-up as overly posh and sissified. Sure, for the thin-coated dog, winter coats are necessary, but pink ruffles and sequined bow ties? Sorry, my girls are dogs, not dolls.
But with the MLB playoffs right around the corner, I may be able to make an exception.
It isn't too posh or the least bit sissified to support your favorite baseball team with the officially licensed MLB dog jerseys.
There are no rhinestones involved. These casual canine clothes are made from 100% micro-mesh polyester, and feature your favorite team's logo and official patch (notice the Phillies are
representing here). And MLB jerseys come in sizes
that accommodate all of our four-legged fans from the Bull Mastiff to the Teacup Poodle (see chart below).
small = length 12-16 girth 12-16 neck 6-10"
medium = length 16-20" girth 16-19" neck 10-14"
large = length 20-26" girth 19-26" neck 14-18
XL = length 26-30" girth 26 to 32" neck 18 to 22"
Let's not forget that football season is well on its way. Officially licensed NFL dogwear is also available, not to mention basketball, hockey, and of course, NASCAR. Note that I was unable to find a site that offered all leagues and teams, so here are a few links to aid you in your search for spirited, yet practical dog apparel.
It was the poodle's birthday this week so you know I have a slew of products to review. I hardly know where to start. I guess it would be appropriate to start with the cake. Yep, the cake.
Ok, there were two cakes. Because mommy bought a cake and daddy bought a cake. Mommy went overboard, as usual, and bought a nice bundt cake from The Animal House Pet Boutique in town. It was made from the same ingredients that you would find in a healthy doggie biscuit, but not as hard. It came in a nice bakery box all tied up with a bow.
Here's the birthday boy in his embellished official birthday announcement. Yeah, that's what I said. I have an empty nest, ok? So I indulge the poodle a little. Is that so wrong??
The other cake was actually a banana cream pie. A Pup Pie to be exact. And it smelled good enough to eat. The poodle couldn't eat it all this by himself so we helped him. That's right. We helped him eat his birthday pie. Because Pup Pies are made of pure human grade ingredients minus the sugar, but who needs sugar? Sugar was the invention of an evil dentist, I'm sure. Pup Pies, made by the Lazy Dog Cookie Company (http://www.lazydogcookies.com/) are the perfect size for a single dog who doesn't have another whole cake waiting for him- and if he falls short of devouring his confection, his people can scarf up the leftovers. Sort of reversing the pecking order, but I know you love your pet. You don't mind a little sloppy seconds on a special occassion, do ya?
The Lazy Dog believes that every dog should have his day and what better to make his day than a nice slice of homemade pie? Their holistic treats are made with all natural, organic, human grade ingredients: oat flour, rolled oats, honey, tapioca starch, natural unsalted peanut butter, natural pumpkin, canola oil, ground cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg, cream of tartar and baking soda.
YUM! Sounds good enough to eat. And it is. I shared poodleboy's banana cream pie. There are 13 flavors of pie, all fit for a king or queen, or a poodle, and can be found here: http://www.lazydogcookies.com/.
There are other amazing treats available for your fuzzbutt, all organic, all natural and totally delicious. Just ask the poodle. But he won't talk with his mouth full of delcious Pup Pie!
I kid you not. There is an ingenious product out there called Poop Freeze - the product's slogan is, "Poop Happens - Just Freeze it. Because it's Your Dootie!"
I'm sure we've all faced the stinky situation of having to clean up a runny poop/diarrhea either outdoors, or horrors, on our lovely new carpet. Poop Freeze "frosts" poop to -62F in order to make it easier to pick-up.
All you do is spray…wait 10 seconds…and a white crusty film solidifies the poop. Simple as that. You can watch how it works in their infomercial (right). It is 100% environmentally friendly -- the product contains no CFC’s that destroy the ozone and is not harmful to vegetation. It is also non-flammable but extreme care should be taken when using the product. It should be stored in a cool place and contact with skin should be avoided as it can cause frostbite.
When I tested it out on Axel's poop I found it worked pretty well but the bigger the turd, the more spraying was required and the aerosol (I had the sample 4 oz can) got used up pretty fast. I would definitely use this product in the future but I would save it for runny poop emergencies, not your run-of-the-mill dooties.
A 10 oz aerosol can of Poop Freeze will set you back $14.95, but use the coupon code “firstpoop” to save 10% off your purchase.
Barkotti are handmade biscotti for dogs made with organic ingredients. I'm really excited to try these with my dogs. I just know they'll love them and they have a special offer right now!
These unique biscotti treats are made with organic flours, 8 vegetables, apples, 7 herbs, bee pollen and love! Barkotti contain no preservatives, coloring agents, corn, wheat, soy, salt or sugar and are made in the USA from 100% human grade ingredients.
Barkotti are uniquely and beautifully packaged in 100% recycled and recyclable boxes and printed with soy ink!
Sizes and Availability Barkotti boxes hold one pound of goodness and are available in small dog size and medium to large dog size. Barkotti will become available August 28th.
A Special Offer Just For You Call before August 25th to learn about a very unique offer*. As our loyal and very special customer, Dr. Harvey wants you to try Barkotti at a special "pre-launch" price. This "one time only" pricing will end when these extraordinary treats become available for sale to the general public.
Call Today For Special Offer – 1 (866) Doc H 123 * Offer ends 8/25/2008
It's a fact, everyone has to let their dogs out at night. Some people are able to just open their doors and let the dog out to do whatever it is he or she has to do. Other people are ok with getting some exercise and walk their dogs around the block. This can be tricky to do at night if you live in an area that may not have a lot of street lamps.
I recently came across a great website that can solve this problem for you. When you go to the Keep Doggies Safe website (Keepdoggiessafe.com), you'll find a wide selection of lighted leashes and collars that will not only keep your dog safe when walking at night, but will also keep you safe too.
Here's how it works. Each leash comes with an on and off switch that you simply turn on when you are about to take your walk. The leashes are AA battery operated and come included with the leash. Each leash is 4.5'' long and all come with a big, comfortable handle so they are easy to hold onto. You'll be seen for a 1/2 mile when using this leash.
As I mentioned, the leashes and collars come in a variety of styles and patterns. You can choose from a long stripe to flashing dog bones to dancing macaroni. The collars also come in different styles. The price for these items are very reasonable and you'll see that right now they are having a summer sale. Lots of good deals on lots of cool stuff for your dog.
So, if you do a lot of outside walking, I highly recommend this leash. It's safe, functional and eye catching to those who see it. Order today from Keep Doggies Safe and enter the code Swanky1 for 10% your order.
I sometimes wish that my canine and feline companions possessed the ability to communicate beyond ‘woof’ or ‘meow’.It certainly would help me understand when they may not feel well or, even better, they could explicitly tell me what type of toy, bed or food they prefer.And this could save me money.Case in point.When we brought Jax home about a year and half together, I was so excited to go doggie shopping and get him all kinds of cool dog things.Unfortunately, Jax did not share my enthusiasm for many of the toys that I brought home, especially the dog bed.I bought Jax a typical dog bed that you may find in any pet store.Jax barely gave this bed a glance.He sniffed it and sort of pushed it away as if to say, “you want me to sleep in this?”
So, I headed back to the stores in search of bed worthy of Jax.After visiting several stores, I found the Donut Dog Bed.I am pleased to report that this purchase has been a huge success.Jax took to this bed like I take to a plate of spaghetti, which is immediately and with no compunction.
The Donut Dog Bed is so super soft, that I sometimes wish I could curl up in it. It comes in micovelvet, sueded microvelvet or cotton (Jax has the sueded microvelvet). The bed has an outside bolster that supports your dog’s head and neck and a removable cushion that can double as a crate pad.And the cover comes off for easy washing.Speaking of covers, the Donut Dog Bed comes in 66 different designs, so you are sure to find one that complements your décor.
The bed is available in sizes x-small to x-large, depending on the weight of your dog.The price ranges from $67 for the x-small to $163 for the x-large.The bed can be found at several on-line retailers, but The Perfect Dog Bed is offering 10% off all dog beds with the coupon code “shopping.”Consider the Donut Dog Bed for your dog's sleeping needs, but just don’t expect him to share…
Jax is not sure what Jasmine is up to, and he's not too pleased to see her so close to his bed.
You’re probably thinking Kong toys? Old news. Every dog owner has one. They’ve been around since the 70’s. So why am I taking up space on this trendy dog site with yesterday’s news? Because the Kong toy has saved me from insanity on more than one occasion.
I have two high-energy dogs, one of which hasn’t yet reached her first birthday and whose puppy power oftentimes spins her way out of control. She can turn a quiet movie night into puppy-palooza, and if my boyfriend and I aren’t feeling her vibe she begins to bark and playfully-yet-painfully bite at any appendage she can get her little teeth on.
But these outbursts don’t always occur during leisure time. Sleep is a necessity, but my dog is up and ready to party at 5:00am, cutting at least 2 hours out of my beauty rest. Perhaps the biggest dilemma here is that, as a writer, I need a quiet workspace, but when my dog begins her rambunctious barking, jumping, nipping, biting etc., she scares my muse right back to her secret-muse hiding spot.
Then, one day, during a rare cleaning frenzy, I was sweeping under the couch and out rolled the little red Kong toy we used to coax our 1st dog into her crate. I filled it with peanut-butter and stuck it in the freezer in preparation for the next puppy explosion. When the opportunity presented itself, I surprised my dog with the stuffed, frozen Kong, which calmed her down and kept her occupied for at least an hour.
These toys are so versatile, and are practically indestructible (there’s always an exception, but mine have endured the jaws of Pit Bulls and are still intact). They can be used simply as chew-and-fetch toys, or work as a kind of dog treat dispenser. The Kong company makes many treats that fit snugly into the toy so that your dog has to really work to get them out, but there are also numerous ingredients and recipes you can make at home to keep your dog both occupied and interested (see end of blog for recipes).
Stuffed Kong toys, however, can be messy. Whatever ingredients you stuff them with can certainly get into carpets, furniture, etc. Here’s a tip: tie a piece of string through the Kong and loop it under the leg of a chair in an easy-clean-up location. This also keeps your dog within your sight and stabilizes the toy so that your dog doesn’t end up licking it around the house and into a hard-to-reach place (like under the couch).
Some of these recipes are runny, so tape up the top (small hole) of Kong to avoid leakage. Remove the tape before giving Kong to your dog.
RECIPES
Peanut Butter Crunch: Mix some peanut-butter with dry cereal and freeze.
Kong Mash: Mix instant mashed potatoes with your dog’s kibble and freeze
Banana Cream Kong: Mix mashed bananas with plain yogurt and freeze.
Tuna Delight: Mix canned tuna with yogurt and freeze.
Honey Nut: Mix honey and peanut butter and freeze. You can also add banana or cereal.
Cheese Pleaser:Melt some cheese and mix with your dog’s kibble. Pour mixture into Kong and freeze.
Cheesecake Kong:Mix together cream cheese and graham or animal crackers and freeze.
Meat & Potatoes:Take leftover meats and mix with mashed potatoes or rice. Add melted cheese and freeze.
Bagel with Lox:Mix cream cheese and salmon (or any other fish) and freeze.
Komelet:Mix scrambled eggs, bread, meat and cheese and freeze.
Have any of you ever heard of Rue La La? It is my favorite new website -- offering all kids of awesome boutiques at 50-80% off retail prices. (All name brand, manufacturer-direct items.)
Just a few minutes ago the Juicy Couture boutique opened up, with amazing dog apparel (for boy and girl dogs) as well as dog bowls and collars. Prices for these items normally retail at $45-75 per item, but currently are priced at $20-$30!
To browse the boutique and make a purchase, you must be a Rue La La member. We would be happy to get you immediate membership if you email Jen with "Rue La La" in your subject line. Then browse the Juicy (and other fab boutiques) and make some amazing finds for your dog! (But hurry! At these prices, items sell out VERY quickly, and the boutique closes 24 hours from now!)
Teeth. They're kind of important. We keep ours in shape by brushing the little bits of food away before it turns into plaque that sticks to the enamel and becomes unsightly, and malodorous eventually, causes gum disease and loss of teeth.
Well, pets have teeth, too and dental care is just as important for them as it is for us. Unfortunately, the little furbutts can't brush, floss and rinse for themselves. They have to depend on us to get it done for them. Not that they care or look longingly at us as we have a mouthful of foaming toothpaste, but it's important to them whether they know it or not.
Preventative dental measures that are practiced at home are just as important as the professional care they receive at the vet's. A combination of the two can prevent problems that might effect the teeth as a result of plaque and tartar build up. Daily home dental care should be a part of every pet owner's daily routine.
Oral health is important to the overall well-being of a pet. Dental care learned in the veterinary clinic should go home with every dog and cat owner. The C.E.T.® "3 Easy Options" to dental health—Good to Chew, Better to Rinse, Best to Brush—is a practical approach a pet owner can manage with confidence and success. Dogs and cats love the taste of C.E.T.® antibacterial products, making daily dental care between visits to the veterinarian that much easier.
Chews C.E.T.Chews combine the mechanical abrasive action of chewing with patented antibacterial systems to help control plaque and eliminate bacteria buildup.
Oral Rinses Antibacterial action and plaque prevention in a soothing, refreshing and palatable solution, that quickly covers the entire mouth.
Toothpaste & Toothbrushes Easy and quick daily tooth brushing is the best at-home method for good dental health. We use a combination of chews and brushing.
Chews are the easy part. I just hand it over and the poodle does the rest. His pearly whites are truly pearly white. He doesn't even know he's getting the type of dental treatment that we humans have to pay good money to get.
The hard part is the brushing. I used to use the CET tooth brush with Poultry flavored enzymatic toothpaste, but poodleboy liked the taste so much he would grab the brush and run around the house with me in hot pursuit. Not so good. Luckily, I've gotten smarter. Now I use finger brushes.
As you can see, the rubber "brush" fits right over the finger and gives more of a controlled contact with the mouth. My guy has no complaints about mommy sticking her finger, covered with poultry flavored paste, into his mouth. He sits still for it and helps me in my quest by chewing on the finger brush as I clean. He's usually still licking his little poodley lips 15 minutes later!
He has a mouth to be proud of!
And sometimes to be afraid of!
Cats, being of a more independent nature, may begin their own dental regimen at an early age!
How to Brush Your Pet’s Teeth Begin your pet's C.E.T. Home Dental care following a professional exam and dental procedure by your veterinarian. Now you are ready for a C.E.T. specially designed soft-bristle toothbrush and pet-pleasing toothpastes. The C.E.T Fingerbrush is a great starter. It slips over your finger to gently brush your pet's tooth surfaces and gums. C.E.T. Toothpastes make brushing a breeze! In flavors pets love, C.E.T. Toothpastes can be swallowed and come in two formulas—C.E.T. Enzymatic Toothpaste in poultry, malt or vanilla-mint flavors and C.E.T. Tartar-Control Toothpaste, a more abrasive formula with strengthened enzyme system in seafood or beef flavor. C.E.T. Toothpaste fights plaque fast!
So, whether you're a proud puppy protector, a happy human helpmate or a contented kitty keeper, there is a frame on the site just for you or someone you know and love.
