Surfer Dude or Surfer Dog?

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Dogs from around the country took part in this SoCal competition that has been going strong for 5 years, which also served as a fundraiser for the San Diego Police Department's canine unit.  Each dog had 10 minutes to show its stuff while judges noted the length of the dog's ride, its confidence and whether or not it could "grip it and rip it."   Fear not, animal lovers. The dogs were equipped with special harnesses and flotation devices so their owners can keep them safe.  There were three different heats for these 65 dogs to compete in: small dogs, large dogs and tandem and the breeds ranged from 5-pound Pomeranians to 85-pound Bernese Mountain Dogs.  The Surf Dog Competition is an extension of Loews Hotels’ Loews Loves Pets program and has become a successful fundraiser for local pet-related charities.

Braddock let's go get your life vest and "Hang 20"!

Memorial Day Activites

Memorial Day Weekend is coming up...woo hoo!  I love me some 3 day weekends, especially ones where people like to celebrate with each other by hosting picnic's and BBQ's and what about all of the sales!!!  While all of this merriment is occurring it's important to recognize what we celebrating and remembering.  This weekend is our special time to commemorate the Americans who gave their lives while serving in the military.

So how can we do this?  There are a number of activities going on in San Francisco:

May 30th - USS San Francisco Memorial - The ceremony begins at noon.  The USS San Francisco was built at the naval shipyard at Mare Island.  It was in almost every battle in the Pacific during WWII.  For more information check out http://www.usssanfrancisco.org/.

May 31st - Presidio Memorial Day Ceremony - San Francisco's largest Memorial Day observance is held in the Presidio and begins at 10:30 am when the 191st Army Band leads a parade from the Main Post Parade Ground to the San Francisco National Cemetery.  A formal ceremony at the cemetery begins at 11 am and includes flyovers, taps, a Korean War commemoration, a chorus, and a 21 gun salute.  For more information check out http://www.presidio.gov/.

Lost Boat Memorial Day Ceremony - Submarine veterans will gather on the USS Pampanito at 4 pm to honor submariners who were lost at sea.  A bell will toll 52 times, once for each US submarine lost during WWII.  For more information visit http://www.maritime.org/.






Even if you can't attend one of these events the official moment of remembrance occurs on Memorial Day at 3 pm for 1 minute.  Observe this moment in any way you like.


To get your dog in the spirit of things why not dress him up in some fun Patriotic gear:

Blue Stars Patriotic Dog Collar

Parade Frills Patriotic Dog Dress 

American Flag Dog Bandana

Patriotic Hawaiian Dog Shirt

Patriotic Dog Bow

 Either way have a very Happy Memorial Day!

Nutmeg...More Like NOTmeg!

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE NUTMEG, but when doing research on the ingredients I want to include in our new Pumpkin Flax treat currently in development I discovered that this common spice is surprisingly dangerous to dogs.  It can cause tremors, seizures, central nervous damage, and if ingested in large doses and left untreated can lead to death.  Like many other dangerous foods for dogs, the toxic compound in nutmeg remains unknown, and it is not understood why it is such a poisonous food for dogs. 

With this said just be careful and avoid products that contain this ingredient.  If you think your dog has ingested a large quantity call your vet immediately.

Acana Dog Food

Choosing a dog food can be tough as there are so many options out there, but we have found an amazing brand that Braddock just loves! Acana Dog Food is formulated with the same variety of fresh meats that dogs would eat in their natural environment and keeping in mind the modern lifestyle of today's Little B often means meeting healthy calorie requirements as well!

Acana Dog Food provides a meat-concentrated diet that is higher in protein, lower in carbohydrates and far better matched to support the carnivorous anatomy of your pooch. And by enhancing metabolism and enabling peak physical condition, Acana Dog Food helps keep your dog healthy allowing him to achieve his full potential…sweet!

For the health and well-being of your treasured four legged friend Acana Dog Food adheres to these FIVE NATURAL PRINCIPALS that guide the formulation of all Acana Dog Foods!

1) Ingredient freshness and variety to match the natural diet.
2) High in animal proteins.
3) Low or Free from grains (depending on variety) and carbohydrates.
4) Rich in fruits and vegetables.
5) Contain tonic herbs to strengthen the body and spirit.

Acana Dog Food is our kibble of choice and should certainly be considered to be included as part of your dog's diet plan. There are three flavors to choose from, Grasslands, Pacifica, and Prairie Harvest. We are big fans of the Pacifica which is a grain-free dog food made with fresh Canadian Pacific salmon, flounder, and herring caught wild off North Vancouver Island and delivered fresh each day so they are never frozen and arrive without preservatives! YUM!

New Flavor - Pumpkin Flax Treats!

This weekend I worked on our new flavor, Pumpkin Flax!  I am very pleased with these treats as they taste yummy and smell like pumpkin pie.  Ingredients used include organic oat flour, brown rice flour, flax meal, pureed pumpkin, molasses, egg, cinnamon, allspice, ginger, safflower oil, and filtered water.  They are the same size as the Veggie Parm treats and are perfect for all dogs as they are soft and easy to chew.

The fiber content in pumpkin can be useful in the treatment and maintenance of digestive health of our pets. Just a small portion in their daily diets (1/4 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon, depending on the pet's weight) can make the difference between a case of chronic diarrhea or constipation and a normal daily bowel movement.

Flax seed is an important source of fiber and antioxidants, and it may have anti-tumor properties as well.  If you would like a sample please let me know by responding to this post!

Happy Treating! 

Pet's Fly the Friendly Skies

So you want to go on a long distance trip via airplane, but you don't want to leave Fido at home.  One problem, you don't have the heart to put him in cargo either, so what do you do?  Started by Jack Russel Terrier owners in this same predicament you have an option, Pet Airways, a pet only airline where the "Pawsengers" fly in the main cabin! 

This means they fly in a temperature controlled environment with a "Pet Attendant" checking on them every 15 min.  The planes are regular Beech 1900 with the "human" equipment removed.  They provide the necessary pet carriers free of charge so you don't have to!  This is great as those carriers can take up valuable luggage space in the trunk of your car.  These carriers are secured to the plane with special fasteners that keep it in place so there is no chance of accidental movement.  You can even monitor your pets progress on their journey online as the site is updated every 15 min.  There are even potty breaks so you won't have to worry about your pet being uncomfortable during a 5 to 6 hour trip.

The airline is also doing its part to help out rescue pets by offering a 15% discount for rescue pets flying to their new home.

My only problem with this airline is they do not fly out of San Francisco.  But you lucky people in New York, Washington DC, Chicago, Omaha, Denver, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Ft. Lauderdale, and Atlanta have it made!  Necessity is truly the mother of invention :)

Pawtrero Party with Muttville Adoption

This Sunday from 2-6 pm Pawtrero will be holding their Re-Grand Opening Party and Muttville Adoption Event to celebrate their new store expansion and name change from South Paw to Pawtrero (on Brannan)!

Come join us in Potrero Hill for Appetizers & Refreshments at 199 Brannan St! Plus a chance to meet the Muttville mutts and find the one that’s right for you!

10% discount off all purchases to anyone who adopts a Muttville dog!

Muttville is a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization dedicated to improving the lives of senior dogs. On a local level, Muttville rescues senior dogs and finds them new homes or gives them hospice. On a global level, Muttville provides information about caring for older dogs and support for people who do.

Through associations with shelters and other animal organizations, Muttville finds senior dogs that have been given up and are not likely to find adopted homes. Through outreach and networking, Muttville finds suitable new homes for these dogs. Ultimately, Muttville will have its own facility to house dogs that are not yet placed, or that are unlikely to be placed.

Meet some of the current mutts!

Eddie - Pit Bull Terrior Mix

Ellie & Sam - Rottweilers

Monroe - Labrador Retriever

Rosie - Pomeranian

Teaser - Lhasa Apso

My Pooch Won't Take His Medicine!

 

We are lucky in that our good friend Trish showed us that hiding a pill in some peanut butter was the best way to get her bulldog Sanford to take his medication and it works like a charm for Braddock too, thankfully! I say this because our dogs growing up (Scruffy and Conner) were and are masters at avoiding swallowing pills. We hid pills in all kinds of food and they would just eat around it. So what is a person to do if peanut butter isn't the answer? My parents discovered a great product called Greenies Pill Pockets and they work like a charm!

They are a nutritious treat that contain a built-in pouch, perfect for hiding a tablet, capsule or supplement. Dogs love the taste so much—they won't even notice there's medicine inside! They were designed by vets and experts so they not only help with the delivery of medication, they are also a source of vitamins C & E to promote a healthy immune system. They come in convenient sizes to match your pill size, a large size that fits most capsules and a small size that fits most tablets. They have also come out with a new formula designed for the millions of dogs that suffer from food allergies!

So if you like so many other people are struggling to get your dog to eat his/her medication and/or supplements first try some organic peanut butter, but if that doesn’t work give Greenies a shot :)

Harry Barker Toile Dog Beds

The task of finding a dog bed that is functional and beautiful can be a difficult one.  Some beds are attractive but not practical or comfortable; some beds are comfortable but are a horrible eye sore and must be hidden when guests come over.  So what is a pet owner to do? 

Enter Harry Barker Toile Pet Beds!  Eco-friendly has never looked so good! Harry Barker's attractive pet beds are all made with either organic or recycled fabric, and are all filled with 100% recycled materials.  The folks at Harry Barker also do their best to tread lightly on the planet by using azo-free dyes, hemp, and organic cotton to make their terrific pet products. 

The creator Carol Perkins, an ex-model and fire-eater for Penn & Teller on Broadway, began creating dog beds, toys and robes for friends, at her kitchen table, while recovering from a rare type of brain tumor. Her creations were an instant hit, Carol found her calling, and Harry Barker—named after her Super-Sheltie—came to be.

These beautiful beds come in 3 different sizes (small, medium, and large) and 5 different colors (black, blue, brown, green, and red).  Plus, right now they are on sale at One Kings Lane until 5/20.  If you aren't a member just respond to this post and I will send you an invitation.  They also have their own Facebook page where they sometimes extend discount codes so check it out! 

Now available on eco3P

We are now available on a new website, eco3P, in addition to Etsy.  This is an eco-friendly shopping site that lets you buy affordable and functional eco-friendly products directly from artisanal sellers, ecopreneurs, & small businesses.  When you purchase a product at eco3P the company will help conserve 10sq/ft of rainforest for every $1 spent.  They even planted 10 trees just for me signing up my shop and listing product.

The products you will find on this site include eco-friendly, organic, natural, vegan, and fair trade items.  The "3P" in eco3P stands for "people, planet, and profit share".  The company puts a % of their revenues towards supporting communities in developing countries by planting trees and conserving rainforests. 

So if you are looking to buy some Little B's Organic Dog Treats and want to help the planet at the same time this is your site!

Happy Treating!

B2B Dog Costumes

For those of you who have never had the pleasure of participating in San Francisco's Bay to Breakers run/walk I highly encourage you to do so.  It is definitely an only in San Francisco experience and should be a part of everyone's bucket list.  This year's race will take place on May16th, this Sunday, and will mark its 99th anniversary.  The course is 7.46 miles and starts at the Embarcadero (the Bay) and takes you through the city with the finish line at the end of Golden Gate Park at the Great Highway and Ocean Beach (the Breakers).  You can choose to run the course or walk, but the true spectacle is the walking option.  Just consider it a moving party where everyone dresses up in costume (or nothing at all) and creates floats to push along.  It is unbelievably fun!  Over the years my favorite costumes have involved a group of older ladies who dressed up as synchronized swimmers and performed a routine while walking the route.  Another was a group of people dressed as salmon who swam "up stream", too funny!  The sky is the limit!

So while I don't encourage you to bring your dog amongst the drunken debauchery I do encourage you to dress like one!  Here are some fun dog themed costumes in case you are still looking for something.

I get a chuckle imagining a group of dudes walking around with dog ears and tails with a stereo blasting "Who Let the Dog's Out!".  Imagine the trouble they could cause and blame it on the fact that they are a bunch of dogs.

Hot Dog Vendor

Dog the Bounty Hunter and his wife

Elle Woods and her dog Bruiser

Lady looking for her lost dog

Sick as a dog

What ever you end up dressing up as I hope you have an amazing time!  Remember your sunscreen, try to stay hydrated, pick up after yourselves, and make a plan on how you are going to get home :)

San Francisco English Bulldog Meetup

We are so excited for our first Bulldog Monthly Meetup this Saturday May 15th, 11 am at Crissy Field. The San Francisco English Bulldog Meetup Group was founded in February 2003 and has held 76 meet ups to date and have 754 Bulldoggers as members.

Braddock is healing well from his surgery and ready to get out of the house and play! I have heard of these meet ups but not been to one yet. After looking at all of the pictures posted on the Meetup site it looks like it will be an amazing time. This is such a great idea, Crissy Field is a great place for dogs to begin with, but adding a bunch of Bulldogs playing in the surf and sand makes it that much better. I'm going to have to tie a ribbon or some kind of identifier to him so I don’t lose him in the huddled Bdog masses. He is going to be so excited to make new friends!

Here are some shots taken from the last meet up by Alessandro DeSogos from Doggie Portrait, aren't they so frickin cute!  This photographer really gets on their level and captures the moment so well.  You should check out the website as the shots are gorgeous!

Antibiotics Meet Probiotics

If your furry little loved one finds himself with an infection and needs to take antibiotics there is something you can do to help him feel more comfortable.  While antibiotics are great at killing the bad bacteria they also kill the good which can cause a yucky case of diarrhea, sensitive stomach, gas, etc.  The live bacterial cultures in yogurt, called lactobacillus acidophilus, help to replenish their body with helpful bacteria or probiotics.

So how can you get your doggy to eat yogurt?  It is very easy to make an icy treat with a combination of plain non-fat regular or Greek yogurt, pureed fruit like blueberries or strawberries, and honey to sweeten it up.  Once blended just pour into an ice cube tray and freeze.  Feed your pooch an ice cube a day during treatment and for two weeks after.  Heck these are so delicious you might want to put them on the regular treat rotation and sneak one or two in for yourself!

Happy Treating!

Thank You Anti Icky Poo

There is one guarantee when you get a dog and that is there will be messes.  You know the kind I am talking about and they can be unpleasant and leave stains and odors in your furniture and carpets.  This is why we love Anti Icky Poo and can't live without it!  The name alone is adorable, but when the fabulous people at Pawtrero said this was the best we took their word for it and they were right.  Just check out the list of stinkies it will remove: cat urine, dog urine, skunk musk, vomit, feces and a whole host of other decaying organic materials.  It is safe to use on carpet, fabric, upholstery, tile, wood floors, stainless steel, and linoleum.

The product contains live bacteria that actually eats away and removes the stain and eliminates the source that can cause the odors to come back!  This is great for training too as your pet won't smell it in the carpet and think it is his new bathroom.  It is so easy to use too, once you clean up the area as much as possible just saturate and let dry...that's it!

Working on a Grain Free Treat

Today I tried my hand at creating a grain free treat for all you white doggies out there that are sensitive to tear staining.  My attempt involved a fragrant combo of pureed pumpkin, molasses, ginger, allspice, cinnamon, and flax seed!  It also involved garbanzo bean flour; this is fabulous flour as it is gluten free, grain free, and high in animal free protein.  One small problem, I have never baked with it and have found it to be very sticky...needless to say it needs tweaking but we are getting there!  Flavor profile...check!  Dough consistency...still needs work.

On another note we have now set up an Amazon store on this blog where you can purchase the products we discuss on Tuesdays.  Just look for Little B's Store at the top of the blog's homepage and click on the tab.

Happy Treating!

Nice Day for a White Wedding

When Kathryn Kalabokes of Dream a Little Dream Events posted these wonderful photos of a wedding she planned I had to include them in Little B's Blog as well!  Anna Kuperberg is the creative genius behind these gorgeous pictures and really captured the sweet relationship between Tina, Stephen, and their dogs.  I loved how personal it made the event feel by including them.  The location was the beautiful Hotel Vitale which is a dog friendly hotel and a big part of why the couple chose it.  Apparently the cute little white pooch's favorite part of the whole event was his/her mama's wedding dress which was used as a relaxation bed a few times...why not!  It's so cute how the dogs' neck decor also matched the brides' shoes and flowers!  Great attention to detail :) 

I personally toyed with idea of training my parents dog Conner to walk down the aisle at our wedding as a ring bearer with the rings attached to a pillow attached to his collar, but we all decided that would never happen as he would take 30 minutes to get down the aisle after saying hello to everyone.  The image will always exist in my mind though :)

Have an amazing weekend!