Pumpkin...Delicious and Nutricious

 

This beautiful orange fruit is not only great for human consumption but canine as well, and thanks to the invention of canning we can enjoy it year round!  The health benefits of this pumpkin pie ingredient are many and should be enjoyed regularly by your pooch.

Packed with fiber, beta-carotene, antioxidants and vitamins K, C and E, pumpkin is a super food with a taste your dog will love. It is also low in calories and fat so it will help with weight management.  This delicious fruit helps prevent cancer, heart disease and cataracts. It's orange color comes from carotenoids, which attack free radicals that weaken cell membranes. It also is high in iron, which is good for your dog's blood cells, and helps both constipation and diarrhea (this I have seen with my own eyes).

Our new Pumpkin Flax Treats are a great way to enjoy the benefits of pumpkin where ever and whenever!

Happy Treating!

Dura Doggie™ Disc

Fetch Toy - Water Bowl - Chew Toy... ALL IN ONE!

The story behind this product is great.  Remember those classes you had to take where you were paired in a group and had to come up with a new product to present to your class?  Well that is where the Dura Doggie™ Disc was born.  Three students at the University of California at Santa Barbara did just this and the class was so won over by what they had created they decided to make their fake product a reality...and the rest as they say is history.


Great for on-the-go, the Dura Doggie™ Disc doubles as a fetch toy and water bowl. This award winning toy is made out of nylon sandwiched between two layers of natural rubber, making it extremely durable. The nylon gives the disc its unparalleled strength, while the rubber helps maintain the disc’s shape. A great toy for your everyday dog!  The disc comes in two sizes, the Dura Doggie™ Disc for medium to large dogs and the Dura Doggie™ Petite for puppies and small dogs.
 
What a great toy to bring to the 4th of July picnic or BBQ you're attending this weekend.  Think about how much smaller your doggie diaper bag will be!

Not only is this product great, but the company gives back as one disc for every ten sold is donated to an organization helping dogs!

And if (you or) your dog chews up a Dura Doggie™ product in 30 days or less, they will send you a new, one time replacement, FREE of charge.

Tigers and Panda Bears...Oh My!

I felt like Amy Poehler and Seth Meyers on the Weekend Update when I first read this article...REALLY?! I dog that looks like a tiger? A panda that is really a dog? REALLY?! That's right people, what you see before you are dogs whose fur has been dyed so they resemble an exotic animal. This is the sign of a community with too much time and too much money. Is this interesting...yes...should it happen...HECK NO! I really hope these owners are using henna or herbal dyes, but from the look of the bright orange tiger retriever my guess is that's a NO. To force these animals through the hair dying process to me is just horrible and at the expense of the animals health. Come on people...REALLY?! Next time just buy a tiger or panda costume for your pet. Just because you can doesn’t mean you should!

Stepping off my soap box now :)

Kimpton Hotels LOVE Your Pets

I have heard many a person complain that when they go on a road trip and bring their dogs the places they find to stay that allow their pooch to stay with them are less than desirable.  Well Kimpton Hotels are here to answer your prayers with an amazing hosPETality program.  All of their boutique hotels welcome dogs, cats, and various other companions with no fees or special deposits and no weight or size limits.

Kimpton doesn't simply allow pets to stay the night—they roll out the red carpet. Their hotels have created unique and fun packages to ensure that your pet guests are treated with the same elements of care, comfort, style, flavor, and fun that they promise their moms and dads.  These packages include amenities and services like pet food, dog walking services, chew toys and their pet friendly attitude.

There are even four legged pet ambassadors at a number of their hotels that are responsible for welcoming guests with an enthusiastic wag, helping the concierge make suggestions for local pet-friendly hot spots, graciously hosting the complimentary evening wine hour, testing potential pet amenities and services, and making celebrity appearances at events for animal organizations. Their Directors of Pet Relations also provide endless inspiration for Kimpton's hosPETality program.

So go ahead and book a room today!

Dogs Get High Altitude Sickness Too

This past weekend was spent with my family in Lake Tahoe and of course Little B came along.  He absolutely LOVES it up there!  When I say up there I mean UP THERE too as where we stay the elevation is between 6400' to 7040' and with this we discovered that dogs can get altitude sickness just like we do. 

Anecdotal evidence suggests that dogs can become ill from the effects of high altitude, but there hasn't been much research on the topic. Like humans, at high altitudes some dogs stop eating, show discomfort and have no energy.

Our little guy showed a loss of appetite (which is very strange), started to chew on grass (which they do to throw-up), followed by 1 bout of vomiting.  We just let him move at his own pace and he seemed to be fine after a while, but it's important to keep track of your dog and how they are adjusting.  If a dog is exhibiting symptoms, it is wise not to take the dog any higher. Also be sure it has plenty of water. If there is no improvement, it is a good idea to take the dog to a lower elevation.

So be safe and have fun!

Guyot Designs Squishy Travel Pet Bowls

It’s officially summertime and the perfect time to take your pooch on a trip or a hike. The only problem is where do you put their bowls? These squishy bowls from Guyot Designs are perfect for pets of all sizes on the trail. Put a bowl in your pocket, purse, or bag and off you go. It will pop open for a quick drink or a bit of kibble on the trail and then fold back up nicely for your convenience. These bowls clean easily with soap and water but are also dishwasher safe!

BPA and polycarbonate free! They come in three great colors too: Tahoe Blue, Lime, and Tangerine.

So get out there and explore!

Happy Pawther's Day!

To all of you dog fathers out there Happy Pawther's Day!  You know your pooches love you and here is another fun reason to go out and do something fun together.  We will be celebrating with family at the lake where plenty of water fun will be had.  I know I am so appreciative of Kristian and all he does for Little B!

BTW how adorable is this Pawther!?!  Joel Camancho readily admits that he uses PEDs (Performance Enhancing Dogs).  Puppito is the cutie on his shoulder (how does he do that?) and Peanut is hanging out in the back.  I would LOVE to see this in person, these are some amazing dogs!

Have a great weekend!

Flax Seeds Please!

Flax seeds are an excellent source of alpha-linolenic acid, a type of Omega-3 fatty acid. Omega-3 fatty acids are critical for your pet's skin and coat health. They can prevent dry, itchy skin, shedding, and hot spots. Omega-3 fatty acids may reduce or stop the need for cortisone shots or steroids in dogs suffering from allergies. They can also heal cracked paws and nails.


Flax seeds contain both soluble and insoluble fiber. According to the Mayo Clinic, soluble fiber absorbs water to form a gel which can decrease blood sugar and cholesterol. Flax seeds have 12 percent soluble fiber. The insoluble fiber in flax seeds speeds the passage of food through the digestive system. It also builds stool volume, preventing constipation.


These magical seeds can also help with arthritis, which affects one in five dogs over the age of seven. There's nothing more heartbreaking than a much-loved family pet stricken with arthritis.  The inflammatory process in dogs is very similar to humans, and just like humans, when there's not enough omega-3s in the diet inflammatory prostaglandins, hormone-like substances made from the wrong kind of fats, can target the joints, leading to pain and swelling.




So give our new Pumpkin Flax Treats a try!  They are healthy and delicious!

Best Snuggler Ever!

This week B and I have been holding down the fort as the hubs has been in Beantown all week.  It has proved to be a wonderful bonding time for us as Kristian is his favorite.  I can't say that I blame him as he is the best wrestler in the family.  I often sing the "My Buddy" song when they are together because wherever Kristian goes he goes :)  Not this week though, this week me and the B have discovered our favorite past time...snuggling!  He is the best little snuggle bear (as seen in this picture), 55 lbs of love who will often fall asleep with his head on my shoulder.  At first I thought this would prevent me from sleeping as he can snore like a bulldozer but it has actually become a bit of white noise for me.  Don't get me wrong, sometimes he makes noises that makes me think someone has just broken into the house, but for the most part it is just the cutest thing ever!

Here's to you and your snuggle bunny and to a fabulous weekend!

Burning Dog Festival

You have all probably heard of the Burning Man Festival but now there is a Burning Dog Festival!  Starting this Friday, June 11th through June 14th bring your Little B for some camping under the stars at the Plaskett Creek Campground in Big Sur!  I have not attended this event myself nor will I be able to go but it looks amazing :)  Activities include:

Hikes to Sand Dollar Beach and Waterfalls
Art Projects with Your Dog
Costume Party with Prizes
Agility Course
BBQ's, Campfires, Live Music

There is even a party bus for you and your dog to take to arrive in style!

You must be a member of Woofers & Walkers which is free to join and is located out of Santa Cruz.  They put on all kinds of dog friendly events including an adventure every Sunday starting at 10:30 am where you and your pooch can enjoy a walk each week to a different beach followed by a Yappy Hour at a dog-friendly restaurant!

Check out this event and if you end up going and want to send pictures I will be sure to post them and have an amazing time!

Winnie the Pooh Would Be Proud!

Doggie Birthday Cakes and parties are all the rage now and I am totally on this band wagon.  Let's be honest, they are our furbabies and we want nothing but the best for them, so of course when their big B-day comes around we want to celebrate so we get them a cake!!!  One thing to be careful of is the sugar content. 

According to Dr. Michael Fox, formerly chief vet at the Humane Society says: "Processed carbohydrates cause a periodic sugar rush every time your dog eats it.  This damages the liver and the pancreas, resulting in the conversion of sugar into body fat.  The sugar rush and insulin surge (until the pancreas becomes exhausted) make many dogs constantly hungry, so they quickly become obese.  Animals who become overweight primarily as a result of the kinds of manufactured foods they are fed, rather than simply being over-fed and under-exercised, are likely to develop a host of health problems like diabetes, arthritis, skin disease, chronic inflammations, and infections like cystitis, gingivitis, and otitis, heart and liver disease, and cancer."

So instead make sure the cake is made with an all natural sweetener like organic honey which is more easily digestible and has many health benefits.  Your dogs will love the taste and you will feel good about giving them a healthy treat to make the day special.

They Say It's Your Birthday!

OK, so Braddock's birthday isn't until next month, but since mine is this weekend I started thinking about all of the cute ways to celebrate.  I came across this adorable MiniBone shaped cake pan and fell in love!

Perfect for dog and people birthday cakes, parties, special occasions, kid's birthday parties, and other fun events! The PAWShop's MiniBone cake pan is the latest in gourmet novelty bakeware, constructed of high quality, non-stick carbon steel for even baking, easy clean-up, and durability. Dimensions: 6.5"W x 9.5"L x 1.5"H.

Imagine how adorable this would be covered in a cream cheese frosting!  I know Braddock would gobble it right up!  It is inspiring me to put together a Little B's Birthday Cake Mix as we speak!

New! Mini Veggie Parm Organic Dog Treats

I am happy to report that our homemade organic mini treats are now available! These treats are the ideal size for training and/or frequently rewarding your dog without over feeding. Using the same wheat, corn, and soy free formula as our original Organic Veggie Parm Treats, you can feel confident you are giving your dog the very best reward. They are perfect to use for training as they are soft and can be gulped down quickly due to their 1/2 in. size. Let's also not forget that they are delicious!

These mini treats are made to order once payment has been received and will be shipped within 1 to 2 days in a freezer safe vacuum sealed bag and a bubble wrap envelope or box depending on order size. Since these are homemade there will be slight variation from treat to treat. Also, since they are baked without preservatives please place them in the refrigerator upon arrival, once opened place in an air tight container in the refrigerator.

If you would like to purchase these delicious little hearts please do so here: Mini Veggie Parm Organic Dog Treats