Sushi cat toys...
My friend Tina is so cool. Her and a friend are making cat toys and donating part of the proceeds to no kill shelters.
Check this out: Helpful Paws
Sushi cat toys, so cool!
Stella's going to have pups.
This is a link to a website for Stella. She is the most adorable, sweet and beautiful Bulldog in all of the land. See for yourself: www.vermontbullies.com
Like a lollipop for your pooch.
Marrow bones are a fabulous thing for your pooch. They can be found in the meat section at your local grocery store. They come in different sizes depending on the size of your pooches mouth. They are so good for their teeth. It helps keep their pearly whites, well, pearly white and healthy. They will chew on one for a good long time and go back to it several times for another lick. We usually give one to our dogs at least once a week. Be prepared for a bit of a mess and lay down a sheet or blanket and let them go to town. They will love it! The one in the picture is quite large- the largest one we've ever given to our dogs.
Just a reminder.
If your dog has food sensitivities/allergies and your are mindful of the ingredients in their food you should be just as mindful of the ingredients in their treats.
If you love dogs...
then you must go here: http://a-dog-a-day.blogspot.com/
I go every day. And every day it makes me smile.
Our new favorite place to bring our dogs.
So you've done the dog parks, Red Rocks, and various other beautiful hikes and spots to bring your pooches for some exercise. If you are looking for something new, interesting, and unique, we've got a great place for you. St Anne's Shrine in Isle La Motte in the Champlain Islands. Although it is a Shrine, you don't have to be under any religious persuasion to go there. It is located on thirteen acres along the shores of Lake Champlain, and it overlooks the Adirondack Mountains. There's a great beach with lots of sticks that just want to be chased into the water. And if you want to get some praying in, well then you are certainly in the right place...
Check it out, http://www.saintannesshrine.org/
Now we know.
So, Jess has came in contact with some Poison Sumac and now she's itchy and scratchy and just not happy about any of it. She started breaking out in these weird little bumps on her left arm. At first I didn't really see it but then all of a sudden I did. And then I saw it more and more and more. We weren't really sure what was going on so we played detective Pet Fairy to try and solve the case of the odd little red bumps that were taking over her body. She washed every thing in the house, really, everything. We went over the list of everywhere we'd been from Montpelier to Alburgh. We went through every dog she'd walk, every wooded area she'd visited, and yes, one particular bush she had actually crawled through playing with a pooch. We even let ourselves entertain the idea that maybe she was allergic to my mother since they were here visiting when the mysterious red bumps surfaced. After a trip the the emergency clinic, many hours of testing theories, as well as soaps and lotions and an actual doctor's appointment it was officially determined that she had contact dermatitis from Poison Sumac.
Dogs can carry the oil on their fur. As long as it doesn't touch their skin they won't get a rash.
Shoo Fly.
Dog walking in Vermont in the Spring generally means one thing... well two, if you count the mud... but I'm talking about the bugs that are literally not there one day, but swarming around you the next. We've tried lots of methods, including bathing in eucalyptus soap, eating a little extra garlic, and a whole host of natural insect sprays. Our latest method (for us and our dogs) are insect repellent clothing. The repellent stuff is actually part of the clothes, so you don't need to spray anything on. There are a few different kinds, but our favorite is Ex Officio Buzz Off.
We wandered into the Orvis Outlet at Essex Shops and they carried all sorts of shirts and pants and things. But we decided to go for the bandanas. I usually tie one on my wrist or belt loop while hanging with the pooches. And we tie one around each of our dogs. We watched Oliver lying in the grass the other day and there were several bugs flying around him, but they wouldn't land and eventually flew away.
The Buzz Off Shield is supposed to last for up to 70 washings but since we're only using the bandanas when we're outside we haven't had to wash them yet. You can buy them directly from Ex Officio through their website or check your local outdoor store.
Or you can wander into Orvis...
Wet your whistle.
When we used to walk our dogs in the heat we'd bring along two huge bottles filled with water - one for us and one for the dogs. It's just no fun trying to balance a full poop bag, as well as a water bottle and a leash while walking your dog. So, we decided to try something a little less dangerous... a backpack full of water. Camelbak- it's a backpack that has a fancy water bag inside connected to a hose with a nozzle on the end. It allows you to give your dog and yourself water easily... without swapping spit. The one we got is for the ladies and it's really comfortable. It has a couple of different zippered compartments for other stuff like keys, cell phone, wallet, doggie treats, etc. It's easily adjustable, breathable and durable. There are many different types of these bags. Camelbak just happens to be one of our favorite brands. I recommend going to some local places and trying some on to find the one that is most comfy for you. It makes walks on warmer days much more pleasurable, as well as much safer for both you and your pooch.
