Too Kool Doggies

Life Without A Dog

noreply@blogger.com (Elena) — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 00:07:00 +0000

Hello Everyone. It's been a long time since I've written a blog post. Ever since Cookie passed and living in a no pets allowed apartment, it's been hard for me to write about dogs. I love living with my husband and I love the location of where we live. It doesn't take long for me to go to work and it's convenient to everything. However, we're stuck here for another year.

I still love dogs (and cats). I'm patient enough to wait. But the decision to move has to be what's best for both of us. Right now, just isn't the time. It helps that I visit my mom who has Gigi and Homer. I also will be writing about their adventures. But right now, I'm just getting used to the fact that I'll live another year without them. Our property manager is very strict about that.

Living in the Present

So that's what I've been up to lately. I've been travelling more often which isn't something you can do as easily when you have a pet. To all of you who are in the same boat, I can only tell you this. Take the time before making a decision to find your next place. You don't want to rush into your next decision as this affects your life. Also, I plan to find ways to give back. Earlier this year, Ron and I participated in Bow Wow and Alley Cat Bowling with the Heartland Animal Shelter, which is a great way to combine your love for animals and giving back.

Anyhow, I just wanted to let you guys know what's been happening lately. I'll still be blogging, but less frequently than when I had dogs. I always check on the blog though, so feel free to comment below. Thank you all for stopping in to visit my blog.

Let's Discuss!

What have you done to get yourself through your no pet periods in life?

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If I Can't Have A Dog An Important Factor in Getting a Dog

4 Apps That Help You Go Cruelty Free

noreply@blogger.com (Elena) — Wed, 25 May 2016 01:13:00 +0000

Day in and day out, animals are continuously being tested for various reasons. Some are tested for medical purposes, others are tested to see if household products are harmful. Worse yet, many animal are tested so that cosmetic companies can sell their products.

When it comes to dogs, beagles are chosen for animal testing more than any other breed. There are over 65,000 dogs and 20,000 cats in labs in the United States alone. In England, 94.7% of dogs that are using in animal testing are beagles. This is because of their gentleness, trusting nature and ability to forgive easily. 95% of animals are not protected by animal legislation in the United States.The Beagle Freedom Project has been working to free beagles from a laboratory and a life destined for euthanasia by banding together to help legislators find these dogs a home.

Cruelty Free Apps

While we are unable to only hope that more legislation succeeds in giving these animals a loving home, we can control the products that we buy on a daily basis. Some apps even offer a scanning feature to help you find out right in the store if an item is cruelty-free or not. For all of you who own iPhone and Android smartphones, you can download the following apps.

Cruelty Cutter

Cruelty Cutter is an app that promotes a cruelty-free lifestyle. It's free to download. This app was created exclusively for the Beagle Freedom Project. It offers many features including, a pledge to shop cruelty-free, doggie dollars which give the recipients discounts from their monthly sponsors once they've accumulated a certain amount and bite back, which allows you to communicate with cruelty-friendly companies to campaign for the welfare of animals.

Cruelty-Free

Cruelty-Free is another app that makes it easier to navigate through the animal testing waters. This app is available for both iPhone and Android smart phones.

Bunny Free

Bunny Free was created by Graduate Student Margaret Pearce as a special project for PETA. The app will scan products and let you know if they're animal friendly or not. PETA also provides the data information for the app.

Choose Cruelty Free

Choose Cruelty Free is an app that was created for our friends who live across the world. Since the organization is based in Australia, most of the products researched will be pick up products in that continent. This may be handy for cruelty-free lifestyle pursuers in New Zealand and parts of Asia as well.

It's Not Hard To Be Cruelty Free

Living the cruelty free lifestyle isn't the easiest thing in the world. Many times, companies will find a way around the animal testing laws and pretend they are cruelty-free, but really have just found a loophole. You don't need to be a vegan or vegetarian to help end animal cruelty, but by choosing carefully which products you'd like to purchase is a great step to take.

Let's Discuss!

Do you have a favorite cruelty free app? What steps do you take toward a cruelty-free lifestyle? Please share with me in the comments below.

It's All Related!

The Soi Dog Foundation

noreply@blogger.com (Elena) — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 02:56:00 +0000

Photo courtesy of Pixabay.com

Living in the United States, one hears about the horrors and neglect of abused dogs on a daily basis. However, in places like Thailand, the abuse is so much more. Hundreds of dogs and cats are abused, abandoned or left for dead in the streets. Others, become part of the dog meat trade.

The Soi Dog Foundation

The Soi Dog Foundation was founded in 2003 by a trio of animal rescue activists, Margot Homburg Park and John and Gill Dalley. Jon and Gill had relocated to Phuket and decided to dedicate their lives to rescuing these animals. Their foundation became the first organization of its kind to be certified as a foundation in Thailand.

What They Do

In Thailand, there aren't as many facilities available to help their animals. The veterinarians volunteer their time. They can't perform surgeries there, just give basic care. In addition to the basic care, that's given to these animals, there have been huge strides to spay and neuter them to control the overcrowded pet population. Since the beginning, over 100,000 dogs, averaging about 1,800 a month.

In 2011, they started an initiative to help end the dog meat trade. Many dogs from Thailand are exported to Vietnam to be eaten. It's illegal and the foundation has worked to bring awareness to this by naming it the Trade of Shame. In addition to its Trade of Shame campaign, the organization teaches students in school to become more understanding and tolerant towards dogs. Today, the Soi Dog Foundation is the largest animal rescue foundation in Asia, having over 50 full-time employees and a huge goal of opening a veterinary hospital in Asia.

How You Can Help

There are many ways you can help this foundation. They have a dog sponsor program where one can sponsor a dog or cat for $26USD a month. Another way to help is through adoption. Many of their dogs, mostly adult are shipped to places such as North America and Europe to loving homes. If you find yourself vacationing in Thailand, one of the best ways to help the animals is not to take them into the comfort of your hotel room. Many tourists will do so thinking they're helping and it gives the animal hope they'll have a loving home. When they return to a new tourist who turns them away, they at risk for getting clubbed to death.

Finally, 100% Pure has a special offer going on right now. You can purchase special products from their website and 100% of the profits will go to the Soi Dog Foundation. I picked up their Soi Dog Mangosteen bath package and it's a great feeling to know that even though it was a little costly, the end result is more well worth it. If you'd like to learn more about this please visit 100percentpure.com.

*Note: No payment was offered by 100% pure. I am endorsing them purely for their Soi Dog Program.

To learn more about the Soi Dog Foundation, you can find them at soidog.org.

Let's Discuss!

Are you familiar with Soi Dog Foundation? What animal rescue organization has changed your life?

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41 Beagles Saved from Spain
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One Day Can Make A Difference

When The Time Comes To Cross The Rainbow Bridge

noreply@blogger.com (Elena) — Sun, 13 Mar 2016 16:17:00 +0000

Dogs add so much to our life, we put it out of our mind that their time has come to cross the rainbow bridge. Yesterday, that day had come for Cookie.

We had brought Cookie into our life for one main reason. Our other dog at the time, Elvis, had stopped eating because he lost his best friend Cosmo. Elvis had come from backyard breeders, and was a fearful dog by nature. He grew up with Cosmo, with them both being a month apart in age. Losing Cosmo, really struck a chord in him. He lost his appetite and his weight dropped from 75 to 60 pounds. After two weeks of my mom and I seeing Elvis going through this, we knew he needed another companion or he would die from a broken heart.

I knew it couldn't be a replacement for Cosmo, who happened to be a black, tan and white Siberian Husky/German Shepherd mix. I figured getting a smaller female dog would be a good solution but not let Elvis think that I was trying to replace his buddy, but rather help him through his grief. When I brought Cookie home, Elvis was at first confused but surely warmed up to her. Her gentle, sweet demeanor helped Elvis become himself again.

Cookie was about two to three years old, when we adopted her. But that's only a guess. She was a dog picked up off the street who had given birth to puppies and was left to fend for herself. Thankfully she was picked up and taken to the city pound.

Elvis was an older dog by then. But Cookie being in his life, helped him live an extra year and a half. Soon after, Cookie was just so grateful to have a home, she was happy enough to be by herself for a while. A few years later, my mom wanted a companion for her, and then Gigi came into the picture. But Cookie, no matter what or what pets came into our life was the same. She was grateful she had a home and a family that loved her.

Thirteen Years Later

On my way to my mom's house, I had a feeling that her time was near. I didn't want it to come, but I couldn't stand to see her suffer unnecessarily. I went to my mom's house to take Cookie for a vet visit. When Cookie greeted me, her legs gave out on her. She was having constant accidents, and because she had epilepsy all her life, her seizures had increased much more in frequency.

I took my mom with me to see the doctor. I unfortunately couldn't make the decision because I had moved out when I got married at the end of 2014. My mom who is retired, was there day in and day out. She spent the most time with Cookie, so in all fairness it had to be her choice. When my mom told the doctor, that Cookie just isn't Cookie anymore, I knew.

It's never easy to say goodbye to your pet. I didn't write this to make you all sad, but since Cookie was one of the reasons I created this blog in the first place, it seemed the only fitting way to let you guys know, since she was such a big part of this blog. It is seen said that dogs live for less time than humans, because they've taught us all the lessons we need to learn from them. That definitely was the case with Cookie.

I'd like to thank you all that have come to support me and my dogs here. I still plan on blogging with all types of topics, not just the sad ones. For all of you who are in similar situations like I was with Cookie, my heart goes out to you. Thanks again for visiting, and I'll be back with new posts soon.

The Return Of The Bladder Stones

noreply@blogger.com (Elena) — Sat, 05 Mar 2016 14:56:00 +0000

Hello everyone. I know it's been awhile since you've heard from me. Right now, I live in a place that doesn't have dogs. However, I'm lucky enough where I can see Cookie, Gigi and Homer when I visit my family. Luckily, it's not too far of a drive. So, when I blog, you'll be hearing stories about me blogging from experiences outside of my home. It's my goal to do things more frequently and finding a balance between marriage, family, friends and my world online. Anyhow, this post is more about Gigi, so here we go.

In October 2014, I noticed that Gigi was having accidents in the house again and not eating. Not only that, but she would lay on my mom's bed all day and not budge. So it was time take her to the doctor again. Unfortunately, I had to switch doctors because the original one I had taken her to didn't have weekend hours. So I took her to the Petsmart in the neighborhood.

When I took Gigi there, they checked her over and we had x-rays done. From the x-rays, it was obvious the stones were back. They had prescribed Clavamox and she was eating the prescribed food. Taking her back on regular visits, there was little improvement and the doctor suggested that she may need to have surgery.

It occurred to me knowing that she had struvite stones, which are able to be dissolved, this place did not look at all the options. They looked at surgery as the be all and end all. There was no suggestion of a urine culture or other non-invasive treatments. I knew in my heart it was time for a second opinion. It also didn't help that the staff wasn't very compassionate either. For me, compassion goes a long way when it comes to those you love and the people who are responsible for their care. I also felt like I was being judged.

Time for a Second Opinion

One year later, I knew things shouldn't be this way When I got home, I decided to check my old vet's website. After seeing the hours, I noticed he now had Saturday hours in the morning. I quickly called to make an appointment. I brought Gigi in to get an exam and asked the doctor if it would give her the medication that he did in the past, because it seemed to work. I was hesitant about getting an X-ray because I knew in my heart from the way Gigi was behaving and struggling on walks that they were still there.

As the person taking her to the doctor, I had made some mistakes. I got a urinalysis first to see where things were and took a plan of action. It was getting scary because Gigi had become resistant to the original antibiotics. I shouldn't have tried to outguess my doctor. Because the urine culture wasn't done right away, it was hard to tell if the medicine was working properly or not.

So it turned out that the doctor ran the urine culture to see if there was any medications that Gigi's would accept. Out of the seven types of possible medications he ran against her blood chemistry, there was one in which she wasn't resistant. I realized then and there, it was time to me to let go and go all in with what the doctor was saying. We instantly switched the medication and I told my mom that she would need to give her a half pill twice a day.

This was a very long process, but after a couple of weeks, I took Gigi back for another test to see if the medicine would work and her body didn't build up another resistance to the medication. A few days later, I got another call and the doctor told me that the medication was working. We both were relieved.

Lessons that I Learned

This experience with Gigi and her bladder stones has been frustrating and incredibly fulfilling at the same time. I learned that no matter how scared you are, you can't try to second guess your doctor. I also learned that you have to go with your instincts. It's also important to build a foundation of trust with your vet and not to let incidents of the past cloud your thinking. Not all vets are the same. Because of my second veterinarian's unyielding commitment to finding a solution, Gigi didn't have to have an unnecessary surgery. I will always be grateful to him and his staff for their excellent care they gave my dog.

And Gigi? Because the stones came back after the first treatment, she will have to have prescription food for the rest of her life. The food is available by prescription only but it's a small price to pay to know your dog has a good chance of not getting the stones again. I'll also have to take her for a follow up visit in about four months.

Let's Discuss!

I love to hear what you have to say. So here is my question for you. Have you ever gotten a second opinion for your pet and how did it make a difference?

I appreciate you guys always coming here to support my blog. Have a great weekend!

It's All Related!

Gigi's Battle with Bladder Stones
What you need to know about Bladder Stones

Things To Know When Getting A Really Big Dog

noreply@blogger.com (Elena) — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 10:55:00 +0000

* All Photos provided by Pixabay

Hi Everyone. It seems like forever since I last posted here. In the past year, I had planned a wedding, got married and had some medical issues that caught me off guard. I'm doing much better now, and I am finally back to blog about one of my favorite topics--dogs.

Getting A Really Big Dog

In an ideal world, a dog's size wouldn't be an issue. People would see a dog and think it's cute or not. But the reality is much different. We live in a world full of fear. Many people are afraid of dogs. Even a large dog like a labrador retriever, will send those with an intense fear of dogs, running for the hills.

That being said, many dog lovers gravitate toward owning really big dogs. When I say really big dogs, I'm referring to dogs over 100 pounds (45kg) and up. These owners don't worry about the fact that having a huge dog makes them conspicuous. All they see is a wonderful pet. That's the way it should be. Having any dog is work but if trained right, a really big dog like a Mastiff (pictured above) or an Irish Wolfhound (pictured right) isn't going to be any harder than owning a smaller dog.

Misconceptions about Really Big Dogs

Here are some misconceptions about giant dogs:

They are aggressive.
They are hard to control.
They don't like children.
They are noisy.
That dogs of this size live long lives

There are always certain breeds of dogs that will be more aggressive than others. However, most owners have a desire to make their dogs aggressive. Dogs don't wake up one day and say, "Who can I terrify today?" Usually, if something happens, it's in direct response to what they felt was a threat. Many breed-specific laws try to address this issue by eliminating the breeds. But in actuality in a study by the Irish Times, the number of dog aggression incidences actually increased. In fact, many dog breeds like the Mastiff and the Bernese Mountain Dog are quite gentle and loving.

Having a really big dog that pulls you when you take them on a walk, will tire a person out more than a smaller dog. Still, how a dog behaves, comes down to training. By using positive reinforcement methods, any large dogs will be as easy to control as their smaller counterpart.

Whether or not a dog likes children or not is more based in the breed type of the dog. Dogs like Irish Wolfhounds and Great Danes, absolutely love children. It's important for parents to set ground rules when it comes for their children behaving properly around pets. After a while, even the gentlest dog will get tired of a child yanking on its ear.

Many large dogs are very nimble on their feet. You'll probably hear them walk into the room and yes, some breeds are messier than others, but in general, many large dogs like the mastiff will bark to alert the family when something is wrong.

While smaller dogs live anywhere from twelve to twenty years, it's a different story for giant dog breeds. Many dog owners are lucky to see these pooches live over twelve years. A dog like an Irish Wolfhound lives a maximum of 8 years. A Great Dane lives for about the same time. Mastiffs can live over ten years and many Bernese Mountain dog owners are fortunate to have their dogs around for nine years.

Final Thoughts

While really big dogs tend to stop traffic on the street, having them as part of your family should be more than just a novelty. With their larger size, you're going to have higher dog food bills and more upkeep. As with any pet, it's important to do your research to find the best dog to fit in with your lifestyle. What do you think is the most important thing to owning a really big dog? Leave your comments below.

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Primal Freeze-Dried Treats Review

noreply@blogger.com (Elena) — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 12:59:00 +0000

I'm always in the market for tasty treats for the dogs. I received the chance to review Primal Treats for dogs from Chewy.com. With dogs as different and diverse as the five that I have, I knew this would be a great opportunity.

At First Glance

What makes freeze-dried treats stand out is that the flavor is saved through this preservation technique but does not need any additives. As a result, the beef liver treats that I gave the dogs had only one ingredient — Beef Liver. Looking at them, you can see small rectangular cubes (pictured right). They were firm but with a little give, so you could break them apart if need be. However, with the way the dogs could smell them, making them smaller was not required.

All About The Taste Of It

No matter how simple a treat can be, the true test of success is how much the dogs like it. It's safe to say, when the

dogs saw me removing these from the bag, I had their complete attention. They would stay motionless in anticipation. And when the time came, boy, did they down it. Their wasn't one dissatisfied dog in the house.

The Final Verdict

Primal Treats are an excellent choice for your dog. Although, it's a small-size package, it's good to know that you are giving your dog a healthy treat that can last awhile if you give it as an occasional treat. Like organic treats, quality is to be considered before price when deciding on this treat. However, if you're seeking a treat that is tasty and healthy at the same time, this is the way to go. A special thanks to the folks from Chewy.com for making this review possible.

Let's Discuss!

What do you love most when you give your dogs freeze-dried treats?

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The Dogs Were Rescued...A Book Review

noreply@blogger.com (Elena) — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 13:09:00 +0000

Recently released on October 7th, The Dogs Were Rescued (and so was I) isn't your typical rescue story. Why, because there's so much more to it. The writer Teresa J. Rhyne, has a voice that is very honest. You learn about her love for her beloved Seamus, wine and longtime love Chris.

At first, one thinks they are going to read about dog rescue. However, this book is more about discovering oneself through your dog's eyes. It shows how going the extra mile for your dog, can trickle over into their human's life. It shows how passion for a lifestyle grows from one incident.

If there's one thing that separates this book from others in it's class, it's the unvarnished truth the author presents about fighting cancer, how the Beagle Freedom Project has saved so many dogs, finding oneself and making choices that define your life without losing yourself in the process.

It's a book about discovery and really opens one's eyes to many topics we tend to ignore because they can be uncomfortable. Reading this sheds light on the effects of animal testing on dogs, how vegans don't fall into one stereotype and that as messy as life can get, one always finds a way to navigate through it.

This book is highly recommended for those love non-fiction with an unusual twist.

Solid Gold Jerky Treats Review

noreply@blogger.com (Elena) — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 06:44:00 +0000

It's not everyday I get to review a product like this. When Chewy.com sent these to me, I was thrilled. My dogs have always loved beef jerky and these treats from Solid Gold got all of them excited.

Normally, I will give the pros and cons. So here goes. There are a whole lot of pros including the fact, the dogs loved the taste, the treats come in cute little squares, and they have unusual ingredients like rosemary, cinnamon and tapioca. Every single one of my dogs loved it and the only proof I have of that is the lack of pictures you see here. As you can see, there aren't many because it lasted about two days between the five pooches. The only downside I can see is that these treats, like all jerky treats cost a little more. However, they are on sale at Chewy.com so it balances out.

In conclusion, if you're looking for a tasty treat for your dogs that has a more healthy bend to it, these treats are not to be missed.

Let's Discuss!

What treat have you given your dogs over the years that has been a sure thing?

Primal Chicken Shredders Review

noreply@blogger.com (Elena) — Tue, 30 Sep 2014 11:20:00 +0000

One thing my dogs live for is treats. Whenever they see that bag opening, they bark with excitement. This month's review is a product called Primal Chicken Shredders. I received them courtesy of the folks from Chewy.com. The fact that these were organic and limited ingredient was very appealing since my dogs can be fussy about their treats.

At First Glance

When I first opened the bag, the chicken pieces came in a generous size. Because of their lined texture, they are easy to break into smaller pieces. There also were little shreds left in the bad which can be used a topper for your dog's food after all of the treats were gone. It has a natural brown color from slow roasting and then being freeze-dried. As you can see, two of my dogs--Gigi and Fancy--couldn't wait to have theirs.

The Test

Well, considering I have five dogs and the bag was just four ounces, these went very quickly. The dogs absolutely loved them. They ate them fast and there was no turning of the head. Other processed treats will render that result with my dogs, especially Gigi, who can be particularly discriminating in her taste.

The Final Verdict

I highly recommend these treats. They are sure to please even the most finicky dogs. They have grain-free and gluten-free and limited ingredients which is gentler on your dog's stomach. Hopefully, down the road, they'll have larger sizes available for people like me who have five dogs.The only downside I saw was the price. At $12.39 USD, that can be high for a four ounce bag like this. However, Chewy.com has them on sale for $7.99 USD, which is quite reasonable for high-quality organic treats.

Let's Discuss!

What is your favorite treat to give your dog? How do you feel about organic treats?

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Newman's Own Chicken and Sweet Potato Review
Orijen Lamb Freeze-Dried Treats Review

Honest Kitchen Nuzzles Review

noreply@blogger.com (Elena) — Sat, 30 Aug 2014 15:14:00 +0000

I always embrace the opportunity to review treats. When I received the chance from Chewy.com, to review Honest Kitchen Nuzzles, I jumped at the chance.

At First Glance

I was really excited when I received these treats. The duck and cherry combo wasn't one I was familiar with, but I knew my dogs would always be up for trying new things. The heart shapes were adorable. They were small enough for my dogs like Gigi and Harry and big enough to satisfy a dog like Fancy.

This is a product that's environmentally-friendly and sturdy enough to keep the treats from breaking.I also was impressed that they have very few ingredients in it. Most of it is natural. Which is good for dogs because you don't have to worry about preservatives. Being a biscuit, it's good for the dogs to chomp away and keeps the tartar on their teeth to a minimum.

All About The Taste

Taste is important in a treat. It's what keeps dogs going back for more and brings loyalty. Meet my friendly treat-tester Gigi. She's my little Shi-Poo who has a discriminating palette that has her barking for joy when she loves something and turns her head away when she's not interested. When I gave them to her, she first took them in and observed (as you can see pictured right). It took awhile but she warmed up to them. The other dogs ate them as well, but not with as much enthusiasm as they do for treats like jerky treats.

The Final Analysis

I recommend these treats. They don't have the flash of a soft treat but it's something to consider when you want to give your dog a healthier biscuit than your typical commercial variety. The low ingredients is going to be more easy on a dog's stomach, especially if they're sensitive. And, you will feel better about it. Thank you again to Chewy.com for making this review possible.

Let's Discuss!

Have you tried the Honest Kitchen Variety? What healthy treats do you love giving your dogs?

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Natural Balance Dental Chews Review

noreply@blogger.com (Elena) — Tue, 29 Jul 2014 12:14:00 +0000

A Chew For All Dogs

Dental chews are always a challenge for me to review. When you have a dog like Harry, our Chinese Crested dog, who

has has very few teeth. My dog Homer doesn't like a toothbrush anywhere near his teeth. When Chewy.com gave me the chance to review these Natural Balance Dental Chews, I jumped at the chance.

At First Glance

In the past, I've usually given my dogs Greenies, which they absolutely love. Opening these out of the bag, I learned that these were more brownish in color. They also weren't as soft and flexible as the other dental treats I had given my dogs. I also thought the ridges on top were unique. The size of the treats were medium which were good for the smaller dogs like Cookie, Gigi and Harry and the larger dogs like Homer and Fancy. The one thing that couldn't be done was trying to break them in half. It was something you couldn't do with your hands

All About The Taste

So, really when you're thinking about it, it's all about how dogs like things. When I gave these to them, the dogs didn't lift their heads and tore right into them. They are grain-free so they are easier on your dog's stomach. Even Harry didn't have difficulty chewing them. Although they didn't pass Gigi's taste specifications, the other dogs really enjoyed them.

The Final Analysis

I'd recommend these treats for dogs considering that my dogs who liked them at them with enthusiasm. If your dog is finicky, you may want to tread with caution. They are a nice alternative to Greenies and cost a little bit less so those qualities balance each other out.

Let's Discuss!

Do you give your dogs dental chews?What kind of dental chews do your dog love?

Simple Solution Stain + Odor Remover

noreply@blogger.com (Elena) — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 02:36:00 +0000

Hi Everyone. I know it has been eons since I've last written a post. A lot has happened to me in recent months. One of the things is I am engaged and planning to get married before the end of the year. Even though it's going to be a hectic time, I will still try to get out more posts in a more consistent fashion than before.

When I received the opportunity from my friends at Chewy.com to review pet stain remover, I couldn't let this opportunity pass me by. Living in a house with multiple dogs, means major stains find their way to our carpet and fabrics easily.

So I decided to try this on two types of fabric. The first was a carpet stain and the second was an upholstery stain. What I liked about it was that it's easy to use. It's also made with a more natural solution which won't wear out the fabrics as much. You just have to saturate the stain and there's no rinsing needed. All you have to do is soak it up with a clean cloth to finish removing the stain.

What I didn't like about this when the stain is really soaked in, when it dried, there was still remnants of the odor left over. You can see the results from the pictures below.

Stain 1 Before

Stain 1 After

Stain 2 Before

The Final Verdict

While this formula of cleaner isn't as strong as some others on the market, I still give it 3 out of 5 stars. Also, the price is very reasonable for the size of product you're getting. I like the fresh scent and think it's ideal for lighter stains, however, I'd recommend the extreme version for the tougher ones. Again, a special thank you to Chewy.com for making this review possible.

Let's Discuss!

What do you like best when it comes to getting the pet stains out? Do you use anything special?

Newman's Own Organic Snack Sticks

noreply@blogger.com (Elena) — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 18:08:00 +0000

Newman's Own Chicken and Sweet Potato Snack Sticks

Having five dogs in one household has its advantages and drawbacks. One of the advantages is that when you give them a new treat, you'll get different types of feedback. One of the drawbacks is that an average size bag of treats never lasts long. That's why I was really excited for the pooches to try the Newman's Own Chicken and Sweet Potato Snack Sticks. A bag was provided to me to review courtesy of Chewy.com.

Newman's Own Snack Sticks At First Glance

Looking at these when I took them out of the bag, I liked that they were soft, but still had some structure. I also noticed that the treats had grooves which made them easier to measure and break in half for our smaller dogs. They also had a grainy texture which made me think of organic treats versus natural treats.

The Taste

Sometimes, my dogs are iffy with treats that have sweet potatoes in them but in this case, that couldn't be further

from the truth. Fancy (pictured right) ate her treat with relish. She really chomped away in paradise. What I liked even better is that not one dog had a bad reaction on their digestive system. Finally the true indicator of how good these treats were was the fact that they lasted in our house for only two days.

Summing It All Up!

I would highly recommend these treats as an alternative to beef or chicken jerky. Chicken is the first ingredient listed on the bag, which is a nice change to having treats that feature chicken by-products as their main ingredient. Because they are made organically, there's only 11 ingredients that go into each snack stick. It's a good option to also consider if your dog is prone to allergies or has a sensitive stomach. They also are free of corn and wheat by using barley flour instead.

Sold for about $4USD, you can find the Newman's Own Organic Snack Sticks at many brick and mortar stores as well as online. A special thank you to Chewy.com for making this review possible.

Let's Discuss!

What's your favorite organic treat you give your dog?

It's All Related

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A Treat For Gigi
Homemade Dog Treats Part I

The Skier And The Billionaire

noreply@blogger.com (Elena) — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 13:27:00 +0000

The Stray Dog Epidemic In Sochi

I always get excited when I hear about the olympics. I love to see the ice skating, skiing and snowboarding. I'm also simply blown away by the aerials. But imagine my surprise when I heard that the Russian officials in Sochi found that by killing off all the stray dogs, it would help alleviate the nuisance. How were they doing this? By poisoning these innocent animals that nobody wanted. Killing dogs in that way is very inhumane as it causes a long, painful death.

Unlike wild dogs, many of these strays were given up by families who didn't want them anymore. They are not mean and fierce but rather gentle and sweet. The one good thing about this story is that it's raised the world's awareness about the stray dog epidemic.

Gus Kenworthy

Who is Gus Kenworthy (pictured above)? He's an American silver medalist of the slope style event. Slope style is one of the newest events this year and is very exciting to watch. It's a cross between skiing and skateboarding, since it requires riding over metal rails, a trick that many skateboarders have done for years.

If many of you haven't heard, Gus came across this adorable family of strays. The mother was fiercely protective of her pups so instead of bringing one dog home with him, he's bringing home the mother and her four pups. At a young age of 22 years old, he is a lifelong dog lover who has made a very admirable decision to bring them home.

He's not just talking the talk but walking the walk. He has stayed behind to help fill out the paperwork and arrange their travel itineraries to get them home to Denver, while he's finishing up press tours this week in New York. He's also being assisted by Oleg Deripaska, a russian billionaire to help facilitate the paperwork.He's inspired other Olympians as well, including fellow snowboarder Lindsey Jacobellis and a few of the players from the US Hockey team.He plans on giving the extra pups to family and friends once he comes back to Denver.

Oleg Deripaska

More people will know this billionaire from the pages of Forbes as opposed to the Olympics. He's a billionaire who made his fortune in the aluminum industry and is now CEO for the United Company RUSAL, Russia's largest aluminum company. He decided to build an animal shelter to help combat the stray problem in Sochi.

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

Both of these men have gone the extra mile to help these dogs. In a world where so many dogs can't be saved, it's nice to know that this bunch will have that chance.

Let's Discuss!

How do you feel about the stray problem in Sochi

Natural Balance Holiday Pack Review

noreply@blogger.com (Elena) — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 12:48:00 +0000

I've always been a big believer in variety packs. They give you a lot for your dog, and there will be at least something they'll enjoy. That's why I jumped at the chance to review the Natural Balance Holiday Pack. This is a great gift for the dog lover in your life. I received my holiday pack courtesy ofChewy.com.

This package gives your dog the ultimate variety with the Natural Balance dog food roll. I've had my dogs try this a few times. Sometimes, I give it alone and other times, I mix it in with their food. No matter which way they eat. Then, there's the canned food. Most dogs just love having their daily dose of canned food with their dry food. They tried the Natural Balance Canned food and surely goobled it up. Then there's the treats. The dogs enjoyed them but they weren't jumping for joy every time I brought them out. I would say they are better than average and especially ideal for dogs who fare best with limited ingredient products.

Summing It All Up

I think this is a great gift idea. It's ideal for a friend or relative's pooch. It's also a smart way to introduce your dog to new foods without having a long-term commitment. It's relatively inexpensive costing $5.99 for dogs and $3.99 for cats. To learn more about these packs, you can find them at the Chewy.com website. It's nice to know that with the hecticness of the season, that some gift ideas aren't that hard.

Let's Discuss!

What kind of pet gifts are you going to look for this holiday season?

10 Tips for Holiday Travel with Your Dog

noreply@blogger.com (Elena) — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 14:02:00 +0000

Hi Everyone!

Today, for this post, I'm sharing an article that I received from Paris Parmenter. Enjoy!

Ready to go walking in a winter wonderland with your dog? Holiday travel, whether to visit friends and relatives or to enjoy a great getaway, is all the more fun with your dog as a faithful travel companion. “Traveling with your dog can be a stress reliever during what is a stressful time of year for many people,” explains Paris Permenter, co-author of the newly-published DogTipper’s Texas with Dogs guidebook. “Not only will you not have to worry about boarding your dog while you’re traveling, but having your dog along can also serve as a great icebreaker at family get togethers.”

Before making plans to deck the halls on a trip with your dog, here are 10 tips to make sure you—and your dog—have a jolly time this holiday season:

Plan in advance. Make plans early during this peak travel time. When booking, call the hotel directly and let them know the size and breed of your dog so there are no surprises at check-in.
Watch out for ornaments and decorations. Decorations, from tinsel to ornaments to lights, present chewing and choking hazards. Even if your dog ignores decorations at home, he may be tempted in a new environment.
Be prepared for accidents. Pet accidents happen, even with the most reliably housetrained pets. Carry a roll of paper towels and a cleaner such as Rug Doctor Urine Eliminator spray for quick cleanups and to keep from putting your hotel pet deposit (or your relatives’ good humor) at risk.
Make a pre-trip vet visit. If you’re traveling out of state by car or traveling anywhere with your dog by plane, visit your vet to obtain a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI). Make sure your dog is current on vaccinations and ask for an immunization record to carry as well.
Carry your dog’s food and treats. The holidays may be a time for us to indulge (or over-indulge) on food and treats but our dogs should be kept on their usual diet to avoid tummy upset.
Place an extra ID tag on your dog. Consider a special dog tag with your cell phone number. If you’ll be at one location for several days, make a tag with your holiday number and address as well.
Buckle up. Icy roads and heavy holiday traffic are two more reasons to always buckle up furry family members, just as children are always buckled up in the car.
Keep your dog warm and dry. If you’ll be walking in snow or ice, be sure your dog’s paws are protected with booties. Many dogs also appreciate a warm sweater or coat.
Carry the scent of home. Whether a blanket, a doggie duvet, or just a plush toy, bring along the scent of home for time on the road and for your hotel stay.
Be prepared to travel more slowly. Just as if traveling with a small child, your holiday travel is going to be enjoyed at a little slower pace with your dog. Make time for more frequent potty stops and at least one hour of walking per day. And don’t forget to work plenty of time together into your schedule. After all, isn’t that what a holiday with your best friend is all about?

About DogTipper’s Texas with Dogs

DogTipper’s Texas with Dogs (Open Road, distributed by Simon and Schuster) features the best dog-friendly destinations across Texas. The full-color book was written by Paris Permenter and John Bigley, founders of the award-winning DogTipper.com. The 10,000+ page site features tips for dog lovers, giveaways, recipes, and more. Paris Permenter, a certified dog trainer and America’s Pet Economist™, also co-hosts the weekly Dog Travel Experts radio show with tips on traveling with your dog. For more information, visit www.dogtipper.com and www.TexaswithDogs.com.

Let's Discuss!

What are some tips that you would suggest when it comes to travelling with your dog?

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Organix Organic Dog Cookie Review And Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Elena) — Wed, 20 Nov 2013 17:27:00 +0000

I'm always up for having a new treat to try out on my dogs. This month, Chewy.com was

generous enough to give me these treats by Organix to try on the pooches. When I first received the package in the mail, I realized that there was a substantial amount of cookies in the 12 ounce package (340 grams). They were made to be slightly larger than a quarter and looked like itty bitty vanilla wafers. When I compared them to the size of a quarter, they were slightly larger (pictured right). I also liked that the smaller size would mean that they would last longer with the five dogs that live here.

The Taste Test

One thing that's great about having such different dogs is that they have equally diverse taste. All the dogs, especially Gigi, have been partial to cheese products so I thought to choose the cheddar cheese flavor. The first time, all of the dogs seemed to like it. Yet, after subsequent tastings, Fancy would turn her snout at them. As much as Fancy loves bread and cheese, these didn't float her boat for some reason. It could be the size of the treat since Fancy is so large, and the treats for her were the equivalent of eating a tic tac.

Even though these were a no go with Fancy, I still would like to recommend them. For one, I like that these treats are organic. It's good to know that they use the purest ingredients for them and not commercial grade. My true taste barometers are Cookie and Homer. Since both of them are notorious for loving anything and everything about food, if they don't like it, then the dog treat falls into the lost cause department. The fact that Gigi loved them, knowing how finicky her taste buds can be, is what puts these treats into recommendation territory.

Summing It Up

I recommend these as a healthy alternative. They are certified organic. Another good thing about them is the fact that they're made in the US, which will keep the treats fresher longer. They are ideal for most dogs but are not for every dog, especially if your dog has a choosy pallet.

The Organix Giveaway

Here's a way to win some for your doggies. Fill out the giveaway form below for your dog(s) to indulge in an organic treat from Chewy.com. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Let's Discuss!

What kind of organic treats do you love giving your dog?

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Adopt A Senior Pet Month (Infographic)

noreply@blogger.com (Elena) — Thu, 07 Nov 2013 16:43:00 +0000

November is Adopt A Senior Pet Month. Where October promotes adopting all pets, November is all increasing awareness of the wonders of senior pets. In my household, three of our dogs are senior dogs. All of them have just as much pep and vigor compared to their younger counterparts.

Every year, thousands of senior dogs are dropped off in a shelter. Some are given up because their family can't keep them anymore. Others are given up because their owners don't want them anymore, since they are older. It's not fair to the dog when this happens, but compared to other dogs, they are the last to be adopted. They are also the ones who are most euthanized.

Older Pet Benefits

Some of the benefits of adopting senior pets include:

They are already housebroken. It doesn't take a long time for them to get acclimated to new surroundings.
They are great for those owners who love a laid-back life. A simple walk will be all the exercise they need in a day.
You know what you're getting. They tend to be more docile. Also, when they are adopted from a shelter, they are equally grateful.
It isn't as long of a time investment compared to raising a dog who is a puppy.

Below is an infographic for Senior Pets by Blogpaws

Pork Chomps Giveaway Winners

noreply@blogger.com (Elena) — Wed, 30 Oct 2013 05:42:00 +0000

Hello Everyone!

Thank you all for entering my Pork Chomps Giveaway. I just want you to know that I truly enjoyed reading all your comments. It was great hearing about your dogs and their favorite treats. I am happy to announce the winners of our Pork Chomps Giveaway. The winners were drawn at random and are as follows:

Small Dogs: Steve Weber
Large Dogs: Danielle Porter

Both winners have a week to email me at epapastefanatgmaildotcom with their necessary information to ship your package. If there is no response by Wednesday, November 6th at 11:59 CST, then I will redraw the winners. I am planning on having another giveaway coming up very soon. Thanks again to all who entered. Hope you all have a very Happy Halloween.

Feed And Go Automated Pet Feeder

noreply@blogger.com (Elena) — Tue, 22 Oct 2013 22:04:00 +0000

Photo: Feed and Go

It always amazes me when you see one of those food bowls that feed your pet(s). Imagine how surprised I was when I heard of Feed and Go. Not only does it automatically dispense your pet's food, it can be controlled online.Through the use of advanced technology, it's able to not only help pet parents keep their pets on their normal routines, but also keep them connected to their furry family members while away from home.

It offers the option for a pet owner to record their voice and is built with a webcam. It connects through Wi-Fi and can be controlled through any computer, tablet or smartphone, as well as a convenient iOS and Android app for mobile programming and webcam streaming. In addition to dispensing food, it can also be an option for dispensing medication. There are also special apps available for iPhone and Android users as well.

With it's webcam, it's a great way to check in on your pets when you're away on vacation.Feed and Go’s automated pet feeder can be used with both wet and dry food and features six, 8 oz. cup size feeding trays that when not on display are kept airtight to keep food and any medications fresh until dispensed to the pet. It also is made with plastic so it's dishwasher safe as well. It allows pet parents to set one-off feeds or a recurring feeding schedule, or a combination of both, and for those lucky enough to be parents to more than one pet, the Feed and Go customer console allows for multiple pet feeders to be controlled from one login.

Right now, the company is offering a 20% off when you pre-order the Feed and Go Automatic Feeder from their website.

Let's Discuss!

How do you like to feed your pet?

Pork Chomps Review and Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Elena) — Thu, 17 Oct 2013 18:03:00 +0000

This week, I'm proud to present my review about Pork Chomps.

An Alternative To Rawhide

I was first approached to review Pork Chomps and was intrigued by the product. They are made to resemble rawhide but contain no rawhide. Instead, they contain baked pork skins. The pork skins are 99% digestible and leave no slimy pieces behind. It's all natural as well so there's nothing added to make the treat more appealing.

Testing It Out

Living in a house with five dogs gives the ultimate testing environment. I was sent Pork Chomps in all sizes, in twists form, strips and traditional rawhide shapes. This was great for dogs who are small like Harry and Gigi to my largest dog, Fancy (pictured left).
The first sign I knew the dogs were going to like these was when I brought the box in from outside. I had placed it on a chair temporarily and Cookie (pictured above) was jumping up trying to get to the box. The scent of these things made her really excited. Then I gave them all some of the bones. Everyone was chewing away happily and not one of the dogs were distracted. Harry even enjoyed it considering that he has few teeth. He chewed some of it but didn't finish because of his limitations. Of course, Homer wasn't about to let it go to waste.

The Final Conclusion

Everyone really loved them. Not one of the dogs became sick. Prices are comparable to rawhide treats. I highly recommend these to give instead of bones or rawhide. They don't hurt the teeth but still give your dog something to chew. Once, I gave Gigi a bone and it wound up chipping one of her molars. I didn't have anything like that happening here. Cookie gave me her seal of approval when she stole one of the Pork Chomps bags off of the kitchen table and tried to open it in her bed. (I tried to snap a photo of the sneaky girl but she wouldn't stay still).
Since these were such a hit with my pooches, I am returning the favor. Two readers will win a pork chomps package for their dogs to try. Here's how to win:

Contest Rules

Small Dog Package Large Dog Package

Contest starts on Thursday, October 17 and goes until Sunday, October 27 till 11:59pm.
Leave a comment on what your dog love for a chew treat. Please also list if you have a small dog or big dog.
Contest is limited to those who live in the US and Canada.
Only one comment per person. Multiple entries will be disqualified.
Winners will be drawn at random.

Again, a special thanks to Pork Chomps and Fetching Communications for providing Pork Chomps for review. Good luck to you all.

An Advertising Campaign That Turns A New Leaf

noreply@blogger.com (Elena) — Wed, 02 Oct 2013 05:00:00 +0000

I used to work in a shopping mall about four years ago. Many times, I would pass by Abercrombie and Fitch and see a half-naked teenager standing in the doorway. It was obvious that they were using the tried and true idea of "Sex Sells". They are not alone. Companies like Calvin Klein, Victoria's Secret and some perfume houses have used this idea successfully as well.

In the past, the CEO of Abercrombie and Fitch has admitted that his clothes are geared towards the "cool kids", which helps them to maintain their exclusivity. It has a narrow but loyal audience that it markets. As much as I don't like that they are very selective, it's their right as a business.

Clothes For Teenagers

Imagine my surprise when I saw the above poster when walking through that mall a few weeks ago, when I went mall walking with my mom. They decided to use dogs and men. I think this is a fresh idea and showcases Abercrombie and Fitch in a better light. The addition of dogs with models gives the retailer a more down-to-earth look and feel.

I don't have kids in high school but if I did, I don't know if I would have them shop there. I can't imagine why a kid would want to buy brand new jeans that are already ripped. It's a fine line between having your kids dress appropriately and having them wear stuff that they love. Hopefully parents and kids can find the middle ground.

Photo: Abercrombie and Fitch

As a dog lover, I was thrilled by this campaign. It showcases the products and the love people have for dogs. Anything that embraces the wonderfulness of dogs is ok with me. It's obvious that Abercrombie and Fitch has taken a new direction in their advertising and I for one hope this dog-friendly angle continues.

Let's Discuss!

What are your thoughts about the new Abercrombie and Fitch ads?

Merrick Jerky Strips Review

noreply@blogger.com (Elena) — Fri, 27 Sep 2013 14:53:00 +0000

Dogs just to seem love jerky. Anytime, I have jerky, my dogs get so excited. It does have a strong scent and is easy to digest. They had no rawhide in them, which is better for the dogs' digestive systems.

Jerky strips in general don't have the coloring added to them that you find in other dog treats. These by Merrick are grain-free. That's why I had no problem when I was asked by Chewy.com to review their Merrick Jerky Strips in Natural Beef. I'd like to thank Chewy.com for providing the complimentary treats for review.

At First Glance

When I first opened the package, the biggest difference I noticed was the texture. Instead of being soft and flexible,

these were hard. It made them easy to break into even pieces to give to the smaller dogs, but in truth, I was perplexed by this. But in the end, as long as the dogs loved it, that's all that really mattered.

The Real Test

It was time to give the Jerky Strips to the ones who really knew what worked and what didn't--my dogs. Gigi, as always couldn't contain her excitement enough. She loved it. So did Cookie and Homer. Fancy is such a big girl, she'll eat anything. So the true test was Harry, our Chinese Crested dog who is pretty much toothless.

All of the dogs loved it. Even our big girl Fancy, who can down a treat in milliseconds took her time to enjoy this treat. She held it between her paws and chomped away.

Final Recommendation

Even though these treats are a little on the pricey side ($5.99 for 2.5 ounces), I think they are good to give your dogs when you want an alternative to rawhide treats. They also make a smart choice for dogs who have sensitive stomachs. Do I think they are good enough replace the soft jerky treats? Not really. I think they don't beat the original soft treats but are nice to give once in a while when you are looking for a little variety or change of pace from the usual.

Let's Discuss!

What are your thoughts about this treat? Do you like giving beef jerky to your dogs?

Some Questions For The Ministry Of Defence And The RAF

noreply@blogger.com (Elena) — Wed, 18 Sep 2013 14:59:00 +0000

Photo: Pat Pilon

Recently, Prince William decided to retire from the military so he could devote himself to his wife and his new child. It was a simple choice and a nice change of pace for the prince, who had focused on being a search and rescue helicopter operator for the RAF.

One would think this would be a decision without controversy. However, approximately two days after the prince left the military, two of the guard dogs assigned to protect him, Brus and Blade, were put down. The dogs had been serving in the role since Prince William joined the military in 2010. Brus, a Belgian shepherd was 7 and a half years old and Blade, a German Shepherd was 9 and a half years old. Brus, was known for having behavioral issues and Blade had issues with his spine and hips. Still, that's no reason for euthanization.

Now, the Ministry of Defence says that it's a "coincidence" and that they both had behavioral issues. It has been said that the military tried to rehome them, but it failed.

Harrowing Questions

Which makes me wonder, did they really do everything they could or was it the easy way out? First of all, the dogs were hired to guard the whole military base, not just Prince William. Why couldn't they have been kept on the base till they were ready to retire?

Many dogs are given to one of the soldiers when their military job comes to an end. Did the decision makers at the RAF even consider this?

It has been said that the dogs were stressed out. Well, when I'm stressed out, I take some time and retreat to a peaceful and quiet place to de-stress. Why couldn't that be done for Brus and Blade?

There are so many specially trained dog experts out there. Why couldn't the dogs have been sent to them?

What about approaching animal advocates? Victoria Stilwell is one of the biggest proponents for protecting animals and she is from Great Britain. Why couldn't they ask her for any help?

If that didn't work, then why not put the dogs in a special dog sanctuary, so they could live out their last years in peace? There was a dog retrieved in the Michael Vick debacle named Mabel. Mabel was deemed too dangerous by a court judge to ever live in a household. She was given a pass to live in the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary and has come a long way since 2007. Am I supposed to believe that two highly trainable dogs who were trained to guard, couldn't do the same thing?

This story reeks of laziness and that's why dog lovers around the world are livid. The only thing that the RAF and the Ministry of Defence has proven is that how they have hid behind excuses instead of facing the problem head on and finding a solution. Maybe there's nothing that can be done know but at least, there is something to be learned from this travesty for the future.

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Let's Discuss!

How do you feel about this story? Please share below.