Dog Lifestyle Reading: Magazine Giveaway

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

© Carrie Boyko
Dog Lifestyle Reading

Don't worry. I'm not peddling subscriptions. What I am doing is handing off swag and freebies that I have gotten in multiples. After all, why send them to the recycle bin when you guys can enjoy reading them.


I've got copies of FIDO Friendly, Life + Dog, and Moderndog--a total of 8 magazines. These 8 magazines will go to 8 of you, drawn from comments alone. This giveaway is quite different from my usual fare, so please read carefully:


One entry per person. No Rafflecopter; just leave me a comment telling me if you would enjoy seeing magazine subscriptions as prizes/giveaways here on All Things Dog Blog. That's it; one comment and you're done.


I'll announce the winners of the 8 FREE magazines on Friday, November 4. Happy tails!


The magazines in this giveaway were acquired as conference swag or are personal copies that I have duplicates of. I am happy to share and hope that you enjoy reading them!

Top 10 Tell-Tail Signs of TLC (True Love of Canines) at Your Accommodations

By: Carol Bryant, Social Media and PR Director
FIDO Friendly magazine

© C. Bryant
Dexter Sports His Shades for
Travel Time

You make the decision to travel with your dog. It’s vacation time, weekend warrior time, and/or overnight adventure time, but what should you look for? Outside of the basic questions to ask the front desk (weight limits, breed restrictions, pet fees), FIDO Friendly has compiled a list of things that make a dog-welcoming getaway extra special. Think of finishing touches that we humans look for: mint on the pillow, comfy thread count sheets, the staff welcoming us and knowing our names. These are some of the things we look for and wanted to share with All Things Dog Blog readers when booking a FIDO Friendly vacation. We also have a special contest getaway at the end of this blog post.

So what are the extra touches that make our legs twitch and roll over for tummy rubs?

© C. Bryant
Dexter Looks for TLC

10. "More than a patch:" Ample grounds upon which to walk with Fido is always a bonus, especially at midnight when nature calls and the dog answers.

9. "Waiter, I'll have the sparkling water:" Well-behaved dogs who are welcome to dine al fresco with their human family members gets four paws up from team FIDO Friendly. One such example is the MacCallum House in Mendocino, California.

8. "Talk about a doggie bag:" A menu of food items dedicated to dogs makes guardians feel the extra pampering is there for Fido, too. Homemade biscuits for dessert are a delectable finishing touch.

7. "Are we there yet?" A printout upon check-in of surrounding Fido-friendly attractions, shops, dog parks and things to do with dogs is always appreciated and welcomed.

6. "Teacher's Pet:" A chalkboard or sign in the lobby personally welcoming any canine guests arriving that day scores major tummy rubs. When the staff remembers the dog's name and says hello, our leg twitches, too.

5. "Turn it Down:" And we don't mean the in-room television. More and more BandB's are offering free turndown service and a late night snack (biscuit) for Fido. Having personally experienced this, major wags to those offering the service.

4. "Rut Roh, Raggy:" BandB's that provide towels to canine guests specifically for wet paws and sheets in the event Fido is allowed on furniture are forward thinkers. Preventing wet and/or muddy paws from tracking the carpeting is a win-win for everyone.

3. "Bowl Me Over:" Many properties offer Fido the use of size-specific in-room bowls during his or her stay. In case you forget to pack yours or just need an extra, this added amenity is a thoughtful gesture.

2. "Can Rover Sleep Over?" Offering canine guests the use of in-room pet bedding is a fun feature many BandB's add to their amenity package. Knowing if Fido is a tiny terrier or a slumber clumber prior to arrival means the right sized bed will be available.

1. "Leave No Dog Behind®:" Receiving a copy of the latest FIDO Friendly magazine upon check-in tells guests that Fido is not only allowed but welcomed and a part of the family. Wag-tastic!

Getting ready to celebrate our 50^th issue and 11 years strong, for more FIDO Friendly content, subscribe to the magazine at www.fidofriendly.com and visit our blog at http://blog.fidofriendly.com.

While there, enter our 3-day 2-night getaway to Nantucket for you and your dog (with lots of extra goodies, too!): Bow WOW FIDO Friendly Nantucket Getaway

Virginia is for Dog Lovers

By Carol Bryant, 

Social Media and PR Director, Writer/Blogger
FIDO Friendly magazine

courtesy C. Bryant
Dexter Pays Homage to
Those Lain to Rest at Arlington

Sightsee. Shop. Salute. Sniff. Stay. Something for the two-legged and four-legged variety all rolled up into one heart-shaped slogan. You already know this state loves you, but did you know Virginia is for dog lovers, too? Prestigious enough to earn itself a recent spot on Madi­son Avenue’s Walk of Fame in Manhattan, the slogan “Virginia is for Lovers” pertains to Fido and his guardians. Pack up the leash­es, water bowls and lip balm and pucker up for a love affair with a state so Fido friendly , you’ll be barking to return time and again.


Amidst glorious mountains and sandy beaches, Virginia offers a historic vista to our country’s origin, as many of our national conflicts found resolution here. Arlington National Cemetery, located in the northern part of the state, is the final resting place of more than 300,000 people. Beginning with the American Revolution, veterans from each of our nation’s wars along with astronauts, sports figures and dignitaries are buried in Arlington. The tree-lined walkways and pristine grounds reflect a silent dignity while exploring, paying homage and saluting this sentimental landscape. Of special interest, the Tomb of the Un­knowns is guarded 24 hours a day, year-round, by the elite 3^rd US Infantry. Plan a tour and locate must-see gravesites by visiting the official website at www.arlingtoncemetery.org.


Take the road less traveled and rest weary paws on a real working farm. Coupled with the modern conveniences one anticipates on vacation, Elmo's Rest is a nineteenth century farmhouse located on 250 acres of land at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Pri­vate simplicity is housed within this 1900s-style structure boasting its own apple orchard, winery, farm animals (cattle, horses, pigs, goats) and access to breathtaking walking and hiking trails. During the month of July, check out their Horse & Hound Wine Festival. For both the young and young at heart (of the human and Fido variety), agility dogs, muskrat racing, a horse parade and wine tasting are offered against the backdrop of the spectacular Blue Ridge Mountains. Shop and sniff amongst the many food, art and crafts vendors while listening to live entertainment. (Is this a love affair in the making?)


In Fairfield—nestled on 38 acres at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains—is the Fox Hill Bed & Breakfast. Enjoying the many walking trails and playing Frisbee with Fido in one of the meadows is made extra easy by the B&B’s three outdoor washing stations, complete with doggie shampoo and towels. In the vicinity, leashed dogs are welcome at Boxerwood Nature Center and Woodland Garden featuring 7,000 trees and shrubs on 15 acres. Remember the days gone by of outdoor movie theaters? In the spring and summer, take in a double feature at nearby Hull’s Drive- In, where the entire pack can watch the stars both on the screen and in the sky.

courtesy C. Bryant
Carol Bryant and Dexter
 at Arlington National Cemetery
Overlooking Washington D.C.

Sniff out a bargain with your two best friends, Fido and a charge card, about two hours from Fairfield at Stony Point Fashion Park in Richmond. Described as a “dog-friendly center,” many of the more than 90 stores at this unique open-air mall welcome your four-legged bargain hunter (designated with a “welcome dog” sticker in their front windows). An eclectic blend of stores in an intimate, park-like setting offers Fido-friendly pit stop areas and clean-up supplies to enhance any shopping excursion.


But don’t drop after shopping; have a bark in the park and let Fido channel his inner vacation  puppy. Virginia is home to several dog parks, one boasting the distinction of “Best New Fa­cility in Virginia” award. Located in the heart of the Hampton Roads region and conveniently located within driving distance of Virginia Beach, the Chesapeake City Park welcomes larger and smaller dogs in two separate play areas.




It is written that falling in love is the easy part, but staying in love is the challenge. Whether you choose to explore Virginia’s mountains and beaches, historical sites and exhibits and take lodging amidst the country air or city lights, this is one canine love affair you’ll long remember.

Read more FIDO Friendly destination and health/wellness articles and get the latest and greatest in where to go with your pooch at: FIDO Friendly magazine.

Want more FIDO Friendly content? Check out our website at http://www.fidofriendly.com and our blog at http://blog.fidofriendly.com.

Related Reading:
Guidelines for First Time Dog Park Visitors
Travel Troubles with Fido?

Visit Adopt a Dog Park

Help protect our precious dog parks

© Carrie Boyko, all rights reserved

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Dog Lovers Love #FF on Facebook and Twitter, but What Does it Mean?

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

Every Friday I see it all over the social media sites. I've never asked. Sometimes it's obvious; sometimes not so much. I'm talking about the acronym or hashtag FF.


I've searched and searched for an official meaning of #FF. I've come down to one conclusion: Bloggers and other social media users love it and use it for whatever acronym works for them. Here's a few I've found that you may find relevant: 

• Follow Friday (as in Twitter)
• Facebook Friday (duh)
• Friend Friday (I guess this works for both)
• FIDO Friendly
• Friend feed (on Facebook)
• Furry Friday (pet bloggers?)
• Friends Forever (as in BFF)
• French Fries
• Firefox
• Fat Free
• Frequent Flyer
• Full Figured

Let's collect some data here. Leave a comment with other meanings for the acronym FF that are family-friendly (no pun intended) and might be useful to our readership. Then answer 1 question: Do you use Twitter and/or Facebook for social networking? If so, which or both? 


Don't use either? Check my pages out here, just for the fun of it:  Facebook and Twitter. Comments? I'd love your input. What were you expecting to find? What would you like to find? Hit that comment button at the bottom of the post and spill!

Now, let's move on to today's drawing winners:

© courtesy MANKINDdog™

© courtesy MANKINDdog™

No! You're not seeing double. Well, maybe you are, but there really are 2 mugs up there! Today we're giving away these two adorable dog-lovers' coffee mugs from one of our favorite sponsors, MANKINDdog™. They have a ton of cool dog and dog owner gifts, and they also have Phil and Gotham greeting you as you arrive on their site. It's definitely worth a visit, just to get a glimpse of these two fine specimens (tongue in cheek). Haven't seen them? Be sure to visit after you read this prize giveaway post.

Last week's Magical Mystery Mutt Tour and Blog Hop offered a fun guessing game for many visitors, trying to determine the genetic makeup of many of my blogging buddies' mixed breeds. It made for a fun-filled afternoon of guessing, for sure, and there were many interesting Heinz 57s to ponder. With 18 comments on my one post, this clearly was a big hit with you, my readers.

As a little added bonus, I offered to give away something that signifies the meaning of  "Mans' Best Friends" to me--the 2 mugs from MANKINDdog™. The winners are:

Patti S.

Lillij (no last name!)

Dust off a spot on your desk, ladies, right after you drop me an email with your address to LetsAdoptaDogPark@gmail.com. This will be the perfect office coffee mug--it affectionately identifies your love of dogs. Watch for some other surprise freebies in your package as well, something I do just for fun. Enjoy!

Visit Adopt a Dog Park

Help protect our precious dog parks

© Carrie Boyko, all rights reserved

Enter your email address:


Delivered by FeedBurner

Follow All Things Dog at Twitter    Find me at Facebook    
© copyright Carrie Boyko, all rights reserved

Bookmark this on Delicious