Barkonomics Gets a High 5from All Things Dog Blog

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

(c) DogTipper.com

As I fly home from an overseas vacation, my thoughts are naturally turning to saving money in the New Year. With that thought in mind, I packed my autographed copy of Barkonomics in my carry on and enjoyed a useful read on my trip home.


I've learned so many new strategies for saving money that my new biggest question to myself is how to convey it to you. Since it is not possible to share it all, I'll highlight a few of my favorite sections and specific tips. If you, like most Americans, would like to find new ways to save money on your pet care, we recommend you pick up your own copy at Dogtipper.com or through our Amazon ad at the bottom of this post. It's well worth the very reasonable price tag.


A while back I got an idea for a homemade tug toy from another dog owner in agility class. Paris and John offered another one that is faster and easier than my earlier one, even if not as colorful. Dogs love the noise that water bottles make when squeezed; by placing a capless water bottle in an athletic sock you make the bottle safer, while also being easy to replace.


My favorite idea in the whole book was an incredibly simple one--reflavoring a bag of dog food to make it more palatable, so you don't end up pitching it when Fido doesn't like it. This can be accomplished so many ways--by mixing foods or adding a small amount of kitchen leftovers to a bowl--broth, veggies, meat scraps from last night's dinner or a few shavings of cheese. Even a dollop of canned dog food or peanut butter will change the flavor of a dog food that your dog just can't get excited about. I found that stirring it in well made this super-flavoring technique even more effective.

Another favorite tip was the info on an online vet med resource at Merckvetmanual.com. This is an amazing resource--almost as good as our own Dr. Pat!


Barkonomics recommends looking into titer testing, as did Dr. Pat in a recent post, to minimize vaccinations. I can tell you from personal experience that you may have to shop around; prices for this service vary considerably, so take time to do your homework. In addition to this money saving tip, another budget minded idea was seeking teaching hospitals that offer low cost care.


The editors of Barkonomics have tons of ideas to get help with paying for medical costs through assistance plans and insurance, for those who qualify. If you are a senior citizen on a fixed income, or are in a lower income bracket, the tips in these sections will have you singing all the way to the bank, as you realize your savings quickly.


Finally, I was pleased as punch to see that Paris and John were thorough enough to include some tips of a more proactive nature, to prevent accidents, dog attacks, poisonings and more. They even recommended one of my favorite methods--using green cleaners that don't leave toxic residues on your floors that pets end up licking off their feet. The same goes for pest control and lawn care. If you have a natural option, give it a shot. You'll be investing in your own health, as well as Fido's. 


Need an additional reason to pick up this budget-fixing book? Twenty percent of the book's proceeds are to be donated to pet non-profits. You'll be helping rescue animals and other pet charities when you fork over your ten bucks; it's a feel good thing to do, for sure!


Without regurgitating the entire book, I've tried to give you a sneak peek into some tips you may find useful. The book includes hundreds more. Yup, so don't wait. Pick up your copy now and let the savings begin!

Tanner seems quite thrilled about this information. He's got it in his head that because I'm saving more on his dog stuff, I should be feeding him more, and buy more toys. You can read his commentary at 5 Minutes for Fido, where my dogs blog. I think he needs a lesson in economics from Paris over at Dogtipper. Help!


More Book Reviews from All Things Dog Blog:

Dog Rescue and the Meaning of Life

THE Book for all my Rescue-Loving Readers: Oogy

The Darkest Evening of the Year

© Carrie Boyko, all rights reserved

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Dog Food and Treats: 5 Ways to Save Money Making Your Own

Guest post by Paris Permenter and John Bigley

© P.Permenter and J.Bigley

Paris and John

Enjoy Halloween with Tiki and Irie 

After the tragic 2007 dog food recalls, a growing number of people began to prepare homemade dog food. Whether you go 100 percent homemade, supplement your dog’s food with homemade food, or just prepare your own dog treats, you can shop carefully to save money. It isn’t difficult but it does require some preparation and savvy shopping to meet your dog’s special needs. Talk with your veterinarian first then make any changes gradually to avoid disrupting your dog’s digestive system.


Invest in a good dog food cookbook.


Making your dog’s food isn’t just a matter of whipping up a little extra food at every meal; you want to serve the food groups in the correct proportions for your dog. Before you begin shopping for ingredients, you’ll also want to know which foods your dog should never eat.


Investing in a quality cookbook (or checking one out at your library) can provide recipes you rotate to keep your dog healthy and happy. A selection of recipes will also allow you to utilize fruits and vegetables that are in season—another way to stretch that food budget. Looking for a good dog food cookbook? We like The Whole Pet Diet: Eight Weeks to Great Health for Dogs and Cats, by Andi Brown.


Invest in a slow cooker.


We love our slow cooker and purchased one just to prepare dog food. We bought ours on sale at the discount store, and it has paid for itself time and time again. Two nights a week, we toss in meat and vegetables and brown rice or other starch, simmering overnight. In the morning, we have dog food for the next three days to supplement the high-quality kibble we feed our two large dogs (we feed half kibble, half homemade.) If you have smaller dogs or just one dog, you’ll need to cook less often.


Watch for “last chance” fruits and meats.


If you make your own dog food and treats, keep an eye out for the overripe fruits and vegetables on sale at your grocery store. These foods which have reached their “best by” date can be great low-cost ingredients. You’ll want to use or freeze these purchases as soon as you get home.


Shop farmers’ markets.


Buying directly from the farmer helps to cut out the costs that go into processing, packaging, distributing and ultimately displaying the product at a grocery store. Locally grown produce is also an eco-friendly choice that’s delicious in addition to being inexpensive!


Also, you can save money by shopping a farmers’ market at the end of the day when farmers want to move the last of their goods. Buy in bulk and you can increase that savings. Don’t be afraid to ask farmers about bruised or damaged fruits and veggies they can’t sell—often they’re free for the asking (especially if you’re making another purchase!)


Buy organ meats.


The less desirable organ meats are inexpensive and make a good component to your dog’s diet. Serving four or five percent organ meat in your dog’s diet can benefit your pooch and your pocketbook. Our dogs love beef and chicken livers, kidneys, and beef heart, all easy on the budget.


If you don’t want to invest the time in cooking your dog’s food, making dog treats is also an excellent way to trim your budget and reward your dog with healthy, homemade goodness. These Chicken and Cheese Dog Biscuits are some of our dogs’ favorites and take only moments to prepare.

© P. Permenter and J. Bigley

Chicken and Cheese Dog Biscuit Recipe

Ingredients:
· 1-1/2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
· 3/4 cup chicken broth, divided
· 1/2 cup shredded cheese of your choice
· 1 cup whole wheat flour
· 1 cup all-purpose flour


Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and grease two cookie sheets.
2. Toss the chicken and just 1/2 cup of chicken broth in a blender or food processor and mix until it’s the consistency of baby food. Using a silicone baking scraper, scrape the chicken mixture into a large bowl. 
3. Add the flours and cheese and slowly add a teaspoon of broth at a time until you have dough the right consistency to knead. (The amount of broth you’ll need to add will vary by the moistness of the chicken.) The dough should be heavy but not too dry (that means you need more broth) or too sticky (that means you need more flour).
4. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface and roll to about 1/4-inch thickness. 
5. Use cookie cutters and cut biscuits in desired shape, place on cookie sheet, and bake for 30 minutes. Allow treats to cool completely before refrigerating the treats or serving.

© P. Permenter and J. Bigley

Paris Permenter and John Bigley are the founders of DogTipper.com, featuring tips for dog lovers by dog lovers. The husband-wife team are the authors of 28 published books including their latest, Barkonomics: Tips for Frugal Fidos.

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Dog Lovers: Did You Hear the Money-Saving News?

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

Say What?

Here's three great ways to save money this holiday season:

1. Anyone ordering Clean+Green Pet Stain and Odor Remover can use the special promo code SANTAPAWS to receive $5 off their order, plus free shipping on orders of $30 or more!
2. Help your Fido get healthy and slim for the New Year. Purina is offering a $20 coupon on their new weight loss prescription diet. Just get your prescription from a veterinarian and then log on to print out the coupon.
3. FIDO Friendly Magazine is having 26  Days of Gift Giveaways. Check the link for all the info on how you can enter to win a prize every day in December. All the pictures of the prizes are there for each day. Happy holidays! 
4. FIDO Friendly has more specials going on, so read on. Get the FIDO Friendly gift subscription plus a bonus Leave No Dog Behind bumper sticker, for just $19.95. This offer includes 6 bi-monthly issues. You can also choose their online version, delivered to their email address before the printed version hits the stands, for just $12.00. The online version includes bonus video within the editorial content.
5. Still looking for ways to save for you and your pup? Did you know that new subscribers to All Things Dog Blog get a free download of the book, How to Put Your Dog on a Budget? Your subscription to All Things Dog Blog will make sure you never miss a post; you get all of our content in your mailbox as quick as our elves can get it there. To subscribe, just visit the blog's top right sidebar to enter your email address. Follow the prompts and be sure to activate your subscription in the confirmation email that will come to your inbox shortly. Enjoy!

Finally, speaking of saving money, I'm still looking for readers' Rover recipes to add to our FREE online cookbook. It's a work in progress and I need your help. Check the link for all the details, but here's a few interesting tidbits:

• Prize for the best cookbook name
• Prize for a cookbook photo cover
• All dog names and your food photos (1 per recipe) will be included
• Prizes for the top 3 recipes

What are ya waiting for?

Visit Adopt a Dog Park

Help protect our precious dog parks

© Carrie Boyko, all rights reserved

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American Kennel Club's Treats: Money Saving Tip

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

© courtesy AKC

What's Your Pup's Favorite Flavor?

Who doesn't love to save money? I discovered a nice money saver today, and thought I'd pass it along to you all. Big Lots, a nationwide deep discounter, now has the AKC treat selection available in their stores. Here's a store locater at this link. They have all of the above treats available as long as their inventory holds out. Now's your chance to stock up. Happy shopping!

Tax Deductions for Pet Owners:

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Now is your chance to become a lobbyist. Wouldn't you love to receive a tax deduction to assist you with the expenses of owning your dog--veterinary care, food, equipment and supplies add up. This, of course, is not to mention boarding when you are away, doggie day care or puppy-sitting for those who cannot leave Fido alone, and training classes for all manner of dog sports.


The ASPCA and a few pet-loving politicians are trying to pass legislation to create the HAPPY ACT, giving pet owners deductions for the care of their furry friends. You can support this by writing to your representative or Senator. They've made it very easy; a sample letter is included in this link, that you can copy and even add your own comments or persuasive wording. With this letter, you can accomplish this small task in just a few minutes. Go for it. What have you got to lose?




Maybe you'll be able to save enough on taxes to buy Cesar Millan's newest book, being released today:

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Cool Dogs on the Hot Days of Summer

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko 2009

Cool Dogs Show Off their

Cooling Blue Bandannas

After a visit from a new friend, Lauren, we received a package. Much to our delight, Lauren had sent the pups new bandannas, with their names painted on each. The beautiful blue colors gave me an idea, as I opened the package while watching Tanner swim in the pool. All that blue just screamed out COOL, and I remembered seeing a cooling bandanna at a local pet store.

Figuring that I could easily create this same product, I hadn't purchased one, but tucked the idea in the back of my brain for future use. So here goes.

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko 2009

Flexible Ice Packs are Rolled

into the Neck Area of the Bandannas

After raising 3 kids, I've had tons of injuries to ice. The top of my freezer has a good inventory of ice packs in various sizes, even a tiny one from one kids' wisdom teeth removal, that is perfect for Oliver. I rolled these ice packs into the neck area of the bandannas, before tying them onto the dogs. I wasn't entirely sure if the ice packs would stay put, but they did. A successful experiment!

I did have to make one modification. Oliver's bandanna was the same size as the bigger dogs', so after I rolled the neckline of his even farther than the others, I tied knots at the spot where the tie and the triangle area of the bandanna meet. This shortened the ties so they did not drag on the ground, and probably helped keep the ice pack tucked inside also. It worked well.

Xena seemed to maintain her pace better, with this cooling apparatus around her neck, and Tanner clearly enjoyed the sensation of the chilly addition.

One thing didn't change though. When we got home, Tanner and Oliver still went for their cooling swim. I suppose swimming is the still the best way to cool off after you work up a sweat.

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko

Tanner's Favorite Cooling Activity

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko

Oliver's Takes a Quick Dip

No bandannas or ice packs? You can order your pup a cooling bandanna right here. Actually, they are pretty cheap. I was pleased to see the prices.

Have you tried any other ways of keeping your dog cool on long, hot walks? One of my neighbors hoses his chocolate lab, Roxie, down before a walk. This works great for her.

If you have pictures of YOUR dog wearing a cooling bandanna or other creation for this purpose, I'd love to share your best friend's photo on my blog. Send it to me at LetsAdoptaDogPark@gmail.com . Stay cool!

Free Tug Toys for Your Dogs

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko

Toni is Losing This

Tug Game with Tanner!

People tell me all the time that they want to come back as a dog at my house, when they die. I suppose my dogs are lucky in many ways. My gang has a new batch of tug toys which I made after getting the idea from a friend, Carmen, at Agility class. She was using a cute, yet unusual tug toy with her little Corgi mix, Buddy Lee, when I spotted it and had to ask where she had gotten it. Turns out, she made it out of an old pajama top. Fancy that!

I ran home and dug through my son's closet, knowing that he had just discarded a bag of clothing that was torn, stained, etc. Perfect.

I used a variety of different strengths and thicknesses of fabric to see what kind of results I could get. The green one in the photo above is a polo shirt, with the collar and neckline as the handle. The experiment went well, and I learned a few things. First, I will NEVER buy another tug toy, when I can have free ones each time I have a discarded piece of clothing. Here's how you can make these toys:

1. Use the strongest external edge for a handle, like the neckline/collar of a top or the waistband of pants.
2. Remove all buttons, zippers and other attachments that could be choke hazards for a dog.
3. Lay the garment on a table and cut two slices vertically from bottom all the way up to the handle area. Don't cut THROUGH the handle.
4. You now have 3 sections for braiding.
5. I looped the handle over a chair knob to give me something to pull against while braiding.
6. When you get to the last eight inches or so, use the two longer pieces to tie around the third, and secure with an extra knot.
7. Trim all the ends to a fairly even length.
8. You now have a new tug toy. Total time invested=about 10 minutes. Total money invested=$0.

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko

Various Tugs Toys Made by Me

Different Colors and Sizes

A few additional things I've learned in the process are:

• Thinner fabrics make a smaller braid for small dogs.
• Larger, tough-tuggers need a sturdier braid. Tanner, my Golden Retriever, likes the one I made out of my son's old blue jeans. It is very sturdy and longer than the others, because he is 6' 3" tall.
• You can also use strips cut from a variety of colors of damaged items to braid a more colorful toy. Simply tie off both ends to create a clean look.
• If you're braiding fabric that frays easily, try this technique. Roll or fold the raw edges inward as you braid, making as tight a braid as possilble. So far mine are holding up okay using this method.
• When braiding items with sleeves, invert the sleeve into one of the braiding strips. Likewise, after cutting two slits in a pair of pants, you'll have 4 sections to braid. Combine two of the thinnest sections into one and roll or twist them together. This makes for a unique look to the braid and seems to hold up well for my higher energy tug games with Tanner.

If anybody out there has any other creative ideas for homemade dog toys, I would love to hear them. With everyone pinching pennies in this tough economy, ideas like this can be very helpful. Go ahead and click that comment button just below this post. Thanks!