Natural Balance: Pet Nutrition + Fitness

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

© L. Boese
First We Stay

© L. Boese
The Long Jump!

Tanner, our Fetch-crazed Retriever, is pulling out all the stops these days. We're noticing a sudden burst of energy that has us wondering, "What's different?" I look around and can only think of two things. Tanner's diet and the change of seasons, albeit a minimal change here in Central Florida where we enjoy a nearly year round version of hot and humid.

With my plans to take Tanner along to Blogpaws, I suppose I'll need to get a lot of Fetch in before departure. I'm guessing he won't be welcome in the hotel pool, no matter how dog-friendly the hotel is :)

That said, we've been adding in extra walks, playing more Fetch, swimming, biking and enjoying a good deal of family and company lately. Tanner's in heaven. After all, aren't they all coming to visit him?

Before my partnership with Natural Balance kicked in, I was asked by one of the organizers to share some of Tanner's skills in my posts. So here's our first installment on that request. There will be more.

© L. Boese
Back to Mom for Round 2

Swimming is an excellent exercise for you, me and our dogs. Without the weight of our bodies to support, our joints are under less stress, even as our muscles work to propel us. This is why it's an ideal exercise for dogs who are prone to hip dysplasia and arthritis.

Tanner, while being a rescue, still has that pure Golden possibility. My goal has been to do all I can to prevent it, especially now as he approaches the age of 7. Here are the strategies I employ:

• Exercise to keep the joints loose and muscles limber
• Swim to keep the cardiovascular system strong 
• Take supplemental glucosamine-chondroitin to support healthy joints
• Feed an organic, AAFCO-approved diet--Natural Balance Organic Formula--to avoid unnecessary toxins in the liver
• Maintain a slender weight to avoid stress on the hips and shoulders. Tanner is a long, tall dog, weighing in at a steady 70 lbs.
• Practice daily training and mentally-stimulating activities that keep his mind sharp and body busy and strong



© L. Boese
Thank You Tanner











• Play Fetch to give Tanner additional mental tasks. We have a variety of different Fetch games we play.

Enjoy the photos and please do give Natural Balance a try. You can receive free coupons by simply clicking the banner ad at the top of this column. Go for it!

All Things Dog Blog is an NB Insider, sharing Natural Balance information with you. We receive pet food and sponsored travel to pet industry events as a part of this program.

#BarktoSchool Pets Safe & Sound in Class

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

(c) AllThingsDogBlog.com
#BarktoSchool Grand Prize 

I'm so excited to report the results of the #BarktoSchool Twitter Party that I'm not going to bed until it's ready. What a whirlwind of fun. Our sponsors shared lots of great information that we passed along to party guests, making for a wonderful blend of chat about nutrition and training, along with issues that occur when the family heads back to school leaving the pups at home.  Many interested guests RT'd our blogger buddy @PeggyFrezon, and we shared a good deal of info about her books and blog.

Thanks to Nature's Logic and Walk in Sync for bringing the #BarktoSchool theme to life, as well as to Peggy Frezon for joining us as a sponsored sponsor. LOL! All Things Dog Blog's partnership with Paris of Dogtipper.com, Event Barkers, has enjoyed bringing you these fun-filled events.  Are they fast enough for you?

Books from Peggy Frezon and all sorts of goodies from the Event Barkers team, Dogtipper.com and AllThingsDogBlog.com were also given away, making for a bunch of happy Twitterers.

That prize photo up there is our grand prize. I'm sure the winner is soaking in glory right now, as that package is worth a whopping $276! Talk about a happy dog :)

The winners at the #BarktoSchool Twitter Party are:

1. PreTweet Prize: @DanielleMurgia
2. Rafflecopter Prize: @Wahwithjl (any idea how to pronounce this one?)
3. RSVP drawing: @Arniebelle
4. @GlimmeringGator
5. @SharonGilbert6
6. @LizTicona
7. @CharlotteCrame3
8. @TheTatooedType
9. @Tarheelmd07
10. Grand Prize Winner: @YorkieMomma

Needless to say, this Grand Prize winner is a happy to go back to school :)  With all the training and good nutrition supplies, he'll be in great shape for learning whatever it is that's on the lesson plan.

Thanks to everyone who participated in the party, as well as the pre-party events. I believe you guys gave Rafflecopter a run for their money with your efforts there. Random.org did its job and delivered a Twitter handle with an unpronouncable name. Thank goodness they also collect email addresses for contact!

If you've got a blog, I invite you to continue to scroll down and enter your latest post(s) on our Mutt Monday blog hop, an anything goes pet hop to show off your latest. Thanks again!

Organix Grain-Free: Settling Into Our New Diet

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

© Carrie Boyko
Tanner Plugs His Team and His Chow!

I would not have believed it if my own mother told me how well the dogs would do without grain in their diets. It made sense to me, of course. Yet all these years of food that contained grains had me wondering whether Tanner and Oliver's energy would lag or perhaps their focus may be lacking from the carbs replaced by additional veggies. I worried about their skin too, not knowing if this change may affect them. Itchy? No!


Nope. Not so. No way. No how. Not only are my boys energetic and enthusiastic, they were ready to get back to work on product reviews as soon as I got the camera out. I used some of their new kibble as treats the first day, wondering if they would be as eager to perform. That too surprised me. We're on our third bag (or is it 4?), so I suppose if we were going to see any behavior changes, they would have kicked in by now. I'm guessing what we have is a successful transition. Correction; I'm not guessing. It's clear that Tanner and Oliver are thriving on Organix Grain-Free.


How are my Grain-free trial partners doing with their transition? A group of you won free bags in early January and were promised another if you shared your feedback. Now is your chance. Tell me how your fido is doing. Anything different? New behaviors? Changes, either better or worse? 


I'm curious to know if any of you have noticed a calmer dog that sleeps more soundly at night? This is the one observation I have made that I find quite fascinating, and of course extremely positive. Time to spill, folks. The comment link is open.


Each of you who won a free bag will receive another free bag if your feedback is left in my comments either here or at the previous Grain-free posts. Those of you who did not win in the last giveaway will have your opportunity if anyone misses their chance. And of course, there's always next time. I'll give 12 bags away, with first priority going to those on the Grain Free Trial. Entries will remain open through midnight on Thursday, January 26. Let me hear from you:



Full disclosure:  Product given away in this review series has been provided for promotional courtesy by Castor and Pollux Pet. I was not paid to write this review series, and my review comments are my own experiences.Yours may differ. No purchase was or is required to participate.