P.L.A.Y. Adds Toys to Bed Line

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

© AllThingsDogBlog.com
Vegetable Medley of Dog Toys

Speaking to our organic-eating household about vegetables was not exactly a long shot for our friends at Pet Lifestyle and You. Even Tanner seems to understand that these plush dog toys represent good health as well as fun. Tanner is not a destructive dog, largely because we focus our attention on assuring he gets plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to take care of the need to chew. He enjoys plush toys immensely, yet is very gentle in his play style with them. 

With a nice range of sizes and colors, the whole assortment of Garden Fresh plush vegetables would make an adorable addition to any dog's toy basket; however, we recommend you consider your dog's size when selecting the right toy. Tiny toys can be a choke hazard for large dogs, and jumbo toys may simply not see much action from your pint-sized pups.

Back to school is a time when many families often enjoy placing additional emphasis on a healthy diet, these toys can be a unique way to engage your kids in doggie play that has a healthy slant. Which veggie does your Fido enjoy most?

With these toys being light weight, you'll find that even your smaller dog will be able to enjoy any of them. We did quickly discover, however, that Oliver found the carrot most entertaining. Perhaps that's because he's a carrot lover? I have to wonder if he makes the association. Any thoughts on that? What have you noticed about your dog's associations with real vs. toy items? Looking forward to some banter here...

Back to the toys, I'd love you to know how Eco-friendly this company is. Their stuffing is made from recycled water bottles and the dyes are AZO free. The manufacturing facilities adhere to strict quality standards for infants and children, toys are made with a double layer of fabric and extra stitching for durability, and the most pet-owner friendly fact is that these toys may be tossed in your home washer and dryer for cleaning. Woo ha! I'm loving that feature for sure :)

Visit Pet Lifestyle and You online at these social media sites:

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
YouTube


No compensation was received for this review or the upcoming giveaway. The opinions shared here are completely my own. We recommend that you supervise plush toy play due to the potential danger of stuffing if eaten by your dog. 

Petco Wedding Fashion Fun

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

© AllThingsDogBlog.com
Beautiful Wedding Accessories

With fun Fido wedding events going on in the blogosphere, Petco decided to get in on that action. Our latest review package is a fashion show for the wedding party--the bride, groom AND the guests!

courtesy Petco.com
Harness/Dress

You can pick up the goodies you find in this review at Petco stores near you. You'll find a Store Locator at the top of the page at this link. If you'd prefer not to brave the traffic, simply buy online. Check out this adorable dress that I wish I had a female dog to wear.

Jacque is helping out with modeling duties today to show off a stunning poncho in gorgeous Spring colors. I believe this accessory is appropriate for a male dog, almost as well as a female. Doesn't Jacque look handsome?

© AllThingsDogBlog.com
Jacque Sports a Poncho for Wedding Day

Petco's assortment of accessories and clothing is second to none with everything you can imagine. I especially enjoyed the sequin hat and plaid tie in beautiful Spring colors, just perfect for the bridal party or your rehearsal dinner ensemble.

© AllThingsDogBlog.com
Pool Front Wedding Venue

Don't forget the bride and groom and their required impeccable appointments. Black tie is appropriate for grooms at evening weddings, and this selection is completed by beautiful cuffs with matching black cuff links. A collar accessory we have included shows off an adorable black mustache.

The bride's veil made of net attaches with a thin rubberband which we found can be placed under the chin and behind the ears for perfect invisibility. The veil includes beautiful detail! Pick a few wildflowers outdoors, tie them up with a ribbon and your Fido will have her dream wedding.

We created a wedding aisle with appropriate rose petal dressing to make the mood just perfect for this happy, happy day.

Petco has asked us to share these wedding and Spring accessories with you, offering our comments. We have not been compensated to review these items and all items will be given away. The opinions and wedding scenario are all my own.

Super Dog Clean Up with Luv and Emma

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

After a recent construction event here, our yard is definitely in sad shape. There are areas of dirt exposed and we're in need of some serious Eco-friendly mulch to keep Tanner and Oliver from bringing in the garden soil on their paws. These boys just love running through the gardens to discover what wild critters visited last night.

Until Spring arrives we won't be able to completely correct the situation. Even in the land of 80 degree Winter days, we have the slight risk of a Freeze until after February 28. That's the day that Farmers Almanac puts central Florida in the clear. So, what does this mean?

Dirty Tanner and Oliver feet come and go all day long. Unless we're just headed up and down the driveway to go for our walk, they are all over the yard investigating every corner to see if they can turn up a Raccoon, Armadillo, Opossum, or just a neighborhood Fido friend. 

About once a month or so Tanner manages to corner a critter. It's a funny sight. My 70-pound Golden backs a varmint into a corner and then sits his bum down and looks at me. The question is always the same:"What do I do with him now?" It's all about the chase. He has yet to take these expeditions beyond the cornered critter phase. Whew!

Next is my task of luring his attention to me long enough to  allow the errant mammal to make a run for it. Once the little fella is over the sidewalk he's home free and I'm stuck with a dirty dog. Time for Luv and Emma!

Hanging on the inside of our door handle is a floor saver. With a handy hole to keep it neatly on the door handle and off the floor, our Luv and Emma microfiber towel allows for a quick clean up of paws and feet, and sometimes even snouts that have gotten into mischief. And of course, when they roll on the ground they always bring in lovely grass, weeds and other unidentifiable  stuff.

A few tips on cleaning up Fido at your door:

• Enter before your dog and grab the towel, turning to block his charge to your white couch!
• Ask for a sit and talk sweetly while getting his paws cleaned up gently. 
• Turn the cleanup into a game with a little hide-n-seek or other silliness. Anytime grooming is fun, you're bonding with your dog. That's good, right?
• Offer a treat for good behavior and soon your pup will love Luv and Emma cleanups just like Oliver does in our photo collage at the top.
• Rehang your Luv and Emma towel on the door handle to assure it's always there when you need it :)

This is one tool that every dog owner can use. Even if a yard is not in your destination, rain or snow probably is at some time of year. With Luv and Emma, you can clean up Fido before he goes inside to avoid leaving his mess on your carpets and floors. What's not to love about that? No disposable wipes in the landfills or chemical cleaners on your pups paws, waiting to be licked and ingested. Green and Eco; ya gotta love it!

How do you clean up your pets' paws when they come in from the rain, snow, mud or dirt? Comments are welcome. We love to have participation in our Weekly Wag. In particular, please let me know how you groom your dog in this way in order to keep the relationship strong and cozy. Insights?

Check out Luv and Emma here:

Website
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest

Join us each week for the Weekly Wag bonding series, held during the Saturday Pet Blogger Hop. The hop is hosted by Life with Dogs, Two Little Cavaliers, and Confessions of the Plume. You are welcome to link up here, or check any of their sites for their rules of participation. Happy hopping! 

Dull Coat? You Need Arenus Coat Plus

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

© AllThingsDogBlog.com
Chlorine Tough on Tanner's Coat

If you've been reading this blog you probably already know I have a swimming, fetching maniac. His name is Tanner. Just about every day, year round, he takes up his spot at the pool door and stares imploringly out at his favorite place--HIS POOL!  What's a pet mom to do? Let him swim, of course!

Tanner swims so often that the chlorine is tough on his coat. I consulted with his veterinarian early in his swimming career, and she recommended a daily supplement of essential fatty acids. Over the years, I still noticed a slight dulling of Tanner's coat.

When I revisited this issue with our new vet, he agreed that a more aggressive approach was in order. In addition to a rich, nourishing conditioner to be used regularly, he firmly suggested adding an advanced supplement with Omega 3 and 6 Fatty Acids, DHA, and EPA, to help support Tanner's healthier skin and coat.  A few brands were mentioned and we quickly landed with our sponsor, Arenus, after reading up on their product called Coat Plus which supplies a total of 1000 mg of EFAs per capsule, in the large breed supplement, allowing you to titrate his dose according to his size. Instructions are included :) A small breed version is also available for your dogs under 40 lbs. One last, but important detail to the nutritional value, is the vitamin E that is added to complete the balance, as recommended by many pet nutritionists.

© AllThingsDogBlog.com
Tanner's Daily Duty

© AllThingDogBlog.com
Healthy Noshing

Speaking of the T (treat) word, did I mention that Coat Plus is beef flavored? I don't have to bury the soft-gel capsules in fattening stuff like cheese or peanut butter to get him to eat it. Between you and me, if I left the bottle open and unattended, Tanner would probably devour it. Not only does it smell good, but he tells me with his behavior that it tastes good as well. It's always nice to have an easy delivery mechanism for our pet's medicines and nutritional supplements. 

We started this supplement in Spring and quickly noticed an improvement. With Summer swimming time increased, he has still managed to maintain a shinier, healthier coat. Without any dry, itchy problems, I believe Tanner's skin and coat are as healthy as they can be for a dog who couldn't live without a daily swim. I soon found myself ordering more product and will continue to include this in Tanner's breakfast dish as a treat to his diet and his coat.

courtesy Arenus

Arenus is a company that has built a solid reputation for good nutrition in both the equine and canine areas, as well as other pets. We have reviewed their Mellow Out product in a homeopathic line of remedies for various issues, as well as their Canine Steadfast, a product that combines both bone, cartilage and soft tissue support. For highly active dogs, this is a very important addition to their nutrition, as well as for seniors who need extra help to prevent joint issues.

You can learn more about the Arenus Pet Products here:

• The Arenus Blog
• Facebook
• Twitter

Where can you buy Coat Plus?

Arenus sells this product online, as well as their whole line of pet supplements. 

The Arenus Store Locator will assist you with finding brick and mortar locations near you.

Other online sources may be available.

Read up, get acquainted and I'll be back very soon with a giveaway so some of you can give Coat Plus a try like Tanner did. I'm so very glad we've discovered this wonderful source of nourishment for his beautiful blonde coat. Thanks Arenus!

courtesy Arenus

Important Note: If your pet is on medication for any other health conditions, you should consult with your veterinarian before adding a supplement to his diet. 
I was supplied with some Coat Plus to try on Tanner. This review includes my experiences and the thoughts are my own. We were not compensated to review this product or share our experiences. I have purchased additional supplies of Coat Plus due to the excellent results with Tanner's coat.