Category Archives: dog treats

Best Places to Work contest

Companies Have Good Reasons to Embrace Dog-Friendly Workplace

Looking to improve your workplace? The answer may be resting at your feet. According to a Virginia Commonwealth University study, employees who bring their dogs to work produced lower levels of the stress-causing hormone cortisol. Stress is a major contributor to employee absenteeism, morale and burnout and results in significant loss of productivity and resources. But a preliminary study, published in the March 2012 issue of the International Journal of Workplace Health Management, found that dogs in the workplace may buffer the impact of stress during the work day for their owners and make the job more satisfying for those with whom they come into contact.

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The VCU researchers compared employees who bring their dogs to work, employees who do not bring their dogs to work and employees without pets in the areas of stress, job satisfaction, organizational commitment and support. “Although preliminary, this study provides the first quantitative study of the effects of employees’ pet dogs in the workplace setting on employee stress, job satisfaction, support and commitment,” said principal investigator Randolph T. Barker, Ph.D., professor of management in the VCU School of Business. “Pet presence may serve as a low-cost, wellness intervention readily available to many organizations and may enhance organizational satisfaction and perceptions of support. Of course, it is important to have policies in place to ensure only friendly, clean and well-behaved pets are present in the workplace,” he said.

Another study from 2010, headed by Christopher Honts, at Central Michigan University, found that the mere presence of a canine in the office could help make people collaborate more effectively. The researchers also showed that the staff who worked with a dog gave all their teammates higher scores for trust and team cohesion than those who worked in dog-free groups.

A recent survey of 50 companies that welcome pets found: 1. Lower stress levels and less absenteeism than in pet-free offices; 2. Productivity and employee morale got a boost when canine companions joined the work force; 3. Employees were more willing to work overtime, thanks to the addition of pets in the workplace.

So, if your company doesn’t have a dog-in-the-workplace policy—Take Your Dog to Work Day on June 21 is an opportune time to test out this growing trend. The following tips can be used to help set up a successful dog-policy.

1.  Start off with a committee made up of dog owners and non-dog owners to draft a policy.

2.  Dogs must be friendly to humans and other dogs and have a good social personality.

3.  Follow a dog ‘hire’ policy where a new dog is interviewed for acceptability into the workplace.

4.  Fearful or shy dogs might not do well in a busy office.

5.  Basic training is a must and dogs should be housebroken.

6.  Dogs should be clean, free of illness, and should be up on routine vaccinations.

7.  Introduce a dog slowly into the workplace, and introduce a new dog to the other office dogs in a neutral area.

8.  Employees should sign a waiver and be responsible for any damage or harm to equipment, facility or other dogs and humans.

9.  Dogs can be leashed, and the use of baby gates or crates can also be useful.

10. Consider a dog-free zone for employees who might have allergies or who are frightened of dogs.

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If your business is a new or proven dog-friendly practitioner—consider entering Bark’s Best Places to Work presented by Zuke’s. The Bark is searching for the most dog-friendly workplaces in America. Three winning companies will be featured in Bark’s Winter 2013 issue and each of their office pups will receive a year’s worth of Zuke’s dog treats! Contest details, rules and entry form are available here: http://thebark.com/content/barks-best-places-work

About The Bark
The Bark is the first magazine devoted to exploring the relationship and bond between people and their dogs. Taking its slogan—Dog is My Co-Pilot—to heart, it has become the indispensable guide to the how, why and what of dogs! http://www.thebark.com

About Zuke’s

At the Zuke’s office you’ll see dogs snoozing under workstations and bounding in our backyard creek. It’s their devotion to us that drives what we do. To honor that, Zuke’s treats are made in the USA using only high-quality, all-natural ingredients. Feed Zuke’s and Fuel the Love®.

About these ads

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Filed under dog friendly, dog treats, dogs, four paws up, pet care, Uncategorized

Dog dad’s day gifts

Father’s day is June 16

what better way to celebrate Fathers day then to give dad a few gifts from his best friend?

Say It With Bacon

What dog dad (and his dog) do not love bacon (and cheese, peanut butter and hot dogs?) Get your dog dad a mouthwatering gift box that he can share with his best friend as a thank you to dad for bringing home the bacon.

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https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=481002418635067&set=vb.197522929219&type=2&theater

Every dad needs a Wag More Bark Less baseball cap from Cloudstar…

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http://www.cloudstar.com/prodcat/wag-more-bark-less-oval-cap.asp

For those gardening dads, how about a zen dog garden sculpture?

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http://www.uncommongoods.com/product/zen-dog-garden-sculpture

What dad doesn’t like to run with his favorite furry pal? Or walk him at the dog park?  Pick up a pair of stylish running shorts from you know who as a reminder….

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https://theanimalrescuesite.com/store/ars/item/39649/purple-paw-running-shorts

For dads who are camera buffs, why not get dad an extra special video camera to take great shots of his doggie pal to post on his blog, Facebook friends, send to friends and loved ones?  You could also book a session with a professional pet photographer for the two of them to capture special memories. Create a photobook filled with images of the two of them.

You could also create your very own photo puzzle from a favorite photo… and/or win a photo puzzle creator from Piczzle here…

http://www.yesihaveacoupon.com/2013/05/piczzle-photo-puzzel-will-make-great.html

Book a massage for Dad and his dog, side-by-side on the table, with full treatment. Get a barber and dog groomer to give them both haircuts. After they’re both looking their best, take the Father’s Day guests of honor out for lunch or dinner at their favorite pet friendly restaurant.

Reserve transportation and a stay for Dad and his best pal at a pet friendly beach town perhaps San Luis Obispo, Carmel, Mendocino, Half Moon Bay, Huntington or Newport Beach. Surf, swimming, coastal hikes and other activities included. Or plan a pet-friendly excursion to dad’s favorite fishing hole that allows dogs. Fetch dad some new fishing gear, and his faithful sidekick ges a new ball, frisbee or rubber ducky to play catch.

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Supplies you’ll need for the excursion include traveling food and water dishes, a blanket to lie on and an umbrella to help shade from the sun. Include a new lead and stake for dogs that tend to wander, and a towel…gift your special duo their favorite meal. Pack it up in a picnic basket and let them enjoy a pleasant lunch..

Plan a barbeque for Father’s Day… Be sure Fido has a kiddie pool to splash in when it gets too hot… and since dad loves to cook/grill… the animal rescue site has some adorable doggie related gifts including these canine oven mitts…there are also canine decorated aprons and other goodies for the culinary  minded dad.

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/10-ways-to-cancer-proof-your-barbecue.html

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https://theanimalrescuesite.com/store/ars/item/38442/culinary-canine-neoprene-oven-mitts-set-of-2?source=10–940090772-10

Dog dads need calendars to schedule their events, special holidays and vacations with their pooches (doggie daycare, trips to the dog park, groomer and vet) and more… Dad will love his 365 day doggie calendar, woof woof woof

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http://www.amazon.com/365-Dogs-2013-Page-A-Day-Calendar/dp/0761167110

Dad loves to read about adventures, training and inspiring stories about his best friend, right. Why not get him some doggie books about relationships of man and his best friend that will whet his attitude for having more fun with Fido… Books like the tale of Wallace, the world disc champion (who just passed his ninth month beyond the death

sentence he was given … doctors told Wallace’s guardians that he had life threatening cancer and Wallace was supposed to be over the Rainbow Bridge by now… but NOT Wallace !!!)

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http://www.wallacethebook.com/

http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/wallace-jim-gorant-dishes-on-his-new-book-and-the-high-flying-dog-who-inspired-it

The Chet and Bernie mystery series by Spencer Quinn share the relationship of a working dog and his detective guardian (fiction) in a fun canine caper way is another good selection of the theme (man and dog).  You could start with the first in the series, Dog On It or jump to the last The Sound and the Furry, or get them all.  Really fun reads.

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http://www.chetthedog.com/buy-my-book

Or you could go old school/classic and get him Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/04/books/steinbecks-travels-with-charley-gets-a-fact-checking.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

Blog Hop time…thanks to Life with DogsTwo Little Cavaliers and Confessions of the Plume…  grab the blog hop  link

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Filed under Adventure, animal books, Best Friends, California, Carmel, dog friendly, dog parks, dog spa, dog training, dog travel, dog treats, dogs, exercise your dog, gardening, gift giving, gifts for your dog, K9 approved, K9 travel, keep pets safe, pet blog hop, pet care, pet friendly lodging, pit bull, travel with dog, Uncategorized

SLO has gone to the dogs…

Cici got to travel on a Tiki tour boat and see/hear the sea otters, seals and seal lions in Morro Bay.  She kept looking around and sniffing for fish.

And we met a chi-wow-wow named Lillie who out-diva’d my polka dot princess.  Seriously this tiny pup has x-ray eyes, follows her guardian man Leslie wherever he goes and does not stop shaking until he comes back to her. Then she sat on my chest and went into Zen meditation mode. What a cutie, am missing her already.  (me and Lillie and her dad Leslie at Thomas Organics restaurant in Paso Robles).

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Emma, some kind of heeler, herder puppy, two years old, with a black eye, Cici and Emma had some fun together playing, jawing, wrestling, running around on the beach.

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April, an adorable Beagle mix, also white but with some brindle/brown markings. Cici and April chased one another, too.  Here are most of the dogs walking with Robyn.

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Zoe, the Saluki, kind of kept to herself (I think she is kind of scared of other dogs) and she is a lapdog.

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and Demi (who I keep wanting to call Murphy), a Heinz 57 type of gal with her mom Deb at the Ecluse Winery (Deb took all of these photos except the Saluki).

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can you imagine a more diverse group of dogs???

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All of the dogs are female and they and their owners/guardians and I went on a press trip (very intense) for three days and two nights to San Luis Obispo county (seven cities in three days)… whew !!!     (Cambria, Pismo Beach, Grover Beach, Morro Bay, San Simeon, San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles).   www.visitSanLuisObispoCounty.com

will be writing more about the FUN we had and the dog friendly places we met along the way in future blog posts including one for  Mama’s Day which is coming up May 12.

All of the dogs also got to meet some white Labs and a blind dog named Toby at the Ecluse winery in Paso Robles.

A great time was had by ALL…lots of divine food, wine and treats and s’mores at Grover Beach…

well except for one day…  every dog has her day…

Cici’s terrible horrible no good very bad day…

well, you know that Cici has three nemesis, right…

1. cats

2. bull dogs

3. skateboards (and scooters)

all three of the above make her freak out… bark and act like she is having a canine melt down…

and guess what happened to my girl?

she met all three of her nemesis in ONE day… and she flipped out….

otherwise, we all had tons of fun…

More about the trip/media tour…

 

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http://baywoof.com/featured-article/first-ever-dog-friendly-media-tour-sniffs-out-the-best-in-san-luis-obispo/

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http://jetsetextra.com/destinations/north-america/united-states/california/san-luis-obispo/san-luis-obispo-county-welcomes-your-furry-little-friend

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Lily

http://www.jetsetextra.com/destinations/north-america/united-states/california/san-luis-obispo/san-luis-obispo-county-welcomes-your-furry-little-friend-day-2

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Filed under AAA, Adventure, all you need is a dog, beach parties for dogs, California, dog friendly, dog travel, dog treats, dogs, four paws up, K9 travel, keep pets safe, pet care, pet friendly dining, pet friendly lodging, pet friendly winery, pet travel, travel with dog, Uncategorized

Mama’s day gifts for dog mamas

Life is Pawfect by Robert Semrow

Photographer Robert Semrow has put together an adorable and whimsical collection of dog themed portraits including a scuba diving dog, a pirate, and my favorites, a baking dog with wonderful ingredients, a furry angel and a chi-wow-wow in a basket and a sombrero hat… each portrait comes with appropriate sayings and props… A wide variety of dogs, sizes and breeds appear in the book. This gift book is in color and is a laugh out loud pawfect gift for all of the doggie mamas in your life.

http://lifeispawfect.com/

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Photo on 2013-04-29 at 18.59

Lavender & Mint Buddy Wash Shampoo and Splash

Keeps your dog smelling wonderful, clean and fluffy, made in the USA, no alcohol, coconut oil based

Ingredients:

Coconut shampoo base, aloe vera gel, essence of lavender, essence of mint, chamomile extract, sage extract, nettles extract, rosemary extract, wheat protein extract (natural deodorizing agent), tea tree oil, vitamin E, vitamin C.

http://www.cloudstar.com/prodcat/buddy-wash.asp

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Cloud Star Buddy Biscuits, grain-free and gluten free

Three delicious recipes: Smooth Aged Cheddar, Rotisserie Chicken, and Homestyle Peanut Butter

Grain Free Oven Baked Buddy Biscuits

Cici has been scarfing up the cheddar cheese biscuits. Loves them.

Blind Doggie wine by Ecluse

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An eclectic blend of some of the best Paso Robles reds, Blind Dog Midnight Run Cuvee is a delicious, doggone great wine! Barrel aged from 14 to 30 months, this complex wine is a perfect ”companion” with meals.  Mom is sure to enjoy it with her friends. Perhaps you can even take her to visit this pet friendly winery in Paso Robles where she can meet Toby the blind dog up close and in person. (More about taking mom on a dog friendly trip to SLO County soon).

http://www.eclusewines.com/wines/blind-dog-wines.php

Once Upon a Flock: Life with My Soulful Chickens by Lauren Scheuer is a laugh out loud and heartwarming story of Lauren’s life with her quirky flock of feathered friends. Lauren builds Lucy a special-needs coop. Lauren hatches a chick in her home. Raising backyard chickens in New England is no easy task but leads to an immensely enriched life as Lauren and her flock’s guardian Marky the terrier soon find out.  Every mother hen will relate to the stories in this book.

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Dog face t-shirts  with mom’s favorite breed 

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golden-face

http://shop.themountain.me/categories/Dogs/

Stella and Chewy Kisses

Ingredients:
100% Angus Beef Treats – Beef.
100% Chicken Treats – Chicken.
100% Duck Treats – Duck.
100% Wild Alaskan Salmon Treats – Salmon.

Freeze dried raw treats… Cici says these are Yummy delicious, Woof woof !

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http://www.stellaandchewys.com/dog-kisses.php

The Original Dog Tarot card set and booklet is an amusing tool that gives human beings essential insight into the canine psyche.

Want to know why your dog shreds your slippers but ignores his designer toys? Does your pooch really want a puppy for companionship, or are you delusional? The Original Dog Tarot is an entertaining, tongue-in-jowl deck of tarot cards and accompanying book affectionately written for dog lovers who want to divine their canine’s mind. The 30 cards are a takeoff on the traditional tarot; they’re divided into the Major Barkana and Minor Barkana. Each card offers advice for both canines and the humans in their lives. You don’t have to be familiar with traditional tarot to use this deck. It is a witty and wise stand-alone oracle for anyone who has given up mastering the techniques of The Dog Whisperer.

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http://www.thedogtarot.com/

A sample pack of MOO cards

Business cards, mini cards with a whole lotta WOOF…

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http://us.moo.com/design-templates/business-cards/pack/animal-thoughts.html

http://us.moo.com/design-templates/business-cards/pack/a-lotta-dogs.html

Mama’s Iphone case with photo of her royal dog 

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For your own royal dog likeness on an Iphone 4 or 5 case or Droid, please contact Amanda and tell her Cici sent you

www.etsy.com/listing/120784089/custom-renaissance-pet-portraits-iphone

Amanda
Sealed With A Case
sealedwithacase.etsy.com

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Filed under Adventure, animal books, bathing your dog, breeds, chickens, dog friendly, dog spa, dog treats, dogs, K9 approved, K9 travel, Made in USA, moms, pet food, pet friendly winery, pet travel, product review, Uncategorized

in your dog’s Easter bonnet

Does your pooch have an Easter bonnet or gift basket? Whether or not you celebrate Easter or Passover or whatever holiday or not, you can still have some fun with an Easter Egg dog hunt on Sunday, March 31… can be for treats, bones, toys, whatever gets your dog in the mood for fun…dogs love finding treats in the grass so why not give them some special time and treats to hunt for. Cici loves to sniff the grass at the park near our house every day and she comes up with all kinds of awful surprises. This could be a fun way to channel your dog’s inner sleuth in a positive way.

An Easter outfit with bonnet is optional, but here’s how to make a costume if you must

http://www.ehow.com/how_2156787_make-easter-outfit-dog.html

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http://www.dogguide.net/blog/2008/03/happy-easter-from-the-dog-guide-dogs-dressed-in-their-easter-best/

Your back yard or closest dog park or even a room in your home can suffice to be the place where your doggie will sniff out his prizes… If you want to take photos of the event, you probably should take them before the treasure hunt unless you want some photos of your dog with their goodies and their costume off.

Suggested prizes: 

an Easter bunny stuffed animal

a hardboiled egg or two

small bits of cheese cut up into squares

a bone (deer antler perhaps)

a few cookies (homemade or others)

chicken or turkey jerky or bits of hot dogs

some kibble thrown around in the grass

If your dog is a seder dog who celebrates Passover, the treats can be appropriate to that holiday. For instance, bits of gefilte fish, tuna, and/or salmon.

Popular Easter treats like jelly beans, marshmallow chicks and chocolate eggs can upset your dog’s tummy and make them sick.  DO NOT give any dogs chocolate treats since chocolate is toxic for dogs.

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If your dog is a piglet like Cici, do not toss out too many treats for your pooch to consume or they will eat all of it and then still want to eat their meals. These treats can replace one meal that you normally feed them.

On a larger scale, this can make a great charity fundraiser for your local pit bull rescue or shelter and an adoption event, to boot. For a community dog hunt, use plastic eggs and put the treats inside the eggs for the dogs to find. Have someone dress up as the Easter Bunny so pet guardians can take photos with the bunny and their pooches. Be creative. Offer fun dog activities such as agility, a parade, some donor booths filled with goodies and food for humans and pooches. Sponsors from the local community who donate will get Free publicity and a tax write off.

Please let us know about your event at home or in the community and send us photos of your dogs in bunny ears/outfits.

Below is one event taking place in the Sacramento area soon…

http://www.examiner.com/article/wag-hotels-sacramento-presents-the-4th-annual-easter-egg-hunt-for-dogs

here is an event taking place in New Jersey

http://www.princessbuttercupfoundation.org/doggie-easter-egg-hunt.html

gotta love Polka Dot doggie biscuits…

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Blog Hop time…thanks to Life with DogsTwo Little Cavaliers and Confessions of the Plume…  grab the blog hop  link

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Filed under adoption, Adventure, bones, bunny rabbits, California, canine cuteness, children and dogs, dog friendly, dog treats, dog wear, dogs, donations, Easter, four paws up, fundraising, gift giving, gifts for your dog, K9 approved, keep pets safe, no kill shelters, pet blog hop, pit bull, Uncategorized

Enter to Win: Traveling dogs

Does your dog drive you crazy or drive you to the store?

Be sure to READ BELOW TO FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN WIN CASH !!!

Fur in the breeze, adventure in her blood, born to be wild Cici loves car rides, no matter where we go. She will hop in anyone’s car, (although she has her preferred vehicle, a Subaru, of course). She loves to go to the beach, shopping mall, dog park or to her favorite pet friendly winery. She even loves going to the vet. But, some dogs do not enjoy driving in the car because they associate car driving with getting a bath or haircut and nails trimmed at the groomer or some other terrible experience (going to the vet or worse).  Dogs who fear driving in cars may throw up, drool, whine, shake, cry or otherwise make life miserable for the driver of the car (that would likely by you).

Make traveling with Dog a breeze

You can ease your dog’s anxiety in the car through a number of methods, from giving them Bach Flower Essences, Rescue Remedy, aromatherapy essential oils (a few calming drops of Lavendar on paws), a calming collar filled with aromatherapy oils and/or play some nice relaxing doggie music made for scaredy dogs like Through a Dog’s Ear by Lisa Spector.

Whenever Cici drives in the car, she is surrounded by her very own pillows and blankets and hitched up to the seat belt but many dogs would prefer and feel safer in a crate or a carrier. NEVER put your dog in the back of your truck, that is one of my pet peeves. What happens when they jump out or if you have to stop quickly? And do not ever let your dog be in the front of the car, sitting on your lap or in the shotgun seat. Much too dangerous. It also goes without saying that your dog should NEVER be put in a kennel on the top of the motor vehicle, either… for ANY length of time.

Cars Made For Traveling Dogs

Car savvy traveling dogs like Cici have voted for their favorite car to drive in. And that car is a Subaru, no matter the model. Cici and I drove our Subaru Legacy station wagon for two years all over California, Nevada and Oregon without a hitch. Well, except for running out of gas and getting a flat tire. Subaru cars are ideally suited to and made for traveling dogs. And their Dog Tested Dog Approved campaign, that we’ve mentioned a couple of times, shows dogs the best car to drive. Grant Weber, Subaru Canine Sales Associate devotes his life selling cars specifically to dogs. Dogs of ALL breeds, little dogs, big dogs, scaredy dogs, brave dogs and most especially traveling savvy dogs.

Watch him sell cars to dogs here…   click on the link…It is funny and Made for Dogs… especially dogs who LOVE to EAT !!!!

 

As part of their campaign, Subaru has launched a facebook app that is FUN and offers some  things to do, such as the Subaru Dog Matcher, the Ask the Expert, Put Your Dog in a Subaru, and the Canine Driver’s License Division (you can make a driver’s license for your dog – I made one for Cici, make sure you put in a fake address).

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Grant Weber suggested Cici would prefer a Subaru Outback for our next car and with the app we can even build our own Outback to our specifications, and the car even comes with snacks, how cool is that?

Cici would look great
in a Subaru Outback.

With the go-anywhere capability of the Outback, you can get away from that fenced-in yard of yours and sniff out some real adventure…

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Enter to Win!

Try the Subaru app out for yourself!

 Like the Subaru Facebook page for a chance to win cash and
tell them that Cici and CeliaSue from Have Dog Blog will Travel sent ya!

Just “like” the Subaru facebook page and you’ll be entered to win a Visa gift card!  One first place prize winner will receive a $350 Visa gift card and one second place prize winner will receive a $150 Visa gift card!  The winners will be announced within 48 hours after the raffle closes.

ENTER HERE.

Like Subaru’s Facebook page FIRST.

Follow the Rafflecopter instructions.

You can enter once per day until the contest ends at 11:59 pm ET on Sunday, February 24.

Start today to win !

Enter once a day for your best chance to win! You can enter with your Facebook log-in or just use your email address.

Be sure to visit our Facebook page and post a photo of your dog driving a Subaru, your dog’s driver’s license, and share what you did with the Subaru Facebook app!

This post is sponsored by Subaru. we are helping spread the woof about the Dog Tested. Dog Approved.™ campaign, because [Have Dog Blog Will Travel] only shares news for things we love and support. All opinions are mine.

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Filed under Adventure, canine cuteness, contest, dog friendly, dog travel, dog treats, dogs, driving, free giveaway, K9 approved, K9 travel, keep pets safe, music for dogs, pet apps, pet friendly winery, pet travel, travel with dog, Uncategorized, women travel, women with dogs

Free Fun Ideas for V-day

The average person will spend over $130 on Valentine’s Day this year, according to a report from the National Retail Federation. This amounts to a pretty pricey mid-February evening for those of short on cash.

Happily, there are lots of free things to do this Valentine’s Day that will leave you wondering why you ever paid a premium for fun. Check out the following ideas and be sure to hit up MrFreeStuff.com for a complete list of 60 dates that don’t cost a thing.

Note: And most of these can include your pets, if you choose to bring them along and have them join in on the fun. Or if you are alone with them and want to invite single friends over. All sorts of possibilities.  You can make it a Galentine’s Day or Palentine’s Day or whatever you want !  You could even fundraise with your dog’s kisses for your favorite animal rescue. Smooches from Pooches.

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http://www.buzzfeed.com/marcelle/37-dogs-beating-you-at-valentines-day

1. Create a Game Night
Host a game night this Valentine’s Day. Whether it’s a mellow game of Scrabble or a high-intensity round of Texas Hold ‘Em, you’ll enjoy a little friendly competition with your date.  Tug of war, throw the frisbee, ball or chew the stuffed animal works for Fido.

2. Head to the Playground
Skip the pricey restaurant. Have a picnic at home or at the park with lunch meats, cheese, potato salad, French bread and wine. At the playground enjoy some kid-like fun. Compete on the swingset or see who can hold out the longest on the merry-go-round. Chase the dog or have the dog chase you.  Climb the monkey bars.

3. Volunteer Together
Valentine’s Day seems to be all about what you’re doing for your special someone. Why not collaborate and do something for others instead? Soup kitchens, animal shelters and nursery homes could use a few good volunteers, so spend your Feb. 14 brightening someone else’s day.

4. Make S’Mores
Forget chocolate-covered strawberries; s’mores are where it’s at this Valentine’s Day! Roast marshmallows over your kitchen stove, expertly melt chocolate and create a multi-layered, gooey treat. Camp out at home, back yard and toast the marshmallows and chocolate over the fire.

5. Bring the Spa Home
Spas and salons will be brimming with lovey-dovey couples this Valentine’s Day, but you can skip the crowds and create a better experience at home. Gather your candles, towels and favorite CDs and prepare a steamy bath. Complete the experience with a couples massage.

6. Get Touristy
Despite how long you’ve lived in your current city, there are likely several hidden gems you haven’t yet experienced. Stop by the local visitor’s center with your date and inquire about free things to do in your community, then hit the road toward discovery.

7. Host a Movie Night
Host a movie night and ask friends to bring their favorite snack to share. Peruse your DVD collection for a funny or thought-provoking flick and leave the tear-jerkers for just the two of you.

8. Relive Storytime
Open a bottle of wine or pop the top on your favorite brew and settle in for an evening of storytelling. Share passages from your favorite books or pick up your favorite childhood classics from the local library. Once upon a time…

9. Cook Dinner Together
Cooking a meal for your loved one has long been a Valentine’s Day tradition, but why not prepare something together? Challenge each other to create a tasty meal out of items you already have in your pantry and toast to your resourcefulness.

10. Host a Wine Tasting
Tasting flights will cost you a pretty penny at fancy restaurants, but you can bring the experience home for less. Ask friends to bring a bottle of wine and their favorite snack pairing and enjoy an intellectual discussion about tannins and undercurrents.

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V-day gifts for pet parents

Every parent loves to show off photos/pictures of their sweet angels including pet parents. You can hire a photographer, painter or artist to create a custom image and present this gift to the pet parent of your choice.  You may have to be sneaky about it but that is part of the fun, right.  You can also put a photo of your loved one’s pet on a t-shirt, mug or other item.

http://positively.com/2013/02/06/photography-matters/

Recently, Cici and I met with Deanna Fuller who took photos of us at the park. Below are just a few of the shots. I think she did a great job, what do you think?  If you live in the Monterey Bay area and need a photographer, email me and I’ll put you in touch.

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And if you want your loved one to have more than just one keepsake, how about giving them a video camera that they can take videos of their pride and joy and show off regularly?

With the Sony HD video camera, they could capture a day-in-the-life of their pet … Sony’s Action Cam ($269.99) is a great way to capture that footage in high-quality and play back to the family in real-time with its WiFi capability.

find out what their pet’s habits are when no one is home.

At $199.99 http://store.sony.com/p/Action-Cam,-Compact,-Rugged,-HD-video,-action-camcorder,-Go-Pro,-Skateboarding,-Cycling,-Hiking,-AS10/en/p/HDRAS10/B can reveal really fun information about beloved pets. It’s a wearable full HD video camcorder that’s a mere 3.2 ounces and boasts SteadyShot image stabilization to always ensure smooth video, which is perfect for any sort of mischief your pet might get into in. The Action Cam also captures a stunning 170-degree viewing angle so you can see way beyond your pets peripheral to really see what they can!

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So far, we’ve left out the traditional hearts, flowers and chocolates, but here goes… you can get your sweetie a bunch of chocolate in the shape of a dog… yummy and delicious…

http://www.dogster.com/lifestyle/valentines-day-dog-shaped-chocolates

Here are some yummy sugar-free and/or wheat-free cupcakes, and perhaps you can make them in the shape of a dog or a cat…

http://partycupcakeideas.com/25-sugar-free-cupcakes/

Fill a jar of dog goodies and donate animal / dog / cat treats (bones, cookies, biscuits in the shape of a heart) to your loved one’s favorite animal rescue group or shelter.

Make a five minute doggie valentine…toooo cute…

5minvalentine_body

http://www.moderndogmagazine.com/articles/diy-craft-5-minute-valentine/32875

Adopt or foster a dog or cat from the local shelter or rescue group, only if you will love them forever.

Make a coupon book for your loved one and have items such as l hour pet sitting, dog grooming, or other items that are pet friendly as well as massage, poem writing and romantic items. Have fun with it and be creative.

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14 Valentine’s Day gifts

We Love Our Pets 

According to the The American Pet Products Association (APPA) National Pet Owning Survey 2011 – 2012, there are currently 72.9 million pet owning households and they regularly purchase lifestyle products for their pet, especially for holidays. Whether you celebrate Valentine’s Day (2/14), Love Your Pet Day (2/20) or both, the sentimental holidays are coming up soon.  Last year, over $120 million was spent on gifts for pets (up from the $90 million recorded in 2008).

Below are 14 suggested gifts for your pets that will show them you care… Each of the gifts have been paw picked and reviewed by Cici and I to make sure that you and your pooches will LOVE LOVE LOVE them… Enjoy !

Loving Pets shows dogs and cats how to dine in style!  Cici loves her Bella Bowl with hearts and I love the ease of cleaning it.

Black Label Vintage Diners:

  • Three-step finish creates vintage styling, such as “aged copper”, and “vintage black”
  • Unique designs complement Craftsman, Mission, and Rustic home decor
  • No-skid rubber bases/feet prevents sliding and tipping

Bella Bowls in New Designer Expression styles:

  • 8 new designs sure to suit any taste or season!
  • Dishwasher-safe
  • Removable rubber base prevents sliding and tipping

CritterZone Air Purifier

http://www.critterzoneusa.com/

We have been putting The CritterZone Air Purifier to good use 24/7 for days now. It is powerful, filterless and chemical-free and you can take one with you while traveling. Put one in the car and one in the hotel room and one at home. I was wheezing before using this purifier and Cici’s bugs were making her itchy. Plus, Cici can be a stinky girl. No more doggie smell, no more bugs, no more wheezing ! We love love love this little hard working product.

CritterZone air purifiers are odor neutralizers. They quickly remove the particles from the air that cause odors, restoring it to a healthier, fresher state.  An all-natural process virtually eliminates odors, bacteria and other pollutants such as mold, mildew, E-coli, Staph, Salmonella, Listeria, and more.  It safely and naturally kills germs in the air and provides a surface of protection to PREVENT germ and mold growth.   Featuring 3 settings, you control the amount of natural charged flow to clean your room or vehicle;  Virtually eliminating odors, bacteria and other air pollutants for up to 800 SQ FT!

As a busy pet owner, you may not have time to clean your home top to bottom constantly. That’s where a pet air purifier can help.

CritterZone, an ionic pet air purifier, can get to the root of the odor caused by the smelly cat or stinky dog in your life. It targets the odors and removes them, rather than covering them up. The CritterZone creates a continuous charged flow that restores the air to give it the natural cleaning power it has in the outdoors. The result is that odors are neutralized and removed from the air.

Another benefit of the CritterZone:  It can pull the odors out of fabric and carpet. If your cat or dog had an accident, hold the unit over the spot or set it nearby, and you’ll be able to tell the odor has been neutralized in minutes.

productSidebar

GIVEAWAY ALERT !!!!

Incognito Pet Carrier in LE prints and solids is styled for pet travel when discretion is required. The design begs the question; “Is it for pets or people?” /Sturdi says, “You decide.”

This gorgeous, comfy red bag is only for small dogs under 40 pounds so Cici (does not fit) and she wants to Give It Away to someone with a small dog … All you have to do is leave a comment and tell us why you’d like to have it and it could be yours !!!! 

There is a double zippered side door entry and top for easy access to your pet. When you are not traveling, your pooch or your cat could use it as a comfy crate house…

When you want to be Incognito, cover the mesh windows with attached privacy flaps and no one

knows what’s in the bag! Additional large pockets on each side will keep paper work dry.

Other features include, slim padded carrying straps, zipper safety security clips, safety tether and a luggage handle loop. A washable fleece comfort pad is included!

go bag

http://sturdiproducts.com/products/incognito-le-dog-or-cat-carrier

Hot water bottle for doggies

Cuddling with pets keep us humans nice and warm and cozy. And sometimes our pets (and we) need a little extra warmth and comfort. We love this hot water bottle… it works!

www.WarmTradition.com offers  some really unique hot water bottles that are great for pets to use. Pets like to curl up on a hot water bottle to keep themselves warm, comfortable and relaxed. Also great to use on dog or cat’s aches, pains or arthritis. Cover is removable and machine washable. Hot water bottle keeps pets warm for hours.

http://www.warmtradition.com/Warm-Tradition-Prints-Fleece-Covered/dp/B004F036CK

Boil water, pour into a hot water bottle and slip it in between the sheets of your bed (perhaps down by the feet where your pet is lying down) a few minutes prior to bedtime.  The hot water bottle will stay warm all night  An eco friendly and affordable way to keep warm throughout the winter.

Zuke’s Superfood Treats 

Cici loves Zuke’s treats, all of them. Super treats, she scarfs them up no matter what flavor.  They are Super nutritious and super delicious and the superfoods keep her going.  The naturally powerful nutrients found in superfood berries, betas and greens are just plain yummy in her tummy.

http://www.zukes.com/dogs/supers-334.html

Zuke’s Z-Bones

Z-bones are grain-free, anti-oxidant rich dental canine chews that breath and clean teeth- perfect for your favorite canine!

http://www.zukes.com/dogs/z-bones.html

Music for dogs CD

Relaxing music for your pooches …  a natural solution to pet anxiety and stress. This is classical music designed specifically to calm pets. You can play a CD for your pets when they are alone, recuperating from surgery, adjusting to new environments, or reacting to foreign sounds such as thunder.  The music is very soothing and all selections have been re-orchestrated using the sounds, chords and harmonies proven to soothe “stressed out” pets – and their owners!

Go listen to samples at the website…

http://store.musicmypet.com/57-mellow-mellodies-cd.html

mellow-mellodies-cd

Treats galore plus food from Evangers

Evanger’s, America’s only privately-held, family-owned pet food cannery introduces a new Grain-Free recipe and packaging for Nothing But Natural Jerky Treats for dogs.  Cici loves them and does not notice that they are only six calories each !!!

Like every Evanger’s dog and cat food product, Nothing But Natural Jerky Treats have always been prepared without a trace of artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.  But now the treats are also Gluten-Free, removing oat flour from its list of farm fresh ingredients.

Available in these delectable combinations:

  • Organic Chicken, Fruits & Vegetables
  • Natural Buffalo, Fruits & Vegetables
  • Natural Pheasant, Fruits & Vegetables
  • Natural Venison, Fruits & Vegetables

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Goat milk soap is for humans, too!  This soap smells soooo good, I wish I could convey that thru the computer, it is heavenly delicious, lathers up like a champ and I love the peppermint lip balm and unscented soap for pets, too.

Goat Milk Stuff, offers these great lathering bars of natural chemical-free goat milk soap for dogs, as well as a wide variety of goat milk soaps and lotions for people and pets.

http://goatmilkstuff.com/Goat-Milk-Soap-Pet-Unscented.html for the unscented

version and http://goatmilkstuff.com/Goat-Milk-Soap-Pet-Scented.html for the

scented. Each Goat Milk Stuff scented or unscented pet bar costs $8 and is easy to use on your dog’s coat. It will get their hair clean, but is a lot easier to rinse off than most other pet shampoos. It is scented with essential oils that are designed to help repel irritating bugs. Plus, the goat milk helps to make it gentle and non-irritating on their skin.

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While candy and flowers typify Valentine’s Day, gifts that pamper can make the day even more memorable. GoatMilkStuff is made by the Jonas family of 10 at their Indiana goat farm, the hand-made Goat Milk Stuff soaps and lotions are great gifts for loved ones and friends in a wide variety of scents.

With mom PJ and dad Jim overseeing soap making and marketing, each of the Jonas children (ages 5 to 16) pitches in to help milk the goats, mail soaps orders and help in many ways in the family’s growing business.

Goat Milk Stuff’s Valentine’s Day gift packs are reasonably-priced from $13 to $20, and each is presented in an organza bag with a variety of color and scent choices.

Online at http://www.GoatMilkStuff.com.

Chews On Belay dog tugs

Photo on 2013-01-20 at 16.01 #2

Cici chewed up the first one in 5 minutes but then the larger one has lasted and lasted and lasted. It is a tug toy with rope and a ball for chewing and tug fun.

To make these hearty tug toys, they use repurposed/recycled climbing ropes and hand make each and every tug. The tugs come in varying sizes and styles and have a broad range of colors. For Valentines Day, get some “love” tugs. These tugs are all red, as well as reds and whites and durable. Being made out of rock climbing ropes, they stand up to the toughest tug-o-war games. If the dog is a persistent chewer, they do not become stringy like other rope toys, meaning there is significantly less string swallowed as well as around the house. All the materials used are made in USA and the actual tug is made in Estes Park, Colorado. Tugs can be made in any color that is on the website. You can see the products at www.chewsonbelay..com You can also see pictures of the tugs in action on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ChewsOnBelay

Doggy sheets

Cici and I both love her Valentine’s cute pink sheets with hearts on it for her bed. One of her beds.

Dogysheets come in many colors including Red for Valentines Day! They are easy to use, soft, pretty, machine washable and also come in different sizes and shapes (round, square, rectangle), made in the USA, 100% cotton and are fitted. Dogs love them!  (What is not to love?)

Get yours at the website at:  www.dogysheets.com

poodlepink

It’s a pouch and a dog rain poncho, all in one

Travel souvenirs for your pet… This is a cool product that is both fun and handy, to boot. Your pet can use the poncho to keep dry and you can use the pouch to keep stuff in it. Plus, it has iconic graphics of NYC (and other places) on it so you can show off to your friends where you’ve been or would like to go. They also offer doggie t-shirts (NYC) in different colors and sizes, too.

finneganponcho

http://petsenvoyage.com/

Night Dawg collar 

This collar is for the dark, comes in neon colors (Cici’s is hot pink) and you can get your dog’s info inscribed on it, to keep your pet safe at night and if your pet wanders off. This is a nifty and practical gift. Comes in different sizes, small, medium, large.

Here is the link to the website:

http://www.safetygearonline.com/recreational-safety/pet-safety/night-dawg-collar

Send a flying card frisbee

Perhaps you are traveling for V-day and want to send your pooch a message. What better way than send a frisbee with a special message printed right on it ! They will woof it up !!!  This is a great gift for V-day, birthdays, Xmas and more.

 http://sendaflyingcard.com/

Star in a Romance Novel Made in America This Valentine’s Day

Paperbacks start at $39.95; hardbacks at $74.95; ebooks at $14.95, but there are Valentine’s Specials on the site, so it’s best to look for a deal. Photos of the starring couple can be added to the cover for an additional $25. We ship worldwide. Ordering is fast, safe, and easy online at www.YourNovel.com. Order by February 8 for print books in time for Valentine’s delivery. Ebooks can be ordered up through February 14.
Pets?
Does not have a specific field for pets but if you want to put your pet’s name in for the space usually used for “best friends” you could do that.

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It’s Puppy Bowl Time

It’s PUPPY BOWL TIME…

Are you ready for some Puppy Bowl action?   Bring on the chips, treats, and doggie snacks to watch the cute canines by… says Cici… 

Who can resist watching the cutest puppies on the planet playing football?

Also, Villalobos Tia Marie Torres’ twin sons: Kanani and Keli’i will be making an appearance and a Pit Bull puppy will be making some Super Bowl moves of his own!  And don’t miss the halftime show featuring cute and cuddly kittens.

PUPPY BOWL IX premieres Sunday, February 3 at 3pm ET/PT on Animal Planet.

SubaruDogTested_Samson

As fans of ruff and tumble gridiron action across the nation prepare themselves for the biggest annual showdown, PUPPY BOWL IX, on Sunday, February 3, Animal Planet is making sure everyone can get their fill of all the adorable puppy action leading up to, during and after the game.

All of the animals featured in PUPPYBOWL IX come from the Discovery Communications’ digital family through Petfinder shelters and rescue organizations across the U.S. This year’s starting lineup includes puppies from Wayside Waifs Animal Rescue (Missouri), spcaLA (California), Tails of Love Animal Rescue (New York), Pitter Patter Animal Rescue (Wisconsin) and Big Fluffy Dog Rescue (Massachusetts). PUPPY BOWL fans looking to add to their “home team” are encouraged to visit Petfinder.com, which has helped more than 20 million pets find their fur-ever homes. 

Starting Lineup: Study up on the key PUPPY BOWL IX players so you can be preemptively disarmed by cuteness. Fun fact? Australian Shepherd/Catahoula Mix, Althea, loves to both play and snuggle. Talk about a double threat.

During the intermission and breaks, meet Grant Weber, Subaru Canine Sales Associate. Having sold Subaru vehicles to only dogs, there’s simply no better friend to man’s best friend. No matter size, breed, or temperament, he’ll find the right Subaru for your needs. So if you’re a dog, and you’re looking for a Subaru, head on down to see Grant Weber. You’ll leave with your tail held high.

SubaruDogTested_Keys

  • ( iTunes app link)   Before the big game this year, treat yourself to the new App for the Puppy Bowl! Just download the “IntoNow” app on your tablet or mobile device here  http://blogp.ws/Wxa8ia 
  • In a PUPPY BOWL first, Animal Planet has teamed up with Yahoo!’s IntoNow to bring viewers Puppy Bowl Plus, an immersive viewing experience available on Android and iOS devices. The digital experience, executive produced by Randi Kest Wheeler and the Animal Planet Digital Media team, syncs to the content on screen and ensures audiences are never more than a tap away from fellow diehard fans with live polls, video extras, exclusive photos, real-time meme generator CapIt and much more.
  • The App can be downloaded from i-tunes and will allow viewers of The Puppy Bowl to have a fun interactive experience on their mobile device.The app will be available on February 3 during the Puppy Bowl AND will also work during the re-air (check local listings).
  • Available for tablet and mobile devices

My last car was a Subaru Legacy station wagon. And we LOVE their dog commercials!!!

This post is sponsored by Subaru. we are helping spread the woof about the Dog Tested. Dog Approved.™ campaign, because [Have Dog Blog Will Travel] only shares news for things we love and support. All opinions are mine.

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