Dog Product Review - Green, an interactive feeder

          Are you familiar with DoggyLoot, it is similar to Groupons but for dog related stuff. I've been a member for awhile and I am glad I signed up. They have some interesting offers and items, my latest purchase through DoggyLoot was something called Green. Basically Green is an "interactive" dog feeder (or use it for treats.

            I have been looking for new ways to give Fussy my older dog some mental stimulation. She isn't interested in dog toys and because of arthritis her back end tires easily. Taking her walks (nearly everyday) was is good exercise for both of us and is perfect for keeping a mind sharp. But I want to find something else I can do with her at home.

          One day I open DoggyLoot's email and there is this weird cartoony looking faux grass thing. What the heck, I click on it to get more details. It wasn't until after I watched to company's video that I was impressed with it. Boom! Done deal, so I buy the thing. So far my purchases from DoggyLoot don't take long to show up on my doorstep. I open the box and there it is. I was surprised a bit that it was a hard plastic and not something with a tiny bit of bend to it. But the super thing is it is easy to clean! Things that make my life easier I love. It is sorta hard to see in the photo but the middle of the thing is raised up making it look like a little hill. That way dogs can work the food/treats out of the "blades of grass". Now the big test..... what will Fussy think of this strange contraption?

          I take a few of her favorite dog treats and sprinkle them inside the Green and stood back. Instantly Fussy's nose goes into high gear. At first she thinks this is some sort of barrier, she looked at me and I told her "It's for you, go ahead!" After that she dove right in hunting down each speck of treat, all the while I could hear her nose sniffing so loudly and rapidly.

           So I can confidently say that the Green was a good buy. I would give it a thumbs up and if Fussy also had thumbs she would also.

          I thought it would be neat to video her using the Green, this was her second encounter with it. There is no sound to the video so it is safe to view anywhere.

          Looking to get in on DoggyLoot? Sign up for free by using this link:
https://doggyloot.com/invite/f40990 and receive a $5.00 credit to buy some cool dog stuff. 

A Few of My Favorite Dog Books

I thought I would put together a list of a few of my favorite dog related books.

Good for everyone book short list:
The right dog for you by Daniel F. Tortora, Ph.D.
Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook by Debra Eldridge, Liisa Carlson, Delbert, James Griffon, & Beth Adelman
The Tellington TTouch by Linda Tellington-Jones & Sybil Taylor
Canine Nutrition & Choosing The Best Food For Your Dog Breed Of Dog Each Dog Is Different With Histories And Nutrition Guidelines for 152 Individual Breeds by William D. Cusick
Art of Raising a Puppy by Monks of New Skete
How To Be Your Dog's Best Friend by Monks of New Skete

More advanced Dog book short list:
Pill Book Guild To Medication For Your Dog and Cat by Kate Roby & Lenny Southam
An Eye For A Dog - Illustrated Guild To Judging by Robert Cole
K9 Structure And Terminology by Edward Gilbert, Jr. & Thelma Brown
The New Dogsteps: A Better Understanding Of Dog Gait Through Cineradiography by Rachel Page Elliott
Successful Dog Breeding by Chis Walkowicz & Bonnie Wilcox
The Dog Breeder's Guild To Successful Breeding And Health Management by Margaret Kustriz
Breeding A Litter The Complete Book Of Prenatal and Postnatal Care by Beth J. Finder Harris


Don't limit yourself to this list, this is just a tip of the iceberg of great dog books. Look into positive training methods, natural dog foods, holistic healing, and more. Now get out there and read!

March 13 is K9 Veterans' Day!

           I just learned today that there is a K9 Veterans' Day. This is such a wonderful idea, I love it! There is even a website k9veteransday.org.The following is an excerpt from the website:

"Welcome to the national effort to make March 13 K9 Veterans Day. March 13, 1942 is the official birthday of the United States K9 Corps, and so it seems only right to annually honor their service on that date. They served to save, and they deserve to be remembered.
 
Because of the attacks on our homeland, many more dogs than are normally associated with the term “war dogs” are in the fight, and this campaign will not discriminate against them. The war came to us, and so it has become seriously important to us as a Nation to have our borders, transportation centers, ports, bases, fuel dumps, energy compounds, and many more places, as well guarded as is possible, and for the most part they are guarded by dogs that are not in the military. Police K9s, Customs K9s, Border Patrol K9s, Secret Service K9s, Airport Police K9s, F.B.I. K9s, and others are working daily to protect the homeland, and they should be honored accordingly. Some of those very dogs died at Ground Zero. They have all served to save, and they all deserve to be remembered."

          I just want to take this time to remember and thank all the canines that have served this country over all the years (and those yet to come). Dogs are truly man's best friend and most loyal protector.

Wordless Wednesday - Snowy Dog Face

Wordless Wednesday

Havanese Lovers Now Have More Choices

          This year I had large orders for Havanese crate tags and a request for new colors, I love requests. As you Havanese lovers already know I have had the black and white color for quite some time now. I am happy be now present two, yes that's right, count'em two new colors! Introducing the red sable & white and gold.

          I am not a expert in every dog breed, so I am very appreciative to those who are and willing to help give me feedback. It makes for a better representation of breed and/or color.

          Don't forget all my single sided crate tags now come with the option of getting them in a magnet. Cool, right?!

          When I create a new pattern I first like to do research, this is the most important step to getting the dog breed right. Then I will do a preliminary sketch, followed by selecting yarns I think will work best. The limited yarn pallet I have to work with can be frustrating at times, some shades just don't have the gradation I need. This was the case for the gold Havanese, it made for a challenge that I was determined to raise to.

          Some patterns go so smoothly, while others like the gold color can put up a fight. Just because something looks good in your mind's eye or on paper doesn't always translate to the yarn when stitched. It was on the fourth time stitching (and a good long break in between) did I finally nail it. Whew! It may have been hard work but the reward of a lovely finished piece is sooooo worth it!