10 Tips for Holiday Travel with Your Dog

Hi Everyone!

Today, for this post, I'm sharing an article that I received from Paris Parmenter. Enjoy!

Ready to go walking in a winter wonderland with your dog? Holiday travel, whether to visit friends and relatives or to enjoy a great getaway, is all the more fun with your dog as a faithful travel companion. “Traveling with your dog can be a stress reliever during what is a stressful time of year for many people,” explains Paris Permenter, co-author of the newly-published DogTipper’s Texas with Dogs guidebook. “Not only will you not have to worry about boarding your dog while you’re traveling, but having your dog along can also serve as a great icebreaker at family get togethers.”

Before making plans to deck the halls on a trip with your dog, here are 10 tips to make sure you—and your dog—have a jolly time this holiday season:

1. Plan in advance. Make plans early during this peak travel time. When booking, call the hotel directly and let them know the size and breed of your dog so there are no surprises at check-in.
2. Watch out for ornaments and decorations. Decorations, from tinsel to ornaments to lights, present chewing and choking hazards. Even if your dog ignores decorations at home, he may be tempted in a new environment.
3. Be prepared for accidents. Pet accidents happen, even with the most reliably housetrained pets. Carry a roll of paper towels and a cleaner such as Rug Doctor Urine Eliminator spray for quick cleanups and to keep from putting your hotel pet deposit (or your relatives’ good humor) at risk.
4. Make a pre-trip vet visit. If you’re traveling out of state by car or traveling anywhere with your dog by plane, visit your vet to obtain a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI). Make sure your dog is current on vaccinations and ask for an immunization record to carry as well.
5. Carry your dog’s food and treats. The holidays may be a time for us to indulge (or over-indulge) on food and treats but our dogs should be kept on their usual diet to avoid tummy upset.
6. Place an extra ID tag on your dog. Consider a special dog tag with your cell phone number. If you’ll be at one location for several days, make a tag with your holiday number and address as well.
7. Buckle up. Icy roads and heavy holiday traffic are two more reasons to always buckle up furry family members, just as children are always buckled up in the car.
8. Keep your dog warm and dry. If you’ll be walking in snow or ice, be sure your dog’s paws are protected with booties. Many dogs also appreciate a warm sweater or coat.
9. Carry the scent of home. Whether a blanket, a doggie duvet, or just a plush toy, bring along the scent of home for time on the road and for your hotel stay.
10. Be prepared to travel more slowly. Just as if traveling with a small child, your holiday travel is going to be enjoyed at a little slower pace with your dog. Make time for more frequent potty stops and at least one hour of walking per day. And don’t forget to work plenty of time together into your schedule. After all, isn’t that what a holiday with your best friend is all about?

About DogTipper’s Texas with Dogs

DogTipper’s Texas with Dogs (Open Road, distributed by Simon and Schuster) features the best dog-friendly destinations across Texas. The full-color book was written by Paris Permenter and John Bigley, founders of the award-winning DogTipper.com. The 10,000+ page site features tips for dog lovers, giveaways, recipes, and more. Paris Permenter, a certified dog trainer and America’s Pet Economist™, also co-hosts the weekly Dog Travel Experts radio show with tips on traveling with your dog. For more information, visit www.dogtipper.com and www.TexaswithDogs.com.

Let's Discuss!

What are some tips that you would suggest when it comes to travelling with your dog?

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Organix Organic Dog Cookie Review And Giveaway

I'm always up for having a new treat to try out on my dogs. This month, Chewy.com was

generous enough to give me these treats by Organix to try on the pooches. When I first received the package in the mail, I realized that there was a substantial amount of cookies in the 12 ounce package (340 grams). They were made to be slightly larger than a quarter and looked like itty bitty vanilla wafers. When I compared them to the size of a quarter, they were slightly larger (pictured right). I also liked that the smaller size would mean that they would last longer with the five dogs that live here.

The Taste Test

One thing that's great about having such different dogs is that they have equally diverse taste. All the dogs, especially Gigi, have been partial to cheese products so I thought to choose the cheddar cheese flavor. The first time, all of the dogs seemed to like it. Yet, after subsequent tastings, Fancy would turn her snout at them. As much as Fancy loves bread and cheese, these didn't float her boat for some reason. It could be the size of the treat since Fancy is so large, and the treats for her were the equivalent of eating a tic tac.

Even though these were a no go with Fancy, I still would like to recommend them. For one, I like that these treats are organic. It's good to know that they use the purest ingredients for them and not commercial grade. My true taste barometers are Cookie and Homer. Since both of them are notorious for loving anything and everything about food, if they don't like it, then the dog treat falls into the lost cause department. The fact that Gigi loved them, knowing how finicky her taste buds can be, is what puts these treats into recommendation territory.

Summing It Up

I recommend these as a healthy alternative. They are certified organic. Another good thing about them is the fact that they're made in the US, which will keep the treats fresher longer. They are ideal for most dogs but are not for every dog, especially if your dog has a choosy pallet.

The Organix Giveaway

Here's a way to win some for your doggies. Fill out the giveaway form below for your dog(s) to indulge in an organic treat from Chewy.com. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Let's Discuss!

What kind of organic treats do you love giving your dog?

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Adopt A Senior Pet Month (Infographic)

November is Adopt A Senior Pet Month. Where October promotes adopting all pets, November is all increasing awareness of the wonders of senior pets. In my household, three of our dogs are senior dogs. All of them have just as much pep and vigor compared to their younger counterparts.

Every year, thousands of senior dogs are dropped off in a shelter. Some are given up because their family can't keep them anymore. Others are given up because their owners don't want them anymore, since they are older. It's not fair to the dog when this happens, but compared to other dogs, they are the last to be adopted. They are also the ones who are most euthanized.

Older Pet Benefits

Some of the benefits of adopting senior pets include:

• They are already housebroken. It doesn't take a long time for them to get acclimated to new surroundings.
• They are great for those owners who love a laid-back life. A simple walk will be all the exercise they need in a day.
• You know what you're getting. They tend to be more docile. Also, when they are adopted from a shelter, they are equally grateful.
• It isn't as long of a time investment compared to raising a dog who is a puppy.

Below is an infographic for Senior Pets by Blogpaws

Pork Chomps Giveaway Winners

Hello Everyone!

Thank you all for entering my Pork Chomps Giveaway. I just want you to know that I truly enjoyed reading all your comments. It was great hearing about your dogs and their favorite treats. I am happy to announce the winners of our Pork Chomps Giveaway. The winners were drawn at random and are as follows:

• Small Dogs: Steve Weber
• Large Dogs: Danielle Porter

Both winners have a week to email me at epapastefanatgmaildotcom with their necessary information to ship your package. If there is no response by Wednesday, November 6th at 11:59 CST, then I will redraw the winners. I am planning on having another giveaway coming up very soon. Thanks again to all who entered. Hope you all have a very Happy Halloween.

Feed And Go Automated Pet Feeder

Photo: Feed and Go

It always amazes me when you see one of those food bowls that feed your pet(s). Imagine how surprised I was when I heard of Feed and Go. Not only does it automatically dispense your pet's food, it can be controlled online.Through the use of advanced technology, it's able to not only help pet parents keep their pets on their normal routines, but also keep them connected to their furry family members while away from home.

It offers the option for a pet owner to record their voice and is built with a webcam. It connects through Wi-Fi and can be controlled through any computer, tablet or smartphone, as well as a convenient iOS and Android app for mobile programming and webcam streaming. In addition to dispensing food, it can also be an option for dispensing medication. There are also special apps available for iPhone and Android users as well.

With it's webcam, it's a great way to check in on your pets when you're away on vacation.Feed and Go’s automated pet feeder can be used with both wet and dry food and features six, 8 oz. cup size feeding trays that when not on display are kept airtight to keep food and any medications fresh until dispensed to the pet. It also is made with plastic so it's dishwasher safe as well. It allows pet parents to set one-off feeds or a recurring feeding schedule, or a combination of both, and for those lucky enough to be parents to more than one pet, the Feed and Go customer console allows for multiple pet feeders to be controlled from one login.

Right now, the company is offering a 20% off when you pre-order the Feed and Go Automatic Feeder from their website.

Let's Discuss!

How do you like to feed your pet?

Pork Chomps Review and Giveaway

This week, I'm proud to present my review about Pork Chomps.

An Alternative To Rawhide

I was first approached to review Pork Chomps and was intrigued by the product. They are made to resemble rawhide but contain no rawhide. Instead, they contain baked pork skins. The pork skins are 99% digestible and leave no slimy pieces behind. It's all natural as well so there's nothing added to make the treat more appealing.

Testing It Out

Living in a house with five dogs gives the ultimate testing environment. I was sent Pork Chomps in all sizes, in twists form, strips and traditional rawhide shapes. This was great for dogs who are small like Harry and Gigi to my largest dog, Fancy (pictured left).
The first sign I knew the dogs were going to like these was when I brought the box in from outside. I had placed it on a chair temporarily and Cookie (pictured above) was jumping up trying to get to the box. The scent of these things made her really excited. Then I gave them all some of the bones. Everyone was chewing away happily and not one of the dogs were distracted. Harry even enjoyed it considering that he has few teeth. He chewed some of it but didn't finish because of his limitations. Of course, Homer wasn't about to let it go to waste.

The Final Conclusion

Everyone really loved them. Not one of the dogs became sick. Prices are comparable to rawhide treats. I highly recommend these to give instead of bones or rawhide. They don't hurt the teeth but still give your dog something to chew. Once, I gave Gigi a bone and it wound up chipping one of her molars. I didn't have anything like that happening here. Cookie gave me her seal of approval when she stole one of the Pork Chomps bags off of the kitchen table and tried to open it in her bed. (I tried to snap a photo of the sneaky girl but she wouldn't stay still).
Since these were such a hit with my pooches, I am returning the favor. Two readers will win a pork chomps package for their dogs to try. Here's how to win:

Contest Rules

Small Dog Package     Large Dog Package

1. Contest starts on Thursday, October 17 and goes until Sunday, October 27 till 11:59pm.
2. Leave a comment on what your dog love for a chew treat. Please also list if you have a small dog or big dog.
3. Contest is limited to those who live in the US and Canada.
4. Only one comment per person. Multiple entries will be disqualified.
5. Winners will be drawn at random.

Again, a special thanks to Pork Chomps and Fetching Communications for providing Pork Chomps for review. Good luck to you all.

An Advertising Campaign That Turns A New Leaf

I used to work in a shopping mall about four years ago. Many times, I would pass by Abercrombie and Fitch and see a half-naked teenager standing in the doorway. It was obvious that they were using the tried and true idea of "Sex Sells". They are not alone. Companies like Calvin Klein, Victoria's Secret and some perfume houses have used this idea successfully as well.

In the past, the CEO of Abercrombie and Fitch has admitted that his clothes are geared towards the "cool kids", which helps them to maintain their exclusivity. It has a narrow but loyal audience that it markets. As much as I don't like that they are very selective, it's their right as a business.

Clothes For Teenagers

Imagine my surprise when I saw the above poster when walking through that mall a few weeks ago, when I went mall walking with my mom. They decided to use dogs and men. I think this is a fresh idea and showcases Abercrombie and Fitch in a better light. The addition of dogs with models gives the retailer a more down-to-earth look and feel.

I don't have kids in high school but if I did, I don't know if I would have them shop there. I can't imagine why a kid would want to buy brand new jeans that are already ripped. It's a fine line between having your kids dress appropriately and having them wear stuff that they love. Hopefully parents and kids can find the middle ground.

Photo: Abercrombie and Fitch

As a dog lover, I was thrilled by this campaign. It showcases the products and the love people have for dogs. Anything that embraces the wonderfulness of dogs is ok with me. It's obvious that Abercrombie and Fitch has taken a new direction in their advertising and I for one hope this dog-friendly angle continues.

Let's Discuss!

What are your thoughts about the new Abercrombie and Fitch ads?

Merrick Jerky Strips Review

Dogs just to seem love jerky. Anytime, I have jerky, my dogs get so excited. It does have a strong scent and is easy to digest. They had no rawhide in them, which is better for the dogs' digestive systems.

Jerky strips in general don't have the coloring added to them that you find in other dog treats. These by Merrick are grain-free. That's why I had no problem when I was asked by Chewy.com to review their Merrick Jerky Strips in Natural Beef. I'd like to thank Chewy.com for providing the complimentary treats for review.

At First Glance

When I first opened the package, the biggest difference I noticed was the texture. Instead of being soft and flexible,

these were hard. It made them easy to break into even pieces to give to the smaller dogs, but in truth, I was perplexed by this. But in the end, as long as the dogs loved it, that's all that really mattered.

The Real Test

It was time to give the Jerky Strips to the ones who really knew what worked and what didn't--my dogs. Gigi, as always couldn't contain her excitement enough. She loved it. So did Cookie and Homer. Fancy is such a big girl, she'll eat anything. So the true test was Harry, our Chinese Crested dog who is pretty much toothless.

All of the dogs loved it. Even our big girl Fancy, who can down a treat in milliseconds took her time to enjoy this treat. She held it between her paws and chomped away.

Final Recommendation

Even though these treats are a little on the pricey side ($5.99 for 2.5 ounces), I think they are good to give your dogs when you want an alternative to rawhide treats. They also make a smart choice for dogs who have sensitive stomachs. Do I think they are good enough replace the soft jerky treats? Not really. I think they don't beat the original soft treats but are nice to give once in a while when you are looking for a little variety or change of pace from the usual.

Let's Discuss!

What are your thoughts about this treat? Do you like giving beef jerky to your dogs?

Some Questions For The Ministry Of Defence And The RAF

Photo: Pat Pilon

Recently, Prince William decided to retire from the military so he could devote himself to his wife and his new child. It was a simple choice and a nice change of pace for the prince, who had focused on being a search and rescue helicopter operator for the RAF.

One would think this would be a decision without controversy. However, approximately two days after the prince left the military, two of the guard dogs assigned to protect him, Brus and Blade, were put down. The dogs had been serving in the role since Prince William joined the military in 2010. Brus, a Belgian shepherd was 7 and a half years old and Blade, a German Shepherd was 9 and a half years old. Brus, was known for having behavioral issues and Blade had issues with his spine and hips. Still, that's no reason for euthanization.

Now, the Ministry of Defence says that it's a "coincidence" and that they both had behavioral issues. It has been said that the military tried to rehome them, but it failed.

Harrowing Questions

Which makes me wonder, did they really do everything they could or was it the easy way out? First of all, the dogs were hired to guard the whole military base, not just Prince William. Why couldn't they have been kept on the base till they were ready to retire?

Many dogs are given to one of the soldiers when their military job comes to an end. Did the decision makers at the RAF even consider this?

It has been said that the dogs were stressed out. Well, when I'm stressed out, I take some time and retreat to a peaceful and quiet place to de-stress. Why couldn't that be done for Brus and Blade?

There are so many specially trained dog experts out there. Why couldn't the dogs have been sent to them?

What about approaching animal advocates? Victoria Stilwell is one of the biggest proponents for protecting animals and she is from Great Britain. Why couldn't they ask her for any help?

If that didn't work, then why not put the dogs in a special dog sanctuary, so they could live out their last years in peace? There was a dog retrieved in the Michael Vick debacle named Mabel. Mabel was deemed too dangerous by a court judge to ever live in a household. She was given a pass to live in the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary and has come a long way since 2007. Am I supposed to believe that two highly trainable dogs who were trained to guard, couldn't do the same thing?

This story reeks of laziness and that's why dog lovers around the world are livid. The only thing that the RAF and the Ministry of Defence has proven is that how they have hid behind excuses instead of facing the problem head on and finding a solution. Maybe there's nothing that can be done know but at least, there is something to be learned from this travesty for the future.

Read More About It

Vanity Fair
Daily Mail

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Let's Discuss!

How do you feel about this story? Please share below.

Orijen Freeze-Dried Dog Food Review

Many dog owners these days have switched over to freeze-dried food from commercial food. It's healthier and the ingredients are pure. Dog food that has been freeze-dried is first vaporized and then frozen at a low temperature to keep a bit of moisture in to make the food easy to prepare.

Freeze-dried is preferred over dehydrated food to keep the ultimate amount of nutrition in the food. Today's dog food I'll be talking about is Orijen Adult Freeze-Dried Food in the Adult Dog variety. I chose the Adult Dog variety since it had the best mix of foods which included meat, fish, fresh fruits, berries and grasses. It's a good choice for dogs who are diabetic too. A six-ounce bag was provided to me courtesy of Chewy.com.

Orijen Freeze-Dried Food - Adult Dog

Since I have five dogs, instead of giving the patties as a meal, I used it as a food topper. Using the patties in this method is similar to giving them a nutrition supplement. Instead of mixing their dry food with their usual Mighty dog, I used the patties instead. Because my dogs are different sizes, I gave patties to them as follows:

• Cookie - 2 patties
• Gigi = 1 patty
• Homer - 2 patties
• Harry - 1 patty
• Fancy - 4 patties

With there being 12 patties in a bag, this had two left over. The dogs loved the food. I'm always hesitant to try

new foods because Gigi (pictured with me left) is still battling bladder stones and is sensitive to certain foods. Also Harry is limited with what he can chew.

The Results

It was prepared as directed on the package. I mixed each patty with 1/4 cup of water. I then broke down the patties into small pieces and added both the broken-up patty and its water on top of their food. All of the dogs loved it. Not one wound up lifting their head from their bowl. The only problem I ran into was with Harry. Since Harry doesn't have many teeth, the food once was liquified tended to stick together. So, in order to make it easier for Harry, I mixed it up a little more to make it easier.

Another alternative would have been to give Harry the patty dry. That way, it would still be soft enough to chew without it needing to stick together. All in all, this is a good alternative to those dog owners who don't mind the extra cost that comes with this type of feeding. The dogs all loved it and it didn't last long in my house. It's also nice to give to your dogs when you need a break from the usual routine

Let's Discuss!

Please share below your thoughts on freeze-dried food. What's your favorite brand? How does it work for your dog?

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