Friday, December 20, 2013

Doggy Treats- beams, pure icelandic fish skin chew treats for dogs


Mo loves these beam treats!  They are catfish skin, and are wild caught and dried into long sticks.  The background story is that for centuries in Iceland, they've been eaten as a snack, where some native peoples still consume them today!  The only ingredient is dehydrated catfish skin.  There is a minimum of 88% protein in each treat.

Resources:

beams
The Honest Kitchen, Inc.
145 14th Street, San Diego, CA   92101
(866) 437-0729
questions@thehonestkitchen.com
thehonestkitchen.com
Product of Iceland, Packed in the USA
We got ours at Whole Foods, but these are sold other places too.












Thursday, December 19, 2013

Doggie Casanova gets a kiss!

Mo got a kiss this morning on his walk.  He is wearing his new sweater and is irresistible!  You can see the lipstick all over his head…










Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Dog Friendly Restaurants- Park Chalet Garden Restaurant (patio dining, across from Ocean Beach in SF)

I have never brought Mo to the Park Chalet Restaurant in San Francisco, but I have gone there with a lovely dog named Sweetie and her owner.  This place is right across the street from Ocean Beach which is really dog friendly!   It is really relaxing outside with a view of the park, there is a full bar available too.

"Where the park meets the Pacific"

Resources:

www.parkchalet.com

Monday, December 16, 2013

Doggie on a reindeer- attraction at Carousel at Tilden Park

Last night my son and I went to the carousel at Tilden Park, they have the winter wonderland going on.  It is gorgeous and it easily places you in a magical space!  One attraction was a family of Jack Russell Terriers of different sizes riding on a reindeer, it was so adorable!  Best of all, unlike malls or other holiday venues, this place is totally dog friendly- though I didn't see any dogs on the antique carousel.


Doggie with fleece

When it started getting really cold, I'd walk my dog and Mo would shiver.  I had to get my dog some warm clothes.  I found a stretch fleece shirt at a store, where it was recommended I use it for PJ's for my dog.  I did that for a few days, but my dog started getting too hot!  So, I stopped having Mo wear his fleece to bed.  When we go out in the morning, I put on his fleece, and that way he doesn't shake.

Resources:

gold paw series
stretch fleece
(a superb year round popover jacket with recycled polyester and 7% spandex so it moves with your dog- it's easily the most comfortable coat around.  Perfect for puppies, elderly, or just plain chilly dogs!)
machine wash, no fabric softener, tumble dry low or hang to dry.
goldpawseries.com
(651) 330-9434
$29.99
(Gold Paw Fleece, size 14, Plaid)
Proudly made in the USA


Duluth double fleece
(Our super toasty reversible fleece is just what a chilly dog needs in the long dark cold of winter.  4-way stretch, recycled content, blue sign and Oeko-Tex certified safe.)
www.goldpawseries.com
(651) 330-9434
$42.99
(Double Fleece, size 14, Black/Camel)
Proudly made in the USA.



Nitro Dog
Lafayette, CA

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Our Doggy's Cold- here's his jacket

In the morning, Mo's momma (me) takes him out for a walk.  It's been so cold that I had to get him a jacket.  When he doesn't have his jacket, he won't stop shivering and I feel like a bad momma.  Here's a picture of Mo with his black jacket on.  He's so stylish!


Saturday, December 7, 2013

Leashes

We used to be big fans of adjustable leashes.

Not anymore.

If given the chance, even for just a moment, Mo likes to chew up his leashes.  Not only did he chew up this end of his adjustable leash, he also thought he'd decide to see what it would taste like.  Here's the end of the leash after its return from Mo's belly:



Doggy on the Couch

Almost good as Doggy on the Bed, here is Doggy on the Couch:



Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Rawhide Bones

Some people do not allow their doggies to chew on rawhide bones.  My dog, Mo, is such a chewer that I have decided to keep letting him chew on rawhide.  Each night, he'll find a comfortable spot near the family while we are hanging out before bed, and he'll spend at least an hour chewing.  We were at my son's nanna and popa's, and Mo even went into my husband's old bedroom and started chewing his bone on the rug.  For Mo, it is relaxing, like smoking a cigar for some humans.

Resources:

Good Buddy
USA Rawhide
(A tasty treat that helps clean teeth and gums, made with grass fed 100% USA beef)
Castor & Pollux Natural Petworks
castorpolluxpet.com
1-800-875-7518
Clackmas, Oregon
(I purchase mine at Whole Foods market)

Icelandic Haddock Fillets for Cats and Dogs!

I got a package of the Icelandic Haddock treats from Whole Foods on sale this month.  My dog and cat both loved them.  They are crispy, and look like fish.  The only ingredient is dehydrated Haddock, and is grain free.  What's the story? On the box, it says, "Our haddock is caught in the cold, pristine waters off the coast of Iceland using a hook and line, not trawlers, to reduce impact on the ocean's delicate eco-system."

This package is gorgeous, and makes you feel like you are giving your dog a vacation!  It sure smells like fish when you open the package!  If you do not like the smell of fish, this package is not for you!
I found it fun, since both my dog and cat were obviously loving the smell and taste of this treat!



Resources:
Wishes
The Honest Kitchen, Inc.
145 14th Street
San Diego, CA  92101
(866) 437-9729
questions@thehonestkitchen.com
thehonestkitchen.com
(I purchased these treats at Whole Foods)

Be Careful with the flexi freedom cord retractable leash with children and frisky dogs!

When my son was first born, my family had a beautiful pit bull mix dog that did great on the flex freedom leash, that stretches up to 16 feet.  I love the product, but now that I have a five year old son and a 2 1/2 year old dog, I cannot use the flex cord retractable leash anymore.  The first difficult incident happened when I had taken my son to a playmate at a park near his school a few weeks ago with our dog, and my dog ran around another mother with her daughter twice, tangling them in a web!  It was horrible.  Mo loves to run in circles, which just doesn't work with the retractable leash.  Plus, the leash is so thin that Mo eats it!  I've gone through three of these kind of leashes, so no more!  Be careful if you have a young, mischievous dog or a young child who is holding the leash.  I love these kind of leashes for the right dog, and an older, experienced owner as they allow the dog to have more independence, but do not recommend this leash for children to use.  The second uncomfortable incident  happened at Kennedy Cove Park in El Sobrante.  I was using a new Flexi leash, and when I looked down, Mo had chewed the leash and was running around in circles, free, with a new dog he'd met.  Then, he ran around myself, as well as everyone else in the playmate, about 10 times, running his dirty paws over their blankets, smiling, finally he was tired and calmed down.  I'll try this Flexi leash when both my son and my dog is older.

Resources:

Flexi Freedom Leash
Cord Retractable Leash- 16 feet
www.flexiusa.com
1-800-543-4921

On the box, it mentions , "Is this leash right for your dog?  Do not use this leash with a disobedient or uncontrollable dog, since they are more likely to wrap the cord around people or to run off at high speeds.  "

Child Warming:  On the box, it clearly states," If the cord wraps around fingers or catches on a ring, a hard pull on the leash can amputate fingers.  Never touch the cord or allow it to wrap around any part of our body."

Dog Treats for Mo- Two of Mo's recent favorites!

My dog loves treats, and we love making him happy!  I wish my son ate as healthy as my dog, but there is more to write about that on another blog!  When I give Mo treats, I want them to be as healthy as possible so I look for ones without gluten products or fillers. Below are two "sticks," which are an equivalent of a beef jerky for dogs.  My dog loves one at the end of a long day, he'll sit in the living room watching my son play, and chew on his "stick," for a few minutes before his dinner.  After looking at the ingredients in both these stick treats, I am convinced that many dog owners feed their dogs healthier than parents can feed their children!

Resources:

Wildcatch For Pets
Salmon Sticks
(healthy and delicious wild salmon sticks, from wild salmon, wheat free)
Bellingham, WA  98225
www.wildcatchforpets.com


Organic Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe Sticks
(Wheat free, first ingredient is organic chicken)
Distributed & Sold exclusively by Trader Joe's
Monrovia, CA  91016
SKU#98478
(certified organic by Quality Assurance International (QAI)




Favorite Pet Food for Mo from Safeway- Priority Pet Care Variety Pack

When I go to Safeway, I usually pick up the Priority Total Pet Care Variety Pack, it contains 12 cans or packages of 1dog food.  It has 4 cans of beef dinner, 4 cans of chopped chicken dinner, and 4 cans of gourmet dinner.  Priority is a sponsor of the Animal Rescue Foundation, that Tony La Russa founded in Walnut Creek, CA.  My dog, Mo, really likes it, he eats every morsel!

Resources:

Distributed by Safeway, Inc.
P.O. Box 99
Pleasanton, CA
94566-0009
1-888-SAFEWAY
www.safeway.com

Animal Rescue Foundation
P.O. Box 30215
Walnut Creek, CA  94598
http://www.arf.net
1-800-567-1ARF

Dispenser and Pet Clean Up Bags by FiveStarPet

I had to get a new leash for my dog because my dog ate his old leash.  While I was at Nitro Dog pet store in Lafayette, I also got a new dispenser  & pet clean up kit that actually attaches to my dog's leash.  It is so easy.  It is important dog owner etiquette to always clean up after your pet, and it horrible when you forget a bag and have to go back home to get one and then retrace your steps- I've done that and I don't want to do that again!

Resources:

Nitro Dog
%5.99
Dispenser and Pet Clean Up Bags
(Purse Style, wild flower scent)
FiveStarPet
wwwfivestarpet.com

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Recommended dog food- Halo

One of Mo's favorite dog foods is Halo.  Halo has never been recalled.  Ellen DeGeneres became part-owner in 2008.  Halo donates 1 million meals to shelter pets annually.  They also sponsor the PBS series, "Shelter Me."  I purchased another dog food at Whole Foods a few days ago and found a bone in it, I will not mention that dog food in this blog.  Mo highly recommends Halo!

Resources:

Halo, Purely for Pets
Adult Dog Formula
Spot's Stew
Wild Salmon Recipe
www.halopets.com
(I purchase my Halo products from Whole Foods.)

Recommended Beaches in Santa Cruz County, CA - Rio Del Mar Beach, Aptos, CA

Today, we went to Rio Del Mar beach in Aptos, CA.   This beach is extremely dog friendly, though dogs need to be on the leash at all times.  There is a path along the beach where dogs take their people for a walk.  Here are some pictures of Mo at the beach.



















Recommended Dog-Friendly Beach Bungalow Near Santa Cruz, California

We recently went on a family vacation to Aptos, CA and rented a beach bungalow called the Harris II. The place had two bedrooms plus a living room with a fold out couch.  The beach house was walking distance from Rio Del Mar beach, which is doggy heaven!  All dogs at the beach need to be on a leash, which is fine for my dog.  There is also a nice walking trail along the beach.  Also walking distance is the Beach Bean coffee shop which has a dog friendly patio.  There is a cafe called Cafe Rio with a dog friendly patio too!  This would be a wonderful place to hang out for a week with family, friends, and your dog!

Resources:

Santa Cruz Getaways
Vacation Rentals
(831) 687-WAVE
Frank & Jewlia
www.SantaCruzGetaways.net

Recommended Beach Home Rental in Aptos
Harris II
100 Winfield
Aptos, CA


Thursday, November 28, 2013

Dog Friendly breakfast place, open today!

Happy Thanksgiving!  Mo loved having breakfast this morning at  Crepevine Restourant in Oakland, CA.  There is a great area that is pet friendly for dogs and their friends and family to hang out and relax in the sun. The place was really busy today!   Mo's mom loves the greek crepe!  Billy loves the pancake, sausage, and eggs. Mo loves the chicken apple sausage.   Billy's dad loves to sleep while we go out to breakfast.  Today, they are open until 2:00PM, but usually they are open until midnight.

Resources:

Crepevine
5600 College Avenue
(between Keith Avenue and Ocean View Drive)
Oakland, CA  94618
(510) 658-2026
crepevine.com
(open for breakfast and lunch until 2:00PM today1)

Doggie Hotels and Country Club in Oakland, CA

I am so happy that when I go out of town I have a safe place for Mo to hang out with his friends.  We will be in town this holiday season, but if we were going away I'd take him to Just Pet Me Country Club.  They are incredibly flexible, and let dogs be dogs.

Resources:

Just Pet Me Country Club
Doggie DayCare, Hotel and Spa
Sara Counts, Manager, Operations and Senior Pet Concierge
e-mail- JUSTPETME@GMAIL.COM
Telephone- (510) 500-5595
Fax- (866) 268-1566
www.justpetme.com
2545 Broadway, Oakland, CA  94612

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

dog friendly restaurant in Copperopolis, CA

Copperopolis is a new, old looking town along state route 4 in California.  Mo discovered Griff's Barbecue and Grill where they have really yummy barbecue!  They have a really nice outdoor area facing the town square, which is decorated for Halloween with flying ghosts and goblins.  There is also a nice dog friendly outdoor area in front of Snaps, the local cafe.

Resources:

Copperopolis

Griff's Barbeque and Grill

Snaps Cafe

Saturday, October 19, 2013

Historic National Hotel, Jamestown, CA- Dog friendly

The Historic National Hotel in Jamestown, CA is dog friendly.  Plus, they even have a resident ghost named Flo who you can read about on their website.

The hotel was established in 1859 by Heinrich and Hannah Neilson.  In the beginning, the hotel's 2 wooden buildings were among the first permanent structures in the gold-rush town of Jamestown.

 The National Hotel is  having  a Halloween Murder Mystery Dinner coming up on Thursday, October 31, 2013.  Dogs may not be left alone in the hotel rooms, plus they may be afraid of ghosts!

Resources:

1859 Historic National Hotel
18183 Main Street
Jamestown, CA
http:  //www.national-hotel.com
1-800-894-3446

Halloween Murder Mystery Dinner
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Begins at 6:30PM for appetizers, dinner is at 7:00PM.
(Cost:  $70,00 per person which includes appetizers, three course dinner, complimentary well drink, tax, tip, and sleuthing.)
(209) 984-3446
800-894-3446


Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Please sleep in!

Mo doesn't like getting up in the morning.  His favorite place in the whole world is bed!  Here he is in the morning waking up.

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Doggy tooth brushing

Every night after dinner,  we give Mo a doggy toothbrush, a dental chew for dogs.  We have two kinds we give him, one is Zuke's Z-bones which has the flavor, "clean carrot crisp."  The other one is Breath-Less Chewable Brushless toothpaste, which has flavors and smells of chlorophyll, cinnamon, vanilla, and clove to help freshen breath.  Z-bones is mostly potato flour, while brushless is mostly rice flour.  Mo likes both of them.

Resources:

Z-Bones
Edible Grain-Free Dental Chews
Made in the USA
Zukes LLC
PO Box 3210
Durango, CO  81302
(866) 985-3364

Breath-Less Chewable Brushless Toothpaste
Ark Naturals natural products for pets
Naples, Florida
34109
(800) 926-5100
www.arknaturals.com

Dick Van Patten's
Natural Balance
Dental Chews
Pumpkin and Chicken Meal
Formula with Papaya
Grain Free
12924 Pierce Street
Pacoima, California  91331
www.naturalbalanceinc.com

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Mo at doggy day care taking a nap with a Dachshund

Mo goes to doggy day care a few times a week, and a few days ago when he was there he got so tired that he took a nap with a Dachshund friend!  They were so cute all cuddled up and sleeping!  I love Just Pet Me, and it is wonderful that Mo wants to go there!



Resources:

Just Pet Me
e-mail:  justpetme@gmail.com
Telephone:  (510) 500-5595
2545 Broadway
Oakland, CA  94612

Sunday, October 6, 2013

Mo at Out and About in Rockridge, Oakland, CA

Billy says, "Mo is at Out and About in Rockridge."  This is a street festival in the Rockridge district of Oakland, CA.  He decided he wanted to be carried at one point, he kept smelling us to make sure we were still there.  He is so tired after his busy day that he's taking a nap right now.





Sleepy Dog

A few mornings ago, Mo did not want to get out of bed. He was so tired all day.  Here is him taking an afternoon nap with Billy on the rocker on our front porch.   Billy says, "Mo likes to sleep on me!"


Thursday, October 3, 2013

Moe's favorite nightly bone

Moe loves to chew on a bone before bed, and his favorite is the Good Buddy USA Rawhide.  This brand of bone lasts longer than others I've tried.  It is made with Grass-Fed USA Beef.

Resources:

Good Buddy
USA Rawhide
Castor & Pollux Natural Petworks
Clackamus, Oregon
castorpolluxpet.com
1-800-875-7518


Creature Comfort Holistic Vet, Oakland, CA

When I picked up my son from school today I saw a gorgeous older bulldog, the dog's guardian told me the dog is over 13 years old.  She said that her dog was really sick and almost had to be put to sleep before she took her to Creature Comfort Vet in Oakland.  Her dog is on a raw diet, gets acupuncture and other alternative practices.  Now, her dog seemed really energetic, sweet, and sprite!

Resources:

Creature Comfort Holistic
creaturecomfort.com
2501 Macarthur Blvd.
Oakland, CA
(510) 530-1373


All of the doctors at Creature Comfort Holistic practice integrative veterinary medicine- a blend of holistic and conventional approaches to diagnose and treat.

A Post From Billy

"This is our best dog, Moe.  Sometimes he gets a little crazy and I really love him.  If he doesn't take a bath once a day then he'll get dirty and that's all about our dog.  Bye!"

My Doggy On My Bed!

On Tuesday night my doggy peed on the bed, I have to admit it.  It was our fault as he wasn't let outside around 11 to go potty.  It was a mess cleaning and changing all the sheets, and I am starting to wonder if the dog really does belong in a crate at night rather than on the bed.  We'll see!  Here is a picture of Moe this morning looking so cute!  Plus, seeing my son and dog cuddling in the morning is so heartwarming!


Saturday, September 28, 2013

Grain-Free doggy biscuits

Our dog, Mo, loves Nature's Variety Instinct Grain Free doggy biscuits.  Right now, we are using a box of the Chicken Meal and Cranberries, but they also come in different flavors.

Resources:

Nature's Variety
6200 North 56th Street
Lincoln, NE  68504
1-888-519-7387
naturesvariety.com
instinctpetfood.com

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Mo at Ark, Billy's favorite toy store in the whole world!

After stopping by the Apple store, we headed over to Arf toy store which is Billy's favorite toy store.  Mo was welcome to hang out in the toy store with us, even though the last time he went with us he'd had an accident in the store, but they'd been so kind and hadn't banished him from the store forever.  He'd had a tummy problem that other day from eating too much human food.  Billy got a new backpack with part of the money mommy saved from not getting the phone, yet..............









Mo at Apple Store on 4th Street, Berkeley

Mo went with us to the Fourth Street district in Berkeley last night.  He wanted a free drink while he checked out the new iPhone 5s and 5c for me, his mommy.  They had a nice big bowl of water just waiting for dogs.    Mo convinced me to keep my original iPhone so I'd have extra money for his treats and for toys for Billy.  I asked one of the crew at Apple if dogs were welcome inside and he said, "As long as I can pet him!"  Mo made some new friends inside of the Apple Store, it felt like doggy social hour there!