I love getting stuff in the mail, especially when it's my new Dia de los Muertos Pit Bull necklace! Etsy seller The Ring Leader handcrafts these and other pieces, while donating $5 from each sale of this rad pendant to Villalobos. I saw this piece before Christmas, but it stuck with me and I just had to have it.
The chain and pendant are lightweight and styled in that vintage tattoo fashion. It's amazing what wearing a little bit of color will do for your mood come mid-winter. Then again, maybe it's just because I'm a sucker for floppy ears and big Pibble grins.
Every dog has their quirks. You might be aware of your dog's leash pulling or growling at strangers. Perhaps you think it's cute, just ignore it, or don't even realize that it's rude and even dangerous behavior.
Certified Animal Behavior Consultant Steve Dale bring us Good Dog, Practical Answers to Behavior Questions, an e-book in Q&A format to discuss everything from introducing a new baby to your Yorkie to problem solving your Lab's inappropriate chewing. Dale works with other Canine Behaviorists and Trainers to solve problems that many of us think are just part of living with a dog. Do any of these behaviors sound familiar?
Don't feel bad. My dogs have all of these problems. That doesn't mean we can just ignore them. Dale's e-book is just $2.99 available for most e-readers here, and the articles are straight to the point and written with practical pet parents in mind. (You can also check out the weekly free excerpt on Facebook.) It's a nice price for some good advice and improved canine-human balance in your home.
Steve Dale is offering up one free e-copy of this book. To enter,
Step 1: Visit author Steve Dale on Facebook and tell him Embrace sent you.
Step 2: Go to Embrace's Facebook and tell us what bad behaviors your dog has. (Photos of your Good Dog gone bad are a definite bonus!)
Comments submitted to Embrace's Facebook wall during January 2012 will be considered for entry. Winner will be contacted by Embrace Pet Insurance for prize fulfillment via sponsor. Embrace staff and families not eligible to win. Must not have won within last 90 days. Good luck!
I've been a long time Swiffer user, for my vinyl and hardwood floors (no carpet in my furry house), but I've always noticed that it left a lot of streaks and a sort of filmy appearance on my white kitchen tiles. So, when Buckley the Beagle's mom, Kate, mentioned that she was pleased with her SHARK STEAM MOP
Kate said that the mop got dirt that she didn't even see, and then she just washed the replaceable mop heads. No disposable pads or special cleaner bottle needed, so it's definitely more eco-friendly than my swiffer. It's only $69 at Amazon, though I noticed there are a lot of people concerned about the quality and usability of the device. Most people say the handle is flimsy. One reviewer did a very detailed comparison of several steam mops, and finally endorsed the Eureka Envirosteamer.
The Eureka is actually cheaper ($64.99), heats water to a higher temperature, has a longer cord and larger water storage tank. And as some reviewers noted, the tank is just above the pad, not up on the handle, so it's helping to push down on the cleaning pad, not causing resistance to your pushing motion.
So, why would I buy the Shark, when the Envirosteamer seems so much better? What mop should I buy to clean up those muddy paw prints that are coming with the Spring showers? Do you have a steam mop and would you recommend it to other pet parents?
**UPDATE Jan 2012**
I just realized I've been loving my Envirosteamer all this time, and never updated this post. We got the steam mop in Spring 2011 to combat the muddy paw prints, and it's made cleaning my kitchen easily one of my favorite household chores. The steam mop cleans without any residue or sticky fluid buildup of a cleanser. The floor looks remarkably clean--almost new, once I'm finished.
My only advice: don't wash the pads in very hot water, or they'll shrink to the point of almost not fitting in their grips. I may need to buy replacements, but it's probably time to do that anyway.
Halo, Purely for Pets surveyed more than 1,000 pet parents to find out their New Year's Resolutions. Do any of these spark New Year's Resolutions for you?
Exercise....
88.7% of pet parents plan to help their pets get more exercise. Here's how:
62.4% - more walks
68.3% - play with them more
30.3% - find a new game to play
2.9% - take a Doga class
1.9% - get into extreme sports
20.2% - go to the dog park more often
15.8% - run my cat up and down stairs
Weight loss....
45.9% plan to help their pets lose weight in 2012. Here's how:
44.8% - feed better quality food
35.1% - feed less food
34% - give fewer treats
33% - give more nutritious treats
68.7% - get more exercise
10.9% - plan a program with their vet
New tricks
48.1% plan to teach their pets new tricks this coming year
Healthy Eating.....
69.4% plan to feed their pets higher quality food
Grooming....
86.8% plan to groom their pets more regularly. Here's how:
68.1% will trim nails more regularly
52.7% plan to bathe their pets more regularly
80.3% are going to brush their pets more regularly
35.5% will start giving their pets supplements for their coat and skin
50.1% plan to brush their pet's teeth more often
33.2% are going to start using natural grooming products
Philanthropy.....
94.1% plan to help pets in need. Here's how:
11.5% - adopt a new pet
11.5% - foster a pet
69.8% - donate to a rescue or shelter
45.5% - play Freekibble.com or Freekibblekat.com 65.6% - continue what i've been doing!
Other open-ended answers include helping feral cats, joining unchain dogs organization and others!
We also loved some of these touching and personal resolutions people mentioned:
Take them to the beach
Hand making toys and cushions for them
More rides in the car
Buy a new scratching post
Visit hospitals and retirement homes to make people happy
Make sure he drinks more water
Build new cat trees
Train dog to ride to the dog park in his Harley side car
Bring them with me more places
Open her own savings account for vet emergencies*
*We'd suggest Pet Insurance, of course.
The biggest response: Pet parents would like to spend more time with their pets and love them even more than they did in 2011!
My resolutions:
Day 12: Scooter, an adoptable lovebug in Denver, CO.
Day 11: Dennis, an adorable adoptable.
Day 10: Freya and Odin, Embraced by Susan and Jeff in Menlo Park, CA
I recently read an article on the topic of gifting pets--giving a cat, dog, hamster, fish, etc as a holiday gift. You might ask yourself, "who does that?" But an acquaintance was given a Dachshund as a holiday bonus by her boss. My groomer was gifted her Rottweiler by a well intentioned husband...it happens. Meanwhile, Embracer Sara and her husband are recent foster failures, and they've decided to give themselves the gift of Cosmo Kramer (right)--which I think is a fantastic way to share the holidays!
While I'm sure my readers are pet savvy enough to know the drawbacks to the gifting of pets, I liked the author's suggestions on alternatives to pet purchasing:
This list courtesy of Ines de Pablo, founder of pet safety company Wag’N Enterprises
Shown bottom is Bruiser, the the lovable Mastiff Embraced by Vet Specialist Chrissy. For more photos of our Embraced pups (and people) check out our holiday album.
Day 9: Monkimus Spunkimus, a one-eyed feline, loved by Embracer Sam A.
Day 8: Osiris
