Doing It At The Dog Wash

When do you wash your dog? Does she your smell? Have a matted coat? Many dog owners choose to take their dog to the groomer to be washed and scrubbed and given the grand spa treatment – however this can be costly . We found this helpful tip from Good Housekeeping on how to clean your own dog that we would like to share with you.

1.Pick your location: sink or tub (line the bottom with a rubber mat), kiddie pool, or even on a leash in the backyard, where you can use the hose. Have treats handy to reward cooperation.

2.Brush out his fur before wetting him. A drop of baby oil can loosen sticky snarls (from, say, tree sap).

3.Next, sprinkle your dog with baking soda. The powder won’t harm his skin, and its deodorizing properties will freshen his coat — and neutralize the vinegary smell.

4.Let him shake a few times (prompt him by blowing gently in his ear), then brush his fur again.

It’s as easy as that to do a quick wash. Brushing your dog daily is good for their fur and can help keep the top coat clean.

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/pets/advice/a18655/washing-the-dog-time-saver/

Turkey and Vegetable Dinner

This basic dog food recipe includes turkey for protein and vegetables for added vitamins and minerals. Turkey has less fat than beef, making this an ideal recipe for pups that could stand to lose a few pounds.
Ingredients
4 cups of water
1 pound of ground turkey
2 cups of brown rice
1 cup of carrots, chopped
1 cup of green beans, chopped
1 tablespoon of fish oil (optional)

Directions:
Cook the ground turkey in a non-stick skillet over medium heat until the meat is cooked through.
Add the brown rice, turkey, and water to a large pot and bring to a boil.
Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook an additional 15 minutes, or until the rice is soft and tender.
Add the carrots and green beans and cook for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, until the vegetables are tender.
Allow to cool before serving.
Store extra dinners in the fridge for up to five days.

Pro Tip: Avoid using heavy oil to brown the turkey. The high fat content of the oil may upset your dog’s stomach.



Beef and Vegetable Balls

Beef and Vegetable Balls

Some dogs prefer meaty treats over sweet ones. These treats have a hearty meat flavor and good aroma that all dogs love. When I made these, my dog stood outside the oven door, not so patiently waiting for the treats to cool.

Ingredients
2 6-ounce jars of organic beef and vegetable baby food
1 cup of whole-wheat flour (or white substitute)
2 cups of dry milk
1 cup of water

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Mix all of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
Drop the mixture onto a baking sheet in large spoonfuls.
Bake for 12 to 15 minutes.
Allow to the treats to cool completely. Store leftover beef and vegetable balls
in the fridge for up to five days.

Pro Tip: These treats do not keep as well as others. Try cutting the recipe in half if you only have one dog.



 

 

 

Pet Friendly Travel – To Bring Suzy Along or Not?

Summer is here – we were planning our vacation and really hate kenneling our dog.  My husband said, why don’t we take little Suzy along with us – we’ve traveled with her in the past and she handled the road trip well, I said hmm let me get back to you on that.  Thinking more on it, there had to be some hotels near where we were going in Orlando that could accommodate dogs. A quick search revealed that there are many hotel chains that welcome your dog as well as your family. Here’s our top five picks:

La Quinta

La Quinta is one of the biggest chains that welcome dogs. With more than 800 U.S. locations the hotel allows up to two dogs or cats per room at no extra charge. The rates are good, and since there are other pets they often have areas nearby where you can walk and play with your pet.

Loews Hotels and Resorts

With hotels in 18 cities in the U.S. and Canada—Lowes has a pet program called Loews Loves Pets - Fees vary by hotel, but a one-time service fee of $25 is common. Amenities (for up to two pets per room) include pet mats, food and water bowls, treats, and beds. There's even a special pet room service menu with vet-and-chef-developed recipes for cats and dogs. This might be the best spa for Suzy and they have a location in Orlando!

Best Western

With more than 1,600 hotels that accommodate pets, Best Western is a leader in pet-friendly travel, This dog friendly favorite keeps costs low and options open. You can bring up two dogs (up to 80 pounds each) in each room Western hotels charge a maximum of $20 per day, with a maximum per-week charge of $100. Some properties also charge a refundable damage deposit. It’s not a bad deal considering what kennel’s cost these days.

Fairmont Hotels and Resorts  

Fairmont loves dogs so much, pet owners can bring their own four-legged best friends along wherever they go. Policies vary by property are well detailed on the site. For example, the Fairmont in Washington, D.C., says dogs stay free and are lavished with treats handmade by the hotel's Executive Pastry Chef, while at the Battery Wharf in Boston, pets under 25 pounds cost $25 and receive a pet bed and food and water bowls. Considering the Fairmont’s reputation and rewards programs, both you and your dog can live in luxury during your stay.  Did someone say massage?

Red Roof Inn

Red Roof Inn is a friend to pets. The hotel chain has 360 pet-friendly properties The chain doesn’t charge a nightly fee or deposit for doggy guests. It’s not a fancy as the others - You won't find pet concierges or doggie room service, but you will find a welcoming community of pet lovers.

So, the decision was made. Suzy was coming along with us – the room was air-conditioned so we were able to leave her alone for a few hours (we left the TV on)  which turned out to be a much better experience for Suzy since the kennel and separation is often traumatic for all of  us and our family since our family stayed complete everyone was just a bit more peaceful and enjoyed the vacation.