Memorial Day Safety Tips for Your Pet

Memorial Day Weekend is an ideal opportunity for you and your furry friend to kick back in the sun. This extended weekend is the kick off to summer fun! Hot weather, traveling, barbecues  and swimming all seem like a lot of fun, but these activities could present many dangers to your canine companion. Here are a few tips to ensure your fur baby has a safe and fun holiday weekend!

• Keep your pooch hydrated: When exposed to hot weather, even the healthiest dog can get dehydrated, sunburn, or heat stroke. Make sure your pet has fresh water at all times. Our Handi-Drinks for dogs are an awesome portable water bowl!

• Only use dog friendly products: Buy sunscreen and insect repellent formulated specifically for dogs. If your pet ingests products made from humans (by licking themselves) it can make them sick!

• Never leave your dog unattended in the car: Even with the windows rolled down a bit, the temperature inside a parked car can skyrocket to deadly levels in just minutes. Even at just 70 degrees, a parked car is over 100 degrees inside with the windows rolled up.

• Supervise your dog at all times around water: Whether you are in the pool or boating on a lake, never leave your pooch unsupervised around water. Contrary to popular belief, no all dogs know how to swim! A dog life preserver can help keep your pooch above water.

• Keep fire starting materials out of your pet’s reach: Candles, matches, and lighter fluid can harm your dog’s stomach, lungs, and nervous system if eaten.

• Watch what your pup eats: If you’re having a barbecue, your guests might want to treat your dog to some of their off limits people food. Any delectable treats left laying in your pooches reach can tempt him to dig in. These new foods can upset your fur baby’s stomach. Some are even toxic! Alcohol is also harmful to dogs. Keep it out of reach! Reward your deserving dog with a dog treat or bone and he will be more likely to leave your food alone!

• Give your dog a quiet, cool place to rest: Keeping up with all the action can be exhausting to your furry friend. Make sure they have a comfy place to lay down in the shade to rest and relax. Our Cool Pup Dog Beds are a great way to cool off your pet! Have a safe and Happy Memorial Day weekend!

Memorial Day Weekend Blowout Sale!

Memorial Day Weekend is a great time for outdoor fun and we've got everything you and your pampered pooch need to enjoy the long weekend. Check out our enormous selection of dog walking gear, perfect for walks around the block. Our Doggles ILS Dog Goggles are perfect for keeping your dog safe from the sun's damaging rays. If you plan on spending some time in the water, whether a swimming pool or a boat, keep your pooch safe with a dog life preserver. Not all dogs can swim! Shop now for huge savings! We're offering 20% off everything on our site! Simply use the code: USA20 when you check out! Not valid on sale items. Offer ends Monday, 05/27 @11:59 PM.

Memorial Day Pupsicles

Memorial Day Weekend is a excellent time to lounge in the sun alongside your canine companion. Help keep them cool with these yummy snacks! Comprised of only 3 ingredients, this is a quick, easy, and healthy snack any overheated pooch is guaranteed to love!  This treat is messy, so it’s a good idea to serve it outside.

Ingredients:

2 cups low salt beef or chicken broth

2/3 cup water

2 or 3 ice cube trays

Small rawhide sticks

Directions:

1. Mix water with beef or chicken broth and pour into popcicle trays.

2. Place in freezer.

3. Add a rawhide stick halfway through the freezing.

4. Ready to serve when frozen through.

Recipe courtesy of Lucky Pups.

Dog Breed of the Month: The Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Welsh Corgis are a very old breed. There is history of them recorded all the way back to the 11th century. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a descendant of the elder version of the breed, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi. The two breeds are very alike in looks.  The obvious difference is their tail – Cardigans have a long tail and Pembroke Corgis have no tail or have a stub. These dogs emanated from Wales, bred for herding as well as for hunting and guarding children. The two breeds once collectively were called Welsh Corgis despite their divergent appearances but in 1934 the Kennel Club separated them.

The Corgi is known for its short, squat legs. It has the body of a much larger dog but is usually only 10-12 inches tall from feet to shoulders and weighs around 30 lbs. There are 5 colors acknowledged by the AKC for Corgis: Red, with or without white markings, sable/white, fawn/white, red-headed tricolor (black dog with a red head and white markings), black-headed tricolor (black and red with red and white markings). Red is the most prevalent color. Corgis have a double coat and are heavy shedders. They do not need much grooming but de-shedding is a must as they shed all year round.

Corgis are one the healthiest dog breeds, as well as the longest living. The typically live 12-15 years. Diseases they are predisposed to are hip dysplasia, retinal atrophy, and epilepsy. Corgis have a fond love of food and if  they are fed too much, they can become very overweight.

Corgis are very friendly, bright dogs. Their natural herding instincts make them skilled at dog agility, obedience, fly ball, and tracking. They are very devoted and love to be involved with their family. They have a great desire to please, making them easy to train. Their alertness and intelligence make them great watch dogs. It is important to socialize these dogs at a young age with other dogs and people or anti-social behavior could develop. Their herding instinct can cause them to nip at ankles. They can be trained out of this behavior but are better suited for families with older children.

Fun Facts:

1. Welsh folklore states that the corgi is the preferred mount of fairy warriors. There is also a folk legend that says corgis were a gift to us  from the woodland fairies, and that the breed's markings were left on its coat by fairy harnesses and saddles.

2. Pembroke Welsh Corgis are famed for being the preferred breed of Queen Elizabeth II, who has owned more than 30 during her reign. These dogs have been favored by British royalty for more than seventy years. 

3. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is the shortest breed in the AKC herding group.

4. Corgis are prone to random bursts of energy. They will run and play for hours and are good at entertaining themselves.

5. Corgis lay with their legs sprawled behind them, in a ‘flying frog’ position.

Top 10 Memorial Day Accessories Under $20!

Memorial Day Weekend is only 2 weeks away! Deck your dog out in patriotic finery! Here is a list of our favorite American themed merchandise, as well as a few hot weather necessities, all under the low price of $20!

1. Majestic Fabric Collar ($5.99) - These quality fabric dog collars come in 5 patterns. The American flag print is perfect for the patriotic pooch!

2. Star Shirt Dog Collar ($19.99) - This adorable tie is a perfect way for your pup to show his American pride! The shirt collar fastens with Velcro for a comfy fit!

3. Red Sassy Sequin Dog Tank ($14.99-$19.99) – A perfect party tank! Bright red sequins and adorable bows make this the perfect summer accessory for the sassy dog!

4. Pet Paint Color Spray for Dogs ($9.99) – This veterinarian approved spray contains no harsh chemical. It dries almost instantly and easily washes off with soap and water, making it a better choice for short term coloring than traditional fur dye.

5. Bone in the USA Dog Bandana ($5.99) – This soft, polycotton bandana features an all over stars, stripes and bones pattern and can be cut to fit any size breed.

6. Handi-Drink for Dogs ($7.99) – This portable and compact Travel bowl is a must have for road trips and extended periods outdoors. The easy to use Handi-Drink doesn’t spill and is a bottle and bowl in one!

7. All Paws on Deck Dog Toys ($14.99) - These nautical themed dog toys are made of durable water-resistant neoprene and rope and feature American flag inspired stars and polka dots. These toys float, making them an awesome choice for land or sea!

8. Color Paw Glitz Dog Nail Polish ($4.99) – Our fast drying dog nail polish offers coverage in one coat. Red, blue and silver glitter polishes are great for Memorial Day!

9. America’s Pup Dog Bow (1.99) – The perfect finishing touch for the patriotic pet! This American flag printed bow has a rubber band backing for secure attachment.

10. Cool Pup Dog Bandana ($7.99-$12.99) – Cool down your dog instantly! Perfect for hot days outdoors. Removable gel packs are safe and non-toxic and stays cool for about an hour.

Obie's Amazing Weight Loss Journeys

When Obie the dachshund came to live with his new owner, Nora, he weighed a whopping 77lbs and was so overweight he could barely walk. The normal weight range for a standard European dachshund is around 25-30 lbs, making poor Obie over twice as heavy as he should be. His previous owners were elderly people with failing health and they were no longer able to properly care for him. They showed their love for him with food, and this overfeeding left Obie very obese. A family member finally convinced them them that they could not provide the care Obie needed and he went to a dachshund rescue, and then his forever home with Nora.

With a background in animal science and the health care field, Nora was the perfect person to help this portly pup. She and her vet came up with a plan for Obie’s weight loss journey. Through a mixture of a prescription diet food, healthy snacks, and exercise, Nora has helped Obie to lose 42lbs since August, leaving him currently at 35lbs! Because of his extensive weight loss, he was left with a lot of loose, excess skin including a waddle dubbed his “bosom pile” on his chest that drug the ground and required him to wear a vest to hold it up.

Through hard work and diligence, Obie is nearing the end of his weight loss journey. This past Tuesday Obie underwent surgery to remove his excess skin, making him the first dog to have weight loss plastic surgery. In total they removed 2.5lbs of excess skin and he is recovering nicely. He still has a few more pounds to shed, but the hardest part is over. Throughout Obie's weight loss, Nora and Obie have been inspiring people everywhere they go and spreading weight loss and fitness information. With well over half the pet population overweight or obese, this information is very beneficial to owners and their pets. Two thumbs up to Obie and his owner for all their hard work and progress! This once pudgy pup has a whole new lease on life.

Five Fun Dog Facts

Here's some interesting facts about our canine companions!

1. Dogs turn in circles before lying down because in the wild this instinctive action turns long grass into a bed.

2. Dogs actually do sweat! They have sweat glands in between their paws.

3. The average dog can run about 19 mph. Greyhounds are the fastest dogs on Earth and can run at speeds of 45 mph.

4. One female dog and her female children could produce 4,372 puppies in 7 years. Please spay and neuter your pets!

5. Dogs are roughly as smart as a 2 or 3 year old child. This means that they can understand about 150-200 words, including signals and hand movements with the same meanings as the words.

Strawberry Banana Smoothie Dog Biscuits

Nothing says welcomes warmer temperatures like fresh berries! Strawberries are absolutely the epitome of summertime and people aren't alone in our love for these yummy berries - Our furry friends enjoy them too! Berries are brimming with antioxidants that are just as propitious to dogs as they are to humans. This easy as pie recipe is sure to become a new favorite for your pup. Containing only 5 ingredients and a few quick steps, it’s sure to please you as well!

Ingredients:

1/2 cup Strawberries

1 medium Banana

1/4 cup Milk

 1 1/4 cup Whole Wheat Flour

1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Directions:

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Puree strawberries and mash bananas then mix together.

3. In a large bowl combine the strawberries and the bananas with the rest of the ingredients until well mixed. 

4. Roll out dough on heavily floured surface (the dough is very sticky) 1/4 inch thick.

5. Cut into shapes with the cutter of your choice.

6. Place cookies 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets and poke with a fork to prevent air bubbles.

7. Cook for 15-20 minutes.

8. Cool and refrigerate

Recipe courtesy of Doggy Dessert Chef.