Pets Archives - Busy Moms Helper

When Looking for Pet Sitters

September 17, 2018 by Danielle Leave a Comment

Our four dogs are an important part of our family, but sometimes we’re unable to take them along with us, such as on a family vacation. We want them to not only be safe and well-cared for, but also have an enjoyable time while we’re away. After talking with other pet-parents, as well as through our own experience the past handful of years, we’ve learned some things you should consider When Looking for Pet Sitters.

Check Reviews

First of all, I’m a very firm believer in the value of word-of-mouth. Hearing from someone who has actual experience with the dog boarding (or daycare, or sitter) facility means so much. I would never tell a friend to go to a certain company if I didn’t have a good experience with them. So ask people you know and trust for their recommendations.

Location

Now, I’m going to be a bit confusing here – take into consideration the location of the place. This is especially true if you’re taking your pets here regularly, or if the person is coming to your house, be sure they’re not too far in case something happens. That being said, we drive over an hour to our dog boarding place because we love them so much and won’t go anywhere else. We first used them when we lived closer, but because they were so amazing, we still use them despite the distance.

Safety

Check the safety precautions and rules they have in place. Can dogs get out of the yard easily? Are they supervised? Do they have rules against allowing aggressive dogs, or keep small/big dogs separate? Are the toys, play areas and pools appropriate sizes and such to allow for safe play?

Staff

This one is HUGE guys! A place can be amazing, super fun, close, affordable, extravagant – whatever – but the staff is one of the single most important aspects to your pet sitters. Do they truly love dogs? Will they play with them, watch and supervise them? Are they TRAINED to properly care for your animals, and know what to watch for in case something comes up?

Our story – three years ago, we were on a trip to Disneyland. Day 2 of the vacation, the director of the dog boarding facility called because our Tula had acted really lethargic and weak that morning. They checked her, decided it was worrisome enough to take her to the pet hospital, and kept us updated every moment. We couldn’t just hop on a plane and fly home right then, so we had to trust they could act in our place for many things regarding Tula’s care. As it turned out, she had a belly full of blood requiring surgery to fix. Many tests later we still have no clue what caused this, but we were told by doctors and our vet that had the staff not paid enough attention to notice Tula wasn’t being herself, she wouldn’t have been saved in time. Not only that, they helped us figure out the bills and everything while we were so far away, because they really wanted Tula to get the help she needed. THAT is true caring for animals!!!

Just a couple of weeks ago, when we were at Disney World, they called because Leia had a swollen foot. They checked if we knew anything, what we wanted them to do, then they kept a close eye on it to make sure it wasn’t anything worrisome. It went away after a day or two, but knowing they were aware of even little things – like one swollen foot – set me at ease while someone else was caring for our dogs.

Comfort & Fun

This is definitely not a HIGH priority, but it is still important – you want your dogs to have a fun time while you’re away, so be sure the sitter or pet daycare will interact and play with your pups. Check if they have play equipment (dog climbing ramps, tunnels, etc.) or even fun pet pools. Do they also have enough shade/cover for the pets to protect from the weather? Will they throw a ball for those pups that love playing catch?

Policies & Procedures

Be sure to find out all of the company’s rules and regulations. Are there extra fees if they have to apply medicine for your dog? Do holidays require advanced reservations or deposits? Can you board your multiple pets in the same area, or do they have to be separate? What are their operating hours?

What do YOU look for most in a pet sitter?

Getting Real About Shedding

May 25, 2018 by Danielle Leave a Comment

This post is in partnership with Swiffer. All opinions are mine alone. #ShedHappens

I’ve shared before how frustrating all the pet hair in my house gets, and it actually made me hesitant to get dogs because I wasn’t sure I wanted to tackle it. I’m so glad I didn’t let the shedding stop me, though, because I can’t imagine life without any of my special pups! If you’re stressed about it, as well, listen up – because we’re getting real about shedding here!

Of our 4 dogs, the main one who sheds is our Tula girl, with her fluffy white hair making what we call ‘mini Tula’s’ all around the house! Seriously, it looks like tiny balls of puppy fluff clinging to the floor edges, under chairs and couches, and random nooks and crannies. And now that we moved into a house with super dark wood floors, it shows up REALLY bad!

Here’s the thing though – even though all that shedding can be frustrating or make you second guess adopting a new pet, think hard before you let it get in the way. Like they say – #shedhappens – but despite what some think, it can be cleaned up quickly (and easily, so even the kids can do a quick sweep to get the job done!) with the Swiffer Sweeper. It’s seriously a LIFESAVER, because our family wouldn’t be complete without this goofy fluffball.

Obviously she doesn’t care much for sweeping up her own fur piles, opting for a nap in the cozy dog bed. Oh well, the Swiffer Sweeper is so quick to use – especially when we just turn up some music and get it done! The kids actually argue over who’s turn it is to sweep, making it great for me (because heaven knows us moms have enough to do).

Choosing to adopt a new pet is a HUGE decision, and there’s a ton you have to take into consideration. There’s the time and money commitment – taking them for walks, feeding and watering, cleaning up their ‘messes’ in the yard, plus play and snuggle time. Don’t forget the belly rubs, too! At least dealing with the shed can be one potential obstacle that’s easily checked off that list!

Since over half of Americans are pet owners, and many have said that keeping the pet hair under control is one of their top concerns, you know it’s something that needs to be considered when choosing to adopt a new pet. Thankfully Swiffer makes it super easy when shed happens, so you can have both a clean home AND a happy, furry-family member filled one! The dry cloth that goes on it has deep ridges and grooves that conform to your floor’s surface to TRAP + LOCK the dirt, dust and – of course – hair.

And since costs are ALSO a consideration when choosing to adopt a new pup, you can save some extra money with great coupon offers – $2 off the Swiffer Sweeper Starter Kit and/or $2 off the Swiffer Sweeper Dry Cloths Starter Kit in the Target Cartwheel app now through June 2nd 2018! Gotta love saving on the budget, right?

For more info about all the fabulous Swiffer products, check out their website or Facebook!

Dogs are More

November 3, 2017 by Danielle

This post was sponsored by Milk-Bone® as part of a Two-Post Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own. #DogsAreMore #IC

Since y’all seem to love it when we share about our dogs, I’m assuming you’re as big of dog-lovers as we are – or at least close (we’re pretty crazy about our dogs!). There’s so many reasons people love their dogs – or other people’s dogs, since not everyone has the privilege of having one as their own pet and family member. They call them man’s best friend for a reason – because Dogs are MORE!

We have four dogs, as I’m sure you’re well aware by now, and while they each have their own unique (some VERY unique) personalities, they still do things more for all of our family. Seriously, think of all the things dogs just seem to either do or be more of – and often just because they love us so much, not because they get as much in return. Milk-Bone® is helping us to share with you the things I love most about our own four-legged family members!

Dogs Snuggle More

I swear dogs have a radar that alerts them the second we sit down in a couch or chair, because suddenly they’re RIGHT THERE, ready to curl up next to you – or halfway on you, depending on the dog. Hera, our smallest, really enjoys laying partially over hubby’s face when he’s laying on the couch, for some reason. Maybe it’s just to be extra close? Regardless, I love getting to snuggle with my dogs during a movie or while reading a book – as do my kids!

Dogs Play More

Our dogs make us laugh so much, from chasing bubbles in the yard, to keeping a sharp eye on a random fly nearby, or even when we’re trying to clean and they’re oh so ‘helpful’ with the mop. They find joy in so many things, it’s hard to not join in their happiness and goofiness!

Dogs Love More

No matter our mood, they just want to love on us. Whether that’s licking our faces or feet or whatever part of us they can reach, or just being nearby while I’m working at the computer, or even just they’re ultra-happy greeting when we walk through the door, they let us know how much they care. Plus, it’s such a wonderful comfort having such unconditional love and companionship, especially on those days you feel a bit lonely.

If you have dogs in your family, or just share an overall love for dogs in general, join us in celebrating how dogs are more. With the many ways – like snuggling more, smiling more, playing more, living more and bringing more love into all of our hearts, they definitely deserve it. Use this awesome Milk-Bone® Gifmaker to make your own, custom gif that shows the rest of the world how YOUR dog is more!

We made a couple of these fun gifs, and are eager to make even more. You can see how our littlest pup, Hera, plays more HERE…

…or how our Tula pup loves more in this silly (yet sweet) gif with hubby HERE!

Don’t worry, the Milk-Bone® Gifmaker is super easy to use – you pick what your dog does more, then upload a short video clip (3-5 seconds is ideal). They then turn your little clip into a gif, and you can even re-center the image in the gif so your dog is front and center as you’d like. Once you’re done, be sure to share with everyone to celebrate how your special dog does more!

Be sure to follow Milk-Bone® on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more pet fun!

Benefits of Dogs

October 6, 2017 by Danielle

This post was sponsored by Milk-Bone® as part of a Two-Post Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own. #DogsAreMore #IC

As you guys well know, we have FOUR dogs in our family. While some people question our sanity, they need to realize that there’s so many benefits of dogs, and having even just one in your family can make a huge difference in a lot of ways! I always knew I wanted to have at least a couple when I grew up, but even then I didn’t realize just how good they’d be for us and our kiddos.

When people think ‘loyal’ or ‘best friend’, they often think of dogs – and for good reason. Our furry friends are dedicated to us, aim to please by learning tricks or commands, and are there even when we’re in our grumpiest moods. They don’t just sit by us on the couch, they remind us that we’re not alone. When I get upset and my little Hera licks my face, she’s trying to help calm me down. Our Tula is extra great at sensing our feelings, and whether it’s hubby, me or the kids that are sad or upset, she’s right there to be a companion – to let us cry, snuggle, pet her, or just to be near us as a comfort. And now Milk-Bone® is following the example of these incredible animals by making treats that ‘do more’ – instead of just a normal treat time, it’s a chance for us to care for our pets and return all the love they give to us.

To celebrate their 20th Anniversary with Canine Assistants, a non-profit organization that trains and provides wonderful service dogs to adults and even children with physical disabilities or special needs, Milk-Bone created this really sweet video to show us just some of the dogs and pet parents that they’ve helped over the past 20 years – showing us how dogs are MORE.

Just like these incredible dogs are transforming the lives of their pet parents, our 4 dogs make such a huge impact to the whole family. The kids love coming home and being greeted by the dogs, who show their excitement and love for the kiddos with their wagging tails and licks. When the kids do their reading, they enjoy it more with a companion – especially if it’s one of our furry family members snuggled up next to them. I think if I had to choose just ONE of the benefits of dogs that’s my favorite, it’d be that companionship.

When I’m home working all day, it’s a comfort having at least one or two (sometimes all four) of my pups laying on the floor around me while I’m at my computer. It makes a world of difference having that faithful companionship and the selfless love from my sweet pets. They do so much for our family, and we wouldn’t be the same without them – so of course we love treating them with Milk-Bone treats for good listening, or just because we want to show THEM how loved they are!

They’re even great for when you need a good laugh – from silly tricks or just funny poses, our dogs can really give us something to smile about and just feel a little less tense. Even when they completely squeeze and slide themselves right next to you (whether there’s space or not) just because they want to be close to us, or get so comfy that they start slipping INTO the couch, it’s adorably hilarious!

With so many benefits of dogs, from having a snuggle buddy, a door greeter, a warm ‘blanket’, an exercise friend, or a comforter when we’re feeling down or upset, having a dog in your family can definitely make your life ‘more’!

What are your favorite benefits of dogs?

Purina on Amazon: Less Time Shopping, More Time with Family

June 22, 2017 by Danielle

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #PurinaPetPack #CollectiveBias

Y’all know how much we love our pups – and now that we have four, it’s even crazier at our home, but still wonderful having these cute and fluffy additions to our family. It’s also a challenge having so many dogs – for example, they go through dog food like crazy! Since I’m not a fan of spending forever shopping – or even getting dressed up enough to go to the store – I absolutely LOVE shopping on Amazon. It’s like my lifesaver and best friend, letting get practically whatever I need without having to change out of my pjs! I can even get my dogs’ Purina on Amazon, with less time shopping and more time with the family. ALL of the family!

You’ve heard me say how much we love Purina® Pro Plan® for our dogs, and now there’s even more great news – you can grab your favorite Purina on Amazon with even more savings! By using Amazon, you not only save time by avoiding the stores – and ugh those long checkout lines – but you also can Save $5 off your first purchase when you use the Subscribe & Save option. Then it’s shipped to you regularly, so you don’t even have to re-order every time you run out!

We use Amazon Subscribe & Save for a LOT of our regular products, not just our Purina dog food. I love that you can save so much money – like 5% when you subscribe for one product, or up to 15% when you subscribe for five products! And yes, we subscribe to several things because it’s just So. Much. Easier! than shopping at a store. And yes, you can also get Purina cat food on Amazon, as well! Use the Amazon mobile app and you can fit in ‘shopping’ anytime, anywhere!

With all that time you save from not getting dressed, hopping in the car, driving over, shopping the aisles, waiting to checkout, loading the car, driving home, unloading – ugh! – you can spend more time with what matters, like your family. I love not having to run errands in the evenings anymore, because I would miss out on family reading time.

Not only is a great time with my kiddos, but the dogs LOVE to snuggle up and join in this quality time together. What’s better, my learning-to-read aged kids LOVE practicing by reading to their pets! It’s adorable to see my almost 2nd grader reading chapter books to our new puppy, as she’s curled up on the couch next to him. Amazon definitely helps with ‘Less Paying. More Playing’!

Do yourself a favor and check out Purina on Amazon, especially their Subscribe & Save option – it’ll not only save you a bundle of time and headache, but also money! You can nab favorites like

Purina® Pro Plan®

Purina Pro Plan Wet Cat Food, Focus, Adult Urinary Tract Health
Purina Pro Plan Savor Adult Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice

or Purina® ONE®

Purina ONE Tender Selects Blend with Real Salmon Dry Cat Food
Purina ONE SmartBlend True Instincts Real Salmon and Tuna

There’s so many great activities you can enjoy with the time you’ll save by shopping at Amazon, such as reading as a family, going for a walk, playing at the park, running through the sprinklers, cleaning the house (I know, not my choice, either), coloring and so much more. Life’s so busy, we definitely try to take advantage of every minute we can 🙂

Check out Purina on Amazon now to save time AND money!

Purina Bargain Bandit

June 6, 2017 by Danielle

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #PurinaMysteries #CollectiveBias

Throughout the month of June, PetSmart shoppers can get a $10 PetSmart Gift Card just for purchasing $50 in participating Purina products – what a great deal! Let’s just call it the Purina Bargain Bandit, shall we? You can even redeem this promotion an UNLIMITED amount of times, so be sure to stock up on your favorite Purina products during the promo period to take full advantage of this amazing deal!

Click the image for more details on this amazing Purina deal at Petsmart!

With a wide variety of food, treats & litter for your pets available at PetSmart, they take out the ‘mystery’ of how to best care for your pets and give them what they really want.

As long as you shop in June, you still have until 7/9/17 to upload your receipt and nab your $10 gift card, so you’ve still got plenty of time to grab favorite pet products like Purina® Beneful®, Purina® TIDY CATS® Litter, Purina® Beggin’ and many more!

Check out even more fun Purina Mysteries at their social hub here!

No Sew Dog Travel Cushion

March 20, 2017 by Danielle

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #FeedDogsPurina #CollectiveBias

Wow, we just finished Spring Break and it was a rush! While we didn’t do much, it was a nice break – and made us even more eager for summer vacation in a few months. One thing about our summers is that we usually do a road trip to Utah (yes, we make the 20+ hour drive!) to visit family for a week or two. Since we couldn’t possibly leave our pups out of the fun, they join in our travels. Being stuck in a van that long isn’t the best, but this No Sew Dog Travel Cushion makes it much more comfortable for our pets!

It doesn’t take many supplies, and takes less than 20 minutes to put together. I love that it’s so easy to make, plus is simple to toss in the wash when needed. While you’re grabbing the few supplies you need at Target, don’t forget to be prepared with plenty of your pet’s favorite Purina dry dog food products. We grabbed a big bag of BENEFUL® Original from the amazing variety of Purina products available at Target in the pet aisle. We love that meat is the #1 ingredients with whole grains and vegetables – and our dogs love the taste!

Just like it would be the ‘end of the world’ if we forgot snacks for the kids during the long drive, our pets need their food, too. When we stop for a break, we let the family stretch their legs and the dogs can enjoy more sprawling room in the back of the van – complete with their dog travel cushion and a bowl of Beneful from Purina!

You can customize your own pet travel cushion to best fit your needs – and vehicle. The key is measuring the space where you want it to lay, and getting the proper padding and fabric amount to accommodate a cushion for that area.

Supplies

Foam Padding (we did 2″ deep, since our dogs are bigger/heavier) sized for your area
Fabric – sturdy and thick (enough to overlap the foam for your size area)
Adhesive Velcro strips
Scissors
Marker/Pen for marking your foam pad

Directions

Measure your area, then mark on the foam pad the dimensions. Cut along the markings.
Cut your fabric so it wraps around the cut foam pad, plus a little overlapping on the edge and sides.
Add your velcro strip on the two ends and the bottom, to hold it firmly onto the foam pad.

That’s it – told you it was easy! When you’re ready to wash it, just take off the fabric with the velcro and toss it in the machine. I recommended thick fabric because you don’t want it to get ruined quickly with your dog laying on it for long periods of time. If you want to protect the foam pad even more, you can just add a trash bag as a liner beneath the fabric – so it’s still comfortable for your pet, but makes the padding last longer 🙂

Since travelling can be expensive, why not save up a little more with some great Cartwheel offers from Target? I’m all for saving more money on products I regularly need!

Be sure to follow my friends at Purina on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest or even Instagram!

More Purina Dog Awesomeness

DIY PVC Dog Bed

February 8, 2017 by Danielle

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #TheDogumentaries #CollectiveBias

Who else loves watching the Petco Westminster Dog Show? It’s such a fun event for dog-lovers, and I’m amazed at the participants. While I’m perfectly happy having my two pups just as our stay-home pets, I still want to treat them like ‘best in show’, so they can not only look their best, but also FEEL it! One of the projects I made for them this week is this DIY PVC Dog Bed – you’ll be surprised how simple it is to put together!

While my dogs sometimes enjoy laying on the cool tile or grass, I know it can be a bit hard on their bodies. This PVC dog hammock is perfect – it keeps them elevated a bit off the ground, saving them from a hard surface. This is probably really relieving to them after they’ve been racing around the yard – I sometimes like to think that Tula would be able to do great at the dog show simply due to her speed!

While you’re buying your supplies for making this dog hammock, don’t forget to swing by Petco to grab some Purina® Pro Plan® brand DOG FOOD for your pups. After all, you want Nutrition that Performs® and that really help your dog be the ‘best in show’, even if they’re only competing in their own backyard!

Supplies

4 Pieces of sturdy PVC pipe (I used four 35″ long pieces of 3/4″ pvc)
4 Corner PVC pieces, with the threaded down spout
4 threaded bottom pieces
PVC Glue or PVC Cement
Sturdy fabric – large enough to go a few inches over the sides of your bed (and I doubled up my fabric for more security)
PVC Screw OR thick thread/needle – for fastening the fabric to the PVC edges

Note: If desired, use 4 more very short pieces of PVC to make it higher off the ground – just pop it into the threaded down corner parts.

Directions

If you haven’t cut your 4 long pieces to desired length, do so now.
Use PVC glue or cement at each of the corners and carefully attach the 4 sides – make sure the threaded part is facing to the bottom, all the same direction. Add the glue for the threaded down pieces at the corner. Allow to dry completely.
Stretch your fabric tightly around the edges of your bed, then either fasten with SEVERAL screws (about 5-8 per side) all around. I did this first, and the fabric started to rip – I know it’s worked for some, but I much prefer this way: Use thick thread (like embroidery thread) and a good needle and just stitch the fabric all around the pipe edges. Be sure to pull it tight!

Tula was so funny with the bed – even when she didn’t want to lay on it, she kept a paw on it as if to say ‘this is mine, I call dibs’!

After these two crazy girls have been chasing all around our back yard, showing off their incredible speed and skill (those turns – insane!), they love relaxing on their dog hammock, especially when we put their food nearby. We like to use Purina® Pro Plan® shredded blends formula because it contains high-quality ingredients mixed with a taste dogs LOVE. The #1 ingredients is real meat, poultry or fish and the crunchy kibble mixed with tender meaty pieces make a sensational mealtime for my pups.

You can get a brand that meets YOUR dogs specific needs, like Purina® Pro Plan® FOCUS, great for adult dogs with a sensitive stomach or skin, in a tasty salmon & rice formula. Yes, the #1 ingredient is REAL salmon, and the rice and oat meal are easy to digest. To help promote healthy skin & coat, there’s Omega-6 fatty acids and zinc.

I want my dogs to live a healthy life, so when they’re 7 and older the Purina® Pro Plan® Bright Mind™ will be perfect – it has enhanced botanical oils that are shown to promote alertness and mental sharpness, plus Omega-3 fatty acid and glucosamine to help support joint health and mobility.

If your dog is highly active, then you may want to give Purina® Pro Plan® Sport® a try, the Performance 30/20 Formula with 30% protein and 20% fat ratio that helps optimize oxygen metabolism for higher endurance, plus helping maintain lean muscle mass.

I fuel my pets with the product that’s fueled the past TEN Westminster champions – what about you?

Including Pets in Your New Years Resolutions

January 17, 2017 by Danielle

I’m thrilled to bring you this sponsored post as part of the #SwifferFanatic ambassador team! All opinions are mine alone.

Y’all know how much we love our pets, right? I’m sure most pet owners feel just like we do – they’re part of the family, and as such, we should do what we can to keep them healthy. Since it’s the start of a new year, one fun way to care for them is by Including Pets in Your New Years Resolutions! Plus, we’re sharing a simple 2-Ingredient Dog Treat recipe for you to reward them with something refreshing after a nice work-out.

Is it just me, or does ‘exercise’ or ‘get in shape’ seem to be the most common New Years resolution? It’s been mine for a long while, yet I’m still slacking. One of our dogs – Kita (the full black one) is a bit overweight and we’re needing to help her get back to her healthy size. Well, if we ‘have’ to take her for a walk or run, why not just enjoy this time for ourselves as well?

Let Your Pets Exercise With You

My pups LOVE going for walks or runs. We mention ‘walk’ and her tail starts going crazy and she looks for her leash. She is super good for getting her harness on…

….then sits as patiently as possible while we get everything ready to go out the door!

We have a school nearby with a track, and they are so happy when we can just let them run full-on there. This is a great opportunity for your to meet your resolution of exercise, plus let your pets not only get their own work-out, but have some bonding time together. Once we’re out the door, they can’t wait to get going!

Doesn’t this photo seem like Kita’s saying ‘come on, guys, let’s go!’

This is such a great motivator for ourselves to exercise, and they do tend to push us harder than we would ourselves 🙂 When we get back, I swear our dogs are grinning from ear to ear!

From all that drool that then gets all over the floor, to dirty paw prints from outside, luckily we can mop it up quickly with our Swiffer Wet Jet, an all-in-one system that cleans my floors thoroughly with cleaning solutions that are specially formulated to break up and dissolve tough messes. And since it’s getting to that time of year where pets tend to shed more than normal, I love using my SwifferVac. It’s especially nice at getting those fur mounds that collect under the couch – yuck!

For normal maintenance, like the dry dead grass they track back inside, we just sweep up quickly with the Swiffer Sweeper, the 2-in-1 hard surface sweeping and mopping tool. The dry cloth has deep grooves and ridges on it that conform to your floor, trapping and locking the dirt, dust and hair. The wet cloth dissolves dirt and grime – like those messy paw prints – giving you an amazing clean. I guess you could consider cleaning with our Swiffer products a work-out, too, since the dogs seem to think it’s playtime with them!

Eating Health is Important for Your Pets, Too

Another resolution that I’ve long made then quickly ignored – eating healthy. This is another great way to include your pets, since having a healthy diet is just as important for them as it is for us! Try to avoid letting them grab too many scraps off the table or floor (or out of kids’ hands, since they’re right at their level). Also, find healthy foods and treats – they love a tasty reward!

These 2-ingredient dog treats are perfect for rewarding a good work-out with your pup, and they’re frozen so it’s really refreshing! While I haven’t tasted them myself (although it’d be totally safe to), I’m pretty confident they’re delicious as our dogs go crazy when we pull some out of the freezer for them.

Ingredients

1 cup Coconut Oil – melted works best
1 cup Peanut Butter – creamy works best

Directions

Whip the two ingredients together until smooth, then poor into an ice cube tray. I thought this bunny tray was perfect for a dog treat!
Once frozen, pop out and store in a ziploc baggie in the freezer until use.

While I’m not sure how to include your pets in ALL your New Years resolutions, like saving money, making the part of your exercise and healthy eating plan can have HUGE benefits! Then pet parents can clean up in a jiffy with help from Swiffer!

Gift Guide: Best Pet Gifts

November 18, 2016 by Danielle

Give your beloved furry friends some great items this year with these Best Pet Gifts. They show love and friendship to you all year, so treat them a little extra special this holilday and show them just how much you care.

Contains affiliate links that help support this blog at no extra cost to you. See our disclosure.

I found some pretty cool and exciting items such as this Pet Teepee and a Play Petcube, that actually lets you check in and play with your pet (through your mobile device) while you’re away from home. I think you’ll also get a kick out of this Interactive Laser Pet Toy.

Gifts for Pets

Hear Doggy Flatties with Chew Guard Technology Dog Toys: The squeakers in these toys can only be heard by your pooch!
Interactive Laser Pet Toy: Cats (and some dogs!) love playing with lasers. This toy makes it super easy.
PetSafe Busy Buddy Bristle Bone Dog Toy: Dog toy meets dog treat. What a great way to keep dogs occupied.
Pet Teepee: These adorable pet beds create a great hide-a-way place.
Collapsible Cat Tunnel: Cats love to hide. This cat toy gives them the perfect place to do just that.
Wall Rack “Woof” Bone Leash Holder: Keep your leashes within reach with this stylish leash holder.
Classic KONG Dog Toy: These dog toys last forever. Add a bit of kibble for a true dog treat.
Temptations Cat Treats: Cats love these little treats.
Pet Carrier: Perfect for pets that are on the go.
Dangle Feet Teaser Wand Cat Toy: These are great toys for your little hunter to play with.
Petcube Play: Keep pets busy with this camera that lets you see, talk, and interact with your pet while you are away from home.
Water Fountain for Pets: Fresh water is always available to your furry friends with this water fountain.
Turbo Scratcher Cat Toy: Cats can chase the ball around the circle for hours of entertainment. There is also a scratching pad in the middle of the toy.
Catnip Mice: These guys are almost as good as the real thing.
Automatic Feeder: Your pet won’t ever miss a meal with this automatic feeder.
GREENIES Original Dental Dog Treats: Keep dog breath at bay with these dog treats.
Pet Travel Bowl: Food has a safe place with this travel bowl.
Digger for Cats: Place food or treats inside of the cups and your cat will have a blast digging them out.
Shark Bed: Give your pet a place to snooze…. just try not to laugh as they snuggle in.

Gifts for Pet Owners

I had to include some of my favorite gifts for pet owners. After all, they are the ones providing caring and loving homes for all those fur friends.

Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away TruePet: All pet owners need one of these vacuums. They get rid of pet hair with ease.
Dog Mom Coffee Mug: The perfect way to show just how much you love your pet. Grab this Cat Mom Coffee Mug for those who love their kitty cats.
Dog Lover Embroidered Waffle Towel Set: Adorable set of kitchen towels.

How will you spoil your pets this holiday season? Show me! Send a picture of your furry friend with their new gift. We would all love to see how excited they are with their new toys, bed, or treats.

See our other Gift Guides:

Best Family Games

Best Star Wars Gifts

Best Kitchen & Home Gifts

Best Superhero Gifts

Best Pre-teen Gifts

Best Gifts for Creative Kids

Best Harry Potter Gifts

Best Gifts for Bloggers

DIY Dog Leash and Treat Sign

November 17, 2016 by Danielle

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ToPetsWithLove #CollectiveBias

Y’all know how much we love our dogs, right? They’re such an important part of our family, so of course we think of ‘treating’ them during the holidays. I thought a convenient – and attractive – place to hold their leash and treats would be just the ticket. This DIY Dog Leash and Treat Sign was surprisingly easy to make, and looks great while holding our pet stuff!

Since we couldn’t really TREAT our dogs without the proper stuff, we swung by Kroger to grab some special goodies – plus their Purina Beneful dog food, of course! We try to offer them a variety of dog treats, so got a couple bags of Beggin’ Strips and Busy treats. I also got some Purina DentaLife, to help keep their teeth more clean*. Y’all know how much we love Purina and trust them to provide the best for our dogs – because we wouldn’t offer our pets anything short of what we think is the best for them. The kids love helping take care of their pets, too, so were quite handy at the store!

I love that I don’t have to make extra time to run by a pet specialty store when I’m super busy during the holidays. Kroger (or your local banner store) is full of favorite food, treats and even toys for our pets! We always need to make time for the grocery store, right? So now we can get all our shopping done at once – I’m all for saving what little time I have during this time of year 🙂

I don’t know about you, but I love that Purina Beneful dry dog food features MEAT as the #1 ingredient and doesn’t have any added sugar. That’s one great thing about Purina – they listen to feedback of real pet owners to continuously provide better products, which is what led to 2 years of research to result in these new reformulated recipes.

My dogs sure love the taste, apparently, and I love that they’re getting their nutrition needs met!

So I could focus on the DIY Dog Leash & Treat Sign without curious dog noses in the way, I treated them to one of the Busy treats – these long-lasting chews are perfect for keeping them happy for quite awhile, leaving me to my project!

Let’s get on to this fun diy pet project, shall we?

Supplies

Wood board or plaque (check size – I did 11×6), sanded
Paint or stain of desired color (I chose black paint)
Stickers or vinyl in desired saying & design
Hooks and screws
Wall hangers/nails
Hose Clamp (to fit mason jar)
Screw for hose clamp
Mason Jar
Tools needed for screws

Directions

Add your stickers to your plaque/board. Paint or stain over them, then remove before the paint dries – I used tweezers to get the edges of the sticker up and peel it up, not disturbing the paint as much as using my fingers. Allow to dry completely.
Screw in the hooks and wall hangers.
CAREFULLY put a screw through the lined part of the hose clamp and into the wood board. It’s tough getting the screw through the metal, so please use caution. Once it’s attached, add the mason jar into the clamp and tighten the clamp so it’s secure.
Hang on the wall, hang your leashes and add your pet’s favorite treats into the jar!

I thought the Beggin’ Strips not only fit perfect into the mason jar, but were the perfect dog treat for after a nice walk. They smell & taste like bacon – because they’re MADE with real bacon! I also need to remember to give my pups a Purina DentaLife treat later today – so much to do!

*Not to be taken as professional veterinary advice. Please consult your veterinarian for recommendations and practices appropriate for your pet.

Don’t forget to include your furry friends during the holidays with the help of Purina! Now through the end of November, grab these great savings on your favorite Purina pet products – available at Kroger – with this Coupons.com link, while supplies last.

What are YOUR favorite Purina pet products?

Everything is Better With Pets

October 26, 2016 by Danielle

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BetterWithPets #CollectiveBias

Last week I had the great opportunity to attend the annual Purina Better With Pets Summit in NYC, and learned even more about this company that I already loved. We heard from some really great speakers, had a few awesome panels with experts in various fields, and – of course – met plenty of wonderful people and pets! I’m spilling the beans on a lot of what we learned there, and how Everything is Better With Pets!

If you recall, I had the privilege of going to the Nestlé Purina headquarters in St. Louis in June, where I learned quite a bit about the company and it’s procedures. Now, before that I was already a fan of the Purina brand and that’s what we feed our two dogs. Afterwards, I was even more impressed and firm in knowing that I was making the best choice for our pets!

While we learned a lot of information in this fun-filled day, one of the things that stood out the most to me is how Purina calls in experts in various fields from OUTSIDE of their company to ensure they’re making the best, most helpful and safe advancements for the pets in our lives. One of the panel experts – I feel awful but I can’t recall if it was John Bear or Shaun Kennedy – said that you want to look at a COMPANY and their policies and procedures when deciding if working together is best, not the national regulations. It’s great that there ARE national policies in place to ensure safety, but it’s really the company who will (or should) check constantly to make certain they’re doing the absolute best.

One thing about both Purina events that I’ve attended, every time someone is introduced you hear about their pets. Often, about their human families as well, but not one person didn’t have a really close, personal bond with the animals in their life. They’re TRUE animal-lovers who believe that life is definitely better with pets and LIVE that way!

We also heard several heart-warming stories of these families – both 2-legged and 4-legged family members – throughout the day. One that really pulled at my heartstrings was from Roben Harris. Her and her husband, Luke, have 6 children – 3 biological and 3 adopted through foster. You can tell why it really hit home, since we’re going through the adoption stuff right now, right? One of their daughters was born with Spina Bifida, and in her 11 (and a HALF) years has undergone 28 surgeries. She’s a spunky girl full of comedy and joy – and one of her best friends is their Labradoodle named Chocolate Chip Chewbacca Harris!

She spoke about how pets make a miraculous difference in the healing of children in hospitals. It can lift their spirits, giving them hope and strength to recover better. As I learned in June, and in more detail at the Summit, Purina is helping hospitals in St. Louis make it easier for pets to visit with their hospitalized humans. Years ago, it would have been nearly impossible – but I learned that the medical field is now acknowledging more and more the healing affects pets can have.

Okay, so I found this completely hilarious and fun – but check this out….

Yup, the entire Purina team wore red sneakers for the event! That’s a fashion statement I could get behind 🙂

Since they’re always trying to find ways to progress as more information and studies are done about our pets, Purina is now looking at early nutrition for cats to tackle the heart disease issue that affects 1 in 10 cats.

Along with their hospital and community work, Purina allowed us to do a large service project for URI in NYC – they provide services to those escaping domestic abuse and are making headway to provide more options to those trying to escape WITH their pets. Because who wants to leave their furry family member behind? I’m so proud of the work their doing, and was glad to help put together little care packages for those starting their life over with their pets.

While I love so many of the advancements that Purina is making, the one I’m most excited about is their Bright Minds brand, which we learned more about at the Summit….

My friend Lori, from A Day in Motherhood, has been telling me how incredible Purina’s brand Bright Minds for dogs is. It’s designed to help older dogs age 7 and up, fighting the affects of aging so they can have more active, happy and joyful lives even as they get older. She uses it on her dog and the difference from before she started it was like night and day! Another family that spoke to us during the conference had a similar story for their eldest dog, who now has energy to even initiate playtime with their younger pup! For you cat-lovers, get ready because Purina has now developed a Bright Minds that works for CATS!!! It’s coming soon, so be sure to check that out if you have a cat 7 years or older.

I’m thrilled for this, because right now my dogs are playful and active and healthy – but I know as they age that could change. I’m so glad to know there’s a product that will keep them this way longer, as they’re such an important part of our family! They help our lives be happier, crazier, more playful and loving, and BIGGER.

Share how YOUR pets allow you to live bigger lives on social media and use #LetsLiveBig

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