Win Vera Bradley and Cat’s Pride® Giveaway! @catspride

June 6, 2016 by 70 Comments

Disclosure- This post is brought to you in partnership with Cat’s Pride.

Cat’s Pride is excited to introduce consumers to our newest innovation in cat litter, Fresh & Light Ultimate Care. For 75 years, we’ve been committed to providing products that enrich the lives of cats and their owners,” said Dan Jaffee, president and CEO of Oil-Dri, the makers of Cat’s Pride. “We are proud to partner with Katherine Heigl and the Jason Debus Heigl Foundation as they work to end the needless suffering of animals.”

  • Cat’s Pride started the lightweight litter trend and continues to innovate with its new product, Cat’s Pride Fresh & Light Ultimate Care lightweight litter. The product is 50% lighter and is formulated with highly absorbent minerals and no fillers, guaranteeing 10 days of odor control, the strongest clumps and low dust and tracking. Cat’s Pride Fresh & Light Ultimate Care offers the ultimate performance at a great value. The product is offered in a 10 pound jug, in both scented and unscented hypoallergenic varieties.
  • “Cats are Complicated. Great Litter is Simple.” Campaign: The new Cat’s Pride integrated marketing campaign featuring Heigl is the brand’s largest media launch ever. This concept features Katherine Heigl as a recurring character—a cat/owner couples therapist—who helps owners have a more meaningful and positive relationship with their cats. She continually reinforces how using the best-performing Fresh & Light Ultimate Care can reduce tensions all around and create healthier interactions between cats and their people. The campaign features the actress in humorous commercials directed by Anne Fletcher, known for films such as “27 Dresses” and “The Proposal”. The integrated campaign continues across all digital, social media, in-store and print platforms.
  • The Jason Debus Heigl Foundation Partnership:  The Jason Debus Heigl Foundation (JDHF) was founded in 2008 by Nancy and Katherine Heigl to increase awareness of inhumane animal treatment and support animal welfare efforts in this country.  Established as a lasting legacy to a beloved son and brother killed as a teen in a tragic car accident, the JDHF is dedicated to helping companion animals by eliminating the needless suffering inflicted on animals by human cruelty, indifference and ignorance. Programs include the relocation of pets from high-kill to no-kill shelters for adoption, funding of sterilization for cats and dogs, medical and training assistance for special needs dogs, grants to hardworking “boots on the ground” rescues, and working with animal welfare groups nationwide to increase awareness of spay/neuter, humane education and adoption.

“We created the Jason Debus Heigl Foundation to continue to spread Jason’s love of animals,” said Katherine Heigl, CEO, The Jason Debus Heigl Foundation™. “We are thrilled to partner with Cat’s Pride® in our efforts to truly make a difference for animals.”

pic2

One winner will receive the following-

  • Vera Bradley Camocat tote in black and white
  • Cat Dancer toy
  • Cat Collar
  • Coupon redeemable for one 10 lb. jug of new Cat’s Pride Fresh & Light Ultimate Care Litter

The estimated value of the giveaway is $75.

Please feel free to enter using the RC form below. Ends June 24, 2016.  Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Filed Under: animals, giveaway Tagged With:

Milk-Bone Survey Shows Americans Want More Quality Time With Their Dog in 2016

January 7, 2016 by Leave a Comment
According to the 2016 Milk–Bone Canine Resolutions Survey — an original survey of 3,000 U.S. “pet parents” by Milk–Bone brand dog treats (in conjunction with Learndipity Data Insights) — more Americans than ever before have dog-related resolutions for the new year.
pic4
TOP 10 MOST POPULAR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS FOR PET PARENTS
(based on the percentage of dog parents who resolve to do each resolution)
1.  “I will spend more time with my dog.”  52%
2.  “I will help my dog to have better health and wellness.”  42%
3.  “I will take my dog on more trips with me.”  34%
4.  “I will brush my dog’s teeth regularly.”  31%
5.  “I will help my dog get essential vitamins and nutrients.”  30%
6.  “I will help my dog become less anxious and stressed.”  29%
7.  “I won’t feed my dog food from the dinner table.”  25%
8.  “I won’t leave my dog home alone for quite so long.”  23%
9.  “I will help my pet lose weight.”  21%
10.  “I will take my dog to dog training class.”  15%
Because New Year’s Resolutions (and doggy “Ruff-olutions”) are easier said than done, the Milk–Bone study also fetched the top five most effective ways for both humans and canines to actually stick with their new year’s goals — often by doing them together.
pic3
TOP 5 WAYS TO REALIZE HUMAN + CANINE NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS
1.  Have a ‘Resolutions Buddy’
Because dogs follow through with rituals even better than humans – 55% of dog parents say their dog helps them exercise more, for instance — you can better stick to your personal health and wellness goals by including your “furry buddy” in them, too.
 2.  Say ‘Good Morning’
Since it’s easier to keep resolutions before you have other demands during the day, develop a morning routine that reinforces positive habits.  If you and your dog aren’t getting all of the important nutrients you need from regular meals, why not give yourself a morning vitamin and your dog a Milk–Bone Good Morning Daily Vitamin Treat?
 3.  Create Nighttime Rituals
Because nighttime rituals help calm and relax both you and your dog before bed, try to stick with a regular sleepy-time routine that focuses on stress-reducing resolutions (like a soothing petting session while watching your favorite program).
 4.  Think Healthy Fun
Make important health-related resolutions way more fun by exercising outside with your dog or even brushing your teeth together (with the help of a Milk–Bone Brushing Chews Fresh Breath for your pup).
 5.  Give Yourself a Reward
pic4
Just like dogs love treats when they exhibit good behavior, make sure to regularly reward yourself and your dog with something pleasurable for following through on your resolutions.
Filed Under: animals Tagged With:

Top Holiday Travel Tips for Dogs (and Win an Amazon Gift Card)

December 15, 2015 by 132 Comments

While the holidays are supposed to be full of peace, love, and fun, they can also be stressful, especially when traveling is involved at the busiest times of the year. It can be great to bring your dog along with you while traveling, but doing so also increases the things you must do and keep in mind to ensure a safe, happy trip. From packing a dog emergency kit to bringing along a DIY dog fence, there are many things you can consider ahead of time to help things go as smoothly as possible. Here are the top travel tips to keep in mind this holiday season with your dog.

20150518_231528

Keep Your Dog Safe in the Car

If you’re taking a road trip, you want to make sure your dog is as safe in the car as everyone else in your family. It’s a great idea to invest in a dog seat belt, which will keep your dog restrained in the car. If you don’t, at least place your dog in their crate during the ride. Not only is this safer for your dog, it prevents your dog from getting into the front seat and causing an accident by distracting the driver. Never allow your dog to stick their head out of the window of a moving car.

Contain Your Dog Wherever You Are

One of the worst nightmares you could experience would be to lose your dog while on a holiday trip. To avoid this, make sure your dog is contained at all times. While outside, if they are not in a fenced-in yard, they need to be on a leash. Of course, never leave your dog tied up unattended. If your dog is trained on an invisible dog fence, you can bring a portable version with you. It’s an excellent tool for containing your dog at rest areas, campgrounds, or in the yards of loved ones who don’t have a fence. However, it’s a good idea to supervise even the most well-trained dogs when in unfamiliar territory, even when using a wireless dog fence.

Pack Dog Emergency Essentials

If you have the extra money, it’s convenient to purchase a dog first aid kit to keep in the trunk of your car or bring with you on trips. If not, create your own. You essentially need to pack the same things as a regular first aid kit, but with some extra paw-sized bandages. Your car emergency kit should also include extra dog food, extra water, extra bowls, an extra collar and leash set, and an extra blanket for the furry member of your family. Also bring along a copy of your dog’s vaccination record and any necessary medical information, including medications.

Ensure Your Destination is Dog-Proof

Wherever you are staying with your dog, do some thorough dog-proofing before you relax and let your dog roam, especially if your loved ones don’t have a dog of their own. Make sure things like medications, cleaning supplies, candy bowls, and lit candles are out-of-reach. There are several types of common holiday plants that are toxic to dogs, too. Mistletoe, pointsettia, and holly should be moved to an area your dog cannot access, so you don’t even run the risk of your dog ingesting fallen leaves. Pine needles are also toxic, and the water from the tree stand can be, too. If there is a Christmas tree that your dog won’t stay away from, keep them in a separate room or position your electronic dog fence around the tree as a safety barrier.

Ask Others to Follow Safety Guidelines

Make sure whoever you are staying with is aware of certain safety concerns for your dog. For example, ask your loved ones not to feed your dog any table scraps unless you approve, and caution them not to leave their plates or drinks unattended. Alcohol, chocolate, and xylitol can be fatal to dogs, and other foods such as onions, raisins, grapes, nuts, bones, fatty foods, coffee, and tea can cause dogs to get seriously ill. If you are using an e-collar or electric dog fence, make sure others are aware. Also remind children that dogs don’t like hugs or kisses.

While traveling, remember to watch your dog closely for signs of stress. Signs of stress in dogs include pacing, panting, growling, freezing, staring, cowering, and hiding. Any behavior that’s unusual for your dog could be a sign they are overwhelmed, so try to give them a quiet, dark place that they can rest alone with plenty of water to drink. If your dog gets sick or injured, be sure to call your vet’s office or emergency number as soon as possible.

These holiday travel safety tips come to us thanks to the ongoing educational efforts of www.dogfencediy.com; Dog Fence DIY provides dog owners with an affordable alternative to pricey and complex dog containment solutions.
One of you can win a $25 Amazon gift card- use the RC form below to see how to enter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Filed Under: animals, giveaway, holidays, review Tagged With: , ,

Operation ResCUTE Book & Plush Set – Gives Back to Pets @OpResCute

November 12, 2015 by 3 Comments

Have you heard of the inspirational non-profit called Operation ResCUTE™ ($29.99), packaged for young readers as a book-and-plush set. It stars the true-life-story of Jingles, a homeless puppy in New York City that gets to live happily ever after. Youngsters discover (as they snuggle with their plush pup) that shelters are full of friendly faces. With the purchase of this boxed set, they become a ResCUTER.

pic7

It’s no wonder Operation ResCUTE is getting two paws up from animal lovers of all ages. The illustrated book is written from the dog’s point of view, in her own voice. After reading the storybook, kids will want to share the importance of being a ResCUTER, a solution to shelter dog adoption. Packaged in a cage-like gift box, the book and plush pal opens their eyes to the many four-legged friends locked away in cages, longing for a loving home. And it really happened to Jingles.

20150916_230437

We have our own adopted dog, and usually a foster dog as well, so we loved this story as well as the idea of ResCUTE.  Giving a gift that is not only cute and sweet but also gives back is one we can fully support.  Kids on your list and any animal lover would appreciate this adorable gift set.

pic4

Like many happy-ending stories, this one began tragically when NYC marketing powerhouse Laurie Brown-Nagin spotted an Animal Control Officer carrying a puppy to a pro-bono veterinarian. The animal lover and mom fell in love with Jingles, the shelter pooch that desperately needed a warm, loving home. As a marketing researcher, Brown-Nagin discovered only 30 percent of pets in homes come from shelters and rescue organizations. Worse, an estimated 2.7 million healthy pets remain in shelters each year! She started a non-profit, www.OperationRescute.com, and used her years of marketing prowess to package this inspiring boxed set for the next generation to read and feel empowered to make a difference.

During this season of giving, parents and grandparents can give a pawsitive present, with 100% of profits going directly toward helping shelter dogs get adopted. Brown-Nagin reports that profits will be used by shelters for marketing /outreach efforts for placement of dogs with families.

Operation ResCUTE Book & Plush Set • $29.99 • Ages 3+

Jingles the dog, the first in the Operation ResCUTE series, shows youngsters the value of opening their hearts and helping someone/something less fortunate. Each boxed set includes an illustrated book and huggable plush pup. Animal shelters give it two paws up! For sale at Amazon.com.

Filed Under: animals, book review, Holiday Gift Guide, Holiday Gift Guide 2015, kids, review, toys Tagged With: , , , , ,

Best Ways to Pamper Your Pup #FurryFoodie #ad #Walmart

October 9, 2015 by 8 Comments

Disclosure- This post is Sponsored post by Lunchbox.  All opinions are my own and honest.

20150807_185006

Dogs are part of the family. There are there for us when we are feeling down, want to jump with us when we are feeling happy, and want to snuggle with us when we sleep. Any good pet owner knows that the best way to keep your dog happy and feeling his best, is to make sure that they are well cared for. That includes making sure that your pup is pampered and spoiled.

20151003_110730

Ways to spoil your dog:

  1. A bed of their own: While dogs love to sleep where you are, in your bed if they are allowed, or on the furniture, a dog also likes to have a bed of their own. It can be a great place for dogs to unwind after getting too excited and it can be their own space.
  2. Walks: It is important to keep your dog active, and a walk around the neighborhood is a fun way to do that. It gives the dog a chance to see and smell new things and mark some new territory. Just like people, most dogs like to get out and see different things.
  3. Special treat: Do you like having a special treat or candy? Your dog does too. It doesn’t matter if it is given as a reward or as a nightly addition to their meals, giving your dog a treat will make him happy.
  4. A trip to the dog park: If your dog likes other dogs and love to have the chance to run around without his lease, the dog park might be a fun option. It gives the dog a chance to get out some energy and have the freedom to run around that they do not normally have. Since most dog parks are fenced in, you do not have to worry about them getting lose. Plus, just like kids, some dogs love to play with other dogs. Someone to chase and run with and jump on.
  5. A Great Dog Food: A dog needs a food that will give him good nutrition plus has a taste that he wants to eat. IAMS offers a Visible Difference, available at Walmart, that gives a noticeable improvement in energy, skin, coat and digestion. IAMS is 100% proactive nutrition and has 0% fillers. IAMS Visible Difference products are the perfect way to cater to your Furry Foodie.

pic12

 

When you purchase IAMS from Walmart, you can receive a collapsible dog bowl in the mail when you text or upload the receipt. After purchasing one of the participating IAMS Proactive Health, Healthy Naturals, Grain Free or Premium Protection eligible products at Walmart, shoppers can text “DOGBOWL” with a photo of their receipt to 811811 to get a free collapsible dog bowl. This offer is valid on purchases made from 9/15/15 – 11/30/15.

pic 10

What is your favorite way to spoil your dog?

Filed Under: animals, review Tagged With: ,

Zuke’s Skinny Bakes for Dogs

October 7, 2015 by 3 Comments

My dog Cooper is big on treats.  What dog isn’t, right?  They are perfect for training, rewards, and just because you want to show them that you love them.  Apparently, half the dogs in America are overweight.  While Cooper is not one of them, it doesn’t hurt to keep an eye on his weight.  Overweight dogs have the same health concerns as overweight humans, including joint problems, heart issues, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart and respiratory disease, kidney disease, cancer, and more.  These aren’t issues that you want for your pet, so watch what he eats, and try to keep him or her at their healthy and ideal weight.

20150917_105252

Zuke’s®, a natural pet treat company leading the way in pet nutrition, has expanded its lineup of crunchy 10-calorie Skinny Bakes® treats to include more low-calorie options with new 2, 5 and 20-calorie count varieties. The perfect reward for a healthy dog looking to stay lean or for those wanting to get fit, Skinny Bakes® are made in the USA from natural, whole food ingredients that provide high-quality nutrition. The absence of wheat, corn and soy also makes this treat a good fit for dogs with common allergies.

20150917_105142

According to the Association for Pet Obesity and Prevention, more than half the dogs in the U.S. are overweight, and one out of five is obese. Also, October 7th is National Pet Obesity Awareness Day! Visit www.zukes.com for more info on these low-cal treats for your favorite pup.

Filed Under: animals, review Tagged With: ,

Have You Visited the Wellness TruFood Truck Yet?

October 1, 2015 by Leave a Comment

The city’s hottest new food truck is arriving this week! Featuring trendy ingredients like lamb, purple carrots and coconut oil, the Wellness TruFood Wagon could have dinner for – not you – but your pet! A farmer’s market food truck for the most epicurean of pets, the TruFood Wagon has made its way to the east coast after traveling across the U.S.

pic6

A perfect way to recognize National Dog Week, the wagon features an agility course, samples of the new gourmet Wellness TruFood, a chance to win a year’s supply of pet food, prizes from a spin-to-win-wheel, a doggy drink station and more!

Pet parents can stop by any of the following events this week:

  • Friday, 9/18: Dog & Cats Rule, 3495 US Highway 1 South, Princeton, NJ, 3:00pm – 7:00pm
  • Saturday, 9/19: Bag of Bones Barkery, Mercerville Shopping Center, 364 NJ-33, Hamilton Township, NJ, 11:00am – 4:00pm
  • Sunday, 9/20: The Hungry Puppy, 1288 NJ-33, Farmingdale, NJ, 10:00am – 4:00pm
  • Friday, 9/25: Pet Central, 2643 Broadway, New York, NY, 2:00pm – 8:00pm
  • Saturday, 9/26: Pet Central, 247 West 23rd Street, New York, NY, 11:00am – 5:00pm
  • Sunday, 9/27: Atlantic Antic Street Festival, Hicks & Henry Street, 88 Atlantic Ave. & 339 Hicks Street, Brooklyn, NY, 12:00pm – 6:00pm
  • Friday, 10/2: New Rochelle Down to Earth Farmer’s Market, N. Ave. at Huguenot Park/Twin Lakes, New Rochelle, NY, 8:30am – 2:30pm
  • Saturday, 10/3: Central Park Conservancy’s My Dog Loves Central Park Fair, New York City, NY, 11:00am – 3:00pm
  • Sunday, 10/4: Bideawee’s 100th Anniversary Pet Adoption & Fall Festival, 3300 Beltagh Ave., Wantagh, NY 1:00pm – 5:00pm

pic7

Wellness TruFood is a brand new natural pet food made with whole foods such as whole prey protein, raw produce and antioxidant-loaded superfoods. Made with colorful ingredients you can see like chicken, beets, coconut oil, kale, pumpkin and live active yogurt cultures, TruFood recipes provide pets with the vibrant, natural nutrition they need to stay happy and healthy.

Filed Under: animals Tagged With: ,

Win MUTTS Prize Pack

September 30, 2015 by Leave a Comment

The treasured characters in the MUTTS comics have a special charm to kids and adults of all ages. The friendship, warmth, and humor between characters that are seemingly unlikely matches create a special dynamic that will warm your heart. The graphic novel style collection of the MUTTS diaries introduces some of the cast members through a variety of their most popular comic strips.

pic5

With winter on the way, there could not have been a better time to open up this book, so I was very excited to get my hands on a copy of The Mutts Winter Diaries, the second Mutts collection for kids! If you are a fan of MUTTS, you will love this collection. It, of course, has all of our favorite characters – Shtinky Puddin’, Sourpuss, Guard Dog, Bip and Bop, and even Crabby. The strips that McDonnell uses for this collection are quirky and thought provoking, perfect for inspiring children to care for animals and their environment.

Patrick McDonnell created the comic strip MUTTS, which now appears in over 700 newspapers in 20 countries. MUTTS has been described by Peanuts creator Charles Schulz as “One of the best comic strips of all time.” McDonnell has received numerous awards for this strip, including the National Cartoonists Society’s highest honor, The Reuben, for Cartoonist of the Year.

pic8

MUTTS also won awards for its environmental and animal advocacy: two Genesis Awards from The Ark Trust, The HSUS Hollywood Genesis Award for Ongoing Commitment, the PETA Humanitarian Award, and a Sierra Club award, all for good reason. We love the awareness the author brings to shelter animals and animals that are tied up outdoors. It is such a great life lesson and the MUTTS diaries make it an easy transition into teaching our kids about how to treat animals.

McDonnell’s website, MUTTScomics.com, promotes his animal- and earth-friendly philosophy. Consistent with McDonnell’s concern for the environment, all of the MUTTS books are printed on recycled paper. So not only do you get a great, heart-warming book, but you get to feel great about it too!

We think that you will love The Mutts Winter Diaries as much as we did, and we want to give you a chance to get your very own copy of the book, as well as a special Comics sleepshirt.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Filed Under: giveaway, review Tagged With: ,