Chewy.com & The Honest Kitchen Smooches Review & Chewy December Giveaway

Earlier in December, I received a package from the nice people at Chewy.com.  

For me?

They sent me a box of The Honest Kitchen Smooches to review.  (I received a box of Smooches free of charge, but no other compensation for this review.)  

The Honest Kitchen Smooches

Mom and I have been very impressed with what we've learned about The Honest Kitchen and their products.  Earlier this year, I reviewed THK Ice Pups, which I LOVED.  (See The Honest Kitchen Ice Pups Review.)

A Smooch on my paw

Practicing impulse control with Smooches

The Honest Kitchen Smooches did not disappoint.  I even performed super-scientific taste-testing by sharing some Smooches with my cousins Sadie and Mia.  

Sadie & I know you look at the camera
to get treats.  Young Mia still has much to learn.

All three of us give Smooches 4 paws up for yumminess and crunchiness.  We also like that they're low calorie, because that means momma is less stingy about dispensing them.

How 'bout some more Smooches?

How 'bout some more Smooches?

How 'bout some more Smooches?
(Sadie is totally working it.)

The Honest Kitchen Smooches -- 

they're LAB tested and approved

Momma insists that I tell you why she likes THK Smooches (as if anyone cares about her opinion).  She gives Smooches 4 paws up because:

• They're made with healthy HUMAN-GRADE ingredients

• They're low calorie (only 2.3 calories per Smooch) 
• The Honest Kitchen is the type of company we like to support because they give a portion of their sales profit each month to a charity, they treat their employees well and celebrate diversity in the workplace, they take steps to minimize their environmental pawprint, and they obtain ingredients from as close to home as possible

Chewy.com

While we haven't ordered from Chewy.com in the past, we've heard a lot of good things about them from many of our blogging pals.  (See my pal Dexter's post More Noms from Chewy.com, my pal Oz's post Merrick Jerky Strips: A Chewy.com Review, and my pal Moose's post Mr. Chewy Loves Me.)  

So Mom and I checked out the Chewy.com website, and learned that they carry over 300 brands of doggie food and treats, including brands that aren't easy to find locally such as the brand of food I currently eat (for $10 less a bag than we've been paying).  Since they offer free 1-2 day shipping on orders of $49 or more, we can save a bunch of money by ordering my food from Chewy.com.  They're based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, but have warehouses all over the country so products can be delivered quickly.  

Chewy.com also gives back to the community through the Chewy.com's Shelter & Rescue Network, which supports non-profit organizations that assist animals in need.  The Shelter & Rescue Network gives non-profit organizations access to programs built to promote, support and help animals in need through donations, fund raising and visibility opportunities.  

Every month, Chewy.com offers a giveaway.  To enter this month's giveaway for some fabulous prizes, just follow the link then follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter.  Enter ASAP, giveaway ends in 2 days.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

More Gift Ideas! Just4MyPet.com, Product Review of Paw Sani-Scrub, and Deep Cleaning Paw Fizz Tablets #GIVEAWAY

When we attended BlogPaws earlier this year, we met the nice folks at Just4MyPet.com.  Just4MyPet has all kinds of cool products for doggies, kitties, and humans, including products you can personalize with your dog or cat's name and photo.  Personalization is free, and shipping is free for orders over $49.  

Be sure to check out their doggie Christmas and Holiday products.  They have very cute personalized ornaments and wonderful doggie holiday gift baskets.  If you're trying to find the perfect gift for the dog, cat, or dog or cat-lover who has everything, check out all the products they offer - doggie attire, kittie hoodies, pet beds, dog bowls, travel gear, collars, leashes, gourmet baked TREATS, dog spa products, custom art, design-your-own apparel, dog painting kits, AND MORE.  You can also get a FREE Personalized Pet ID Tag (a great stocking stuffer - you can never have too many ID tags).  

Speaking of stocking stuffers, we've received three products from Just4MyPet that would make awesome stocking stuffers: Dog Trading Cards, Paw Sani-Scrub, and Deep Cleaning Paw Fizz Tablets, and I'm giving away the Deep Cleaning Paw Fizz Tablets to one of my readers.

What do you mean you want to clean my paws?

Dog Trading Cards

Included in our BlogPaws swag bag was a gift certificate for a set of Dog Trading Cards from Just4MyPet so we ordered a set.  These are very nice cards, with good print and paper quality.  The trading cards are larger than standard calling cards and are similar to sports trading cards - perfect for your soon-to-be-famous doggie pal.  We love my cards and both mom and I recommend this product. 

But are they edible?

My very own trading cards

Paw Sani-Scrub

Last week, Just4MyPet sent us some Warren London Paw Sani-Scrub to try out.  Sometimes my paws get itchy, so momma says it's important to keep them clean, to clean off the stuff that makes them itch.  Momma also says it's especially important this time of year to clean paws after walkies, because there are really bad chemicals in the road that might hurt my paws or make me sick if I lick them.  (Yes I've tried booties, but I really prefer to go bare-pawed.)

I've been walking in leaf piles a lot lately, and yesterday we did the Jingle Bell Walk, so momma said it was a good time to try out the Paw Sani-Scrub.  It comes in a pump bottle, so it's easy to use.  Momma just put some in her hand, then massaged it into each of my paws.  

It came with a little brush, which will be especially handy when I have dirt and mud stuck under my nails and in the hair between my paw pads.  She dried each paw after using the Sani-Scrub and kept an eye on me to see if I was licking my paws.  At first I tried to lick one paw, but momma distracted me and I forgot about it.  After that I didn't tried to lick my paws at all.  I lick my paws when I itch, so the Sani-Scrub helped with the itching by cleaning itchy stuff off my paws.  Yay Sani-Scrub!  We plan to use it on a regular basis now.  

Sometimes my paws look like this

Garth's momma: I really like the Paw Sani-Scrub.  Garth has itchy paws sometimes, and I've read that itchy paws can result from things that get on his paws when we're out walking.  Plus I always worry about salt and chemicals on the roads in the wintertime.  Paw Sani-Scrub is a convenient way to clean Garth's paws, and he doesn't mind it at all. It's antibacterial and antifungal, so it will kill germs if he happens to step in something.  And the brush definitely comes in handy (see above photo) when he gets mud stuck in the hair between his paw pads and under his claws.  I worry about products aggravating his paw itchiness, but I haven't noticed him licking his paws after using Paw Sani-Scrub.  His paws look and feel so clean and they actually feel softer (maybe from the aloe vera extract?).  I recommend Paw Sani-Scrub.

Paw Sani-Scrub Ingredients: 
Aloe Vera Extract, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Ethylene Glycol Monostearate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Lauramide DEA, Propylene Glycol, 0.7% p-chloro-m-Xylerol, Lanolin, Fragrance, PCMX, Parachlorometazylenol  

Deep-Cleaning Paw Fizz Tablets

Just4MyPet also sent us a package of Warren London Deep-Cleaning Paw Fizz Tablets, which I'm giving away to one of my readers.  We didn't try this product (because we're giving it away), but it has many benefits.  It:

• Deep cleanses and sanitizes feet and paws
• Helps to fight and eliminate fungus, bacteria and germs
• Whitens or brightens the nails natural color
• Conditions the nails
• Replenishes the moisture in the paws
• Softens the paws

Deep-Cleaning Paw Fizz Tablets Ingredients: 
Fumaric Acid, Sodium Carbonate, Sodium Bicarbonate, Sorbitol, PEG-180, Maltodextrin, Fragrance, Menthol, C10-C18, Triglycerides, Symphytum Officinale (Comfrey) Leaf Extract, Equisetem , Arvense (Horsetail) Grass Extract, Laminaria Digita (Kelp) Extract, Thymol, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Silica, Sucrose Stearate, Chloramine-T, Blue 1 (Cl 42090)  

GIVEAWAY

To enter the giveaway, just follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter at the bottom of the post.  (Giveaway open to U.S. residents only.)

10% OFF

If you see something you like at Just4MyPet.com, you can get 10% off if you use coupon code J4MPRG10.  Don't forget you can also get a 
FREE Personalized Pet ID Tag.

Disclosure: Just4MyPet provided me with free products, however I received no other compensation for this post.  The opinions expressed in this blog are mine and my momma's.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wordless Wednesday

FitDog Friday - Swimming at Alpha Dog Club

With less daylight and colder temperatures, mom and I decided I should try a new fitness activity for the winter months.  We had wanted to check out Alpha Dog Club since they opened a year or two ago, and mom recently got a deal on Groupon to give it a try.  So a few weeks ago, I had my first swim at Alpha -- an Intro Swim, Assessment, & Ramp training.  First I learned to use the ramps to get in and out of the pool.

This is my "What crazy thing do you want me to do now, momma?" look

So this is how it works

I quickly got the hang of things and was able to swim without a leash.  

This ramp is pretty cool

I was doing so well, I got to take off the PFD (puppy flotation device) and swim NAKED.

Mom says I'm kinda' timid when it comes to pools. (In my defense, pools can be scary because they're deep and have steep sides.)  So she wasn't sure how much I'd like swimming at Alpha.  I used to swim in a pool at daycare every week, but the daycare pool closed a long time ago, so it's been a really long time since I've been in a pool.  

I was a little bit hesitant at first, but once I learned to use the ramps and I saw how easy it was to get in and out, I thought it was really FUN!  The nice lady kept throwing a Kong Wubba for me to retrieve and I was all happy and excited to be swimming and retrieving.  It made momma happy to see how much fun I was having while getting great exercise.

When we went back the following week, I was very happy to be there and eager to get started.

I'm ready for you to throw the ball
(note waggy tail)

I'm waiting

I remembered how to use the ramps.

  

And I once again had a great time.

I LIKE this place

We went back again the following week, and we've decided to make visits to Alpha Dog Club a weekly thing.  Swimming is an excellent way to get a full-body workout, and it's also FUN.  Since we do so much hiking, swimming is great for me because it exercises different muscles and helps loosen me up if I'm stiff or sore from hiking.  

If you live in or near Richmond, you should check out Alpha Dog Club.  The pool is heated and is saline (instead of chlorine) so it doesn't irritate my skin.  Once you graduate to unassisted swimming, you can join the pool buddies program for $10 swims, or you can save money by buying a package of swims.  Alpha Dog Club also offers Dog Massage, Treadmill Training, and Pet First Aid Classes.

A wet paw-print on momma's shirt
(I have NO idea how that happened)

Check out the other posts in the FitDog Friday Blog Hop (see links below) for more great ideas about fun ways to get and keep your pup fit.

Garth's Gift Guide 2013

HAPPY THANKSGIVING 

to all of our friends, near and far.

Since Black Friday is tomorrow, and frantic holiday shopping will soon commence, I thought I should go ahead and publish my gift guide today.

Looking for a gift for the dog or dog person in your life?  Need some ideas?  Look no further -- the 2013 edition of Garth's Gift Guide is here just in time for holiday shopping.  (Disclosure: We don't get anything from listing these products.  These are simply things we like that we think our readers might like.)

Custom Vinyl Decals of YOUR Pet by DigMyDog.com

We think DigMyDog.com is one of the coolest ideas ever and the perfect gift for the pet parent who has everything.  We have a Dig My Dog decal (of me, of course) on the Garth-Mobile and mom plans to order one for the Daddy-Dog-Mobile as well.  It's not quite life-size, but it's big.  Not only do we love the decal, which is high quality and has held up well, we love that 100% of the profits from the purchase of Dig My Dog decals support Indigo Rescue and help them help more animals.  Buy this one-of-a-kind gift and help homeless animals at the same time.  What could be cooler?

Monthly Poop Bag Delivery Subscription from PoopBuddy
If you've never thought of poop bags as a gift, these fashionable bags will change your mind.  Everybody needs poop bags, right?  How about poop bags in cool colors and snazzy designs, delivered monthly with a gift?  They even donate 10% to dog rescue.  Each month we look forward to our Poop Buddy shipment.  (Well, mom does.  I can only get so excited about poop bags.) 

Dogbag Duffel
Doggie Walk Bags 

Another poop-related item that would make a thoughtful gift is a Dogbag Duffel from Doggie Walk Bags.  Mom uses one attached to my leash and she thinks it's very cute and super handy.  She also loves DogBag.com's refill bags tie handle bags on a roll because they come in bright colors and are made of sturdy material and are easy to open.

Lighted collar and/or leash from Keep Doggie Safe
I have both a rechargeable lighted LED collar and a battery-operated lighted LED leash and I use both when walking in the dark to make sure I'm clearly visible.  We've tried the lights that clip on a collar but haven't had much luck with those.  The clip-on lights haven't worked well and generally weren't very visible.  But the collar and leash have lots of lights and make me very visible when we're walking at night.  Nothing says you care like a safety accessory for your best friend.


A Guide to Braveries for Small Dogs
by my pal Reuben (available on Amazon)
Contrary to its title, A Guide to Braveries for Small Dogs provides sage advice for dogs of all sizes.  My mom also enjoyed the book immensely.  If you enjoy Reuben's blog Floppy Tongue Joy, you'll love his book.  And Reuben donates 10% of the proceeds from the sale of his book to Almost Home Dachshund Rescue so they can help more doggies just like they helped Reuben.

Stocking Stuffer ideas:

For yummy treats made of healthy ingredients, I  recommend Zuke's (Mini Naturals are my favorite), Honest Kitchen Quickies, and Honest Kitchen Smooches

I love The Honest Kitchen smooches

For something extra special, give a subscription to Be Pawsitive for monthly deliveries of healthy yummy treats.  (And for each box of treats you buy, they send a box of treats to a shelter.)

I'll do anything for a Be Pawsitive treat

Want more ideas? Check out my mom's post in the Healthy Paws Blog, Dog Accessories Worth Fetching, and also check out Last Year's Gift Guide.

Remember, you only have a few days left to enter my Zuke's Mini Naturals treats giveaway.

#ScoopThatPoop Blog Hop - Poop Patrol & Another Poop Bag Giveaway!!!

Every month, some of my blogging pals and I host a #ScoopThatPoop blog hop to bring awareness of the importance of picking up after your dog.  If you don't think it's important, be sure to read Dog Poop and Drinking Water.

This month's topic is Poop Patrol.

When mom and I lead a hike, dad comes along too.  He hikes at the back to make sure we don't lose anyone, and he also carries a plastic bag for everyone to put their poop bags in.  Everybody jokes and calls him the "poop guy" but he's playing a very important role.  Sometimes he has to pick up poop that someone else has left on the trail.  We don't want any of the doggies on our hikes leaving poop on the trail for someone else to pick up, or step in -- or worse, for it to get washed into the river and pollute the water.

Daddy as "the poop guy"

And now for the super-exciting news:
#ScoopThatPoop is having another giveaway of EarthRated poop bags and stuff.  To enter, just use the Rafflecopter thing below.

   a Rafflecopter giveaway

Zuke's Mini Naturals Product Review and GIVEAWAY! #FuelTheLove

Zuke's Mini Naturals Product Review
by Garth Riley,
featuring guest reviewer Franklin Bear

As part of the #FueltheLove blog hop that I posted about on Friday (see my earlier #FuelTheLove post), Zuke's sent me a PACKAGE.

This is what boxes are for, right?

Next we try to open it

I'm waiting

Something smells yummy

Oh boy oh boy oh boy

Zuke's sent me a whole bunch of treats to review -- they sent SIX bags of Zuke's Mini Naturals:
Fresh Peanut Butter Formula
Savory Salmon Recipe
Delicious Duck Recipe
Wild Rabbit Recipe
Roasted Pork Recipe
Roasted Chicken Recipe

I get to try ALL OF THESE?

I can't decide what I want to try first

THE REVIEW:

SUPER-Yummy
I had tried Wild Rabbit flavor Zuke's Mini Naturals before, but this was the first time I got to try some of the other flavors.  We even did a taste test where mom put me in a stay and put different flavors on the floor and then said "okay" to see which flavor I went to first.  I am pleased to announce that I LOVE THEM ALL.  In fact, I don't seem to have a preference for any one flavor.  All of the Zuke's Mini Naturals I tried were SUPER-yummy.

SUPER-yummy

I was curious if other doggies would like the Mini Naturals as much as I did, so I asked my friend Frankie if he wanted to try some and tell me what he thought about them.  He enthusiastically responded . . .

YES YES YES
(Photo by Frankie's momma)

So Frankie tried the Delicious Duck Recipe, Fresh Peanut Butter Formula, and Savory Salmon Recipe, and unlike me, he had a preference for the duck.

I found all three flavors quite to my liking, however after careful consideration, I believe I prefer the Delicious Duck Recipe.
But I think I need to try some more just to make sure.
(Photo by Frankie's momma)

Frankie and I both wholeheartedly agreed that Zuke's Mini Naturals are SUPER-yummy. 

Healthy Ingredients
While yumminess is important, it isn't the only thing we look for in treats.  Mom is super careful these days about what I eat, both in terms of the ingredients and the calories.  Each Zuke's Mini is less than 3 1/2 calories per treat, so she can give me a lot when we're training.  All Mini Naturals are wheat, corn, and soy free and are made of nutritious whole food ingredients.  So you're not getting empty calories or some unspecified meat product.  In fact, the first ingredient on the list is the protein giving the treat its name.  For example, Delicious Duck Recipe lists duck first, Wild Rabbit Recipe lists rabbit first, etc.

Made in the U.S.A.
Zuke's Mini Naturals are made in the U.S.A.  That's important to us because it means we can be more confident about product safety, we're supporting U.S. workers, and fewer resources are being expended to get the product to the market.

Earth-Friendly
Speaking of resources, we were happy to learn that Zuke's is very earth-friendly:  

Beliefs That We Support
We were also very impressed when we looked at the Zuke's website under Our Beliefs.  Zuke's beliefs include staying healthy, being active, healing others and getting involved.  As I've mentioned in previous reviews, we prefer to give our business to companies that give back to the community, take steps to lessen their environmental pawprint, and support things we believe in such as staying healthy and active.

Being active is VERY important to us
(Look closely at what's in momma's pack)
Photo by Frankie's momma

Based on all of these factors, I give Zuke's Mini Naturals my highest rating of FOUR PAWS.  We highly recommend all six flavors of Zuke's Mini Naturals treats.  (Mom wants to mention that they are the perfect size and consistency for training treats because they are small, soft, yummy, and low-calorie.)

I get Zuke's for doing my core workout

A special thank you to my pal Frankie for helping me out with this review.  If you'd like to see more of Frankie, his facebook page is Frankie Bear.

Photo by Frankie's momma

Zuke's gave me some free treats for me to review, but I received no other compensation for this post. 

So now that you're dying to have some Zuke's Mini Naturals treats, here's a giveaway to win some:

My Zuke's Treats Giveaway

Just follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter thing below to enter my own individual giveaway.  I have six bags of Zuke's Mini Naturals to give away, so I'll select two winners to receive three bags each.  Be sure to also enter the group giveaway here and check out the other bloggers in the blog hop (links below) and enter their giveaways too.  The more you enter, the greater your chances of winning some yummilicious Zuke's treats!  (Sorry but this is only open to residents of the U.S.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway