A ROCKin' Gift Idea: Kurgo Skipping Stones

My chocolate lab cousin Toby used to have a rock that he carried around in his mouth. He would carry it with him wherever he went and he'd put it down next to him if he sat or lay down. He didn't try to chew or eat it, he just liked to have it.

I can't quite understand Toby's relationship with his pet rock. My momma collects rocks, and I don't understand the attraction. I suppose some rocks can be kinda' cool, but you can't eat or chew them, they don't make very good toys, and they don't float. But what if you had a rock that you could play with, chew, and it floated? Wouldn't that be the coolest?

A month or so ago, the nice people at Kurgo sent me a new product to try out - Kurgo Skipping Stones Dog Chew Toys. 

I wasn't sure what to think of the Skipping Stones at first . . . 

What now Momma?

but I soon learned they're fun to chew. 

Nom nom nom

I like the blue one too

Momma likes them because they're not so hard that they will wear down or break my teeth, yet they're tough enough that I can't chew them up. She suspects they would survive most heavy chewers.  I haven't even managed to make teeth marks in them yet.

I also learned that they bounce in weird directions, which makes them super fun to play with.

But the coolest thing about Skipping Stones is that THEY FLOAT!

You know how much I enjoy the water and how much I enjoy retrieving things, so I absolutely had to try these things out. And of course momma wanted to see if she could actually make them skip.  So we took them to the pool at Alpha Dog Club. They definitely float but momma couldn't manage to get them to skip (I think it was thrower error). But I had a great time retrieving them!

First I must get in the zone

There I go

Throw it again please

If you're looking for a stocking stuffer or a unique gift for the dog who has everything, check out Kurgo Skipping Stones. While you're at it, check out some of the other cool Kurgo Merchandise. They have harnesses, carriers, dog car seats, outdoor gear -- all kinds of stuff that adventure doggies like me need.

Momma's two cents:

• I love this idea but I expected them to be larger. The green one is about 3 inches by 2 1/2 inches, and the blue one is about 3 1/2 inches by 1 1/2 to 2 inches. They're big enough for Garth, but I think they would be easier for him to grab in his mouth to retrieve them from the water if they were larger. They're probably perfect for small to medium-sized dogs, but I wouldn't recommend them for anything larger than a lab. I think they would be too small for a Great Dane or Newfoundland.
• I couldn't make them skip. Rather than skim the surface, they seemed to hit the water, sink, then float back up. But admittedly I haven't skipped a stone in probably 30+ years, so I may be a bit rusty.
• The blue one is difficult (perhaps impossible) for dogs to see in a swimming pool:

DISCLOSURE:
Kurgo provided the Skipping Stones (retail value $13.00) free of charge. We received no other compensation for this review. The opinions expressed in this review are ours alone.

Now I have my own pet rock

Roads? Where We're Going, We Don't Need Roads.

A Lab in Springtime

Wordless Wednesday: April Snow

1800PetMeds.com Review

A few weeks ago, I got a package of products to review from 1800PetMeds.com. I was so eager to try out the treats, I couldn't wait for mom to get home, so I went ahead and helped myself to the Wet Noses Organic Pumpkin Treats.

Yep, they were good
*burp*

Wet Noses All Natural Organic Pumpkin Treats

These treats were so yummy, I ate through two layers of cardboard and one layer of cellophane to get to them, then I ate the whole box. (Warning: It's really not a good idea to eat the whole box at once like I did. I suffered no ill effects, but these are meant for periodic feeding as treats, not to make a whole meal of them.)

These treats are wheat-free, corn-free, and soy-free and made with 100% USDA organic ingredients. They come in Cheddar, Peanut Butter & Molasses, Pumpkin and Sweet Potato flavors.

Ingredients: Organic Rye Flour, Organic Pumpkin, Organic Canola Oil, Organic Ginger, Organic Cinnamon. 

Pet Naturals Scoot Bars

Scoot Bars are yummy, crunchy bars made with pumpkin. They're called Scoot Bars because they help with problems like loose stools and scooting. I scoot from time to time and have been changing foods a lot lately. We've found that the bars seem to help keep my stool more normal and my scooting has decreased. And I love the bars because they're yummy and crunchy and take a little while to finish. When mom gives me one I take it into the living room where I can munch it in peace.

Nom nom nom

These bars stop your dog from scooting, support healthy anal gland function, and provide immunity, digestive and colonic support.

Ingredients:
Active Ingredients per 2 bars: Proprietary Pumpkin Blend 2800 mg (Larch Tree Extract, Digestion Resistant Maltodextrin and Pumpkin Powder) 
Inactive Ingredients: brewers yeast, canola oil, citric acid, glycerin, mixed tocopherols, natural duck flavor, ground oat groats, oat meal, propionic acid, rosemary extract, ground rye groats, silicon dioxide, sorbic acid, soy lecithin, vegetable oil.

1800PetMeds Ear Cleansing Solution

Dogs with floppy ears like mine often get ear infections after swimming because their ears just can't dry out. One way to prevent this is to use an ear cleaner like this one. I go swimming almost every week, so momma uses this in my ears after every swim. I don't like having stuff put in my ears, but it's way better than getting a nasty ear infection.

Ear Cleansing Solution,
Super Pure Omega 3,
and Tick Twister

Super Pure Omega 3

I've already written a post about my Omega 3 Experiment and how Omega 3 helps with my itchy skin. You can read about it in The Omega 3 Experiment.

Tick Twister Tick Remover Tool

We have not yet tried the tick remover because I haven't encountered any ticks yet this early in the season, but mom put it on a key chain and put it in her backpack so she will have it when she needs it. We have found that even the most effective monthly preventive treatment won't stop 100% of ticks, so from time to time mom has had to remove them from me and herself. The quicker you remove them, the better, so we're glad to have a handy remover in mom's pack. I'll report back once we've used it.

Tick Twister on a key chain

Giving the Tick Twister a sniff

As you can see from the selection of products I received, 1800PetMeds.com is a great source for all of your dog's needs -- treats, supplements, meds, and various other grooming and health care products.

Helping Pets in Need
Did you know that 1800PetMeds also helps shelters in need? You can Suggest a Shelter in Need of donations.


Disclosure: In return for providing an honest review of their products, 1800PetMeds.com sent me a box of free products and gave me a $50.00 credit to use on their website. The products reviewed in this post were purchased with the $50.00 credit. I received no other compensation for this review.

Product Review: NutriSource Treats from Chewy.com

A couple of weeks ago, Chewy.com sent me some more treats to review. (I'm always willing to assist when it comes to trying treats.)

Can I get some help here?
You're forgetting I don't have opposable thumbs.

Like all packages from Chewy, the contents smelled yummy.

Hmmmmm - what do we have here?

Based upon my keen olfactory sense,
I have concluded that this bag contains treats.

Now how long must I wait before I can actually try them?

The Taste Test . . .

Did you say taste testing?  Of course I'm ready.

This isn't tasting.

Can't we skip this part?

My patience is wearing thin, woman.

Nom nom nom.

(All the photos of the actual tasting are blurry 

because I munched them so quickly when

momma said "okay".)

Moar please.

My Review of
NutriSource Soft & Tender Chicken Dog Treats

Taste, Size, Consistency

NutriSource Soft & Tender Chicken Dog Treats are extremely yummy! I kept asking momma for more. They're also small, bone-shaped, and soft, so they're easy to break into smaller pieces for training.

The Company

NutriSource has been making dog food and cat food and treats for over 40 years. They are a family-owned business, with one manufacturing facility located in Minnesota. NutriSource tests the ingredients used in their products and tests the finished products for safety and nutritional content.

NutriSource uses earth-friendly 100% compostable packaging.

Healthy Ingredients

NutriSource Treats are made with only natural ingredients, and contain no wheat, no soy and no artificial colors. Mom likes that the first ingredient is chicken, and not some filler or by-product. She also likes that the treats contain something called L-Carnitine (whatever that is) and other important nutrients.

Ingredients: Chicken, pea flour, barley flour, glycerin, barley, rice, gelatin, oat flour, pea fiber, salmon oil, phosphoric acid, dried brewers yeast, salt, natural smoke flavor, lecithin, refined konjac flour, minerals (zinc propionate, calcium propionate), natural flavor, L-carnitine, ascorbic acid (source of vitamin C), preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid.

My Rating

I give NutriSource Soft & Tender Chicken Dog Treats Four Paws Up, based upon the following:

• Extremely yummy
• Made in the U.S.A.
• Healthy ingredients
• Perfect to use as training treats
• Reasonably priced ($3.29 per 6 oz. bag at Chewy.com)

This will be one of my last treat reviews for a while, but I'll still be reviewing toys and other dog products, and I have a fun photo contest coming up.

Disclosure: In return for trying and sharing my honest opinion of this product, I received a bag of NutriSource Treats with a retail value of $3.29 free of charge. I received no other compensation for this review.

Awesome Products + Helping Dogs In Need: Bartley’s Review & SUPER Giveaway

A couple weeks ago, I received a HUGE box filled with treats and toys to review from a new company called Bartley's. Better yet, I get to give away a box of the same toys and treats that I received! (Many thanks to Bartley’s for sponsoring this very generous giveaway!) I also have a discount code for $5 off and free shipping!

I’ve enjoyed trying out the toys and treats, but I think the coolest thing about Bartley’s is that every time you purchase a Bartley's product, a portion of the proceeds go directly to a dog in need. Each item has a code on the back of the tag and you can enter that code on their website, and see exactly which dog you helped. You can even check back for updates and see when that dog finds a forever home. Bartley’s works with rescue groups and shelters, and commits to providing whatever care a dog needs, no matter how long it takes, until the dog is adopted. For more information about this, see How It Works.

The Bartley's Story - Bartley’s was inspired by a dog named Bartley who was rescued from an overcrowded municipal shelter by a rescue group, and then adopted by the owner of Bartley’s. Bartley’s was formed to help rescue groups like the one that rescued Bartley.

We entered the code on the tags that came on our Bartley’s products, and learned that purchase of these products helps a dog named Mic. Poor Mic has had a difficult life, and we’re so glad Bartley’s is stepping in to help him out until he finds a forever home.

THE REVIEW

I LOVE LOVE LOVE toys and treats, and I LOVE trying new ones. Bartley’s sent me a West Paw Designs Tizzi, a Jax and Bones Rope Wheel, a Simply Fido Organic Plush Bunny Toy, a package of Peanut Butter Flavor Buddy Biscuits, and a package of Blue Bits Chicken Treats. They even thought of my mom & dad, and sent them a set of Dog Is Good coasters.

Simply Fido Organic Plush Rabbit Toy

When mom opened the box from Bartley’s, I immediately tried to grab the bunny, but she insisted we take photos first. When she finally let me play with the bunny, I had the BEST time. The bunny is from the Simply Fido Organic Plush Toy Collection. It’s very cute and it squeaks, and it has held up well to all of my biting and thrashing. It’s my new favorite indoor toy. 

Simply Fido Organic Toys are made with certified organic cotton fabric, dyed using a low eco-impact die process, and are filled with recycled fiber. They’re certified non-toxic, which is very important for something that I pick up with my mouth.

West Paw Design Zogoflex Tizzi

Next we tried the West Paw Tizzi toy, which is shaped kind of like a ball with legs. It has a hole where you can put treats, and you can twist the legs to make it easier to throw or harder to get the treats out. It floats, so we took it to the river to try it out. 

We also played with it in the yard, with and without snow. And I’ve chewed on it -- A LOT. It bounces all funny, which makes it extra fun. This is my new favorite indoor-outdoor-all season toy. 

West Paw Zogoflex Tizzi toys are non-toxic, 100% recyclable, BPA- and Phthalate-free, and dishwasher safe. West Paw Design toys are made in the U.S.A., in Montana. 

All Zogoflex toys are guaranteed against dog damage. This is my first West Paw Design toy and we’re very impressed by its durability. It doesn’t even have any teeth marks. This was my favorite of all the wonderful things in the Bartley’s box. When I posted a photo of me playing with the Tizzi on Facebook, several of my friends commented about how much they love West Paw toys.

My friend Cally has a Tizzi and it’s one of her favorite toys. She calls it Mr. Wiggles. She especially likes when her momma twists its legs, she paws at them, and they pop open! Her momma says the only toys they have are West Paw toys because they are the only toys Cally can’t destroy. She has a West Paw Bone, Ball, Mr. Wiggles, and Blob (these are Cally’s names for the toys, not the West Paw names). Cally says 4 Paws Up for West Paw toys!!!

My friend Riley is also “brutal on toys” but has several West Paw toys that have lasted 3-4 years now.

Jax and Bones Good Karma Rope Wheel

The Jax and Bones Rope Wheel is designed for aggressive chewers (like me).  It’s made of chemical-free, naturally-dyed rope and tested in the U.S.A. for pup safety. The Rope Wheel is shaped like a ship’s wheel and designed to naturally fray, so it helps clean my teeth. I like to chew on it and retrieve it.

Buddy Biscuits Peanut Butter Flavor

Buddy Biscuits are soft and chewy, so they’re perfect for training. They’re shaped like little gingerbread men, and can be broken into smaller pieces. I got peanut butter flavor (I LOVE peanut butter). I think they’re yummilicious and will do all kinds of tricks for them. Buddy Biscuits are corn free, and made with no artificial flavors or colors. Made in the U.S.A.

Demonstrating impulse control
with Buddy Biscuits on each paw

Blue Buffalo Blue Bits Tasty Chicken Treats

Blue Bits treats are also excellent for training. They’re small, soft, and chewy, and shaped like little hearts. I think they’re super yummy and I come running whenever momma opens the bag. The first ingredient is real chicken and they contain no chicken or poultry by-products, no corn, wheat or soy, and no artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors. Made in the U.S.A.

There's something on my paw

Dog is Good Coasters

Dog is Good coasters are made in the U.S.A. from recycled materials and are decorated with quotes from wise doggies.

Overall Rating of Bartley’s: 

Four Paws Up, with a Waggy Tail. (I’d give it more if I had more paws!)

We LOVE Bartley’s! Not only do we love helping shelter and rescue dogs with our purchases, we also love that Bartley’s carries high-quality, eco-friendly, made in the U.S.A. toys and treats. (Not all toys are made in the U.S.A., but you can search for made in the U.S.A. toys on their website.) When we want to find a special gift for one of my doggie friends, Bartley’s will be the first place we look, because we think it makes an extra-thoughtful gift when part of the purchase price goes to help a dog in need. Toys and treats come attractively packaged in reusable burlap gift bags, each containing a tag with a code you can enter to see the dog supported by that purchase.

DISCOUNT CODE:

Check out www.BartleysForDogs.com. If you see something you like, use the code Garth2014 at checkout for FREE SHIPPING and $5 OFF any order over $20.

And now for the GIVEAWAY: 

You can enter to win a box of goodies from Bartley's just like the box they sent me. To enter, just follow the directions in the Rafflecopter below.

Giveaway begins today and will run through 12:15 a.m. E.S.T. March 30, 2014, and winner will be announced on March 30, 2014. Winner will be contacted by email and must respond and provide shipping address by April 6 or another winner will be chosen.

Sorry, giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.

Disclosure: In return for an honest review of their products and service, Bartley's sent me a box of products free of charge, and they are providing another box of products for the giveaway. We received no other compensation for this post. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.

a Rafflecopter giveaway