Saturday, March 22, 2014

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.

Sunday, March 9, 2014

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

Monday, March 3, 2014

The Omega 3 Experiment and 1800PetMeds.com Helping Shelters in Need

Since I started taking Omega 3 about 7 weeks ago, I've noticed some changes . . .

my swimming ability has improved,




I'm beginning to grow scales and fins,





& I find myself longing to be among my fellow fishies . . . 



JUST KIDDING!

Okay, I'll be serious.  I'm taking 1800PetMeds.com Super Pure Omega 3 Capsules for my itchy skin/skin allergies, to see if it helps. Seven weeks into the experiment (which isn't long enough to get the full effect but probably long enough to notice improvement), we think it does. I'm scratching less (yay!), and my fur feels super soft. After I posted Relief from Itchiness?, I received lots of comments from friends who already take Omega 3, and they all say it helps their skin and fur.




We're planning to continue the Omega 3 experiment. Momma has already ordered more from 1800PetMeds.com. If you'd like to learn more about the benefits of Omega 3 -- or any other pet health issue -- check out 1800PetMeds.com's educational articles in their Pet Health Center.

Helping Shelters in Need

Speaking of 1800PetMeds.com, did you know that they donate supplies to needy animal shelters? If you know of a shelter in need, go to Suggest A Shelter in Need and complete the form for consideration. 

We ❤ businesses like 1800PetMeds.com that give back to the community!


Disclosure: 1800PetMeds.com sent me a box full of free products in return for us trying out some of their products and spreading the word about all their site has to offer. We have also received a credit to purchase additional products from 1800PetMeds.com to try out and review, and we'll be reviewing more products from 1800PetMeds.com soon. We received no other compensation for this post. All opinions expressed are our own.

Taking Omega 3 doesn't really turn you into a fish.