Petprojekt's Dogbon, Bonbal & Trybal Dog Toys

by Guest Blogger Cassandra Snow

The definition of Petprojekt?  “A project, activity or goal pursued as a personal favorite, rather than because it is generally accepted as necessary or important.”  Petprojekt’s variety of unique toys is incredibly impressive!  These are not your standard, typical, boring toys, nor are the names of the toys! 

For example, there’s Cozmo, Bakon, Yapcap, Tretbal, Funchux… just to name a few!  These are cool, fun and innovative toys!  In addition to the selection of toys, Petprojekt offers feeding and accessory products.  And, the “bark” section of the website speaks for itself!  There are over 30+ magazine editions that have featured Petrojekt!

Plain and simple, these toys were a blast for my girls.  The small Dogbon (along with the Bonbal and Trybal) was the perfect size for my Bostons.  And, instead of having a standard, neutral color, the Dogbon was pink and translucent!  It is made from 100% synthetic RUBR (“RUBR is a proprietary blend of durable and non-toxic synthetic materials that bounce and float”). sm $8 / lg $12

So, what about the Bonbal?  Loved this 2-in-1 toy!  It’s a bone or a ball.  Whichever your dog is in the mood for!  This toy is also made from 100% natural rubber and is non-toxic! sm $8 / lg $14

And, the last toy I had the fun to try out was the small, blue Trybal.  Like their other toys, it’s fun and stylish.  It’s not your boring, standard ball by any means.  My girl Luci had a great time playing fetch with it! sm $8 / lg $14

But, probably the number one thing I appreciate about these dog toys is their durability.  My girls tear most toys apart in a matter of no time.  I want something that’s going to last.  And these toys do just that.

You can purchase all three toys online at Otomik.com.

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Petite Cuisine Natural Gourmet Cat Food Appetizers

by Guest Blogger Jessica Rinehart

Sampson went bananas over the Salmon and White Fish, Light Tuna with Swordfish, and Light Tuna with Salmon and Egg Whites “appetizers” from Petite Cuisine.

The moment I cracked open the first can, he started screaming and was trying to climb up my leg to try some.  Unlike a lot of other wet cat foods, this brand is clearly made with real filleted fish and natural ingredients. 

Sampson is rarely satisfied after eating and continues asking for more, but after each of these treats he was visibly happy and content. The Petite Cuisine appetizers were a huge hit!

You can purchase the Petite Cuisine Grilled Tuna Cat Treats online at http://petitecuisine.com/Buy-Now.html.  An appetizer 3 pack contains 3-1.9 oz cans of Light Tuna and Swordfish, Salmon and Whitefish, Light Tuna, Salmon and Egg Whites and can be purchased for $4.24 at Petco.com.

Petite Cuisine | 2011 SuperZoo Exhibitor

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The Bear & The Rat | Natural frozen yogurt for dogs

When temperatures outside are soaring, how do your dogs find relief? Ours love to take a dip in the kiddie pool and snack on frozen doggy desserts.

We've sampled a variety of glacial goodies over the years and while the dogs have enjoyed some more than others, they were chomping at the bit to give The Bear & The Rat's frozen yogurt a taste test.

Since zero sugar is added to the yogurt (sugar doesn't freeze), you'll want to let it defrost in the carton for about 15 minutes "...for optimal scoop-ability." And don't try taking a short-cut by popping the pint in the microwave, the heat would kill the healthy probiotic cultures.

You can see from the photos that Shakespeare and Joey couldn't wait to be served. Who needs a bowl?! The mere aroma of the polar pleasure stimulated their sense of smell to the point of delirium. They lapped it up and came back begging for more.

Some of my favorite things about The Bear & The Rat Frozen Yogurt Treats are:

• All-natural ingredients
• Sugar-free
• Low-cal (about 100 calories per 1 cup serving)
• A scoop-full keeps the hounds occupied longer than a dry treat

Containing half the lactose of milk along with an enzyme that helps dogs digest the lactose, The Bear & The Rat Frozen Yogurt Treats are an appealing and wholesome alternative to ice cream dog treats. All paws-up for The Bear & Rat Frozen Yogurt for Dogs!

The Bear & The Rat Frozen Yogurt and its packaging are created by Boulder Ice Cream in their 100 percent wind-powered factory.

Currently The Bear & The Rat Treats are only available in Colorado. Check their Retail Locations page for a retailer near you!

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Dr Bill's Dog First Aid Kit

Like any dog owner, we've had our share of injuries along with the occasional illness. We try to be prepared for these situations but it seems we inevitably end-up scrambling for the hydrogen peroxide or some other item.

Upon inspection of Dr. Bill's Dog First Aid Kit, we were immediately impressed with the thought Dr. Bill invested in the selection of supplies he included. Rest your cursor over the photo (left) for the full list.

Some of our favorite items are:

Hard shell case with handle.

Quick Reference Manual - a place to list all of your pup's emergency information. I really like how it adheres to the inside of the the case's lid. I can't lose it!

Light-duty hair trimmer, complete with AA battery, oil and cleaning brush.

Muzzle - great safety precaution. A dog in pain can react aggressively as you try to inspect or dress his wound.

Penlight - great for locating wounds in-between pads, under fur, inside ears and mouth. The penlight can also be used to check the dilation and constriction of pupils. Much better than the bulky flashlight we're always searching for.

Digital Thermometer - the presence of a fever is important information to relay during a call to your vet.

Photos of each item in the kit, along with descriptions, dosages and instructions on how to: trim hair, place muzzle, take pulse, treat a wound and other procedures, can all be accessed online via computer, iPad or smartphone at www.drbillsdogfirstaid.com.

If you've yet to experience the trauma of dealing with a pet who's suffered a sudden injury or illness, please take it from someone who has...the minutes saved by having all of the first aid items included in Dr. Bill's Dog First Aid Kit within quick reach, could mean the difference between a treatable ailment and a tragedy.

Dr. Bill's Dog First Aid Kit is a quality, comprehensive first aid kit and one worthy of our 5 paw rating.

You can purchase Dr. Bill's Dog First Aid Kit online for $89.95. $2 from the sale will be donated to Best Friends Animal Society. Love it!

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DoggySnooze - The Ultimate Dog Bed

by Guest Blogger Lindsey Hockert

I was so excited about the DoggySnooze I couldn't wait for my new puppy, Kasha, to check it out.  Her Aunt Kaya never cared much for dog beds so I was curious to see how little Kasha would react. After a long day of introducing Kasha to everyone I finally brought her to her new home - guess where she immediately went...you got it, to her DoggySnooze!  I have had dog beds in the past that were just a waste of money and space, and not to mention - ugly!

What I love so much about the DoggySnooze is that you can make it completely custom to fit your decor.  The colors I chose match my couch exactly. When guests come over they can't believe that Kasha has her own matching, miniature couch!  Nothing but the best for my Kasha!  

The elevated design not only avoids dirt and moisture from the ground, but it also makes Kasha feel like she has her own special place - she doesn't have to find any old spot on the ground to curl up.  She has even started putting her toys on her DoggySnooze, this is definitely her comfort zone!

The beds come with short legs, long legs or wheels and are elevated, orthopedic and chew-proof. Great news for households with puppies! The DoggySnooze beds offer a totally different twist on the dog bed.

You start by ordering one of the four styles:

snoozeLounge: This is the one I chose, it has a back and side bolster which I liked because I wanted Kasha to be comfortable but I did not want 3 bolster bars because she will grow to be a big dog, this allows her to grow into the bed.

snoozePad: A simple, elevated design with no bolster bars. A good choice for dogs who like open spaces.

 

 snoozeSleeper: This design only has the back bolster bar, perfect for a larger dog that wants to lean against something while sleeping but also stretch out.

 

snoozeSofa: This is the design that has all three bolster bars, looks really comfortable!

 

After selecting the design that best fits your pooch, you can choose from small (27x19), medium (36x24) or large (45x29) and then you get to choose the colors! You can make your pooch's bed completely custom to fit your decor with several different color choices for bed, bolster, and frame.  

I highly recommend the DoggySnooze, I haven't been a big fan of dog beds in the past, but this one is totally different.  I love it!  

To find a DoggySnooze retailer in your area, visit their Where To Buy page and enter your zip code or simply order your custom bed directly from the DoggySnooze website.

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Soggy Doggy Doormat and Super Shammy

by GUEST BLOGGER JOCELYN

       

As I have mentioned several times before my dogs LOVE to play in the mud.  I am not sure why it attracts them, my best guess is, they are like two little kids who just HAVE to stomp in the puddle.  In Colorado we recently had a few feet of snow.  We are now in the melt down stage which, as you can imagine, makes for a muddy backyard.  I was lining the floor with towels and leading my dogs to their crates where they stayed until they dried off.  I found this to be a pain and not to mention I was doing a lot of extra laundry.  

The Soggy Doggy Doormat helps tremendously with this issue.  The super-absorbent, fast drying microfiber mat absorbs dirt and water quickly leaving my dogs paws (and my carpet) dry and dirt free.  I made the mistake of leaving this mat laying on the floor and my dogs quickly took a fond liking to it and often use it as a bed. 

I like to put the Soggy Doggy Doormat on the floor when I give my dog a bath.  That way when she is clean she can stand on this mat while I dry her off and not soak my regular bathmat.

This brings us to another great product, the Soggy Doggy Super Shammy.  An awesome, super soft microfiber chenille "towel" that quickly absorbs 7 times its weight in water.  My favorite feature of this shammy is that it has pockets for your hands to slide into.  This allows for more control over the towel and allows you to effortlessly wipe your dogs ears, eyes, under their legs.  I was a little bit apprehensive about giving my dogs a bath considering it has been so cold here.  I hate letting them out to go to to the bathroom when they are wet, so I waited until a decently nice day.  I am now asking myself why I waited so long!?!  My dogs were virtually dry after using the Super Shammy, for this reason alone this product gets an A+! I also love the fact that I can toss both the Soggy Doggy Super Shammy and the Soggy Doggy Doormat in the washing machine!!

The Super Shammy is available online for around $20 while the Soggy Doggy Doormat comes is 2 sizes and is available for either $40 or $85.

Secret Shopper Bonus: Use code SECRET15 for a 15% discount when you order of the Soggy Doggy website!

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Beneful Baked Delights Hugs Dog Snacks

There's a new oven-baked Beneful dog treat on the block! Actually there are four: Hugs, Stars, Quacks and Snackers. The hounds were lucky enough to get to sample the new Hugs treats - beef and cheese flavored, crispy dog snacks with soft savory centers.

Shakespeare was our first tester, needless to say he was chomping at the bit to begin his assignment. I really like the fact that the treats are substantial enough that even our Great Dane can't just inhale them in a nano-second.

Shake gently took the Hug from my hand and carried it to a spot where he could spread out, relax and savor the flavor. Shake gives Hugs a 5 muddy paws-up rating and goes nuts at the mere sight of the Baked Delights box.

Little Kasha is the newest addition to our review panel. She is an 8 week old Samoyed puppy who loves to play and is extremely motivated by food.

While Hugs are more of a meal than a snack for Kasha, we just couldn't leave her out of the action.

Kasha was so excited, she bumped the box right out of my hand, onto the floor and proceeded to shove her snout in the package to score her own tasty treat. Why wait for a human when you can do it yourself?! She was hooked! Kasha gives a 5 snowy-white paws-up rating to Baked Delights!

You can purchase an 11 oz. box of Baked Delights Hugs (beef & cheese), Quacks (cheese), Stars (bacon & cheese) and Snackers (peanut butter & cheese) on the Petsmart website for $4.50.

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Planet Dog Eats | 100% natural dog treats

by Guest Blogger Cassandra Snow

The first thing I noticed when visiting Planet Dog’s website was their Portland Development Corporation Award for 2011 Small Business of the Year.  What caught my eye even more than this award was Planet Dog’s Foundation - 2% of every purchase “helps fund the training, placement and support of service dogs helping people in need.”  It even gives you the option to see that 2% in action. 

Another thing I appreciated about their site was its organization.  For many people, buying items that are eco-friendly or made in the U.S.A. is very important, and Planet Dog makes this shopping option very convenient.

The girls couldn't get enough of the Eats treats. And I have to admit, chicken and pumpkin pot pie treats even sounded good to me!  And, these bone shaped treats were the perfect size for them (they are 2cm x 4.5 cm x .5cm). 

More than anything, I use treats to reward my girls and, when broken in half, Eats are the perfect size for training and teaching them new tricks. Without prompting, they performed every trick they knew over and over again, just hoping to garner another treat. What great munchable motivators!

These treats are made by Planet Dog’s new baking partner, Polka Dog Bakery.  They are 100% natural, wheat, corn and soy free, and no surprise, they help to support our dogs’ digestion!  Some of the best ingredients include “barley flour, rye flour, chicken, pumpkin, canola oil, ginger.”

Planet Dog Eats come in two flavors: Chicken & Pumpkin Pot Pie. You can purchase a 12oz package for $9.95 at PlanetDog.com.

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Petprojekt's Bonbal | A bone & a ball in one toy

by Guest Blogger Jessica Rinehart

When we received this toy to review I cracked up at the packaging’s catchphrase:  “Is it a bone? Is it a ball? It's BOTH!” It certainly holds true, the Bonbal confused the heck out of Khloee and Zeke.  It was very humorous to watch them try to break into the Bonbal while it was in ball form as they had a hard time keeping hold it.

The Bonbal even tricked Zeke who considers himself the master of treat hiding toys. It took him a good ten minutes to crack the ball to get into the treats, and even then, it took some time for him to get them all out. The Bonbal is surprisingly tough too, Khloee our St. Bernard puppy has failed to ruin it after chewing on it for over a month now. They both just love it.

Features we like: 

• Both a bone and a ball
• Easy to maneuver between the 2 shapes 
• Made from 100% Natural Rubber
• Durable
• Bouncy
• Non-Toxic
• Comes in 3 colors and 2 different sizes

You can purchase a Bonbal for your dogs at PetProjekt’s website for just $14. http://www.otomik.com/toys/bonbal.html

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The Good Dog Collar by The Life of Ryley

by Guest Blogger Lori Smith

This collar has as much personality as my dog! I received the Good Dog Collar for my dog Roxie, because she’s just that. 

When I first received the Good Dog Collar, I was surprised at its quality.  The cross-stitch lettering on the durable canvas material was impressive, but I was surprised too when I saw that the collar includes a metal buckle closure.

Roxie is all muscle weighing in at 70 pounds.  I’ve found with collars that compromise with inexpensive closures, that they just don’t  hold up when tugged on and worn over time. 

I feel confident that I will not have an issue with this collar.  On top of it’s quality and adorable “Good Dog” message, it comes with two charms and is perfect for both male and female dogs.  

I especially liked:

Adjustable
Metal belt closure
Charms give this collar personality!

 What I would improve:

Loved the Good Dog Collar; wouldn’t change a thing!

 Would I recommend to other pet owners:

Yes!  I would also recommend this as a gift for the dog-lover in your life.

The Life of Ryley Good Dog Collar can be purchased online at www.thelifeofryley.com for $36.00.

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