Friday, January 31, 2014

Chinese Year of the Horse at For Love of a Dog Jewelry

Happy New Year of the Horse!

The Chinese year of the Wood Horse begins Jan 31, 2014 and will end February 18, 2015.

The Horse is one of the 12 year cycle of animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac related to the Chinese calendar.

Years of the Horse include:
1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026  According to Chinese tradition, people born in the year of the horse are energetic, independent, and impatient. They are also avid travelers, great communicators, clever, and kind to others.

According to Susan Levitt, professional tarot card reader, astrologer and feng shui consultant:
The Wood Horse year is a time of fast victories, unexpected adventure, and surprising romance. It is an excellent year for travel, and the more far away and off the beaten path the better. Energy is high and production is rewarded. Decisive action, not procrastination, brings victory. But you have to act fast in a Horse year. If you are not 100% secure about a decision, then don’t do it. Events move so quickly in a Horse year that you don’t want to gallop off in the wrong direction.

At For Love of a Dog Jewelry we celebrate the horse very day, plus today is also Inspire Your Heart with Art Day, so I can't resist sharing some of my handmade horse jewelry.

Turquoise and Tigerseye Horse Necklace at For Love of a Dog Jewelry

Carved Carnelian Horse Necklace at For Love of a Dog Jewelry

 
Amethyst and Freshwater Pearl Lampwork Horse Necklace at For Love of a Dog

 
Chunky Carved Jasper Horse Necklace at For Love of a Dog Jewelry


The horse symbolizes power, grace, beauty, nobility, strength and freedom.  Celebrate the Year of the Horse with a one of a kind jewelry creation from For Love of a Dog.

Shopping for something special for Valentine's Day?  If your special someone is a pet lover, fetch For Love of a Dog now and shop with a 10% discount off your total order with this code:  FLDNEW   Plus, you'll receive my fast free shipping (to US addresses) and barking good gift packaging!

Happy New Year and Happy Inspire your Heart with Art Day!

Thursday, January 30, 2014

And the Winner of the Paw Print Pet Lover Bracelet #Giveaway Is...

Congratulations to
Dolly the Doxie!

Dolly the Doxie was selected at random by Rafflecopter as the winner of this paw print pet lover lampwork bracelet.  I've already sent Dolly the Doxie an email requesting a response within 24 hours with her wrist measurement and shipping information (or an alternate winner will be chosen.)

Thanks so much to everyone who participated.  I hope you'll all enter my February giveaway.  I promise it will be a good one!
 
You know I wasn't even going to include a question to answer in this Rafflecopter.  I'm so glad I did!  I'll be doing another giveaway in February and this definitely gave me some direction in terms of what to offer next.

Plus, I've had such fun reading your comments that I thought I'd do some sharing.  I have a hard time picking my favorite colors, since I simply really love COLOR.  The Dog Daddy would probably tell you my faves are:  yellow, raspberry pink, and turquoise.

Favorite color(s):
  • Black - 13
  • Purple  -  9
  • Green  -  7
  • Red   -  5
  • White  - 5
  • Blue  -  5
  • Turquoise  -  4
  • Lime Green  -  2
  • Coral, Mustard Yellow, Peach, Orange, Pink and Brown all came in at 1 each.

Favorite jewelry piece to wear:  Necklaces and bracelets were tied for "first place."  Earrings, rings, watches and ankle bracelets rounded out the replies.

Thanks to everyone who referenced my For Love of a Dog jewelry, especially:
  • Kristi who said her favorite piece of jewelry is my very special custom bracelet with all my dogs names on it.
  • Theresa who has a blue bracelet from For Love of a Dog that she loves and wears a lot.
  • Caren who said anything by ME is her fave.
 Several mentioned some awesome sounding pet jewelry - some in remembrance of a special pet, some urging adoption.  

Some mentioned very personally significant jewelry pieces as their favorites.
Emeraldmaz told about her honeymoon when she and her groom each picked an oyster.  Her husband's had a black pearl; hers a white pearl and they had a necklace created from the pearls.  How romantic is that?!

My own favorite piece of jewelry has sentimental attachment for me, too.  It's my engagement ring - an antique aquamarine set in Black Hills gold.

Whatever your favorites might be, I do hope you'll join me in our next giveaway - coming soon!   In the meantime, fetch For Love of a Dog Jewelry for some barking good gifts for special dog lovers - and that includes you!

Talking Dogs is the official blog of For Love of a Dog Jewelry.

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Teamwork | Wordless Wednesday


Rosie and Rudy got a new flippy flier for Christmas.  On a rare balmy day (for this winter) they gave it a try.
The dummy taking photos failed to get Rudy's amazing flying catch.  It was awesome!  Rosie is in hot pursuit.
Rosie insists on helping Rudy bring it in for another throw.
Jeffie is not at all impressed.
Teamwook!

Talking Dogs is the official blog of For Love of a Dog Jewelry.

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Science Diet Fruity Snacks for Dogs from @Chewy.com | Tasty Tuesday

 We love Chewy.com, so when they asked if we'd like to try some new dog treats, we woofed in the affirmative.   With their usual speedy service, Chewy.com had a package of Hill's Science Diet Fruity Snacks in our paws in just two days.

Available in several varieties, we received the Apples and Oatmeal dog treats.  

This attractive ziplock package contains quit a quantity of small, crunchy dog cookies.  They really do look like little (human) cookies and have a good wholesome smell.



Rosie wonders how to open this bag of dog treats.

According to Chewy.com, Hill's Science Diet Fruity Snacks with Apples and Oatmeal dog treats are delicious, all-natural treats made from only the best ingredients. Naturally preserved, with no corn, artificial colors or flavors. Made with apples, natural sources of vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients.

Rudy thinks these smell very good!  (And no, he did not take any.)

Ingredients:  Ground Wheat, Oat Flour, Dried Apples, Oatmeal, Chicken Meal, Flaxseed, Beet Pulp, Molasses, Calcium Carbonate, Salt, Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid).

Nutrient Content:
Protein  17.%
Fat  7.2 %  
Carbohydrate (NFE)  68.5%
Crude Fiber  2.1%

27 kcat per treat (8 grams/treat) 

An 8.8 oz bag of Fruity Snacks retails for $4.99 at Chewy.com, but is currently on sale for $4.79.

Jeffie, Rudy and Rosie really love these treats.  After the first sniff, even picky Jeffie was eager for more.
  
After one taste, Jeffie was eager for more of these tasty, crunchy treats.

I like these treats because they're small enough to be great training treats.  They're crunchy and good for my dogs' teeth and gums.  They're made in the US with natural ingredients, too.

Jeffie and Rudy waiting their turn for another.  They love doing dog treatreviews!

I also like the story behind Hill's pet food:


The Hill's® pet food lines began in 1939. Dr. Mark L. Morris Sr. believed certain health conditions in pets could be managed through carefully formulated nutrition. His ideas were visionary in veterinary medicine, and he soon had the chance to prove his theory.
A young blind man named Morris Frank asked Dr. Morris if anything could be done to help his guide dog, Buddy, who was having kidney health issues. The result of Dr. Morris' efforts was the nutritional formulation that became the first product in the Hill's Prescription Diet line of therapeutic pet foods, and the world's first pet food designed for kidney health. Soon after, Hill's Pet Nutrition was founded and the field of clinical nutrition sprang to life. That first therapeutic dog food evolved into Hill's® Prescription Diet® k/d®, which is still sold today.

We frequently order from Chewy.com.   I love their selection of over 300 brands of pet food, pet treats, pet toys and other pet supplies.  In fact, I got a little carried away with their holiday sale on dog toys, but that's another blog post!  Though Chewy.com is headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, they have warehouses located throughout the US, so usually orders are delivered in just a day or two.  Plus, I love Chewy.com's Shelter and Rescue Network.


We're pleased to give Hill's Science Diet Fruity Snacks and Chewy.com our highest recommendation!


* We received one package of Science Diet Fruity Snacks dog treats from Chewy.com in exchange for our honest review of the product and the Chewy.com service.  We received no other compensation - financial or otherwise.

Talking Dogs is the official blog of For Love of a Dog Jewelry.  


We're joining the Tasty Tuesday blog hop today.  This is a blog hop that celebrates good food, sponsored by Sugar the Golden Retriever and Kols Notes.  

Sunday, January 26, 2014

Adopt Frisco a Senior American Eskimo Dog in Missouri


This handsome fellow is Frisco.  He's a senior dog at about 9 years old.  An American Eskimo mix, check out that fabulous black and white fur coat he's sporting.

Shelter staff and volunteers report that Frisco is very friendly and loves everyone.  Frisco is a gentle, mellow, easy going guy with a tail that hardly stops wagging.

Check out Frisco's pet adoption video below and then give the Humane Society of Missouri's animal shelter in Maryland Heights a call at 314-951-1588.



Since 1870, the Humane Society of Missouri has been dedicated to second chances.  They provide a safe and caring haven to animals - large and small - that have been abused, neglected or abandoned.  Their mission is to end the cycle of abuse and overpopulation, assist in creating lasting relations hips between people and animals, offer world-class veterinary care, plus offer pet obedience and behavior programs.  HSMO operates three animal shelters in the St Louis, Missouri, area, plus Longmeadow Rescue Ranch in Union, Missouri, for abused and neglected horses, cows, goats, chickens and other farm animals. 

We're participating in the Tuesday's Tails blog hop hosted by Dogs N Pawz.  This is the blog hop that features shelter pets.  Find a pet at your local animal shelter or rescue and join us!  Please help spread the word about these beautiful animals via social media and let's find them forever homes!

Talking Dogs is the official blog of For Love of a Dog Jewelry.

Saturday, January 25, 2014

Pick Up After Your Dog by GloZell Green | Dog Song Saturday

It's Saturday, so time for a dog song at Talking Dogs. We've got a timely one for you today.

You're aware of the Scoop That Poop campaign, right?  

Sponsored by our friend, Sugar the Golden Retriever, and Dogster, it aims to educate dog owners to pick up after their dogs.



Pick Up After Your Dog by GloZell Green is an original song urging you to scoop that poop!  GloZell is a comedienne and YouTube personality based in Hollywood.  Though she's best know for her stand-up comedy, her YouTube channel was ranked the 25th most viewed comedy channel on YouTube and has 2.3 million subscribers.  Pick Up After Your Dog is her first single and is available on iTunes.

Grab a dog to cuddle.  Sit.  Stay.  Relax and enjoy Pick Up After Your Dog by GloZell Green.   Then fetch some more genuine dog song music videos at Talking Dogs.  You'll be surprised at how many we've collected over the past few years.

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Point That Camera Somewhere Else | Wordless Wednesday


Rosie says:   Point that camera somewhere else.


 I see the treat, Mama, but I still don't want to look at the camera.

Okay, okay...  I really want that dog treat.  
But I am not gonna act happy about it!

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Easy Cranberry Dog Biscuit Recipe | Tasty Tuesday

 
Jeffie, Rudy and Rosie received a special Christmas gift this year from their friend Kristi and her pack of 8 special dogs:  a goodie bag filled with several different kind of dog treats they'd baked themselves.   

Of course, I had to get the recipes.  

I'm sharing just one of the delicious (so say my pack) recipes today in honor of one of Kristi's dogs, Belvedere, Gotcha Day.  Belvie was pulled for rescue from the Pulaski County Humane Society in Dublin, VA, on January 21, 2012.  He was supposed to be just a two week foster, but he decided he was home.  Good decision, Belvie!
Belvedere the Coonhound - Happy Gotcha Day!
.

Easy Cranberry Dog Biscuits

2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
2 beaten eggs
1 cups chopped fresh cranberries
1/2 cup applesauce

Using a food processor with the dough blade, mix the eggs, applesauce and cranberries.  Add the flour.

Knead the dough and roll out to about 1/4" thickness and cut into shapes.  

Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes.  If you want a harder treat, turn off the oven and leave the cookies in to dry overnight or for a few hours.

Note: the stores were already out of cranberries, so we re-hydrated some dried cranberries. In fact, I'm planning to try this with some dried cherries I have on hand.  Blueberries would be good, too.


Talking Dogs is the official blog of For Love of a Dog Jewelry.  

We're joining the Tasty Tuesday blog hop today.  This is a blog hop that celebrates good food, sponsored by Sugar the Golden Retriever and Kols Notes.  

Monday, January 20, 2014

Paw Print Pet Lover Bracelet #Giveaway | Monday Mischief


I thought I'd create a little mischief this Monday by having a giveaway of my handmade For Love of a Dog Jewelry.

For Love of a Dog fans on Facebook agreed with me that it was time for a giveaway and they overwhelmingly voted for that item to be a bracelet.

So, to celebrate Walk Your Dog Month, I chose this Paw Print dog lover bracelet.  Though in my own mind, I'm connecting the paw prints to walking your dog, this bracelet is purrfect for all you cat ladies, too!

Black and white is such a classic combination and goes with everything.  For this bracelet I combined lots of handmade lampwork beads.  Adorable paw print beads are surrounded by white based beads with bumpy raised black dots.
.
Check out the barking good paw print on heart silver lobster claw clasp.  And there just had to be a sweet puffy red lampwork heart dangle, right?

There will be one (1) winner and this bracelet will be custom sized to fit. 

EDIT:  Originally this giveaway was limited to those who have US shipping addresses due to USPS fee increases.  Those of you who live outside the US, if you are willing to pay the shipping charges ($10 for First Class International Mail), please DO enter.

If you'd like to win this bracelet made with my own hands, just follow the directions in the rafflecopter below.   And when you get finished with that... I suggest you walk your dog or you could always fetch more of my handmade paw themed jewelry!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Talking Dogs is the official blog of For Love of a Dog Jewelry.

Thank you to Snoopy’s Dog Blog, Alfie’s Blog, and My Brown Newfies for hosting Monday Mischief!   

We're also joining the Fido's Freebie Friday blog hop hosted by Dog Tipper, All Things Dog Blog, Doggies and Stuff and To Dog With Love. If you have a giveaway on your blog, join us!

Sunday, January 19, 2014

Adopt Gouda a Pitbull Mix Dog @StrayRescue

This beautiful girl is Gouda.  She's about four years old and a Pitbull mix dog.  Gouda is a medium size dog at 52 pounds and I'm betting she'd love to spend some time as a lap dog.

Gouda is currently calling Stray Rescue St Louis's Pine Street animal shelter home.  Here's what shelter staff and volunteers have to say about her:


You would never be able to tell from Gouda's fun loving, happy go lucky personality that she had a rough start to her life.  This girls is very loyal, smart, and very eager to learn.

Gouda loves her walks, playtime in the yard, and she is like a puppy when it comes to toys.

Gouda loves all the attention at the shelter, but she would love to take that next step and find her forever family.

Take a look at her adoption video, then give Stray Rescue a call at 314-771-6121



Founded by Randy Grim, Stray Rescue of St Louis sole purpose is to rescue stray animals in need of medical attention, restore them to health, and place them in loving adoptive homes.  Virtually all of the pets they save have been abused and neglected.  Stray Rescue is a no-kill organization that believes rescued animals often make the best pets.  Given a second lease on life and in return for a little affection and attention, these remarkable animals reward their new owners with a love and loyalty unmatched anywhere.

On Tuesday we'll be participating in the Tuesday's Tails blog hop hosted by Dogs N Pawz.  This is the blog hop that features shelter pets.  Find a pet at your local animal shelter or rescue and join us!  Please help spread the word about these beautiful animals via social media and let's find them forever homes!

Talking Dogs is the official blog of For Love of a Dog Jewelry

Saturday, January 18, 2014

A Dog's Life by Elvis Presley | Dog Song Saturday

It's Saturday, so time for a dog song at Talking Dogs.  Today we have some vintage Elvis Presley, thanks to Retro Rover's sleuthing!   Elvis is performing the song A Dog's Life here in film footage from  his movie Paradise, Hawaiian Style made in 1966.

Even if, like me, you're not a big Elvis Presley fan, I think you'll enjoy this charming slice of video.

Grab a dog to cuddle.  Sit. Stay.  Relax and enjoy A Dog's Life sung by Elvis Presley.

Fetch some genuine dog song music videos at Talking Dogs.  You'll be surprised at how many we've collected over the past few years.

 

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Factory Farming | Blog the Change


I've lived beyond the sidewalks for many years now and as one friend has said:  this is your life's blessing -to be close to the animals.

It will come as no surprise to you if you've read my posts about horse slaughter and puppy mills, that I believe that all animals should be treated with compassion and protected from suffering. 

Many was the day I dragged a lawn chair out to just sit in quiet meditation with my cattle herd.  There's a zen quality to bovine that is magical.  While some of my "cowgirls" would simply continue to browse the grass, some would come and lay beside me.  Quietly chewing their cud and gazing off in the distance.  Perhaps they were looking inward, like me. 
 
Some of my cowgirls.

Unfortunately, billions of farm animals lack even access to pasture, let alone the most basic welfare protections under the law.

According the ASPCA, more than 99% of farm animals in the US are raised in factory farms - large, industrial operations that raise large numbers of animals for food.  There the focus is on profit and efficiency, not animal welfare.

Where did that milk come from that you poured over your cereal this morning?  The hamburger you ate last night?  How about that pork chop?  Or the eggs in your recent omelet?

Probably from animals being raised in extreme confinement, not in those gorgeous pastures shown in commercials and print ads.  Those animals have been bred to grown unnaturally fast and large to maximize profit.

Cows belong in fields.  Watch the dairy cows below.  They've just been released into fresh spring pasture.  They remind me of my own "cowgirls."  When we moved them from one pasture to another they danced with joy and glee.



Living in confinement, dairy cows ares often injected with BGH (bovine growth hormone) which can increase the incidence of mastitis and lameness. Tails are often docked.  A dairy cow is considered "used up" at 5 years of age on average in the United States and slaughtered for human consumption.  In a natural setting, cows can live more than 20 years.

Beef cattle usually begin their lives on pasture with their mothers.  However, they're soon separated for weaning and by the time they're a year old they on their way to a feedlot.  There they're fattened on an unnatural diet unto they reach optimal market weight and sent to slaughter.

Sows (female pigs of breeding age) most often live a life confined to a gestation crate which is only slightly larger than their own body.  Their lives are a cycle of pregnancy, birth, nursing and then, finally, slaughter.

Each year in the United States, over 200 million male chicks are killed upon hatching because they will never lay eggs.  The majority of hens (female chickens) are debeaked and spend their lives in battery cages which usually hold 5-10 chickens with room enough to barely turn around if they're lucky.  After a year or two, when egg production declines, those chickens are sent to slaughter.  

In addition to the egg industry, chickens raised for meat usually spend their lives confined to warehouse packed with as many as 20,000 chickens.  Again, with individual space enough to turn around if they're lucky.  They're often slaughtered at only 42 days old.

What you can do:
  • Meatless Monday - Try going meatless one day a week.
  • Eat at restaurants that support the local sustainable food system.  Visit the Eat Well Guide to find them near you. 
  • Shop at your local farmer's market.
  • Check out purchasing a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) share.  One good resource is Local Harvest.
  • Explore independent grocery stores and co-ops looking for locally produced meats, eggs and dairy products from traditional farmers.
  • Look for local farmers online.  More and more smaller farms sell directly to consumers via a website.
  • Become a label reader.  Look for "pasture access."  "Grass fed" does not necessarily mean the animals were ever on pasture.  "Organic" does not mean that the animals didn't spend their lives in confinement on a dry lot/feedlot.
  • Follow and take action on legislation related to factory farming with the Humane Society of the United States, the ASPCA, or other animal welfare organization.
Frankly, the absence of photographs and lots of details is intentional in this blog post.  However, I did find this video produced by Compassion in World Farming that is relatively "safe" to watch.  Though they're talking about Europe, this rings true of factory farming in the United States, too.




January 15th is Blog the Change Day - a day when pet bloggers and pet lovers come together to blog, read, share and Be the Change for Animals.  Bloggers are encouraged to write about pet fire safety in July or about a cause near and dear to their heart. Readers are encouraged to read and share their favorite posts.  Join Team BtC on January 15th to Blog the Change for animals.

More Snow Dogs | Wordless Wednesday

 Such crazy weather!  Snow, then arctic temps with more snow!
Rosie, Jeffie and Rudy loved it all.

The Talking Dogs version of tag was very popular.


Why bite snow when you can bite one another?!


 I think, maybe, Jeffie is "it."

 Of course, just jogging around is fun, too.


 Love Rudy's new EzyDog elements jacket!


Rosie's favorite snow activity?  
Sticking her face into the snow as deep as she can.


Oblivious to that white stuff on her face.

My snow princess, Rosie


Talking Dogs is the official blog of For Love of a Dog Jewelry.