Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Natural Balance Belly Bites Dog Treats from Chewy.com | Product Review



I think Jeffie would agree that he's a very lucky birthday boy.  We managed to include some of his favorite things during his 8th birthday celebration, especially taste testing of new dog TREATS! 

We've taste tested Natural Balance dog products before, including their Holiday Gift Pack and Jerky Bars, so we were happy when Chewy.com offered us an opportunity to give their Belly Bites a try and we included our taste testing in Jeffie's birthday party.


Natural Balance Belly Bites are semi-soft dog treats the newest in their line.  Key benefits according to Chewy:
  • Grain-free formula perfect for dogs with sensitivities
  • Semi-most texture dogs love
  • Made with high-quality ingredients
  • Made in the USA
Natural Balance Belly Bites come in several flavors: Chicken and Legume, Duck and Legume, Salmon and Legume.


We received Natural Balance Belly Bites Chicken and Legume Formula Grain-Free Dog Treats.

Ingredients: Chicken, Peas, Vegetable Glycerin, Garbanzo Beans, Cane Molasses, Gelatin, Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), Natural Flavor, Dried Cultured Skim Milk

Guaranteed Analysis
Crude Protein  14.0% minimum
Crude Fat  7.0% minimum
Crude Fiber  5.0% maximum
Moisture  25.0% maximum
Calories  11 kcal/treat

Price
A 6 oz bag of Natural Balance Belly Bites are regularly $7.99 at Chewy.com, but right now they're on sale for $6.99.



There are lots of reasons to like Natural Balance Pet Foods.  
  • Safety testing is important to Natural Balance and they even offer a quick and easy way to see the actual laboratory results of their products.  You just need to know the type of food and the product date code.
  • Natural Balance features several different formulas in their pet food and treats, so you're bound to find one good for your pet.
  • Made in the US 
  • Currently Natural Balance is partnering with the Petco Foundation to raise one million dollars for the Military Working Dogs Monument.  Funds are being raised through direct donation, as well as the sale of Natural Balance Limited Edition Jerky Bark treats.


We also think there are lots of reasons to love Chewy.com
  • Fast shipping to our front door (free if our order is over $49)
  • Over 200 brands to choose from in pet food, treats, and supplies
  • Great prices and frequent sales
  • Easy to navigate web site and great customer service
  • Chewy.com gives back via their Shelter and Rescue Network.


Final verdict:  Lip smacking good!

* We received one package of Natural Balance Belly Bites dog treat from Chewy.com in exchange for our honest review of the product and service.  We received no other compensation - financial or otherwise.

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.  

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



Sunday, April 27, 2014

Adopt Dickens a Treeing Walker Coonhound in Missouri | Tuesdays Tails


This handsome young fellow is Dickens.  He's a 2 year old tricolor Treeing Walker Coonhound.

Staff and Volunteers at the Humane Society of Missouri St Louis City animal shelter report that Dickens loves people.  He's still full of lots of puppy energy.  Dickens loves being outside to explore and take in all the smells.  He walks nicely on a leash and already knows how to sit.

According to Dogster:
Treeing Walker Coonhounds are high-energy, hardworking canines with an excellent sense of smell and keen intelligence.  Somehow, in spite of powerful hunting instincts, they manage to be relatively gentle and relaxed in the home.  Treeing Walker Coonhounds are very patient and playful with children and they can be quite friendly with new people. 

Take a look at Dicken's adoption video and then give HSMO a call at 314-951-1562.  Dicken's animal ID number is A570170.



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 are participating in the Tuesday's Tails blog hop hosted by Dogs N Pawz and Talking Dogs.  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, April 26, 2014

Blues for a Basset by Nancy Simmonds | Dog Song Saturday

It's Saturday, so time for a dog song at Talking Dogs.  Kick off your weekend with a barking good new dog song from Nancy Simmonds.  I've featured Nancy Simmonds several times because I love all her original dog breed songs.

Blues for a Basset is accompanied by a video of Simmonds' own Basset Hound dog, Annie, along with a Greyhound friend, Rachel.  You can find Blues for a Basset and more dog songs by Nancy Simmonds on iTunes and AmazonMP3.

Grab a dog!  Sit.  Stay.  Relax and enjoy the Guilty Dogs Song.

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.  And have a barking good weekend!

Friday, April 25, 2014

New Woof Dog Bone Pendants Just in Time for Mothers Day


Looking for a little something for a special Mother's Day gift for a dog lover?  How about one of my new pendants?

Each includes a hand crafted porcelain dog bone emblazoned with WOOF.  I hand wire wrapped them to dangle from an artisan lampwork bead in various color schemes.

The Woof Dog Bone Pendant shown at top includes a sweet turquoise flower lampwork bead with silver accents.  Shown below is one with a scrolling vine design in black, green, and caramel brown.


Looking for more of a pop of color?  Fetch this pendant with a fabulous floral design in hot raspberry pink, lavender, honey yellow on a swirling tan and caramel base.

Polka dots are always good, like in this Woof Dog Bone Pendant.


Check out the rest of the new pendants by fetching New Items at For Love of a Dog.  You'll even find suggested companion jewelry pieces to coordinate with these pendants.

Just remember that most of my jewelry is one of a kind, so when it sells, it is gone.  The up side to that is that you'll never see anyone else wearing the exact same piece of For Love of a Dog Jewelry!

While you're there, be sure to check out my Sale Items!  You'll notice that my dog breed ornaments are on sale.  When they're gone, they're gone - I will not be offering them in the future.

Just to make it more interesting, shop with a 10% discount on your entire order, plus free standard US shipping, with this code at checkout:  FLDNEW

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


Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Easter Bunny Dog Outtakes | Wordless Wednesday

Every bunny loved the new Easter bunny toys!

If you're guessing treats where involved, you'd be right!

Yup, treats were more popular than toys.

My personal favorite Jeffie bunny ears photo.

Rosie is not keen on bunny ears!
Rudy thought a little head tilt might get him an extra treat.  He was right!

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Apple and Peanut Butter Dog Cookie Treat Recipe | Tasty Tuesday

As part of Jeffie's birthday celebration last week, we tried a new dog cookie recipe.  To say it was a hit is putting it mildly.

All of our dogs love peanut butter, especially Jeffie.  Since every dog cake recipe we looked at included things he really doesn't like (bananas, carrots and more - he's very picky) this seemed perfect.

This is a very easy recipe and I know we'll be making it again.  This time around we had a lot of fun with our cookie cutters to make them festive for our birthday boy.



Apple and Peanut Butter Dog Treats
4 cups whole wheat flour
3/4 cup quick cooking oats
1/4 cup wheat germ
1/2 cup all natural unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup all natural peanut butter (no sugar or salt added)
1 1/2 cups water
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 egg
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Combine all ingredients and mix well.
  3. Knead dough on a floured surface until it is firm.
  4. Roll dough to 1/4" thickness.  Cut with cookie cutters.
  5. Bake for 45 minutes.  Turn off the heat and let cookies stand in the oven until hard (about 1-2 hours) 
Lip smackin' good!


Be sure to enter our For Love of a Dog Jewelry April Giveaway!  Enter here.

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.  


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

Adopt Lilly a Senior Pit Bull Mix and #BSL Victim at #WaysideWaifs | Tuesdays Tails



This sweet girl is Lilly.  She's an 8 1/2 year old American Pit Bull Terrier mix and she is a victim of BSL.  When the town she lived in enacted breed specific legislation, her family was unable to move, so they surrendered her to Wayside Waifs.

Here's Lilly's adoption message:
Let me introduce myself, I am a beautiful American Pit Bull Mix, my name is Lilly and I am 8 -years-old. Sadly, my owner surrendered me because I was not allowed in the city where we lived. Such a sad rule because it means so many great Pit Bulls like me will miss out on being adopted by some awesome families.

I am such a sweet and laid back girl and I am longing for a home of my own. I have been at Wayside for too long now, and even though I have made some really special friends, I am ready for a family. Just hearing the word family gives me a twinkle in my eye because I know that my family is out there somewhere. Could that family be you? I may be a little older but I have so much love to give! My buddies here at Wayside describe me as a loyal and loving girl and not to toot my own horn, but I agree!

My previous owners gave Wayside more information about me in the hopes that it would help me find a home. They said I was happiest when I was exercised daily! It will be important to me to have both physical and mental stimulation daily. Enrichment toys would be a wonderful way to help me use my brain more! I will probably need a refresher with my house training and basic obedience but I am well on my way! Plus, I am eager to please you and that will help me get where I need to be. My previous owner also said I am great in the car, so if you are looking for a fun riding buddy, I'm your girl! They also said I am an excellent snuggle buddy! I loved to sleep in the bed or on the couch; as long as I was near my people I was one happy lady.

I was tested with other dogs when I first came to Wayside and I didn't get along well with them. The staff thinks it would be best if I am the only animal in the home. I know it seems like a lot to ask but with all the changes I've had at this age in my life I am just wanting to soak up all the love I can from you and not have to share! Due to my age and the fact that I wasn't around kids very much before, I should go to a home with kids over 5 years old. Sometimes an older girl like me can get overwhelmed with a lot of commotion going on! I am a very special and a sweet girl and I so deserve a second chance in a loving home.

I hope after reading my story you realize that I am the one for you, the part of your life that has been missing! Come on out to Wayside Waifs and ask to meet Lilly! I'll be here waiting patiently until the day you walk through the door for me!
Hugs and Kisses,
Love Lilly

Have a look at Lilly's adoption video below and then give the good folks at Wayside Waifs in Kansas City a call at  816-761-8151

 

Wayside Waifs is Kansas City’s largest no-kill animal shelter.   They are an independent, 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit humane society and animal welfare organization established in 1944.  Wayside Waifs is committed to finding homes for all adoptable pets. Wayside is the largest pet adoption center in Kansas City, placing over 5,400 animals each year in loving forever homes. Wayside does not euthanize adoptable animals, and there are no time limits for animals in our care. Only animals suffering from significant medical issues or those that pose a danger are humanely euthanized. Wayside Waifs is proud to be a part of Kansas City's no-kill community.
Talking Dogs blog will be participating in the Tuesday's Tails blog hop hosted by Dogs N Pawz and Talking Dogs. This is the blog hop that features shelter pets.  Find a pet at your local animal shelter or rescue and join us!
  


Tuesday's Tails blog hop participants can post any day of the week and link up with a fresh blog hop linky every Tuesday.  Though targeted at adoptable pets, we also welcome blog posts regarding pet adoption, rescue organizations and adoption events.Fetch the new Tuesday's Tails Facebook page and give us a like! 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.  

Monday, April 21, 2014

For Love of a Dog Jewelry April Giveaway | MISCHIEF



I'm afraid the mischief is all mine this time.  (Well, the dogs would probably insist that the mischief is almost always mine!)   I'd planned to announce this giveaway last week.  With all the birthday celebrations - including a timely visit from Jeffie, Rudy and Rosie's human brother - time got away from me.

So, without further delay, please enter Jeffie's 8th Birthday Giveaway!


You could be the winner of this one of a kind handmade paw print necklace from For Love of a Dog.  Perfect for both dog and cat lovers, it would make a pawtastic gift if you don't like to wear necklaces.

The centerpiece is a sage green based floral lampwork bead that I surrounded with glossy black obsidian gemstone beads and adorable double sided paw print lampwork beads.  Length is 19-22".  Retail value: $75

There will be one (1) winner.  This giveaway is open worldwide.  However, those of you who live outside the US must agree to be responsible for all Customs and VAT fees.

If you'd like to win this necklace - made by my own dog loving hands - just follow the directions in the rafflecopter below.  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rafflecopter misbehaving?  Make sure you're looking at this individual blog post and then try refreshing the page.  OR click on the linked phrase "a rafflecopter giveaway" and you'll be taken to the entry form.

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'll also be 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, April 20, 2014

Easter Bunny Treats for the Talking Dogs



Rudy and Jeffie are ready for the Easter bunny!
Even Rosie know there are surprises in store!

Alright!  Lots of goodies from the Easter bunny!

Special treats for our birthday boy, Jeffie!
Happy Easter from all of us at Talking Dogs and For Love of a Dog!


Saturday, April 19, 2014

Guilty Dogs Song Dog Shaming Compilation | Dog Song Saturday

Kick off your weekend with Dog Song Saturday at Talking Dogs.  

Today's featured musical video is the Guilty Dogs Song - Dog Shaming Compilation 2014.  The Guilty Dogs Song is by the Brunswick Project and you'll love how dramatic it is with this hilarious video.

The Brunswick Project is all about creating 52 songs in 52 weeks and is the collaboration between Steve Cruickshank and Joel Buxton.

Lots of naughty dogs of all kinds makes for lots of fun.

Grab a dog!  Sit.  Stay.  Relax and enjoy the Guilty Dogs Song.

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.  And have a barking good weekend!

Friday, April 18, 2014

Golden Retriever and Border Collie Dog Breed Jewelry is on Sale!


We're celebrating Jeffie's 8th birthday!  Since he's a Golden Retriever / Border Collie mix, I decided to put all my Golden Retriever and Border Collie jewelry and gifts at For Love of a Dog on sale

You'll find one of a kind handmade Golden Retriever dog lover bracelets like the one shown at top with lampwork beads and peridot jade gemstone beads.  There's quite a bit of variety in the bracelets available.  Plus, you'll find Golden Retriever dog lover necklaces like the one shown below with lampwork dog bone beads and a sweet natural carnelian gemstone heart.



Be sure to check out this adorable one of a kind Golden Retriever necklace with a coordinating WOOF dog bone.  The handmade porcelain Golden Retriever dog can be easily removed to wear solo as a pin.



Here's a Border Collie pin in tri color, though right now I have them in red and white, plus traditional black and white, too.



Border Collie dog charm bracelets include OOAKs like this one with a red Border Collie and freshwater pearls.



The Border Collie dog necklace shown below is a favorite of mine.  One of a kind, the handmade porcelain Border Collie head can be removed to wear solo as a pin and is teamed with cool 3D porcelain dog bones.




Fetch Golden Retriever dog breed jewelry and Border Collie dog breed jewelry to save some money and snatch up some one of a kind jewelry that you'll never see elsewhere - only at For Love of a Dog

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

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Celebrating Jeffie | Throwback Thursday


Jeffie at 9 weeks old

Since I've been taking a trip down memory lane lately, I thought I should definitely join the Throwback Thursday blog hop today.  However, when I looked to link up, it seems that blog hop is no longer happening!   Timing is everything and mine has been off lately.

I'd originally planned to link up with the Barks and Bytes hop and announce my April For Love of a Dog giveaway.  Just didn't get that blog post written or the rafflecopter set up.   Dog gone it!  Like I said, timing is everything.

So, I'm sticking to memory lane.  Take a short walk with me and enjoy my birthday boy, Jeffie.

Jeffie's first toy of his very own.

My sweet Jeffie is celebrating his 8th birthday this week and the time has gone by in the blink of an eye.

Jeffie's first visit to my studio.
Jeffie loved tennis balls!
You can read about how Jeffie was a Cush Dog, how we adopted him and how he and I enjoyed many sunrises together here.  You'll also finds lots more Jeffie puppy photos there, too. 

Last year, Jeffie inspired a special birthday limerick from the great and power poet, Oz!  Change the birthday years and it still rings true.


Happy Birthday to Jeffie the Retriever mix!
He turned seven this month, not six.
Though he hates change of any kind,
being one year older he doesn't mind
as he knows an old dog can still learn new tricks.
 
Jeffie is all smiles about his birthday this year.

Be sure to stop by on Monday to enter to win a piece of For Love of a Dog jewelry!


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

I'm joining the Barks and Bytes blog hop today hosted by 2 Brown Dawgs and Heart Like a Dog  Grab the badge and join in the fun!