Lucky Pip

Hello friends! Pip here.

I have some pretty exciting news on the doggie products front. There is a wonderful line of collars out there made by a lovely company called Lucky Fiona. They use cool retro and vintage fabrics to make really unique and oh-so-stylish collars (and you know, dear readers, that I'm all about style).
Plus, Fiona is an English Setter and really pretty cute:

(don't tell Sadie I said that!)

So on Fiona's blog, pets can send in pictures of themselves wearing their new collars and Fiona will pick one of them to be a "Friend of Fiona". Friends of Fiona get to choose any collar they want as a free prize. And guess what??

She picked me!!

I had mum send in these pictures of me in my new "Ted" collar. I tried to pose extra handsome so Fiona would pick me but really, was there any contest? Nah!

Be sure to check out Lucky Fiona's blog. Shadrach plans on bringing in these collars soon to the shop so stop by and check them out. You will be the coolest cat (er, dog) in Saratoga if you wear one of these so go on, starting chewing on your human's wallet until they take the hint. (My friend River knows exactly what I'm talking about.)

Cheerio!
Pip, supermodel

MavDog here. I was reading an article in the local paper the other day and thought that I should pass it on. It is about the "dog park area" in the State Park. I know there are some really strong feelings about this whole thing and I don't know what I think just yet. I know I like to go there, but that is mainly cause I am very obsessed with frisbee and my dad brings the frisbee when we go there and we play frisbee. I really like frisbee. Well, I have a good friend who knows a lot about this stuff, so I am gonna talk to her and get more information and write again, but for now here is the article:

http://www.saratogian.com/articles/2009/02/13/news/doc4994eafc8c585096565674.txt

Thoughts of an Aging Mutt

Sorry I haven't written more often. I am still getting settled in my new home, hopefully my forever home. It takes us older folks some time to get comfortable and feel secure. We've had a whole life of experiences both good and bad to remind us that we are not in control of where it all takes us. All of this thinking on my part left me exhausted. I slept 2/3rds of most days for the first month I've been here. All that said, I am getting the hang of it. I like my people. Sadie is real bossy sometimes. Maverick is a rambunctious youngster who ignores me most of the time except when he is pushing me out of the way. I snuggle on the couch on a regular basis, which is great except I can't get off without assistance - You see, I am old. The one thing that terrifies me is the car and recently they have been taking me on short rides. I hope there is a very good reason for this, other than scaring me half to death!

I was looking over Sara's shoulder the other night, while snuggling on the couch, and noticed that the current issue of Bark Magazine has me in it! Not me really, but the idea of me - old dogs. The whole issue is celebrating us old timers, so I read it cover to cover. I suggest you go buy it if you don't already have it! My favorite article was about Old Dog Haven, a non-profit group in Washington State that helps senior dogs live out their final moments in home environments. Judith Piper is the founder and has helped over 600 dogs in under 5 years leave this world feeling loved and respected instead of forgotten on a cold kennel floor.

A volunteer for ODH points out that we are not all about special needs, medicines and leaky bladders! She's quoted, "They are easy. They're usually housebroken. They don't chew your stuff. If you want to take them out for a walk, they're ready to go. But if you want to hang out at home, they're happy to do that too." I can vouch for that being the truth! I don't like long walks though. My point is that it is good article and a great issue of the magazine. The spring issue of Modern Dog seems to have an article that highlights this same haven. I googled elderly dog organizations and there are only a handful throughout the country. My point - They are important, we need more of them and we should give generously to the ones that are out there!
Bark doesn't have its article online, but Mod Dog does. Check it out before it's gone:
http://www.moderndogmagazine.com/articles/old-dog-haven/754

Pip's Scientific Review of Himalayan Dog Chew

Allo everyone! Pip here. I was recently adopted from Above and Beyond English Setter Rescue. I am good friends with Shaddy and Maverick over at Dawgdom. I like Sadie too, but I don’t think the feeling is mutual… yet, anyway. The shop has asked if I would sample one of their newest and most exciting products:

The Himalayan Dog Chew!!!!












I was very excited when the store got these in. My mum has heard so much about them and our greyhound friends Angel and River already gave them the dewclaws up. I couldn’t wait to try one! Himalayan Dog Chews are a special kind of preserved cheese. They are made from yak and cow’s milk, a little salt and a little lime juice. They are all natural and have no chemicals or preservatives (I don’t really care about stuff like that, but my mum does so I thought I would mention it.)

Boy that dog on the package sure does look happy!













Here’s what it looks like out of the package. Please forgive the state of my mum’s fingernails.












Come on, give it already! Let the scientific testing begin...












Nom, nom, nom...












This is what it looked like after a half hour of steady chewing. I’m about a medium chewer.












Not bad, but more tests must be run!
Nom, nom, nom…












Here’s what it looked like after an hour of chewing. I just didn’t want to stop!












So after an hour mum took it away so I could have some more tomorrow. I really can’t wait. I have to say that this treat is everything a dog could want. It tastes great. It does have an odor but not a strong one. It smells faintly like smoked cheese. It does not appear to stain paws or dog beds so it’s probably safe on carpets. The best thing about it is that even though it’s edible it lasts a pretty long time! You just chew on the ends to soften it and little chunks of cheese will eventually come off. Mmmm! They last as long as small rawhides and are much healthier.

So, Himalayan Dog Chew, you get a 5 SPOT rating from me. Congrats!












This is Pip saying, “Cheerio!”

Hello

So, I was so tired last night I couldn't even introduce myself or say what I am planning to do. It took me a really long time to set up this whole thing, so instead of blogging I went to sleeps. Now I'm up and ready to get going. I'm Shaddy, the newest addition to Dawgdom's family. I was living at a rescue group down state for a while and then they closed down. The nice peoples at Catskill Humane Society picked me up and I lived with them for a few months. During the day I was able to greet all the shelter visitors cause they let me stay up at the reception area. My shelter friends were afraid that no one would come for me cause I am 13 and a little stiff in the legs. Sara and Dave heard my story and picked me up the other week. I was really nervous at first, but I am easing my way into it now and getting more comfortable everyday. There are two dogs at their house, Sadie and Maverick who aren't bad. Sadie keeps to herself with me. Maverick is a hyper youngster who I am not sure of just yet.

I want to come to the store sometime so I can greet all the peoples, but I get real nervous in the car. I am going to try and work on that. So, since I am not coming in just yet I wanted to keep busy. You know, it keeps ya young. I thought I would start a blog. I hope to blog about all sorts of things - Dog issues, personal things, and hopefully fun things too. I hope some of my new friends will add things too.

I added this photo from yesterday. It is from when I discovered the comfort of the couch. Oh boy! I LOVE IT.

Welcome

Shaddy Mac here. I'm going to sleep now cause it is super late, but I'll write in the morning.