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Julius K9 Harness, A Great Fit for Dogs

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   When walking Pete and Ernest, we prefer to use harnesses. But there are so many different types, how do we know the best for our dogs? We once adopted an older dog who walked perfectly on a collar and leash, never pulled and was just as easy as pie...But he was the only easy one! The rest have been a challenge. Even sweet, gentle Ernest is a strong puller. We started using a harness with a front attachment, and found that we were much better able to handle the pulling. We also discovered that there are many different harnesses out there. So that's why we were excited when Julius-K9 , one of the largest manufacturer of dog equipment in Europe, sent us some of their harnesses and other goodies to review. It didn't take me more than a moment to discover the excellent quality and care that was put into the designing and testing of these products. After consulting with the Julius-K9 representative and reading some of their posts, I've become more aware of the proper measuri
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Sharing the Holidays with your Pet

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How do you share the holiday season with your pet? Here are some ideas. Kelly loved to be photographed by the tree.  (*This post contains affiliate links. I only include links to products I think you'll love!) 1. Dress them up for a picture My dogs aren't into wearing Christmas sweaters or fleece pajamas, but they will tolerate a hat or sweater long enough to get a photo. I also like putting them in headbands with reindeer antlers or holiday lights. When Ernest goes out to do therapy dogs, the kids love it when he's wearing a necktie, hat or his blinking Christmas lights necklace. Do you like to dress your pet up in a special coat or hat for the holidays? Petey posed for this photo in his Christmas necktie. 2. Make them a stocking Do you make your dogs a stocking? I love making stockings for every member of the family, and the dogs are part of the family too! I fill my own, but some stockings, like this cat toy stocking , even come pre-filled. What do you put in your dogs&#
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That comfortable-uncomfortable place your pet naps.

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*This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may get a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. Products are those I personally use or think you will like. Our dogs enjoy the comfort of their own cozy dog beds . They're allowed on the couch and  in my big green chair with the matching ottoman. They can lie on the hardwood floor or the braided rug. They even climb up into "my" chair in the living room when I vacate it. Truly, comfort is important to them. So then why do they sometimes do something that looks so... un comfortable? One of Petey's favorite napping positions is this: Does that look comfortable? And Ernest has a habit of sleeping atop tables like this: All I can conclude is that this must be comfortable to them. Does your cat or dog nap somewhere that seems comfortable to them, but looks like it really shouldn't be that comfortable? Tell us where in the comments!
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When Your Dog Pulls on the Leash

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We were walking down the street and Petey pulled ahead enthusiastically. Around the corner he pulled toward a squirrel. He heard a dog bark and he pulled toward the dog. Later, we walked into a room of dogs and he pulled hard, barking. Petey's pulling had become a problem. Now that Petey is more than a year old, he's nearly full grown and strong. He also has boundless energy. We use many techniques to help. We provide him with lots of interactive toys to keep him busy. We also use a good, front attaching harness. We like the Easy Walk harness . This has always made a big difference in all our other dogs, but Petey is an especially difficult case! My first instinct was to stop going out in public. It certainly was easier! But this wasn't teaching Petey anything. Plus, we want to be able to take him places with us, and hopefully eventually he will do therapy dog work with us. So we bought a supply of training treats . I began rewarding him every time he made eye contact with
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Ernest Goes to First Grade

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We walked through the parking lot, past the big yellow buses, and approached the red brick building. Pushed the buzzer to be allowed in. Then we knocked on the principal's office door. "Hello. This is Ernest. We're here to visit the first grade today." The principal smiled and jumped out of her seat to greet Ernest. "The boys and girls will be so excited," she said. She led us down the hall to the room. All along the way teachers and students stopped to pat Ernest. He sure enjoyed that!  The kids in first grade were all smiles and wide eyes. The teacher had everything organized and ready for us. Ernest laid down on a quilt and the kids sat beside him one at a time and read him their stories--they'd written original Halloween stories all by themselves! The Mummy who Lost his Bandages. The Vampire who Lost His Teeth. The Ghost That Wasn't White.  The Witch Who Couldn't Fly.  These kids could write! Ernest listened attentively while they read. Some
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Happy Halloween from Ernest and Petey

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Happy Halloween Pardner!   Love, Ernest and Petey
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How to Make Pumpkin Treats for your Dog

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It's Halloween time and there are plenty of pumpkins around. Good thing that pumpkin is great for your dogs! It's high in fiber, low in calories, and full of Beta Keratin.  It's also great for your dog's digestive system.   You can use canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling.) However, if you have a few real pumpkins and want to give them to your dogs, here are some cooking and preparation suggestions: 1. Raw pumpkin is okay, as long as it is fresh. Don't use your Halloween pumpkin that's been sitting out on your porch steps for weeks. Yuck! Just peel the pumpkin and cut the flesh into small cubes. You can then top your dog's food with some of the pumpkin cubes. 2. Pumpkin puree Boil peeled, cubed pumpkin until tender. or cut pumpkins in half and scoop out the seeds. Place on cookie sheet and roast for 30 minutes or so, until golden brown on edges. Scoop out the flesh and discard the skin. Place in food processor and add a little water and puree. I p
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