Archives for June 2015

When Reality Hits a Worn Out Advocate

June 29, 2015 16 Comments

A few days ago I hit a point of exhaustion. I don’t know if the extra schoolwork pushed me over or if I have somehow settled into a depressing reality.

I worry that I will never see the day when every pet has a home.

When we think of the homeless pet population, we think of puppy mills. These horrible places that absolutely need to be shut down. However, we don’t always remember another important factor: accidental litters.

It seems like there is always a passionate debate in the pet world. Right now it’s to wait (or even forgo) to spay/neuter.

The reality is that very few of us are equipped to handle intact dogs. Over and over and over I chat with individuals that have decided to wait to fix their dogs and have ended up with unplanned litters. Sometimes the two dogs were in the same house and sometimes a dog jumped a fence to mate. I have even heard of dogs chewing through metal fencing to mate.

I’m not going to get into the research on traditional (6 months) or delayed (2 years) spay/neuter because it leaves out a few key components: genetics, nutrition, and lifestyle. I truly do not believe that there will ever be a definitive “right” answer. Instead, when people are deciding when to fix their pet, I want them to consider these questions:

Do I understand the female dog reproductive cycle?
Will I be able to notice when my female comes into heat? A bloody discharge is not always apparent.
Is my dog able to be constantly and effectively supervised? A dog can leap a fence or break through a window to find a mate in seconds.
Do I know the benefits/detriments of different spay/neuter times (e.g. cancer, behavior, etc.)? Scholarly journals should be read and evaluated – not what you find in a Google search.
Do I trust my vet’s judgment? If not, you should probably find a new vet 😉
Can I be 100% certain that an accidental litter will not occur? This means not only considering your dog, but the many other dogs around you. Unfortunately, we cannot fool ourselves into thinking that every person will be just as responsible.

After answering these 6 questions, those debating when to spay/neuter their dog should have a better idea of their options.

Maybe if we become honest with ourselves, we can prevent accidental litters and lower the amount of homeless pets. I will never stop trying to reach that goal.

Benefits of Dogs in the Workplace

June 23, 2015 7 Comments

With Take Your Dog to Work Day just around the corner (June 26th), here are some possible outcomes of bringing your furry friend to the office.

You will be less stressed. Studies have shown that dogs reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and lower blood pressure and autonomic stress responses. You probably won’t need to take many sick days with a dog keeping your health in check.
You will take more breaks. How often do you find yourself glued to your computer monitor plowing through your necessary daily tasks. Dogs need potty breaks, fresh air, and exercise. Taking breaks not only improves morale, but productivity as well.
You will experience better office relationships. Nothing breaks the ice and sparks a conversation like having a dog around. Dogs promote friendly, social interactions to boost workplace relationships. This friendliness is immediately noticed by consumers and creates a positive company image.
Your work performance will improve. Dogs put us in a good, happy mood, which enhances overall job performance.
You will be more creative. Dogs spark “out of the box” thinking and provide an interruption to your workflow. These breaks allow for a brief mental break so you can come back revitalized and with a new perspective.

I still haven’t decided if I’m going to ask my boss about Take Your Dog to Work Day. I would absolutely love to have Atka spend the day in my office with me and I know my clients would be thrilled. They are always wanting to meet the fluffy butts!

Will you be taking your dog to work on Friday? Is your company already pet friendly?

Would your dog make a good office dog?

My Dogs are Still Dogs

June 22, 2015 18 Comments

They may be a bit giant,

and they’re definitely extra furry.

Their slobber might even coat your walls.

They’ll probably need their own chair or two,

and their chins might rest on the table.

Their “shake” might tumble a toddler,

and a lean could knock you off your feet.

Their bark might intimidate crowds,

and a playful bow could as well.

They’re not the best at tricks

or following your every command.

Their size might cause a reaction

from dogs much smaller or unsure.

But don’t forget the reality remains

My dogs are still dogs.

While most of us are familiar with breed discrimination, we don’t always consider size discrimination. Many people are fairly accepting (and even in love) with Mauja and Atka’s size, but some people are not as receptive. While I truly believe it’s rarely meant to be hurtful, the insinuation that my dogs don’t belong somewhere (that they are allowed) because of their size is always upsetting.

Dr. Seuss once said –

A person’s a person, no matter how small.

Well, I believe –

Baked vs. Extruded Dog Food + A Wellness GIVEAWAY!

June 16, 2015 50 Comments

Do you know how your dog food is made?

Until BlogPaws, it never occurred to me to look into it. I am meticulous when it comes to the contents of Mauja and Atka’s food and research every last ingredient. If I care so much about what is in their food, shouldn’t I care just as much about how it is produced?

Extruded Dog Food

While the extrusion process was initially used to create puffed cereals, it has become a staple in the pet food industry. Extrusion is an easy and efficient way to create large amounts of nutritious, shelf-stable food. Here’s a brief explanation of the extrusion process:

Raw and wet ingredients for the food are mixed together to form a dough.
The dough is pushed through a machine, called the expander, that uses hot water or pressurized steam to cook the dough.
While under these extremely high temperatures, the food is forced (extruded) through special sized and shaped holes and then trimmed by a knife.
Once the pieces exit the expander, they puff up to look like the kibble we are used to seeing.
The kibble is then sprayed with fats, oils, vitamins, and minerals and packaged before the oils can spoil.

There you have it! Is it just me or does anyone else think that sounds pretty gross? The extreme cooking process removes the vitamins and minerals that then have to be added back at the end of the process. I don’t like when my food is created like that, so I certainly don’t like it for my dogs!

But what’s the alternative?

Oven-Baked Dog Food

Oven-baked dog food is exactly what it sounds like – baked in the oven. Oven cooking is a slower process which is done in small batches. I definitely appreciate the extra time and quality control when it comes to feeding my fluffies.

While the extrusion process leaves the kibble with less than 40% of it’s vitamins and minerals, baking retains almost 100% of the initial nutrients. This means your dog is getting his/her vitamins and minerals from real food. Baking also ensures the protein sources included in the initial recipe survive the cooking process leaving you with a more flavorful, nutrient-dense food.

But it must be crazy expensive.

You know, that’s what I thought too until I did a bit more research. Turns out baked kibble weighs about 20% less than the extruded variety. This means that a 25 lb bag of dog food will have approximately 20 more cups if it’s baked than extruded. Since it is also much more nutrient dense, you may end up feeding less overall!

Wellness TruFood

When we were at BlogPaws, we had the opportunity to meet some wonderful people from Wellness that introduced us to the TruFood line. Mauja and Atka went BANANAS for the CocoChia bakes. These delicious, crunchy treats are made with meat, vegetables, coconut oil, and other wonderful ingredients. The fluffies are really enjoying the CocoChia salmon, coconut oil, and spinach variety.

Even more, they LOVED the food. With 70% more protein than other similar brands (thanks to the baking process), it is irresistible. Getting pictures for this post was a challenge as they kept drooling all over the place! I went through several drool rags during this photoshoot… 😉

Wellness TruFood is unique from many other brands as you can actually see the goodness in the kibble. Not only are there air-dried fruit and veggie pieces, but living superfood nuggets as well. These nuggets are naturally colored from beets and turmeric and packed with other superfoods such as kale and blueberries. To top it off, they are coated in live yogurt cultures for a natural source of probiotics to increase digestibility.

Wellness TruFood Baked Blends currently has a few formulas to choose from:

Chicken, Chicken Liver, and Flaxseed (adult)
Salmon, Turkey Liver, and Flaxseed (adult)
Lamb, Turkey Liver, and Chickpeas (adult)
Chicken, Chicken Liver, and Chickpeas (small breed adult)
Chicken, Chicken Liver, and Flaxseed (puppy)

The TruFood line also includes Tasty Pairings which are food our wet food eating friends.

So what do you think? Would your furry friend like to try the Wellness TruFood line? You’re in luck! Wellness was kind enough to provide TWO fantastic prizes! Prize 1 is one (1) 18 lb bag of Wellness TruFood Baked Blends and Prize 2 is one (1) gift basket of Wellness wet food and treats!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
About the giveaway: No purchase necessary. Giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents only, except where prohibited by law. Giveaway will run from June 16 through June 24, 2015 at 11:59pm EST. Two (2) winners will be randomly selected and notified via email. Winners will have 48 hours to claim their prizes; failure to do so will result in forfeiture of the prize. Facebook and Twitter do not sponsor, administer, or endorse this promotion. Participants must read and agree to Rafflecopter’s Privacy Policy before entering and participating in this promotion.

The Super Sized Pet Blogger Summer Giveaway!

June 15, 2015 119 Comments

As pet bloggers, we like to get together and do something for our readers. With the official start of summer just around the corner, we figured this would be the pyrfect time!

You know how Great Pyrenees are super-sized compared to say, Chihuahuas?

Well, this giveaway is super-sized compared to typical giveaways.

Grand Prize – $400 Visa gift card

2nd Prize – Italian leather collar & leash set of choice from dogIDs

3rd Prize – PawNosh cubby bowl

I told you it was super-sized!

Want to know the best part? Entering is SUPER easy! Just use the Rafflecopter widget below. Once you complete the mandatory entry, you’ll have several more entry opportunities to increase your chances of winning.

If you want even MORE chances to win (who doesn’t?), head on over to the other blogs participating in the giveaway. Each blog has it’s own giveaway widget, where you can fill out the entries to increase your chance of winning. Here’s a list of the other participating bloggers:

Pawsitively Pets – http://mypawsitivelypets.com

Christy Paws – http://www.christypaws.com

Daily Dog Tag – http://www.dailydogtag.com/

Fidose of Reality – http://www.fidoseofreality.com

Cascadian Nomads – http://www.cascadiannomads.com

The Lazy Pit Bull – http://www.thelazypitbull.com

Oh My Shih Tzu – http://www.ohmyshihtzu.com

Pet Product Review – http://petproductreview.net

Kitty Cat Chronicles – http://www.kittycatchronicles.com

Animal Bliss – http://www.animalbliss.com

Beagles & Bargains – http://www.beaglesandbargains.com

You Did What With Your Wiener – http://www.YouDidWhatWithYourWiener.com

Kol’s Notes – http://www.kolchakpuggle.com

Kama Loves Agility – http://www.kamalovesagility.com

Confessions of a Rescue Mom – http://www.confessionsofarescuemom.com

CindyLu’s Muse – http://cindylusmuse.com

Mochas, Mysteries and Meows – http://www.mochasmysteriesmeows.com

My Rotten Dogs – http://www.myrottendogs.com

Bones and Fishes – http://www.bonesandfishes.com

Dolly the Doxie – http://www.dollythedoxie.com

Tails Are Wagging – http://www.tails-r-wagging.com

Well Minded Pets – http://www.wellmindedpets.com

The giveaway only lasts one week, so make sure to complete your entries by next Sunday night, June 21 at 11:59pm EST. On Monday morning we’ll randomly select the 3 lucky winners and they’ll be announced on It’s Dog or Nothing’s Facebook page! Make sure you’re following us so you don’t miss the big announcement!

Good luck, pals!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
About the giveaway: No purchase necessary. Giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents only, except where prohibited by law. Giveaway will run from June 15 through June 21, 2015 at 11:59pm EST. Three (3) winners will be randomly selected and notified via email. Winners will have 48 hours to claim their prizes; failure to do so will result in forfeiture of the prize. Facebook and Twitter do not sponsor, administer, or endorse this promotion. Participants must read and agree to Rafflecopter’s Privacy Policy before entering and participating in this promotion.

Dog Blogger BlogPaws Failure

June 10, 2015 20 Comments

For being a dog blogger, I completely failed at the “taking pictures” portion of BlogPaws. I was so focused on making sure Atka was behaving that I completely let it slide. Thankfully, so many people got pictures of them with new friends so I have been able to see some that way. I don’t have many pictures, but I will share a few gems today!

Mauja and Atka fell in love with the Wellness girls.

And captivated those from Natural Balance (isn't Atka a ham?) — And captivated those from Natural Balance (isn’t Atka a ham?)

Mauja made a rat friend from The Chestnut Mutts.

Atka made a ferret friend (photo credit @dogisthenewblack)

Atka met the VitaBone, which he was terrified of. I had to pose him and then sneak the VitaBone in behind to catch a picture!

These are probably my favorite pictures. Luna from Beagles and Bargains is looking at her mom like, "you seriously want me to sit next to THEM?!" — These are probably my favorite pictures. Luna from Beagles and Bargains is looking at her mom like, “you seriously want me to sit next to THEM?!” Then the wide-eyed “holy fluffy!” look at Mauja 😉

After a day of fun, each evening ended like this <3

Fluffy BlogPaws Product Roundup

June 9, 2015 5 Comments

BlogPaws 2015 was a complete blast. We met amazing people, chatted with fantastic brands, and learned more than my brain could handle in one weekend. I came back extremely motivated and ready to quit my day job. Then I remembered I have bills to pay, fluffies to feed, and therefore a bit of work to do before I can make that leap 😉

We received a swag bag with products from many of the sponsors, but also received product from brands that we met throughout the conference. Here are some of our favorite products from BlogPaws 2015.

1. Only Natural Pet Canine Powerfood – This stuff is seriously amazing and a recent addition to the fluffy rotation. We absolutely love products from ONP (like their salmon oil, beef tripe niblets, and Himalayan dog chews) and this food is certainly no exception. The food is fantastic quality at an even better price. You can read more about the Canine Powerfood here.

2. Full Moon Real Bacon Treats – While these treats are a bit slimy, they are a fluffy favorite. These treats are made in the USA, all natural, and free of grain, corn, wheat, and soy. I’d suggest getting two bags as you’re pup will fly through one! More on Full Moon here.

3. Primal Beef Chips – We had never tried anything from Primal, but I was very impressed with their treats. They are single source protein treats which are great for pups with food sensitivies. They also are free from preservatives and are grain/gluten free.

4. Wag More Bark Less – These treats are from Cloud Star, which create a fluffy favorite, Buddy Biscuits. This line is a crunchy treat that is free of corn, soy, and artificial flavors and colors. These treats do include grains, so they are not the best if your pooch is on a strict, grain-free diet.

5. Stella & Chewy’s Tantalizing Turkey Meal Mixers – We don’t feed raw here at It’s Dog or Nothing, but I’m not against freeze-dried raw as an addition to kibble. The meal mixers contain cage-free turkey, fruits, and vegetables and leave out anything artificial. If you are a raw feeder or simply looking to mix up your dog’s kibble, Stella & Chewy’s has some fantastic options.

6. Groom Genie – This brush definitely isn’t going to pull out the undercoat, but it is a great tool for sleeking the fur. I love the paw shape of the brush as it makes for a very comfortable grip. The brush also claims to gently massage and relax your dog during the grooming process. Mauja and Atka have enjoyed this brush so far!

7. Jones Natural Chews – We received a few products from JNC, but the Windees are a fluffy favorite. These all-natural treats are a great way for your pup to end the day. Mauja and Atka have tried several treats from Jones Natural Chews and always enjoy them (like these).

8. Dog Tag Art – These dog tags are adorable and you can even create your own. They have a vast amount of pre-created tags, but you can also upload your own image to turn into an ID tag. We’ve talked about the importance of proper pet identification, but why not do it in a cute and unique way?

9. VetriScience – We received three products from VetriScience: Perio Plus (dental chews), Composure (calming chew), and GlycoFlex (joint chew). While I’m not sure dental chews do much for my two, Mauja and Atka love the taste. While at BlogPaws, we gave Mauja the Composure chews before leaving the room. She was still very nervous, but it definitely helped to take the edge off. The joint support chews include green-lipped mussels, which are great for joints, but not typically found in joint products. After the fluffies have been on these chews for a bit, I will report back with the results.

10. Burt’s Bees Itch Soothing Spray – I love anything natural. I’d prefer to stay away from chemical as much as possible, which is why I love Burt’s Bees. This spray contains honeysuckle and is 97% natural. Atka’s back leg has been bothering him lately, and this spray has definitely been helping.

11. Dr. Harvey’s – We received Sweet Potato Chews, Biscotti for Dogs, Coconut Smiles, Power Patties, and two food pre-mixes. Mauja and Atka weren’t the biggest fans of the Coconut Smiles, but I wasn’t surprised since they won’t eat coconut oil. If your dog likes coconut, these are great! I’m really intrigued by the food mixes. You simply add meat and water to the mix to create a wonderful homemade meal for your dog. Yum!

12. Dr. Buzby’s ToeGrips – If you have a senior or special needs dog that is slipping on your floor, this is the product for you. Created by a holistic veterinarian, these grips help provide confidence, mobility, and stability to your dog. These are going to make their way to Mauja and Atka’s berner cousin, Kai.

Have you tried any of these products? If so, how was your experience? Stay tuned for more in-depth reviews on some of these products over the next few weeks. Also, look out next week for a review of our favorite product/brand from BlogPaws!

So You Want a Great Pyrenees?

June 8, 2015 324 Comments

5 Things I Wish People Knew About Great Pyrenees (before bringing one home) | It's Dog or Nothing

Many people purchase or adopt dogs or puppies without understanding the breed traits and the Great Pyrenees is certainly no exception to this. These irresistible balls of white fluff are stunning, adorable, and are always crowd favorites.

Not to mention they are gentle, loving, devoted, and loyal companions.

However, the Great Pyrenees is not like most other dogs. Many pyrs are surrendered when surprised owners experience these breed-specific traits. Before anyone adds a pyr to their family, I wish they knew these five things.

1. Great Pyrenees bark. A lot.

Usually around six months, a Great Pyrenees will find his voice and begin his job of guarding and protecting. Unlike most guard dogs, they are not “attack” dogs.

Pyrs very rarely attack—and typically only as a last resort. They prefer to scare off predators using intimidation by barking and showing off their extra large size.

Because pyrs have very sensitive hearing, they are able to detect the faintest sounds from miles away. A Great Pyrenees will let you know he has heard something and bark until he feels the threat is gone.

A pyr’s guarding instinct does not lessen when the sun goes down—in fact, it increases. The Great Pyrenees is nocturnal by nature in order to safeguard its flock during vulnerable hours. Patience and a proper nighttime routine are critical to working with these traits when kept as companions.

2. Obedience is not a priority.

I have seen several articles circulate recently stating that the Great Pyrenees is one of the dumbest dog breeds. This couldn’t be further from the truth.

As a livestock guardian, Great Pyrenees had to learn to work independently from humans. An adult, working pyr does not need to be told how to do his job—and this translates to house pyrs as well.

Pyrs like to do things at their own pace and on their own time.

While you may see a Golden Retriever plop into a ‘down’ in half a second, a pyr will take his time to slowly position his body. Being off-leash is typically not an option for this breed as well.

Their independence leads to roaming, and a fence is necessary to keeping them contained. You cannot teach a pyr to stay on your property because he feels his property is as far as he can wander.

3. Maturity doesn’t occur until about 3 years of age.

Maturity refers to your dog’s mental capacity, not energy level (an energetic dog is not necessarily an immature dog). Giant breeds take much longer to mature than average-sized dogs‚ and typically males mature more slowly than females.

For example, a one-year-old medium to large breed and a three-year-old giant breed have very similar levels of mental maturity. A Great Pyrenees can reach a triple-digit weight before even turning a year old; a 100+ pound puppy is not for everyone!

Since pyrs mature very slowly and have little interest in obedience, they can be a challenge. It’s not uncommon to ask a pyr to sit, only to have the dog look at me, walk five feet away, and then slowly lower himself into a sit.

I always tell people that if you don’t have a sense of humor with your adolescent Great Pyrenees, you’ll never survive 😉

4. Grooming is a must.

Once a Great Pyrenees gets his adult coat (around 6-8 months), weekly brushings are essential. A pyr’s coat is remarkable in that it keeps him warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

However, a good brush is necessary to pull out the dead undercoat that can prevent proper air circulation.

Shaving a Great Pyrenees eliminates his ability to regulate his body temperature and also greatly increases risk of sunburn to their fair skin. It’s also important to remember to trim the double dew claws on a regular basis.

5. Getting a Great Pyrenees does not ensure a great livestock guardian.

I have seen many people purchase a pyr puppy only to surrender him a few years later because he was not doing his job properly. While instinct is huge, a pyr must have help learning appropriate behavior in guarding his new flock.

Typically, this help comes from an older livestock guardian, but humans can assist as well. Regardless of your pyr’s role–LGD or house dog–socialization and training will mold your pyr into an amazing dog.

The Great Pyrenees is a remarkable dog that will always be a part of our family. I absolutely love the breed and the ‘quirks’ they possess. However, many people fall in love with the breed’s beauty rather than their unique traits.

If people knew these five traits before adding a Great Pyrenees to their family, far fewer pyrs would be surrendered.

If you have a Great Pyrenees, what do you wish people knew about them beforehand?

Week 22: Race & Week 23: Play

June 5, 2015 11 Comments

I missed a week. How did I miss a week?

It must have been all the BlogPaws fun.

Oh well, now you get two weeks in one! What a deal!

Week 22: Race

Okay, I know this picture doesn’t look like “race”, but let me explain. When we were at BlogPaws, we had the opportunity to participate in an interview with Natural Balance. My session was going to end right at interview time, so I asked Nick to be there a little early with Mauja in case I was rushing to make it on time. When Atka and Mauja greeted each other (for the first time in a few hours), they began a spirited game of bitey face. The Natural Balance girls thought it was adorable and wanted it recorded, but unfortunately the camera man wasn’t there.

We decided to go outside to the dog park before the storm hit so they could get some footage of the fluffies racing around. We really thought we could beat the storm. We thought we were faster.

We were wrong.

So very wrong.

Thank goodness the dog park had a canopy that we could hide under! The skies opened, the thunder roared, and lightning struck. We really wanted to get inside, but there didn’t seem to be an end to the storm in sight. After several minutes, we decided to race the storm.

We all sprinted into the hotel and arrived a wet, soggy mess for our interview. We tried to race the rain. We lost. Never think you can beat the rain 😉

Week 23: Play

I’m sure you know by now that we love playing soccer (more and more) with the fluffies, so of course that’s what I chose to photograph for “play”! I just love how happy Mauja looks when we get a game going in the backyard 🙂

Join our pals from The Lazy Pitbull on their 52 Snapshots of Life Challenge! You can post on any social media outlet (and you don’t have to be a pet blogger!), just remember to use hashtags #PBSG and #52Snapshots.