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Buy a Bag, Give a Meal with PetSmart

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Have you heard about PetSmart's biggest philanthropic event, Buy a Bag, Give a Meal. Check out this easy way to help feed pets in need!

Buy a Bag, Give a Meal™ with PetSmart

Yesterday, PetSmart® announced the launch of its new Buy a Bag, Give a Meal™ program in celebration of its 30th anniversary. From March 1, 2017 to December 31st, for every bag of food purchased online or in-store (locations across the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico), PetSmart will donate a meal to a pet in need. During the campaign, PetSmart expects to donate more than 60 million meals.

We are proud to team up with PetSmart on this important philanthropic initiative in celebration of its 30 years in business. These food donations are key to helping animal welfare organizations free up precious resources so they can continue their life-saving work, as well as deliver pet food as an option at food banks and pantries. We look forward to seeing the impact this significant pet food donation will make to close the gap on this critical and essential need in animal welfare. – David Haworth, DVM, Ph.D., president of PetSmart Charities

For the past 30 years, PetSmart has teamed up with its nonprofit partner, PetSmart Charities® to save more than 7.3 million pets’ lives. If it seems like a lot, it is. PetSmart and PetSmart Charities have helped foster more adoptions than any other brick-and-mortar organization. Even more, PetSmart Charities is the leading funder of animal welfare in North America with over $300 million in support.

A recent PetSmart Charities survey found that of their 1,800 animal welfare partners across North America, only 20% received pet food donations and only 8% are contracted to received subsidized pet food. Furthermore, one in seven Americans rely solely on food banks and pantries. With pet food being a rare find at these human food bank programs, many will sacrifice their own food to ensure their pet has something to eat.

Have you heard about PetSmart's biggest philanthropic event, Buy a Bag, Give a Meal. Check out this easy way to help feed pets in need!
Photo Credit | PetSmart

Every pet lover is always looking for ways to helps the pets who don’t have homes. Unfortunately, it’s not always financially possible to donate, which is why the Buy a Bag, Give a Meal™ program is so awesome. Simply ensure you’re buying your pet’s food at PetSmart and you’ll be feeding other pets in need – how simple is that?

We already do most of our food shopping for the fluffies at PetSmart, but we are going to ensure we are spending our dollars there for the rest of the year to support pets in need! If you don’t already purchase your pet’s food at PetSmart, will you be adjusting your purchasing habits for the rest of 2017?

For more information on Buy a Bag, Give a Meal™, read the PetSmart press release here!

Have you heard about PetSmart's biggest philanthropic event, Buy a Bag, Give a Meal. Check out this easy way to help feed pets in need!
Photo Credit | PetSmart

To keep up with all the latest happenings with PetSmart, follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of PetSmart. The opinions and text are all mine.

What Does it Take to be a #WellnessPet?

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Is your dog a #WellnessPet? Here's how I tell if my Great Pyrenees are showing the 5 Signs of Wellness.This post is sponsored by Wellness and the BlogPawsTM Pet Influencer Network™. I am being compensated to help share the availability of Wellness Products at PetSmart, but we only share information we feel is relevant to our readers. Neither Wellness nor PetSmart is responsible for the content of this article.

What Does it Take to be a #WellnessPet?

Earlier this year, we were beyond thrilled to share with you that one of our favorite lines of dog food, Wellness® Complete Health™, had gone grain-free. Mauja and Atka hadn’t eaten the original Complete Health line in quite awhile due to being on an entirely grain-free diet, so we loved the opportunity to incorporate an old favorite back into their rotation diet.

It’s no secret that we are huge fans of the Wellness products. Aside from the Complete Health Grain-Free line, we’ve also talked a lot about Wellness TruFood and the benefits of a baked food for your dog.

Today, we’re going to round out our Wellness line-up by talking about Wellness® CORE®! While Wellness CORE and Wellness Complete Health Grain-Free are two of our all-time favorites, you’re certain to see the 5 Signs of Wellness after switching your dog to any of the Wellness products.

Is your dog a #WellnessPet? Here's how I tell if my Great Pyrenees are showing the 5 Signs of Wellness.
Wellness Complete Health Grain-Free or Wellness CORE?

5 Signs of Wellness

Skin & Coat Health

By including essential vitamins and minerals as well as quality Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, your dog’s skin and coat will be exceptionally snugglable.

Energy

High-quality proteins, grain-free sources of carbohydrates, and healthy fats provide your dog with the energy necessary to engage in his favorite activities – whether that’s a sprightly game of fetch or a long nap on the couch.

Digestive Health

Healthy sources of fiber, chicory root extra, and probiotics are the perfect combination to support a healthy digestive system.

Eyes, Teeth, and Gums

Appropriate levels of Vitamin A are incorporated into Wellness products to support healthy eyes and calcium and phosphorus support healthy, strong teeth and gums.

Immunity

Fruits and vegetables full of antioxidants as well as nutritional supplements, such a Vitamin E, help to support a healthy immune system.

Is your dog a #WellnessPet? Here's how I tell if my Great Pyrenees are showing the 5 Signs of Wellness.
Wellness Complete Health Grain-Free and Wellness CORE are available at PetSmart

Fluffy Wellness

How do I know when the fluffies are displaying the 5 Signs of Wellness? Easy.

  • Their fur is pyrfectly snuggable.
  • Their eyes speak to my soul.
  • Their smiles sparkle.
  • Their coats glisten.
  • They bounce when I say, “walk”.
  • They leap into the car with glee.
  • They make me feel like the most amazing person in the world <3

Wellness CORE

Is your dog a #WellnessPet? Here's how I tell if my Great Pyrenees are showing the 5 Signs of Wellness.Wellness CORE was the first food Mauja and Atka had when they transitioned from puppy food to an adult recipe. It has been a favorite for several reasons:

  • Wellness CORE is a grain-free, protein-rich formula
  • No corn, wheat, animal by-products, or anything artificial
  • It’s available in several flavors: Original, Ocean, Wild Game, Small Breed, Large Breed, Puppy, and Reduced Fat
  • There’s more than just dry food. Your dog can try Air-Dried Formulas, Wet Formulas, and several types of treats.

Which Wellness food do you think your dog would like best?

Want more from Wellness and PetSmart? Follow Wellness on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and follow PetSmart on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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Is your dog a #WellnessPet? Here's how I tell if my Great Pyrenees are showing the 5 Signs of Wellness.

 

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Wellness. The opinions and text are all mine.

5 Reasons Your Dog Needs Omega-6s #BayerExpertCare

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5 Reasons Your Dog Needs Omega-6 Fatty Acids #BayerExpertCareBayer ExpertCarePoor Atka suffers from itchy skin sometimes, especially in the winter. He eats high-quality food and gets salmon oil with his meals, but that doesn’t always seem to make a difference. I still find him itching away.

It doesn’t help that Montana is ridiculously dry. I keep the humidifiers going all the time, but I still feel like my skin is flaking off. I know Mauja and Atka can feel the dryness, too. A few weeks ago, I found a red patch on Atka’s leg where he had been frequently scratching. I decided to try and find something to add to their routine to help alleviate his dry skin.

I learned a lot about essential fatty acids in my nutrition classes in college. Much of our focus tends to be on omega-3 fatty acids, but omega-6s are also important. Since Mauja and Atka’s diet is already rich in omega-3 fatty acids, I wanted to try and add omega-6 fatty acids in some way to help with their coat health.

5 Reasons Your Dog Needs Omega-6 Fatty Acids #BayerExpertCare5 Reasons Your Dog Needs Omega-6 Fatty Acids
  1. Omega-6s, specifically Lineolic acid, help increase skin permeability.
  2. Omega-6s prevent the coat from becoming dull and lackluster.
  3. Omega-6s strengthen the fur to keep it from breaking and falling out.
  4. A lack of Omega-6s can cause your dog to become susceptible to certain infections.
  5. A lack of Omega-6s can cause your dog to be horribly itchy.

I decided that I wanted to try something topical for Atka as that is a method we haven’t touched yet. I remembered the vast selection of products offered at PetSmart and we often visit for outings, so we decided to start there.BayerExpertCareSince I was very pleased with the quality of the Ear Care Rinse from Bayer® ExpertCare™, I decided to try another product from their line that is specially formulated for dogs. The ExpertCare line also has an Itch Relief Spray that states the maximum effect will be seen in 3-5 minutes. I always want quick relief when my pups are uncomfortable!

5 Reasons Your Dog Needs Omega-6 Fatty Acids #BayerExpertCareThe Itch Relief Spray includes colloidal oatmeal (oatmeal ground into a fine powder), which helps to pull out any irritant to your dog’s skin. It also includes Omega-6 fatty acids to help maintain the natural barriers of the skin and coat.

Any time I notice Mauja or Atka itching, I break out this spray to offer relief. I have also added it to our normal grooming routine. While brushing the pups, sometimes I notice irritated areas where they had scratched without my knowledge. I apply the Itch Relief Spray to help remove the irritant.

5 Reasons Your Dog Needs Omega-6 Fatty Acids #BayerExpertCareI love the Bayer ExpertCare line because it offers convenient, quality care at an affordable price. If you are like me and always buzzing from here to there, you’ll be able to find an ExpertCare product while out doing your normal shopping.

Has your dog ever suffered from itchy skin? What have you done to offer relief and do you think the Itch Relief Spray would be helpful?

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5 Reasons Your Dog Needs Omega-6 Fatty Acids #BayerExpertCare

Teach Your Dog to Accept Ear Cleanings #BayerExpertCare

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A guide for cleaning your dog's ears with the help of Bayer ExpertCare sold exclusively at PetSmart!

Bayer ExpertCare

 

 

Like many other floppy eared dogs, the Great Pyrenees is prone to ear problems and infections. Their floppy, furry ears can easily trap moisture and dirt that if not cleaned properly can lead to ear infections. Mauja and Atka (for the most part) have naturally clean ears, but that doesn’t mean we skimp on cleaning; it’s a part of our regular grooming routine. In case they do develop an ear issue, I want them to be comfortable with me messing with their ears.

Most dogs aren’t comfortable with foreign objects being shoved in their ears, so if your dog is new to ear cleaning ensure you take it slow. Here’s a process that has worked well for training Mauja and Atka to accept regular ear cleanings.

A guide for cleaning your dog's ears with the help of Bayer ExpertCare sold exclusively at PetSmart!Training Ear Cleaning Acceptance
  1. Grab some yummy treats. Soft treats typically work the best for working through uncomfortable situations with Mauja and Atka. However, with Kaeto, we had to break out the cooked chicken to even get close to him with the cleaner!
  2. Sit with your dog. If you have cleaned your dog’s ears before, chances are he knows exactly what the ear cleaner looks like and what that means! I like to just sit on the floor with the cleaner and treats in hand waiting for Mauja and Atka to approach me. Anytime they get near the cleaner, they get a treat!
  3. Take it a step further. At this point, I start putting the nozzle in the very tip of their ear (but not too far as to avoid poking their ear). Praise, treat, praise, treat, praise, treat! You can’t praise too much during this phase. It was helpful for me to utilize a second person so I didn’t get clumsy with the cleaner or treats.
  4. Use the product. Once your dog is okay with the cleaner in his ear, it’s time to actually do the ear cleaning. Be sure to praise and treat! Most likely, the cleaner will startle him so be wary to avoid poking the ear. Most cleaners then require that you massage it into the ear, which I always try to disguise with an ear rub 😉

It’s important to note that these steps take time and most likely will not be accomplished in a single sitting. It took several weeks of practicing before Mauja and Atka would allow me to put the cleaner in their ears. Take it slow. After enough practice, hopefully you’ll have a dog that tolerates ear cleaning!

A guide for cleaning your dog's ears with the help of Bayer ExpertCare sold exclusively at PetSmart!

Bayer® ExpertCare™ Ear Cleansing Rinse at PetSmart

A guide for cleaning your dog's ears with the help of Bayer ExpertCare sold exclusively at PetSmart!I like convenience. I want to be able to either order something online or pick it up at a place that I shop frequently. Trust me, convenience doesn’t outweigh a quality product, but it’s nice when the two coincide! That’s why I’m thrilled that the Bayer ExpertCare products are being sold at exclusively PetSmart. This is perfect for a busy woman like myself that wants to give her pups the best care possible.

A guide for cleaning your dog's ears with the help of Bayer ExpertCare sold exclusively at PetSmart!The Bayer ExpertCare line includes a fantastic ear rinse. The solution is a fresh-scented antiseptic cleansing rinse that contains wax-dissolving and drying agents with aloe vera. This was our first time using the ear rinse from Bayer and I’ve been really impressed with the results. I’ve decided to swap this ear cleaner for the one we typically use and I love that I can easily grab it while we are at PetSmart.

Do you have an ear cleaning routine for your dog? Have you tried any of the Bayer ExpertCare products from PetSmart?

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A guide for cleaning your dog's ears with the help of Bayer ExpertCare sold exclusively at PetSmart!

A Fluffy Halloween

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We're celebrating Halloween Great Pyrenees style with toys, treats, and costumes from PetSmart!Halloween is only a few days away – are you ready?

I certainly wasn’t until we received the most awesome package from our pals at PetSmart. The package was full of Halloween themed toys and COSTUMES! Eep! I was so excited to see that one of the costumes was Olaf from Frozen (if you haven’t seen it, get it asap). So we have toys, costumes… and what are we missing?

TREATS!

How can you have Halloween without treats? I’m pretty much it’s impossible. So I ran out to PetSmart to get Mauja and Atka some Halloween/fall themed treats.

We're celebrating Halloween Great Pyrenees style with toys, treats, and costumes from PetSmart!

Here’s Mauja and Atka’s trick or treat haul:

Fruitables Pumpkin Mango Skinny Minis – These little treats are one of my absolute favorites for training! I’m kind of lazy and don’t like having to cut/tear their treats apart into small bites. These are a perfect size – yes, even for my giants! (Mauja and Atka definitely might disagree)

Zuke’s Mini Naturals Ghosts – These bite-sized treats are Turkey & Pumpkin flavored and perfect for training as well. Bonus that they are shaped like adorable, little ghosts! They’re definitely Caspers, not scary ghosts 😉

Bocce’s Bakery Spooky Pumpkin – A crunchy biscuit with only four ingredients: oat flour, pumpkin, peanut butter, and cinnamon. I like to give Mauja and Atka pumpkin, but they refuse to eat it plain. I have to sneak it in using treats!

Blue Buffalo Boo Bars – These biscuits are made with pumpkin and cinnamon and smell delicious! These are always a hit with Mauja and Atka.

Okay, now for the best part; the costumes!

When I got the costumes out, I quickly realized that I was much more thrilled than they were. Mauja and Atka don’t wear clothes, so they aren’t used to the sensation. Side note: if your dog isn’t comfortable, don’t force them into the costume. Treat treat treat to create a positive association and go slowly.

Mauja got to wear the hamburger costume (which I think made her look like a ninja turtle) and Atka wore the Olaf costume. Just so you’re aware if you have a giant breed, the XXL costumes did not fit either of them. I’m going to get some long velcro strips so the straps go the entire way around their bodies. I still think they looked cute (even though I’m sure they hated me didn’t agree).

We're celebrating Halloween Great Pyrenees style with toys, treats, and costumes from PetSmart!
Yep, Mauja is not pleased at all.
We're celebrating Halloween Great Pyrenees style with toys, treats, and costumes from PetSmart!
Atka felt he needed to hide his head in shame (even though Olaf is the CUTEST)

So… my pictures definitely aren’t the best. I will be the first to admit that photographing two giant, pouting dogs on your own isn’t easy. Excuses excuses, I know. I’m going to work on that and see if I can get better pictures over the next few days!

Right now I’m sucking up with all the delicious treats I got them. That should work, right? I’m sure they are devising a way to humiliate me the way I did them. They’ll probably poop on the Wing Commander’s lawn or something. Perhaps I should avoid that street on our walks for awhile… 😉

Are you prepared for Halloween? If your dog is going to wear a costume, what will it be?

Disclaimer: PetSmart was kind enough to surprise Mauja and Atka with the costumes and toys without any expectation. We decided to share the products because we thought they were ADORABLE. The treats were not a part of the package and were purchased on my own.

Great Pyrenees Grooming #CHIforDogs

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Here's how we've updated our Great Pyrenees dog grooming routine with #CHIforDogs sold exclusively at PetSmart!

Has it really been over a year since we talked in-depth about grooming? With two, giant, fluffy dogs, grooming can set me back about $200. That’s not something I can afford frequently so I’m always looking for high-quality, affordable products.

This post is sponsored by Fetch for Pets and the BlogPaws Professional Pet Blogger Network. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about CHI for Dogs but It’s Dog or Nothing only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Fetch for Pets is not responsible for the content of this article.

Starting September 2015, CHI® for Dogs will hit PetSmart shelves exclusively with over 35 dog grooming products. We were lucky enough to try a few #CHIforDogs dog grooming products to keep Mauja and Atka’s coats white, bright, and fluffy.

[Read more…] about Great Pyrenees Grooming #CHIforDogs

Mauja and Atka’s Passport to Summer

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Great Pyrenees at PetSmart with a custom Tote Tails bag

Last week we gave you some tips for taking your dog to the beach along with an adorable video of puppy Mauja (missed it? see it here). That post was a part of PetSmart’s Passport to Summer campaign where they are sharing tips on summer fun with your #NewPetPartner. Follow the hashtag for some fun pictures, tips, and tricks! Well, today I’m going to share Mauja and Atka’s summer passports.

Mauja and Atka's Passports to Summer

Mauja and Atka have done many, many things recently.

Just this summer the fluffies have:

Swam in the river

Great Pyrenees

Visited Helena, MT

Great Pyrenees in Helena, Montana

Traveled to Nashville, TN for BlogPaws

Great Pyrenees and Wellness Dog Food

Dined at several outdoor restaurants

Great Pyrenees at Panera

Appeared on BuzzFeed (full article here)

Great Pyrenees on BuzzFeed

Been interviewed by Natural Balance (video here)

Great Pyrenees and Natural Balance

Enjoyed many pool days

Great Pyrenees with Chuckit toys in pool

Eaten far too many marshmallows

Great Pyrenees Marshmallow Addict

Devoured many Doggie Cone treats

Great Pyrenees with Doggie Cone

Attended many training classes

Great Pyrenees training

Played with new puppy friends

Ridden in a new car

4Knines Rear Bench Seat Cover with Great Pyrenees

Watched the U.S. Women’s soccer team win the gold

Great Pyrenees Soccer Fan

Made new human friends

Great Pyrenees visiting Air Force Airmen

Enjoyed puppaccinos

Starbucks loving Great Pyrenees

Played many games of fluffy soccer

Great Pyrenees

Hosted visits from family (for more fluffy soccer)

Great Pyrenees Soccer

Napped, napped, and napped some more

Great Pyrenees Napping

 

A special thanks to Chuckit for the fun, summertime toys!

What have you done with your pups this summer?

Disclaimer: This post is part of PetSmart’s #NewPetPartner campaign. It’s Dog or Nothing was compensated to help spread the word, but don’t worry – the content on It’s Dog or Nothing will never be influenced by an advertiser and we only share things we feel you would enjoy!

Fluffy Weekend Adventure

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As much as I hate to admit it, summer is coming to a close here in Montana. We’ve had weather barely reaching 70 degrees accompanied by a cool breeze. I’m not a fan of fall coming, but the fluffies are itching for some cooler weather.

With the cooler weather this past weekend, I figured it would be the perfect time to take Mauja and Atka to the farmer’s market. The market here in town isn’t dog friendly, but there is one just over an hour away that is and is even bigger. So, we packed up the dogs, tons of water, and made a quick stop at Starbucks for coffee and puppaccinos before hitting the road.

Great Pyrenees

I had forgotten that there’s a huge fire in the area and other parts of the state are dealing with horrible smoke. As we continued to drive, the smell of smoke got stronger and stronger. I did a quick search and found that the air quality where we were going was labeled “good”, so we decided to continue on our way. Thankfully, we arrived to find that the smoky smell wasn’t really apparent in town.

However, it wasn’t all good from there. What’s a trip without some issues anyway? 😉 Not too long after parking the car, Mauja threw up and I got stung by a bee. It was a great start to our day… Thankfully, Mauja seemed fine so we decided to peruse the market.

We all had a great time looking through the stands of delicious produce and unique goods. The fluffies were most interested in the stand with homemade dog treats and pupcakes, Yes, we left with pupcakes. Look how cute they are! Well, were. They’re long gone by now!

Pupcakes

Mauja and Atka were show-stoppers through the entire market making it impossible to walk more than a few steps without stopping to chat with people. I love talking to people about the breed, but this was the most frustrated I had been while out with them in a long time.

Conversation after conversation went like this:

Person: Oh my gosh what gorgeous dogs! What breed are they?

Me: Thanks! They’re Great Pyrenees.

Person: Are you going to have puppies? I would love to have a puppy from you.

Me: No, we don’t breed – they’re both fixed.

Person: Too bad. Seems like they’d make cute, sweet puppies.

Aaaand, this is why there are so many pyrs in shelters. These people never asked about the breed and I had several people simply ask how much they cost (one of the many things to never say to someone with a Great Pyrenees). No one cared about their traits. All they saw were well-behaved, sweet, beautiful dogs. Beautiful dogs that require a lot of work and a lot of patience. A breed that not many should have.

Great Pyrenees Love

Anyway – after I vented to Nick about these people we left and went to the walking mall downtown. There’s several cute shops, fun sculptures, and art pieces where we stopped to get several pictures.

Finally, we went to PetSmart for a fun shopping trip where I could show off my new Tote Tails bag. (which we will have more on in a few days). We let Mauja and Atka pick out a new toy, grabbed some treats, and headed back home.

Great Pyrenees at PetSmart with a custom Tote Tails bag

The fluffies slept the rest of the day and I may have taken a nap myself 😉 I always love getting them out on adventures for socialization and training. Plus, it’s great bonding for us to get out together as a family 🙂

Great Pyrenees in Helena, Montana

Did you do anything this past weekend with your dogs? Do you have a favorite place to go with them?

Tips to Enjoy the Waves with Your #NewPetPartner

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Tips to Enjoy the Waves with Your #NewPetPartner

Summer is by far my favorite time of year. Sunny days, water fun, and vacations – what’s not to love?! Mauja and Atka participate in the majority of our summer activities. I love having them with us and they love getting out and about and meeting new people.

When Mauja first entered our lives, we spent a lot of time preparing for our new fluffy baby. We researched, planned, and then researched some more. I felt pretty confident when she came home with us, but you always have to be ready for some unexpected challenges! Taking Mauja on her first beach trip was one of those challenges.

Here are 5 tips to help your beach visit go smoothly:

1. Make sure the beach is dog-friendly. Many beaches are only dog-friendly during certain times of the year or day.

2. Don’t force your dog. Mauja was scared of the waves at first and it took a few visits before she became comfortable. Let your dog explore at his/her own pace.

3. Pay attention to your surroundings. People don’t always pick up after themselves and can leave drinks or snacks that could harm your dog. Bottle rings, broken glass and cigarettes are often left as well.

4. Watch for over-exercising. Some dogs just have so much fun and don’t know when to stop! Make sure your dog is getting plenty of fresh water and shade breaks to hydrate and relax.

5. Clean up properly. Before heading out, make sure you clean up all your belongings (especially those poop bags) to keep the beach dog-friendly. Find some fresh water to clean the salt and sand out of your dog’s fur for a comfortable ride home. Oh, and don’t forget plenty of towels so you don’t bring the ocean back with you 😉

If you’ve taken your dog to the beach, what other tips do you have?

DSC_0091edit

This post is a part of PetSmart’s #NewPetPartner Passport to Summer campaign. Stay tuned next week to see the fluffies’ summer passport! Want more tips for bringing home your new best friend? PetSmart has great sources here and here and follow @itsdogornothing.kelsie and #NewPetPartner on Instagram for more tips and tricks 🙂 Special thanks to PetSmart and Chuck It for the fun summertime toys!

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by PetSmart. It’s Dog or Nothing was compensated for helping promote PetSmart’s #NewPetPartner campaign, but we only share information we believe in and feel you would enjoy!