SLO has gone to the dogs…

Cici got to travel on a Tiki tour boat and see/hear the sea otters, seals and seal lions in Morro Bay.  She kept looking around and sniffing for fish.

And we met a chi-wow-wow named Lillie who out-diva’d my polka dot princess.  Seriously this tiny pup has x-ray eyes, follows her guardian man Leslie wherever he goes and does not stop shaking until he comes back to her. Then she sat on my chest and went into Zen meditation mode. What a cutie, am missing her already.  (me and Lillie and her dad Leslie at Thomas Organics restaurant in Paso Robles).

Emma, some kind of heeler, herder puppy, two years old, with a black eye, Cici and Emma had some fun together playing, jawing, wrestling, running around on the beach.

April, an adorable Beagle mix, also white but with some brindle/brown markings. Cici and April chased one another, too.  Here are most of the dogs walking with Robyn.

Zoe, the Saluki, kind of kept to herself (I think she is kind of scared of other dogs) and she is a lapdog.

and Demi (who I keep wanting to call Murphy), a Heinz 57 type of gal with her mom Deb at the Ecluse Winery (Deb took all of these photos except the Saluki).

can you imagine a more diverse group of dogs???

All of the dogs are female and they and their owners/guardians and I went on a press trip (very intense) for three days and two nights to San Luis Obispo county (seven cities in three days)… whew !!!     (Cambria, Pismo Beach, Grover Beach, Morro Bay, San Simeon, San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles).   www.visitSanLuisObispoCounty.com

will be writing more about the FUN we had and the dog friendly places we met along the way in future blog posts including one for  Mama’s Day which is coming up May 12.

All of the dogs also got to meet some white Labs and a blind dog named Toby at the Ecluse winery in Paso Robles.

A great time was had by ALL…lots of divine food, wine and treats and s’mores at Grover Beach…

well except for one day…  every dog has her day…

Cici’s terrible horrible no good very bad day…

well, you know that Cici has three nemesis, right…

1. cats

2. bull dogs

3. skateboards (and scooters)

all three of the above make her freak out… bark and act like she is having a canine melt down…

and guess what happened to my girl?

she met all three of her nemesis in ONE day… and she flipped out….

otherwise, we all had tons of fun…

More about the trip/media tour…

 

http://baywoof.com/featured-article/first-ever-dog-friendly-media-tour-sniffs-out-the-best-in-san-luis-obispo/

http://jetsetextra.com/destinations/north-america/united-states/california/san-luis-obispo/san-luis-obispo-county-welcomes-your-furry-little-friend

Lily

http://www.jetsetextra.com/destinations/north-america/united-states/california/san-luis-obispo/san-luis-obispo-county-welcomes-your-furry-little-friend-day-2

Party animals play it safe for New Year’s Eve

New Year’s Eve is almost here. No matter what your plans are, have you made plans for or with your pets/dogs? Cici and I will spend New Year’s Eve inside. And many people opt to stay home and have a party with a few friends. If you go out or stay inside, here are a few tips to keep the furry ones safe.

1. If you are going out for the evening, make sure that your pets are safe and secure inside the house. Perhaps hiring a pet sitter or boarding your pet is a good option, to keep your pets safe.  There may be fireworks and loud noises that will frighten your dog. The last thing you want is for your dog to run away.

2. Be sure your dog has her collar and current tags on with all of your pertinent info, phone numbers, etc. Even if your dog is microchipped, having this info on the tag/collar will help if someone finds your dog away from home.

3. Have a few pictures of each of your pets in different poses and settings to ensure that you’ll be reunited with a lost pet. You probably have a lot of photos of your pets either around your home or floating around in your digital camera.

4. Don’t drink and drive and do not give your pets any booze. Alcohol can be toxic to dogs.  Party snacks like chocolates, raisins, grapes, and more should stay out of reach, too. If you have guests over for the evening, keep your dog safely away from unsupervised drinks and snacks.

Help your human guests stay safe by following these tips:

Ensure that all guests have a ride to and from their destination in a car driven by a non-drinking designated driver

Plan activities that take the focus away from drinking, and make non-alcoholic beverages including water readily available

Serve high-protein snacks to slow down alcohol absorption

Stop serving alcohol at least 90 minutes before a party ends, and serve guests coffee or dessert

Take car keys from intoxicated guests who plan to drive home.

Be prepared to let your guests stay the night as an alternative to them driving home after drinking.

AAA offers free rides for the intoxicated.  Tipsy Tow service provides a complimentary ride and vehicle tow up to three miles from the point of pickup to drivers who have consumed alcohol on New Year’s Eve. Tipsy Tow service is available to members and non-members. Ask for a Tipsy Tow by calling 1-800-AAA-HELP (222-4357)

5.  Keep your pet in a separate room during the evening. Provide water, toys, a comfortable bed and litter for cats. Leave a television, soothing music or radio on to block out frightening noises. Not only will this keep your pet safely in the house, but will also help reduce his or her stress throughout the evening.

6.  Do you know how your pets respond to loud noises? Noisemakers, champagne corks and more can be dangerous for children and pets, especially if they shoot across the room or break into pieces. Keep children and pets away from these and also from fireworks.

7.  Party decorations such as balloons, streamers, party hats or confetti are not good for your dog’s digestive system. Keep pets in a separate room so they do not have access to the decorations. If they do swallow something, consult a veterinarian immediately.

8. Might be a good idea to tucker your dog out with a long walk or exercise session before the partying begins.

9. If your dog is invited to a dog party or event for New Year’s, or you decide to invite a few doggie pals over to your house, make sure that  all of the dogs are safe by providing healthy dog treats, lots of water, toys and games for them to play. Keep it short and fun and end it way before midnight.

Help your pet ring in the New Year with you by ensuring that he or she has a comfortable and safe evening.

Tomorrow we will highlight a few doggie items for bringing in the New Year with style. Stay tuned.

tips for traveling dogs

This Thanksgiving, 42.5 million people are expected to hit the road to visit family and friends, according to AAA.  You can visit our Pet Travel Tips page for an overview of the way that Cici and I roll. And want ideas about where to go, be sure to visit our Free Guide to Pet Friendly Cities (places we’ve visited and recommend). But here are a few more fun pet travel tips for pet owners traveling with their dogs this holiday season.

Cici and  I suggest:

If you travel frequently with your pet, you may want to put towels, seat covers and/or sheets over the car seats to stop the fur from flying all over the place.  Bergan’s travel seat protectors can help.  I’ve also seen dog seats (like car seats for kids) that you can get although we’ve never tried any of them.

It’s also a good idea to bring pet food in a plastic storage bin to keep food fresh. And I always carry a pet travel bag for Cici filled with her items (toys, treats, green first aid kit including Bach Flowers Rescue Remedy, aromatherapy oils such as Lavendar and more). And if you are into hiking with your dog, there are backpacks for dogs to carry their own weight.

Now here’s a word from other dog travelers:

From Lucy Postins, CEO of The Honest Kitchen: (Cici loves Keen pet food)

Adding a small amount of dried ginger or ginger tea to a light meal before you depart can  be beneficial for pets who are prone to sickness in the car. Some dogs do better if they fast right before hitting the road.

I have three dogs…90 lb, 75 lb and a 40lb that travel three times a year

between Minneapolis and Denver with me . I do several things:

1. they all wear their seatbelts which attach to their harnesses, and to

the actual seatbelt. Without those, they’d be all over the place.

2. We listen to either classical music or Through a Dogs Ear music. Both

really settle them down and lull them to sleep.

3. We stop at dog friendly parks where there is a gated area and they can

RUN. Just walking them on the leash doesn’t cut it.

4. When it’s dark, they just go to sleep. But if I’m trying to do it in a

day I use Happy Traveler, which is an herbal mixture my vet recommended.

That also keeps them very relaxed. (it’s chamomile, hops, etc)

5. I don’t give them rawhides or too many treats. Driving makes them very

thirsty, and those make it worse.

Tips from Bart the Dumpster Dog

 www.bartthedumpsterdog.com

I suggest crating the dogs in the back of the car or tethering them or at least providing some Kong-type toys to occupy them.

www.thatmutt.com

www.runthatmutt.com

Sap:

Dog appeasing pheromones can be spritzed in the air. Also

available as a plug in outlet or as a dog collar (there is a kitty

version as well). This is the stuff the mommy dog emits to the

puppies. It can be helpful in stressful situations (one of my dogs is

storm phobic).

Carsickness:

Some swear by gingersnap cookies. Others like the Calming Cap by

Premier Products (which lowers the visual stimulus for the dog). One

owner showed me how she would just put a puppy potty pad in the crate

with the dog to make her clean up easier. If you go this route, carry a

zip style bag to seal off the pad and something like Nature’s Miracle

really cuts the smell.

BRING ME:

a favorite toy, bed and a couple of treats. I like to teach “place” on

a dishtowel. I can bring the towel, do a quick review of the command in

a new place and the dog understands that all the rules from home, apply

here too.

Abby Harrison

Sit Dog Stay

Houston TX

When traveling with a dog to visit relatives who might be a little

squeamish, win them over with wonderful treats like a Doggie Candle or a

Doggie Room Spray or some kind of all-natural aromas with a

pet-friendly twist and the wonderful thing is that when you get them from

Soap Hope, all the profits go to lift women from poverty. They make a

great housewarming gift for your travel host, especially since the gift

note says “Every dollar of profit from this gift will empower a woman to

defeat poverty.”

time for our weekly Pet Blog Hop thanks to Life with Dogs,Two Little Cavaliers and Confessions of the Plume…  Grab the code and hop away…

holiday tips for the road

If you are going to the Rapture today, have a great time…

Cici and I had fun driving around for two years… these are a few things that kept us safe and sane. With Memorial Day weekend coming up, these tips are helpful for holidays and can also be good for summer travel with your pooches.

l.  Comfy and cozy and restrained. I had Cici all set up in the back seat with her own blankets and bedding, toys and bones to chew on. Familiar stuff. She could stretch out and snooze while I drove. Or gnaw on bones. Whatever she felt like doing was ok with me because she was out of the way. No coming up into the front of the car or sitting beside me. I did not strap her in but now have a harness for her that attaches to the seat belt which I will use when/if we go on another road trip.  We have been invited back east in June, not sure yet if we will go.

2.  Speaking dog language. I sing songs to her, making them up as I go along. She has learned that when I sing the beach song that means we are going to the beach and she perks up. Or when I sing the doggie park song, she’ll be ready to play with doggie pals. One of the sweetest sounds is the yum yum song, meaning we’re gonna go eat some food. Salivation.

3. Give me a potty break. I take frequent breaks/stops along the way to our destinations and often times intentionally stop at places I know that she will enjoy, if possible. Beaches, dog parks, pet friendly wineries as well as shopping malls and pet stores. When we have the time to do this, it definitely breaks up the monotony of the road and makes the traveling easier and more fun.

4.  Time and traffic. We usually were not in a rush to get anywhere, so our time schedule was flexible. If we had to be somewhere at a certain time, I’d leave more than enough time to get there. When traveling on a holiday weekend, go a day or two ahead if you can or a day or two later to avoid the rush hour traffic.  Same with summer travel. Be aware of times when traffic gets jammed up and take a different route, if possible.

5. Unexpected things will always happen so prepare and expect an adventure. Bring car oil, gas can, a flashlight, a spare tire, camping gear, water, extra dog food and treats, towels, pillows, clothing, extra cash or credit card and other items you might need (shampoo, scissors, bandages, ointments and creams and oils) just in case.

6.  Maps and driving directions. Keep in glove compartment. I am not always good about this. I know the general direction or city/place and then get there and not know where to go and have to search online or on my computer. Keep phone numbers and addresses handy, too.  If you have a cell phone/I-phone, probably makes this easier. I have yet to succumb to the 21st century on this one but if you are traveling alone, especially in desolate areas such as the desert, having a cell phone is a good idea. Hopefully, there is a connection/dial tone when you need to use it.

7.  Be a good guest. Bring your best manners with you. And pet waste bags. If renting a car, cover the seats with sheets and keep your pooch in a crate or harnessed to a dog bed in the back seat. Let the fur fly somewhere else than in the rental car or you might have to pay a hefty fee. Also, be sure of the rental car company’s pet policy before you get to the rental counter. At the pet friendly inn, hotel, motel, B&B or campground, find out ahead of time their do’s and don’ts, nearby places to visit including restaurants where you can take your pooch and fun dog friendly activities in the area.

8.  Be considerate. Not everyone loves dogs and some people are afraid of dogs. And they don’t have to nor do some like pit bulls and other big dogs. And they do not have to either. Of course, rude comments, aggressive behavior and insults are not acceptable and discrimination is unwarranted. But if your dog is well behaved, does not run up to strangers, knock babies over, lick kid’s ice cream cones,  bark or yap incessantly, share fur and drool everywhere or jump up on tables, people and furniture, a better time will be had for all. Make sure your fur baby is a good ambassador for the breed and species.

9.  Accidents may happen. Bring your vet’s phone number, medical records, ID tags, photos of your pet and other info with you, just in case. Also any medications and a pet first aid kit (like the green one we suggested).

10.  One is the loneliest number. Dogs do not like to be left alone in a hotel room, strange places or even in the familiar confines of your car. Do not ever leave your four legged friend unattended in a parked vehicle. On warm days, the temperature in your vehicle is unbearable, 120 degrees, even with the windows slightly open. In addition, your pet could be taken away by unscrupulous pet thieves looking to make a quick buck.

11.  Does your Dog Have a License? If you and your dog are going to share the driving, be sure that they have their Pet’s Driver’s License. Kidding but Cici does now have her Pet Driver’s License, with all her ID listed on it plus a photo of her on it. Between this, her collar ID tag, microchip registered, she is all set to get up and go. Cannot wait for someone to ask for my driver’s license, I will definitely show them hers.

http://www.mypetdmv.com/

http://youcantmakeitup.blogspot.com/2006/04/50-animals-driving.html

Now it’s time to take a Blog Hop road trip catching dogs with Life with Dogs and Two Cavalier Dogs online, here be the code

a long and winding road…

a pit bully story with a happy ending, yay!   since today is national pet safety day, seems like you should know about how to safely travel with your pit bull… (also check out this post about a wonderful pet travel package including a harness, a must have for traveling with dogs).

Michelle Sathe, a features writer for the Santa Clarita Valley Signal, a Southern California, newspaper, decided that she would take a road trip to raise awareness about pit bulls and adoption issues with a homeless pit bully named Loren for her 40th birthday.  She had been caring for Loren as a volunteer at a no kill shelter, the Brittany Foundation. Together, she and Loren drove to the east coast (29 states) and back in 50 days! a remarkable feat in and of itself…

Their journey together is told in her book Pit Stops…

some of the places they went to were downright scary, others inspiring. The people they met, the same. But through it all, Loren was a sweet, calm, loving girl…

Their journey reminded me a lot of mine with Cici. How people responded to Loren and how Loren kissed/licked back, showing off her belly, too.

There is some kvetching/complaining at times when the road gets too long and the journey too deep and lots of food to comfort. At the end of the book is a resource directory of pit bull rescue organizations and other pertinent info.

Her website has excerpts from the book, that you can read.

Michelle had a lot of support for her journey and is planning another trip next summer with a different dog since Loren has been adopted (finally) by a loving person.

Cici and I are considering a cross country trip next summer, too…  but that discussion is for another post.

If you are curious about what it would be like to travel with a pit bully, then be sure to pick up a copy of Michelle’s book.

$1 from each copy of “Pit Stops” will benefit The Brittany Foundation no-kill dog rescue in Agua Dulce, California, where Loren came from and more than 70 dogs currently await their forever home.

tips for innkeepers

here are a few tips that I have compiled from inns that are doing well even in this economy and those that are not…

Do’s

* provide dog treats, dog bowls, dog beds and other doggie amenities, it is very much appreciated

* if you want pet owners to clean up dog waste, please provide plastic biodegradable bags as well as nearby waste containers…

* please provide a safe, easy access, clearly marked grassy area, fenced, if possible, where dog owners can take their dogs

* keep guests coming back by making your guests feel special with little extras, gifts and goodies for pets and pet owners

* make our stay memorable, for instance, the MacCallum House breakfast was divine and so was the unique hot tub in the private yard not to mention the private limo to the wine country that allows dogs

Sally’s breakfast at Howard Creek Ranch inn is also memorable because it is hearty, no skimpy or stingy portions, guests can eat as much as they want and the food is fresh and down home delicious

Best memorable views is a three way tie between Agate Cove Inn, Little River Inn and Greenwood Pier in Elk…

* the Stanford Inn was the first in the area to offer pet friendly lodging before it was popular and their zenlike property is memorable, as is their pet friendly dining with superb award-winning vegan cuisine

* offer amenities such as WIFI and phone so that guests who want to stay connected can and those that don’t do not have to take advantage of the service

* offer complimentary breakfast and afternoon tea and cookie…  the Sea Foam Lodge delivers piping hot muffins to each guest’s door, a breakfast to remember…  the Doubletree Hotel in Rohnert Park and other locations that provides guests with fresh hot baked cookies daily and complimentary wine and cheese in the afternoon

* have pet friendly and knowledgable staff available (concierge, front desk) to answer questions, arrange tours and make suggestions

* stand out, be distinct, give us something to write home and tell our friends and associates about

Don’ts

* please don’t discriminate against certain breeds and sizes of dogs

* why nickel and dime visitors to death with extra charges for phone calls, tempting treats and foods in the fridge, and charges for other amenities, if you charge $200+ a night?

* make us wait forever to get into the room and rush us out of the room in the morning

* housekeeping is important and necessary and so is landscaping but please have staff be as quiet and unobtrusive as possible, no one wants to listen to lawnmowers all afternoon. you want us to enjoy our stay, right?

* please don’t use chemicals, green, enviro safety is in, please use safe nontoxic odorless products to clean the room

Remember, if your guests have a choice between staying at a clean fresh modern motel with internet access in the room, free phone calls that serves breakfast with lots of options (eggs, cereal, muffins, bagels, english muffins, and toast)  for $50 a night or paying $100-250+ a night at your inn with no internet access, no phone and no breakfast, why do you think they would choose your inn even if they can afford to do so just because your inn is located in a popular destination, was successful in the past, is historic or?

here a blog, there a blog… dog cars blog…

My blog, in case you have not noticed, has a new name and face lift… what do you think?  Anything else that you’d like to see that is not here?

Thanks to the good folks at dogcars.com for their post about us…

http://dogcars.com/blog/?p=244

I was strolling through the Internet one day and lo and behold I found this blog… about dogs and cars… what a great idea… and filled with great tips and info about traveling with dogs in cars…  what cars are the best, how to travel with a Great Dane, fuel friendly cars, police cars in living color and much much more…

so I reached out and emailed and voila… a pet connection was made 🙂

next time you want to know about the best car to drive your puppy around in, go visit dogcars.com and tell them CeliaSue and Cici sent you !

a man and his dog… and a dog travel network…

Curtis and his dog lugnut sit at a rest area in central oregon. When a car drives up and the people get out of the car, he greets them happily and offers to clean the bugs off their windows. He is courteous, polite and upbeat, even pleasant… He is living in a weekly motel with his dog, a pit mix. The donations he receives from people keeps him off the street and fed.  Enterprising.  get this man a yurt.

cici wants a yurt… buy this dog a yurt… her own yurt. my own yurt.  a yurt to call our home…

Some interesting dog travel blogs including where to find the dog friendly beaches in Italy.

http://www.petparents.com/family-dog/traveling-with-your-dog.cfm

http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Dogtravels/

http://travelblog.viator.com/travels-with-a-big-dog/

http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/dog-gone/

http://www.venere.com/blog/italy-dog-beaches/

http://realtravel.com/aachen-journals-j7219694.html

http://www.dogchannel.com/dog-training/travelwithdogs/article_20773.aspx

http://www.doggienews.com/travel.htm

http://www.dogtravelnetwork.com/index.html

http://www.dogcaredigest.com/dog_travel_&_safety.html

We are now in Grants Pass, Oregon… and may stay here a few days and camp out this weekend… hah, says Cici… I am not sleeping in a tent… and I am not allowed in the campground yurts… oh well…

we are staying at the Sunset Inn in Grants Pass on Sixth Street… Stephanie and her mom have been filling me in on all of the chocolate venues (three) in town besides the wonderfully delicious Cary’s toffee place… Stephanie’s mom said Cici looks like her dog in Hawaii… and we also talked about Best Friends Animal Sanctuary.  Am looking forward to new chocolate sampling… yum yum…

now here’s more about the Sunset Inn… I stayed at a Super 8 the other night for $80 and got a sorry tiny bagel, no cream cheese… while here at the Sunset Inn, they actually had real bagels, the everything bagel, cheese bagels, a variety of bagels and with cream cheese… and they gave me a $5 gas card, the room smells fresh, none of that motel smell, and the shampoos are eco friendly.  Plus, Stephanie gave me a toothbrush kit and they have other types of kits for shaving, sewing, etc. and told me about where other yurts are in the area and parks where I can take the cici bug… and there is hot chocolate and coffee throughout the day in the lobby… now why don’t other motels give folks amenities like these?

i love this photo because every time I go out of the car, cici goes and sits in the driver’s seat as if she is going to drive the car… she usually waits patiently for me to return… on occasion, yesterday, she would not move over and wanted to drive next to me, the car is too full and there was no room, but a girl dog just wants to cuddle with her mom while driving… or lean her head on her mom’s shoulder or arm or lap. awwww…

beautiful Oregon coast beaches…

We drove from Medford, Oregon where it was 100 degrees to Florence, Oregon where it was nice and cool… Cici played on the beach and had a blast yesterday morning… the drive up from Florence to Lincoln City was absolutely stunning… Lovely quaint towns with interesting resources… In Waldport, we stopped at a place that is part health food store and part pet store, with wonderful all natural foods and treats… yum…

then we came up north and did not like Newport and could not find anything other than Subway and Taco Bell’s to eat and I was hungry, really really hungry… so we drove up through Depoe Bay, which is a really great place and where the whales hang out and ate at a small burger, coffee and ice cream shop… Cici sat patiently outside while I ate… Then we came up to Lincoln City and unfortunately I drove back down to Newport to check something out and found out after getting lost when I tried to find a motel for the night that the motels there are ghastly and worse… they each have bizarre-o decidedly UN PET FRIENDLY rules, some places only want dogs that are 10-20 pounds or 30 pounds and some will only take a dog if you give them a credit card, etc.  so if you have a dog DO NOT GO TO NEWPORT… run do not walk…

Depoe Bay did not seem to have a large selection of places to stay and one place was not clean… then we drove back up to Lincoln City at 8:30 pm on the advice of one inn who said I could spend $30 less on their sister location in LC… so exhausted as I was I did… and I am now sitting across the street at the Lincoln City Inn, in their lobby, because the Crown Pacific Inn where I stayed, their internet does not work, the tv did not work, and the heater did not work… basic amenities right, so for $50 I got attitude… when I complained and asked to speak with the owner, both the managers at each location refused and the manager across the streeet told me to stay here at the Lincoln City Inn IF I WANTED SERVICE… so I took her advice… what kind of customer service is that???  Came over here and the manager here said welcome, sure you can use our internet…

I also spoke with the Captain Cook Inn north of here, I had a coupon, it would have been the same rate as the inn I stayed in and the guy was quite sympathetic and said that he has a booster, just in case, regarding the Internet wireless… am going to go there later on…

So, be warned, beware, if you do come to this beautiful place, DO NOT STAY AT THE CROWN PACIFIC INN…  either Depoe Bay or Lincoln City.  Depoe Bay is $30 more for the same lack of service… they were pet friendly but for $50 a night, I expect to not freeze, and have to call up the manager at 3 am to give me a blanket, have a tv that works, as well as Internet, especially since that is what I am paying for. In addition, their free continental breakfast consisted of a half a muffin and some coffee… PUHLEASE !!!!

$50 is still $50… and if they treated me this way, they are sure to treat others this way… I will tell the world about their crappy service and attitude… and oh yes, they have a 20 year old non techie genius who tried to help with the wireless, but he’s clueless…

onward and upward, we will visit the beach and yesterday we visited the Whale Center and saw a few whales in the distance… yay…
Hours of Operation:

Summer Season
Memorial Day – Labor Day
9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Daily

Discovery Season
October- May
10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Wednesday – Sunday

Contact us
(541) 765-3304
Fax (541) 765-3402

camping with your K9 …

tips for camping with your dog

summertime and the living is hazy… due to the over 800 (that’s right, not a typo) eight hundred fires currently burning in California (north and south), the air here has been VERY unhealthy, smoky and horrible, been putting Vick’s on before I go outside and thought about getting a face mask although the news said that it doesn’t really do much… all i could find were paint face masks made out of paper from Lowe’s and the local pharmacy… and you have to buy a bunch of them, too…

the last two days, we met up with a dog pack made up of three labs, one golden, one puppy and a lab of unknown age, and a woman who takes laps around the dog park (about 6-8 laps at a time), and cici has joined right in with the pack and gotten along with all of them, especially the puppy lab…  yesterday, the dogs found raw hide treats and cici was running and chewing at the same time, and taking the treats away from the other dogs… she thinks that fun… along with stalking squirrels.

she also was the center of attention last night.  People just love her and this group of guys and another family with a tiny infant were fawning all over her, much to her delight… wag thy tail…

we finally got the word that the car is ready so today we will get it and probably leave tomorrow, gotta get us some good clean air to breathe!

gasp gasp gasp….

anyway, thought I’d write about taking your dog camping, since it’s summer and people are spending less on vacations and probably more people will be camping out with their K9’s…

http://www.coyotecom.com/dogcamp.html

cici did not like being inside the tent when we camped out a few weeks ago… i had to bodily lift her up and put her inside and zip her in… so yes, getting a dog used to a tent beforehand is a good idea, if you can do so…

http://dogs.about.com/od/travel/a/travelwithdogs.htm

Bring for the car ride:

* Lists of rest stops and veterinary hospitals
* Leash
* Dog seat belt or crate / kennel
* Water and Bowl
* Treats
* One or two toys
* Blanket and/or dog bed
* Bags to pick up waste
* Medications, if applicable
* Your dog’s medical records
*  First Aid Kit

encounters with critters

http://ee.1asphost.com/jongr81/camp/animals.htm

some great natural products thanks to polkadotpup.blogspot.com that we will have to try…

http://www.econsciousmarket.com/site/Vendors/Jackson_Sage/Bug_Off_Soap/

Doggie Sage Bug Off Soap is made from skin loving conditioning oils and bug repellent essential oils. It does not contain artificial or synthetic ingredients that cause allergic reactions or irritations. It is easy to use. Rinses off easily leaving your dogs coat soft and shiny.

* Paraban Free
* No Mineral Oil
* Vegan Friendly

Ingredients: Saponified Oils of Coconut Oil, Palm Oil, Olive Oil, Castor Oil, Aloe Vera Oil and Essential Oils of Cedar, Citronella, Eucalyptus

ticks, eeeewwww… they are a fact of life when you take your dog in the wild… so you should be prepared to deal with them…

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TICK KEY is the only tick removal device on the planet that uses natural forward leverage to remove the entire tick, head and all, quickly and safely without touching or squishing even the toughest engorged ticks. Tick key is 99.9% effective on all sizes and types of ticks. Tick Key Is The Easiest-To-Use Tick Remover On Earth!

Place the key over the tick in the teardrop hole. Slide the tick into specially tapered slot. Pull key up from skin. The Tick is removed easily, head and all! This patent pending design has been perfected and tested for over five years and is responsible for removal of thousands of ticks of all sizes including deer ticks and dog ticks.The Tick Key is fabricated from high-strength anodized aluminum…this is not a weak piece of plastic.

The Tick Key is flat and is easily stored in a wallet, pocket, on a key chain, collar, saddle, or leash

How Not To Remove Ticks: Don’t Remove Ticks With Your Fingers. In many cases a tick is likely to be carrying pathogens such as lyme disease,ehrlichiosis and others that are harmful to humans and pets. Tick saliva or blood is something you do not want to risk being on your hands or under your fingernails.Pulling on a tick, even with tweezers, can tear the mouth parts from the body of the tick leaving them embedded in the wound causing risk of secondary infections.

WHY TICK KEY?

Don’t Squeeze, Crush or Squash A Tick. This can force spirochete and other infective body fluids through the mouth parts of the tick and into the wound site increasing the risk of infectious diseases. Don’t Apply Substances To A Tick. Applying any substances, such as petroleum jelly, fingernail polish remover, repellents, or a lighted match that upset or harm the tick almost always cause the tick to vomit the contents of its stomach back into the host. No matter how badly a tick may want to remove itself, it is not capable of doing so quickly.Ticks can live without air for long periods; attempts to smother it can allow disease transmission for hours.

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Herban Essentials Pet Towelettes

Herban Essentials Pet Towelettes are a fabulous treat for both you and your furry family member. The towelettes are made with the highest quality pure lavender essential oil, which not only makes them smell amazing, but makes them naturally antibacterial and antiseptic as well. Plus, lavender oil is wonderfully calming and relaxing.

Use the towelettes to clean your hands and kill germs after playing with, caring for, or cleaning up after your pet. Rub a towelette over pet’s hotspots, scrapes, or skin irritations to disinfect, promote healing, and prevent licking. Place a towelette in pet’s crate to help calm and relax in stressful situations (ie: vet visits, illness, travel). Use towelettes to regularly clean pet’s ears.  Contains 20 Towelettes

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Young Living’s Thieves Spray and Thieves Wipes are easy-to-use, natural, and convenient products to help clean and protect your family from harmful bacteria.

if you want an especially great natural antibacterial and antimicrobial with nontoxic coconut oil that smells good, too, you’ve got to get a Thieves pack with oils from Young Living… check out my Easy Being Green page and order some… It’s fantastic for cleaning your home, and they have a foamy hand soap which I love, as well as the essential oil blend which was created by Gary Young, based upon the historical account of four thieves in France who protected themselves from the Black Plague with cloves, rosemary, and other aromatics while robbing victims of the killer disease. When captured, they were offered a lighter sentence in exchange for their secret recipe.

Young Living’s proprietary Thieves® oil blend includes clove, cinnamon bark, rosemary, lemon, and Eucalyptus radiata …

The Foaming Hand Soap, features the therapeutic grade essential oil blend Thieves, pure lemon and orange essential oils, Ginkgo biloba, and vitamin E.

now, this is a spoiled pup gone camping…