Fetching, Catching and Chasing Around Blogville

Here I come!

Throw it again! Throw it again!

 Have you been k9kamping with us? If not, it's never too late!

You can join in at any time. Just look for our next challenge, tomorrow, and then complete the exercise on your own time over the course of the week.

This week was Challenge Week 2, Play with your Balls. (I know, I know.) Keep reading to see how we did!














  








How did Kelly, Brooks and I do this week?
Well this one was pretty easy for Brooks. He LOVES to fetch his tennis ball, and he won't stop pestering me until I throw it again and again and again!

While he was off chasing, I jogged around in place and kept the feet moving and heart pumping. Great! So I'd say we both got in pretty good workouts. Wait, you ask. What was Kelly doing while Brooks was off chasing tennis balls?
well...
hmmm....
let me see now....

Ball? I don't see no stinkin' ball.

Kelly subscribes to one of our favorite K9Kamp 2011 games, Fetch it Yourself, otherwise lovingly dubbed "Go Fetch Yourself." (Who was it who came up with that name, anyway?) She wasn't overly thrilled about exerting herself just to get a mouth full of grass and some dirty fuzzy felt between her teeth. 'Even if we did get her a nice pink tennis ball. After a few chases, she was done.

How did our Kampers do? The results are in! Check out how Koly from Kol's Notes did this week.
And, click on the links and see how our Featured Bloggers did on Week 1.

     

        

 And, if you were joining in at home too, link up and tell us about your experience. We want to hear!

Don't forget, we've got fantastic dog and fitness prizes too! It's super easy. Just follow the link to enter to win great k9kamp prizes like dog collars and leashes, dog toys, books and more!




Grab the linky code too.
get the InLinkz code

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PET PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS

We all love taking cute, adorable photos of our pets. However, most of us can agree that the task is far easier said than done as pets can sometimes be as wiggly and unfocused as toddlers. If you are not an experienced pet photographer, this can sometimes seem like an impossible feat best left to the experts. We have some tips that will help boost your pet photography skills to the next level!

Lighting

Unless you have studio lights lying around, your best bet is to photograph your pet using natural light. A flash will startle your dog or cat and will cause the demon red-eye effect. Instead, take your dog outside in your backyard on a sunny day where they will feel at ease in the familiar environment. If your backyard is fenced-in, you can keep your dog off the leash, freeing up your hands. Furthermore, dog portraits always look better without an attached leash since the line of the leash leads the eye outside the photo. Allow your dog to run around and sniff before you begin snapping so they can use up that extra energy. The perfect time to catch a great shot is when he or she is lying down in the grass, basking in the sunlight. Natural sunlight is the most flattering light source as it captures the rich hues and subtle tones of your pet's fur.

Freeze Frame  

Dogs move so quickly when they hear a sound or catch a whiff of something in the air that they often appear as a blur. Use your digital camera's stop action setting to capture all of your pet's movements. Sometimes the funniest and most candid shots are a result of snapping your camera successively in a row as your dog runs towards you, licks their nose, or yawns. No other camera setting can capture the unique expressions that occur during those simple movements. Even the human eye often misses the spaces between these fascinating moments because they occur too quickly.

Level With Them

Chances are, your pet is smaller than you when you stand. This forces you to look down at them and they must look up at you. This is a good way of highlighting their size but that's probably not the look you are going for. Wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty and squat down or even lay down flat on your stomach so that you are level with your pet. This low vantage point will allow you to get a great portrait since you can photograph their whole face, including their expressive eyes.

Stay

In order to get your dog to stay, it helps to entice them with a treat held to the side or just above the camera. Dogs look adorable when they tilt their heads to the side and raise their ears slightly. An easy way to achieve this look and to get your dog's attention is to use a squeaky toy or ask a question in a high-pitched tone. The most fool-proof way to achieve great pet photography is to teach your dog simple training commands, specifically stay. With one simple word you can snap away and easily put your dog in different settings without having them squirm or move at the first distraction. To master this command, try our Manners Training program.

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Wednesday Pet Roundup, Sunshine Edition

Nice day for a walk!

Hi and welcome to Wednesday Pet Roundup!

* Nice story: ABC News reports that a stray dog ran 1,100 miles with a team of cyclists over 25 days. Find out what happened to the dog after the race.

* Beware of jerky treats. Nearly 1,000 dogs are now sick. Find out more about recalled brands of jerky treats.

*More pet food recall. Diamond cat food now affected.

* There is a winner in the Guinness Book of World Records category for largest puppydog eyes. First guess.....then see which breed of dog won for world's largest puppydog eyes!

* From The Frisky, an Israeli man divorced his wife after refusing to continue living with her 550 cats.

* k9kamp is going strong! Check out the results of week 2, "Play with your balls" on Thursday, and a brand new challenge for Week 3 on Friday! And enter to win dozens of fantastic prizes like leashes, toys, books and more!

That's all the news for today. I hope you enjoy some sunshine with your dog, cat, or favorite pet. 

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Our boy is graduated!

Kelly and Brooks are so excited and proud! Their boy graduated from college this weekend.

He has a degree in Information Technology from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and is now a database engineer at Treo Associates.
Congratulations Andy!

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Real Life Dog and Me Fitness Classes

Brooks likes to help me get fit.

How many times have you said, "I wish I could take my dog to the gym with me."?
or
"I don't have time to get in my own exercise AND exercise the dog every day."

Well believe it or not, there are some real solutions to this problem. Of course, you can walk or jog with your dog. Pooch to 5k is a great place to start. It's not a camp you can go to, but an amazing running program for you and your dog that you can follow along online, get some great tips and encouragement. And who knows, you might soon find yourself and your dog running a 5k!

There are also fitness camps, classes and programs for people AND pets. Kind of like a real life K9Kamp! Check these out:

1. Doggy & Me Fitness, various locations in California.  Workouts include walking, jogging, strength training, hill work, and stair climbing, all with your leashed dog at your side. Sessions end with stretching for you and treats for your pup!

2. Leash Your Fitness also of California, offers cardio, balance, strength, dog yoga, and special fun events. Classes include a boot camp and running club. The website is very well designed and gives answers to all your questions!

Leash Your Fitness

3.  Thank Dog Boot Camp  unites a workout for people along with obedience classes for dogs. Locations in California, Cleveland Ohio, Boston Massachusetts, and Toronto.

4. FitDog in Austin Texas includes cardio, agility, speed, muscular endurance, balance and flexibility. The camp's goal is to increase fitness and strengthen bonds.

When I wrote Dieting with my Dog, I was about as far away from this concept as you could get. I didn't exercise with myself, much less with Kelly.  At first, just short walks around the block were all I could manage. And I wasn't a hundred pounds or more overweight, I was just seriously out of shape. Well, to be honest, I probably never was in shape. At least not since I was in college. And that was...well, a couple few dozen years ago.

After I got active and took off the weight I learned that I had to KEEP active. Yeah, that was a difficult lesson. Classes like these would be a lot of fun. And that's why Koly and Kelly's K9Kamp is a lot of fun too! Getting out and doing something different, knowing others are joining in and blogging about it makes getting fit almost painless!

Have you ever joined a Dog and Me type fitness class? If not, would you join if one was located close by?

**While you're all busy signing up for bootcamp or making plans to do some exercising with your dog, you might need some supplies. Check out Kol's Notes today for Essential Products for Active Pups.

***And, do you know where else you can get some fun toys and supplies for you and your dog? Just follow the link here to go to our k9kamp prize page. It's quick and easy to sign up and you won't believe all the great things you can win....leashes, harness, toys, books and even a Nike+ sports band!

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K9Kamp Challenge 2- The Challenge with the Naughty Name

Brooks loves to play with his tennis ball!

So here it is WEEK 2 of K9Kamp!!
And we've got a great challenge for you this week. It's called, umm, errrr....Play with your Balls

Here's all you need to do:

 1. Collect your dog's favorite ball. Is it a tennis ball? Soccer ball? Do we have any basketball playing dogs here?




2. Engage in a game of ball with your dog, keeping the energy level up for both of you. If you have to, run in place while he is chasing the ball. See below for two ideas of games you can play.

3. Aim for playing for 10-20 minutes three or four times during the week. Adapt to your own schedule and you and your dog's physical needs. You may play longer just once on the weekend. Or you may need shorter play periods and fewer days. Whatever works for you...just be sure to challenge yourself a bit, okay?
 

Here's the ball game Kelly and I like to play:
GOAL!
1. I have a small, soft soccer ball.
2. Kelly is the goal tender.
3. I try to dribble the ball with my feet past Kelly to make a "goal."
She usually gets it away from me. She's pretty good!
4. Now switch it up. See if you can get the ball away from your dog. Do NOT do this with bare feet, lol!
Only you can know if your dog will respond well to a foot trying to steal her ball. Also, use caution and move in softly (I usually come in from the side) so that your foot doesn't make contact with your dog's face instead of the ball.

Okay, so we're not moving at the speed of lightning!

Here's the ball game Brooks and I like to play:
1. Fetch. Plain and simple. Over and over.and Over.
2. In order for this to be exercise for me too, I get up and move about the yard or park, so that when Brooks returns the ball he has to run to find me. While Brooks is retrieving the ball, I start running around like a crazy woman, calling his name and getting him all excited.

Even Brooks' ears get into the action!

****Now it's your turn! What ball game will you play with your dog this week?

It's never too late to join k9kamp. Even if you didn't join us in last week's Walking on Sunshine you can still participate this week. Just do the challenge at home and come back next Thursday to let us know how it goes.

PRIZES! Remember, we're giving away collars, leashes, toys, copies of Dieting with my Dog and other books too! Just follow the link to enter to win great prizes!

Bonus: You'll receive the summer edition of Modern Dog magazine FREE if you complete all four challenges and fill out the Rafflecopter form! Sweet!

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Everyone Walks on Sunshine

Dad's helping with the dog walking. (Notice Kelly, nose down!)

Have you been k9kamping with us? If not, it's never too late! You can join in at any time. Just look for our next challenge, tomorrow, and then complete the exercise on your own time over the course of the week.

How did Kelly, Brooks and I do this week?
Great! We love Walking on Sunshine! Despite some rainy weather, we were able to get out and walk between the raindrops. At our best, we walked 3 times a day: in the morning with Dad before he went to work, the 3 of us mid day, and with Dad again after work. At the worst we got in one rushed walk around the block in the rain ("Hurry up guys, I'm getting wet!") but hey, it was at least a walk.

The dogs love walking together.
When I walk the dogs alone, sometimes I get a little tangled. But mostly they are good walkers. Brooks walks well on the leash, steady pace, head up, straight line. Kelly skitters here and there, sniffing everything, wrapping around a pole or my feet. Her nose is always on the ground. I could insist she heels nicely but, as long as she's not bothering anyone else on the sidewalk (and she reels in nicely when I ask her to) I think she deserves the chance to explore and sniff. She obviously loves it! We spiced things up by interspersing a little jogging here and there. We also changed up our route every other day.

How did our Kampers do? The results are in! Check out how Coach Koly and his mama did this week!
And, click on the links and see how our Featured Bloggers did on Week 1.

     

        

 And, if you were joining in at home too, link up and tell us about your experience. We want to hear!

Don't forget, we've got fantastic dog and fitness prizes too! It's super easy. Just follow the link to enter to win great k9kamp prizes!
Join the blog hop!



get the InLinkz code

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BITE PREVENTION WEEK

Did you know that this week, from May 20 - 26, is Bite Prevention Week? This initiative was created by the non-profit organization Doggone Safe whose mission is dog bite prevention through education. Their goal is to not only protect children from dog bites that could have been prevented by knowing dog body language, but to also save dogs from being uselessly euthanized or sent to a shelter. Since we cannot strike up an easy conversational rapport with the canine member of our family, we must rely on more subtle signs of communication that consist of dog body language. Learning to read what your dog and other dogs are feeling is the key to safety. In honor of Bite Prevention Week, we are elaborating on canine body language.

Watch Out!

-Tail between the legs
-Ears back
-Whites of the eyes showing
-Teeth bared
-Head down
-Excessive yawning or licking
-Tense furrowed brow

Situations to Avoid

-Do not approach a dog that is eating or chewing a bone
-Adhere to the old adage, let sleeping dogs lie. Never interrupt a slumbering dog.
-Do not force a dog into a submissive position.
-Do not approach a dog that is tethered

Be My Pal!

-Tail wagging
-Relaxed expression
-Tongue out, mouth open

Doggonesafe has made an informative slideshow illustrating these important canine cues.

Dogs may not be able to tap you on the shoulder and say, “Hey, I’m scared!” or “Hey, I’m annoyed right now!” but their body exhibits these signs in numerous ways. Subtle though it is, we would all benefit from tuning our radar to these important canine signals.

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Wednesday Pet Roundup-- k9kamp edition

Brooks and Kelly help round up the pet news!

Hi and welcome to Wednesday Pet Roundup. We're in the first week of k9kamp and getting fit and working hard every day. But it's fun too. And we still had time to find you this week's links:

* This week is National Dog Bite Prevention Week. So remember, don't bite a dog. No, seriously, the WSJ online has some tips for preventing dog bites.

* Cesar Millan on Huff Post answers the question, should dog microchipping be mandatory?  What do you think?

* The Mirror, UK, reveals that hundreds of pet owls have been abandoned as the Harry Potter craze subsides. 


*Can pets help fill the empty nest? That's what the LA Daily News reports, and that's also a big part of my book, Dieting with my Dog.

*Don't forget, you could win custom collars and tags, dog toys, harness and leash dog books, a dog nap mat, and more! It's all part of the 2nd annual Koly and Kelly's K9Kamp. Everyone can join! Get fit and have fun. And, it's easy to enter to win great stuff too--- here are where the prizes are!

* Have you seen a big black cat? A really really big black cat? According to Mercury News, citizens in the Bay Area of San Francisco report spotting a mysterious wild, 5 foot long black cat with a long tail, which some claim is a panther.

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Can Grain-Free be Delicious Too?

We've got mail!

That Mr. Chewy. He's always coming up with new food and treats for hungry pooches and offering them via super-speedy shipping right to the door.

Take Fromm dog food and treats, for example. Mr. Chewy asked Kelly and Brooks to look over the offerings and pick out something delicious to try. Kelly suggested the low-fat Cranberry and liver treats because she's on a diet. But then Brooks reminded her that he has some allergies and skin problems. So they selected the Fromm Lamb with Cranberry grain free treats. Kelly very graciously agreed to try them, even though she wasn't sure if she'd like them. After all, she likes grain!

 They placed their order, and the next day got an email that the treats were shipped. And the very next day the box arrived.

Where did they go? I know I smell treats!

 Fromm makes some pretty awesome natural and holistic pet food. They pride themselves in creating the highest quality natural and holistic pet formulas that contain zero wheat gluten, rice protein concentrate or rice gluten. Take a look at the ingredients in the Lamb and Cranberry treats:
Fresh lamb, pea flour, potato flour, tapioca, whole peas, chicken fat, tomato pomace, fresh cranberries, sweet potatoes, carrots, apples, split peas, green beans, green bell peppers, celery, beets, parsley, lettuce, watercress, spinach.

My eyes are bugging out, they smell so good!

Well the proof is in the pudding....er, doggy biscuits. The jury is out...and they love 'em!

Blurry action shot, but Brooks says "Yum!"

I feel good that the treats are made with wholesome ingredients, good for Kelly's diet and Brooks' allergies. And they agree, they taste good. You've done it again, Mr. Chewy!

Please Mom, I want some more!

*Mr. Chewy provided us with one 8oz. bag of Fromm dog treats for review. The opinions expressed here are 100% my own...with the help of Kelly and Brooks, of course!

P.S. Head over to Kol's Notes Tasty Tuesday and find some recipes for fresh lean meat treats too!

 Keep on Kamping with Koly and Kelly.  Enter to win great prizes too!

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What to Stuff in a dog Kong toy

I'm holding on tight with my front paws.

They're funny shaped. They're versatile. They come in all colors and sizes. They can help keep your dog occupied. And they can be stuffed!

I've always given my dogs Kong toys, but until recently I never realized how popular it is to stuff them!

You can buy a spray can of stuff to squirt inside. But why not get creative.

There are lots of fun ways to stuff them. Remember, first fill the little hole at the top of the Kong with peanut butter or something.

Then fill with:

*large chunks of dog biscuits

*canned dog food mixed with kibble

*leftover lean meat mixed with steamed or mashed veggies

*chunks of apples, banana, blueberries, strawberries, cantaloupe 

Can you see it there under all my fur?

*cottage cheese mixed with fruit

*green beans

*frozen banana

Mix and match ingredients. Freeze and serve frozen for long lasting fun.
Remember, not all food is good for dogs, so when in doubt be sure to check with your vet first.
The ASPCA has some great recipes for stuffed Kongs too!

What do you like to stuff in your dog's Kong toy?

----------------
 Kong toys with healthy stuffing can be used with your dog on a diet too. They take longer to eat, they keep your dog busy and even the act of getting out the food can burn a few calories! I wish I'd known about this when I was dieting with my dog. But anyway, we can do it now (and Brooks too)!

MY BOOKS:

Dieting with my Dog: One busy life, two full figures, and unconditional love.

Heart to Heart, Hand in Paw: How one woman finds faith and hope through the healing love of animals.

 *And don't forget my K9Kamp partner Kol today. He's got some great tips on k9 massage and stretching.


*While we're talking about k9kamp, how is your walking going this week? Keep it up! And don't forget to go to the PRIZE PAGE. You could win custom collars and tags, dog toys, harness and leash dog books, a dog nap mat, and more! If you want to get fit and have fun that's where all the prizes are!

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DIY PET PROJECTS

If you spent the first months of this season spring cleaning with your sleeves rolled up and dust in your hair, you probably wound up with a pile of miscellaneous objects that you no longer use and would like to discard. Before you empty your house of these items consider upcycling, (the process of converting waste materials into new materials of better quality), the salvageable objects with a DIY creation for your pet! Check out these fun, pawesome ideas!

PET BEDS

There seems to be no shortage of amazing recycled beds out there for cats and dogs alike. If you are not the DIY type, Etsy has some fab options. Check these out!

Old Soda Crate Bed

Photo Source: Etsy CharlieHeartsDiesel



Techie Cat Beds
Do you have an old TV or desktop computer lying around? "Think different" like the Etsy shop, Atomic Attic and convert these old electronics into shockingly snugly cat beds!

Photo Source: Etsy Atomic Attic TV Cat Bed

Photo Source: Etsy Atomic Attic Apple Computer Pet Bed

Suitcase Bed
Remove the top of the suitcase, add some legs from an old table and stuff it with your dog's bed or use an old pillow.

Photo Source: Etsy Spaghetteria

TOYS

Cats
Charlotte Reed from Petside suggests stuffing old baby socks with cellophane and catnip. Sew it up and you have little mouse-size toys your cat will love pouncing on! Martha Stewart recommends using the fabric from old suits and pants to create Menswear Mouse Toys! Stewart also has a brilliant idea for constructing a cat playhouse made of cardboard boxes for your cat to enjoy. For a lazier approach but one your cat will appreciate just the same, simply throw the cardboard box on the floor! If the infamous Maru the cat has taught us anything, it's that joy and happiness can be found in the simplest of objects!

Pet Pouches

Amy Bethune suggests using leftover fabric to sew small, handy pet pouches that hook onto your dog's collar and can hold poop bags or even a key and money. For step-by-step directions, check out her blog.

Photo Source: Amy Bethune the b-line

What DIY creations have you crafted for your pet?

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K9Kamp Challenge 1-- Walking on Sunshine

Kelly and Brooks take me for a walk.

Are you ready? It's here.....

The FIRST CHALLENGE!

WEEK ONE: Walking on Sunshine 

Well, let's hope it's sunny. If it's not, maybe singing a happy little rap tune will help you feel sunnier.

We're starting off easy...but this can be as easy or as strenuous as you want. This week your challenge is to get out and walk --try for for at least an hour total this week. (You can do your one hour all at once, but I recommend getting out and walking every day. Your dog will remind you.) But wait! Don't just WALK...we're going to spice it up a bit.

1. Lace up your walking shoes and grab your dog's leash (Does your dog walk without a leash? I've always been impressed by that.)

2. Start off slow and easy. If you're used to walking 20 minutes a day, keep this pace at first. 

3. Now, spice it up. Increase your time by 5 or 10 minutes (or 1/2 hour for you overachievers.) If you walk in the city, take another lap around the block. If you walk in the park or the country, go a bit farther. You might find that by the end of the week, you've walked much longer than one hour.

If you already walk more than an hour a week, amp up your time. Push yourself. Will you aim for two hours? Three? More? Adapt the challenge to your own level.

 4. Now, add one EXTRA to your walk. Here are some ideas:
try interval walking
walk with weights
include a hill
change your route for variety
climb stairs
jog for a bit

Okay, that's all there is to it! Let's get out there and walk and have fun!

Sound like fun? Peggy's Pet Place and Kol's Notes  2nd annual K9Kamp is a great opportunity to get active, get fit and bond with your dog (or cat, right Kristine?!). Anyone can join in the fun! Just try out this week's challenge on your own any time during the week. Then, come back next Thursday and leave a comment sharing how you did. Or, write a blog post about it and link up next Thursday. That's it! Oh wait, one more thing...
You can win prizes too!
Yup LOTS of great prizes, like:

A Puppia Soft Harness & Matching Leash

Gift certificates to Dogwise, compliments of Pooch to 5K

 Toys, toys, toys

And books, including two copies of my book, Dieting with my Dog,  compliments of Hubble & Hattie!

We have so many great prizes, we've had to make a separate page just for them. But don't worry, it's so easy. All you have to do is click on the following link to reach the form to enter to win these exciting prizes! There's even a FANTASTIC Grand Prize including a Nike+ sports band for you and a collar, tag, and fun fitness toy for your dog!

And...EVERYONE who completes all four challenges and fills out the contest entry form will receive a free copy of the summer issue of Modern Dog magazine! Enter to win the PRIZES now!

Time to share:  What do you do to spice up walking with your dog?

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