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Showing posts with label Dog food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dog food. Show all posts

New Trends in Pet Food

Pet Food Trends





















The Bark recently reported on these trends in dog food

1. Premium ingredients, such as organic and human-grade

2. custom prepared and delivered food

3. weight loss formulas

4. raw food diets

and from New Hope 360.com

5. Wellness products such as allergy formulas

6. Grain-free meals

7. sports nutrition for "optimal endurance"

8. socially conscious pet food companies educating their social media influencers

*Just a reminder! Please blog about anything related to cancer in pets--support, tips, personal stories, at our first Give Cancer the Paw blog hop, Wednesday November 6th. Co-hosted by Peggy's Pet Place and Pooch Smooches.  Hope to see you there!














Fitdog Friday is co-hosted by Peggy's Pet Place, Slimdoggy, and To Dog with Love. Join the hop!












Want more positive pet tips, good news, and special offers? Fetch my free newsletter, Pawsitively Pets. Kelly and Ike hope to see you there!
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Merrick Jerky Strips and Faces of Chewy Giveaway

What's the best part of being a blogger's dog? Getting to be a taste tester, of course!

"Are those treats for us?"






















"Let's get to the testing, Mom!"





















When Chewy.com contacted us about reviewing one of their new, great products, Kelly and Ike happily agreed! We selected Merrick jerky strips because-
100% natural
made in the USA

contain no artificial flavors
rawhide free
the first ingredient listed is "beef liver"
high protein treat























Well, the taste testing went like this:


















and this:


















Yup, Kelly and Ike are crazy about Merrick Jerky Strips. Beef liver is an ingredient they only get once in a while as a treat, so that makes it all the more desirable and exciting! They give it four paws up!

"Kelly? She said I could have them all."






















"What? Where'd all the Merrick Jerky Strips go?"





















Would your dog like to try some? Enter the Faces of Chewy giveaway contest!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Full Disclosure: I was provided with 1 package of Jerky Strips to review. This in no way influenced my opinions. The opinions expressed here are 100% my own.

Want more positive pet tips, good news, and special offers? Fetch my free newsletter, Pawsitively Pets. Kelly and Ike hope to see you there! 
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Healthy Elements gift pack Giveaway

When we decided to switch from a "decent" dog food to a "quality" food for our dogs, we had to give up the convenience of picking up the food at the grocery store or department store, and make a special trip to the pet food store. This was not always convenient-- at times it would have been handy to grab the food while I was buying bread, milk and eggs or dashing into the store for other supplies.

LET'S GET TO THE TASTE TESTING!
















Recently, Carly from Healthy Elements contacted me to let me know about the a new, complete, natural dog food...now available at Target. She told me that the food has no fillers, no meat by-products, no artificial colors or flavors. Off to a good start! The dry food Chicken Meal and Oatmeal recipe contains ingredients such as chicken meal, oatmeal, ground brown rice, peas, sweet potato. Best of all, Dog food advisor rates the food 4 out of 5 stars, calling it "above average" and "highly recommended." Best of all, I can pick up the food while I'm at Target shopping for stuff like laundry soap, notebooks, and socks. It's available now at many Target locations...and soon to be expanding.

"UH KELLY, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO EAT THAT ARE YOU?"

















We received a sample bag of the dog food, canned dog food, soft treats and crunchy treats. Kelly and Ike could barely contain themselves posing for pictures, anxious to get to the taste-testing part of the operation. And the verdict: Healthy Elements taste as good as they sound!
GOT ANY MORE, MOM?



















Now on to the fun part! We're giving away a one gift pack of Healthy Elements containing a 5 lb. bag of dry Healthy Elements, 2 cans, a bag of soft treats and a bag of crunchy treats. Just enter the Rafflecopter below! Look at this awesome Gift Pack:



















a Rafflecopter giveaway


I was provided with Healthy Elements gift pack to review and one Healthy Elements gift pack to give away. This in no way influenced my review. All opinions expressed here are 100% my own. 


 Want more positive pet tips, good news and special offers? Fetch my free newsletter, Pawsitively Pets. Kelly and Ike hope to see you there! 
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True Chews

Kelly loves jerky treats, but today we have to careful about where they come from and their ingredients. So we were excited when Chewy.com invited us to sample True Chews 100% natural premium jerky cuts, made with real chicken. We felt confident in these treats because they are offered by Chewy.com. and because they're made in the U.S.A. True Chews first ingredient is chicken.

Kelly loved these treats! They're larger than the average treat, and provided her a little extra chew time. We highly recommend True Chews!  "Nothing fancy, just natural, fresh, healthy chews for your dog."











































Want PAWsitive pet tips, good news and special bonuses? Content not already on the blog? Fetch our free newsletter! Kelly and I can't wait to see you there!

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Pounds for Hounds Food Donation Totals Over 1500 Lbs!



You lose some… to win some! Morris Animal Inn’s Pounds for Hounds fundraiser had staff eating healthy and exercising to lose weight for a good cause.
This annual event, which took place over a three month period from January through March, is a popular weight loss inspiration for staff at Morris Animal Inn because it means more than just getting healthy: for every pound our staff loses, we donate 10 lbs. of food to an animal shelter. This year, our food goes to Eleventh Hour Rescue Animal Shelter in Randolph, NJ!

After months of hard work, weigh-ins and healthy eating, our staff went above and beyond for our highest total yet: combined we lost a total of 199 lbs! Our final donation to Eleventh Hour was 45 33 pound bags of Fromm dog food and 33 cases of California Natural canned food. Adding it all together, that’s nearly 1500 lbs of dry food, plus the 33 cases of cans!

This hard-earned food will be put to good use at Eleventh Hour Rescue, a shelter that focuses on saving animals from kill shelters and finding them foster and permanent homes.


This year, our Grooming staff participants topped our weigh-in charts with nearly 5% weight loss. Congratulations to our groomers and all our staff participants on taking healthy steps to help shelter dogs get healthy, too!

To help your dog get fit, sign up today for our next Kentucky Derby themed daycare fit camp! “A Week at the Races” from May 13-17 will have your dog racing to the front of the pack with treadmill trots, saddle pawlates, derby diving and homemade healthy treats. Call 973-539-0377 to book your dog a spot in the winners circle today!
 


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Why Do Dogs Beg? How to Train Your Mooching Pooch


As the saying goes: you want what you can’t have. Ever wonder if your dog feels that way about what’s on your dinner plate? Dogs are notorious for begging for human food, even dogs who have never tasted anything but kibble. Why?

According to a recent “Ask a Vet” post on 7x7SF, the answer can be summed up in a single word: optimism. Your furry friend is tempted by the delicious smells coming from your dining room table, whether they have tasted table scraps before or not. Think about it: if you had only eaten bran cereal all your life, and were suddenly shown a chicken sandwich, wouldn't you be intrigued? As innate scavengers, dogs can’t help tracking down human food and pleading for a taste.

Despite dog’s inbred need to mooch, begging is a fairly simple problem to correct. Veterinarian Dr. Jeannine Berger, who is quoted in the “Ask a Vet” post on 7x7.com, recommends using management techniques and training solutions to teach your dog not to beg.

For starters, never feed your dog scraps from the table. This will only reinforce the behavior that you are trying to stop. If you do feed your dog human food, be sure to only reward them with it when they are behaving properly. Presenting the food to them in their regular dog food dish can further distance the human food from your dinner table.

Restricting your dog’s access to the dining room while you eat is one way to stop begging for good. This prevention tactic can be applied by putting up a baby gate, tethering your dog to a nearby piece of furniture or putting them in a crate with a food stuffed toy to keep them occupied.

If you prefer to keep your dog close, remove some of the temptation by making sure they are not hungry during your dinner time. Make a habit out of feeding your pet before you eat dinner, or present them with a food puzzle toy during your meal. A full and otherwise occupied dog will be less inclined to beg for your food.



You can also teach your dog to go to a certain spot during dinner, and reward them with a treat for staying there. Whether it’s a mat, bed, or corner of the room, your dog will begin to associate the spot with a reward, and become motivated to stay.

Every dog owner will find different methods that work best for their pup. The key is to be persistent. Try one training method steadily for a few weeks. If you find it ineffective, try another, and stick to it. As another saying goes: practice makes perfect!

For extra practice, our manners daycare and lodging packages help reinforce behaviors that will make it much easier to stop your dog from begging. Our staff works diligently with dogs to help build sit, lie down, and stay skills that could mean the difference between a peaceful, patient pooch and a drooling, crying dinner-time dog. Call 973-539-0377 to book a manners session today!
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Give Your Pup a Special Treat This Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching and romance is in the air! February is when men and women scurry around in search for the perfect gift that would put a smile on their sweetheart’s face. But what if your sweetheart’s smile had a little more slobber around it than usual? Of course I’m talking about your furry four-legged little darling!

Besides the tons and tons of puppy love we give our dogs all year round, Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to give them some extra special treats. But before you run off and give your dog the first tasty treat you see, remember that there are some treats that are harmful and should never be given to dogs, like chocolate and grapes. With this in mind, there are many Dog Approved People Foods that would keep your dog both healthy and super happy. Here are just a few:
1.  Peanut Butter. Popular with almost every dog, peanut butter is not only a good source of protein and nutrients, but it will keep them busy for the day. Stuff some into a Kong and watch your dog go!
2.  Cooked Chicken. Another good source of protein, chicken is some real people food that dogs go crazy for and makes them feel like they’re eating like kings!
3.  Carrots. This low calorie snack is full of nutrition and great for keeping your dog's teeth healthy and strong.  
4.  Pumpkin. A fantastic source of fiber, pumpkin can also do wonders for your dog’s digestive system.
5.  Apple. An apple a day keeps the doctor away! A crunchy snack, apples are not only full of vitamins, but they can also help keep your dog’s teeth sparkling white. Just remember to slice up the apple because the core and seeds can be a choking hazard.

These are just a few great snacks for your dog to enjoy. You should always be watchful of the portion size, to make sure you don’t go overboard with special treats. And if you ever have any doubts about what may or may not be healthy for your dog, please make sure you ask your veterinarian before doing so.
We are pleased to have Vin, as a contributing writer for If They Could Talk. Vin is a passionate dog owner. We look forward to sharing his contribution on interesting and educational pet topics.

Source:
Best Bully Sticks website
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Brooks Books- Cooking up some Treats

Brooks here. Okay, what's not to like about a cookbook for dogs? I mean...it's a cookbook...for dogs! My Dog Says I'm a Great Cook! is a drool-worthy book from the publishers, readers and fans of DogTipper. These experts certainly know what's cookin'! Here's Mom with the review.







me:  We're all want to feed our dogs quality food, and one way to make sure they are getting the wholesome ingredients we want is to make our own food. Whether you like to cook all your dog's meals yourself, or maybe just an occasional treat, you'll find so many yummy recipes to love in My Dog Says I'm a Great Cook!

***Keep reading for a chance to win a copy of this book!***
















 

Authors Paris Permenter and John Bigley are editors and publishers of Dog Tipper, authors of Barkonomics: Tips for Frugal Fidos, and numerous other books. They're also pet parents to two rescue dogs, Tiki and Irie. One fun part of this book is the recipes from other pet parents and dog bloggers, as well.

You'll find recipes for Turkey Meatballs, Jerky Treats, Peanut Butter Tasties, Bacon-Flavored Biscuits, Fishy Brownies, Liver Treats, Easy Banana Yogurt, Roastcicles, and more! There are even special holiday recipes. There are more than 100 great recipes.

I'm not much of a cook, but I tried a recipe. Here we are mixing up PB and Applesauce Dog Biscuits. I like that the recipe called for ingredients I had around the house. The biscuits were super easy to make, and Kelly and Brooks absolutely loved them. This definitely encourages me to try more recipes soon.

I know Kelly and Brooks will thank me.

THE CONTEST!!
Would you like to win a copy of the book for yourself? Just leave a comment below to enter. Make sure you leave a way for me to contact you if you win. (****Note: A second book is being given away to a lucky subscriber of Pawsitively Pets newsletter. Just leave a second comment, saying you are a subscriber. It's perfectly okay to subscribe right now and then leave a comment!)

 Winners drawn at random. Contest ends February 4th. Good Luck!
 
If you don't win, find out more on Dog Tipper or check out My Dog Says I'm a Great Cook! on Amazon.

*full disclosure: We were given a copy of My Dog Says I'm a Great Cook! for review and two for giveaways, but this in no way influenced my review. The opinions here are 100% my own.
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Happy Thanksgiving, Get Cookin'



Get Cookin' Mom!
Happy Thanksgiving, Love Brooks and Kelly
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Snack Attack

Kelly and Brooks love snacks, almost as much as I do.
Have you tried the new Science Diet Ideal Balance treats yet? Okay, well has your dog tried them then?

These treats look like wholesome cookies you might bake yourself.
The All Natural Fruity Snacks are made with cranberries and oatmeal.
And the Veggie Chips are made with pumpkin and yams.

I'm pretty impressed with these treats. I looked it up and they have about 25 calories per treat. It's a decent size treat, so sometimes I break it in half. The dogs love them!

Science diet also has Jerky Strips. With all the recalls recently, it's not easy to feel comfortable with jerky, but these are NOT made in China, where I believe the problems occurred. Anyway, the jerky treats all also all natural and made with beef, and contain no artificial colors or flavors.

The jerky treats contain 19 calories per strip, and Kelly and Brooks went crazy for them.

There are few treats that my dogs don't go crazy about...but these appealed to me because they are advertised as all-natural, and have fruits and veggies. And Kelly and Brooks agree.

This is part of Kol's Notes Tasty Tuesday!!

*Full Disclosure:  I was given a free product or sample because I'm a Klout influencer. I am under no obligation to receive the sample or talk about this company. I get no additional benefits for talking about the product of the company.
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Feed Your Dogs- Feed Shelter Dogs

Buy one Get One--you mean one for me, one for Brooks?
Our vet said that our newly-adopted Brooks had been malnourished, and he suffered many intestinal, skin and other health problems because of it. Because Brooks had been on his own, and at different shelters for more than a year, he probably wasn't getting the best quality food. Shelter dogs don't just need something to fill their bellies. Every dog deserves high quality, healthy food. With shelter budgets stretched to the limit, however, that isn't always possible. That's why the team at BOGO (buy one, give one) Bowl is working to put high-quality food in every dog bowl across America, whether the bowl is in a comfy home or a caring shelter.

I believe in giving my dogs the best quality food I can afford. In these economic times, it's not always easy to afford top foods, but I've also seen the improvement the best quality I can afford makes in my dogs' health. Now, imagine if I could buy that food, and supply an equal bag of food to a dog in need? 

But wait---won't that cost me twice as much?

No! BOGO Bowl isn’t double priced nor overinflated pricing. Prices range from $41.20 to $63.40 for a 20 pound bag, which is similar to the price of other premium quality dog food. 

Who ever got such an idea anyway? BOGO Bowl was started by Sara Henderson and Susan Hollar, who met after they each rescued special needs dogs: One tied to railroad tracks and the other shot and left to die at the river’s edge. This was how Chance and Duke inspired their moms to found BOGO Bowl dog food.



 Facts about BOGO Bowl food:
*Made in the USA (Ohio)
*contains protein, fruit and vegetables
* no artificial fillers, colors or flavors
* no corn, wheat or soy used as fillers
* Dog Food Advisor recently gave them a 4-star rating (out of five)
* comes in Puppy, Maintenance, Healthy Weight, Lamb Meal and Rice, Chicken Meal and Rice, Salmon Meal and Rice, and No Grain


 Best of all, When you buy a bag of BOGO Bowl, a second one is donated to an organization of your choice- Shelter, rescue group, fosters, food pantry-- at no extra cost! Not inferior dog food, but the equivalent. With BOGO Bowl all dogs are treated and fed equally with their nutritious food.








I think this is a fantastic idea. Please check out their website and like them on Facebook. And next time you purchase pet food, consider checking out BOGO and helping pets in need as well.




















*Full Disclosure: We were provided with samples of BOGO Bowl for our review, but this did not influence our opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are 100% my own.
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A Dog Bowl for Food Gulpers

Maybe it's due to once being abandoned and on his own. Maybe he's always super hungry. Or maybe it has something to do with Kelly eying his food. Whatever the case, when we adopted Brooks, we noticed that he devoured his kibble in just seconds.

To help the food gulping, we purchased this Durapet Slow Feed dog bowl. The bowl has a raised center, which keeps food on the sides of the bowl and prevents your dog from gulping. Does it work? Check out Brooks as he gives it a test!



Although he still eats with gusto, the slow feed bowl causes Brooks to take almost twice as long to eat! We are well-satisfied with the results. The bowl seems to help with his digestion...after his meal, Brooks no longer belches from taking in gulps of air when he eats. If you have a dog who is a gulper, Brooks and I recommend this bowl!
*Be sure to check out this great post on my pal Kol's Notes, too, with more great Tips for Food Gulpers!
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Am I Innova My Head? (get it?) No way!

When it comes to figuring out dog food, I could easily be Innova my head....but not when it comes to the very friendly and helpful folk at Innova, a brand of Natura pet food.

Cheesy puns aside, I was invited to join a handful of bloggers to learn more about the Innova pet food family and the ingredients that go into their food, and to have my dogs sample their exciting new blend of food which includes enhancements such as more fruits and vegetables.

I know many pet parents are very loyal to their own particular brand of food, which is great. But also many, like me, are confused by the standards and quality and variety. I had a lot to ask, and a lot to learn.
 
I really didn't know how important quality dog food was until I started dieting with my dog. And now that we've added 11 year old golden retriever Brooks to our family, with his allergies and skin condition, I know that the proper dog food is more important than ever.

According to the information provided me, here are some facts about new Innova:
*now contains more poultry and fish
* contains pears, blueberries, green beans and parsnips
* 100% whole grains including brown rice and oats (no more white potatoes and white rice.)-- That's a change I made for myself when I started dieting. Now I can make this change for my dog too!
*You can find helpful information and complete ingredient checks at their site See Beyond the Bag.

Innova's friendly experts have carefully guided me in slowly introducing the new food to Kelly and Brooks' old food, to make a transition without any digestive upsets. They communicate regularly to see how we're doing, how the dogs like the food, to offer tips and sometimes even just to share fun stories and ideas.We've even received sneak previews, such as what their newly designed bags of dog food will look like. That's just plain fun!






This is a wonderful experience for multiple reasons:
1. Communication-- I feel like someone is always there to help or to answer a question.
2. Answers-- Every questions I've had has been answered thoroughly, and followed up.
3. Samples--Innova provided me with two bags of Innova Healthy Adult dog food to ensure enough for my dogs to really give it a try and have ample time to document how they respond physically, plus a bag of Health Bars treats and a toy!
4. Personal Care-- I feel like they care about me and my dogs. And if they care about my dogs, I feel sure that they care about your dogs too. I feel safe in placing my trust in Natura and Innova.

In addition, when we first adopted Brooks, he came to us with skin and ear infections most likely caused by allergies. But since his medical history was not known, we had no idea what he had been eating before and what he was allergic to. Innova veterinarian Dr. Nathaniel Cook sent me several emails and spent over an hour one day talking to me on the phone and giving me guidance and suggestions for helping Brooks, far above and beyond anything to do with feeding him Innova food. In fact, he suggested a different type of food to try for Brooks, another Natura brand called California Natural grain free venison formula, and he and his associate Tammy even overnighted me coupons so that I could get Brooks started on that food right away! When's the last time you had service like that? And more importantly, real personal concern from a company.

Both dogs seem to love the taste of their Natura dog food. So far they're reacting great as well. I'll be continuing to learn more about these foods, and I look forward to sharing more with you. I might just have some food giveaways coming up too.

So, what do you look for in your dog's food? What have you not been able to find that you wish you could? Do you have any questions I could bring to Innova?

---------------
 * P.S. Congratulations! The winner of The Lucky Dog Matchmaking Service book, selected by random draw, is Larrielle. Please email me or send me a DM on twitter or Facebook with your mailing address to claim your prize.
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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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THE NEXT FARAH FAWCETT?

I have always considered my coat to be my shining glory.  Its color is very unusual; not quite snowy white but creamy, in a rich vanilla ice cream sort of way.  And, oh, is it ever full!  Some would call me ten pounds of dog with twenty pounds of hair!  Because of all this hair of mine, I have sported many different hairstyles throughout the years.  I was in my lion cut phase when I was younger.  What was I thinking?!  Looking back, that was not a very good look for me, but at the time, oh, how stylish and trendy I thought I was!  A lion cut is where the nice groomer trims your whole back end very short (yes, the whole back end!) and your front end is left wild and full.  If you still can’t picture it, imagine a mullet in your mind, then reverse it.  Anyone who has accidentally worn shorts in the winter knows what that feels like!  Quite chilly when the wind blows! 

And then there was my “short all over” phase which my mom liked a whole lot because then she didn’t need to brush me very often.  Oh, except for my tail; I always like to keep that full and fluffy like a paintbrush.  It’s how you could still tell that I’m a lady. (And don't you forget it!)

And then we come to the present; a time when maturity tells me that I must not let fashion dictate my style, but should do what comes naturally and feels good.  Sometimes I just let it all hang out; wild and crazy, with my hair in my eyes, but who cares?!  I don’t really mind if a few hairs are askew and lately, I’m not sure, but I feel as if there is a whole lot more of them.  My coat all over is more lush than usual and my mom loves when she can sink her fingers deeply into it to pet me.  The hair on my head is just a whole other story.  Can you say troll on steroids?!  It’s creamy and fuzzy and shoots out in all directions.  Where did all of this new hair come from?  I’ve been eating the yummy new food in the pink bag every day.  Could that be the reason for my rich and luxurious coat? I guess we will keep watching to see! Stay tuned for next week's conslusion of my 28-Day Eukanuba Challenge!
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MEADOW LAND WEEK 2: THE RETURN OF "CRAZY DOG"

WEEK 2
Another week has passed and not much seems to have changed for the people in my world; they keep getting up, feeding me, going out the door and then coming back home again.  But this new breakfast they’re serving me is quite delectable.  Each morning as they scoop the tasty morsels into my bowl, the intoxicating aroma wafts past my nose and I’m overcome with the urge to speak.  I must tell them to hurry, so I bark.  I bark incessantly, knowing that it will make them move faster.  They oblige me because, of course, I rule the household and they must obey my every command.  I dive into my bowl with the speed of a race horse, tempted to swallow it all in an instant, but wanting to savor every bite.  Mmmmmmmmm!  A yummy way to start my day.
I don’t know what my people do with their days, but mine are very productive.  After my morning meal, I usually saunter over to the deck door where I can sit and watch the birds and squirrels go merrily about their day.  Sometimes I can find just the right spot on the floor where the sun is shining and that’s where I’ll settle in.  After an exhilarating morning watching the wonders of nature, it’s time for a nap.  After all, a girl needs her beauty rest!  Usually I sneak into the girl’s room and get myself up into her bed where I bury myself deep into her downy covers and stay there until the family comes back home.
And then all of a sudden last night I felt the urge to do “Crazy Dog.”  Are you familiar with the game of Crazy Dog?  It’s the one where you gather up all the energy you can, take a deep breath and run in circles throughout the house.  I was impressive this time; reminiscent of Secretariat leading the pack in the Kentucky Derby!  I made about five circles on my chosen path…and then reversed it, all the while making a low growly sound that I think my people really like because they laugh at me when I do it.  Hey, it’s been a long time since I’ve done Crazy Dog.  I really feel good; could it be that the new food in my bowl has given me this renewed sense of vim and vigor?  
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MEADOW LAND

Meadow, pictured with her owner, the General Manager, Patti Kreitler, begins the Eukanuba 28-Day Challenge. Meadow would like to see what all the hype is about!

It’s 6am and another day is dawning here in “Meadow Land.”  As I gently lift my head from my snuggly slumber in my little dog bed, I hear the Dad going out the door, so it must be time for me to wake somebody. Who will it be today?  The Dad is already on his way to work, the big tall boy could sleep through a nuclear attack, the Mom is a little bit on the slow side, so I think I’ll wake the girl since she usually gets up quickly without too much grumbling.  Up I spring (well, my springing up days may be over, but I’ve still got some gusto!) and dash into her room.  “Arf,” I deliver right in her face.  “Arf!” again.  “Arf!” again.  I NEED FOOD, PEOPLE!  Is there a stir?  Is one eye starting to open?  Yes…here comes one eye, then another.  She gazes at the clock and then back again at me.  And then the pause…will she get up, or will she drift back to sleep?  I stare harder, knowing it just has to help.  I see her take a deep breath, and then no movement.  I must intervene.  Now with all my might, I lift my body up to her bed and give one more “Arf!” so close to her face that she could never resist my request.  AND SHE’S UP!  The day has begun!  Life is good!

Before going any further, let me tell you a little bit about Meadow Kreitler, Princess of Morristown, New Jersey.  My earliest recollection is being in this thing called an animal shelter.  I was confused about why I was there and when I’m concerned or nervous, I have a tendency to spin.  Now this is not subtle spinning.  When stressed, I turn into a virtual whirling dervish!  The nice shelter people recognized this interesting trait of mine and secretly named me Dizzy, but openly referred to me as Daisy which they felt sounded nicer.  They labeled me a Pomeranian, but anyone who looks at me can easily tell that I’m really a Volpino Italiano, a breed from the same family as the Pomeranian, but a much more prestigious pedigree!  When my mom laid eyes on me, it was love at first sight…for me and for her.  She took me home, renamed me Meadow after a character she watched on the Sopranos and I joined their family.  I watched as the boy and the girl turned from children into grownups and joined them in all of life’s milestones.

Oh, and by the way, did I mention that I like to eat?  No, actually, I love to eat!  I live to eat!  I think food time might just be my favorite part of the day.  So after my quick trip to the backyard where I nicely take care of business, I slide across the kitchen floor to my usual spot.  But what do I see?  A bag I’ve never seen before, what can it be?  I’m nervous.  I feel a spin coming on…I’m not sure what’s happening …. spinning has begun!  The girl scoops deep into the pretty bag with the long name on it and I hear the food drop into my dish.  It sounds good, it smells good, I sure hope it tastes good, too!  I’m not sure about this….change is not my favorite thing…oh well, here goes….

HOORAY!  I like it!  It’s good!  No, not just good, it’s absolutely yummy-licious!  A veritable party in my mouth!  I know it’s going to be a GREAT day!

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