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I took the plunge and registered my domain name.  It's a whole new world over at Wordpress, but I'm excited for what's to come! 

The new site will allow you to receive HDB updates via e-mail, leave comments without signing into an account (yes!), and link to your very own website (if you have one).  

Just click on Leave a comment and fill out your info! 

See you over at Her Dog Blog! 

Wubba Wubba

Teton is simply not interested in toys anymore.

I'll take that back.  He is interested in brand new toys.  For about 45 seconds.  And that might only be because I carry it around with me throughout the house for a good 2 - 3 minutes gooing and gaaing over it as if I'd just killed the evening meal with my bare hands.  

So, I admit that this toy review is on a (gasp) previously purchased item.  You don't want me to go broke, do you?  

The Kong Wubba 

Please note that TLB's Wubba was purchased in the Camo color, which is clearly more masculine. 

 Clearly.

The Kong Wubba is made of very tough nylon.  Pick one up in the store and you'll know immediately that (for most dogs) it's a durable toy.  

The top of the Wubba is a tennis ball and the middle is a rubber ball with a nice, loud squeaker.  Then, of course, we've got the "tail," which is made of wide strips of nylon. 

The Wubba tail is particularly fun for dogs who like to shake their "kill" around.  My friend's dog shakes this puppy around like there's no tomorrow.  I'm surprised she hasn't knocked herself out with it yet.  Go, Tatum! 

The KW is a great all-around toy.  Your dog's wait staff (that's you, my friends) can easily launch the KW a good 8+ feet by grabbing the tail (the Wubba's, not your dog's) and giving it a hearty chuck.  But, if you don't have a fetcher, never fear, because the KW is strong enough to withstand some chewing.  TLB either plays fetch with me (this only lasts a maximum of four minutes), plays fetch with himself (throws the ball into the air and runs after it = hilarious), or just chomps on the KW for a while.  

1.  Price - Around $10.  Very reasonable for a durable toy.

2.  Quality - Made from strong nylon.  TLB hasn't chewed the Wubba to bits, but I have seen some that have seen better days.  It all depends on your dog's chewing tendencies.

 

3.  Benefits -  Multi-faceted toy.  Good for fetch, self-play, and light chewing.

 

4.  Ingredients/Features - Strong, durable nylon.  Rubber ball with squeaker and tennis ball.  Some worry about the fuzzy green stuff on tennis balls harming your dog's teeth, but as long as the Wubba nylon isn't chewed through, this shouldn't be a problem. 

 

5.  T-Factor - Teton liked his Wubba the day that he got it.  But then the novelty wore off.  It's an okay fetching toy, but not his favorite.  

 

6.  Uniqueness/Fun - The design of the KW is great!  A good, classic tennis ball, a fun, squeaky rubber ball, and a bunch of long nylon strips to fling around. 

TLB isn't really a toy kinda guy.  However, we're going to rate the Kong Wubba for all of our other furry friends and their wait staff. 

 

The Wubba gets a seven out of 10.  Good price, strong material, and fun!  

'Night!

Training Treats: Part Deux

Did you guess what tonight's treat was from yesterday's photo?

It's Premier's Liver Biscotti!

Can I get a grande soy hazelnut latte extra hot with that?  No, I'm kidding.  I never did like biscotti much. 

This guy does, though!  I've been stuffing these little nuggets into my pockets when I'm at home for when training opportunities arise (which is all the time, my friends!) so The Little Blogger has been staying right by my side. 

Check it.  Similar in size (a teensy bit bigger) to Zuke's Mini Naturals. 

Yes, Premier, do tell.  What makes Liver Biscotti so great? 

If that truly is the ingredient list, well, we're wagging our tails for joy!  Oat and barley flour (no wheat = score!), beef liver, carrots, applesauce (yummy), parsley, and canola oil!  Y-E-S.

1.  Price - Between $6 and $8 for an 8 oz bag.  This little bag is packed to the brim.  Definitely worth the money.  

2.  Quality - Made in the USA!  No preservatives.

3.  Benefits -  Small size makes it a great training treat. 

4.  Ingredients/Features - Awesome.  No wheat or eggs, and on top of that, what it does have is wonderful for your furry friend!

5.  T-Factor - TLB likes Liver Biscotti a lot.  Of course, you are all going to think that this rating criteria is bunk because, when doesn't he like a treat, but I promise you, there aren't a lot of treats he'll follow me around the house for.  This is one of 'em!

6.  Uniqueness/Fun - Very, very crunchy.  Makes it a new eating experience for your pup.  Also, it doesn't get stale as easily as softer treats, which is especially helpful if you keep them in random coat pockets like I do! 

Ladies and Gentlemen...we've got another eight out of 10!  I think that might be a record.

 

This is a great treat.  One of our new favorites. 

 

 

I think this one seconds that. 

Night, y'all!

What's the best thing to do after a bath?

Snuggle up on the couch, of course! 

Tomorrow's review smells pretty tasty...

Happy Valentine's Day!

The Dog Book

Guess what came in the mail yesterday?

 

Not to offend anyone, but I'm not feelin' cover dog Rowdy.  He's cute and all, but I much prefer Hazzard, who is on the inside cover. 

Look at those wrinkles!  But remember folks, with wrinkles comes the lovely task of cleaning out wrinkles.  

I dig Hazzard's name, too.  Do you think his nickname is Hazzy?  His full name is a bit long for my taste.  Reminds me of a dog that we saw at the local dog park a few times.  His name was Aftershock.  No, thanks. 

Here's that darn "dog-proof" bedding that I've been dreaming about. 

Still pretty spendy.  I need it to go on sale immediately.

Betty White? 

B.W. is everywhere I turn. 

The only thing that would make this photo better is if her diamond necklace were in the shape of a dog bone. 

Well, I'll be busy for the rest of the night.  The Orvis Dog Book is 67 pages, after all. 

Happy Friday! 

Our Favorite Training Treat

Hello! 

Clearly I am not keeping up with my New Year's resolutions.  You may remember that one was to, and I quote, "blog more."  Whoops.  I never was one for resolutions. 

Tonight's treat review is on one of our favs: Zuke's Mini Naturals

You may remember that TLB got a two-pack of these in his stocking last year (it feels too soon to write that).

Mini Naturals come in salmon, chicken, and peanut butter.  We've never tried the salmon, but it sounds delish.  TLB's two-pack came in the peanut butter and chicken varieties.   

Here's something we love:

Great packaging, Zukes!  Why not call attention to all of the wonderful things about Mini Naturals right on the front of the packaging?  

No corn, wheat, or soy.  No artificial colors or flavors.  No added fat.  No by-products!  

Made in the USA!  

AND a portion of Zuke's proceeds goes to the Dog and Cat Cancer Fund?! 

Sigh.  A treat after my own heart.  Too bad I don't eat dog treats.   Ok, at least not on weekdays.

 
Good thing it was a two-pack!  We're runnin' low, boss! 

Mini Naturals are teeny tiny.  That equals lots in the bag and notso lotso in the doggie waistline (only two calories per nibble!).  

Mini Naturals are moist and chewy, so they're great for dogs that have trouble with hard, crunchy treats.  This also means, however, that you keep them moist you have to seal the bag every time.  Trust me.  We've had some stale Zukies in our day. 

Kasey likes Mini Naturals almost as much as Teton. 

Down booties!  Let me tell you, these things are 1.5 millions times better than any ordinary slipper. 

By the way, here's the ingredient list.  For the Zuke's, not the down booties. 

Pretty good.  I've seen better, but no huge complaints. 

 1.  Price - $5.49 for a 6 oz bag, but I've seen anywhere from $4 - $7.  Not too shabby for how many nibbles you get!   

2.  Quality - Made in the USA without by-products, added fat, and artificial colors orflavors.

3.  Benefits -  Low in calories.  Small in size.  

4.  Ingredients/Features - Depends on what variety you get (salmon, peanut butter, or chicken) but for the most part the ingredient list is pretty good.  The peanut butter version boasts a nice list of ingredients like barley, oats, and rice. 

5.  T-Factor - TLB loves 'em!  He gets a few a night when we're working on tricks.  I think the fact that they're moist makes them smellier and tastier.  

6.  Uniqueness/Fun - I think the fact that this treat is small, low in calories, and moist makes it fairly unique in the treat market.

 

 

We give Zuke's Mini Naturals an eight out of 10.

 

I'm off to bake some salted fudge brownies.  Yes, please. 

Ostrich or Catfish?

Can you believe it's already February?!

A few weeks ago I promised some blog updating and, well, clearly I haven't stayed true to my promise.  I'm working on it, though.  Honestly! 

Tonight's treat review is on Fido's Best All Natural Catfish Treats.

I tested these on Teton and his Uncle Kasey.

I picked these up at my new local pet store hang out.  At first I had the ostrich jerky in my hands, but then I thought about the pet ostriches that my grandparents used to have (no lie!) and it made me a little sad.  I'm impressed that I knew the plural for ostrich, by the way. 

These treats were $6.59 for a 4-oz pack.  A little steep, I know, but I justified it because I found them to be pretty unique. 

Ingredients look pretty good, too.  Catfish, flax seed, barley, water, nonfat milk, whey, and a "special seasoning blend" make this treat smell quite pungent.  I barely touched the bag after TLB and Kasey had a nibble and they were at my feet whining.  Honestly, it smells like a fish version of human beef jerky. 

These are their best begging faces.

Some additional features that Fido's Best points out for their All Natural Catfish Treats:

1.  USDA inspected catfish
2.  No added preservatives or hormones   
3.  No corn, wheat, or soy 
4.  Great for skin and coat 

These strips of jerky are hearty and easy to break, so they could easily be used in small bits as training treats, should that be something you'd like to do. 

1.  Price - $6.59 for a 4-oz pack that holds just five jerky strips?  That's a bit high.  Subtract $1.50 and I'd be one happy blogger.

2.  Quality - Made with USDA inspected catfish!  It never crossed my mind that this would be a possibility, but I'm down with it!

3.  Benefits -  What's not to love?  Catfish is high in Vitamin D and contains Omega-3 fatty acids, both of which are grrrrrreat!  We've also got flax seed (lots of wonderful properties including a richness in both Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids), barley (great source of energy and fiber), water, nonfat milk, and whey.   

4.  Ingredients/Features - This category is covered in the Benefits section because practically every ingredient has at least one benefit for your pooch.  In a word, fabulous. 

5.  T-Factor - Um...TLB is gaga over these treats.  He loves fish-based treats in general, but I don't know that I've seen him beg this much for a treat, well, ever. 

6.  Uniqueness/Fun - This treat is pretty unique because I don't know that I've ever seen another catfish treat on the market.

Taking all factors into consideration, TLB and I give Fido's Best All Natural Catfish Treats an eight out of 10.  Fido's Best nailed every category except for price, which is a bit steep at $6.59 a pack.

Maybe next time I'll get up the guts to try the ostrich... 

But I doubt it.