Mischief Monday: Ducks, Geese and Dogs

 

If you asked the dogs, they'd say that there's plenty of mischief going on at our pond.  A flock of ducks flew in and have been having a high time swimming, splashing, and generally just doing what ducks do.  There are sometimes as many as 12, but usually 6-8 that spend their days here.  Nights, too, sometimes. 

 

They've been joined by a pair of local wild geese.  This pair frequently visits us and we were surprised that they didn't mind the newcomers.

In fact, at first glance we first wondered if the geese had brought early goslings along with them.

 

Nope, those are the ducks peacefully swimming with the geese.

Rosie didn't know what to make of the whole situation and the strange gathering of critters.  She sought the safety of the deck, where she could just watch.

Rudy, onn the other hand, likes to get upfront and personal.  It drives him crazy that these fowl are soooo close and he couldn't get to them.  AND he was told not to bark.

  
"The ducks and geese are our friends, Rudy.  We like the them!"

Rudy never barked at them, but as you can see from his "full alert" stance, he sure wanted to.  Pretty sure he'd like nothing better than to chase them.

And what was the birthday boy, Jeffie, doing?  Just doop-dee-dooping around the yard.  Guess he thought they were just more birthday party guests!

We've received so many fabulous photos for Jeffie's Birthday Party Pet Photo Contest, that I'm going to share some today, plus announce the lucky winners in the Good Dog Take Outs dog treat giveaway!

Bren L, Kate V, Dogmama, Shelbie J, Jackie B, and Sharon G! 

   

You've won your choice of two flavors of Good Dog Take Outs pet treats!  I've already sent you an email asking for your selections and shipping address.  Note:  I need to hear from the winners within 48 hours or alternates will be chosen.

Jeffie, Rudy and Rosie love Good Dog Take Outs dog treats and hope you do, too!

More dogs have arrived at Jeffie's Birthday Party!  Plus, you should take a look at some of the outtakes of Rita's birthday greetings for Jeffie.

Delilah (above) and Sampson (below) from Heart Like a Dog arrived 

with these pawesome birthday greetings for Jeffie!

Granite has his party hat on and already has a little frosting on his nose!

KONG Premium Jerky Dog Treats: Product Review and Giveaway

Jeffie's birthday party continues!  

What would a dog's birthday party be without treats?!

When we were contacted by JAKKS Pacific, Incl, and asked to give their new dog treats a try, the dogs said:  YES!

After learning that JAKKS Pets has partnered with the KONG Company to create their Premium Treat Line, the humans said: YES!  As we learned more about them, we were happy to agree to let them send us some of their new dog jerky treats for a taste testing, review and a giveaway!

Be sure to enter because 3 lucky winners will receive 1 package each:

• KONG Chewy Treats Natural Jerky - Beef
• KONG Chewy Treats Natural Jerky - Chicken
• *Bonus* KONG Long Lasting Chews - KONG Chew Buddies, Puppy Teething Loaf, Ham Shank or Drumstick (depending on the size of your dog.)

 

You may have already heard about the new KONG Premium Treat line.  Their jerky treats are all natural and include NO wheat, soy, corn, or animal by-products.  Plus, no artificial colors or artificial preservatives.

Varieties include:

• KONG Natural Jerky Strips - 92% real meat and come in Beef and Chicken.
• KONG Meat Stix - KONG Beef Meat Stix include apples, carrots, and extra vitamins.  KONG Lamb Meet Stix include salmon for Omega 3 and 6 for a healthier skin and coat.
• KONG Thick Cut Jerky - the beef treats include blueberries, peas and ginger.  The turkey includes cranberries, carrots and sweet potato.
• KONG Meaty Flavor Bites - real bacon, real beef, and real cheese.
• KONG Mini Meaty Bites come in beef and chicken.  Sized for training and rewarding.
• KONG Sweet Potato Stix - vegan treats include sweet potato, carrots and peas.
• KONG Crunchy Flavor Bars - Lamb with blueberries, peas and apples;  Chicken with cranberries, carrots, broccoli, and peas.
• KONG Dental Chews - chicken, calcium for puppies and seniors, and fresh breath with alfalfa and parsley varieties.
• KONG Small and Large chew Buddies
• KONG Puppy Teething Loaf

We received:

1. KONG Chewy Treats Thick Cut Jerky in beef flavor:  92% real US-sourced beef with chicory, lecithin, salt, cultured whey, mixed tocopherols, and garlic.
2. KONG Chewy Treats Thick Cut Jerky in chicken flavor: 92% real US-sourced chicken with chicory, lecithin, salt, cultured whey, mixed tocopherols, and garlic.
3. KONG Chew Treats Chew Buddies in a variety pack: bacon, chicken and fresh breath. (Ingredients vary.)

It would be a serious understatement to say all three dogs loved these treats!  As we opened the bags, the smell of jerky filled the room.  And it smelled good to the humans, too

Beef?  Chicken?  They liked them both.  We didn't try stuffing them into our KONG toys, but that would be great for treat time!

We like the new KONG Premium Jerky dog treats because they're made in the United States with real beef and chicken.  After all the recalls of pet jerky treats made in China, it is a relief to know that KONG makes a safe, natural jerky dog treat!  

KONG's Premium line of jerky treats was developed with special attention to oral care, skin and coat maintenance and allergy concerns.

The Chew Buddies (shown above) help clean teeth and they're available in two sizes:  small and large. They come in fun animal shapes.  Jeffie particularly enjoyed the squirrel!

We're glad to give the new KONG Premium Jerky dog treats an all paws up recommendation.  They're already on our shopping list!

For more information about these new dog treats, visit KONG on the web or the KONG Treats Facebook page.

Now, I know you'd like to try some of these barking good treats!  So, follow the directions in the Rafflecopter below for chances to win some for yourself.  (Sorry, this giveaway is open to only those folks with US shipping addresses.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I was not financially compensated for this review.  I received 3 packages of KONG Premium dog treats in exchange for my honest opinion.  Talking Dogs only shares information and products that we support.

 

Mischief Monday: Too Much Party Punch?

 Rudy may have had a bit too much punch

 at Jeffie's birthday party...

Hopefully, he'll sober up in time for tomorrow's

 dog treat review and giveaway!

About the only mischief we managed this weekend was to do some taste testing of new dog treats.  The "photo shoot" was pretty hilarious since all three dogs wore party hats.  Jeffie, Rudy and Rosie were very well behaved, so I'd have to say it was the humans making mischief in this case!

Not only do we have a dog treat giveaway planned for tomorrow, we have lots more fun planned, including another dog treat giveaway, a barking good photo contest, another For Love of a Dog jewelry giveaway and much more!

Jeffie is excited to announce the winner of the Monkey giveaway!  Jodi was selected at random via Rafflecopter as the winner of the For Love of a Dog monkey earrings and Skinneeez Big Bite dog toy!  Congratulations, Jodi! 

Follow-up Friday: Coyotes, Puppy Love, Art

I'm pleased to be joining Heart Like a Dog in the Follow-up Friday blog hop this week.  This is the blog hop that lets you wrap up your week and leads you right into the weekend.  Hosted by Jodi at Heart Like A Dog, and co-hosted this week by 2 brown dawgs.  

Once again, I'm following up on a bit more than just this past week.

Coyote Update: Unexpected Help
Though this particular post is from last week, I have more to add to this coyote saga.   

First I want to clarify a few things.  We live in the country, in the middle of 45 acres, surrounded by larger farms.  Our "backyard" is about 2 acres and fenced for the dogs:  picket fence on the front and part of one side; the remainder 2"x4" field fencing with two strands of barbed wire on top.  It backs up to a creek which contains a series of spring ponds which attract a lot of wildlife, plus our horses have access to that area.

This is not our first rodeo in terms of predator encounters:  coyotes, foxes, bobcats, bears, wild hogs.  

Yes, I did go after one small pack of coyotes years ago with a baseball bat (when they were snatching our chickens and my dog was trying to fight them.)  No, I'm not "one tough lady."   I've discovered that one never really knows for sure what we're capable of, until faced with the situation.   Threaten my animals?  You and I may both be in for a surprise!

We're being very vigilant.  No dog goes outside alone.  If one of us is not out there with them, we're watching with a gun handy.

Last weekend the dogs were outside playing when a large pack of young coyotes showed up on the other side of the creek.  I called the dogs in while the dog daddy grabbed the rifle.  He shot to scare several times and the pack scattered.  Interesting that the horses were on their way to help from across the pasture.  Try to convince me that they didn't see those coyotes as a threat to their family.

We're peaceniks and non-hunters.  We'd never seen that pack of coyotes before (or since), so there was no shooting to kill.

The next day I saw what I believe are the coyote pair I photographed hunting in the snow in our "front yard."  Once again, we shot to inspire fear.  Later that day I heard shooting down in the valley and suspect a neighbor spotted coyotes.

So far, we've not seen that lone coyote who has no fear of us.  If/when we do, we will be shooting to kill.   In fact, we've had no coyote sightings this week.  We've added one of those air horns to our "arsenal" and I carry it with me when I run out to the studio.  

I also have to say that I am loving the LED collar I was sent to review!  In the pitch dark, I can locate where my little pack is with a glance, thanks to Jeffie wearing it (and the fact that they stick together so well.)

The drought here has been very severe and wildlife are definitely feeling the pinch in terms of finding food.  Put that together with their increasing adaptation to living near humans and I'm sure our coyote story will continue.

Adoration: Rudy
Loved all the comments on this post!  And, yes, there is room in Rudy's heart for both Rosie and Jeffie.  Jeffie is Rudy's best friend;  Rosie is something more.  I don't know what to call it.  If Rudy was female, I'd say there's a maternal flavor to the relationship, but it is even more than that.

Someone also asked about the relationship between Jeffie and Rosie.  I promise to blog about this, because it is sweet!

Irish Blessings and Great Jingle News
Just have to say once again how thrilled I am that senior shelter dog, Jingle, now has a forever home!

Wordless Wednesday: Rosie Does Shamrocks
Thanks for all your lovely comments!  So far, Rosie has not joined the Witness Protection Program, nor is she Amish.  She has lots of patience for photos.  Even when we dress her in very silly things! 

She and Rudy developed a new game right before these St Paddy's Day photos were taken.  Rudy finds the vole tunnels and either sees, feels, or hears them at work.  Once identified, he and Rosie snoot away, following the trail.  

Rosie is a love and what we call "an old soul."  She is, hands down, the easiest, smartest puppy.  Seriously.  And I'm trying to make sure to hold her as much as possible now, because she is GROWING! 

Urban Wanderers Art Exhibition Benefits Stray Rescue
I realize you're not going to head to St Louis to see this, but if you like dogs and you like art, then you should check this out! You can see some of the art work in the videos included in this blog post.


Before I close, I just want to let you know that we're celebrating National Puppy Day over at our Facebook page.  Post a photo of your favorite puppy and check out the cuties already posted.  I guarantee it will make you smile!   
And finally, I want to confirm that Mother Nature has a sense of humor.  On the second official day of spring, she gave us 6" of snow... with more to come over the weekend!  Happy Spring!

Wordless Wednesday: Best Friends

A Different Sort of Canine Wordless Wednesday

So, one afternoon I look out and what do I see?  A pair of coyotes.

 The word has gotten out:  

our fallow pasture is perfect for hunting field mice.
Rabbits, too.

Fascinating to watch, but ...

 They're too close for comfort.

The dogs were beside themselves.  
Though the coyotes heard them, the barking (from inside the house)
didn't bother them.  At all.

Hours later they went on their way

 and I could finally let our dogs out.

Then, the next day during a white-out snow storm, 

Jeffie began going crazy at the front door.  

When I check to see what's up ... 

 They're back.

 Hunting.

Pouncing.

 Having brunch.

In my front yard.

Please... run along little doggies!

Okay... not so wordless!  As I write this, I'm glad to report that though we hear them howling at night, we've not seen coyotes in the daytime. 

 And, just in case, you've never heard them, have a listen to this audio.

Wordless Wednesday | Napping

Rosie says napping is best with a friend.

Wordless Wednesday | Happy Birthday Rudy

We're busy celebrating Rudy's birthday today.  

He's two years old.

Rudy at 9 weeks old.

 Time does fly when you're having fun!

Shop at For Love of a Dog with a 10% discount on your entire purchase, plus free shipping, with this code at checkout:  RUDYBDAY 
Offer good through October 31.

Deck Patrol: Almost Wordless Wednesday

 

 Rudy checks the yard to the west while Skeeter makes sure nothing's sneaking up the steps.

 

 Keeping an eye to the south, Rudy is vigilant.  

Skeeter... not so much.  Looks like she's falling asleep.

 Rudy has spied the mama.  Skeeter catches a quick nuzzle.

Best Friends.

If these photos look a bit familiar, it's because I've posted similar ones previously.  This is a very common scene here at our house.  Rudy and Skeeter love to lounge together on the deck.  Sometimes there's a bit of grooming, but mostly they just cuddle close and survey their kingdom.

Where's Jeffie, you ask?  While these photos were being taken, Jeffie was by my side trying to figure out what was going on.

People Food for Pets: Evanger's Dog Food and Treats Review

 Jeffie and Rudy really enjoyed their taste testing of Evanger's dog food and treats.  Not only did it, obviously, taste good, but there were so many things to taste.

The good folks at Evanger's Food For Dogs and Cats sent us a generous box of their products to sample:

• Grain-Free Meat Lover's Medley with Rabbit Dry Food - combines rabbit, beef, and pork with fruits and vegetables.  No corn, no wheat, no soy.  Gluten free; no artificial color or flavor
• Low Grain Whitefish and Sweet Potato Formula Dry Food - a great alternative to a chicken based diet
• Pheasant and Brown Rice Formula Dry Food - another alternative for dogs with chicken allergies and contains probiotics, flaxseed and Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids.  No corn, no wheat, no soy
• Whole Chicken Thighs - packed by hand - canned food.
• 100% Organic Cooked Chicken - canned food
•  Chicken and Rice Dinner - canned food
• Cooked Chicken - canned food
• Organic Chicken with Fruits and Vegetables Jerky Treats
• Beef Liver Treat for Dogs and Cats - dried treats

Jeffie and Rudy take a close look at Evanger's pet food products.

Since they were so generous and I'm not keen on changing my dog's food, it has taken some time for Jeffie and Rudy to give all of these products a thorough review.  Trust me... they didn't mind!

Here's how we conducted the taste tests.  Dry kibble was hand fed as a treat.  Canned food was rationed and a small amount was added to their regular dry kibble.  Treats were given as treats - though not nearly often enough to fully satisfy the boys.

Every single product passed the taste testers with flying colors!  Bottom line:  8 paws up for Evanger's.   Favorite products were the canned foods, though the dogs definitely loved everything.  

Evanger's Dried Beef Liver Treats

The boys didn't want to pose for photos; they wanted TREATS!

I loved Evanger's products, too and here's why:

• Made in the United States by a family owned and operated company since 1935.
• Free of harmful additives and preservatives
• No soy, corn, wheat or by-products
• Human grade ingredients
• Every single product smelled good and looked good to the humans. (However, we did have to watch out for bones in the chicken thighs; cans do contain an appropriate warning)
• Competitively priced for premium organic pet food
• A VERY wide selection of food and treats: beef, chicken, fish, lamb and more.  Many recipes for pets with special needs.

Okay, I also love the story behind Evanger's.  Back in 1935, Fred Evanger bred, exhibited, and championed his Great Danes in international kennel clubs.  He believed that the key to his success in the show ring, as well as his dogs' health and the health of their offspring was due to nutritious food.  

In fact, he felt so strongly about it that he built a canning factory on his family farm so he could make a quality pet food. Even back then, Evanger's dog food was free of additives and preservatives.  In fact, he used crops and livestock raised on the family farm. 

In 2003, Evanger's was the first pet food company to create pet food packed by hand instead of machine by putting whole pieces of fresh meat and vegetables into the cans.

You read that right.  Open a can of Evanger's and you'll immediately recognize the ingredients.  Yes, that's real shredded, pulled (organic) chicken.  OMD!  those are chicken drumsticks, alright!

Cans include a warning about bones; we picked out two.

In addition, many of their recipes are created especially for dogs with special diet needs:  food allergies, low fat diet, gluten free,  sensitive stomach, irritable bowel syndrome and more.  They also have a large line of Kosher Kosher pet food products, as well as healthy selections for cats.

I should note that I found no evidence of any recalls for Evanger's pet food products, however, there were some issues with the USFDA in early 2011 regarding  misbranding of ingredients, none of which constituted a health or safety issue.

Bottom line:  We're pleased to recommend Evanger's dog food and dog treats! 
.