Bow Wow for Pet Freebies

One of my favorite past times is cruising to the nearest Costco and munching on their free samples. Hey, that's a free meal! I bet a few of you have some similar stories. I mean, what is better than getting something for free right?

Well who is more deserving of a free treat than our furry friends? So I have searched the web high and low and fetched some great pet freebies....


Greenies has revamped their original Greenie Bones. The new dental chews are easy to digest, highly soluble and still just as great for your pets breath. To get a free full sized Greenie bone, go to Greenie.com. You can also get a free sample of their lip smacking SmartBiscuits and Greenies for our Feline friends. My pup was so excited when it arrived in the mail, she gobbled it up in seconds.

Go wacko for Schmackos. Visit Schmackos.com and receive a coupon for $1 off any Schmackos treats (made with real meat!).

The original ScoopEx, the ultimate disposable pooper-scooper. Go to ScoopEx.com and fill out a quick sample order form and receive a free ScoopEx four pack.

Love reading magazines and love your pet? Then go to Beneful.com for a free subscription of Dog's Life magazine.

Noworms.com offers a free drontal Plus Cleanup Bags Dispenser that fits on your belt!

Pet Me, I'm Irish - St. Patty's Day gear and treats for the dogs

Whether you're an Irish Setter, Wolfhound or only Irish at heart, tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day. Time to get together with friends, drink lots of green beer and dine on tasty corned beef, cabbage and Irish soda bread. But what can you do to keep your furry friends from getting pinched?

Well you could always color your pet green from head to toe OR deck them out in some St. Patty's Day inspired gear. Try the Shamrock Dog Bandanna from Posh Pet Glamour Boutique.

Out of time to order online? Run down to your local Petco or Petsmart for St. Patty's Day related items. You can always pick up some green fabric and create your own festive outfits too!

Don't want your pet to miss out on the St. Patrick's Day feast? Try American Health Kennels St. Patrick's Day Stew Flavored Green Biscuits or Taxi's Dog Bakery Yogurt Dipped Shamrock Treats, both from Just 4 Pooches. You can also check out Global Paw where they have a number of yummy doggie treat recipes that you can make yourself!

May your luck be with you wherever you go, and your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow.

Happy St. Patrick's Day and don't forget to wear your green!

POLKA DOT PRODUCT PICK - Gentle Leader Easy Walk Harness

Do you have a dog that enjoys taking YOU for a walk? I have to introduce you to a product that has literally saved my life....from my dog dragging me down the street!

Meet the Gentle Leader Easy Walk Harness by Premier. Designed to discourage your dog from pulling, the Gentle Leader redirects pressure through a front leash attachment.
In other words, when your pup tries to take off down the street the front leash attachment redirects the dog in a semi circle so that he or she ends up facing you instead of going forward. After a few confusing jumps and circles from my pup, she finally gave in and has been completely manageable on walks ever since!

The product is sturdy, not too expensive and comes in great colors.
To check out where to buy the Gentle Leader Easy Walk Harness and other really great products from Premier, go to http://www.premier.com.

Dog Hair - The New Look on the Runway for Summer 2007!

So you've heard of New York fashion week. A bunch of amazing designers showing off their beautiful and unique clothes while celebrities of all shapes and sizes admire them from the front row, pausing occasionally for a paparazzi snap shot.

Well in August, the models will be returning to the runways but this time they may have a little more hair then expected and will be walking on all fours. No, this is not a new trend in modeling, I'm talking about the 2007 Pet Fashion Week!

This is the second annual Pet Fashion Week, taking place on August 18 and 19 in New York City and it is every fashion dogs dream. Products being featured will include everything from jewelry, accessories and fragrances to collars, leashes and health products.

First started in 2006, the event was designed as a trade show and designer platform where upcoming and established designers could showcase their products in front of international media and buyers.

So whether your into fashion or not, this event is sure to bring lots of tail wagging and a wonderful array of products for ever type of pooch. If I wasn't located on the other side of the country (California), my pup and I would be there before you can say Next Dog Model!

To learn more about 2007 Pet Fashion Week, check out their website - http://www.petfashionweek.com


Have you been to Pet Fashion Week or have a product you think belongs on the runway? Send us an email with all the juicy details!

From Pet Theft to Open Gates - How To Protect Your Furry Friend

What could be worst then coming home to find your gate open and your beloved pet missing? How about having your pet stolen?

Recently in Los Angeles, five purebred Yorkshire Terriers where stolen from their home by gunpoint. Two men posing as buyers pulled out guns once inside the breeders home and preceded to stuff the puppies and the owners own pet Yorkie into plastic bags before taking off.

Thanks to cameras that were installed in the home, the whole incident was caught on tape and I am happy to report that on March 4th the puppies were returned home after the invader turned himself into the police.

This event made me start thinking how best to protect my pet. It would break my heart to have her stolen let alone run away. So, I have compiled a list of ways that we can help protect our animals from the big bad world that exists outside our own picket fence.

1. License - It is important to have your dog licensed. That way if he or she does run away, you have a better chance of locating your pet if they have been picked up by the pound (not to mention you are saving yourself from fines you will have to pay!)

2. Identification Tags - Another helpful tool if your pet gets out. Whomever finds your pet can look at the tags and contact you. It is always good to include your address, city and state and phone numbers where you can be reached. Adding "Reward" is another good option to try and prevent pet theft.

To find out where to get some of these cute custom tags, go to www.brasspaw.com.

3. Micro-chips - If your pets tags somehow fall off or are removed, they can be scanned to see if they are chipped. The chips can include all your contact info so your pet can be returned.

4. Lock your gate - It is really important to always check to make sure your gates are closed and locked. That way know one can get into your yard easily and prevents a random wind storm from blowing your gate open.

5. Never leave your pet unattended in front of a store - Unless you know everyone in the neighborhood, it's not always a good idea to tie your pet outside the local Starbucks while you order a Latte. You never know who is going to walk by and decide to walk off with your furry friend.

6. Train your pets - It is always helpful for your pets to be familiar with your front yard and know their bounders.


Do you have a good pet protection suggestion that I left out? Send in your ideas and I will add them to the list!

Two Paws Up for Marley and Me

Every now and then I come across a book that grabs my emotion and seems to interlace with things going on in my own life. That is why I must recommend a book that is a wonderful read and perfect for anyone with a dog in their life, young and old.


Marley and Me, life and love with the world's worst dog by John Grogan is a story about the author's own life, from marriage to children, and the rambunctious dog who he fell in love with. This book is both heartwarming and heartbreaking, perfect for anyone who has their own "worst dog" but wouldn't have it any other way.


Make sure to visit the website where you can post your own bad dog tales and pictures, read an excerpt from the book and join in on the message board - http://www.marleyandme.com

POLKA DOT PUP OF THE MONTH - March 2007

The Polka Dot Pup of the month for March is (drum roll please!)............


VIXEN
Breed: Chocolate Labrador Retriever
Location: Sunny Southern California
Age: 1 1/2 years old
Favorite Past Time: Playing in the water, any water!
Most Loved Toy: Any tennis ball she can find


If you would like your pet to be Polka Dot Pup of the Month, please send an email with a picture of your pet and a short description about what they love and any funny facts! The winner will appear in a posting on Polka Dot Pup Blog. A new winner will be selected at the beginning of each month. Please submit entries to snowflake2626@aol.com.