Doggie Pool Party

For the water dog in your life, summer is prime time for being poolside. A close friend of Polka Dot Pup, known by the pups as "Aunt Treats", holds an annual doggie swim party during the summer months that is all the ruff. Here are some tips for hosting your own amazing dog-friendly pool party.

1. Invite all your puppy friends (and their owners of course!)
2. Pick up pet-friendly and human treats, because everyone will be hungry after a good swim
3. Doggie proof the backyard, make sure there is nothing lying around that the dogs can get into
4. Have lots of towels on hand!
5. Lay out bowls of fresh water, its not good to drink pool water all day
6. Pack the pool with floating toys that the pups can play with and don't forget the tennis balls (Vixen's favorite!)
7. Have designated "life guards" on hand just to make sure everyone is safe and having a good time
8. And last but not least, have a doggone good time!

Here are just a few shots from this years Aunt Treats Doggie Pool Party -

"The water feels so good!"

"You go first....no you go first...."

Break time














Time to dry off!


Check out more cute pictures of fellow water dogs in the pool!

For more information on throwing a pet-friendly pool party or to share your doggie pool party stories or other pet-friendly events, email polkadotpupblog@aol.com.

PUPS ON THE WEB - Upside Down Dogs

If you spend as much time on the web as we do, your bound to run across some pretty funny pet sites. If your looking for some mindless entertainment, there is everything from funny pet pics to celebrity pet gossip. One of Polka Dot Pup's favorites, Upside Down Dogs.

If your not familiar with the site, its definitely worth taking a peek. If you couldn't tell by the name, the site consists of pictures of dogs upside down. One can spend hours browsing these adorable mugs, even submit your own pups picture!

Have a favorite pet site that you can't get enough of? Submit your links here!

POLKA DOT PUP OF THE MONTH - August 2008

Bailey
Breed: Golden Retriever
Location: Simi Valley, California
Age: 9 years old
Bailey loves the summer family trips to Tahoe, CA. Her favorite past time, standing guard on the beaches keeping an eye out for pets who are breaking the law.


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 to polkadotpupblog@aol.com. The winner will appear in a posting on Polka Dot Pup, the everything dog blog!

POLKA DOT PUP PRODUCT PICK - Divine Canine

BOOK REVIEW:
DIVINE CANINE: The Monks' Way to a Happy, Obedient Dog
Author: The Monks of New Skete

The Monks of New Skete are a rare breed when it comes to dog training. Based in Cambridge, New York, the monks from this Eastern Orthodox monastic community are known for their breeding of German Shepherds and are sought after for dog behavior dilemmas.

Divine Canine is their third book in a line of best sellers such as How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend and The Art of Raising a Puppy. I found the book to be a great hands on guide to tackling some common canine behavior issues. The reader gets to follow Brother Christopher through the training process of nine different dogs such as the bull-headed Bulldog Hugo or the dog with two faces, a Rottweiler mix named Boomer, all with diverse behavior problems. The imagery and stories within the pages of the book really allow you dive into the subject matter and get a first hand look into the Monks' training techniques.

I love the fact that this book is so easy to follow, each training session outlines the bio's for each dog, insight into their unruly behaviors and step-by-step descriptions on how they overcome their obstacles. Along with the training guidelines, the book offers amazing images, Q&A for commonly asked pet owner questions and quotes from the Monks themselves.

Polka Dot Pup recommends this book as a great guide for new pet owners or as a useful tool for someone who is looking to finesse or enforce the five essential obedience commands (sit, heel, stay, down and come) and enhance the bond between themselves and their pet.

To get more information on The Monks of New Skete and Divine Canine, go to http://www.newsketemonks.com/index.html. You can also catch the Monks in action in their new series Divine Canine: With the Monks of New Skete, premiering on Animal Planet on April 18th at 8 p.m. ET/PT.


Polka Dot Pup Product Rating -





Written by Becca Plummer/Polka Dot Pup
2/10/08

Puppy Bowl IV

The pups hit the field February 3rd at 3pm for Animal Planet's fourth annual Puppy Bowl. Get a group of your favorite four legged friends together and catch the game during halftime of the NFL Super Bowl. For the first time ever, this hair raising event will be featured in HDTV so you catch every adorable puppy play as clear as can be.

Check out Animal Plant and vote for your favorite puppy player. The site also features a great guide to creating the perfect Puppy Bowl party, pup related games and tons of cute pooch pics.


The great thing about this program (other than the fact that it is just too cute) is that a number of the puppies featured in Puppy Bowl IV will come from the SPCA of Anne Arundel County, Md., Homeward Tails Rescue and other Washington, D.C. area shelters and if you are interested in adopting your own adorable pup, Animal Planet features a link to petfinder.com for finding adoptable pets.

If you can't catch the show at 3pm, Animal Planet will be replaying the program at 6pm and 9pm as well as on February 4th at 12am.


To get more information about Puppy Bowl IV, visit Animal Planet

Halloween Hounds

Just a few more weeks until the witches and ghosts emerge into the streets this Halloween.

For all the pups that love this time of year, Polka Dot Pup has spooked up some of the cutest costumes and Halloween toys and treats the web has to offer!

Happy Halloweenie!

See more of my Halloween Hounds list at ThisNext.

Polka Dot Pup Product Pick - Haute Diggity Dog Plush Toys

Every dog dreams of the good life....trips to Paris, designer duds, tasty treats and a little bubbly to wash it done.

Thanks to Haute Diggity Dog, creators of some amazing parody dog toys, this Hollywood lifestyle is possible for any pup. Lucky dog!

I could go on and on about all of the amazingly fun plush toys from Haute Diggity Dog (I'm in puppy love with these things!) but to check out all their great stuff, visit www.hautediggitydog.com.

Check out a few of Polka Dot Pups favorites....

Eiffel Tower - Plush Dog Toy

Chocolate Covered Strawberry - Plush Dog Toy



Chewnel #5 Perfume - Plush Dog Toy

Puggs Boots Plush Dog Toy

Dog Perignonn Champagne - Plush Dog Toy

Beach Book Guide - Pup Edition

The sun is shining overhead, there is slight breezy in the air, you lay on a cozy beach blanket toe digging in the sand and as you stare out into the blindingly blue ocean you think to yourself....Man, I could use a good book!

Well Polka Dot Pup has come to the rescue. What day at the beach is complete without a good read to keep you entertained? Whether you are relaxing at the beach or hanging pool side, Polka Dot has found the book for you!

Marley & Me, Life and Love with the Worlds Worst Dog by John Grogan - I know I have mentioned this book before but I cannot tell you enough how good of a read it is. It makes you laugh, it makes you cry but more importantly it shows you how important a dog can be in your life.

From Bagdad, With Love: A Marine, the War, and a Dog Named Lava by Jay Kopelman - Jay Kopelman tells a story that is both tender and thought-provoking, candidly portraying the ugly conditions in wartime Iraq, while also describing his (and his fellow Marines') growing attachment to a scruffy stray puppy.

Mostly Bob by Tom Corwin - After his beloved golden retriever died, Tom Corwin was compelled to write a letter to his friends and family to celebrate his pets life.

Shelter Dogs by Traer Scott - Photographer Traer Scott’s endearing portraits of dogs living in American shelters are irresistible and heart-rending – and make a passionate appeal to dog lovers everywhere.

A few other great doggie reads:

A Three Dog Life by Abigail Thomas

Lost & Found by Jacqueline Sheehan

The New Yorkers: A Novel by Cathleen Schine


Do you have a favorite pup related book we left off the list? Have a review for one of the books we selected?? Let us know...Polkadotpupblog@aol.com

When Moms Away, the Dogs Will Play....

You may have noticed that Polka Dot Pup has been dragging it's paws lately with our updates, but work has been keeping our pound pups super busy!

So we realized, pet lovers all around us have busy lives too. How can we make sure our pups don't get too lonely when our lives get busy?

We all know there is no better solution then to spend quality time with our pets but when we are unable to give them all of our time due to unavoidable, everyday schedules there is a little thing called Doggie Daycare. Becoming increasingly popular in the animal world, daycare isn't just for kids anymore. In fact, a large number of pet owners are dropping their four legged friends off for a day full of play while they head off to work.

I ran across this article on MSN's Dog Central that gives you the low down on what Doggie Day Care is all about:

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Doggy Daycare
By Sandy Robins

Is your dog a “latch key pup” – that is, a dog that sits home alone, waiting to hear the key turn in the door on your return from a long day at the office? If your pal has taken to chewing your favorite pair of shoes or gnawing at the furniture while you’re out, it could simply mean she’s lonely and is craving some mental and physical stimulation. Signing her up for doggy daycare could very well be the answer.

These days, most cities offer a choice of facilities where your pal can have fun exercising and socializing with other dogs while you slave away at your desk to pay for it! Finding the right care center for your dog is similar to researching a playschool for a child. If you are unable to get a personal recommendation, make a list of all the places in your area and visit each one to compare them.

What You Need to Know About Daycare
Ideally, the daycare center’s business hours should extend beyond the start and the end of your normal workday so you have time to drop her off and fetch her without rushing. It’s a good idea to inquire whether they charge a late fee when you arrive after the standard closing time. Some centers do run a canine taxi service which can be a great time-saver if you have a hectic schedule.

When you tour the facility, check to see how the staff reacts to all the dogs around them and whether all the dogs play together. Your pal may prefer a center where larger breeds are separated from the smaller ones. Make a note of how many water stations there are and ask how often they are refreshed. Most establishments require owners to pack their own doggy lunches to avoid any special dietary issues. Before she joins, your dog will have to pass a behavior assessment test to ensure that she’s well socialized and also provide proof that she’s had all her shots.

Most places don’t offer specialized walks because the dogs get enough exercise running around with one another. However, it’s important to ensure that there is both a spacious indoor and outdoor play area as well as a comfy, well ventilated nap corner.

Canine Enrichment
Many daycare facilities now call themselves “canine enrichment centers” and offer a variety of other services, such as obedience training, grooming, and massage therapy. Some even have a pond for supervised swimming, nature trails for the very energetic, and a recreation room with giant TV screens playing dog-orientated cartoons like “The Lady and the Tramp” where pups can retreat for some quiet time. Pet parents can also sign up for optional activities like doga (the doggy version of yoga) and paw painting classes.

What It Costs
Naturally, you get what you pay for and all this canine enrichment doesn’t come cheap! Be sure to ask about any discounts offered if you purchase for a fixed number of days a month or reductions if you have more than one dog.

If all this is beyond your financial reach, consider employing a dog walker for a daily outing. It should cost less. On this score, whether you rely on a professional walker or a neighbor, it has to be someone you not only trust with your dog but also feel secure giving access to your home.

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Below are a few resources on how to find a Doggie Daycare in your area:

Findpetcare.com - A great online guide to locating pet daycare or boarding across the US.
Petcarechannel.com - Pet Day Care Services Directory
Wherepetsstay.com

For other helpful tips on how to find a Doggy Day Care perfect for your pup, visit eHow.com - How to Find Doggy Day Care


If you know of a great Doggy Day Care that you would like to share with fellow Polka Dot Pup readers, let us know about them!

POLKA DOT PRODUCT PICK - AKC Plush Toys

Do you have a pup or adult dog that is just plain hard on their toys? If so, I have to recommend AKC's Plush Toys to all the Polka Dot Pup readers.


My two year old Labrador loves to tear things apart and her toys are no exception. When I discovered these AKC toys, I could not believe how durable they were. My pup just loves the different animal shapes (must be her inner hound!). The toys come in many different shapes and sizes. Vixen's favorite by far is the squeaky squirrel!

AKC recently came out with their AKC Puppy Series. These toys are so darn cute, with adorable shapes and colors they are perfect for any new addition to the family!


Check out AKCstore.org to learn more about these great toys. You can also find them at Petco and Target stores.

Puppy Party Time!

May has finally arrived and it's hard to believe that my labrador Vixen will be turning 2 years old in a few days. Isn't it crazy how fast they grow from cute little fur balls into big old animals (which we still love to pieces non the less)?

Now even though she is a dog, she deserves something special for her big day so I went on the hunt and found these amazingly cute items....perfect for any birthday pup! I was amazed at the amount of items available for any type of puppy party, everything from cakes decorated with tennis balls to rawhide birthday cards.

Haute Diggity Dog Plush Birthday Cake Toys - These too cute plush birthday cake toys come in large and small sizes. Perfect for any pup that likes to celebrate everyday!


Crunchkin Rawhide Greeting Cards - Edible greeting cards for the dog you love. Made of flat rawhide and imprinted with non-toxic, edible ink. Cards measure 4-3/8" x 6-3/8", and come with a brightly colored mailing envelope.

Kool Dog Kafe Dog Birthday Cake - Your dog can enjoy his/her own yummy birthday cake with an added ball and customized birthday label.


It's My Party and I'll Bark If I Want To! Tee - An adorable birthday tee for your special pup!


Does your special pup have a birthday coming up? Tell Polka Dot Pup and we will add you to our monthly Happy Birthday dog list!

SHOPPING GONE TO THE DOGS - Should dogs be allowed in malls?

Over the weekend I took a trip to the mall to search out a cute outfit for a spring wedding. I was window browsing when out of the corner of my eye I spotted a lady and her Maltese entering a retail store. Then while eating lunch, there sat another little dog dining with it's owners at a table nearby. Both pets where not service dogs but just family pets going for a shopping trip with their owners.

I am a huge pet lover and I love to take my dog everywhere with me BUT when did it become popular to have your pup tag along on a trip to the mall?


Really....why take your dog or any pet to the mall? Malls are always crowded with people which could upset your animal, not many retail stores allow pets inside and unless their is a pet boutique featuring tons of yummy yummy treats, is your pet really going to have a good time?

I can understand having your pet with you when you stop by a coffee shop, if you are traveling and need to stop somewhere or if you want to bring your pet to the pet store with you but the mall? This may be stretching the line a little bit.

Could you imagine gliding into a retail store ready to try on tons of pretty things when you step in a little accident that someones pet has left behind (because we all know not all pet owners really pick up after their pets). I think some places should just remain dog free.



This is all my own personal opinion SO please let me know how you feel about this topic. Should pets be allowed in malls?


(This topic is not regarding service dogs)

Meet Hercules, The World's Biggest Dog or The World's Biggest Fib?

Hercules is one big puppy! Named Guinness World Records "World's Biggest Dog". This is one HUGE story that I had to pass along to the Polka Dot Pup readers!

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Hercules was recently awarded the honorable distinction of Worlds Biggest Dog by Guinness World Records. Hercules is an English Mastiff who has a 38 inch neck and weighs 282 pounds.

With "paws the size of softballs" (reports the Boston Herald), the three-year-old monster is far larger and heavier than his breeds standard 200lb limit. Hercules owner Mr. Flynn says that Hercules weight is natural and not induced by a bizarre diet: "I fed him normal food and he just grew... and grew and grew and grew".

Hercules' sheer volume may have won him the Largest Dog world record, but the Heaviest Dog title still rests with another Mastiff named Kell who weighed in at 286 pounds in August of 1999. This English Mastiff, however, only has a 32-inch neck - far less than Hercules' 38-inches. Think about that for a second though - 32 inches is a standard waist size for a man!

Proud owner Tom Scott said Kell is two years old and is expected to continue to grow for the next two years. Kell needs to be fed 100lb of beef every week, and drinks gallons of goats' milk to stay healthy...

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Do you think the dog pictured above is just plain big or one big fib? Let us know what you think! (I have a feeling a little photoshop work may have been involved)

Dog Tales

I received this wonderful story from a Polka Dot Pup reader and wanted to share it with everyone. It's a beautiful example of the love between a pet and their owner.

A wonderful dog story…

Mary and her husband, Jim, had a dog, Lucky. Lucky was a real character. Whenever Mary and Jim had company come for a weekend visit, they would warn their friends not to leave their luggage open because Lucky would help himself to whatever struck his fancy. Inevitably, someone would forget and something would come up missing. Mary or Jim would go to Lucky's toy box in the basement and there the treasure would be, amid all of Lucky's favorite toys. Lucky always stashed his finds in his toy box and he was very particular that his toys stay in the box.

It happened that Mary found out she had breast cancer. Something told her she was going to die of this disease; she was just sure it was fatal. She scheduled the double mastectomy, fear riding her shoulders. The night before she was to go to the hospital, she cuddled with Lucky. A thought struck her...what would happen to Lucky? Although the three-year-old dog liked Jim, he was Mary's dog through and through. If I die, Lucky will be abandoned, Mary thought. He won't understand that I didn't want to leave him. The thought made her sadder than thinking of her own death.

The double mastectomy was harder on Mary than her doctors had anticipated and Mary was hospitalized for over two week. Jim took Lucky for his evening walk faithfully, but the little dog just drooped, whining and miserable. Finally the day came for Mary to leave the hospital. When she arrived home, Mary was so exhausted she couldn't even make it up the steps to her bedroom. Jim made his wife comfortable on the couch and left her to nap. Lucky stood watching Mary but he didn't come to her when she called. It made Mary sad but sleep soon overcame her and she dozed.

When Mary woke for a second, she couldn't understand what was wrong. She couldn't move her head and her body felt heavy and hot. But panic soon gave way to laughter when Mary realized the problem. She was covered, literally blanketed, with every treasure Lucky owned! While she had slept, the sorrowing dog had made trip after trip to the basement bringing his beloved mistress all his favorite things in life. He had covered her with his love; Mary forgot about dying. Instead she and Lucky began living again, walking further and further together every night. It's been 12 years now and Mary is still cancer-free. Lucky? He still steals treasures and stashes them in his toy box but Mary remains his greatest treasure.

Do you have an inspirational story about you and your pet? Send them in and we will post them on Polka Dot Pup!

Unleash the Beast - A Dog Park Guide

Now that Winter has ended and Spring has arrived, what better time for you and your pet to stretch your legs and join the fun at a dog park?

I will admit, I was a little leery of the whole dog park idea at first. Hundreds of dogs running around off their leashes....who knew if the other dogs would want to be my pups friend or her bullies! Not to mention, I had a rough time locating a dog park nearby.

But after finally locating an amazingly large and well groomed dog park a few miles away, I have to admit that I have completely changed my mind. Vixen and I visit the dog park at least once a week now and it really is a fun activity for us both. Vixen enjoys chasing her tennis ball in all of the open space while I really love watching the different breeds of dogs (big and small) playing and having a great time together!

I really think any dog owner should try the dog park experience at least once. SO to make things a little easier, I have put together a list of sites that will help you locate a dog park in your area. Enjoy!

• DogGeek.com
  
• DogFriendly.com, United States and Canada Off-Leash Dog Park Guide.


• DogFun Directory.com, the original dog park directory.


• Animal Planet's Dog Parks USA


• USADogParks.com


• DogPark.com, Off-Leash and On-Line.


• Southern California Haute Dogs. Lists great dog beaches too!

**I recommend that your pups have all of their current shots before going to any dog park. Remember that a large number of dogs visit each park daily.

Have a dog park in your area that you absolutely adore? Send us your story and the parks information and we may select the park for a future Dog Park of the Month Segment!

The Easter Puppy Gift Guide

Spring has sprung and Easter is right around the corner.

Check out some of these super cute Easter items that I dug up that are perfect for any Easter pup!

See more of my The Easter Puppy list at ThisNext.

Do you have what it takes to be Polka Dot Pup of the Month for April?

April showers bring May flowers but it also brings PUP OF THE MONTH!

Does your pup have what it takes to be April's Pup of the Month? Send in your pictures with your pups name and a few fun facts about them.

A winner will be selected the final week of April. The winner will get their picture posted along with their very own article on Polka Dot Pup, the everything dog blog.

Good Luck!

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.