Sarah Lukemire – Page 7 – Lola the Pitty

August 28, 2014August 27, 2014

Lola’s Top 5 Dog Toys (+ Giveaway!)

Lola and Rio love their toys. But we’ve definitely learned a lesson or two on toys that work for them versus others that leave shreds of mess around the house. Or yard.

It is also no surprise that Lola loves tennis balls. But squeaky tennis balls are a whole other story. The peanut butter to her jelly.

So can you imagine the look on her face when her grandma brings over a double-sided tennis ball? Yeah, we have a couple of these laying around our living room at all times.

Which brings us to our first of five of Lola’s favorite dog toys.

One: Kong AirDog Dumbbell

Double-sided tennis ball. Squeaker. Unpredictable bounce.’Nuff said.

Two: Kong Wobbler

We just finally got our hands on one of these a couple weeks ago. I’ll admit, I was hesistant to purchase one because they are around $20, but let me tell you – they are well worth the cost. I fill these with tiny little training treats or even kibble and watch her push this giant toy around the living room. Onto the tile. Down the stairs. Down the second set of stairs. And repeat until all treats or food is gone.

It is hilarious to see the different styles of retrieving treats out of the Wobbler. Lola literally slaps it with her paws and muscles it around until the treats magically pop out. Rio takes a more methodical approach; sniffing the hole, attempting to reach his paw inside the tiny hole and slowly pushes it around with his nose or paw.

Three: Hero Discs

We had a little trial and error phase of which canine discs to use that lasted longer than five minutes. Hero brand disc (and a couple others) are our favorites! We have to use a slightly heavier/thicker disc due to her intensity and eagerness to catch the disc. But bring these to the park and you’ll have Lola’s attention over everything else!

Four: The classic Kong

This has to be on the top of the list for Lola and myself. Fill it with peanut butter, kibble, or treats and entertain the pups (or throw around for a fun toy to chase). We probably use our Kong more than any other dog toy in the house. A classic favorite: frozen peanut butter stuffed Kongs when we are going to be gone for a few hours.

Five: Scrunch Squirrel

Stuffed animals have very short life spans around our house. Luckily this is a un-stuffed animal and has an elastic cord in it, making it extra fun to fling around! This squirrel was actually one of Lola’s first toys as a pup. There isn’t much of “Stretchy” left, but we cannot throw him away. Any time we bring Stretchy back out of the dog toy box (yes, this exists), Lola’s eyes light up!

Now, what better way to end an article (teasing you with all these awesome toys) then with a giveaway?

The KONG Company has offered to giveaway an awesome prize pack to one lucky winner consisting of the Kong Wobbler, Classic Kong and the Kong AirDog Dumbbell!

If you aren’t interested in winning these gifts for yourself, please still consider entering and “paw” it forward – donating the gift to a special dog in need.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Contest open to U.S. Residents only. Some of the products used in this post were donated by KONG Company. All opinions are honest and my own.

August 24, 2014April 18, 2015

Natural Flea & Tick Preventatives: What We’ve Tried & What Works

We have not touched any flea and tick preventatives that contain chemicals since the beginning of the year. It was time to pay attention to what we were applying to our dogs and I regret not taking action sooner. After all, what we put on their skin is absorbed into their body and organ systems. I find it a little scary that tests on laboratory animals with active ingredients found in spot-on products resulted in thyroid cancer, liver and kidney toxicity, and convulsions.

So that meant buh-bye Frontline.

Not to mention, I was a little disappointed after we came back from a hike and pulled off 10 ticks between the two dogs. A week after applying Frontline. Ick.

So I began the search for a natural and safe solution to repel fleas and ticks from the pooches.

I was overwhelmed at the options and also the reviews that I was reading. Some appeared to do nothing, some received fairly good reviews and other options such as essential oils were said to be just as dangerous as the chemical-filled repellents if not used properly.

1. Only Natural Pet Flea & Tick Tag: this tag attaches to the dog’s collar and uses holistic technology that repels fleas and ticks by using your pet’s own bio-energetic field. We have had this tag on Lola for about three months now and no ticks thus far. Our house backs up to a wooded area and we also go on hikes and walks throughout the neighborhood. It’s said to last for up to a year – making the initial ~$40-50 investment seem minimal. More info on the Flea & Tick Tag from Pet360.

2. GNC Flea & Tick Wipes: I could take or leave these. They were nice to just “wipe and go” but I actually ended up just using them on my own arms and legs. The wipes themselves were rather small, thin, and hard to wipe across the fur. It also didn’t seem to distribute much of the repellent on the dogs. I would’ve needed about five wipes to feel like I really protected Lola. So maybe I’ll just keep these for myself. If it came in a spray, this might be much easier to apply thoroughly. I’m just glad I bought these on clearance for $4.99.

3. Apple Cider Vinegar Spray: we have used apple cider vinegar for many uses with our dogs. And while we don’t really have a problem with fleas in Minnesota, I’d definitely use as a repellent if I lived elsewhere (crossing fingers this will be someday…). For a simple flea repellent spray, mix two parts ACV to one part water. It’s believed that fleas cannot handle the odor or taste of the apple cider vinegar. Plus, it can even be used as a rinse if your dog already has fleas. Check out Kristen’s blog post on Well Minded about using apple cider vinegar as a repellent.

4. Natural Flea & Tick Spot On Treatment: we used this on Lola and Rio before we went to Colorado. My complaint about this product was that it is extremely oily. Like take Frontline and multiply by 10. It even discolored Rio’s fur between his shoulders until we bathed him. And then anytime we would go to pet him or Lola our hands would be full of the almond oil mixture because it managed to spread out into about an 8-inch circle. Other than that, it seemed to do the job for the week we were out there (no ticks). It eventually absorbed in as well, although it did take several days. I’m not sure it would work for the full month that it’s claimed to – the smell seemed to almost disappear completely after a week or so and we usually bathe our dogs more than once a month. I probably wouldn’t purchase this product again.

5. Essential Oils: essential oils can be very helpful if used correctly. I’m finding out there is quite a bit of research involved and even contrasting information out there – so do your research, consult with a professional, and educate yourself before using on your dog.

Tick Spritz Recipe – source: Young Living

• 1 cup of Distilled water

• 2 Drops Geranium Essential Oil

• 2 Drops Palo Santo Essential Oil

• 1 Drop Myrrh Essential Oil

• 4 Drops Grapefruit Essential Oil

• 1 Drop Peppermint Essential Oil

• 1 Drop of Thieves Hand Soap or Castile Soap (emollient)

Combine ingredients in a spray bottle and shake. Spritz on as needed. You can also use this recipe on yourself and horses.

Another option is to place a drop or two of oils on their collar or in a collar diffuser to deter insects and ticks.

Things to keep in mind when using essential oils:

Just because a product is natural, does not mean it is safe. While essential oils can be very therapeutic and helpful, they can also cause harm to your dog (+ you typically pay for what you get with oils).

How much and how often you have to apply oils depend on the general health of your dog, where you live, weight and daily activities.

Never apply essential oils directly to your pet’s skin without properly diluting them or using a carrier oil (mixing with olive oil, coconut oil, almond oil, grape seed oil to name a few).

Essential oils that should not be used on animals: Anise, Clove Leaf/Bud, Garlic, Horseradish, Thyme, Wintergreen, or Yarrow, to name a few.*

*For more info, please check out this helpful Natural News Article with tips for safety using essential oils on your dog or pet.

Do you use a natural flea and tick preventative? If so, what do you use? Are you satisfied with it’s performance?

Other helpful articles:

August 23, 2014

Meet Bridget: Adoptable Dog of the Week

What a beauty, another brindle and white pup – my weakness! Bridget came into rescue with one of her puppies and is still looking for her perfect home. Please consider sharing so that Bridget may find her perfect family.

Quick Facts:

From the Foster:

“It took us less than an hour to fall completely in love with this dog! Bridget is a true gem. She’s gentle and loving with my children, and would love nothing more than to just be a part of a family. She craves attention and gets it in full with us. She’s a snuggler with everyone. We let her sleep in the kids’ beds; she stays there all night and usually waits for whoever she’s sleeping with to get up before she does. She would be miserable sleeping on the floor, so being in your bed is preferable.

We let her on part of a couch in our house and she loves to sleep there. She also loves to do a full body snuggle while you’re watching TV. She’s respectful of “no,” and is tentative to try again. We have other furniture she does not get on, nor does she try and get on our bed after we told her no.

She doesn’t beg at the table. She will sit well away and wait for you to be done. But if you leave something out on the counter, she might try and sneak it later! This has not been an issue for us, as we just make sure the counters are clean. Her shedding is minimal, as she has a short coat.

In our opinion, Bridget is the perfect family dog and would do best if someone is home during the day and there are multiple people to give her love and attention. She rarely barks inside, even when someone comes to the door. She is dog reactive on her leash and is recently having a hard time being introduced to other dogs. We use treats along with a trigger word as a redirect. She uses a body harness and that works well. It’s possible with the proper introductions and the right dog she could be fine, but it will be an individual assessment with each family.

She can’t be crated, she is too anxious, but she does perfectly left out. Or you can shut her in a familiar bedroom or office. She will whine for a bit, but won’t bark, scratch at the door, or destroy anything. If Bridget sounds like your kind of dog, be prepared to have a 60 pound lap dog!

For information on adopting, please visit www.secondhandhounds.org or view Bridget’s profile here.

August 19, 2014August 19, 2014

Donate to Your Favorite Rescue by Walking Your Dog

I realize I may be a little bit behind on the latest and greatest phone apps, friends. However, I just downloaded this awesome {free} app called WoofTrax.

It’s pretty sweet…walk your pup to earn money for your shelter. Easy peasy.

Here’s how it works: you launch the app before your walk and then every mile you walk, WoofTrax donates to the animal rescue or shelter of your choice. And if you don’t know of a rescue, the app will locate your nearest rescue or shelter.

If you know of a rescue or shelter that isn’t listed, let them know that they can submit their information to be included!

Now granted, it may not donate much with just your walk alone – but think of all the people that take their dogs out…it could really add up fast!

So, what are you waiting for – open your phone app store and search for WoofTrax. And don’t forget your phone when you head out on your walk!

Lola & Rio are more than willing to support this app, ha. More info also on WoofTrax.com

p.s. this is not a sponsored post, just a pretty cool idea that we thought you should know about!

August 18, 2014

My Writing Process: Blog Tour!

If you’re wondering what a blog tour is – welcome! This is a fun tour that you may have seen on other pet blogs that will allow me to (1) introduce you to a couple other pet bloggers & (2) share my writing process!

Writers Process Blog Tour You may have seen a similar post on The Lazy Pit Bull. We are honored to be invited by Christina to participate!

So before we start, if you’re not familiar with Christina and Nike a.k.a ‘The Lazy Pit Bull’, head on over and say hello (and check out Christina’s Writing Process)!

Next up, a little behind-the-scenes look into my writing process:

1. What am I working on?

Well, *ahem*, I’m working on about 16 different blog posts. I’ve really perfected the process of starting a blog post with my initial ideas and then letting it sit in draft-mode for quite some time before it’s really had time to brew and is ready to go ‘live’. Also known as procrastination to some.

So with that being said, I’m working on tying up those loose ends, coming up with a tagline for my blog (any suggestions?) and also working on becoming more efficient when it comes to writing a blog post.

2. Why do I write what I do?

I have been in the blogging ‘world’ for just about five years. Last year I decided to start a blog about my passion: dogs and more specifically animal equality, rescue, and breed advocacy. I often share tips that we’ve learned from being dog owners, what I’m passionate about as well as adventures in our day-to-day lives!

My intention is never to publish a ton of content, but rather share a few quality posts that our fans will enjoy!

Below is a photo of my lavish ‘office’. Also known as my living room. Or rather, the dog’s living room.

3. How does my writing process work?

Most often I come up with my best ideas while driving or about to fall asleep. Hence why I always keep a pen and paper nearby. But I’m often inspired by a situation I may encounter with the dogs or something that we run into while out and about. But really, I just try to entertain our followers and write from the heart.

It may go something like this:

Brainstorm >> scribble down notes >> draft post >> add finishing touches such as corresponding photos >> publish!

I wish it went as fast as it sounds…

Writers Process Blog Tour on Lolathepitty.com Meet Emily, Boomer & Dottie!

Emily’s blog, Adventures of a Dog Mom was one of the first dog blogs I stumbled upon.

And hey, they live in Colorado & have a dog named Boomer, so they already have my approval!

You’ll find all kind of goodies on Adventures of a Dog Mom, including a few favorite posts:

I hope you’ve enjoyed this little sneak peak into our blog life; please be sure to check out our The Lazy Pit Bull & Adventures of a Dog Mom and tell them Lola the Pitty sent ya!

August 16, 2014April 28, 2015

10 Must-Watch Dog Videos!

I’m a sucker for a good dog video. Totally different that cat videos, right?

I’ve listed 10 of my favorite dog videos that range from hilarious to total tear jerkers.

So if you are ever a little bored and have nothing better to do besides fold laundry or clip your dog’s nails, why not watch a few videos while you’re at it? I promise they’re all totally worth it.

In no particular order…

1. Guy singing to his dog. I mean, how cute is this?

2. This next one made my eyes water, in a happy way. Totally worth 4 minutes of your time. Especially the last 15 seconds

3. If you haven’t seen this bulldog’s ‘best day of his life’ video, get on it.

4. Freakin’ hilarious. ‘Dog Wants a Kitty’.

5. Not much in life is cuter than a pitty pup…

6. Wallace’s 11th Birthday. ‘Nuff said.

Did someone say, homemade dog treats?

7. This dog is well, pretty amazing. We’ve got some work to do, boys and girls.

8. I love this story…it truly melts my heart.

9. This video gives me the goosebumps the moment the music starts playing. I couldn’t get past 45 seconds when I tried to rewatch it, so you might want to grab a box of tissues right about now.
Wallace – you are loved, you are missed and you are awesome.

10. So much fun! If you watch at 0:43, one of my friends and her dog, Good Karma Rue make an appearance in the video!

What are YOUR favorite dog videos? Please share the links, I’d love to take a peak!

Other fun stuff:

August 14, 2014August 13, 2014

Meet Rascal: Adoptable Dog of the Week

Wow…Rascal is stunning. Absolutely stunning. I’m such a sucker for that brindle/white combo. And to top that off, he’s got an eye patch. It’s a good thing he isn’t closer, because I’d be really tempted.

Another awesome tidbit about Rascal? His foster mom is our friend, Allyson, aka Molly the Pit Bull’s mama.

Quick Facts:

2-3 year old male Staffordshire Terrier | Loves people & other dogs | Crate trained | A little too interested in kitties | Adoption fee $75

From the foster:

“Rascal is such a great dog but had a not-so-great life before now. He came into rescue with his collar embedded in his neck! The rescue took care of him, placing him on antibiotics and preventing any further infection. Luckily he’s doing great now and is just waiting for his perfect family to come along!

He rides in the crate when we take him to the park and it’s so cute because he’ll take off running to the car, jump in the crate and go to sleep until we get to wherever we’re going. Rascal does great with other dogs, but he isn’t a fan of cats (we’re trying to work on that)! We have cats and he will chase them. He loves to go for walks and obviously loves his rides in the car.

Rascal walks well on a leash, but he’s still working on not jumping on people. He does great in his kennel and he won’t poo or pee in there so it’d be really easy to get him completely potty trained; he’s still working on that. But hey, can you blame him? He’s obviously never had a home to live in!”

I don’t know about you, but I’m in love with this boy. Just look at those eyes. Let’s help this boy out!

Email [email protected] if you’re interested in meeting Rascal or view Rascal’s profile on Petfinder!

B.A.R.C. is a 501(c)3 non-profit rescue organization made up of a small group of volunteers in Boone County, WV (south of Charleston)

August 8, 2014April 18, 2015

Carob Pupcakes with Peanut Butter Frosting

You’ve requested it and it’s finally here…chocolate pupcakes. For dogs. Made with carob, of course.

And guess what? Lola and Rio loved them. I know, I know, that doesn’t say much because these two would snap up a piece of lettuce or a single grain of rice and think they really got somethin’ special. But they really, really loved these. More than lettuce. And rice.

We’re guest posting and sharing this fab recipe on Pretty Fluffy –

click here for the recipe!

Your pups will also love these treats:

Frozen Peanut Butter Banana Pupcakes

August 7, 2014August 7, 2014

Reuben: Adoptable Dog of the Week

Look at this sweet face! I’ve been swooning over Reuben since the moment I saw him posted on Secondhand Hounds facebook page. Turns out Catahoula Leopard Pit Bull mixes are dang cute!

Reuben is house and crate trained, is around 3 years old and 45 lbs, supa’ sweet and snuggly and does good with kids. However, no kitties please! He has done well with very playful and submissive dog friends but is VERY in your face and playful, therefore slow intros and monitoring is necessary at first to see how it will go!

Quick Facts:

Adoption Fee: $200

From the Foster:

“Reuben loves to go on walks and has an abundance of energy if you want a partner to go on hikes, runs, trips, etc., but equally enjoys cuddling in bed or snuggling on the couch. He has proven to be great with kids and does well with submissive dogs, but does need slow introductions to them before he’s comfortable. He’s done amazing with some dogs right off the bat and others not so much. Because of this he is not a dog park candidate and will need a family familiar with how to slowly introduce dogs.

He is crate and potty trained, but prefers to sleep at night outside of the crate. He really loves being with people and to be a part of the family. If he is isolated he will bark, so apartment living will not work for him. He really is a sweet buddy and a beautiful dog! If you’re looking for an all around great new member of your family, someone who is ready to do whatever it is your doing at the time (camping, running, napping, watching T.V.), Reuben is your man. He just is waiting for that perfect family to come along and let him be a part of their lives forever!

Fill out an application on the Secondhand Hounds site to meet Rueben! Click Here to Begin Application

*Check out other adoptable dogs!

Plus, TIPS for helping a dog deal with thunderstorm anxiety!

August 2, 2014

My Pittied Life: July

July seriously flew by. Between vacation to Colorado with the pups, traveling for work, blogging, and trying to enjoy the summer as much as possible, I suppose it’s understandable.

So please, get nosy and read on about our “pittied” life, July edition.

Colo-ra-dah

We did it again. Roadtripped it the ~13 hours to Colorado. Two humans in the front seats, two pibbles in the back. They ended up with far more space than we had. Typical. But what a blast! Hiking, spending lots of time with family, going out to eat at our favorite restaurants, brewery tours…you know. Lola and Rio would probably tell you that the highlight of the trip was being allowed to sleep in grandpa’s bed. Spoiled rotten.

Emma found her ‘fur-ever’ home

At last! Miss Emma, Mama, was adopted and went home at the end of the month. After saving her life, watching her give birth to ten puppies, getting the vet care she needed to finally being adopted, it was such a rewarding experience. Everyone thought that we’d cave in and ruin our streak and end up being “foster failures”. In my heart, I loved her and cared for her but we have our hands full with our two! Plus, accepting from the beginning that our fosters will eventually be going to another home seems to get easier and easier.

TWO Canine Good Citizens!

Last month, Lola received her CGC and now Rio has joined the club! Proud of my two little dogs, even though at times I still question how they passed. Kidding. Somewhat.

Calendar Dog + Birthday!

Rio had his 15 minutes of fame this month. We went to a photo studio where he was the star and delighted us with his tricks while the photographer worked her magic.

The photo sessions were part of a fundraiser for Save-A-Bull Rescue in Minnesota. Any pups that booked a photo session are able to enter a photo in the rescue’s 2015 Calendar Contest. Voting will begin soon and I’ll be sure to send out a note on our Facebook page. After all, we’ve gotta get that handsome boy in the magazine!

Plus, sometime in the month of August Rio turns ONE! Big month for this guy. Happy Birthday baby boy, I think we’ll make another round of my Peanut Butter Banana Frozen Pupcake recipe!

Thanks for reading!