The Secrets To A Happy Dog: A Quick Read For Pet Parents

“No matter what life throws at you, your dog will always love you.”

A dog can teach you unconditional love and make your life better. So, it becomes your responsibility to return the favor and keep them happy.

Aside from the basic necessities, there are a lot of things you can do to keep their tails wagging. In this article, we will discuss some essential tips for keeping your dog happy without putting in much effort.

So, read on and boost your dog’s joy and your own in the process because a happy dog means a happy you.

Chippin - Because our pups deserve the best!

As a pet parent I care about all aspects of my pets health and wellbeing. Not just basic everyday things like a roof over their head and food in their bellies, but that they are given a safe environment to live in and food that nourishes their bodies. Because to me my pets are more than just pets, they are part of my family.

What to look for when choosing dog food

Food is essential for any being on this earth and that includes man’s best friend – the humble dog. Dogs have been family pets and best friends for hundreds of years and the typical dog diet has remained fairly similar. A dog typically has a meaty diet, consisting of poultry such as duck, chicken, and turkey as well as red meat like beef and lamb. Salmon is also a popular protein source. This protein is great for a dog’s diet, providing them with numerous minerals as well as keeping them energized and active. Vegetables are also another key staple in a dog’s diet and popular choices are carrots, peas, and potatoes. They provide an abundance of nutrients for our furry friends and are a key source for carbohydrates too. Dogs are omnivores, meaning they can eat a variety of foods, not just meat. So, what should you look out for when choosing appropriate dog food?

Great Gifts for Father's Day

If you're looking for the perfect gift for your dad (or father figure) this coming Father's Day then I have some great ideas for you to check out! These are ideas that you probably haven't thought of yet because at Stacy Talks & Reviews we like to think outside of the box!

How to Travel Stylishly with Your Pooch

There are many dog owners who are travel junkies but would only get so far as to a beach because they couldn’t bear to leave their dog behind. But what if there was a way to travel with your beloved pooch? And stylishly at that! This is how to travel stylishly with your beloved furry friend.

Holiday Gifts for your Pets

Like many others we see our pets as part of our family. And that means they deserve gifts for the holidays too. Whether it be a nice new toy, a tasty treat, or even a fresh litter-box for your beloved fur-ball we like to show them they are well loved!

Stop Muddy Paw Prints in their Tracks with the Dog Paw Cleaner

If you're tired of muddy paw prints every time your pet goes outside after it rains then you'll love learning about the Dog Paw Cleaner from KISSIN. It's actually a really simple yet very helpful gadget to have around. You start by adding a small amount of water to the cleaner cup, then insert your dog's paws into the cup one by one. While turning the cup around on each paw the silicone bristles remove that unwanted dirt and grim before it gets tracked all over your floors. Once the paw is cleaned you can then wipe it off with the included towel to dry it before moving on to the next one.

Pet nail-care made easy with a Pet Nail Grinder

Part of having a pet and taking care of them involves clipping their nails. Some don't like to do it themselves so they choose to use a pet groomer. While others like myself like to save the money by doing it at home. I've always clipped our cats nails with no problems. Our dog on the other-hand isn't quiet as cooperative when it comes to using clippers. I think it stems back to when my son tried to clip her once and accidentally cut the nail back too far. So now every time she sees the clippers she hides. That's why I decided to give a pet nail grinder a try. I found a set on Amazon that even came with a pair of clippers and a nail file. To top it off it's even rechargeable so I don't even have to worry about batteries.

Are you ready for spring? It's coming soon!

Spring is so close I can almost taste it! Okay maybe not taste spring exactly, but things that go along with spring like grilling on the patio. The birds have already started to make their way back and are chirping and we are supposed to have temps hit the 60's this week here in Indiana. So this girl will be going into full spring mode in no time! And that means lots of cooking, cleaning, and getting outdoors for this family!

Don't forget your furry friends this holiday season!

If you have furry friends I'm sure you have lots of cute photos of them on your phone just like I do. And will probably be taking even more throughout the holiday season. And just like the ones we take of our "real" kids we don't want to lose those precious photos. Thanks to Pet Photo Saver you don't have to worry about that happening. The Pet Photo Saver is an awesome 2-in-1 tool that not only organizes your pet photos, but also backs them up on the drive for safe keeping.

Celebrate National Dog Week with Fresh Halloween Looks from zulily!

I remember our first Halloween with our pup Java. My kids were super into the Air Buddies movies and had just recently watched their Santa Buddies movie. From there I am sure you can guess what they decided Java should be for Halloween...yep, Santa Puppy. Luckily I had some Christmas decorations that we ended up putting to good use to get her ready for Halloween. I'm still not sure if she was too keen on the idea, but she didn't mind wearing her trendy scarf too much.

9 Essentials to Carry When Going on a Road-trip with Your Dog

Owning a dog is a big responsibility. You can no longer hit the road for days and return whenever you feel like it. Your dog needs food and water top ups along with your companionship. But does that really mean that you can no longer go on your cherished road trips? Take your dog to the vet, get them vaccinated on time and get your vet to suggest some medicine for motion sickness for your dog. After your visit to the vet, you are ready to hit the road with your dog. There are a few things that you need to pack along with your things when you are travelling with your dog.

Lots of Fur Baby Love from Worldwise

My valued friends over at Worldwise, the makers of innovative brands of pet toys and gear, such as goDog®, Hear Doggy!, Petlinks®,  TrustyPup®, SHERPA® and SmartyKat® sent me an awesome assortment of toys for my fur babies to enjoy this summer. And I do mean AWESOME! They sent Java a super soft plush bed - which I'm not sure who loves more her or the cats. I've seen them both using it so I would say it's equally loved by both. And they sent her a nice assortment of toys. Some a little on the crazy noisy side like the goDog® Retrieval Sonic Stick (it lights up and makes crazy sounds) and some that are noise free like the ones from Hear Doggy! Honestly Java has not preference she plays with them all.

Protect your pets with Hartz UltraGuard Pro Triple Action

Are your pets are protected from fleas and ticks? If not I highly recommend you run to the store and pick up some protection now. I know we normally only apply protection to our pets that are either outside full time or go outside part time. However this year we will be applying protection to our full-time indoor cats too. With the prediction of a severe flea and tick season we want to make sure all of our animals are well protected. And thanks to the folks over at Hartz we are ready for that battle! It's not too early to start protecting your animals. Trust me it's better to be on the safe side and protect them before infestation occurs.

Pest control experts predict that 2018 will experience a severe flea and tick season, due to highly fluctuating weather patterns that have allowed these parasites to survive throughout the winter and continue their life cycles. To help prevent the frequent pet concerns that arise because of these pesky passengers, The Hartz Mountain Corporation is proud to lend a paw to non-profit animal shelters and welfare organizations with the launch of the Help Us Help Them™ initiative - a buy one, give one donation outreach program. Helping protect cats and dogs from fleas and ticks as they await adoption by arming shelters with free preventative solutions embodies Hartz’s vision to support a world where every pet leads a happy, healthy and long life with a devoted family.

While cats and dogs are under the guardianship of foster families, sanctuaries and shelters, staff and volunteers take great care to make sure all prospective family pets are healthy for their new beginnings. Identifying, treating and preventing fleas and ticks is an imperative step to making sure companion animals experience a comfortable stay while waiting for their forever homes. Flea and tick preventatives are among the top items requested by shelters to help reduce parasite-related allergies and diseases, discomfort and shelter-wide infestations.

The Help Us Help Them ™ campaign will donate one Hartz® Flea and Tick product to needy cats and dogs at shelters across America for every Hartz UltraGuard Pro® topical drop product that is purchased by consumers from April 1, 2018 through May 31, 2018. In the 1960’s, Hartz introduced its very first flea and tick collar. Today, Hartz® is the #1 Flea and Tick brand*, taking care of America’s pets for over 90 years. The Help Us Help Them ™ initiative impacts the comfort and adoptability of needy cats and dogs with the help of consumers who regularly purchase the Hartz UltraGuard Pro® topical products.

Hartz UltraGuard Pro® topical drops, provide dogs with fast-acting, effective monthly protection against fleas, Deer and Brown Dog ticks, and flea eggs that can cause pet and home infestations. Hartz UltraGuard Pro® starts killing fleas within 15 minutes and effectively prevents re-infestations for 1 month.

“Monthly flea and tick prevention is essential to the overall health of cats and dogs,” says Gregg Herman, Director of Marketing, at The Hartz Mountain Corporation. “The Help Us Help Them™ program runs during the onset of spring months, when it is important to protect family pets before the active season for fleas and ticks arrives. Because these parasites can also transmit diseases to humans, prevention methods are also beneficial to the people and these prospective pets they will share their homes with.”

Even after cats and dogs leave shelters, they remain at risk for hosting pesky hitchhikers, making them vulnerable to discomfort and disease. Fleas and ticks can be contracted year-round, both indoors and outdoors. Establishing an ongoing prevention and wellness routine is an essential part of ensuring long-term parasite prevention and happiness for all companion animals.

Hartz is committed to helping animal welfare organizations set the highest standards of care for every animal. This year, through its Hartz Loving Paws™ shelter benefit program, Hartz aims to substantially exceed its donation support compared to 2017 to help rescue groups make the greatest impact on pets and people.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post on behalf of the above mentioned brand. I may have received monetary compensation and/or product in exchange for my honest and unbiased thoughts. However, all thoughts and opinions stated are my own and are in no way influenced by my partnership with mentioned brands.

DNA My Dog Canine DNA Testing

We recently sent off a couple swabs of Java's saliva to the folks over at DNA My Dog to see what they could come up with for the breed of dog she is. Having adopted her from a rescue group there weren't any records of her family and what breeds they were. The whole process (for us at least) was pretty easy. Request a kit, swab the dog, register the kit, then mail it back in the provided envelope. Through the website you can track the status of your test all the way up through when the final results are in. You can even upload a photo of your dog so it can be included on the breed certificate. I did it for Java because I thought it would be something neat for us to keep in her records. And it makes the certificate look a little more personalized and official. So now onto the results. According to DNA My Dog they came up with three primary breed types for Java:

Level 2 - Boston Terrier
Level 3 - Australian Shepherd
Level 3 - Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Each level means something a little bit different. Here are what levels 2 and 3 mean for us:

Level 2: This category reports breeds that may be easily recognizable in your dog. Each breed listed makes up between 37%-74% of your dog’s breeds. Dogs with a large mixed ancestry will not normally have breeds reporting at this level.

Level 3: This category identifies breeds that have between 20%-36% of the listed breed(s).

Basically it means she's not a pure-bred, which we already knew. She's basically a mix between terrier and shepherd. Along with the breed analysis DNA My Dog also provides you with a detailed report of each breed including things like facts on the breed, heath concerns to be aware of as well as interesting facts about the breed. Basically everything you would want and need to know to give your pup the best life you can for their genetic makeup.

On the overall if you're adopting a pup it's a good idea to know, or find out what breed they are not just for curiosity sake, but also for their health. Some breeds need special care or are more prone to certain health issues and with a DNA test you can make sure you're ready for those.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post on behalf of the above mentioned brand. I may have received monetary compensation and/or product in exchange for my honest and unbiased thoughts. However, all thoughts and opinions stated are my own and are in no way influenced by my partnership with mentioned brands.

Dog treats that do more than just reward

Treats don't just have to be about rewarding good behavior, they can also help promote good health and hygiene. I know we try to keep the treats to a minimum so Java doesn't think they are something to expect every day. And when we do give her treats we make sure they have a little added benefit to them while we are at it.

Calorie-Friendly Treats - ActivPetz™ Treats from Loving Pets are affordable treats with therapeutic supplement levels made of real meat and fish that are grain, wheat, gluten, soy and corn free.

Available in four therapeutic formulas and two varieties:
Digestive Health & Probiotics (Chicken & Lamb)
Hip and Joint (Beef & Chicken)
Multivitamin & Immune Booster (Chicken & Duck)
Skin and Coat (Chicken & Salmon)

And even though National Pet Dental Month is over, it's still never too late to start practicing those good dental health habits with your furry friends. Stinky dog breath (a.k.a. halitosis) can not just be annoying but can be a sign of a more serious health issue! Dental bacteria, plaque and tartar are not only detriments to your pet's teeth and gums, but internal organs (especially the heart) can also be at risk as well when the bacteria travels to the bloodstream.

One way to help promote good dental health with pets is to brush their teeth...not always an easy task! Another way is through special treats that help clean the surface area of their teeth.

Loving Pets now offers pet-parents a new, convenient, and affordable solution: the Ora-Bone™ USA Dental Chew.  Ora-Bone is smartly designed to DO DENTAL....BETTER!  Three breath freshening ingredients fight bad breath in your dog's mouth and gut, while Ora-Bone™'s unique design has up to 2x the cleaning surface area of similar products.

In addition, Ora-Bone has....
• A dental feature on every surface
• A center bulb that cleans behind the teeth, roof of mouth, and tongue
• Stepped, tapered ribs, that wrap around both sides of the entire bone to form teeth fitting channels that clean more effectively
• The nibs around the heart shaped opening massage the gums and scrape the tongue for fresher breath.
• 100% Made in the USA

Follow Loving Pets on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LovingPets
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LovingPetsCorp
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovingpetscorp/

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post on behalf of the above mentioned brand. I may have received monetary compensation and/or product in exchange for my honest and unbiased thoughts. However, all thoughts and opinions stated are my own and are in no way influenced by my partnership with mentioned brands.

Pets top choice: "I and love and you"

We've been feeding our pets food and treats from "I and love and you" for quite some time now. I guess you could say it's one of our ways of saying "I love you" to them. "I and love and you" cares about animals and shows it with their natural, real-meat, grain-free pet foods and treats. They want to help pet owners get the longest and healthiest life possible for their pets. And that means feeding them foods that don't contain a bunch of artificial ingredients and additives. I know our dog and cats have loved all of the foods we have fed them from the "I and love and you" line of products.

DOGS & CATS: 
Lovingly Simple (just launched!): For dogs & cats with sensitive stomachs, this limited ingredient kibble offers high-protein while avoiding many known allergens like poultry and beef.

Naked Essentials: Pets know pants are overrated, and that's why they love the 5-star rated Naked Essentials kibble. Grains? Fillers? Artificial anything? No way. More like real meat as the first ingredient and our Happy Tummeez Prebiotics + Probiotics to keep your pet feeling just right.

DOGS: 
Super Smarty Hearties Treats: Delicious and nutritious, they come in so-cute heart shapes and contain DHA and Omega 3 fatty acids to support healthy skin and brain development. With real salmon as the first ingredient and only five calories a pop, they’re great for training or rewarding.

Puppy Starter Kit: Get your puppy started out on the right foot… paw! Puppies need more protein in their diet, so start here until they celebrate their 1st birthday.

CATS:
​Cat Can Variety Pack: Break out the can opener, human. Our carrageenan free recipes will make your cat unconditionally love and adore you. Or at least, stop giving you looks of disdain.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post on behalf of the above mentioned brand. I may have received monetary compensation and/or product in exchange for my honest and unbiased thoughts. However, all thoughts and opinions stated are my own and are in no way influenced by my partnership with mentioned brands.

Dr. Dalton's Premium Treats

When it comes to the treats we reward Java with we are very particular. She's like one of our kids so we try to reward her the same with the same types of rules. I don't buy candy that's just pure sugar or snacks that have no added health value to them for my kids. And in turn I don't buy dog treats that don't have any health benefits for Java. If I'm giving her a reward it needs to have a health value to it. Kind of like the treats I recently received from Dr. Dalton's. Dr. Dalton's Premium Treats are a high grade dog treat that only contains a single ingredient - premium quality meat. Dr. Dalton gets rid of the excess water, therefore bypassing the need to add preservatives, binders, fillers, salt, sugars, flavoring and colorings. The simple taste and quality of an all-meat treat is enough to keep dogs hooked and their owners happy. If you check out the above photos I think you'll agree that Java is already hooked. I put one of the treats inside of her treat trap and it keeps her busy for a good amount of time before she finally remembers (or just by random chance) to pick up and knock over the treat trap to get the treat to fall out. Honestly all I have to do is open the bag of Dr. Dalton's Premium Treats and she's immediately right there sitting at full attention waiting for her treat. Heck I don't blame her they do smell pretty darn good!

About: 
Dr. Dalton’s Premium Treats offer a health promoting and delicious way for dog owners to treat their dogs high grade food. In addition to being great for dogs, Dr. Dalton’s Premium Treats are created through a unique process that makes them non-greasy, non-crumbly, and easy to snap to whatever size is best for your dog.

All of Dr. Dalton’s Premium Pet treats are sourced, produced, and packaged in the USA. They can be purchased at Amazon and at www.DrDaltons.com, and are available both as a single purchase and on a monthly subscription basis. These wonderful treats come in three flavors – Simply Beef, Simply Chicken and Meat Medley (made from beef, chicken, and pork).

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post on behalf of the above mentioned brand. I may have received monetary compensation and/or product in exchange for my honest and unbiased thoughts. However, all thoughts and opinions stated are my own and are in no way influenced by my partnership with mentioned brands.

Christmas treats for the pets

Every year for Christmas we always get our pets treats. We feel like they are a part of the family too so they deserve something special. This year we gave them an assortment of treats from WHIMZEES and WELLNESS brands. These treats do more than just give them a snack, they also help with dental health too!

Wellness® Holiday Kittles:
Wellness® Holiday Kittles are tasty crunchy cat treats, with under two calories per treat. The #1 ingredient is real turkey.
Flavors Include:
Turkey & Cranberry

Wellness® Soft WellBites
NEW Grain-Free Formulas for Dogs: WellBites are free of corn, soy and artificial color and flavor, and they are sold in re-sealable packages for easy storage and transportation.
Flavors Include:
Gingerbread
Turkey & Duck
Lamb & Salmon
Chicken & Venison
Beef & Turkey
Chicken & Lamb
Rich in Omega fatty acids

WHIMZEES has revolutionized the toothbrush with its newest shape – Brushzees!
• Designed with tons of grooves and ridges to help remove plaque and tartar
• Pawfect Paw Pad design helps paws grip more easily
• Available in Extra Small, Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large
• Color options: Green, Brown, Orange

Alligator Chews
Now your dog’s dream of catching an alligator can come true. Made with all-natural ingredients, the vegetable-based texture will help remove plaque and tartar as they chew.
• Available in Small, Medium, Large
• Color options: Green, Brown, Orange

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post on behalf of the above mentioned brand. I received product(s) in exchange for my honest and unbiased thoughts. All thoughts and opinions stated are my own and are in no way influenced by my partnership with mentioned brands.

MuttNation - gifts that "Give Back"

Since our pup Java (and pretty much every pet we've owned) was some sort of rescue pet we are firm believers in helping give back to the rescue nation. And that's why we support purchasing products from brands like MuttNation that do the same. We can't adopt every shelter pet out there, but we can help them find homes by purchasing our Java gifts from a place that will help make sure those pets do find homes. We recently received a few of the new gifts from the MuttNation™ Fueled by Miranda Lambert collection and I have to say Java loves them! As you can see from the above photo she is hard at work trying to get her reward (a treat) from the inside of her new microphone toy.

Below are just a few of the new products in the collection available for purchase from the MuttNation collection.

With a vintage inspiration and retro design, the MuttNation® Treat Tin makes the perfect treat holder. Big enough to hold kibble or biscuits, rawhides, training, and dental chews. Stands eight inches tall. Holds 12.5 cups or 3 liters.

Muttnation® Country Music Treat Toys were designed for the ultimate Country Music fan. They are tough, durable, and built to last. Perfect for fetch, toss, tug, chewing, teething, and stuffing with treats!

The MuttNation® Guitar Strap Gusset Bed features a luxurious long-pile plush sleep surface and extra filling - four pounds of recycled polyfill providing superior sleep and support for your pet. This super-sized bed is designed in blue tones and inspired by Miranda's vintage guitar straps. It is guaranteed to match almost any home decor.

About:
More than ever consumers are taking to gifts that "give back.”  Petmate®, the worldwide provider of fun, trusted, quality products to enhance the lives of pets and their families, proudly offers a pawsome opportunity to give back year round through its MuttNation™ Fueled by Miranda Lambert collection of pet products. Every purchase helps fund the rescue and adoption programs of MuttNation Foundation. To help shine the spotlight on rescue animals and shelters, Miranda and her mom Bev Lambert founded MuttNation Foundation in 2009 to ensure that as many dogs as possible would have a safe and happy place to call home.  All of Miranda’s proceeds from the MuttNation pet collection go directly to the MuttNation Foundation. You can be assured that your giving is going directly to helping homeless dogs find new homes.

Connect with MuttNation from Petmate: Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post on behalf of the above mentioned brand. I received product(s) in exchange for my honest and unbiased thoughts. All thoughts and opinions stated are my own and are in no way influenced by my partnership with mentioned brands.