pets Archives - Page 3 of 5

Tag: pets

12
Jan
2017

Product Review: FriendshipCollar

Oscar and Zara are my best friends, and to match my bestties is the most comforting feeling in the world. Whenever I wear my half of our FriendshipCollar, someone will ask what it is and I get to explain the concept that my fur babies and I match, because after all Best Friends Should Match!

The idea is that your pup wears a stylish collar and you wear a matching bracelet. These matching collars and bracelets symbolise an unbreakable bond between you and your furry love. Oscar and Zara give me so much love and happiness on a daily basis so wearing my half of our FriendshipCollar allows me to show them how much I adore them and how unbreakable our bond is. Zara will sit on my lap and lick my bracelet-almost to tell me she understands exactly what this is and what it means!

The collars and bracelets are made from 100% vegan leather and are the worlds first PETA approved dog collar. The quality is unbelievable. It is softer than real leather and super durable. If it can survive being around Zara’s neck it can survive anything 😉

There is a stunning range that is currently available in South Africa and you can shop online at the Stylish Paws online store (click here). All the sizes are clearly stated and there is a size for EVERYONE! Each style has a short description so you can decide which one matches you and your bestie the best. I chose Top Dog for us because “Playful, boisterous and cute as can be, When playtime is over, It’s cuddles next to me” describes both Oscar and Zara perfectly!

Go on, spoil your pets with a gorgeous FriendshipCollar!

Thank you for reading.

02
Dec
2016

Santa Paws is coming to town.

categories: Holiday fun

Most of us would agree that when it comes to our pets they are our four legged children. And just like any other member of the family, Santa comes to visit them too.

There is so much excitement in our house around Christmas time. This year will be slightly different because we now have an extra stocking to hang up-Zara’s. Oscar knows the drill, I put the Christmas tree and decorations up, bring out the dress up goodies and take a million super cute photo’s of him looking like Santa’s little helper. While putting the Christmas tree up last weekend, there was so much curiosity from Zara. She really did think it was Christmas when she saw this giant tree going up inside as something to chew on and pull all over the house! This year it is strategically placed next to the couch with a coffee table in front of it-yes I am learning how she operates! Santa won’t be able to make his delivery until late on Christmas Eve when Zara’s inquisitiveness has been put to sleep and she is too tired to investigate.

On Christmas morning Oscar is like a proper excited child! He wakes up knowing he has tons of gifts to open and he runs straight to the pile that Santa delivered. Somehow he just knows exactly which ones are for him, and they are not all treats for him to sniff out! He just knows! I love watching him tear open the wrapping paper and his pure excitement with whatever it is he has discovered. He loves new things be it homemade treats, a new teddy to chew the eyes off or a new collar. He loves anything that is just for him. I cannot wait to see the excitement and chaos that Zara will bring to Christmas morning. Of course I will be there with my camera in hand ready to capture the fun and excitement. She is so much fun to be around and she brings so much joy to all of us.

Of course Valentine and Duchess are included in our Christmas celebrations and they get gifts too. They, like Oscar love getting new toys, treats and boxes. And this year will be no different.

Here are some gorgeous goodies that are on Oscar, Zara, Valentine and Duchess’ wish list this year, we hope you find something special for your furry love too…

Friendship Collar

This is a stunning gift for you to share with your furry love! The concept of these collars is beautiful and we are in love with them. Your pup gets a stylish collar and you receive a matching bracelet. The quality of these collars goes far beyond our expectations, they are made from vegan approved leather and super soft. There is a variety of colours and designs to choose from, making sure there is a set to suit everyone. They don’t know it yet but Oscar and Zara have got the Top Dog collection, because after all they are my Top Dogs! Spoil yourself and your pooch, because best friends should match! Click here to shop

PetStages Dog Wood

What pup doesn’t love sticks? We often find ourselves unsure on what type of wood a particular stick is which Zara has brought home with her, many of which are toxic! With the PetStages Dog Wood Toys, you don’t have to worry. This toy is so durable, made from innovative material that combines real wood with durable synthetic material to create a stronger, safer stick. The natural wood smell attracts and keeps Zara’s interest for hours. Zara loves her Dog Wood so much that she has asked Santa for another one 😉 Click here to shop

Four Paws and Me Box

Four Paws and Me offers a wonderful box filled with surprises for you and your pooch. The limited edition Christmas boxes are filled with wonderful goodies that won’t disappoint! There is a box for everyone with three different options to choose from. When Oscar and Zara received their November box, there was so much excitement and I got to share a gift with my fur babies-what could be better than that? Have some fun opening a gift with your pup too. When placing your order use the code STYLISHPAWS and R10 from each sale will go to Woodrock Animal Rescue. Click here to shop

Egg Shaped Pet Pod

These Egg Shaped Pet Pods from Cosmic Pets are absolutely gorgeous and are on Valentine and Duchess’ Christmas list. Of course they can be used for cats and small breed dogs too. It comes with a soft inner velvet cushion and a fleece blanket to keep your furry love happy and comfy. Make sure your furry love sleeps in style, they deserve it. Click here to shop

Pupcorn

No Christmas stocking is complete unless it has treats in it-Oscar knows this all too well! Spoil your pets with some yummy Pupcorn they will want all year round. Choose from two yummy flavours for your pup to tuck into while you enjoy your Christmas treats. The food we eat is often far too rich for Oscar and Zara so instead they can have fun with their Pupcorn without feeling sick later. Click here to shop

Christmas Bandana

Make your pup feel extra special this Christmas in a one of a kind Christmas Bandana from Swanky Mongrel. Sizes available fit Yorkies to Rottweilers, so everyone is included. Each bandana is made with tons of love. Go on, spoil Santa’s little helper, he has been a good boy! Click here to shop

Cat Collar

Cats love to show off so why not make your kitty feel extra special with a new stylish Gummi collar for him to show off to all his friends. These collars are durable and come with a removable bell and have a safety strip too. There is a variety of colours to choose from, and when held under a uv light they glow in the dark-how awesome!! Click here to shop

Cat Nip Spray

What cat doesn’t love cat nip? Let your kitty go a little wild with this Cool Cat cat nip spray. Simply spray it on your cats toys, bedding and scratch posts and watch them have fun. Click here to shop

Cat Feather Buddy

Fill your cats stocking with these super cute Feather Buddy’s from PetStages. Feather Buddy will become your kitty’s new best friend. With bunches of colourful feathers, this cute creature offers hours of play. So spoil your kitty this Christmas. Click here to shop

Cat Tree

Cat tree’s are awesome and your cat thinks so too! Valentine and Duchess have also asked for a cat tree for Christmas, are they bunnies or are they cats-haha? Cat tree’s provide so much entertainment for your kitty and it will keep him from scratching things he shouldn’t… You can also hide some feather buddy’s in the tunnels and spray come cat nip spray on it too. Make this Christmas amazing for your kitty. Click here to shop

Little Critters Rescue Club

Christmas time at Little Critters is not always a happy and festive time. Families want to go away on holiday and it is the Little Critters who suffer, being abandoned without a second thought. If you can, any donation would be greatly appreciated. No pet deserves to be abandoned and left unwanted around a time that is supposed to be all about families coming together. Please email lauren.namer@iburst.co.za if you would like to donate. Click here to visit their Facebook page

We hope we have given you some wonderful ways to spoil your furry loves this Christmas! This year will be chaos in our house and I cannot wait!! We wish you a wonderful festive season. Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Thank you for reading

01
Dec
2016

December

categories: Calendar

It’s December, the most wonderful time of the year.

We would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas from our family to yours.

Download your December calendar here

Thank you for reading.

23
Nov
2016

Little Critters Rescue Club.

categories: Valentine and Duchess

My mom and I were fortunate enough to visit the Little Critters Rescue Club at the beginning of November. We took some much needed supplies and we wanted to spend some time and get to know each Little Critter. We fell in love with all the critters, including the permanent residents! It is such a special place and one that is close to my heart, especially since Valentine and Duchess came into my life. When Lauren opened the door we were greeted by the cutest pack of wagging tails. Marmite, Peanut, Misty, Molly and Barney to be exact. Isabel who is one of Lauren’s rescue cats quite proudly showed us where the Critters were and then demanded some tummy tickles as a reward for her efforts.

Lauren started Little Critters Rescue Club out of pure love and adoration for smaller pets such as rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, mice and chinchillas. The club is a rescue, rehabilitation and re-homing center, but of course some of the critters that come in become permanent residents, mostly because they are special needs critters.

Lady, Gladys and Odette, the permanent residents

We met Gladys who was an abused little guinea pig girl who now has scars across her back. Her fur is long enough to cover them up and when you look at her you would never know just how hurt she was before she came to Little Critters. She was so friendly to my mom and I, we even got little piggy cuddles. She melted our hearts!

Lady is another piggy permanent resident who was so over bred that her bottom eyelids suffered such trauma from inbreeding that they now protrude outwards. She also has ovarian cysts and has had many ovarian issues as a result from all the breeding and she needs constant care. We also got piggy cuddles from her and she was such a sweet heart.

And then there is Odette, who is very special to Lauren! She has kidney failure and needs three supplemented feeds a day to make sure she gets all the vitamins, proteins and fluids she needs!

Then we met Sooty and Sweep, two cute baby bunny sisters! Lauren hand fed these babies and taught them everything they know. Luckily at the same time they came in, another guinea pig family came in and the three amigo baby guinea pigs and Sooty and Sweep became inseparable. Luigi, Herbie and Peanut are such curious little boys. My mom and I could have sat for hours listening to them chat amongst themselves, feed from their mom, explore their surroundings and play with Sooty and Sweep.

Sooty and Sweep are gorgeous baby bunnies and remind me of Duchess

The Critters live a life of luxury while at the club. They have access to a massive mansion that has ramps, pillows, hideouts and lookouts. When they are not relaxing in their mansion they have access to the most awesome herb garden where they can run free and just be Little Critters! There is also a playground for everyone to enjoy with things to jump over, hide under and gnaw on.

Visiting Little Critters has inspired me and given me new ideas on how I can improve Valentine and Duchess’ play room, hutch and outdoor area.

Before any adoptions, strict home checks and interviews take place. It is very important that anyone wanting to adopt is doing so for the right reasons. Lauren will also educate the adoptive family on proper care, food requirements and how to keep your Little Critter truly happy.

These critters were abused, abandoned and not cared for, yet they still have enough love and trust in them to allow us to show them what its like to be loved, it honestly is heart warming.

The guinea pig family enjoying a meal together — The guinea pig family

This Christmas I ask you to please think of these Little Critters.

Before Valentine and Duchess came into my life I had no idea just how much effort goes onto making sure they are kept happy and healthy! Meal times are a lot more than a lettuce leaf and a carrot. Despite their size, their food bill and toy bill is costly. I can’t imagine having more than two Critters to feed and look after. If you can, please donate any amount to the Little Critters Rescue Club. They always need Burgees Pellets, Timothy Hay, blankets to snuggle in, and interactive toys. You can contact Lauren on lauren.namer@iburst.co.za and please be sure to follow them on Facebook (click here) and Instagram (click here), every share is one step closer to finding these Little Critters their perfect forever home!

Thank you for reading

01
Nov
2016

Happy November!

categories: Calendar

Happy November! Wishing you a wonderful month.

Download your November Calendar here

Thank you for reading.

18
Oct
2016

Cancer in dogs.

categories: Oscar

Cancer is a devastating disease, and most of us have been affected by it in some way or another. Either ourselves, a family member or a friend. Our pets can get cancer too, and like any disease, early detection is the key to recovery!

Did you know that our furry loves can get the same types of cancer that we can, namely; Lung Cancer, Bladder Cancer, Brain Tumour, Lymphoma, Skin Cancer, Bone Cancer and Mammary Carcinoma, just to name a few!

I personally have not experienced cancer in any of my pets, but I like to be informed and clued up on what exactly I should look for. I am constantly giving Oscar doggy massages (click to read how to give the perfect doggy massage), and so I am always feeling for lumps, bumps and sore spots. Now that we have baby Zara I check her out too, but what exactly am I looking for…?

October is Cancer awareness month so I thought it fitting to explore this topic and provide tips on reading the signs…

Lumps, bumps and sores: It is very important that you take note of any new lumps or bumps that form under your dogs skin. It is always a good idea to get the new lump checked out by your vet as soon as possible, don’t wait to see if it grows, disappears or changes in any way. Sores that do not heal are also a cause for concern. Take note of when your first noticed it so you can provide your vet with accurate information.

Bleeding or discharge: If you notice any sort of bleeding or discharge coming from any part of your pups body, it is a sign that treatment of some kind is needed. Your vet will be able to identify the cause of the problem and advise the proper treatment needed.

Lethargy: Sometimes this may be a difficult one to identify especially when it is mid summer and temperatures reach well into the 30’s. A good way to test this is offer your pooch his favourite treat, if he does not get up and show willingness to receive his treat then take him for a check up your vet.

Difficulty breathing or going to the bathroom: Some dog breeds naturally have difficulty breathing and so you need to be extra vigilant with them. If you notice your pooch suddenly can’t exercise for any length of time like they used to, or experience severe difficulty breathing they need to be seen by a vet. Of course if you notice your fur baby struggling in any kind of way going to the bathroom, or notice blood you need to get advise from your vet.

Unexplained weight-loss No one knows their dogs eating habits better than you do… For me this one would be a difficult sign to take note of with Oscar. He honestly will only eat when and if he feels like it. He has been like this his entire life and has never had a regular feeding schedule. Zara on the other hand gulps her breakfast and dinner down within minutes. If your pups eating habits change, visit your vet!

Difficulty eating: If you notice your dog is suddenly struggling to eat or swallow his food, this could be a lump putting pressure on his oesophagus. Take your furry love to the vet immediately. Vomiting as well as a sudden increase in water intake should be a sign for concern too.

Bad breath: We all love puppy kisses but sometimes things can get a bit smelly. Only you know how your pooch usually smells. If suddenly things change, consult your vet.

The most important thing to remember is, take note of any changes in your dog, both physically and emotionally. You know your pooch best, if his behaviour changes in the slightest way, consult your vet. Early detection is key!

Thank you for reading.

Sources: csuanimalcancercenter.org ; iheartdogs.com ; caninecancer.com

13
Oct
2016

Puppy Proofing.

categories: Zara

When Zara waltzed into our home for the first time, we knew and she knew she was home. It only took her a few moments to cause absolute chaos and for us to realise just how un-puppy proof our home is! Oscar is such a chilled out man that we had become totally oblivious to the dangers that lurk in every room of our home. Zara was quite happy to point these out to us! Whenever she finds something ‘new’ she happily brings us her find with her head held high and her tail wagging, we of course jump up and kindly ask her to release her new find and replace it with one of her toys. I am so blessed to be based at home so I can keep an eye on her and distract her from causing damage to our furniture as well as herself. As of now-touch wood-she has not destroyed anything that has upset us. She tries her luck-obviously-but like the saying goes… a quiet puppy is a naughty puppy! Oscar on the other hand completely obliterated the garden sprinkler system-three times! I was living at home back then so you can imagine the parentals were not happy at all. Oscar also got ahold of a few pairs of shoes and some plants and trees he liked the taste of!

Zara loves opening our wardrobes and stealing slippers and shoes, but because I am around, and because she is always so proud of her new stolen items, she brings them to me before any damage has been done.

Here are a few tips on how to keep your home and your puppy safe:

Living room: My beautiful orchid nearly became Zara’s new toy. It was the perfect height for her to lick the leaves while pretending she wasn’t actually doing any harm… Needless to say it now has a new spot in the house, much higher up. It is a good idea to keep all tv and aircon remotes well out of reach as well as coffee table books, dvd’s, and any power cables tucked away. If you have a rug perhaps roll it up until the chewing puppy stage is over.

Kitchen: Zara is a little bit of a piggy when it comes to food so it is imperative that our pantry door is kept closed at all times! She will happily walk in sniff something out, and use whatever she can to get whatever it is she can smell. Keep all cleaning products in a high up cupboard just incase your puppy decides to nibble on a toxic bottle of bleach! Alternatively you can secure all your cupboard handles with elastic bands so she can’t open the door in the first place.

Bathroom: One of Zara’s proudest moments was when she managed to manoeuvre herself so she could get ahold of my razor. She brought this to me like it was the best thing she had ever found! While her whole being was extremely cute, I was completely horrified and gave her a full medical to check if she had any lacerations on her body or in her mouth-crisis avoided, all shampoo, conditioner, soap, razors, tooth brushes and hair accessories are kept well out of reach! Our bath towels are folded up a little higher so she doesn’t take them for a tour through the garden. We thought these items were safe but it’s amazing how puppies get into things! We also keep all toilet lids down, just incase she decides to go swimming…

Bedroom: Our lovely scatter pillows now get placed in a pile in the middle of the bed. Zara loves jumping up and pulling whatever she can off the bed and throw it around like it’s a toy. Luckily she still cannot fully jump onto the bed just yet, we may have a problem once she is big enough-hahaha. My handbag has been a near victim to her shark teeth too! Dirty clothes need to be put in the laundry basket and the lid securely shut. Wardrobe doors and drawers need to be securely shut at all times too. Anything that is laying around is a potential chew toy so make sure absolutely everything is packed away or high enough so your puppy cannot reach it.

Office/Study: All lap top and cell phone charging cables have to be kept high up! Zara is quite partial to wanting to nibble on plug points and cables. I also have loads of papers and of course doggy accessories which Zara thinks should all be hers! I have had to rearrange everything so that nothing is eye level. It is a good idea to keep a busy room out of bounds for a while, or sort it out before your puppy arrives to avoid any disasters. Baby gates are great at keeping your puppy out of certain areas.

Outside: I am constantly worrying what she manages to find outside. I cannot always control her natural instincts and she needs to be a dog and be left alone to explore. She often brings in half eaten sticks and stones. And she is forever nibbling on leaves and trees. I have written a previous blog about making your garden pet safe (click here to read), however it is still a worry if I have misidentified a plant or tree. If your puppy loves to chew plants, it is a good idea to get expert advice on exactly what is pet safe and what should be removed and replaced. Keep all swimming pool chemicals and plant pesticides securely locked away! If your puppy loves to chew plants perhaps use organic pesticides or none at all. It is important to teach your puppy how to swim, but until she is old enough try and keep her away from the pool area or be vigilant and supervise outside play time. Your puppy needs to be in a safe environment.

A good way to see what is in reach and what looks like a good thing to chew is to get down to their level and look around. If you were a puppy what would you want to play with…?

After all the puppy proofing is done, enjoy having a puppy bombard your house, bring you presents and completely take over. They are small for such a short period of time, every time I blink Zara has grown just a little more! I am loving spending every single moment with her, watching her learn and explore. Puppies truly are a wonderful gift!

Thank you for reading

30
Sep
2016

Happy 13th Birthday Oscar

categories: Oscar

WOW, today my boy is officially a teenager!! Thirteen of the best years have been spent with my baby Oscar. The love I have for him is unexplainable, kind of like your first love. He is my soul mate and my best friend! We have been on many life adventures together and somehow we always know how the other is feeling. I would say we are the perfect match 🙂

So what do you do for your fur baby’s thirteenth birthday…. Celebrate of course!

This year will be a little different because we have Zara who will be joining in the fun. So far they have eaten cake, opened presents and played a whole bunch of games together, and I have documented everything!

Here is how Oscar will be celebrating his thirteenth birthday:

Breakfast in bed:

Everyone deserves breakfast in bed on their birthday, so that is what Oscar got! I made all of us some yummy pancakes with greek yoghurt and frozen berries. The humans of the house got Nutella and berry pancakes… Here is the recipe-

Ingredients

2 large eggs

1 cup milk

1 1/2 tbs melted butter

1 tbs honey

1 1/2 cups wholewheat flour

1 tsp baking powder

Sliced banana

Frozen berries

Greek yoghurt

Directions

Whisk together all your ingredients in a mixing bowl. Heat up your pan and lightly grease it with cooking spray or coconut oil. Take a spoonful of your batter and place it in your pan to make small flapjack style pancakes. Take some slices of banana and press them into each pancake. Cook your pancakes on each side until golden and cooked through. You can serve as they are or take cookie cutters and cut shapes. Serve them on a platter with some drizzled yoghurt topped with frozen berries. These are so good the entire family can enjoy them.

ps: if you have any spare pancakes you can freeze them for convenient breakfast in bed days…

With a birthday cake:

Of course I have baked Oscar a gorgeous birthday cake for him and Zara to devour! I love baking for my fur babies and when it’s a special occasion like this one, I go all out! This year

Oscar and Zara got their own cake which is decorated with homemade treats! Here is the recipe-

Ingredients

1 cup Apple Sauce

1 egg

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/2 tsp baking powder

1 cup wholewheat flour

1/8 cup coconut oil

Frosting ingredients

1 cup Greek yoghurt

1 cup peanut butter

Directions

Preheat your oven to 180 degrees. Mix together all the wet ingredients in a mixing bowl. Then add your flour and beat well. Place your cake mixture into a greased cake tin and bake for +-30 minutes or until cooked and golden. Once cooked remove it from the oven and let it cool slightly, remove it from the cake tin and let it cool completely before you begin icing it. To make the frosting simply beat together the greek yoghurt and peanut butter until it is a yummy creamy and smooth consistency. Once your cake has cooled you can spread the frosting evenly over the entire cake and decorate as you wish with homemade treats. You can place it in the fridge for a couple of hours or over night to set the frosting. Let your birthday boy enjoy his special cake 🙂

For the homemade treats-

Ingredients

2 shredded carrots

1 shredded medium apple

1 egg

1/2 cup milk

1 tbs coconut oil

1 1/2 cups wholewheat flour

A few drops of food colouring if you feel like making them a specific colour

Directions

Preheat your oven to 180 degrees. Mix together all the wet ingredients in a mixing bowl, add the food colouring too if you wish, then add your flour. If the mixture is too sticky simply add more flour, if it is too dry add more milk. Once you have the perfect dough, roll it out onto a floured surface and using cookie cutters, cut out the treats. Place them on a greased baking tray and bake for +-20 minutes or until cooked and golden in colour. Once cooked let the treats cool before decorating your pups birthday cake.

Opening presents:

Oscar is a very intuitive boy and he knows exactly what is going on around him! He know’s when it’s special occasions for presents such as his birthday, Easter or Christmas. He loves unwrapping his gifts and making a mess. This year he had a little helper and they both had a great time. Of course Zara got gifts too because I cannot give one without the other… That’s just me! So both babies were really spoiled.

Creating memories:

Photographs last forever, literally! And that is why Oscar is the most over photographed pup on the planet. On special occasions I like to go all out and take as many photos as I can so we can look back and remember those special moments. This year is no different, the camera came out the moment we all woke up and I won’t put it down until we all go to bed tonight! Oscar’s birthday is a huge day and I will document each and every moment of it. Have fun with your pup, get him to pose for you, add some props and take some snaps together! Selfie sticks were invented for a reason 😉

Having fun:

Everyday spent with Oscar is a fun day, but on his birthday I like to create extra fun by doing the things he loves to do most, like having a picnic in the garden, going for a walk, playing games and taking an afternoon nap together!

Oscar’s thirteenth birthday will definitely be one to remember…

We hope you enjoy celebrating your pups birthday as much as we do!

Thank you for reading

14
Sep
2016

Meet Baby Zara

categories: Oscar, Zara

On Sunday 28 August 2016, baby Zara was welcomed into our home and into our lives! She was 9 weeks old and weighed a hefty 10 kilograms. Now, two weeks on, we cannot imagine life without this bundle of big personality yet gentle natured baby girl. She is absolutely gorgeous and we are besotted. Oscar on the other hand is not quite sure what to do with his baby sister. I have come to the conclusion that Oscar does not believe he is a dog but in fact a human!!! He watches her for hours play with her toys, she tries so hard to get him to join in but he just gives her a side eye as if to say “I am not one of you.” Of course it could be worse and they could be at each other’s throats, I am very thankful they are not. I guess with time Oscar will learn how to interact with Zara.

Oscar is not quite sure what to do with baby Zara... — Oscar is not quite sure what to do with baby Zara…

I can already see in the two weeks they have been together he has warmed up to her. They drink out the same water bowl and she slowly creeps onto the bottom corner of his bed at night. She even gives him a sneaky little lick on the bacon lips which he doesn’t mind, but of course I have to pretend I didn’t see a thing-haha!

In two weeks she has grown so much. She has put on 3 kilograms and outgrown her puppy pyjamas! You have to savour the puppy moments because before you know it they are gone. I am convinced after every nap she takes she wakes up bigger.

She is growing so quickly, no more puppy pyjamas!

As soon as she is 12 weeks old she will be starting puppy school. We cannot wait for her to start, interact with some dogs her own age and learn a little discipline. I will be totally honest, she is super intelligent and she already knows her name, commands like sit, stay and slowly getting her to fetch the ball and bring it back. Puppy school will open her mind to learn new things and hopefully make some friends. Oscar will come along for some moral support and hopefully learn that he is in fact A DOG!

While having a puppy is the greatest privilege in the world, you have to be prepared and have everything she will need to ensure she settles in and is as comfortable as possible, here is a list of some goodies we got for Zara before her arrival-

Puppy food: It is extremely important that your new puppy is fed the right food, Zara is a Rottweiler so she needs a special formulated food to meet her specific growth needs. She is on a super premium brand which offers her absolutely everything she needs to grow up into a healthy adult. Always feed your furry loves the best possible food you can afford and please do some research, what may appear to be premium, may not always be!

Puppy bowls: We initially bought Zara a cute bone shaped bowl for her kibble and a cute water bowl to match, little did we know that our baby would be a food guzzler! She can eat one cup of her food in less than a minute… This is not healthy for her so we bought her a slow feed bowl. This is the best invention ever-I wish I had invented it!! She now eats more calmly and actually chews her kibble. Meal times are not such a feeding frenzy anymore.

A comfy bed: It was important for Zara to have her own bed and her own space. And it was also important that she had the same as Oscar! I can’t have favourites, they are both my babies and they both need to be spoilt. They both have a proper little bed, with pillows and a duvet and of course a teddy to cuddle up with. Zara tries to get into bed with Oscar every night and of course he is not keen on that idea just yet-I keep telling her to give him some time!

Toys: Puppies need toys, lots of toys! Luckily Oscar has two big baskets filled with various squeaky and fluffy toys which he only plays with occasionally. Zara did get some new toys of her own so she knew she was special too. Oscar has no issue with Zara playing with or demolishing his toys. I think he knows he will just get new ones-yes he is a spoilt brat, but I cannot help it 🙂

Zara has loads of teddies and toys she plays with.

Love: Your new puppy will need tons of love and affection! There is no such thing as giving your puppy too much love. She needs to feel included and apart of your family. She is the one in a new environment and it is your job to make her feel welcome.

But most of all, enjoy having a puppy around. Enjoy the puppy breath. Enjoy the shark teeth biting your ankles as you walk. Because before you know it she will be all grown up…

Thank you for reading

23
Aug
2016

Oscar’s dry skin.

categories: Oscar

We all know what it’s like to have dry itchy skin… not nice!! So when your pup experiences dry and itchy skin caused from the harsh winter weather, it’s only natural to want to try and help him! Oscar’s skin is definitely dryer in winter and I need to take extra care to make sure it clears up and doesn’t bother him. During the winter months I try to keep him indoors so that he stays clean. Bathing him too often in winter definitely contributes to his dry skin, even though I always use a conditioner. Oscar has no issues with staying indoors, he loves nothing more than all day snuggles on the couch under his duvet-who wouldn’t? If it is really cold I have to coax him outside with treats just so he can use the bathroom, and he lives in his pyjamas! When it comes to winter, Oscar absolutely hates it! Luckily for him spring is around the corner and he needs to be in tip top condition, here are some things I like to add to Oscar’s diet to keep his skin healthy and his fur shiny…

Oscar loves snoozing on the couch with his duvet

Olive oil: this is a great one because we all have olive oil in our cupboards. I just drizzle a tablespoon over Oscar’s dry food which of course he loves.

Coconut oil: I have already written about how amazing coconut oil is for your pup (to read about the Wonders of Coconut Oil, click here), so it’s time to include it in his daily diet! I love making frozen coconut oil drops or simply scoop small blobs and dot them over his dry dog food.

Tuna in oil: Oscar goes crazy for tuna! He knows exactly what I am about to open before I have reached for the tin opener-haha! For Oscar I always opt for the tuna in oil, I either give it to him as is in his treat bowl or I make yummy treats for him to enjoy. The fish oils, mixed with the added oils do magic tricks for Oscar’s fur. Give it a try!

Ingredients

1 tin tuna in oil

1 cup flour

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 tablespoon coconut oil

1 egg

Directions

Pre-heat your oven to 180 degrees. Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl. If the mixture is too sticky then add more flour until you get the right consistency. Roll the dough out and using cookie cutters cut cute treats for your pooch. Place them on a greased baking tray and bake for around 25 minutes or until cooked and golden. Once cooked allow the treats to cool before letting your pup enjoy. Store them in an air tight container.

Tuna treats are a real winner with Oscar, bake a batch for your furry love

Humidifier: a great room moisturiser is a humidifier. Oscar sleeps with us in our bedroom and we use a humidifier every night which helps keep Oscar’s skin moisturised too.

We hope that by using these easy tips, your pups skin will be summer ready in no time!

Oscar loves to roll in dirt so it is important that I take care of his skin and fur for him

Thank you for reading.