dogs Archives - Page 6 of 7

Tag: dogs

08
Feb
2017

My Furry Valentines.

categories: Recipes

Valentine’s Day. You either love it or hate it. Of course having someone special to share it with makes a world of difference. Luckily I have my four furry companions as well as my two-legged companion to share this super cliche day of love with.

Any chance I get I love to spoil my furry loves and Valentine’s Day is no different. It doesn’t always have to be something bought, homemade gifts often make the greatest gift. Taking time out of your busy day to prepare and make something for someone you love often speaks louder than the gift itself.

This year my fur babies will be receiving a giant collection of home made treats. When it comes to food, you have my furry loves sold-all four of them! To keep in line with the love theme I decided to make some homemade beetroot doggy treats for both Zara and Oscar and special beetroot bunny treats for Valentine and Duchess. Here are the recipes:

Beetroot Doggy Treats

Ingredients

2 large beetroots

1 egg

2 tbs coconut oil

2 cups flour

Directions

Start by peeling the skin from the beetroots. Then cut them into chunks and steam them for about 40 minutes or until cooked and soft. Let them cool then blitz them up so it becomes a beautiful dark red paste. Pre-heat your oven to 180 degrees. In a bowl mix together the egg, coconut oil and the beetroot paste until combined then add the four one cup at a time. You can judge how much flour is needed by how sticky or dry the mixture is. Then roll it out onto a floured surface and using heart cookie cutters cut out your valentines treats. Place them onto a greased baking tray and into the oven for +-20 minutes or until cooked and slightly golden-not too golden otherwise they will lose their red colour. Once cooked let them cool, you can package them into cute boxes ready for your pup to enjoy on Valentine’s Day.

Beetroot Bunny Treats

Ingredients

1 large beetroot

1 cup oats-blitzed up to make oat flour

Directions

Start by peeling the skin from the beetroot. Then cut it into chunks and steam it for about 40 minutes or until cooked and soft. Let it cool then blitz it up so it becomes a beautiful dark red paste. Then set aside to cool slightly. Pre-heat your oven to 180 degrees. Once the paste has cooled enough for you to handle, mix in the oat flour a little at a time. You want to get a firm consistency but it will still be sticky. You should be able to break off tiny pieces and roll into bunny bite sized bits. Place them onto a greased oven tray and bake for +-15 minutes or until they are hard and cooked. Be careful not to over cook them. Once done set aside to cool. You can package them in toilet roll holders with tissue paper wrapped around. This will provide some entertainment for your bunny while trying to reach the treats.

And if you are feeling in the mood to spoil your pups even more, then head on over to our online store and shop for some gorgeous collars, beds and toys.

Enjoy this Valentine’s Day with the ones you love most.

Thank you for reading.

12
Jan
2017

Product Review: FriendshipCollar

categories: Product Reviews

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.

03
Jan
2017

January 2017

categories: Calendar

Happy New Year everyone! We hope you all enjoyed the festive season and welcomed 2017 with open arms. We are very excited to see what this year has planned for us and we hope it is a fabulous year for you too.

We hope you enjoy this months calendar featuring Oscar and Zara with their favourite emoji pillow 🙂

Click here to download your January calendar

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

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

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.

04
Apr
2016

Happy April

categories: Calendar

April is one of my favourite months of the year! We hope your April is an awesome one…

Click here to download your April calendar

03
Mar
2016

He’s in dreamland…

categories: Oscar

I often find myself watching Oscar as he appears to be having the most awesome dream. Jowls twitching, nose sniffing and feet seemingly running. I find it hysterical to watch and often reach for my camera or phone to film my boy having the time of his life in dreamland. But the real question is, Does Oscar dream?

I’m happy to admit that Oscar doesn’t get the gold medal for being the most active boy on the block but he is the most happy-go-lucky soul I have ever met. Happy to snooze under my feet in the office, happy to fall asleep next to me while I watch my favourite t.v shows, happy to sun tan with me and of course he is happy to snuggle up in bed. I would say Oscar’s favourite pass time is sleeping. So let’s explore whether Oscar does dream or not…

The simple answer is yes. While we do not know for sure what our beloved pups dream about, studies have shown that they enter a state of deep sleep just like us humans do. It is during this deep sleeping period that Oscar has his various dreams. It is also said that smaller dogs will dream a lot more each night than larger dogs will. Puppies also dream more than adult dogs because they are processing the new information they learn each day.

Obviously I would love to ask Oscar what he dreamt about last night and have him answer me, but unfortunately that is not the case. We can only speculate that his dreams are similar to mine. Replaying the days events of chasing birds, eating his treats and barking at the clouds.

While your pups sudden growls and howls may be alarming, please do not wake him from his dream. Your pup needs deep uninterrupted sleep for healthy brain activity. Think about how you feel when you have suddenly been woken up from your dreams…

Waking your pooch from a deep, dreaming sleep may startle him and this could result in him lashing out. A startled pup needs a moment to assess his surroundings. So please let your pup sleep.

The positions our furry loves sleep in can tell us how comfortable and happy they are at that particular moment. Oscar has many sleeping positions, but here are a few of his favourites and what they mean.

Side sleeping: We call this one ‘sleeping like a human’ since Oscar always has his head on a pillow and is covered by his comfy duvet. This is said to be a very restful and comfortable sleeping position. It means Oscar is comfortable with his surroundings without the fear of threats.

Curled up like a ball: This is the most defensive position. Oscar will tuck his feet and tail tightly under himself and nudge his head close to his body too. It isn’t a very restful position and it can also mean he is cold and trying to keep himself warm.

Legs up: When Oscar sleeps in this position, it shows absolute relaxation and comfort. He doesn’t have a care in the world!

Curled side sleep: This is a favourite for many of our furry loves. Oscar will sleep on his tummy, slightly curled up and cosy. This is a comfortable position to for him to sleep in and it allows him to jump up quickly if need be.

It is important that your pooch has at least one super comfortable bed to sleep on. Yes, Oscar is very spoilt and has three of his own dedicated bed, plus he uses the couch and the outside furniture as his resting spots too. If you wouldn’t sleep on your pups bed then you shouldn’t expect him to either. Please make sure you provide him with something comfortable and clean.

You can browse the Stylish Paws online store for handmade beds click here.

Thank you for reading.

22
Feb
2016

The wonders of coconut oil.

categories: DIY

We all know how healthy coconut oil is for us humans, but did you know that as healthy as it is for us, it is for our furry loves? It has a wide variety of benefits and uses for our furry companions, including digestion support, fur conditioner, soothes skin irritations, quick energy booster, supports heathy weight, aids in bone and joint health, improves general skin health, and disinfects cuts, wounds and bites just to name a few. I’ll be honest, I am not a huge fan of using it in my cooking but Oscar on the other hand absolutely loves it! So here are a few ways your pooch can benefit from a little coconut oil each day…

Skin and fur conditioner

We have all had skin irritations and rashes at some point in our lives, so we know exactly how itchy and sore they can be. When you notice your pup scratching and gnawing at his fur, try rubbing a handful of coconut oil onto his fur and give him a little massage to soothe his inflamed skin area. Coconut has great soothing properties to help ease skin irritations caused by dry skin, flea bites or just a general rash. Coconut oil works wonders on our own hair so why not treat your pups fur to a hydrating mask too. Simply bath him as usual and condition his fur with coconut oil instead of his usual pet conditioner. Gently massage the coconut oil into his skin-This is always Oscar’s favourite part of his bath regime. It is not necessary to rinse thoroughly but you can rinse slightly to get the greasy residue off. Your pooch will smell gorgeous too 🙂

Snout and paw protector

When your pups paws feel a little extra rough and tough, you can rub a small amount of coconut oil on them to soften them up. It will also heal any cuts he may have on his paws. You can also smear a small amount onto his snout when it looks a little dry and cracked (read all about Oscar’s schnoz and why your pups nose may be a little dry here: Oscar’s Schnoz).

A healthy coat

For a healthy and shiny coat, you can feed your furry love a small spoonful or two of coconut oil each day. You can mix it in with their kibble to make it extra delicious or you can make one of the yummy treat recipes below. Start with a teaspoon amount and slowly increase it to a tablespoon-depending on the size of your pup! If it upsets your pups tummy please don’t give him anymore. As a guideline, for a small pooch start with 1/4 teaspoon and slowly increase it over time to a full teaspoon. For a medium to large pup, start with a teaspoon and work your way up to a tablespoon.

Treats

Coconut oil drops

Ingredients

Organic coconut oil

Directions

For this recipe, the coconut oil needs to be slightly hard, not a runny consistency. Scoop some organic coconut oil into a zip lock bag and seal it tightly. Line a baking tray or any tray with grease proof paper. Cut just the tip off the zip lock bag and squeeze dollops of the coconut oil onto the baking tray. Place them into the freezer for a few hours. Remove them and store the coconut drops in an airtight container or jar in the fridge or freezer.

Frozen peanut butter, banana and coconut pops

Ingredients

1 cup organic peanut butter

1 cup organic coconut oil

1 medium banana, mashed

Directions

Mix all the ingredients together in a mixing bowl. The softer the coconut oil and peanut butter, the easier it will be to combine. You can use a spoon or an electric beater. Once completely mixed, spoon the mixture into silicone ice trays. You can also make little drops like the above recipe if you would prefer. Simply place the mixture in the fridge for 10 minutes to harden slightly then follow the steps above. Place them in the freezer for a few hours. Store them in an air tight container or jar and keep them in the fridge or freezer.

No bake peanut butter and coconut balls

Ingredients

1/3 cup coconut oil

2 tbs organic peanut butter

3 tbs apple sauce

2 cups oats

2 tsp honey

1 tsp vanilla extract

Sprinkle of cinnamon

Directions

Mix together the coconut oil, peanut butter, apple sauce, honey, vanilla and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl, then add the oats. If the mixture is too stiff to work with then add a little extra apple sauce. If it is too sticky then add a little extra oats. Scoop the mixture into meatball-sized balls and place them onto a greased baking tray or plate. Freeze them for a few hours before letting your pup enjoy. Store them in an air tight container or jar and keep them in the fridge or freezer. Warning-These are seriously delicious and I love sharing these treats with Oscar 😉

Enjoy the wonders of coconut oil!

Thank you for reading

10
Feb
2016

Will you be my Valentine?

categories: Summer Love

No one likes to admit they enjoy celebrating Valentine’s Day… I will admit I love it! Whether it’s receiving a surprise delivery of roses and chocolates at the office or a romantic home cooked meal, every girl gets butterflies when her man says ‘I love you’ on Valentine’s Day!

I agree, love shouldn’t be bound to just one day of the year, but it’s awesome celebrating it on February 14th every year. Oscar of course has no idea when or what Valentine’s Day is, he truly shows me unconditional love everyday of the year. He wags his tail at me, he follows me everywhere, sleeps with me, cuddles on the couch with me, I even catch him staring at me with his big gorgeous eyes.

Yes, Valentine’s Day is a cliché, but who cares! Celebrate it!

Here are some ways to include your good looking pup in your Valentine’s Day celebrations…

Bake your way to his heart:

They say the best way to a man’s heart is through cooking-Well now is the time to bake something yummy and full of love for your furry love.

Milky Hearts

Ingredients

2 cups flour

1 cup milk powder

1/2 cup milk

1/3 cup melted butter

1 egg

Icing Ingredients

2 tbs cornstarch or rice flour

2 tbs water

1 tsp honey

organic food colouring

Directions

Preheat your oven to 180 degrees. Mix all your ingredients together in a big mixing bowl. Once mixed, turn out onto a floured surface and roll your dough out. Take your heart shaped cookie cutters and cut out the cookies. Place them onto a greased baking tray and bake for +- 15 minutes or until slightly browned and cooked. Once the cookie hearts have cooled, mix together the icing ingredients and ice the hearts. Play around and be creative. Your pooch deserves some cute Valentine’s treats too 🙂 Let the icing dry/set, then let your pup enjoy his treats. Store them in an airtight container.

Have a photoshoot

Memories are forever, and so are photographs! Create cute scenes with props and outfits and snap away. You will be surprised at just how much your furry love enjoys having his photo taken.

You can use blankets and pillows, anything pink, red, black or white. Make a cute bunting of hearts, ‘X’ and ‘O’. Use chalk boards and write cute little sayings. Have him hold a rose in his mouth or sprinkle some rose petals on him. Use Photo Booth props. Kiss him with bright red lipstick-he will definitely love you for that one! Be in the moment with your pooch and have fun together creating memories.

Red, Red, Red

Live in the moment of love. Dress your pup in anything related to Valentine’s Day. A red collar, a pink scarf, a black jacket or white socks. Anything goes on this day of love! Then take him for a walk at his favourite spot so he can show off his Valentine’s gear.

Stylish Paws has an awesome selection of collars, leashes, jackets and socks for your furry love!

Click here to shop for your furry valentine…

Most of all have fun with your furry loves and celebrate Valentine’s Day!

Thank you for reading