I just couldn't resist putting up this picture of little Samson as he sat nicely and waited for his Bit O Luv Bistro Beef dog treat. It's just too cute! Bit O Luv's philosophy about dogs not just being pets, but being a part of your family, goes right in line with my own. So naturally, I wanted to give the treats a shot. Well, not me, but Samson and North anyway.

Bit O Luv makes all their treats here in the US without any by-products or fillers. And their jerky? Slow roasted. Sounds better than some of the things that I eat on occasion. If Samson's excitement to eat the jerky bits was any indication (well, let's face it — this guy doesn't discriminate), I think your doggie will love them too. Just make sure you check the feeding instructions on the back of the package so you don't overdo it. Just cause your pup is a good boy, doesn't mean he should be overweight too!
Dogtronics Tested, Samson Approved
Not only does Samson have a mighty fine eco-friendly toy box, but it's filled with tough toys — he's a super chewer. So, of course, I sent mom home with a few choice Dogtronics toys to see if they can hold up to the bulldog jaws of our favorite frenchie, but also to see if they are as fetching as all the testimonials say they are.
From what I hear, Samson couldn't decide which one to play with, and often played with all three toys at the same time! He had his choice between the fun and noisy Pitch Perfect Sound ball, the light-up Glimmer Ball, and the tough and tug-worthy Ruckus Rope Sound toy that not only lets your pet pull, chew, and fetch, but it comes with sounds to keep him entertained. So just how well did Samson like the toys? Well, find out for yourself in the video when you read more
Your Pet's Bed: Too Big, Too Small, or Just Right?
Our favorite Frenchie, Samson, got an upgrade last week. Obviously he loves his new bed, and it's no wonder — look at the size of that thing! This bed could probably fit a Golden Retriever, and it leaves me wondering how many of your pets have bigger-than-life beds. I could go out on a limb and say this bolster model may be a little too big for the 23-pounder, but I should first take a look into my own boudoir: I have a king size mattress just for little 'ole me. Humm. I think I'll hold my tongue for now.

Do Tell: What Has Been Your Scariest Pet Emergency?
Resident Frenchie Samson had a bit of a health fiasco this week, and was taken to the ER for treatment! Word on the street is that he may have ingested some sort of toxin leaving him with muscle spasms and vomiting, which we all can imagine, are big signs of trouble. Thankfully, Samson is doing much better, but it sure did give mom a scare.

I imagine many of us have been there: pacing the waiting room of a vet's office on pins and needles, hoping for some good news. So tell me, what has been your scariest pet emergency, and how did you handle it?
PetSugar Street Team: Pepper & Tanky Puppy Love Perfume
I have to admit, I was a little skeptical when receiving a tester of Pepper & Tanky pet perfume in the mail. But, after hearing about LilPeaPod's experience, I may just give my bottle of "Big Dog" a try next time North and I hit the town and don't have time for a full-on bath! She writes:
It was a rainy week in SF and, after a few walks, Samson had that "wet dog" scent we all know so well, even though I had just bathed him a few days before. We were headed to a family event, so I didn't want the little guy (or me) to get teased for being stinky. So I whipped out the Pepper and Tanky Puppy Love ($44) perfume that PetSugar asked me to try. Smelling like fresh baby powder, the doggie perfume did the trick for our day with the fam, and Samson was (of course) the center of attention — without a single stinky dog complaint!
Sweet smells ahead! Made and tested in France, Pepper & Tanky is paraben-free and hypo-allergenic, so it's safe to use on your furry friends. Plus, it comes in four different fragrances to satisfy your sniffer: Peaches N' Cream, Vanilla Woof, Big Dog, and Puppy Love. Would you use specially-formulated doggie perfume on your pup?
Do Your Pets Have Allergies?
Uh-oh, little smooshy Samson has a problem, and the name is pollen! LilPeaPod took Samson to the vet over the long weekend, having lately noticed lots of sneezing, droopy and goopy eyes, and one other interesting symptom: red, itchy paws. After a few painless skin tests, she found out that Samson has allergies!

Right now is the height of pollen season, and allergies aren't just for humans. Your pets can inhale lots of pollen as they walk with their noses to the ground and even be allergic to grass, just like Samson is. If you notice your pets licking their paws, scratching their face, or even an extra wet nose in the Spring and Summer, they may have allergies. Thankfully, it can be relieved with (pet-safe) antihistamines so your pets can enjoy the fruits of Spring, just like the rest of us.
North and Samson Enjoy a Dog Day on the Bay!
On Sunday, North, Samson, LilPeaPod and I joined the ASPCA, our local KOFY TV station, and a gaggle of other pooches for brunch as we sailed around the San Francisco Bay. Even though it was a nasty drizzly day in SF, we weren't about to let the weather hold us back from a doggie buffet, mingling, and (hello!), champagne for the two legged kind on board. The fifth annual Dog Day on the Bay took us on a scenic tour of our bay, around Alcatraz island, and even for an up-close look at San Francisco's AT&T Park, where the Giants played (and beat) the Colorado Rockies.
All the pooches had a blast shaking their tails on the dance floor, posing for pictures, and auditioning to be the next KOFY TV dog, but the best part of the day wasn't just fun activities, it was the fact that everyone who attended was helping to lend a hand to our local SPCA and animal shelters.
Check out some behind-the-scenes photos of our fun day on the bay in the gallery when you read more
PetSugar Street Team: True Blue Super Fresh Shampoo
Good thing there are plenty of other dog owners in the office, otherwise North would have a serious case of dandruff! I've been wanting to test out all the shampoos I've had stashed in my desk for a while now, but if I bathe my pup too often, his skin gets flaky and dry. Thankfully, Samson was good and stinky (and needed to be fresh and clean for our Dog Day on the Bay) when I asked LilPeaPod to test out True Blue's Super Fresh Grapefruit and Chamomile Shampoo ($13).

I liked the fact that True Blue was not only detergent-free, but is never tested on animals, is hypoallergenic, and is even safe for the earth — right down to the biodegradable bottle. What did our tester like about this shampoo, besides the fact that it smells divine? Find out if it's anything to bark about, and check out Samson's coat in a before and after when you read more
Pet Pic of the Day: Samson's Tired Face
This is what happens after a fun-filled weekend at Grandma's house — Samson spends the rest of his Sunday napping on the couch. There is just so much to explore and so many people to play with that the little guy needs a vacay from his vacay!

Congrats to Samson and LilPeaPod for being chosen as our Pet Pic of the Day! Have you submitted your favorite photos to our Pet Pics group yet? I'll tell you how to get started when you read more
Pet Pic of the Day: Upside Down Samson
One of my favorite websites to go to when I need a laugh is Upside Down Dogs, cause it doesn't get any funnier than seeing a dog sleeping upside down. Samson is finally getting the hang of sleeping on his back, and mom LilPeaPod snapped up this pic before he flopped over. Learning that on-your-back balance is a tough one.
Congrats to Samson and LilPeaPod for being chosen as our Pet Pic of the Day! Don't forget to submit your favorite photos to our Pet Pics group for a chance to see your furry family members on the pages of PetSugar! I'll help you get started when you read more

