growing up 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

While at the Worldwide Fido Awards in LA last week, Samson got to test out the Porch Potty, a sort of port-a-potty for dogs that lives on your porch. Since North is already potty trained, I wouldn't need something like this, but LilPeaPod says that it's a must have for puppies and older dogs alike!

Find out what she has to say about the Porch Potty and where to find them when you read more

Gabe, the bulldog from Bellingham, Wash. who flushes toilets, skateboards, and even rides a rocking horse! Congrats to this super cute smooshy for his big title!
OK, now the back story: Hosted by Fred Willard (star of one of our favorite animal movies), the 2008 Worldwide Fido Awards took place in the aptly-named Barker Hangar in Santa Monica over the weekend. The finalists were announced for six categories including our very own Samson who captured the title of "Cutest Dog" – woohoo!

Judges for the event included celebrity dog trainer Tamar Gellar and actors Kevin Nealon and Vivica A. Fox, and lucky for us LilPeaPod has some behind the scenes tales coming later today.

Until then, check out more cuteness from the event when you read more

It looks like I'm not the only one in favor of using a crate! Samson is totally comfy in his little home, and according to LilPeaPod, sometimes even prefers his own private space to other spots in the house!

Right before I took this picture, my BF, Samson and I had just gotten home from a long walk. Normally, Samson likes to curl up with us on the couch and take a nap, but this time he crawled right into his travel crate and went to sleep! I caught this photo right after he snuck away to catch some zzz's.

He looks so sleepy! Are your pets more comfy in their small, private spaces, or do they prefer to sprawl out around the house?

In California, it's not unusual to get some pretty hot temps in September, and last weekend was no exception. LilPeaPod took Samson camping for the first time, and not only was he totally overwhelmed with nature, it was also super hot. It's pretty well known that smooshies don't do well with heat or swimming, so taking a dip in the lake was out of the question. LilPeaPod explains how she kept little Samson cool in the blazing hot 95-degree weather with a little ice:

Since Samson can't swim, I decided to bring the water to him by using our melted ice from our cooler. I soaked his collar and a towel to keep his body temp down while he slept in the shade. We also gave him plenty of ice to snack on (which he loves, obviously) – it kept him cool until the temps dropped that evening!

If your pets can't swim, it's pretty easy to keep them comfy with a few ice cubes and some water! What are your surefire ways to keep your pets cool in the hot weather?

Sugar staffer LilPeaPod went on a recent vacay to Mexico, leaving little Samson with her mom for the week. Covering all her bases, she whipped up an "Owner's Manual" to let her mom in on all the things he's allowed to do, what to eat (and more importantly, what not to eat), as well as his sleep schedule so he can stay regular with his naps and playtime.

This totally sounds like something I would have done when I first became a dog mom, since I was kinda paranoid to leave him with other people who weren't familiar with his day-to-day behavior and quirks. So it made me wonder: Do you leave detailed notes when you leave your pets with a sitter or do you just leave the highlights?