PetSugar

Shop Spotlight: North's at Pet Camp!

PetSugar — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 11:10:33 -0700

I've alluded to my fave home-away-from-home for my lil guy in other posts, but I've never taken the time to explain why I love it so much. First off, North's practically a celebripup at Pet Camp – I think his hyperactivity must be pretty impossible to forget! I always feel comfortable dropping him off there and I know he's having a blast.What's he doing you ask? He's scampering on artificial turf with a playground that rivals many parks for two-legged kids with slides, tunnels, and other equipment for him to explore. There's both a group and individual yards for friendly or friendless days on over 6,000 square feet of outdoor fun!

To find out what special treats they offer read more.

Once dogs get back inside, there are plenty of add-ons for your most pampered pal – VIP playtime, swimming sessions, Yappy Hour (cold doggie beer served in a frosted bowl with a bully stick), and Bizzie Bones (PB frozen Kong). North's favorite is something called a pupsicle – it's a homemade recipe similar to this one except theirs has bananas, too. Mmmm.

While I'm spending the weekend celebrating a friend's birthday in Portland, I know North is off having a great time, too! They'll be composting his poop to generate electricity, treating him well, and snapping his photo – I hope to see his next Camper Cameos when I get back!

Send a Pooch Packing for Summer Camp?

PetSugar — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 03:00:08 -0700

Besides Wag Hotel, I know I've mentioned before how much I adore Pet Camp here in SF where North stays when I leave town. And after reading the current issue of Modern Dog Magazine, I want to send him to a real pet camp now, too!

The Double Dog Ranch was featured in this season's issue of MDM, and I can't get enough of the happy pooch pics on their website! A real summer camp for dogs, where your pup can run around acres of land with his new summer camp friends, sleep on heated outdoor cabins, and even take in a training class to brush up on obedience. With Southern California and Northern Oregon locations, I only wish there was one closer to me so North could take part! Ahh, memories of my own summer camp days rush back as we speak!

If you had a pet camp near you, would you send your pup while you were on vacay?

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Banished From the Bash?

PetSugar — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 00:30:06 -0800

I hosted a Christmas party at my house on Saturday night to catch up with old friends before we all went our separate ways for the holidays. Now, North enjoys parties as much as anyone else I know (two or four legged), but I made the decision to bring him to daycare on the morning of. You see, he adores company so much that I worried his desire to meet-and-greet would cause unfortunate party fouls involving Pomegranate- Champagne Punch and my microsuede couches. Eek!

My little guy loves going to Pet Camp and they always greet him by name when I walk in, which makes both of us feel extra special. I thought of it as offering a relaxing weekend retreat . . . so instead of watching me prep snacks, he could play with tons of other dogs and new people in a safe environment. What do you think – if you are having a special party at your house, is your pet present or banished from the bash?

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No Wonder They Call It a Pup Tent: Tents For Dogs

PetSugar — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 06:00:31 -0700

OK, OK, I admit it: I'm a city gal through and through, but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate nature! So many of my pals are taking off for camping trips this Summer, which leaves North and I here in SF to take in the beaches and day spas alone (oh, darn). But if we were to head out into the wild (or semi-wild . . . with a bathroom and outlets, pretty please?), one of these tents would be perfect for North. As you know he does not sleep in my bed (although nights in hotels can sometimes be the exception), and besides, I can dirty up my own tent quite enough on my own without four paws tracking mud as well!

Not only will a pet tent keep your pooch safe and sound at night, but it will also keep him warm since the tent is much smaller, and can retain heat better than a people-sized tent would. Check out some of my faves below, but along with the tent, don't forget to pack his own first aid kit!

SSS PetCare Pet Tent ($40)	Wag'N Crate N' Tent ($50)
AKC Pet Tent ($40)	Weathertech 60004 Pet Tent ($82)	Umbra Tent Pet House ($125)

Do You Leave Music on For Your Pets?

PetSugar — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 07:00:10 -0700

Not only are pets great companions, we now know what good therapy having a pet can be. Petting our furry friends, or even just watching our fishies swim around their tank can lower our blood pressure and reduce the risk of a heart attack. But as much as pets benefit humans, I can't help but wonder how we can help them in return. I know from experience that pets can get stressed and anxious too, showing it by tearing up your couch cushions, or ripping to shreds their fave toy in five seconds flat. Now, a recent report says there's an easy way to return all the healthful favors.

A study conducted in 2000 shows that the sounds of a harp aid in lowering the blood pressure, heart rate and anxiety in pets that were recouping at a Florida vet hospital, leading us to believe that classical music could be as calming to Fido as it is to humans.

While I don't personally leave tunes on for North to chill to while I'm at work, he does get treated to the soothing classical sounds when he's staying at our fave Pet Camp and at our local Wag Hotel. Now I just might add a few classical tunes to our road trip soundtrack! Until then, I'm curious to know: do any of you leave music on for your pets while you're out?

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Bare Bones: Earthbath Grooming Wipes

PetSugar — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 07:00:24 -0700

If you are planning an outdoor trip this camping season, you know that you're in for a bit of a dirty (possibly smelly) pet while you're away from the luxuries of your groomer or bathtub. So how do you keep your shrub and mud loving pets clean, or at least keeping them smelling that way? As nice as taking a dip in a freshwater river can be, it's not always the best way to keep clean. Learn about this great alternative when you read more.

My recommendation would be to pack along these Earthbath Grooming Wipes ($15) as a substitute for the pet spa. Since they are all natural, they can be used on all of your furry friends, plus they are free from alcohol so they won't dry out your pet's skin, and have a nice green tea deodorizer that is a-ok for your pets. The best part is, you're not only giving your pet a nice rubdown, but you're helping to make a cleaner planet too. All of Earthbath products are 100 percent biodegradable, so you can rest easy that the camping spot you're checking out will be just as beautiful in years to come.

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Happy Howl-oween: Lucky Dogs Get Loot, Too

PetSugar — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 14:30:48 -0700

Have you planned your Howl-oween party yet? Even if you're not having all your furry friends over, consider treating the special pets in your life to a goodie bag just for them - think of it as treats without the tricks.

North has a couple besties from Pet Camp and doggies of my friends (and, of course Samson), so I picked up some Halloween treats to hand out. I especially love these Grriggles . . . how could I resist such a clever product name?! Heehee. See what loot will go in the sacks in a widget when you read more.

Do Tell: What Are Your Go-To Cool Off Methods?

PetSugar — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 07:00:00 -0700

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?

Get Up and Go: Bring Friendly Reminders For Your Pet

PetSugar — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 11:15:14 -0700

I've got travel on my mind since I just returned from a super-fun wild adventure! Now, I'm waiting 'til next week to share my details of swimming with dolphins and snorkeling with rays, but it was def sad leaving my lil pup at home. Way back when I picked up North from the breeder, she suggested I place one of my unwashed tees on his bed in the crate so he'd get used to my smell and feel snuggly and sleep better. When I left North for the first time, I brought along a square from that shirt for him. Now, he's used to going on overnight adventures alone . . . but, what do I pack in his travel bag? To find out, read more.

Whether they're going to a hotel with you, or daycare all by themselves, it helps to pack a little travel bag – like this Weekender Pet Travel Gear Bag ($15.69) – for your pet. I'd include:

Dog Bed. If possible, bring along the bed your pup sleeps in. If your dog sleeps with you, consider packing a sheet.
Food. Although North's camp provides food, if it's not the food your pet is used to, his tummy can have a tricky transition. Make it easy on him (and the employees) and pack single meal plastic bags of dry food from home. That way mealtime will be smoother.
Treats and Toys. Consider bringing along some treats for your pet. If you have an overweight pup, this can help with portion control, and bringing those familiar toys will make him feel at home . . . away from home.

The Scoop: Walt Disney World to Open Pet Resort in 2009

PetSugar — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:30:26 -0700

It's such a bummer when you consider a four legged animal a member of your family, but yet there are some places that still don't allow them to roam around with you. Disneyland and Disney World are two of the "happiest places on earth" but unfortunately, the happiness doesn't apply to your furry friends. At least the happiness inside the park anyway! Although I'm not sure how appropriate it would be to take a pet on a ride, it does make me feel slightly guilty about leaving my poor pup in one of the kennels while I'm slurping up shaved ice!

However, if you're planning a trip to Disney World in mid 2009, things just got a little easier on your heart. Your pampered pooches still won't be lucky enough to join you in the park, but now they'll have a resort they can call their own! Word is, Disney World is building a pet resort that will boast such amenities as hiking trails, doggie day camp, cat lounges, grooming services, ice cream socials, and bedtime stories for your pets to enjoy while you're frolicking with Mickey and Minnie. I'm excited to hear more news about this since I'm definitely wanting to head back over to Florida after my awesome adventures at Aquatica, so it would be cool to check this out as well. Plus, it will give me a good excuse to go see Disney's Animal Kingdom!

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