Wordless Wednesday: Madam Star Enjoys Springtime

Coco Plays Hide and Seek with Her Belly Bites

Our friends at Chewy.com asked if we wanted to try Natural Balance Belly Bites.  I  don't usually like to give Coco anything grain free because it gives her ridiculous gas, but I figured since the treats were small, we'd give them a try.  I'm so glad I did!

These semi-soft treats are great because I can break them in half and just give her a little something.  I feel good about giving them too her because they are made in the USA (something that is a MUST for me).  The package says that it is great for dogs with sensitivities, which means that Cousin Madam Star's tummy can tolerate them, another bonus.

Since these are nice and small, and SMELLY (we got the legume formula) I thought it would be fun to play hide and seek with the Belly Bites.  Coco loves this game.  In this video, I make Coco sit where she can't see what I'm doing.  Then I hide the treat in under a tennis ball in a muffin tin.  When I give her the ok, she has to choose which ball the treat is under.  She always gets it right!  *Look for a cameo from sissy!

I love how Coco sniffs the treat out, then takes the ball out of the tin.  She's so smart.  When she is finishes, she always gets a treat.  

Thanks again, Chewy.com for sending us these treats to try!  They were a big hit and perfect for hide and seek!

*Note: I got this game from a fellow blogger, but can't for the life of me remember where, so please send me a message if you were the clever mommy I stole this from so I can give you proper credit!*

Coco's New Collar From Sirius Republic

I got Coco a new collar (much to Daddy's dismay, who insisted she didn't need one...as always).  After seeing Corbin's dashing collars on Oh, Corbin, I just had to have one!  I learned form Corbin's mommy that she gets his collars from Sirius Republic.

I can't tell you how much I love their line of collars--they are, by far the cutest collars I have found.  Since Coco's had to be Daddy approved, we sat down together and decided on the Jagger.  While it wouldn't have been my first choice (but probably second)  if I were a single mommy, I still think it is just fantastic! (My first choice would have been Henny Penny, so cute!)

Sirius Republic hand makes each collar and the craftsmanship is supreme.  Even Bill commented on how nice it is, which is some high praise. Coco has taken to it quite easily and actually is better behaved with it on.

Thanks to Corbin's mommy for showing these collars off and to Sirius Republic for such a fancy and well-made product!

P.S. If you order from Sirius Republic, enter code RPHB81 and 20% of your order will go to Corbin's rescue, Homeward Bound!

Win a Doggie Shopping Spree!

Wordless Wednesday: Madam at the Vet

Such a princess!

Tennis Ball to the Rescue!

The other day, Coco got it in her head that she was going for a ride and nothing could change it.  I tried everything I could think of to coax her out of the car, but nothing worked.  I even had enough time to go inside (with all of the car doors wide open), grab my camera, and get back to the car without Coco even flinching.  Once she decided she belonged in the car, that was the end of the conversation...until I found a tennis ball in the back seat.  That's all it took and she shot across the yard after it.  Thank goodness for those little green balls of heaven or she'd probably still be in there...

Wordless Wednesday: Preparing for Cousin Madam's Visit

Choosing A Name For Your Dog

Finding just the right name for your dog can be as difficult as naming a child.  In fact, there are a lot of similarities.  And you may (or may not) be surprised to learn that some of the same names are on both lists for babies and dogs.  Seems like now more than ever we are treating our dogs as our children--starting with naming them. 

Names like Sophia and Jackson--top choices for babies in 2013-- were #6 and 30 on the dog list.  This leads me to believe that we haven’t quite given in to the belief that our dogs are really our kids.  We still like to give them somewhat “dog” names. The most popular dog names in 2013 were Max and Bella, which were #41 and 93 on the baby list. 

There is, however, more to naming your dog than popularity.  It is usually considered good practice to stick to one or two syllable names (maybe this accounts for the popularity of Max and Bella).  If you think about historically popular dog names such as Spike, Fido, Spot, and Rover they all adhere to the one or two syllable rule.

Also, you want to make sure that your dog’s name doesn't sound like a common command.  A dog named Faye could get confused when you ask her to stay.

So, what are some good dog names? Check out the infographic for some suggestions!

A Few of Our Favorite Things

The next few days Daddy is away visiting family, so we are left to our own vices, I mean devices.  I already promised Coco that we could do whatever she wants.  To figured out what our calendar will be filled with, I'm making a list of Coco's favorite things.

5.  Snuggling
Mostly on weekends.  Mostly while watching Investigation Discovery with Mommy, but sometimes in bed with Daddy while Mommy does all the chores.








4.  Chasing Small Animals
This includes squirrels, turtles, neighborhood cats, opossums, and the occasional raccoon.  Oh, and once she was hot the the trail of a hog while visiting Great Grandma and Grandpa in the woods, but I can't confirm that it was in fact a small hog.

3. Eating
Eating just about everything she can con you out of.  She frequently uses this face.  We've become immune, but have to warn guests against the perils of her pout.





2.  Playing with Cousin Madam
It doesn't even matter if Madam Star is playing back.  Just being around her cousin makes Coco happy.  I think it makes Madam happy too, even if she doesn't show it as readily as Coco.

And Coco's Most Favorite Thing to Do:

Playing Fetch.  Coco could play fetch all day long.  Her favorite things to fetch are tennis balls, fabric swatches from all destroyed toys, and West Paw toys. She's a fetching fool!  When we go to the dog park, she doesn't like to play with the other dogs (except when Madam Star is there) she just wants to play fetch.  So this weekend, I'm sure we will have our share of hours of fetch.

While we will miss Daddy (I already do) we will have tons of fun without him. We already have a play date planned with Cousin Madam Star to play fetch!

Life is Tough for a Basset Hound

Apparently, Cousin Madam Star needed a little rest after finding a nice comfy spot in the bushes.

Don't they have the best lives? 

Coco's Close Up

Coco is taking this opportunity, while she has your undivided attention, to wish everyone a very happy pre-Friday!