Happy Friday to all! It’s that time of year – are you headed to any graduation ceremonies or open houses this weekend? Have a safe and fabulous time, and let’s meet back here on Monday! I’ll introduce you to the Adopt-A-Bull Of The Week, and we’ll jump into another week of advocating for shelter dogs!

We’re off to the BlogPaws Pet Blogging and Social Media Conference near Washington, DC today. Things will be a little quiet around here, but we encourage you to “like” our Facebook page and join us in networking shelter dogs!

Talk to you in a few days!

Handsome Duke is a 3 year old Pocket Pittie who always has a smile on his face. It’s hard to believe he’s still waiting on an adopter or foster, isn’t it?

This very friendly boy really loves being with people, but he’s not so sure about other dogs. He’s currently in training, and he’s being socialized with other dogs with the hope that he’ll one day be able to live with another dog.

Duke is with Second Chance Rescue NYC. If you are interested in learning more about him, please contact Katrina at KatrinaRobie@gmail.com. He’s available for adoption or fostering, and he’d love nothing more than to be home before summer!

If you are unable to personally save Duke, won’t you consider sharing this post and helping spread the word about this gorgeous boy?

As you know, I’m pretty selective about what I feed my dogs, and in fact, I prefer to make as much homemade food for them as possible. But I did some quick research of Dogswell (a company I’d never heard of before they contacted me), and decided to go ahead and give it a try.

I received a bag of the Vitality Chicken Jerky Strips, and I have to admit, my dogs loved them. It was their first experience with Jerky Strips of any brand, and they were a hit. My Pit Bull would sit next to the cupboard and cry, knowing they were in there. But then again, she’s a little bit spoiled rotten that way.

You’ve heard me preach over and over again about the importance of reading the packaging and knowing where your pet’s food and treats come from. It’s not enough for a pet product to be distributed in the United States; it must also be made in the United States. Otherwise, it’s anyone’s guess what you’re getting.

If you read the package, you will see that Dogswell’s Chicken Jerky Strips meet both of these criteria. But I think it’s important for you to watch this video from Dogswell in regard to their products:

And then there’s this statement from the company’s website:

“Most DOGSWELL products are manufactured in the US. Some of our treats are manufactured in China, but we hold these facilities to the same stringent quality standards we maintain at our US facilities. DOGSWELL sources its ingredients based upon where we find top quality ingredients and a high quality supplier whose facilities and practices meet our safety testing standards.”

It’s a little bit confusing, but apparently only the Chicken Jerky Treats are made in China – the Jerky Strips that my dogs tried, as well as the Jerky Bars, are made and distributed here in the US. According to Dogswell, the only product it sells that is not made in the United States is the Chicken Jerky Treats.

I just want my readers to be crystal clear about which products are China-made, because I don’t want you to buy a product, thinking it’s one I recommended, when in fact I would never suggest you buy anything made in China.

On the other hand, the Chicken Jerky Strips, which is what Dogswell sent me, were a big hit with my mutts, and are made and distributed right here in the US of A. I’m betting your dogs will dig them, too.

I would just remind you to continue to be diligent about the products you give your pets. Keep reading packages and labels, but don’t stop there. Do your research. Learn all you can about a company and its products before you buy. Educate yourself so you can provide your pet with the best of everything. They count on YOU to make informed decisions for them.

I received free Dogswell products in exchange for my honest review. 

It shouldn’t have to be said, but I’ll say it anyway.

Don’t leave your dog alone in your car. Even for a minute. Because sometimes, running into a store for a minute turns into 5 minutes, or 10 minutes. You know what it’s like at Walmart, when there are only two or three checkout lanes open, and it’s the cashier’s first day on the job. Your “quick stop” can easily turn into twenty or thirty minutes, and that could be a death sentence for an animal left alone in a hot car.

Leave your dog at home if you’re going someplace where he can’t go in with you. Did you know that if it’s 84 degrees outside, the inside temperature of your car is about 98 degrees, even with the window cracked? That’s too hot for a dog or human to wait while you’re in a store!

If you see an animal locked in a hot car, you should do two things: first and foremost, immediately call 911 and be prepared to give the location of the car as well as the license plate number. Second, if you’re in a store parking lot, go into the store and go to the customer service desk. Ask them to page the owner of the car and when that person comes to the customer service desk, let them know you’ve called 911.

Not doing something makes YOU as guilty as the person who left the animal in a hot car.

Please share this post with your friends to let them know the dangers of leaving pets (and people) alone in a hot car, even with the windows cracked, even for “just a minute”.