Source: frugaldad.com

What I liked:  I really liked how the mess was contained.  I also liked how it prevented Dash from picking up his dog food bowl and walking around with it, which always manages to get a little food on the floor.  Even better is that it’s earth friendly – the Neater Feeder is  made from a sturdy recyclable polypropylene plastic!  Plus, it’s easy to clean – the parts easily disassemble and all of the parts and bowls are dishwasher-safe.

What I would change:  Nothing!  Actually, the only thing I would “change” would be to add more of a color selection!  Right now you can get one in a bronze or a cranberry color.  By the way, cat lovers, they even make a size for cats!  I was very happy to refer a reader to try out the Neater Feeder for his pup over the weekend – hopefully he’ll be providing me with his review!

The neater feeder definitely keeps your floors clean and keeps the mess of feeding your dog confined to the bowl.  If your dog is a sloppy eater, I defintely recommend you check out this feeding system.  Where to buy?  Check out Braxton’s Animal Works, Buzzy’s Bow Wow Meow, and Concord Pet Foods.  Or, purchase one online at www.neaterfeeder.com!

Could this be your dog?

Dearfoams, the slipper and sleepwear company, will begin the search for its next “top dog” whose winning photo will run on the Dearfoams official web site homepage in July. Currently, the site features “Sherpa,” the Jack Russell terrier who has been with the brand for two years, but this summer, another pup will be basking the spotlight.

The top winner will also receive a $500 American Express gift card, a set of PJ’s from Dearfoams’ new collection, and a doggie basket with products provided by Pet Projekt and Pet Head shop.

How to enter:  Contestants can upload a photo of their dog to the Dearfoams Facebook page  through an online entry form. After uploading the photo, contestants can “Like” Dearfoams on Facebook and share the contest with their friends to get more votes. On April 16th, ten finalists will be chosen for the second round of voting. Each of the 10 finalists will receive a pair of Dearfoams slippers to submit new photos of their dog with the Dearfoams slippers to the contest. Finally, on June 25, 2012, the top winner will be announced.

Does your pooch have what it takes? Visit Dearfoams’ Facebook page for more details!

Westminster and Pedigree have been partners for ages – but this year Westminster decided to cut ties with Pedigree because of those endearing commercials.  They just aren’t “up beat” enough for Westminster’s tastes – and apparently they asked Pedigree to change things up but they refused.  So Westminster responded by giving the sponsorship opportunity to Purina – which promises to have “happier” adoption commercials.

But does Westminster have a point?  Recall Sarah McLaughlin’s commercials for the ASPCA – I dare anyone to get through it without feeling sad and being brought to tears.  But from a marketing perspective, do those types of commercials make you want to adopt an animal?  Or are you more persuaded by seeing a happy family hugging their newly-adopted animal?

Likewise, on facebook:  Do the posts of a harrowed-looking pup that screams “URGENT – dies today!” encourage you to adopt?  Or are you more inclined to adopt after seeing the happier, cuter pictures of animals (such as those that the Pen Pals and ACCT have been posting)?

Maybe there is a happy medium, some sort of middle ground.  Personally, I didn’t think that the Pedigree commercials were depressing at all.  I thought they were thoughtful and touching, even heart warming.  What’s your opinion?

Need some inspiration for ideas?  Bil-Jac unleashed 14 ways to show a little “puppy love” on February 14th!

Walk the Dog: This goes without saying — walking your dog shows them the world, and keeps them active and healthy — some experts even liken it to reading the daily paper.

Belly Rub: Give your best friend a few extra belly rubs on Valentines Day — they’ll love the attention and the affection — you’ll know it’s great when you find the “sweet spot” and he kicks his legs!

Treats: Of course an extra treat or two won’t hurt your Best Friend on Valentine’s Day, but make them work for it! Sitting or shaking for a reward will let them know you love them.

Go Bye-Bye?: Some of our best friends love car rides! Why not treat them with a special trip to the pet store — don’t forget to buckle up!

Homemade Collar: Decorate your best friend’s collar — it’s a fun project for kids too! Add buttons, glitter, yarn or felt in fun colors and shapes to give your best friend her own couture look!

New Toy: Dogs always know when they get something new — surprise your best friend with a new chew toy or squeaky toy — play a little fetch too for some extra exercise!

Snuggle Time: At the end of a long day, nothing says love to your pet like some good old fashioned snuggle time! This might be a good time to get in that extra belly rub too.

Play Time with Friends: Visit the dog park for some special fun on Valentine’s Day — interaction with other dogs can make your best friend’s day — they’ll love playing and burning up some extra energy!

Lots of kisses: Give your dog lots of love in the form of hugs and kisses — human affection can go a long way to let your best friend know you care.

Training: Spend a little time training your dog — many breeds love to feel like they are “working.” Give your best friend a job to sit, stay, roll over or speak — and of course shower them with rewards!

Show Praise: Be sure to let your dog know when she’s doing something right — we love praising with Bil-Jac treats, but petting and happy phrases like “good girl!” work too!

Cozy Bed: Be sure your best friend has a cozy place to call his own — a new comfy bed might be the perfect gift. After all, they’re den animals by nature.

Set Boundaries: Dogs have a need to be part of a pack — maintain your spot as pack leader by giving your pet boundaries for his health and safety.

Include Them: Our best friends just want to be part of the family — include them in whatever your family is doing. Feed them at dinner time, play outside or go on walks as a group — your best friend will be forever grateful!

Dog Treat Truffles

Valentine’s Day Truffles come in a gold base gift box already for gift giving for Valentine’s Day. Truffles are handmade and made with delicious Signature Bonz gourmet peanut butter dough. Ingredients: peanut butter, cinnamon, oats, honey, eggs, whole wheat flour and canola oil. Treats are dipped in delicious yogurt and carob coatings.  Retail $4.95 plus shipping for six treats.

Valentine's Button

Show off your favorite Valentine and wear a pin of your dog (ahem, your Valentine) proudly! Tons of breeds available. Retails $2.00 plus shipping.

Heart & Paw

If the true loves of your life have four legs versus two, then this necklace is for you.  The sterling charm is hand stamped and measures approximately 1/2″ in diameter. It hangs from an 18″ sterling silver chain, chain styles will vary based on stock availability. Fine cable is substituted for the chain in photo.  Retails for $44.00 plus shipping.

Sweetie Tee

Pamper your pup and be the envy of the dog park with this customized shirt. It’s made from 5.8 oz., 100% combed, ringspun baby rib cotton for comfort. The neck, sleeves and bottom seam have double-needled ribbed binding for strength. Select one size up for long-haired dogs. Retails for $16.50 plus shipping.

Love Collar

Hug Me, Kiss Me, Love Me ribbon on a 1″ wide nylon collar.  Adjustable collar with plastic contoured side-release buckle and nickel-plated D ring for tag and leash attachment.  Retails for $14.00 plus shipping.

Hug a Bear

Give your doggy a big Bear Hug for Valentines Day – or  a big bear TO hug!  Available in your choice of Red, Pink or White.  All decoration is embroidered on so there is no safety issue that buttons and other embellishments may entail. Squeaker added unless you request otherwise.  A special and unique gift to give at any time of year to show your puppy love. All wrapped up pretty in clear cello wrap with a Valentine tag attached to the package which can be worn on his or her collar to celebrate the day!

Valentine's Dog

There is that saying about wearing your heart on your sleeve, but this needle felted pup wears her heart on her nose.  Pup sits 6 inches tall from the ground to the tip of the heart and  is just over 6 inches long, from the tip of her tail to her nose. She is made from needle felting wool roving over a wire armature, and has black bead eyes. The heart is red wool felted over a wire armature.  For decoration only.  Retails for $85.00 plus shipping.

Candy Hearts

Capture your four legged friends’ hearts with these fun and adorable handmade Valentine Heart Toys available in three sizes. They’ll love you for it!  Retails for $12.00 plus shipping.

Woof You!

Show your sweetie you care with this beautifully printed greeting card. The inside of the 4.25″x5.5″ card reads “Woof You!”  Digitally printed with professional grade inks on premium, heavy weight, fine 100% recycled linen paper and comes with 100% recycled Brown Paper Bag A2 Envelope. Inside is blank.  Retails for $3.00 plus shipping.

Heart Bowtie

Here’s a Valentine bow tie for your pup that wants to dress up for the occasion!  Made with a white sparkle satin collar and a heart design for the bow with repeating hearts.  Attaches with velcro and is adjustable.  Retails for $12.00 plus shipping.

Doughnuts!

This Valentine’s 6 pack of all natural gourmet doggie doughnuts by Pupcakes, Bits & Pieces are the perfect gift set! Each doughnut has a chicken biscuit base with the following toppings: strawberry banana, mint chocolate (carob & parsley!), sweet potato and flax seed, peanut butter and sesame, carob marble, original glaze. Finished with a lovely red bow, a personalized heart gift tag, and in the theme tissue paper.  Retails for $10.00 plus shipping.

Grab your pooch and step on out for the American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania (SEPA) Chapter’s 10^thAnnual Red Cross Walk and Run to Save Lives on April 21, 2012. The Walk and Run helps to raise funds for Red Cross House (SEPA Chapter’s one-of-a-kind short term residence for disaster victims) and local families left homeless by a fire, flood, or other disaster.

And even better — participants are encouraged to bring along their dog!  There’s even a special dog tent with giveaways for the dozens of pooches that take part!

Sign-up now and raise $500 and get entered to win a 5-day Stay at The Philadelphia Pet Hotel and Villa for your pet!  Drawing will be held April 24th. The gift card expires October 31, 2012.

The details:  The 5K Walk and Run will begin in front of Memorial Hall in Fairmount Park and wind through the scenic park, taking walkers past the Japanese Tea Garden and the Horticulture Center.  Registration begins at 7 a.m., warm-up at 8 a.m., and the Walk/Run starts at 8:30 a.m.

How to sign up:  Participants should register in advance online at www.redcrosswalkandrun.org. The web site features a “My Walk/Run Site,” an area where participants can set up a personalized page to support, join and learn more about each registered team. Donations to the Walk and Run are accepted until April 30^th.

Have questions?   For more information, call 215-405-8888 or visit www.redcrosswalkandrun.org.  Hope to see you there!!!

Imagine my delight when I came across a new book titled, “Dieting With My Dog,” written by Peggy Frezon.  I knew I had to read it.  It’s the story of one overweight woman and her tubby dog battling the bulge.  And I’m so glad that I did – it was such a sweet, uplifting story that made me feel a million times better about my own weight struggles and gave me hope that Dash and I will eventually meet our weight loss goals.

Although Peggy had gone through her own personal struggles with weight gain in the past, it wasn’t until she recognized the same issues in her loving pooch that she was able to really get serious about losing the weight.  All 40 pounds of excess weight.  Just like me, she had tried before and failed, or succeeded only to gain the pounds back.  But when her veterinarian reprimanded her for her dog’s weight gain, something hit home.

It was the wake-up call she needed to finally be able to make some change.  It wasn’t easy, but the book details how she managed to successfully lose weight while getting her pup to also lose the pounds.  What I loved about the book was it just wasn’t focused on weight loss – it also focused on the relationship and bond that we have with our dogs, and how it can be strengthened through doing activities together.  There were several times I caught myself laughing and nodding my head as I read the book – and I read it all in the same night it was so touching.

“Dieting With My Dog,” by Peggy Frezon is now on sale in bookstores and available in e-book form.  Check it out – even if you don’t have your own issues and struggles with weight loss, the book is entertaining and enjoyable.  You’re sure to love it.

Little back story:  Harry and Louise, the product testers, had been locked in the lab for ages trying to figure out what to name the product. The big boss came down and asked one the assistants how the tests were going, and got this reply: “They must be going good. Those dogs’ve been gnawin’ forever.” Naturally, it stuck.

The ingredients:

rice flour, potato flour, gelatin, glycerin, ground peas, wheat bran, corn oil, dried cheese, lecithin, sodium tripolyphosphate, propylene glycol, natural flavor (source of bacon flavor) potassium sorbate (preservative), sodium bisulfate.

Guaranteed Analysis:

crude protein (min) 20.0%, crude fat (min) 3.5%, crude fiber (max) 5.0%, moisture (max) 20.0%

The treat toy is refillable and came with 2 replacement chews.  It touts that it can last up to two hours of chew time.  Gnawin’ Forever is different from regular chews because it forces dogs to chew with their front teeth instead of their back teeth - resulting in longer chewing time.  Check this video out:

Right now, this unique treat/toy is available only through PetFoodDirect.com.