Dog Joy

Today is the last of our giveaway days for the week. I hope you have enjoyed playing along, and that the winners enjoy the schwag we've been hurling at them. This has been so much fun that I think we'll do it again in January to help break up those post holiday blues. Now let's look at today's offering.
It's a great little book called Dog Joy: The Happiest Dogs in the Universe. This is a compilation of entries from the annual smile picture contest that The Bark puts on. Rodale submitted a copy for review, and now it's your turn to discover this little gem of a book. It's exactly what one would expect at a glance - one hundred and ninety two pages of pure dog joy. I'm sure the lucky winner will find something to smile about each time they return to it.

So how does one of our readers get to take this home? I'll make this an easy, one answer contest. As always, I'll use randomizer.org to pick a winner from the entries. Please send your answer to lifewithdogs@ymail.com - but please remember not to post your answer in the comments!

The question: In November, the dogs discussed a hazard located just downriver from us, and hinted at sending the cat rafting toward the same. What was it?

Good luck! I'm off to enjoy SNL with three tired dogs snoozing in a pile on the sofa next to me. Is it any wonder that we live for the weekends?

Happy Endings

I'm no fan of Mondays. Trading family time for another week of business world chaos just doesn't melt my butter. Don't get me wrong, I love my job, and know how fortunate I am to feel that way. Even so, by the time Sunday night rolls around I'm usually pouting like a student on the last day of summer break.

Not so this Monday. While the title of this post probably saw half of you arriving here with one eye closed (and fully expecting to see Nigel stumbling out of a dog massage parlor) I'm feeling better this Monday than I have in quite some time. So what gives?

Mia is on her way home. Adoption is pending but it looks like a done deal at this point. Mind you, I am very much aware - painfully so - that this was a small battle in a never-ending war. But the score must be counted one victory at a time, and I am happy beyond words that Mia now has a chance to add another mark to the win column. Good luck sweet girl: you touched so many of us, and reminded me that the very least I can do is try to spread the word when I meet the next dog in need of a voice.

This calls for a little celebration, so let's kick off our week of freebie fun with something that will give your dogs something to savor. If you happened to catch our wordless Wednesday post last week, you may have noticed Sola's enthusiasm for the treat she was about to devour. That's because she was about to consume her second free treat from get lick'd organic dog treats. We received a sampler pack, and the dogs decimated it in a matter of minutes. While I can't claim to have the most finicky canines on my hands, the way they inhaled these treats was enough to convince me that someone else out there would have fun dispensing a dozen of these to their own dogs(s). Considering that these tasty nom noms are produced by hand in small batches, with human-grade ingredients, I'd be comfortable recommending them to anyone.

So here is your shot at having a dozen of these tasty morsels shipped to you in time to add a little holiday cheer to your December. All you have to do is answer two questions. Please, for the sake of others, do not post your answers in the comments field! Instead, e-mail them to: lifewithdogs@ymail.com  Once you have sent your answers via e-mail, just drop a comment here letting me know you have done so. I'll use randomizer.org to select a winner from the entries. I'll have Brianne from get lick'd contact the winner directly to work out shipping arrangements.

All you have to to is answer two questions. You'll have to visit get lick'd and let me know the following:

What is the name and breed of Brianne's dog?

Now run back here and get ready to do a little hunting. Find older adventures from Life With Dogs on the right hand side of your screen and step back in time to July of 2005. The last post on that page points out just what a knucklehead I am, and goes on to describe an event that led to the loss of one of my body parts. So...to this day, what am I still missing?  :)

Good luck, and have a great week! We'll be back tomorrow to offer up another great freebie and share some random fun.

Saturday Schwag Alert

It's that time again - more freebie fun for our readers awaits!

If you were here last weekend you may have caught our writeup on collars from White Pine Outfitters. If you missed a chance to win one, here is another shot. And a little something extra - a very cool idea that I'm sure someone out there will just love. It's called a High Sierra Walk-A-Belt, and it's a great way to walk your dog(s) while leaving your hands free.

There is a complete writeup here, and let me just add that if you walk multiple dogs as we do, this is a terrific invention that is especially useful for hiking, jogging, or just carrying items for your walks. Very nice!

So today, we'll up the fun factor a bit. The first reader to answer the questions below will have a chance to win a walking belt in red, size medium. Please note that a medium is adjustable between 38" and 56" - keep in mind that this belt is not meant to be worn around the waist - it is designed to  sit at the top of your hips. You may want to measure before playing. But no worries, the second and third winners to accurately answer the questions below will win a collar from White Pines outfitters. Colors and sizes are limited, so if we don't have exactly what you are looking for I'll do my best to accommodate. I will say that we have a decent selection of tiny and giant breed sizes.

So now the game is on. Answer these questions and e-mail them to lifewithdogs@ymail.com. Hurry! :)

Go to www.whitepineoutfitters.com

1. In what year was White Pine Outfitters founded?
2. What is the retail price of the original High Sierra Walk-A-Belt?

Now revisit Life With Dogs and answer the following from the archives on the right hand side of the page.

There is a story about Sola, and the farm from which we acquired her. What was the name of the farmer's wife?

In June of this year, Nigel was excited at the prospect of receiving his favorite magazine by mail. Much to his dismay, the wrong magazine arrived. What was it?

Good luck!

A Saturday Special

*Update! Two winners submitted entries within six minutes of this posting. Sorry if you missed the contest but there are many more to follow!*

Our first weekend post in ages, and with good reason. I've been saving them up for something special. Like thank-yous.

So thank you for reading. Now how about a chance for a free collar for your dog?

Life With Dogs was fortunate to receive a recent shipment of impressive hand made collars and walking belts from White Pine Outfitters. These are time tested products, designed for performance over flash. Popular with handlers and the sporting crowd, their Soft Slip design is turning out to be popular with Sola as well. A morning walk proved the Soft Slip to be very effective at allowing a bit  control without choking. Bonus points to me for forgetting my camera on our walk remembering to bring my camera tomorrow morning so I can return to this post with a picture of her modeling it.

There are some products that you have to touch, feel and use in order to understand their value. It is immediately apparent that these are strong, supple designs that are made to wear well. According to owner Sheree Bye, White Pine Outfitters products are made to be washed without wear. This is good news to these ears, because our Labs are not the least bit concerned with keeping up appearances, and will put just about anything through a wash test in a day or two of use.

A quick about note from the site:

White Pine began back in 1987 out of a need for a soft, supple collar that was safe to wear, wouldn't damage or stain neck ruff, go on with ease, and allow more control. 

I found the perfect webbing that was strong yet soft and non-staining, combined it with non-corrosive hardware and a limited-slip collar (an old design popular with sled dog drivers), and I had what I was looking for. This was a collar I could safely leave on my dogs and, over time proved it wouldn't damage or stain neck fur. It also went on and off with ease. 

At this point I was hand sewing them for friends, and for their friends; I realized I needed to go into production. Today that original collar is known as the Soft Slip^TM. 

These designs are very popular with owners of long haired breeds because they do not pinch or pull. They will remain with us for long-term testing, along with a really great product - a walking belt that should save my shoulders a bit of groaning with three large dogs to walk. Watch for a future review and chance to win your own!

Now for a chance to snag a collar of your own, just find answers to the questions below and e-mail them to lifewithdogs@ymail.com

The first two readers to e-mail correct answers for the questions here will win a Soft Slip collar.  Color choices are limited, so if you have your heart set on a particular color we might not have it. Feel free to inquire via e-mail.

Go to whitepineoutfitters.com

What is the name of the authorized retailer for White Pine Outfitters in the state of new York?

What publication gave a four paw review rating for the White Pine Outfitters Soft Web Long Lines?

Now go to http://lifewithdogs.blogspot.com (if you are reading this from elsewhere) and answer the following two questions from the archives on the right-hand side of the page.

In February of this year we explored an unfortunate subject: Truffles and her fascination with kitty litter. This story ended with the troubling discovery that Truffles was using a secret weapon in order to facilitate production. What was she feeding the cat?

In June of this year, Sola had to bid farewell to an old friend who crossed the rainbow bridge. What friend crossed the bridge?

Good luck, and as always, thanks for reading!

Our celebration of you begins now.

It's time to mix it up, break out of the routine, and say thank you to our friends - old and new. We've been barking all year, and it's been a great one. So join us as we salute dog lovers, life with dogs, and the remarkable creatures that make it all possible.

When it comes to dogs and the people who love them, our position is the more, the merrier. As more of us congregate, there is simply more to share. Those who become aware of pressing rescue situations will have a broader audience. Important news will be heard by more of us. And the fun factor will skyrocket.

With that in mind, it's time to offer up the first of many goodies to come. Our Tell a Friend contest begins now.

The prize: A $50.00 gift card to PetSmart. :)
The contest: This is easy. Find your dog loving friends. Find out if they are already in our Facebook fan list. If not, invite them.

See, that was cake. The catch: well, someone has to win, right? Of course! So the person who brings the most dog lovers in to our circle of friends by midnight EST this Saturday wins.

The not so fine print: Our current list has been saved, so only those who are new will be counted. Be sure to check before inviting! In order to confirm new fans, please ask your friends to click on the become a fan button at , and send an e-mail to lifewithdogs@ymail.com.
Please ask them to use the following subject for the sake of our sanity as we count:

I am here thanks to: (your name)

Also, please be sure that they use your full name or we may not be able to count them.
E-mail addresses will never be shared, sold or divulged to anyone ever, period.

Thanks to PetSmart for making this gift available, and for another piece of exciting news - they have decided to open up a Q&A session to our readers with Dr, Robyn Jaynes. Dr. Robyn is the director of Veterinary Services and PetSmart’s resident dog and cat expert. She will be happy to entertain questions you may have about a behavioral issue, a quirk you have wondered about, or a training challenge.

If you have ever wanted to understand your pet more fully, this is a great chance to do so without hiring an expensive behaviorist. Please e-mail all questions to lifewithdogs@ymail.com

For more information, and to take some interesting quizzes and browse informative videos, look for "If Your Pet Could Talk" at http://www.pets.com.

In the coming days, we will have much love to share in the form of dog goodies, so stay tuned. Thanks for making this a great year, and for joining us as we continue to celebrate life with dogs.

Monday Miscellany

This Monday we defer to our newest neighbor for comic relief:

Mr. Stick http://misterstick.blogspot.com



Now that March has left us behind, the snow has melted, and we have contest winners.

Congrats to Khyra from our Blogger follower list, and to Traci Hamilton from our Networked Blogs follower list on Facebook. This month's prize (since you do both have dogs) will be the collar of your choice from Dogwalkers.net

Happy shopping! Drop us a line by e-mail when you know what you want (e-mail is in our profile) and we'll order and pay.

Thanks so much for reading - we're having too much fun to stop now...

Off The Wall #3 and congrats to our February contest winner!

One last time, I can't help myself!




And now that March is here, it's time to congratulate the winner of our February follower contest: Two Greyhound Town. Our randomly selected lucky winner gets to take their pick of a collar from 2 Hounds design. Notify us of your choice and we pay (you can find our e-mail address in our profile). How's that for a bit of Tuesday fun :)

Next month you can double your chances - we will run the same contest for our Life With Dogs Facebook followers on Networked Blogs here: http://apps.facebook.com/blognetworks/blog/life_with_dogs/

And a little more silliness compliments of CNN: The deepest dog dream.