As you all know, Toby and I live in the Lone Star state. And, while Texas can boast BBQ, cowboy boots and bigness, it can also boast of soaring temperatures of over 100 degrees. This northwest girl is not a fan, and I'm sure this is no surprise, neither is Toby. So, here are a few tips and tricks for keeping your dog cool even in the Texas temps.

1. If you exercise your dog, do it in the early morning hours or late in the evening.
2. Buy a kiddie pool for your dog. They love to submerge themselves in water. But, make sure to change the water and keep it clean (but not too often, don't want to waste  - in fact, when you go to change the water, use it to water your plants).
3. Make "Pupsicles" - pour organic, low-sodium beef broth into ice cube trays for a meaty tasty treat. Or mix plain yogurt and chopped up meat and veggies into ice cube trays for a creamy frozen dessert. Your dog will definitely love these chilled delights.
4. Pack water with you where ever you go - make sure that your furry friend stays hydrated.
5. Buy a cooling bed

Have any tips that we can pass on? Make sure to let me know.
For more tips and tricks and to see the weather forecast in your area check out mydogiscool.com

Tonight I think I'll make Toby a new tray of yogurt, liver and shredded zucchini pupsicles... only the best for Mr. Tobias.

As every good dog owner knows you have to take care of your furry friend. Provide a roof over his head, food in his belly, water in his bowl and take the necessary health precautions to keep him safe. Living in the south, Toby is exposed to all sorts of insects, including the bloodsucking scourges known as fleas. Up until this summer, I have managed to arm him with enough Frontline to prohibit the little fiends from latching on to him. This year, I failed.

I dropped him off at the place that I board him (on the rare occasion that I go out of town without him). When I picked him up I didn't know that he was coming home with the gift that keeps on giving - fleas. Thanks to another canine visitor who's mom hadn't taken all of the precautions, my poor Toby came home itching himself silly. Once I identified the small, black, irritating cause of the problem I called the boarding place immediately. They offered to give Toby a flea dip (free of charge) and some Capstar which is supposed to kill fleas within 30 minutes. We did all that and four days later guess what? He still has fleas. I know this is going to be an ongoing battle of spraying my house, washing dog beds and other such fun items. But, I'm ready for the challenge... as long as I don't end up with fleas!

Here are a few natural ways in which to fight fleas (who by the way live for 3-4 months!):
1. Groom your dog regularly - Use a natural flea shampoo or add neem oil to regular shampoo. Also, comb your dog with a flea comb to help trap the fleas.
2. Use a natural flea repellent - Some great companies are Flea Away or Bite This! (these are my personal opinions and not an endorsement from Merrick). Eucalyptus also makes a great repellent.
3. Get rid of the fleas in your house - vacuum, vacuum, vacuum. There could be eggs anywhere. And, once done, get rid of the vacuum bag immediately. Remember to dust your vacuum with flea powder.
4. Rid your yard of fleas - Keep your grass short and use natural flea repellents like Cedar Chips wherever possible.
5. Feed your dog a healthy diet - The healthier your dog is the more they can combat fleas. Fleas love to attack pets with weak immune systems. Also, try adding garlic or brewer's yeast to your dogs food. May add to the wonderful breath odor he has... but it will help keep fleas away too!

For now I will continue to fight these tiny menaces that have attached themselves to my beloved pet. It's going to be an uphill battle, but every time I empty a vacuum bag full of them I laugh menacingly as I dump them in the trash and coat them with flea powder... that will teach them to pick on my dog!

So it is that time of year again where I end up sneezing myself silly and rubbing me eyes into bleary red messes. And, this year is no different. The pollen is in full effect in Texas and, as my triathlon season is in full swing, I spend more of my time outside than ever. As many of you may know Toby is my favorite training buddy. We have taken to running about three times a week together (at least) and recently I noticed something odd... he is sneezing almost as much as I am! Just another case of dogs acting like their owners, or is it vice-a-versa.

As I listened to his little doggy nose go to town it made me wonder wether or not dogs are prone to air borne allergens. I know that they can get skin allergens and most do at least once in their lives. But, are our four legged friends affected the same way we are. I have done a little research and here is what I've found.

According to the experts, allergies, the itchy eye and sneezing kind, are just as prevalent in dogs as they are in humans. When a dog has an airborne allergen it is called "atopy." Common allergens include tree pollens, grass pollens, weed pollens, molds, mildew and dust mites.

If you find out your dog is allergic to these things, it is important to minimize his/her exposure to the offending item. Simply by keeping your furry friend indoors when pollen counts are high or when the grass is being mowed can make a world of difference. Or install air filters to help remove allergens from the air in your home.

If your pet is really bad off, a veterinarian can and will recommend allergy shots if the allergen can be identified. These shots have a 75% effective rate, but allow several months to see the full effect.

So, for now I'm going to watch my spotted friend. He seems to be better and sneezing much less. I on the other hand have decided to by stock in Claritin and carry a bottle of Visine around with me as if it were "my precious!"

I have a half an acre backyard that looks like woodland fairies should be playing in the fountain. A wonderful playground for Toby, he spends a ton of time out behind my house. I love watching him race from one side to the other, with sheer abandonment, as he chases a squirrel or arrant blossom from one of the millions of trees. But lately, he has been abusing his backyard privileges... he's digging, and not a little bit, a lot! The trench that he has started looks like he's preparing for World War III or to cook a pig Hawaiian Style. And my main question is "How do I stop him?"

There are numerous reasons why a dog will dig:
• Bored
• Feels physically good
• To find moisture or a cooler area
• Inherent behavior for hiding food

I'm sure he has his reasons, but my poor lawn didn't deserve the black eye it now has. And, as always, Toby is a special case. I run and play with him daily so it isn't being bored. It isn't hot outside right now so there is no need to find cooler ground. He never buries anything in the hole... and he just started doing it so how can it be inherent behavior. So, while I try to figure out how to stop my dog from digging to China, here are a few ideas for other dogs to make them stop:

So for those of you with dogs with Mole-like tendencies, I feel your pain. I'm hoping that this is just a phase and that he will grow out of it... if not, I guess I'll just let him keep going until I can put in a swimming pool.

1. Dental Checkups - If you have a younger dog, a yearly dental check up is perfectly fine. For old dogs, have their teeth checked twice a year. Toby is not a big fan of this one, but I'm a good mom and take him anyway.

2. Treats that promote good dental health - Rawhides and tendons can be a great way to provide additional dental stimulation for your dog. Toby is a huge fan of Merrick's Flossie, the twisted shape is great for working on plaque. Don't give your dogs the flat rawhide. They eat them too quickly for them to be effective and they can be too easy to swallow when they are still too big and cause dogs to choke.

3. Brush your dogs teeth - Let me explain how this worked the first time I tried to do this with Toby. I bought the toothbrush and special Dog toothpaste with the full intent of using it every night. At first Toby was interested in the new item, sniffing and licking it. But, when I tried to actually brush his teeth he became a world class running back, breaking every hold, tackle and attempt to hold him down. I ended up with more toothpaste on me then in his mouth and in the end I gave up and he scampered away happily to do what ever a dog does when they know they won the match. On a positive note, I did go back for seconds and have mastered the art of brushing Toby's teeth.

Bottom line, if you care about your dog, you need to care about all of him... including his teeth. Good dog dental hygiene can help your dog's breath, lengthen his life and pretty much enhance his quality of living. Brush away!

The German Shorthair Pointer is one of the most energetic of all dog breeds. To quote the American Kennel Club, "The German Shorthaired Pointer thrives as part of an active family. He is an even-tempered, intelligent and loyal family watchdog that has enthusiasm for its work. An athlete, he can adapt to his living situation, but requires consistent exercise."

This is an understatement where Toby is concerned. I am a triathlete who loves to work out, but this dog has me beat. I run on average with him 3-4 times a week at least four miles at a time. You will never see a happier dog than Toby when he is running. Ears flapping in the breeze, a huge doggy grin on his face.

Last year, while competing in the CapTex triathlon I witnessed a fantastic event called the Doggy Duathlon. Dogs and their owners competed together in a race composed of swimming and running. The race was just for fun and both the dogs and owners seemed to enjoy it immensely. As an owner of a dog that needs exercise I thought it would be a great idea to find events that Toby and I can do together.

Here is a list of events that I found: (some of them have already come and gone, but may be available next year)

RUNS
01.23.10 - Go Dog Go! 5K Beach Run, Dog Dash & Dog Walk
New Smyrna Beach, FL

01.30.10 - Bark in the Dark
Fort Collins, CO

02.01.10 - 03.31.10 - Idita-Walk
Your Location!

03.20.10 - Eighth Annual Dog Jog & 5K Run
Richmond, VA

03.27.10 - The Fast & Furriest K9 3K Fun Run Walk
San Diego, CA - Downtown Harborfront

06.12.10 - The Fast & The Furriest 10K Race and 1-Mile Dog Walk
Rochester, NY

06.20.10 - PrairieFest 5K
Oswego, Illinois

RUNNING AND SWIMMING (DUATHLON)

05.30.2010 - Doggie Du Dash
Austin, Texas

I can't wait to do at least one of these with Toby... hopefully I can keep up

We go green at work.
We go green in our car.
We go green at home.
But, do we go green when it comes to our dogs?

I recently sat down to look at what were my green options when it came to owning a pet and how I could be a more eco-friendly pet owner. On a happy note, it isn't that tough to be an eco-conscious pet owner. How green you are basically depends on your choices. So, with no further ado, here are a few eco-choices you can make. 

1. Adopt - this is the perfect example of reuse! Thousands of homeless dogs and cats are euthanized every year. As many of you know, I adopted Toby from the SPCA and I couldn't be happier. It was cheaper than going to a breeder or pet store, I got a tax write off and I saved an animals life.I get a green point for this one.

If you don't know where to adopt a pet in your area there are some great organizations and sites that can help you out.The below is just a few options out there.

ASPCA.org
PetFinder.com
AnimalShelter.org
AdoptAPet.com

2. Purchase eco-friendly products for your dog and don't by more than your dog needs. This helps put reduce into practice. The great news is that there are a number of pet product manufacturers that make green products. From dog beds made from 85% recycled plastic soda bottles to organic cotton blankets to completely recyclable Zogoflex toys, if you can buy it for a dog they can make it eco-friendly.

Here are a few of the companies/blogs that I love: (these are personal recommendations and not Merrick Pet Care endorsements)
West Paw Designs

Planet Dog

Great Green Pet

Ruff Wear

Happy Tails Spa

I get mixed reviews for this one. I use eco-friendly products, but I definitely buy way too many. I'll have to work on this... I doubt Toby will even notice. Take him for a trail run and he could care less about toys and other such frivolities. There are sites and smells to be had.

3. Use green cleaning products - As a dog owner, I know you know the messes they can create. I get a point for this one. I have been using green cleaning products for a very long time and can vouch that my home is just as clean as the next! There are a number of great green cleaning products available. In fact, this change benefits your over all eco-friendly rating. Green cleaning products are available at your local big box grocery stores and are not much more expensive than your regular products. Here are a few brand names to keep your eyes open for.

Method

Mrs. Meyers Clean Day

Seventh Generation

4. Recycle, Recycle, Recycle - most dog products come in packaging that can be recycled. This seems like a no duh, but if you feed your dog canned food rinse out the can and add it to your city approved recycling bin. I get another point.

5. Have a backyard? Compost your dog's waste. This one I'm not doing yet.... but think it is a great idea. I found a great article about how the city of Vancouver is doing this and how you can do it in your own backyard. Check it out! I think I'll dig a hole this weekend and start!

6. Feed your pet high quality foods and treats - I get two points for this. Whole Earth Farms is full of wonderful proteins, grains and fruits and vegetables. Toby loves it and I love the cost. I'm willing to spend $80 for a 35 lb. bag of dog food, but why would I when I can get a great quality food for about $40 per 35 lb. bag. My second point comes from the fact that I reward Toby with Merrick Pet Care all-natural treats. His favorites are the flossies. He disappears for a few hours to some unknown location to savor this tasty morsel.

All in all, Toby and I are doing pretty well on the green pet scale, but there is always more we can do. If you have any helpful green tips or tricks for me and other dedicated dog owners pass them on!

My name is Maddie and welcome to my blog.  I am a health nut, lover of the earth and dedicated mom of a 4-year-old German Shorthair Pointer named Toby. I thought as a good introduction to my blog I would tell you how Toby came to be mine.

I grew up with dogs; there was never a time in my life when my family didn’t have one. From a 105 lb. Golden Retriever to a human-like English Springer Spaniel, our dogs were always members of the family. However, my dog life changed drastically when I moved to San Francisco after college. Living in a shoe box apartment, paying too much to basically breathe and having little access to the outdoors, life wasn’t set up too well to have a dog. So, I bit the bullet and became resigned to the fact that I would have to put my status as a dog owner on hold.

Seven years later, and still feeling I had an empty place in my heart, I started to try to fill this hole with other, more city friendly creatures. I tried a bird, a great pet for someone I’m sure, but definitely not my style. I tried a lizard, it looked at me funny and made me uncomfortable. I tried a hamster, even managed to potty train him and teach him his name. But still, I just wasn’t feeling it.

That was when I decided I would make my life work for a dog. I moved out of the city into the burbs, allowing for more dog parks and backyards. I located a doggy day care since I would be a working dog mom. I researched dog friendly 5Ks and running trails as my dog would need exercise. When I decided my life was ready, I began the hunt.

I knew I wanted to adopt a dog from a shelter, rather than from a breeder. There are so many great dogs in need of a home and I was ready to provide one. I became an online stalker of the new arrivals page of the Tri-Valley SPCA, scouring the pages, looking for the right one. My weekends were spent visiting the various SPCA dogs, searching for my new “prince charming.” Each time I would find a “good dog,” not a great dog. But, my need to fill the dog space in my heart was great and each good dog almost came home with me.

There were two things that stopped me, my now ex-boyfriend’s (let's call him "Steve") level headedness and one of the volunteers at the SPCA. These volunteers help guide you through the adoption process and ascertain which dogs are right for each owner and vice-a-versa. Each time I would find a “good dog,” I would look up at my ex-boyfriend and the volunteer with hope in my eyes only to be greeted with the reality this dog was not the one. I couldn’t see it, blinded by the need to have a dog, but they could. And, I thank them for it.

This went on for about 15 months, I was getting pretty discouraged and I’m sure the SPCA was getting fairly tired of seeing dogless me. I remember the day that I saw him. I was purusing the SPCA site on my lunch and saw this scrawny, beat up, pathetic looking German Shorthair. They had him listed as “Davy” on the site and around 1.5 years old. I don’t know what it was that caused me to do it but I called "Steve" up and said he had to go down to the SPCA immediately and check out the dog. He obliged and called me back stating that this was a great dog that I needed to see.

We raced down to the SPCA after work, only to be greeted by the volunteer who had helped me not get a dog so many times. We rounded the corner and approached “Davy’s” cage. It was love at first site. In the cage was an emaciated dog, only 35 lbs when he should have been 75. He had a huge gash over his right eye, but I could see the gorgeous creature for what he should have been. The volunteer lead him out of the cage and into the visitation room. I couldn’t wait to get in there.

After an hour of playing with “Davy,” I knew this was the one. And, when I looked up at my ex and the volunteer I was met with a very different response, one of “Yes, this is your dog.” After signing all of the paperwork and turning over my money, I asked the volunteer why he had been so supportive of my adopting this dog and not the previous possibilities. He stated simply, “Because you wanted THIS dog, not A dog, THIS dog.” And, he was right.

We renamed him Toby and took him home that night. Three and a half years later I don’t have the same boyfriend and I no longer live in the Bay Area, however Toby is still the love of my life. Now a healthy 75 lbs of pure energetic glory he fills my day with love and happiness, wagging his docked tail every time I come in the room. I live my life as a dedicated dog owner and get all of the love he has in return. I couldn’t be happier.

So dear readers, now that you know a little bit about me, here is what you can expect from my blog. I intend to keep it healthy, green and about living life with your dog. I’d love to hear from you and look forward to sharing Toby’s and my experiences. Believe me there will be laughter, love and a lot of dog.