Happy Halloween!

My favorite new halter

I just got a new halter today for my dogs. I've tried the Gentle Leader, the Easy Walk Harness, and the Halti, and they all worked fairly well for Stinky. Goofy hates anything around his mouth, and his legs are just too damned short for the Easy Walk to work. Today's new halter works like a charm for both Goofy, with his stubby legs, as well as Stinky, who is constantly foraging for chicken bones on the sidewalk: the Sporn Halter. Not only is it half the price (only $14 on Amazon!) but definitely keeps my dogs from pulling my arm off. The true test is to see what will happen around a squirrel, rat or raccoon, and it's a pain to put on and take off, but so far it is super. It also helps that it has a lifetime money back guarantee!

What my dogs are eating today...

Peanut butter. But not just ANY peanut butter: it is Cream-Nut Peanut Butter. This is what Fairway supermarket proclaims to be the world's BEST peanut butter! I have to agree. This is made in small batches with nothing but Virginia Peanuts and sea salt. Although it isn't sweet like Skippy, or sticks to the roof of your mouth like Jif, it is incredibly addictive and you can't stop eating it. Neither can my dogs. I like to stuff it into old beef bones they've already hollowed out. It's available at Fairway for $4.99 per jar.

See Your Dog at Night

I walk my dogs in various parks at night, and sometimes they aren't so well lit. I've tried all sorts of lights on my dogs, including light up collars, weird blinking lights and more. Now, I'm sold on the Puplight, which has an unconditional one year guarantee. Considering the money I've spent on lights, it's totally worth it:

*Makes your dog visible 1/4 mile so traffic will see him and you can find him at night
*Allows you to see 10 - 20 feet ahead when you walk your dog at night
*Helps older dogs (10+) and dogs with poor vision see better

PupLight's patented design features include:

* Three ultra-bright LED's - light up to 200 feet and make dogs visible at night
* Rugged, water resistant construction - gives years of service to even the most active dogs. Warranted unconditionally 1 year
* Easy-on adjustable elastic band - assures a proper fit for any size dog.

Order your own directly from the manufacturer for $19.95 each.

Awesome Ear Cleaner

Goofy suffers from chronic yeast infections in his ears since he has basset hound floppy ears (only shorter). I've tried everything to clear them up, including vinegar solutions, stuff I bought from Petco, and very expensive bottles of Chlorhexadine. They are finally under control after a regimen of antibiotics and Chlorhexadine, thanks to my vet. Keeping it at bay requires a lot of vigilance and biweekly cleanings. I've now discovered a treatment that will hopefully keep both my dogs' ears in great shape from now on. Here is a vet testimonial for Zymox Otic Enzymatic Solution. It works with enzymes that eat up all the ear wax and other crap that accumulates in your dog's ears. You can buy it for $12.95 with free shipping here. I'm sure if you get it through your vet it will be twice as much. Thank god for the internet!

Doggy Mini-Me's!

My new mini-me's of Goofy and Stinky are fantastic. People in Central Park thought I was carrying two puppies, that's how good they look! You too can order your own furry wool pooch for $125 from Amelia Santiago.

Mutt Mitts

Ah, the daily chore of picking up poop leads to tons of plastic bags being hoarded like gold. With two dogs that poop multiple times daily, I like to find the cheapest degradable bags possible. Say hello to Mutt Mitts in the convenient bulk 900 count box for $72.50! These are the same mitts you see at a lot of the city parks:

• Better protection than a bag
• Strong black & white degradable plastic
• Large capacity gusseted pouch
• Puncture resistant
• Plastic 2.5 mil thick at point of contact
• Air-tight containment
• No exposed contaminated surfaces after use
• Can be used as a portable water bowl
• Measures 9" x 13"
• Made in the U.S.A.

What my dogs are eating today...

Wheatgrass! Stinky loves it, Goofy is impartial. I don't understand why anyone would eat this stuff since it tastes awful, but it's good for people too. I bought mine at the Greenmarket in Union Square, but I also bought an extra for my mom's new kitty at Petco. $5 for grassy goodness.

You can also grow your own. Here is some info from the grow-your-own wheatgrass website:
Wheatgrass is full of vitamins, minerals and amino acids. The juice is reported to have many health benefits due to the high concentration of chlorophyll, Vitamins B-12, B-6, K & C, and beta-carotene. Cats and dogs instinctively chew & eat grass to obtain vitamins, minerals and live enzymes provided by fresh, raw, whole foods. Unlike their undomesticated counterparts/relatives, pets typically do not have access to a ready supply of healthy greens such as Pet Grass. If your pets are indoor- only pets, Pet Grass gives them these vital nutrients they would otherwise miss, and may also prevent them from eating your houseplants.Dogs and cats that go outdoors will eat grass, but it has little or if any nutritional value. Your yard may also have been treated with chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which could be harmful to your pets. Offering them Pet Grass is a safer, healthy alternative. Pet Grass may improve bad breath due to the high chlorophyll content found in wheatgrass. Pet Grass aids in digestion and hairball control.

Mini-Me's Part 2

So here are the mini-me's of my dogs! I can't wait to get them!