Blue Wilderness Chicken and Turkey Jerky Dog Treats from Natural Pet Warehouse

This month, Natural Pet Warehouse offered us TWO bags of jerky treats for the dogs -- Blue Wilderness chicken AND Turkey jerky dog treats. 



I decided to put the turkey treats to the grooming test, with a couple of senior dog clients. Doonie came to me for a summer clip down, and sure felt better about the whole thing because she got to enjoy some grain free, gluten free turkey snacks. 







I am not sure why these snacks contain salt and molasses--wouldn't dogs enjoy pure turkey jerky just as much? On the other hand, those are the only three ingredients and they are made in the USA. Who could really complain about that?

Not Doonie. She just lifted a little paw in supplication for another taste of that turkey-y goodness. 

And Loki? She just came for a relaxing bath in lavender soap. A bath made even more relaxing with some tasty turkey treats.

We brought some chicken treats over to Genghis to see how he felt about them. What would be his thoughts, feelings, and ideas about these bits of jerky fun?

Genghis has a lusty appreciation for the good things in life, and it showed with these treats. 











In fact, even if he had been feeling more verbose on this evening, it would have been hard for him to give a more ringing endorsement than the one he provided just with his look of pure anticipation as he contemplated these treats, and then eagerness as he realized fulfillment.

I think our distinguished panel of experts would agree that these Blue Wilderness Chicken and Turkey Jerky Dog Treats from Natural Pet Warehouse are some really good treats! 

Suitable for grooming desensitization, training, or just plain celebrating who your dog is.

Groovin' with Genghis at the 9th Annual Fashion for Paws Runway Show

Those of you who know me know that I'm pretty much of a nature girl. Pretty outdoorsy, kinda hippie, kinda crunchy, way more likely to sport a tie dye sarong with a treat bag than a cocktail dress with a purse. But there's a secret side of me that only those closest to me know about.  

That's the side that loves getting all dressed up and having an evening out with my sweetie 

and my family

and actually getting to walk the runway with Genghis at the Washington Humane Society's Fashion for Paws Runway Show!

Photo by Moshe Zusman

It's an annual benefit for the shelter, wherein volunteers who raise a certain amount can walk the runway in fashions donated for the evening by participating designers. Their dogs get to borrow doggie fashions for the evening and walk the runway too. 

It was three months of hard work to raise enough money to qualify, but I knew it would be worth it just to have this experience once!

As someone who grooms other beings for a living, it was fantastic to actually feel what it's like to be groomed myself and to get my hair and face done by professionals. 


There's a first time for everything! 

All the models spent most of the afternoon together backstage, so I got to make some new friends while I got my hair done and practiced my walk. Meanwhile, my sister brought Genghis to the event and he stayed at a special zen dog paradise until it was time for us to walk.

Then that moment came! Genghis and I were united backstage and I got to see him in his sparkly turquoise magnificence. 

When we walked out, he exuded calmness and self-assurance. Glad one of us did!

I had some treats because I thought he might do that thing he often does in public where he rolls over on his back with his paws up in the air and doesn't move for a while. 

Which would have been kind of good, but I knew the organizers of the show wanted to keep things moving. 












But Genghis elected not to play dead and angle for a belly rub on this occasion, instead just pausing in front of a photographer whenever he could to make sure they got a really good shot of his handsomeness. 

Photo: Janet Donovan

I missed not having Fozzie and Dahlia, and missed not having them hump my leg, lunge at other dogs, and bark and yodel loudly as they careened and pulled uncontrollably at the end of the leash. But maybe others wouldn't have enjoyed that as much. 

What's wrong with people, anyway?

Thanks Genghis and family for a lovely evening! This was truly a night to remember.

Mother's Day Reflections

This was the second Mother's Day since Mom passed away. A year and a half and sometimes I'm still not sure how I function without her! There's no replacing Mom, so all you can do is try to channel some of her unconditional love, joy and ridiculousness and in that way try to capture the sensation of having her with us again.

This weekend was dedicated to Mom's love, joy, and ridiculousness. 


Saturday, I brought Dad and Johnny to the Greenbelt Green Man festival, a wacky annual event celebrating the Green Man of pagan lore in the green, progressive community of Greenbelt.

It's really an excuse for a bunch of adults to dress up in vines and flowers and horns and play with hula hoops and hand drums, 





and for people like me to commit elder abuse and make my poor uncle Johnny wear a green sarong. 
















It was a fun time though, with great weather and the chance to see some of my green mellow hippie musical friends which always relaxes me. 

One of my friends gave me a thing that she didn't know was a Mother's Day present, but that I thought of that way. 

My first ever Mother's Day present. It's perfect. 
















And darn it, why shouldn't all moms be celebrated on Mother's Day, even if our kids are short, hairy, and have very poor manners?

Speaking of which, Sunday was a steamy day and a perfect day to take those kids on a nice walk. We went to Fairland Recreational Park, which is not far from us in Silver Spring. An enormous park, loads of mountain bike and hiking trails, streams, and several very angry turtles!

The dogs, fortunately, took no interest in the turtles whatsoever. Funny--do turtles have no smell? 

The dogs did however get nice and tired, so we felt OK leaving them in the afternoon to celebrate Mother's Day with my aunt, my cousin, Uncle Johnny, Dad, and my sister. 

Can you believe it, it's been about a year since Uncle Bob left us too. Here's a picture from old times; I have no idea when because I don't even recognize the dog. Maybe my aunt and uncle's old dog Ebbet?

Change is a part of life; I suppose you just have to roll with it, maybe even embrace it. 

Celebrate every moment of ridiculousness you can,

and spend lots of time with the people who bring out your love and joy.

 Mom would approve.