Naughty or NIce? Holiday Treat! #Product Review

Looking at these two, (Bolt and Champ, who do you think is naughty and who is nice?  These two fur babies are actually very nice this year so we are rewarding them with goodies.  It's funny, I asked them to wear a tie  so I can take pictures of them and they  did not move so I guess that was their  approval of me  putting these ties on their neck lol.  

They normally don't like anything on their neck bu this time, they played along with me.  My daughter wasn't feeling good when I  took these photos.  I told the dogs that we have to do something that would make the little lady feel better.  She actually  laughed when she saw these two with ties on and i started taking photos.  

We love talking to our dogs.  It's hilarious to see  how their eyes and ears reacts to what you say.  Champ would usually  put his ears up and down when he hears  "walk", "play", and "ball" then he wiggles his tail.  

When we talk to Bolt, he usually respond  with  bark especially if he hears the word "food".  When he is guilty of something, he doesn't look at us, his eyes  moves  like avoiding to  look at you.

I got them a dozen of this Merrick Classic Grain-Free Venison Holiday Stew Recipe canned dog food  from Chewy and they are loving it.  If we  deserve to have a little extra eat during the holidays, our fur babies deserve some holiday treats as well and this venison holiday stew is just perfect for them. It is full of venison, red jacket new potatoes, carrots, zucchini, peas and red delicious apples .  

Another thing that Champ is looking forward in getting is this KONG Holiday Jumbler Football Dog Toy.  Of our  two dogs, Champ is the playful one.  He always love to play.  He loves  playing with rubber balls.  So the moment  I  squeeze the ball and it made noise,  he was on it.  

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This  KONG Holiday Jumbler toy is just what we  need to get Champ in the holiday spirit!  Winter is not only hard for us, people, but it is also hard for  pets because they don't get to do the things that they love to do outside.  They are  indoors most of the times so this jumbler toy is perfect for our Jack Russel Terrier.   It's is a 2-in-1 ball toy for twice the interactive fun. The interior tennis ball and loud squeak entice play, while the handles make pickup and shaking easy. The Jumbler stands up to tough play, making it ideal for games of fetch.   It has the ffestive colors for the holiday season, available in red and green.

Champ actually love to open gifts on Christmas so we decided to wrap this toy for him to open on Christmas day.  It was funny when my daughter was wrapping it in her bedroom, Champ wanted to get inside the room lol.  Below is the short video I recorded of Champ when he was trying to get the ball.

Disclosure: The owner of this blog was NOT financially compensated to write this review.  I was provided with the product/s mentioned  to help me  facilitate this review but  opinions are my own.

Reasons Your Kids Deserve A Dog

What parent doesn’t want the best for their kids? What parent wouldn't do anything to help their children be healthier and happier? Of course, every Mom and Dad would do all they could. And if you knew there was something that you could do better, would you do it? Absolutely, Well if you don’t have a dog then you could be doing more! Studies have shown what dog lovers have known for years. Dogs are great for people but they are even better for kids.

Dogs make kids healthier

Even babies benefit from having a dog around. Studies have been showing that babies who are growing up with a dog in the house have less coughs, runny noses and ear infections. It is also being shown that even babies who have allergies are overcoming them when they are around dogs.

If someone had told you that dogs could cure eczema would you have believed them? They’d be a miracle cure. But it is true. Children who have dogs in the house are showing less tendency towards eczema and other skin diseases. It would seem that these pooches are boosting the immune systems of children they come into contact with. Children around dogs recover more quickly from illness.

Dogs make kids happier

From the scruffiest mutt imaginable to the most adorable white labrador puppies. Dogs are changing children's lives for the better. Dogs increase good mood factors and playing with their dogs helps children feel less stressed. When a child interacts with a dog something magical happens. That relationship blossoms and fills the child with increased self esteem.

Dogs teach kids well.

Encouraging a child to take care of a dog gives them a greater sense of responsibility.They learn about trust and also about giving. A dog is without judgement, totally loving and filled with loyalty. Children pick up on that and they understand it. They learn to recognise and value these qualities in themselves. A dog is a great infinitely patient teacher. A dog displays selfless commitment, loyalty and patience. When you think about it this is a list of virtues we’d all love to instill in our kids. A dog is all of them personified.

Dogs make children fitter.

Well dogs make us all fitter, but children have a wonderful energy. The opportunity to play with a dog brings it out again and again. Playing with dog toys, walking, running, jumping, fetching, throwing, getting wet and getting muddy. A dog is a brilliant play pal for a child. When a child is given responsibility for a dog they become part friend, part teacher and loyal buddy. Training your dog makes a relationship for life.

Dogs protect children

It has to be said, a dog is loyal without question. A dog would give its life for your child. It will protect it and guard it. Your child is safer with a dog around. Your home is safer with a dog around.

Dogs are great for kids and that’s a fact. Actually I’m not sure I can think of a single reason our kids should not have a dog.

Love Naut

My kids  call our guinea pigs Love Nauts.  They hated each  other at first but now, they starting to co-exist  with each other  even in one cage.  We still separate them every night but we let them  get to know each other  during the day in a big box.  

 Penelope  ks a long haired  perivian guinea pig so we get to  ix her hair with stuff.  As long as you are gentle, she's fine with it.

Dunkin seems to enjoy his companion now.  He still get jumpy at times but he is  getting better withdealong with Penelope.  I still miss  our bunnies  but  these guinea pigs are good replacement for them especially for the kids.  They were devastated when our ast bunny died because Wubzy was a very good pet who love to hang out with us.

How You Can Help Improve Animal Welfare From Your Own Home

Here at Pets & Critters Nook, our biggest concern is always making sure that animals have the best quality of life they can. Obviously, we believe that all pets should have a loving home and family of their own. And we do what we can to make sure that's the case. Do you ever find yourself wishing you could help out in some way too? That's fantastic! It's always great to have more people on board, so here are a few of the ways you can do your bit to helping our furry friends.

Sponsor

I'm sure you've all seen the commercials pleading with you to sponsor an animal today. But how often do you pay attention to it? The thought of pets needing that kind of help can be troubling, so maybe we tend to block it out. You shouldn't bury your head in the sand, though. If you want to make a difference to an animal's life, this can be a great place to start. You can adopt a cat, dog or any other pet, and it's such a rewarding experience. You'll get regular photos and letters from your sponsored pet through the post and see how they're doing. It's really great to see what your money is doing to make a difference to their lives.

Donate

There are literally thousands of charities in the world that are dedicated to providing the best care for animals. And truthfully, though we don't like to think about it, it's needed! Every donation, no matter how small, goes a long way to helping these organizations function. And without them, I dare say a lot of animals would be less fortunate than they are. If you can spare any money, donating is a great way to helping these charities continue to do their great work.

Rescue

If you're in the market for a new pet, you are likely scanning the area for local breeders. A lot of the time, we like to get our pets from a young age. Puppies and kittens in their infancy are for more common to buy than older pets because they offer longevity. It shouldn't be forgotten, though, that there are many animals that need a new home and loving family. For whatever reason, be it abuse or the loss of their owner, they're homeless. If you want to get a new pet, try looking at local animal shelters to see what they offer. Care should be taken, however, if you have young children in the home. Sometimes abused animals can be a little bit temperamental, but that shouldn't put you off. It's also much cheaper than buying an infant pet, and you won't need to have all the standard procedures (i.e. neutering) done either.

However you choose to support animals all around the world, it's clear that they need your help. Even if you can't afford to dig deep into your pockets, there are things you can do. You might even consider volunteering at a local animal shelter, for instance. Whatever it is, we're thankful that you wish to play your part.

Our Guinea Pigs: Penelope and Dunkin

Introducing Penelope, our newly adopted  guinea pig.  She is a peruvian kind of guinea pig.  The first  one that we have has short hair while  this one has a long hair.

A friend asked me if we would like to adopt a guinea pig.   Since we already have one male guinea pig, we wanted to have a female so he would have a companion.  Besides, my son wanted one too  since his siter got one for her  birthday.  We were going to  buy him one too but we lucked out when my friend gave us the female one that her friend is  giving away for adoption.  

Penelope reminds us of our favorite bunny, Wubzy.  We all cried when he died because he was a very good pet, very social and friendly.

When we first brought her home, we did not know what to expect when we introduced her to Dunkin.  At first meeting, Dunkin was very  affresive and was chasing her around and doing this loud purr sound that they do.  However that changed when Penelope   fought back and said "Enough!"

Now, when we  put them  together in a vry big box so they can get acquainted, Dunkin  gets very nervous when Penelope stare at him.  We put them in each own cages  at night time.

They are getting fasmiliar with each other now and get along a little bit.

We included them in our family picture this year.

As you can see, they seem to like each other now unlike the past first week, they really  did not want to be together lol.

A friend of mine who had guinea pigs before told me that it takes time for them to get along.  I am glad they are starting to acceot each other.  At least  from what I can  aww when I put them together in play pen.

How To Keep Your Dog Healthy & Happy

Dogs are more than a pet, they are part of the family. As such, it’s every dog owner’s wish to give their pooch the best life possible.

Treating the dog in the best way will enable it to live a long and happy life. More importantly, it should help the pet stay healthy and avoid any major discomfort. That’s the least that they deserve after all the love and joy they bring into our lives.

Here’s everything you need to know.

Nutrition

Good nutrition should be considered the foundation for any living being. The dog should certainly be no different. Ensuring it eats well is vital to keeping your pooch in the greatest shape possible.

There are many do’s and don’ts to consider when it comes to a dog’s nutrition. Your dog will give you clear indication whether things are right or wrong. Apart from its appearance and shape, excrement should let you know when a problem arises.

It’s also important to encourage good eating routines. If nothing else, this should help the dog’s behaviour.

Active Lifestyle

As with humans, a dog’s health sees nutrition come as part of a package. Regular exercise is vital for the dog’s muscles, organs and joints. Ultimately, this will promote a long and happy life.

Dogs are natural explorers too, so an active lifestyle will encourage better development. You should try to mix up their favourite spots with new locations to ensure they get the best of both worlds. As these guides at http://www.mnn.com/family/pets/stories/10-brain-games-to-play-with-your-dog show, you can also use their eating routines as a way to develop their brains too.

Keep the dog stimulated both mentally and physically at all times. In return, you should be blessed with a healthy and happy pooch.

Treat Health Issues

Like us, dogs will suffer the odd illness from time to time. That’s just nature. However, our furry little friends will need a little help to get over those issues quickly. Early treatment is key.

Mange is a particularly uncomfortable condition for the pet to suffer. Every dog owner should visit http://www.homeremedyshop.com/13-home-remedies-for-mange-in-dogs/ to find out more info on this problem. Meanwhile, it’s important to look out for issues with teeth and gums as well as joints.

There are various supplements that can help prevent certain conditions. Most importantly, you must be prepared to accept when a vet is needed. Sometimes, the experts are the best people to find the right solution.

Encourage Better Relationships

Apart from being healthy, your dog requires one thing more than any other: love. Dogs are very affectionate creatures, and they will become a central part of your family’s DNA. So you must encourage good relationships all round.

This doesn’t only include relationships with humans, though. Integrating the dog into a home can take some work. But improving those connections with existing dogs or other pets is crucial. It’s not only the dog that will benefit; it’s the entire household.

Ultimately, that loving family atmosphere is all your dog ever wants.

Odd and Unusual Pets Your Kids Will Love

We all know that kids love spending time with animals. Indeed, that’s why we spend so much cash on taking them to safari parks and the zoo. Most parents choose to purchase a cat or dog if they get a pet for their little ones. However, there is nothing wrong with looking for unusual alternatives. You just need to make sure you understand how to care for the animals properly. The last thing you want is for your kids to learn about the cycle of life after having a frog for only one evening. It’s important you create the right habitats and climates to ensure these creatures survive.

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Russian Tortoise

Lots of people choose to keep tortoises as pets these days. You can get them from most decent pet shops for little expense. However, the equipment you require to keep them alive isn’t cheap. Do yourself a favour and undertake a Russian tortoise care course before you make the purchase. That is the best way to ensure you understand all your responsibilities, and you give them the best life possible. There are many species of tortoise from which you can select. Just choose a species that is renowned for making good family pets.

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Hedgehog

Everyone loves seeing hedgehogs near their home during the winter months. Many people even leave food and milk outside for them. Well, you can buy them from most pet shops these days and keep them in your home. Pygmy hedgehogs are the most popular because they are small and easy to manage. However, they can cost upwards of £300 for a pair. So, you might consider visiting a rescue centre if you don’t want to break the bank. You can usually get them from those establishments for a small donation.

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Praying Mantis

Sometimes kids like something more insect-like. If that’s the case with your little ones, you can’t go wrong with a praying mantis. So long as you purchase the right enclosure and get the temperature right, caring for them is simple. It’s not the type of pet your children can cuddle on the sofa, and they should avoid touching it altogether. However, watching a praying mantis through the glass is a great experience. They are so incredibly interesting that your kids are sure to enjoy their company. Again, just make sure you educate yourselves ahead of time. The feeding routine is very important for the survival of this creature.

I’ve listed three weird and unusual pets today, but there are thousands of others from which you could select. Just search online for “unusual pets I can keep legally.” Make sure you check laws in your home country if you choose something large. Believe it or not, people with the right licences can keep almost anything. It’s even possible to have monkeys and crocodiles as pets if you meet the right conditions. That said, it’s wise for everyone to start small and save themselves some money. Caring for a pygmy hedgehog isn’t cheap, but monkeys are going to cost you a fortune.

All Natural Dog Treats from Chewy #ProductReview

Thanksgiving is not just for humans, it's for our fur-family members too.  Our two fur babies received  some all-natural dog treats from Chewy.com and they are loving it.   These two kinds of treats would last them for a while.  MY daughter will be inspired to  teach Bolt some tricks once again.

The Nature's Variety Instinct Raw Boost Minis Chicken Formula Freeze-Dried Dog Treats is a chicken formula that contains ground chicken bone, turkey, turkey liver, turkey heart, pumpkinseeds, carrots, apples, butternut squash, ground flaxseed, dried kelp, brocolli. apple, cider vinegar, salmon oil, rosemary extraxct, blieberry,  and dried chickory roots.  I mean, just by looking at the ingredients, it can't get  healthier than this. 

You can treat your dogs to the wholesome goodness they deserve with these  healthy Instinct Raw Boost Minis. These low calorie freeze dried treats are the perfect way to provide them  with the healthy benefits of raw in a delicious flavor.  I know my dogs were very apprecitive of it.  

 I must assumed that it is delicious  because  our dogs   were begging for more after they get  their first ones.  

So I introduced  them to the Blue Buffalo Blue Mini Bars  Apples & Yogurt Natural Biscuits dog treats.  These are bite-size biscuits that are oven-baked for a mouth-watering taste.  They are crunchy and you can hear  it when they are  chewing   their treat. A perfect anytime treat for dogs of all shapes and sizes.  

My daughter teaches our big dog, Bolt (black and brown) some tricks so he is used to getting treats  whenever  he does something.  Our JRT, Champ, on the other hand  doesn't know any trick  but he still gets them treat. 

The Blue Minis are jam-packed with old-fashioned goodness and made from an original recipe that includes some of nature’s most delicious and nutritious ingredients including apples, yogurt, carrots, oatmeal, flaxseed and barley.  I love that companies are now giving healthier options for  our pets.  Unlike the cheap products that you can find  in the store, these blue bars are the  way to go if you want to  give your fur babies some   healthy  treats.  

I would say, craving satisfied for these two!  They even clean up the crumbs on the floor.  Between the two treats, I think that they love the  baked mini bars more than the  raw treats.  Thanks once again Chewy!  For all pet owners out there, I highly recommend  Chewy.com because they  do  carry healthy food and treats  for your pets from different companies in the US.  They also   have  toys and other accessories for your pets so it is a one stiop shop for  pet owners.  

Disclosure: The owner of this blog was NOT financially compensated to write this review.  I was provided with the product/s mentioned  to help me  facilitate this review but  opinions are my own.

Must-Read Tips For First-Time Horse Owners

If you’re a first-time horse owner, you may be a little overwhelmed. Horses are certainly different to other common pets! Bearing that in mind, I’ve come up with three tips to help horse owners:

Figure Out Where You’ll Keep It

The big difference between a horse and most other pets is that they’re not household animals. You can’t keep a horse in your house, even if you have a mansion, it won’t be practical. Horses are best suited to the outdoors, so you have to find a place to keep it. If you live in the country, you may have lots of open fields and space to build a stable. In this scenario, you can build a place to keep your horse. For the majority of people, you’ll be looking at finding a stable for your horse. I’m sure there are plenty of places nearby where you can keep your horse. It will be able to live in a comfy place and have the joy of roaming a nice open field. You can visit your horse as often as you like; there are no restrictions.

Get Some Horse Grooming Equipment

Like all animals, horses need to be groomed. If you have a cat or dog, they can do some of their grooming themselves. With a horse, you need to take care of it. You should get specially designed brushes to help keep their coats in order. There are also little hoof picks you can buy to keep their hooves nice and clean. When a horse is wandering around a field all day, it can get lots of dirty and grime on its hooves. It’s important you try and clean this out to stop the risk of infections. You need to keep your horse well groomed otherwise it will look a complete mess! Plus, as you’re grooming it, you can check for signs of illness or any other problems like ticks. If you do find any issues, call a vet and get them down to take a closer look at your horse.

Get Insurance

If you have a horse, you’ve got to plan ahead. Plan for anything that might happen. If your horse injures someone, you’re going to be held accountable for it. So, you have to make sure you get insurance for your horse. As you can see on the Stoneways Insurance website, there are a few options for you. Choose a horse insurance options that best fits your needs. With horse insurance, you’ll be protected if the worst should happen. You may think insurance isn’t necessary because you have a well-trained horse. However, you’re not going to be around your horse all the time. It could be in a stable or a field somewhere else. So, there’s always the possibility that accidents could happen. You don’t want to be in a situation where your horse injures someone, and you end up having to fork out loads of money.

Hopefully, you’ve found this advice helpful. Being a horse owner can be hard work, but they’re one of the best animals to own!

Praying Mantis

It was a nice day to go for a walk yesterday so  hubby, our son, and I went  around our neighborhood.  As we walked  down the parking lot  at the back of Madonna HIgh school,  my husband saw this praying mantis.  We feared that  cars will  run him over, we picked him up and I carry him in my palm.  

I put him in our garden and he seems to like it.  I am not sure if it's a he or she but  it might be a  female.  Anyway, the kids named him Frank.

I am fascinated by praying mantises.  They seem very social.  They are great to have in the garden because they prey on other bugs.  

I remember the big one that we used to have in our garden, we named him George back then.

Reading about  praying mantise on Wikipedia, I learned that the mantises or Mantodea are an order of insects that contains over 2,400 species and about 430 genera in 15 families.  It is  by far the largest family being the Mantidae. Mantises are distributed worldwide in temperate and tropical habitats.

I looked in the garden again today where I left him and he wasn't there anymore.  I found him in another  plant so he must have flown but he  seems to like it there.

Wikipedia also states that mantises  are mostly ambush predators, but a few ground-dwelling species actively pursue their prey. They normally live for about a year.  In cooler climates, the adults lay eggs in autumn, and die. The eggs overwinter, protected by their hard capsule, and hatch in the spring. Females sometimes practice sexual cannibalism, eating their mates after copulation, or occasionally decapitating the males just before or during mating.

Dog Cuisine: The Do’s and Don’ts

Dog cuisine & treats come in all sorts of fun shapes and sizes these days, but what goes in to that food matters much more than the size of the kibble! With all of the brands available to a consumer today, you want to be sure to get the most nutritious and delicious meals for your canine friends.

When choosing a treat or a meal for your furry friend, there are ingredients to chase after and ingredients to bury in the backyard! Always check the back of the bag or back of the can to view a list of ingredients contained in your dog’s food. Just as in human food, items that have high portions in the product will be featured first. Items lower on the ingredient lists are not featured prominently in the foods recipe.

Meat should definitely be found within the first 5 ingredients of your dog food label. Whether beef, poultry, fish, or pork you want meat to feature prominently in your dog’s food as this is what will keep them healthy!

Other ingredients that are included in dog food may seem strange, but do provide large amounts of energy for your pup! Wheat flour, barley flour and brown rice are common dog food ingredients used to provide extra energy for your dog. Vitamins and minerals also help to keep your dog strong and healthy.

You want to avoid foods that contain a large amount of wheat, corn, soy & preservatives, or at least purchase foods that have these low on the ingredient list. These items don’t contain the nutrients that your dog needs, and some of them are simply filler.

Fats are an item that you may think belongs on the ‘bury’ list, but some fats are good for dogs and humans alike! Saturated fats, like those found in peanut butter and cheese, pack your pups food with an extra energy punch!

No matter which foods or treats you choose, you want to find a type of food that your dog enjoys!