Over the last month, we've had the pleasure of enjoying "Dog Walks Man: A Six-Legged Odyssey," which features a series of "bite-size" meditations "derived from dogs and dog walking."
If you've ever walked a dog, you know that there is a big difference between taking a stroll with your pup and "just" walking. With a four-legged friend at your side, neighborhoods, sidewalks and landmarks take on whole new characteristics.
The author of Dog Walks Man, John Zeaman, who is an art critic for the NJ-based Star -Ledger and The Record, invites us along on his physical and philosophical dog walking journeys as he joins the fraternity of suburban dog walkers. What we enjoyed most about the book (besides of course, Zeaman's pet-centric poetic prose), is that the book is broken up in vignettes-- perfect for all of us who have dogs that would rather we pay attention them than read at any given time. It's also a nice "adult" break from books like "Marley and Me"… for real, not all animal books should require a box of tissues. Though some of the Zeaman's stories are a little blah, just like dog walks-- they can't always be exciting, and at the end of the day we always enjoy them anyway! (....And yes, that last sentence clearly illustrates why we don't have a book deal yet.)
Available in print and Kindle versions from Amazon.com.
Wags & Kisses, The Barkistas
Disclaimer:Samples were provided by PR for review. Please see our disclaimer for more information.
Several weeks ago we took note of Moleskine's new Dog Journal and we've been hard at work personalizing it for Paddington! Check out our video review to find out what Paddy picked to include in her "doggy diary," and get a peek inside what is one of our new favorite organizational tools. It's a definite must for the doggy companion that likes to keep everything in one place.
Thanks for watching!
Wags & Kisses,
The Barkistas
Disclaimer:Samples were provided by PR for review. Please see our disclaimer for more information.
How genius is this idea? Instead of throwing out those old towels and t-shirts, recycle them as stuffing the Fill 'Er Up Pet Bed. Setting up your pup's bed is easy-- simply purchase one of Fill 'Er Up's adorable 100% cotton covers and their nylon insert, and gather up those old t-shirts you've been saving from the 90's. (Hello, high-school track team t-shirt....)
Not only is this creative way to find a new home for your stuff, but it keeps it from ending up in a land fill (we're also pretty sure that the stuffing used in most dog beds probably isn't good for the environment). PLUS, we don't know about your pup, but ours loves to snuggle with anything that smells of us.
Seriously, save the planet while cleaning your closet and making your dog comfy. How much better can it get?
Available from Trixie and Peanut-- bed covers range in price from $25 upwards, and come in really cute prints (we're partial to the Silhouette and Courtyard). Save $5.00 if you purchase both the cover and bed insert.
The Search Dog Foundation hits the ground running in Japan.
Image from their website.
As the world continues to watch as Japan recovers from last week's massive earthquake and tsunami, we just wanted to take a moment to spotlight the ways that you can help the people and animals affected by this tragedy.
In addition to making contributing to organizations like the Red Cross, groups like World Vets International, which is a non-governmental organization that provides animals with aid around the world, are also in need of donations. The World Vets International team is currently on the ground working with Japanese animal welfare groups, and they are posting regular updates on their website.
We hope that even if you are unable to give to any of the amazing aid groups currently on the ground in Japan, that you will keep those affected in your thoughts and prayers.
Um. Oh my dog. We just spotted these doggy leg-warmers over at Phetched. Hello love at first sight! Seriously, the only thing that could make me love Paddy more, is Paddy outfitted in 80's attire.
Available for purchase in various sizes and colors from The Hydrant. We are SO picking up those rainbow ones.
Wags & Kisses,
The Barkistas
p.s. The title of this post was shamelessly borrowed from Calvin Harris' song, "Acceptable in the 80's".
So, this weekend we checked out Petit Four Legs' Cupcake Kit, and have to say were so thrilled with the results! We were tickled pink to receive samples of their Petit Four earlier this year (see our review here), and thus were excited to play with the Cupcake Kit in the Barkzilla Test Kitchen.
Easier than whipping up a Betty Crocker Mix (for real), we had gorgeous frosted cupcakes in less than an hour. Seriously, the kit contains basically everything (minus 2 eggs and 1/2 a cup of water), that you need to bake, frost and decorate these absolutely darling little doggy snacks. Check out our video review above, or on our YouTube page.
So yummy! Though, made with human-grade mix, not so yummy for the two-legged types. Trust us, we tried them.
Again, the packaging is gorgeous, making this the perfect gift for the Doggy Chef in your life. Purchase yours for a very affordable $12 directly from Petit Four Legs' website, and don't forget to check out their other amazing treats.
"FROSTING!!" - Paddington
Wags & Kisses,
The Barkistas
Disclaimer:Samples were provided by PR for review. Please see our disclaimer for more information.
Just in time for St. Patrick's Day, check out these nommy looking treats from the California-based bake house, Shorty's Gourmet Treats. Made in small batches, all ingredients are organic and human-grade (in fact, their site even suggest them for the two-legged folks if the fancy should strike you...), and are topped with green shamrock shaped sprinkles. Though we're sometimes a little skeptical about buying treats off of Etsy, Shorty's Gourmet Treats is certified by the health departments of Los Angeles and California, and their page states that they bake with no artificial colors or flavors, byproducts, preservatives, salt, corn or sugar.
Pick up a dozen treats from their Etsy page for $5.00 and make sure to check out their other drool-worthy looking goodies.
Even though Paddy is Miss Picky Picky, we still love to make treats at home in an attempt to please her palate. The You Bake 'em Dog Biscuits Kit comes with everything you need to... well, bake your dog some delicious treats! Featuring 5 doggy-inspired cookie cutters (hehe, we particularly like the cat-shaped one), and a recipe book chock-full of treats that will have your pup begging for more, the set even includes cute little gift bags.
We saw these sets over the holidays at the Fred Flare pop-up shop at Chelsea Market, and apparently they were so popular they're now on back order. Put your name on the waitlist over at their website. Kits retail for $13.95 each.
While there definitely is NOT any Chanel in the Barkistas' future-- that doesn't mean Paddy can't rock the coveted classic interlocked "C's" on this collar inspired by the Parisian design house. Choose from black or pink at UptownPoochie.com.
Here at Barkzilla, we're kind of old-school, which is why we love Moleskine notebooks. Designed to withstand the test of time and protect your stuff, we were thrilled to find out they've recently come out with a dog-themed journal. Designed to help record and keep track of all the moving parts in your pup's life from day one, the notebook has 5 themed sections including: Getting Ready (for those super organized who are in the process of finding their new canine companion), Personality, Dog Log, Traveling and Care.
Though everything is "paper-less" and "digital" these days, we really prefer to have hard copies of important snapshots or Paddy-related documents. I mean, honestly-- is there anything most satisfying than flicking through a well organized notebook?
We don't know if you can tell from the photo, but both covers actually have super cute doggy silhouettes embossed on them. And just like some of the other Moleskine passions notebooks we've seen, our doggie diary has some fun additions like a breed list and dog-to-human-year conversion chart (holy merde, Paddy is almost 28?!). You can also visit Moleskine's site to download additional templates to paste into your notebook.
The sections we love most in our new doggy Moleskine? By far, the vaccination record chart and blank spaces for photographs and sketches.
"I am so ready to tell my story! Put down that camera and start taking notes, lady!"
We're really looking forward to filling ours out and will share it with you once we've started!
All-in-all Moleskine's newest notebook makes it super easy to be organized and create a forever-record of all things pup related.
Available from Amazon.com for a very reasonable $13.57.
Since we missed #ThursdayBling last week, we're bringing it back all kinds of fierce this week!
Um hello BLING and just in time for St. Patrick's Day! This gorgeous emerald "9 Row Swarovski Crystal Collar Peridot" will have all the other dogs in the neighborhood barking with envy. Lined with super soft leather, it comes in a variety of colors and sizes.
