A Very Morkie Paw-ty!

Last week, Paddington celebrated her 6th birthday! How time flies! It seems like only yesterday we picked up our tiny Morkie from the airport.... Awww!

To celebrate, we picked up some canine confections and party supplies from The Hungry Hound in Somerville NJ. They have an amazing array of doggy-friendly baked goods, including cakes (which can be custom ordered), cupcakes, and biscuits! We have to say that we were completely impressed with their decorating skills, and will definitely be returning for future birthday supplies. For those not based in NJ, it looks like they also will mail some of their treats.

Summer Cottages

Summer always gets us daydreaming about the day when we'll leave the concrete jungle behind... we can't wait to have a backyard so that Paddy can have her own little Victorian cottage.

We spotted this adorable shingled number over at One Kings Lane. Sadly, the sale is now over, but you can still purchase this cozy little abode directly from Home Bazaar.

5 Tips for a PAWSOME Photo Shoot!

Today, we were invited to take part in a very special shoot for an upcoming issue of Pup Culture Magazine! We got to catch up with old friends and also make some new ones that we're excited to introduce you to in the near future. Anyway, prepping for today got us thinking about advice for making the most out of a photo shoot, so here we go:

Paddy on set with her snacks.

1. WATER. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! We packed one of our handy Aqua Pure Breed waters and made sure to bring an extra backup bottle that we could refill the dish with. While there are some nice portable dispensers, typically we find it hard to convince Paddy to drink out of anything that isn't bowl shaped. Also, if you have a small dog, disposable cups typically won't work since they're too deep. Another good alternative would be to save a shallow takeout container with a lid if you can't get your hands on any pre-packaged waters.

2. BREAKS. Just like people, dogs have varying attention spans. Paddy can go for about 5-10 minutes of photos before needing a quick breather. Make sure that your dog isn't getting too stressed out by giving them a chance to relax off the set. We packed a small ball for Paddy which we threw for her during breaks to keep her entertained and give her a nice break from posing. In addition to play breaks, all that hydration and excitement might mean more regular bathroom breaks than normal.

3. TOYS. Does your dog have a favorite toy? Make sure to pack a few items that will get your dog's attention behind the camera. While squeaky/noisy toys often get ears to perk in a way that is oh-so-adorable, we find that anything with noise is going to make Paddy break the pose she's holding. We typically bring one of Paddy's favorite toys or a little tennis ball to get her to look at the camera.

4. SNACKS. Low-calorie training treats make for great photo shoot snacks. We brought with us Blue Buffalo Bits Training Treats which are soft and easy to break into smaller morsels. Don't reward your dog after ever photo--use your judgment, otherwise the snack you have on hand will quickly become boring/expected. We also bring a VERY high value snack (little bits of Pupperoni), just in case. It also helps to make sure your dog does not eat/snack 2-3 hours before the shoot. If they're full, they're going to be less likely to want to work for the treats.

5. HAVE FUN! The more relaxed you are, the more relaxed your dog is going to be. Things may not go perfectly, your dog may have absolutely no interest in what's going on, but getting frustrated will only make them less likely to listen. Stay calm and use a friendly tone of voice-- the more rewarding and positive the experience they have, the more they'll be into it in the future. We use lots of positive reinforcement (treats, pats, verbal encouragement), and always try to make sure Paddy is having fun on set.

We hope that these tips were helpful and that you'll share them with friends! Stay tuned for more behind-the-scenes details of our shoot! and make sure to follow Pup Culture Magazine on Facebook for info about their Fall issue.

For the Pooch who is "Le-Tired"

There is something about warm weather that just makes us want to lounge around...

Catching up on real-life post-wedding has also been exhausting... which is why when we spied this adorable doggy chaise in our inbox, we KNEW we had to share it with you.

Featuring more technology than the bed we sleep on, this bed utilizes the SNOOzZzONE™ Pet Comfort System to allow your pet to rest in absolute comfort.

Specs include (and we kid you not...) :
·       Self-Warming Thermal Reflective Layer – Reflective technology helps preserve your pet’s temperature by reflecting the warmth his or her body generates.
·       Gel Core Comfort Layer – The gel-core science provides your pet with superior pressure distribution for a more comfortable and cooler sleep.
·       Memory Foam Comfort Layer – Memory foam conforms to your pet’s body position to provide ultimate support when snoozing. Perfect for pets with orthopedic needs.
·       Allergen, Microbe, Dust Mite Protective Liner – The cushion liner protects your pet and his or her bed from water penetration, mold, dust mites, bed bugs, allergens and microbes.

Also fabulous-- storage beneath the main cushion!

Available in three colors from Wag.com for $109.

A Very @Barkista Wedding

Hi there,

So I know we've been on a hiatus for a while.... but in good news, we're hoping to get back in action! It's been a crazy past nine months, in addition to a new job we officially became a family of three! That's right, Dr. Mike and I finally tied the knot (and of course, Paddy makes three)! So, needless to say it's been a little bit hectic around here.

As expected, Paddy was a special part of our big day-- in addition to serving as "Flower Dog", she also helped to oversee the arrival of deliveries, the taking of photos, and acted as a super-star hostess at our cocktail hour.

Here are some fun pictures from the big day!

Be careful with those deliveries!

Looking glamorous, as always in her "Something Blue" collar!

Anyhow, we look forward to catching up with you soon and can't wait to hear what all of our readers have been up to!

Trick or Treat @FrostyPaws Giveaway!

Boo!

Hehe, okay, so we went a little overboard with the photo editing for Paddy's Halloween picture this year. What can we say? Halloween is one of our favorites, and here in NYC everyone goes all out!

We want to share some of this festive cheer with all of our readers, and the folks at Frosty Paws have kindly gifted us three "Treat Packs" to giveaway! Each pack includes two coupons which can be redeemed for one FREE box of Frosty Paws at your local supermarket, and a cuddly little Frosty toy! (Note: Frosty is not a dog toy-- he's for you to enjoy!)

Mwahaha and good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Disclaimer: These prizes were provided to us by Frosty Paws for giveaway. We also received a prize pack of our own which contained the same contents as the prize packs being given away. 

Adopt a Shelter Dog Event - 10/13 in NYC!

October is National "Adopt a Shelter Dog" Month, and Animal Planet, Petfinder and Animal Haven are celebrating with a special event in NYC on Saturday, October 13th. From 12 to 3 PM, stop by the Animal Haven Soho location to meet a potential new best furry friend! Almost 200,000 dogs are still waiting for their forever home, which is why adoption is such a great option when considering adding a four-legged friend to your family.

In addition to meeting and greeting adoptable dogs, Animal Planet will be giving away free dog toys to the first 60 attendees and raffling off gift baskets.

If you can't make it to the event, don't forget there are other ways you can help to spread the word about pet adoption-- check out PetFinder's site for these great recommendations!

Here are all the details:
When: Saturday, October 13th, 12 to 3 PM
Where: Animal Haven - 251 Centre Street (at Broome) in NYC

Ready to Bake Treats from @Freshpet!

While running errands at our local Petco Unleashed, we spied a new refrigerated section which included these ready to bake dog treats from Freshpet/Dognation. Pre-cut and ready for the oven, these cookies are made with whole oats and cranberries, and can be stored for up to 14 days.

We didn't pick up a package on this trip, but it definitely got us interested and we may have to swing back next week!

A quick search on their website also showed us these delicious looking Cheese and Herb Savory Scones. Yum!

What are your thoughts on ready to bake treats? Is it easier just to buy ready to eat?

PupStyle Trick or Treat - Paddy's Print Debut!

It's here! It's here! That's right, Paddy's print debut in 

PupStyle Trick or Treat! 

Pick your copy up now from Scholastic book fairs and their flagship store in NYC.   

Paddy "bugs" out for Halloween!

Halloween is by far one of our favorite holidays of the year-- and as usual, we made sure to pick up our costume ASAP! This year, our little bug is donning Animal Planet's Butterfly costume. (I know we are biased, but seriously, how cuuuuteee does Paddy look?!)

We picked ours up from HalloweenCostumes.com for $12.99 and went with the X-Small, which fits pretty well on our 6lb model (albeit, a little big-- nothing a safety pin can't fix!).

What is your pup dressing up a for Halloween? Something spooky or snuggly?

Trail Mix from @Milkbone!

How cute is this adorable Milk Bone Trail Mix?! We got a recent sample in our August BarkBox and are totally obsessed with the adorable little bones! The perfectly sized treat for Paddy, we can't get enough of these cute little pieces.

Filled with rolled oats, sweet potato, and real beef, the trail mix contains NO corn, artificial preservatives or flavors.

Available from your local pet store and websites like Amazon.
 

Believe it or not: Take Your Dog to Ripley's Times Square 8/26

Beefy, the Upper West Side skateboarding dog. We kid you not.

Looking to beat the heat this weekend with your pooch? To celebrate National Dog Day (this Sunday, August 26th), Ripley's Times Square in NYC is offering free admission to dogs and their owners to the Odditorium.

Can you believe it or not? (Ha. I know, bad joke...)

While we normally avoid Times Square at all costs, we have a feeling that Paddy would kind of have a good time. And if Woolly Mammoth Teeth and the "World's largest collection of authentic shrunken heads" aren't enough, "Beefy" the Upper West Side skateboarding bulldog will also be cruising around the museum from 12 pm to 5 pm on his skateboard. Snacks and treats will be provided for four-legged guests.

To redeem your free admission, head to Ripley's Times Square on Sunday with your dog -- one free adult ticket, pet pet. And don't forget a leash, all dogs must be leashed inside the museum.

Will you check it out?

The Babble Ball: The Best Toy Ever

The Babble Ball is quite possibly the BEST dog toy ever.

We may have previously blogged about this, but felt like it was worth revisiting when we stumbled upon it online again this weekend. This battery operated ball is the one toy that we have seen successfully entertain dogs of all sizes and ages. Literally nothing more than a ball with a small speaker that is activated by motion, Paddy will spend hours chasing hers around the apartment. Relatively sturdy, this thing has been repeatedly smacked into walls, furniture, molding, etc. and is still in good shape. 

Our one piece of advice? Make sure to have extra batteries on hand, and make sure you have a good hiding place to stash this when you need a break from the babble :) 

Available from Perpetual Kid for $8.99. 

Wags & Kisses-- 

Beams from @TheHonestKitchen!

Whew. It's been a crazy few weeks, but now that Paddy has returned from a visit with her grandparents, it's time to get testing! As we mentioned in our last post, The Honest Kitchen has rolled out Beams, which are essentially just the dried skins of wild-caught Atlantic Catfish. While we were skeptical at first (dogs like catfish?), Paddy was a big fan and thoroughly enjoyed her Friday afternoon snack. Though the smalls are a little on the big size for our 6lb dog (roughly 6" in length), it's relatively easy to cut them in half with a pair of good kitchen scissors. The only other thing we'd mention is the smell-- while not too strong, or overly fishy, the snacks do have a fish-food-esque scent, though it did not linger for long, nor was it overpowering.

Is your dog a catfish lover? What "exotic" treats do you spoil your pet with? 

Introducing Beams from The Honest Kitchen!

Even though Paddy loves her bully sticks, we're not necessarily huge fans considering, ahem, where they come from (ewww). Fortunately, our friends over at The Honest Kitchen, the only human-grade pet food company in the US, have introduced Beams, which are made from pure, wild-caught Atlantic Catfish skins. While fish skins may not necessarily sound appealing, they're actually a great alternative for pets who are allergic or intolerant to common proteins like beef, chicken and turkey (or like Paddy, liver). Also, we love that when it comes to this snack, there's one only "pristine ingredient," and we don't have to worry about checking the ingredients for things that won't sit well with our pup.

Paddy is currently on vacation (seriously, she lives such a charmed life, sighhhh), but as soon as she's back in the city we'll let you know her thoughts! Are you fans of The Honest Kitchen? What are your pet's favorite snacks?

Samples were provided by PR for review. Please see our disclaimer for more information.