Friday, October 31, 2014

Halloween Spooktacular

Bentley: “Well, it’s finally Halloween.  I don’t mind telling y’all that I am a nervous wreck!  Don’t worry; it doesn’t have anything to do with ghosts, goblins, and zombies.  Those things are pup’s play compared to what I am facing.  I haven’t slept more than 47 hours in the past three days.”
Pierre: “Dude, you are going to wear a hole in the carpet if you don’t quit pacing.  If you’re not scared of zombies, is it by any chance kids squealing “TRICK OR TREAT” at the top of their sugary high voices?  I’ll be honest, it is a little like claws on a chalkboard to me.  I have no choice but to bark them up something fierce.”
Bentley: “No, it has nothing to do with the kids, monsters, or anything like that.  You do know what happens today, right?”

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

An Act of Dog ~ Museum of Compassion

   I have mentioned before how much I enjoy making new connections on
♥ This is Blue's Night Light ♥
LinkedIn.  When you make a new friend, LinkedIn gives you other people that share your interests.  One suggestion I received was for Mark Barone and it featured his photo with paintings of dogs.  Intrigued by the fabulous art, I clicked to read more about him.  I was so moved by what I discovered that I immediately asked to join his circle.  When he accepted, I asked if it would be okay to write a post about the work he, Marina Dervan, and Brenda Cooper are doing to bring awareness to shelter dogs.  They were so kind in making themselves available for questions and supplying me access to their photos.
   Be prepared to discover An Act of Dog, Museum of Compassion.  This is a poignant reminder of the plight of shelter dogs in America.  Mark spends his days capturing the souls of dogs who did not make it out of the shelter system.  Through his art, you feel the presence of these animals, the love they yearned for, but never found, and the hope that other dogs will be luckier.  Mark and Marina’s goal is to immortalize 5,500 dogs and permanently display this inspiring exhibit, build a forever fund, and use 100% of the donations towards saving shelter animals.  The hope is to have an educational platform to promote compassion for all animals.

From the An Act of Dog website:

FUSING THE POWER OF ART, WITH THE SCIENCE OF COMPASSION AND THE HEART OF PHILANTHROPY


Education is the bridge to compassion, and if we are to help our children navigate the world outside with tolerance, compassion, and acceptance, then we must educate their hearts and minds to produce socially and emotionally aware adults, who understand that compassion is not a luxury, but a necessity for our survival.

   
♥ Mehama's Night Light ♥
The An Act of Dog, Museum of Compassion began over three years ago.  Mark’s beloved dog of 22 years, Santina, passed away.  Heartbroken months later, he was still too sad to think of taking in another dog.  Marina started an online search for adoptable dogs for the time when Mark was ready to welcome it.  She said what she found out about the shelter systems were “chilling.”  Very few animals that enter the kill-shelter system come out alive.  The startling statistic on their homepage speaks loud and clear.  “Life expectancy for humans is 75+ years.  Life expectancy for shelter dogs is 72 hours.”
   In Mark’s words, "We did this for significant cultural change.  We want to inform the general public about what's going on, that their tax dollars are basically going to fund killing machines at these shelters."  I know that we all know people in the dog and shelter worlds that are incredibly devoted.  Mark and Marina are amazing in their efforts to make America a no-kill nation.  They gave up their regular jobs, retirement savings, and various material comforts to fulfill their goal.  Mark has been an artist for over thirty years with his work featured in top art publications, receiving countless awards, and exhibited throughout the U.S.A.  He was also a consultant to cities across the country to show how the arts can revitalize blighted neighborhoods.  Marina spent over twenty years as a corporate executive trainer, conflict resolution coach, and radical honesty trainer, coaching executives from Wall St. to London.

Saturday, October 25, 2014

My Dog is Hungry

   On Wordless Wednesday, we asked what Bentley had on his mind.  If you guessed dinner, ding*ding*ding, you’re absolutely correct. There is no doubt about how to tell when he is hungry. He has his dinner timed within a five-minute window.  After that, he is certain hallucinations and starvation are imminent.  This is what happens if I don’t react to his initial hint.
 “Excuse me…Mom.”

 “Mom, look at the time!”

 “Hey Dad, I need that spot on the couch.  Mom is not moving toward the kitchen.”

“MOM!!!  My dinner is officially late!”

How does your pet let you know it's time to eat?




Don’t forget to check out the fun toys and great new Pride Bites products.  Use the code MKCLINTON for 20% off your order.





Of course, you always save when you shop at
Bentley’s Bargains!

Friday, October 24, 2014

10 Trick or Treating Rules for Humans & Pets

            Are You Too Old to Trick or Treat?
The question that arises every year at Halloween is when is someone too old to go trick-or-treating?  If it is a tween or older person responsible for tagging along to make sure their younger siblings are safe, then I say it’s okay.  They should be rewarded for having to pull guard duty.  It’s a personal decision, but...
IF 
1. You can’t go trick-or-treating until you get your college paper done.
2. You stop by the bar for happy hour before you hit the neighborhoods.
3. You can remember back in the day when Teenage Ninja Mutant Turtles costumes were first introduced.
4. You wish more houses gave out raisins, because they keep you “regular.”

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Tasty Smokehouse Strips and Adoptable Dogs

We are huge fans of the PetSafe line of products.  Bentley and Pierre have reviewed indigo Dental Bones and Sticks a couple of times and even held giveaways!  It was a no-brainer when we were asked if they would enjoy trying PetSafe’s indigo Smokehouse Strips™ for a review.

PetSafe Indigo bacon treats
"I'm not fakin' this is bacon!"

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Practicing My Selfie


“I’m practicing my selfie for Halloween.  I have a date with a certain cute GBGV.  Don’t miss our Spooktacular Halloween Hop with friends Melissa’s Mochas, Mysteries, and Meows and Oz the Terrier.  Be sure to visit tomorrow for another BFTB Channel 7 NETWoof News.”

We are joining TheCat on My Head for Sunday Selfies Blog Hop.  Visit the other blogs for more fun selfies by clicking on the badge below.  Guaranteed to brighten your day.



We are also hopping along with Sugar the Golden Retriever and Dachshund Nola for their Black & White Sunday blog hop.  If you love B & W photography, you’re in for a treat.  Visit Sugar, Nola, and the other participants.





If you are looking for a fun durable dog toy or any other awesome products by #PrideBites, enter the code:
MKCLINTON
and receive 20% off your purchase.






As always visit Bentley's Bargains for ginormous savings on all of your pet supplies, clothes, food, and much more.  Click on "Browse More Products" for all your shopping needs and special discounts.

Saturday, October 18, 2014

4 Fall Pup Perils #SeasonalAllergies


   We love fall here in the bayou.  Our summers are so hot and humid that the feel of crisp cool air is fantastic.  Although we don’t have the views they enjoy in Arkansas, the bayou does put on a beautiful show.  The tapestry of colors comes with a price.
   The changes in air pressure and humidity can do a number on your pet’s skin, coat, and nails.  Luckily, there are steps that we can take to help our dog or cat feeling great.

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month

   In recent weeks, I have been volunteering at PetSavers Adoption Days at
at PetSmart.  It is something that I’ve always thought would be fun, but never really stepped up to volunteer.  I have the problem of falling in love with all dogs.  If you give me a dog in need of a loving human, well, I’m a goner.  Still, it is so worth a few hours on the weekend to enjoy dogs of all sizes, shapes, and stories.  We leash them and walk around the shopping stores and inside the PetSmart.  I admit that I am not a fan of shopping UNLESS it is a pet store.  I love browsing every aisle and watching the birds, gerbils, and lizards.  Lead me down the dog clothes or toys aisle and I am in puppy paradise.  Bringing the pups inside the PetSmart allows the shoppers to speak and admire them.  Many wonderful people left donations as they left the store.  The dogs that I am featuring today were at the adoption days I’ve attended.  For some reason they were not adopted.  There is one exception to that statement.

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Selfie in Black and White ~ A Dog's Dilemma


“I just don’t seem to be able to master the selfie Duckface.  Jowls are difficult to pucker.”


*If you missed our Monster Mash video, enjoy it on our sidebar or on YouTube.


**Today is the last day to enter for your chance to win
Little Extras Dog/Cat Bundles
#GetHealthyHappy from Hill’s.
Click Current Giveaways tab!

We are excited to be joining The Cat on my Head for our very first Sunday’s Selfie Blog Hop.  They are not only hosting this fun hop, but today they are presenting their take on
The Mice Bucket Challenge with a Comment-a-thon
with half the money raised going to ALS and half going to a randomly selected 501 rescue/shelter.  Be sure to stop by and leave a comment today.  Click on the other blogs for more fun Selfies!



We changed Bentley’s selfie to B & W and are also joining Sugar the Golden Retriever and Dachshund Nola for their
Black & White Sunday Blog Hop.
Visit the other blogs to see amazing B & W photography.




Saturday, October 11, 2014

Monster Mash with The Returns


Grab our badge for your sidebar!
 We love celebrating Halloween here on the bayou.  This year, I am excited to announce that we are co~hosting a Halloween Day Blog Hop.  Since the holiday falls on a Friday this year, we will be hopping on the Pet Parade and the Halloween Spooktacular hops!  Joining me in the spooky hosting duties are my boo~tiful friends Melissa’s Mochas, Mysteries, and Meows along with Oz the Terrier.
   If you have a costume contest or party happening on Halloween, you’ll definitely want to join us.  We can gather all of the spooky blogs in Blogville for our trick~or~treaters to visit.  Be sure to mark your calendars for October 31st and the Halloween Spooktacular!  Get your paws on our Halloween badge to post on your sidebar.
   To help you get into the spirit, here is a JibJab video that I’m sure you’ll find frightfully funny!  Feel free to share it. 



Have you browsed Bentley’s Bargains for your pet’s Halloween costume?  You can save up to 40% on many styles for your little pumpkin.  Click on the “Browse More” button below or the tab above for October’s Monstrous savings!

Thursday, October 9, 2014

Elvis ~ The King and I

  
Bentley Basset Hound sitting next to the statue of Elvis Presely
 On yesterday’s post, we asked if you could guess the Mystery Man pictured with Bentley.  It seems that the famous stance of Elvis Presley is difficult to disguise.  Over the weekend, we took our Hound Dog Bentley to visit the King of Rock ‘n Roll’s statue at the building where it all began for the unknown singer from Tupelo.  This is the Shreveport Municipal Auditorium on the renamed Elvis Presley Ave.

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Sunday, October 5, 2014

Hit the Road or Trail #DogWalkingWeek

"We start out walking side by side then, Pierre shifts into high gear and zooms ahead."
Bentley: “Hey Pierre!  Guess what we celebrate October 1 thru 7th.  I’ll give you a hint…it is something that we love.”
Pierre: “Is it my birthday week?  Will there be cake?  We do love cake, ya know!”
Bentley: Sigh “No, it is not your birthday week and unfortunately, there is no cake.  Actually, it is probably a good thing that there’s no cake.  It’s National Walk Your Dog Week.  That means we get to go for a walk every single day.  It’s the law.”