Friday, December 30, 2016

New Year's Eve Memes

   It is hard to believe that another year is heading for the history books. Instead of looking back, let’s look ahead to a brand new 2017. You have a clean slate and 365 days to accomplish great things. We will be here every step of the way cheering for you. This should be an exciting year and we hope that you join us for all of the fun! 
   We keep things low-key around here on New Year’s Eve. Bentley hates fireworks so there is no way that we would leave him. He will get Dr. Harvey’s Relax added to his breakfast and hopefully, the noise won’t be too bad. (Bentley is praying for rain)
   I know many of you will head out to parties to ring in the New Year. We made some helpful reminders for you…

Tuesday, December 27, 2016

2017's Biggest Pet Health Threat

   Every year people resolve to lose weight and exercise more. I can’t remember a year when it wasn’t on my list of things to do better. It will be a goal again this year…after my New Year’s Day dinner of black-eyed peas, cabbage and ham. Some traditions are just too important to overlook.
   This year, instead of joining a gym or going on an unsustainable diet, why not pledge to move more with your dog? Obesity in dogs has reached epidemic proportions with 53.8% of them being overweight or obese. According to Petplan Veterinary Advisory Board member and founder of the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, Dr. Ernie Ward, “It’s no surprise that the biggest health threat to pets in 2017 is obesity.”

A Dog’s Viewpoint on Fireworks

Bentley Basset Hound and Pierre the Westie in their BFTB bandanas
   I am writing this on behalf of my bestie Pierre the Westie and myself. It is an urgent plea to those of you that are thinking of engaging in the custom of lighting pyrotechnics this New Year’s Eve. We decided it would be a public service to point out all of the reasons that fireworks in the hands of amateurs are a bad idea.
• You are literally blowing up your money. Big. Money.
• Fireworks make a mess on the street and we aren’t allowed to eat them. This is unfair on every level.

Thursday, December 22, 2016

Dogs Write a Letter to Santa

Bentley Basset Hound and Pierre Westie write a letter to Santa
Dear Santa,
   We hope that you have had a fabulous 2016. It has been a great year here on the bayou. Pierre and I have been very, really, pretty good. Truth be told, I have probably been better than Pierre. Just ask the squirrels, if you can catch them because Pierre sure can’t! That isn’t me being naughty because it is true.
   As the two of us discussed the things that we would love to find in our stockings or under the Christmas tree, we came to a startling realization. Pierre and I have a few toys, lots of toys, more toys than any two dogs need. We love each of them in their own special way. That’s not to say that we wouldn’t gladly accept a new laser light or stuffy, but we would rather toys go to the shelter dogs and cats to play with until they get forever homes.
   The treat situation is a different story. Someone has been begging more than their fair share of yummies. That has led to a serious shortage of delicious snacks. Therefore, we are asking for some tasty goodies to keep us from starving between meals. From the photos that we’ve seen of you, I’m sure you catch our drift. A fella's gotta stay nourished, am I right? Ho Ho Ho!
   We have everything else that we need. Being good boys, we will not turn our snouts up at anything you leave. Thanks in advance!
                                                Your pals,
                                          Bentley & Pierre

P.S. ALL of our friends have been super good too!

                                                

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

How My Dogs Lost Weight with Dr. Harvey's Veg-to-Bowl

Dr. Harvey's Veg-to-Bowl has a new look!

   I have a confession to make to you. There was a time when Bentley was overweight. At the time I refused to see or admit it. I know how important it is for dogs to maintain a healthy size. Our vet would make comments; friends would say things and even total strangers felt the need to tell me that my best friend was fat. There was one lady that actually stopped her car when we were walking to tell me he was too big. That was the straw that broke the proverbial camel’s back. I had to take off my rose-colored glasses and get serious about bringing my boy back to a healthy weight.

Friday, December 16, 2016

There is Still Time for The Returns

   Do you have a book lover on your Christmas list? May I suggest The Returns and The Returns 2 ~ Showstoppers in paperback? Of course, if they have a tablet or eReader, you can gift copies to enjoy on those too. You could always fetch them for yourself, too.
The Returns book series proudly displayed for Christmas gift giving by Pierre Westie and Bentley Basset Hound

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Wanna Play?

   Pierre put his paw down after a week of Bentley’s birthday and our blogiversary celebration. He feels that our readers miss his happy face. I tried to explain that he gets plenty of exposure but how could I say “no” to this face?
Pierre the Westie loves to play soccer

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Looking Back on 3 Years of Barking from the Bayou

Me and my Basset Hound Bentley share a special bond.
   It is hard to believe that it was 3 years ago today that my life went to the dogs. Literally. What started out as a platform for my book series morphed into a lifestyle dog blog and I couldn’t be happier. Barking from the Bayou has become much more than a hobby. My husband Skipper and I have worked to build the blog into a place where our readers can forget the troubles of life and enjoy a laugh or smile. We have learned so much and have so much more to learn. I know blogging has made me a better pet parent to Bentley and Pierre. It is our hope that we have helped you too.

Thursday, December 8, 2016

Rhino Play is Dog's Play

GoDog Rhino Play is as tough and fun as its name implies!
Barking from the Bayou, LLC received a goDog RhinoPlay toy in exchange for an honest review. We only share products that we use and believe would be of interest to our readers. GoDog is not responsible for the contents of this article
   Bentley and Pierre LOVE their toys. There are several go-to favorites you can depend on them to grab for a game of tug or catch. It is important those toys can stand up to Bentley’s strength and Pierre’s Terrierism! We received a new toy for Bentley’s birthday from goDog® but Pierre has claimed it as his own. It is a tough molded non-toxic PopFoamNT™ that has earned its name, RhinoPlay™. If goDog says it is durable, I believe them. After all, this is not our first goDog toy

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Behind the Scenes at a Basset Birthday Party

   “I, Bentley Basset Hound celebrated my 9th birthday on Saturday, December 3rd. My mom, dad, and Pierre gave me a party. What you might not realize is there ain’t no party like a Basset Hound party! Let me take you behind the scenes at my big bash.
Baked burger with Dr. Harvey's Veg-to-Bowl with bananas are party perfect.
   We started with a delicious dinner of baked hamburger surrounded by Dr. Harvey’s Veg-to-Bowl with a few bananas added for flair. It was the perfect beginning to the evening. It looked better than what Mom and Dad ate. 

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

7 Ideas to Keep Your Pet from Hating the Holidays


   T’is the season to celebrate the holidays and we all have the picture perfect celebration in our minds. Of course, more often than not, something happens and the Norman Rockwell image goes out the window. You can visit YouTube for endless videos of trees crashing, presents being shredded and turkey stealing dogs. Take it from me, over the years those become the treasured memories that provide the laughter and love.
   Most of us consider our dogs, cats, and other pets family and include them in the holiday festivities. The trick is to make sure they don’t start hating the whole Christmas season.
Here are 7 things to remember to keep the 
HoHoHo in your Holidays

Friday, December 2, 2016

Happy 9th Birthday, Bentley Basset Hound

We are celebrating Bentley’s 9th birthday!!
   In honor of this milestone, I thought I’d share 9 reasons I love him so much. Okay, there are seriously a gazillion little things that he does to melt my heart but sticking with the theme of 9, I will hit the highlights. If you have never read how he came to live with us, please take a minute to check out Bentley’s Story. It explains a lot.
   Without further ado and in no particular order here are…
9 of the Gazillion Reasons I love
Bentley Basset Hound

Thursday, December 1, 2016

An Interview with a Basset Hound About Being Older

   Bentley is going to celebrate his 9th birthday this Saturday, December 3rd. It doesn’t seem possible that it has been nine years since he was a wiggly long-eared wrinkly puppy. Then again, I can hardly remember life before he was in it. He has changed me in ways that I never dreamed possible. I will discuss that tomorrow.
   You might remember on my birthday a couple of years ago when he was gracious enough to interview me. I decided it was time to ask him a few probing questions.
Me: “Bentley, thank you for agreeing to this interview. I know that you are a busy Basset.”
Bentley: “Never too busy for you, Mom. Are those the treats you promised?”
I nod and slide him a piece of jerky.