Friday, December 28, 2018

A Look Back at 2018

   As 2018 draws to a close, can’t help but reflect on all the things I’ve learned this year. It has been one of the most changing years of our lives.
   We sold our home in Louisiana and moved to Texas. That meant cleaning out and going through 25+ years of stuff. It was overwhelming and cathartic at the same time. People must forget how stressful moving is because they do it so often. It’ll be some time before I forget. I did learn that we could not have done it by ourselves. You can read about the move in my post, “It Takes a Village to Move.”

Thursday, December 27, 2018

3 Ways to Calm Your Dog's Anxiety

   In Bentley’s world, the days between Christmas and New Year’s Eve go from Peace on Earth to OH NO!! WE ARE UNDER ATTACK!!!!
   I’m talking about fireworks. Those fun and beautiful pyrotechnics are absolutely terrifying to him. There is not a lot you can do about others celebrating with fireworks but there are a few things you can do to help your dog.
   We have used all these products with Bentley during thunderstorms and fireworks. His anxiety level can get pretty high and includes pacing, panting, trying to climb in our laps or bathtub. Over the years I have found using them together to be a winning combination.
Basset hound resting with Dr. Harvey's Relax

Wednesday, December 26, 2018

Our Picture Perfect Gift

I hope that you had a wonderful Christmas. 
We were able to spend it with our grandbabies so it was a very exciting holiday. I wanted to share one of the very special gifts that our children and their spouses bought us.
It is a custom photorealistic watercolor portrait of Bentley and Pierre. The extremely talented artist is
Roz Thompson from the south coast of the UK. She did an amazing job of capturing the boys’ personalities. Needless to say, I cried lots of happy tears when I opened it. We will treasure our picture perfect gift forever.

Friday, December 21, 2018

Tummy Tips from Santa Paws

Santa Paws wishes you a safe and happy Christmas. Having recently battled a very serious case of gastroenteritis, Santa wants to share some tips for keeping a healthy tummy this holiday season.

Thursday, December 20, 2018

Dear Santa Paws

Two dogs writing Santa ©mkclinton.com
Dear Santa Paws,
   We hope that you had a terrier-ific year. Pierre and I have tried to be good boys since your last visit. You do know that we moved to Texas, right? We wouldn’t want you going to the wrong house!

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Yappy Howlidays with goDog Toys

goDog Holiday collection Santa
Bentley Basset Hound: “Ho ho ho! We are so excited to tell you about our newest toy from goDog®! It is part of their furbulous Holiday collection and more fun than any old reindeer games. You hear me, Rudolph?”

Tuesday, December 18, 2018

Oh, Christmas Tree

Two dogs decorating tree
Oh, Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree
How lovely are thy branches.
Oh, Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree
Why do we suddenly need to pee?

Friday, December 14, 2018

Our Poor Little Guy

Westie dog
   Hey y’all. This has been a tough week for us here on the Bayou. We are just now feeling confident enough to share what has been going on because Pierre is doing better. To be honest, we weren’t sure if that was going to be the case.
   Early Monday morning Pierre’s stomach began making noise. That is not unusual, so I gave him one Omeprazole over-the-counter acid reducer. It usually works quickly and once he eats, all is good. Not this time.

Thursday, December 13, 2018

Barking from the Bayou Turns 5

   It is difficult to believe that five years have passed since we decided to become Barking from the Bayou. I have learned so much since that December 13, 2013 when we went from a writer’s blog to a dog lifestyle blog.
   Of course, that gave the Bayou Boys a job that includes testing toys, treats, and lots of other dog products. They think it’s a great gig and are looking forward to many more years of sharing their opinions with all of you. They have a few more before Christmas and are excited for 2019.

Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Tuesday Fun

We are sharing some of our favorite memes today because we all could use a laugh to help us through the day.
two dogs with their tongues out

Friday, December 7, 2018

President Bush Funeral Train

   This is not a usual post for us at Barking from the Bayou but December 12, 2018, was not our usual day. President George H. W. Bush was a proud Houstonian and the city has been honoring and remembering him all week. There have been some very moving tributes by politicians, sports figures, celebrities, and regular citizens who knew him. 

Thursday, December 6, 2018

Where Are My Gifts?

We have finished decorating for the holidays and it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas on the Bayou! We put the tree up in my office. 

Wednesday, December 5, 2018

The Fabulous Furballz

goDog multi-color Furballz
Bentley: “The Bayou Boys love a good toy. One of our favorites has to be the Furballz from the amazing goDog® division of Worldwise. They make the best most durable toys that we have ever tried and believe me, we have more toys than most pet shops! (Pssst...Don’t tell Mom I said that, or she might get some silly idea about clearing out the toy box)"

Tuesday, December 4, 2018

Welcome to My 11th Birthday Party

Bentley: “Thank you all so much for the birthday wishes. It really means a lot to me. My 11th birthday was a lot of fun. We all went for a walk in the afternoon around our neighborhood. Mom brushed me for an extra-long time because she knows how much I love it. Mom and Dad both gave me lots of hugs and belly rubs. Add some yummy cookie with ice cream and it was a perfect day!
Basset wearing birthday cake hat
 I promised to share some of the pictures from my birthday party so I hope you enjoy these. I’ll be your moderator for the festivities.

Monday, December 3, 2018

Happy 11th Birthday Bentley

   It’s my birthday and as you can tell, I’m thrilled to be turning 11 years old.
   Seriously, this senior dog still feels like a pup most days. Mom and Dad make sure I always have great food from Dr. Harvey’s which is very important to my overall health. Playing is an important key to staying young so I get some running and chasing in each day. Having Pierre around has definitely helped keep me spry! He can sometimes be a typical little brother but I don’t know what I’d do without him.

Friday, November 30, 2018

How to Help Your Squeak-oholic Destuffing Dog

   As you know, most self-help groups keep their meetings private. The Bayou Boys wanted to share their recent testimonials in hopes that it will help fellow dogs.  
Bentley: “Hello, my name is Bentley and I’m a squeak-oholic. I love the shrill sound of squeaking when I sink my teeth into a toy. The problem started when I was a pup and has continued for almost 11 years.
   I know the noise drives my mom and dad crazy but once I get started, I cannot control myself. I will walk through the house squeaking non-stop. It feels so good and the sound fills me with happy vibes. You can’t fault a fellow for that, can you? I need help.”
Group Leader (Mom): “Thank you for sharing. I have the perfect solution for you and it doesn’t involve going cold turkey on squeaking. That would be too much for you. Check out this new Hear Doggy! ultrasonic toy.

Tuesday, November 27, 2018

A Murder on the Bayou

Bentley Basset Hound: “The photo above is from a happier carefree time. As you can see, I am sharing my PrideBites bed with one of my very favorite toys, Lamb Chop. She is soft, cuddly, and has a squeaker. I love my Lamb Chop. Little did I know that our time together was limited.
   Last week, I came upon a gruesome scene. Lamb Chop had been brutally murdered. It appears her throat was cut and her tongue was almost pulled out of her mouth. There were no witnesses to this heinous crime but I have my suspicions. Let me just say that Pierre has always been jealous of my relationship with Lamb Chop. This was clearly a crime of passion.
   Pierre claims that he has an ironclad alibi for the time this killing took place. Far be it for me to accuse someone unjustly but everyone knows he has a long rap sheet of terrier-ist acts including de-stuffing innocent toys.
   I ask for a moment of silence in honor of my dearly departed Lamb Chop. Sigh…R.I.P. my snuggly friend.”

**Don’t tell Bentley but I ordered him a brand new Lamb Chop for his birthday which is December 3rd.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Have you visited our Amazon Idea Page? I’d love for you to pop over and see what you think! 


Wednesday, November 21, 2018

One Tough Donut

Barking from the Bayou received a Trusty Pup Donut toy in exchange for an honest review. We only share products that we feel will benefit our readers. Trusty Pup and Propel Communications are not responsible for the content of this article.
   The Bayou Boys love to play and Trusty Pup® makes some of their favorite toys. They were very excited to review this new Chocolate Donut toy. It is made with Chew Guard Technology™ which means our new donut will last a long time. As a matter of fact, all of our Trusty Pup toys have held up to our resident plushy toy terrier-ist!

Tuesday, November 20, 2018

5 Reasons to be Thankful for Senior Pets

   November is National Senior Pet Month and Adopt a Senior Pet Month. This month is set aside to shine a light on older dogs and cats that are often abandoned and then overlooked for adoption. That is such a shame because senior pets rock!
   The Bayou Boys are both considered senior dogs. Pierre is 7 years 7 months and Bentley will turn 11 years old in a couple of weeks. Being older dogs has not fazed them at all. They still play, run, and wrestle like when they were young. I am very thankful for my senior boys. 
5 Reasons to be Thankful for Senior Pets
• Older pets’ personalities are set so it is easier to find one that will fit your family.

Thursday, November 15, 2018

We Messed Up!

Me: “Bentley…Pierre…Come here quick! We made a BIG mistake and have to correct it right away.”
Bentley: “OMD! What happened. Let me just say that I’m sure I didn’t do anything wrong. It must have been you and Pierre.”
Pierre: “Hold it right there, Bentley. It wasn’t me. I’m pretty sure that I was not even in the country when whatever happened occurred. There is no need for actual witnesses, is there?”

Wednesday, November 14, 2018

A Totally Grainless Smorgasbord

Barking from the Bayou received Loving Pets Totally Grainless treats in exchange for an honest review. We only share products that we love and believe our readers will enjoy. Loving Pets and Propel Communications are not responsible for the contents of this article.
   The Bayou Boys are huge fans of the Loving Pets® company. They drink their water from a beautiful purple LeBōl bowl and love all the treats they’ve ever sunk their canines into. That is why they were super excited when our new box of Loving Pets Totally Grainless™ goodies arrived for their review. 

Tuesday, November 13, 2018

Thursday, November 8, 2018

Joking Around on the Bayou

Talking Dog 4 Sale
A guy is driving through town and sees a sign in front of a house: "Talking Dog for Sale."
He rings the bell and the owner tells him the dog is in the backyard. The guy walks into the backyard and sees an old dog sitting there.
"Do you really talk?" he asks. "Sure do," the hound replies. "Sooo, what's your story?" The guy’s curiosity is peaked.
The dog looks up and says, “Well, I discovered my gift of talking pretty young and I wanted to help the government, so I told the CIA about my gift, and in no time they had me jetting from country to country, sitting in rooms with spies and world leaders, because no one figured a dog would be eavesdropping. I was one of their most valuable spies eight years running.”

Wednesday, November 7, 2018

Stress Busters

   The first Wednesday in November is National Stress Awareness Day. It doesn’t matter who you are or what you do, there is no way to avoid stress in life. Let’s face it, adulting can be very hard.
   It has been proven that having a dog or cat can be a great stress buster. Being a pet parent does come with stressful situations but for the most part, our furbabies make life better.
How Pets Help Reduce Stress
• Petting a dog or cat can relieve stress by lowering your blood pressure. It helps your body release a relaxation hormone and reduces the levels of a stress hormone.

Tuesday, November 6, 2018

Our First Starbucks Puppuccino

Bentley Basset Hound: “Oh my dog! Y’all are not going to believe what we discovered the other day.”
Pierre Westie: “It started when Mom and Dad loaded us up in our car kennel and drove us to our favorite walking path. The day was perfect with temperatures nice and comfy for a long walk.”


Bentley: “We got back in the car and instead of going home, they went to get a frappuccino from Starbucks. This time though, they ordered something called a puppuccino. It sounded like something we might enjoy.”

Friday, November 2, 2018

Glow Dog Glow

   If you live where daylight savings time is a thing that happens twice each year, then you know we “fall back” this weekend. That means our daylight is very limited. If you work a 9-to-5 job, chances are you are going to work at the crack of dawn and coming home at dusk. Ugh!
*We received two illumiseen collars and leashes in exchange for our honest opinion. Illumiseen is not responsible for the contents of this article. We are sharing information on these products because they may benefit our readers.
Charging illumiseen collar with USB port on laptop
   Walking your dog is still important and whether you walk them before work or after, it is going to be dark. That’s why I am so excited about the illumiseen™ collars and leashes. When you turn on the LED battery-powered light the collar emits a bright glow. Drivers or other walkers will see you and your dog well in advance. No more worrying about losing sight of your dog when they go out in the backyard after dark. Plus, the Bayou Boys look super cool in the yard with their collars aglow.

Tuesday, October 30, 2018

What 4:20 Sounds Like on the Bayou

Bentley and Pierre eat dinner at 4:30 each afternoon. This is not up for debate as far as they are concerned. Their Dr. Harvey’s base mix takes 10 minutes from the time I start the water heating in the microwave. That means at 4:20 this happens on the bayou. Every. Single. Day.
 Please make sure your volume is turned up.

Friday, October 26, 2018

Black Cats and Flashback Friday

   Can you believe another week has flown by? It's the weekend and we're joining our friends on their Friday blog hops. That means we are filling in blanks and flashing back with the Bayou Boys! Have a great weekend with your dogs and cats. 
✎ Fill-In the Blanks
We are joining 15 and Meowing along with Four-Legged Furballs for Friendly Fill-Ins. Be sure to hop over and visit everyone participating.
Oversleeping is an awful way to wake up.
• I always read the comic sections of the newspaper.
• Black cats are awesome. My black Manx was the coolest cat ever. That is Amos with our jack o' lantern.
• Mini Snickers are my favorite treats.

Thursday, October 25, 2018

What's Lurking in the Leaves?

Basset and Westie in leaves
Fall is such a wonderful time of the year. I love the changing colors and the cool crisp air. The Bayou Boys enjoy being out in the cooler temps and shuffling through the leaves is always fun. It’s important to keep in mind that there are still dangers in those piles of fun.
What’s Lurking in the Leaves?

Tuesday, October 23, 2018

Mega Dreams

The Mega Millions lottery jackpot is over
One BILLION Dollars!

That has the Bayou Boys doing some daydreaming.
Before Mega Millions

Thursday, October 18, 2018

The Pros of Probiotics

   Have you ever noticed how many products and medications that we give our pets are the same as we take ourselves? My Golden Retriever and I used the same thyroid medicine. Bentley takes over-the-counter human allergy pills when necessary. One of the most popular supplements that both humans, dogs, and cats all benefit from is probiotics.
What are Probiotics?
   Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that are good for your dog, cat or even you. They are excellent for the digestive system. There are billions of these gut-dwelling microbes in the system of all animals. Probiotics are good bacteria that keep the gut healthy. The name probiotics means “for life.”

Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Talking Tushees and Dirty Dogs

   Let’s get to the bottom of a sometimes unpleasant subject. I’m talking about our dogs and cats’ bottom. There are times when they could use some help in keeping their tushees clean. That is why we ALWAYS keep a package of Tushee Wipes™ from International Veterinary Sciences (IVS) on hand.
*Barking from the Bayou received Quick Wipes Bath and Tushee Wipes in exchange for an honest review. We only share products that we use and believe in with our readers. IVS is not responsible for the contents of this article. We are sharing our Amazon affiliate links in this post. If you purchase through these links, we will receive a commission.
   Tushee Wipes are the perfect way to clean your pet’s bottom. They are soft, non-irritating, and the aloe vera is soothing. A symptom of Bentley’s allergies is an itchy booty. It drives him crazy! I can wipe his bottom with one of these extra-thick 5”x8” towelettes and the relief is immediate.

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

A Keto Diet for Dogs

   Did you know that a 2017 clinical survey showed that 56% of dogs were classified as obese? That means about 50.2 million dogs are considered overweight by their veterinarians. That is a big number to wrap your mind around. Why do we have so many overweight dogs? The same reason we have so many overweight people. Pre-packaged food, not getting enough exercise, and unhealthy snacking.
2017 U.S. Pet Obesity Chart
Courtesy of Pet Obesity Prevention.org
   I was thinking about this over the weekend when I told someone the story of a woman stopping her car to inform me that Bentley was fat. A million nasty defensive comments came to mind. I mean, who does something like that?! I don’t take criticism of my dogs very well but I simply told her that was the reason we were out walking. It was all I could do to not cry right there in the middle of the street. My feelings were crushed, I was angry, and I was forced to take a hard look at my boy. Sigh…he had gotten overweight gradually and I didn’t even realize it.

Friday, October 12, 2018

The No-Brush Way to Your Pet's Dental Health

*This post was created in partnership with Espree® Oral Care Gel. I received complimentary products and compensation to facilitate my review, but all opinions within are my own.
   Did you know that 80% of dogs over 3-years-old show signs of dental disease? That's a staggering statistic but what can we do to help? There are things that you can do to avoid your dog becoming a statistic. Good oral hygiene is imperative to avoid a host of problems. It can add years to your best friend's life.
   Brushing is wonderful but not all dogs enjoy the experience. Dental chews are good but don't help much in removing the build-up or whitening. If your pet hates getting their teeth brushed, are they destined for periodontal disease? Not anymore! Can you get rid of the plaque and tartar your pet already has on their teeth? You can now!

Thursday, October 11, 2018

A Sneak Peek at goDog's RopeTek Toys

goDog RopeTek toys and water bottle
*We received our toys from goDog and Propel Communications in exchange for our honest opinion. Barking from the Bayou only shares products we love and believe will benefit our readers. GoDog and Propel Communications are not responsible for the contents of this article.
Bentley Basset Hound: “We recently received a box from our good friends at goDog® and begged Mom to open it. Imagine our surprise when we found two new toys! These aren’t just any toys, they are goDog’s RopeTek™ toys made with a patent pending manufacturing process. We are one of the first to get to try them. They even sent Mom a new shiny water bottle! At least she says it’s for her!” #SneakPeek

Thursday, October 4, 2018

Shelter Dog Interviews

   October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month. We would like to see ALL shelter pets find their forever homes. There are millions of dogs and cats waiting for someone to look into their eyes and say “Yes, that is my new best friend.”
   The Bayou Boys thought it’d be a good idea if they interviewed some shelter dogs to discover their stories:
Interview #1
Bentley: “People often think dogs that end up in shelters have been abused or found on the streets. You look very well cared for. How did you end up here?”
Senior Dog: “There are dogs here that fall into that abuse or street category but not me. I had a fantastic life with a lady that loved me very much. She let me sleep in her bed and we took long walks. We were supposed to grow old together. A few weeks ago, my lady became very sick. She never came home from the hospital. There wasn’t anyone to take care of me, so they brought me here. It is scary, and I don’t like it one bit. I just want someone to give me a second chance at love. The white on my face means I have been a good boy for a long time. Be sure to tell people that senior dogs make great friends.”

Wednesday, October 3, 2018

Meme Memories

We are sharing some of our favorite memes for this week’s Pet Parade. Enjoy them and have a pawsome Wednesday!

Tuesday, October 2, 2018

Trick or Treatibles

   I am sure you have read or heard about the benefits of hemp in treating both humans and animals. We have been affiliated with Treatibles for over a year now and could not be prouder. Their products are helping dogs, cats and others enjoy fuller more active lives.
Treatibles Hemp Treats
I am an affiliate for Treatibles and will receive a commission if you use my code to save 10%. Treatibles is not responsible for the content of this article. Barking from the Bayou only shares products we believe in and use.
   Treatibles was the first company to offer pet products infused with full spectrum hemp oil. Their mission is a simple one; promote harmony for the whole family® through the happiness and health of each pet.

Friday, September 28, 2018

D.I.Y. Chicken Heart Pill Poppers for Pets

   One of the biggest problems most pet parents have is giving pills to their dog. No matter how hard I try to disguise a pill in the Bayou Boys' food, they will devour their meal and all that will be left in the bowl is their pill! It never ceases to amaze me that they can avoid a tiny little pill in their food but they always do. I don't like having to push a pill down their throat. It makes me feel bad and they hate it. Not long ago I found a perfect and inexpensive solution. We were already adding it to their dinner and using it for healthy snacks. What is this awesome protein-packed treat?  Chicken hearts!
D.I.Y. Chicken Pill Poppers for Pets
 Our local grocery store sells packages of fresh chicken hearts for $1.49 per pound. That is much less expensive than ready-made pill treats.

Thursday, September 27, 2018

Remember Me Thursday 2018

   This is our fifth year to participate in Remember Me Thursday where we shine a light on the millions of dogs and cats waiting in shelters for forever homes. I pray that one day there will not be a need for this annual event but until then, we will continue to remember those waiting to give and receive unconditional love.
   There will be millions of unwanted pets dropped off at shelters and rescues this year. Many will find their forever families and live happily ever after. Sadly, others will live out their lives in those facilities. It is hard to think about them but there are others who have the misfortune of being brought to a high kill shelter. They don’t have a chance at life. We must shine a light on them so they do not die in vain.

Wednesday, September 26, 2018

Always Choose Laughter

Bentley Basset Hound: “Today has been set aside to honor the life and humor of our friend Madison D. Cat. We are joining her sweetie Raz for a fun blog hop called Come Laugh with Us. Madi loved to make us laugh and was famous for her twerking skills at the Blogville pawties!”
Pierre Westie:Did you know the Scrabble dictionary added twerk as one of the 300 new acceptable words? That has to make Madi so proud! We should totally tell some jokes. I know Madi loved our stand-up routine.”  
Bentley: “She did enjoy a good pun. Let's see...do we know any cat jokes?"
Pierre: "You gotta be kitten me!"
two dogs telling a joke