Once Upon a Time on the Bayou ~ A Fairy Tale

   Once upon a time on a bayou far, far away lived a Basset Hound and a Westie.

Bentley: “Hey, is this story about us? You forgot to say that we were handsome. Can you make me the king, maybe? I’ve always thought I should be a king.”

   Once upon a time on a bayou far, far away lived a handsome Basset Hound and Westie. These kings were loved by all of the bayou animals.

How to Combat Ear Infections in Dogs

   Do your dog’s ears hang low? Do they wobble to and fro? If so, you probably have dealt with the dreaded ear infections. They are painful and in most cases require a visit to your veterinarian. It is best to get to the vet at the first sign of an ear infection. Left untreated an infection can lead to not only excruciating pain but in some cases, deafness. It is time to declare war and combat ear infections in our dogs.

   There are certain breeds of dogs that are more prone to infections. These include those with an abundance of hair in or around the entrance of their ears and those with floppy ears. Dogs have an outer, middle, and an inner ear just like a human. It is the shape of a dog’s outer ear that is so different and that is where the trouble begins. Where our ear canal is horizontal, a dog’s ear canal descends vertically then takes a sharp turn only to proceed horizontally to the eardrum. Most dogs are able to vigorously shake their head and dislodge any foreign matter, but that is not always the case. Dogs with long drop or folded ears have a difficult time ridding their auditory canal of water and debris. This makes it a hotbed for infections.

Dr. Harvey's Coconut Smiles ~ A Treat that Dogs Love

Bentley: “People always think that Basset Hounds are sad. Little do they realize it is a ploy to get more Smiles.”

Me: “I smile at you all of the time. I don’t understand what more you could want.”

Pierre: “Pssst, he isn’t talking about one of your smiles. He is trying to get more Dr. Harvey’s Coconut Smiles. As you know, I am the happiest dog around but I can always use more Smiles.”

Me: “Oh, I get it now. You both want these single ingredient 100% pure organic dehydrated coconut treats from our friends at Dr. Harvey’s. They are wholesome and delicious.”

Celebrating International Dog Biscuit Day

Bentley: “Hey Pierre, guess what we are celebrating today.”

Pierre: “Is it my birthday? Will there be cake?”

Bentley: “It is not your birthday and there is no cake. It is International Dog Biscuit Day so there will be treats!”

Pierre: “That is almost as exciting as my birthday. I love dog biscuits. I wonder who invented these tasty morsels of goodness.”

F'lint Retractable Rollers Mean the End of Lint

   If you look at my wardrobe, you would think my favorite color is dog hair. There are days when I think I have more dog hairs on me than Bentley and Pierre have on their bodies! This is why I always lug around one of those ginormous lint rollers. You know the ones that I’m talking about where you have to cram them sideways into your car’s glove compartment to make it fit. They are a pain, but what’s a pet lover to do? Don’t go chasing your tail trying to find a better solution. Think Product Lab™ has invented one for us.

   Let me introduce F’lint™; the retractable lint roller that is compact enough for most purses. It won the 2015 Red Dot Award for design concepts! You can choose from a rainbow of colors making F’lint not only functional but fashionable. It is perfect for tossing in your luggage, briefcase, dog bag, or backpack. Now you no longer have to coordinate your outfit to match your dog’s hair.

5 Puppy Mistakes to Avoid

   There are not many things more exciting than welcoming a new puppy into your home. They are roly-poly bundles of fun and energy. It is easy to become overwhelmed if you don’t have a game plan to begin training. Even though your new best friend is still young, an eight-week-old puppy is capable of learning the basics.

Dr. Harvey’s Miracle Dog Food Pre-Mix is Canine Health

 Let’s face it; there are so many different dog foods on the market that it is easy to be confused. We have tried more brands and recipes than I could possibly remember. We have fed expensive prescription food from our veterinarian and grabbed a bag at the grocery store when we ran out of our regular food. 

   As a dog blogger, I am often asked to review a multitude of brands. I’ll admit that for the first year and a half, I let the boys try a wide variety of foods for sponsored posts. Most of them I liked and the dogs enjoyed. Bentley and Pierre are not finicky. Thankfully, I have become more selective about their food. That means I know the importance of reading labels, avoiding artificial preservatives, fillers, and chemicals. The more that I read and learn, the more I know that Dr. Harvey’s is the best food for my boys.

For this meal, I chose to add beef liver and coconut oil.

A Letter to Mom

Dear Mom,

   I hope that this letter finds you well. There is something on my mind and I thought it’d be better explained in writing. February is chock-full of holidays including Groundhog Day, Fat Tuesday, Valentine’s Day and President’s Day. You will notice that those are all single days and really have nothing to do with pets. Not to say that we don’t appreciate a little something on February 14^th. Just sayin’…

How to Make Banana Button Treats and DIY Container

   It’s almost Valentine’s Day and love is in the air…or is that the smell of bananas? Here on the bayou, Bentley and Pierre love bananas. It is one of their favorite snacks. I am not kidding when I tell you that Pierre can hear us peel a banana even if he’s asleep! I decided that they would make a perfect gift for Valentine’s Day. Bananas are a healthy source of fiber and vitamins B6 and C. My boys enjoy sharing pieces of our fresh bananas but their favorite way to eat them is as dehydrated chips. These are simple to make and perfect for snacks, training or on walks. They are also perfect for Valentine’s Day!

This is how we make

♥ Bayou Boys Banana Buttons ♥

Dog Coats Made By De

When it comes time to buy clothes, I envy people with normal shaped dogs.

Bentley: “Wait just a minute, Mom. I don’t like how this post is starting. I have a feeling that your next words were going to be something about my shape NOT being normal. Sigh, you cut me to the quick.”

10 Things You Should Know About a Westie

   As I was mulling over what to write about for my Thoughtless Thursday post, Pierre came over to me. It was clear there was something on his mind. He pointed out the fact that I’ve not written a post about things people should know about a Westie. I have done several about a Basset Hound so to be completely fair; here is my list of things I've learned from Pierre.

10 Things You Should Know About a Westie 

1. Their proper name is the White West Highland Terrier. Westie is their nickname, but Pierre prefers “His Fabulousness.”

Clowns, Jokers, Basset Hounds

Take Care of Your Dog's Teeth Naturally

   February is Pet Dental Health Care month. That means it is time to look at how we can help our best friends have healthy teeth and fresh breath. It is always best to start a dental hygiene routine as soon as your pup moves in with you. Once they are used to having their teeth brushed, it can become something they enjoy. Bentley loves to have his teeth brushed. If you have tried everything to get your dog’s teeth brushed and nothing works, don’t fret. There are other things that you can do to help prevent decay. Today, we are going to look at some dental problems and holistic ways to help.