Lead Belly ~ A Louisiana Music Legend

   Louisiana is known for many things including Mardi Gras, Cajun cooking, bayous, and music. Today I want to share one of north Louisiana’s most influential musicians. His name is Huddie William Ledbetter but he is better known as Lead Belly.

   Born on the Jeter Plantation in Mooringsport, Louisiana in the late 1800’s, Lead Belly was a folk-blues singer, songwriter and the King of the 12-String Guitar. He led a colorful life that included time in prison.

Turn Bath Time into Spa Time with Caprine Artisan Soaps

   I recently discovered a homemade soap company and quickly fell in love with them. What started out as a hobby of making soaps using all natural and organic ingredients quickly turned into a Caprine Artisan Soaps, LLC.

   Each bar of soap is made individually using fresh natural organic goat milk, olive oil, coconut oil, palm oil, and essential oils. Then, they select oils that are pleasing such as lavender, tea tree, etc. Goat milk soap is great for people with sensitive skin. They don’t just make soap for people, they also make a soap especially for dogs.

Barking from the Bayou, LLC received Caprine Artisan Soaps in exchange for an honest review. We only share products that we use and feel will benefit our readers. Caprine Artisan Soaps, LLC is not responsible for the contents of this article.

   We received their pawsome dog soap, Schatzie’s Suds. It’s a thick soap bar that makes wonderful suds. I bathed Bentley with it and his fur feels incredibly soft. It made him smell great and it washed out easily. I prefer the bar but you can also buy their soaps in a concentrated liquid. It is recommended that you allow the soap to air dry and then wrap it in paper instead of putting it in plastic. That is because natural and organic soaps need to breathe.

Everything You Need to Celebrate Walking the Dog Day

Here is everything you'll need to celebrate

Walking the Dog Day.

How to Keep Your Dog Golden in Their Senior Years

   “Hello everyone, this is Bentley Basset Hound and today I will be revealing my secret to feeling golden in the senior years. It actually isn’t a secret; it is Dr. Harvey’s Golden Years. Mom adds it to my food each day and I gobble it right up. I've been using it for a couple of years now and I can’t say enough about the positive changes it has made in my body.

   You might have read our post the other day about my PetMedella Pet Wellness Analysis Kit where we shared how awesome my results were. The consultant Mom spoke to couldn’t believe how healthy I am at nine years old. We credit Dr. Harvey’s Fine Foods and Golden Years. Seriously, I scored in the upper 90% in almost all areas of health!

9 Tips for Being a Responsible Pet Parent

   February is not only the month of love; it is also Responsible Pet Owners Month. In the eyes of the law, we own our pets instead of them being part of our family. Since I disagree with that sentiment, I will be referring to it as Responsible Pet Parent Month.

“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.” 

Tips to Responsible Pet Parenting

Black and White Smiles

Happiness is when your dogs 

smile at you.

Valentine's Day Poetry for Pups

Bentley and Pierre are such romantics that they asked to write their own poetry for Valentine’s Day. 

A Dog's Ultimate Guide to Training Humans

Bentley: “We know there are thousands of manuals for training puppies and dogs. In reality, we all know that in most cases it is up to us to teach our people to respond to our every desire. The key is to never let them catch on to this fact. That is where Pierre and I can help.”

Welcome to the Ultimate Guide to Training Humans

• The wake-up call

It is important to wake your humans up early. Always beat their alarm clock to the punch. We find clawing the sheets and thumping our tails on the furniture is a sure-fire way to rouse them out of bed. The key here is not to let them get back to sleep once they open their eyes. Humans can be tricky so you need to stay on them.

Go Fly a Kite

Bentley: “Pierre, guess what day it is.”

Pierre: “Is it my birthday? Will there be cake? Woo hoo, I am so excited for my party!”

Bentley: “Chill out, dude. It is NOT your birthday and I haven’t smelled any cake so that is not looking too promising either.”

Pet Dental Health Care

   February is National Pet Dental Health month. It’s a great time to look at the benefits of a good dental hygiene routine for your pet. If you don’t have a regular regimen then this is the perfect time to begin.

This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for your support.

   Bentley has always loved to have his teeth brushed. I can show him his toothbrush and he will come running. Pierre is not a huge fan of brushing but has gotten much better. Both of the boys have healthy teeth and gums. Your veterinarian should check your pet’s teeth and gums during every visit. If dental disease is present, they will recommend a professional cleaning which requires anesthesia. We haven’t had to go that route and hopefully, with continued diligence, it won’t be necessary. Our vet told us that Bentley’s teeth looked like those of a 3-year-old pup! #ProudDogParents

   There are many products available to keep your dog’s smile pearly white and reduce tartar buildup. Along with regular brushing using a pet-friendly toothpaste, we have used water additives and chews. I have found that the boys enjoy their chews the best.

Barking from the Bayou received two Barkworthies Brushers in exchange for an honest review. We only share products/services that we feel will be of benefit to our readers. Barkworthies is not responsible for the contents of this post.

   One of the brands they love is Barkworthies™. We recently received the new Barkworthies Brushers and they were a big hit. Harvested from the Arrack tree, these chews are an all-natural choice to use in place of rubber or plastic dog chews. They can help fight plaque and tarter as well as keep your pup’s breath smelling great. Brushers won’t splinter and are free of additives, chemicals, and preservatives. You will find them to be a wonderful chew for teething puppies and aggressive chewers.

What are the signs of periodontal disease in your pet?

• Bad breath

•Discolored teeth

• Abnormal chewing or drooling

• Bleeding from the mouth

• Reduced appetite

• Pain associated with chewing

   The fact is that 80% of dogs show signs of periodontal disease by their third birthday. Today is the best time to start taking care of your best friend’s teeth and gums. I use toothbrushes specifically designed for a dog’s mouth. They are available in most stores and online. You can always use a finger brush to get them used to you messing around with their mouths. With time and patience, your pup can have a dazzling smile and fresh breath.

   Test your knowledge on your pet’s dental health with this quiz. Hint: Some answers can be found in this post. ☺

   It’s confession time. Do you have a regular dental routine with your dogs and cats? Tell us how you do it.

Sources: https://www.avma.org/Events/pethealth/Pages/February-is-National-Pet-Dental-Health-Month.aspx

“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.” 

Are You a Dog Mom or Dad?

This post is sponsored by PawCulture™ and the BlogPaws® Pet Influencer Network™. I am being compensated to help share PawCulture but we only share information we feel is relevant to our readers. PawCulture is not responsible for the content of this article.

   The other day while perusing PawCulture™, my go-to website for all things pets, I came across an article written by Victoria Schade titled, Why I Rock the Label “Dog Mom.” I found myself nodding in agreement to her words because I am also a proud dog mom.

The Brainy Basset Hound

"Do these glasses make me look like a

Brainy Basset Hound?