Wednesday, December 18, 2019

A Letter To Santa

Dear Santa, 
   We thought it would be a great idea if we wrote our Christmas letter and got it in the mail before your busiest night. How are the reindeer doing? Hopefully, they are ready to make the big trip to deliver all of the presents to the good children, dogs, and cats in the world. We will leave some extra carrots for them along with your cookies and milk.

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

All I Want for Christmas...2019 Gift Guide

Mom: “This is the time of year when I again give up on my annual idea of shopping for all of the Christmas presents that go under the tree or need to be mailed. I’m sure it is because Christmas comes earlier and earlier each year.”
Bentley Basset: “Nope, Christmas is on December 25 every year. It’s true there was one less week between Thanksgiving and Christmas, but you know it is possible to shop early. Just sayin’.”

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

Happy 12th Birthday, Bentley!

Bentley: “Hey Pierre! Instead of the news, we get to tell everyone about my furbulous twelfth birthday. That’s right, I celebrated turning the BIG 1-2 yesterday so I thought you would like to see how we paw-tied on the Bayou.”
Basset looking at new Lambchop
   I was so excited to get a brand-new *Lambchop. Pierre is a known serial Lambchop killer so I’m going to try to keep this baby away from him. You can see that he is already eyeing it!

Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Turkey Day Tips

   It is hard for us to believe that we are already celebrating Thanksgiving! This year has flown by with incredible speed. We have so many things to be thankful for and at the top of the list is where you’ll find your name!  
   We hope everyone has a wonderful holiday and gets to spend time with the people and animals that make us the happiest. If you are traveling, have a safe trip. Bentley and Pierre wanted to share a couple of tips for your Thanksgiving feast…
White dog eating whipped cream

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

A Visit to The Texas Renaissance Festival

   In October we visited the 45th annual Texas Renaissance Festival in Todd Mission, Texas. It’s only about 55 miles northwest of Houston so a perfect Sunday morning drive for us. This festival claims to the nation’s largest Renaissance theme park and I have to believe it! We spent several hours wandering around and didn’t come close to exploring the entire 55 acres.
   I had no idea what to expect when we arrived, but it definitely surpassed my wildest imagination. The festival boasts over half a million visitors each year. The food all smelled amazing and the vendors were all dressed in costume and could be heard shouting, "Come get ye fill of our finest brew, me lady!" We couldn't resist a smoked turkey leg. 

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

A Walk Around Pundt Park

“Hey, y’all! Mom and Dad took us for a walk around Pundt Park. It is part of the Spring Creek Greenway where they ride their bicycles. This section has a pond on the right side of the photo and woods on the left. We did not know where to sniff first!”

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Happy Howl-O-Ween

We are super excited about Howl-O-ween this year but instead of scary movies, we thought this year we'd bring you something frightfully funny!
“Uh-oh! Do you hear banjo music??”

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

5 Signs Your Dog is the Boss

   Today is National Boss’s Day and since we are retired, we don’t have any bosses. That’s right, we don’t have to answer to anyone…or do we?
   The Bayou Boys certainly have a lot of the characteristics of a boss. Let’s see if your dog or cat could actually be your boss too.
5 Signs Your Dog is the Boss

Wednesday, October 9, 2019

Catchin' Up

Hey y’all,
   Pierre and I have been discussing what kind of topics we should cover since we are only blogging one day a week. We will still have some reviews and helpful dog tips, but we thought it might be fun to have a week where we tell you what is happening in our lives.
   We finally have some cooler weather, so it’s been nice lounging out in our backyard. Mom and Dad laugh at us because I will lay in the direct sun and bake for an hour. Pierre tries so hard to do the same but he simply can’t handle the heat. He also has a hard time being still when he is outdoors.

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Join Us for #RememberMeThursday

The Bayou Boys are joining the world for #RememberMeThursday
   Today we are joining 180 countries and hundreds of thousands of people to spread the word about pet adoption. It is #RememberMeThursday so join the world in remembering the pets waiting in shelters for their forever homes or for those whose time ran out before being rescued.

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

It's Almost Time for #RememberMeThursday



   Please join me tomorrow, September 26 for Remember Me Thursday. This day is set aside to shine a light on the animals that run out of time waiting on their forever home. Of course, we also remember those still hoping for a chance to experience love and the warmth of their very own bed.  

Monday, September 23, 2019

BFTB NETWoof News September 23, 2019

Bentley Basset Hound: “Hello and welcome to BFTB NETWoof News for the week of September 23, 2019. Today is the first day of autumn but we aren’t feeling it here in Texas. Paisley will have the national forecast after the news. Let’s toss it to Pierre for our top story.”
BFTB NETWoof News Top Story
Pierre Westie: “A couple from Washington state went on a four-day vacation to Montana and brought their 7-year-old Border Collie along. They left Katie in the hotel room while they went out to eat. When they returned, the unthinkable had happened. Their beloved dog was not in the room. Rushing to the front desk they were told she had walked out the doors about four hours earlier.

Friday, September 20, 2019

Have a Wacky Weekend!

    We appreciate all of the kind thoughts and words concerning storm Imelda. On Wednesday, we only received about a half-inch of rain. I thought we had dodged the downpour. Thursday proved me wrong! We are fine and the water wasn’t too bad in our area, but Houston was once again hit hard. Many surrounding areas received over 20” of rain in less than 24 hours. It rained really hard at our home and thundered loudly. I had started giving Bentley Treatibles last night at bedtime and then again at breakfast. He slept under his dad’s desk in their mancave during the worse part of the storm. Thank you, Treatibles! Our thoughts and prayers are with our neighbors who will be recovering from this latest storm for quite some time. #TexasStrong

Friday, September 13, 2019

Fetch Your Dog Some Health & Shine

Dr. Harvey's Health & Shine
EXTRA! EXTRA!  Read all about it!
Introducing Dr. Harvey’s Health & Shine
- Skin & Coat Supplement -
   We were excited to learn that Dr. Harvey’s has added two healthy choices of fish oils for our dogs. I love adding fish and fish oils to Bentley’s Canine Health. Of course, he LOVES fish so there was no question whether he’d love these two oils. 

Friday, September 6, 2019

How to Keep a Basset Hound's Long Ears Clean

Howlin' Hounds snoods
   Does your dog have long ears that are constantly getting in their food? Bentley’s ears used to always have “crusties” on them from dried food. I was cleaning them or FURminating his ears after every meal. There had to be a better way other than putting his ears on a scrunchie! That can’t be comfortable, but I’ve seen dogs wearing them to keep the ears from dragging in the food. Thank goodness I discovered the snood!

Wednesday, September 4, 2019

Join Us for #RememberMeThursday 2019

   Mark your calendar for Thursday, September 26, 2019, and help shine a light on orphaned pets waiting for their forever homes and those whose hope ran out. This will be the seventh year for this worldwide event and our sixth year to help spread the word. I am proud to join the Helen Woodward Animal Center to flood social media on can’t speak for themselves. 
Now, here is the exciting part…
Did you adopt your best friend? 
If so, you can
WIN the 
Entering is super simple and it is a great way to say “thank you” to the shelter or rescue where you met your bestie!

Friday, August 30, 2019

Easy DIY Dog Allery Hacks

*Always consult your veterinarian prior to self-medicating your dog. I am not a veterinarian or medical professional so use the Purple Stuff and the Anti-Itch Spray at your own risk. I am sharing these recipes based on my personal experience and those of my colleagues.
   It is the time of year when dogs everywhere are raising a united hind leg and scratching their annoying itch. I would be afraid to know how much money we have sent to combat the misery of itching over the years of being pet parents. We have bought sprays, ointments, shampoos, powders, you name it and we’ve tried it. Our vets have given steroid shots and pills. Most of them work for a time but at what cost both monetarily and health-wise for your dog?

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

5 Reasons Dog Love Going on Walks


Westie and Basset Hound
Dogs love going on walks. It is probably one of the most exciting parts of their day. Bentley and Pierre know when we are about to take them walking. They bark as they hurry to get their harnesses and leashes attached. I asked them what makes walking so special for dogs. The following are their answers.

Monday, August 26, 2019

The Dangers of Recliners

*This article originally appeared on Barking from the Bayou on August 2, 2018. We are on vacation and will return on September 2, 2019.
Me: “I’m going to be totally honest with you right from the start of this post. I struggled with whether I should share this story. I feel so horrible about what happened but as a blogger, I feel it’s my responsibility to tell you my mistake in hopes of preventing you from doing the same thing.”
Living Room
Bentley Basset Hound: “Are you going to tell them about how you tried to kill me in my sleep the other night?”
Me: “Yes, I mean…no, I did not try to kill you but yes, I am going to tell them what happened.

Friday, August 23, 2019

Should I Crate Train My Puppy?

*This article first appeared on Barking from the Bayou on March 17, 2015. 

 “To crate or not to crate.” That’s a question many new pet parents ask. The question is brought up because many people believe it is a form of punishment to crate their dog. Rest assured, just the opposite is actually true. There are many times in your pet’s life when the benefits of crate training will come in very handy. In the event of separation anxiety, injury, or illness, your veterinarian may recommend crate rest to help to heal. That is not the time to start trying to get your dog used to being inside their crate.

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Back-to-School Pet Safety

*This post originally appeared on Barking from the Bayou August 14, 2014. A few updates have been made. 
Bentley: “Hey Pierre, it’s time our annual back-to-school safety post. We are at our local school so we can share some important information with you. It’s close enough to walk from home and that sure beats riding the school bus.  Mom even packed us a lunch.”
Pierre: “This is a great classroom. I’m going to sit up front, so I can be the teacher’s pet. We are learning about School Supply Safety today. It looks pretty interesting so far.  What kind of safety concerns can we find in a classroom?  I mean other than bullies, slamming our paws in lockers, falling out of my chair, and algebra?”

Friday, August 16, 2019

Snoozing on the Original Dog Pillow

The Original Dog Pillow
Pierre: “As the official toy expert, I really lucked out when we received The Dog Pillow Company’s Original pillow. Although it is fun to run around with it in my mouth, it is so much more than a toy.

Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Why I Don’t Take My Dogs to the Dog Park

   Let me begin by saying that I think dog parks are a wonderful place. I encourage people to use them and feel like it makes communities more desirable to dog parents. We have never taken the Bayou Boys to a dog park for a number of reasons. The first being where we used to live didn’t have one and then when they opened it people dropped their dogs off and kids swam in the dog pond. Thanks, but no thanks. 

Friday, August 9, 2019

Cruising Along with My Pet DMV License

Bentley Basset Hound: “They’re here! They’re here! Pierre, hurry!!”
Pierre Westie: “What are you barking about? What’s here? This had better be good because I was having a great dream.”
Bentley's licenses from MyPetDMV.com
*Barking from the Bayou received two sets of license from MyPetDMV.com in exchange for an honest review. We only share products that we love and think will benefit our readers. MyPetDMV is not responsible for the content of this article.
Bentley: “Well, this is a dream come true. We finally have our very own driver’s license. Mom ordered them from My Pet DMV, and they are absolutely incredible. We selected our Texas license, but you can pick from ALL 50 states and Canada! They look just like the real deal and only take about 5 minutes to create on their website.”
Pierre: “Oh my dog! I’ve been wanting my own license since I was a pup. They fixed us up with one wallet size and three keychain/collar ID tags. It’s hard to believe they only charge $19.95 for all of those and you can order additional pets’ licenses for only $9.95 at checkout. That kind of savings makes it easy to order licenses for the whole family…even your feline siblings. Cats like to drive too!”

Wednesday, August 7, 2019

A Trip to the Vet

Westie at vet
Pierre Westie: “Y’all are not going to believe what we were forced to endure on Monday. Mom and Dad took us to the V-E-T. It all started a few days ago when I began scratching and rubbing my right ear. Mom examined it but didn’t notice anything unusual and there was no foul odor. Still, after watching it over the weekend, they decided I needed to see the doctor. I feel better sitting in Mom’s lap in the office.”

Friday, August 2, 2019

Introducing the Smart Leash with Auto Lock

Smart Leash
   I want to introduce you to the Smart Leash™ retractable leash. Now before you roll your eyes and say all retractable leashes are a bad idea, let me tell you how this leash has changed my mind. 
   Most retractable leashes rely on the human at the other end of it to control the dog. While many pet parents are great at using their retractable leash, many are not and that results in their dog abruptly charging at other dogs, people, or even into the street. This is why people have such negative views on this type of leash.

Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Stylin' -N- Profilin'

Pierre had a much-needed visit to 
yesterday. He came out looking so handsome that we decided to do a photoshoot in Old Town Spring. We have a new leash so walking around the quaint area was perfect to put it to the test. 
Stop back on Friday to read our review.

Friday, July 26, 2019

Tips to Prevent Fires Started by Pets

   Did you know that according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) pets are responsible for over 1,000 house fires annually in the United States? Even more astounding is that an estimated 40,000 pets die in fires each year, mostly from smoke inhalation. The question is how can you help prevent your pet from starting a fire in your home. Here are some tips that can be lifesavers.
*This article contains Amazon affiliate links.
How to Fireproof Your Home

Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Tell an Old Joke Day Jokes

It’s “Tell an Old Joke Day” and y’all know how we like to fancy ourselves stand-up comedians so we couldn’t resist trying out some of our new “old” jokes.

Wednesday, July 17, 2019

Some Memorable Memes

It has been a while since we shared some memes. I was looking through the ones we’ve made and found some of my favorites. I hope they bring a smile to your Hump Day!
Looking back at these photos make me realize how much whiter Bentley’s face has become.

Friday, July 12, 2019

Ride On!

We wanted to take you on another section of our bike ride along the Spring Creek Greenway Trail.
Our longest ride has been fifteen miles, but we normally ride ten miles. It’s a beautiful trail and we’ve seen rabbit, deer, and lots of squirrels off in the woods.

This section of the trail is swampy with shallow water on both sides of the trail. It is one of my favorite parts because it is always cool and shady. We keep our eyes out for snakes but so far, haven’t seen any. Actually, we didn’t even see any mosquitos when we stopped to take these photos.  
The sign reads "Please help us conserve by bringing your own refillable water bottles".

There are these handy water stations placed along the trails. We always carry our water bottles filled with ice and water, so these are great for a quick refill on a hot day. Staying hydrated is one of the most important tips I can give you when your outside in the heat no matter what you are doing.

The part of the trail we have ridden on looks like this most of the way. There are a couple of areas where we are in the sunshine, but it is a short time and we always wear our sunscreen! We really don’t feel hot until we stop for water. As soon as we begin to ride again, we immediately cool off.
I shared a light purple passionflower photo last week and many of you commented on it. Thursday morning, we rode past this brilliant purple passionflower and I told Skipper that we had to stop and take a photo of it on our way back. They are growing wild and are truly a work of art! They have quickly become one of my favorite flowers.
 The entrance to the park where we begin our ride has a beautiful butterfly and hummingbird garden. There were butterflies fluttering everywhere but none wanted to cooperate for a photo. 
These little purple flowers reminded me of the saying. “Bloom where you are planted!”
I hope you enjoyed our bike trip. We are looking forward to loading up the bikes and exploring new parts of the city too. It’s a perfect way to discover places that you’d never see from a car. As always, we'll take you along for the fun!
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.
Be sure to visit our Amazon Idea Page! I’ve selected some awesome gifts for pets, parents, kids, and you.

We are joining Rosy and the boys from LLB in Our Backyard for their Nature Friday blog hop. Be sure to visit them for all the other awesome blogs celebrating nature.


Wednesday, July 10, 2019

Ring My Bells

   When Pierre came to live with us, our daughter had trained him to use *Poochie Bells when he needs to go outside. He is a little gentleman when it comes to ringing the bells. A simple brush of them to let us know it’s time. When we moved to our new home, the bells were one of the first things unpacked.

Friday, July 5, 2019

Biking the Spring Creek Greenway Trail

   I mentioned that for our anniversary we took our bikes to a local bike trail to ride. We just bought a bike rack for the car and were anxious to go exploring. It was our first ride on an actual trail made for biking! Both of us were as excited as kids going on a big adventure. 
   We started our ride at the Dennis Johnston Park which is a beautiful 45-acre area that includes a pavilion, pergola, a butterfly and hummingbird garden. It is really nice and there are a number of activities you can do when you visit. Looking at all the other bike racks in the parking lot, there were a number of other cyclists already on the trail. 
Bikers yield to horses warning sign
   I’m not sure if this is just a Texas bike trail sign but it made me laugh. We didn’t see any horses although we passed a number of joggers, bikers, and walkers. Everyone was so friendly!

Wednesday, July 3, 2019

How to Have a Calm 4th of July with a Nervous Pet

   Tomorrow is the 4th of July in America and while we hope our neighbors respect the rules to not pop fireworks, there are always a few rebels. I understand the excitement and fun of fireworks. We used to blow up lots of cool fireworks when our kids were young. They never bothered our dogs and frankly, I never gave much thought about it. Growing up, the 4th of July meant fireworks. Then came Bentley.

Friday, June 21, 2019

How Hot is Too Hot for Your Dog?

   It is getting that time of the year again when we hear horror stories of dogs being left in cars or burning their paws on hot concrete. You might be wondering how hot is too hot for your dog when it comes to the summer heat.
Dogs in Cars
   Let’s start with leaving your dog in the car while you run into the store. You only plan on being in there a few minutes and you’ve left the window down. Your best friend should be fine and besides, they hate being left at home. I get it, seriously, I do. How many times have you seen someone from the neighborhood or work and had to chat for a bit on the canned good aisle? Meanwhile, your dog is having a hard time breathing out in your car.

Wednesday, June 19, 2019

Let's Celebrate International Box Day

Bentley: “Hey y’all! Today is International Box Day in the blogosphere and we thought it was time to think inside the box and join the fun.”
Pierre: “The holiday was established to give cats a chance to share their love of boxes with the world. Of course, dogs enjoy a good box too, so we have joined in the celebration.”
Basset looking in Chewy.com box
Bentley: “If we are being completely honest here, most of the boxes that are delivered to our home belong to Pierre and me. We get our Dr. Harvey’s delivered as well as our goodies from Chewy. How can you not love boxes when they arrive filled with pawsome stuff for us?!”

Friday, June 14, 2019

Dear Dad

    Sunday is Father’s Day in America and we hope all of the dads out there have a great weekend. The Bayou Boys wanted to pen a special letter to their dad and asked if they could share it here.

Dear Dad,
   Happy Father’s Day! Pierre and I felt we should get together and write this letter to let you know how much we love you. You are the best dad a dog could ask for and we are very glad that you belong to us.

Wednesday, June 12, 2019

Take 5 for your Pet's Health

   How often do you wash your dishes? Most likely the answer is after every meal. Can you imagine having to eat all of your meals out of one dish that hardly ever got washed? It sounds gross and certainly not something that we would enjoy. Now ask yourself when was the last time that you washed your pet’s food and water bowls out with soap and hot water. If it is longer than yesterday, please stop reading this, take five minutes and go wash them. I’ll wait for you. Thanks, they’ll appreciate it. Okay, let’s talk about why it is so important to clean your pet’s bowls.

Friday, June 7, 2019

Pierre vs. the Burrs

Pierre loves to go outside and roll in the clover where these burrs are hiding. His fur is like Velcro® to these prickly nuisances. We picked over 80 from his face alone! Now, you’d think that he’d learn his lesson, but he has not and will continue to get them. In the backyard, there is a tiny little spot where they grow but he can find it each time he goes out! Thankfully, they are almost gone. He does sit perfectly still while we pick each one out. 

Wednesday, June 5, 2019

Anatomy of a Walk

We are always super happy to go on a walk. Today was no different. There were things to smell and people to see.

Friday, May 31, 2019

Be Prepared with Treatibles Ready Packs

   I know it seems like our dogs just got over the terror of New Year’s Eve and here we are already dreading the 4th of July! As if that’s not enough to have your pet pacing and panting, hurricane season is starting so that means you could have some bad storms or even an evacuation situation. Oh my, I forgot to mention the summer visits from relatives. How are those of us with sensitive dogs and cats going to survive? 
Treatibles 10 single serving Ready packs for dogs
* I am an affilate for Treatibles and will receive a small commission if you make a purchase using my affilate code. You will save 10% off your order by entering code BFTB. It's a win/win situation. Treatibles is not responsible for the contents of this article.
Treatibles® Ready Packs
   Treatibles has made giving your dog or cat their Organic Broad Spectrum Hemp Oil a snap. The 10-count single serving blister packs are easy to use and provide a controlled, consistent amount. Treatibles Ready Packs for dogs are for 50+ pounds and contain 5mg. Organic Broad Spectrum Hemp Oil. The cat formula has 2 mg. and is good for up to 20 pounds. Both formulas are the exact same, it’s just the potency that’s different. That means small dogs can safely take the Cat Ready Packs