The Weight is Over!

   Did you know that obesity is a growing epidemic in the United States? It’s not just a human problem either. Our pets are gaining weight and it is a real cause for concern. Even five extra pounds on a dog can put them at risk of serious health problems. There is good news though. Obesity is a completely treatable problem and thanks to Dr. Harvey’s, it is now delicious!

Introducing Healthy Weight

Dr. Harvey’s Specialty Diets

The Healthy Alternative to Kibble

   Nobody wants to be told their dog is overweight. I once had a woman stop her car to tell me that Bentley was fat. It made me furious but also made me take a realistic look at him. It is not easy to put a Basset Hound on a diet. Bentley is ALWAYS ready to eat. Thankfully, I met the amazing Dr. Harvey’s family and began feeding the boys their awesome foods. As you can see in this photo above, he lost weight and has maintained it for five years! If their regular foods made this big of a difference in him, can you imagine what a food specially formulated for weight loss will work?

   Healthy Weight is a clean, healthy diet that will help your dog to reach and maintain their ideal weight. Most kibble contains high amounts of empty calories, processed starches and are highly processed. They are cooked at high temperatures that destroy any nutrients. Simply put, feeding junk food lead to junk bodies.

Gut Health & Weight Loss

   A dog’s digestive system is much like ours. It is made up of hundreds of different types of bacteria. Most of these are good and play a powerful role in a dog’s weight loss. If there is an imbalance, it makes it harder to lose those pounds. Processed kibble can harm the microbiome (the community where colonies of bacteria live) which leads to inflammation, a weakened immune system, and a plethora of other health issues.

Let’s Talk Ingredients

   You can lead a dog to their food bowl, but you can’t make them eat. I’m sure you have felt that way when you try to introduce a new food to your dog. That shouldn’t be a problem when you set down a bowl of Dr. Harvey’s new Healthy Weight. It’s available in chicken or beef and I’m not talking about artificial flavors. No way! The first ingredient in both recipes is freeze-dried REAL meat.

   All of these ingredients make a complete and balanced diet for your dog. It has gut-friendly probiotics and is a holistic solution to your pet’s obesity. This fresh homemade recipe will naturally boost their metabolism with nothing artificial to weigh them down. That is important when you’re trying to shed a few pounds.

Making the Meal

I always add extra water to Bentley's food to ensure he is getting enough water during the day.

   There is not an easier way to feed your dog a homemade meal. You won’t even need to write down the instructions. All you do is measure the correct amount of food according to the chart included. You can choose from the Weight Loss or Maintenance diet plan. Then, you add the recommended amount of warm water and wait 12 minutes before serving. Everything is in the bag. The Bayou Boys are certain the waiting is the hardest part and I have to agree. This food is so easy and will be great for traveling!

   If you are transitioning from another food, you will want to introduce Healthy Weight over four days. It is never advisable to switch your dog’s food suddenly. Of course, Dr. Harvey’s has made it simple with this helpful chart.

The Time is Now

Don't worry, the boys clean up every bit of food.

   Losing weight is a battle for many dogs. We love them and when they give us those sad puppy-dog eyes, it is difficult to say “no”. The problem is YOU are the only one that can help your dog lose weight. You are the one who decides what, when and how much they eat.

   Stop giving treats that are filled with artificial flavors and colors. There are as many or more dog treats available as there are dog foods, so you need to be careful in selecting one. We recommend Dr. Harvey’s LeDogue Bites. They are a single ingredient treat. Available in beef and chicken with no added salt or sugar, these treats are a favorite here on the Bayou. As hard as it might be, please do not give your dog table scraps. Those dropped French fries and little bites of cookies or cake are not doing them any favors. Love handles aren’t cute and can shorten your pet’s life expectancy.

   As with any weight loss journey, proper exercise will help. If your dog is extremely obese, consult your vet for the best exercise to avoid injury. Begin with a short walk or a game of catch. It’s important they stay active on their weight loss journey and you will enjoy it too.

We Can Help!

   We want to help you get started so we are giving away a prize package that includes:

• 5 lb. bag of Healthy Weight

(Makes 20 lbs. of food)

• Bag of LeDogue Bites

(Your dog is going to LOVE these!)

• Canister of Relax

(A fantastic herbal relaxing supplement)

   We make entering quick and easy with the Rafflecopter below. Follow the instructions beginning with leaving a comment. The rest of the form will open when you click “I commented”. If you have any questions, shoot me an e-mail. Good luck!

   If you are a cat person but know a dog who could stand to lose a few pounds, enter, and share!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Be sure to join us for this week’s Pet Parade blog hop. All pet bloggers are welcome, and you can select your subject or stay totally wordless with just a photo. We’d love to have you join in the fun! Visit Dash Kitten and Basil & The B Team today.

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A 4th of July Declaration for Pets

To our friends north of the border we say

Happy Canada Day!

Here in America we are preparing to celebrate our 244^th birthday. Over the past few years, we have said happy 4^th of July in a variety of ways. As I was looking through my photos, I came across the Pet’s Declaration of Independence from way back in 2014. The boys voted to share it again this year along with one of our favorite photos.

Summer is Here!

Summer is here and we are ready for some fun!

We have had enough of the sad 2020 so we’re ready to start the second half on with a smile.

Let's Discuss Treatibles and Your Pet

   I have been an affiliate of Treatibles Full Spectrum Hemp Oil products since 2017 for one simple reason. The results I have seen in Bentley are nothing short of amazing. Here is the link to our first post about Treatibles.   

   He has gone from panting, pacing, and trying to climb behind our couch to simply wanting to be close to us. He no longer trembles and will actually go to sleep during a storm. That means WE can get some sleep when overnight storms hit. After being awake during overnight storms for years, this was a welcome improvement!

   Here are a few questions that I thought we could answer in case you are still undecided if Treatibles CBD products are for you and your pet.

How can Treatibles benefit my pet?

Pierre's Pooped

We have been staying busy with the grandbabies and Pierre could not be happier. He has dubbed himself their best friend and stays right beside them. They throw his toys, play tug and love to run!

I have a funny feeling these two are going to be a pretty mischievous duo. Audrey calls them “her dogs” and neither of them would deny it.

Be the Good

   Like most of you, I am rather shell-shocked at what has transpired in America over the past few days. To see a video on television showing a man being murdered by a police officer is something none of us should be able to get out of our heads.

   It is important to believe there is more good than bad in the world but sometimes it is difficult. I pray that we can come together as a nation and world to begin the long journey of healing and acceptance. It is past time. 

DIY Dog Bed/Children's Chair

Every child, dog and cat know that there is nothing more fun than an empty box. All it takes is a little imagination for a box to become a rocket to Mars, a school bus, or playhouse. The possibilities are endless!

What if I told you that making a child’s chair or a pet’s bed is one of the simplest handy dandy craft you can make? Well, hold on to your hats because that is exactly what we are making today. 

What's the Deal with My Dog's Anal Glands?

    If you live with enough dogs or cats in your life, sooner or later you are going to have to deal with their anal glands. It is not a pleasant subject but today we are going to “clear the air” so to speak on what’s the deal with anal glands.

What are anal glands?

   Anal glands are basically scent glands located between the layers of muscles that make up the rectum. When they are working properly, the dog expressed these “anal sacs” naturally through a duct that connects the gland each time the dog poops. It is nature’s way for a dog to mark their territory and leave a smell for other dogs to discover. That’s why your dog can ALWAYS find poop that thoughtless owners leave behind.

The Boys Met the Girls

Pierre Westie: “SQUEEEE!! The most exciting thing in our entire universe happened last week! Lemme tell them, Bentley…let meeeeee!”
Bentley Basset: “Okay, you can tell them. Let me give them a little back story before you begin. Take a couple of deep breaths. I’ll be brief.
   We have two little humans called grandchildren that have begun staying at our house a few days each week. We’ve only met them under controlled circumstances because they’ve been tiny and we’re not used to such small creatures. We were social distancing before it was a thing.
   Since they’ve started coming around more often, we’ve gotten to know each other. Mom put us in the master bedroom behind a baby gate. The girls have gotten used to petting our heads and throwing us lots of toys. They understand that Pierre is talking when he barks and we understand that little girls like to sometimes scream and sing loudly.”

Pierre: “Let me tell them! I can’t wait another minute…
WE GOT TO PLAY WITH THE GIRLS!!! NO MORE FENCES!!!

How to Make a Simple & Comfy E-Collar for Your Dog

   There comes a time in most dog’s lives where they are forced to endure the humiliation of the “Cone of Shame” or Elizabethan collar. Whether it is to prevent them from licking their stitches or a hot spot, it has always done its job. They have always looked stupid and extremely uncomfortable to me although the new material ones don’t look quite as bad.
   We’ve been lucky not to have to use an e collar on the boys other than when they were neutered. That was until last week. Pierre started biting at his tail area, but we couldn’t see anything wrong. I didn’t want him to lick or chew a raw spot, so we needed a way to keep him from reaching that area. I didn’t want to go out and buy an e collar, but we did have last year’s pool noodles so…

Cut your pool noodle into sections. I used a 3” noodle and cut my pieces 1” - 2 1/2”. You can buy larger pool noodles and adjust the lengths for your dog’s size.

When Grooming Becomes Essential

   You know the saying that you never miss something until it is gone? I think we have all experienced that over the last few weeks as some people are still searching for toilet paper! It seems like forever since we could run up to the store to pick up a couple of items, go out to dinner, or shop at the mall. I don’t know about y’all but I miss all of those things a lot. I am really happy that Texas is beginning to reopen with health guidelines in place. I know this is a controversial topic but feel that people can make up their own minds as far as their own health status when they should re-enter society. I’m afraid face masks and social distancing will be a new way of life until a vaccine is found. On a positive note, we won’t have to wear lipstick or wonder if we have anything stuck between our teeth in public!

   The Texas COVID-19 shutdown of “non-essential” businesses included dog groomers. As you can tell, Pierre was a hot mess after almost six months without being groomed. Our plan was to take him to his groomer at the first of March because we had family coming to visit and wanted him to look handsome. Their plans were canceled as the country began to self-isolate. Before I had time to regroup and schedule an appointment, our state closed down.

Celebrating Earth Day 2020

It’s the 50^th anniversary of Earth Day and it comes at a time when the earth is actually trying to heal some of the damage it’s endured by mankind. We have certainly learned over the past few weeks what a difference it makes when people stay home. The skies are clear over cities for the first time in years. There are places where residents can see mountain ranges that have been obscured by pollution. Rivers and streams are running clear. Animals are able to repopulate without human interruption. Sea turtles hatched thousands of eggs after many beaches closed.

While it is important that we get back to the business of living, let’s hope that we have learned something from this bizarre time in our lives. 

We need the earth.

🌍

The earth does not need us.

Pierre, This is Your Life!

Welcome to Pierre’s 9^th birthday celebration!

We appreciate you stopping by for the fun.

As a surprise to the birthday boy, we have our version of

This is Your Life, Pierre

Mom: "You entered this world with no idea of the exciting times ahead."

Prepping for Pierre's Paw-ty

Pierre Westie: “Hey, Bentley! What are you doing? That wouldn’t happen to be a list of things for my birthday, would it?”
Bentley Basset: “Don’t be silly. Like I don’t have anything better to do than plan some lame paw-ty for my little brother.” Sighs and rolls eyes dramatically

Pierre: “You can’t fool me, bro! I know you are going to be ready to dive into some delicious birthday cake and ice cream. Are you inviting all of our friends to stop by the blog and visit? It can be a self-isolation paw-ty. They are all the rage these days.”

Pierre's Easter Jokes

At this week’s Barking from the Bayou team meeting, we discussed several different topics including the most obvious…the COVID-19 pandemic. I think it was Pierre who insisted suggested he tell a few jokes instead. After Bentley and I groaned, we agreed it would be more uplifting and we could all use a laugh these days. Of course, with Pierre’s comedy routine, that isn’t something we can guarantee.

Sit...Stay

Bentley Basset: “It’s day 8 of our humans’ government ordered “Stay at Home” mandate which means we have them all to ourselves! It’s the greatest time ever to be a dog or cat.” 

Pierre Westie: “Mom and Dad are retired but our jobs as guard dogs are essential.

Free Fun for Self-Isolation

    It seems just when we think life can’t get any more bizarre, we wake up to another day of what seems to be an unimaginable episode of The Twilight Zone. Houston has become one of many major cities to issue “Stay at Home” orders. We are to limit our movements to the grocery store, pharmacy or work if your job is in one of the sixteen industries the federal government has deemed essential. It is still okay to go on walks or visit local parks if you maintain a 6’ distance from others. Playgrounds and basketball courts are off-limits. I am not babysitting the grands and we are not riding our bikes to be super safe. After last month’s flu, we do not want this virus. The fact they keep mentioning those over 60 makes me cringe. How the heck did we get in the senior citizen danger zone? Yikes!

Spring Into Health With Dr. Harvey's

   

   Spring is the time of year for rebirth and renewing our promise to take better care of ourselves and pets. The days are getting longer, and the weather is nice so spending time outdoors with our dogs is a safe option during this time of self-isolation. As we practice self-care, it’s important to make sure our dogs are healthy too.

Good News is Coming

Bentley Basset Hound: “Hey y’all! Can you believe how crazy the human world has become over the last couple of weeks? This coronavirus is changing the way we live and there are many people who are really scared.”
Pierre Westie: “That’s right, Bentley. This is what we’ve been training for our entire lives. Dogs and cats cannot catch or carry this virus, so we are ready for unlimited cuddling. Well, cats might have a time-limit, but we animals have agreed to submit to hugs, kisses, and cuddles each day our peeps are having to stay home to avoid others. It’s the least we can do to help calm them.”

5 Quick Spring Cleaning Tips for Dogs

    Spring is in the air down here in Texas. It makes me want to open up our windows and clean the house. Living with dogs means before you clean the house, you need to clean the dogs. 

   If yours are anything like mine, the first trick is to catch them. Bentley actually loves grooming and will follow me anywhere if I have his FURminator. Pierre avoids all forms of grooming other than brushing his teeth. If there is an area I don’t want Pierre to go, all I have to do is set his brush down and he’ll avoid it like the plague. Either way, it’s spring and they need to freshen up!

5 Quick Tips for Spring Cleaning Dogs

BFTB NETWoof News March 2020

Bentley Basset Hound: “Hello and welcome to our March edition of BFTB NETWoof News! We sure have missed y’all but are happy to report that everyone is finally well and ready to bark some good news. Pierre, what’s our top story?”

How to Overreact When Your Senior Pet is Sick

   Bentley has been sick over the last week and frankly, it gave us quite a scare. He is on the mend and doing a bit better each day. I wrote out a thousand-word post describing everything that happened in excruciating detail but discarded it to make it more entertaining for you and me. I’ve decided to title it,

How to Overreact When Your Senior Dog/Cat is Sick

1. As soon as you notice a change in your pet, observe every single move and analyze it to death.

Shaking My Head and Saying, "Hmmm"

   It seems as if each time we venture out among other humans, there is always something that makes me shake my head. Is it because I am older? Have I become that “You darn kids get off my lawn” person? I don’t think that’s the case. I truly believe that common sense is just not as common as we’d think. 
   Let me give you some examples and see if you agree.

• The biggest head-shaker for me is people who don’t pick up after their dog. Why would someone care enough about their pet to take them on fun walks and fail to bring poop bags? Our neighborhood does have poop stations with ample bags available so it’s not too bad.
   Our bike trail, on the other hand, has a number of inconsiderate dog walkers. These people actually load their dogs up in the car and drive to a beautiful place for a walk then leave their crap for others to step in, ride through or have their dogs try to sniff it. This definitely makes me say, “hmmm.”
• It is important to exercise your puppy but remember they are still developing. A general rule is five minutes for every month during the first year depending on the breed. That means a three-month-old puppy should get 15 minutes of exercise daily.
   I shake my head at the number of people I see running long distances with their puppy. Of course, they will run as far and as long as their little legs will carry them. They want to please their human. It is the person’s responsibility to not overwork their new bestie.  A puppy will learn to love exercise if introduced properly.
   Another thing to remember is ALWAYS bring water for your dog. They get hot and thirsty too.

• Why would someone let a dog ride in the back of their truck unless they lived on a farm? I will never understand how someone can put their dog in the bed of their truck and take off down the highway! Don’t get me wrong, I grew up in the ’60s when we didn’t have seat belts and often rode in the back of my neighbor’s truck. That should only prove that when we know better, we should do better. 
   The dangers of letting your dog ride in the bed of truck should be obvious to everyone and yet, it still happens. They are not safe loose or tied up in an open truck bed. I have to say, “Hmmm” each time I see it and pray the poor thing doesn’t leap or fall out in front of my vehicle.

• These last two things on my list today are about social media. More specifically, Facebook. I shake my head so much when I read some posts that I turn off my computer and pick up a book. Here are my two top head shakers…
   Veterinarian Advice! Why would someone seek medical advice from a bunch of fellow pet owners? Now, I’m not talking about routine problems that most dogs or cats might experience. I’m talking seizures, bloody stools, face swelling, trouble breathing…you get the idea. For the love of all things holy, TAKE THE DOG OR CAT TO THE VET IMMEDIATELY!!! Your Facebook group or Google is no substitute for your veterinarian’s medical degree.
   Okay, this is the last one for today. We all know that there are horrible people doing outrageously horrid things to animals. I do not want to see pictures. Please do not post pictures of suffering animals for others to see. Is that burying my head in the sand? No, like I said, we all know these things happen. It’s on the news, in the paper, and on those darn ASPCA commercials. I don’t want to see it on my social media timeline. It doesn’t just make me say “Hmmm.” It hurts my heart and that is not why I get on Facebook.
   So, what are some of the things that have you shaking your head and saying, "Hmmm" today?

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Be sure to join us for this week’s Pet Parade blog hop. All pet bloggers are welcome, and you can select your subject or stay totally wordless with just a photo. We’d love to have you join in the fun! Visit Dash Kitten and Basil & The B Team today.

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Catchin' Up...Again

Bentley Basset Hound: “Hey, y’all! I guess that you were expecting to see us on a lost poster or milk carton since we’ve been gone for what seems like 87 days. Believe me, it was NOT my choice to go AWOL. After all, I have things to bark about and my paws just won’t allow me to type up a blog post by myself.”
Pierre Westie: “I’m right there with you, Bentley. At least you didn’t have nurse duty. Not that I’m complaining but Mom really wasn’t much fun. I had to poke her a few times just to get a well-deserved belly rub, but I didn’t leave her side the entire 87 days. I need a vacation.”

Space Center Houston is Out of This World

    One of the cool things about moving to a new city is that we’ve never been to most of the major tourist attractions. When you are talking about Houston, Texas, there are a LOT of things to see and explore. We have shared some of the fun places that we’ve visited before like our trip to the Houston Zoo, the theater district, and the Renaissance Festival. It’s an exciting place to live and I look forward to showing the city as we bark about the Bayou City.

   We recently went to Space Center Houston and it was incredible. As a child in the 60’s, I was fascinated at the thought of going into space. A lot of it probably had to do with watching the Jetson’s cartoon. Like most everyone in the world with a television, my family watched in awe on July 20, 1969, when Neil Armstrong took the first steps on the moon. Our incredible city was front and center when he reported from the moon’s surface on that fateful day, “Houston, the Eagle has landed.”

What's Happening on the Bayou?

Bentley Basset: “We thought today would be a good time to catch up on the things happening around the bayou this month. There were some fireworks on New Year’s Eve but, I had my *Treatibles and settled in for a nice snooze.”

We're Left Kong-fused

Bentley Basset: “Hello! It’s our first post since the howlidays and we hope that 2020 has been awesome for y’all so far. We thought we’d share our Christmas with an update on our toys that have left us very Kong-fused.”

Happy 2020 Y'all

   We want to wish everyone a very happy 2020. Our New Year’s Eve was spent together at home with the boys. Although there were some fireworks in the area, Bentley had some *Treatibles and went to sleep early. I turned smooth jazz on *Amazon Music for him in the bedroom tv to drown out any booms. Pierre barked at the first few but then realized that we weren’t under attack and curled up in his bed in the living room.