pure turkey liver munchies made N.A.S.H.A. go primal

Thanks to chewy.com for providing me with a sample of Primal Freeze-Dried Turkey Liver Munchies to review. I only share information I feel is relevant to my readers. All opinions and ideas are my own. 

I have a confession to make. I get a little bit nervous when I'm asked to do a review of dog treats. Our N.A.S.H.A. is ultra-picky, and though I have a pretty good idea of her preferences, you just never know. I always provide my honest opinion, but I'm a positive person, so it's never fun to proclaim our distaste when I know how selective she is. When I receive treats, I always try them out on her, first, but thank goodness I have a back-up team of pet sitting clients who are always ready and willing to pick up the slack. Unfortunately for them, that won't be necessary this time, because we just found N.A.S.H.A. a new favorite treat, Primal Freeze Dried Turkey Liver Munchies from Primal Pet Foods. A special thanks (and lots of wet kisses from N.A.S.H.A.) to chewy.com for sending them our way!

Before I even tell you how awesome these treats are, you must know that both dogs and cats can enjoy them! So if you live in a mixed-pet home, these would be an ideal choice for your family. 

Let's check out why these freeze-dried turkey liver treats are so great:

• made in the U.S.A. from turkey raised without antibiotics or added hormones

• one ingredient: turkey liver (single-source protein)

• high in protein

• no preservatives

• no added salt or sugar

• gluten-free

• grain-free

• Did I mention that they are well-suited for both dogs and cats? Just wanted to make sure you caught that–so cool!

N.A.S.H.A. was interested in what I was doing as soon as she heard the package crinkle. I let her check out the package, but since she hasn't learned to read, yet, she wasn't as impressed as I'd hoped. I thought the handy peek-through window on the back of the package was pretty great. I like to see the actual treats rather than a glamorized picture, so the ability to peek at them in a store setting is valuable to me. N.A.S.H.A. couldn't have cared less about the visual, but once I ripped open the top of the package, all bets were off.

A handy peek-through window reveals the actual treats. I love that!

This is N.A.S.H.A.'s "my-face-is-tweaked-with-interest and I-wish-mom-would-open-the-bag-wider-so-I-can-fit-my-entire-head-inside" face.

I really liked that these natural treats were of varying shapes and sizes, so if you have both dogs and cats, or both large and small dogs, you could purchase one bag of treats and have sizes appropriate for all of the pets in the household. Or, if you wanted to treat your little dog, big-time, you could just hand over one of the big ones (or two) like I did. Yeah...I'm a softie. If your dog or cat prefers a petite treat, the larger pieces can easily be broken up. But where's the fun in that? Just sayin'. 

The bag contains treats of varying sizes, so these are great for dogs and cats, large and small. (Penny is pictured for size comparison only and is not a cereal-box prize. Do not feed pennies to your pets.)

Though N.A.S.H.A. has a very discerning palette (read: she's the pickiest dog I've ever met), when she likes something, she shows full committed devotion. I should have known by the look in her eyes that I might lose a finger. Thankfully, she's no "Jaws."

The initial trial.

As you can see, these treats went beyond the expectations of an extremely finicky pooch, so if your pooch is picky (and especially if he's not), I think these treats are a sure bet. As for me? Well, I didn't actually taste them, myself, but I feel great about providing N.A.S.H.A. with such a healthy snack. One ingredient, totally natural, and no-added-anything-nasty? Sold!

I'm so happy to have had the opportunity for N.A.S.H.A. to try these treats. I'm certain that they will be a permanent addition to our reward rotation. In fact, I may have to put a child-lock on the treat cabinet!

Chewy.com has a huge variety of top-quality products for your pets, including the entire Primal Products Food Line, so you can find these Primal Freeze Dried Turkey Liver Munchies and so much more! Chewy.com has great prices, too. 

Have you tried Primal Pet Food's Primal Freeze Dried Treats or any other products from the awesome Chewy.com? We'd love to hear about your favorites!

Shop Primal Freeze Dried Turkey Liver Munchies at chewy.com.

art studio holds "paint a pet" fundraiser for the humane society

I enjoyed an evening with some of my best gal pals last week for "Moms' Night Out" hosted by our local MOMS Club. We all brought some food and wine to share and met up at Be...An Artist, a local art studio recently opened by artist Sandra Marshall. I was excited to do something different...slap some paint onto a canvas, but it was even more fun than I expected. While we were there, Sandra mentioned that the studio would be hosting a "Paint a Pet" fundraiser for the Arizona Humane Society, and my ears perked up. 

Our MOMS Club had an awesome time at Be...An Artist. photos courtesy of Sandra Marshall, Be...An Artist.

So a few days later, I found myself back in the studio with Sandra and her fabulous team. When the Arizona Human Society's Waggin' Wheels Mobile Adoption Wagon pulled up, the small crowd watched in excitement. For, inside were not only furry models for the budding artists, but adoptable models, at that. Once the wagon was parked in front of the studio, the side rolled up to reveal a wall of adorable critters in see-through kennels. The onlookers released a collective "Awwwww..." The back of the wagon said "NEW FAMILY MEMBERS ON BORD," which totally melted my heart.

The crowd gathered outside the Waggin' Wheels Wagon.

The hopeful pups check out the crowd, hoping to become the newest addition to a great family.

Inside, Sandra and her team had set up canvases for potential adopters as well as for birthday party-goers. What a great occasion for an animal-loving tween to have a party! Sandra started the art lesson by teaching everyone how to draw the animal they wanted to paint. Step-by-step, she showed them how to form the shapes the would somehow come together into a masterpiece. What I love about Sandra is her attitude. Though she is an accomplished artist, she instructed both "spirited" moms and young animal lovers on how to create a painting to be proud of. Throughout the process, she occasionally asks "are you happy with it?" If you say you're not, she'll ask what you're not happy with and help you find a solution. Remarkable patience.

Sandra helps the artists every step of the way.

Back outside at the wagon, I spoke to Megan Merrimac, Mobile Adoptions Coordinator for the Arizona Humane Society. I asked her about the Waggin' Wheels program. She explained that since the program's inception in July of 2014, they have had over 250 adoptions out of the wagon. They bring 6-8 dogs and a couple of cats each time they take the wagon out, which is three or four times a week. Sometimes they attend events, and sometimes they just hit the road. I asked Megan if the pets had to meet any special requirements in order to board the Waggin' Wheels Wagon. She said that she always make sure the animals are good with kids. That seems understandable, as the wagon was attracting small humans like bees to honey. 

Who could resist these cute faces?

At Be...An Artist that day, AZHS adopted out four animals. Pretty awesome! And Sandra donated a portion of the proceeds to the cause. We love that!

Be...An Artist has a wide variety of sessions and events geared toward children, teens, and adults.  They even offer summer camps and classes for people with special needs. It's a great place to have a birthday party, as I was lucky to witness first-hand. I think my art-loving daughter, Campbell, would absolutely love to have her next birthday party there. 

The party-goers were pleased with their masterpieces. photo courtesy of Sandra Marshall, Be...An Artist.

Have you been to Be...An Artist, yet? Or if you're not in the Phoenix area, is there anything like this where you live?

View the Be...An Artist calendar of events.

Connect with Be...An Artist on Facebook.

View the Arizona Humane Society's Waggin' Wheels Mobile Adoption Vehicle calendar.

Connect with AZHS on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube and Google+.

join us to help the aspca® fight dog fighting and enter our #GetTough #giveaway

Did you know that April is Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month? There are all sorts of ways we humans exhibit animal cruelty, but one of the worst is dog fighting. What makes me most mad about dog fighting is the fact that it's simply for "fun." Animals are tortured repeatedly–both psychologically and physically–for the entertainment and monetary folly of twisted individuals. Please join me in helping the ASPCA® with their #GetTough Movement in time for National Dog Fighting Awareness Day (NDFAD) on April 8th, 2015 and enter our #GetTough Giveaway.

By joining us to help the ASPCA #GetTough on Dog Fighting, you support them as they work to eradicate dog fighting by assisting in raids and rescues alongside law enforcement agencies and by advocating for stronger laws and sentencing for those involved in dog fighting.

The ASPCA has made it simple for us to help:

1. Get the toolkit. Fill out a simple form on the ASPCA web site to get your FREE #GetTough toolkit, which includes a #GetTough micro-poster and images to post on social media. There is also a printable poster, so you can take a selfie with your pooch to help spread the word.

2. Take action. Right there on that very same page, you can click to sign the ASPCA's petition to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), asking it to prosecute dog fighters with greater frequency in 2015 and beyond.

3. Learn more. The ASPCA's Fight Cruelty section has a wealth of information about their work to end dog fighting. You can read about recent dog fighting raids and rescues as well as learn about breed-specific legislation.

But before you go, enter our #GetTough Giveaway for your chance to win:

• No One Wins in a Dog Fight t-shirt

• ASPCA frisbee

• #GetTough on dog fighting sticker

• ASPCA bumper sticker

• Fight Cruelty wrist band

a Rafflecopter giveaway

SUPPORT THE ASPCA'S #GETTOUGH ON DOG FIGHTING CAMPAIGN BY CLICKING HERE.

What are your thoughts on dog fighting?

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your baby and your pets: 10 tips for a smooth introduction

When you're expecting a baby, everyone in the household must make adjustments and compromises, including the family pets. It's important to have a smooth transition as baby and pet get to know each other. This process is more critical for pets who have never been around small children before, but even canine and feline veterans may need some brushing-up when a new little person enters the family. Here are ten tips to help you introduce your baby to your pet:

1. Maintain control. If you have a dog, make sure training is in order. If your dog is prone to jumping on you as you walk into a room or jumping on your lap as you sit down on the couch, it's time to set some boundaries. Your lap will soon contain a baby, so make sure your pet is in control. It's great to lap-share, but it must be on your terms, and it must be safe for everyone involved in the cuddling session. 

2. Don't go in green. Especially if your pet has not been around babies before, it's important for him to get used to the sounds and smells of babies. If you have friends with babies, invite them over! Exposing your pet to the antics of tiny humans will be an advantage moving forward.

3. Bring on the goods. A new baby requires lots of stuff, and this can all be a bit scary to your dog or cat. Make sure your cat doesn't make the pre-baby empty crib his napping place, and it's best to activate the motorized cradle swing in advance so your dog doesn't bark at it incessantly once baby is relaxing in it. If you make sure to introduce your pet to the baby paraphernalia before the baby arrives, it will be one less thing to worry about. 

4. Stroll. If you plan to walk your dog with a stroller, practice first. It may seem simple, but walking a dog and pushing a stroller can be a tough combo. It might look a bit odd to walk an empty stroller around your neighborhood with your dog (I did it and got some looks), but you will be so happy you did. Much better to get the leash tangled in the wheels before there's a baby in the stroller.

5. Talk it out. If you have a name for your baby, use it in conversation. Your pets are listening. Dogs are thought to understand about 165 words, and cats between 25 and 35, so if your baby's name is introduced early, they can incorporate it into their vocabulary and become more familiar with it.

6. Use their keen sense of smell to your advantage. If you have a lotion or oil you plan to use on your baby's skin, apply it to your own skin in the weeks leading up to your baby's birth. Your pets will recognize it and feel more accepting of the new little person.

7. Give your pet a security blanket. If you have the opportunity, bring one of your baby's hospital blankets home to your pet before you come home with the baby. Your pet will be able to smell the baby before she even comes home, which will help your pet feel more secure.

8. Decide on a pet sitter. Who will take care of your pets while you are giving birth? It's a great idea to line up a family member or professional pet sitter to step in while you are at the hospital. I have been "on-call" for several expecting clients in the past, and it's a pleasure to hop into action at the most exciting moment of their lives. But a word of caution: don't send a stranger in. Make sure your pet is familiar with the person providing care during your absence so you can keep stress levels down.

9. Keep it casual. An elaborate presentation of the baby to the pet is not necessary or beneficial. Bring your baby home with minimal pomp and circumstance, and dive right into the routine you intended. Your pet will be much more relaxed if baby is not presented as an exciting new toy. Try to keep visitors to a minimum for the first few days. If you have visitors, don't throw a huge "welcome baby" party in your home. The extra chaos will only cause stress for your pet.

10. Maintain status quo. A new family member will naturally throw a monkey wrench into the routine. Do your best to maintain your pet's routine. If a morning walk is the norm, then keep that habit up. If your cat is fed in the evening at a certain time, try to maintain that. Your pets will feel more secure and comfortable if their expectations are being met, so they will be more apt to adjust to the new addition. And that just makes life easier for you!

All interactions with pets and babies or small children should be closely supervised, regardless of how much preparation you've done. Until you see your baby and pet interact on a regular basis, you'll need to observe and make adjustments. Regardless of how interactive a relationship you want your pets and baby to have, always remember that you dictate the parameters of the relationship. By protecting all parties involved, we set our families up for a lifetime of happiness and fun. Pets and babies together could not be a better, more adorable, combo! Let's make sure we give everyone the best opportunity to succeed together as a larger, better family. 

This article, written by me, originally appeared as a contributor post on Brie Brie Blooms. It has been posted here with minor changes with permission.

how turmeric can benefit your pooch

A holistic approach to health is centered around natural sources of preventative care. By taking care of our bodies and being mindful about what we put into them, we become healthier, avoiding and minimizing ailments. This practice of living a holistic lifestyle can be extended to our pets. One of our family's daily staples is turmeric. It's as good for our dogs as it is for us.

what is turmeric?

Turmeric is a plant in the ginger family. It is native to southeast India and is used in powder form as a spice in Indian food and curries. It is a natural dye (you'll find it in mustard), and it's flavor is earthy and bitter. The active agent in turmeric is called "curcumin," and is a natural pain reliever.

what's the big whoop about turmeric?

Turmeric has been used for healing in Indian cultures for centuries but is only relatively recently getting a lot of buzz in western cultures as a preventative and healing substance, mainly when consumed as a supplement. Clinical trials have recently begun, but turmeric is widely thought to have many preventative and natural medicinal properties. It is used as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-bacterial, and antiviral, and is even thought to aid in cancer prevention and treatment. Wikipedia states that:

As of December 2013, turmeric is being evaluated for its potential efficacy against several human diseases in clinical trials, including kidney and cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, several types of cancer, and irritable bowel disease. Turmeric is also being investigated for potential treatment of Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, and other clinical disorders."

I'm not waiting for the "official" FDA approval. Since there are no negative side effects to supplementing with turmeric (unless you are allergic or have a blood-clotting disorder), it can't do me any harm, so why not? I have been using turmeric powder in my morning drink for nearly two years and have recently started my dog, N.A.S.H.A. on a small amount. As with any preventative treatment, results can't really be pinpointed with regard to what I may have been subjected to had I not been supplementing, but I can attest to it's healing properties. 

I have suffered for years from joint issues in my hand as a result of broken bones that occurred in 2007. My knuckles would be painful and difficult to bend and utilize, especially in the cold winter months. Since supplementing with turmeric, my hand has not been a source of pain. I also feel that as my workout schedule has intensified over the last year, turmeric has helped my body heal and repair itself, which is something that took much longer before I began using it. I prefer using turmeric to synthetic workout supplements. I have also noticed a drastic reduction in my environmental allergies, including hay-fever and non-lethal food allergies.

is turmeric safe for my dog?

Generally speaking, we should avoid giving spices to dogs. Turmeric is one rare exception. If proper dosage is followed, turmeric is safe for dogs.

what can turmeric do for my dog?

We've talked about the main benefits of turmeric that apply to humans and dogs alike. After looking at several sources, including healthydogclub.com and dogsnaturallymagazine.com, I've compiled what I think is a fairly decent list of the benefits turmeric brings to the canine variety (and to us):

• anticarcinogenic

• anti-inflamatory

• antioxidant

• antimicrobial

• antibiotic

• anti-inflamatory

• supports heart health (lowers LDL (bad cholesterol) levels)

• supports liver health and function

• aids in weight management

• helps with stomach issues and digestion

• prevention and control of ear infections

• prevention and control of sinus infections

• kills parasites

* prevents cararacts

• heals damage from diabetes

• aids in the treatment of epilepsy

• provides allergy relief

• treats depression

• treats diarrhea (is a binding agent)

• excellent source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals

WHEW! That's a whole lotta good, if you ask me!

Turmeric's role in cancer prevention and treatment in humans and animals has been receiving a lot of attention lately. I won't go into detail about my political views regarding medicine, but suffice it to say that I'm anxious and eager to know what the results of recent studies are. Dogsnaturallymagazine.com cites a UCLA study that indicates that "curcumin (active in turmeric) can inhibit tumor growth and may even shrink existing tumors...(and) antioxidant properties are also helpful in reducing the negative side effects of chemotherapy."

It might be a good long wait to hear that turmeric is a preventative therapy or cure for cancer, but it certainly wouldn't hurt to give it a try in the meantime.

Dogsnaturallymagazine.com also reports that "turmeric boosts the liver's ability to metabolize fat and remove waste from the body," so it can aid in weight management. Although I have been working my butt off for the last year by working out intensely and consistently, I'm sure my use of turmeric supported my efforts at the very least. Through hard work and natural, healthy living, I've been able to shed thirty pounds. That's like three N.A.S.H.A.s! If you have an overweight pooch, this might be another benefit to consider.

how much turmeric should I give my dog?

Turmeric is available in pill and powder form, and the root can also be purchased fresh (best used in cooking). I just add it to my morning drink, which also includes apple cider vinegar, and I sprinkle it on my dog's food, so our favored form is powder. Some people and dogs don't like the taste of turmeric, so a capsule (pill) may be a better choice. 

When adding it to your dog's food, it's best to start gradually, mainly so your pooch can get used to the distinct flavor. What you start with and your ideal amount will depend on the size of your dog. The amount you'll want to work up to is approximately a quarter teaspoon for every ten pounds of body weight. Start with one-eighth to one-quarter teaspoon and increase in the same increment each day until the ideal amount is achieved, then maintain that amount daily.

For example, my 11-pound dog's ideal supplement amount would be a one-quarter teaspoon. We started her out on one-eighth teaspoon and it went like this:

day one: 1/8 tsp.

day two: 1/4 tsp. Now we'll maintain that. Our pooch is pretty adaptable to my supplement shenanigans, but if your pooch is more picky, feel free to stay with 1/8 for several days. 

If you have an 80-pound dog, it would go like this:

day one: 1/4 tsp.

day two: 1/2 tsp.

day three: 3/4 tsp.

day four: 1 tsp.

day five: 1 1/4 tsp.

day six: 1 1/2 tsp.

day seven: 1 3/4 tsp.

day eight: 2 tsp. (Provide daily moving forward) 

FINAL DOSE: 1/4 tsp for every ten pounds of body weight.

are there any other considerations?

Eating a quality diet is the key to any holistic health plan. If you are feeding your dog a low-quality kibble, chances are the turmeric won't be able to compensate for the toxins entering the body. If you feed your dog quality kibble, homemade, raw food, or any combination thereof, the turmeric will be much more effective. The same goes for you (though I'm assuming you're not eating kibble)!

It's best to purchase high-quality, organic turmeric in order to avoid pesticides and herbicides and reap the maximum benefit. 

Turmeric can stain. It does stain. Be careful of counters, kitchen towels, and the like. If you notice your white doggy has a yellow mustache, turmeric is probably to blame. I've been told on a couple of occasions to wipe my turmeric mustache (by friends whom I've turned onto the stuff...we look out for each other). 

As with any new endeavor, please consult your veterinarian.

Just get started! You and your dog can do it together. And please come back and let me know your results!

Related:

Apple Cider Vinegar as a Supplement for your Pets

This article, written by me, originally appeared on Hybrid Rasta Mama.