Kelly and Solid Gold dog food review- part 1

What is the best food to feed my dog?
Wouldn't it be nice if there was ONE SIMPLE answer that question? If there was THE BEST, healthiest, most nutritious food that was a no-brainer--just buy, measure, feed and there you go.
But it's not that easy. Dogs come in different sizes. Different breeds. Their health varies. Their activity levels vary. Every dog has different needs. That's why we have to evaluate carefully to determine what food to feed them.

Kelly and Ike have different needs. Ike is about 70 pounds. Kelly is 35 pounds. Ike has allergies. Kelly has Cushing's Disease. Ike is 9 years old. Kelly is 13. Ike is a couch potato. Kelly has achy joints.

Recently Solid Gold invited me to join their campaign and try out their dog food, and blog about the results.

 After researching the company, I was happy to join. I decided to select Kelly for the trial, since Ike is currently doing well on his limited ingredient duck-based food and I didn't want to mess with that.

Here are some of the criteria I look for when I'm evaluating a new food for my dog:
1. Ingredients
2. Company reputation/lack of recalls
3. How my dog enjoys the taste
4. My dog's digestive health while on food
5. My dog's overall health while on food

Today I'll discuss the ingredients in Solid Gold.

Solid Gold is holistic dog food made with natural ingredients and added vitamins and minerals. Many varieties are available in grain-free. I was impressed that Solid Gold took care to ask questions about Kelly and then recommend a food blend appropriate for her. They recommended Buck Wild variety, with venison, potato, and pumpkin.

Some other ingredients:
Turkey meal
Chickpeas
Carrots
Apples
Cranberries
Blueberries
Lettuce
Celery
Beets
Spinach
Broccoli


Other varieties are
chicken, tapioca, and quinoa
beef, eggs and peas
turkey and vegetables
buffalo, sweet potato, and chick peas
oatmeal, barley and ocean fish
and more

Kelly is used to a chicken-based dogfood, but for this review we are trying to venison food. I'm very pleased with the ingredients in Solid Gold dog food. Dog food advisor ranks Solid Gold as 4 stars, above average dog food.


I'll let you know how Kelly likes it, and we'll discuss more about reputation and recalls next time! And, keep reading because we'll be offering some giveaways later on, so you can try for yourself!

How about you? What is the number one ingredient in the food you feed your dog? Have you tried any other proteins for your dog? What ingredients are most important to you when you look for a dog food? How do you evaluate the ingredients in your dog's food?



Full Disclosure:
* Solid Gold supplied me with a 3 month supply of Solid Gold venison formula to review. This in no way influenced my opinions. All opinions expressed here are 100% my own. No money was given in exchange for this review.

What is the best food to feed my dog?
Wouldn't it be nice if there was ONE SIMPLE answer that question? If there was THE BEST, healthiest, most nutritious food that was a no-brainer--just buy, measure, feed and there you go.
But it's not that easy. Dogs come in different sizes. Different breeds. Their health varies. Their activity levels vary. Every dog has different needs. That's why we have to evaluate carefully to determine what food to feed them.

Kelly and Ike have different needs. Ike is about 70 pounds. Kelly is 35 pounds. Ike has allergies. Kelly has Cushing's Disease. Ike is 9 years old. Kelly is 13. Ike is a couch potato. Kelly has achy joints.

Recently Solid Gold invited me to join their campaign and try out their dog food, and blog about the results.

 After researching the company, I was happy to join. I decided to select Kelly for the trial, since Ike is currently doing well on his limited ingredient duck-based food and I didn't want to mess with that.

Here are some of the criteria I look for when I'm evaluating a new food for my dog:
1. Ingredients
2. Company reputation/lack of recalls
3. How my dog enjoys the taste
4. My dog's digestive health while on food
5. My dog's overall health while on food

Today I'll discuss the ingredients in Solid Gold.

Solid Gold is holistic dog food made with natural ingredients and added vitamins and minerals. Many varieties are available in grain-free. I was impressed that Solid Gold took care to ask questions about Kelly and then recommend a food blend appropriate for her. They recommended Buck Wild variety, with venison, potato, and pumpkin.

Some other ingredients:
Turkey meal
Chickpeas
Carrots
Apples
Cranberries
Blueberries
Lettuce
Celery
Beets
Spinach
Broccoli


Other varieties are
chicken, tapioca, and quinoa
beef, eggs and peas
turkey and vegetables
buffalo, sweet potato, and chick peas
oatmeal, barley and ocean fish
and more

Kelly is used to a chicken-based dogfood, but for this review we are trying to venison food. I'm very pleased with the ingredients in Solid Gold dog food. Dog food advisor ranks Solid Gold as 4 stars, above average dog food.


I'll let you know how Kelly likes it, and we'll discuss more about reputation and recalls next time! And, keep reading because we'll be offering some giveaways later on, so you can try for yourself!

How about you? What is the number one ingredient in the food you feed your dog? Have you tried any other proteins for your dog? What ingredients are most important to you when you look for a dog food? How do you evaluate the ingredients in your dog's food?



Full Disclosure:
* Solid Gold supplied me with a 3 month supply of Solid Gold venison formula to review. This in no way influenced my opinions. All opinions expressed here are 100% my own. No money was given in exchange for this review.

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Enter Slogan Contest to help get wheelchairs for dogs

Do you know someone who takes adversities and uses them in a positive way, to help others? Barbaraa Techel is just such a wonderful person. Her beloved dachshund Frankie used a doggy wheelchair, due to IVDD (Invertabral Disc Disease). Frankie lived a full and happy life.

Barbara recognized that many pet parent's whose disabled dogs could benefit from a wheelchair weren't able to afford one. So she started Frankie's Wheelchair Fund, in Frankie's memory. The fund raises money to help other dogs get outfitted with wheelchairs and live a full and happy life like Frankie.

Every year, National Walk N' Roll Dog Day is celebrated on September 22nd. T-shirts sales help raise money for Frankie's Wheelchair Fund.

This year, Barbara is looking for your help in creating a slogan for the t-shirts.
 

Here's a few great ideas submitted so far:

Team Wheelies

This is how we roll!

Keep calm and wheelie on


Artist Brianna Brunsell of www.sillydogmagnets.com is designing the t-shirt logo that will feature 3 different breed dogs in wheelchairs enjoying a wonderful life.

Share your ideas for slogans in the comment section on the Slogan Contest Facebook page. Entries are due by August 1st, 2015.

The winner will receive a free t-shirt and a signed copy of Barbara Techel's memoir, "Through Frankie's Eyes: One woman's journey to her authentic self and the dog on wheels who led the way."
(Open to US residents only due to cost of shipping.)


Help Barbara help walk n' roll dogs. So far, the fund has helped 43 paralyzed dogs. For photos and more information, visit www.nationalwalknrolldogday.com.

Do you know someone who takes adversities and uses them in a positive way, to help others? Barbaraa Techel is just such a wonderful person. Her beloved dachshund Frankie used a doggy wheelchair, due to IVDD (Invertabral Disc Disease). Frankie lived a full and happy life.

Barbara recognized that many pet parent's whose disabled dogs could benefit from a wheelchair weren't able to afford one. So she started Frankie's Wheelchair Fund, in Frankie's memory. The fund raises money to help other dogs get outfitted with wheelchairs and live a full and happy life like Frankie.

Every year, National Walk N' Roll Dog Day is celebrated on September 22nd. T-shirts sales help raise money for Frankie's Wheelchair Fund.

This year, Barbara is looking for your help in creating a slogan for the t-shirts.
 

Here's a few great ideas submitted so far:

Team Wheelies

This is how we roll!

Keep calm and wheelie on


Artist Brianna Brunsell of www.sillydogmagnets.com is designing the t-shirt logo that will feature 3 different breed dogs in wheelchairs enjoying a wonderful life.

Share your ideas for slogans in the comment section on the Slogan Contest Facebook page. Entries are due by August 1st, 2015.

The winner will receive a free t-shirt and a signed copy of Barbara Techel's memoir, "Through Frankie's Eyes: One woman's journey to her authentic self and the dog on wheels who led the way."
(Open to US residents only due to cost of shipping.)


Help Barbara help walk n' roll dogs. So far, the fund has helped 43 paralyzed dogs. For photos and more information, visit www.nationalwalknrolldogday.com.

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Wordless Wednesday Ike on a Hike

"Come join me on my hike!"

Join Blogpaws Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop.

"Come join me on my hike!"

Join Blogpaws Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop.

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A Gully Washer

I'm not the type to go hiking with my dogs often because, frankly, I'm not really the type to hike in general. I prefer reading and solving crossword puzzles. But, you can't burn too many calories solving puzzles, so once in a while I force myself to get out and take the dogs on a nice walk in the woods. It's good for them to see different scenery and smell different smells. And once there, I always enjoy the woods, the  beautiful views, the fresh air, and even the invigorating exercise.

Yesterday was maybe not the wisest day to go on a hike, since it was 96 degrees and so humid it felt like the air was sitting on my shoulders. But my husband and I got the dogs together and met our son and Zeke out at Bennett Hill Preserve in Clarksville, NY. Where's Clarksville, you ask? Well, I've lived in this area for nearly 30 years and had never heard of it either. It's a little rural village south of Albany NY near the Helderberg Mountains.

As we started out, we heard loud thunder rumbling. Even though I expressed my opinion that maybe a crossword puzzle was the safer option for the day, the others weren't concerned and so we continued on our adventure.

We hiked well-maintained trails up a decent incline for about 40 minutes. Kelly, Ike and Zeke were loving it! Tails wagging, ears flapping, and of course tongues hanging out a mile.

When the thunder grew louder and I could see light rain starting in the cow pasture below (I couldn't yet feel any rain under the dense canopy of trees) I convinced the guys that we should head back. We did, and got to the car just as the skies opened up.

What ensued was a flash flood and hard rain that, back home in Vermont, we called a gully washer. Visibility driving home was not great, and the car tires kicked up huge waves as we went along.

The dogs were exhausted and happy with the outing. And that's what it's all about!

I'm not the type to go hiking with my dogs often because, frankly, I'm not really the type to hike in general. I prefer reading and solving crossword puzzles. But, you can't burn too many calories solving puzzles, so once in a while I force myself to get out and take the dogs on a nice walk in the woods. It's good for them to see different scenery and smell different smells. And once there, I always enjoy the woods, the  beautiful views, the fresh air, and even the invigorating exercise.

Yesterday was maybe not the wisest day to go on a hike, since it was 96 degrees and so humid it felt like the air was sitting on my shoulders. But my husband and I got the dogs together and met our son and Zeke out at Bennett Hill Preserve in Clarksville, NY. Where's Clarksville, you ask? Well, I've lived in this area for nearly 30 years and had never heard of it either. It's a little rural village south of Albany NY near the Helderberg Mountains.

As we started out, we heard loud thunder rumbling. Even though I expressed my opinion that maybe a crossword puzzle was the safer option for the day, the others weren't concerned and so we continued on our adventure.

We hiked well-maintained trails up a decent incline for about 40 minutes. Kelly, Ike and Zeke were loving it! Tails wagging, ears flapping, and of course tongues hanging out a mile.

When the thunder grew louder and I could see light rain starting in the cow pasture below (I couldn't yet feel any rain under the dense canopy of trees) I convinced the guys that we should head back. We did, and got to the car just as the skies opened up.

What ensued was a flash flood and hard rain that, back home in Vermont, we called a gully washer. Visibility driving home was not great, and the car tires kicked up huge waves as we went along.

The dogs were exhausted and happy with the outing. And that's what it's all about!

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Wordless Wednesday-- Someone Picked ME!

Oh Happy Day!
(Seen at local Petapalooza adoption event.)

Join the Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop!

Oh Happy Day!
(Seen at local Petapalooza adoption event.)

Join the Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop!

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Muddy Paws Don't Stand a Chance!

Ike, Kelly and Zeke know how to ruin a perfectly nice car seat.
That's a line from the back of a box of Kurgo car seat cover, which I've personalized for my dogs.

For years we've sufficed with an old blanket covering the back bench of my car.  Muddy paws penetrated through or somehow managed to find their way under the fabric. And when they unfortunately got sick, how is it that they found the three-square-inch section not covered by the blanket?

So, I was excited when Kurgo contacted me and asked if I'd like to review of one of their car seat covers. Yes please! Just what I needed. And, Kurgo has recently expanded their car seat cover line, with more options to fit every need and every vehicle.We received the universal fit Bench Seat Cover.

I'd already made a list of what I was looking for in a car seat cover.
*Easy to install
*Easy to remove
*Washable
*Snug fit
*Durable fabric

So now, to test it out.
The first thing I noticed was the weight. The fabric was hefty enough to be durable, even with sharp dog nails and restless pups in the seat.  Also, the cover is a nice neutral sand color, attractive for most vehicles. It also comes in black and charcoal.

The cover slipped on effortlessly, and the fit was perfect. That's when I noticed a bonus--storage pockets that were situated both at the seat back, and at the bottom of the seat near the floor. There is room to stow away a travel bowl and food, leash, poo bags, and goodies. I love the idea that these are handy for the numerous stops we have to take along the way.

The cover didn't shift or fall off as my dogs scrambled in and out. It kept the back seat perfectly covered. After a hike, I have no worries about dusty dogs and muddy paws.

So, it met every requirement on my list.

If you're looking for a car seat cover, we'd like to recommend the Kurgo Bench Seat Cover. Or, choose the bucket seat cover, co-pilot cover, hammock cover, or cargo cover. There are even color and fabric options, including a classy heather pattern, and a beautiful waterproof reversible blue/orange or green/gray quilted fabric. Find just the right Kurgo car seat cover for your pet.

Kelly, Ike and Zeke give it 12 paws up!


Full Disclosure: We were provided with one Kurgo car seat cover in exchange for my honest review. Opinions expressed here are 100% my own.

Ike, Kelly and Zeke know how to ruin a perfectly nice car seat.
That's a line from the back of a box of Kurgo car seat cover, which I've personalized for my dogs.

For years we've sufficed with an old blanket covering the back bench of my car.  Muddy paws penetrated through or somehow managed to find their way under the fabric. And when they unfortunately got sick, how is it that they found the three-square-inch section not covered by the blanket?

So, I was excited when Kurgo contacted me and asked if I'd like to review of one of their car seat covers. Yes please! Just what I needed. And, Kurgo has recently expanded their car seat cover line, with more options to fit every need and every vehicle.We received the universal fit Bench Seat Cover.

I'd already made a list of what I was looking for in a car seat cover.
*Easy to install
*Easy to remove
*Washable
*Snug fit
*Durable fabric

So now, to test it out.
The first thing I noticed was the weight. The fabric was hefty enough to be durable, even with sharp dog nails and restless pups in the seat.  Also, the cover is a nice neutral sand color, attractive for most vehicles. It also comes in black and charcoal.

The cover slipped on effortlessly, and the fit was perfect. That's when I noticed a bonus--storage pockets that were situated both at the seat back, and at the bottom of the seat near the floor. There is room to stow away a travel bowl and food, leash, poo bags, and goodies. I love the idea that these are handy for the numerous stops we have to take along the way.

The cover didn't shift or fall off as my dogs scrambled in and out. It kept the back seat perfectly covered. After a hike, I have no worries about dusty dogs and muddy paws.

So, it met every requirement on my list.

If you're looking for a car seat cover, we'd like to recommend the Kurgo Bench Seat Cover. Or, choose the bucket seat cover, co-pilot cover, hammock cover, or cargo cover. There are even color and fabric options, including a classy heather pattern, and a beautiful waterproof reversible blue/orange or green/gray quilted fabric. Find just the right Kurgo car seat cover for your pet.

Kelly, Ike and Zeke give it 12 paws up!


Full Disclosure: We were provided with one Kurgo car seat cover in exchange for my honest review. Opinions expressed here are 100% my own.

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No Hot Dogs in Cars! 5 Helpful Tips.

Traveling with Ike and Kelly is always fun, but sometimes it leaves us stuck when we can't go into a restaurant or visit a shop. Petfinder has created this great infographic, with tips that can help! Keep your pet safe this summer. If you bring him with you, never leave him alone in the car.

Traveling with Ike and Kelly is always fun, but sometimes it leaves us stuck when we can't go into a restaurant or visit a shop. Petfinder has created this great infographic, with tips that can help! Keep your pet safe this summer. If you bring him with you, never leave him alone in the car.

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