Blogville Christmas Gift Exchange - part 2

Sophie and Winter also pawticipated in the gift exchange, and they were matched with Millie and Walter of the Bird Brains and Dog Tales blog.  This was another blog we had not read before, and I was so happy to meet them!  Millie and Walter are so pawsome, and they do a lot of reviews just like the collies.  Their mom makes embroidered scarves and toys, and even has her own Etsy shop.  If you haven't met them, please stop by their blog and say hello! 

They were being so patient with me, waiting for me to take pictures before they opened their presents!

Such curious collies!

Have I mentioned that I am a Game of Thrones fan? 

Both Winter and Sophie each got a new scarf, each perfect for their personalities.  Winter is a sweet, funny girl...but she thinks she is also very brave.  And Sophie is gentle and sensitive, and one of our newest Therapy Dogs.

They also got a package of dog cookies...

And they also got a personalized stuffed bones!  Winter and Sophie love their presents, we can't thank you enough!  We hope Millie and Walter and all their family members had a wonderful holiday!

If anyone wants to check out Millie and Walter's (and their Mom's) Etsy shop, you can find it at Cindy's Thread Craft!  We hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!

Blogville Christmas Gift Exchange - part 1

Merry Christmas!  Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas, I have been really sick for the past few days, but we still managed to have a fun holiday.  My family gave me two new cameras, to watch the collies when I am not at home.  One is a Furbo, which will allow me to talk to them and give them treats when I am at work.  We also participated in the the Blogville gift exchange, and we were paired with two other bloggers, as we have a pack of collies and none of the other bloggers with multiple dogs signed up this year.  But it turned out to be a great thing, as we met two new (to us) bloggers, and we love making new friends!

So our first box of presents was sent to us from the Kinley Westie Blog!  They had Ryder, Kori and Scarlett, and we had their three beautiful Westies for the exchange.  If you haven't read this blog, you should definitely stop by and say hello.  The blog is about three adorable Westies - Kinley, Brinley and Finley, and they are very fashion conscious and always wearing new outfits.

The collies were very curious about the gifts, and Abby joined them.  Since Abby doesn't really like toys, we didn't have her pawticipate in the gift exchange, so she let her three kids open the presents.  She just likes to be included, and whatever Abby wants, Abby gets, as befitting a sweet, senior.

First, they had to inspect the contents of the box!

And then they opened their gifts.  They loved the new toys, and really loved the cookies.  As cookies are Abby's favorite, she had to try a few too!

There was even a little bag of candy in their for me!  And in the bag was an adorable pair of dog socks, I love them!

Thank you Kinley, Brinley and Finley, we loved the thoughtful gifts and loved getting to know you guys even more!

Fabulous Felines love Tiny Tiger Cat Treats!

This month the kitties also tried Tiny Tiger cat treats from Chewy.com.  I was tempted to wait until Christmas to let them try these, but then our readers wouldn't have time to order some for their kitties!  Tiny Tiger treats are sold exclusively by Chewy.com, you won't them anywhere else.  And the first thing I want to mention, is that I love the name!  Pumpkin is definitely my "Tiny Tiger," don't let her tiny size fool you.

And Goblin, though twice her size, and more of a gentle giant, wanted in on these treats as well.  But then, this boy is ALWAYS hungry!  So he was especially excited to see kitty treats, as he hates waiting for mealtimes for a kitty snack.

I wanted to also mention that these treats are very affordable, and come in a nice size container.  So they should last a good while.

These crunchy little treats come in cute shapes - stars and moons!  While the shape of the treat might not matter much to them, I thought they were adorable.

These treats were so appetizing, I actually got my very first picture of Pumpkin and goblin together! (It's amazing what a kitty treat will accomplish!)  They were waiting so patiently for me to finish taking pictures, I think these Tiny Tiger treats might be the key to teaching them some kitty tricks!

So both Pumpkin and Goblin enjoyed these cat treats, and while I am trying to keep them at a healthy weight, these are small enough that I don't have to worry.  My two purr machines were so thankful for these treats, they just love our friends at Chewy!  We all definitely recommend them, so head over to Chewy.com to order some for your fabulous felines!

We were sent these treats for free, in exchange for our honest review.

Solid Gold Holistic Delights - sure to delight your cat!

So every now and then the collies let the kitties take over the Collie Blog.  And since December is the month of giving, they also agreed to let the kitties do the product reviews for our friends at Chewy.com.  The kitties, Pumpkin and Goblin, are both really sweet to the collies, often curling up to sleep with them.  Goblin, who was only going to be a foster, was raised alone, as an only cat.  He came to live with us, after never living with dogs or other cats, and amazingly he gets along with everyone.  Since they are both so sweet and easygoing, our kitties don't ask for much.  But I think they deserve to be rewarded, and the way to their hearts is definitely through their stomachs!  This month our friends at Chewy.com sent us a box of Solid Gold Holistic Delights.  These Solid Gold Holistic Delights came in a variety pack of cat food pouches.  There was an assortment of creamy bisque with coconut milk. 

Goblin couldn't believe all the different grain-free recipes that were included in the variety pack!  He wasn't sure which one to try first!

The Solid Gold Holistic Delights comes in 6 protein-rich, grain-free recipes - beef, crab, shrimp, chicken, salmon and tuna!

All the varieties come in a delicious bisque made with delicious coconut milk, a great source of highly-digestible calcium.   

Even Pumpkin was impressed, and she also had a difficult time choosing which one to try first!  Let's check out the Key Benefits, while they decide:

• Holistic variety pack includes high-protein recipes in a lip-smacking bisque made with coconut milk.
• Includes real pieces of beef, crab, shrimp, chicken, salmon and tuna for the meat-centered diet cats and kittens need.
• Provides all the essential amino acids, minerals, vitamins, antioxidants and taurine your kitty needs for overall health.
• The coconut milk is a great source of easy-to-digest calcium and helps provide much-needed daily hydration.
• Comes in easy-to-open pouches that can be fed on their own or mixed into dry food, and contain no gluten or grains.

It looks like Goblin has made a decision, they decided to try the shrimp first.  Because both Goblin and Pumpkin have sensitive stomachs, we mixed the Solid Gold Holistic Delights with their regular dry cat food.  I was impressed, you could actually see the chunks of shrimp, and the pouches were very easy to open and pour over their food.

But the final test was how did it taste?  Both goblin and Pumpkin agreed, the Solid Gold Holistic Delights Creamy Bisque with Coconut Milk is delicious!  They finished their dinner in record time and were meowing for more!  We highly recommend these cat food pouches, and the kitties think the Solid Gold Holistic Delights  variety pack, sold right on the Chewy.com website, would make a wonderful gift for your kitties this Christmas!  (And with Chewy's super fast shipping, there is time to order some for your best feline friends!)

Since there were so many varieties, you can find the ingredient lists by clicking Here.  We were sent this product for free, in exchange for our honest review.  Thanks Chewy!

She did it! (Actually, they did it!)

This year we only entered shows in July, October, November and one show on December 2nd, but my collie girls sure made me proud.

Maizie and Winter are both very close to finishing their championships.  And Scarlett, already a champion, just finished her Grand Championship!

It was actually a pretty good year for all of my collies!  Scarlett and Sophie both earned their CGC and THDN titles.  (Canine Good Citizens and Therapy Dog Novice)  Kori and Sophie both earned their FDC titles. (Farm Dog Certified)  Ryder earned his next Therapy Dog title, THD, and is well on his way to earning his THDA. (Therapy Dog Advanced)  Scarlett earned her Grand Championship, and Gibbs (Sophie and Maizie's brother) earned two herding titles.  Their other brother, Finn, is close to earning his THDN too!  I can't wait to see what titles my collies earn next year!  I am so thankful for this wonderful breed, and for my family of collies in particular.  They make me proud every day.

Christmas stories

I love reading Christmas stories, they always touch my heart.  One of my favorite stories was recorded, and they did such a good job I always share it each holiday season.  I hope you enjoy it.

Treat Simple

This month we were sent a pawesome new product to review, it's a Trail Mix for dogs!  The product is made by a company called Treat Simple.  I am very excited to be doing this review, because I love this company!  The company was started by three women, who wanted to produce dog treats that are healthy and contain only simple ingredients!  I love supporting women-owned businesses, and I love companies that actually care about providing quality, healthy dog treats and foods!

The company website explains why they created their company, and I agree wholeheartedly:  "Dogs are considered man’s best friend for a reason. They put all their trust in us, are always there to greet us, and remind us to take in life’s simple pleasures. They are not considered just a pet, but a part of the family. That’s why we felt it was important to treat them with delicious, beneficial nutrients."   Treat Simple dog treats contain only five ingredients, so you know exactly what is going into every bite.  They only use ingredients from the USA, and use only the highest quality human ingredients!

Their Trail Mix dog treats have quickly become a favorite of my collies.  The crunchy biscuits contain only Oat flour, blueberries, kale, coconut oil and honey.  And each bag also contains baked apple slices and banana chips.  These treats are wheat free, corn free, soy free and contain only non-GMO ingredients.  My collies love these treats, but I can't tell which they love more, the biscuits or the dried apple and banana chips!  What I love is that they are the perfect snack to take along on a hike with my dogs.

They are also a nice snack when we are visiting Nursing Homes to do Therapy Dog visits, as that can be exhausting for a dog and a little snack helps keep them focused and energized.

You can actually see the blueberries and kale baked into the cookies, and the apple and banana chips look so good you might be tempted to snack on some yourself.  But my collies would not share, as they knew these were made just for them!

If you are looking for a healthy snack for your dogs, these treats are perfect for hikes and walks, or just as a reward for all the happiness they bring into your life!

You can order these treats, and many others, directly from the Treat Simple website by clicking here.  They also have a link to help find a local retailer.  While you are doing your holiday shopping, don't forget your best friends, give these a try!  And the collies will be reviewing some of Treat Simple's other products, so come back next week to see our next review!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Not everyone knows that people who have blogs are actually members of a community.  There are those who blog about a particular dog breed, those that blog about a particular dog sport, those who blog about cats, those who blog about rescue, and the list goes on.  Our community is called "Blogville," and the members support each other, help each other, and we share a passion for writing and for our pets.  I'm thankful to be a part of Blogville, and for all the friends we have made over the years.

Abby, enjoying Thanksgiving at my sister's house today.

As many of you know from our recent posts, our Abby has been struggling.  She recently turned 12, and the veterinarians are doing everything they can to help her.  But she was not having a good week, and we had made the decision that it was time to let her go.  The arrangements were all made, her veterinarian was going to come to our house this evening, and then yesterday she rallied once again.  While she isn't back to full mobility, she is once again walking and seems more like her old self.  So we are deeply thankful for more time with our special girl.  Every day is a gift.  Thank you all for all the kind comments, thoughts and prayers.  Your words mean so much to us, and the support is appreciated.

Gifts for Dogs

Psst - did you hear that tomorrow is Thanksgiving?  And that means that the next day is Black Friday, the official start to the holiday shopping season.  With just two days to get ready, people are already planning their Christmas shopping lists.  When you are busy deciding what to give your loved ones, it's so important to make sure you don't forget to include your furry family members!  That's why we were excited to get the opportunity to review Blue Buffalo Santa Snacks for our friends at Chewy.com,.

Blue Buffalo created their Santa Snacks dog treats for our best friends, knowing that they get just as excited by the holiday season, and deserve to find something special under the tree.  These are dog treats made with oatmeal and cinnamon, and they are the perfect howliday cookie for your best friend!

.
Check out the Key Benefits:

• Oven-baked holiday biscuits with oatmeal, cinnamon, barley, pumpkin, flaxseed and carrots.
• Natural treats with added vitamins & minerals.
• Made with wholesome whole grains, fruits & vegetables.
• No chicken/poultry by-product meals.
• No corn, wheat, or soy. A perfect holiday treat for pups prone to food allergies!

And the cookies come in such cute little shapes!  There is a Christmas tree, a gingerbread man and a star, all the perfect size for both little and big dogs to enjoy.

Ingredients:

Oatmeal, Whole Ground Barley, Ground Whole Oats, Pumpkin, Cinnamon, Flaxseed (Source of Omega 3 and 6 Fatty Acids), Cane Molasses, Carrots, Canola Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Calcium Ascorbate (source of Vitamin C), Vitamin E Supplement, Salt, Calcium Carbonate.

I love that these treats, contain oatmeal, pumpkin, cinnamon and carrots.  And these treats smell really good, just look at Scarlett and Ryder's faces, they couldn't wait to try these cookies!

As so many of the holiday foods and desserts we indulge in each holiday season are not safe to share with our dogs, it's great to have treats made specifically for them.  So if you are searching for the perfect treat for your dog this Christmas, head over to Chewy.com and order some Blue Buffalo Santa Snacks.  The collies all agree, this a treat not to be missed!

The collies were sent these delicious cookies in exchange for their honest opinion, we were not reimbursed for this review.

Another Abby pupdate...sad news

You may have noticed that we haven't been updating the blog much in the past week or so.  I had shared the news on this post about my Abby.  The laser therapy and acupuncture were working, along with a variety of medications.  They gave my sweet girl a few good weeks, but this past week they have stopped helping.  We are working with her veterinarians, trying to find something to help her, but at 12 years old there isn't much left to try.  So please just keep our girl in your thoughts and prayers, and hug your seniors close.

Zignature canned dog food review

This month our good friends at Chewy.com sent us something that had the collies drooling!  They sent us Zignature Lamb Limited Ingredient canned dog food!  The collies always enjoy doing product reviews for Chewy.com, but the way to their hearts is definitely canned food, so they are very excited!  I love that we get to try new products, and get to share info about those products with our readers, they love that they get yummy canned food to try!

Zignature Limited ingredient canned food is a great option for many dogs with food allergies, as it is grain free, contains limited ingredients, and contains no chicken, corn, potatoes or soy.   Zignature just provides healthy food, which helps your dogs thrive.  It gives them the nutrition they need for hiking and playing, or competing at their favorite dog sport!

check out the Key Benefits:

• This grain-free, limited ingredient formula is made with one protein source and only a handful of other ingredients, creating a clean recipe with ingredients you can count on.
• Made with Lamb from the farmlands of New Zealand.
• A staple source of complete protein, Lamb provides Vitamin B6, Pantothenic Acid, Phosphorus and Manganese, and is rich in Vitamin A and B12, Riboflavin, Niacin, Iron, Zinc, Copper, and Selenium.
• Free of the most common potential canine allergens: corn, wheat, soy, dairy, and chicken, making this recipe ideal for pups with sensitivities and picky eaters.
• Wholesome peas and chickpeas round out the recipe with powerful antioxidants and fiber-rich, low-glycemic carbohydrates.

I was pretty happy when I read the ingredient list too!

Ingredients:
Lamb, Lamb Broth, Lamb Liver, Peas, Carrots, Chickpeas, Lamb Meal, Calcium Carbonate, Agar-Agar, Calcium Carbonate, Choline Chloride, Salt, Suncured Alfalfa Meal, Potassium Chloride, Dicalcium Phosphate, Cranberries, Blueberries, Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate), Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Niacin Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid).

Lamb is actually the main protein in our kibble, so I knew this wasn't going to upset their stomachs.  But Zignature has other varieties, if your dog cannot tolerate lamb.  They also offer their limited ingredient canned food in turkey, kangaroo, duck, pork, venison, salmon, goat, guinea fowl, and many others!  You can find all their varieties right on Chewy.com by clicking here!

I also love how adding Zignature canned dog food to the collies' dinners gives them some extra flavor to their food.  The collies always enjoy finding something new in their bowls!

The collies and I all agree, this is a great food, and it's a great way to treat your best friend to a tasty dinner!  And looking at their sweet faces, and all the love and joy they bring into my life, I think they are worth it!

Chewy.com sent us this canned food in exchange for our honest review.  We were not paid for this or any review featured here on the collie blog.