background

Thursday, December 31, 2015

Happy New Year! (and our last dog treat review of the year)



Happy New Year!  As 2015 is counting down we wanted to share our last review of the year.  Thank you Chewy.com for sending us all those great items throughout the year!  Our final review is for Evanger's Beef Hearts.  These snacks are grain free and we love that they can be shared by both the canine and feline members of the family!  We also like the small size of these treats, and it's a bonus that they don't have a strong scent either.  And the collies and kitties all rave about the great taste, they give this treat four paws up!

Key Benefits
  • Made from a single ingredient
  • Grain & gluten-free treats
  • No additives or artificial ingredients
  • Highly palatable
  • Rich in nutrients
  • Suitable for both dogs & cats





You can order your own Evanger's Freeze dried Beef Hearts by clicking on this link.  Happy 2016, hope the next year is full of Joy and beautiful moments with your loved ones.

Disclaimer: We were given this product from Chewy.com for our honest opinion, and we were not compensated in any way.

Saturday, December 26, 2015

Merry Collie Christmas!



Merry Christmas from our family to yours...

Wishing you a peaceful journey wherever you may roam...



Hope your Christmas was Merry and bright!


Christmas is also Holly's special day! She turned 10 years old today.

Sunday, November 15, 2015

Tate does his first review

Somepup loves his new toy from Chewy.com!  We were sent a Busy Buddy Puppy Twist 'n Treat Toy to review.



This toy can be filled with treats or kibble.  As the dog or puppy plays with the toy, it dispenses a couple treats at a time.  Since Tate is just 6 weeks old, we used his puppy kibble, as he is too little for dog treats. The Busy Buddy was small, and though it comes in other sizes, because it's rated for soft chew strength, we think it would be best for puppies or small dogs only.


What we like about this toy is that it not only keeps an active puppy busy, it helps to develop a puppy's problem solving skills.  When we asked him what he thought, Tate gave it four puppy paws up!  With Christmas right around the corner, this would make a nice gift for your small dog or puppy.  Thank you Chewy for sending us the Busy Buddy to review!


Chewy also sent us the  KONG Triangle Play Mat for Pumpkin and Ghost to review.  We loved how pretty it is, but it is very small.  That didn't stop Ghost and Pumpkin from squeezing inside, but it was a bit of a tight fit.  Ghost being an adolescent male is thin and lanky, and Pumpkin is on the petite side for an adult female cat, so they made it work.   But I don't think chunky "larger boned" felines will fit inside the play mat.

But on the positive side, the cats do love it, and we catch Ghost napping inside it all the time.  And they enjoy swatting the cute dangling mouse.  So this would be a great gift for smaller cats and kittens.  Thank you Chewy for sending the Kong Triangle Play Mat.  I'm sure there will be some happy cats on Christmas morning if this is under the tree!




Saturday, October 17, 2015

Fall has arrived!


Fall is here!  We love this season so much, it's the perfect time for photographing the collies, and hiking before the weather turns frigid.





We took a little blogging break, but for a very good reason!  Unfortunately, we are a little late posting a review for Chewy.com.  But since we are reviewing Blue Buffalo's Boo Bars, and Halloween is right around the corner, this post is timely.










These dog treats are made with ingredients that are sure to please most dogs. The collies loved them,and would have eaten them all in one sitting.

Made with: pumpkin, carrots, barley, oatmeal, flaxseed and cinnamon.
Key Benefits
  • Oven-baked holiday biscuits
  • Natural treats with added vitamins & minerals
  • Made with wholesome whole grains, fruits & vegetables
  • No chicken/poultry by-product meals
  • No corn, wheat or soy
  • Made in the USA


You can find out more about Boo Bars by clicking here:

Blue Buffalo Boo Bars


And what kept us away?  This little guy!



He can't wait until he is big enough to try these treats!



Thursday, October 15, 2015

Autumn days….

Another beautiful Autumn weekend, so we grabbed the camera and the collies and headed to our favorite spot.

































Friday, September 11, 2015

Honoring one of the heroes from 9/11

It's been 14 years since the attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.  Only one of the search and rescue dogs from that day is still with us.  Her name is Bretagne, and she is a 16 year old golden retriever, and a hero.  Watch while she is honored for her service, with an Epic celebration.  Her mom is seen wiping away tears throughout the video, and I couldn't watch without getting teary-eyed myself....

Some 9/11 heroes walked on four paws...

Photo courtesy of Uproxx.com



And here is a tribute to all the search and rescue dogs of 9/11

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Question

No matter how careful you try to be when choosing your words, someone, somewhere will take offense.  We try to keep our posts interesting, and we try to only comment on other bloggers' posts with either humor or kindness.  But sometimes people just don't like you, or don't like what you have to say.  You can't please everyone.

So here is a cute picture, there can't be anything offensive in this?



But seriously, as Bloggers, do you censor your posts/ideas so that you can keep your readers happy?

Friday, September 4, 2015

Drug Sensitivity in Collies and other Herding Breeds

We are resharing a previous post we wrote back in September of 2012, because there have been some recent illnesses in dogs due to drug sensitivities.  Please read our post below, and then click on this Link and print out the info from the American Working Collie Association.  Keep a copy and give a copy to your veterinarian.  Not all veterinary practices are aware of the MDR-1 drug sensitivity in certain herding breeds.

Drug Sensitivity in Collies

Many herding breeds have adverse reactions to a particular list of drugs, and collies are known to be one of these breeds.  This adverse reaction is the result of a mutation in the multidrug resistance gene, or MDR1 gene.  Not all collies have this mutation, but many of them do, so most collie owners will avoid these drugs or have their dogs tested for the gene.  This drug sensitivity can result in blindness, coma and death, so it is very important that collie owners, and the owners of other herding breeds like Aussies or Border Collies, become familiar with the names of these drugs.  There are veterinarians who seem to be unaware of this issue, and prescribe drugs or anesthesia that can be potentially fatal to your dog, so you need to make sure your veterinarian is aware of the risk.  You need to make sure that your dog is not given any of the following drugs if he/she has not been tested or if they have tested positive for the MDR1 gene:

Acepromazine
Butorphanol
Emodepside
Erythromycin
Vincristine
Vinblastine
Doxorubicin
Ivermectin – The dose of Ivermectin used to prevent heartworm infection in products like Heartguard is considered SAFE in dogs with the mutation. (6 micrograms per kilogram) However, because of reports of collies becoming ill on even this lose dose of Ivermectin, most collie owners are not willing to take the risk with their dog’s health.  As a result, most collie breeders and rescue groups advise new collie owners to use another heartworm preventative, such as Interceptor.  Ivermectin causes neurologic toxicity in some, but not all Collies, at doses that are 1/200th of the dose required to cause toxicity in other dogs.

Loperamide – (Imodium.) At doses used to treat diarrhea this drug will cause neurologic toxicity
in dogs with the MDR1 mutation. This drug should be avoided in all dogs with the MDR1
mutation.

Selamectin, milbemycin, and moxidectin (antiparasitic agents.) Silmlar to ivermectin, these
drugs are safe in dogs with the mutation if used for heartworm prevention at the manufacturer’s
recommended dose. Higher doses (generally 10-20 times higher than the heartworm prevention dose) have been documented to cause neurologic toxicity in dogs with the MDR1 mutation.  Because Interceptor contains such a small amount of milbemycin, it is considered to be of low risk to collies and herding breeds.  But you will need to be sure to keep Interceptor, along with other drugs, safely out of reach of your dogs.  Because ingestion of multiple doses at one time can be fatal to your dog.

The reason the dosage of these drugs has to be carefully monitored, is because MDR1 causes a buildup of these drugs in the brain of the affected dog.  This buildup can cause neurotoxicosis, which can be fatal if left untreated.  If you notice your dog reacting oddly after exposure to any of these drugs, usually 4 to 12 hours after ingestion, dog owners are advised to seek veterinary care immediately, do not wait.  Some of the signs of an adverse reaction are:

Dilated pupils (the center of the eye will be abnormally large)
Blindness
Digestive problems (loss of appetite and/or vomiting)
Heavy drooling
Depression or motor instability (the dog may have difficulty standing or walking, may have tremors, or weakness)
Seizures (blankness, disorientation, stupor, involuntary muscle movements and unconsciousness)


While this drug sensitivity may frighten many people, dogs still need to be kept on a monthly heartworm preventative.  (A heartworm infection is fatal if left untreated, and can be easily prevented.)  Herding breeds are loving, devoted companions, and this genetic mutation does not affect their temperaments.  Choosing a dog from one of the many wonderful herding breeds, to add to your family, will be a rewarding experience.  But it requires that you educate yourself on which drugs your dog can be given, and seek safe alternatives to keep your dog healthy and happy.  Afterall, they are worth it! 

Thursday, September 3, 2015

Books and movies for dog lovers...

Do you have favorite dog books or movies?  We have many, and thought it might be fun to share a few with you each month.  Since we love collies, our first post features books and movies about collies, which shouldn't be a surprise.

The first book we want to mention is Gray Dawn, written by Albert Payson Terhune.  If you read our recent post about Sunnybank then you know Terhune's collies really existed, and lived at Sunnybank.  (If you haven't read about Sunnybank, click on this Link.) This book was written in 1927, and like many of Terhune's books, the writing and opinions are a product of that time period.  But even though some of the notions are not politically correct, I love the characters in this book.  The most lovable of all his collies, Dawn is a young puppy who is sweet and clumsy, facing his fears to "save" the people he loves from danger.  Gray Dawn is not without faults, but those faults endear him to the reader and made me fall in love with his courage.




Lad: A Dog, is a movie based on one of Terhune's most popular books of the same title.  Lad is a hero, and his story is told in such a way that you can tell he was a beloved and treasured companion.  (And why we named our first collie, Lad). The movie was recently released on DVD, and can be purchased on Amazon.  It's a great movie for a rainy afternoon, curled up on the couch with your best four-legged friend.


 The next movie is a well known classic.  This movie made collies famous, and is the reason most rough collies are greeted with "Hi Lassie!" From strangers where ever they go!  It tells the story of Lassie's love and loyalty for her family, and how nothing can keep her from returning to her boy's side.  I don't know how many times I have watched this movie, but it always brings tears to my eyes.

And last, but not least, Wolf.  This book is about Lad's son, Wolf.  I love this book, I love this collie.  Most of the stories written by Terhune are works of fiction, with elements of truth throughout the stories.  The ending of this book will make you cry, possibly even sob if you are anything like me, because it is a true story about a courageous collie.




Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Ryder wonders....

 It's September 1st already!  Can someone tell me where Summer went?



 It might be September, but it sure feels like Summer is still here!











Sunday, August 30, 2015

Happy Birthday Collies, and a review for Chewy!

Today was a special day in our home.  Why?  Today our Ryder and Kori turned 4 years old.  Its hard to believe they are 4 already, but it also seems like they have always been a part of our family.  They have different personalities, with Ryder being more sensitive and preferring to spend his time with us.  Kori on the other hand is a little more focused on playing with the other smooth girls in our family. (but she still needs her cuddle time) They both have the sweet and gentle collie personalities, and they are both very loved.

 Before they received their birthday presents, they posed with Pumpkin for our newest review for Chewy.com.  They sent us Orijen Alberta Freeze dried Lamb dog treats and for Pumpkin, they sent us a Temptations snacky mouse cat treat toy.


 
 
 
They LOVED the treats!  Five out of five collies approved!  And looking at the ingredients, I love the quality.  Unlike so many dog treats you find on the store shelves these days, Orijen Alberta Lamb treats has just three ingredients.  Just. Three. Ingredients.  The only thing you will find in these treats are lamb, lamb liver and lamb tripe.  And what really sold me on these treats, is that none of the ingredients were outsourced.  So there is no need to worry about questionable ingredients from China or other countries.

And the Temptations Snacky Mouse Toy was really fun.  It took Pumpkin a few minutes to figure out how it worked, but once she caught on, she was fixated on it.  A toy that she could play with that dispensed treats?  Kitty heaven!  I can see this toy making lots of cats happy around the holidays!  It's definitely something we would recommend to others.




 Then it was time for toys and special birthday cookies.  They were so patient and so good for me.  I was happy to see they still remembered the "leave it" command I had taught them when they were puppies.  I guess a "collie never forgets!"


 
And finally, it was time for cake.  They are such good dogs, such amazing friends, they deserve to be spoiled on their special day!

If you want to read about their amazing birth story, click here:
Happy 1st birthday!

Monday, August 24, 2015

Sunnybank revisted...



Location
"Collie Social" Photo courtesy of Faith Peters


Every August they travel from far and wide to visit a small park in New Jersey.  Some come alone, but most of them come with their four-footed best friends.  If you ask them why they made the trip, they will all respond with the same sentiment, they love collies and they love Sunnybank.  Most of the individuals who attend “The Gathering” each year grew up reading the stories written by Albert Payson Terhune.  Many of them fell in love with collies because of the stories of the heroic and loveable collies of Sunnybank.  Such is the impact of Terhune’s books about his Sunnybank collies, that even now, 100 years later, people still love his collie stories. 

Terhune with Gray Dawn, Explorer and Sigurdson
 
 
We have attended The Gathering of Collies at Sunnybank many times.  And each time, as I walk across the green grass, shaded by the old trees and bordered by the fire blue lake, I am transported back to the days when Sunnybank belonged to Terhune and his collies.

Skyler by the Fire Blue Lake - photo courtesy of Faith Peters


One can’t help but imagine Lad, Lady, Bruce, Gray Dawn and Wolf running across the lawn, carefree and beautiful as they rush to greet the Master and Mistress.  While the Sunnybank collies are long gone, along with Terhune and his wife, Anice, their memories will live on in the hearts and minds of collie lovers all over the world.  And for one weekend every August collies once again return to play and romp on the lawn and hills of Sunnybank.  And in my opinion, the fact that these collies can all be traced back to the great Sunnybank collies of the past just makes it all the more special!  It is a magical sight that brings joy to every collie lover able to make the journey to The Gathering.

photo courtesy of Linda DeYoung
 
 
Last week The Gathering was held at Sunnybank and individuals from all over attended.  On Saturday there were discussions on collie health related topics.  There was also a rescue parade, to celebrate all the collies that were rescued from shelters and adopted into loving families.  And on Sunday the puppies are celebrated with a puppy match. 

Sunnybank Friends Gather Together  (photo by Faith Peters)


Puppy Match - photo courtesy of Linda DeYoung


It is a fun weekend, and gives everyone a chance to socialize with other collie lovers while strolling the grounds of Sunnybank.  Visitors attending the Gathering can even sign up for a walking tour of Sunnybank and visit the graves of all the Sunnybank collies of the past.


The original Sunnybank house, long gone, but never forgotten.

 

 
There is even a junior handling competition for kids interested in learning how to show collies.

Captain, Scarlett's brother and littermate.
 
 
The AKC even featured an article about The Gathering, which you can read here:
crazy for collies

and here is an article about Albert Payson Terhune:
pup-culture-he-taught-us-how-to-love-dogs

And check out Scarlett's trip to Sunnybank, as a puppy!
Sunnybank Scarlett

just a few of our friends we were lucky enough to meet up with at The Gathering- photo by Faith Peters