Oliver on the Mend for #FueltheLove with Zuke's

by Oliver

Social Media Fun with Zuke's

by Oliver

My Zuke's hayride was supposed to have started a while ago. I'm wondering where the driver of this wagon has gone. Hmmm......Mom!

Oh well; I guess I could take this opportunity to introduce you to our newest technology here on 5 Minutes for Fido: the Giveaway Tools widget. It should be down there at the bottom of the post, asking you to enter your name and email address. Don't worry, Mom over at All Things Dog Blog assures me your email won't be used for anything except getting in touch with you when you win. That's okay with you, right?

This new widget is the latest in giveaway gadgets. We used to use one named after a helicopter, but this new one has a few extra features we're trying out. Let us know what you think. Did it wake up for you easily? Sometimes Mom says she has to tickle it to come alive by clicking on the post title. NBD, I guess.

So here's the deal. In this new widget you get to choose your entries. There are lots of choices, so just do the ones you like. I liked the one where Mom could put my picture in this cute Zuke's frame. Don't I look handsome? Too bad I can't enter; but YOU can! You actually get points for putting your dog's picture in a frame that WE MADE FOR YOU. It doesn't get any easier than this!

There are lots of other ways to enter also, like Tweeting, social media follows, pinning, and Vine or Instagram videos. FYI, we'll be picking one video to win a $100 Gift Certificate that you can spend on anything you want--seriously!  

Not into Vine or Instagram yet? It's okay. I'm not either. But Mom and our partner Miss Paris will be posting How To's on doing these. Want to get started right away? Check out this quick starter on Vine. Mom says that it only takes 2 minutes to make and post a video that will get you the maximum allowable points--whatever that means. She says it's fun, so that works for me. A guy's got to trust his mom, ya know?

Video entries will need to follow 3 Event Barkers rules to be entered: (1) They must be Tweeted, (2) They need to add this statement, including the hashtags: "I #FueltheLove on #BarkFriday with @ZukesPets."  and (3) the theme must be related to dog activities--any type of activity. I'm wondering if afternoon naps count as an activity? Hmmm....I'll have to ask Mom about that. She'll be around with her iPhone soon so maybe it's time for a snooze. I'll keep you posted.

Let's review some of the basics of the #BarkFriday #FueltheLove Twitter Party and then I'll let you get to your entries:

Sponsor:  @ZukesPets (think super yummy, USA-made treats)
Hosts:  @AllThingsDog, @EventBarkers, @DogTipper, @5MinutesforFido (that's me!), and @ToDogWithLove. That's my friend Rocco's mom; I love to do zoomies with Rocco at conference hotels!
Date:  Friday, November 29, 2013
Time:  12 PM ET - 1:30 PM ET (right after your Black Friday early morning shopping!)
Venue Option--TweetChat room: http://tweetchat.com/room/barkfriday
Prizes:  $1000+ in Zuke's treats plus dog toys for all winners
Bonus:  One winner will be chosen for a $100 Gift Certificate for their Video entry. Don't miss this chance to win big in the cash department.

Note to Party Participants:  This Twitter Party has a highly-unusual 2 hashtags. Please be sure to copy this hashtag onto your clipboard before you begin the party. This way you can paste it into each Tweet as you chat during the event. See you at #BarkFriday #FueltheLove!

Event Barkers is working with Zuke's to help them gain online exposure and share the news of their new products. Watch for more excitement with a Blog Hop of assorted giveaways and newsy topics about Zuke's to open here on Friday, November 15.
Note that due to shipping regulations, the prizes in this event are only available to U.S. addresses. Thank you for your understanding.

The Deets on Pet PreTweets for #BarkFriday #FueltheLove

artfully written by Oliver

Tanner Gets Photo Opp with Zuke's Prizes

Okay, I get that I'm not too terribly talented with the camera. I do a better job when I'm in the image, but Tanner seems to have gotten that lucky job of SpokesModel this time. I suppose that's because our mom over at All Things Dog Blog was taking the photo while I was laboring over preparing this post. Sigh.

No matter. I'm playing my blogger role again today, offering you more ways to PreTweet the #BarkFriday #FueltheLove Twitter Party to help you win that wagon full of 15 bags of Zuke's treats. One lucky Tweeter (is that a word?) will grab all 15 bags plus a holiday toy for their dog. That's no chump change!

Good luck in your efforts to win this prize. Here are some Tweets for you to share with your furiends on Twitter:

#FueltheLove on #BarkFriday by joining us 4 Twitter Party 11/29: noon ET. $1000+ in @ZukesPets prizes http://t.co/PuzmGXZRtr
— Tanner & Oliver (@5MinutesforFido) November 2, 2013

— Event Barkers (@EventBarkers) November 1, 2013

Before you head off, there's a couple of important tips I can offer for you to improve your odds of winning and have more fun doing it:

• RSVP in yesterday's post here.
• Check out our partners on this event for more info as well as additional Tweets to up your chances:
  
  AllThingsDogBlog.com, DogTipper.com, ToDogWithLove.com.
• Watch for tomorrow's post when we'll reveal the rafflecopter makeover. Mom says we now call it the Social Media Giveaway; I'm so confused! Enter this and you'll have a chance to win another prize package of 15 bags of Zuke's with a dog toy. But wait; there's more!  We're also dangling a $100 Gift Card as a cash carrot. To win this big shopping spree opportunity, you just need to spend 2 minutes taking a 6-second video with Vine and Tweeting it with the #BarkFriday #FueltheLove hashtags. Be sure to include them both!
• The Social Media giveaway will include a ton of other fun ways to enter, including sharing a framed pic of your pup and much more. See you tomorrow to extend the fun until #BarkFriday #FueltheLove on November 29.

And don't forget that you can also find Zuke's on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook!

Note to Party Participants: This Twitter Party has a highly-unusual 2 hashtags. Please be sure to copy this hashtag onto your clipboard before you begin the party. This way you can paste it into each Tweet as you chat during the event. See you at #BarkFriday #FueltheLove.

Event Barkers is working with Zuke's to help them gain online exposure and share the news of their new products. Watch for more excitement with a Blog Hop of assorted giveaways and newsy topics about Zuke's to open here on Friday, November 15.

Note that due to shipping regulations, the prizes in this event are only available to U.S. addresses. Thank you for your understanding.

We're Joining the Zuke's #BarkFriday #FueltheLove Twitter Party

by Oliver

Tanner and I are all about good treats, especially the ones that help to keep us healthy. So we're joining up with the Event Barkers gang to help promote the #BarkFriday #FueltheLove Twitter Party. I get to be one of the cohosts and talk about having fun during the holidays. It's a tough gig, but somepuppy has to do it. It sure won't be Tanner. He's just not too up on Twitter.

Watch our buddies for more information on all these goings on. I think they do a better job than I do at getting the inside track: AllThingsDogBlog.com, DogTipper.com, ToDogWithLove.com.

Your part is pretty much the same as mine, except you get to have a chance to win prizes. Me? Not so much. All you have to do to have a bunch of chances to win are (1) RSVP below, and (2) join us on Twitter at 12 PM ET on November 29. Mom calls that day Black Friday, but I think she made a typo on the party name. Anyways, I think #BarkFriday is much more appropriate since I love to bark. Don't forget that there's 2 hashtags this time: #BarkFriday #FueltheLove.

Can you "Speak"? That's one of my favorite skills. Mom says we'll be taking a Vine video of me speaking and that our party participants can enter to win prizes by posting a Vine video of their dog in any activity. More details on that to come Sunday. Be sure to come back and read up.

Tomorrow I'll have some Tweets for you to share. You can also win by Tweeting about this treat-filled party. I've got all the instructions for embedding (did I spell that right?) my Tweets right here. You'll be able to send out these Tweets with one click, and you won't even need opposable thumbs.

Before I move on to the RSVP, don't forget that you can also find Zuke's on Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram where you'll see lots of active dogs.

Here's an example of how to fill in the RSVP form below. See you tomorrow for more deets on Tweets!


Note to Party Participants: This Twitter Party has a highly-unusual 2 hashtags. Please be sure to copy this hashtag onto your clipboard before you begin the party. This way you can paste it into each Tweet as you chat during the event. See you at #BarkFriday #FueltheLove .
Event Barkers is working with Zuke's to help them gain online exposure and share the news of their new products. Watch for more excitement with a Blog Hop of assorted giveaways and newsy topics about Zuke's to open here on Friday, November 15.
Note that due to shipping regulations, the prizes in this event are only available to U.S. addresses. Thank you for your understanding.

WANTED: Dog Blogging Assistant

by Oliver

I've been working my paws to the bone and wondering if it's time to put in my notice with Mom. It's tough work here, but the pay is great; I get fed well! Any advice? Maybe I could just hire an assistant. You available?

Right now we're busy getting ready for #WorkLikeaDog, our Twitter Party on behalf of @ZukesPets. On top of that, last week I had to escort mom to Washington, DC for Blogpaws to be her PR Front Man. It was a lot of work meeting friends and influencing people (and dogs), but I'm definitely the dog for that job. Mom says my wiggle butt attracts everyone, but I personally think that's a bit embarrassing, so don't repeat it.....please.

Meanwhile, Tanner was home playing with my kids and a bunch of family that visited. How exactly is it that I got appointed to work and he got to show off in the pool and play Fetch? Surely you know that's his favorite game, right?

I'm officially putting my job up for grabs if I can't get a reliable assistant. Tanner apparently has ADD and Jacque is out of control hyperactive. Try to get him to pose for a photo review--not happening! Just for today, though, I'm going to tell you about the yummy treats that Mom and Paris will be giving away at the Event Barkers #WorkLikeaDog Twitter Party.

But first, did you RSVP yet? Don't forget! You could be the big winner in the RSVP drawing to win a huge package of Zuke's treats.

© Event Barkers
#WorkLikeaDog Prize Packages

Here's the inside track that I got on the prize packages. Mom packs this stuff up on a top shelf to keep Tanner, me and Jacque out of it, but I got Patches to peek, and here's the prize list, including Zuke's best 'Hard Working Treats':

• 2 bags of Zuke's Mini Naturals
• 2 bags Zuke's Supers
• 2 bags Zuke's Hip Action
• 2 bags Zuke's Power Bones
• Zuke's tote bag, Tshirt, beverage glass for you
• Zuke's bandana for your dog
• A business tie to dress up your pup to head off to work with you on June 21
• And my fave, a treat pouch for mom or dad to carry your goodies along :)  Ahem! This is VERY important to remember.

courtesy Ruffwear.com

And can you believe there's more! I've overheard mom talking about the Grand Prize. Oh....My....Dog! The Grand Prize winner will be scoring all the loot listed above plus 3 training DVDs, a backpack and a traveling water bowl, to make sure your Fido can carry all his belongings to work and have a watering hole for the day, maybe under your desk?

courtesy Ruffwear.com

Now don't spread this around too much, okay? But here's the deets on the Grand Prize. The Grand Prize winner, in addition to receiving 3 dog training videos and all that loot above, will get a Ruffwear pack and a Bivy collapsible bowl, perfect for hard working dogs, or dogs at play. Don't forget to bring these along when you head off for a hike in the woods and also when you're going to work with mom or dad.

I suppose you're ready to hit that RSVP link above now, right? Before you head off, I want to make sure you know about the pre-party giveaways. In addition to the RSVP drawing I mentioned earlier, you should check out the PreTweet giveaway and the Rafflecopter drawing. All 3 of these winners will be announced at the beginning of the Twitter Party, but need not be in attendance. They each get the whole package of goodies pictured above. If you're unable to come to our party, this is your next best chance to win these great prizes.

Watch DogTipper.com and All Things Dog Blog for more details as we move closer to the party date. I hear there will be more surprises!



Event Barkers is working with Zuke's to help them gain online exposure

Dogs Take Off to Workplaces in June: We're Ready!

by Oliver

© AllThignsDogBlog.com
Ready for Work

I'm all ready for All Things Dog Blog's #WorkLikeaDog Twitter Party. I've got the wardrobe down, had a Linkedin profile photo taken and I'm trying to get Tanner with the program. He says he's not into the businessdog look. He fancies himself a professional Fetcher.

I finally said "Ok, so what sort of Linkedin profile pic are you thinking of?" He offered these two below. Sad, right? I asked him why and he insists he's got different priorities than I do and that I should just respect that. But seriously, Fetch is not a profession.

I'm a blogger. I take that seriously. I help mom with photo modeling, product reviews, Twitter Parties and I'll be acting as her PR front man at Blogpaws.  Any ideas how I can help Tanner get a handle on his professional personna?

His reply to my concerns was that he has a perfectly handsome wetsuit that allows him to fetch year round, so why not show it off? Ugg.

© AllThingsDogBlog.com
Tanner in his Wetsuit

I suggested a more mainstream profession for #WorkLikeaDog and he offered Dock Diving. He insisted that dogs do this on TV. Hopeless, just hopeless.

Any ideas out there? Tanner needs a professional makeover and quick. Offers?

© Brent Boyko
Personal Best Standing Dive

Why Can't Dogs Have Fish?

by Tanner

courtesy K.M.
My First Catch--A Fresh One

I'm frustrated today. Last night when me and the two squirts went outside for our last evening constitution, I immediately caught the scent of FISH. Yes! I rushed to the bush where I smelled my prize, resting at the bottom of a large pine tree. Apparently the hawks nesting above had dropped it or it fell overboard. I don't care which; I was simply thrilled to snag this delicious-smelling treat.

I had to be a bit trickier this time. The first time I managed to get myself a fish, mom was sneaky and used the "DROP IT"  command on me. No fair!

So instead of parading around showing off my catch, this time I hurried back to the door and waited for it to open so I could go inside and hide my treasure. I remember that Xena used to have a terrific spot for hiding stolen slices of pizza--under Dad's pillow. I like that because it's safe there till bedtime. I had my plan and was prepared to implement.

Oliver and Jacque took their time about returning to open the door. I tucked my snout down so Mom wouldn't notice my tagalong, and wagged my tail, giving every sign that I was ready to go inside. You'd think I was in the clear, right? But no! Mom somehow figured out that I had a prize. She made me sit and let the little ones inside. Dad grabbed a large, thick, enzyme-treated rawhide strip. Oh my dog, do I love those things!

Dad waved it in front of my nose and my mouth reflexively opened as he popped the strip into it, and mom quickly snapped up the aromatic fish I had dropped when they tricked me.  Sigh. We don't even have a photo this time. Mom hurried off to dispose of the best snack I've ever scored and I was left to make sure that the rawhide was not absconded by my two minuscule housemates.

The upside is they didn't get a rawhide strip and were probably wondering why I did. Hehehe! I think they both missed the whole event, but this morning when we walked out for our early morning potty run Jacque was the first to catch the scent. He sniffed around the front porch, scratching at the rug and looking for something to pick up. "Nothing left, dude. Mom got rid of it already :( "

I guess Jacque will be putting on his cute act for a Tillman Treat now. After all, there's no fish left for him. Hey, maybe that's a good idea. Tillman Treats are easier to catch and mom doesn't take them away. She actually says they're good for me. Catch ya later!

Mom's busy writing her own post about my fishing expedition, no doubt, and I'm sure her story will go a bit differently. Check it out at All Things Dog Blog.

5 Minutes for Natural Balance

by Oliver

© AllThingsDogBlog.com
Tanner and I Pose with Our Friend, Missy

Let the games begin. With All Things Dog Blog becoming an NB Insider, a few things are changing around here. I've got to whip Tanner into shape and get him ready for some new challenges. Here's a sneak peek at what you'll be seeing that's different:

• Ooops! I may have made my announcement before Mom made hers. My bad! You don't mind though, right?
• I'll get the tough news out of the way first. Tanner, my Fetch-crazed, Golden Retriever housemate, already has his nose in a twist because he's got to get behind Tillman the Skateboarding Bulldog and Norman the Scooterdog, to name just a couple of the NB all-stars. I think Tanner fancies himself a Fetch star, so watch for some additional photos as he struggles to prove his worth around here.
• Meanwhile I'll still be pulling much of the load as the Chief Editor of this rag, and that's good news. Tanner's grammar tends to lean toward athlete-speak and we see far too many F-words (F-E-T-C-H and  Food for starters) and significant overuse of dog park and swimming topics, IMHO. Thankfully I'm in charge! 
• Mom will be handing out writing assignments that cover all manner of Natural Balance information including their organic food (my new chow!). I'm eager to share our opinions, photos and ideas on why Organic is a good thing.  We're not fans of eating fertilizer, antibiotics or hormones.
• Tanner and I will be filling you in on all the flavors and types of treats available from Natural Balance, including the whole line of Tillman Treats. Who knew? I'm pretty sure I hear a plea for "Tanner Treats" coming from the pool deck right now. Ugg!
• Our resident cat, Patches, will be making an appearance to share her experience with Natural Balance. The helpful folks at NB gave mom some nutritional advice for her, given she's a serious senior citizen--15 years old. At that age, she's gotten to be very opinionated, so watch your nose. She has claws! 
• With the 2nd season of Who Let the Dogs Out airing now, we're excited to share some clips and enjoy a good laugh. I'll be laughing at Tanner when he tries to master the skateboard that's in our garage. Stay tuned....vet visits happen at unexpected times.
• On that note, Tanner tells me he plans to challenge Tillman to a Fetch contest. Hmmm... Should I send a memo to Tillman to give him a heads up? I mean, really. Tanner is faster than lightening and way taller than Tillman. Tillman won't have a prayer. Ideas?
• And then there's Fetch in the swimming pool. Oh dear! Can Tillman even swim? I guess we'll find out. I'll keep you posted on those events, IF they come to pass.
• Natural Balance has some great charity efforts and causes they support, so I, for one, am excited to share some of those stories with you also. 

Mom promises to share links to my posts so you'll be able to find them easily if you read All Things Dog Blog. If you're simply a fan and want to be sure you don't miss a single word I have to bark, please subscribe in the box you'll find in the sidebar. Just be sure to visit your email inbox immediately to activate your new subscription. I'm not terribly good at checking up on all these little details. 

Thanks for stopping in and be sure to leave a comment. I love to hear from my fans. You can also give me a paw up by Tweeting this message, right from my blog. Just hit RT and you'll have been a great fur-riend. Thanks!

#NBInsiders named recently include @allthingsdog. My mom is so excited to share the news. Tanner has other plans: Watch 4 more!
— Tanner & Oliver (@5MinutesforFido) March 24, 2013

Mom says I have to put a disclaimer down here: All Things Dog Blog is an  NB Insider. In this capacity, mom will attend industry events on behalf of Natural Balance, and share news with you about the Natural Balance family of products, their mascots, charities and causes. She says that may include my comments, so I have to be legally clear on this, according to the FTC. (Yup; I have no clue what any of that means.)

WANTED: SpokesModel Jobs for Experienced Dog Models

by Tanner and Oliver

© Carrie Boyko
Meet Your SpokesModel, Tanner

Oliver and I have been so very busy this week modeling for product reviews. We thought we'd share a few shots with you and tell you where you can find the products.

Over at All Things Dog Blog, mom is busy reviewing Barking Deals, Terra Paws, and Planet Dog's Pet Sitter Instructions. You'll find all these reviews, complete with the requisite giveaways, at the All Things Dog Blog link above. Have fun entering to win these great prizes and more.

Oliver and I thoroughly enjoyed devouring savoring our Terra Paws treats after we finished with each picture. No paycheck in the world can compare to a full belly!

© Carrie Boyko
Oliver Eyes
  Terra Paws Treat

© Carrie Boyko
Tanner Protects
his Terra Paws Treats

© courtesy PlanetDog.com
Where Ya Goin, Mom?

© Carrie Boyko
Barking Deals Gave Me
 a Beaver Toy to Wrestle With
(I'm Winning So Far)

Rabbit Treats? Where's My Bones?

by Tanner

Things are just getting way out of hand here. I'm used to getting nibbles and rewards that look like little dog bones. Sort of corny, I know, but I've grown used to the look of that shape and now suddenly I'm getting goofy dog biscuits.

First I got hearts at Valentines Day. Next we received Shamrocks, and today, they're rabbits. My mom!

The good news is they're full of chicken and carrots, two of my favorite things to eat. So why am I complaining? Good question. I'll shut up now. Happy Easter!

Oh, and I suppose I should tell you that you can find the recipe at All Things Dog Blog.

Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day Works for Us!

by Tanner and Oliver

(c) Carrie Boyko
Good Job, Boys

Can you believe it? We learned that today is International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day. That's sort of like Christmas for dogs, right? We're happy to behave nicely to get a homemade yummy like these chicken and cheese treats made right here in our kitchen. We're waiting for mom to say the magic words: "Take it!"

(c) Carrie Boyko
Yee-ha! Snack Time!

You can find the recipe for these delicious biscuits at this post on All Things Dog Blog. It you make them, be sure to let us know how you enjoyed them. Even more fun would be if you post a picture of your cookies at our Facebook page. We'd love to see!

Did You Miss our Super Dog Sunday Blog Hop?

© Carrie Boyko
Tanner's Proud his Grandpa's Team Won

Super Dog Sunday was a big success over at All Things Dog Blog. We had about 60 pet bloggers join us to post photos of their Fidos in football-themed pics. The comments were flying and everyone seemed to have a good time. Even me and Oliver. We got  Super Bowl XLV hats and homemade peanut butter cookies for our efforts. You can find the recipe at the link.

If you missed the event, you can see the pics here at our mom's Super Dog Sunday Slideshow of the pics at this link. Enjoy!

© Carrie Boyko

© Carrie Boyko

Neighborhood Fidos Unite...Let's Play Ball (since we can't eat yet)

© Carrie Boyko
Dad?
A Little Ball?

© Carrie Boyko
Maybe the Neighborhood Pups?

Isn't it almost time for the food and the fun? I can't find a soul inside or out that wants to play a little ball with me. It should be kick-off time soon. I can tell because no one's around outside. I guess I'll mosey back inside and check the TV...AGAIN.

Then I can snoop around the kitchen to see where mom has hidden the Peanut Butter dog treats. You know, the ones she posted about earlier today on All Things Dog Blog. Sometimes I get lucky and she leaves them close enough to the edge for a tall guy like me to Retrieve them. Isn't that what I was meant to do? Of course!

Thanks for joining us for the first annual Super Dog Sunday Blog Hop here at All Things Dog Blog and 5 Minutes for Fido. The action is also going on at our Facebook page throughout the afternoon, as well as on Twitter. After you “Like” us at Facebook, be sure to “Follow” us on Twitter.  Don’t miss out on any of the photos, videos, commentary and all-out silliness as we continue to celebrate Super Bowl XLV with our own brand of Fido fun!

It's a FIDO Football Frenzied Day at our House

© Carrie Boyko
I'm Already Starting to Get Tired
Bring on the Treats!

Thanks for joining us for the first annual Super Dog Sunday Blog Hophere at All Things Dog Blog and 5 Minutes for Fido. The action is also going on at our Facebook page throughout the afternoon, as well as on Twitter. After you “Like” us at Facebook, be sure to “Follow” us on Twitter.  Don’t miss out on any of the photos, videos, commentary and all-out silliness as we continue to celebrate Super Bowl XLV with our own brand of Fido fun!

Go Packers, Go!

© Carrie Boyko
We're Serious
About our Team Spirit

© Carrie Boyko
And, We Have One Question....

© Carrie Boyko
What Time Does the Game Start?

Mom tells us that the Peanut Butter dog treats will be served at game time. So when exactly is that? We're pretty eager to get that part of today's events going. Food is everything for us, and our mom has made us some super cute football dog cookies. Want the recipe? You can find it over at All Things Dog Blog. While you're there, would you set her clocks ahead, so we can get on with the snacks....pleeze!

Thanks for joining us for the first annual Super Dog Sunday Blog Hop here at All Things Dog Blog and 5 Minutes for Fido. The action is also going on at our Facebook page throughout the afternoon, as well as on Twitter. After you “Like” us at Facebook, be sure to “Follow” us on Twitter.  Don’t miss out on any of the photos, videos, commentary and all-out silliness as we continue to celebrate Super Bowl XLV with our own brand of Fido fun!

It's Super Dog Sunday. Join us for Great Photos All Day...

© Carrie Boyko
We're Ready for Kick-Off
of the Dog Treats

© Carrie Boyko
I've Picked My Team

Be sure to check in at All Things Dog Blog to see all the photo posts there too. We've got a whole afternoon of fun planned, and mom's got Peanut Butter Dog Treats for us this afternoon. Don't miss the recipe; you can make it for your Fido and serve it for a game-time snack. Enjoy!

Thanks for joining us for the first annual Super Dog Sunday Blog Hop here at All Things Dog Blog and 5 Minutes for Fido. The action is also going on at our Facebook page throughout the afternoon, as well as on Twitter. After you “Like” us at Facebook, be sure to “Follow” us on Twitter.  Don’t miss out on any of the photos, videos, commentary and all-out silliness as we continue to celebrate Super Bowl XLV with our own brand of Fido fun!

Dog Recipes Trickling In. Can You Help?

by Oliver

© Carrie Boyko
Dog Recipes Please!

Yay! Our friend Miss Paris sent in a recipe for some delicious treats. Mom posted it over at All Things Dog Blog. Mom's goal is to collect a bunch of recipes into an ebook that we can offer to readers.

Tanner and I plan to be the editors and official taste-testers. That means that today we'll be busy helping with Chicken and Cheese Biscuits. Now that's a job a dog can sink his teeth into!

Would you like to submit a recipe for the All Things Dog Blog cookbook? Mom plans to give away prizes for things like Best recipes, cover photo, and a cookbook name. There have been a few submissions, but until we get the book full enough to put it together, we won't announce any winners. That means you have time.

Have you got a delicious recipe that your Fido loves? Please, won't you share it with us? You can send it to LetsAdoptaDogPark@gmail.com.

AKC Treats: I'll Play You for a Trip to Big Lots!

Mom and I are tugging for a trip to Big Lots. She told her readers over at All Things Dog Blog that they have all the AKC treats at special pricing.

A little help here....c'mon you guys. I gotta win this tug game to get to Big Lots and stock up on yummies. Trust me; Oliver is NO HELP.  Ugh.

Happy Birthday to Me........

by Oliver

© Carrie Boyko
My First Day at Home
From 3 lbs. to 3 Years Old

I finally made it past the puppy years--no more "Isn't Oliver a cute puppy?" Now I'm a big boy! Even though I weigh 9 1/2 lbs now, I still can't catch Tanner. I keep trying, but my dish always looks smaller than his. :(


Oh well; I had a nice party today to celebrate my birthday tomorrow. Tanner and I called it Yappy Hour! LOL Xena joined in for a few nibbles and headed back to her nap. It's a senior citizen thing, I guess.

Tanner and I also celebrated with a romp at the dog park, something we never turn down. I met a bunch of new friends and they all asked about the "cookie" smell on us. The yummies from Bone Appetit were a special treat, for sure. We're looking forward to doing some serious shopping there real soon. Let's see....maybe Halloween treats? Note to self: Get a calendar and mark the shopping dates.

Check out my birthday pics at mom's post on All Things Dog Blog. I also got my trading card pic posted at Toki Poki; I love my card! Oh, and Mom even got me a birthday hat with fuzzy stuff on it...kinda babyish, but we still had a good time. G'nite!

Dog Treats? We're Available for Taste Testing...

by Oliver

(c) Carrie Boyko
Sit for a Treat...No Problem
Free of Charge!

Mom's got some great ideas today over at All Things Dog Blog. For a change, she's not embarrassing me. I'll sit....stay....down....you name it, for a treat. I don't even charge.

Last weekend when mom and I went to Pet Xprs's party, I had fun showing off my great skills at 'Leave It', 'Take It', and Stay. The nice trainer lady loved me. What's not to love?

Speaking of love...I really enjoyed the Rally course she had set up. I'm hoping mom might consider taking me to try that out sometime. Sounds like fun. Anything is fun if I do it with my mom.

You better go check out her post on treat choices if you're training your dog to do anything cool like 'Leave It'. She knows all the best treats! Happy training.