The Moe Toys Report

Keeping Pet Records Online Has Never, Ever Been Easier. And It's Free.

With moving, traveling, rescue dogs, showing and an ever increasing amount of pets in my home I have been looking for something that would do it all.  And I found it.  Zooza.  It is free.  Or almost free, if you enter a dog event from the site then you pay a small fee.

When you go to the site you will be able to make a profile on your pet.  That will include your basic information.  Microchip. And for the dog show or rescue folk co owner information. You will be able to check if you want the co owner to access the information and be able to change or modify it.

Next is the page for registration, titles, health certifications and pedigree.  I told you that this is really cool . . . 

As you continue you will find that you are able to have your rabies vaccination certificate and other records downloaded into the cloud and be able to get them anytime.  You are also able to list your Veterinarians and all of the information needed to contact them.

To top it off there is place for photos.  As well as to search and enter shows and other events.  

I really cannot think of a reason not to use this service.  Since I am not techie there are no pretty pictures instead you get a quick shot that I took with my Iphone.

 

 

 

 

Frozen Stuffed Bones Are A Good Thing.

A really good thing.  With all of the record breaking heat that we have been having, finding a reason to get the dogs to go outside has been challenging.  Being city dogs they think the best place to be is inside by a fan.

In order to get them to go outside and get busy chewing I have been getting their bones stuffed with a really easy inexpensive mix.  No measurements are involved.

All you need to do is get some Honest Kitchen.  Mix that with water, add some plain yogurt and peanut butter.  The biggest trick is to get the right consistency you want it kind of thick so that when it starts to melt the dogs will still have to work for it.

Place the bone on foil, stuff it, wrap it up and put in the freezer for a few hours. Take out, give to your dogs and watch them chew.

 

Pet Food Recalls Keep Coming.

More and more pet food and treats are  being recalled everyday.  Dogs,cats and birds have all been affected by recalls in the last 30 days.

To find out about dog and cat food/treat recalls the best site that I have found is Dog Food Advisor.  You can sign up for an email alert for when a recall is announced.

For birds the best thing to do is to go directly to the FDA .  Unfortunately there is not an email system in place at this time.

When a pet food is recalled, do not panic.  Though I know that is what we all want to do.  Right now many companies are acting responsibly and doing a volunteer recall. They have not  had problems, however they use a common factory so they are doing this out of concern for pets and their people.  These are the good guys.

Simply go to the manufacturers site get the information and check your bags.  With the current dog and cat recalls most of the foods that are affected are in the Midwest/East Coast. However this could change.

The food that is being recalled comes from Diamond.  A huge manufacturer that makes the food for many companies.  Most dog food companies do not own their own plant.  

For the birds, it is a nationwide problem.

If you need to switch foods Pet Food Direct has written a great little instruction sheet on how to do it.

I have been really fortunate since I feed The Honest Kitchen and it has not been a part of any of these recalls.  Check out their website and see what they are doing right.  There is a free e book available. While this may not be the right food for everyone out there the information is free and it is worth taking a look at a company that is doing something right.

 

 

Cat Flats! Why Didn't I Think Of That!

Well, I finally got a cat and have become well you know, one of those crazy cat ladies. And well, crazy cat ladies need to dress the part so Paper Sparrow has come to my rescue so now I can.

And Just What Is Your Style? Dog House Of Course!

For inspiration I look to Flea Market Fidos:  The Dish on Dog Junk and Canine Collectibles one of the best books on the subject.  

Once you have "gone dog" it is hard to go back. I love getting my dog stuff out of the basement and getting it into the house.  And I am pretty sure that I am not the only one.

Real, junk or collectible, living with dogs is just how we do it.

 

Anatomy of a Pit Bull.

There Is Still Time To Make Easter Bunny Ears!

Hop on over to Sew Doggy Style to find out how.

 

Rabbits Make Wonderful Pets, Just Say No To Them As A Gift At Easter And Any Other Time Of Year.

If you have been thinking of getting an Easter Bunny, Chick or Duck please think twice. These sweet little creatures do not have a good chance of survival when given as gifts during the holiday.

If you are thinking of adding a bunny to your home.  They are great pets.  You just need to learn about them first so that you can make sure that their needs will be met.

One of the best places to go is House Rabbit Society on Facebook. You will find lots of advice and where to go from there.

I also really like this article that was published in the Jacksonville Times.

And please consider adoption.  There are local rescues and shelters that have some wonderful rabbits available to wonderful homes.

Duct Tape and Dogs.

Was walking through Target the other day and came across the duct tape section.  There were so many patterns and colors that I was inspired.  The only thing that I could think of what to do with it was agility equipment.  And none of the dogs at  my house have any desire to do agility.

Then I happened to stumble upon Sugar The Golden Retriever's blog and came across Duct Tape dog collars.  A cute, fun and simple idea to add some style to spring.

Got Some Great Customer Service Today!

Thanks to Doggy Loot I am a really happy girl.  And I didn't even have to ask.  They offered.  And that is not something that happens everyday.

I've been a little bit hesitant to write about these dog/cat Groupon type shopping sites. Being a person that really loves and wants to support small, local business I have been a little concerned about what these type of websites will do to the small mom & pop shops.  And why a manufacturer would really want to sell their products so cheap.

So I have been guiltily buying a few things here and there.  I have always been happy with everything that I have gotten.  Shipping is fast, my charge card has been charged correctly, no spam and happy dogs and cat.  

After my customer service experience today, I have to say that I am going to be a loyal Doggy Loot customer. And I am not going to feel guilty shopping any more.

 

 

 

I'm A Dog Mom. And Most Of The Time I Think I Am A Pretty Good One.

However while doing a search on etsy for something completely unrelated, I came across Dog Calling Cards. Of course I had a why didn't I think of that moment.  

As Dog Parents, we tend to be quite sociable and never seem to have our hands free or a pen/paper to scribble down a quick note.  Problem solved.

Ever Wondered Why Some Dogs Watch TV and Others Don't?

Well there is now an answer, it is all in how they see.

It turns out that dogs eyes are not what we once thought that they were. It turns out that not all dogs have the same eye. It turns out that dogs can have different types of retinas.  And that depending on the type of retina that your dog has will determine if your dog is a car chaser or tv watcher.

I remember when Pickles was having her eye issues and we were visiting a Veterinary Opthamologist and my husband asked about her tv watching.  The Doctor that we were seeing said that "dogs do not see tv".  When we left my husband said that he did not want to take her back since he knew that dogs watch tv.  Turns out he was right.

To get the full story head on over to Catalyst:  Dog's Eyes.  It is a quick read that will explain it in more depth.  Without a doubt you will understand your canine friend a little better.

Here We Go Again . . . More News On Tainted Dog Food.

Remember the big pet food recall in 2007?  Well this time there is just as many problems and since the FDA has not been able to pinpoint where the problems are coming from, no recall.

Keep your pets healthy and please do not feed pet food from China.  Here is an article that explains in depth what is going on and gives a list of what foods to avoid.  And yes, these products are still on the shelves.

Got Cat? Got Boxes? You've Got A Kitty Condo!

It really is that easy.  All you need is some sturdy boxes, glue gun, serious tape and imagination.  If you need some help, go to Instructables and in 5 minutes you will have a Cat Palace.  OK, maybe not a Palace, but a great place for your kitty to hang.

 

 

Saving Money At The Veterinarian . . . You Can Do It!

You really can.  Without sacrificing your pets needs. I am saving $17.50 by getting a having a prescription filled at Krogers rather than at my Veterinarians office. You can save even more by getting a prescription written for 90 days worth.

Now I love my Vet and I want to support him and keep his practice growing and profitable, however these are tough times.  And you have to do what you have to do to keep your pets healthy.

Before I had my prescription called into Kroger, I explained my situation and asked if he could meet it or come close.  He couldn't so he called it in for me.  Simple as that.

Wal Mart, Kroger, Target, CVS and all the others have $4 prescription lists and many times you can find a generic for the current medications that your pet is taking.  Since generic is good enough for me, it is good enough for them.  Except on a time released thing.  If it is time released, we get the real stuff.

By all means do not take this to say mean that I am telling you to shop discount mail order stores or places like that.  Only shop at well known pharmacies.

All pharmacies can provide prescriptions for pets.  So that should not be a problem.  It is just a matter of finding one close to you that can supply what your pet needs.

Veterinarians should be familiar with this. It has been done for a long time.  When times are good and we are busy we just forget about stuff and want to get it done in one stuff.  If your Vet refuses or wants to charge you for the services, find a new one.  The American Veterinary Medical Association actually has a Fairness to Pet Owners Policy Act that is right here.

 

 

Counting Down To Valentines Day . . .

and wondering what I was going to do.  I am a broke girl.  And right now I am a broke girl with a totaled car that still wants to celebrate the holidays with her pets.  Because if they feel good, I feel better.

So I started to look around to see what I could do with minimal sewing skills and spending a ton of money. And it turns out to thanks to craftstylish it turns out to be quite a lot. 

Thanks to the tutorial I am going to be able to make two pretty good toys on the cheap.  There are instructions for a stuffed Conversational Heart Pillow, which I really like since it is really versatile.  I can make it in any size, so it would be good for a pillow or a toy.  Or I could leave out of stuffing for a more shakey type of toy. Or even put some catnip in it for a certain cat that I know.

Toy Number Two in the tutorial is a Tennis Ball Tug.  With tennis balls of all sizes that are available, another great toy for dogs of all sizes.  And you could use any material.

It is shown with polar fleece, however I have an old pair of jeans with holes in them that I am thinking might work for my guys.

Thinking Forward To Spring? Then Think West Paw Design?

I love West Paw Design.  And there are not a lot of the large scale pet products manufacturers that I can say that about.  Because I really don't.

Having been in the business for over 30 years, I have seen manufacturers come and go. I was around before West Paw Design was around.  So I have watched them grow from a small booth at the large trade shows to one of the industries leaders.

Since the very beginning West Paw Design has had a strong mission and ideas concerning manufacturing, sustainability, safety, originality, taking care of employees,  being made in the USA and just about everything else that one thinks that a responsible company should do.  And they have done it.

So when I got the email concerning their Spring 2012 releases I am more than thrilled.  Here is a quick peek at what is coming your way.

Open The Door To Pechanga's Closet And Things Will Never Look The Same Again.

And that is a good thing! Pechanga's Closet is a wonderful place where Darlene Shinn shares her most wonderful crafties.

And they really are wonderful.  Once inside you will be amazed at the creativity that is bursting from every corner.  Color, style and originality are the trademarks.

Not only will you find it full of Doxies (inlcuding Darlene's beloved Pechanga), Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Schnauzers and custom dogs too, but you will also find all other kinds of creatures, some real and not so real.  For a little visit here is the link to her etsy shop.

When Is A Poop Bag Holder Not Just A Poop Bag Holder?

When it is a Poop Monster that's when! I love the playful, fun and handmade.  If I am going to spend my money on something I want it to be unique.

And Poop Monsters are that! I am so tired of the same old, same old that I have been really trying to branch out and insert some personality into my everyday living. And these certainly do that.

All you have to do is stuff the Poop Monster with plastic bags and clip on the leash and you are good to go.

Poop Monster is the creation of Doggy Detail, a great etsy shop that is filled with lots of wonderful things.

Pet Food Recalls And Dog Treat Warnings! What You Can Do To Keep Your Pet Safe.

Lately there have been a bunch of dog food recalls due to aflatoxin.  Aflatoxin is a mold that grows on cereal grains that are unfortunately the base of many lower end pet foods.  This mold causes fever, jaundice, dark urine, bloody diarrhea and even death.

One of the best ways that I know to avoid feeding your pet a recalled pet food is to sign up for the free email alerts from the Dog Food Advisor.  

The other way is to stop feeding a food that contains cereal grains and if you can't do that, feed the lowest amount that you can.  Dog Food Advisor offers a rating system and can help you find the best food for your dog that is also good for your budget.

Another resource that I recommend all the time is a free educational booklet that you can download from The Honest Kitchen.  The booklet is titled "Feed Your Way To A Healthy Pet".  You will use this booklet over and over again.

And please, please if you have any chicken jerky treats from China throw them away right now. The FDA has been warning against chicken jerky treats from China since 2007 and has continued to do so on and off since then.  

They are not safe.  The common link that all these treats have is that they are from China.  And just about every store sells them.  I have found them at grocery stores, Petco, PetSmart, small local stores, Traders Joe's, WalMart, Target, Costco and a bunch of other places that should know better.

Some of the worst offenders in my opinion are Loving Pets, Dogswell,  PetNShape and Purina.  And they are not the only ones.  They just happen to stick out in my mind right now.

And you must read labels.  I have found the manufacturers with multiple items will have some made in China and some made in the USA.  For example: Duck is USA and Chicken is China or the other way around. So you must read every package.

They are making a lot of $ off these products and they want to continue to do so.  

This has been a problem for over 5 years, so there really are no excuses. If your pet has consumed any chicken jerky treats from China, here is a list of symptoms to look for.

Here is an easy to make recipe that offers you an alternative to store bought chicken treats. Courtesy of Natural News

Chicken Jerky Doggie Treats

Ingredients:

organic, free-range chicken breasts (preferably from a local farm)
organic, extra-virgin coconut oil

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 200 degrees.
2. Lightly grease baking sheet with coconut oil.
3. Prepare breasts by rinsing and removing any excess fat.
4. Slice chicken breasts into strips (with the grain).
5. Place strips on baking sheet and cook until done (around 2 hours). Don't undercook.
6. Remove from oven and cool.
7. Cut strips into pieces appropriate for the size of dog using kitchen shears.

The treats will keep two weeks in the refrigerator (if they last that long). Treats are meant to be given occasionally and are not meant as a meal substitute.