The Moe Toys Report

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.

Are You A Fashion Forward Dog Lover?

Then I have found the watch for you! Just found this big faced watch, with a silicone strap, rhinestone bezel and a big paw in the middle. 

They come in a the staples of black and white, as well as some brights.  You can get them for $15.99 at Terrier Toys.

Have I Got A Shopping Secret For You . . .

Thursdays at Petco is markdown day.  At least it is on the ones that I have been to.  So if $ is tight, that is the day to get first shot at the markdowns.

And if you are really nice and talk to the manager, most of the time you will be able to get the 30% off almost expired food treats marked down to 50%. When I ask, I let them know that I want to but alot and I really do stock up when they help me out.

Of course I would prefer that local, independent stores be first on your (and my) list when it comes to shopping.  But sometimes there just isn't one close (and I know.  I lived in Hew Hampshire for awhile and there was nothing in driving distance) or you are just on a really tight budget, and just can't.

This Is Leo Lange. He Is One Of The Voiceless Victims Of The Great Recession.

Leo is by all accounts a very much loved 8 year Japanese Chin that is living in Wisconsin.  He has Congestive Hear Failure and Bladder Stones. To keep Leo comfortable he needs 2 prescriptions a day and a special food.  

Leo's Veterinarian has come up with a "comfort only" plan for Leo.  And that is $200 every 3 months.

That is where the trouble began for Leo. Mr. Lange lost his job 2 years ago and his family is living on a fraction of what they once were.  There are 2 young children in the family that are 6 & 12.  Needless to say, they love Leo dearly.

Because Leo's family love him very much and realized that due to the costs, they may not be able to keep him.  Fortunately Mrs. Lange reached out to Japanese Chin Care and Rescue Effort and the representative came up with a plan to help keep Leo in his home.

This plan was to keep Leo in his home where he is happy and loved until he passes to the rainbow bridge.  It doesn't make sense to put Leo under the stress of moving him to a new environment with the health conditions that he has.  And his is loved, his family just needs a little help.

So what they did was come up with a chip in to come up with funds to get Leo the help he needs and to keep him in his home.  The chip in has closed since the $200 was reached.  And Leo and his family will have an outpouring of love that will keep them going for awhile.

There are many Leo's out there.  If you come across one, please step up. If we can help to keep them in their home, it is much better than seeing them in the shelter or a foster home.

It really doesn't take a lot. Even $1 makes a difference to a dog like Leo.  And think about what the children in his family have learned.  That there is caring and compassion in this world.  And all this from a little dog and a few of his friends.

Love My Dogs and I Love My Bling And I Really Love It When They Can Go Together.

What better way to show the world that we love them than to wear our favorite breeds on beautiful piece of jewelry?

That’s exactly what Tracileigh01, owner of My Two Cavaliers at ETSY, thought when she started making European Charm Bracelets for all of us dog lovers out there.

Not only can you choose charms that represent your favorite dog breed, or dog breeds, but you can pop them on beautiful charm bracelets adorned with Murano glass and Tibetan silver beads.

She even does custom orders should you not like any of the bracelets or necklaces that are currently available. That’s right, if you can dream it up, she can probably get it for you.

Her prices are also extremely fair when compared to other companies that sell European charm bracelets, and she often has sales and discounts available for holidays and sometimes just for fun.

Convinced? Well check out these beautiful bracelets at My Two Cavaliers on Etsy, and decide for yourself!