Thursday, February 28, 2013

Is it winter, or is it spring?

Over the last few of weeks, we're not sure if it's winter or spring!!!

For a couple of weeks the daffodils had been growing and growing and growing. Just about the time they were ready to bloom out (well some of them at least) we got a big unexpected snow!

About four inches, which is fun and we love! But for folks that have to drive the mountain road, it can be very dangerous.

We made it home from a quick trip to town, just as some of the snow was coming down. We got home and one of our new friends called us because she was driving up the mountain over the past few days to take care of our neighbor's dogs and kitty. But she didn't think she could safely make it up there and asked if we would go feed them and check their water.

So the next morning Mum headed out down their long lane and made it to their cabin. The dogs live outside and the kitty has a kitty door. So Mum fed Coco, the lab/chow mix, and Chestnut, the cattle dog/ hound mix, broke the ice up on their water, got the kittie some canned food and they all three were good for the rest of day until their dad got home later that night.


Coco and Chestnut escorting Mum home.


Once Mum got back we got our snow zoomies on!!! What fun!


Gracie, the snow bunny!


Poor Daffies, take 'em inside Mum, they look too cold!


Oh, the mountains were beautiful with snow!


Snow wrestle!

Then the next day or so, the snow was all gone, the sun came out, it warmed up and Gracie got in some sunbathing! Wouldn't Gracie look great on flyer? but not cheap brochure printing for her she's first class all the way!


Gracie says, 'Ahhhh, SUN!'



And Mum saved the daffies!

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Dogs, cars and pawsome prizes you can win!!!

If you know me and read my blog you know what a big proponent I am of keeping your dog safe in the car when traveling!

Especially since Gracie, Mum and I experienced a pretty bad accident coming back from an agility trial. back in 2007.

The great thing is that we were all buckled up in our crates in the back of our Rover and came away with only some stress issues with Gracie, a couple of bruised ribs (me) and a very slight concussion for Mum. But we recovered very quickly and even did an agility trial the next weekend!

We hate to think what could have happened if we had been loose in the car. We've heard so many sad stories over the years of agility friends and others whose dogs have been hurt and lost because they weren't secure in the car.

It doesn't have to be!!!!

After our accident back in 2007, we wrote a Squidoo lens - Car Safety for Dogs - that has lots of great info and resources to help you learn how you can keep your dog safe while traveling; everything from dog seat belt reviews (they are not all created equal!), crate recommendations, news, info and lots more. Check it out, we know you'll find it helpful.

Subaru DOG TESTED, DOG APPROVED™ just gets dogs and the importance of keeping dogs safe in cars too!!! Check out Subaru's video and you'll understand why!

The next time you're out looking for a new dog car, we recommend you take your dog, buckle or crate them up in the car you're testing, and take everyone for a test drive. After all,  if every one - two and four legged - is going to be traveling, you may as well test it out before buying! We know Subaru would be more than happy to accommodate you.

Before you head out to those dealerships, be sure and check out Subaru's new Facebook app where you can match just the right car for you and your dog, put your dog in a Subaru, get them a new driver's license and ask Subaru experts all the question you need!

See here's my new GA DL!!! Oh, all the mountain dogs are gonna be envious now! Cool huh? I'm finally legal.


But the best part? Oh yeah!!! Subaru is giving away two pawsome prizes!!! A $350.00 VISA Gift Card and  a $150.00 VISA Gift Card....perfect for outfitting your dog with all the secure gear they need to keep them safe in your car, and pick up some extra treats and toys, too! So get entering, it's easy...just follow the instructions below in the widget, and good luck! You only have until 11:59 pm ET on Sunday, February 24th to enter! These prizes are for US residents only (apologies to my friends north, south and across the ponds), and you need to be 18 to enter. Good Luck!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
This post is sponsored by Subaru and the Dog Tested. Dog Approved™ campaign. We are being compensated for this post. I gotta tell ya, we couldn't pass up the opportunity because you know what big proponents we are about dog car safety, and how much we love supporting any company that cares about dogs and shows it with their products and services!

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Hiking Tumbling Waters at Carters Lake!

We woke up to a little unexpected snow on the ground this morning.

Looking at the weather channel last week, Mum noticed that last Friday was going to be a nice day, and the nicest day of the week. So off we went into town to get a new battery for the car, an oil change and a trip to the grocery, but not before we got in a nice hike at a new place nearby called Tumbling Waters!

Tumbling Waters trail is at the northern side of Carters Lake somewhat south east of Ellijay GA, our nearest town. Carters Lake is actually a man-made reservoir fed by the Coosawattee River and Tails Creek. It's a popular recreation area, and also serves as a flood control device and power source to the area.

We took the Tumbling Waters trail because we love falling waters, dipping our paws in the streams and getting a little swim in some clean fresh water from the mountains. We started off at the trail head and quickly noticed that Gracie wasn't feeling completely up to snuff. She's been off and on ever since she got Lyme and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Some days she feels super, some days she just doesn't have the energy she usually has. And that's why she isn't in any of the photos, Mum just didn't want to stress her out since she wasn't feeling her usual self.

We walked about a mile and came to the bridge over the Tails Creek. Two tails walking over Tails Creek, pretty funny, huh? It was a really nice bridge, very stable which makes Gracie happy.


Here's our view down from the bridge of Tails Creek and the falling waters.


It's somewhat difficult to see, but you can see the upper falls which we hiked to eventually.


It's was gorgeous there, the water was cool, but super fine. I wanted to go for a swim, but Mum thought the water was rushing too quickly, so she let me go in as far as my leash would go, eventually I got a little dog paddle in.


We ventured on and got a few nice photos along the falling waters. 


Oh, I was so ready to jump in there!!!


Hiking back we decided to explore more of the maintenance road area around the lake, armed with our map. After about 3 or so miles, it started to cloud up and get cooler with potential rain, so we decided to head back. Just then Mum saw the boat dock and wanted to see how we would like it.

Well, Gracie, true to her fearful form (on occasion) was having nothing to do with walking down that boat dock, but I couldn't wait to explore it. So Mum hooked Gracie up to the post at the entrance and took me down to explore.

You can tell how happy I am with having to sit here for a photo, when all I really want to do is GO SWIMMING!!!!


But Mum wouldn't let me that day. The water looked really green and she had heard about contamination in that lake, so until she could check it out fully, nope, nope, nope was my answer. DOGGONE IT!

It was a really fun little four mile hike. And just as we got into the car it started to sprinkle. Great timing, huh?

There are more trails around the lake that we're planning on exploring this summer, can't wait!

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Book Review: Pukka's Promise: The Quest for Longer Lived Dogs

It's not often that you come across a book and think, 'this book needed to be written!'

But that's exactly what we thought as we read through the new book "Pukka's Promise: The Quest for Longer Lived Dogs."

As a green dog (with a lifelong healthy, organic and green Mum) we completely related to nearly every chapter in Ted Keresote's new book.

When Mum adopted me back in 2004, it was her mission to bring her healthy, green, organic life to my life, as well. Armed with the knowledge she already had growing up in a healthy family, she still had a lot of research to do to determine the best decisions to make for my healthy lifestyle - from the safest toys, beds, collars and other gear, to vaccinations,  healthy diet and living life in a sometimes dangerous, chemical filled world.

And that's just what she did...she dove in with a vengeance, learning as quickly and thoroughly as possible. Once our blog readers found out we lived a healthy lifestyle they had a lot of questions for us. So many that there were just too many to answer, which is why we started our Raise A Green Dog blog a year or two after I came to live with Mum; to share how we live a healthy life and information we researched over the years.

You may remember the book "Merle's Door: Lessons from a Freethinking Dog," a fabulous book by Ted Kerasote that was published back in 2008 after his first adult dog, Merle, passed away. After experiencing the death of Merle, Ted, like many of us, questioned why our dogs live such short lives.

In preparation for his next dog, Pukka (pronounced PUCK-uh), Ted spent five years seeking answers to why dogs die too young, a question we think about every single day, and one that many of his fans of  'Merle's Door' also asked.

The result is his new book,  "Pukka's Promise: The Quest for Longer Lived Dogs." In the book, Ted shares his amazingly thorough and comprehensive research touching on a wide variety of subjects relating to a dog's life including breeding, spay/neuter, genetics, vaccinations  diet, environmental hazards, cancer, adoption and shelter dogs, and helping dogs live a happier, more well adjusted life.

Ted's quest took him all over the world and from the East coast to the West, touring and investigating shelters, dog food manufacturing facilities, rendering plants, breeders in the US and Europe, humane organizations, veterinary teaching universities and professors, researchers of dogs, wolves and canine diseases and more. He methodically, relentlessly and (we believe) very objectively shares the info he discovered, creating an insight into the 'behind the scenes' world of dogs that many may not ever know about, yet need to know.

You may not agree with everything Ted determines in his quest, we didn't. However, we do believe that it's one of the most important books written about dogs in years...it will open your eyes, educate you, make you think, open your mind, and help you on your quest for answers to help your dog live a longer, healthier and happier life.

Happy Valentine's Day!!!


Today is Valentine's Day and we want to wish you a heartfelt day with lots and lots of extra lovin' with your two leggers and four leggers! Mmmwwwwaaaaaa!

This mosaic was created with the help of AndreaMosaic, and is made up of 100's of photos of me, my sis Gracie, and my kittie bros Wolfie and Wiggy!

Sunday, February 10, 2013

We are family...I got all my sisters (and bros) with me!

It's Sunday morning and we're hanging with Mum, lazing out on a lazy morning.

I love Sundays...it's the day we sometimes do agility, sometimes go hiking, or sometimes just stay in on a bad weather day and cuddle with Mum, help her around the cabin, and later play games and tricks.

We are family, and I got all my sisters (and kittie bros) with me!

I love it that way, being a pack, being a family. Wherever we go, wherever we live, whatever we do, we're a pack, furever!

Over the years we've lived in many places and traveled many, many miles moving, going to agility or driving for hiking trips. Mum has always made our place, wherever we are (a cabin, a hotel room, or our car), 'our place'.

You know what I mean...making sure we always have our beds and other gear out first on moving day, our beds and crates at agility or in a hotel room, and our travel crates - our home away from home - in the car so that we always have 'our place' and feel at home - safe, secure and happy.

When Mum got our last car the main criteria (like a lot of our furiends and agility buds) was making sure we would be safe, secure and comfortable. She took our crates with her to the dealer to make sure they would fit, she had measurements with her so that she would be sure the kitties crates and all of our gear would fit as well; and that there would be room for family expansion some time in our future. We think she chose very, very well; we love traveling in our car!

If you're looking for a new dog car ('cause we all know that cars are for dogs, right?) check out the DOG TESTED, DOG APPROVED™ cars from Subaru. Why? Because they think of dogs as family, just like we do!

Grant Weber, sales associate for Subaru, even understands when you (like my sis, Gracie) want to chase a squirrel, BOL!


Oh and don't furget to head on over to Subaru's Facebook app to find your next dog car, get answers to questions, get a driver's license for your dog (WANT!) and lots more!

We are family
I got all my sisters (and bros) with me
We are family
Get up everybody and sing!!!

Lyrics by Sister Sledge

This post is sponsored by Subaru and the Dog Tested. Dog Approved™ campaign. We are being compensated for this post. I gotta tell ya, we couldn't pass up the opportunity because you know what big proponents we are about dog car safety, and how much we love supporting any company that cares about dogs and shows it with their products and services!

Monday, February 04, 2013

Congrats to my sis, Gracie on her new USDAA titles!

Look at my sis, she is soooo proud of her two new USDAA titles that we got in the mail the other day - P1 Jumpers and PII Snooker (which means she's in PIII Snooker (that's like the Masters level) now, can you believe it?).


And she should be. She's worked really hard for a long, long time to overcome so much stress, fear, and freak-out-ness of the human world to get these two (plus the one she got before) pieces of paper. 

She still may have a lot of teeter fear, and yes, she may still freak out during a run or two during the weekend, and she may still be super cautious out there on the course sometimes; but she has overcome so, so much.

The super neat thing? When Gracie is feeling good and really confident, and not picking up on all the human stress that occurs at an agility trial, she is pretty doggone hard to beat out there on the course. Those are the runs that make you go wow, that you'll never forget, that bring in the blue ribbons and that you want to grab on to and never let go, and remember, forever.

Steady Eddie? That's not my sis! She not a machine...she's a living, breathing, deep feeling, often fearful little girl that's works every day to understand how to live her life in this big, big often stressful human world with joy and happiness.

Congrats sis! Here's to many more 'fun runs' in your future!

Friday, February 01, 2013

Are you ready for some football!?!

Did someone say Football? Puppies? Treats? Fun!?!

Sunday is the day! Mum loves watching football, Gracie loves watching puppies and dogs on the tele, and well, treats are my thing! So Sunday is gonna be a fun day at our house, 'cause we are ready for it all!

It's the 47th Super Bowl (Mum's favorite) and the 8th Puppy Bowl - you know those cute puppies romping around having fun, scoring goals and being silly (Gracie's favorite).

This Sunday you can see the Puppy Bowl at 3 pm e/p on Animal Planet. And this year, the good folks at Subaru (you know the DOG TESTED, DOG APPROVED™ folks) are presenting a cool Puppy Bowl Co-viewing App (for tablet and mobile devices) that you can download for some fun engagement during the airing of the Puppy Bowl...and enjoy exclusive photos, trivia, polls and lots more! Download the app on iTunes or Android.

When using the app use hashtags #SubaruBP and #PuppyBowl, so you can view and share lots of fun with your furiends!


Gracie would agree!!!

You may remember and love all those uber cool Subaru dog themed commercials of past years. We do! Well, they will not disappoint this year either as we'll be seeing more DOG TESTED, DOG APPROVED™ commercial fun.

This year the series features Grant Weber, Subaru Canine Sales Associate, who is the designated friend to man's best friend, having sold Subaru vehicles only to dogs.

Here's a sneak peak of Mr. Weber's canine concern for finding just the right auto for dogs with good taste! Oh yeah, now we barking!


I approve!!!

Hope you all enjoy all the festivities on Sunday!!! And good luck to your team!

This post is sponsored by Subaru and the Dog Tested. Dog Approved™ campaign. We are being compensated for this post. I gotta tell ya, we couldn't pass up the opportunity because you know how much we love dog commercials, what big proponents we are about dog car safety, and how much we love supporting any company that cares about dogs and shows it with their products and services! We can't wait to see the Super Bowl, Puppy Bowl and the full commercials from Subaru!
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