Happy Spring Bone Appetiter’s!
Get out and sniff something!
We just wanted to give an update on the latest round of recalls. We are on it! We have been double and triple checking every bag in the store!
If you have any questions please feel free to call the store.
Latest
Dogs on Main Dog Parade is almost here! July 19th (click here)
This is our favorite event of the year! We hope to see everyone at the Dogs on Main Dog Parade! Thursday July 19th — the parade will start at 6:00PM at Back to Basics parking lot. We will end the parade at Town Hall. Please be at Back to Basics at 5:15 for raffles, fun and a chance to make some new friends!
Here are some photos from the past few years…
Hot weather means hot dogs! (click here)
Dog days of Summer Travel
The hot weather is here! Bring on the beach days! Our dogs love the great weather too, but as their caretakers, we must be vigilant in their protection.
With temps in the low 70’s, the inside of a car can heat up to over 100 degrees in less than 20 minutes. Even with windows cracked it can get really hot, really fast. If you are running errands, leave your furry friends home in the cool AC of the house or in the nice shady yard. 
The best way to prevent your dog from overheating or heat exhaustion in the car is to leave them at home!
If you plan on traveling with your dog this summer, here are a few easy tips:
Identification tags are a must. Please make sure your dog has current tags with correct phone numbers.
Invest in a car restraint for your dog. Doggie seatbelt tethers cost about $10.00 and are totally worth it! Securing your dog is safe and smart incase of any accident. Dog crates are also a great car safety option. Seatbelt tethers and dog crates will keep your dog safe and secure for all your road trips and just driving around town.
Pack plenty of food, treats and extra water. Some dogs really have a preference to drink their own water, and might refuse to drink other water, even when thirsty. If this is the case, remember to bring extra water in hot weather for a thirsty pup.
If you plan on taking your dog to the beach, please remember that hot asphalt parking lots and hot sand can singe a dog’s feet. Even with well-padded feet, they can be burned or cut. Also, find shade or a shelter at your beach site for your dog. Dogs can even get sunburned or sunstroke like humans!
If you plan on going camping, hiking or backpacking this summer, check ahead about the dog policies and restrictions. Many state campgrounds allow dogs but have rules and restrictions. Some state parks in New England do not allow dogs, even on leashes.
Remember, there is a difference between a state campground and a state park, and there can be different dog restrictions for each.
A quick phone call or online search would be suggested. If you are planning on staying at a dog-friendly hotel, again, check ahead for the rules and policies.
Summer is a great time to get out and have fun with your dog. Just try to use common sense and don’t leave your dog in the car when you are doing errands!
Winter Weight…is so last season!
“Ever wonder where you’d end up if you took your dog for a walk and never once pulled back on the leash? “
~Robert Brault
Do you notice a little extra around the middle? Feeling a little snug around the collar? When you look down, can you even see a waist? Don’t worry I am not talking about you, but your dog! Has your dog put on a few extra pounds? If chunky monkey is not your dog’s favorite toy, but a new nickname, then you need to find a way to get your dog in shape! Fortunately, it is easier than you think, and it can actually be fun!
Overweight dogs (and cats) are on the rise in America, and it is a huge problem, pun intended. Dogs are like humans, if they eat too much and don’t get enough exercise, um, they will get fat.
Simple enough, right? If it were only that simple then we would all be fit and healthy! Overfeeding is a big problem followed closely by a poor choice of food and lack of regular exercise. Before you start on a doggie diet, I recommend a talk with your vet first, so you can rule out any medical conditions. Some common diseases associated with weight gain include hypothyroidism or Cushing’s disease.
Dogs take longer than humans to lose weight, so be patient. Most successful doggie diets require a human to step up and make a commitment to their dog’s health and nutrition.
Here are a few tips for a healthy doggie diet.
-Measure your food correctly. Remember, you control what your dog eats (or overeats). Make sure the serving size is appropriate for your specific dog breed, size, and age.
-Limit treats to one or two high quality treats per day. Try breaking the cookies into a few pieces to make it seem like more. Or try healthy veggies such as baby carrots, green beans, cut apples or celery.
-Keep lots of fresh water available.
-Exercise daily with your dog. Walking is a great way to start exercising. Keep a brisk pace and gradually increase the length of each walk. Take care of potty business before you start a walk so you don’t have to stop every other step to look for a good spot to “go.”
-Keep an eye out for dehydration, overheating, limping, struggling or fatigue. With obese dogs, work up to longer distances slowly but steadily.
In Rhode Island, we are lucky to have many great parks, beaches and hiking trails on which to wander. We also have doggie yoga classes, (downward dog for your dog!) You can hire a doggie personal trainer that will create a specific workout plan for your pooch. Woodsy type? There are some really nice people will take your dog hiking in the woods for you, if you cannot find the time to do it yourself.
Spring is in the air and that “winter weight” will soon be a thing of the past! Now is the time to get you and your dog in shape for all of the hound hikes, dog parades and the K-9 friendly 5k races that I know you are going to enter this year. Remember to hug your dog everyday…yes everyday!
This is from Jaye’s monthly column, PAWS UP! at Get Magazine.
2012 Dog Parade Date
The date for the 2012 Dog Parade is Thursday July 19th.
More details as it gets closer!
Goodbye to an old friend… (click here)
Orso 2001-2012 Orso 2001-2012
(The following is from Jaye’s monthly column, Paws Up! in GET Magazine…March 2012)
“He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.” — Unknown
The loss of Love…
To love unconditionally is a beautiful thing. Dogs give it freely and many dog owners who are willing to open their hearts to it get to experience it.
I have had the joy and privilege to share this kind love with several beautiful furry souls over the years. Recently a dear friend of mine passed to another state of being.
Orso was a unique dog. He had natural people skills and could work a crowd. He’d bring people together, offer his unique brand of love, get us to worship and love him, and then he’d be off to the next crowd and new adventures. What a great way to journey through life! His joy of life and his love of butt scratches matched no other dog. I loved every moment spent with him.
As companions to our dogs, we can choose to learn to accept this kind of wonderful love. As the weather in New England begins to shift to warmer temperatures, finding time to play and exercise with our dogs is the perfect way to revel in the experience. Almost all dogs want to run, jump and breath the fresh outdoor air. They already know it is the best place to have fun, and they just want us to be happy. After all, we are on this journey together.
I was one of the lucky humans who got to spend some time with Orso and his humans. He was blessed with long, flowing dreadlocks of hair that totally covered his body. Due to his unique look, travelling with Orso was never under the radar. You couldn’t just go for a walk with Orso. People everywhere would stop us and ask questions. He even had a blog called Where is Orso so people could keep tabs on him and his adventures.
He never grew tired of the never-ending flow of onlookers that curiously asked, “What kind of dog is that?” Depending on the day, one of us would answer “Bergamasco,” and if we got the blank stare back at us, another of us would add “Italian sheepdog.”
That would often get a smile and a request for a photo of Orso, for which he would gladly pose and give his best doggie smile. The price? A simple butt scratch or an occasional vanilla kiss cookie, his favorite treat of treats.
Orso was a gentle dog with a bark that commanded attention, recognition and respect. He loved everyone. I now know this kind of love is the love we all seek. If you ever find it, I say, treasure it, embrace it, hold on to it until the very last moment that you can. It is truly a gift. Orso will always have a special place in my heart and will always bring a smile to my face whenever I think of how he beautifully wagged his tail through this crazy thing we call life. Thank you Orso. Remember to hug your dog everyday … yes, everyday!
Happy New Year! Woof, woof!
This is the year to make you and your dog happy, healthy and full of life.
Here are some suggestions to keep that tail wagging all year long.
Better food for your dog. Find the best food for your dog. Take some time to do some research, ask questions. It really does make a difference in the quality of your dog’s life. Don’t be fooled by fancy advertising or slick packaging, read the ingredient list. Be your dogs’ advocate, only you can control what your dog eats.
Exercise. Take the time to make the time. You and your dog both need to have some kind of active life. Dogs need to walk, run and play everyday. Find the closest dog park. Find the nearest trail. Find the nearest bike path. These are three easy ways to get started in a more active and healthier year. There are many options to find a healthy balance for both of you.
Doggie Friends. If your dog does not have a pack of best friends waiting for him to run or play at the dog park, then this is the year to get social for your dog. There are many social events and groups that regularly schedule activities and doggie play dates. You can also make doggie friends at the Dog Park or doggie daycare. If your dog has a new friend, ask their humans if they can hang out and play together once in awhile. You might not have a great social life, but your dog can!
Take a vacation…with your dog. It is so much easier now to travel with your dog. There are so many hotels, inns and B&B’s that now cater to dogs, that there is no excuse not to bring the dog on your next long weekend getaway.
Give back. Volunteer at local shelter or rescue group. Call or email them today and ask what you can do to help. If you don’t have any spare time to volunteer, maybe you could donate money to a local rescue charity. To give monetary support to an organization that is working and fighting for animals and their rights is a nice thing to do. Give generously.
Shop Local. Supporting local dog stores, doggie daycare centers, and groomers is a great way to show your dog you are part of the community. Making the extra effort to purchase your dogs’ food, toys, bedding and healthy treats from a local store is a great resolution.
Happy New Year to all and to all your dogs. The amount of time and love you give to your dog will come back tenfold in so many other ways. Unconditional love is a wonderful thing.