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.
Is your dog ready for a disaster? by Jaye McElroy (click here for more)
Disasters can be made worse if you are not prepared.
Natural disasters, terrorist acts or even a technical disaster, are all real threats and can happen at any time. Without being all doom and gloom, the reality is we all might have to be evacuated and forced to leave our homes for a few days or even weeks. The spring floods of 2010 in Rhode Island was a forced reality for many people and their animals. Taking a few minutes today to get your dog(s) things together can make your life a lot easier.
Here are a few suggestions for creating a packable bag, backpack or plastic container that has all your dog’s stuff packed into it and ready to go in a relatively short amount of time. First, contact your local public shelter ahead of time to see if pets are permitted. If you do not have a pet friendly shelter in your area, ask a family member or friend ahead of time if you and your dog can stay with them. Have the phone number of an out-of-state motel/hotel that takes dogs. Call as soon as you think you are leaving to see if they have any rooms available.
Please remember: Your dog will be allowed in a pet-friendly public shelter ONLY if he is properly identified, healthy and restrained on a leash or in a carrier.
Item checklist for your kit:
-Copy of the most recent receipts from the vets, proof of rabies is the most important. If there are known health concerns, have their medications packed.
-Current ID, license and rabies tags should be on your dog, especially if they don’t wear them on a daily basis. ID tags should be worn on your dog at all times.
Tip: If your dog is micro chipped, make sure current information is up to date.
- Two recent photos, one of the dog alone and one of you/your family with the dog. Have the photos clearly labeled on the back. These are helpful if you are separated from your dog for any length of time.
Contact information of family or destination of where you are heading (friend or relative who lives a safe distance away.)
Tip: A large ziplock baggie works great for all these papers and photos. Print dog’s name and your family’s last name on the outside, cell phone if you have room.
In your dog’s kit you should put the following, remember to replace and keep fresh every 6 months.
Food & Water — 3-5 day supply for each dog.
Food: Most dog foods come in a 4-6 lb. bag that would be ideal to pack in your kit. Or you can repackage larger bags of dry dog food in quality zip lock bags with date and dogs name on the outside. Dog food cans stay fresh much longer, store in a cool, dry place. Don’t forget a small can opener if you don’t have pull tops. Also, keep a bag of your dog’s favorite treats in a sealed baggie or small Tupperware-like container. Most treats will also stay fresh for up to a year if stored properly.
Water: Write dog’s name on water bottles, gallon jugs work best. One gallon per day, depending on the dog’s size and time of the year. 
Dog bowls: one for water and one for food. You don’t really want to share bowls with other dogs and you might have to keep them in your dog’s crate. Keep your bowls well marked with your dog’s name or your family’s name.
Tip: Sharpie pens work great on all of the above items!
Beds and/or blanket: Space might be tight, so a favorite bed or blanket could be comforting for your dog. Also, tuck away one or two of your dog’s favorite toys for comfort and stress relieving moments.
Poop bags: You don’t want to be the one who forgot the poop bags, trust me. Also pack newspapers and paper towels in case of accidents.
Flashlight with batteries: A headlamp for the human would be great. Otherwise, bring what you have in the junk draw, but have new batteries in a baggie. Also, Pet Blinkers are a good thing to have on your dog’s collar. They are inexpensive and are very helpful at night, outside…in a storm or crisis situation.
Leash: Bring two, you could lose yours or be a hero to someone who has lost theirs.
The first aid kit: This kit must be prepared ahead of time. Items to include are bandages, gauze, self-sticking pet wrap (ask your vet for a ½ roll it is amazing and easy to use. Don’t be shy to ask, pay for it if you must, it’s worth it.) Also include tweezers, a small tube of super glue (for cuts on their pads), benedryl tablets, and a small pair of scissors. This can also be the first aid kit when you hike with your dog, go to the beach or go on vacation with your dog.
Tip: You can modify a human first aid kit fast and easy.
Dogs get stressed just like people. They show it with bad behaviors such as indoor peeing or pooping, excessive barking, growling, howling and/or whining. Comforting your dog should be something you already do, know what you can and can’t do to help your dog. 
You are your dog’s advocate, be the human you need to be to protect and care for your dog.
“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
All photos copyright by jaye McElroy, The Phodography Studio, 2010.
Dogs on Main Dog Parade!
Tonight is the Dogs on Main Dog Parade! Main Street is the place to be as dogs take over the town of East Greenwich! Please join us tonight at 5:00pm at Back To Basics parking lot. Costumes are welcomed and we will be having a big costume contest with great prizes. We will also be selling raffle tickets with all the proceeds going to East Greenwich Animal Protection League and Food 4 Paws. These 2 great charities are awesome and a vital part of Rhode Island. Come out with your best furry friend, have a great time in the parade and you will also be doing a nice thing by donating to these charities! Woof and thanks!
Parade will begin at 6:00pm and we will walk to the Post Office Restaurant. Costume contest and raffles start then! Sounds like fun, fun, fun.
Wiki-Wiki Wow… (click for more)
Ice cream that doesn't melt! Nice.
Thanks for the mention on WIKIFIDO.com where they picked Bone Appetit Eco-Friendly Dog Store as Best Dog Food & Treats. Clearly they have excellent taste!
Warm sweaters and Patriot’s gear! (click for more)
Cool Fall nights mean time to get out the sweaters for the dogs. We have some really cute and warm sweaters in the store to keep all doggies warm. Hand-knit sweaters knit right here in Rhode Island are a huge hit! Also, pupular are colorful recycled cotton sweaters made in Montana are also stylish and cuddly in stripes and solids.
Go Patriots! All the new Patriot gear is in! Official jerseys, t shirts and cool bandanas are in stock now! Patriot leashes and collars make great gifts too.
All Red Sox gear is in stock for baseball fans and remember, there is always next year!
Happy Halloween! (click for more!)
Happy Halloween from Bone Appetit! Wow, the streets of East Greenwich were lined with little ghost and goblins searching for candy & treats. We had some really cute dogs and humans visit the store. Thanks to all that stopped by to visit us!
2009 Dog Parade Contest Photos! (click for more)
The 1st Dogs on Main Dog Parade was a HUGE success! There were so many dogs and humans it was amazing. Thanks to our awesome Bone Appetit employees, friends, family and loyal customers who came to the event and helped in so many ways, it was unbelievable! Here are some photos of our contest winners! Congratulations to all the winners!
Yappy Hour was awesome! (click for more)
The sun came out and so did a lot dogs and their humans! It was a full house with fun for everyone. Here are just a few of our friends chillaxing on the Barkside deck.
Thank you all for coming to Yappy Hour, see you next week!
<
Bone Appetit on TV! (click for more)
Bone Appetit is on WPRI Quick Bites Segment with Joe Zito this past Sunday. Check it out!
Rain, rain go away…come back on a Friday. (click for more)
Yappy Hour has been rained out a couple of times now. We are hoping for sunny skies this week! Here are a couple photos from our first Yappy Hour of 2009 three weeks ago!
Yappy Hour is fun!
Can I have another cookie please?
Yappy Hour Tonight! (click for more)
Join us for Yappy Hour at Chianti’s Parkside Cafe starts tonight! Tonight from 6-8:00pm bring you dog for a fun night of relaxing and chilling with your furry best friend on the spacious outside deck. There will be free, organic dog cookies and treats & ice cold water for the dogs. Food and drink specials for the humans. Please join us every Thursday night for Yappy Hour. As always weather permitting, call 885-6259 if you have any questions. Chianti’s Park Side Cafe is located on Old Forge Road (on the way to Goddard Park.)
Dog Parade down Main Street! (click for more)
Don’t miss it! July 9, 2009