Valentine's Day Sweepstakes | Your pup + a shelter = Winners!

Want to spoil your pup with some some serious love this Valentine's Day and make a difference for dogs in need? Enter DogTime’s Valentine’s Day Sweepstakes to win a $500 gift card and a basket of Valentine’s Day goodies from Muttropolis! Plus, DogTime will make a donation of $500 to the shelter of the winner’s choice.

It's so easy — submit your entry starting today, Monday, January 23, 2012 at 12:01AM PST. Sweepstakes will close on Friday, February 10, 2012 at 12:01 PM PST.

Let all your friends know how they can show their love for pups by entering DogTime’s Valentine’s Day Sweepstakes!

How evil are you people? Watch the video and judge for yourself.

I watch a lot of documentaries on my First Dog flatscreen but seldom do they take my breath away as did the Discovery Channel special, "How evil are you?"

In this installment of their "Curiosity" series, horror film director Eli Roth (Cabin Fever, Hostel, Inglourious Basterds), recreates an experiment first performed in 1961 by Yale psychology professor Stanley Milligram, to see if the average American would apply stronger and stronger electric shocks to another person if instructed to do so by an authority figure. Turns out they did in 1961 and they still would today. Scary stuff...

The authority figure is portrayed by an older, caucasian, male, wearing a lab coat, who insists the participants continue even if they convey reluctance and/or a desire to stop. With the exception of one female, all of the participants continue as instructed regardless of the (pre-taped) screams of anguish coming from the supposed recipient of the shocks.

 

Do the results of this experiment give you an uncomfortable feeling of déjà vu? They do me. Remember the Holocaust? How about the war crime trials that followed and the Nazi torturers who defended their actions by stating they were "just following orders."?

• Are Americans actually capable of a similar demonic atrocity?
• Does a man in a lab coat really hold that much power over you?
• Would the subjects in this experiment have gone all the way and shocked the stranger to death?
• Do you think you would have behaved differently?
• Are there other variables that should be introduced into the experiment to provide clearer and deeper insight into the human psyche?
• If humans would do this to a fellow human, what would they do if it was an animal receiving the shocks?

This is one of those occasions where ya'll scare the bejezus out of me! I had to start seeing Shaggy the Shrink on a regular basis after watching this show. If I'm foolin', I'm droolin'!

Lots of food for thought here, folks. Take some time to watch the Discovery Channel video and then discuss it with your friends and family. So, just how evil are you?

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."
                                                                                            Edmund Burke

Amen, brother Burke!

 ^{Bo Obama Dog Blog sources: Curiosity.com, Fox News}

Video of dogs barking the Star Wars theme is too cool for Jedi school!

The Force is strong is with this choir of crooning canines...

 

...and may the Force be with you too!

What's an eco-pawprint and how do I shrink it?

Before you can fight the good fight, you've got to know your foe. I've put together the nifty ecological pawprint chart above (based on the Ecological Footprint) to aid you on your eco-education expedition. As Maya Angelou says, "When you know better, you do better."

While I have yet to find ecological statistics specific to pets alone, I did learn that it currently takes Mother Earth, a year and a half to regenerate what the Earth's population uses in a year. Holy cannoli, Batman!

While our eco-pawprints are tiny in comparison to the eco-footprints left by y'all, we do have an impact on the environment and there are things you can do to help us shrink it:

• Buy from companies who are eco-conscious and walk the talk. I've listed several in my Green goods for a smaller eco-pawprint post.

• Buy locally - Less transportation, less packaging, less waste.

• Recycle - Instead of purchasing that new pet bed you've been eyeing, check-out the stylish duvet covers available at most pet stores. You can stuff them with old clothes that are too tattered to donate.

• Recycle - Trade used pet toys with your pet loving friends.

• Reduce your pet's beef consumption - It takes a lots of space to sustain a herd of cattle.

• Switch to biodegradable or compostable poop bags.

• Use eco-friendly kitty litter.

^{Bo Obama Dog Blog sources: Global Footprint Network, Holistic Interior Designs}

Green goods for a smaller eco-pawprint

Well color me green and call me Leif! I've learned some disturbing facts about Mother Earth and the dire state of her health. Did you know that if the entire world lived like the average American, we’d need 5 planets to provide enough resources? And that recycling one ton of paper saves 17 trees, 2 barrels of oil, 4,100 kilowatts of energy, 3.2 cubic  yards of landfill space and 60 pounds of air pollution? Mind-boggling, isn't it?

Buying pet supplies that are eco-friendly is one way to shrink your pet's ecological pawprint. To help you get started, I've listed some of my favorite eco-friendly products.

Aroma Paws Chemical Free Grooming & Lifestyle Pet Products
Aroma Paws offers all-natural luxury shampoos, vegan conditioners, organic washes, odor neutralizing solutions and soy candles All chemical free, eco-friendly, bio-degradable and safe on lawns. Shampoos available in 9 fragrances. Pet Secret Shopper Review

FUR+BODY Organic Petcare
Essential oils developed from a vegan, botanical platform; free from chemicals or harsh preservatives; packaged in fully recyclable bottles of 25% post-consumer resin and boxes produced from 65-85% post-consumer recycled materials. Made in the USA. Pet Secret Shopper Review

 

M&J Essentials Holistic Grooming Products
Grooming products free of sulfates, parabens, synthetic fragrances, DEA and TEA. Packaged in reusable or recycled materials and bottles made with PCR (Post Consumer Regrind) plastic. M&J is family owned and made in the USA. Pet Secret Shopper Review

 

West Paw Design's Eco-Friendly Dog Toys
Made and manufactured locally, all products are created with minimal environmental impact. West Paw Design uses non-toxic, organic or recyclable materials and reduces waste by using as much raw product as possible. Pet Secret Shopper Review

Imperial Cat Scratch 'n Shapes
Corrugated cardboard scratcher/lounger combos comprised of 100% recycled materials & 100% recyclable. Comes with organic catnip. Available in more than 80 shapes. Made in the USA. Pet Secret Shopper Review

 

Modern Cat Studio's Bamboleos
Bamboleos (Spanish for rock, roll, and wobble) turn recycled wine corks into stylish cat toys. Handmade using natural cork, sturdy cotton twine, and felt endcaps stuffed with fine-grind organic catnip. The perfect size for chasing and carrying, plus the corks give them a little bounce. Pet Secret Shopper Review

Planet Dog Wood Chuck Orbee-Tuff RecycleBALL
The Wood Chuck" is made from recycled cork scraps and the RecycleBALL is made from "regrind" - 100% 1st quality Orbee-Tuff® material that would otherwise be discarded. Pet Secret Shopper Review

 

 

Canine Caviar Venison Antlers
Eco friendly and long lasting dental chews. Canine Caviar Venison Antlers are cut from seasonally shed racks that are naturally dropped in Oregon’s forest. Long lasting chews that help maintain dental health and are a great source of chondroiton sulfate which aids in maintaining hip and joint health. Pet Secret Shopper Review

Onesta Organics
Onesta Organics’ pet treats are whole-food based, handmade, raw dehydrated meat, all-natural and certified organic. Family owned and operated, Onesta Organics is the first both certified organic and Green America-approved pet food manufacturer in the USA. Pet Secret Shopper Review

Shake A Paw Greetings
The Shake a Paw Greeting's team are expanding their relationships with local farmers, using more organic ingredients and sourcing supplies as close to home as possible. The product packaging is entirely recyclable. They compost, recycle and strive to be more water and energy efficient. Pet Secret Shopper Review

Arm & Hammer Essentials Clumping Cat Litter
Formulated with a blend of 100% natural corn fibers that combine with ARM & HAMMER® Baking Soda for instant, natural, odor elimination. Same number of uses as clumping clay litter but half the weight. Pet Secret Shopper Review

Farm Dog Natural Wellness Products
98% of all Farm Dog product ingredients and packaging are sourced within the USA (mainly Elmwood, TN). They support small farms and sustainable sources first and Farm Dog's Full Circle Program encourages consumers to return used Farm Dog product packaging so that it can be used again. Pet Secret Shopper Review

Fur-Zoff Pet Hair Remover
Removes pet hair from carpet and fabrics with a light, sweeping motion. Fur-Zoff is made from 90% post-consumer recycled materials (the stuff you put into your curbside recycling box). It’s also hypoallergenic and odor free. Pet Secret Shopper Review

Olive Green Goods
Olive Green Goods offers environmentally-friendly products that are toxin and carcinogen free and as safe for the humans in your home as they are for your canine companions. All orders ship in low-impact packaging, from recycled boxes to biodegradable packing peanuts. Pet Secret Shopper Review

 

The learn more about your pet's eco-pawprint and what you can do to reduce it, check-out my Ecological Pawprint Chart.

^{Bo Obama Dog Blog sources - PetSecretShopper.com,  WebEcoist}

11 Ways to thank those who serve!

 

1. Give shelter

Homes for Our Troops constructs houses for severely injured veterans who served after 9/11. Donate equipment or help build a home. homesforourtroops.org

2. Offer a vet a ride

The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) provides free transportation to men and women unable to travel to VA medical facilities on their own. You can volunteer to drive a DAV van for those in need. dav.org/volunteers  

3. Provide foster care for a pet

Take in the dog or cat of a deployed soldier or a wounded veteran while he or she is on duty or receiving VA medical treatment. guardianangelsforsoldierspet.org  

4. Record a war story

Do you know an old soldier with tales from the front lines? The Library of Congress wants to hear his voice. Go to the website below for tips on conducting an interview or to request a field kit, including biographical data and release forms. loc.gov/vets

5. Put those old cell phones to good use

Instead of stashing your used phones in the junk drawer, ship them to Cell Phones for Soldiers. For each one donated, the organization will pay for an hour of talk time for troops overseas. cellphonesforsoldiers.com

6.  Donate used DVDs

Drop off movies or television shows at your local VA facility, or mail them to DVDs4Vets, a national organization that distributes them where needed. dvds4vets.org

7. Cut coupons

Have some expired coupons lying around? Military families can use them for up to six months past their end date. coupsfortroops.com

8. Contribute to a holiday drive

Operation Gratitude’s annual campaign collects clothing, food, and more and packs it in gift boxes for service members. Pitch in by offering up items; local residents can sort them on-site. operationgratitude.com/volunteer

9. Post a care package

Through the organization Kitchen Table Gang, hospitalized veterans and troops abroad can receive personalized parcels containing everything from candy to board games. Get a service member’s address from KTG, bundle up items with a note of thanks, and send them off. soldierpackages.org

10. Share your expertise

MilServe connects volunteers with vets in many areas: financial counseling or legal services; job search guidance; even carpentry, for building wheelchair ramps. milserve.org

11. Support Big Brothers Big Sisters

The national organization has a special Military Mentoring program for children with parents in the armed forces. The group carefully pairs kids with adults serving in the military, as well as with veterans and civilians. bbbs.org

^{Bo Obama's Dog Blog source: Parade.com}

Bo teases your brain with some doggone clever dog riddles!

Q: Why do dogs bury bones in the ground?

A: Because you can't bury them in trees!

Q: A black dog is sleeping in the middle of a black road that has no streetlights and there is no moon. A car coming down the road, with its lights turned off, steers around the dog. How did the driver know the dog was there?

A: It was daytime

Q: What is more amazing than a talking dog?

A: A spelling bee

Q: A man has to take a dog, a cat, and a mouse across a river. He can only take one of the animals across at a time. If he takes the mouse, the dog will eat the cat. If he takes the dog, the cat will eat the mouse. How does he get the three animals across the river?

A: 1. The man takes the cat across and goes back to get the mouse. 2. The man then takes the mouse across and returns with the cat. 3. The man leaves the cat on the shore and takes the dog across. He leaves the dog with the mouse. 4. The man goes back to get the cat and all of the animals have made it across the river!

Q: Why is it called a "litter" of puppies?

A: Because they mess up the whole house!

Q: A girl, a horse, and a dog came to a bridge. The girl rode her horse across the bridge, yet walked. How is this possible? 

A: The dog's name is Yet

Q: Why do you need a licence for a dog and not for a cat?

A: Cats can't drive!

Q: Jack and Jill live in a cabin on top of a hill. One night there was a terrible storm. Lightning flashed, a dog barked, glass broke, and the next morning Jack and Jill were found dead lying on the floor in a puddle of water. How did Jack and Jill die?

A: The glass was an aquarium and Jack and Jill were fish. Therefore, lightning struck and scared the dog. The dog jumped and knocked over the glass aquarium. Since the aquarium broke, Jack and Jill fell on the floor and suffocated because they had no water to breath.

Q: Why did the dog run in circles?

A: He was a watchdog and needed winding.

Q: What do you get if you cross a sheepdog with a rose?

A: A collie-flower!

^{Bo Obama Dog Blog sources: PPE Pet Supplies, Riddles.com}

Gruesome Green (healthy) Halloween Dog Smoothie Recipe

The folks at Raise a Green Dog! came up with an amazing Halloween smoothie recipe guaranteed to delight any tail wagging trick-or-treater!

"'Adder's fork, and blind-worm's sting...lizard's leg, and owlet's wing.'

Gather your ingredients...

1 cup kefir - low-fat, plain, organic is best
A few oz. organic, unseasoned chicken stock
A nice slice of cooked liver
1/4 Lightly steamed organic (large) carrot
A dollop of canned pumpkin (make sure it's pure pumpkin, K?)
A splash of apple juice
A few slices of banana
Tsp of flax seed
Small spinach leaf.

'Double, double toil and trouble....fire burn, and caldron bubble!'

How to make it:

Throw all your 'creepy' ingredients into a blender (except the sprinkles and spinach leaf, add those after) and mix well. Serve immediately in a stainless steel dish, or chill for an hour in the fridge for a cooler treat. Sprinkle with crushed flax seed and a small spinach leaf.

Refrigerate any small amount of leftovers and use within 24 hours.

Remember, you don't have to use all the ingredients, the basics are the Kefir, fruits, veggies or meats. Don't forget to check what foods are safe for us pups if you decide to vary the recipe.

And as with all things - moderation is key, so start your pup out with smaller portions to begin with (about 4 oz.). Hope they enjoy their doggie smoothie!"

Sounds delish! I'm going to have the cooks prepare a huge batch so I can share it with all my humans.

Get hip and visit the Raise a Green Dog! website for tips on how you and your pet can go green!

Last chance to win a 10k donation to the shelter or rescue of your choice!

Feel like you always get the short end of the bully stick in life? Well here's an opportunity to turn your karma around and save some very special lives in the process...

Install DogTime's adoptable dog and cat iframe on your website or blog by October 31^st and you'll automatically be entered to win a $10,000 donation to the shelter or rescue of your choice!

There's nothing to lose yet plenty to gain. The more exposure we give these helpless babes, the greater their chance of finding their way to a loving family.

What are you waiting for? Give my pal Christina a shout-out and let her know you're ready to begin your journey on the road to rescue: christina@dogtimemedia.com. Tell her Bo sent you!

30 Spooky Halloween Superstitions

 

1. If a bat flies into a house it is a sign that ghosts are about and maybe the ghost let the bat in
2. If a bat flies around a house 3 times, it is a death omen
3. A person born on Halloween can see and talk to spirits
4. To prevent ghosts coming into the house at Halloween, bury animal bones or a picture of an animal near the doorway
5. You should walk around your home three times backwards and counterclockwise before sunset on Halloween to ward off evil spirits
6. If you see a spider on Halloween, it could be the spirit of a dead loved one who is watching you
7. If you ring a bell on Halloween, it will scare evil spirits away
8. If a candle flame suddenly turns blue, there's a ghost nearby
9. Burning a candle inside a Jack O’ Lantern on Halloween is believed to keep demons and evil spirits at bay
10. Put your clothes on inside out and walk backwards on Halloween night to meet a witch
11. Gazing into the flame of a candle on Halloween night will allow you to see into the future
12. If you hear footsteps behind you on Halloween night don’t turn around, for it may be Death himself! And to look him in the eye is a sure way to hasten your own demise
13. If a candle suddenly goes out by itself on Halloween, as though by breath or wind, it is believed that a ghost has come to call
14. It is believed that if a person lights a new orange colored candle at midnight on Halloween and lets it burn until sunrise, he or she will be the recipient of good luck
15. According to an old English folk belief, you will invite bad luck into your home if you allow a fire to burnout on Halloween. To remedy the situation, the fire must be rekindled by a lighted sod brought from the home of a priest
16. As you are getting ready for bed, place one shoe with the toe pointing under the bed. Place the other shoe pointing in the opposite direction. Now you will be safe from ghosts, goblins, and evil spirits throughout the night
17. Keep ghosts away by turning your pockets inside out
18. Carry a piece of bread crust in your pocket. It will protect you from creatures that roam the night
19. You can get rid of a ghost by throwing a key at it
20. If you should meet a witch, cross your fingers and you will be safe
21. Hang a mirror on the front porch. It will keep ghosts from coming into your house
22. At the first light of day ghosts, goblins, evil spirits, witches, and zombies disappear
23. Knocking on wood (preferably oak, which is sacred to the Celts) keeps evil away
24. A child that has teeth when it is born will grow up to be a vampire
25. If Halloween night occurs on the night of a full moon, the spirit world is all the closer, so intuition and divination are stronger (and caution and care are more advisable!)
26. Make friends on Halloween, and you will be one in spirit for (at least) the coming year. If you quarrel with someone on Halloween, make up before midnight or your estrangement will last for (at least) one year
27. A couple married on All Hallows Eve is well bonded in spirit
28. A person whom dies on All Hallows Eve becomes the most active ghost there can be, forever traveling back and forth between the real world and the spirit world
29. A strange black cat on a porch brings prosperity to the owner
    
30. A dream on Halloween night is especially potent. Here are some traditions regarding specific dreams: 

If you dream of someone you know, even from the distant past, contact that person and share your dream. It could involve an important spirit message

If someone speaks to you in a dream, mark those words

If you have a nightmare, write it down, then write down a happier version tucked under your mattress

If you dream of trouble or danger threatening something in your real life, take pains to guarantee the safety of that certain object (or person)

If you dream of someone dying (even yourself), be especially kind and solicitous to that person (even yourself)