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}

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!

SPCA of Wake County | Crazy for pets and ABBA! Brilliant adoption video!!

What a great video! The time and effort that went in to making this masterpiece is an obvious reflection of the SPCA of Wake County staff's passion for animals.  If only I had thumbs I'd make a video too!

I know the sad shelter commericals we see on TV are effective and necessary to make the public aware of the homeless pet's plight, but I'd sure love to see some uplifting shelter commercials (like this video) get some air-time too.

It still makes me teary-eyed, but I can't help smiling too. Just knowing that these little guys have such a loving and fun staff looking-out for them gives me hope!

 

During these tough times, shelters need our help more than ever. If you don't have any change to spare, there are a myriad of other ways you can help your local shelter.

Start by visiting their website for a list of items they need for the daily care of the pets they house (kitty litter, puppy food, etc.). You could also call, or pay them a visit, to see what type of non-monetary donation would help them the most. Perhaps just a little of your time on the weekends?

Win a $10,000 donation and help keep a shelter's doors open!

Bo here with an exciting opportunity to earn some serious karma points by helping those who cannot speak for themselves. Everyone who enters this giveaway walks away a winner!

With an unemployment rate hovering at 9.1% and 1 out of 6 Americans living below the poverty level, those who still have money are understandably holding on to it. The ripple effects of less spending are felt not only by the retailers, the heroes who care for our homeless pets are also feeling the sting. These folks depend on our donations to keep their doors open. 

How much does it cost to run a shelter? Of course the cost varies depending on the size of the shelter and the number of residents they care for but I can tell you some of the things they have to pay for:

• Food
• Vet bills
• Rent
• Insurance
• Medication
• Heat
• Electricity
• Phone
• Website
• Advertising
• Staff

Want to give them a helping hand? Now's your chance! On November 1st, one lucky pet lover will win $10,000 to donate to their favorite rescue shelter! No joke!

To be entered in the November 1st drawing, all you need do is "pay it forward" by playing a part in helping the thousands of homeless pets in the U.S. find loving homes. It's absolutely free!

Here's how:

• A website or blog is necessary (Don't have a blog? Now's a great time to start!)
• Between now and October 31, 2011, install DogTime's adoptable iframe on your website or blog
• Email chelsey@dogtimemedia.com to obtain the easy installation instructions (you'll simply cut and paste 4 lines of code)

Not familiar with the iframe? This is DogTime’s national data feed of adoptable dogs and cats — the only list developed for and used by the ASPCA. It's completely free and super easy to install — requires a mere four lines of code. (We can walk you through the simple process, if needed.) Best of all, it does not drive traffic away from your site. It simply allows your readers, if they like, to browse adoptable dogs and/or cats.

You could be the reason some lucky pup or kitty trades in the confines of a cage for a life filled with love, attention, treats and a cozy, warm lap to curl up in. And the gratification you'll get from helping these innocent, voiceless souls is immeasurable.

I say go for it! I look forward to the day we no longer see those rescue commericals on TV, you know, the ones that show sad, lonely, homeless pets in cages. Man, those spots tear my heart out and bring tears to my eyes every time.

^{Bo Obama's Dog Blog sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, NYDailyNews.com}

Bo remembers the hero dogs of 9/11

 
2753 lives lost. I've watched many of the television specials showing the events of September 11, 2001 as they unfolded. I cannot fathom what it was like for those people working in the Twin Towers and the Pentagon that day or those innocents trapped on the hijacked planes.

I salute those men, women and canines who lept into action trying to free anyone trapped in the rubble and then searching for remains that could be tested for DNA and bring some much needed closure to the victim's families.

Many of my cousins assisted in the search, rescue and recovery efforts, able to manuever in, around and under the rubble where no human could go.

Watch this wonderful video tribute to the canine heros of 9/11 produced by DogFiles

 

My kin, along with their human co-workers, did their very best in the aftermath of the devastating tragedy and in the midst of so much sorrow, brought what comfort they could to their human counterparts. 

We are called "man's best friend" for a reason. We truly care about you and will continue to do all that we can and all that you ask of us in return for your love and loving care.

Bo tunes in to the 2011 Petties Pet Blog Awards!

 
Glamour, intrigue and popcorn - all the makings of a great White House party. Last week my buddies and I put on our best duds, kicked-back with our Bowser Beers, some turkey jerky, puppy popcorn and tuned in for the Petties extravaganza hosted by a most fetching dame by the name of Leslie Smith. Mmm, mmm...I bet she gives some sweet treats to the dogs in her life. Ruff, ruff!

Don't tell the folks, but we maximized our Petties party fun quotient by downing shots of organic chicken broth every time Leslie said the word "cat." What a hoot! Sampson was blitzed after the first 5 minutes!

So many talented bloggers were nominated but in the end the public's voice was heard and winners in 8 categories were announced:

 
The winner in each category walked away with a coveted Petties statuette and $1,000 donated to the non-profit animal shelter or rescue of their choice. Now that's my kind of prize!

Missed the Petties Award Ceremony broadcast last week? Never fear, you can still catch the scintillating spectacle here.

You could win $10,000 for your favorite shelter!

To be eligible, simply install DogTime's adoptable iframe between August 26th and October 31st on your website or blog. Visit DogTime's Petties page for more details.

Bo shares unusual birthday customs from around the globe

^{In Switzerland, scary clowns stalk, harass and deliver a pie-in-the-face to the lucky birthday boy or girl} 

We just celebrated Dad's 50th and I did my best to learn the Electric Slide at his big birthday bash but I think I'll just stick to chasing balls, barking up trees and nipping at the opposition's ankles if that's okay with you, Pops. Man, B-Dawg can really move!

USA

Around these parts we like to celebrate birthdays with cake, candles, cards, gifts and of course a rousing round of Happy Birthday to You. My favorite part of the celebration is chewing open my gifts. 

I don't care if my gift are wrapped or unwrapped just as long as I can eat, chew or chase them. But did you know that in Holland it's considered bad luck to receive a present that's wrapped in black and white? What if the gift giver is color-blind?

Argentina & Brazil

The birthday celebrant receives a tug on the ear for every year they've lived plus one for good luck. When Carol Burnett tugged on her earlobe at the end of each of her variety shows, it was a signal to her grandmother letting her know that she was doing well and she loved her. 

My secret code to Dad is when I drool on camera. Sorry, I can't tell you what it means or you'd have to enter the Witness Protection Program.

Australia

At birthday "barbies," children eat fairy bread which is buttered toast, cut into triangles and sprinkled with "hundreds and thousands," what we commonly refer to as "sprinkles."

The treat may have been inspired by Robert Louis Stevenson's poem, "Fairy Bread" published in "A Child's Garden of Verses."

Canada 

Well-wishers show they care by rubbing butter on the birthday human's nose to make them too slippery to be grasped by the evil clutches of bad luck.

Who knew bad luck went for the nose first? Is margarine okay? I might try this one myself...

 Germany

Unattached men who reach the 30 year milestone must sweep the steps of City Hall while their friends throw litter on the stairs. It's a personal advertisement alerting single women that he is available and capable of keeping a clean house. 

Who needs Match.com when you've got a broom and group of trash toting friends?

Great Britain

The tradition of baking symbolic tokens into birthday cakes began in medieval times. The party goer who discovers the coin will be wealthy while the unfortunate guest who chips their tooth on the thimble, will never marry.

Hmm...could it be that potential suitors are put off by their toothless grin?

Ireland & United Kingdom 

The birthday child gets "the bumps." He or she is held upside-down and given a gentle bump on the head for every year plus one for good luck. Similar to spankings, punches and earlobe tugs administered in other countries.

Why do so many "good luck" traditions involve pain?

Korea

A celebration, called a "paegil" is held on the 100th day after a baby's birth. Guests feast on rice cakes, black bean cakes and other delicacies. If the rice cakes are shared with at least 100 people the child will live a long life, so the family sends containers filled with treats to as many people as possible.

Recipients return the dish (or tin) to the family filled with skeins of thread symbolizing longevity and rice and money symbolizing future wealth. 

With all that thread, I foresee their future fortunes coming from careers in the textile industry.  

^{Bo Obama's Dog Blog sources: Birthday Customs, Birthday Rituals from Around the Globe, Birthday Traditions from Around the World, The World's Most Unusual Birthday Traditions}

Fascinating Hush Puppies trivia and a vintage dog ads slideshow

 

Remember Hush Puppies shoes and the cute, dopey Basset Hound they used in their ads? While hunting for vintage ads I came across some interesting trivia about the dog and the shoes...

Founded in 1958, the shoes were almost called "Lasers" before the advertising manager, James Muir, heard that farmers often threw hush puppy corn fritters at their hounds to quiet the barking dogs. If I bark long enough, I wonder if someone will throw a hush puppy at me...the corn fritter not the shoe!

Muir quickly made the connection between the commonly used idiom of the day, to call one's sore feet "barking dogs" and the new shoes. He surmised that the shoes were so comfortable they could "quiet barking dogs."  

Dogs in vintage ads, posters and magazines

Hush Puppies shoes are credited with saving the life of Rolling Stones band member, Keith Richards, when his guitar touched an ungrounded microphone at a 1965 concert, knocking him unconscious. Medics believe that the crepe soles of his Hush Puppies protected him from harm by insulating him. Did Hush Puppies save the future of Rock 'n Roll?

 
It wasn't until the late 1980's that the company hired a real live Basset spokeshound, Jason, a perky house pet and "ham" who fit the bill perfectly. The adverting agency put Jason in all kinds of amusing situations, including a recreation of Marilyn Monroe's famous subway grate photo with his ears playing the part of her billowing dress.

 
Jason even sported a birthmark identical to that of Mikhail Gorbachev's for a Glasnost Hush Puppies ad after the company received an invitation from the Soviet leader to be the first American company to do business in the Soviet Union. I'm sure it was Jason's soulful eyes that melted the dictator's heart. 

^{Bo Obama's Dog Blog sources: HushPuppies.com, Jason's Page, Wikepedia}