Got Dirty Car Seats?

If you have dogs, more than likely the backseat of your car has seen a lot of use.  Jaz doesn't shed, but she likes to play and get her paws dirty.  Chewy is constantly leaving hair everywhere!    Sometimes, it seems like it's impossible to keep my car clean.  

One time after I just washed and vacuumed out my car, I took my dogs with me to my friend's house.  But this time, I wouldn't let them run around with their dog in the yard.  Why?  Because it had rained recently, and I wasn't about to put muddy dogs in my clean car! 

So...fast-forward two months.  Kurgo contacts me and asks if I would like to do a product review on their car seat covers.  I was thrilled!!  Oh yeah!  I already had a Kurgo dog harness, which I absolutely LOVE.  So I was pretty confident their car seat covers would live up to my expectations!   And no surprise there... they do!  

They have bench seat and bucket seat covers, each with different neutral color options.

So, I tried to get Chewy to model for the photo shoot.  He doesn't know how to smile when I have a camera pointed at him.  He just stares at me!  I even had a treat in my hand!

Jaz on the other hand is ALWAYS willing to model for a treat!

The Kurgo Car Seat Covers were super easy to install.  Some loops went over the headrests, and a bungee cord under the seat.  There was an optional buckle that went behind it was well.  It took me literally 2 minutes to install.  Easy and simple.

Just like their other products, I was very satisfied with the quality and durability of the fabric.  (Especially since this has to outlast Chewy!)  They have extended width versions as well if you need that for your vehicle.  They all come with a LIFETIME warranty.  :)

Here's a link to all the Kurgo Car Seat Covers:   http://www.kurgo.com/car-seat-covers

P.S  You don't have to prove you own a pet to get a Kurgo Car Seat Cover.  They would come in handy for anyone!  ;)

If you follow Jasmine's blog, you know that I occasionally do product reviews for companies.  I will only work with companies that I feel would have quality products.  I only review products that I will personally use or give my dogs.  I don't receive any compensation, so this is just my honest feedback about what I think.

And this is what I really do think of Kurgo's products!  :)

Favorite Animal Movies?

Who gets to pick the movies in your house?  Jasmine has commandeered the TV remote control.  She'll probably be watching a lot of Animal Planet while I'm gone at work!

I am compiling a list of really good animal movies to watch during the holidays.

I have my Top 10 list completed I think.  But I'm wondering if I've missed any.

What are your favorite animal movies to watch?  (Live action or animated?)

I probably watch dog movies different than other people.  I'm usually watching to get new trick ideas.  Or wondering how they filmed that.  (Because as you know I like to make YouTube dog movies with Jasmine!)   I'm always on the look-out for new ideas!  :)

Adventures in Dog-Walking

WELCOME TO DOGVILLE.

My brother and sister-in-law (and kids) asked us to dog-sit while they were out of town.  They have 2 very large Goldendoodles! Ringo (male)  and Francie (female).  And I have a very small house.  So even though there are only four dogs, it feels like more.

Because I have a small house and now three large dogs (and one little energetic dog), I got the crazy idea in my head to try and take them all on a walk!  It was quite the adventure.   Here's the staring line up.

 We made is as far as the driveway before Chewy saw another dog and went crazy.  (He has some bad manners of barking and rushing at other dogs.  We're working on that!!  He's a work-in-progress.)  So we all went back in the house to calm down, untangle the leashes, and reorder the pack  It was darker when we attempted it the 2nd time, so less likely to run into other dogs being walked.

Here's the finishing line up.  The girls on the outside, and the boys in the middle.  Francie is more nervous and likes to hang back by me.  Jaz likes to do her own thing... keep up with the big dogs or stop and smell the roses.  (and maybe pee on them.)  And the boys are my sled dogs.  They can just go, go, go.  This order seemed to work, and we made it around the block.  Then one of my good friends came over and walked the girls, so I could just concentrate on the boys.  It was a beautiful thing.  Thank goodness for good friends!!

In the end, all the dogs were tired and listening pretty well.  So I call that a success.

Tomorrow's adventure:  Bath-time for 4 dogs?  Or then again, maybe not!!

P.S.  While we were walking down the street, I had the 1st verse to the Monkees theme song stuck in my head!!  I wonder why??  ;)

Here we come... 

Walking down the street...

We get the funniest looks from...

Everyone we meet....

                

Adams Smart Pets Contest

Jasmine got to be in the promotional video for Adams Smart Pets Contest!  They used 2 of her tricks-  Stealing the Blanket, and Pushing the Shopping Cart.  

http://smarterpetcare.com/smarterpetcare?elq=e86cdef752db4ef1a51ac8dc7d0f41fc&elqCampaignId=104

If you have a smart pet and want to enter the contest, there's details on their website how to enter!  :)

Jaz was on TV in Canada!

I have fun news!   Over this past weekend, Jasmine's tricks were on TV in Canada!   They were shown on the Family channel- on "Project Pet".  This is Jasmine's version of Ring the Bell (on the desk) and Roll Up in a Blanket.  (a.k.a. Steal it from your human!)  ;)   They'll be showing other tricks through-out the month, so if you live in Canada, be sure to keep an eye out for my favorite pup Jasmine!   :)



(and a BIG THANK YOU to our friend Sara for getting us this clip!!)   :)

#Blogpaws- ready or not, here we come!

I'm so excited!  In 2 days, we'll be leaving to go to Tyson's Corner, Virginia for our 2nd BlogPaws convention!!  We're going to reunited with all our BP friends, and take classes to learn a ton of new stuff!  

This year, we just get to go as a participant!    Last year, we co-taught a class on "The Power of YouTube" along with Lauren (and Paige) and Eldad Haagar (from Hope for the Paws).  It was such a great experience!!  We really wanted to go back!

 

Last year, Jasmine also won an award for the "Best Video" for her Santa Paws- Santa's Little Helper video!

 

She was nominated again this year for a different therapy dog video (Jasmine visits the Elementary School) , so it will be fun to see what happens!  They have a big formal banquet dinner/ award cerimony on Saturday night.  For me, it's just fun to be a part of the whole experience.  And since I'm no longer the newbie, I kind of know what to to do this year!  LOL.  (Last year when Jaz won, we had to go up on stage and give an acceptance speech.)   I was TOTALLY unprepared for that, because I didn't think there was any chance of us winning!  This year, even if we don't win, at least I know it's a possiblity, so I won't be so blindsided!  LOL

 

I'm excited to just go and enjoy ourselves! (No stress!) (Well, other than traveling with a dog!)

I'm kind of nervous about that.  Jaz has flown with me a lot- for different TV shows and conventions.  But this will be the first time we have a lay-over.  :(   We couldn't take a direct flight because Jasmine only fits under the seats of Delta airlines.  And they don't fly directly to Washington DC.  So, I had the choice to go without Jaz.  (But come on... what's the point?)  ;)   Or travel with Jaz- trying our luck on a connecting flight.   (Let's just keep our fingers crossed there are no delays.)

Traveling with a dog is always an adventure!  But... once we get there, it's going to be GREAT!  :)

 

Look out BLOGPAWS... ready or not... here we come!!  ;)

 

March Madness- Canine Style!

In the animal kingdom, they have their own version of "March Madness!"  :D

Here's a true story.  I don't watch sports.  I know very little about sports.  The first year my office did a March Madness pool, they wanted everyone to contribute $5 and guess who was going to win it.  I got talked into participating.  When I picked my teams, I didn't know the numbers next to the team names meant anything.  So I lost very quickly!

The next year, I still knew nothing about sports.  (Other than that number by the team name was their ranking.)  So this time, I made my selections mostly based on which team was ranked higher.  And when it was close, I guessed based on 1) if I had been to that city, 2) if I liked their team colors, and 3) what their team mascot was. (which animal I liked better.)

And guess what... that was the year I WON!!!  I won the whole office jackpot for March Madness.  Of course, everyone was mad because they knew I didn't even watch sports!!  And they knew how I had made my selections! (Because I had to ask what the team mascot and colors were!!)  LOL.  (They weren't really upset, it was all in good fun.)  They have no one to blame but themselves... they made me enter!  Because I won, they "encouraged" (made me) spend the jackpot by buying lunch for the whole office.  But it's all good.  ;)  We still joke about it... 

That's when I decided to stick to what I know best.  DOG TRICKS.  I decided to create my own Canine Basketball Team!  :)

We are friends with trick dogs from all over the world!  (Mainly because of Facebook and YouTube!)
So I wrote them and asked if they wanted to join our FIRST EVER Canine Basketball Team!  (Of course the answer was yes!)   

So here they are- meet the Canine All-Star Basketball Team:



This video showcases dogs from all over the USA, as well as Switzerland, Australia, Canada, and England!  And even better, all of these dogs were trained using positive reinforcement.  (Just like Jaz!)  I just love watching it.  It always makes me smile.  We are miles apart, but our love of dogs brings us together.

So, this is pretty much the only sports I like to watch!   Hope you enjoyed March Madness- Canine Style!

P.S.  Clips from this video were featured on Animal Planet last December!  (On a show called "A Year in Pup Culture".   :)

Meet Jasmine! (in the 202 Magazine!)

This month (Feb) Jasmine has an article in the 202 magazine!   I scanned it, so hopefully you'll be able to read the words if you click on the picture!

They asked me what Jasmine's best trick was.  (How do you pick?)

What her favorite local hang-out was.  (Going with me to get take-out at Joe's BBQ)

What her favorite food was.  (Natural Balance)

And then, they wanted to know about her life.  

So I told them about everything we've been up to in the last year!  

2012 was quite the busy year for us!   

We traveled to both sides of the country, and made quite a few TV appearances!  

(The big ones being:  Who Let The Dogs Out, Good Morning America, 

and Anderson Cooper!)   

Then I talked a little bit about our work as a volunteer therapy dog.   

It was definitely a busy fun-filled year, and I can't wait to see what the future holds in 2013!  :)

#BarkWorld HOWL-O-Ween Party!!

I think Halloween is SO FUN!   And this year, I get to spend it at the BarkWorld Expo in Atlanta, GA!

Tonight, they had a HOWL-o-ween party- hosted by my friend Rick Rockhill (who is awesome!)   He's here representing Natural Balance Pet Foods.

It was so fun.  (and yes, the song "Thriller" is still stuck in my head!!)

OK - first of all- Rick and I TOTALLY did NOT plan this!  But we both came dressed in matching pirate costumes!!!  LOL.  What can I say?  Great minds think alike!!!  ;)

There were so many great costumes!!!  We all entered a costume contest.  The winner was the guy who was dressed like a fisherman!  (and his bulldog Pudgie was the fish).  It was adorable!

This is our friend Niqqi!!!

 

These were cool.

Karen and Norman the Scooter Dog were there performing!

 
 This is our friend Preston.                                    and Pepper

Isn't this a GREAT costume?   Kona is a purse!

 This is our costume- the Pirate Gang.

This is Cosmo!  The other Havanese here!

A lot of effort went into these costumes!

This is Jan.  Such a kind-hearted person!  She just loves Jazzy.

So- that was our fun-filled night!  After it was over, I took Jasmine on her walk outside.  It dawned on me that I was dressed up as a pirate walking down the streets of Atlanta.  LOL.  Only at BarkWorld.  ;)

Jaz obviously prefers to work solo!! ;)

While trying to train a new trick, I discovered something....  Jaz prefers to work alone!  ;)



Obviously, sometimes I train Jasmine, and sometimes she trains me.  That's how I trick train.  I set out with something in mind.  But in the process, if Jaz wants to do some different new behavior... well, that's fine too.  :)   We learn together.

I got some great comments on Jasmine's YouTube Channel.  But my favorite one was written by feisty2day: 

"No matter what kind of day I have had, watching Jaz always makes me smile. Thanks for sharing her with the rest of us. Love You Jasmine!!"

:)  I couldn't have said it any better myself.  It's the same with me.  No matter what kind of day I've had, Jaz can always make me smile!  :)

WINNERS Announced!

I have 2 winners to announce!!  We recently had a drawing for 2 different give-aways.


First- I had a Gift Certificate to Best Friends Pet Care that I wanted to find a good home for!  So I had a drawing, and the winner is.... Lilo Kalua Bear!  :)    Congratulations!

Photo courtesy of Hau Ngo Photography

Second- we had a give-away to celebrate a big milestone on Jasmine's Facebook page.  We were lucky enough to have Let's Be Pets online store sponsor our give-away!  So I'm pleased to announce the winner of the $75 Gift Certificate!  It's Carma Poodale Allen!!  Congratulations!!  A rep from Let's Be Pets will be emailing you with the details.

Carma Poodale Allen

Thanks to everyone who entered!!  And thanks to all our friends for supporting us!!!  :)  :)

Does your dog play basketball?

Jaz is putting together an international basketball team!  :D   Does your dog play basketball?   
If so, let me know!  I'm putting together a little movie of all Jasmine's trick dog friends!  (from all over the world!)  :D


Here's a sneak peek!  :D





If you would like to participate, please email me a clip by next weekend  (4/20/12) if you want to be included.  You can upload it to www.sendspace.com  and then send it to myfavpupjasmine@aol.com.  
It needs to be in a .mov or .mp4 format.  It should be filmed outdoors (good lighting), with no humans in view.  Shot at a wide-angle, with a tri-pod or a steady hand.  I'm looking for all kinds of behaviors... running, catching, and dunking the ball.   Please name the file  (Your dogs name) _Basketball.mov (or .mp4)   :)      Welcome to the canine dream team!  :D     I can't wait to see what you come up with!    :D

AZ Animal Welfare League - Walk To Save Animals

On Sat. Nov 12th, I went with some friends to the AZ Animal Welfare League's Walk to Save Animals!

This is my friend's adopted pitbull mix named Peanut Butter. She's a rescue. She didn't actually drive us there, she just likes to think she did!





This was a benefit walk to raise money for AZ's largest no-kill shelter. There was a 5K, and a 2K.
This was a huge event, which was very well attended!

After the walk, the Phoenix Search & Rescue did a demonstration for everyone. Those are some well-trained dogs! They were black labs, and they talked about how they had all been trained using positive reinforcement. These were the same dogs that were used during 9/11, and Hurricane Katrina. Pretty impressive!


This is Jasmine and her new friend Sasha!

Sasha is a neighbor's 6 month old puppy that needed some socialization. Sasha had a lot of energy, but was really good with little kids. She would sit down when they came over to pet her.



A very beautiful, happy, sweet dog. Just needs a little training.



Have you ever seen a herd of weiner dogs? I have!! LOL. They were cute!




Jasmine met a Celebrity Vet!!

This is Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald from Animal Planet's Emergency Vet show. Jaz got a picture with him.

He was really nice!!

http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/dpp/news/pets/celebrity-veterinarian-at-walk-to-save-animals-11122011

The AAWL and SPCA had an exotic animal display, so Jaz and the dogs got to see all sorts of new creatures! :D

All in all, we had a really good time!


I think I'm going to contact them and see if next year, they would like a trick dog demonstration! :D That would be fun.

Atlanta.... Here We Come!!

I am getting so excited about our trip to Atlanta for the BarkWorld Pet Expo! (Jasmine is less excited.... lol... but she'll be okay.) I think she'll do better this trip because she's going to be under the seat in front of me on the plane. When we went to NY for the Letterman audition, she was in cargo, and that was kind of traumatizing for her! Lauren & her superstar dog Paige will be there with us! We're both giving the presentation on "How To Make Your Dog A YouTube Rockstar"! :) This is one of those presentations that could also be titled "Things I Wish I Knew 3 Years Ago!" There's a lot of good info! There's a little bit of everything- clicker training, editing videos, SEO, marketing, and the background story of Paige and Jasmine, to list a few! It's all the things Lauren and I have learned through experience! We've got the powerpoint presentation all done- and emailed to BarkWorld. So it will be ready for us when we arrive.

I'm trying to make sure I don't forget anything!! Jaz groomed... check. Vet health certificate... check. Now I just need to pack, and buy a new memory card for my camera! (So we can take a ton of pictures of our awesome trip!) We leave on Thursday!!

Life is insanely busy of course! Remember how Jaz was a Top 5 finalist in that "Dog Days of Summer" contest? Well, the meet & greet with the judges in this Wednesday! (to pick the final winner!) I'm so glad it was on Wednesday, not Thursday!! Or we would be in Atlanta!! so- it's go-go-go for us!! :D (But it's fun stuff, so it's all good!) :D