Quality Healthcare Products for Your Dog

Most families with canine members try to offer their pets the best products to maintain health, wellness, and proper nutrition. It is not always possible to find the quality vet-approved brands locally. Vet Products Direct brings all of the items your dog needs right to your door.

Flea and Tick Control - Knowing that your dog is feeling uncomfortable from flea and tick bites is usually enough to send any owner out to find a solution. You can now get the strongest, most beneficial anti-flea and tick protection available and have it sent directly to your door. Ease your dog's discomfort and avoid health problems like flea and tick-borne illness or anemia.

Safe Deworming Products - It is difficult to always monitor what your dog is ingesting, especially when they spend a good deal of time outdoors. It is common for dogs to develop worms from time to time. You can end a worm infestation by using a safe product that is easy for your dog to take and provides trusted results. Visit Vet Products Direct for dog worming tablets that are sent right to you whenever your dog needs relief.

Total Heartworm Protection - Heartworm is a parasite delivered to your dog through mosquito bites. Your animal will rarely show any signs or symptoms when this parasite attacks. Without treatment, it will grow in the heart and eventually lead to the death of your beloved family member. The treatment for heartworms can prove difficult. The best way to deal with heartworms is to use a true protection product. You can choose from daily or monthly heartworm protection products that are proven safe for your pet.

Essential Vitamins and Minerals - Much like people, dogs also need to maintain healthy levels of vitamins and minerals that are sometimes lacking in the basic diet. It takes a well-balanced diet and correct levels of vitamins and minerals to develop and maintain a strong immune system. Aging dogs have a harder time absorbing some vitamins and minerals. Adding an extra source daily is a way to help them maintain the levels they need to stay strong, healthy, and illness-free.

Bone and Joint Health - As your dog begins to naturally age and slow down, you might start noticing that they move slower and have a harder time keeping up with an active family. It is critical to introduce bone and joint support supplements to keep them mobile and limber. You will quickly notice the difference in their level of comfort and willingness to get involved in fun activities once again.

Skin, Hair, and Oral Care - If your dog is suffering from dry skin, breakouts, dry hair, and uneven, or patchy growth, you can add supplements to their diet that are focused on improving hair and skin condition. You will even notice stronger, more healthy nails. The healthier the skin stays, the better the hair will look as it grows. You will notice less dry patches on the skin and fuller, softer, less brittle hair. Taking care of your dogs' oral health is also critical to longevity and good health. You can incorporate the use of products that will keep tartar under control and maintain fresh breath.

Healthy, Well-Balanced Dog Foods and Treats - The best dog foods are rarely found in the general market, yet many dog owners end up making a hurried purchase of food that has little to no nutritional value. You can find all the healthiest food and treat brands through Vet Products Direct that will keep your dog happy and healthy during every cycle of life.

You finally have a source of great, vet recommended products for all breeds of dogs, at any age and condition. Visit Vet Products Direct for dog worming tablets, flea and tick control, heartworm protection, healthy supplements, and all of the great foods they need to enjoy life to the fullest.

Vet Products Direct also has products for cats, fish, birds, and horses.

A Bit of Luxury for Your Pooch

When we went on vacation, we used to take our dog to a nice little boarding facility just up the road from home.  It was run by a nice couple who had dogs of their own and treated our dog, and the other dogs that boarded there, practically like part of the family.  Our dog didn't get to stay in the house and sit on the furniture, but she did get more attention and time to run around in the yard than she would have at a regular kennel. She still missed us, but she was much happier there than she would have been otherwise.

Nowadays you can get luxury dog boarding for your favorite pet.  These facilities aren't just for vacation, either.  Some people drop their dogs off for "doggie daycare" while they are at work so their dog doesn't have to be bored at home.  Dogs are given snacks and naps and play time and socialization with others of their own size, or extra attention by the staff, which could even include a massage.  Extra time outside?  A game of fetch?  They will make sure your dog is as comfortable as possible.

Dogs are given plush beds, the best food, and sometimes even televisions.  Some facilities even have someone to read a story to the dogs before bed and tuck them in.  They get all the comforts of home, and then some!  And, if you want to check in on your dog during the day or while you're away, there is usually a video system that will enable you to do just that.

The only question I have is - will a dog want to go home after all that pampering?

Who Let the Dogs Out?

I have cats.  For my last post I needed a picture of a dog, so I put out a request on facebook yesterday asking for dog pictures I could use.  I ended up using a picture of my friend Alli's dog Liberty and a picture of a cute dog that showed up at my friend Mary's house one day.  BUT, I had several other friends share pictures of their dogs, and I just couldn't leave them out.

So, here are some pictures of some cute dogs - and one cute kid - for your enjoyment.

from my friend Lori

My adorable niece Sammi (on top of a dog)
shared by her daddy

A cool dog and a mouse - shared by Craig

My friend Melissa's dog

and my friend Susan's 'monsters'
Don't they have it tough?

Thanks to everyone who shared their dogs with me!

Protect the Love - Vectra Flea & Tick Control Sweepstakes

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Vectra flea & tick control for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.
 
I was just thinking this morning how we all tend to think of our pets as family.  We talk to them; we love them; we call ourselves 'mommy' and 'daddy' to them.  I like to think they love us too.  They're definitely spoiled rotten.  Check out Weasley - doesn't he look like he has it tough?

Part of the love we have for our little furry friends means that, as pet owners, we need to protect our pets, and that includes protection from pests.  Vectra 3D  provides long lasting protection for dogs. It repels and kills fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, biting and sand flies, lice and mites (excluding mange mites).  For cats, there's Vectra for Cats, which kills fleas within 6 hours.  It not only kills and repels adult fleas, but also controls flea eggs, larvae and pupae.   It's easy to apply, safe to use, and only available through your veterinarian.

This is my friend Liberty.  She is loved very much!  Isn't she cute?

If you're a pet lover, be sure to like Vectra on facebook and enter the Protect the Love Facebook Sweepstakes. They will be giving away a $100 gift card to use at your next veterinarian visit each week for the duration of the Sweepstakes.  So the sooner you enter, the more chances you'll have to win!

Everyone who enters can also get a  free dose of Vectra flea & tick control.  Just enter the sweepstakes and then visit FirstDoseFree.com and fill out the form to print out a coupon for a free dose to redeem at a Vectra veterinarian near you.  It's a great way to try it and see if it works for you and your pet.

***Protect the love™ is the official social identity of Vectra flea & tick control. Vectra is a product of Ceva Animal Health, LLC and has multiple formulas for dogs, cats, puppies and kittens. *DO NOT USE VECTRA 3D ON CATS

Be sure to like Vectra on Facebook and follow @VectraPet on Twitter for more information.

Take the Hill's Healthy Mobility Challenge

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Hills Pet Nutrition for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.
 
When we had our dog Nikki, we just fed her whatever dog food we got the best deal on.  We didn't really realize or think about how important it would be to feed her better food.  With the cats we are trying to feed them better food.  We haven't yet tried the Hill's Pet Nutrition foods, but we have been trying to buy the better foods with more natural ingredients.  Reading some of the information on the Hill's Pet Nutrition page, I'm learning that there's a whole lot I don't know about what my pets need to eat to be healthy.  Be sure to check it out if you've got pets; there's a lot of information there.
 
If you have a dog (or dogs) you can register for the Hill’s Healthy Mobility Challenge.  Feed your dog the Hill's Science Diet^® Healthy Mobility^™ dog food for 30 days and track your dog's progress over those 30 days to see if/how it actually works.  At the end of 30 days you'll be able to see the results.  You're also encouraged to come back and share the results with othere dog lovers.
 
Just for registering you'll get $30 in Hill's Healthy Mobility Coupon offers and an automatic entry in the Healthy Mobility Challenge sweepstakes! 30 Winners will receive FREE PET FOOD for a year!  How awesome would that be?
 
Be sure to check out  Hill's Pet Nutrition on Facebook too.  You can share pictures of your pets, interact with other pet lovers, and even have the opportunity to win prizes or get additional savings on Hill's Pet Nutrition  products.
 

Clean+Green Giveaway

I love these products!  Ideally, I wouldn't need them, but if you have pets, you need stain and odor removers.  What's great about these products is that they're made from organic and biodegradable ingredients.  They're all natural and pet-safe, but most importantly, they are effective.  They really work.

1. Spray Clean+Green on the problem or source.
2. It encapsulates the source to completely eliminate the source or odor.
3. The encapsulated source biodegrades naturally, and stains and odors are gone!

And there's no annoying smell that just attempts to cover up the odor.

You don't have to take my word for it, though - because one lucky reader will win 3 cans - of your choosing - of Clean+Green products.  There are products for dogs, for cats, for birds, and for small animals.

To enter:

• Visit Clean+Green and then come back and leave a comment letting me know which products you'd like to try.

For additional entries: (leave a comment for each one)

• Follow me on twitter (@bcmom) and tweet the giveaway link, you can tweet once per day and leave a separate comment for each.
• Blog about this giveaway with a link back to this post and to Clean+Green.  Leave me a comment with your url.  I'll give you 5 extra entries for this one.  (You don't have to leave a separate comment for each of these entries.  I'll count them)
• Subscribe to my blog in a reader or by email, or Follow this Blog with Google Friend Connect.  Let me know which way you subscribed - or let me know if you're already a subscriber.
• Link to Beth & Cory's Mom on your sidebar or add me to your blog list or blogroll.
• Follow Clean+Green on twitter.
• Like Clean+Green on Facebook.
• If you can think of any other creative way to spread the word about this giveaway, go ahead.  Just leave me a comment letting me know how and where you shared.

Giveaway is open to residents of the U.S.  All entries must be received by 11:59pm Thursday, 1/6/11.  Winners will be randomly chosen.  If you're the winner, I will contact you via email, so be sure I have an email address for you.  Good Luck!

Related articles

• Clean+Green by SeaYu Offers Tips For Removing Stain And Odor Naturally (eon.businesswire.com)

Reminder

There's still time to enter my giveaway!  You have until Friday, so be sure to enter now.  Winner gets a $40 Gift Certificate to use on the purelydogbeds.com site.  If you have dogs (or cats) you'll want to check this out!

Win a $40 Gift e-Certificate from purelydogbeds.com

Enter Now!

Purely Dog Beds Giveaway

This giveaway is now closed.

Do you have a dog?  Then you're going to want to enter this giveaway.  The people at PurelyDogBeds.com have offered to give one lucky reader of this blog a $40 Gift E-Certificate!  It can be used to purchase one $40 item or any combination of items. It can also be used towards the purchase of a bigger-ticket item, like one of their line of designer pet beds!

PURELY DOG BEDS is an online retailer specializing in bedding and household products for your four-legged friends.  Besides dog beds, they have accessories, carriers, car seats, furniture, toys, and more for your favorite dogs.  If you don't have a dog, that's OK, too.  There are some cat beds, and the pet carriers would work just as well for cats.  I'm really liking that wheeled one on the bottom left.  I wonder what Weasley would think of that?

Giveaway Details:

• Mandatory entry:  Visit PurelyDogBeds.com and tell me something you'd like to use your $40 Gift E-Certificate on if you win. (This must be done first for any additional entries to count)

For additional entries: (leave a separate comment for each)

• Blog about this giveaway with a link back to this post and leave a comment with the post url.
• Follow me on twitter (@bcmom) and tweet the giveaway link.
• Follow @purelydogbeds on twitter.
• 'Like' purelydogbeds on Facebook.
• Subscribe to my blog in a reader or by email, or Follow this Blog with Google Friend Connect. Let me know which way you subscribed - or let me know if you're already a subscriber.
• Link to Beth & Cory's Mom on your sidebar or add me to your blog list or blogroll.
• If you can think of any other creative way to spread the word about this giveaway, go ahead. Just leave me a comment letting me know how and where you shared.
  

Contest ends Friday, September 24, at 11:59 PM CST. Must be 18+ to enter. Open to residents of continental U.S. only. Winner will be chosen by random.org & announced soon after the contest ends. Winner will be notified by email, so be sure I have an email address for you. Winner then has 72 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

I'd Rather Shop from Home

I'm not much of a shopper. I don't think I ever was, but working in retail for several years really ruined shopping for me. I honestly do not understand the phrase 'Retail Therapy' because it's just something to get over and done with, not something to do for fun or relaxation. We do look through the ads that come in the paper every Sunday, just in case we need something, but more often than not, there really isn't anything worth running out for.

I can get myself in a little trouble with easy online shopping, though - because I don't have to leave the comfort of my own home. Not only that, but I don't have to deal with people - especially the crowds at this time of year - and the long lines. For instance, on Black Friday while my husband and brother were insane enough to get up and actually go to the stores, I stayed in bed, got up a little later, and then did my shopping online - buying several $3 and $3.50 DVDs, all of them with free shipping. I'm also regularly tempted by those emails I get from Buy.com telling me about their deals on electronics and computer-related things. I have a hard time resisting a good deal on an SD card!

I never really thought about it before, but I'm thinking I can get some good deals on pet supplies by shopping online, too. It's definitely worth looking at. I hear it's supposed to be much cheaper to order pet prescriptions online, and maybe even cheaper if I can find some coupon codes for free shipping or something. Not that either one of the kitties needs a prescription, but just in case. If nothing else, checking online first will give me a good idea of whether I'm getting a good deal on something or not.

Camera Critters (#31)

Cats sleep in some of the strangest positions and places.  I guess it just depends on where they are when the get tired.  Here's a sleeping Tillie:

Camera Critters is a fun weekend meme hosted by Misty Dawn.Visit the Camera Critters headquarters and join in.

A Site Especially for Pet Lovers

I just signed up for a new site for pet lovers and all about pets. It's called ZooToo, and it looks like a very helpful site. You can post pictures and information about your pet(s), connect with other pet lovers, find and review pet services, and even get free samples of pet supplies to try and review. If you have a pet question, you can ask the rest of the community at ZooToo to find an answer. I'm particularly interested in finding some opinions on what cat food we should be feeding Tillie. The vet said we should be feeding her a better food than we bought at first, but buying the food from the vet is way too expensive.

I haven't figured it all out yet because I was spending more time uploading pictures of Tillie than anything else, but you earn points through your activity on ZooToo. Inviting friends, writing in your pet journal, uploading pictures, all contribute to your point total. As you accumulate points, your status in the community grows, and you can use your points to help various causes, such as animal shelters and rescues.

If you love pets and want to know more about what real people think of the pet products and services on the market and in your area, then you'll enjoy ZooToo.

Heads or Tails - Pets

Barb at Skittle's Place has started a weekly meme. Every Tuesday, she calls Heads or Tails, and we get to play along. HEADS this week is Pet(s)

Besides fish, which you can't actually pet, we've had three pets since Jeffrey and I have been married. A cat named Theo. He was pretty, but not a very loving cat. A dog named Nikki. She was half chocolate lab and half dalmatian. I liked her best when she lived outside and before she barked so much the neighbors called the police. It still bugs me that they couldn't just come over and say something like, "Did you realize your dog is barking and it's really bothering me?" No, they had to call the police. Theo, Nikki, and the fish are all long gone, and I never wanted another animal. I'm just not an animal person. The irritations and the negatives always seem to outweigh the positives when it comes to having pets. I think I could put up with some irritations, if only there were some positives to make it all worthwhile. With Theo - he started peeing on the floor and other things because we moved and his whole life changed. At our house in Illinois, he mostly lived outside because we got tired of trying to make him stay inside. When we moved to the apartment we had while we were building this house, he had to stay inside all the time, with the dog - and he was not happy about that. No way no how was I going to move him again, this time to a new house with brand new carpet. He wasn't even a loving lap kitty, but I don't think even that would have offset the negatives.

So, we got rid of the cat. We got rid of the dog. The fish died - well, some of them went to live in a horse trough to eat the flies and mosquitoes. We were never, ever going to have an animal in the house again. Then the kids begged and begged for a kitten, and I said yes. What was I thinking? So far Tillie has lived with us for two months. She's sweet and precious and loving. I don't have to take care of the litter box. I'm not supposed to have to clean up after her or feed her. All that is Beth's job. Still, the furniture is getting snagged by kitty claws. Beth has to be told to take care of the litter and to feed the kitten. Sometimes I do feed her, but I refuse to mess with the litter, and the messes that I would like cleaned up now are not taken care of until later. All the little things I knew were going to bug me about having an animal in the house - they're all there. Not so much the cat hair on everything, but that's coming. Is Tillie sweet, furry and purry enough to make up for all that? So far. But I'm still not changing the litter.

This post has been brought to you by Heads or Tails - read more

The Cat Came to Stay

In other news:
Beth brought home a kitten tonight. She begged and begged and promised that she would pay for everything and take care of it and everything. I hope she does because, against my better judgment, I said she could keep it. We haven't had an animal around here since fall, and it has been really nice. Hopefully she will do her part and take care of it and clean up after it and all that stuff. Otherwise, we get to get rid of it. Tim said it could go live at Jesse's house and be an outside barn cat. If we could have an outside barn cat, that would be good - no cat hair in the house, no cat litter, no mess. Well, Beth promised to clean up after it, so I'm not going to do any of that - and she better not wait until it is driving me crazy before she does it!