I see a lot of people on social media asking if the Cairn outdoor gear subscription box is worth it. I've also seen a lot of people take to social media to complain about their box. I've been receiving the box for years and love it. However, I think whether you like the box or not depends on your expectations so I am going to lay out my thoughts for you. Note: Cairn offers an Obsidian box … [Read more...]
90+ Holiday Gift Ideas for Adventurous Dogs and Dog Lovers
It's that time of year again. Gift guide season! For the last couple of years, I've had fun putting together my list of favorite products. You can read some of my past guides, and other articles listing must-have goodies for adventurous dogs and their owners, here: Note: some of the links below are affiliate links. This means when you click on a link and make a purchase, I will receive a few … [Read more...]
BarkBox Inspires: Getting More Than What’s Inside the Box
I love dog subscription boxes and we've tried many of them. I ordered the first BarkBox for Chester and Gretel almost 7 years ago and I've been hooked ever since. The treats and toys that come inside the box are high quality. The treats are always made in the USA, are of similar quality to what I would find in the boutique pet stores I shop in, and the toys we've receive are generally on the … [Read more...]
“Tourist” Photo Day with Julie Austin Pet Photography
Sometimes it's fun to be a tourist in your own city. A few months ago, I visited some of the best dog friendly attractions in Seattle with Chester and Gretel. While I have a gazillion (almost an exact figure. Ha, ha.) photos of Chester and Gretel, I don't have many of us together. I decided to partner with local Seattle pet photographer - Julie Austin Photography - to follow us around and capture … [Read more...]
The 3 Best Dog Subscription Boxes
I'm not going to say we are experts when it comes to dog subscription boxes but... well, we kind of are. Almost two years ago we tried and reviewed 7 of the subscription boxes on the market. Since then, we've tried boxes from another 6 or 7 companies. We've tried a lot of these boxes more than once. Over the last couple of years, we've seen about 50 subscription boxes from 14 different … [Read more...]
BarkBox Subscription: Fun, Unique Dog Goodies in the Mail
There are so many dog goodie subscription boxes on the market today. The trend started with BarkBox though. BarkBox was founded in 2011 and, while having options is nice, BarkBox has had the longest time to perfect their box just for your dog. And that they did. Chester and Gretel first experienced BarkBox way back in 2012. I wasn't as into dog subscription boxes as much as I am now and asked, … [Read more...]
Never Fear: Sizing for Hurtta Dog Jackets is Easy!
I get a TON of questions about Chester and Gretel's Hurtta waterproof dog jackets. Our readers primarily discover them through our Best Jackets for Dachshunds or I'm Throwing Out All of Our Jackets Except These articles or by seeing them in our Instagram photos. I like that you guys are interested in them, and I really do like helping you out, but I find myself answering the same questions … [Read more...]
How to Keep Your Waterproof Dog Jacket Working Like New
For our regular readers, you know I'm a gear snob. I want only the best, highest quality stuff for myself, Chester, and Gretel. While they still have several different jackets for traveling and walking around the City, I only use super warm and breathable waterproof ones for their hiking and outdoor adventures. If you are looking for a waterproof jacket for your dog, please see my article The … [Read more...]
10 Perfect Gifts for the Adventurous Dog
If you love to hike, camp, or travel, I'm sure you've a lot of great gear. Well, your dog deserves their own adventure gear too. Below are some of the things I discovered, and fell in love with, for Chester and Gretel in 2016. For Adventure Days Adventures with dog often involve some sort of packing, snacks, riding in a car, lounging outdoors, and leashes. These gifts will keep your pup … [Read more...]
Best Leash for Hiking With Your Dog in Wet Weather
There are, literally, probably 1 million different dog leashes out there. There are stylish leashes made of fun fabric patterns, colorful cotton rope leashes, leashes made of climbing rope, traditional nylon webbing leashes, leashes you can snap around your waist, and much, much more. The choices are overwhelming. So what kind of leash is best for hiking with your dog? That answer is actually … [Read more...]
Hurtta Summit Parka Prepares Little Texas Dog for PNW Winter
Please welcome Elena and her Dachshund Moo to the blog. I introduced her in our 6-year anniversary blog post the other day . Today is her second guest post on the blog. I recently embarked on an outdoor excursion with Moo, two of my friends from work, and their two pups. Our four-legged companions made an unlikely trio: a Dachshund, a St. Bernese Mountain Dog, and a Shih Tzu. We opted for … [Read more...]
10 Unique Gifts for Adventurous Pet Parents!
It's said that dogs are like their owners... or visa-versa. If someone owns a dog that likes to hike or play in the outdoors, they are active pet parents themselves. The problem with those of us who are avid outdoors people is that we usually have all the gear and gadgets we need for the sport of our choice. That makes buying a gift for us hard. So what are you supposed to get the … [Read more...]
Protect Your Dog’s Ears, Skin, and Feet With Natural Paws
Please welcome Elena and her Dachshund Moo to the blog. I introduced her in our 6-year anniversary blog post yesterday . Today is her first guest post on the blog. Below is her review of the Natural Paws paw, ear, and skin products. Moo and I recently moved to Washington from Texas. With changing climates and activity however, Moo HAS experienced some minor irritations, such as scratchy paw … [Read more...]
10 Unique Gifts for Dachshunds and Dachshund Lovers!
I kept an eye out for cool products all year precisely with you in mind. Every year around Christmas time, I like to share our favorites. Note: This article contains affiliate links, which means that we get a few pennies, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase to help support this blog (and we really, really appreciate it!) For Dachshunds 1) Teckelklub Luxy Jacket - This adorable … [Read more...]
12 Awesome Treats for Dogs That Like to Hike
I really watch Chester and Gretel's weight. That doesn't mean they don't get plenty of treats though. We have treats for photo shoots, treats to give them energy while hiking, treats to distract them from acting inappropriately in public situations, functional treats (treat/supplemement combos), rahab therapy treats, and treats just because. I'm able to keep them slim because I balance the … [Read more...]
Get Ready for Fall With the Torrent and Summit Coats from Hurtta
Fall is coming. I told you earlier how I used to dread it but I changed my attitude and now I look forward to several things. One of the reasons I look forward to fall is that I get to pull out my favorite dog jackets for keeping Chester and Gretel dry and warm. Two of my go-to fall dog jackets are the Torrent Raincoat and Summit Parka from Hurtta. Together, they offer the perfect range of rain … [Read more...]
Drink More With Smart Water Bottles: HidrateSpark vs. MyHydrate
I am terrible at drinking enough water. I mean terrible. It's a bit horrifying really. Although I often get liquids through the food I eat, there have been evenings where I realize that I never drank a glass of water that day. Not one! I think back on my health issues - chronic fatigue, muscle cramps, headaches, digestive issues, chronic inflammation, joint pain - and wonder how much of that … [Read more...]
I’m Throwing Out All the Dog Jackets…. Except These!
I've tried so much gear and so many products for Chester and Gretel - like beds, leashes, jackets, foods, etc. - over the years that I feel like I've tried almost everything. I'm starting to get to the point where I have our favorite things dialed in. Don't get me wrong, I like to try the latest and greatest "ooooo shiny" stuff. However, I find very little that I like enough to dethrone our … [Read more...]
How to Feed Raw When You’re Backpacking With Your Dog
I previously shared our food journey with you and talked about how I transitioned from feeding Chester some junk dog food to feeding both dogs raw. If you missed the series, you can catch my last post about deciding to feed raw here. I rotate their diet between a few different prepared, frozen raw foods but I prefer to feed Chester and Gretel food that is just organs, meat, blood, and bones … [Read more...]
How a Gimpy Girl and Her Gimpy Dog Ran a 5k
In case you're new to the blog, or haven't had the chance to catch up, Gretel suffered a back injury and was diagnosed with Intervertebral Disk Disease (IVDD). When it happened, it was during a period when we were training for a 5k (it was jumping off the couch that injured her though). Of course, our training immediately stopped but the reality is that she should never run with me again. I … [Read more...]
