Lady came into our lives late one night while we were on the way to pick up some dinner, running straight at our headlights, out of the darkness.  We spent most of the following day trying to find her ...]]> Hi everyone!  Rachel here for Furbaby Friday!  As some of you might know, we like dogs in our household.  That is kind of an understatement – we love dogs!  And we are now the proud parents of dog #5 – Lady the Labrador.

Lady came into our lives late one night while we were on the way to pick up some dinner, running straight at our headlights, out of the darkness.  We spent most of the following day trying to find her owner – checking for a microchip, driving around all the nearby neighborhoods to look for “Lost” posters, printing and posting our own “Found” posters all over the area, and posting ads online at Pets911.com and Craigslist.  After 4 weeks and no inquiries, we just couldn’t believe that somebody hadn’t come forward to claim such a well-behaved (for a 1 year old!), sweet, and healthy dog.  After losing our big dog last November, it was almost like it was meant to be.

1) Her favorite toy?  Tennis balls, anything that squeeks, rope toys….. she’s 1, so really anything she can get her mouth on she loves.  Including her brother JJ, her best furr-buddy (see him in the background above, with a big smile??).

2) Her favorite treat is ice.  Really!  We can’t even give ice to any of the other dogs because she’ll steal it from them!  She also really likes Milkbones, cheese, and apples.

3) Her favorite place to nap is curled up right next to someone, preferably one of us, of course!  Have I mentioned that she thinks she’s a little dog??

4) Her favorite place to go is most definitely her training class at PetsMart!  She’s realized that when we go there, she gets lots and lots and lots of treats.  Sometimes whole bagfuls.  Her second favorite place to go to is the dog park to chase frisbees and tennis balls.

5) Lady’s best move is definitely “sit” right now.  She’s learning to lay down, and all the other great stuff they teach you in beginner classes, but she has “sit” down pat.  She’s learned that most of the time, if she comes up to you and sits, she’ll get lots of love and attention (and possibly a treat!).

Want to have your little one featured on Furbaby Friday?  Send an email with furbaby pictures to [living at elizabeth anne designs dot com] with the subject “Furbaby Friday” with your furbaby photos (at least 600px in width please), a couple of sentences about their stinkin’ cute personalities, and answer these questions on their behalf:

1) Favorite toy
2) Favorite treat
3) Favorite place to nap
4) Favorite travel destination (ex: petsmart, grandma’s house, the park, etc)
5) Best trick (or as I like to say “best move” – as in, Charlie’s adorable stretch where he pulls his little wrists up to his face and then pushes his arms down his chest is his best move!)

© Elizabeth Anne Designs, 2011 · Permalink · 2 comments · StumbleUpon It!
Posted in: Pets

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© Elizabeth Anne Designs, 2011 · Permalink · 4 comments · StumbleUpon It! Posted in: Pets Follow Ami on Twitter · Join us at EAD Weddings too! · EAD on Facebook

{image credited to Alice G. Patterson}

{image credited ...]]> As momma to two adorable doggies, I thought it’d be fun to share a few of my favorite doggie essentials. Our house is essentially run by our two lovable little girls (Nina, a 6 year old black lab and Colby, a 9 month old golden retriever), so we have our favorite toys and pet gear, and our favorite go-to places to score the goods. First up, gratuitous cute puppy photos…

{image credited to Alice G. Patterson}

{image credited to Cyd Converse}

Awwww. So cute, right? To say these two rule the roost is a bit of an understatement. (I’m willing to bet many of you can relate.) Herewith, the contents of the Nina and Colby doggie treasure chest…

{all images credited to vendors, see below}

Here’s the breakdown:

• Our girls love something soft and cuddly to snuggle with or to tear to bits. It’s just how they roll. They love their teddy bear from Martha Stewart for PetsMart.
• True girly girls, pretty collars and matching leashes are a must. I am loving the collars from Kiss My Mutt.
• Good old-fashioned, durable but still sleek – stainless steel dog bowls are the only way to go with two retrievers in the house.
• Typically we try to keep the girls to organic treats and food. (Yes, I’m one of those dog moms.) That said, they love Milk Bones so we allow them to indulge from time to time.
• For overzealous pups, a Gentle Leader is your best friend. Your arms will thank you.
• I love all things Harry Barker, but their dog food storage containers are a favorite.
• Hands down, the girls’ favorite toys are their Kong and Kong Wubbas. Plus, these toys are super durable and can hold up to active chewers.
• Cozy dog beds rule! I like LLBean’s dog beds, which are durable, customizable and available in neutral colors that work with most decor.
• Of course, a comfy doggie blanket is a must, too. I like Crate & Barrel’s dog blankets.
• Pawz dog boots keep feet dry and free from mud, salt, anti-freeze and ice. A must for doggies in cold and/or wet climates!

So there you have our household favorites for keeping our kids happy. Do you have any pet parenting essentials?

© Elizabeth Anne Designs, 2011 · Permalink · 1 comment · StumbleUpon It!
Posted in: Pets

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There is really nothing to it for whipping up some doggy ...]]> Dogs get the rough end of the deal when living in a home where baking occurs.  They can smell it but not enjoy it.  Well, maybe they get a little bite if you are open to sneaking in human food here and there.  My dogs are at my heels when I am baking.  So I thought it was time to try baking some dedicated furbaby treats for my cookie monsters.

There is really nothing to it for whipping up some doggy diet approved treats; a little of this, a little of that, roll it out and bake.  But wow do the pups feel like champions when they get an entire cookie straight from a cooling rack! Or the jar, in the case of my spirited beagle mix…

You do want to take care to use aluminum free baking soda and avoid things like chocolate. And if your dog has any food allergies to avoid those ingredients.  My dogs love peanut butter so I decided to do a peanut butter and oatmeal based cookie for this first time.  You could easily mix it up and melt carob chips to drizzle on top of half of them… or maybe it is just my dogs that are that picky to get bored of a single type of treat?

Now I am thinking about all kinds of homemade dog treat ideas.  My dogs love these treats that are really just dehydrated sweet potatoes, how easy would that be to make with a food dehydrator!  We have been cutting processed foods out of our own diets and when you think about it those dog treats where the majority of ingredients are unpronounceable are likely not very good for them.

Peanut Butter Puppers
adapted from The Fun Times Guide

Ingredients:

• ¾ cup non-fat milk
• 1 egg
• 1 cup peanut butter ( I like Skippy Natural)
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 cups oat flour (use your food processor or blender  to turn oatmeal into a coarse flour)
• 1 tablespoon baking powder (Rumford is aluminum free or make it up yourself)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Mix the peanut butter, egg, and milk together with a whisk (or in a mixer), then add flour and baking powder to make a stiff dough.  You’ll want the dough fairly stiff; adjust quantity of flour if needed.  You may have to use your hands to work in the last of the flour.
3. Roll out or press with your hands on well-floured surface (I use left over oat flour) to about ¼-inch thick.  Cut with a cookie cutter (for little dogs or for small treats use mini cookie cutters) or into squares with a knife and place on cookie sheet.
4. Bake for about 20 minutes, then turn and bake another 10-15 minutes or until done.  Cool completely and store in an airtight container or zip top bag.  You can also freeze them.

Enjoy!

© Elizabeth Anne Designs, 2011 · Permalink · 1 comment · StumbleUpon It!
Posted in: Pets, Recipes

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Betsy says:

She is a miniature dapple dachshund, a little over 2 years old and SO full of personality. My fiance (then boyfriend) surprised me with her on my last day of exams my senior year of college. I had begged him to get me a dog for years and he always said no, so imagine my surprise ...]]> Stella is the precious furbaby of Betsy, and she is just the cutest little thing, all spotted and sweet and oh-so-soft looking!

Betsy says:

She is a miniature dapple dachshund, a little over 2 years old and SO full of personality. My fiance (then boyfriend) surprised me with her on my last day of exams my senior year of college. I had begged him to get me a dog for years and he always said no, so imagine my surprise when he shows up with my graduation present, blindfolds me and brings in the dog–needless to say I broke into the ugly cry (red faced, unattractive sobbing) and he captured the whole thing on video! (He regularly threatens to pull it out in front of company).

Q: What is Stella’s favorite accessory?

Her collar is her favorite accessory and she HATES to be without it.

Q: What is her favorite toy?

Her favorite toy is anything spotted (like her!).  It cracks me up that her favorites are always the ones that most closely resemble her :)

Q: Most comfy place to nap?

Her favorite place to nap is either her crate or burrowed in the midst of a heavy blanket.  Being a FL pup, I don’t know how she stands the blanket on our hottest days.

Q: Most yummiest treat?

Her favorite treat is definitely lunch meat, she comes careening into the kitchen whenever she hears the rattle of the deli bags.

Q: What is Stella’s favorite travel destination?

Stella is a pro-traveler.  She’s happy to go anyway as long as she gets to ride in her “sport pet” which is a nylon pop up crate that we put her bed in and put in the car.  When I pull it out she knows she is going somewhere fun and all but injures herself trying to jump into it! It’s hysterical!

Betsy, thank you for sharing the ADORABLE little Stella with us!

What to have your little one featured on Furbaby Friday?  Send an email with furbaby pictures to [living at elizabeth anne designs dot com] with the subject “Furbaby Friday” or leave a message on our facebook wall with your furbaby photos (at least 600px in width please), a couple of sentences about their stinkin’ cute personalities, and answer these questions on their behalf:

1) Favorite toy
2) Favorite treat
3) Favorite place to nap
4) Favorite travel destination (ex: petsmart, grandma’s house, the park, etc)
5) Best trick (or as I like to say “best move” – as in, Charlie’s adorable stretch where he pulls his little wrists up to his face and then pushes his arms down his chest is his best move!)

If you have already sent in your furbabies, don’t worry – I have them all in my email so you will hear from me soon!

© Elizabeth Anne Designs, 2011 · Permalink · 4 comments · StumbleUpon It!
Posted in: Pets

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