Wordless Wednesday: It's Summertime!

AHHHHH,  SUMMERTIME!!!


COME ON IN, THE WATER'S FINE!!

I'M JOINING THE BLOGPAWS WORDLESS WEDNESDAY BLOG HOP, A LITTLE LATE TOMORROW!

Have A Dog-Gone Happy Memorial Day

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!! 
 
WE WISH EVERYONE A SAFE AND HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!







WITH MUCH GRATITUDE TO ALL THE MEN, WOMEN, AND MILITARY DOGS WHO HAVE SERVED AND SACRIFICED TO PRESERVE OUR FREEDOM!

For some great pet safety tips during the holiday, visit our friends at FiveSibes.

For car safety tips for dogs, check out this PetSmart car safety video.





Dog Wishes For Peace, Love, Understanding

On this Memorial Day,  Phoebe wishes for

PEACE.......

























LOVE.....













AND UNDERSTANDING...........



As we BBQ, swim, laugh, eat and drink with those we love, we remember that the reason for this holiday is to honor the men, women, and military dogs who have sacrificed and served to preserve our freedom.  My Dad was one of those who proudly served as a Marine in WWII .  He passed away 3 years ago just shy of 95 yrs. old.  I miss you Dad. 

From the lyric by singer/songwriter Nick Lowe "What's so funny bout Peace, Love and Understanding?"

Black and White Sunday: An eerie Lighthouse

It looks more like a haunted house, but this defunct historic lighthouse sits on a beach in The Hamptons, Long Island New York.  The super narrow stretch of beach juts way out into the ocean.  As the tides ebb and flow at many times the tiny stretch of beach between the lighthouse and the land is underwater! 

Cedar Island Lighthouse, whose light has been removed for restoration, is located in Cedar Point Beach, East Hampton, NY.
If you're interested in taking your dog to The Hamptons, see my post 100 Places To See With Your Dog: The Hamptons, Long Island, NY.

THIS IS THE BLACK AND WHITE SUNDAY BLOG HOP!!




Sepia Saturday: Pony Express Riders

This beautiful statue is located in the midst of Old Town Scottsdale, Arizona.  It's enormous and sits in the middle of a traffic circle.

Passing the Legacy statue depicts 2 Pony Express riders connecting.  Created by Herb Mignery

BlogPaws2015 Zero Waste Conference

The BlogPaws2015 pet blogger's conference will take place in Nashville, TN next week and I'm so excited!  This will be my second BlogPaws conference.  Even more exciting is the fact that BlogPaws has decided to make this year's conference a Zero Waste Initiative, saying NO to excess paper and plastic!

I like that you're trying to be less wasteful than you usually are Mom!
Conferences, seminars, and expos create a ton of paper and plastic waste with programs, product literature, paper cups, plastic bottles, and more.  I've been thinking about what I can do to contribute, in some small way, to BlogPaws' Zero Waste goal. 

I endeavor to drink my many cups of tea each day out of my new reusable cup at the conference.
At Starbucks I recently came across these reusable plastic cups.  They look like the regular Starbucks paper to-go cups but they're reusable, so for two bucks I bought one to take with me to the conference.  I like that my beverage doesn't get that funny taste the way it does with aluminum and other plastic containers.  That's the main reason I've always gone for the paper cups, you don't get weird taste, although you do get the waste.

My Starbucks reusable cup should last several months, if I don't put it in the dish washer
My husband is betting on me losing the cup long before the conference ends.  Ye of little faith!

Who's joining us in Nashville next week?  Anyone bringing their own items to help reduce waste?  Please leave us a comment, we always want to hear your thoughts!

THIS IS THE FRIDAY PET PARADE BLOG HOP!!


WORDLESS WEDNESDAY: Packing for BlogPaws2015

So Mom claims there isn't any room in the suitcase for my tiara!  Isn't that outrageous!?  Especially since we are driving.  Why can't we just put it in the glove compartment??


She says there's only room for my bow.  Really mom??  A bow?  BlogPaws2015 is going to be the Pawty of the century and you want me to show up wearing just a bow!? 


I am NOT amused, mom.  I will plot my revenge.

Don't you think mom should make room for my tiara??  Please leave a comment and tell her so!!

My Dog The Therapist: Happy National Therapy Animal Day!

Today is National Therapy Animal Day, a day to honor animals that provide comfort and emotional healing to people in need.  This day is particularly near and dear to my heart since my Husky, Icy and I are a Pet Partners Therapy Dog team.


National Therapy Animal Day was created by Pet Partners to recognize all of the exceptional therapy animals who partner with their human companions to bring comfort and healing to those in need. Therapy animals can be dogs, cats, birds, horses, and many other kinds of animals.  Therapy animal teams help people of all ages in a variety of different settings including libraries, hospitals, schools, and nursing homes.

Icy and I, with her wearing her purple Therapy Dog vest & me wearing my purple shirt; we match!  But no, that wasn't intentional, just a happy coincidence LOL!

National Therapy Animal Day serves to:

 * Recognize and honor therapy animals

* Raise awareness and educate the public about the role therapy animals play in enhancing the health and well being of humans 

* Honor the thousands of dedicated handlers (the human half of a therapy animal team) who volunteer their time and compassion during visits

As you can see, Icy thoroughly enjoys the children's reading program at the library!
Today I celebrate my darling Therapy Dog, Icy who loves everyone she meets and makes people smile even when they're going through very tough times.  Today will be all about her!  First up is a long desert hike, followed by a puppuccino at Starbucks!  What's a puppuccino you ask?  It's a small cup of whipped cream!  It's one of Icy's favorite treats. 

Thank you Icy, my sweet girl, for volunteering side by side with me to help others.  It's the most rewarding thing I've ever had the pleasure of doing, and I couldn't do it without you!  I love you to the moon and back!!

I like that story, can you read it to me again?!

To read more about the Therapy Dog work Icy and I do together, check out these posts:

Why Children Should Read Out Loud To Dogs
Find great animal therapy pins on my Pinterest board, Therapy Dogs Are Angels With Paws 

Have you or someone you love ever been touched by a Therapy Dog angel?  Please leave us a comment and share!  We always love hearing from you!
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Black and White Sunday: My Canine patriot

In honor of upcoming Memorial Day here in the U.S., I wanted to share one of my favorite Memorial Day photos of my dog in Black & White.  I like the old fashioned look it gives, kind of reminds me of my Dad's old WWII photos, which were black & white.

 I just love how my girl Isis looks in this photo, the expression on her face is so sweet!  She is such a cute little patriot!

Here's the same photo in color:


Do you dress your pets up for patriotic holidays like Memorial Day?  Leave us a comment, we always love to hear from you!

THIS IS THE BLACK AND WHITE SUNDAY BLOG HOP! THANKS TO OUR FRIENDS NOLA AND SUGAR FOR HOSTING!



Sepia Saturday: Desert Yucca

My Husky, Icy jumped up on her favorite rock during one of our daily park walks.  A very large, beautiful Yucca plant looms behind her.


Thoughtless Thursday Blog Hop and Liebster Award

I am so honored that my friend Jenna from Love Is Being Owned By A Husky nominated me to receive a Liebster Award!  A Liebster award is given to bloggers by other bloggers.  I’m especially delighted since Love Is Being Owned By A Husky  is one of my favorite blogs!



WORDLESS WEDNESDAY: Falling In Snow With Huskies

Previously I shared a post on our trip with the dogs to Flagstaff, Arizona.  What I didn't share was pictures of my Husky pulling my husband down the snowy hill, with him falling and rolling all the way.  I just had to snap photos and share it with all of you!

It started off innocently, with Icy and her Daddy enjoying the snow at Humphrey's Peak.


Suddenly Icy has the urge to pull as only a Husky can, and Daddy goes DOWN!


He goes down HARD!


Finally, he, recovers and gets up with Icy shaking her head asking "how did I end up with such a clutz for a Dad??


Mommy on the other hand, has no such problem.  She handles both dogs on the snowy hill with grace and flair, BOL!!


Has your dog ever pulled you and dragged you down a snowy hill... or across the county??  Leave us a comment, we want to hear from you!

WIN Pet Food & Start Your Pet's Journey To A #PerfectWeight

This post is sponsored by Hill's.  I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Hill's® Science Diet® Perfect Weight 10 Week Turn Around, but DOGS LUV US and WE LUV THEM only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers.  Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. is not responsible for the content of this article.
 
50% of pets are overweight, and overweight pets are no laughing matter! They can develop serious health issues if the problem isn't addressed early on.  Weight loss can be as difficult for pets as it is for people!  Pets don't always get enough exercise to take off the excess weight, sometimes a healthy diet designed specifically for pet weight loss is just what they need to shed pounds and improve overall health and wellness


Between walks and hikes, Icy and Phoebe get plenty of exercise every day.

Being at a healthy weight can improve your dog's quality of life and life expectancy!  For the last couple of months, we've been talking about Hill's® Science Diet® Perfect Weight, a food specifically formulated for pet weight loss.  Science Diet Perfect Weight's unique formula contains:

> A breakthrough blend of natural ingredients
 
> Prebiotic fibers for gentle digestion

> 100% precisely balanced nutrition

> Real Chicken as the #1 ingredient

If your dog needs to lose a few pounds, try Hill's Science Diet Perfect Weight dog food.  Take the Hill's 10 Week Turnaround and get your dog started on a journey to weight loss and a healthier lifestyle. 

Kick off your dog's journey to improved health and wellness by entering the

HILL'S 10 WEEK TURNAROUND NATIONAL SWEEPSTAKES

for your chance to WIN 10 weeks worth of  Science Diet Perfect Weight dog food!  

Black and White Sunday: Desert Sunset

Isis pauses for a brief moment during our sunset hike in the Sonoran Desert.



Here's the photo in color:


THIS IS THE BLACK AND WHITE SUNDAY BLOG HOP!


WORDLESS WEDNESDAY: Sedona, Arizona

On a trip to Sedona in the Arizona high country, my Husky Icy had some fun posing with a pink Jeep and a handsome coyote!

C'mon you guys, get a move on! We're going for a jeep tour through the desert!

I think there might be romance in the air!

I'd love to connect with you on social media!  If we're not already following each other, lets connect!

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100 Places To See With Your Dog: Flagstaff, Arizona

Last Thursday the weather in Phoenix was expected to hit 100 degrees.  It's way too early for 100 degrees, so last minute we decided to load the dogs into the car and head North to Flagstaff for beautiful mountains and much cooler weather!  Although it's only 3 hours away, it's nearly 30 degrees cooler in Flagstaff than in Phoenix!  Temps in Phoenix can easily reach 110 degrees in Summer, so it's no surprise that Phoenicians flock to Flagstaff in Summer!

Icy was in heaven with the cool weather in Flagstaff.  Here she is posing amongst the beautiful Aspen trees.  Aspen trees look a lot like White Birch trees.
Flagstaff is largely known for being a fun college town, but high elevation and levels of precipitation provide lots of natural beauty and cooler outdoor activities as well.  You can be skiing in Flagstaff in the morning, and sipping a latte at an outdoor cafe in 70 degree Phoenix weather in the afternoon!  It's the coolest thing!

BLACK & WHITE SUNDAY: A Cowboy & His Dog

This young cowboy is just taking a break with his dog.



This beautiful bronze statue is displayed outside one of the many art galleries in the Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village of Sedona, Arizona

SEPIA SATURDAY: The Frog Prince

The Frog Prince blew me a kiss!  Sorry toad, this Princess is taken!



Mama, it's too bad you're already married to Daddy, you could've had a real Prince!

This beautiful bronze statue is called THE KISS, created by Kim Kori.  It is displayed in the Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village in Sedona, Arizona by the Rowe Gallery.