Goodbye 2016, Let's Ring In A New Year!

WE HOPE YOU ALL HAD A MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY HANUKKAH, AND ANYTHING ELSE YOU MIGHT HAVE BEEN CELEBRATING THESE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM DOGS LUV US AND WE LUV THEM!
Happy Holidays from Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them!
SANTA WAS GOOD TO ICY AND PHOEBE.  THEY GOT LOTS OF PRESENTS AND PLAYED 'TIL THEY DROPPED, ON CHRISTMAS MORNING!


Dogs' Christmas Presents!
Santa was really good to Icy and Phoebe this year!


Christmas with Icy and Phoebe
Santa had quite a haul for Icy and Phoebe this Christmas!
AS USUAL, ICY TRIED TO HOG MOST OF THE PRESENTS, BUT DON'T WORRY, PHOEBE SNUCK IN AND SWIPED A BUNCH FOR HERSELF TOO!

Icy is a bit of a toy hoarder!
Icy, attempting to hog all the Christmas presents!
A GREAT TIME WAS HAD BY ALL, BUT PHOEBE FOUND THE ENTIRE ORDEAL EXHAUSTING.  SHE HAS DECIDED TO NAP UNTIL NEXT YEAR (which is in 2 days)!

Phoebe is a pooped pooch after all the Christmas fun!
Poor Phoebe is exhausted after her Christmas!

ICY, PHOEBE AND I WANT TO THANK EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO VISIT US ON THE BLOG, SHARING OUR ADVENTURES WITH US AND BEING A PART OF OUR LIVES.  YOU ARE THE BEST!

Happy New Year from Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them!

WELL, CHRISTMAS AND HANUKKAH ARE OVER AND THAT MEANS ANOTHER YEAR HAS COME TO A CLOSE.  2016 WAS NOT THE BEST YEAR.  WE LOST A LOT OF INCREDIBLE PEOPLE, BELOVED MUSICIANS AND ACTORS AMONG THEM.  WE SAID A TEARFUL GOODBYE TO DAVID BOWIE, GLENN FREY, PRINCE, GEORGE MICHAEL, ALAN RICKMAN, CARRIE FISHER & HER MOM DEBBIE REYNOLDS THE VERY NEXT DAY, HARPER LEE (AUTHOR OF TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD), NANCY REAGAN, DORIS ROBERTS, PATTY DUKE,  GENE WILDER, FLORENCE HENDERSON, AND OTHERS.  TOO MANY TO MENTION HERE.  MANY OF THESE VERY SPECIAL PEOPLE LEFT THIS EARTH WAY TOO SOON!

WE HAD AN UNPRECEDENTED, TOTALLY INSANE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION THAT DIVIDED NOT ONLY OUR COUNTRY, BUT FRIENDS AS WELL.  I CANNOT IMAGINE LOSING A FRIEND OVER POLITICAL VIEWS.  FRIENDSHIP SHOULD TRANSCEND CRAP LIKE THAT, DON'T YOU THINK?  AS WE'VE SEEN, LIFE IS WAY TO SHORT FOR THAT!

My sweet Mama, not long before Alzheimer's took her from us at the age of 94.  I love you to the moon and back Mom, I miss you terribly.

I HAD MY OWN PERSONAL LOSS IN 2016.  I LOST MY BELOVED MOTHER IN MAY.  I'M SO GRATEFUL TO HAVE BEEN BLESSED TO HAVE HAD BOTH MY PARENTS WITH ME UNTIL THEY WERE IN THEIR 90's.  I KNOW I COULDN'T REASONABLY ASK FOR MORE THAN THAT.   I AM NOT ONE TO GRIEVE OUT IN THE OPEN, SO I'LL JUST SAY GOODBYE AND GOOD RIDDANCE, 2016!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
MAY 2017 BE A WONDERFUL, PEACEFUL AND HAPPY TIME FOR US ALL!

So tell us, are you happy to say goodbye 2016 and ring in a New Year, welcoming 2017, or are you sad to say goodbye to 2016?  Leave us a comment and share!

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Is it Christmas Yet??

ICY IS WAITING FOR SANTA IN A PLACE SHE KNOWS SHE CAN'T MISS HIM, RIGHT UNDER THE TREE!!

Icy is Waiting for Santa
Some of our other Holiday Posts you may enjoy:

Why a Puppy Can Be the Worst Gift For Someone Else!
Getting a puppy or dog?  Please Adopt! Breed specific rescues for every breed of dog
How to Help Shelter Pets Through The Holidays
A Thoughtful Gift From the Heart, a DIY Treat Jar for the Holidays!











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Do your pets like to snooze under the Christmas Tree?  Leave us a comment & tell us about it!

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100 Places to See With Your Dog - A Dog Friendly Brewery in Northport, NY

There's a really FUN trend that's starting up around the country, the Dog Friendly Brewery!  I was so thrilled when I discovered SAND CITY dog friendly brewery in the town of Northport, in Long Island, New York.  It's the town right next door to where we live in Huntington, Long Island!

A Dog Friendly Brewery, Long Island New York
Icy, hanging out at Northport, Long Island dog friendly Sand City Brewery
Even though I don't drink beer myself, of course I had to check this place out!  My husband is a bit of a beer connoisseur, at least that's what he tells me.  We decided to go last Sunday afternoon, taking Icy along with us.  Northport is a lovely, quaint town.  While many of Long Island's towns have become highly commercial and lost their old fashioned charm, Northport is one of the few towns left on Long Island that has maintained it's quaintness.  That's the thing I love most about Northport.  That, and the fact that it sits right on the water, overlooking the Long Island Sound.

One of two big, beautiful Christmas trees right at the water's edge in Northport, Long Island.
If the town's charm and beautiful water view don't win you over, the fact that they have a dog friendly brewery certainly will!  The SAND CITY BREWERY is a very unique place.  It's one of only two dog friendly breweries on Long Island, that I could find anyway.  Since they don't serve food, dogs are allowed INSIDE the brewery.  If they served any food, NY state law would prohibit dogs (other than service dogs) to enter the establishment.  It's standing room only, there are no chairs in the place.  They don't serve any food or soda, and they don't serve any alcohol other than beer.  This is truly a place for beer lovers!  (Oh, and Dog Lovers too!)

Icy and I head down the alleyway to SAND CITY BREWERY!
SAND CITY BREWERY is located at 60 Main Street but it's actually down a long alleyway, so you've got to look for it or you might miss it!  We thought it was pretty cool heading down an alley to get to the place.  If you or your pooch need some fresh air, they have an outdoor deck with benches along the fence you can sit on.  This time of year, there's a Christmas tree out on the deck too.

Me, John, and Icy getting some fresh air on the outdoor deck.
There were a couple of other dogs there as well.  Icy greeted them and they were all on good behavior, enjoying the attention they got from the humans.

Icy doesn't understand why this "dog" won't talk to her!  Hey, buddy!  Why won't you talk to me - what's the matter, cat got your tongue??

Although there are no chairs or stools to sit in, it's a fun place.  John and his friends tell me their beer is great too!

There are lots of great little shops and places to eat in Northport, Long Island.
Icy and I took a stroll down main street, window shopping and going inside some of the shops to say hello.  We walked in the park next to the water and took a stroll down the pier to take in the sight and smells of the water.  It was such a wonderful afternoon, we can't wait to go back!

Ahhhh, smell that beautiful salty air!!
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Have you ever been to a dog friendly brewery?  Are there any in your area?  Leave us a comment and let us know!!


Natural Balance Pet Food's Buy With Confidence Promise #WeBelieveinNB

Our pets are so important to us.  Many of us consider pets to be part of the family, I certainly consider Icy and Phoebe to be family!  I love them with all my heart and soul and take great care of them.  I always want the best for my dogs, especially the food I feed them.  Just like people, dogs are what they eat.  The food they eat has a huge impact on their health, so I give my dogs the best high quality pet food I can.

You can buy Natural Balance Pet Food with confidence, their Buy With Confidence Promise proves it!

I completely trust Natural Balance® pet food.  Their food is made with Premium Quality Ingredients; High Quality Proteins, Vegetables, and Fruits!  

What's NOT in the food is just as important as what is in the food.  There are NO Artificial Flavors, Soy, Wheat, Corn, or By-Product Meals in Natural Balance pet food. 



This post is sponsored by Natural Balance® and the BlogPaws® Professional Pet Blogger Network™. I am being compensated for sharing our thoughts about why we believe in Natural Balance as a quality food for our dogs, DOGS LUV US AND WE LUV THEM only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Natural Balance Pet Foods is not responsible for the content of this article.


I have a special relationship with my dogs.  They love me unconditionally and enrich my life tremendously.  Icy and I are a therapy dog team and together we give back to our community.  When people meet Icy for the first time they can't help but smile and be comforted.  "She's so sweet!" is a comment we hear often when she meets someone for the first time.  What better way to give back to the community than with your pet by your side?

Our long walks, adventurous hikes, and bike rides are also part of the special time we spend together.  It gets me off the couch and keeps us both active.  It's also a great way for us to strengthen our bond and have FUN!

With such a full and active lifestyle, Icy needs to stay healthy and strong.  She needs a high quality food that's made with premium animal proteins like Chicken and Salmon, two of her favorites, as well as fruits and vegetables.   Here are some of the Premium Quality Ingredients in Natural Balance Pet Food:


Premium Quality Ingredients in Natural Balance Pet Food

The best quality pet food isn't just healthy and delicious, it's SAFE.  That's extremely important to me.  I'm very careful about what I feed my dogs.  Not only do the food and treats I give them have to be of high quality, I have to know it's safe for them to eat.

I know I can trust the quality of Natural Balance pet food.  In addition to premium quality ingredients, they go the extra mile in Safety Testing. They test every batch of food and treats in their state of the art lab, an ISO 17025 Accredited Laboratory, one of the most technologically advanced labs in the industry.  

They don't just do a one-and-done test, Natural Balance performs multiple safety tests and makes their test results available online! I'm confident about the safety of Natural Balance pet food, and grateful to have that piece of mind.


Here's a list of the things Natural Balance tests their food and treats for:


You can see the test results of my bag of Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets (L.I.D.) dog food, Sweet Potato and Fish flavor in my earlier blog post.

Of course, in addition to quality ingredients and safety, the food I feed my dogs has to be DELICIOUS!!  As you can see Icy can't wait to get her Paws on her Natural Balance dinner!


Icy can't wait to get her paws on her Natural Balance dinner!

Give premium quality Natural Balance pet food a try.  If you're not sure which formula is best for your pet, one of the Natural Balance Nutrition experts can help.  You can phone, email, or Live Chat about your pet with one of their Veterinary Technicians.  Their Veterinary Technicians are highly trained and have a background in Animal Health Science.  They are well versed in the unique nutritional needs of pets and are committed to helping you find the perfect food for your pet!

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You  can find Natural Balance pet food at other premium pet stores.  Your dog will thank you for it!  

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Natural Balance. The opinions and text are all mine.

Santa is Coming To Town!

Santa Paws is coming soon!  Have you been Naughty or Nice ??


Oh Crap.  I probably shouldn't have chewed Icy's blanket up in July.  I hope Santa has a short memory!

A puppy may seem like the perfect holiday gift, but getting a surprise puppy or a dog for someone else is often a the worst gift idea if you don't put some careful thought into it.   

Remember, there's a breed specific rescue organization for nearly Every breed of dog or cat out there!  Please Adopt Don't Shop whenever possible.


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WHY A PUPPY CAN BE THE WORST HOLIDAY GIFT

It's that time of year again, the holidays are upon us!  Thinking about giving someone a puppy for Christmas? Think again! It's a big decision that needs careful consideration. 

At this time of year we carefully consider holiday gift ideas for the people we love.  We rack our brains trying to decide on that perfect gift, a special gift, one that demonstrates how much we love them.

A puppy for Christmas, Christmas dog, Christmas gifts, Rescue dogs, Puppies
A puppy or dog may not be the best holiday gift! 

This holiday season many peoples' thoughts will turn to giving the ultimate gift that keeps on giving.  The one that can actually love you back - that's right, a puppy!   Before you say "Yeah, that's it I'll get the person I love a puppy for Christmas!"  HOLD UP!  Sure, it sounds like a great idea, but have you put enough thought into whether or not a puppy might give a little too much?  Will a puppy be more than the recipient is able to handle?

Everywhere you look they're tugging at our heartstrings!  Puppy stores, dog rescues, and animal shelters are full at Christmastime, and online ads for puppies kick into high gear all through the holidays.  Even at animal shelters people are often there to adopt a puppy or a dog for someone else

It seems like the perfect gift idea, you're so sure it's the right gift for that special someone. It will bring them so much joy, right? Probably, but it will also bring huge responsibilities, including financial responsibilities, to the new puppy owner!  

There's a lot to consider before you bring a puppy or dog into a home.  Even if someone constantly talks about how much they want a puppy and it sounds like they're on the verge of getting one, they may not be prepared for the responsibility at this time in their lives. So before you decide that a puppy is the perfect gift for someone else, be sure their lifestyle will support the lifelong commitment of owning a dog. 

> If the person you are giving a puppy to travels frequently it may be an issue.  You need to spend time with a new puppy!  They have to bond with their new owner and family and the pup needs training.  Who will care for the dog while they are at work or traveling?


> If the they live in an apartment complex or a neighborhood with a Homeowners Association (HOA) there may be restrictions on the breed or size of dog they can have.


> If the person lives with someone else such as a roommate or their parents, those folks must all be consulted before bringing a new pet into the home.  

> Are there other animals living in the home already?  If so, that is a big consideration. You don't want to upset the dynamic of the home.  A new pup has to be a good fit for existing pets and must be properly introduced to resident pets when you bring him home.

> Assess the ability to afford ongoing costs of dog ownership, especially vet bills every year; annual vaccinations, checkups, and visits to the vet for occasional illness or injury.  What if they need to spay or neuter the dog themselves?  That can be a significant expense.  Are you willing to pick up the tab for that?  

> Training for both a puppy and an older dog are essential. Training can be expensive!  Including a gift card towards training is an excellent addition to your gift of a puppy or dog.

> Make sure  no one in the household is allergic to dogs!  Even the so called "hypo-allergenic" dogs can be an issue.  There really is no such thing as a totally hypo-allergenic dog.  Many breeds have hair rather than fur which is helpful, but some people are still allergic to them.

> Everyone in the household should be on board with adding a new dog, and responsibilities for pet care should be clear and realistic.  If the recipient is your own child, make sure responsibilities of caring for the puppy are well thought out and that it’s the right time to add a dog to your family.  Caring for a pet is a great learning experience but don't expect a 7 year old to walk and feed a dog on a daily basis!


Although it sounds magical, I'm not a fan of surprising someone with a puppy or dog as a gift. A dog is a living being that will require lifelong care.  Bringing a dog into your home is not something to be taken lightly.  

Once you've gone through the above considerations and you're reasonably sure a canine companion would be the right gift, help them make the right decision about what kind of dog to get.  It will be just as wonderful a surprise to thoughtfully gift wrap a stuffed animal dog, an animal shelter gift card, a photo of a cute puppy, or even just a leash.  Watch their eyes fly open wide as you tell them that right after Christmas you’ll be taking a trip together to pick out a dog! 

Spend a cozy evening together with a hot cup of cocoa deciding whether to get a puppy or an older dog, and what type of dog would best fit their lifestyle.  


Their excitement will continue to build as they prepare to add a new furry member to their family.  Make an adventure out of searching for just the right puppy or dog together. Visit a pet supplies store together, or shop online, to select all the basic things needed for a new puppy or dog.  The time you spend searching for their new best friend together will be a gift in itself, and a treasured memory
!

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Why a puppy can be the worst Christmas gift   Should I get a puppy for Christmas? Christmas dog, Christmas gifts, Puppies, Adopt a dog
Puppies are irresistible, but is a puppy the right Christmas gift?



Please Adopt rather than Shop if possible, or be sure you select a dog from a reputable breeder.  Avoid online ads for puppies and do some research to help ensure your puppy isn't from a Puppy Mill!



Did you know there are breed specific rescue organizations for just about every breed of dog?  What better gift than not only giving a dog, but saving a life in the process!



Visit our 2022 Holiday Gift Guide for Dogs and Dog Lovers to find the perfect gift for all the dogs and dog lovers on your Christmas gift list!




What you need to know before bringing home a new puppy or dog 






Have you ever given or received a pup as a gift?  Leave us a comment and share your experience and advice!


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