Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring!

GOODBYE OLD MAN WINTER

Icy is one dog that probably isn't all that happy about saying goodbye to snow!

HELLO SPRING!!!!

Phoebe loves the warm weather & all the flowers so she's happily welcoming Spring!

AREN'T YOU HAPPY THAT SPRING HAS FINALLY SPRUNG? 

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Snowdog Days

The big conversation the last two weeks has been the Weather!  Mother Nature has been more fickle than ever.  A couple of weeks ago we had a snowstorm, then she sent Spring for a week, but then she changed her mind and sent another snowstorm!!  WHAT is she thinking??

Here are some photos of us as we got jerked around by Mother Nature's whim this month.

SNOWSTORM
In February we had a pretty big snowstorm.  That was expected, and FUN too!

Icy and her buddy Cooper are up to their tummies in snow!

YAY, SPRING IS FINALLY HERE!
A week after the snowstorm we were at the Beach!  The beach in February, amazing!  Thanks you Mother Nature for giving us an early Spring....

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BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE..... MORE SNOWSTORM THAT IS!
A week after Mother Nature teased us with a Spring week, she slammed us with another Snowstorm!  Not that everyone was complaining!

Icy wasn't complaining about another snowstorm, she was having a blast!

OH HEAVEN'S, WHAT WILL MOTHER NATURE HIT US WITH IN THE NEXT 5 WEEKS...!?

With Winter still hanging on in many places, be mindful of WINTER SAFETY TIPS FOR PETS

Will the next 5 weeks bring another snowstorm or will Spring finally be here by April?  Leave us a comment and let us know your weather thoughts!

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Unleash A Fresh Spring Look With #PetSmartGrooming

It's been a long Winter, hasn't it?  Phoebe and I are ready for Spring, I bet you are too!  Although we live in Phoenix, it can get pretty cold on Winter nights so I let Phoebe's fur grow out to help her stay warm. 

In just a few months however, she gets what I call the Woolly mammoth look!   Her coat is overgrown and she really needs a nail trim.  That's when it's time for expert dog grooming at the PETSMART® GROOMING SALON!

One of our favorite PetSmart groomers, Brittany, worked her magic and took Phoebe from WOOLLY MAMMOTH...


After just a few months, Phoebe gets that Woolly mammoth look!

... to DOGGIE DIVA!


Every dog deserves a fresh new look for Spring!

Can you believe Phoebe's  transformation?!  She hardly looks like the same dog!  I can always tell that she feels as good as she looks the way she prances out of the PetSmart Grooming salon like she's Miss America!

This post is sponsored by PetSmart® and the BlogPaws® Pet Influencer Network.  I am being compensated for helping spread the word about PetSmart Grooming Salons, but we only share information we feel is relevant to our readers.  PetSmart is not responsible for the content of this article.

Whether your dog needs a bath and brush, a quick nail trim, or a full spa treatment with haircut, nail trim/grinding, deshedding or special add-on treatments, PetSmart grooming salons do it all!  I know they'll make my dogs look and feel fabulous! 

Every few months Phoebe gets her PetSmart spa day which includes a beautiful haircut, a nail trim, and teeth brushing.

This time I decided to do something extra special for Phoebe and get a PetSmart Pet Expressions stenciling.  They have lots of designs but I thought the Daisy was perfect for Spring.  It looks so cute on her furry little butt, I just love it!



Every few months Phoebe gets a spa day at the PetSmart Grooming salon

If your dog needs a nail trim, ear cleaning, or teeth cleaning these services are available on a walk-in basis.  It's a great convenience to be able to pop in and get these services for my dog while I run a few errands.

PetSmart groomers are incredibly caring, dedicated grooming experts.  I can bring my dogs there with confidence.  Their passion for pets and their grooming expertise really shows!

* All PetSmart salon associates acquire annual safety certification and take additional course-work to learn about dog anatomy, signs of stress, and common pet medical conditions.



PetSmart salon groomers receive hundreds of hours of hands-on training!

* PetSmart salon groomers that give haircuts also receive an additional 400 hours of hands-on training!  PetSmart groomers not only have the passion, but the knowledge and expertise to take excellent care of my dogs and consistently do a great job.



Expert PetSmart dog groomer Brittany gently trims around Phoebe's sensitive paws

* PetSmart groomers always take the time to discuss my grooming goals.  They're also helpful in recommending the right cut for my dog and add-on services like nail trimming and teeth brushing.  I love the way they interact with my dog, taking time to greet her and give her some TLC.

* The grooming process is so easy and flexible.  I can make my appointment online and choose my favorite groomer, the services I want, and the day/time that fits my schedule.  I can also call or make an appointment in person, whatever works for me!

* I love that I can receive a text message or email to confirm my appointment, and to let me know when my dog is ready for me to pick her up.



I love that I can get a text message or email when my dog is ready to come home from the PetSmart grooming salon

PetSmart even offers their Look Great Guarantee, their promise that you'll be happy with your pet's service.  If not, they'll do whatever it takes to make it right or it's free.  Now that's a great service guarantee!

I've been using PetSmart dog grooming services for years and I've never been anything but thrilled with the results.  That's why I'm happy to be able to share with you how great their salon services are and how wonderful my experiences with PetSmart grooming have been!



Our PetSmart groomer Brittany puts the final touches on Phoebe, adding purple bows and a bandana.  She looks adorable!

Check out their full line of pet grooming services by visiting the PETSMART GROOMING SALON web site.  To make a grooming appointment online, enter your Zip code to find a grooming salon near you and book your appointment. 

NOTE: All pets need current rabies vaccinations and proof of vaccination from their Veterinarian.  Rabies vaccination must be administered at least 48 hours prior to service.  Pets must be over 8 weeks old to receive salon services.  For the safety of our pets and associates, customers may not go behind the double doors separating the Salon lobby from the grooming area.

GET SOCIAL WITH PETSMART ON TWITTER, FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM!!

 

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

Dogs' Love Spring!

So we've finally gone from this.......

Isis playing in the snow during our visit to Long Island NY

To THIS.......!!

Phoebe enjoying the sunshine and spring desert flowers of Arizona

HAPPY SPRING, FRIENDS!!

Springtime in the Desert Southwest

Here in Phoenix, Arizona Winter is like a flash in the pan.  It starts in December and before ya know it the whole thing's over.  It's late February and as you'll see from these photos, Spring has definitely sprung out here!

Here's Isis among some of my favorite desert wildflowers.

Those of you back in the Northeast, especially the New England area, are probably pining for some warm weather, but I know of at least one snowdog who is green with envy that you guys got all the white stuff!  Hint, hint, it's NOT Phoebe.  I confess, as much as I love the warm weather I really miss the snow!

For those of you battling this insane Winter weather, please stay safe and cuddle with the furkids to stay warm.  And enjoy as much of the snow as you can!!

Who's that peeking out from behind an Aloe plant??

Uh oh!  Someone's got her eye on a bee!

Are you in a warm climate right now, or are you getting pummeled with snow?  Leave us a comment and share!  We always love to hear from you!

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Embrace Your Dog's Digging

Stop ripping your hair out every time your dog digs up the yard!  Dogs like to dig, it's what they do.  Some breeds are more prone to digging than others.  Terriers, for example, are champion diggers.   The name Terrier comes from the word Terra, meaning earth so it's no surprise they love to dig!

Icy used to scour the yard, digging holes everywhere!

Rather than lose your sanity over Fido ripping out every flower and shrub you've ever planted, embrace it!  Am I crazy?  Maybe, but that's beside the point.  When Icy was just a puppy she began digging all over the yard.  It looked like an army of Moles had invaded our yard.  I tried all the recommendations; 

• Bury her poop in the places she usually digs; it just made a giant mess and didn't even work.
• Bury large rocks where she likes to dig;  She started digging up & playing with the rocks!
• Bury wire mesh a few inches into the dirt; her nails got caught in the mesh and it frightened her.

Stop your dog's digging up the yard by letting them dig to their hearts content... in a place you designate!

Finally, some solid advice came my way - Let Her Dig!  Huh?  Yes, let her dig  to her heart's content, but only in a place you designate.  A sandbox or designated patch of earth to call her own.  So I looked around the yard for a good place to make a Dig Pit for Icy.  I decided that behind my husband's prized shed made the perfect spot!  She could dig to her heart's content there behind the shed, out of site.  Once I had chosen the perfect spot for a Dig Pit, here's what I did:

# I sectioned off the Dig Pit area behind the shed, about 6' x 4'. 

# I started digging it up, just to loosen the dirt and make it nice and inviting.  Dogs seem to love freshly dug up soil, which is probably why they love to dig up our plants moments after we've planted them!

# Now I  needed to let her know there was a Dig Pit just for her.  I took 2 or 3 chew sticks and placed them into the ground, with about 2 inches sticking out of the dirt so she could easily find them.

# I walked her over to the Dig Pit and showed her the first chew stick.  It was so exciting for her, she had found buried treasure!  She found and scarfed down all the chew sticks in minutes. 

# I continued to bury treats, rubber toys, and chew sticks in her Dig Pit once or twice a day.  She quickly learned that good stuff awaited her in the Dig Pit!  Before long, her preferred spot to dig was the Dig Pit, and eventually she almost never bothered to dig anywhere else in the yard!



Icy, enjoying her special Dig Pit behind the shed!

Finally, I had conquered my dog's annoying digging habit..... by embracing it!

Is your dog a DIGety Dog?  Have you solved the problem of your dog's digging in another way?  Please leave us a comment, we love to hear from you!!