While the temperature is heating up outside, I’ve been staying inside and working in the air conditioning (oh…and watching old episodes of Frasier, I have a HUGE crush on Eddie).

All this work inside means great news for our friends across the country… We finally have a Facebook page for Licks®! It’s been great so far. We have already gotten feedback and support from some of our blog followers and fellow Licks users. So, friend us please! Here’s a funny (Facebook) cartoon that made me laugh today. hehehe

ANNND! Being the visual girl that I am, I also set up a Pinterest page. It’s a really fun, creative and informative way of seeing all the cool things people are doing with dogs, for dogs and because of dogs. So, if you have an account, follow us! You won’t be sorry! There are even hunky photos of George Clooney and his dog on there. Me-ow!

If you’re in Chicago this week, come out to North Avenue Beach on July 19th, Thursday night. We are one of the *proud* sponsors for PAWS 10th Annual Beach Party. Can you believe it? This is the 10th anniversary! It’s going to be [sand] buckets of fun! So.. wear your suit, bring a frisbee and join the party! All the details are right here at http://beachparty.pawschicago.org/

xo,

Dora

Hi all. (I’m panting, if you couldn’t tell!)

Happy Fourth to all you pooches and pups out there! The 4th of July is always a bittersweet holiday for me (I know I’m not the only dog). I’m nuts about the picnics, parades and all that patriotism! But those fireworks get me every time. It’s hard on these sensitive canine ears!

<<Though did you know they cancelled a lot of fireworks displays this year because it’s been so hot and dry?>>

As far as the nationalistic pride– You know, we sometimes take for granted how lucky we are. We really live in a special place with some great humans. This is a country that takes dog health, wellness and comfort into serious consideration. We try, as we should, to reflect these values and standards in the Licks® line. That’s why all of the human grade ingredients are American sourced and Licks® is produced right here in the U.S.A. with so much pride!

I know there are buckets of barbecues, heaps of ho-downs and a considerable amount of cookouts out there! So get out and enjoy yourselves! But *please* do what it takes and stay hydrated. It’s doggone HOT out there!

xo,

Dora

hot dog!

Greetings pooches, pups pedigrees and fellow pets!

Another glorious weekend in the record books. As if I didn’t get my full dose of socializing and party this weekend at Pride Fest, I made sure to seal the deal last night.  I want to tell you about one of Chicago’s coolest canine events that happens each and every Tuesday!

What I mean to tell you about is the West Town Pup Crawl!

Each Tuesday since May, a host of hound happy hangouts open their patios to Malteses, Mastiffs and mutts alike. I toured the town last night and let me tell you– it’s a great time (see: trivia, discounted appetizers  and general frivolity). Each Tuesday the proceeds are donated to a different dog oriented  charity. The event kicks off at 6pm each Tuesday thru the end of September.

For a list of charities and info about the ruff! ruff! route, see: this link! 

xo,

Dora

What a week it has been! Saturday has finally arrived and the weather is just the cat’s pajamas in Chicago. (Give it up– cats are notorious for having exquisite sleep attire.) I’m going to try and convince Amy to duck out for a lakeside stroll today before we head over to the Pride Fest mañana. There is no better place to see or be seen on a summer day in this city than along the lake.

Anyway! We’ve been working our tails off at the Pet Hydration People! Good gravy! This week has been a whirlwind of launches, photo shoots, meetings, introductions and power lunches. I am so proud to say that Licks®is finally up for sale on our site! Check it out here! This could get any old dog’s tail wagging because– up until now– you could only find it at select brick and mortar locations. And!! The Joint + Heart formula has been so popular for daily use, we have added a thirty pack of Licks® Liquid Vitamin™ packets to the family too.

Tuesday and Wednesday were photo shoot days! The line was photographed and I got to do a bit of modeling. I’ll post a couple *behind the scenes* photos, so you can get a look at the glamorous life.  Not that I really like to admit it, but from time-to-time I am a little spoiled. And the shoot was no exception, see: two Licks packets. I’m almost blushing with gluttony, but truthfully my knees and hips feel like they can go on forever.

We’ve been scouting out shops in Chicago this week for potential Licks® retail locations too. We’ve had a small, but mighty following here already, but it’s time to take it to the next level. The Windy City is pretty doggone health conscious and pet friendly; it’s exciting to introduce the liquid vitamin (and some of that Roasted Chicken flavor) to even more pooches’ dog water!

Alright, I won’t bore you with the rest of my schedule! Get out there, enjoy the day and play hard… because sleeping is always better when you do!

Hope to see some of you at Pride or at the lakeside this weekend!

xo,

Dora

“Fur Fluffing” I’ve been growing out my locks, in case you couldn’t tell! Here I am getting my beach waves tousled a little before the shoot!

My mode of choice right now– straight from the packet!

I’ve put together a little list (in no paw-ticular order) of some of my favorite flats.

Modernist Lounges

The Cubix House! This is a German designed modern masterpiece! Cool vaulted ceilings and a giant front window make it hard to feel claustrophobic inside.

Ok! Admittedly, this two story walk up doesn’t come in at bargain basement cheap, but! it’s so smartly designed! The included step stool means you’re kept off the ground and out of the way of the elements. It’s designed by a group called Mogis and comes in orange or white.

Operetta Pet Bed, designed by Kenneth Cobonpue. This modern dwelling looks like a mini amphitheater! Stay in on all the action with it’s open end- plus! it’s great for the beach!

 Luxurious & Lavish

Ottoman Empire? Medieval Times? Just plain posh? No matter your fascination, this stylish paisley place is just the spot to saunter off into dreamland.

Harlequin Printed Pet Bed. It’s so royally chic in it’s simplicity. This inexpensive bed looks far more rich than it’s price tag reads.

This Imperial Looking Palace is made completely by hand. It looks like it could have been taken straight from the Forbidden City in China. There wasn’t a single detail left out!

Outdoorsy Options for the Camping Canine

Custom Airstream trailers, just our size. These nostalgic looking pads are so fun, even if you’re just having a stay-cation. Just like camping, you have to go outside to eat your food… but stay away from the s’mores, you know better!

Wagwear’s TeePee is a “with it” way to go camping. The waterproof shell protects you from the elements and the orange piping adds some flair. Outdoor enthusiasts- this is for you!

Camping is about more than just roughing it! This designer hammock makes star gazing a total breeze!

Gone Green

Not only does the garden rroooof-top look great, but it soaks up some of the heat on this outside homestead. These sustainable shelters come in lots of different styles and colors- it’s really hard to choose. They are all made in the U.S.!

As well as having a cool space-aged look, this house is also 100% recycled! It’s made from plastic bottles.

These retro “upcycled” dog beds are so hip! Each one is made from vintage luggage or briefcases that have been revamped to hold a cushy upholstered bed. There were so many on etsy to choose from, this gray and red plaid bed seemed like a fun masculine option.

Happy house hunting!

xo

Dora

or Sumo, the English Bulldog!

Have fun clicking… and don’t feel bad.. I drooled a little too from laughing so hard!

xo

Dora

+PLUSes+ 

• Kids are out of school [and that means that more people are outside and want to pet you]
• Backyard Picnics [yummy food spreads are out for the single purpose of sharing!]
• Sprinklers!!! [petite mid-walk cool downs are never more plentiful than on a residential road in the summer ]
• Extended walks (on the beach sometimes too!) [even if your owner gets cold feet the rest of the year, things are always different in the warmer months when it comes to summer strolls]
• Swimming [or should I say... ahem... "doggie paddling"]
• Look-a-like Contests [well, they always seem to happen in Summer. Amy and I usually do pretty well!]

-MINUSes-

• Fire hydrants are opened [an entire year's worth of work, just gets washed down the drain]
• Fireworks [enough said]
• Heat [even though I switch to my summer coat, you don't always feel great in those high temperatures!]
• Seeing other dogs in the backseat of parked cars  [  ]

It’s been a long while since I wrote last (especially considering I operate in dog years)! But fear not, loyal followers, there has been much excitement and I have mucho to tell you about.

Over the past few months, Amy and I have traveled across country several times. We have been in research labs, dog parks, bakeries, coffee shops.. where do I begin? We’ve been tweaking the Licks formula and packaging and have made it better than ever. As her trusty side kick (and *official* taste tester), I can’t tell you how excited I am. To all of my canine readers, this one goes out to you! We have a new roasted chicken flavor that is going to make you wish you wore socks.. because it’s going to knock your paws off!

Stay tuned! I’m gearing up for a big weekend in New York and will fill you in with the details soon.

xo

Dora

Ingredient Facts:

“Meat Meal” is the material from rendering plants that is sent to pet food manufacturers; whereas the ingredient “Meat by-products” comes directly from the slaughter houses to pet food manufacturers and does not involve rendering.

“Meat By-Products” are defined by AAFCO as clean parts of slaughtered animals other than the meat. Under AAFCO guidelines, acceptable meat by-product includes animal lungs, spleens, kidneys, brains, livers, blood, bones, low-temperature fatty tissue.

However, most concerning are those AAFCO acceptable meat by-products which are not legal for
human consumption which includes, livers infested with worms, liver diseased with cirrhosis, lungs with pneumonia, entire carcasses that are deemed unfit for human (and not just the by-products get included), parts of animals with
stick marks—injection sites on the flesh which get cut from the carcasses for human consumption.

“Meat Meal” or the meat related product which arrives at pet food manufacturers from rendering plants, is possibly the most alarming ingredient in pet food today.  This is a highly unregulated area of food processing due to its history.  As a large source of revenue for California’s animal rendering facilities, the $19 billion pet food industry, meat meal is exported from California plants to China.

China uses meat meal (also called “tankage”) for two main purposes: a primary ingredient in pet food and feed for its human food fish farms (typically Tilapia, Cod, Shrimp and Squid farms).  Approximately 75% of these farmed species sold
in the US are from China.

Yes, that is what I said, what I am about to tell you about these pet food ingredients also applies to the human food supply chain.

Tankage AKA “meat and bone meal” is classified as mammal parts that have been put through the rendering process i.e. ground, heated to release fat and drive off moisture, percolated to drain off the free fat, then pressed to remove any remaining fat from the solids.

In the state of California, euthanized dogs and cats are specifically classified as mammals legally used for rendering tankage or “Meat Meal”.

Let that sink in for a second, three out of the four shrimp you ate this year, were feed cats and dogs.

Experts believe that almost all of the “Meat Meal” used in pet food contains euthanized dogs and cats!

Beware of all injestable products making their way from China to the US.  Even some “All Natural” companies, like the Happy Hips®, made by Dogswell, chicken dog treats come from China.