MilkOpet review - a.k.a. my dog, the cat

MilkOpet: Rethink milk.

I swear sometimes I think my dog is a cat.

She washes her face and feet like a cat.

She is not fond of water and loathes getting a bath.

She is more than a little aloof and spectacularly independent.

And she loves milk. Or in this case, MilkOpet.

I spent some time chatting with Doug from MilkOpet when I attended the BlogPaws conference in May. (Actually I spent some time loving on his beautiful Labrador and then he and I started talking about the product but I digress...)

What is MilkOpet?

"MilkOpet® is our range of nutritionally enhanced Lactose free milks for dogs in their main life stage groups, Puppy, Adult Dogs, and Less Active Dogs."

I wasn't exactly sure what the point of the product was but Doug explained to me that it could be used towards a variety of ends:

• It can be used as a simple treat or snack to re-hydrate your dog after play or exercise.
• Or added to dry food to provide additional moisture and flavor.
• And, while dogs who are stressed during travel may not be inclined to eat, they are often enticed by a tasty drink.

One carton of MilkOpet provides all the necessary vitamins and minerals to use as a meal replacement and, since it doesn't have to be refrigerated, it is easy to pack along for the ride. Plus it provides hydration as well as nutrition.

As mentioned, it can be used as a snack or in our case, it can be used to get the finicky dog to take her medicine.

I have written on several occasions of the difficulties we have getting Bella to take her medicine because she is a very fussy eater. We have jumped through all sorts of hoops to get her to take her pills but even things she likes one day have been known to fail on others.

On top of that, Bella has some tummy issues that we have to deal with so our options for what we feed her are limited. She has Colitis (apparently very common among nervous and anxious dogs) and is on a prescription diet to help her with that.

But of course, getting Bella to eat plain dry kibble is a feat beyond measure.

I believe the word you are looking for is
"nopenopenopenopenopenopenope".

That'd be a whole lot of "Nope".

So please indulge me while I go on a MilkOpet rave here today. Because it has had all the lactose removed, Bella's tummy loves it. And because it's milk, Bella loves it, too.

We've been pouring just a tablespoon or two on her dry kibble at feeding times and lo and behold, she is eating it all right up.

And that's a really big deal in this house.

Additionally, it can be really difficult to get Bella to eat during storms which is when she especially needs to take her medicine. But even when stressed, Bella will still drink this stuff up.



It's not inexpensive but if you're using it like we are, it's no more expensive than a high quality canned dog food. Right now, it's only available at a few locations near us but it is available online through Pet Food Direct and Pet 360. (I don't get anything for mentioning that. Just sayin'.)

There's a lot more nutritional information on their website as well as an explanation of the science behind it. If you're curious, you should check it out.

MilkOpet comes in 3 varieties: puppy, adult, less-active.

Disclaimer: We were given some MilkOpet products to test but anyone who knows me can tell you the opinions expressed herein are my own.

Cloud Star "Dynamo" Dog Treats Review

Life with a crazy dog is never simple. A few weeks ago, I was contacted by Jon at Cloud Star, the makers of Buddy Biscuits and purveyors of the "Wag More, Bark Less" meme. Jon was offering us the opportunity to test and review their new "Dynamo Dog Functional" line of treats.

We were familiar with Cloud Star's Buddy Biscuits and I noted in my reply to Jon that Bella may have even liked them - high praise coming from Little Miss "I Eat Slugs But Turn My Nose Up At Honest Kitchen" Finicky-Pants. I warned Jon that when it comes to Bella, there's no accounting for taste. But I was intrigued by the new offerings so agreed to do the review as long as they didn't mind if I hired out the taste test to our neighbor's dog if Bella refused to cooperate.

The new "Dynamo Dog Functional" treats are formulated to help keep our dogs looking and feeling their best. There is a Skin & Coat formula made with salmon oil and vitamin E and a Hip & Joint formula with glucosamine and chondroitin.

But it was the Tummy formula that got our attention.

What? Me, worry?

You see, recently Bella was unofficially diagnosed with Colitis. I say "unofficially" because the diagnosis is based on symptoms as opposed to doing a colonoscopy or Trypsin-Like Immunoreactivity Test. But it's apparently not an uncommon among high-anxiety dogs.

As a result, Bella is on a prescription diet but still has occasional flare-ups when things get a little too stirred up around here. We were hoping that the Tummy formula might provide just the little bit extra support during especially stressful times. And we had the opportunity to test that theory just days after we got the treats to review.

The first time we sent Bella to Boston for the steroid injection in her shoulder, she was such a good girl but boy did she (we) pay for the trauma we subjected her to the next day. Poor, poopy puppy.

Are you going to give that to me or what?

We got the treats from Cloud Star a few days before Bella was scheduled to go back to Boston for the second injection and started her on them right away. She survived the trip and we survived her constitutional outings afterwards.

Cloud Star's Tummy formula has added pumpkin, ginger and probiotics - ingredients we've used separately in the past to help ease her tummy. And while we're not about to take Bella off her prescription diet, it's nice to have a little extra digestive support in the form of simple treat to help keep her bathroom habits consistent even under duress.

And as for simple? Well, that depended on Bella. Would she actually just eat the treat or would she turn her nose up at it unless we wrapped it in Pill Pockets or hid it in her canned Tripe dinner?

"She likes it. Hey Mikey!"

That's right folks, not only did the Tummy treat work, Miss Finicky-Pants actually LIKED them!

Bella liked the treats and the Tummy version really did seem to help. They're not smelly or slimy and break easily into smaller bites. The fact they are grain-free, gluten-free and made in the U.S. are just more reasons why we're giving Cloud Star's "Dynamo Dog Functional" two paws (and one ear) up. Thanks, Cloud Star, Bella is definitely "a Dynamo Dog" now.

Disclaimer: We were given a sample of treats to try but anyone who knows me, knows my opinions are all my own.

If I Should Die Before My Dog - Signed Book Giveaway

Last month, we were invited to join a 'book tour' featuring "If I Should Die Before My Dog". We were very moved by our experience of thinking and talking about a plan for Bella's future were it ever not to include us. And we highly recommend the book to anyone who loves a dog.

This month, the authors have given the bloggers who participated in the tour the opportunity to offer a signed copy of the book to 5 lucky winners. Use the Rafflecopter below to enter for a chance to win. And good luck!

PS - We'll be back next week with more "Adventures in Reactive Agility". Thanks for your patience.

---

This dogtastic giveaway has been brought to you by authors Joe and Cathy Connolly
and Beck Valley Booksand Pets With Opinions

Giveaway ends on Sunday 3rd March at 11.59pm EST A Dog Lovers lasting guide.......

A beautifully illustrated interactive book that one fills in all of the information about their dogs life in the event they can no longer care for them to help ensure your pets are taken care of.

A thought provoking check list for dog lovers, who unfortunately and with much sadness can no longer take care of their dog.

This book will assist those who want to prepare for their dogs future in an easy to use format that will guide them through the process of telling the "story" of their dogs life, for their pets "Next Guardian".

None of us can predict the future, but in the event situations arise such as death, health impairment or left with no other choice but to give them up, this book will be there to assist your beloved pet with the transition from one home to another

Book review: "If I should die before my dog -"

Most of us have experienced the pain of losing a beloved pet. But I wonder how many have given much thought to how our pet would feel were they to suddenly lose us?

What would happen to them? Who would feed them? Who would take them for walks, understand their needs and know that they prefer the yellow duck to the green dragon to sleep with at night?

Authors Joe and Cathy Connolly have thought about all those questions and wrote "If I Should Die Before My Dog -" to get you thinking about it, too.

"If I Should Die Before My Dog -" is a workbook that helps guide pet parents through the process of preparing a new life for your dog in the event you are no longer able to take care of them. Told from the perspective of your dog, the book addresses the dog's health and heritage, likes and fears and tricks and treats.

And it does so in great detail.

Joe and Cathy don't just ask the requisite questions like "Who's my vet?" and "How much do I eat?" They ask if the dog likes to go to the vet or is afraid. They ask about the kind of food the dog eats and if they're allowed table scraps and what their favorite snack is. They ask what kinds of medications the dog takes and give plenty of room to elaborate on past or current medical concerns.

When I described the book to my husband, Jan, he joked that the book wouldn't be a best-seller because it's too difficult a subject for people to think about. Actually, I found in reading it to be quite the opposite. Aside from a short introduction, the book doesn't focus on loss. It focuses on love: the love you have for your dog.

You are given the chance to "tell their story" and I spent the time reading the book thinking of all of Bella's quirks and talents. How far she has come, how well she communicates and how the book gave me a place to write all that down.

Difficult thoughts

I have to admit, this book was very difficult for Jan and I to talk about because of who Bella is - a fearful, reactive dog with occasional owner-directed aggression issues. We can't even come up with a good answer to the very first question: "Where will I go now?" It's uncomfortable to think and talk about this but in doing so we have come up with some ideas and plan to put them into action. This book forced us to confront that reality and will hopefully help Bella were the unthinkable ever to happen.

I hope everyone who has a dog they love in their life will read this book and think about their answers. And if you don't know the answers? Maybe you need to go spend some quality time with your dog.

Review Tuesday: Printcopia Printcopia

Recently I was contacted by one of the good folks over at PRINTCOPIA to take a look at their website and review their products. Their tagline is: "PRINTCOPIA creates eye-catching wall art out of your photos!" and, I have to tell you, they really do.

They offered me a free 8x10 canvas print to check out their work and I jumped at the chance. It's not like I don't have a few bazillion photos of Bella hanging around. In fact, I have so many pictures of her that I had to ask you folks to help me decide which picture to use for the review.

That was certainly the hardest part of the process because, once it was decided which picture I would use, it only took about 15 minutes to upload, tweak and order my print. And that's only because I'm a whacky fanatic about both my pictures and technology - hey, it's a review, I had to put it through it's paces, right?

And put it through its paces I did. And I am happy to say, it passed with flying colors. I'm a web developer by trade so I can be pretty hard on web applications but PRINTCOPIA really did live up to my expectations. The site was easy to use and there were enough options to be able to customize my print but not so many that it made the choices feel overwhelming.

Click on the picture for better detail.

It didn't take long at all after ordering to receive the print and the delivered product was really very good quality. The image quality is superb and the canvas material gives the product an artistic feel. The colors are deep and rich. And the seams are tight - the whole thing is just nicely done. It comes with a little hanging clip so you could put it right on your wall although mine is propped up on my desk right now.

Some of the options they offer on the site range from physical frames to modest or even considerable touch-ups (although I can't speak to the these features as I didn't use them.) And I really love the fact that you can upload directly from Facebook and Instagram.

The only real complaint I have is that in order to use a picture that is formatted for portrait orientation (rather than landscape), you have to select a custom canvas size height and width. That's not a big deal - it doesn't seem to cost any more to use the custom sizing - but it struck me as a minor oversight that could prevent frustration for the user community. Quibbles really.

PRINTCOPIA also offered me an 8x10 canvas print to give away to one of my readers so here's your chance to win a nice gift for the holidays. Just leave a comment letting me know you want to enter and then click on the Rafflecopter thingie there. (I've never hosted a giveaway nor utilized Rafflecopter on the blog so do please leave a comment letting me know you entered so I can make sure that even if things don't work correctly everyone who wants a chance to win gets to enter.)

What it looks like in 'real life'.

I'm quite pleased to be able to offer this as my first 'give-away'. So good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


PS - PRINTCOPIA has some sister sites that I did not work with but if they're anything like this one, they are probably quick and efficient offering good value. If I get the time, I will check them out and report back but if anyone else has already done so, please let us know in the comments.

car magnets * custom banners * cheap signs
Disclaimer: PRINTCOPIA gave me a free 8x10 canvas print to review their services but anyone who knows me can tell you my opinions are my own.  ;)

Paws up for Pawalla

--- Edited 8/28/2013 ---

On August 22, we received the following update in an email from Pawalla:

"It is with sincere regret that Pawalla is no longer operating as a subscription service."

We will let you know if/when we learn more.

--- End edit ---

Welcome to our first review here on Bringing up Bella.

Pawalla is a new monthly service that promises to bring "monthly deliveries of new tastes, treats, toys and joy!" for your dog or cat right to your door for about $26 (or less).

Given Bella's 'issues', and the fact that she takes medication to help care for those issues, I've been pretty fussy about what I agree to regarding review offers that find their way into our mailbox.

But Bella's even fussier than I am when it comes to treats and food.

That's right, the dog who eats slugs, compost and even more unsightly unmentionables has the nerve to turn her nose up at such banal treats as Milk Bone dog biscuits. I kid you not.

So when the nice people at Pawalla offered us a trial package of their new service to review, I felt obligated to explain to them that Bella might not like their offerings. My assumption was that the products they would provide for that $26/month would be somewhere in the neighborhood of grocery store quality.

Luckily they didn't let the little princess' attitude (nor my ignorance) dissuade them from their offer and, after asking a few questions about Bella (mainly age and weight), they put a package together for her and sent it out.

Delivery was quick - just a few days from order to receipt. And the packaging was excellent - a sturdy box with several compartments holding the various items safely in place. There was even a personalized note inside hoping Bella enjoyed her box of goodies.

So what's in the box?

Pawalla's website notes that every month they will send (for dogs):

• 2 to 3 types of wet food
• 2 to 3 premium dog treats
• 1 to 2 quality supplements
• 1 to 3 nifty essentials or accessories and
• 1 specially selected toy or other surprise

What we received:

Click to see larger image.

• Mulligan Stew beef recipe canned food 13 oz
• Precise Holistic Complete canned food 5.5 oz (x2)
• Weruva Amazon Liver canned food 5.5 oz (x2)
• Medium 4.5" Kong Traxx Black Rubber Tire Dog Toy
• Kong chewy treats (x2 sample size)
• Nutrisca Raw Freeze Dried Chiecken Dinner Bites 5 oz
• Sam's Yams Sweet Potato Dog Chewz 5 oz
• Wapiti Labs Mobility with Elk Velvet Antler supplements (sample size)
• Tropiclean Fresh Breath Clean Teeth get 2 fl oz
• Wapiti Labs 4 inch Whole Elk Anter

They also include a write up about the different products included in the package.

I wasn't familiar with the dog foods so I did my research and found each brand to be rated 4 stars or higher on DogFoodAdvisor.com. (Note: I couldn't actually find a review of the Precise Holistic Complete canned formula but their dry formula received 4 stars.)

I also went out and priced each item to see what the package would cost were I to purchase it separately at retail. The retail item total came to about $60. Pawalla offers their service for $26 for a month to month subscription and discounts that price further if you sign up for an annual subscription.

Final thoughts

I was impressed with the service, delivery, packaging and quality of the products provided. Bella was impressed with the goodies, and she's a much tougher reviewer than I am. (Although I do find myself in the unfortunate position of figuring out what to do with the awesome Elk Antler that Bella wants no part of. Silly dog. Any suggestions?)

I am curious as to how they will maintain the quality of the products they provide as well as how many people will really take advantage of it. It's a great deal if they can maintain such quality. Although I'm not sure Bella needs a new toy every month, it might make for a nice local shelter donation here and there.

Overall, if you find yourself in a position to treat your dog to a box full of high quality treats and food, I would definitely recommend taking a look at Pawalla. Bella and I give them two thumbs and four paws way up.

Gift subscriptions are also available.

This just in: Use coupon code 'Bella' and save 20% on your first box! Thanks, Pawalla!