Loehmann's Juicy Dog Sweaters

Right now the local Loehmann's in Belmont Shore has a fun selection of little dog attire, including Juicy Couture velour sweaters just like the one pictured here. They also have several other really fun trendy boutique brands (think polka dots and leopard print stuff.) Check the website for printable coupons under the "this week" link... and then you can stock up for winter!

"Every Day Should Be Earth Day!"

A lot can be learned from the pure, enthusiastic exclamations of a three-year old.

Environmental Education can be a rather heady topic. From someone who's been required to sit through hour upon hour UPON HOUR of workshops on Global Warming, Pollution, Consumerism, Extinction, etc, etc,... I can attest to the fact that the subject is usually presented in an earnest tone that can feel, um... superdepressing. After listening to a lecture on the sad state of our planet's health, I'm not really inspired to wash my dishes with lemon slices. And I certainly do NOT have the energy to walk or bike home. All I want to do is take a bath (yes, an evil water-hogging BATH) and go to bed.

While fear and guilt are (strangely) excellent motivators for many adults ("Recycle your apple sauce container or we will all be dead by 2027!!!"), when working with children, and with preschoolers in particular, such tones & techniques are not an option. This makes my "non-dog job" (teaching preschool environmental education classes) reallyreally great; I have to (get to!) think outside of the box, and approach ultraserious issues from a creative, friendly perspective which puts emphasis on one thing and one thing alone: simply kindling curiosity; instilling a sense of wonder in the natural world. Feeling an intimacy with nature creates a unique, unforced and valuable sense of stewardship...one that flows purely from joy. This is true for both children and adults. The best way to save the planet? ...just go outside. Make a commitment to spend some time outdoors every single day.

These are some of my favorite child-oriented, "little kid" outdoorsy activities you can do together in your own backyard:

Reading (instead of plopping down on the sofa, grab a huge old blanket and pillows and head for the lawn. Get some animal puppets to stand in as guest storytellers. Give them silly accents. Lady the London Ladybug is very popular...)

Eating (lazy weekday picnics trump busy weekend BBQs.)

Bug Hunting (...with bug boxes & careful fingers. Count legs. Official insects have six legs. Notice colors, shapes, and sizes. What do they eat? How do they move? What sounds do they make? Hey Little Ant is a great pre-k prep book for smush-obsessed little ones; talk about how ants have families, too. )

Tree Hugging Walks (notice the texture of bark, see how it varies from tree to tree. Pick your favorite tree. Give him or her a name. Draw a picture or take a photo to frame. Say hi whenever you pass your tree on future walks.)

Nature Theme Walks (put on your "owl eyes" and pick something specific to look for on your walk: the color yellow, birds, flowers etc. WARNING: a roly poly walk may take you two hours and you might only travel a few feet away from your front porch.)

Sensory Walks (put on "your rabbit ears" and listen for mysterious sounds, and try to figure out what made them. Use your "raccoon paws" to look for "bumpy things" or "smooth things," or use your "coyote noses" to find some "things that smell.")

Mystery Touch Bags (put one item like a feather, leaf, toy car, small book, etc. in a non-see-through "touch bag" and let your child feel inside and try to guess what the mystery item is by using their sense of touch only. Try a few different items, one at a time.)

Animal Walk Walks (move like a bunny, then move like a snake, then move like a bird...)

Animal Hokey Pokey (focus on the body parts of one critter, and then put your squirrel tail in, or your fish fins out... etc.)

Butterfly Walks (make some butterfly wings or coffee filter butterflies. Fly from flower to flower. Why do you think butterflies are always hanging out on flowers?)

Leaf Man Making (prep with the book The Leaf Man and create leaf moms, dads, kids, or critters. Give them names. Talk about where they might travel.... and be prepared for really fun answers. Take a picture and then go back the next day to see if the leaf creature is still hanging around... or has already begun traveling.)

Hide and Seek

Kite Flying

Water/Sand Table Fun (equip with measuring cups, spoons, droppers. Use food coloring in the water sometimes. Discover how some colors can combine to make other colors. Switch out sand for textured solids like pasta, rice, etc.)

Flotation Testing (gather several small items and head for a pond, pool, water table, sink, or bath tub. Test each item one by one, and discover what floats and what sinks. )

Measurement Concept Experimentation (use a natural item like a twig or leaf, and use it measure different things around you... "my dump truck is three twigs tall... my foot is one twig long" etc. Make simple comparisons by asking which of two items is smaller, or larger.)

Backyard Overnight Camping (Pitch a tent and sleepover as a family.)

Sidewalk Chalk Drawing

Mud Finger Painting (another HUGE favorite.)

Puddle Splashing

Bubble Blowing

Leaf Pile Play (rake, then jump & crunch.)

Garbage Monster Making (create creatures using "trash" type materials like old clothing, scrap paper, broken plastic from toys, etc. The Book The Garbage Monster is great prep. What is trash, exactly? This book talks about the difference between trash, recyclables, and reusables. Plus, kids just love monsters! Teachers can get great materials for art projects like this from Trash For Teaching. )

Reusable Sound Shakers (fill an empty bottle, can, or box with natural items like seeds, twigs, rice, or beans, to create an instrument. Decorate with markers, etc. Shake it to some animal-themed songs... "The Zebra Dance", by Jungaliah Jones is ideal.)

Shelter Building (use branches, etc... like on survivor.)

Pet Rock/ Gnome Stones (paint a smooth medium/large river rock. Will he need eyes, ears, a nose, and a mouth? Name him or her, and put your pet rock in the garden to help keep the plants company.)

Nest Making (use the natural materials on the ground. Talk about the kind of bird that would like your nest... a big bird, a small bird? Why do you think nests are round?)

Painting (use an easel & different brushes, sponges... try painting with natural tools like sticks, feathers, etc.)



Imaginary Painting (use a paintbrush and plain water and have your kids paint absolutely anything they want... benches, swings, the fence, the sidewalk...!)

Shadow Hand Puppets

Gopher Tunneling (also fun inside on rainy days. Gather together large cardboard boxes and line them up so they make a tunnel. Pretend you are an underground animal; a gopher, groundhog, a worm, or a snake.)

Star Gazing

Spider Serenading (if you spot one, stop to sing them the Itsy Bitsy song.)

Plant Seeds (and monitor the growth. What do plants need to grow? What do we need to grow?)

Grow Vegetables (then prepare them together for eating. Mash potatoes, use hands to mix salad, put marinades in ziplock bags and shake, etc. Eating what you've grown is fun, and being a part of the cooking process can suddenly make icky veggies taste yummy... great for picky eaters.)

Garden Hand Print Stepping Stones (create a plaster stepping stone featuring your child's hand prints. Push in marbles as a decorative mosaic frame.)

Bird Feeder Making/Watching (hang one somewhere where you can spy on the birds from an inside window. Keep a pair of pretend binoculars nearby.)

Pretend Binocular Spying (create these versions for walks, spying, etc. using toilet paper rolls taped together & decorated with markers, etc.)

Nature Investigating (pass out magnifying glasses and broadly announce that they should "look for clues...")

Lady Bug Releasing (take a trip to your local nursery and buy a family of (native, please) ladybugs to release in your backyard. Explain how ladybugs help the garden.)

Sun Tea Brewing (I like to use a caffeine-free mint tea, add a little sugar, and set it out all day in a clear jar in the sunshine. You can also have your child help wash fresh mint (that you've purchased at the store, or better yet, grown in the garden) and add that to the jar. Check in to notice if the color of the tea changes over time... is the jar getting warm?)

There are endless things to do outside, and a great part of it all is that most of these things are free, too! Instead of investing lots of money on plastic toys and stuff that runs on batteries, it's easy (and fun!) to invest in helping nurture your child's connection to the natural world :)

"If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we live in." ~Rachel Carson, the world's most superawesome ecologist ever-ever-ever.

Dog Digging Solutions

Different dogs dig for different reasons. The best way to troubleshoot digging is to try to identify what might be causing the behavior.

1) Some dogs dig to create their own spot to cool off in. This is a coping technique dogs have used throughout history... and it works! (take a look around your yard and make sure your dog has plenty of fresh water and a consistent shade source. Remember that shade moves during the day.)

2) Some dogs dig to mimic their human family members (limit your dog's view of any gardening activities so he doesn't feel the need to "help out with your digging project" while you're away.)

3) Some dogs dig to get out, escape, and roam. Even if your dog comes back, and does not get lost, dogs who run off can be attacked by other dogs, be hurt by abusive humans, be taken to animal control, or even get hit by cars (have your dog spayed or neutered, and/or consult with a contractor about creating a cement perimeter around your fencing. If spaying/neutering is not an option, your dog should be house trained, and then allow supervised outside play only.)

4) Some dogs dig to get at an underground critter like a mole (seek out an ecofriendly pest control specialist.)

5) Some dogs dig because their nails are too long (take them to a groomer.)

6) Some dogs dig because they're bored (give them a Busy-Brain Toy to occupy their time while you are away, or enroll them in doggie daycare.)

7) Some dogs dig because they aren't getting enough exercise (tire dogs out with lots of long, wonderful walks. Unless specified by a vet for special medical reasons, all dogs big, small, young, and old, usually really need two walks a day. Anything less than one walk a day I would consider cruel. Dogs who don't go for walks on a regular basis can get really nutty. If you don't have the time yourself, consider hiring a dog walker.)

8) Some dogs dig because they feel isolated and want your attention (because dogs are pack animals, it's unkind to exclude dogs from the rest of the family for long periods of time. Be sure they get lots of positive time with the family, preferably both outside and inside your home. Doggie daycare is also an option for superbusy families.)

(9) Some dogs dig because it's in their blood! Some breeds were bred (for instance, terriers) specifically to hunt for burrowing/underground animals. Even if they've never been taught by you to do so, they will have a genetic urge to dig! Some dogs will dig regardless of their breed because... it's just FUN to dig! (in both of these cases, the easiest remedy is to give your dog a special digging spot /sandbox type space. Clearly delineate the boundaries and encourage your dog to dig just there by using praise and hiding toys filled with yummy treasure treats! For detailed directions, see my Creative Puppy-Proof Garden Tips post.)

Tasty Kong Stuffers for Clever Dogs

Kongs are one of my favorite "Busy Brain" type toys. They're great for keeping a bored, lonesome, or mischievous pup quiet and focused while you're away (or otherwise preoccupied.) While kongs seem to have been the first on the market, today there are lots of different brands of treat-fillable kong-like toys made with different materials, in varying shapes, sizes, textures, and colors. The premise remains universal: the center of the toy is hollow so it can be filled with supertasty treats, and in order to get them out, your dog must use his brain, creativity, and persistence.

When introducing the toy, start off with easy-to-get-to yummies that will roll out with little effort (so your dog gets the idea.) Then start stuffing with more complication, so getting to the treats requires greater concentration.

"Savor the Flavor" Tips:

1) Try soaking the toy in a bowl of plain chicken broth in the fridge overnight. The flavor and odors will often soak into the toy and make it irresistible even when the treats have all been gobbled up!

2) Try freezing your concoctions (especially in the summer.)

3) For kongs specifically: try heating the kong up in the microwave for 15 seconds to bring out the flavors (this is a tip straight from the kong website, so it's been tested by the specific manufacturer...) Be sure to let the kong cool before giving it to your dog.

4) Sometimes use single stuffers, other times try mixing up different combinations to keep things interesting (invent your own recipes: one smushy item plus one crunchy, etc.)

Treat Stuffer Ideas: As always, remember to stay away from potentially harmful foods (see previous post), keep the portions small in order to avoid tummy trouble, and check with your vet for any dietary/allergy concerns specific to your pet. These are some fun things to try stuffing your kong (& kong-like) toys with:

Meaty Stuffer Stuff:

plain chicken (carefully remove all bones)

dog pupperoni-type treats

hot dogs (the healthier varieties, please!)

frozen chicken broth (plain, no onions, as onions can be toxic)

turkey (plain)

steak scraps (plain; remember, no onion)

Crunchy Stuffer Stuff:

dog food kibble

carrot chunks

apple chunks

frozen apple juice

cheerios-type cereal (low/no sugar, healthy varieties are best)

dog treats

Smushy Stuffer Stuff:

peanut butter (natural style is healthiest)

wet dog food

mashed potatoes (plain, cooled)

cheese (but only in very small doses, please, as dairy can cause digestive problems)

rice (plain, cooled)

pasta (plain, cooled)

pumpkin

kong brand stuff'n paste (in a can)

plain yogurt (again, in very small doses)

scrambled egg (cooled)

Squishy Stuffer Stuff:

watermelon

cantaloupe

blueberries

green beans

Fun Pet Expo Products

Despite the BLAZING SUN & heat, this year's Pet Expo was really fun. I went with one of my trainer friends (Carroll from the Santa Ana PETCO) and her toddler. There were all sorts of dog rescue groups and other animal displays (including fancy cats, exotic birds, ENORMOUS reptiles, funky hairless rodents, llamas, ponies, fish... any pet you can imagine), and lots of vendors selling every pet-related thing on Earth. I wound up spending quite a bit on new dog toys for my class socialization playtimes (and I also spent quite a bit on water, which, by the way, was selling for the highway robbery price of $4 a bottle!!!) These are some of my favorite finds:

My very favorite item at the expo was The Humunga Tongue, by Moody Pet. It's basically a rubber ball with a long tongue-shaped appendage. Your dog bites onto the ball and tada... it creates the silly illusion of a gigantic tongue! Every dog in America should have this toy!

I also found a great "busy brain" toy by Premier called the Busy Buddy Twist 'N Treat. It looks sort of like a fat purple flying saucer, and it unscrews in the middle so you can fill it with puppy snacks. I'd seen their bone toy before, but never this squashy-ball-shaped version. As with all fantastic puppy puzzle toys, the goal is for your dog to figure out how to get to the treats. It's adjustable, so you can make the treats easy to get to for beginners, or more difficult for those dogs who are well-seasoned pros.

One of the vendors had Tuffie's Giant Dino Toys, which truly live up to their name: they are HUGE toys (ideal for large breeds) and they are very very tough for a "furry toy" (PVC in the center, covered by two layers of supersturdy nylon, topped with one layer of fleece for stuffed-animalesque softness.) The Dinos available include: Pterodactyl, Stegosaurus, Triceratops, Tyrannosaurus, and "Tuffzilla" (who stands almost 3 feet high!) These guys are so ferociously cute that if you have kids, I guarantee they will want to Dinonap them!

Cambria: Dog Friendly Vacation Destination

I was recently lucky enough to spend a few days visiting with my parents in Cambria. For those of you who don't know, Cambria is a tree-filled, oceany, Central California coastal community located smack-dab between L.A. and S.F. (around 250 miles North of Belmont Shore.) Anyways. While reminiscing about my trip, I came to a strange realization: I would have had just as much fun there... if I was a dog! Though my husband and I had visited without any canine companions, almost all of our activities were potentially pup-inclusive:

Fiscalini Ranch Trails: I absolutely love this place, and whatdoyaknow...polite, rule-following dogs are welcome! There are all sorts of different hiking trails that run along the water and wind through the forests & hilly grasslands. One trail which parallels the ocean (located off of Windsor) is partly boardwalk-style & made of wooden planks (this is where we met the cutest fuzzy Sheltie puppy who was practicing loose-leash walking with her mom.) From the oceanside trail you can watch the waves crash, feel the wind, and be on the lookout for playful otters and migrating whales. All-dirt trails meander up into the hillside (see photo above), where we saw a multitude of insects, wildflowers, and a superchunky lizard (not exactly sure which kind... just that it wasn't one of the gang of Western Fence Lizards that have taken over the turf at our Nature Center back at home...) My favorite Fiscalini trail loops through the pines and oaks. The forest is host to squirrels, deer, and a ton of different kinds of birds. Humans and dogs aren't the only ones using the trails, which is evidenced by all the various wildlife scat (feces) around (this is an occasion when the "leave it" command will come in handy!) Not to be gross, but scat is also a fascinating find for most preschoolers, coming in second only to rolie polie sightings (preschoolers can spot scat a mile away, and proceed to describe the content in exceptional detail: "that one has berries... that one is furry..." etc.) While walking this trail, you'll also want to help your little ones (both human and canine) avoid trampling through any overgrown tendrils of poison oak. We met a very handsome (and huge!) Irish Setter who seemed to be navigating quite well and with great enthusiasm. Although wandering the trails without guidance is fun as-is, for ultimate nature lovers & my beloved science nerds, the Friends of the Fiscalini Ranch schedules special Naturalist-led tours which highlight the incredible biological diversity of the area.

Driving back from the ranch trails, we passed the Cambria Pines Lodge. This is one of the loveliest places to stay in Cambria (see photo above.) Not only are dogs welcome as guests, but the Lodge also has a restaurant which allows doggie diners in the outdoor patio area (with reservations.) The restaurant has a delicious overall menu, offers room service (yay to room service!) and has a great Sunday brunch, as well (yum!)

Before arriving in town, my mom had informed me that "a new shop!" had opened up. New shops are a rare occurrence in Cambria, so of course we had to go check it out. It's called Le Monde Chiens (above, at 1940 Main Street) and it happens (dundundun) to be a pet-stuff boutique and bakery (or "barkery.") They carry the cutest apparel (cozy argyle sweaters and Kwigy Bo items), pet collar charms (Mom bought Scooby some heart-shaped bling), and a wide selection of tasty, fresh-baked treats. The treat bakery is towards the back of the store, and opens up to a darling outdoor snacking deck. Anyone is welcome to drop in to shop, but if you become a "Platinum Member" at Le Monde Chiens (dues are only a mere $20 a year!... yes, a mere $20!) you get all sorts of discounts and even a Thank You Party thrown for you, your dog, and five guests, complete with a doggie cake, beverages, & a gift! Call me crazy, but what a great excuse to celebrate your pup's birthday! It's the perfect weekend road trip inspiration! Besides all this substance, I must note that this place also has style. The ambiance is adorably Amelie-esque, quirky-Frenchish; all done up in pinks and browns, with happy smatterings of polka-dots & stripes. Plus, the employees are really supernice. It's complete puppy (& puppy-lover) Heaven.

Like most dog-loving communities, Cambria would not be complete without a dog park. The Cambria Dog Park is located on Main Street in the East end of town, near Santa Rosa Creek Road & Highway 1. The space is designated in the middle of a wide open field, and the surrounding view of the trees is something all species can appreciate. As we were leaving for home, we drove by and witnessed two labs romping in the sun. Although small in stature, this dog park is clean, obviously well-loved, and superduperpretty (much like the entire town, itself.)

Visiting SoCalers often find Cambria a great getaway spot, and for puppy parents in particular, it makes the absolute ideal doggie destination!

Free Greenies Samples (Yum!)

Greenies are superyummy dog chew treats that canines of all sizes, shapes, and ages seem to reallyreally love. They're made with chlorophyll, which helps with your dog's dental health (by freshening up doggy breath & keeping tartar under control.) The crisp, green, planty-taste-flavor appeals to pups who have those "your flower arrangement looks delicious!" urges (which makes Greenies an especially ideal treat choice for redirecting plant-eating behavior.)

However, if your dog is a chronic food gulper, please do not give your dog Greenies! Greenies were created for gnawing, chomping, chewing, crunching and slobbery-nibbling (& most dogs are quite happy to do just that.) The ingredients are normally digestible, but dogs who tend to gulp have been known to break off large pieces and even attempt to swallow Greenies whole (much like broken-off pieces of rawhide, these pieces can cause choking, and can also get caught in the intestinal tract, leading to serious pain and injury, emergency surgery, or even death.) Most pet parents know if their dog is a gulper (these dogs don't really seem to crunch or chew much... they sort of vacuum up their food, instead, and when examining the vomit of a gulper, you will usually see whole, intact pieces of kibble, etc.)

When giving your dog a Greenie (or any treat or toy), you can avoid possible complications by always: 1) choosing the appropriate size for your breed, 2) reading the directions on the packaging, and 3)observing/supervising your dog with the treat or chew toy.

Like many fabulous things in life, Greenies are not cheap! Happily, the Greenies People are willing to entice your dog into Greenies Addiction with a special free sample offer :)