Is this what your dog thinks?
Now, we’re all about cuddling and snuggling here; however, we do value a good night sleep as well. And, clearly, we know the dog ALWAYS win when it comes to a covers war.
That’s why we’ve gone out of our way to stock the best beds we can find so that your favorite fur friend has a place to go NEAR your bed at night. (Or, any time of day, really.)
One of our favorite beds is the Donut Bed by Bowser.
We love this bed for many reasons. It’s easy to keep clean…we mean like unzip the cover and throw it in the washing machine easy to clean. It’s filled with a “high fill” so the bed maintains its shape and cushiness for a VERY long time. AND it’s cover is very durable.
We stock sizes from extra small to extra large at both of our stores in a variety of patterns. Additionally, Bowser has fabric choices to match any decor that can be ordered just for you! Yes, a custom bed, just for your pooch. How cool is that?
Another favorite of ours is the Double Donut Bed by Bowser.
All the same benefits of the Donut Bed, with an extra bolster. PERFECT for dogs who love to snuggle and cuddle. It’s luxury at it’s finest for your fur friend.
So, if you’re looking at this post thinking…”hmmm…I wonder if I’d sleep better at night with more room in the bed?” The answer is, “Yes. Yes you would.”
Faster than a speeding rabbit! More powerful than a human holding a leash! Able to chew through a toy in a single chop!
It’s a bird!
It’s a plane!
It’s Destructo-Dog!
Does your dog work for a newspaper and wear glasses during the day then turn into the chewer of all things rubber when you aren’t around?
THEN YOU NEED THESE TOYS! (Sorry for shouting, but you really need these toys.)
Bionic toys are designed for indestructibility.
Now, we all know that no toy will ever be indestructible; however, this line sure does make a durable toy. In fact, Andy and AdreAnne were drawn to the toys when they saw the makers throwing them in a blender at the last trade show they attended.
Yes, a blender.
Bionic Rubber is made from FDA food-grade materials that is 100% recyclable, which you KNOW we love here at Two Bostons AND it’s dishwasher safe! You can’t get much better than that!
We carry four Bionic Toys for your Destructo-Dog.
The Bionic Bone. This great bone is made to fit the shape of your dog’s mouth and the ridges give your dog the feeling that he is chewing through the bone. It also has an open center that you can stuff with treats. And it floats…making it a great outdoor toy for summer fun!
The Bionic Stuffer. This excellent stuffer has different size openings for treats. It allows you feed your dog’s need to chew and indulge in some treats in the process. The different size openings allow you to decide how easy it will be for your dog to get at the treats. It’s the perfect toy to keep your chewer happy for hours.
The Bionic Toss N Tug. This awesome toy can be used as a tossing toy or for a quick game of tug of war. It floats, so it’s great for water play time. It is orange, so it’s easy to see. It’s flexible, so your dog has many options when picking it up.
The Bionic Ball. This ball is the same size as a tennis ball and you HAVE to see it bounce! Your dog will never know where it’s going to land next! Like the other Bionic toys, it floats and this one can be stuffed with treats too.
Check them out next time you’re at either of our stores!
West Paw Design is one of our favorite toys to recommend to tough chewers. And let’s face it, dogs LOVE to chew!
Their toys are made in the USA (right over in Montana) and come with a one time replacement guarantee. Which means, if your dog does happen to chew through this toy, they will REPLACE it for you! How cool is that?
AND, if that wasn’t cool enough, when you send back your toy to be replaced, they will recycle it and make more great toys from that material. Just another great reason to love West Paw Design.
These toys come in a variety of great shapes for hours of fun. They bounce, they float, and they are tough.
AdreAnne shows you all about these cool toys in this video: AdreAnne talks about West Paw Design
As many of you know, my dog Diesel has seasonal allergies that affect his skin and coat. He becomes irritated and licks himself raw.
One of my first instincts when this happens is to bathe him so that his skin irritation receives relief. And, if you’re like me, you sat in a bath of oatmeal as a child when you had the chicken pox ~ so, of course my first instinct was to look for a shampoo containing oatmeal.
Well, wouldn’t you know that I was reaching for the wrong stuff!
Now, I’m not anti-oatmeal. In fact, if it works for you and your pet, great! It’s not that oatmeal is intrinsically bad for dogs. In fact, it will soothe and moisturize; however, only when dealing with actual dry skin or irritation reactions to other shampoos. So, for me and my case, it is not the answer.
From what I have come to understand, oatmeal in shampoos is greatly overused and over-recommended. Dogs with allergies are actually irritated more by the oatmeal in most cases.
Allergy sensitive dogs have to have skin that is clear, dry and free of irritants. Oatmeal will leave a slight residue and increase the moisture level ~ both of which will add to the allergy, lick, irritate, repeat cycle currently harassing your dog.
So, what do you do to help soothe your dog in the bath tub?
Well, I would recommend starting with Zymox Enzymatic Shampoo first.
The Lactoperoxidase, Lysozyme and Lactoferrin enzymes in this shampoo combine to take care of bacteria, virus and fungi affecting the skin. The broad spectrum treatment is all natural and is great for using against itching caused by skin infections. This will help to clear up any hot spots or really raw areas.
After your fur friend’s skin is under control (a strict raw and grain free diet and cocotherapy have helped me keep Diesel’s allergies in check) I would still recommend steering clear of using oatmeal shampoo too often. Some of my favorites to use when he is not needing the Zymox are:
Organic Oscar with Aloe. This organic dog shampoo is made with organic, all natural, and biodegradable ingredients that work to calm, smooth, and revitalize your dog’s coat. It’s great for dogs with sensitive skin.
Bobbi Panter Itchy Dog Shampoo. Itchy dog shampoo relieves dry, irritated skin, redness and swelling with ingredients like tea tree oil, flaxseed oil, oat protein and aloe vera. This formula smells like fresh, clean spring air with hints of ripe aloe vera plant. It works great at preventing flare ups for my guy.
South Bark’s Blueberry Facial. This shampoo is great for brightening up a coat. It makes him shine (and he’s all black), but I’ve heard that it makes white and light colored dogs really have coats that pop! I love the natural ingredients and the smell of this product.
So, there you have it. My choices for skin relief for my guy. Of course, we have many, many options in the store for you, so feel free to stop on by and have one of the great team members help you pick out something that will work for you.
Hi again, Kate here. After my last blog post on DuPage County Dog Parks I’ve had a request for information on Will County dog parks. I’m going to talk about them and I figured I would discuss Kane County as well.
Will County
Will County has 3 off leash parks for your dog to roam free! A permit is required for all dogs. You can download your pass application online at http://www.reconnectwithnature.org/preserves-trails/dog-parks or visit one of the locations mentioned online.
Passes can be purchased annually for $40 for the first dog, and $15 for each additional dog. Daily passes are $5 per dog, per day. You may register a maximum of 3 dogs per household. These are Will County resident fees, so please check the website for out of district fees.
Applications must include proof of the rabies vaccination (tag number and expiration date). Vets may recommend other vaccinations for dog park goers, so talk with your vet. Lastly, make sure your dog is current on his flea and tick preventative as well.
Hammel Woods in Shorewood
7 acres of fully enclosed park
Non-flush toilets available
Poop bags provided
Whalon Lake in Naperville/Bolingbrook
8 acres with separate 2.5-acre park for dogs less than 35lbs- both fully fenced
Shelter, benches and water on site
Dogs are not allowed in the lake
Messenger Marsh in Homer Glen
5 acres with separate 1-acre park for dogs less than 35lbs- both fully fenced
Shelter, toilet and benches on site
No water on site
Poop bags provided
Will County has a variety of both free and low cost events and classes at the park, so check out their website for information on these programs. Classes running May through June are taking applications, so enroll today.
There is also a Facebook group for Will County Dog Park Users. You can join this group at http://www.facebook.com/WillCoForests.
Kane County
Kane County has 3 off leash parks as well, which are open 8am until sunset. Vaccinations for rabies, distemper and parvovirus are required, and again, bordatella and leptospirosis may be recommended. Be sure to discuss these recommendations with your vet.
There is currently no fee for the use of these parks. However, over the past year this topic has been discussed on several occasions as to whether or not they will make changes. This is due to the number of people not picking up after their dogs. If you use these parks, or any park for that matter, please be courteous and clean up. This helps keep down the cost to you.
Aurora West in Sugar Grove
Over 700 unfenced acres
Roughly 3 miles of well-groomed trails
There is a non- flush toilet and water on site
No poop bags provided.
Fox River Bluff in St. Charles
Fox River Bluff West is located on Route 31, along the west shoreline of the Fox River. This preserve is an approved off-leash dog area. This is the only information I can find on this park.
Schweitzer Woods in Dundee
5 fully fenced acres
Benches and poop bags on site
No restrooms or water.
For more information on these parks, please visit: http://www.kaneforest.com/findPreserve.aspx?Feature=13
It may be worth mentioning that Cook County Forest Preserve has a dog park at Beck Lake near Glenview, where the annual resident fee is $50. Lake County Forest Preserve facilities charge a fee of $44 /year for residents. There are also plans in the works for dog parks in Hoffman Estates, Streamwood and Elgin.
Here are some important reminders to keep in mind. Keep park passes and rabies tags visible on you and your dog at all times. Clean up after your pet to avoid fines. Please visit my recent blog on DuPage County Parks for more information on suggested items to bring with to the park.
Hi again, Kate here with some more information for you. I recently purchased not one, but two bottles of Milk Thistle by Herbsmith. One is for Sara, my parents’ epileptic husky, and the other for Remington, who receives K9 Advantix for his flea and tick prevention. I will further explain both scenarios, but first let me give you some background information on milk thistle.
Milk thistle is a plant native to the Mediterranean. It has been used for thousands of years as an herbal remedy. Its first documented use in the first century was as a remedy for poisonous snake bites. Now, it is commonly used as an ailment for liver, kidney and gallbladder problems. The seeds in milk thistle contain a flavonoid called silymarin, which protects the liver from toxins. It also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This may help the liver repair itself by stimulating the production of new liver cells. It can also block the entry of toxins into the liver and remove them at cellular level, resulting in regeneration of liver cells and improved liver function.
Here are a few key ways in which milk thistle works:
- Strengthens the membranes of liver cells to prevent damage from toxins
- Enhances protein synthesis by increasing RNA activity, and stops absorption of toxins in the liver
- Reduces fibriotic activity
- Reduces the action of liver enzymes responsible for causing inflammation of the liver
#1. Sara is currently on Phenobarbital to help control the seizures caused by canine epilepsy. While rather effective and inexpensive, one side effect of Phenobarbital is possible liver damage. The liver’s function is to filter all absorbed toxins introduced to the body before allowing it to pass through the blood stream. Drugs such as Phenobarbital, when processed through the liver, can cause inflammation and scarring of liver tissue. Milk thistle should be administered to every dog taking liver taxing medications, and especially if the liver is damaged or diseased.
#2. Remington is a healthy, young dog who frequents the dog parks. For dogs who do not spend much time in parks, you may want to consider a safer alternative to topical flea and tick medications. Check out Meg’s blog on these options. Because Remington is often in the parks and sniffing his way through tall grasses, I chose not to go that route. However, I do not want to harm his liver in the process. Over-the-counter flea and tick killing treatments, such as Frontline and K9 Advantix are pesticides. In order to kill and prevent fleas and ticks, the chemicals must enter the blood stream through the liver.
Frontline’s active ingredients, for example, are Fipronil and methoprene, which are both carcinogens and neurotoxins. K9 Advantix uses imidacloprid and permethrin, both of which are neurotoxins as well. Permethrin can slow down the nervous system by binding to sodium channels. That is where milk thistle comes in. This powder helps flush the chemicals from Remington’s liver and rebuilds those cells that may have been damaged by the pesticide. I would heavily suggest this product for every dog on a medicated flea and tick preventative.
Milk thistle has digestive benefits as well. It prepares the digestive tract to start producing a hormone called gastrin. Gastrin starts the production of gastric acids and bile, which aid in digestion and the breaking down of fats in the small intestine. Milk thistle may have a mild laxative quality to it. This helps to lubricate the stools, and prevent both constipation and diarrhea.
We have Herbsmith’s Milk Thistle at both store locations. We carry the powder form in a 75gram bottle for $24.99, but we can order larger bottles upon request. Please come in and talk to us about any other questions or concerns you may have.
On a daily basis, we are asked at Two Bostons if we carry retractable leashes. Our answer is no for a few different reasons. We know there is a large demand for retractable leashes and we could sell a ton of them, but that is not a good enough reason for us to carry something we truly do not feel is beneficial (and quite honestly, sometimes harmful) to our customers, both two and four legged.
The main reason we don’t recommend retractable leashes is that they can be dangerous and cause accidents very easily including cuts, burns, and worse.
Really, when the main company of retractable leashes has warnings on their packaging about possible injuries to your eyes or face and mentions possible finger amputations or fractures, it should make people stop and think if it is really worth using, right?
Keep in mind that the dogs on the other end of the leash can be the victims of the same types of injuries. What is seen more often, are injuries to the dog’s neck and back due to being jerked when they suddenly get to the end of the leash after running after that rabbit or other dog they saw out of the corner of their eye.
Currently, a lot of companies are touting a “safer” retractable leash option due to a wider tape being used in place of the thin cord. While this would help prevent a lot of the human injuries, it does not reduce injuries to the dogs due to sudden jerking.
This brings us to reason #2 Two Bostons does not recommend using a retractable leash. It’s simple really. It actually encourages dogs to pull. Think about it: if we as their guardians do not provide consistent boundaries, how are our canine companions supposed to know what is acceptable? Sometimes they are given 2 feet, sometimes 6 feet, and if they pull a little harder, they may be given 10 feet. Then, when only a few feet are provided because they are walking in a busy area and they begin to pull (because normally this results in getting a few more inches or feet, right?) they are instead “corrected” because they aren’t behaving well. What??? How confusing!
Being a mom of human children as well, I equate it with the “cookie scenario”. (I am sure those of you who are not parents have witnessed something like this in the grocery store line, as well!)
Kid: “Can I have a cookie?”
Mom: “No.”
Kid: “Pleeeese, can I just have one cookie?”
Mom: “I said, no.”
Kid: “Mommmmmmy! I just want one!”
Mom: “Oh, alright. Just one!”
We’ve all done it. We’ve all witnessed it. It takes care of that instant, but what problems are we creating for the future? We are teaching our children to ask (or pull) just one more time and then mom will eventually give in.
So, instead of hoping for good behavior and no broken or amputated fingers, let’s just decide to use a standard (aka non-retractable) leash and provide the guidelines and boundaries your dogs need and ultimately desire to have a great walk. And maybe, just maybe…there will be a cookie waiting for you at the end of your walk!
Is your dog a nervous wreck this time of year? Does the weather report have you trapped? Do you hesitate to invite people over because your dog is too anxious? Do you hesitate to take your dog out because of the same reason? If so, this post is for you!
We have several amazing products that I’d like to introduce you to today to help calm anxious dogs.
The first is the Thundershirt.
This amazing little shirt looks like a regular dog jacket, doesn’t it? Well, I can tell you it is not. It is like a hug for your dog, only, you don’t have to be hugging your dog the entire time…let the shirt do the work for you! It works by applying very gentle pressure on some of the pressure points on your dog’s trunk. It is very easy to use, simply fit the shirt around your dog’s trunk and Velcro it closed. Over 85% of our customers have seen marked improvement with the use of this shirt. Plus, there is a money-back guarantee. So you can try this out on your dog worry free!
Happy Traveler is a great option for a quick chill pill. Think of it like taking an aspirin for a head ache.
The active ingredients in Happy Traveler include Valerian, German Chamomile, L-Tryptophan and St. Johns Wort, all well known herbs for their calming effects. It is a safe, non-toxic option for your dog and you should see results in about 45 minutes.
Another awesome herbal supplement we offer is Calm Shen by Herbsmith.
Calm Shen is made with Chinese herbs and is more of a long-term solution to your dog’s anxiety. If you think of your dog’s health as an arch, where the middle is the place to be, and your dog is all the way to the left or right, Calm Shen will direct your dog’s system back toward the middle. This supplement will build up in your pet’s system with continued use and you will see an over all decrease in anxiety as time progresses.
We also offer Canine Calm Spray.
This nifty little spray acts as a calming aromatherapy for your pooch. Canine Calm contains pure essential oils, including bergamot, lavender and geranium, from plants traditionally used in remedies for relaxation. You can spray this on bedding and in your dog’s crate; however, on of the best ways to calm you pet is to spray it on your hand and rub it into the ears and belly. This awesome spray will help take the edge off for your pet.
The last product I’m going to show you today is Rescue Remedy.
Bach is a trusted name in natural remedies and this is a new variation of the original stress relieving remedy that has been available for more than 70 years. It contains a blend of the same five flower remedies found in Rescue Remedy, Impatiens, Clematis, Star of Bethlehem, Cherry Plum, and Rock Rose in an alcohol free formula, ideal for sensitive pets. The dropper allows you to easily administer it to your pet. This is suitable for use on pets of all shapes and sizes, including: Reptiles, Fish (just add to tank water), Birds, Cats, Dogs, Horses, and Rabbits. For best results, simply place four drops into your pets mouth. If you can’t do that, you can add the drops to food, water or treats or rub them into your pets nose, paws or ears.
Please stop by one of our stores to talk to a team member about which of these awesome products would work the best for your pet’s anxiety.
Here are some action shots of my guy, Diesel, with his new toy! And if you work from home like I do, or you do, well, really anything at all during the day that precludes you from paying attention to your furry pal 100% of the time, then this toy is for you.
It’s called the Magic Mushroom and I just love it! What we’ve got here is a treat dispenser:
I like to fill it with the Zuke’s Mini Naturals Wild Rabbit Formula treats 1. because they rock and 2. because they fit so well.
I like it because it’s a big enough toy for my guy and it’s durable. And, I like it because this toy couldn’t be simpler, for the treat filler and the treat user.
It comes apart in three pieces. They aren’t pull apart, they screw together so they are very durable.
The dispenser has an adjustable setting, so you can easily set the treat dispension for your dog’s skill level. You can keep it open wide for first time users, or dogs like ~ahem~ mine who need a little extra help. Or you can make it more difficult for the treats to come out.
Then you place the treats in the bottom portion of the mushroom (see how nice the Zuke’s look in there?) and screw it all back together. Then your dog will tip it over and roll it around and the treats will fall out. Easy peasy!
Did you just have a baby? Surgery? Did you want to sit down? Paint your nails? Talk on the phone? Then you have to check this out! It will add hours of free time to your day!
Have you seen these collars in our store?
If not, you should check them out.
These are oil-cloth collars by Mimi Green. We currently have four beautiful patterns in stock and they are as functional as they are fun.
What do I mean by functional? Well, like I said…they are oil-cloth. And one of my favorite things about oil-cloth is that it is easily wiped clean with a damp cloth.
What?
Yes! Imagine, you will be able to keep your dog’s collar looking clean and new for a VERY. LONG. TIME.
I like to imagine that the person who thought of sliced bread had one of the very same “of course!” moments. Because, it really feels like that when I think about it.
They are fully adjustable and have a very secure clip style closure. And, there is a lovely little ring to hang your dog’s ID tag from too. So, the next time you are at one of our stores, check out this great line, and see for yourself why you will want to add one into your dog’s wardrobe.
