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
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.
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.
With the amazingly mild winter we’ve experienced in the Midwest, you and your furry pal need to be careful. The bugs are out. And they are bigger, and badder than ever.
Now, there are some flea and tick remedies readily available at your vet or even at the big box stores that will be marketed hard to you. I will caution you that the chemical make up of these remedies are unduely harsh and not at all what we would recommend for use on your beloved pet.
We do have several options available that we DO recommend and I want to take a moment to introduce you to them.
Some of these products are preventative, and some work well for relief. Regardless of which of these you decided to use, you are making a healthier choice for your pet.
If you are looking for a great all over yard remedy, then try this spray from Vet’s Best.
This natural formula of Peppermint Oil and Clove Extract safely kills ticks and fleas – and flea eggs – by contact in the yard. And, as an added bonus, it works on mosquitoes too! Hook it up to your garden hose and spray away. And the great news is that you should only have to do this all-over spray a few times per season to get a good handle on your yard.
Another great choice for keeping your pet protected is Charlie Dog by Bobbi Panter.
This awesome shampoo contains Clove Oil, Lavender Oil, Cedarwood and Citronella to guard against fleas, ticks, lice, mosquitos and other pesky insects. This is perfect for the dog that rolls in the leaves or just takes a walk outside. In addition to getting rid of unwanted pests, it is great at repelling insects for a long after use. The great thing about Charlie Dog is that it is safe for everyone ~ dogs and puppies, cats and kittens of all ages and has a gentle cleanser so it won’t wash off topical flea and tick products.
We have some great flea spray options as well…think of them as “bug spray” for pets. Flea Flicker Tick Kicker is one option.
All you have to do is spray on your pet’s fur. Flea Flicker works by repelling and killing fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes. This spray is also environmentally friendly as well as all natural so it’s safe for your pet.
The other spray option is Buzz Guard.
What we recommend with this product is start by spraying Buzz Guard onto your hands and then massage onto your dog’s ears, abdomen, legs, and head. Another great idea is to spray Buzz Guard on a bandana and then wrap it around your pet’s neck.
The Shoo Tag works with the (stay with me here) natural electricity of the body. It is the ULTIMATE in natural when repelling insects.
Simply attach the Flea and Tick Barrier Shoo Tag onto your dog’s collar. The tag uses electromagnetic frequencies that align with your dog’s electrical field to form a barrier. There are absolutely no chemiclas and it is an odorless method of protection. The great news is we carry a people version of this product to repel mosquitoes!
Wholistic Diatomaceous Earth is a great option for pets who have a pest problem.
It consists of the dried skeletons of microscopic sea creatures called diatoms (basically a fine ground sea shell). Wholistic Diatomaceous Earth is a safe, non-chemical alternative to pest control. The diatoms act like glass cutting the exoskeleton (the outer shell covering) of the parasite and exposing their inner organs ~ and we know what happens next! This product can be sprinkled on bed’s bedding or in other known areas of pest activity (including directly on your pet). It will destroy fleas, ants and other pests.
And what do you use if you see a tick on your furry buddy? Well, the Tick Key, that’s what.
Tick Key uses natural forward leverage to remove ticks from dogs, head and all. You don’t have to worry about squishing engorged ticks thanks to the no-touch use of Tick Key. This tick removal device is 99.9% effective and can even be used on people!
And, because you know we love you and your fur friends, and know that some of you may have already started on other flea and tick products than the ones I’ve shown you today, I want to bring Milk Thistle by Herbsmith to your attention.
This amazing product acts as a liver cleanser for your pet. So, anytime you have to introduce medications or the like to your pet’s system, you should be using this little gem too. Milk Thistle helps to combat the harsh effects to your pet’s system, and has the added benefit of helping animals with allergies and digestive issues to boot!
All of the products I’ve shown you today are available at either of our locations and our online store. Be sure to stop by and let us know if you have any questions, we’d love to help you out!
The snow is officially gone and your yard is…well, let’s just agree that your lawn isn’t looking its most lush, shall we?
And those burnt spots of grass…you thought those were seasonal? They are. Every season, that is.
How is it possible that your dog is burning your lawn year round? Well, it’s not due to an imbalance of PH as you might think. It is nitrogen.
Excessive nitrogen from water in the urine to be specific.
And guess what? One of the main ingredients in lawn fertilizer is nitrogen. Being creatures of habit, your dog likes to relieve him/herself in the same spots time and again. Doing so is akin to dumping a handful of fertilizer over and over again in the same spots ~ thereby burning your lawn.
So how can you fix the problem?
Well, one way is to get your pooch on a higher quality food so that they are processing their nutrients correctly.
The other way is with these:
Dog Rocks.
You heard me! Dog Rocks.
Dog Rocks are really real rocks. No fooling. They are quarried in Australia, and are a safe, non-toxic, all natural remedy to yard burns.
How do you use them?
Well, you don’t scatter them around your yard if that is what you are thinking. You put them in your dog’s water dish and they drink as usual.
Yes, it’s that easy.
They work by binding the excess nitrogen in the drinking water giving your dog a better quality of drinking water (which will actually help your lawn ~ remember the main ingredient in fertilizer?) The rocks contain zeolite traces which are often used in aquariums to filter water safely and naturally.
They are simple to use. Open the bag, rinse the rocks off, place in your dog’s water dish and top off the water to refill rather than start fresh every time.
They will work if your dog drinks from a Drinkwell too. Simply put them in back, under the reservoir.
Have a dog that loves to take them out and play with them? Or a sloppy drinker and you wash your bowl every day? No problem! Simply fill a pitcher with water and put the rocks in there. That way you can use the water from the pitcher every time you fill the bowl and you will still be able to reap the benefits of the rocks.
They work rather quickly…usually within the first 24 hours you will notice your pet will stop leaving new lawn burns. (This does not mean that your current brown patches will go away overnight…you will still have to nurse those back to health, but you won’t have any NEW burns to deal with!)
Dog Rocks are safe for any pet sharing your dog’s water source (such as cats, rabbits, etc.). And, as I said before, they are all natural. No yeast like in other lawn burn prevention products. Landscapers have been known to endorse Dog Rocks since, with the appropriate level of nitrogen, your dog’s urine can actually help your lawn (remember the fertilizer again?)
We carry Dog Rocks in two package sizes. The small package is a 2 month supply and the large package is a 6 month supply. You should use the rocks year round too, since your dog will continue to burn your lawn in every season…you just don’t always see your lawn!
Shed Happens…for some dogs more than others.
Hi everyone, Kate again. These may be silly questions, but is your dog guilty of leaving tufts of fur around the house or coating the sofas like a decorative cover? Is your vacuum clogging from dog fur time and again? I recently went to visit my parents and their Siberian Huskies and this is what I saw! (Shh! Don’t tell them I am publicly posting this!)
Sara has been blowing her winter coat for a couple of weeks now, leaving those small tufts of white fur everywhere. I went back to visit with the Furminator in hand to help control the shedding. After just a few brushing sessions Sara was looking slim!
This fur has been collected over a week’s time from Sara alone.
Now she’s ready for Spring!
You may be asking how the Furminator works. It is a fine-toothed comb that pulls the dead fur from the undercoat. It does not cut or damage the top coat. Since some breeds do not have an undercoat, it is not recommended for dogs that are classified as “non-shedding”. By weekly and even daily brushing you are collecting dead fur and dander and preventing it from hanging on until it conveniently decides to let go onto your sofa or car seat.
This brush is great for dogs of all fur lengths, as my beagle, Remington has benefited from a good brushing as well. I used his regular brush immediately followed by the Furminator. Regular brushing missed this much!
We have 3 sizes of the Furminator brush in stock at both of our Two Bostons locations. This brush is great not only for dogs but also cats, rabbits and horses! In fact, this product is ideal for cats that are especially prone to hairballs. If you still aren’t completely convinced the Furminator is going to work for you, we urge you to give it a try. The company offers a 30-day money back guarantee for their brushes.
When I moved Diesel over to a healthier diet, one of the first foods I tried was Stella & Chewy’s freeze dried. Here is the deal with this little bag of raw goodness.
A. It is EXACTLY like the raw frozen Stella & Chewy’s patty
and
2. It is EXACTLY NOT like the raw frozen Stella & Chewy’s patty
How can that be?
Well, it’s simple really. It is the exact same patty (and I do mean the exact one) but the process of freeze drying makes it amazingly easy to handle.
I’m talking like you-open-the-bag-and-you-have-lift-off-easy-to-handle.
For real. It truly doesn’t get easier to feed raw than this nifty product.
- Forget having to remember taking your frozen patties out hours ahead of time.
- Forget dealing with breaking up the meat (those of you who don’t eat or handle much meat, like myself, will appreciate this).
- Forget having to change your form of feeding when you leave town so your sitter will feed your dog.
- Forget having to bring a cooler with when you are travelling for your raw patties.
- Forget hitting the gym so you can lift those heavy bags of frozen raw patties. (Well, you should still hit the gym, but just not to bulk up in order to pick up raw food.)
All those things are in the past!
Stella & Chewy’s freeze-dried patties can be fed right out of the bag. In a bowl, like a treat, on a boat, with a fox… oh, wait, never mind.
They crumble nicely and you can add them as a topper over kibble to enhance the flavor or add more protein. Fed that way, they can help your dog gain a bit of weight if needed.
They are processed very minimally and very healthy for your dog. And, if my assistant is any indication, your dog is going to L.O.V.E. them. In fact, there he is right there…say hi Diesel!
He says hi.
I also wanted to let you know that the fine folks over at Stella & Chewy’s take their food safety seriously. Each bag has this printed on the back:
Their facility has a crazy, super powerful air purifier AND they take all their equipment apart EVERY. NIGHT. to wash and sterilize. SO you can be sure you are giving your dog the highest quality raw food on the market.
And look here…
a lot number on every single bag, so that the fine folks over at Stella & Chewy’s can keep track of all their goodies.
So, if you’ve been skirting around trying raw for a while now, or if you are a tried and true raw food feeder, head on over to either store and stock up! You will not be disappointed.
And, because we love you, and it’s Spring, but mostly because we love you, ALL Stella & Chewy’s products (freeze dried, frozen raw, and treats) will be 25% off for the entire month of April at Two Bostons~ yes, you read that correctly, ALL Stella & Chewy’s products will be 25% off for the ENTIRE month of April at Two Bostons.
