Thank you, Diana!

I love my new toy! Thank you so much, Diana (StylinDogsBoutique)! The squeakers work great, and it goes really far when mommy and daddy throw it and it goes pretty with my fur.

Do You Have An AVON Lady?

If not, then you can shop through my Avon Lady's store ... ( she's my daughter :)

Right now they're having a sale. FREE shipping on any order over $5. Use coupon code: WINTER5

Gianna

This picture is from Diana of DianaDesignsNY. She made these adorable jumbo stuffed dog toys for her little ones. Visit her other shop, StylinDogsBoutique, for toys, hats and premade outfits.

Merry Christmas!

What am I thinking?

Post/comment what you think Velvet is thinking
for a chance to win a free gift.

Velvet would like to thank Sasha, a most talented blogger, and her mom, for this great idea!!!

Lots of treats

I'm baking up a storm this weekend! Its so much fun and I enjoy it so much! Please let me know if you want anything for your special four-legged friend.

I'll try to post pictures later.

What's Bakin'

Potato Pancake with Turkey - Allergen Free

The simplest recipe, but one my favorite meals ... turkey with potatoes! These are baked on a much smaller scale for your special dog. Great flavor, unique treat, a specialty for dogs on restricted diets.

My goal was to make them as allergen free as possible so that any dog on any diet would be able to enjoy a special treat. There is no wheat, egg, or dairy and of course, no sugar or salt.

Make a donation to the right of $10.00 to receive this as your "free gift". Click on the slideshow to see other available items for just $5 more (each). Email me with any questions: ciaohound@live.com.

What?!

What would interest you?

I'm going to try to do some interviews here in the coming weeks. Being part of Petsjubilee on Etsy, puts me in contact with so many knowledgeable pet people. Whenever anyone has a pet question, there's usually at least 5 people who are able to chime in and have a solution.

If there is any pet related topic of interest that you would like to see here, please let me know, either by leaving a comment or emailing me at ciaohound@live.com.

Hugs for your Pup - Unique Dog Pillows by Ciaohound

Do you speak dog???

I came across this on another blog and just couldn't resist.

We're always talking about our pets in our Etsy forum and the topic came up...

Do you talk for your dog? Is it 'baby talk'? Do you do different voices? Share your pet talking info in the comments :)

We always talk for Velvet in a 'duh' kinda voice. I don't know why except she's forever tilting her head when we talk to her, like, 'I don't speak human; quit talking to me'.

The Straight Poop

Does anyone know the answer ? ....

What is the criteria for finding the perfect spot to poop?

Velvet will spend forever circling around, then moving a little further away, then, wait no, maybe over here,... Not to be tooooo graphic, but sometimes she's pooping before she settles on a spot to squat! Its hysterical to watch, and I thought maybe someone might have some insight on the doggie mind :)

Leave a comment if you have any ideas on this.

Where Do Pumpkin Pies Come From?

What's Bakin'

Today I'm baking Carrot Cake for dogs. I've reopened my Etsy shop, so now, if you want any of my treats (see my Flickr photostream to the right) just email me at ciaohound@live.com or convo me and I'll post a custom listing for you on etsy, or you can donate here. I'm in the process of adding descriptions to the pictures on Flickr.

My new ciaohound shop features a conglomeration of recycled items. I've just posted my first two so far. There's a lot more to come.

I'm a work in progress :)

What's Bakin'

Turkey Cookie - Peanut Butter flavored for Dogs

Your pooch will gobble this up! Human-sized cookies can be broken into small pieces for your special pup. Rich peanut butter flavor, fun shape.

Get a dozen of these 'FREE' when you donate $10 to Ciaohound. For any $15 donation choose a second item by perusing my Flickr pages (click on the photos to the right). Each additional item just $5.

More to come...

What's Bakin'

This weekend, I'm making peanut butter flavored, human size, halloween cookies for dogs. I'll post pictures when I have them. Let me know if you want any.

New Etsy Shop

Please visit this new Etsy shop called: Caes' Crafts

Beautiful, handmade scarves decorated and accented with ribbon!

What's Bakin'

Pumpkin Spice Mini Muffins for Dogs -

The weather is starting to cool here and the leaves have begun to turn, making this the perfect time to begin baking these warm soft pumpkin mini muffins! Made with pumpkin, sweetened with honey and applesauce and topped with the wonderful aromatic hint of cinnamon, these muffins are sure to be a hit! Donate $10 this weekend and get a dozen of these special treats, shipped priority mail (included in the $10). For $5 more you'll receive 6 human-sized peanut butter flavored Halloween shaped cookies.

What's Bakin'

A new feature by Ciaohound. Each week I'll post what special treats I'm baking for the weekend. Email me with any questions.

Carrot Cake for Dogs

This is from my "Crumbrulee" line of treats. Crumble them up and sprinkle on top of your pup's kibble to add variety to mealtime, or just offer them the bite sized portions for a special treat.




Chicken Bistro Bites for Cats or Dogs







Bistro Bites are bite-sized treats, perfect for a light snack or a SPECIAL reward.


ciaohound@live.com

September Pet Sampler Box

Get yours now...only a few days left.

Visit the PetsJubilee blog to search for a coupon.

A Change of Plan

Due to life changes, I'm going to have to take a different approach to my dog treats. I'm going to be really busy for the next several months and away from home here and there, plus, I have a whole room full of "work in progress" crafts that I need to get to. So, whenever I have a free weekend, I'll bake and post those treats here, beginning September 20th. If you're interested in what I'm baking, let me know. My Etsy store, ciaohound, will have my miscellaneous crafts in it, at least until things get back to normal. If you have any questions, you can email me at: ciaohound@live.com.

Thank you :)

Birthday #46

Today is my birthday. I turned 46, (wow, huh?!). As I'm reading through my blog reading list, I'm seeing others have birthdays today, too. So happy birthday to all of you! Also, the lady who does the channel 2 weather in the mornings is having a birthday today, too; so Happy Birthday, Jamie.

Some birthdays are great and memorable, others we just try to muddle through.

I passed a church sign on the way to work today, "Have you made God smile today?" ... that made me smile, but my answer was, "probably not."

Found

Just in time for Back to School, I came across these adorable bookmarks from SassySashaDoxie! You can never have too many. Check it out:

True Love

The other day we were in the backyard cooking dinner on the barbecue when my husband noticed a very tiny frog (or toad - I'm not sure which) sitting on the patio. I decided to catch him (the frog, not my husband) and move it to the back of the yard so Velvet wouldn't discover it and decide that was dinner - yes, she's gross :)

So, I put the little guy in a bucket and passed beneath our large maple tree when I caught something fluttering about from the corner of my eye. It was a female cardinal. She was having a very difficult time flying. Up and down and all around, never getting very high in the air. I hurried past and knelt to dispose of the frog in a large bush. When I looked up, there was a male cardinal sitting there, staring at me. It was really kind of eerie. So, I turned quickly to go back toward the house when the female flew right past my face, then nearly hit the ground, then back up about waist level. I was startled having almost ran into her. When I had cleared the area where she had been flapping about, I turned and she was laying on the ground on her back, her chest heaving quickly like she was out of breath. I took a step closer and she was suddenly still.

It was so sad. I looked up and saw the male cardinal hopping from one branch to another still on the same large bush. He was flapping his wings. I went back to the house and decided to deal with it tomorrow; maybe the male would be gone by then.

My husband had seen the whole thing from his spot next to the barbeque and said that was probably best, just wait until morning. I went inside to finish with dinner things and looked out the window every now and then to find the male cardinal, sitting there on the lawn next to the female. My husband said he stayed there for at least 5 minutes before returning to his perch on the bush. We watched him watching her, lying so very still on the lawn.

I was so amazed. I had no idea that cardinals held this type of bond for their mates. I felt helpless. It was such a tragedy.

Soon it was nightfall and we could no longer see the birds in the distance.

The next morning, I awoke and took Velvet out for her morning constitutional. I slowly walked to the back of the yard to see the poor fallen cardinal and expected to see her husband still sitting there in the bush beyond where she laid, but when I got to the spot, I couldn't find her, and I didn't see him. It may be farfetched, but I imagined that she was so scared that she only pretended to be dead, and that her dear sweet husband was watching over her, giving her time to recouperate, waiting for the humans to disappear. And, when the time was right, she was able to fly away with him and escape harm.

August Challenge

PetsJubilee is having a monthly challenge that would encourage people to "step outside their box". The challenge is to create a 4 x 6 piece of artwork. Email a picture of it to petsjubilee@live.com before noon EST on Sunday, August 23rd. The PetsJubilee team will vote during the last week of August. Here's the catch: all entries must be donated to the Creative Center (see below).

This is the posting from a fellow Etsian who is coordinating this benefit:
From LennyMud:
"I am helping to run an event for THE CREATIVE CENTER-which is a great organization that brings the arts to children and adults who have cancer. You can read more about all the good work they do at www.thecreativecenter.org. They are holding a benefit September 24th in Manhattan which will be attended by several hundred supporters, including some celebrities like Liam Neeson, Vanessa Redgrave, and some well known local artists like William Weegman. Other Hollywood A-Listers are submitting "doodles" which will be auctioned off at the event.

My job is to collect 250 pieces of original postcard art (4 x 6) from emerging artists like yourselves or your team members. These will be given to people who purchase tickets for the event. Each piece will be displayed with the artist's name and info during the course of the event; it is a great way to have your work looked at by a lot of people and also to help others who are not as fortunate.

If you know someone who has been touched by cancer, this is a great way to honor them.

It can be any medium: acryic, oil, watercolor, sharpie marker, wood, cloth, photograph -- only requirement is that the 4 x 6 piece of art can be easily hung (does not require a frame though) and is, again 4 x 6.

Thanks so much!!"

TO PARTICIPATE:
Create a piece of artwork, 4x6.
Take a picture of it. Email the picture to petsjubilee@live.com before August 23, 2009. I'll email you the address to mail the original artwork to.
Mail the artwork before August 31, 2009.

The winner of the challenge will win a PetsJubilee Sample box.

Click here to see the entries.

Etsy For Charity

Etsy for Charity (EFC) is a group of artists all fueled by the passion of helping the community with their crafts.

All items listed at EFC Shop are donated by Etsy sellers and they will be shipped direct from their country to you!

Sales proceeds (less shipping and other expenses) for this month will be donated to

EFC August Charity of the Month
American Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.org

Search tags for "efc team" for members of Etsy for Charity (EFC).

Check out our EFC Team Blog at http://efcteam.wordpress.com

Register at http://etsyforcharity.ning.com to be a member of EFC Team.

To donate an item to EFC Store, convo EtsyForCharity.

Break Dancin' Beagle

Velvet does this little "dance" every morning before breakfast.

Grab a coupon towards a Petsjubilee Pet Sampler Box

These pet sampler boxes are so great! So many fantastic, talented artisans contribute wonderful samples each month to these boxes so you can sample items and try them out for a very small cost.

Please stop by and get yours today! If you put "$2blog" in the message from buyer, PetsJubilee will refund you $2 through Paypal! What a great deal!

Also, visit their team blog for information on entering their Pet Photo Contest! You could win a free mini-box and your pet's photo will be the team Avatar for the entire month of June.

National Food Month

It turns out April is National Food Month, so to celebrate the great Etsians of Team EEAT are having sales and discounts on their scrumptious foods. Visit their blog for more information:

http://etsyedibleartsteam.blogspot.com/

In addition, I'm offering a 20% off sale through the end of April in my shop and 10% of all sales will be donated to Etsy for Animals charity of the month: Siberians needing owners. http://www.siberiansneedingowners.org

AND

10% will go to the victims of the earthquake victims in Italy. If you would like to make a monetary donation, this is their website: http://www.cri.it/donazioni/index.php?mode=form

I thought this article was fun

Its called "The Best Pet for Your Sign". It suggests pets based on your astrological sign. I'm a Leo, and my best match is a Siamese cat, according to the article. Unfortunately, I'm allergic, so I'll have to stick with my beloved beagle.

Visit PetsJubilee for some great deals!

Have you ever wanted to try a homemade treat for your dog or cat but were afraid they might not like it? Have you ever perused the beautiful cards, tags and other paper goods, and thought, 'if I could just see one in person'? Have you ever looked through all of the fun pet toys, accessories, soaps and wondered if you bought a full size one, would you use it?

PetsJubilee offers samples and singles of a little bit of everything for your pet! It is such a good deal! Everything is high quality! There are coupons and gift certificates also, so you can try even more. Right now, there are about 28 different independant artisans who have contributed to the March sample box. You can also follow what's going on by visiting their PetsJubileebox blog.

Go check it out!

Spay Day - February 24th

Ciaohound will be participating in Spay Day on February 24th. Everything in my shop will be 20% off, plus receive 3 free doggie cookies with any order over $7.00 (after discount). Click here to visit Ciaohound.

Spay Day

Spay Day - Tuesday, February 24, 2009
http://tiny.cc/spayday2009 http://tiny.cc/whyspay510
In shelters all across the U.S. 4 million dogs and cats are put down every year. Not forty thousand, not even four hundred thousand - but 4 MILLION! Imagine 4 MILLION innocent dogs and cats. Spaying and neutering helps keep pet overpopulation at bay. Let's team up to make a difference in the many lives of unwanted dogs and cats in the future!

EFA and EtsyVeg are teaming up to support HSUS' Spay Day 2009.
Please join us!