How To Speak Dog: National Geographic Book Review

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Ever wish you could talk to your dog? I talk to Daisy all the time, but must confess that I don’t always know what SHE is trying to tell me! Now we can all learn to decode dog language, thanks to How To Speak Dog, A Guide To Decoding Dog Language, a new book about pet behavior from National Geographic. It’s being released today, and we were super excited to receive an early copy and have been thoroughly enjoying the photos, along with great info and helpful tips from authors Aline Alexander Newman & Gary Weitzman, D.V.M.

how to speak dog

Although the book is categorized as a kid’s book, I strongly recommend it for every pet parent and all members of the family. Whether you’re a first-timer or have years of experience caring for dogs, you are guaranteed to learn something new that will help you understand dog behavior and the signals dogs send through body language, poses and facial expressions. It’s also set up in a way that is perfect for reading aloud and discussing together in a fun and entertaining way.

For example, one section in the book is titled ‘Telling Tales’.  It details what different tail positions and movements mean. Each section of the book covers a topic using great photos, entertaining text, fun facts, Vet Tips from Dr. Gary and then each topic end with ‘What Is This Dog Saying?’ where you’re presented with a Doggie Dilemma scenario to translate and address, then a sidebar of Training Tips. Topics include Body Talk, Read My Face, Hound Sounds, and several more.

How to Speak Dog: A Guide to Decoding Dog Language is available now in paperback ($12.95 list price). It’s currently on sale at Amazon and you can go here to view the current price and check out some sample pages. You may want to pick up a few extra copies, as it makes an excellent holiday gift idea or Thank You present for a special pet sitter, dog walker or other VIP (very important pet person) in your dog’s life!

T3 Source Handheld Shower Filter for Healthier Hair, Skin and Fur!

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t3 shower filter

Did you know that regular household tap water can contain half as much chlorine as a swimming pool? And that chlorine can cause dry and damaged hair and skin? I didn’t either until we were invited to try the T3 Source Source Shower Filter.

Not only does the T3 filter out up to 95% of chlorine but it also helps remove other irritants including Hydrogen Sulfide, Iron Oxide, dirt and other sediment, for healthier hair and skin. The T3 Tourmaline technology produces negative ions reduce water cluster size which improves filtration as well as help to PH balance the water.

You might think this only affects the people in your house, but if your pets have itchy skin or shed more than normal, poor water quality and too much chlorine could be a factor!

installing shower

I was super excited to install the new shower filter as soon as it arrived but had to wait for Woof Woof Papa to come home and help so that I could get some photos of the installation process. Trust me, now that I’ve seen him do it, you don’t need to add it to the “honey-do list” or wait for anyone to help you. If you’ve got an adjustable wrench, you can do it yourself in about 5 minutes. Everything else you need is in the box!

t3 shower filter

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Soundfreaq Sound Platform 2: Stream Great Sounding Wireless Audio from Your Favorite App and Device

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I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Soundfreaq. I received a Soundfreaq Sound Platform 2 to facilitate my revew.

Soundfreaq Sound Platform 2

Daisy and I have been busy testing out the cool new Soundfreaq Sound Platform 2. It’s a wireless Bluetooth speaker packed with features but super easy to use with just about any device you own, whether it’s Apple, Android or Windows. It comes with a simple setup guide about the size of a large postcard but I didn’t even need it. I took our new speaker straight out of the box, plugged in the power cord, and paired it immediately with my Samsung Galaxy S3 phone. It was as easy as using a Bluetooth hands-free device and in less than 3 minutes we had rich sounding audio…no cables or docking required!

The first thing I did was experiment with switching between all my favorite music apps as well as test out how easy it would be to switch between devices. On my phone, I usually use Pandora so we played around with that one first.  Since the Soundfreaq is wireless, and designed to work with just about any phone, tablet or PC out there, your smartphone or other Bluetooth device becomes the remote control. I love this because we’ve already got way too many remote controls to keep up with! And not having to dock my device on the system itself means I always have my phone with me. I can be working in the kitchen and still be totally in control of the music selection and sound level playing in the other room.

controlling the speaker from the kitchen

It works just as well with my iPad which is great because that’s my favorite way to access my iTunes library and also to watch movies on Netflix. And it’s also got an FM radio with fantastic reception…even better sounding than the satellite radio we used to have!

ipad and radio

Since docking is not required, there are no compatibility issues. I love this because I think we’re all pretty sick of getting a great new device only to discover that our current accessories are now outdated and need to be replaced. If you do happen to have an older device that isn’t Bluetooth compatible, there is an AUX IN jack to connect any device with headphone or line out jack.

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Sparkle & Shine with Cascade Platinum Pacs + #MyPlatinum Instagram Contest!

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I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Cascade. I received a product sample to facilitate my review and a promotional item as a thank you for participating.

I don’t know anyone who is a fan of doing dishes. If you do, send them over to our place ASAP! Seriously though, sometimes it seems like a never-ending cycle…soaking and pre-washing, loading and unloading, repeat…you know the drill. I’m grateful that we live somewhere with a dishwasher, since our last place didn’t have one, but I still feel like it’s way too much work. When we were invited to test out the new Platinum Pacs from Cascade recently, I was super happy to oblige since I’m always on the hunt for anything that works harder so I don’t have to!

Cascade Plantinum Pacs

Putting Cascade Platinum Pacs To The Test

Since Cascade Platinum Pacs have the grease-fighting power of Dawn, and promise no pre-washing requried, I got straight to work testing them out with the dirties pan I could find. We’d made bacon that morning, so the timing was perfect! I do admit to giving a quick rinse under the kitchen faucet before putting the super greasy frying pan in the dishwasher, but I didn’t soak or scrub it like I usually would. Check out the before and after…so shiny!!!

pan before after

Not only am I finding it to be a real time-saver not having to soak and pre-wash loads of dirty dishes, I’m also LOVING how all our dishware, glasses and silverware shine and sparkle thanks to these powerful little pacs. Our dishwasher is pretty new, so I also love that they help keep the inside of the dishwasher looking like new and prevent hard-water film from building up.

Cascade #MyPlatinum Instagram Contest

Since Cascade Platinum helps makes dishware picture-perfect, there’s even an opportunity to show off your “best dishes” with the #MyPlatinum Instagram Contest going on right now. Show off your sparkle and win! Each week, two contestants will be selected to receive a brand new dishwasher. And, one lucky grand prize winner will receive a Platinum kitchen makeover! There’s no purchase necessary, but you do need to be a registered Instagram user and make sure to use the hashtag #MyPlatinum plus tag @MyCascade when you share your photo entry.

You can get all the details on the Cascade #MyPlatinum Contest Page.

cascade platinum

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Sneak Peek Inside The NEW Pawalla Mini Box + $3 OFF for Our Pals!

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Pawalla Mini Box for Dogs

There’s a new box in town: Pawalla Mini Box! It’s the latest entry into the super fun trend of mystery box subscriptions for pets, and it proves that good things DO come in small packages!

Pawalla Mini is available for dogs and cats, and this little box offers a great value to pet parent looking for a less expensive alternative to full-sized boxes. As with all Pawalla boxes, anything edible in the Mini box has been hand-picked by Pawalla’s own pet nutritionist, and the rest of their crew are experts at finding unique specialty items for dogs and cats. It’s a smaller and more affordable Pawalla Box option and a great way to surprise and spoil your fur kid each month!

There are three items in each Pawalla Mini Box: One treat, one toy, and one surprise item. The February box had an extra item in it, probably because it was the first month of their new launch…but you never know what extras to expect, which is part of the fun of mystery boxes! Subscriptions are limited for now, so if you’d like to skip right on over and snag yours, be sure to use the Pawalla Promo Code WOOFMINI to get $3 OFF your first order!

daisy peek pawalla

Daisy received her February Pawalla Mini Box this week, so I thought I’d give you a quick overview. She was too eager to try everything and was SO excited that I could NOT get her to sit still for photos.  Here’s what we received in this month’s box. just to give you an idea of the type of high-quality and fun stuff you can expect. Remember that items will vary by pet size and are different each month.

duck treats

Roasted Duck Wigzi Tasties Dog Treats: Made in the USA, these grain-free treats are 100% natural, and great for training since it’s like having little bits of meat in your pocket without the mess! Excellent for dogs with allergies or food sensitivities like Daisy, because they contain only 3 ingredients, Duck, Chick Pea Flour, and Tapioca Flour. And, a portion of all proceeds goes to rescue groups, so what’s not to love???

Grizzly Salmon NuTreats for Dogs

Grizzly Salmon NuTreats for Dogs: Salmon is probably Daisy’s favorite thing, so we were super excited about these all-natural, grain-free bits! Made from wild salmon, these also make a great training treat because of their small size and yummy smell.  Premium quality, made in USA treats.

Lock n' Play Dog Toy

Lock n’ Play Dog Toy: Super fun and interactive chew toy that makes your dog work for their treats! Stuff to yummy bits inside for long-lasting fun as they work to get them out…Daisy has figured out how to bounce hers on the floor to make the treats pop out! Recyclable and made in the USA.

happy jasmine spray

Gerrard Larriett Aromatherapy Spray: This Happy Jasmine spray for pets is making ME happy already just from the amazing smell! Daisy just got a bath so it hasn’t been thoroughly tested in stinking conditions yet, but I sprayed some on her coat and rubbed it in…so lovely! Made with essential oils for a fresh and shiny coat between baths.

What You Need To Know About Pawalla Mini Box:

  • Available for both Dogs and Cats
  • ALL Three Items are Full-Sized Products
  • Customized for your pet’s size and age
  • Treats are All-natural or Organic
  • Hand-picked by Pawalla’s Pet Nutritionist
  • Choose 1-Month @ $14/month, 6-Month @ $13/month or 12-Month Subscription @ $12/month

Ready to snag a Pawalla Mini Box for your dog or cat? Get $3 OFF at Pawalla.com when you use Promo Code WOOFMINI at checkout!

Want more? Check out our review of the original, full-size Pawalla Box which includes more goodies plus wet food, too! And use Promo Code WOOFWOOF for 20% OFF your first box!

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