The picture above is Abigale when she was little. She is our little bundle of mess. That is the best way I know how to describe her. She is always into something and is the happiest dog I have ever met.

This is Abby today…on her first birthday!

Still a bundle of happiness and always into something.

She was so excited to hear that it was her birthday and sat pretty for her birthday picture.

We really didn’t do anything special other than eat a spoonful of peanut butter, her most favorite treat. She thought about looking through the Outer Banks foreclosures to see if we could find a house on the beach but then I told her just how often she would have to get a bath if she lived near the sand and how hurricanes come through there. She decided it would be a great place to visit but not worth moving…I agreed.

Happy Birthday my little Abby-normal!! You bring joy to our lives everyday!

Join the tail wagging adventures of the pre-school favorite, Barney and Friends as they have a purr-fectly wonderful time with pets! Coming to stores nationwide on 7/27/10 for a suggested retail price of $14.98.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

It’s a whole litter of fun with preschool favorite Barney & Friends^™ in this all-new collection of “tails” about how special our furry friends can be with Barney^™: Furry Friends on DVD July 27, 2010 from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment.

Trusted by moms and adored by children, Barney displays sharing, caring, imagining, dancing and learning on television, online and through live events, home entertainment and publishing. The Emmy^® award-winning series, Barney & Friends^™ is one of the top-rated preschool shows today, airing on PBS KIDS^® and Sprout^®.

DVD SYNOPSIS

Join Barney, Baby Bop^™, BJ^™ and all their playground friends for some tail wagging adventures as they learn about dogs and cats.  From helpful guide dogs to feline family members, you’re sure to have warm-hearted fun in this very special doggie treat.  Find a lost cat, dress up and learn about tigers, meet neighborhood dogs Bingo and Pilgrim, join in for a rousing round of B-I-N-G-O and be a judge at a fun-spirited dog show!

DVD BONUS FEATURES

• “Animal Tracks” Matching Game

I was supplied a copy of this DVD to help facilitate this review. I was in no other way compensated and all opinions are those of my own.

Roxie must go ride. It isn’t a case of the want to’s. It is a case of the HAVE to’s. She is like a big kid. She likes to stay home when it is cold but the minute the air turns warm, she just has to get out and let it all hang out…out the window that is. This day she was going to have a manicure and to see about some doggie eczema treatment

Hey, dogs get dry skin too ya know.

Then I found Caribbean Solutions. Caribbean Solutions offers products that are formulated without parabens and other forms of toxic allergens and irritants. Their products meet and exceed consumer demands for all natural, hypo-allergenic ingredients that deliver beneficial, safe and effective results…AND, they have a line of  all-natural, biodegradable dog shampoos.

One of the things that I didn’t know about is that one of the things that causes dogs to have an aversion to baths is the smell of all of the chemicals typically contained in the dog shampoo. Did you know that?  I know, common sense but I never thought about it.

I have used Caribbean Solutions dog shampoos on all 3 of my dogs this past week…and Bow Wow WOW is right! They smell wonderful and their coats are so much softer. The best thing…Roxie did great, Gabbie’s skin issues are GONE! And Abigail hasn’t been digging no where near as much. That folks, is just amazing. If you have dogs I seriously suggest that you try out Caribbean Solutions Bow Wow WOW line. You will truly be amazed at the difference.

On Roxie and Abigail I used:

Oatmeal, Milk & Honey Natural Dog Shampoos
YOUR BEST FRIEND DESERVES THE BEST

Oatmeal, Milk & Honey Natural Dog Shampoos – This shampoo required a synthetic blend fragrance, though very slight, we offer it because it smells awsome! To over compensate for the fragrance usage, we added real oatmilk extract to help soften fur and skin.

Sold in a huge 16oz bottle, this is the mildest, most gentle and natural dog shampoos you could use. We are soap specialists, and we spent a lot of time developing these natural dog shampoos to be the safest possible solution for your dog. It is as tearless as water, with the optimal pH of 7, the same as water.

We also added chammomile, aloe, green tea and green algae extract in our non-toxic shampoo, in addition to one of the best known SKUNK deodorizers in the world, also nontoxic of course. You won’t find a better natural shampoo for your dog. You won’t find a better shampoo period.

On Gabbie I used:

Peppermint Eucalyptus Natural Dog Shampoos
GIVE YOUR DOG A DAY AT THE SPA

Peppermint Eucalyptus Natural Dog Shampoos – Minty and soothing, this blend is known as a sinus clearer as well as skin soother. Peppermint imparts a cooling effect that comforts even problem skin. Please note that Peppermint has a distinctive feel. It WILL tingle and cool, which is something that dogs (and people) may not be used to, at first. It is generally considered a pleasant sensation, we just want you to know that it’s noticeable!

Sold in a large 16oz bottle, this is the mildest, most gentle natural dog shampoos you could ever use. We are soap specialists, and we spent a lot of time developing these natural dog shampoos to be the safest possible solution for your dog. It is as tearless as water, with the optimal pH of 7, the same as water.

We also added chammomile, aloe, green tea and green algae extract in our non-toxic shampoo, in addition to one of the best known SKUNK deodorizers in the world, also nontoxic of course. You won’t find a better natural shampoo for your dog. You won’t find a better shampoo period.

I wish I had found this line of dog shampoos when Roxie got sprayed by that skunk a couple of years ago. She smelled so bad for weeks! But, I can honestly say that this is by far the best I have used on any of my dogs. Priced at $15.99 each bottle goes a long way. Also included in their line of dog products:

Lavender Rosemary Natural Dog Shampoos
CLEAN, FRESH DOGS ARE HAPPY DOGS

Lavender Rosemary Natural Dog Shampoos – Herbal and conditioning well known for their antisceptic and calming effect. Our blend contains precious peititgrain also, to enhance the benefits of the other essential oils.

Sold in a huge 16oz bottle, this is the mildest, most gentle and natural dog shampoo you could ever use. We are natural skin product specialists, and we spent a lot of time developing these natural dog shampoos to be the safest possible solution for your dog. It is as tearless as water, with the optimal pH of 7, the same as water.

We also added chammomile, aloe, green tea and green algae extract in our non-toxic shampoo, in addition to one of the best known SKUNK deodorizers in the world, also nontoxic of course. You won’t find a better natural shampoo for your dog. You won’t find a better shampoo period.

Cedarwood Anise Natural Dog Shampoos
A HAPPY DOG IS A CLEAN AND FRESH DOG

Cedarwood Anise Natural Dog Shampoos – Warm, Woodsy, Comforting. Your dog has over 200 million scent receptors–you have 5 million. Dogs love to get a bath with our shampoos because they love the scent of the ingredients. Anise smells like licorice. Combined with cedar and a twist of sweet orange, this scent will help mask ‘wet dog’… so even your partner will appreciate it!

Sold in a huge 16oz bottle, this is the mildest, most gentle and natural dog shampoos you could ever use. We are soap specialists, and we spent a lot of time developing these natural dog shampoos to be the safest possible solution for your pet. It is as tearless as water, with the optimal pH of 7, the same as water.

We also added chammomile, aloe, green tea and green algae extract in our non-toxic shampoo, in addition to one of the best known SKUNK deodorizers in the world, also nontoxic of course. You won’t find a better natural shampoo for your dog. You won’t find a better shampoo period.

Your dog has been licking and chewing on a spot for the better part of a day. The spot has now become a raw, open sore that is possibly oozing fluid. Your best friend has a skin infection known to vets as Pyotraumatic Dermititus. Your dog has Hot Spots. Untreated, Hot Spots can spread and provoke a normally even-tempered dog to growl and nip when touched. Your dog needs Hot Spot Relief Gel.

Hot Spot Relief Gel will immediately begin to relieve and heal the problem when applied directly to the effected area(s). The combination of Natural Eucalyptus, Organic Aloe, and Australian Tea Tree oil will act quickly to heal irritated skin, close cuts/abrasions, and retard the itching. This gel is miraculous in its ability to relieve the misery caused from Hot Spots.

The common areas for Hot Spots are areas that dogs can lick or scratch, the feet and legs; the rump and flanks. The infection can occur on the ears, neck, and chest by way of the dog’s constant scratching.

I will be getting a bottle of the Hot Spot Relief Gel. We had a terrible issue with hot spots last summer and I do not plan to revisit that nightmare again.

For your dog shampoo needs I suggest Caribbean Solutions. Great products at great prices that smell great and are great for your dog and the environment. You might also want to have a look around at all of their other fabulous products! I will be telling you about some of them in the near future. Why? Because they are a fabulous company and I love their products and their concern for the environment.

Caribbean Solutions provided samples of Bow Wow WOW products to help facilitate theis post. I was in no other way compensated for this post and all opinions are those of my own.

And, I have a few winner announcements to catch up on.

The Crescent Creation Gift Pack winner is…

#108 – Melody

The $25 Walgreen Gift Card goes to…

#349 – Heather C

Congratulations to you both!!

Gabby loves to wear clothes. Because of her age she stays cold and anytime you pull out one of her jackets she begs to wear it. So, when my friend Susan and L’Izzura asked if Gabby would model some of their Luxury Pet Clothes, we jumped at the chance. L’Izzura make high quality fashionable clothes for those furry friends of ours. I have seriously never seen the quality of craftsmanship that goes into their work. And they are all so cute! Love, love, love the bathrobe for dogs! You have to check it out HERE. Gabby has lived in her new jacket for several days now. Everytime we try to take it off of her she cries and it breaks my heart. I guess that just means that it is warm and comfortable for her. Look, here she is showing off her new duds:

It even has a little poocket! How precious is that! She can carry her snacks around with her.

See the slit for your leash?

Yes, I know, she needs her hair brushed.

Susan and I have had more fun dressing “the kids” up in their new L’Izzura clothes.

And, Susan is hosting a giveaway of one of the Limited Edition Bathrobes by L’Izzura.

You can enter by visiting HERE before Jan 15th!

We have 3 dogs and they are like kids to me, they are a very important part of this house and are treated as such. Gabby, our little Yorkie weighs in at 3 pounds and is the old lady of the bunch (she is approx 9-10 years old). She has had a terribly rough life and shows her age with grace and dignity. She was found on the side of the highway and was in terrible shape. After searching for the owners without success the people who found her needed to find a forever home for Gabby. She needed grooming terribly, she has a bad eye and few teeth. But she is one of the sweetest dogs and will steal your heart from the minute you meet her.

Abby (previously known as Yuffie) is a miniature Australian Shepard, at present she weighs in at about 3 pounds. She is the baby of the bunch(born on Sept 3rd) and is a little ball of fuzz that is constantly into something. She is both mischievous and sweet and is so much fun to have around. She may be our newest addition but she has filled our hearts from the minute she arrived.

Roxie is my girl. She was originally supposed to be Tate’s dog, but she has been mine from the minute we met. She is also a rescue and came from a harsh previous life. She was beaten by a man, she was tortured not only physically but mentally and has the scars to prove it. But she is my loyal companion and I am the love of her life. Don’t believe me, ask anyone who knows her. She doesn’t like for my husband to even hold my hand. She has many quirks that are scars from her previous life. She is a terrible nail bitter and is scared of everything…unless it comes to someone threatening me and then she is aggresive. Roxie is about 7-8 years old and weighs in at about 100 pounds.

As you see, we have quite the mix. They are all very loved and adored and treated as such. So much so that they even have their own perfume:

Pepper & Tanky^TM, a French cruelty-free eau du parfum, is the newest way to pamper your pet. Made from the highest quality ingredients available, Pepper & Tanky^TM is formulated from natural oils, and uses less alcohol than most fragrances, making it less irritating to sensitive coats and skins. The subtle scent lasts for days and is applied gently by spraying the parfum onto your palms before petting your dog. Musician Nick Jonas of the Jonas Brothers, actress Brittany Murphy, blogger Perez Hilton, fashion designer and animal activist, Ashley Paige, and celebrity dog groomer, Artist Knox are just a few a of the celebrities who are already pampering their beloved pooches with Pepper & Tanky^TM.

With a classic, round bottle with a chic vintage inspired atomizer, Pepper & Tanky^TM makes the perfect Holiday gift and is a great way to tell your dog Je t’aime!

Available in four luxe parfums: (2oz, $44 each)

Vanilla Woof, a splendid chypre floral fragrance, with fruity hints and sweet vanilla

Peaches n’ Cream, an opulent floral and fruity combination

Puppy Love, a light and refreshing blend of bergamot, amber and jasmine

Big Dawg, an aromatic medley or bergamot and neroli with a touch of lavender and musk

Want to know what everyone is wearing this season? Well, Gabby wears Vanilla Woof on a daily basis and for special occasions she has been know to wear Peaches n’ Cream. Abby wears Puppy Love and can be seen around town attracting all the other pooches with her lovely scent. Roxie only wears Big Dawg, she feels that the name suits her and that it takes a stronger scent for a strong personality. What will your pooch be wearing this year?

We love Pepper & Tanky. I love the smells, enough to cover up normal dog odors without being offensive or overwhelming. It doesn’t irritate their skin and I love that people comment on how great they smell.

The Hicktown gang says “woof woof” (Merry Christmas for those who don’t speak dog)

Gabby                                               Abby                                            Roxie

Recently named ‘Pawfume of the Year’ by Pet Home Magazine, Pepper & Tanky^TM has also been featured by Allure, PEOPLEPets, Modern Dog, Doggie Aficionado, the New York Post, CBS News and more. It is currently available in luxury pet boutiques all over the world, online at www.pepperandtanky.com and exclusively at Artist Knox’s Hollywood Pet Salon.

Pepper and Tanky supplied me with product for testing and review purposes. I was in no other way compensated for this post and opinions are those of my own and my dogs.

We have searched and searched for just the right personality to fit with ours. I think it finally happened.

Meet Rhody.

She is a Rhodesian Ridgeback.

And she is 9 weeks old. She is quite the playful one.

I have my Roxie, who is very loyal to me. She was originally supposed to be Tate’s dog, but she is my dog. I do not own her, she owns me. She is fiercely protective of me and would guard  with her life if needed. She has never bitten anyone but she has never felt the need. She has placed her mouth on people to tell them to back off, but never had to follow through. She is part Rhodesian Ridgeback, part boxer bulldog. She is also the best dog I have ever owned.She is the most well mannered, lovable thing. She will even talk to you when she is in the mood.

Then Erin has her own dog. She is the most rotten creature you have ever seen. Gabby is quite a mess. She has a mind of her own and well, she isn’t the most well mannered dog you will ever meet. She is the littlest member of our family weighing in at a big 3 pounds…and she things she owns the whole place. While Erin adores Gabby, and Gabby is her “baby”…the rest of us tolerate her and sometimes step on her. No, not on purpose, she is just always underfoot.

So, we have been looking for Tate a dog. I was adamant that I didn’t want a puppy, but that is what we got. I dread going through all the different stages of a pup, but alas, it is Tate’s and it is already getting attached to him, which is what we wanted. We wanted him to have a dog of his own.

In other news, I am thinking of getting me a netbook. I love the new small and lightweight ones. My concern is backup since they do not have an internal CD. I would need something like the new free online backup sites. Or maybe an external harddrive. Not sure. But I have been looking. Bric will start his new job this week. Erin is loving college. And Tate and I are struggling through his school work each day. Life is getting back to normal, whatever that is.

Just wait till you meet this artist. I can guarantee all you pet lovers are going to love her! Oh, and welcome to another edition of Feature You Friday! Hope you enjoy!

Meet Janie Wilkins, a Georgia Folk Artist.She has lived in the Atlanta area for 28 years which almost makes her a native!She works as a legal secretary in Midtown and shares her home with two rescue dogs, Ben the bearded collie mix and Buddy the boxer.

Janie, what inspires you to paint?   My boys and their friends at the dog park are the inspiration for my paintings. We spend a lot of time at the dog park, yes, even in winter! I’m always open to meeting new friends myself – and, must love dogs! I am involved in a local dog rescue group, Canine Crusaders. (I bet she has to do a lot of pooper scoops, I love the middle of nowhere when I think about stuff like that.)

My friends tell me I’ve always struck them as artistic although I mostly displayed this by shopping and decorating my house. Until recently, I expressed myself in concrete – don’t laugh! The sheer physicality of working in concrete and creating something practical for the yard (needed with two large dogs) was my main goal. I started painting in November, 2008. I recently reorganized my living room and needed something to hang over Buddy’s favorite chair. So, I painted Buddy laying in his chair, with a smaller painting of Buddy laying in his chair in the painting – to hang over Buddy laying in his chair! I sent an e-mail around as a joke to my friends, and the orders for custom paintings started coming in! I’m completely self-taught. I haven’t even bought a book on painting! I just take a pencil to canvas using a photograph as a reference and start at the left ear and just draw the outline and fill in from there. I’m told that my paintings are humorous and capture the fun and whimsy of our pets. (all of her paintings do have a feeling of whimsy about them, that is one of the main things that made me fall in love with all of her stuff)

What are you currently working on?
I’m currently working on two paintings. One is Springtime at the Dog Park, capturing all the lovely greens and flowers at the dog park with disabled children playing with the dogs. This painting will be donated to an auction for Childspring International, which benefits disabled children around the world. Attached is the fall version of this painting, “Sunday at the Dog Park”. The second painting is a humorous one – Fuzzy Butts – dogs greeting another and “presenting”.

What are your goals?
My goals are simple ones – to bring joy and happiness to others by creating a portrait of their favorite pets. I can also paint a folk art “portrait” of the dog owners with their dogs.

Where can we find some of your work?   My work is found on my website – www.PaintedPawsFolkArt.com and at   www.artisticpaws23.etsy.com

Janie is offering to do an 11 X 14 custom portrait of one lucky readers dog. Please read all requirements before entering. Portrait will be of one dog only. Winner must have a valid US mailing address. Upon notification of winning the winner will then be responsible for getting all necessary information to Janie.

To Enter:

Visit www.PaintedPawsFolkArt.com or  www.artisticpaws23.etsy.com

Leave a comment here at The Post-It Place telling what your favorite painting of Janie’s is so far and what 4-legged friend you would like a painting done of. Whether it be your best bud or as a gift for someone else.

All entries must be received by April 3rd at 5 PM EST

Want extra entries? Blog it, with a link back to here (leave link where it can be found). Subscribe. Place my button on your blog (leave link it can be found at). Stumble it (leave your ID in comment). Technorati it (leave your ID in comment). That is 5 extra entries that you can earn for a total of 6. All extra entries must be left in a separate comment.

See the PINK hairbow? It belongs to The Princess’ dog. Yep, he is wearing the dog’s hairbow…and it is pink. That just about sums up my day right there. How has yours been?