Happy Halloween From Cosmo Havanese!

Some of Cosmo's favorite costumes!

Have a safe and Happy Halloween!

Keep Pets Safe this Winter with Salt-Free Ice Melters

Cosmo braves the Atlanta snow last winter

Snow and ice are a bit of a novelty in our neck of the woods, in Atlanta. But for many folks, and especially those in the Northeast this weekend, ice can pose a danger to you and your pets.

The salt that you may use to keep  from slipping and sliding can also be harmful to your pet. To help keep pets safe this winter, consider a salt-free ice melter.

Morton Safe-T-Pet has introduced a new salt and chloride free formula this year which is safer for pets' paws and stomachs than other salt/chloride based melters. Safe-T-Pet can be purchased online or at Walmart and other major national retailers. Find a store located near you.

Safe Paw also offers a salt-free product, developed in 1996 to answer a demand for an environmentally sound product that's also safe for pets and children. Safe Paw is sold a most major pet stores and at many online stores, grocery shops and national retail chains. Find a store located near you.

How you can help keep more pets safe with just one "Like"

Morton Salt and the ASPCA have launched a Keep Pets Safe in Winter campaign, and as part of this program, Morton is making a donation of $20,000 to the ASPCA to help keep pets safe in homes and in shelters. In addition, for every "like" received on Morton's Facebook page from now until January 31, 2012, Morton will donate $1 to the ASPCA, up to $55,000. The additional funding from Morton will be used by the ASPCA to raise awareness about the importance of proper winter pet care and safety.

The campaign will culminate with "National Keep Pets Safe in Winter Day" on December 22.

After you "Like" Morton come on back for the Saturday Pet Blogger Hop!

SmartBones Chew Treat Giveaway!

Cosmo is a dog who likes a good chew, so when he got the chance to try out a new SmartBones chew treat he jumped right on it. And now you and your pups have the chance to win some too. Just read down to the bottom of this post to find out how to enter our SmartBones giveaway!


But first a little about SmartBones

These aren't your ordinary chews. SmartBones are rawhide-free and are the first treats of their kind to be enhanced with vitamins and minerals.

A few other facts from the folks at PetMatrix, the creators of SmartBones:

• SmartBones are 99.2 percent digestible, which is higher than the digestibility of premium dog foods (85 percent digestibility)
• Chicken, vegetables and other healthy ingredients are used in making SmartBones
• SmartBones are safer for dogs than regular rawhide treats, which may cause intestinal blockages
• SmartBones are available in Peanut Butter and Chicken Flavors. There is also a Dental variety with additional teeth health benefits.

Cosmo's Assessment!

We were sent a SmartBone in Peanut Butter flavor to try out and Cosmo was anxious to take it on a test run! So anxious, that he could hardly wait to get it out of the wrapper!

Cosmo devoured his SmartBone, working on it steadily for about 40 minutes. That's what I call a good long-lasting chew!

Cosmo's rating? Four paws up... he's ready for more SmartBones today! SmartBones are available nationwide and at www.smartbones.com.

Win Your Own SmartBone!

Two U.S. winners will win four SmartBones each in the appropriate size. The small was perfect for Cosmo! Entries must be posted by 11:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday, November 2. The SmartBones for this giveaway are being provided by PetMatrix.

To enter:

(mandatory)

• Leave a comment on this blog post telling us the smartest thing about your pup! Be sure to leave email contact info if your comment doesn't link to some contact information.

For additional entries:

(leave a separate comment for each one)

• Like To Dog With Love on Facebook
• Like Cosmo Havanese on Facebook
• Join this site using Google Friend Connect (look on our sidebar to the right)
• Follow Cosmo Havanese on Twitter
• Follow To Dog With Love on Twitter
• Subscribe to the blog by email (look on our sidebar to the right)
• Tweet: @CosmoHavanese gives SmartBones four paws up! Giveaway: http://bit.ly/rw2Q36

Good luck!

Wordless Wednesday: Fire Safety Cosmo!

Like I always say, you can never have too many Halloween costumes or be too safe with your pets. Here Cosmo models his Fire Dog Costume from one of our neighborhood favorites,  Highland Pet Supply.

Surveying the backyard for potential fire hazards... and squirrels.

What will you be for Halloween?!

Halloween Pet Safety Tips

Cosmo Havanese says Do Bee a safe Bee this Halloween season so that you and your family can enjoy Halloween and all its festivities to the fullest. Practice these Halloween Pet Safety tips to keep your pets safe for a spooktacular Halloween!

First, Cosmo says Bee comfortable in your costume. Cosmo says he's quite comfy but not all pets tolerate dress-up. Make sure your pet has room to move normally, can see and breath (of course!), and watch for any parts that can be chewed off or ingested.

Do Bee a treat watcher. Cosmo always has his eye on the treats but chocolate and candy can be harmful and even deadly to pets. Cosmo says to keep the Halloween goodies secure and out of pets' reach and toss him a nice doggie treat every now and then!

Do Bee in a secure place in your home. Cosmo says he's a relaxed pup most of the time, but lots of doorbell ringing and squealing ghosts and goblins can put any pet on edge. Be sure to keep your pets in a safe, secure place so that no one slips out the door by accident. 

Don't Bee a candle tipper. While most of the year it may be safe to zoom around the house in a blur, Halloween candles are dangerous for playful pets. Keep candles WAY out of reach or consider some other kind of illumination this Halloween.

Do Bee a safe Bee and have a happy Halloween!

Cosmo is wearing the Top Paw Bee Costume from PetSmart!

Wordless Wednesday: Agility Havanese in the Weaves!

Photo by In Motion Photos

Giveaway Winner: PetSmart Halloween Costume

We have a winner! Congratulations to Shelley for winning our PetSmart Halloween costume giveaway! And thanks to everyone else for playing.

Remember, there's still time to enter the PetSmart "Monster Cute Photo Contest" powered by Greenies. Submit a photo on the PetSmart Facebook entry form by October 24 for a chance to appear in a 2012 PetSmart TV commercial and other pawsome prizes!

Cosmo Havanese is a Bizzy Bee!

It's Pet Wellness Month: Test Your Pet Nutrition Knowledge for a Chance to Win with Hill's Science Diet!

Every wonder why feeding table scraps isn't the best idea for your dog?... other than the bad behavior it promotes?!

In celebration of National Pet Wellness Month, the folks at petMD and Hill’s Science Diet are putting owners to the test with a new online dog nutrition quiz.  During the month of October, owners can take the interactive quiz for a rebate on new Hill’s Science Diet Ideal Balance dog food and a chance to win one of four $2,500 pet retailer gift cards!

The nutritional requirements for dogs and people are vastly different and if you didn't know that already, you're not alone.  A recent study from petMD revealed that a staggering 80 percent of owners think that the nutrition needs for dogs and people ARE similar! 

To learn more about a well-balanced meal for your dog, check out My Bowl, from Hill's Pet Nutrition and petMD. And be sure to take the dog nutrition quiz by October 31 for a chance to win! 

Saving Dogs from Puppy Mills

Once a quarter, the folks at Be The Change for Animals encourage bloggers to stand behind a cause. Today the focus is on puppy mills, and especially banning pet stores like Petland from selling puppies, since a large percentage of them come from puppy mills.

Mary Haight from Dancing Dog Blog has started a petition to urge Petland USA to stop selling pets. Petland Canada already has. Together with the folks behind Be The Change for Animals,  bloggers are rallying to spread the word so that Petland will fire the puppy mills and quit selling pets.

There are plenty of great pets waiting for loving homes at rescue organizations and from responsible breeders. So today we're focusing on a sweet pup who was rescued from a puppy mill by the folks at Havanese Rescue.

Hallie in Minnesota

Hallie is about 6 years old and is a sturdy 14 pound Hav-mix. She was rescued from a puppy mill in March of 2011 and has lived with her foster mom since April.  Mostly red in color with silver tips on her ears, she is a very pretty girl who grows prettier as her hair grows longer.

Hallie has a mellow and submissive personality with no need to be an alpha dog.  She gets along well with other dogs. She is shy and a bit skittish and will need some one-on-one attention and training to get her completely over her fear of humans and normal household activities, such as visitors and cleaning. Although she runs away when approached, she is very curious.  And when she is picked up, even seems to enjoy being petted and held. She likes to be within close proximity of her human where she can keep her eyes on what is going on in the house. 

She is such a sweetie and she deserves a great home.

A donation will be requested to adopt this dog. A completed application is required if you are interested in adoption. 

How Havanese Rescue Helps save Havanese and Havanese mixes

Havanese Rescue Inc. (HRI) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization formed for the charitable purposes of rescuing purebred Havanese and Havanese mixes which are homeless or soon-to-be-homeless, including those found in animal shelters or other facilities.

The rescue dogs are fostered and receive the necessary medical attention and care before they are carefully placed in their forever homes.

HRI also focuses on educating the public regarding puppy mills and responsible dog ownership including spay/neutering, training and humane care of Havanese and other pets.

Check out some more blog posts from Blog the Change Day.

Calling all Kids for Pets Add Life Poetry Contest!

Ode to a dog on a log

Here's a contest that's open to children of the non-furry variety! For all young poets, the American Pet Product Association is now accepting poems for its 4th Annual Pets Add Life Children's Poetry Contest. Students in grades 3 through 8 are eligible to enter for the chance to win scholarship dollars and other pet prizes.

It's simple to enter! Kids are invited to write a unique poem about their pets -- what they love about them, the joys they bring --  and then post it online  or mail their poem and submission form to: Pets Add Life, 661 Sierra Rose Dr., Reno, NV 89511. Deadline for submissions is January 31, 2012 at 5 p.m. EST.

In addition, teachers are welcome to incorporate this national contest into their lesson plans, and submit poems in one entry, on behalf of his/her classroom.

One student from each grade level (6 total) nationwide will win a $250 gift certificate for pet products, and a “by-line” in a nationally circulated publication. In addition, the six winning students’ classrooms will each win a $1,000 scholarship to spend on pet related education.

You can read some previous winning poems for inspiration, then upload your submission or mail this form with your entry. To learn more, visit www.petsaddlife.org.

This post is sponsored by the Pets Add Life campaign and the American Pet Products Association. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about the benefits and joys of pet ownership.

Halloween Costume Giveaway from PetSmart!

Cosmo's modeling the Top Paw Bee costume in a large
from PetSmart. If your dog is long-backed, fluffy
and/or deep-chested like Cosmo is, you might
consider going up a size like we did.

Cosmo says, "let's put the Weeee! in Halloweeeen!"

According to a National Retail Federation survey, Halloween celebrations are BOOming this year and pet parents are planning to spend $310 million on pet costumes. Good news for To Dog With Love readers -- one lucky winner in today's costume giveaway from PetSmart will be getting their Halloween costume for free!

Read down for all the details on our costume giveaway, but first, a couple of other fun Halloween activities from PetSmart.

Is your pet Monster Cute?

Submit a picture of your pet in costume to PetSmart's "Monster Cute Photo Contest" powered by Greenies on PetSmart's Facebook page. Be sure to enter by October 24 for a chance to appear in a 2012 PetSmart TV commercial and other pawsome prizes!


Howl-O-Ween Pawty at PetSmart

Visit your local PetSmart across the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico on Saturday, October 22 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., for PetSmart's annual Howl-O-Ween Costume contest. Pets can parade around in their devilishly cute digs (or buzz around in Cosmo's case) and prizes will be awarded in each store. The top three winners will receive vouchers for a product from Greenies, Toy Shoppe or Grreat Choice dog and cat toys.

MWAHAHAHAHA!

And now, let's get to the giveaway before the ghosts and goblins get to it first!

Enter our Halloween Costume Giveaway from PetSmart

Here's all you need to do to enter. Leave a comment on this blog post saying what you'd like to dress your pet as this Halloween. For inspiration, check out PetSmart's Halloween Costumes for Dogs and Cats! Comments must be posted by 11:59 p.m. ET, Sunday, October 16. Contest is open to entries from U.S. and Canada and prize is being provided by PetSmart. 

For extra entries: (For each extra entry leave a separate comment on this blog post)

• Like To Dog With Love on Facebook
• Like Cosmo Havanese on Facebook
• Join this site using Google Friend Connect (look on our sidebar to the right)
• Follow Cosmo Havanese on Twitter
• Follow To Dog With Love on Twitter
• Subscribe to the blog by email (look on our sidebar to the right)

Please be sure you leave a way to contact you if your comment doesn't link to something with your contact information!


Gooooulish Luck! 

Cosmo says, "Do bee a do bee!"

Wordless Wednesday: It's Cosmo O'Clock Somewhere!

Flat Cosmo poses next to his very own custom clock from The Clock Lady at BarkWorld Expo a few weeks ago! These are even more amazing in person, but if you aren't lucky enough to meet The Clock Lady at a dog show or pet event, you can order your own custom clock online!  Check out the pendants to the right too. Some great gift ideas for the person who has everything!

Now, let's take a closer look at Cosmo!...

Cosmo says, "It must be time for a treat!"

Now head on over to the BlogPaws Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop for more great photos!

Mike Arms/Iams Hero Award Goes to Austin Humane Society

Frances Jonon with Euka, VP of Canine
Communications at P&G Pet Care

Yesterday, our pals at Iams kicked off the 2011 Iams Home 4 the Holidays program at their Pet Care office's in Ohio in a big way! Mike Arms, president of Helen Woodward Animal Center and Founder of the Iams Home 4 the Holidays pet adoption program, was on hand to present the first annual Mike Arms/Iams Hero Award. And the winner is ...

                  (drum roll please >>>>>>>>>>>)

... the Austin Humane Society for its extraordinary relief effort in the Austin/Bastrop wildfires in September, 2011.  Austin Humane Society took the lead in coordinating the disaster relief efforts for the animals displaced in the Austin/Bastrop counties as a result of the recent Texas wildfires. This widespread disaster destroyed over 1,400 homes in the Central Texas area.

The Austin Humane Society helped create a temporary triage unit in the Austin and Bastrop areas providing food, refuge, and medical care for the displaced animals. 

Accepting the award on behalf of Austin Humane was Frances Jonon, Executive Director. The shelter will be receiving a plaque for their wall and a check for $5,000 from Iams.

From left to right, Mike Arms, President, Helen Woodward

Animal Center; Frances Jonon, Executive Director, Austin Humane

Society; Michel Brousset, Marketing Director, Iams North America

Iams gives out the Mike Arms/Iams Hero Award to a person or animal organization that exemplifies the commitment and passion for the lives of orphaned animals similar to what Mike Arms has been doing for so many years.

For the past 12 years, Iams has joined forces with Mike Arms and the Helen Woodward Animal Center for the annual adoption campaign to help raise awareness of orphaned animals in shelters and rescues around the world. The program has created new ways to increase public awareness about orphaned animals, increase the number of pet adoptions, lower euthanasia rates, and set records for the number of people that are receiving humane education.

Animal shelters and pet rescue groups can still register for the 13th annual IH4TH campaign. 

Santa Paws Drive 2011: Nominate Your Favorite Shelter Now for Online Pet Toy Drive!

This is the story of five pals who met on Twitter and how together, with the support of pet lovers everywhere, we'll help bring some extra joy to shelter animals this holiday season.

Just think about it... many of us shower our pets with gifts during the holiday season, but what about the shelter pets? Don't they deserve some holiday cheer too?

That's what Dorian Wagner, founder of YourDailyCute.com, was thinking when she wanted to start a "Toys for Tots" type of program, but this one would help shelter animals and provide them with toys and treats during the holiday season. So Dorian reached out to four of her like-minded blogger pals (including us!) who continue to work together to make the dream grow.

Now, kicking of its third year, Santa Paws Drive is the first-ever online holiday toy drive dedicated to helping shelter pets worldwide. The five of us Elves will work tirelessly (like Elves do!) to deliver toys and some extra cash to needy pets and animal shelters this holiday season.

Here's how it works and how you can help!

Starting today, we're officially taking nominations for shelters to benefit  from our third annual Santa Paws Drive. This year, we are focusing on shelters and rescues who make the extra effort to help special needs pets. These might be pets who need a little more attention or medical help like senior pets,  FIV+ or FeLV+ cats or other "less-adoptable" animals like black dogs and cats.

Nominations accepted through October 21

To nominate your favorite shelter who goes above and beyond to help special needs pets, please fill out our nomination form before October 21, 2011. Shelters can be anywhere in the world -- there are no boundaries for helping these special pets!


We'll choose six shelters based on need and your nomination notes and announce them before the giving part of the Santa Paws Drive starts on November 1. Starting November 1, you'll be able to donate toys, treats or money to send directly to these special pets to help make this their best holiday ever!

Putting the FUN in FUNdraising


As always, we'll be hosting some fun Twitter pawties and raffles to help raise more money, toys and awareness for the special needs shelter pets throughout the holiday season. Stay tuned for more details and dates, and we hope you'll join us in the fun!

Remember, all the Santa Paws Drives donations can be made online so it's super easy to help. And once the giving part of the drive starts on November 1, we'll also have widgets and flyers for you to share to help spread the word... and help more anipals who need it most!

Then, once all the toys are counted and all the donations have come in, the Santa Paws Elves will pack up all the goodies and ship them off to each shelter in time for Christmas.

Introducing the Elves
(No, we're not from the North Pole, but we represent from coast-to-coast and across the pond!)

Dorian Wagner, Deerfield Beach, Fla.-- YourDailyCute.com
Salina Gannon, La Verne, Calif. -- NipandBones.com
Kerri Schlack, Philadelphia, Pa. -- TheKittenCrew.com
Lynn Haigh, Leek, Staffordshire, U.K. -- DougalsDen.com
Diane Silver, Atlanta, Ga. -- ToDogWithLove.com

Since its inception in 2009, the Santa Paws Drive has raised $15,000 in toys, treats and donations for 12 shelters worldwide. Please help us make this the most joyous season yet for shelter pets by nominating a shelter, spreading the word and pawticipating in our Santa Paws Drive!

As Cosmo says...

I don't go anywhere without my big green bone. I want all
the shelter animals to have special toys too! -- Cosmo Havanese

Giveaway Winner: Barksters Dog Treats

Cosmo enjoys his Barksters treat!

We have a winner! Amazon CARES is the lucky winner of our Barksters Dog Treats giveaway. We hope your pup Marilyn enjoys the crunchy goodness of Barksters like Cosmo does!

Thanks to everyone who played.  More giveaways and chances to win fun prizes coming up this month!

VIctoria Stilwell at BarkWorld Expo

We had a terrific time at BarkWorld Expo last weekend. And one of the highlights was a keynote speech by Victoria Stilwell. Here's an excerpt from her speech where she talks about positive dog training methods and her network of like-minded positive reinforcement dog trainers.

We love Victoria's training methods and she is a lovely person too. After her speech at BarkWorld she stayed to chat, sign autographs and take photos with every BarkWorld attendee. 

Victoria visits with flat pets -- Tyler, Preston and Cosmo -- while the stage is being prepared for her talk. 

Preston, Cosmo and Tyler had their own chance to speak too -- their humoms were part of a panel discussion about bloggers and brands immediately before Victoria's speech.

For more photos from our wonderfur BarkWorld adventure check out To Dog With Love's Facebook page!

Now let's go to the Saturday Pet Bloggers Hop!

Lost Dog in Kennesaw, GA: Poppy Havanese

UPDATE: (October 6, 2011) This morning we received the worst kind of news. After four days of searching for Poppy in every way possible, our sweet pal was fatally hit by a car on Barrett Pkwy, about two miles from the home she was visiting. We are devastated for Poppy's parents and send our deepest sympathies, for Poppy truly was part of the family. Thanks to all our wonderful friends for the support and help in trying to find Poppy. RIP sweet Poppy, you will be missed.

* * *

Thankfully we've never had to do a lost dog post and it's not what we typically do. But Cosmo's sweet Havanese pal Poppy has been on the loose since Sunday, Oct. 2. We're doing all we can to spread the word so that someone will help spot Poppy and bring her home.

Poppy

Location: Poppy was staying with a family in Kennesaw, Ga., while her folks were out of town. Poppy was last seen slipping out the front door of the home near Ellison Lakes Dr., which is off of Hwy 41 North of Barrett Pkwy.  Zip code: 30152

Map of the area: The red circle "A" is the location Poppy was last spotted.

Reward: Poppy's parents are offering a $500 reward for the safe return of sweet Poppy.

Collar and tags: Poppy was wearing a collar with an identification tag with her name and number and rabies tag when she was lost.

Other stats: Poppy weighs 20 pounds and is a black and white Havanese with full coat and bangs trimmed around her face.

Contact: Call 678-576-5555 with any information about Poppy.

Flyers are being posted all over the area and the search will continue tomorrow.

It breaks our heart to think of sweet Poppy on the loose. Hopefully someone has taken her in she'll be back home safely very soon.  Please share so as many eyes as possible can be on the lookout.

Thank you.

Diane and Cosmo Havanese