Chew Barka is called Chewy for short and Mr. Chew Barka when addressed formally
Are you a pet name traditionalist or a trendsetter? While "Bella" and "Max" once again topped the list of most popular pet names last year, many pet owners look for original names that express their four-legger's personality.
For the fifth year, Veterinary Pet Insurance Co. (VPI) celebrates the most clever, creative and quirky names with its list of most unusual pet names. After a thorough selection process, 50 unusual dog names and 50 unusual cat names were chosen from VPI's database of more than 485,000 insured pets and narrowed down with a vote for the 10 most unusual name in each category.
The top 10 wackiest dog and cat names of 2012:
Dogs
Cats
1. Chew Barka
1. Pico de Gato
2. Nigel Nosewhistle
2. Dingleberry
3. Sir Maui Senqkey Schwykle
3. Dumpster Kitty
4. Spark Pug
4. Schnickelfritz
5. Agent 99
5. Koobenfarben
6. Stinker Belle
6. Sassy Pants Huska
7. Vienna Sausage
7. Vincent Van Furrball
8. Furnace Hills Dante
8. Kitty Gaga
9. Senorita Margarita
9. Beefra
10. Trigonometry
10. Mister Bigglesworth
For the full lists of 50 unusual dog and cat names, pictures of pets that made the Top 10, and the stories behind their unusual names, visit www.wackypetnames.com.And, find your own pet's wacky name with the Wacky Name-O-Matic. Cosmo is Bodacious Von Corn Dog, very nice!
Are you a pet name traditionalist or do you lean toward the more unusual? Is there a special meaning behind your pet's name? Do you have everyday and more formal names for your pets? Tell us about it in the comments below!
Sometimes, there are plenty of things to do right in your own backyard...
Like spying on the neighbor's cats...
And sometimes, when it gets just too hot outside, there's a whole lot of adventure indoors too. Cosmo had some work to catch up on this weekend, testing out a few new products for reviews and giveaways!
Cosmo loves a good interactive toy and a chew. These are from Busy Buddy. Stay tuned for a giveaway!
Cosmo also did a taste test for Rachael Ray's Nutrish Naturally Delish dog food. Stay tuned for that review and giveaway later this week!
What did you do this weekend? Here's what some of our pals have been up to!
It's always nice to get a bit of recognition, so we were super surprised and honored when we learned we were named to the Top 25 Dog Blogs of 2012 by Pamper Your Dog.
In addition to the award, Pamper Your Dog is sharing the love with our To Dog With Love readers with a special coupon code for 10 percent off anything in the Pamper Your Dog store. The special code to enter at checkout is "award" (without quotation marks), good through Aug. 5, 2012.
We did a little window shopping ourselves, and found some cute items that would make great gifts for your or your pup. Take a look!
Love this doggie woof bone frame with a pop of red to complement your pup's fiery personality!
Ozzie Octopus is stringy and squeaky, just the thing for Cosmo Havanese
This travel jewelry case is perfect for the dog lover.
This paw pewter wine stop is a great gift idea, especially paired with your favorite bottle of wine!
It's never to early to think about Halloween! This candy corn lead is perfect!
Havanese Chan Chan, left, won the Toy Group on Sunday!
Today we're adding just a few words to our Wordless Wednesday post! Last weekend we discovered a new (to us) type of dog show. The International All Breed Canine Association holds European-style dog shows in the U.S. and Canada and last weekend we attended the show in Atlanta.
They offer competition for many of the same breeds you'll see at AKC shows, and in addition, you'll likely see some new and rare breeds.
This little Mi-Ki, named Goliath, spent a lot of time collecting ribbons in the championship ring
Mi-Kis were out in full force. We learned they come in smooth and long-coated varieties and that two organizations of Mi-Kis have different grooming standards too.
More Mi-Kis
Another difference is that at IABCA shows, the judges sit down with each handler after they show and provide a written critique of each dog, providing each handler input on their dogs strengths and improvement areas.
After Chan Chan shows, the judge discusses his finer points with owner/handler E.Ann
This critique session, shown above, makes each breed session go slower. But since these shows seem to have fewer entries, it's a good trade-off for the handlers.
"Phalene" or drop ear Papillon Farrah rests in his mother's arms
The entire show also is more relaxed. No pantyhose and skirts required! There still was a mix of casual and slightly more dressed up attire, however.
One thing was the same... all the dogs were beautiful, both inside and out!
Japanese Chin Gracie
Chan Chan's Havanese brother Chulo
Chan Chan, before he enters the breed for Best in Show
A mini Aussie from the Best in Show ring
Havanese Zoe, a spectator at this event, models a medal
Siberian Husky wins one of the Best in Show events.
Want to know more about IABCA shows?
Approximately 75 percent of dogs are AKC recognized breeds, with many of the dogs already champions of record. The majority are breeder/owner handled.
IABCA has been holding international shows for 20 years.
Two or three judge panel selects Best in Shows and Best Bred-by Exhibitor in Shows
Relaxed atmosphere with the opportunity to talk to the judges and ask questions
All dogs receive written critiques from AKC and International judges
It was a super fun day to see all the dogs and visit with our Havanese pals. To find a show like this near you, check out the IABCA calendar. Plan for a FULL day. We stayed through the final Best in Show event (there were several in different categories) and left around 7:30 p.m.
Here's a way to help your favorite animal shelter with a chance to win a $10,000 grant! Purina ONE beyOnd brand dog and cat food and GOOD have teamed up to host the "Shine a Light on a Shelter" challenge and award a $10,000 grant to an animal shelter doing great work.
Nominations are accepted now through July 30, 2012 and can be madehere. Finalists will be chosen by a panel of judges and then the public will vote from August 6 to August 20. The winner will be announced on August 21. Additionally, the person who submitted the winning shelter will win a year’s supply of Purina ONE beyOnd and a one-year subscription toGOODmagazine. Good luck!
Today we're participating in Bloggers Unite for Dog Rescue, a special online global event held on July 23, 2012 stressing the importance of dog adoption. The event is brought to you by Dog Rescue Success, Blog Catalog and BTC4animals.com and a global online community of bloggers who are joining forces to help save the lives of dogs in need.
The initiative is calling for dog lovers everywhere to spread the word about dog adoption so that less dogs will wind homeless or neglected.
There seem to be two related but distinct messages from today's initiative:
Spread the word about rescuing dogs from shelters instead of purchasing a dog from a pet store that may be getting their dogs from puppy mills
Continue to educate people so that they understand the time and commitment it takes to take care of a dog, so that dogs will remain in their forever homes, forever
We also want to point out that whether you rescue your pup from a shelter or choose to purchase a dog from a responsible breeder, it's important to do your research up front so that your furry friend will be a great partner for you and your family for the long haul.
And, even if now is not the best time for you to welcome a new pup into your household, here are a few ways you can help doggies everywhere.
This sweet pup was looking for his forever home at a recent adoption event at Mostly Mutts Animal Rescue in Atlanta, Ga.
Volunteer at a local shelter or rescue organization. Rescue groups like Mostly Mutts in our area hold adoption events nearly every weekend and they rely on volunteers to help staff events like these and others.
Donate to your locate shelter or rescue group. While cash is always needed for vet bills and other needs, rescues often will list products they need on their websites. Also ask your locate rescue if they can use a donation of products or gift certificates that can be used for auction items at rescue fundraising events.
Foster a dog. Many rescue groups, including breed rescue organizations like Havanese Rescue rely on foster homes to care for pups before they can be adopted.
Sweet Bix, from Havanese Rescue, is available for adoption and looking for his forever home
To see how everyone else is spreading the word, check out the other posts on the Bloggers Unite for Dog Rescue Blog Hop.
There are a lot of great things about Atlanta... music, food, Cosmo Havanese and of course, BarkWorld Expo! It's hard to believe the conference is just three short months away, so it's the perfect time to start making your arrangements. This year's BarkWorld is scheduled for Oct. 25 - 27 in Atlanta, Ga.
If you haven't been to BarkWorld before, here's a little more about what you can expect. Established in 2009, the BarkWorld Conference & Expo is a national pet social media conference where pet owners and businesses come together to learn about social media, pet lifestyle topics, technology and more!
Plenty of opportunities for doggie smooches at BarkWorld 2011
Attendees can bring their dogs and cats, and you might even see a ferret or two or perhaps some other type of pet! There will be bloggers, pet-related businesses from small to large, folks from pet-rescue groups and pet lovers of just about any type that you can imagine.
If you want to learn more about social media or pet lifestyle topics or just have a place where it's perfectly normal to talk about nothing but pets for three days, then come on down and let's meet up at BarkWorld Expo!
Vendor booth area from the 2011 BarkWorld Expo. Bring an extra large suitcase for swag!
The full schedule of sessions can be viewed here, including keynotes from speakers with Twitter, the ASPCA, Meetup.com and the HBO Documentary Madonna of the Mills.
There's also an opportunity to learn about topics such as agility, exercises you can do with your pets, digital scrapbooking for pet lovers, Doga (yoga with your dog -- I've always wanted to do this!), and there will be cooking demonstrations and lots of pawties, too!
Special sneak peek opportunity just for you!
We've learned that Iams is offering a free trip for one blogger, and their pet, to attend BW! The contest starts on July 23, so keep an eye on the BarkWorld Facebook page for details.
To get you in the mood for a trip to Atlanta, here's a nice tune I can't seem to get out of my head...
Nice and fluffy, before Cosmo's swimming adventure!
This weekend we visited with some great pals who have a Havanese AND a lovely in-ground pool... not that we don't love our own new pool. he he!
"Last one in the pool is a rotten egg!"
Double the fun, Miko, in the front, and Cosmo race around the pool before taking a dip! Just like kids, the pups need to be supervised around the pool. So be sure to read all the way down for some pool safety tips.
Two wet Havanese!
Cosmo and Miko learn quickly where the pool steps are located. They're a nice place to hang out when you're not swimming, and also important for a dog to know when it comes time to exit the pool.
Miko shows off his excellent swimming skills and his knowledge of the step location!
Miko has been trained to swim to the steps, and he's built up his endurance so swimming the entire pool length is no trouble at all! Good dog!
"Um, how do I look in orange?"
Meantime, a wet and refreshed Cosmo goes right for a nice romp in the Georgia Red Clay. Only on Cosmo, it turned his fur orange. Luckily it rinsed right off.
Wet and wild!
The two boys get their zoomies on! In case you're wondering, Cosmo is Miko's uncle! Cosmo is 9 and Miko is 2.
Wheeee!
Cosmo displays his flying technique! ...
"I sure did have a lot of fun!"
... while I work on some photography technique!
The dogs had a great time at the pool. But a few safety tips are always good to keep in mind before your next pool adventure!
Teach them where the steps are located. While you never want to leave pups unsupervised around a pool, it's important they know where to swim to so they can exit the pool on their own if needed. Still, you may want to assist them in exiting the pool to help build their confidence.
Never leave your pups unsupervised near a pool. I mentioned this above and I can't mention it enough. Even if your dog knows where the steps are located, they might panic if they try to exit the pool from the side and they can't get out on their own. You wouldn't leave a baby alone by the pool. Don't leave your pet alone, either. And keep your eyes on them always. Enough said.
Rinse your dog after a swim with fresh water. Pool chemicals likely are diluted enough that they won't harm your dogs skin or coat, but to be on the safe side, give your pup a rinsing after a dip in the pool. A bath isn't a bad idea too. For a long-coated dog like Cosmo, I like using a dog shampoo
or conditioner
designed to keep his coat and skin from drying out.
Happy Swimming!
Now, head on over the to Monday Mischief Pet Blog Hop to see what everyone else has been up to this weekend!
Cosmo Havanese with some of his new pals from JW Pet
If your pup has ever gone to town with a water bottle, then here's your chance to win some toys your dog is going to love! Read all the way down to see how to enter, but first Cosmo is taking the new Crackle Heads toys from JW Pet for a test drive!
Cosmo gives Leroy the Lion a twirl
JW Pet sent us plush Leroy the Lion and Canvas Bear, both in a size large. The entire line of Crackle Heads toys come in medium and large sizes and it seems Cosmo, a mighty 17-pound Havanese, would be happy with either size!
Most of our photos look blurry like this, because Cosmo LOVES a good noisy toy he can toss around!
The patent-pending Crackle Heads toys are built around crackly water bottle material, making them irresistible for a fun-loving dog like Cosmo! The toys we tried also had squeakers, making them extra-exciting!
We practiced down, stay and then I release Cosmo to the toy! Wheee!
Since these are toys better off watched in motion, here's a look at the Crackle Heads in action. Cosmo perfects the crunch, squeak and toss technique...
Cosmo thoroughly enjoyed his toys and now you can too!
Enter our JW Pet Crackle Heads Toys giveaway!
Enter via Rafflecopter below to win your very own toys from JW Pet, like the ones Cosmo tested above! The giveaway is open to U.S. entries until 12:01 a.m. ET on July 30.
Win toys like these! Dog not included!
Good Luck!
Disclosure: JW Pet sent us the Crackle Heads toys to review and will provide the toys for prizes. We were not paid for this review and our opinions are entirely our own.
. Stay tuned for a giveaway!
dog food. Stay tuned for that review and giveaway later this week!
or 
designed to keep his coat and skin from drying out.
