Tips for a Stylish Pet Home and $50 PetSmart Giveaway from Apartment Guide

We're partnering with Apartment Guide to bring you tips for creating a comfortable and stylish living space for you and your pet. And today, thanks to Apartment Guide, we're bringing you the chance to win a $50 gift card from PetSmart to help you spruce up your own pet's quarters! Read all the way down to enter our giveaway!

But first, we did a little browsing at Petsmart.com and found a few suggestions to create the perfect pet space!

How about this Home Storage Pet Bed?

The top part lifts back to reveal a hidden storage space, perfect for keeping your small pet's toys organized! We love items that do double-duty like this one!

Or how about this Fatboy Doggielounge Pet Bed?

The happy print reminds me of the Marimekko print bedspread I had in college, and sure enough, look what I found on the Fatboy website!

You and your pet can enjoy matching Marimekko print loungers. That's what I call lounging in style.

Did you know that Apartment Guide is a great resource, even if you're not currently planning a move?

• Apartment Guide offers tips for bringing a new pet into your apartment and helping them adjust to your home.
• If you’re ready for a whole new space or looking to move with your pet, Apartment Guide has the photos, floor plans, features and tips to help you search for the perfect pet-friendly apartment community.
• Apartment Guide provides helpful suggestions for moving to and exploring a new neighborhood with your pet. Whether you’re living, looking or moving, Apartment Guide will help point you in the right direction.“Like” Apartment Guide on Facebook, tweet at  them @AptGuide on Twitter, “circle” them on Google+ and follow them on Pinterest for real-time tips and updates on how to make the most of your small space.

Enter our $50 PetSmart Gift Card Giveaway!

One lucky To Dog With Love reader will win a $50 PetSmart Gift Card, courtesy of Apartment Guide! Enter via our Rafflecopter giveaway below. Contest is open to U.S. residents until October 13 at 12:01 a.m. ET.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cosmo says, "don't get left out in the cold! Enter our giveaway today!"

Disclosure Statement:
Apartment Guide and owner Consumer Source, Inc. partner with bloggers such as me to participate in blogger programs.  As part of that program, I received compensation.  They did not tell me what to purchase or what to say about any products and believe that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. Consumer Source’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.

Wordless Wednesday: Piedmont Park Stroll

 Cosmo enjoys a nice stroll through Piedmont Park in Atlanta.

Now let's see what everyone else is up to on Wordless Wednesday!

How to Make Your Living Space Pet-friendly and Stylish!

Whether you're moving to a new place with a pet or bringing a new furry addition into your home, a little advance planning can go a long way in making your living space a happy place for both you and your pet.

That's why we are really excited to partner with Apartment Guide to bring you some tips on moving as well as some things to know when you are bringing a new pet into your apartment.

Since I've had dogs, I've lived in apartments, condos and houses, and each time I moved I had a few tricks of my own to make the move more pleasant and the new surroundings more comfortable. So I'm going to share a few tips from Apartment Guide as well as a few of my own! 

Moving with Cosmo

Since I've had Cosmo, we've moved twice -- from a condo, to an apartment, to our current house. For us, the apartment was a temporary solution since I was lucky enough to sell a condo a little too quickly and we had nowhere else to go! If you happen to find yourself in a similar situation with a pet, Apartment Guide has the photos, floor plans, features and tips to help you search for the perfect pet-friendly apartment community.

When we lived in the apartment, I loved the pet friendly walking areas as well as some unexpected extras like the pet-friendly window sills! 

Cosmo loved this built-in perch in our apartment!

One tip: If your pet likes to jump up on the window sill, please make sure the windows are secure and closed! The third floor provided a great viewing area for Cosmo, but I wanted to make sure he stayed INSIDE the apartment!

Here are a few more things we've done to make our living space more pet-friendly and pet-welcoming!

If your pet likes to join you in bed, consider a bench at the foot of the bed (like the one above) to make the leap a little less strenuous. An area rug will also provide your pet with some traction and will help dampen the sound of clicking feet across the bedroom floor! I got the bench, above, and the pet bed from Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams.  I was able to customize both with complementary pet-friendly fabrics that are both durable AND stylish!

Speaking of pet beds, I don't think you can ever have too many! For an affordable option with a customized look, I love this bed, above, from P.L.A.Y.  The beds are made with furniture grade fabrics, sustainable materials and are completely machine washable and dryable. The beds are even reversible to give you several looks AND you can order pillows in complementary fabrics for your own bed or sofa!

Cosmo is packed and ready to go for his next adventure

Whether we are traveling across country or moving to a new space, Cosmo doesn't go anywhere without his Big Green Bone, above. I always make sure Cosmo's favorite toys and treats are close at hand. And if you're moving, be sure you have quick access to your pet's food and bowls too!

When it comes to flooring, I love the options and functionality of carpet tiles. These, above, are from FLOR. You can customize the look to fit your own style and if your pet has an accident, it's super easy to clean one tile or even replace it.

Some more helpful tips if you are moving to a new neighborhood

The folks at Apartment Guide also provide lots of helpful suggestions for moving to and exploring a new neighborhood with your pet. Whether you are living, looking or moving, Apartment Guide will point you in the right direction. 

For more, "Like” Apartment Guide on Facebook, tweet at  them @AptGuide on Twitter, “circle” them on Google+ and follow them on Pinterest for real-time tips and updates on how to make the most of your small space.

Some extra treats from Apartment Guide

Stop back by To Dog With Love on Friday, and we'll be hosting a giveaway for a $50 gift card from PetSmart, courtesy of Apartment Guide! You could pick up a snappy new bed, some Bissell pet clean-up products,  or a Halloween welcome rug -- all essentials in my book for a stylish, pet-friendly home!


Disclosure Statement:
Apartment Guide and owner Consumer Source, Inc. partner with bloggers such as me to participate in blogger programs.  As part of that program, I received compensation.  They did not tell me what to purchase or what to say about any products and believe that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. Consumer Source’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.

Getting Ready for First Chemo Treatment

It's Mischief Monday, but this weekend Cosmo spent his time preparing for his first chemo treatment since he had surgery to remove a lung tumor earlier this month. 

So what does that mean to a dog?... Pretty much business as usual.

Exploring.

Posing for pictures.

Running for treats.

Chasing the vacuum!

Cosmo also came to my agility class with me (the one I teach) and he couldn't wait to get on the equipment. And of course there was lots of strolling and walking!

This afternoon we head to the vet for the first of Cosmo's five chemo treatments. He looks like he feels really good going into this, eating well as usual and zooming around.

We'll let you know how it goes.

Update after today's chemo treatment: We got home from the vet around 6 p.m., Cosmo zoomed around the backyard, ate dinner and we're going for a stroll. He looks great and he handled the chemo treatment like a champ.  We go back next week for a checkup and then another chemo treatment is scheduled in three weeks. Paws and fingers crossed he continues to feel good.

Cosmo zooms around the backyard after chemo treatment #1

Now let's see what everyone else is up to!

Black and White Sunday: The Cosmo Eye

It's our first time participating in the Black & White Sunday blog hop hosted by You Did What With Your Weiner, My Life in Blog Years and Dachshund Nola.

Cosmo looks pretty much the same in Black and White, except his whites are whiter and his blacks are blacker! Next time we'll try something a little different!

Let's see what everyone else is up to in Black and White!

Love Turkey Bacon? Win New Dog Treats from Freshpet!

Win these Turkey Bacon dog treat from Freshpet! Dog not included but nifty cooler is!

If you love turkey bacon, I'm giving you fair warning. These new treats from Freshpet may be made for dogs, but once you open the package you'll swear they smell good enough to eat yourself!

Cosmo got the chance to sample the Dog Nation Turkey Bacon treats from Freshpet, and did he like them? Just see for yourself!

They pass the sniff test!

Cosmo chomps down, taking a firm hold...

Nom, nom, nom... Cosmo savors the flavor!

Cosmo's not letting go! ... One more please?

Freshpet Turkey Bacon is made using only all natural, simple ingredients. There's never any corn, wheat by-products or preservatives, and they are made in the USA.  You'll find Freshpet food and treats only in the Freshpet fridge in stores nationwide. In fact, because Freshpet food and treats need to be kept refrigerated, the winner of our giveaway will receive their prize in a nifty cooler like the one pictured above!

To find a retail store near you, visit the Freshpet store locator at www.Freshpet.com/storelocator.

How your pup can win Freshpet Turkey Bacon dog treats!

In case there's any doubt, Cosmo LOVED these treats! And now you
can win some too! Dog not included.

One lucky To Dog With Love reader will win a prize pack from Freshpet with Turkey Bacon dog treats, like the treats pictures here! If you're lucky enough to win, be sure to unpack the package right away and put the treats in your fridge to keep them fresh.

Enter via our Rafflecopter giveaway below. Contest is open to U.S. residents until October 7 at 12:01 a.m. ET.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Can we puleeez open these NOW!!

More treats, less photos!

Disclaimer: Freshpet sent us the dog treats to review and give away. The opinions expressed herein are entirely mine and Cosmo's.

Wordless Wednesday: Keeping a Normal Routine

You all are going to get tired of seeing Cosmo in his new stroller, but I can't get enough of it! Even before surgery, Cosmo didn't like to go on walks. He'll zoom around the yard and over agility jumps, but walking?... forget it! 

Yesterday I was able to take our longest stroller walk yet, around the neighborhood and then into Virginia Highland to window shop. We stopped in at Mitzi's Corner where Cosmo enjoyed a little extra attention.

You can tell he totally digs it. Then on the way home, he walked part of the way. So Cosmo still gets enough exercise and so do I... have you ever pushed a stroller uphill?!

Cosmo cancer update: Since the surgery post, Cosmo has been recovering nicely. But cancer was confirmed in the lung tumor that was removed as well as in a surrounding lymph node. The type is an adenocarcinoma and Cosmo will begin chemo treatments using Carboplatin later this week.

The plan is to give him a treatment every three weeks for five treatments. After three treatments, more tests will be done to determine effectiveness of the treatment and then we'll decide if we continue. Because Cosmo is in good heath otherwise and still very active (he turned 10 on Sept. 10) our goal is to maintain good life quality and at the same time, try to wipe out the cancer.

Now here's the reality. Average survival  time of dogs with metastatic pulmonary adenocarcinoma is 9-12 months, although dogs living longer have been reported. It's a relatively rare cancer so there is little data or studies regarding efficacy of treatments for a dog in Cosmo's situation. So maybe we'll be pioneers and set a new standard.

And in the meantime, zooming will continue.

Join the Fun with #BarkWorld at #NipClub on Twitter This Thursday!

If you missed last night's flurry of excitement on Twitter, there's one more chance to party with BarkWorld Expo this week!

On Thursday, September 20, 2012, join BarkWorld for a special party with #NipClub from 6 - 10 p.m. ET on Twitter.

Use hashtag #NipClub and #BarkWorld to follow the fun which will include games, prizes and a chance to win free passes to BarkWorld Expo in Atlanta! You'll also meet BarkWorld founder Denise Quashie @BarkWorldExpo and the folks @AptGuide, one of the BarkWorld sponsors.

For more about the party and to RSVP, click here.

Never been to a #NipClub event? Every Thursday night one weekend every month, NipClub raises money for animal charities, and there's lots of fun and games too!

Last night, BarkWorld joined the regular Monday night #Petchat on Twitter, and the comments were FLYING! If it all seems to go a bit too fast, just watch for a while and you'll catch on quickly. I like to use a platform like Tweetgrid when I participate in Twitter parties. Just enter the party hashtag, for example #BarkWorld, the party host name if you know it, like @BarkWorldExpo, and then your Twitter name and you are good to go!

See you on Thursday at the #BarkWorld and #Nipclub extravaganza! @CosmoHavanese will be there with me @ToDogWithLove.

Monday Mischief: Back to the "New" Normal

If it's Monday, it must be time for mischief! Actually, anytime is a good time for mischief, but this weekend Cosmo was especially glad he was "cleared" for mischief making.

After undergoing surgery to remove a lung tumor, Cosmo got his staples out on Friday and he was cleared to commence zooming again.  He spent the weekend running in the backyard...

Pondering squirrels and birds...

And strolling with me!

You can see how much he enjoys strolling, almost as much as zooming!

As far as his surgery and diagnosis goes, we did get test results back last week that confirmed the lung tumor they removed as an adenocarcinoma. Unfortunately, cancer also was identified in the lymph node sent off for biopsy, so we are evaluating treatment options this week.

In the meantime, Cosmo is feeling great and his appetite and nose for treats is as hearty as ever.  Please keep pawsitive thoughts coming for Cosmo. And, if you're lucky enough to be attending BarkWorld Expo this October, we'll plan to see you there!

Now, let's see what kind of mischief the rest of our pals are up to!

Get Your Puppy Fix With the Eukanuba Puppy Cam!

Need a puppy fix? For the next eight weeks, watch the Canine Companions for Independence "E" litter grow and flourish on the Eukanuba Puppy channel!  Taya is being a great mom after giving birth to five girls and three boys on Friday, Sept. 14, 2012.

Watch 7 days a week, during these times:

8am – 9pm PST

9am – 10pm MDT

10am-11pm CDT

11am-12am EST

Watch live streaming video from eukanubapuppychannel at livestream.com

Eukanuba is sponsoring this litter, where all the pups will go into training to be Canine Companions for Independence (CCI)  assistance dogs, helping enhance the lives of people with disabilities. CCI provides their dogs at no cost, but each costs approximately $10,000 to train from birth to two years old.

For every click Eukanuba will donate to CCI

So here's where you come in. Eukanuba is raising money to help CCI provide more assistance dogs to those in need. To help Eukanuba reach their goal of $100,000 click the donate button here: http://on.fb.me/EukanubaCCI and for every click, Eukanuba will donate $1 to Canine Companions. It costs you nothing but a few moment to click! 

And for your reward, watch the sweet puppies above! 

Wordless Wednesday: Walk and Roll with Cosmo and His Dogger Stroller!

Cosmo says it was worth the wait! His new Dogger Stroller arrived just in time for his birthday on Monday. Walk and roll!

Now head on over the Blogpaws Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop and see what everyone else is up to!

Happy Birthday to Cosmo!

Happy Birthday to Cosmo Havanese! Today's his 10th birthday and Cosmo's spending the day waiting for the UPS man to bring his special surprise!

No deliveries yet, but we're still expecting something today.

Cosmo also spent the weekend recovering from his surgery. He's doing much better and even felt like exploring this morning.

(Taken the day before surgery)

Happy birthday little guy! May the coming year be filled with good health and lots of zoomies!

Now let's see what everyone else has been up to!