It's a FitDog Friday and K9 Kamp Mashup!

Today is an extra special FitDog Friday because today we're also heading to K9 Kamp, hosted by our pals Peggy at Peggy's Pet Place and Jodi at Kol's Notes!

You can still link up on our FitDog Friday Blog Hop below to share your Kamp and fitness stories, and we've also got lots of special Kamp goodies to share!

So what is K9 Kamp? This is our first year participating and it's all about getting up and doing something with your dog, perhaps exploring some new activity or learning some new tricks. It's kind of like good old fashioned summer camp, where you meet new friends, learn new sports and come home all healthy and fit! Except this time, you don't even have to pack your trunk to go away... unless you want to! 

Our camp counselors Peggy and Jodi have issue a challenge for our time at camp -- today through June 21 -- and it's a pretty simple one:

Get active with your dog, 30 minutes extra, 3 or 4 times a week

The idea is to choose an activity that suits you and your dog and something that will excite you to keep it up for the long haul. Because as we know a fit and healthy dog is more than a three-week adventure.

I'm ready for Kamp!

We're one of 14 featured bloggers, along with our two counselors, who are participating in Kamp, and each of us will be choosing our own activities and goals. Check out our other camp pals to get some ideas and then we hope you'll join us with your own camp posts. You can link up to FitDog Friday blog hops or leave comments on our blogs! We'll need the encouragement! 

So what's our challenge at To Dog With Love going to be? We're going to sports Kamp where we'll continue our agility foundation training! Rocco's still too young to do full-size agility obstacles so this is a great time to learn foundation skills that will not only help him in agility but also in everyday life.

We've chosen to focus on a specific skill and so we've ordered the DVD Crate Games by Susan Garrett  and will start training soon as we get it in the mail, hopefully tomorrow! 

Here's just some of the things we'll learn in Crate Games:

* Focus and motivation for work
* A dog that can relax in his crate even while you work another dog
* A phenomenal sit stay
* A speedy and dependable recall
* Distance skills for obedience or agility
* Self- rather then imposed-control
* A remarkable working relationship
* Confidence while being proofed during any tough distraction
* A dog that keenly offers responses when being shaped
* ...and much more! 

We're intrigued and can't wait to start! This might not sound too exciting if you've never competed in agility. But we're super excited to start out the right way with good foundation skills. 

Now, please meet the rest of our Kamper pals and come on over and join us for storytelling at the Kampfire!

Small Tales- Foley Monster and Pocket
Something Wagging This Way Comes

Snoopy's Dog Blog
I Just Want More Puppies
Pet Blogs United
Heart Like a Dog
Woof Woof Mama
SlimDoggy
Pooch Smooches
Whirlwind of Surprises
You Did What With Your Wiener
Terrier Torrent
My GBGV Life

Our Kamp counselors Peggy at Peggy's Pet Place and Jodi at Kol's Notes also have lots more details and prizes to tell you about, so head on over to their cabins to learn more! 

Today also is FitDog Friday, the weekly Blog Hop brought to you by To Dog With Love, SlimDoggy and Peggy's Pet Place to promote a healthy active lifestyle for pets (and their people, too!) and to help combat pet obesity. Join in every Friday by linking up your FitDog story or visiting the blogs in the Hop. 

Is Your Pet the Messiest? Chance to Win $3,000 gift card from Pruven!

I didn't do it!

We're always on the hunt for a good pet mess cleaner that makes clean-up easy and also doesn't have an offensively strong smell. 

So when we got a chance to sample Pruven as part of our BlogPaws swag haul, we were anxious to try it out. 

Since Rocco's an exceptionally well-behaved still a puppy, it didn't take long for the opportunity. I'm super happy with the result... no evidence of a mess and the smell is clean and almost non-existent. Perfect!

Now, in addition for the opportunity for a clean, fresh-smelling home, here's a chance to win a HUGE prize AND a donation to help shelter animals!

Starting today through August 22, Pruven, a line of pet mess management and prevention products, is inviting pet owners to submit photos of their own messy pet to, “Cute but Caught: America’s Cutest & Messiest Pets Photo Contest” for an opportunity to win the full line of Pruven pet products and a $3,000 American Express gift card so you can pamper yourself and your pet!

I didn't do it?

Log-on to the Pruven contest website (www.pruvenpet.com/cutebutcaught) to submit a photo of your adorable, messy pet caught in the act; whether shredding pillows, scratching doors or muddying carpets. The first 500 entrants will receive a free Pruven Pet Hair Roller.

In addition, for every entry, Pruven will donate $1 to the Greg Biffle Foundation for Animals, up to $2,000. Founded by NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, the foundation works to drive awareness and advocate for the well-being of animals by partnering with shelters and humane societies across the country.

Nearly 90 percent of the roughly 140 million pets in the United States create some sort of mess in their home, and a third of those messes are likely to happen at least once a week* -- exactly why Pruven created a line of products to address all pet cleaning issues. For example, Pruven Oxy Stain & Odor Remover with Scotchgard Protector can permanently eliminate pet stains and odors with its 2-in-1 power.

The oxy power helps break down the mess leaving carpets clean, while the Scotchgard protection helps to prevent future soiling so stains won't re-appear. It's tough on the toughest pet stains, yet leaves the treated area safe for pets and kids when used as directed. The Pruven Oxy Powered Stain and Odor Remover can be found at Walmart and select Target stores for a suggested retail price of $4.99 for a 24 oz spray bottle.

For more information on Pruven pet products, visit www.pruvenpet.com.

It's not easy being clean

*Pruven Pet Survey, 2013

Wordless Wednesday: Running Partner

Running is better with a friend! Rocco Havanese, right, enjoys a backyard romp with his Hav pal Nicky!

Bingo! Our Park Day 2.0 Adventure!

We're participating in Park Day 2.0, the fun challenge issued by our pals Gizmo at Terrier Torrent and Finn at Finn & Charley Too!

Gizmo and Finn came up with this cool idea where you download one of a selection of Bingo cards and then complete each challenge to make a "Bingo!"

Then you post about your adventures and everyone links up their blog posts on the linky list below!

We finished our adventures to collect a Bingo this weekend... so here you go... our Park Day 2.0 adventures!

This is the Bingo card we played. There were so many good activities it was hard to choose, so we did the vertical column on the left and a few extra challenges too.

Visit a park more than 30 minutes from your house

We had a great trip to Chicago a few weeks ago where we visited Lincoln Park... a huge city park that borders Lake Michigan. Since we live in Atlanta, this certainly qualifies!

Rocco checked out lots of areas in the park. Here are just a few.

Roc and a view

Roc and another view!

Visit a park at sunset

During our Chicago trip, Rocco also got to visit the beach for the first time. On this day, we headed to Oak Street Beach at sunset. Ahhh!

Spot a squirrel

Rocco's catching on to squirrel chasing. He didn't really notice them until he was about six months old. Now at the ripe age of eight months it's one of his favorite hobbies.

"I think I spy a squirrel!" 

Can you see it? Hint: it's hanging upside down. 

Upside down squirrel

Take a closer look... yep, that white thing is a squirrel belly, handing upside down!

Like Cloud Star on Facebook

Done!

Find a dog playing Frisbee

We've seen several disc dog events recently. While walking in our local Piedmont Park, we happened  upon this disc dog competition.

Disc dogs compete in the field behind Rocco

Then, after the 5K9 Walk/Run we participated in earlier this month, we caught this disc dog demonstration by Melissa Heeter and her pup Glory.

Melissa and Glory

I just really like taking photos of flying dogs... and captured these at Purina Farms in Gray Summit, Missouri.  If you ever have the chance to go to an event at Purina Farns, do it! It's a really cool facility!

Disc dog demo at Purina Farms

More from Purina Farms

Wheeee!

We had so much fun at Park Day 2.0! Thanks Finn and Gizmo for coming up with a great idea!

Here's a look at everyone else's adventures!

Black and White Sunday: Roc Meets Sand

Rocco meets sand for the first time at North Avenue Beach in Chicago

Today we're participating in the Black and White Sunday Blog Hop hosted by You Did What With Your Weiner, My Life In Blog Years and Dachshund Nola. 

One Week Left to Nominate Your Town for a $100,000 Dog Park from PetSafe!

There's still time to nominate your town to compete in the third-annual PetSafe “Bark for Your Park” contest, which awards a total of $200,000 in funding for U.S. cities to build local off-leash dog parks.

To nominate a city, simply visit www.petsafe.net by May 31. Finalists will be selected based on the availability of land, civic leader support, population size and total number of votes from community supporters. PetSafe will select 15 finalists based on information provided by the cities, and each community must provide documentation of land availability and civic leader support to be eligible.

“If your city needs a dog park, you can’t pass up this opportunity,” said Randy Boyd, CEO and president of Radio Systems Corporation, makers of the PetSafe brand. “Some cities have been getting votes since May 1 when the contest opened, but finalists are not chosen based on the number of votes alone. If you can provide verification of land and support from a civic leader by May 31, your town could be considered for a finalist spot and could compete for the grand prize of a $100,000 dog park.”

Once you’ve nominated your city, supporters can vote daily on www.petsafe.net and PetSafe’s Facebook page. This video explains how the “Bark for Your Park” contest works.

On June 5, PetSafe will announce the finalist communities that will continue “barking” for their park by voting daily on www.petsafe.net and PetSafe’s Facebook page. The finalist city with the most votes will be named the “top dog” and win a $100,000 PetSafe dog park, and four additional pet-passionate finalist cities will receive $25,000 to put toward their local dog park plans. “Bark for Your Park” contest winners will be announced on July 31.

For more information and to nominate a city, visit www.petsafe.net. 

A FitDog Adventure and Bloggie Pal meetup in Lincoln Park!

Today is FitDog Friday, the weekly Blog Hop brought to you by To Dog With Love, SlimDoggy and Peggy's Pet Place to promote a healthy active lifestyle for pets (and their people, too!) and to help combat pet obesity. Join in every Friday by linking up your FitDog story or visiting the blogs in the Hop. And be sure to comment and you'll be entered into a giveaway for great FitDog prizes!

Sometimes, FitDog activities are even better shared with friends! Two weekends ago when Rocco and I headed to Chicago we had the chance to meetup with two bloggie pals for a FitDog adventure through Lincoln Park!

The day started with a romp and a lot of zooming with our new pals Sugar Golden Woofs on the left and Dolly the Doxie in the middle.  We shared a few photos from the initial meeting here!

Sugar chased the ball ...

 while Rocco zoomed!

Later, Dolly had to go home so Rocco and Sugar conferred.

"Let's go on a Lincoln Park adventure and check out the rest of the park!"

The zoo seemed like a good idea, but the sign said, "no dogs." Sigh...

Not to be disappointed for long, Sugar and Rocco found nice climbing rocks.

 ... and put them to good use!

Next they happened upon a lovely Nature Boardwalk. This time, pets are allowed, as long as they are leashed.

"This looks like a good spot... let's go!"

 There was a lovely pond and more things to climb on!

Rocco stopped to read a nice message, thoughtfully placed at his sight-line...

After about four hours of play and walking, the pair were tuckered out, and found the perfect resting spot!

FitDog Friday Giveaways and Blog Hop

For a chance to be entered into our weekly FitDog Friday giveaway, link your FitDog Friday post to our Blog Hop or just leave a comment on one or all of our co-hosts posts -- SlimDoggy, Peggy's Pet Place and To Dog With Love!

Each comment (one each per co-host post) and each Blog Hop link counts as one entry, so you have many chances to win! (Winners will be chosen at random.)

This week we have some cool, new prizes including:

1. Engraved Paw Print Collar Tag/Key Ring from A Pet's Life

2. Cool waste bag dispenser with refill rolls and pet bandana from Pruven by 3M

3. SlimDoggy T-shirt with slogan "Get off your Butt, Workout with your Mutt!"

4. Dieting With My Dog bookmark and refrigerator magnet

Be sure to check out the prizes, and enter a comment below or link up your FitDog Friday post for a chance to win! 

Grab a badge from our sidebar and come on and join the FitDog Friday Blog Hop!

Help Pets Play Their Way To Fitness with Project: Pet Slim Down From Purina

It's hard for us to even imagine that more than half of America’s pets are overweight. According to a 2011 Pet Obesity Study, 53 percent of dogs and 55 percent of cats in the United States are overweight or obese. That's a serious problem, but it's a problem that can be overcome with something as simple -- and rewarding -- as spending more time playing together!

Rocco on the fly!

I love playing, training, walking and running with Rocco, and not only is it good for him, but it also gets me out and going! So when we learned about Project: Pet Slim Down from Purina, we thought this was a pretty cool thing to share. In fact, read all the way down to learn how you can win your own Project: Pet Slim Down fitness kit!

Project: Pet Slim Down from Purina has already begun a year-long collaboration with Target. It's a free online program that helps pets reach an ideal weight. You’ll find weight-loss tips, success stories, digital coupons and more by visiting Target.com/Purina.

A fit pet is more than healthy—he’s happy

Improved health is an important benefit of regular exercise/activity for pets. But, according to a survey commissioned by Purina, the biggest benefits noted by owners surveyed are emotional. Owners also play with their pets to reap emotional rewards, such as fun, stress relief and bonding.

Pets are a powerful motivator to help get people moving. If your dog is hooked on a daily walk or run, it can help you commit to physical activity as well.

Enter our Project: Pet Slim Down Giveaway!

Enter via Rafflecopter below to win a dog pedometer and $25 Target gift card from Project: Pet Slim Down from Purina.  Giveaway is open until June 5 at 12 a.m. ET. U.S. only. 

And, don't forget to come by and visit us at the FitDog Friday Blog Hop tomorrow! 

Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wordless Wednesday: Photo shoot!

Rocco, left, learns to pose with his trick dog pals Preston Casanova, Norman Scooter Dog and Jasmine at BlogPaws.

Some folks thought Rocco and Norman were they same type of dog. Silly! The only thing they share is smarts... and cutes! Norman is a Briard, a French herding dog. Rocco, like Jasmine, is a Havanese, a descendent of breeds brought from Spain to Cuba where they evolved from pampered lap dogs of the aristocracy to companion dogs and herders of the family's poultry flock!

... the evolution continues as Rocco learns to be the next skateboarding dog!

Maddie's Pet Adoption Days Comes to NYC for Free Pet Adoption Weekend!

Here's a great opportunity for our NYC pals who are thinking about adopting a pet.

If you're looking to find your forever kitty or dog pal, there's no better time than the weekend of June 1-2. That's because, for the first time, Maddie's Pet Adoption Days is coming to NYC!

Maddie's Pet Adoption Day, the biggest free pet adoption event in America, is going national this year and the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals is leading the charge in New York City!

Mayor’s Alliance hopes to place hundreds of dogs and cats in qualified forever homes in the New York City Area on June 1 & 2.

Free adoptions for qualified adopters will be offered throughout the weekend at participating shelters and other adoption locations, and at two large, outdoor adoption events in Manhattan.

Here are a couple of the cuties available for adoption in the NYC area!

Bernard

Buddy

The goal of Maddie's Pet Adoption Days is to give all healthy, senior and treatable shelter dogs and cats a second chance. As in past years, adoptions of dogs and cats will be free to qualified adopters.

In return, Maddie's Fund has set aside $4 million so that it can give each shelter or rescue group $500 - $2,000 per adoption.

Edgar

The adoption event honors the memory of the foundation's namesake, a Miniature Schnauzer named Maddie, who was lovingly owned by PeopleSoft founder Dave Duffield and his wife Cheryl. Dave promised Maddie that if his company ever made some money, he would help other cats and dogs so that their families could be as happy as they were with Maddie.

Since then, Dave and Cheryl have endowed Maddie's Fund with more than $300 million to help shelter cats and dogs find new, loving homes.

Maddie's Fund expanded this year's event to include adoption sites across the U.S. because of the continued success of Maddie's Pet Adoption Days on a local level. Every year, the number of adoptions has increased with a total of 6,722 dogs and cats adopted during the event's three-year history.

This year, the hope is to adopt 5,000 animals during the two-day event by expanding the geographical boundaries to reach 11 million more people. To see other cities participating in Maddie's Pet Adoption Days click here.
 

This is a sponsored post but the opinions reflected herein are my own.