Rocco the Fire Dog, New Pet Bed & Fluffy + Fido's #FreebieFriday

Rocco the fire dog at our neighborhood Halloween parade

We've had a super busy week this week starting with our neighborhood Halloween parade. Each year the parade is led by the fire truck from our local Atlanta Fire Station #19, Atlanta's oldest fire station.

Some of the nice fire men give Rocco some fire fighting tips

Rocco got a chance to chat up some of the fire men before the parade began! Our neighborhood Halloween parade is a super fun tradition that we've loved to attend each year! 

Then, later in the week we launched a brand new pet bed brand along with some other great sleep-related products. Some of you may know that I'm working with Yogabed, one of the leading online mattress retailers.  I've been sleeping on a Yogabed for about a year and absolutely love it. And now, we've got a Yogapet pet bed, so Rocco can enjoy the comfort of his own Yogabed. 

Check it out and let me know if you can find Rocco on the website! Hint: it's in this link.  We'll be talking more about it in weeks to come.

In the meantime, it's time again for  Fido + Fluffy's  Freebie Friday, the weekly blog hop for pet-related giveaways!

Check out the goodies in the Fido's Freebie Friday giveaways listed below. You can enter them all or add your own! We make it easy by linking them up all in one place.
If you're a blogger with a pet-related giveaway, be sure to link up! Please link directly to your giveaway, not to your home page. We post a new blog hop every Thursday afternoon at 4 pm ET. 
We hope you enjoy the Fido + Fluffy's Freebie Friday blog hop that we co-host with DogTipper and CatTipper!

Good luck!

Individual rules of entry and guidelines for winning may apply to each listing. DogTipper, CatTipper and To Dog With Love take no responsibility for the legality of the rules governing the listings on other sites and giveaways that are posted here. We simply provide this forum as a gathering place for pet products to be offered. Fulfillment of each giveaway is done by the blog conducting the giveaway, not by the hosts of this giveaway hop; please contact the giveaway host with any questions regarding a giveaway or giveaway prize.

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Fido's Freebie Friday: Halloween Edition!

Muwahahaha!

We're getting ready to head to our neighborhood Halloween parade where Rocco will be dressed as a nommy taco... costume courtesy of Petco!

Then later, Rocco will help greet our trick-or-treaters.

But first, Rocco wants you to know he's giving away a Doggie Trick or Treat Prize Pack, special for Halloween pups who show us your favorite trick. (You don't actually have to show us, but we'd love it if you let us know what your pup's favorite tricks are!) Rocco's also nudging me to remind you to keep your pets safe this Halloween and take special precautions if your dog gets nervous around a lot of activity.   Now, let's get on with the Fido's Freebie Friday giveaways!

If you're not familiar with this event, here's your chance to find out about -- and enter -- all sorts of pet-related giveaways all in one place! And if you're a blogger, we hope you'll join us in linking up your own current giveaways to help spread the word and the giveaway fun. The rules are super simple. Here's all you need to know to link up:

• You have up to 45 characters to describe your prize and include an expiration date
• Fido's Freebie Friday Blog Hop is open to posts with prizes for pet products or services, including pet-related or pet-themed items for owners. Use your specific post url to link up.

To help get even more awareness, feel free to share the Fido's Freebie Friday badge. You can add it to your sidebar, if you wish, but don't feel obligated!

Fido's Freebie Friday opens each Thursday afternoon for linkups at 4 p.m. ET, and renews each week at the same time with a new listing. Link up anytime during the week!

Why Thursday, you ask? We're giving you a head start to beat the crowds at our Friday giveaway shopping mall. And besides, this way Fido's Freebie Friday rolls right into FitDog Friday so there's more fun for everyone!

For more information, you can check out the help page. Your hosts are All Things Dog Blog, Doggies and Stuff, DogTipper and To Dog With Love.

Let's go shopping!


Individual rules of entry and guidelines for winning may apply to each listing. All Things Dog Blog, Doggies and Stuff, DogTipper and To Dog With Love take no responsibility for the legality of the rules governing the listings on other sites and giveaways that are posted here. We simply provide this forum as a gathering place for pet products to be offered. Fulfillment of each giveaway is done by the blog conducting the giveaway, not by the hosts of this giveaway hop; please contact the giveaway host with any questions regarding a giveaway or giveaway prize.

Trick or Treat: Rocco's Halloween Dog Treat Giveaway!

Rocco's got a special surprise for you today!

Here's your chance to win a Howl-o-ween surprise for your favorite spooky dog! Just enter via Rafflecopter below for a chance to win some tasty goodies for your pup!

Our Halloween Trick or Treat Prize Pack includes a Lickety Stik all-natural lickable treat and a bag of Spring Naturals baked natural treats! Both are made in the USA and most definitely trick-worthy!

Good luck! Muwahahaha!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: Lickety Stik and Spring Naturals are providing the treats for our prize pack.

Tips to Keep Your Dog Safe This Halloween

We received this nifty infographic from TheUncommonDog.com, just in time for Halloween! Great tips to keep your dog happy and safe!

Check out more good safety tips for both cats and dogs from Pet360 and petMD.com.

Have a safe and happy Halloween!

Rocco the Taco is ready for Halloween! He also wants you to know we are walking to support cancer research for pets and people this Sunday with 2 Million Dogs. That's the organization inspired by Luke Robinson's 2008 cross-country trek with his two Great Pyrenees, Hudson and Murphy. When Luke lost his pup Malcom to cancer, he wanted to do all he could to help eradicate the disease and 2 Million Dogs was formed.

Now, Puppy Up! Walks are held around the country as part of the 2 Million Dogs campaign. Rocco and I will be walking this Sunday in memory of Cosmo Havanese, who lost his battle with lung cancer late last year. Please consider making a small donation to help us help fight cancer.

Last-minute Halloween Deals for Pets

Photo courtesy of Brit + Co. and Milk-Bone

It seems like everywhere we look there's a story about Halloween! In addition to making sure your pets are safe this Halloween, here are some last-minute contests and deals that can help make your Halloween mwah-ha-ha-r-velous!

Contests
Milk-Bone has teamed up with lifestyle website Brit + Co. for a Halloween "Trick or Treat" pet costume contest. The “Trick or Treat” Best Pet Costume Contest runs through November 2, 2013. You  can enter here for the chance to win a number of prizes, including a monthly dog box subscription, customizable bed, collars and leashes, as well as a year’s supply of Milk-Bone.

Pets Best, a leading nationwide pet insurance agency, is hosting a pet Halloween costume contest, open to U.S. pet owners. Grand prize is one year of free pet insurance, worth up to $500. The contest ends on Nov. 20, 2013. Check out information about the entry process here. 

Deals

Photo courtesy of PetsBest

There's still time to get your pet's Halloween costume shipped right to your door. Just4MyPet is offering two-day shipping for free if you order before 12 PST October 29. 

Petco.com is offering 25 percent off sitewide now through Halloween.

PetCareRX is offer 20 percent off Flea and Tick preventatives for cats and dogs through Halloween.

Happy Howl-o-ween from Rocco Taco!

On a different topic...

This Sunday we're participating in the Puppy Up! Walk for cancer research, organized by 2 Million Dogs. If you're in Atlanta, I hope you'll consider joining us. And if you're not, I hope you'll consider any sized donation... think $5 or so. Every bit helps!  We are walking in memory of Cosmo Havanese and donations can be made here.

Helping Your Nervous Dog Cope with Halloween Night

Guest Post

Halloween is a spooky time of year. That’s basically the entire point. But while we know this scariness is all in good fun, our dogs never got the memo. Try to imagine if you were completely unaware of Halloween, and then one day you woke up and everything was covered in plastic skeletons, bats, and cobwebs, and everyone was dressed up as monsters. It would freak you out!

Plenty of dogs find Halloween among the most stressful days of the year, because of the constant stimulation and all the strange-looking people. But you can help manage their night so they’ll find everything more enjoyable. If your dog is showing signs of being frightened or nervous, you can try some of these tricks.

Give Them a Toy

A new toy is a great way to distract your dog in general, so it is a logical first choice when there is all-out chaos going on outside. While a toy might not be enough to calm down every dog, it’s worth trying as a first measure. Try a dog puzzle or a toy with a treat or treat paste hidden inside, and your dog will be more engaged with getting at the tasty treat.

Leave the TV/Radio On

If your dog is getting worked up because of all the hustle and bustle outside, try leaving the TV or the radio on to help drown out the sounds of trick-or-treating. All around great tools for distraction, these wonderful devices might just help your dog forget that they were scared in the first place.

Close the Drapes

If all the people walking around in costume are starting to freak out your dog, consider closing the blinds to remove that negative stimulant. Out of sight, out of mind.

Disconnect the Doorbell

Is yours a dog who gets excited when they hear the doorbell? If so, the constant ringing by trick-or-treaters can leave them burnt out. If you think this an issue, go ahead and disconnect your doorbell, leaving a sign asking people to knock. Or taking turns with your family members sitting in front of your house with candy for the trick-or-treaters will eliminate this issue entirely.

No Costumes Around the Pet

Clearly, some Halloween costumes are scary. They are supposed to be. But to a dog, even some of the cuter costumes are terrifying. Some dogs just cannot deal with their people wearing masks, unable to comprehend the fact that behind that rubber mask is the person that has been feeding them for years. If you notice that your dog is scared of your costume, be a sport and take it off when you are around them.

Make Sure They Have ID

Dogs on Halloween can get scared, that much is clear. When dogs get scared, sometimes they run off. If you sense that your dog is at risk of bolting, make sure they have their tags on (even if they are also microchipped). With all the opening and closing of the door, and all the extra stimuli, there are plenty of opportunities for them to jet.

Put Your Dog in Their Crate

If all the hoopla starts to be a bother and you are having a hard time keeping your dog from bouncing off the walls or shaking from fear, the best thing for everyone is to simply remove them from the situation. This may mean it’s time to put them in their crate, with their food, water, and a toy, and make sure they are away from the noise.

If your dog is not the chew-everything-when-nervous type, perhaps simply closing them in a room they can call their own for the night will do the trick. Be sure to check in on them with cuddles throughout the night.

Give Them a Calming Remedy or Sedative

If all else fails, or if you are worried that your dog may do harm to someone (or themselves) as a result of their fear, you can go to the vet and get something to help calm their nerves, like a sedative or homeopathic calming remedy. Medical sedatives and tranquilizers are probably only for extreme cases, but for some dogs who have real trouble, it’s a way to ensure that everyone has a fun, safe Halloween.

Sam Bourne is a writer and blogger for PetCareRx and The Wet Nose Press. A dog-person at heart, he currently lives with two cats (Pumba and Suzya), but hopes to adopt a pooch soon.

Help us Decide on a Halloween Costume for Rocco and Giveaway from Petco

It's hard to believe that Halloween is already right around the corner, and here's your chance to win a fun Halloween costume for your dog from Petco!

Read all the way down to enter, but first, please help us decide what Rocco should be for Halloween!

I think this Taco Dog Costume from Petco suits Rocco perfectly. He also seems comfortable in it, which gives it extra high marks from us.

Rocco's wearing a medium and it's a perfect fit.

I love this Football Costume from Petco. And since I also love carrying Rocco around like a football, I think this is super cute on him.

Rocco's wearing a medium/large which fits his length but it's a little big around his body which makes it slip a little.

I think it would fit perfectly on a pug-shaped dog or similar shorter-backed dog.

This Bat Sweater from Petco has eyes that light up and it's also super cute on Rocco.

It's also a comfortable fit in a size medium.

This Sushi Costume is actually meant for a cat, but Rocco squeezed into it with no problem!

It comes in one size -- to fit most kitties -- and I think it would be adorable on a tiny dog too.

It's a bit short on Rocco's back but fits perfectly around his body.

Don't tell Rocco I posted this photo of him in the Devil with Tutu costume from Petco!

I was going to find a girl dog to model it, but it looked so good on him I couldn't resist.

This also comes in one size fits most -- for small dogs.

Rocco also got a visit from these fun Halloween toys from Petco! You can check out all the costumes, toys and treats from Petco's Halloween Bootique here!

Let us know which costume you like best and then enter our giveaway below!




Win a Halloween Costume from Petco!

Enter via Rafflecopter below to win either an adorable Devil with Tutu Costume or a sporty Football Costume from Petco (modeled by Rocco, above!). Sizes available for small to medium sized dogs only.  U.S. winners only.

Good Luck!

Disclosure: Petco sent us a box of adorable Halloween goodies (modeled above) and will provide the giveaway prizes. All opinions expressed herein are our own.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Halloween BarkWorld Style!

We had a blast at the BarkWorld Expo Howl-O-Ween party last weekend. Here's a look at some of our favorite costumes!

Have a safe and happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween From Cosmo Havanese!

Some of Cosmo's favorite costumes!

Have a safe and Happy Halloween!

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!

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!"