BarkWorld Expo 2013: Packing Tips, Atlanta Dog Walks and a contest!

This will be my fourth BarkWorld conference
and Rocco's first. Ask us a question about
BarkWorld, we just might know the answer!

Tomorrow we're heading up the road to BarkWorld Expo, the social media and blogger conference that's located in our hometown of Atlanta!

I've attended every BarkWorld since the conference began in 2010,  so here are a few tips on what to bring and what to do while you're here.

7 Must-Pack Items:

1. Business Cards -- There will be plenty of networking opportunities with fellow bloggers and sponsors so don't miss this opportunity to share information and stay in touch! 
2. Camera -- This is a photo opportunity like you've never seen before! If you like to photograph pets, you'll be in heaven! Don't forget to take group shots of your blogger buddies, the fun pet signage and your favorite pet goodies.
3. Smart phone and laptop or iPad -- Keep your smart phone handy for quick pics and videos so you can share them immediately via Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites. It's fun to follow the action live (use #BarkWorld) via social media for both conference attendees and those who are following from home.    And don't forget all your power cords and chargers!
4. Large expandable suitcase -- Blogger conferences are notorious for having great swag and BarkWorld is no exception! Bring a LARGE suitcase and don't fill it. Then, open the expandable section for all your swag! 
5. Sweater or layering pieces -- This summer has been cooler and wetter than normal, expect mid 80s during the day and 70s at night with some rain and lots of humidity. Bring layering pieces for air-conditioned hotel rooms and comfy shoes.  
6.  Your pet's food, treats and toys -- In addition to making sure your pet is comfortable with their pet carrier, you'll want to bring their familiar food, treats and toys. That'll make them feel right at home and help prevent upset stomachs!
7. Pet accessories -- Don't forget food bowls, leash, poo bags, medications or anything else that's specific to your pet's needs!

Taken earlier this year, Rocco is a social media
 early adopter ! He's 11 months old now and
all grown up! Come say hello when you see us!

Where to find us at BarkWorld

Rocco and I hope to meet a lot of old pals and new ones at BarkWorld, so please come up and say hello!

We'll be spending some time helping out in the Pruven booth, so look for us there or just out and about!

Here's a sneak peak how to win some great products from Pruven!

During BarkWorld, tweet your biggest cleaning pet peeves to @PruvenPets using #PruvenPooches for a chance to win a pack of their amazing pet products!


For some great dog walks in and around Atlanta, check out these links. 

The 1.2-mile Piedmont Center nature trail is closest to the BarkWorld host hotel. It's a hidden gem that meanders behind an office complex about a mile walk from the Westin. Click here for walking directions.


Chastain Park also has a nice path around the park and is about 2.8 miles from the hotel.  Click here for driving directions.

Lenox Park has some walking paths around a pond and fountain and is about 1.5 miles away. Click here for driving directions.

These are all about 3-7 miles from the Westin in Buckhead so you'll need to drive to get there.

A Walk Through Lullwater Park
Dog Walk on Freedom Parkway Trail
A Stroll Through Winn Park
A Walk Through Piedmont Park Expansion
A Walk Through Piedmont Park

This one's further out, about an 1.5 hours from Atlanta in the North Georgia mountains:
Hike Woody Gap with Dogs

For some more helpful blog conference and travel tips with pets, check out these:

How to Prepare Your Dog for a Long Plane Flight

Travel Bag Comfort for You and Your Pet
A Walk Through BarkWorld Expo 2012

See you at BarkWorld! If you're coming, let me know in the comments below!

Pet Blogger Gift Exchange

One of our favorite things about the blogosphere is meeting new people and discovering new blogs that are full of things we love. That's why we were super excited to participate in the Pet Blogger Gift exchange, the brilliant idea from Pamela at Something Wagging This Way Comes.

Pamela paired up each participating blogger, and the idea is for us to exchange gifts of encouragement, compliments and a little bit of link love!

I was randomly paired with Elizabeth at My Life in Blog Years, who is one of the hosts of Black and White Sundays, the weekly blog hop featuring -- obviously -- black and white photos! If you haven't checked it out yet, head over there today, and you might be inspired to try your own hand at black and white.

Here's one of Elizabeth's photos, above, featuring her pups Penny and Luna.

Other things I learned about My Life in Blog Years... and worth checking out:

• Elizabeth is a fabulous photographer. And not just in black and white.
• Get your checkbook ready when you head to Elizabeth's blog and Etsy shop, Pretty Shiny Object, for affordable and stylish handcrafted jewelry. You'll probably find more than one thing you like!
• For more pretty eye candy to brighten your day head to Elizabeth's Pinterest page.

I also learned that both her dogs have tried their paw at agility, a sport that's close to my own heart. 

Happy holidays, Elizabeth! I'm glad to get to know your blog better and hopefully some of your photography expertise will rub off on me!

Here's one more lovely photo from My Life in Blog Years, above.  Elizabeth shares a few of her photo techniques here.

Now, head on over to the Blog Hop to check out some of the other bloggers participating in the gift exchange.

Meet & Greet Party Blog Hop with DogTipper / CatTipper

Our pals at DogTipper are hosting a meet and greet party of sorts to introduce their new CatTipper site (maybe we'll just call it a cattail party). And just like you would do at any party, Paris and John from DogTipper are asking all of us to introduce ourselves, share a little small talk, and then party hop on over to each other's sites!

Cosmo and Diane at BarkWorld Expo

So here goes... I'm Diane Silver, by profession a writer, public relations and social media consultant. I live in Atlanta with Cosmo Havanese, the inspiration behind To Dog With Love.

It actually all started a couple of years ago when I put Cosmo on Twitter as a little social media experiment. Next thing I knew we were part of an amazing community of pets and pet lovers, and helping raise funds and awareness for animal rescue organizations on Twitter.

Cosmo and Diane at the Reindog Parade

I started To Dog With Love last July to provide a platform to share our adventures and stories about the fluffy side of life in more than 140 characters, including:

• Travel -- Cosmo's been to Italy twice now
• Agility -- the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat
• Products we love
• Reviews and giveaways
• Helping the animals who need it most

And now, to play a little party icebreaker game, here are some Little Known Facts  (LKF) about me and Cosmo.

About Diane

• Was a sports writer in Michigan, then a publicist during 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta
• Traveled the NASCAR circuit for 7ish years (for work, not as a groupie... not that there's anything wrong with that)
• Bought a backyard for Cosmo (with a modest house for me that I renovated)

Cosmo shares some love at BlogPaws 2010

About Cosmo

• Was one of the first "anipals" on Twitter @CosmoHavanese
• Has attended every BlogPaws and BarkWorld Expo event and plans to keep his string alive this year
• Now an agility dog, started his performance dog career in conformation

Where you can find us after the party:

- To Dog With Love on Facebook

- To Dog With Love on Twitter

- Cosmo Havanese on Twitter

- Cosmo Havanese Facebook personal page

- Cosmo Havanese Facebook fan page

- Diane Silver on Twitter

- Cosmo Havanese on YouTube

What are some of your LKFs? Leave them in the comments below! Then, let's go Pawty Hopping!