DogFriendly.com's Dog News

The PrideBite dog toy considered to be the “Future of Plush” is a light weight, interactive, and versatile play toy stuffed with foam! Each play toy is crafted with two layers of soft DURABITE™ fleece with a rip stop technology sewn between the layers, two encased squeakers, and an inner stuffing made of soft foam. The PrideBite is great for both indoor and outdoor playtime as each play toy floats in the water and is machine washable. All toys are carefully crafted with these features to create an amazing interactive play toy for dogs – The future of plush play toys for dogs are here!

Beginning May 7th, consumers will be able to design and produce their choice of play toys for their furry best friends. The process will be an easy one–Step one: customers will be able to choose a shape, either in the form of a person or a disc. Second, they will be able to customize each play toy by uploading a picture and voila! Every dog can have a customized play toy!

PrideBites was founded in Los Angeles by four guys under the age of 25 who took their passion for dogs to the next level. The founders introduced the “Buy a Toy, Help Save a Dog” movement. Their mission was to have every dog take PRIDE in the quality of their play toys by having fun with a more durable foam play too instead of a cotton one, all while giving back to the pet community. For every play toy sold, PrideBites donates to animal shelters and other organizations that help dogs in need.

WEB SITE: www.PrideBites.com

Resort invites pet owners to pamper their pooch with Top Dog weekend

The Essex Resort & Spa invites four-legged guests to the Top Dog weekend May 31-June 2nd. Canine family members will enjoy a pampered weekend complete with a grooming appointment and fresh baked dog biscuits.

The weekend kicks off Friday night with a happy hour with doggie treats for canines and drink specials for their owners. The next morning everyone is shuttled to nearby Mills Riverside Park for dogs to enjoy off-leash time to run, play and splash in the water. Upon returning to the resort, the dogs are washed, cut, and combed at a grooming appointment, before stretching out their paws for a leisurely nap. In the afternoon, pet owners take a hands-on cooking class at the resort’s Cook Academy, learning to make homemade doggie biscuits with healthful combinations of chicken, rice, and peanut butter.

“We are rolling out the red carpet for our pet guests,” says Jim Glanville, Vice President and General Manager of The Essex Resort & Spa, “Pets are family members and we recognize that our guests’ vacation is even more fulfilling when their dog enjoys it with them.”

The Top Dog weekend is priced at $599 based on double occupancy and includes all weekend activities, nightly pet fee, as well as a goody bag to take home with collapsible water bowl and toy for Fido to chew, play, tug or fetch.

Human guests of The Essex Resort & Spa can indulge in a spa treatment at the world-class spa, enjoy a range of cooking classes, golf at The Links at Lang Farm, rent bikes, play tennis, and discover Burlington and Stowe. The resort’s two restaurants are renowned for their cuisine; The Tavern offers the best of pub fare in a welcoming environment with a seasonal outdoor patio overlooking views of the resort’s extensive gardens, and Amuse offers sophisticated dining in a causal environment, under the direction of two-time regional Top Chef winner, Executive Chef Shawn Calley.

For more information on The Essex Resort & Spa visit www.vtculinaryresort.com or call 802.878.1100.

DINNER FOR DOGS
50 Home-Cooked Recipes for a Happy, Healthy Dog
by Henrietta Morrison

Homemade dinner for your dog? It may sound outrageous at first, but if processed foods are bad for humans, why would they be any better for man’s best friend? We want to feed our families as healthfully as possible, and that should include Fido, too.

When Henrietta Morrison’s border terrier, Lily, developed chronic health problems, Morrison started cooking her real food at the suggestion of her vet. Meals made from real ingredients like chicken, rice, and vegetables had an instant effect on Lily’s health and demeanor. Inspired by her experience, Morrison founded Lily’s Kitchen, the UK’s #1 organic pet food company, dedicated to providing dogs with the same quality of food dog owners feed themselves. As Morrison says, “If it’s not good enough for me, it’s not good enough for Lily.” Now, to help dog owners everywhere improve and prolong their pets’ lives and avoid vet visits, Morrison shares her most popular recipes in DINNER FOR DOGS: 50 Home-Cooked Recipes for a Happy, Healthy Dog (The Experiment; $15.95; ISBN 978-1-61519-084-3; paper over boards; on sale: June 4, 2013), including:
Easy-to-prepare recipes developed with the help of a veterinarian, from breakfasts (like Apple and Blueberry Muffins) to dinners (like Chicken and Rice Balls) to tasty treats (like Peanut Butter and Buckwheat Kisses) and even “special meals” for birthdays and other special occasions
Options for puppies, old hounds, and gluten-intolerant dogs, and remedies for upset tummies
A comprehensive breakdown of ingredients and tips on how to read a dog food label
Nutritional information and calorie count for each recipe to help prevent or fight obesity.
Fresh, real dog food doesn’t mean breaking the bank! Morrison’s recipes are affordable because they take advantage of everyday ingredients already in the pantry. Plus, several recipes (like Homemade Kibble) can be prepared in bulk, saving on time, too. DINNER FOR DOGS is the indispensable guide not only to helping dogs live healthier lives, but also to strengthening the bond between owner and pet.

Henrietta Morrison is the founder of Lily’s Kitchen, voted the UK’s #1 pet food company for the last four years by the Good Shopping Guide, and counts Gwyneth Paltrow and Andy Murray among its fans. Morrison believes that dogs should eat proper food, so she works with cooks, nutritionists, and vets to develop her recipes. Her border terrier, Lily, is her chief taster.

DINNER FOR DOGS
50 Home-Cooked Recipes for a Happy, Healthy Dog
Publication Date: June 4, 2013, by The Experiment
Distributed in the U.S. by Workman Publishing Company (workman.com)
and in Canada by Thomas Allen & Son (thomasallen.ca)
$15.95 • Paper over boards • 128 pages
978-1-61519-084-3 • Also available as an ebook