Dog collars with flower power

Ring around the collar used to be an undesirable thing - but if it's a ring of posies around a dog's neck, I'm all for it.
 
I used to be a fashion critic, so believe me when I say that the Flower Power collar and leash are by far the most happening look you can attach to your dog's neck. The brilliantly modernist patterns and bold colors, reminiscent of Marimekko florals, are perfectly suitable for boy dogs as well as girlydogs.
 
But don't take it from me, take it from my 65-pound pit bull Angus (a butch male if ever there was one). His favorite collar is the Asian Poppies motif. And thanks to this collar's tough nylon mesh and durable, all-condition hardware, he's ready to celebrate National Garden Month all year round - even in the pouring rain. 

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Japanese Garden Toys

Whether or not you have a green thumb, your dog's toys can bring the ambience of a Japanese garden to your surroundings, indoors and out.  

There's no rule that says dog toys have to look like dog toys - they can be sculptural and beautiful, with grown-up style that enhances any decor. That's why these toys come in the shape of a fish (traditional Asian symbol of abundance) or a lotus flower (symbol of harmony, purity, and continuity).  

Plus, not only do they look lovely, both models have a built-in squeaker - and that's music to the ears of dogs who like their toys to talk back to them.

If your best friend is a power chewer, however, s/he will make short work of the fish and the flower - the soft vinyl will be shredded in a matter of minutes - so they're really best offered to dogs with softer jaws.

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Wanderlust Bed

Have you ever tried reclining in the back of your station wagon when the back seats are folded down? I've done this with every pre-owned Volvo wagon I've ever purchased, to determine just how much padding my dogs will need back there.

Now, the Wanderlust Bed makes cushioning the cargo area a no-brainer. Sandwiched between layers of high-loft batting, the egg crate foam is an excellent shock absorber that would meet the legendary standards of the Princess of Pea fame. It's especially appreciated by my senior dog Sam, whose arthritic joints register every single bump in the road, no matter how minuscule.   

But even strapping, healthy young dogs like Sundance avalanche rescue K9 Mick appreciate a cushioned ride - which is why Mick's owner Tracy Christensen selected this brilliant bed for his charitable shop.

Here's what Tracy likes about this product: "Great in the back of the truck, gives your dog lots of comfort on that commute. Water-resistant and zips off for machine cleaning - how could it get better?" 

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Quencher Cinch Top Bowl

Nothing depresses a traveling dog more than an owner who forgot to provide for on-the-go snacking and sipping. With the Quencher Cinch Top Bowl, no dog need ever go hungry or thirsty on road trips again.  

Made of ballistic nylon with a seamless, leakproof liner, the soft-sided bowl doubles as a food and water server. The design features a cinch top that lets you load up on kibble without risking that "oh, no" moment - a car-wide spill - and the stable base stays put wherever you set it down.

Tracy Christensen of Sundance Resort Ski Patrol keeps one of these in his truck and another in his backpack, for the drinking and dining convenience of his best friend and working partner, Mick the avalanche rescue K9. And the bowl ensures that Mick has the comforts of home wherever he spends the night. "You never know when it will be feeding time," Tracy says, "so most of the time I send it with Mick in his overnight bag when he is staying with friends." 

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Fire Hose Toys

If you watch the video of Mick, the Sundance avalanche rescue dog, finding Glenn Close buried beneath 4 feet of snow, you'll see that his reward for finding Glenn is his favorite toy. All dogs, even highly-trained working ones like Mick, love their toys!

Mick's owner/trainer, ski patroller Tracy Christensen, Glenn's guest on Lively Licks recommended two Fire Hose dog toys in his Charitable Shop.

The Fire Hose Double Tugger looks a lot like the toy that Mick gets as a reward for digging Glenn and her husband, David Shaw, out of the snow. Tracy says the Double Tugger is a key part of his training because playing with the Double Tugger is such a big reward for Mick. "The fire hose material is very tough and can take lots of abuse. It's lightweight, and I can carry it in my backpack," Tracy said in his Double Tugger endorsement.

Tracy said he loves the Fire Hose Flying Triangle when he wants Mick to practice retrieval (what we call Fetch around here). The tough fire hose material means this toy withstands lots and lots of games. An added benefit for Tracy and Mick:  "In the deep Utah snow, it won't get lost."

Both toys are made of recycled fire hose material, which is not only tough (think about it!) but environmentally responsible, as well.

We should all take a page from Tracy's book and remember that playtime with our dogs can be a great opportunity for training. I'm not saying that playing with Fire Hose toys will turn your pet into a search-and-rescue dog, but I hope he likes them as much as Mick likes his. 

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