The Daily Bark

Are you starting to notice that your dog is a wee bit smelly? Then it is time to treat your best friend to one bark worthy “spaw” day! Everyone loves those nice relaxing spa days and your dog is no different. Here at PawLux we’ve put together some simple steps for making one dogtastic “spaw” day!

The “Spaw” Day Guide

1. Aromatherapy Time- Start by spraying some Happytails Aromatic Spritzer from their Celebrity Collection for soothing scents that will create a calming environment. Simply crushing up some lavender and placing it in hot water works as well. Just remember, dogs have extremely powerful noses so don’t overdo it on the spray.
2. Doggie Tunes- Putting some music will also help set a nice mood for you and your dog. There is even music out there specifically for your dog. It’s just a quick internet search away. We suggest a more classical variety that won’t have your dog howling along to it.
3. OohLaLa Massage Your dog will certainly enjoy a nice massage while being shampooed and will love all the attention from his favorite friend! PawLux offers a variety of all natural shampoos for you to choose from, like Cain & Able Lavender Shampoo.
4. De-tangle Those Knots! Get rid of all those tangles and give a healthy shine to your dog’s coat by massaging conditioner into his coat. Look at PawLux.com for some great smelling and all natural conditioners. like Fuzz Yard’s Organic Conditioner.
5. Towel Time- Time to towel dry! Have a towel on hand throughout the “spaw” time since dogs like to show their appreciation by shaking all the water from their fur. The towel is a great way to embrace his ‘thanks’. Once your dog is all dry brush his fur until there is a nice smooth shine.
   

   Happytails Sparkle & Shine Shimmering Mist

6. Hassle free bath option!- If you don’t want the hassle of a full shampoo and condition, use Cain & Able Between Bath Spray to keep your pet clean and healthy. It also helps repel those pesky insects your dog hates!
7. Star Treatment- We know Fido needs to see everyone who stops to admire him, so take a few minutes to trim extra hair away from your dog’s face.
8. Paw-dicure- Keeping your dog’s nails trim is important to keep him (and your floors) happy. Check out our blog about Paw-dicures to learn more.
9. Shining Star!- For an extra bit of sparkle and shine add a bit of glitz with the Happytails Shimmering Mist!

Now your dog is all ready to show off. So go for a nice walk to show off your shiny and clean dog. Just watch out for all those big fun mud puddles dogs are great at finding. Or just curl up beside your happy and good smelling dog and relax the rest of the night!

A healthy and happy dog is a top priority for all dog lovers. So, this week PawLux will show you ways to keep your favorite canine  friend’s joints healthy!

Issues with joints rise from both developmental and degenerative problems. During growth stages it is important to maintain a healthy diet that will include all the nutrients needed. Also high impact on joints during development stages increase the likelihood of joint problems later in life. The most common degenerative problem is arthritis and it affects one out of five dogs. Arthritis occurs most often in dogs with hip dysplasia, also known as osteochondrosis, or in dogs with a joint injury.

If your dog is less active or finds common activities more difficult, it might be a sign of joint problems. In extreme cases, your pup may favor one limb and put more pressure on others. This can also be a sign of other injuries, so be sure to consult your veterinarian. Remember the vet is a great resource and regular visits to your vet will help reduce health problems. Treatments in extreme cases may lead to surgery, but do not worry, there are plenty of non-surgical methods and many preventive measures one can take. The two best ways to prevent arthritis and similar problems is by managing your dog’s weight and body condition.

Choosing the right diet is the most important part of controlling your dog’s weight. Make sure meals do not exceed the suggested amount for your dog and as much as your dog might beg, table scraps are rarely a good answer. Instead think about having treats on hand at dinner time that give the dual solution of preventing joint problems and begging. PawLux offers a Beef Tendon Pack which is high in glucosamine and chondroitin. Glucosamine and chondroitin work together to help build cartilage and stop the enzymes that causes cartilage to break down over time. Plus it will keep your dog entertained throughout dinner. Fish oil is another great supplement that helps to increase the protection around the joints. Plato Thinkers Salmon Sticks from PawLux which are full of DHA, the active ingredient in fish oil.

Your dog’s weight and body condition can also be managed through exercise. However, certain exercises can worsen the condition. High impact sports, or running and jumping on hard surfaces,  stress the joints and are especially dangerous to growing pups. Although they have all the energy needed for running, jumping and bounding about the house, these activities can weaken the joints and cause problems later in life. But if all of these activities needed can hurt your dog, what can you do? Try taking your dog swimming! Swimming has a low impact level and the water resistance helps to strengthen your dog’s muscles. For some fun water play try PawLux’s West Paw Zogoflex Zisc. It is soft, dog friendly and floats as well!  However, not all dogs know how to swim, but many can be taught. Make sure you are always supervising your dog around water and ensure they have a way to climb out to land. While high impact sports can cause problems, all dogs do love to run and jump. It is not something you want to discourage. So instead, make certain that your pup warms up before active playing and has a cool down. This decreases the likelihood of an injury just as it does for humans.

Remember, arthritis can also be painful for dogs. So, use the above measures to help prevent arthritis in your dog. If your dog has arthritis you can help reduce pain through physical therapy and by massaging those painful joints. Perhaps it is time for a “spaw” day! Check back next week for some tips and hints to giving your pup an all natural and dogtastic “spaw” day.

So remember:

• Managing diet and weight lessens the likelihood of join problems
• Look for products with glucosamine, chondroitin and fish oils
• High Impact sports in development stages can hurt
• Swimming is a great low impact sport
• Physical therapy and massages help reduce pain from arthritis

Unfortunately dogs are not allowed in theaters. But lucky for you & Fido you can rent & bring those box office hits home. You can get the best of both worlds relax & stretch out in the best seat in the house, your sofa and surround sound. Nothing beats lounging on the coach alongside your dog watching a summer movie flick with a bowl of pup-corn. Hollywood has truly gone to the dogs and dog lovers can’t resist a good movie with a four legged leading characters. Here are our top summer picks for the best dog movies which are great for the entire family.

Hotel for Dogs (2009)- Animals are strictly forbidden at Andi and her little brother Bruce’s foster home. But for Friday, the adorable dog they secretly care for, they’re ready to risk everything. They finally find him an ideal shelter, a huge abandoned hotel that Bruce transforms thanks to his engineering genius. In what has become an incredible paradise for dogs, Friday is soon joined by all kinds of furry friends, so many in fact that their barks alert the neighbors…and the local pound, who can’t understand the disappearance of all the stray dogs. Andi and Bruce will have to call on all their friends and all their imagination to stop the hotel’s secret from being discovered

Benji (1974) - This movie is about a scruffy stray dog mixed-breed dog that wins the hearts of a family and ends up saving the kids from kidnappers. The lovable Benji was played by a dog named Higgins who was fifteen years old when he made the movie. Surprisingly for such an old dog, he did all of his own stunts in the movie.

Beverly Hills Chihuahua (2008) – A pampered Beverly Hills chihuahua named Chloe (voiced by Drew Barrymore) who, while on vacation in Mexico with her owner Viv’s (Jamie Lee Curtis) niece, Rachel (Piper Perabo), gets lost and must rely on her friends to help her get back home before she is caught by a dognapper who wants to ransom her. In the meantime, Papi (voiced by George Lopez), a male chihuahua who is in love with her is in pursuit of her. Papi’s master (Manolo Cardona), a handsome young gardener for Viv, slowly develops a romantic interest in Rachel. Chloe befriends a lonely German Shepherd (voiced by Andy Garcia) who travels with her to protect her from the evil Doberman (voiced by Edward James Olmos) who wants to return her and her diamond collar to the dognapper.

Lassie Come Home (1943) – This dog movie inspired a slew of sequels and remakes, but none are as good as the original, starring Roddy McDowall and Elizabeth Taylor. The movie is about a lovable and bright collie who is sold by her impoverished family. The dog loves her family so much that she escapes from her new owner and makes the long trip from Scotland back to her home in Yorkshire.

Old Yeller (1957) - This Walt Disney Productions feature film is based upon the 1956 Newberry Honor-winning book of the same name written by Fred Gipson. It tells the story of Travis Coats and a stray dog in post-Civil War Texas.

101 Dalmatians (1967) - The original Disney animated version of this film was the highest grossing movie of it’s time. With one of the most memorable villainesses ever, Cruella De Vil, this movie follows the story of her plan to make a fur coat from the fur of kidnapped Dalmatian puppies.

Cats & Dogs (2001) – This a spy movie with a canine twist. The world’s dogs are on a top-secret, high-tech mission to protect an important scientist and his attempts to save humans from dog allergies. The evil Mr. Tinkles is the dogs’ feline nemesis.

Marley and Me (2008) – The most recent heart-touching dog film is based on the best-selling autobiographical book by John Grogan. The movie tells the story of an adorable but high-strung yellow lad named Marley, and how he helps his family learn some valuable life lessons.

Turner & Hooch (1989) – Starring Tom Hanks and Craig T. Nelson, this movie tells the story of Hooch, a large and drooling Dogue de Bordeaux, who is the only witness to a murder.

Best in Show (2000) - This dog movie is a comedy about competing in a national dog show. Not your typical dog movie, this documentary-style film is just hilarious. The dogs are beautiful and their owners are colorful, obsessive, and absolutely hysterical.

Lady and the Tramp (1955) – This animated feature film produced by Walt Disney tells the story of pampered cocker spaniel Lady, and her West Side Story-type romance with stray dog Tramp. This is a great one to watch with the rest of the family.

Beethoven (1992) – This dog film is the first in a series of Beethoven movies. It tells the story of a lovable but destructive Saint Bernard named Beethoven who gets dognapped for animal testing., but his family is determined to find and rescue their family dog.

So thanks all you celebri-dogs for making the dog days of summer even better. And the Oscar Bone goes to…..

What’s your favorite dog flick to watch w/ a big buttery bowl of popcorn or shall we say “pupcorn”? Show your love for Lassie, Benji & Old Yeller. Bark out your choices & reason why by leaving a comment below.

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Don’t forget to shop www.pawlux.com for your doggie summer staples. We offer eco-friendly, all natural and organic goodies for your deserving furry family member. We carry a great selection of Odor Free Bully Sticks / Dog Treats / and Dog Toys !