I’ve taken inspiration from fellow blogger, Christina Conley-Berry of The Lazy Pitbull, for this week’s 52 Snapshots of Life photo challenge. It’s week 37 and the theme is Labor, and I’m going to write about a wonderful rescue here in Fort Lauderdale that performs a labor of love every day for the dogs and cats it shelters. Abandoned Pet Rescue is Fort Lauderdale’s largest No Kill shelter. I began volunteering there recently, helping to walk dogs and to utilize my network to help the shelter in any way I can.

I became smitten with many animals there, but Maya is a little girl I’ve been walking lately. She was found in a rock pit and rescued by APR. I discovered while walking her the other day, that Maya is probably blind in her right eye. When I asked about it, I was told that before APR rescued her, she’d been in a fight with a boxer, who bit her eye. Jeez.

But, she’s is the sweetest girl, about six years old and looks to me like a Rat Terrier mix. She’s afraid of big dogs (understandable) and loves to play with her toys. Check out this video I took of her:

Anyone interested in Maya or if you know someone who might be, can reach out to Abandoned Pet Rescue or call 954-728-9010 for more info. Please share this! 

Pet blogging friend and colleague, Christina Berry of The Lazy Pitbull, created this fun challenge. You don’t have to be a blogger to participate. Just snap or choose a pic you’ve taken that matches that week’s theme and post it on your social networks, with the hashtag #52Snapshots, so we can all follow along! For pet bloggers, this is a BlogHop, so hop on!

 What’s your labor of love each day?

Are you looking for that perfect, stylish carry bag for fall? Your pup is back in play school. Maybe you work in a dog friendly office. Or you’re taking that trip you’ve been waiting for, now that the kids are back in school. However you roll, having a comfortable, eco-friendly, great-looking bag is key. And, for streamlined transporting, nothing beats a messenger. Here’s my tip for a cool messenger bag I love.

My choice

The brand is Bark n Bag. Their fresh, new Organic Outback Messenger Bag is your answer for a smart, stylish pet tote for fall. It comes in trending black denim, is chic, versatile and comfortable. Classic lines means it never goes out of style and looks great for both men and women. And, I love that the black denim is made from pesticide-free organic cotton and is lined in recycled nylon.

If black denim is not your thing, the crisp blue Outback Messenger has smart saddle straps and is made from recycled nylon inside and out.

They all have plenty of storage space with three generous zippered pockets. You can wipe with a damp cloth to clean. And, all bags are cruelty-free, which I love. The price won’t break the bank, either, refreshing for a well-made, eco-friendly, stylish bag. The Organic Outback Messenger is $70.00; the Outback Messenger is $65.00.

What’s important to me in a pet tote?

There are a few deal breaker features I look for in a great carry bag or tote for my babies. First, it’s got to be safe, so the materials have to be high quality and its features need to be strong and durable. It needs to be comfortable. If I’m carrying Sophie around in it for a couple of hours in transit or shopping, I want to know she is happy. It needs to be practical; does it have enough storage? Can I clean it pretty easily? And last, but not least, it’s got to be stylish!  I have to love a bag that will also be an accessory to my own style (or many styles, in my case. I like to mix it up!).  These bags fit the bill for me, and uber fashionistas like Taylor Swift and Brooke Shields are fans, too!

Now, guess what? I’ve got a great news! One lucky Bark & Swagger follower will be winning an Outback Messenger Bag of their choice in our giveaway, so make sure to enter below!

To recap for you, here are all of the features of these great-looking bags:

• Removable tether
• Adjustable shoulder strap
• Three fur friendly mesh panels for ventilation
• Magnetic snap secure closure
• Three zippered pockets for plenty of storage
• Bottom feet to protect the bag
• The Organic Outback uses pesticide free organic cotton denim and recycled nylon lining and comes in black
• The Outback uses recycled nylon inside and out and comes in crisp blue
• Wipe with damp cloth to clean

Both the Organic Denim and the Recycled Nylon Outback Messenger comes in one size:

• 16″W x 12.5″H x 8.25″D. For pets up to 12″ long-nape to tail / 8″ high-nape to floor, up to 10 pounds

This works well for the little ones. A messenger bag isn’t meant for keeping dogs inside for long periods, like a large carry bag. It’s a tote and is perfect when you are going from here to there and don’t want a bulkier case to lug around.

The Bark n Bag Organic Outback and Outback Messenger get a big thumbs up from us for stylish dogs around town!

Shop Bark n Bag.

Like Bark n Bag on Facebook

Follow Bark n Bag on Twitter

The Giveaway

One Bark & Swagger follower will be randomly selected to win either an Organic Denim Outback or an Outback Recycled Nylon Messenger bag. The giveaway runs from Tuesday, September 8 at 7am EST – Monday, September 14th at 11:59pm EST. To enter is simple! If you’re not yet a member of the Bark & Swagger family, join our email list and become one! And, answer one question, why do visit Bark & Swagger? Knowing what you love helps me serve you better. Thank you for taking the time to provide that info! 🙂 There will be bonus questions for extra points and entries, like Liking Bark n Bag on Facebook and following them on Twitter. Learn about their great new styles and offers first!

Good luck!

What do you look for in a good pet tote?

This blog post and giveaway are sponsored by Bark n Bag, which means we were paid to create and feature this content. Regardless of the payment received, we only feature products and services on Bark & Swagger that we use, love and/or feel our readers would benefit from using. All sponsored posts on Bark & Swagger will always reflect our honest and unbiased opinions.

Are you like me and love tasteful, dog-centric items for your home? I have a few and thought with the holidays just around the corner, this might be a great gift option for friends or family members who are dog crazy, too! What I’ve found are these unique dog lover gifts that are charming, functional or just plain pretty. Hope you like!

The Micro Velvet Bone Pillow

I’m a big fan of black and white and really like the filigree pattern on this soft, micro velvet pillow. It’s a gusseted design and has contrast piping, which always gives a more finished look. The stuffing is a high memory polyester fibre fill and the whole thing is machine washable and dryable on a cool setting. Gotta love that! Comes in a variety of colors and patterns.

Dimensions:  20″ x 12″ x 3″

Price: $49.99

Takeaway: Perfect for that person who loves unusual touches in the home, with a price point that’s not too much or to little to make for a great gift.

Shop Under At Home/Decor

UpCountry Treat Boxes

How cute are these?! The Wait for It and I’m Beggin’ Ya! treat boxes will brighten up any space and make your pup very happy. I love the artwork on each for its craftsy quality. It’s solid wood, hand painted and the paint used is lead-free and non-toxic.

Dimensions: 8″ H x7″ W x4.25″D

Price: $34.00

Takeaway: Perfect for dog parents who love crafty items that stand out. Great for pups of all shapes and sizes.

Shop UpCountry Treat Boxes Under At Home/Decor

Dog Is Good® Coasters

I am crazy for coasters! These coasters, that is. The graphics, color combinations, sayings are all just great! Here is a small sampling; there are lots more to choose from. The entire line of Dog is Good® coasters is manufactured in the USA and made from absorbent, pliable and unbreakable neoprene material. Seems pretty indestructible to me and great furniture protectors from wet drinks.

Each coaster measures 4″ x 4″

The fun would be to collect them all and pull out the ones you (or your dog) are feeling like that day. This is a surefire smile instigator.

Price: $4.99

Takeaway: Perfect for dog lovers of all shapes and sizes, for those who like to entertain, for those who have a quirky sense of humor or sensibility. Hey, that’s me! 🙂

Shop Dog is Good® Coasters Under Gifts for Dogs and People

Aqua Dog Caddy

Are you an organization advocate? Do you know someone who likes everything having it’s place? This adorable dog products caddy could be the perfect gift for yourself or them. Store all of your dog’s grooming supplies or other products here. Get a couple for more space. Hand painted on solid wood and finished to last for years, the caddy features the cutest renditions of grooming items and doggies. I love its whimsy!

Dimensions: 6″H x 11″W x 6″D

Price: $36.00

Takeaway: Perfect for “neatnicks” who love or have dogs; perfect for dog lovers who gravitate towards the crafty and whimsy.

Shop hand painted caddy under Gifts for Dogs and People

Summary

Dog-centric home decor can be a great and much appreciated gift for dog lovers. Have fun with it! If you’re buying for yourself, seek out your style and enjoy the process, and you’ll see; you’ll find yourself with some great pieces that make you smile for years to come. With the holiday season approaching, share that smile with someone you love.

What do you think of dog-centric gifts? Would you like to be given one?

This week’s 52 Snapshots of Life photo challenge theme was a bit challenging for us. Technology. I’m not very inclined that way, so I didn’t get fancy-schmancy. I stuck with what works – the cuteness factor, of course!

I took this shot of Jasper last week, in a moment where he truly looked like he was trying to figure out what the heck a computer was and how you work the thing. He’s contemplating…something. Probably just whether he can make it dispense treats. If there’s food involved, Jasper is on it!

Pet blogging friend and colleague, Christina Berry of The Lazy Pitbull, created this fun challenge. You don’t have to be a blogger to participate. Just snap or choose a pic you’ve taken that matches that week’s theme and post it on your social networks, with the hashtag #52Snapshots, so we can all follow along! For pet bloggers, this is a BlogHop, so hop on!

Are you tech-inclined? What’s your favorite smart product for dogs?

Who’s up for going shopping with me?! Fall is pretty much here; we’re looking to freshen up our wardrobe or maybe we’re planning a trip, now that the kids are off to college and we’re taking the fur kids. We have to have a stylish carry bag, blanket and other goodies to keep our furiends comfortable. Or, maybe we’re up for a new experience; one that mixes shopping with socializing (I love both, don’t you?) and offers a wide variety of quality items for your pet. I’m talking about my friend, Rich Cordero’s cool site called Sniffery (www.sniffery.com), that brings you great shopping for dogs (and other pets, too!).

The stunning real diamond dog bone pendant (comes with 14K white gold chain)

Sniffery personalizes shopping for your pet. How do they do it? You create a member profile when you join the community and tell Rich all about your pets. Then, you do something really cool as you’re browsing. You “sniff” products you like by clicking on the special sniff button. This tells Rich what kinds of products, people and pets you gravitate towards and he and the Sniffery team can better serve you!

Feline Faces Drinking Glasses for Kitty Lovers

What I also love about Sniffery is their understanding that pet parents also love home decor and other general lifestyle products, so they mix it up. And, I’ll find things on there I won’t see everywhere else, something that’s important to me. Would you want your pup to run into a girlfriend at a party wearing the same outfit? I don’t think so! 🙂

I’ve chosen a few of the Sniffery items I love, but there’s plenty more.

Adorable acid-washed denim and fleece jacket

Auto Dog Mug – the first and only travel mug for dogs!

Recently, I wrote about beautiful fashion for big dogs and featured a dazzling collar from the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’ Lisa Vanderpump and her Vanderpump Pets collection. That piece is found on Sniffery.com, along with a host of other Vanderpump Pets pieces that, more often than not, sparkle and shine.

The Vanderpump Pets White Diamond Encrusted Bow Collar

Gorgeous turquoise bowl

Life’s A Bark-a wonderful book

And, if you want to read some fun lifestyle news about people and their pets, check out Sniffery, the magazine.

What have you sniffed out on Sniffery?

Come back later; out to lunch! That’s Sophie & Jasper’s late morning motto. After an exhausting morning of walking and eating, what’s a pampered pup to do? Take a nap, of course! And so, this is a pawfect pic for this week’s 52 Snapshots of Life Photo Challenge, with the theme, Sleepy. They say pups sleep on average, 14 hours a day. Ah…the life of a loved dog. Does it get any better?

Pet blogging friend and colleague, Christina Berry of The Lazy Pitbull, created this fun challenge. You don’t have to be a blogger to participate. Just snap or choose a pic you’ve taken that matches that week’s theme and post it on your social networks, with the hashtag #52Snapshots, so we can all follow along! For pet bloggers, this is a BlogHop, so hop on!

Does your pampered pooch sleep a lot?

Does your dog shed so much you can make another dog with its hair?

Jasper is a big shedder. He leaves little black hairs like souvenirs wherever he’s been. It’s especially icky after he’s been rolling around my husband’s side of the bed in the morning and the white sheets are flecked with black. That’s why I got excited when my PR friend, Jo, sent us the very new earthbath® Shed Control™ shampoo and conditioner to test out. I was actually looking forward to bath day (well, that’s one of us, anyway)! If this product could control shedding in dogs, I’d be one happy camper.

When the set arrived, the first thing I did was check out the ingredients. We got a Green Tea & Awapuhi blend, with organic, fair trade shea butter. Nice!  And, all of the ingredients were beautiful, from natural sources. That’s important to me, because our dogs ingest enough toxins from car exhaust fumes and other pollutants in the air in any city. I want to make sure I put the purest, most natural products on them, so as not to add to that load. earthbath® fit that bill. The bottle is also 100% biodegradable and the products are animal cruelty free. The ingredients are listed at the end of the post.

What I Loved…

Both shampoo and conditioner smell really nice. The green tea extract gives it a fresh, slightly sweet smell that was yummy. The shampoo label also states that it relieves dander, which is great for anyone with those allergies. It lathered up really nicely, Jasper cooperated by not trying to bolt out of the big sink I bathe him in and the shampoo left him smelling lovely. The conditioner is rich, also smells great, and left his coat feeling silky and smooth. Great, so far!

Then came the big test: morning…white sheets. I was hopeful, but not convinced that it would work, considering how much Jasper usually sheds. So, I pulled away the cover gingerly and gave a peek. Where once there was a field of black hairs, now there were a lonely few. It actually worked! And, as the day wore on, I noticed that there were much fewer black hairs on the white bathroom floor and on our couch.

As a bonus, Jasper was scratching less, too, and…of course, he still smelled yummy. I would recommend the earthbath® Shed Control™ Shampoo and Conditioner to anyone with a dog that sheds or has a dander issue. A natural product that works. Love that!

Maybe just a little less, tho’?

Ingredients of the shampoo:

Purified water, renewable plant-derived & coconut-based cleansers, organic shea butter, omega-6 fatty acids, green tea leaf extract, aloe vera; panthenol, D-biotin, phytic acid (from plants), glycerin, allantoin, extracts of ginseng & awapuhi, natural preservative.

Ingredients of the conditioner:

Purified water vegetable-derived conditioner and detangler, organic shea butter, omega-6 fatty acids, aloe vera, amino acids, allantoin, phytantriol, extracts of green tea leaf, ginseng & awapuhi, natural preservative.

earthbath® also include Non-ingredients on its label, the first being “Anything that would harm your pet or the environment.” The products also don’t contain soap, gluten, DEA, parabens, synthetic dyes or perfumes, SLS/SLES (this is Sodium Laurel Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate, both big no no’s because they’ve been shown to pose long term health risks to humans and animals), phthalates (another big no no) or enzymes.

These products are not tear-free, so you should avoid contact with your dog’s eyes and flush out well with fresh water if it gets into their eyes.

A great product that does the job it sets out to do, naturally. Thumbs up!

Buy earthbath Shed Control Shampoo

Buy earthbath Shed Control Conditioner

Does your dog have a shedding problem?

Tuna with fellow Instagram dog star, RemixtheDog

Uggie, Toto and Beethoven may have the silver screen wrapped up in their paws, but there are new doggy stars in town and they reside on Instagram. Tuna, of @TunaMeltsMyHeart, is the biggest, boasting 1.5 million followers. And while fans flock in droves to sniff out his adorable pictures and endearing captions, this dog star of Instagram is smart; he’s using his powerful platform for good.

Courtney & Tuna

Tuna’s story

Tuna is a five-year-old Chiweenie (Chihuahua/Dachshund mix), with an exaggerated overbite, a recessed jaw and a wrinkly neck (his mom calls it a shrivelneck). At four months old, he was abandoned on the side of the road in San Diego, and picked up by a rescue organization. The day that would change his life forever began at an L.A. farmer’s market adoption event. Courtney Dasher wasn’t looking to add a dog to her family, but she was willing to foster. Tuna tugged at her heart strings. “When I first met him, his name was Wormy because he was so insecure, he’d fall on his belly and crawl instead of walk,” Dasher described. “He seemed like he needed a lot of love, so I took him home.”  His looks reminded her of Mr. Burns from The Simpsons. “I nicknamed him Tuney after a cartoon, and my 6- year-old nephew thought I was calling him Tuna. It just stuck.“

Unable to give the little guy up, Dasher adopted Tuna and like any new dog parent, started taking pictures of him…lots of pictures. In December, 2011, with a year’s worth, she decided to start an Instagram account for Tuna, posting one picture a day and calling it The Daily Tuna Special. “Almost immediately, I was getting feedback from people saying he made them laugh and made their day,” Courtney shared. “So, I saw the opportunity for Tuna to bring joy to people.” When Instagram posted pictures of Tuna on their own page, his popularity soared through the roof.

Tuna in his Ruby Rufus sweater.
Photo courtesy: Ruby Rufus

Today, Tuna has his own collection of tee’s and mugs (yes, I have two tee’s), his own book, a signature cashmere sweater collaboration with luxury U.K. dog fashion designer, Ruby Rufus, and has been featured on The Steve Harvey Show, in the Huffington Post and more. He’s followed by Reese Witherspoon, Amanda Seyfried, Hillary Duff and Ariana Grande, to name just a few.

People make things for Tuna all the time. Here’s an illustration we saw on Instagram we thought was pretty dapper and cool.

What’s his message?

Why does Tuna matter? As much as his quirky, unusual looks and sweet charm have been a big draw, Tuna’s message has connected deeply with the people who follow him. His life is a testament to the power of rescue and the power of love, and he wants to spread that message far and wide. “When I initially fostered and adopted Tuna, I didn’t know anything about the rescue world,” Courtney explained.  “Through Instagram, I started talking to people who were rescue parents and advocates. I saw this would be such a great way to raise awareness and even financial support for shelter and rescue groups across the U.S.  So, I partnered with a variety of shelters and companies. I work really closely with Barkbox and WagAware, who support a ton of different rescue organizations with product. I think it’s really important to create that awareness.”

Empowering young & old alike

In the beginning, not all of Tuna’s followers were supportive. Some would make nasty comments about his looks. While it upset and frustrated her, Courtney also saw an opportunity to start a conversation about our perception of beauty. “I have this platform where I can encourage people to see that true beauty captivates our hearts,” Dasher described. “This became my mission; to celebrate his unusual features. We’re all unique, we all have different attributes. Instead of tearing each other down, let’s build each other up.” And, that’s just what Tuna does.

He’s provided inspiration, smiles, laughter and love for millions. He’s even helped a mother, struggling with Stage 4 cancer. “One of Tuna’s followers reached out to me, saying her mom was going through a very difficult time, and Tuna’s photos were a source of joy and hope for her,” Courtney revealed. “I wrote back and included some special photos of Tuna.”

On a visit to a clothing brand, a girl came up to Courtney and Tuna with tears in her eyes.  “I’ve had the worst year of my life and I literally look at your Instagram page and Tuna just turns my day around,” she exclaimed.  “It’s these kinds of things that show me this is way more than just an Instagram account,” declared Dasher. “I take it very seriously. I try my very best to be as attentive and responsive to people as I can. If he’s recognized on the street, I want to be present with people, if they want to take photos or ask me questions. It’s redefined my purpose.“

Londontown, books & what’s next

Courtney and Tuna recently returned from a couple of months in London, promoting his Penguin/Random House book, Tuna Melts My Heart: The Underdog with the Overbite. It’s a day in the life of Tuna, with great photos and Courtney’s warm, dry wit. Book signings and meet ups; visits to shelters and party invitations kept the dynamic duo very busy while there.

My husband and I met up with Courtney and Tuna while we were in London, at the UK’s largest animal rescue and education organization, Dogs Trust. We hung out in their conference room for awhile, getting to know each other. Both Courtney and Tuna were super sweet and charming. Courtney shared her love of all things English and some of her recent fun experiences traveling, and Tuna melted our hearts with his calm, super sweet disposition. He sat happily on our laps and dozed a bit, something Courtney said is one of Tuna’s favorite pastimes.

Me & Tuna, hanging out in the offices of the Dogs Trust in London

So, what’s on the horizon for the munchkin? “We’re going to launch some new designs nearer the holidays,” Courtney shared. “A portion of the proceeds will go towards animal rescue.”

You know, you don’t see a dog like Tuna everyday. While this little guy’s beginnings were rough, it’s apparent Tuna is here for a purpose larger than him. “It’s endearing to know people love your dog, but I also feel I’ve been entrusted by over a million people to be a catalyst to change their day,” explained Dasher. “It’s so good to know that Tuna is making an impact on their lives.”

You can learn more about Tuna, buy his book and shop his style at www.tunameltsmyheart.com. 

Follow Tuna on Instagram

Follow Tuna on Facebook.

Do you have an inspiring rescue dog story? What dogs do you follow on Instagram?