Hi, SwagTeam! I took a bit of a break around the holidays and am now back. Happy, happy new year! Wishing all of you a healthy, wonderful 2015! 2015 for Stanley, me, Sophie, Jasper and Isabel will be a pivotal one. Over the holidays, we decided to change our lives for the better and make a big move. While we’ve had a home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida for a few years, our primary residence has been in New York City. This year (really soon), we’ll be making our primary residence Florida! We’re saying good-bye to the bitter cold, crowds… [Continue Reading]

Affiliate Links   There’s something about that crinkle sound that a dog just loves! Sophie and Jasper’s favorite toys are crinkles. The word, itself, begs a smile. So the final in our DIY Holiday Gifts for Your Dog Series is one purely for your pet’s enjoyment. Lots of dogs like to chew on empty water bottles. But, that can be dangerous, with swallowing the plastic as a big concern. Covering it in an old sweatshirt or t shirt material, thick enough to provide protection from the plastic but soft enough to be cozy, is a… [Continue Reading]

Affiliate Links Chow hounds, anyone? If your dog, like mine, is a nano second nosher, finding fun ways to slow them down is not only important, but health-conscious, too. Rapid eating is a cause of bloat, a potentially deadly condition in dogs. This effective toy, originally created to enrich the lives of shelter dogs, does the trick and is the next in our DIY Holiday Gifts for Your Dog Series. It was created by Beth Patterson, founder and editor of Daily Dog Tag, and Alice G. Patterson (are they sisters?) for Pet Appreciation Week last… [Continue Reading]

Affiliate Links I don’t usually cover food or treats on Bark & Swagger, but am making an exception for this cool, cruelty-free LoCal apple pumpkin jerky…yum! It’s been fun passing along tips on how to make something for our pups, with love from our own hands. And, during this time of year when spending runs higher, it’s nice to have some do-it-yourself tricks up our sleeves, right? Let’s get to our next in my DIY Holiday Gifts for Your Dog Series.   If my Jasper is any indication, doggies LOVE apples and pumpkin! It must… [Continue Reading]

Affiliate Links   Brrrr…it’s getting cold outside, so the long walks of fall and summer past are over. It’s not safe to have our pups outside for extended periods, when the thermometer dips below freezing. How do we engage and stimulate them when they’re cooped up indoors? The next in my DIY Holiday Gifts for Your Dog Series will solve the problem! Dogs love to play games with us. Seems Sophie is always prompting me to challenge her in a game of fetch, and she loves to use her wits to capture a toy during… [Continue Reading]

Affiliate Links Nothing’s sweeter than watching a very cozy dog sleeping in their bed. And, you don’t have to be particularly crafty to make one. For today’s fun project in our DIY Holiday Gifts for Your Dog series, learn how to create a no-sew bed. How lovely to know that your hands made the warm and safe spot your pup loves to lie in. And, using clothing scraps or fabric that have your smell is an added bonus! Vicki Rae Thorne, master herbalist and founder of Earth Heart, which is bringing us this wonderful DIY… [Continue Reading]

Affiliate Links You know I love talking dog fashion, and passing along tips! So, this item in our DIY Holiday Gifts for Your Dog Series is one close to my heart. If you want a simple, easy to make dog coat from upcycled materials (yes, eco conscious, too!), look no further. We’re bundling up Sophie and Jasper here in NYC on those cold days and a home made coat in a fabric you love is always a nice touch for the season. And, it’s uniquely your own; no one else will have it! You’ll need… [Continue Reading]

Affiliate Links Let’s get crafty! Bark & Swagger is participating in my friend, Vicki Rae Thorne of Earth Heart’s DIY Holiday Gifts for Your Dog Series. Earth Heart is a wonderful brand that makes beautiful smelling, medicinal aromatherapy sprays for dogs, to help with anxiety, travel sickness, as a flea and tick deterrent and an immune system booster. Each day, Vicki will turn us on to a cool DIY project we can make for our pups. I’ll include a link to complete instructions at the end of each post. I want to note that the… [Continue Reading]