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Thursday, September 25, 2008

Green clean!

Being the green dog that I am, I love green products; you know those ones that are good for the environment and good for me.

So when the nice folks at Canine Earth wanted to send us a couple of their new products, we jumped at the chance.

Recently they sent us two sample sizes of their 'Not So Mangy Mango' conditioning coat cleaner, and the same 'flavor' of their aromatherapy coat spray. They have other 'flavors', like lavender and coconut, but we have our regular cleanser in those scents. So it was great to try something new!

Being the guy that I am, I don't like anything perfume-y. The Canine Earth conditioner and spray were just right - not perfume-y at all, but very clean smelling. Mum can't stop shoving her nose into my fur and taking big wiffs. Knock it off Mum!

And take a look at me! Don't I look handsome - well, at least I look clean and shiny. The cleanser did a great job of getting the agility grime off me, and left me looking my best.

But the best, best, best part? It's that these conditioners, cleansers and sprays, don't have any bad stuff in them. They are certified organic under USDA National Organic Program standards; are naturally self-preserving, petro chemical free, and have absolutely no artificial colorants or fragrance - which not only makes them good for me, but great for the environment too!

So when you get a chance, stop by their site and say hi to Brodie! He's one cool Green Dog and the mastermind behind Canine Earth; and read all about their mission, and their new products.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Free and fun eco-living tips, delivered right to your inbox!

Are you looking for some green advice? Do what I do - subscribe to Idealbite.

We know you would just love to "do the right thing" for yourself and the planet if it were convenient, fun, inexpensive, and made you feel good. But real advice for busy people can be difficult to come by. Not now!

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Ideal Bite

Make your own eco-friendly dog tug toy!

Dog toys can be so expensive. And it's really fun to buy some nice Made in the USA, organic, safe and fun toys for your pups as gifts for their Barkday, or the Holidays, or for other special events.

But what about everyday toys? If you are like me and Gracie, well, we can go through toys, like kitties go through cat litter.

You can save loads of money by making your own. We do it all the time. Remember I told you a couple of months ago, that Gracie's new favorite toy was an old cotton towel that Mum had lying around the house for years? That towel has been turned into several tugs toys for Gracie over the past year. And it's still going strong. She tugged with it just last night, after Mum put together a few quick knots, until she could get it braided. My sis is soooo impatient.

Today we found a great site with instructions for making your own dog tug toy - from an old pair of your jeans! Jeans that have been worn and wash for years can now have a new life as the best thing that ever happened to your dog's life!

Check out Instructables for all the great instructions for making your dog's new favorite toy.

Your dog doesn't like to tug? Try 'accidentally' spilling a little chicken stock on the toy, or tucking a little cheese in the crevices, and then see how they like it.

Remember, always supervise your pup when playing with toys - it's the safest way to be. And have lots and lots of fun!

SunLight - the solar powered flashlight!

Not too long ago, we were reading EcoGeek, one of our favorite green blogs. That day they had mentioned that SunLight was giving away their first 500 lights to those that wrote in and provided the reasons why they wanted to try one of their solar flashlights.

We emailed them right away and asked to receive one so that we could test it out and then tell all of our readers here at Raise a Green Dog about this new product.

The flashlight was developed with the assistance of the Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program. It was supported by NASA and shaped by specific field work on prototypes in Africa in the harshest conditions by scientists from the US Department of Energy. And their entire project was funded by research grants from the Rockefeller Foundation. They say their flashlights are the next generation of portable, reliable and environmentally friendly lights for nightly use, for camping and outdoor activities, and a product which should be in every family’s emergency preparedness kit. And you know how important we believe emergency kits are!

The company has developed several programs to aid in the distribution of these lights to those in need. Their programs include 'WarLights.' 'Lights For Good,' and 'BoGo Lights' - their Buy one/Give one program has successfully provided lights to many, many thousands of people in the developing world, changing lives because of purchases and participation.

So we've been trying it out, conserving our energy in the process, and we really like the light! We put it on our windowsill during the day, and then some nights we'll use it to light our kitchen/family room at night. It has two modes of operation, task light and room light. And we definitely plan on using it for those early morning and late night 'business' trips, and taking it with us in the car for agility trials. Now that the sun is coming up later and later, it will really come in handy.

Friday, September 12, 2008

Water, the basis of a dog's life!

Water, it's the most important nutrient for a dog's healthy life. And we need lots of it. Did you know that an animal can loose all of its fat and half of its protein and survive, but only a 10% loss of body water causes serious illness. (Source: PetEducation.com)

But not all water is created equal. There's tap water, filtered water, bottled water, water from streams, rivers and ponds, and standing water in puddles on our walks. Oh, and not to forget, toilet water!

Since water is so important to our quality of life, the quality of our water needs to be of great concern. With reports of fluoride and chlorine in tap water, Giardia in standing puddles, salts, and lawn and farming chemicals in rivers and ponds, how do you know if your water is safe?
  • The Associated Press reported a vast array of pharmaceuticals - including antibiotics, anti-convulsants, mood stabilizers and sex hormones - have been found in the drinking water supplies of at least 41 million Americans.
  • The CDC talks about the dangers of Chlorine in tap waters.
  • And there have been reports of links of Fluoride to cancers in pets.
  • Common causes of giardia in dogs includes drinking from a lake, pond or stream.
  • Unfiltered/untreated water can have contaminants in it such as parasites, bacteria, and even viruses
  • Many lakes, rivers and streams are contaminated with lawn and farming chemicals which have been reported to cause cancer in dogs.
  • Some plastic dog food and water bowls may leach harmful chemicals into your dog's food and water.
So what can you do?

Here are some tips to keep your dog's water the safest it can be:
  • Never reuse plastic water bottles for your dog's water.
  • Purchase safe reusable water/beverage bottles - Safer choices include bottles crafted from safer HDPE (plastic #2), low-density polyethylene (LDPE, AKA plastic #4) or polypropylene (PP, or plastic #5). Best bests are stainless steel.
  • Utilize a water filter for your dog's water that filters out both chlorine and fluoride.
  • Avoid distilled water or water treated with reverse osmosis, as it lacks beneficial minerals and nutrients normally found in water.
  • Provide your dog with a pet water fountain to encourage more drinking of fresh, filtered water; which can discourage them from drinking from potentially harmful sources.
  • Replace any plastics dog bowls with stainless steel.
  • Keep your dog's water bowl full and clean at all times and provide often. (Clean the bowls at least once a day with hot water and vinegar, rinse very well).
  • Don't allow your pup to drink out of potentially harmful ponds, streams, rivers or puddles.
  • Utilize safe lawn care practices, organic and all natural fertilizers, and avoid areas with your dog where dangerous lawn chemicals are used.
  • Don't allow your pet to swim in chlorinated pools, or contaminated rivers, streams or ponds.
  • Don't allow your dog to drink out of public or shared dog water bowls.
  • Get a filtered bath/shower head for your dog's bathing area.
  • Utilize environmentally friendly shampoos, conditioners, cleaning products, laundry detergents, non-chlorine stain removers and other items to keep your water cleaner in your community, around your dog and you.
  • Keep your pup from drinking out of the garden hose, the combination of leaching plastic, chlorine and fluoride can be dangerous.
These are a lot of do's and don'ts, I know! But taking part in as many of these hints and tips as you can will help your pup live a longer, healthier and happier life.
Additional sources: Water, the great healer. Water: a Nutrician Requirement Reusing Plastic Bottles Can Pose Serious Health Hazards

New products for September!

Check out these new eco-friendly, all natural new for September!
From Scratch Eco Tee-Shirts, Large, Pees Earth for Dogs and Canines

From Scratch Eco Tee-Shirts, Large, Pees Earth for Dogs and Canines

$24.99

Big Shrimpy Planet-Friendly Catalina Beds Coffee

Big Shrimpy Planet-Friendly Catalina Beds Coffee

$45.99

The Organic Dog Biscuit Cookbook

The Organic Dog Biscuit Cookbook

$11.96

EcoPure Natural Ear Care

EcoPure Natural Ear Care

$5.49

Wenaewe Adult Vegetarian Dry Dog Food 15 lbs.

Wenaewe Adult Vegetarian Dry Dog Food 15 lbs.

$39.99

Organic Doggie Kitchen Political Dog Biscuits - Democratic Donkey

Organic Doggie Kitchen Political Dog Biscuits - Democratic Donkey

$8.99

EcoPure Herbal Skin Creme

EcoPure Herbal Skin Creme

$5.49

Animal Rescue Dog and Cat Women's Long Sleeve T-Sh

Animal Rescue Dog and Cat Women's Long Sleeve T-Sh

$24.99

WestPaw Ecotoys for Small Dogs

WestPaw Ecotoys for Small Dogs

$13.65

Nature Nosh Organic Gourmet Dog Treats Chicken Parmesan 14 oz.

Nature Nosh Organic Gourmet Dog Treats Chicken Parmesan 14 oz.

$10.99

Ark Naturals Breath-Less Fizzy Plaque-Zapper Small To Medium Dogs And Cats

Ark Naturals Breath-Less Fizzy Plaque-Zapper Small To Medium Dogs And Cats

$15.19

Doggie Knits: Sweaters and Accessories for Your Best Friend

Doggie Knits: Sweaters and Accessories for Your Best Friend

$11.65

Organic Doggie Kitchen Political Dog Biscuits - Republican Elephant

Organic Doggie Kitchen Political Dog Biscuits - Republican Elephant

$8.99

Ark Naturals Breath-Less Brushless Toothpaste Medium To Large Dogs

Ark Naturals Breath-Less Brushless Toothpaste Medium To Large Dogs

$21.39

Pal Dog Soothing Care System Set for Dogs and Canines

Pal Dog Soothing Care System Set for Dogs and Canines

$35.99

Earthdog Hemp Stuffed Toy Bone for Dogs and Canines - Small

Earthdog Hemp Stuffed Toy Bone for Dogs and Canines - Small

$7.99

ActiveCat Pollard Eco-Friendly Cat Scratching Post Furniture-Natural

ActiveCat Pollard Eco-Friendly Cat Scratching Post Furniture-Natural

$139.99

Simply Fido Organic T-Shirts Medium, Sweet Pea for Dogs and Canines

Simply Fido Organic T-Shirts Medium, Sweet Pea for Dogs and Canines

$19.99

Dogtown: A Sanctuary for Rescued Dogs

Dogtown: A Sanctuary for Rescued Dogs

$13.56

Healing Shampoo by Planet Dog

Healing Shampoo by Planet Dog

$11.75

Merrick Lamb Training Treats for Dogs

Merrick Lamb Training Treats for Dogs

$7.69

Simply Fido Organic Hemp Dog Toys - Eddy Elephant

Simply Fido Organic Hemp Dog Toys - Eddy Elephant

$7.99

Westminster Pet Products Organic Cotton Dog Collar Large Moss Green

Westminster Pet Products Organic Cotton Dog Collar Large Moss Green

$8.99

Lil Madison Moose Toy

Lil Madison Moose Toy

$10.99

Bow Wow WOW!: Fetching Costumes for Your Fabulous Dog

Bow Wow WOW!: Fetching Costumes for Your Fabulous Dog

$16.15

Safe Paw Ice Melter for Dogs and Cats

Safe Paw Ice Melter for Dogs and Cats

$20.99

Rescue Dogs Rock Pet Dog Lover Hooded Sweatshirt

Rescue Dogs Rock Pet Dog Lover Hooded Sweatshirt

$33.99

Green living with pets in mind!

We found a great article from The Press Democrat in Santa Rosa, California.

Green Living with Pets in Mind Pet Friendly Homes and Gardens

By: Sue McGuire

Pets used to live outside. The farm dog hung out in the barn or slept under the front porch. Cats lived in the barn loft and did their job of keeping the vermin at bay. Fast forward a few generations. It’s often recommended that cats be “indoor only” and hundreds of dollars can be spent on an orthopedic bed for the dog.

Just because we bring those former barnyard residents inside the house may not mean they are healthier for it. Scientists often cite our companion animals as “canaries in the coal mine.” Household environmental toxins can be a major concern. According to a report from Environmental Working Group (EWG), industrial chemicals show up in our pets at even higher rates than the average human, The chemicals most detected were stain and grease proof coatings and flame retardants used in furniture and flooring.

“At the forefront of people’s minds is if a home is pet friendly, then more importantly it will be human friendly,” says Andy Bannister of Earthtone Construction in Sebastopol. He says it makes sense that if animals are more susceptible to the toxins often contained in building materials, making it safe for them will make it safe for the human occupants. Bannister says he put in formaldehyde free flooring in his home with wood that was certified from the Forest Steward Council. “It’s antique stained so that if Bailar (his Golden Retriever) digs in her nails, it doesn’t show,” he notes.

Bannister says if he were putting in flooring for a client with animals he would recommend the “harder the better like tile or concrete.” Those too can be installed using green friendly methods.

Pergo™ flooring or laminate wood flooring often withstands the dog nails and although tough, it does contained formaldehyde and should be out-gassed after installation. A Sebastopol man recalls getting new carpeting throughout his house and not realizing the impact it was having on his miniature Schnauzer who lost his hair. It lasted until the carpet quit smelling “new.”

For people with committed sofa surfing pets, hemp mixed with raw silk or wool are often the best bets for fabrics says Susan Bahl, owner of Natural Home Source of Forestville. “Pets are really sensitive to the chemicals put into products,” says Bahl. Because of that, she discourages people from using cat scratch posts made from polyester carpeting or pet beds made out of polyester batting. “Back in the old days, cotton and/or wool batting was used and that is what is best to use now,” she says.

Having a pet and a beautiful, healthy garden are not mutually exclusive says Rick Taylor, owner of Eldercreek Landscaping of Sebastopol. Aside from not using toxic fertilizers and plants in gardens, there are other pet friendly approaches. “Observe where your pet naturally walks and create pathways of hardscape along those trails.” If your dog likes to throw balls and toys Taylor suggests that people “plant more durable foliage, like grasses that can take a blow” toward the front of bedding areas.

Read more...

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Uga VII gets a new house!

Uga VII, the University of Georgia's beloved mascot moved into his state-of-the-art new home - built by the expert craftsmen at McCar Homes using premium materials from LP Building Products. Uga's new doghouse has all the amenities needed for such a prominent figure - from air conditioning to radiant barrier and siding with a 50-year limited warranty.

Uga VII officially introduced his new house to Georgia fans at the season- opening football game against Georgia Southern on Saturday.

Uga's new abode is environmentally friendly and features construction with engineered wood products. The 12-square-foot house uses LP(R) TechShield(R) Radiant Barrier Sheathing made at LP's manufacturing facility in Athens, Ga. to help keep Uga cool and reduce the load on the doghouse's air conditioning system. Sonny Seiler, owner of the Uga dynasty and well-known UGA celebrity, is pleased with the results, "We desperately needed this house for the first game. These first home games are killers with the heat."

In home construction, LP TechShield Radiant Barrier can lower attic temperatures by up to 30 degrees and reduce monthly cooling bills by up to 17 percent.

Not only is the new doghouse more comfortable, but it will also last longer. McCar Homes covered it with LP(R) SmartSide(R) Trim & Siding, which has the industry's only 5-year, 100 percent labor and replacement feature and 50-year prorated limited warranty, so many succeeding generations of Uga will enjoy it. The siding is extremely resistant to dents and dings and can handle anything on the sidelines from an errant football to a full-speed defensive lineman charging ahead.

LP uses forest management and procurement systems that are Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI)-certified, which helps to ensure its wood comes from well-managed forests. The LP products in Uga's house also feature safe, low- emitting resins.

Louisiana-Pacific Corporation (LP), headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., is a premier supplier of building products, manufacturing innovative, high-quality commodity and specialty products to its retail, wholesale, homebuilding and industrial customers. Visit LP's Web site at www.lpcorp.com for additional information on the company.

Dan and Elaine McSwain founded McCar Homes more than 50 years ago with a mission to build homes for buyers who desire the best homes in sought-after locations. Today, the company has grown from a hometown builder into one of the nation's top builders and is ranked 39th by Professional Builder. McCar Homes has earned numerous national and regional awards. With an experienced team of professionals, McCar Homes sets a new standard for exceptional quality, innovative home design, outstanding amenities and customer satisfaction - building new home communities across the Southeastern United States including Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida. SOURCE Louisiana-Pacific Corporation

http://www.lpcorp.com

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