Blog – Paw Print

My Favorite Clothing Brands for Small Dogs

February 5, 2023

I know not everyone is a fan of dressing up dogs. Hey, I get it! Most of the time my own dogs, Kitsune and Fenrir, are little nudists. I do, however, put them in dog clothing once in a while for practical purposes. The area we live in can get really cold in the winter, and my two little ones refuse to go to the bathroom indoors. Recently, we’ve been spending more time getting all bundled up to go outside than we actually spend outside! It can be hard to find high-quality, functional clothing for small dogs. There’s cute clothing a-plenty, but warm, well-fitting, functional clothing for small dogs seems to be a bit harder to find. It’s frustrating when your best buddy is a little adventure dog!

In this post, I’m going to share my favorite dog clothing brands that I feel work really well for my two small adventure dogs! I’ve become quite picky when it comes to buying clothing for my boys. When it comes to buying clothing for Kit and Fen, I’ve become somewhat brand loyal, mostly because, over the years, I’ve found a few brands that really consistently seem to work well for them.

Post Contents:

1 These are things I look for when selecting clothing for my two small dogs…
2 Gooby:
3 Ruffwear:
4 There You Have It, My Two Favorite Clothing Brands for My Small Dogs!

These are things I look for when selecting clothing for my two small dogs…

The “perfect” fit. I look for clothing brands that have a variety of size options, especially for small dogs. I like shirts and jackets that cover as much of their backs as possible, to keep them warm, but don’t cover up their boy parts for obvious reasons.
Color Options. Even with functional clothing, it’s nice to have color options. How else am I going to buy Kit and Fen their signature colors?
Easy to Get on and off. Especially now that my oldest dog, Kit, is a senior with some health issues that make me more hesitant to manipulate him in certain ways, dog clothing that is easy to get on and off is really important to me. Kit has IVDD and arthritis. I am very aware of not wanting to hurt him by accident by moving his neck or legs in awkward ways to get him into clothing. Lately, my favorite types of dog clothes have zippers across the back, so I can get them onto my dogs without having to manipulate their legs very much.
Warm! What’s the point of putting clothing on your small dogs if not to keep them warm, after all?
Lightweight. When you have small dogs, I think sometimes getting them clothing and accessories that are light weight can be more important than it would be for other sized dogs. If we’re going cold weather hiking, for example, my dogs will often be wearing a fleece or jacket, their harness, and a collar. That can add up to a lot of extra, bulky, weight for a small dog if you don’t pick your items carefully.

Without further ado, here are my favorite clothing brands for my small dogs!

Gooby:

When you see pictures of Kit and Fen wearing clothing on my blog or social media, it’s very likely that they’re wearing something by Gooby! Gooby clothing is designed especially for small to medium sized dogs. I love their sizing. They have sizes XS to 3XL, but because they are designed for small dogs you can really find the perfect fit for your little ones. My Kitsune is currently 20 lbs, and Fenrir is 18. They both currently wear size XL in Gooby clothing. I have to admit, it still feels really weird to buy my little guys XL sized clothing! But that size fits them both perfectly. Plus, I love that Gooby’s sizing is so consistent. XL fits my boys well no matter what Gooby product I buy them.

Gooby dog clothing is stylish and colorful, but functional too. Some of my favorite items from them currently include their zip up fleece sweater, and their doggy puffer jackets. But Gooby does sell other styles of clothing, plush things like harnesses and leashes too. The fleece sweaters are lightweight and comfortable for Kit and Fen. I’ll sometimes have them wear them around the house on cold days. Lately, since it’s been especially cold, my dogs have been rocking their Gooby puffer jackets every time we go outside. Thankfully, they are super easy to put on and take off, so I’m not spending too much extra time getting the boys dressed to go outside.

Gooby dog clothing is stylish, fits well, keep my dogs warm, is easy to put on and take off, and budget friendly! What more could I ask for?

Ruffwear:

I love the Ruffwear brand of dog products, but they are not as budget friendly as Gooby products are. I’d for sure have more Ruffwear products if they were cheaper, but I love what we do have. I’ll only use a Ruffwear Webmaster harness for my Alaskan Klee Kai, Fenrir, since he’s escaped from other harnesses in the past. Ruffwear doesn’t have as many clothing options as some brands, but I really like their Climate Changer Dog Fleece. It fits really well underneath my dogs harnesses. Because it also has a zipper, it’s easy to get on and off even my sensitive senior boy. Ruffwear has a newer Hemp Hound dog sweater that I eventually want to try out too.

I don’t have nearly as many Ruffwear products as I do Gooby because of the difference in price. But, what I do have has been really durable. Fen had the same Ruffwear harness and fleece since he was young, and I doubt I would have had to replace it still, if it wasn’t for the fact that “little” Fen bulked up a bit and needed a larger size. Ruffwear comes in sizes XX-Small to XL. Kit and Fen both wear size X-Small across Ruffwear products.

Ruffwear is more of a rugged, adventure dog themed brand. It’s nice to have a brand like that that has sizing that fits even small dogs well. I wish they had more color options, and their clothing is expensive. But they are high-quality, durable, fit my dogs well, and keep my dogs warm. I love this brand for taking my littles on adventures, because I know I can really depend on the durability of Ruffwear products. That’s important when you’re out in the wilderness!

There You Have It, My Two Favorite Clothing Brands for My Small Dogs!

Because of the price difference, I tend to mostly buy Gooby products for Kit and Fen when it comes to clothing. Ruffwear is more of my go-to for things like harnesses, leashes, and lifejackets. I know Ruffwear is expensive but, so far, nothing I’ve purchased from them has ever needed to be replaced due to damage. I feel like their durability kind of makes up for the price. I’ve found them to have good resale value too, in case your dog outgrows them. I was able to sell the Ruffwear fleece and harness that Fenrir outgrew on eBay for a decent amount of money.

The Gooby dog products are awesome for small dogs, especially if you’re looking for something more budget friendly. I had one fleece from Gooby rip once but it was Fenrir’s puppy fleece, and he got a ton of use out of it before we needed to replace it. Gooby comes in lots of color and multiple style options. Both brands keep my dogs warm, even in super cold weather, without being overly heavy. They have options with zippers that make them easy to get on and off my dogs. And they fit my little boy dogs really well.

Comment below! I’m always open to trying new products if anyone has a dog clothing brand they’d recommend for smaller dogs. Do you dress your dogs up, either to deal with cold weather or for other reasons?

We’ve, unfortunately, been dealing with content scrapers stealing our articles lately. You shouldn’t be seeing this article on any site other than pawprintpetblog.com! If you’re reading this article on any other site, we’d love for you to take the time to contact us and let us know and, if you have the time, stop by and visit us on our official site! Thanks you.

Pet Tips, Adventure Dogs

How Cold is Too Cold for Dogs?

February 3, 2023

I’m writing this from my cozy, heated office with my two dogs, Kitsune and Fenrir, snuggled up in a dog bed near my desk. But it’s currently -17*F outside. With the wind chill, it feels like -32*F. And it’s supposed to get even colder overnight! Small dogs sometimes get a bad rap for being hard to potty train. But my two littles refuse to go to the bathroom anywhere other than outside. It’s a blessing and a curse. I love not having to worry about cleaning up doggy accidents. But on days like today, when the weather is especially bad, I sometimes wish they would concede to using a potty pad. Taking the boys out for bathroom breaks today has been a task and a half. We’ve been spending more time getting all bundled up than we actually spend outside. If you also live somewhere cold, you may wonder how cold, exactly, is too cold for dogs?

Post Contents:

1 It depends on the Dog!
2 Age:
3 Health:
4 Coat Type:
5 Coat Color:
6 Size:
7 Weight:
8 Conditioning:
9 It’s Not Only About the Numbers on the Thermometer!
10 How Cold is Too Cold for Dogs – A General Guideline
11 If you need to take your dogs outside in especially cold weather, there are some precautions you can take to keep them safe.
12 Learn Your Own Dog’s Cold-Tolerance Level

It depends on the Dog!

Each dog, like each person, is an individual. There are a number of factors that can influence what temperature ranges each dog feels comfortable in. Some dogs, just like some people, just seem to be more cold-tolerant than others. Out of my own two dogs, most people would very much think that Fenrir would be the most cold-tolerant. He’s half Kit’s age. Fenrir has a dark-colored, thick double coat. Kitsune has a mostly white single coat that I also keep trimmed. Yet, when I take them out in cold weather it’s always Fenrir who wants to head back inside long before Kitsune!

Although I already just showed that these factors can be moot, here are some traits that can help dictate how cold-tolerant your individual dog may be.

Age:

In general, dogs that are very young or very old will be less cold-tolerant than healthy, adult dogs.

Health:

Pay special attention to dogs with health conditions during extreme weather. They may not be able to maintain their body temperature as well as a healthy dog can.

Coat Type:

In general dogs with double coats will tolerate cold better than single coated dogs. Dogs with short, thin coats will generally get colder faster and may be more likely to require sweaters or coats.

Coat Color:

Darker colored dogs absorb more heat on a sunny day, and thus may be able to maintain their temperature a bit better than lighter colored dogs.

Size:

Small dogs are usually more at risk in the cold than larger breed dogs. This is especially true if they are walking through deep snow. A small dog in deep snow is more likely to have their belly/chest coming into contact with snow, which can make them feel colder faster.

Weight:

It’s never healthy to allow your dog to become overweight. However, underweight dogs will generally be more suspectable to the cold.

Conditioning:

I find this to be true of myself as well as my dogs. Animals who have time to slowly adapt to the weather will usually become more used to it, and not be as bothered by cold days.

It’s Not Only About the Numbers on the Thermometer!

It’s hard to set definitive rules for how cold is too cold for dogs. Weather is about more than just the numbers on the thermometer. It’s important to also take into account things like the wind chill, how sunny it is, and whether or not there is precipitation. What your dog is doing outside can matter too! If they’re just sitting around in the snow, they are likely to get colder faster verses if they are playing or exercising outdoors.

How Cold is Too Cold for Dogs – A General Guideline

In general, dogs may start to feel effects of the cold when the temperature is below 45*F. Dogs who are very old or young, have thin fur, or are compromised in any way may be impacted more in moderately cold weather. When the temperature drops to below freezing, or 32*F, it’s generally a good idea to closely monitor and limit time outdoors, especially if your dog is sensitive to the cold for any reason. At below 20*F, you risk your dog developing cold related health complications such as frostbite or hypothermia. A quick bathroom break is usually ok in these temperatures, but monitor your dog and do not leave them outside for longer than necessary.

If you need to take your dogs outside in especially cold weather, there are some precautions you can take to keep them safe.

You may think dogs look silly in jackets and boots, but they can help keep them warm. Boots can help protect paws from snow, ice, and frostbite. Coats, jackets, or sweaters are especially helpful on cold, windy days.
Limit time outdoors as much as possible. When it’s especially cold, my dogs go out for quick bathroom breaks than come right back inside.
If you can, keep outdoor excursions to daylight hours. Temperatures usually drop in the night, and even on really cold days the sun can sometimes be enough to help keep your dog warm.
Go outside with your dog in bad weather. It sucks, I know, but you’ll know if you’re too cold that, changes are, your dog is too.
Know the signs of hypothermia! They can include shivering, lethargy, pale skin and gums, lack of coordination, and reduced breathing rates.

Learn Your Own Dog’s Cold-Tolerance Level

Although you can use the information in this post as a general guide, your best bet is to always learn what you can about your individual dog. By all accounts, my Fenrir, who is an Alaskan Klee Kai, should be pretty cold tolerant. But he’s always been especially sensitive to extreme temperatures, hot or cold. Because I know this about him, I’m always extra careful about taking him out when it’s especially cold out. I bundle him up in his coat and boots, and keep bathroom breaks as short as possible.

Comment below! What’s the coldest weather you and your dog(s) have ever experienced? Does your dog do well in the cold? What are some things you do to help your dog spend time outdoors in colder weather?

All About Dogs

How Thermal Imaging Works, and What it Has to Do with Dog Grooming

February 1, 2023

I’ve caught a lot of flack over the years because I cut my papillon, Kitsune’s, fur. Papillons are often referred to as a “wash and wear” breed. Meaning that, generally, papillons do not require a lot of grooming. Although they are a long-haired breed, a bath every now and then, perhaps a sanitary trim, and a good daily brushing are all they commonly need. I like how my papillon looks trimmed, though. And Kitsune is genuinely happier, and more comfortable when his hair is shorter. Every dog, even dogs that are the same breed, are individuals. What’s right for one won’t necessarily be right for another. How does thermal imaging work, and what, exactly, does it have to do with dog grooming?

For years now I’ve been seeing a thermal image of (I think) a golden retriever with a lion cut making the rounds on social media. The image is accompanied by text explaining why dogs, especially dogs with double coats, should not be shaved. According to the text accompanying it, the thermal image is showing that the shaved areas of the dog are warmer than the unshaved areas. Sadly I was unable to track down who wrote the original text. They are implying that this temperature difference is due to the dog’s natural fur coat insulating it against hot weather. Unfortunately, I have seen this image used again and again against owners who choose, for whatever reason, to trim or shave their dog’s fur. The problem?

Post Contents:

1 That’s Not How Thermal Imaging Works!
2 Another Example
3 So, Should You Shave Your Dog?
4 Every Dog is an Individual!

That’s Not How Thermal Imaging Works!

Thermal cameras work by detecting thermal energy rather than visible light like a regular camera. Thermal energy is not detectable by the human eye, but thermal sensors can detect different levels of thermal energy. In a thermal image, different amounts of thermal energy will be represented by different colors or different shades of colors.

In a thermal image, you are not looking at an accurate representation of how warm the surface of something is. Rather, you are looking at an image that represents how much thermal energy that surface is radiating.

For example, in the infamous photo of the golden retriever, the part of the dog’s body that is covered by longer fur is not necessarily significantly cooler than the rest of the dog. Rather, the long fur is trapping in thermal energy. The thermal camera isn’t able to pick up this trapped thermal energy. That makes it appear like that area of the dog is cooler. In reality, because heat is being trapped against the dog’s body, those spots are more likely to be warmer.

The shaved areas of the dog’s body allows for thermal energy to radiate off and away from the dog. So, although the shaved areas appear to show up as warmer on the thermal image, this is not because the dog’s skin is actually hotter in those areas. It’s because the dog is radiating more heat, more thermal energy, from the shaved areas. There’s nothing in the way to stop the thermal camera from detecting thermal energy near the dogs skin.

Another Example

Image Credit: Alex and Jarek Tuszyński Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0

I figured it might help if I gave an example of how thermal imaging works outside of the dog grooming world. If you’ve ever seen a thermal image of a person, you’ve probably notice that any uncovered areas of the skin, faces and hands for example, show up “warmer” than areas of the body that are covered by clothing. Why would this be, when our clothing is designed to keep us warm? It’s because it is keeping us warm! Much like dog’s fur, our clothing traps thermal energy against our bodies. But that warmth is hidden, to an extent, from thermal cameras because less of it is radiating out and away from us, where a thermal camera would be able to pick it up.

So, Should You Shave Your Dog?

Well, it depends. But certainly, if you decided not to shave or trim your dog’s fur, it shouldn’t be because of the false information on that social media meme. Because, as crazy as it is, that image actually shows the opposite of the message the original creator was trying to portray. The golden retriever in the image is loosing more heat from the areas that are shaved. Therefor the shaved areas would be cooler than the spots where the fur was left natural.

Every Dog is an Individual!

There are a lot of factors owners should take into account before deciding whether or not to trim their dog’s fur. I personally don’t recommend that owners shave their dog’s down to the skin. At least a little bit of fur is required to protect your dog’s skin from sunburn. But they certainly don’t require their full, long, fluffy coats to prevent sunburn. Other than that, if you decide that trimming your dog’s hair is what’s right for you and your individual dog, then don’t let anyone, especially judgmental people on the internet (extra especially judgmental people who are using false information to try to “prove” their point) change your mind! I’ve been trimming Kit’s fur for his entire life, over 14 years now, without any ill effects.

So that’s what thermal imaging has to do with dog grooming! Comment below. Do you cut or trim your dog’s fur? Has anyone ever tried to use the thermal image argument to convince you that you shouldn’t?

Dog Health

Supplements I Use for My Senior Dog with Health Concerns (IVDD, Cushing’s?, Arthritis, Heart Murmur)

January 30, 2023

This amazing little fuzz butt, for anyone who doesn’t already know, is Kitsune. Kit for short. Kit is an oversized papillon who turned 14 years old last December. Shh, we won’t tell Kit that he’s a senior dog. He doesn’t seem to realize it. Some of his hobbies include annoying his younger brother Fenrir, eating all the things, exploring in the woods, nose work, and snuggling. Throughout his life, I’ve used supplements to help keep Kit healthy. I’ve always made a point to do lots of research, and supplement my dogs based on their current, individual needs. This post is about the supplements I’m currently using for my senior dog, Kitsune.

Post Contents:

1 The 411 On Kit’s Current Health: IVDD
2 Cushing’s Disease?
3 A Heart Murmur
4 AND Arthritis?
5 Helping Kit’s Health Issues with Supplements?
6 Kit’s Supplements:
7 Yes Still Going, More Supplements…
8 That’s a Lot of Supplements!
9 Keeping this Post Updated

The 411 On Kit’s Current Health: IVDD

Kit is doing pretty well now, but had a bit of a rough time, health-wise, recently. Kitsune was diagnosed with cervical IVDD last September. After his original IVDD diagnosis, his health kind of spiraled a bit. He didn’t react well to taking Prednisone to treat the IVDD. Kit started displaying Cushing’s Disease type symptoms, especially polydipsia (excessive thirst/drinking) and polyuria (frequent urination). He had a bit of hind limb weakness. We don’t know if it was caused by the IVDD or his medication/Cushing’s. Bloodwork we had done was pretty good, but he did have elevated liver enzymes.

Cushing’s Disease?

During his IVDD recovery, Kit was diagnosed with idiopathic Cushing’s Disease. That is basically Cushing’s Disease that is caused by a medication. Normally, idiopathic Cushing’s Disease takes between 6 and 12 weeks to resolve after dogs are taken off the medication that caused it. Kit was completely weaned off of Prednisone by October 26th. So, as of the time I’m posting this, it’s been just over 12 weeks. Kit’s Cushing’s symptoms have greatly decreased but are not 100% resolved. We’re unsure currently whether he is just taking a tad bit longer to recover than normal, or if he could potentially have the beginnings of actual Cushing’s Disease that was made worse by the medication he was on.

A Heart Murmur

Kitsune also has a very mild heart murmur. Right now, it’s just something we’ve been keeping an eye on. So far, it hasn’t changed or gotten worse at all, and it doesn’t impact his life. It’s not bad enough that he requires any medication at this time. However, I am mentioning it here because it does slightly impact Kit’s supplement regime.

AND Arthritis?

Shortly after his IVDD recovery, Kit was also diagnosed with arthritis. We started to notice that he would look stiff and sore after laying down for a while. At first, we were worried that it was another flair-up of the IVDD, so soon after his first. But after a workup at the vet, they said that it was actually arthritis. We think we noticed it bothering him so much more directly after his IVDD diagnosis for two reasons. One, because he had been on strict rest during his IVDD recovery. The lack of exercise probably made his arthritis feel worse. And secondly, because I had been supplementing him with Turmeric, a natural anti-inflammatory, before his IVDD diagnosis. I had to temporarily stop giving him Turmeric because it conflicted with one of his IVDD medications.

Helping Kit’s Health Issues with Supplements?

Unfortunately, it’s usually pretty inevitable that, as dogs age, they encounter more health issues. I had hoped, of course, that this wasn’t going to hold true with my own dogs. But it has. I’ve always been the type to really research my options, and put a lot of thought into things before starting my dogs on medications. It’s why, for example, I was hesitant to start Kit on Rimadyl (carprofen) for his arthritis when his vet suggested it. I didn’t want Kit to be in pain, of course. But Rimadyl can come with some serious side effects such as kidney and liver damage, especially when given long term. Kit, currently, already has an impaired liver, so starting him on a med that could cause more liver damage seemed risky.

If my only options had been trying the Rimadyl or making Kit deal with daily arthritis pain, of course I would have went with the meds. But, thankfully, I knew there were some other options on the table. Prescription pain meds will still be an option in the future, if Kit does ever need them. But I decided to try supplements first. Can supplements replace prescription medication? Sometimes. It really depends on your individual dog, and what conditions you are trying to treat. Below, I’ll share the supplements that have been working for my senior dog for some of his various health conditions.

Kit’s Supplements:

Coco and Luna Milk Thistle: Milk thistle can help support the liver, kidneys, heart, skin and coat. I started giving it to Kit after he had bloodwork done a few months ago that showed elevated liver enzymes. I will update this post after his next blood work up.

Coco and Luna SAMeLQ: SAMe is a supplement that has been shown to improve liver, brain, joint, and cognitive health. Like the milk thistle, I started Kit on SAMe to hopefully help support his liver. However, SAMe is a supplement often recommended for senior dogs because of it’s agility to help preserve joint and cognitive function.

Dasuquin Advanced: This supplement we get from Kit’s vet. It’s your basic Glucosamine/Chondroitin/MSM joint supplement. The Advanced version of Dasuquin, available from vets, contains additional ingredients to support joint health.

Welactin: Welactin is, basically, a fish oil supplement. We were using another brand of fish oil before. Kit’s vet recommended this one so we decided to give it a try. Kit hasn’t been on it very long. I’ll have to update at a later date about whether or not I feel like it helps Kit.

VetriScience Cardio Strength: I’ve used this supplement for general heart health since we originally learned about Kit’s heart murmur. I guess I can’t say for sure whether this supplement is helping Kit or not but, I will say, that his murmur is very mild and, thankfully, so far has not gotten any worse over time.

Lignans & Melatonin: Lignans and melatonin are commonly used to treat the symptoms of Cushing’s Disease. They do not decrease a dog’s cortisol levels, but they can help manage symptoms.

Yes Still Going, More Supplements…

Coco and Luna Mushroom Complex: Unlike Kit’s other supplements, I give him mushroom supplements for general health. I’ll have to write a post about the benefits of supplementing dogs with mushrooms sometime! Lately I’ve been using this Coco and Luna supplement, however I’m not super brand loyal and have used other mushroom supplements in the past.

T-Relief Arthritis: T-Relief is a holistic pain relief pill. I think it’s either this, or the next supplement, or else a combo of the two, that has eliminated Kit’s arthritis pain!

Turmeric: I supplement Kit with turmeric by making him home made turmeric/golden paste treats. You can read more about the benefits of turmeric for dogs here, and see the recipe for the treats I use for Kitsune here. Turmeric had greatly improved what used to be Kit’s frequent GI issues, and I believe helped a great deal with his arthritis as well. Turmeric is a supplement I’ll probably always give Kit, as long as it doesn’t conflict with any other medication he may need.

ProDen PlaqueOff: I debated whether or not to consider this a supplement. These are the dental chews that I use for both of my dogs.

Myos Canine Muscle Formula: Myos is a highly recommended, although not cheap, supplement for dogs experiencing muscle loss/wasting for any reason. In clinical studies, it has also been shown to help with arthritis. I started supplementing Kit with Myos after we noticed some muscle loss during his recovery from IVDD. Because he is 14 now, and muscle loss can also be common in older dogs, I’m planning on keeping Kit on Myos to support his continued health and mobility.

That’s a Lot of Supplements!

It doesn’t feel like that much when I’m giving Kit his supplements day to day. We’ve fallen into a routine, so giving him all his supplements never feels like a big deal. Some he gets in the morning with breakfast. A few he gets in the middle of the day, some he gets with dinner, and the melatonin/lignans he gets right before bed. He gets turmeric and T-Relief twice a day, but everything else just once a day.

I know some of you are probably thinking – all those supplements must be expensive. Probably. I’ve never sat down and added up the costs. The way I look at it, it would be even more expensive if he was on prescription meds from the vet. Then, on top of the medications, he’d need bloodwork done every 3 months to make sure the meds weren’t damaging his organs. His supplements aren’t as risky, and, so far, have been effective in helping to deal with his various issues. I know for sure that our supplement routine helps his arthritis.

Keeping this Post Updated

I’ll keep this post updated because, like I mentioned above, I very much base my dogs’ supplements on what they need at any given time. Some supplements I give for a while then stop, others I will likely give Kit for the rest of his life. I’m thinking of writing a more in depth post about each supplement I use, what it does, why I give it, and how I feel it’s helped my dogs. Let me know if anyone would find something like that helpful. This post is already getting long, so I didn’t want to include even more info here.

Always remember to talk to your vet before starting a new supplement. Although many dog supplements are available over the counter, some of them can interact with either other supplements or with prescription medications. Especially if your dog is a senior with multiple health concerns, and you are using multiple supplements, you want to take extra care to ensure that everything you are giving your dog is safe both on its on, and in combination with everything else your dog is getting.

Comment below! What supplements, if any, do you give to your dog? Have you noticed significant differences in their health since you started?

Dog Health, Pet Tips

February is Pet Dental Health Month

January 28, 2023

Does your beloved pooch have breath that can clear a room? Are your cat’s kisses anything but fresh? Most humans brush their teeth daily, but what about our pets? Proper dental care is important for them too! In honor of that, the month of February is Pet Dental Health Month.

Take Control of Your Pet’s Dental Health

Periodontal disease is one of the leading health concerns in pets. So what should you do if your pet’s dental care is something you’ve been neglecting?

A good first step is to bring your pet in to see the vet. Your vet should be able to spot any dental problems, and if necessary can give your pet a dental cleaning; a process where pets are sedated so that their teeth can be thoroughly cleaned.

After your pet checks out with his/her vet, it’s important to establish a good hygiene schedule at home. Brushing your pet’s teeth is something that will take getting used to for both you and your pet, but it will go a long way toward maintaining your pet’s healthy smile! Do plenty of research when choosing dental products for pets. Other than your standard toothbrush and toothpaste, there are other products on the market like oral sprays and water additives that can help keep your pets’ teeth clean. If you have a pet that likes to chew on things, offering safe chew toys or foods may help keep your pet’s teeth clean.

Signs of Dental Problems in Pets

Make sure to monitor your pets’ teeth and mouth, and at the first sign of any problems get them in to see a vet. Often times, just like in humans, dental issues can be very painful for pets. So what should you look out for? Any of the following symptoms can be caused by dental problems.

Bad breath
Drooling
Difficulty or reluctance eating
Inflamed gums or damaged teeth
Bleeding, swelling, or redness around the gums
Pawing or rubbing at the face and mouth

Even if dental health is something you’ve ignored in the past, it’s an important part of your pets overall health. It’s never too late to start caring for your pet’s teeth, and Pet Dental Health Month is a great time to start! Keep your pets smile pearly white, because nobody likes getting kisses from an animal with stinky breath!

Pet Products

Pet House Candles Review

January 26, 2023

After a busy holiday season at work, I’ve been enjoying having a bit more downtime. It’s been snowy where we live, so the Paw Pack and I have been spending time doing things indoors, like working on training and watching movies. Of course, the dogs don’t help, but it’s been nice to have more time to get stuff done around the house. I had been putting off too many chores for too long! I posted a couple of months ago about what to look for when buying candles that are safer to burn around our pets. Recently, my partner and I decided to buy a few candles. We don’t burn them that often these days. But we have been spending so much time working on keeping the house clean. We figured it would be nice to go the extra mile and make it smell really nice too! Enter Pet House Candles.

Post Contents:

1 Too Cold for Open Windows!
2 Pet House Candles
3 I Love the Smell of These Candles!
4 SO Many Scents to Choose From!
5 Final Thoughts

Too Cold for Open Windows!

Normally, when we want to freshen up the house, we just open up the windows for a while. But, as I already mentioned, it’s been cold and snowy here! My dogs, Kitsune and Fenrir, generally don’t smell bad because I bathe them often. But with two people and two dogs living in a smaller house, it can certainly start to feel stuffy in the wintertime.

I don’t really like using spray air fresheners or anything that has too strong of a scent. I’m always nervous that strong-smelling products may contain chemicals that aren’t good for my little family to breathe in. I’m also sensitive to a lot of strong-smelling, especially artificial, products. They tend to give me headaches. Generally, in the winter, if I want to make our house smell nice I’ll use a few drops of a dog-safe essential oil in our diffuser. As long as I don’t use too much, the smell doesn’t bother me, and the dogs seem to do fine with it as well.

Pet House Candles

My partner is the one who discovered Pet House Candles! After reading a bit about them, I gave him the go ahead to buy a few to try out. Pet House candles, by a company called One Fur All, are 100% natural, dye-free, soy wax candles with cotton wicks. They are non-toxic and eco-friendly, and do not contain harmful chemicals such as phthalates, parabens, or formaldehyde. Pet House candles are hand-poured in the USA. Each candle is supposed to burn for up to 60 hours.

My partner purchased three Pet House candles in the scents moonlight, Mediterranean sea, and lavender green tea. I was most excited to try the lavender green tea candle, since I love the smell of lavender. Unfortunately, go figure, our lavender green tea candle arrived broken. The glass jar was cracked in the mail. My partner contacted One Fur All through their Amazon page and they very promptly refunded him for the damaged candle. I think he must have felt bad that the candle I wanted the most was the one that got broken, so he replaced it once the refund went through.

I Love the Smell of These Candles!

The three scents my partner picked out smell really nice. When we burn them the smell fills the house, but they don’t smell overwhelmingly strong. So far they haven’t given me headaches at all, and they don’t seem to bother the dogs. The other week I accidently burned some food, which of course never smells great. After shutting off the oven, I had to run the dogs outside. My partner lite the moonlight candle while I took Kit and Fen out for a bathroom break. By the time we came back inside again, the house smelled so good! The candle did an amazing job at eliminating the burnt food odors. I have no doubt it would help with stinky pets too. But, ya know, still keep your pets clean!

The One Fur All company encourages buyers to reuse their glass candle jars once the candle is finished, which I love. The glass jars are pretty, with air tight wooden lids. I’m a total sucker for a nice container and have already been thinking about what I want to use the candle jars for once our candles are done.

SO Many Scents to Choose From!

The Pet House candles come in over 30 scents on their Amazon page! I don’t even know how my partner narrowed it down to just three. So many of the available scents sound like they would smell so good. I’m excited to try more of them in the future.

Candles not your thing? One Fur All also sells wax melts, non-toxic room sprays, car air fresheners, and reed diffusers. If you want to try out their candles but aren’t ready to commit to a full size, they offer mini candles. They also sell a welcome home candle and a memorial pet candle, both potentially thoughtful gifts for pet lovers.

Final Thoughts

The Pet House candles are a bit pricey. At the time of writing this post, the full size candles are just over $20 each. But you get what you pay for! In my experience, this is a reasonable price for a high quality, soy based candle. We haven’t had our candles very long, so I can’t speak to whether or not they really last 60 burn hours each. We burn candles pretty sparingly at our house, so I’m hoping these ones last us a long time. Although, I have to admit I’m not going to complain when they run out because, with so many scents to choose from, picking out replacements will be fun!

These candles smell great without being too strong/overwhelming. They quickly fill our entire house with a light, pleasant scent and seem to do an amazing job at covering up other odors. They come in stylish, reusable glass jars. The company has good customer service if you have an issue and need to reach out. They were great about quickly refunding us for our one candle that arrived damaged. My partner purchased our One Fur All candles, so this isn’t a sponsored post. The company didn’t know I was going to write a review about our experience.

Comment below! Do you burn candles at your house? Do you have a favorite brand you recommend? If anyone tries out Pet House Candles, you’ll have to come back and let us know what scent you tried out and how you liked it!

Pet Tips

Negativity in Animal Rescue

January 24, 2023

My animal family has always been, to one degree or another, a mixing of creatures brought together from varied situations. I strongly support animal rescue. Many of my pets over the years have come from rescue situations. Some were adopted from shelters, and others taken in from bad situations before they made it into a shelter. I’ve spent countless hours volunteering and fundraising to benefit the lives of homeless animals. I donate money and supplies to rescues on a very regular basis. I have also never hidden the fact that some of my pets have come from breeders.

This post isn’t about breeders versus rescues, or what exactly makes a breeder a responsible one. I understand that not everyone supports my decisions to get animals from breeders and, as long as you show me respect, that’s perfectly fine. If you are reading my blog, even if you don’t agree with everything I say and do, I’d hazard to guess that we probably still have much in common.

Pets are Family, No Matter Where They Came From

My pets are a part of my family, and a very big part of my life. I love them unconditionally and do whatever I can to keep them healthy and happy. A while back I came across an image that was being shared on social media. It was suggesting that people who adopt their dogs love their pets more than people who obtain their dogs from breeders.

Barnaby & Poppet (RIP), who were both rescues.

I get the whole rescue thing, really I do. I have adopted animals quite a few times, and I am sure that I will do so again in the future. Promoting adoption is a wonderful thing. But I find myself often wishing that people would do so without feeling the need to bring others down. It’s 100% possible to talk about how much love an adopted pet can bring into someone’s life without then going on to imply that those of us who have animals that didn’t come from shelters don’t love our dogs or are somehow inferior to owners who rescue.

Every Little Bit Helps

Just because someone has a pet from a breeder doesn’t mean that they can’t also do things to benefit the lives of animals in rescue. They can volunteer, they can donate, they can help raise awareness, and when/if they are ready for another pet someday, they can adopt.

Cruelty towards people is something I feel like I see quite frequently in animal rescue. I often come across statements along the lines of “this person gave up his pet, I hope horrible things happen to him”. The statements are more descriptive than that, but you get the idea. I never understood people with this kind of mindset. If cruelty towards animals is so wrong (which it very much is!) than why are you making statements that promote cruelty towards people? Shouldn’t cruelty in general be wrong?

Take a Lesson from Our Animals

There is already more than enough hatred in the world. There’s no reason for those supporting animal rescue to alienate potential allies. There’s no reason to promote cruelty towards one species (humans) while you fight against cruelty towards another. Cruelty begets cruelty, and I think that those of us who have experienced the unconditional love of an animal should be above that.

If there’s one thing that we have in common, it’s our love for animals. I think that sometimes, in a cruel world, it’s hard to see just how powerful love can be. But, even if it is hard, that’s not an excuse to stoop to the level of negativity. All we need to do to see the power of love is to look into the eyes of the animals we adore. We need to break the cycle. We need to show people that rescue isn’t about cruelty, and judgement, it’s about overcoming those things. You catch more bees with honey, as the saying goes, and the more bees we have working to promote rescue the more lives we can save.

I’d love to hear what you think – comment below! Have you ever experienced negativity associated with animal rescue? What are some things you think that could be done to overcome it?

Pet Products

Dog Movie Review: Dog Gone (Spoilers)

January 22, 2023

After a somewhat stressful Saturday, I decided the Paw Pack needed some relaxing downtime. It’s been especially snowy here in the frozen north, so an adventure outside was out. Netflix had been recommending a movie called Dog Gone to me for a bit. I decided that a movie was the perfect way to spend a cold, dark Sunday afternoon. After waiting a few minutes for Kit and Fen to pick their perfect snuggle spots next to me on the couch, it was movie time!

Post Contents:

1 Dog Gone Movie Summary
2 Not Just a Movie About a Dog
3 Does the Dog Survive!?
4 My Thoughts on Dog Gone
5 I Enjoyed Dog Gone

Dog Gone Movie Summary

Dog Gone is the story of the Marshall family and their dog Gonker. It’s based on a true story that was originally published as a book in 2017. In the movie, Gonker is a lab puppy adopted by college student Fielding Marshall to help soothe his heart after a breakup. Fast forward a year and Fielding, who, unlike his friends, doesn’t have any plans about what he wants to do after graduating, moves back in with his parents. Gonker in tow, of course, which his parents don’t seem overly happy about at first. Thankfully, the Marshall’s quickly bond with the adorable lab.

The family becomes concerned when, one morning, Gonker doesn’t seem to be his normal, rambunctious self. They rush him to the vet where they discover that Gonker is suffering from Addison’s Disease. Thankfully, although this is a lifelong condition, with a monthly injection Gonker will be able to continue enjoying life with the Marshall’s.

However, things go awry when Feilding takes Gonker hiking, unleashed, on the Appalachian Trail. Gonker takes off after a fox, and Feilding is unable to find him. He enlists the help of his parents, and before you know it an entire community is searching for Gonker. But time, unfortunately, is running out. If Gonker doesn’t receive his medication on time he’ll likely pass away from Addison’s Disease. And that’s if the wilderness of the Appalachian Trail doesn’t claim him first.

Will the Marshall’s find Gonker in time? And, perhaps, strengthen as people along the way?

Not Just a Movie About a Dog

Although, on it’s face, Dog Gone is a movie about the search for a missing dog, it’s about people too. Fielding and his parent’s, his father especially, don’t start off having the best of relationships. Fielding’s mom, scared from a traumatic experience with her childhood dog, takes Gonker’s disappearance especially hard. And Fielding himself is hiding a health issue that is making his search for Gonker all the more harrowing.

Will Fielding be ok? Will the time he spends searching for Gonker with his dad bring them closer together, or tear them apart? Will Fielding’s mom finally be able to come to terms with her childhood trauma, or will losing another dog in a horrible way make things even worse? And, most importantly (at least on a dog blog!),

Does the Dog Survive!?

I know this is going to be an epic spoiler. But I was happy that, in this movie at least, the dog does not die. Enough with the dogs dying in dog themed movies am I right?

My Thoughts on Dog Gone

Being a Netflix movie, I think a bit of cheesiness was expected from Dog Gone. Is it a perfect movie? No. But I did enjoy watching it, cheesiness and all. It’s rated PG. I don’t have kids myself so may not be the best judge, but in my opinion this movie is family friendly.

I cringed at some of the scenes that portrayed how Fielding cared for Gonker. He feeds Gonker donuts, and I don’t recall seeing anyone use a leash on Gonker a single time in the entire movie. Apparently, though, the real life Gonker really did eat donuts. And the whole leash thing is what leads to Gonker going missing, so I guess this movie wouldn’t exist if Fielding had been a more responsible dog owner.

It was especially interesting to me that Gonker had Addison’s Disease because Addison’s is, basically, the opposite of Cushing’s Disease. I’ve been (potentially) dealing with Cushing’s Disease in my own dog, Kitsune, recently. I’ve been doing SO much research on Cushing’s and Addison’s Disease. It was interesting seeing Addison’s Disease being portrayed in a dog on the big(ish) screen.

I Enjoyed Dog Gone

Some cringy dog care, and cheesy scenes aside, I enjoyed this movie! It was ultimately heart warming and more than “just” a movie about a dog gone missing. Seeing the ways that Gonker, in a round about way, healed the Marshall family was really sweet. I loved how even side characters in this movie really seemed to relate to how much the Marshall’s loved their dog. No one seemed to think it was crazy that the Marshalls were pulling out all the stops to find Gonker. Sometimes us animal lovers can feel a bit ostracized by people who don’t understand why we love our furry family members as much as we do. Dog Gone will make even the craziest of dog ladies (or men) feel a bit more accepted.

What do you think? If you’ve seen this movie, do you agree with my review? Comment below! We always love hearing from our readers! 🙂

Pet Tips

Reduce Your Pet’s Carbon Paw Print!

January 20, 2023

This may be a little-known fact about me. I have a degree in wildlife and environmental management. Environmental issues, and living an environmentally sustainable (as much as possible) lifestyle, are other things, besides my animals, that I have a strong passion for. Unfortunately, sometimes keeping pets and doing everything I can to reduce my personal impact on the environment are two things that clash. Thankfully, there are things you can do to help reduce your dog’s carbon paw print!

Post Contents:

1 Is Keeping Pets Bad for The Environment?
2 Environmentally Friendly Feeding:
3 The ‘Other End’ of Feeding:
4 Clean Green:
5 Other Eco-Friendly Pet Products:
6 Don’t Spoil Your Pups (Too Much)
7 Owning a Pet Doesn’t Mean You Have to Give Up on Being Kind to the Environment.

Is Keeping Pets Bad for The Environment?

In their book, Time to Eat the Dog? The real guide to gustainable living, authors Robert and Brenda Vale suggest that owning a dog is worse for the environment than driving an SUV! The authors suggested that owning a medium-sized dog has about twice the environmental impact as driving an SUV 10,000 miles. The authors chalk it up to the fact that dogs are large carnivores, and it takes a lot of land to sustain the animals that eventually provide food for Fido.

There are opponents to the book who point out reasons why pets may not actually be as bad for the environment as the Vale’s suggest. However, even if our pets are not as bad as driving an SUV, it’s probably safe to assume that they do have some negative impacts on the environment. Luckily for pet lovers, there are some steps we can take to help reduce our pets’ carbon paw prints!

Environmentally Friendly Feeding:

Pet food is, most often, cited as being a big reason why owning a pet is not environmentally friendly. Food ingredients, both plant and animal, must be grown before it can be made into Fido’s food, and that takes land. Then you have all the manufacturing, packing, and shipping that it takes to turn those ingredients into pet food, and get that pet food to your pet’s bowl.

To overcome some of these issues, as well as to improve the health of their pets, some owners take their pet’s diet into their own hands. Feeding your dog a homemade diet takes more work than opening a bag of kibble. Owners interested in homemade diets should always make sure to do plenty of research first! But homemade diets, especially if you’re using locally sourced ingredients, can be more environmentally friendly, as well as healthier for your pets!

Don’t worry, there are options for owners who don’t want to deal with making homemade pet food. Why not start by making healthier homemade pet treats? Try to choose high quality pet foods, and avoid overly processed, unhealthy foods and treats. Your pet and the environment will be better off without them! If possible, select locally sourced foods or treats, or look for environmentally friendlier food brands. Some pet food packaging can be recycled, and try to use reusable stainless steel or ceramic food dishes rather than plastic (which usually needs to be replaced more often). You can read our post about the best material to use for pet bowls here!

The ‘Other End’ of Feeding:

Yup, I’m taking about pet waste. It may be the worst part of owning pets, but please remember to clean up after them! Pet waste negatively impacts the local environment if not picked up. It can make for some awfully upset neighbors as well! If you have to use bags, consider using biodegradable bags to clean up after your dog. If possible, cat owners should consider switching to paper or wood based cat litters. They are more environmentally friendly than your typical clay based litters.

Did you know that it’s actually possible to compost pet waste? Read more about it here!

Clean Green:

Simple, cheap products such as baking soda and vinegar can be used to replace expensive, less environmentally friendly cleaning products. Vinegar works great for cleaning up after pet accidents, cleaning the insides of cages, and cleaning litter boxes. It’s nontoxic and much cheaper than alternative cleaning products.

Other Eco-Friendly Pet Products:

These days, finding eco-friendly pet products is easy! A quick Google search turns up countless results for environmentally friendly dog products – everything from dog toys, beds, and leashes to dog clothes, and grooming products. An added benefit of environmentally friendly products is that they are not only healthier for the environment, but for your pet as well! If you can’t find or afford eco-friendly pet products, consider getting creative and making some of your own! Most pets aren’t picky, and would enjoy a homemade toy just as much as something store bought. An old sock can be just as much fun as a new toy, and a re-purposed blanket can be just as comfortable to a sleepy pet as an expensive new pet bed.

Don’t Spoil Your Pups (Too Much)

This one is hard, I know! When I got my first dog, Kitsune, I admit I went a bit crazy spoiling him. I spent a lot of money buying him all the ‘coolest’ dog toys. Now, 14 years later, I have more dog toys than I know what to do with! I spend a lot less on dog supplies these days. The key, for me, has been a combination of learning how to spot higher quality products, and using what we have. When one of my dog’s favorite toy breaks, I fix it, if I can, rather than replacing it. Or I encourage them to pick a new favorite out of our toy bin.

Buying higher quality items often times costs more at the time, but less in the long run because I try to select dog products that will last longer. I have a few harnesses and leashes, for example, that I have had for almost as long as I’ve had my two dogs. Replacing products less often means that fewer supplies are ending up a landfill. Believe me, my senior dog Kit doesn’t care at all that the leash I use to walk him is almost as old as he is. All he cares about is that he’s getting a walk!

If your dog outgrows supplies, toys, etc., consider passing them on to other pet owners rather than throwing them away. My local shelter is always happy to accept gently used dog items. I’ve even had a bit of luck selling dog supplies my dogs and I don’t use anymore.

Owning a Pet Doesn’t Mean You Have to Give Up on Being Kind to the Environment.

Being more environmentally friendly has the added benefit of, more often than not, also being healthier for us and our pets! Remember that there is no reason to approach being environmentally friendly with an ‘all or nothing’ mentality. Every little bit helps!

Comment below! Is there anything special you do to help reduce your pet’s carbon paw print?

Pet Tips

6 Signs Your Dog Loves You!

January 18, 2023

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. While plenty of Americans will be out looking for love, those of us with dogs don’t have far to go to find it. Your dogs won’t care if you forgot to get them Valentine’s Day gifts. And who would make a better snuggle buddy than your dog? He won’t even make fun of you if you decide to spend the evening in your pajamas watching cheesy romance movies! I almost never quote politicians, but in the words of George G. Vest, “The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous, is his dog“.

It’s usually pretty easy to tell that our dogs love us. However, it’s not always quite as obvious as Kitsune makes it seem in this photo (I’m sticking to my story- he was bringing me the heart pillow to tell me that he loves me, definitely not because he mistook it for one of his toys!). If you’re feeling a bit lonely this valentine’s Day, and need some extra validation that your dog isn’t just spending time with you because you make amazing bacon, here are 6 signs that your dog loves you…

Post Contents:

1 The tail tells all:
2 More than just a belly rub:
3 Follow the leader:
4 The power of snuggles:
5 Puppy Kisses:
6 Play attention to me!:

The tail tells all:

Watch your dog’s tail when he/she is around you. Scientists have discovered that how your dog wags his tail can speak volumes. Tail wagging doesn’t always signal happiness, as dogs that are feeling fearful, insecure, and even aggressive often times wag their tails. Broad, fast tail wags, that are, often times, accompanied by butt and hip wiggles, usually signal a happy or excited dog. Did you know that the direction in which a dog moves their tail can have meaning as well? Studies have shown that dogs who are feeling positive about something or someone tend to wag their tails more towards their right, while they tend to wag more towards the left when they are feeling more negative.

More than just a belly rub:

If your dog rolls over and displays their belly around you, it can mean more than just “I’m looking for a belly rub”. A dog’s underbelly is a sensitive area that can be easily injured. If your dog is presenting it to you in a calm, relaxed, or playful manner, it can signal that your dog trusts and is comfortable around you.

Follow the leader:

Your dog following you around whenever possible (even when he’s not after your snacks) is a clear sign that he wants to be with you!

The power of snuggles:

If your dog likes to snuggle up and sleep next to you, that’s another sign that he trusts you. Would you feel comfortable sleeping next to someone you didn’t trust? The same goes for dogs. Sleeping can put them in a position of vulnerability. By choosing to sleep next to you, your dog is showing that he feels safe around you.

Puppy Kisses:

Many people compare dogs licking to kissing. There are many theories about why dogs like to lick so much. While it may not always be because they love us, like when they are licking up food we may have spilled, licking releases endorphins that can make dogs feel comfort and pleasure.

Play attention to me!:

Seeking out their human’s attention, and that can mean for play as well as pets and snuggles, can be a sign that your dog loves you. Although we don’t always have time to throw the ball that Fido insists on shoving into our hands again and again, and we don’t always appreciate the ways our dogs ask us for attention (such as jumping, begging, barking, etc), it still feels good to know that our furry friends enjoy spending time with us!

This isn’t, by any means, an all inclusive list. Comment below – what are some other things your pooch does that make you feel loved?

Older Posts

Newer Posts

These are things I look for when selecting clothing for my two small dogs…

Gooby:

Ruffwear:

There You Have It, My Two Favorite Clothing Brands for My Small Dogs!

It depends on the Dog!

Age:

Health:

Coat Type:

Coat Color:

Size:

Weight:

Conditioning:

It’s Not Only About the Numbers on the Thermometer!

How Cold is Too Cold for Dogs – A General Guideline

If you need to take your dogs outside in especially cold weather, there are some precautions you can take to keep them safe.

Learn Your Own Dog’s Cold-Tolerance Level

That’s Not How Thermal Imaging Works!

Another Example

So, Should You Shave Your Dog?

Every Dog is an Individual!

The 411 On Kit’s Current Health: IVDD

Cushing’s Disease?

A Heart Murmur

AND Arthritis?

Helping Kit’s Health Issues with Supplements?

Kit’s Supplements:

Yes Still Going, More Supplements…

That’s a Lot of Supplements!

Keeping this Post Updated

Take Control of Your Pet’s Dental Health

Related Posts:

Signs of Dental Problems in Pets

Too Cold for Open Windows!

Pet House Candles

I Love the Smell of These Candles!

SO Many Scents to Choose From!

Final Thoughts

Pets are Family, No Matter Where They Came From

Every Little Bit Helps

Take a Lesson from Our Animals

Dog Gone Movie Summary

Not Just a Movie About a Dog

Does the Dog Survive!?

My Thoughts on Dog Gone

I Enjoyed Dog Gone

Is Keeping Pets Bad for The Environment?

Environmentally Friendly Feeding:

The ‘Other End’ of Feeding:

Clean Green:

Other Eco-Friendly Pet Products:

Don’t Spoil Your Pups (Too Much)

Owning a Pet Doesn’t Mean You Have to Give Up on Being Kind to the Environment.

The tail tells all:

More than just a belly rub:

Follow the leader:

The power of snuggles:

Puppy Kisses:

Play attention to me!: