Trail Running at It's Best

Yesterday was perfect for a run in the snow, and there is no better place than Bent Creek. It's probably mushy today, but yesterday the snow was soft and fluffy, but not so fluffy it got in my shoes. And the road was clear almost all the way in. The dogs and I drove past Hard Times trail head, veered right onto the dirt road and parked at the first parking area on the right. We headed up the logging road and ran along the Ingles Field loop and back down...a lollipop route that took about an hour (and I run like molasses pours in the wintertime...S.L.O.W.) Keep it in mind next time we have a nice snow. Here's a link to a map of Bent Creek.

How to Help Your Kitty Lose the Pudge

I got a call recently from someone looking for help slimming down his ironically named feline--Minnie Cat. Since 40% of cats are overweight, I knew there would be other folks out there whose pudgy cats could benefit from some of these tips.

Why Does it Matter if My Cat is Fat?

It matters because feline diabetes is increasing at an alarming rate, and being overweight is a precursor for diabetes (as is a diet high in carbohydrates). Being overweight is also indicated in arthritis, liver disease, and skin problems, to name just a few. Maintaining a healthy weight will allow your pet to live a longer, healthier life.

IMPORTANT: Before starting a weight loss program, have your vet run blood and urine tests and check thyroid levels to be sure cat does not have a physical or metabolic dysfunction. Also, get an accurate weight and a goal to aim for from the vet.

First, Some General Tips:

• Feed high protein, low carb, grain free food...as close to a natural diet as possible for a wild animal. Best...35-45% protein, 40% fat.
• If you can manage, feed only canned food...cats need the moisture to prevent UTI (read more about that HERE).
• Feed about 1 ounce of food per pound of body weight per day for an adult cat (1 ounce is about the size of a mouse!)
• Feed 3-4 small meals per day
• Do NOT free feed, or leave food down all the time.
• If you feed your cat dry food, I recommend Wellness CORE (50% protein, 18% fat, grain free) or Taste of the Wild (42% protein, 18% fat, grain free) (soaked in water)
• There are some excellent grain-free canned foods such as BFF, TIki Cat, Taste of the Wild, Wellness CORE, and Nature’s Variety Instinct.
• Consider adding EFAs to increase fat in diet (especially if feeding dry only)
• Consider supplementing with L-Carnitine (250-500 mg/day) to aid in mobilizing fat into glucose while cat is losing weight.

Next up, Exercise.

There’s no getting around it, to lose weight you (and your cat) have to move more and eat less. Here are some ideas for kitty exercise.

• Play with your cat...tie a toy to a string and let the cat chase it around while you watch TV. Gather up a variety of little plastic things and toss them around the living room...especially effective and hilarious if you have wood floors. My cat, Quetzal, likes those little doodad ring pulls from the milk carton and those crinkly plastic wrappers around the tops of salad dressing bottles, not to mention wine corks and wadded up aluminum foil balls.
• Throw kibble to cat and let them run for their dinner. I do this with Quetzal and it keeps her off the counters while I prepare everyone else’s meals.
• Find an interactive toy your cat likes.
• Clicker train your cat with a target stick. Yes, you can train a cat and it is something you can amaze your friends with when you have company. See Karen Pryor’s website Clicker Training.com for details, or read her excellent book...Reaching the Animal Mind.

How to get started:

• See the vet first.
• Go slowly....a cat should not lose more that a 1/2 pound a month.
• Over 3-4 weeks, transition cat to new food, adding the new food in slowly to the old and gradually increasing the percentage of the new food so the cat can acclimate to the new food. Pay attention to how much the cat is eating, and while you are transitioning to the new food, feed the amount recommended by the food manufacturer.
• Reweigh the cat after 4 weeks. If he has not lost weight, or even gained a little, then begin to reduce to portion size (remember....1 ounce per pound of body weight divided over 3-4 meals per day.)
• Continue with reduced portion size and weighing the cat every 3-4 weeks until he reaches his ideal weight.
• Once he reaches his ideal weight, adjust the amount of food so that he maintains this weight.

It is important to do this gradually because cats can develop a nasty liver disease if they lose too fast. If cat stops eating more than 2 days, call the vet.

Expect a more lively and alert cat once he reaches his optimum weight.

What if he cries all the time because he is hungry?

Don’t reward him for crying by giving him snacks.

A higher protein meal should satisfy his hunger more than any corn-filled grocery store food ever could.

Avoid treats that are full of carbohydrates.

Treat kitty (when he is being quiet) with freeze dried liver or fish (Grandma Lucy’s or Real Food Toppers) or chicken strips (Catswell). Cut into tiny pieces and make him run for his treats.

Two Toys are Better than One...and here's why.

Here's a fun game I learned from Susan at A Good Dog's Life. It's called the "Two Toy Game." Well, that's what I call it. I've found it to be really useful for getting Rico engaged and focused on what we are doing together. Even Lucy likes this game, and Lucy is fundamentally opposed to fun in all its forms.

When Rico is having fun with me, it makes him want to keep having fun when we get down to learning the agility tricks. Not only that, if you are consistently the fun machine, then your pup will learn to look to you for the magic, rather that to seek it from outside sources, like squirrels. And McDonald's wrappers lying on the ground. And clumps of freshly mown grass.

The game is simple.

Take two identical toys. Identical. Buy them both at the same time so your dog doesn't get all googly-eyed about one because it smells better than the other. Whip out one toy and start to tease and play with your pup. When he or she is engaged, tugging, trying to take it away, release that toy (the dog wins the prize), then whip out the second identical toy. Guaranteed your dog will drop the first toy and lunge for the second. Play play play, then let the dog win the toy, and quick, whip out the first toy. Keep going like that, and be sure to stop while pooch is still having fun and wanting more.

Enjoy yourself and your dog. This can be a great, mentally stimulating game to play indoors during these cold days. Lucy likes the organic, non-toxic reindeer in the picture. You can find them at my website, www.luckydogdelivers.com.

Original Dog Walking and Training Service Sure to Make any Dog Tired and Happy

Here's a shout out to Gary Strasburg, owner of Indognation, which is an original concept in pet sitting/doggie day care. Gary offers "extended outdoor adventures" for your dog in a group setting. Basically, they go into the woods, have the time of their lives and come home wasted (in a good way). A tired dog is a good dog, after all. Gary's outings not only exercise your dogs physically, but they also get plenty of mental exercise because Gary will positively reinforce any training skills your pup needs extra help with such as walking on a leash without pulling, coming when called, staying put, fetching, whatever. I really have to give him credit. I mean, would you want to take this mob out by yourself? I can hardly walk two without us all pretzeling up in the leashes.

Gary has over 20 years professional experience with dogs and 15 years experience with group walks. He is certified through Trish King's Canine Behavior Academy and uses all positive training methods (no rolled up newspapers here.) He takes care to screen each dog for temperament and to carefully match dogs with similar temperament and energy. And he takes care to keep each dog safe on every outing. Great news, too...he comes to you! Just say the word and he will pick up your dog and drop him off at the end of the day ready for a nap. Visit his website for more information about Indognation, this great new idea in Doggie Day Care. Or call or email: (828) 335-1140; indognation@gmail.com.

Digestive Enzymes to the Rescue!

Since Lucy started scratching her luscious black fur off a few months ago, I'd been pulling my hair out trying to relieve her suffering. She responded beautifully to the addition of Naturvet's Digestive Enzymes and Plato Salmon Oil...itching relieved, fur growing back, everyone sleeping through the night. The itching diminished, but we weren't done yet and now we are battling a Candida flare-up, but I'll save that appetizing tale for another post. Guess what, though? Part of the treatment includes, you got it, digestive enzymes. What's up with that? Digestive enzymes are recommended for everything these days, it seems.

Enzyme depletion is at the root of many issues--skin problems, immune system failure, allergies, digestive upset, even premature aging. And it makes sense when your realize that health starts with what we put in our mouths, and enzymes are critical for making nutrients available to our bodies. In fact, enzymes play a role in every process in the body. So if our pets are enzyme deficient, they are susceptible to a whole host of issues.

Signs of Enzyme Depletion

• Digestive disorders like gas, diarrhea, food sensitivities, stool-eating
• Bad breath
• Skin problems like itching, rashes, hot spots
• Excessive shedding, dull coat

Remember, enzyme depletion leads to nutritional deficiency because your pet isn’t able to get the nutrients out of his food because the food isn’t breaking down completely.

Other problems associated with nutritional deficiencies

• Arthritis, joint pain
• Cancer
• Epilepsy
• Fatigue
• OCD
• and more!

My pet is fine. Do I still need to supplement?

Unless you are feeding your pet a raw food diet, then, yes, you will need to supplement his food with enzymes.

Natural enzymes in food are delicate. Cooking above 118 degrees Fahrenheit will destroy the enzymes in your pet's food so that your pet has to somehow manufacture 100% of the enzymes needed to break down food and make nutrients available. Other forms of processing and storage also destroy these important digestive aids. This ends up straining the entire system because bodies are meant to get most of their enzymes from the foods that enter the system.

By middle age, most dogs and cats are severely deficient in the enzymes they need to break down their food. They are well on their way to being malnourished and undernourished and it's just a matter of time before they start showing the signs.

I’m starting to scare myself with this post, so let’s get on to the good news. It is easy to bring back balance to your pet's digestive tract, improve your pet's natural immune response, make his breath smell better. Here’s how:

1. Convenient supplements, like Naturvet’s Digestive Enzymes. Very tasty, just sprinkle on top of their food.
2. Raw meaty bones. Even cats can enjoy raw bones to boost enzyme intake...just be sure you always supervise your pet while he chews.
3. Raw food diet. Make your own (make sure it is balanced) or purchase prepared raw patties, like Green Earth Pet Food or Stella & Chewy’s, that have been prepared with your pet’s health in mind.

Good luck, and send me your stories of how dietary changes have helped improve your pet’s health. I’ll post them on the website. Be sure to take before and after pictures so you can see for yourself the positive changes you are providing to your best friends. Remember to call if you have any specific questions...828.215.9503.

K9 Nose Works Upcoming Workshop

A Good Dog's Life in West Asheville is hosting this upcoming workshop. It should be fun for dogs of all inclinations and temperaments. Since the dogs work individually, even cranky dogs (like my Lucy) can participate and do what comes naturally...sniff stuff!

Dogs have an amazing sense of smell and a natural desire to hunt. The sport of K9 Nose Work is designed to develop your dog’s natural scenting abilities by using their desire to hunt and their love of toys, food and exercise. It’s a great way for your dog to have fun, build confidence, and burn lots of mental and physical energy. For additional information, go to www.k9nosework.com.

The workshop is March 19 or March 20, 2011. I know it's a long time out, but it's filling up fast, so get on it! It will be fun.

A Tired Dog is a Good Dog

Last night, after a day on Cold Mountain.

Look at that Molly Mutt bed in action.

Hike of the Week--Cold Mountain

Two hikes of the week...it's easy this time of the year, probably my favorite for hiking, especially when you get the best of fall (color) and summer (warmth). We tackled Cold Mountain on Sunday, a favorite long before Charles Frazier created a buzz. And thanks to the movie adaptation, every time I climb up there I expect (hope?) to see Jack White pop out from behind that old apple tree just above Deep Gap wearing a bowler hat and plucking a banjo. But that's just me. And although that's never happened, there a plenty of other good reasons to make the trip. Yesterday we watched two hawks playing on the updrafts, circling, diving, banking, spiraling over and over again. You could tell they were having such a good time. The color is glorious, and will be even better next weekend. I took a nap in the sun. The dogs still have not budged and it is now Monday afternoon.
So go. Climb to the top of Cold Mountain and find yourself a world away from the hustle of ever day life. Take plenty of water and allow yourself the full day. And a word to the wise...this is not a hike for the unexperienced. It is a long, unrelenting climb of at least 3 hours, so make sure you and your pooches are in shape for the haul.

Hike of the Week---Explorer Loop

This was a glorious fall weekend for hiking, and though the color is not at its peak, it is still enough to change the quality of the light filtering through the trees. Numinous. Plenty of gold and orange with occasional pops of red at the higher elevations.

These photos are from the Explorer Loop in Bent Creek...easy 3.3 miles and close to home (if you live in Asheville). Lots of water for the dogs, not many people if you like solitude. Go early for the best chance of seeing wild turkey, hawks or deer. We got there a little later and got an earful from a pileated woodpecker. Took about an hour to walker the entire loop slowly, stopping for pictures and to chase squirrels through the woods.

Thanks to Tena for sharing this hike with me. I'm putting it on my list to visit regularly.

Six Ways to Improve Your Dog's Kibble

If I had the time and the freezer space, I would cook for my dogs every day, or rather, not cook since I believe in the health benefits of raw food for dogs. What passes as cooking for dogs at my house involves my Vitamix blender (don't even get me started on how euphoric this kitchen tool makes me), mixed veggies, ground meat, a tea kettle and various and sundry supplements. But it takes time I don't alway have, so like most dogs, my darlings get kibble. Premium kibble, mind you. Gently processed kibble with all the right ingredients. But kibble, nevertheless, most days, because convenience is convenient, after all.

So as I was feeding the carnivores this evening, I was thinking about easy ways to make to make their food more nutritious, and here is what I suggest.

1. Add raw meat or organ meat. Mix in ground meat or even a bit of commercially prepared raw food. I use Green Earth Pet Food because it is balanced and the dogs LOVE the taste, besides which, it is produced locally and is organic.
2. Add digestive enzymes or probiotics. According to the Whole Dog Journal,"this will support the resident microflora that are always present in [your dog's] gut, enhancing digestion and absorption of nutrients, supporting detoxification and elimination processes, and helping to boost his immune system." Try Naturvet's Digestive Enzymes or Enzymes with Probiotics.
3. Add salmon oil. Salmon oil is rich in Omega 3 fatty acids. These are important for heart health, liver function, and in maintaining liver, skin and joint integrity. These essential fatty acids degrade quickly and may no longer be present in even the best commercial dog food. Try Plato's Wild Alaska Salmon Oil.
4. Add yogurt or cottage cheese or egg. Extra protein is a healthy dog's best friend. Lightly scramble the egg or add it raw, or throw in a can of tuna or some organic chicken livers.
5. Add chopped or minced vegetables or fruit. Full of antioxidants and vitamins, raw or lightly cooked vegetables boost the overall nutritional value of your dog's meal. Throw in a handful of thawed frozen blueberries, chopped apple, peas. Canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix) is great for dogs with upset stomachs, but is also one of nature's power foods, so I add a tablespoon whether the dogs have problems or not.
6. Add canned food. Choose a grain-free brand like Nature's Variety Instinct or Canine Caviar to give your dog extra protein and to alleviate boredom. Rotate your canned foods, too, since variety leads to more well-rounded nutrition.

Urinary Tract Health in Cats

Last year when I lived in Seattle, I lived with a cat named Buster. He was a lover, but a jealous one, and he was known to pout when his mom (my roommate) had been away for a while. Sometimes he even lashed out with his claws if he had not seen her in a week or so. Kitty knew how to communicate. So I was shocked the day he urinated on my bed--what had I done to provoke the little brat? But then he went in the bathtub, and his urine had blood in it. The vet diagnosed him with Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disorder (FLUTD), and I had yet another opportunity to study the connection between diet and health.

In retrospect, Buster displayed many of the signs and symptoms of FLUTD:

• excessive urination or frequent attempts to urinate with little output
• urinating outside the litter box
• painful urination (or crying out when urinating)
• straining to urinate

FLUTD is inflammation of the lining of the bladder and/or urethra. This inflammation causes mineral deposits (struvite formation) to crystallize in the urinary tract. It is most common in neutered males, but females are not immune to the disorder. It can lead to total blockage of the urethra, which, if untreated, can be fatal. See the vet immediately if you notice any of the above symptoms and if your cat is increasingly distressed.

There are a number of dietary changes you can make that aid in the prevention of FLUTD.

1. Feed your cat a high animal protein diet. Animal protein in the diet helps keep your cat's urine acidic, which dissolves the mineral crystals which cause the problem. Many foods contain grains which are alkalizing. There are many grain-free foods on the market (Wellness CORE, Best Feline Friends, Mulligan Stew, Taste of the Wild) from which to choose. If you must feed dry food, always choose a grain-free dry food and let your cat's total dry food intake be no more than 50%. Raw food is best for preventing urinary tract disorders, followed by canned food, which generally has less grain.

2. Always have plenty of fresh water available and limit the amount of dry food your cat eats. Cats are inefficient drinkers and, in the wild, they get most of their liquids from the juicy prey they kill. Cats who are chronically dehydrated are prone to FLUTD. The easiest way to make sure that your cat stays hydrated is to switch to raw or canned food. Place the water bowl away from the food bowl, and consider a cascading waterer to encourage your feline to drink more.

3. Feed your cat a "low ash" and low magnesium food. Ash refers to the total mineral content of a food. Foods high in ash will be higher in the minerals that can crystallize in your cat's urinary tract. Minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus are important, but need to be present in the correct amount and proportion. Dry foods should be less than 7% ash and 1% magnesium; wet foods (containing 78% water)--less than 1.5% ash and 0.02% magnesium.

4. Use supplements that encourage good urinary tract health. Cranberry supplements, such as NaturVet's Cranberry Relief, can prevent harmful bacteria from colonizing the urinary tract. NaturVet also makes VitaCat, a multi-vitamin that enhances you cat's overall health and immunity.

From the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine--Steps to Reduce Occurences and Signs of Lower Urinary Tract Disease

1. Feed small meals on a frequent basis.
2. For cats with a history of struvite formation, owners should feed diets that promote the formation of urine that is acidic. Most commercial diets meet this criteria. Avoid supplementing such diets with additional urinary acidifiers, because over-acidification can cause metabolic acidosis, impaired kidney function, and mineral imbalance.
3. Provide clean, fresh water at all times.
4. Provide an adequate number of litter boxes (usually one more than the number of cats in the household).
5. Keep litter boxes in quiet, safe areas of the house.
6. Keep litter boxes clean.
7. Minimize major changes in routine.

As always, feel free to contact us at info@luckydogdelivers.com if you have questions or need help choosing a food.

Itchy Dog

Itchy Lucy...silly chow mix hates photo time almost as much as she hates The Itchies.

Do you ever wake up in the middle of the night to the sounds of grunting, snorting, thumping, slurping, gnashing teeth, more slurping, maybe even the bed shaking a little from the monster underneath it? It came to a head last month, and the monster was Lucy, pobrecita, with the summer itchies which seem so much worse this year. Before we knew what happened, her belly was red and irritated and her hind legs were headed towards Baldville. If your dog is suffering, you may be interested in knowing that nutrition is a key factor in the itchies. Lucy responded well to a change in diet and some supplements, and now we are all sleeping better at night.

Here are some things you might try...

1. Change you pup's diet. Constant exposure to the same ingredients, even in high quality foods, can lead to food allergies. Rotation feeding, feeding pets with a variety of protein and grains to prevent sensitivities from developing, is being recommended by experts in pet nutrition. Avoid common allergens like corn and wheat. Even lamb, once touted as "hypoallergenic," can lead to sensitivities if it is the only thing your dog eats. If possible, try to feed your dog human grade ingredients, especially grains, as "pet quality" grains have been stored longer and may contain storage mites, to which your dog may be allergic.

2. Use Digestive Enzymes. Digestive enzymes are an important supplement for many reasons, and itchy skin is near the top of the list. (Stay tuned for more information about the importance of digestive enzymes in your pet's diet.) We all have digestive enzymes in our systems that help break down and assimilate nutrients. Enzymes are abundant in raw food, but in this day and age of food processing, which destroys enzymes, humans, dogs and cats alike generally need supplementation. Adding these enzymes to every meal can dramatically improve your pet's coat, skin and general comfort, often in ten days or less. Lucy responded well to Naturvet Digestive Enzymes.

3. Add Essential Fatty Acids. EFAs are another nutrient necessary to keep your pet's coat nourished and healthy, to calm the itchies, to reduce shedding and to feed their skin. Concentrated sources of Omega 3s and 6s, and linoleic and linolenic acids include flax oil, fish oils, hemp oil and evening primrose oil. Try Naturvet Ultimate Skin and Coat, Plato's Salmon Oil or Dr. Harvey's Health & Shine.

4. Control your Pet's Fleas. Animals with nutritional deficiencies will attract more fleas. More exposure to fleabites increases the likelihood that your pet will develop flea allergies. Improving your pet's nutrition by feeding him or her high quality food and adding enzymes and EFAs to their diet will improve your pet's natural resistance to fleas. (Stay tuned for more information on natural flea repellents.)

As always, call Lucky Dog Delivers if you have more questions about our products or your pet's unique situation. We are here for you...828.215.9503.

Rotation Feeding

Rotation feeding is one of the newer buzz words in pet nutrition. Gone are the days of auto-pilot feeding where your pet gets the same old kibble night after night after night. And your pets will be all the better for it. Changing your pet's diet periodically is one of the best things you can do for his or her health and well being for several reasons.

First, wouldn't you get bored eating a bowl of corn flakes every day for the rest of your life? Wouldn't you crave a scrambled egg or a pop tart or a bowl of oatmeal just for fun once in a while? Keep them excited about mealtime by keeping them guessing. Even if your dog or cat has a sensitive stomach, there are brands like Nature's Variety Prairie or Instinct that are specifically designed for rotational feeding and are similar enough in composition that pets usually can make the switch without a lot of planning and preparation.

Second, changing your pets food regularly can help prevent the development of food allergies by limiting their exposure to potential allergens.

Third, by exposing your pets to a variety of foods, you help strengthen their digestive systems and limit stomach upset.

Finally, exposing your pet to a wide variety of protein sources and brands of foods, you provide them with a large and varied cornucopia of nutrients and minerals and vitamins that will keep them healthier over the long run. Just like in human nutrition, the bigger variety of foods we eat, the more building blocks our bodies have to keep us healthy and vibrant.

How to Switch

If you have a new puppy or kitten, you are in luck (in so many ways)! They are usually the easiest to transition because their digestive systems are more flexible. While they are young, give them a big variety of foods--different flavors, different textures, different kinds (dry, canned, freeze dried raw and frozen raw), different brands.

For older dogs, you may need to transition more slowly. As mentioned above, certain brands are designed for rotational feeding and should need minimal transition time. Eventually, though, you want to introduce different brands to get the most out of rotational feeding (in other words, to give your dog exposure to the biggest variety of ingredients). Give older dogs transition time, by adding 10-20% of the new food to their old food and increasing the percentage gradually over a week to 10 days. Add digestive enzymes or probiotics to help with digestion. After a few months of switching gradually, your pet's digestive system with get tougher and you may be able to eliminate the slow transition time altogether.

Dogs transition easily from dry to canned or raw food, but cats who have been fed dry food for a long time may turn their noses up because, well, cats have attitudes and definite ideas about things. Here are a few tips on how to make it easier to switch cats to canned or raw food...

• Try a variety of flavors and textures--my cat loved anything seafood, but eating turkey was a chore; loved pate, but had her doubts about gravy.
• Remove dry food when wet is offered and feed them twice a day.
• Mix the canned food with the kibble to get them used to the smell and taste.
• Top the canned food with something irresistible like bonito flakes or salmon oil.
• Be patient. They will come around eventually.

Introduce raw foods slowly to your cat or dog. Raw food is so dense in nutrients that it will be easy for your pet to overdo, especially if you have a lab or any other eating machine.

Remember, you are giving your pet the most nutritionally complete, well rounded diet you can by providing him or her a wide variety of foods. That means your pet will be with you longer and will live a high quality, happy life.

Super Dogs

Rico graduated from Super Dogs class today. Offered by Gail at A Good Dog's Life in West Asheville, this class really helped my kangaroo dog settle and focus and temper his shenanigans.

Rico loves everyone and everything and can't wait to share that love by full on frontal hugs...he is at least 5 feet tall while standing on his hind legs; crotch poking; spinning and what to me is general hilarity but may be a bit over the top for most amongst us).

Gail is all about positive training techniques. I use a clicker, but you don't have to. Treats are essential, but toys work for dogs who stop eating treats when they are out in public. For the last 6 weeks, the group has met in various places around town to work on manners. We've been to Pritchard Park, Carrier Park, someone's house. We've worked on behaving around other dogs, doorbell manners, walking on the leash in crowded areas. There is lots of personal attention, and lots of time to practice. Gail starts a new session next Monday, August 9, so be sure to call to join the fun. We are going to Bent Creek.

Here's what I learned today--for an excitable pup like mine, a brief puppy play date before class can do wonders for boosting puppy focus during class (Thanks, Tena and Bertie), and Rico really likes Stella & Chewy"s Bison treats. So did Bertie, and she is my new best friend.

Here's what else I love about Super Dogs. It is 6pm and Rico has been out cold since we got home at noon. A tired dog really is a super dog.

Eco-friendly AND Fashionable Pet Beds

Closing in on launch date and we are getting some wonderful products in. Very exciting! There is so much out there that is eco-friendly---pet beds made of recycled soda bottles, truly biodegradable poo bags made of corn starch, even pet food manufactured in a plant that is powered by wind. So modern.

I wanted to preview these beds, though, because they are so cute and so versatile. Made by Molly Mutt, they are not really beds, but duvets. Here's how it works. You fill the stuff sack (sold separately) with old bedding or clothes you have lying around. I filled one with a hideous old comforter that was lying out on the porch (looking ugly) for the dogs anyway. In another went feathers and simulated down from old, tired

pillows (I never could throw a pillow away, and the dogs are all the more comfy for it). Then you

cover the stuff sack with a durable, stylish duvet cover, just like the one on your own bed. Dog bed dirty? Remove the duvet and throw it in the wash. So easy. Decor change? Molly's fabrics keep changing with the times, so your pet's bed can keep up with your decor, too. Visit Lucky Dog Delivers to see what's in stock now. Remember...we will bring it to your door.