@ArtCasso and Kitty-Casso: Painting With Pets Giveaway~ 1/24

It's no secret that we treat our pets just like children in our home. With no actual kidlings running around, the four legged terrors reign supreme. While I don't consider myself on the extreme end of the spectrum, I've been known to find non-traditional activities to share in with my pets. However I can whip up a home cooked meal for Nora just as soon as I will scoop a portion of kibble into her bowl. That is to say that I don't necessarily seek out crazy and unique Pet activities, but am certainly intrigued when one comes up. Somewhere out there is a Pinterest album of 'someday' tricks and treats I'd love to share with my furry kids. In the mean time, I'd like to give you a peak at one of the more unique activities I've engaged in recently; painting with my pets.

When Artcasso contacted my last Spring (yes, I know, it's been ages but there was a death and a move and yadda-yadda), I was intrigued by the concept. Of course the first thing that comes to mind when one hears 'pet' and 'paint' in the same phrase is splattered walls and paw prints on the ceiling. I was ready to nix the idea right out of the gate, but I wandered on over to their website to take a better look at just how Pup-Casso and Kitty-Casso worked. The secret was in the patented 'paint shields' they included with each art kit. Essentially these are thick, clear, plastic drapes that go beneath and atop the canvas. Simply Suirt some of the included paint (or paints of your own choosing) on the canvas and top with the Paint Shield. Then use treats or toys to coax your pet through interaction, thus smearing the paint and creating a masterpiece (in theory).

I received a Mug-Casso kit for dogs and a Kitty-Casso kit for cats, both with identical components, save one was a rounded canvas for a tumbler sleeve, and the other a traditional paint canvas. There were 3 blank canvases in each kit, along with Red, Yellow, Blue, White, and Black tubes of paint. Unfortunately, right off we had issues. I'm not sure if I waited to long to use the kits (though one would hope this gift would have longer than a 5 month shelf life), or if this was an old formula of paints- but they were thick. Some of the tubes, though completely sealed prior had seized beyond movement; even water would not coax them to use. This left us with 2.5 colors on Nora's Mug-Casso. Seeing as the usable paint was also exceptionally thick, we could do little more than glob it on to the canvas in several spots. I should note, I've seen several customer photos on the Art-Casso website and Facebook page that indicate this is not the norm. I'm also sure the company would have been glad to send us a replacement kit- but the 'kids' were already amped up, and I was determined to get these done for Christmas gifts.

Nora is used to having playtime outside, or with other dogs. She observes an 'indoor' attitude that is very calm and docile; most of her indoor play consists of persistent chewing and gnawing on ropes and toys.While this 4.5lb dog was the perfect size for the Mug-Casso canvas, she didn't want to move and kept sitting her bum down. Recall, the paint was exceptionally thick, and with her limited movement and weight, this was not much of a success. I ended up letting Sabrina (10) 'help' Nora paint. The look on Nora's face as Sabrina was mock painting with her paws was worth a laugh or two. When all was said and done I wondered how dogs on the opposite end of the size spectrum would fare with this project. More weight could mean great paint distribution in just a few steps, but the paint Shield is heavy duty yet limited in size. While it greatly overlaps the canvas, one backwards paw from a Medium to Large breed dog, in excitement, could pull the entire shield back, I'd imagine. It's my opinion these kits are best suited for pets 5-15lbs, or for use with a larger drop cloth beneath.

We let Frankie try out the Kitty-Casso kit, which included the same 3 Canvas papers, 3 Paint Shields, 5 Color Paint tubes, and a complimentary black 'frame', to display your pet's best work. The frame is what we ended up gifting Frankie's masterpiece to Jeremy in, for Christmas, but let's face it, having a canvas of your pet's art on the fridge is worth just as many hoots. Frankie was a little more 'workable' than Nora had been. He tried to run at first, thinking he was in trouble (since we don't support cats on the dining table), but quickly changed his tune when food was introduced into the scenario. Kitty-Casso had also included a catnip toy to play with, in hopes of inciting some action, though Frankie was most content to follow the kibble's every move. Again, the paint in this kit was thick, we made a usable set by combining the best colors from both kits, overall, but I plan on using the extra canvases with our own acrylic paints soon. While gifting a complete kit is a bonus, some may want to use their own colors anyway- a small tube of paint can be purchased for around $.50 at the local craft store.

Based on our experiences I have a few tips. Artcasso includes 3 Paint Shields and 3 Canvases with each kit. I highly suggest using one of the three shields beneath your canvas to protect whatever surface you are creating on from run off, or accidental kickbacks that may see the paint shield peeled up. Don't expect to see paw prints on the canvas, the paint does not actually touch your pet's paws, and the plastic barrier tends to mute/squish the movements and impressions from your pet's weight. This is much more an abstract work of art meant to be tied to memories of you and your pet, not a literal masterpiece. Don't be afraid to go light and use minimal splotches of paint/color. You may find more character and recognition from lighter movements and smears.

In all, I loved the outcome of our Kitty-Casso masterpiece. We helped out a little, but Frankie is certainly visible in the smudges and smears of paint. The included frame has a kick out stand for easy display and is of a good quality for such. The kits are fairly affordable, making them wonderful gifts for pet lovers, or the simply curious pet owner. Kids will certainly want to get involved, though you'll need extra protection when completing this project around children, because pets are likely to become more riled around children. Of course Artcasso has many other kids for the non-furry, so be sure to visit them and check out what they have for memorable gifts year-round.

One reader will win a Pup-Casso or Kitty-Casso Kit AND a Mug-Casso Kit!

It's a JW (Pet) Christmas

The (four legged) children are tucked away in bed, visions of catnip and dog biscuits dancing in their heads.... Do you celebrate the holidays with your pets? Running the PetPals Blogger/Reader exchange program, I always have a glut of adorable and unique toys on hand to send out. Just ask the other half, I can't walk past a pet department and not bring home something for our children, and our PetPal! Needless to say, there are 3 tiny little stockings bulging with treats and toys for Nora, Frankie, and Truffles. Whether you're gifting for your own pets, or those of a friend, it's likely you won't want to invest much in toys that have a clearly themed definition. That is, Candy Cane rubber squeakers are adorable during the holidays, but do you really want them rolling around your home through  Spring? Sure, your pets may notice the change in atmosphere, and the additional spoiling, but they won't be offended if that Gingerbread chewier is replaced with an equally colorful and exciting year-round toy.

Yes, we still bust out the dog sweater and the antlers for the holidays, and Nora does have a few holiday themed squeakers, but I didn't pay more than $1 for them, and they are intended to be tossed after minimal use. Our stocking stuffers, well, they consist of one of Nora's favorite brands; JW Pet. Not only have these toys been engineered to last hours, and weeks, of rigorous play, but they feature cutting edge materials such as the virtually indestructible Megalast compound. JW Pet is also home to an adorable assortment of colorful crinkle characters known as Crackle Heads. And, expanding upon the big 'water bottle' toy trend this year, JW Pets has a unique Crackle Ball, within the Crackle Head line, that combines the fun of rubber based chews with a crinkly plastic center! We received an appropriately themed (Red) little devil Crackle Head for Nora. While the smallest of this line is still a little big for her to get her jaw around, the tough canvas material of the feet makes it perfect for chewing. I'm still impressed at how loud the 'crackle' gets, and how quickly the inside material springs back into form.

Also included in Nora's stocking this year was the Hol-Ee Cuz, which resembles a gold ball with feet. Through the mesh like print rubber ball there is a soft yellow filling stuffed inside, making this great for teething pups and long lasting chewing. We've found this quite easy on her developing jaw, and she just loves gnawing at the edges and feet. It even gives way to a little squeak now and then, thanks to the small squeaker tucked away inside the fabric core. Sold in a wonderful Lime Green hue, this dog toy appropriately bundles with the Red Crackle Heads for a Christmas themed stocking that is just as aesthetic friendly in May, as it is in December! Remember, JW Pet covers a wide range of animals in treats and toys; beyond cats and dogs are gerbils, birds, reptiles and more. And, it's never hard to spot their range among the sea of pet toys- JW is stylishly designed with bright colors to engage both owner and pet.

We've yet to have any products break down or become damaged from ordinary use, which is saying a lot with a teething puppy. Some of  the more abstract, or 'heavy duty' toys, though built for small breeds, are still a bit over Nora's head. She likes gnawing on her Crackle Head, but has to have a human companion to create the 'crackling' sound. Thankfully, there are well over 100 sizes and styles of JW Pet toys for dogs, and many of the classic squeakers are just right. I continue to order JW Pet products for family, friends, and Pet Pals, and have no plans on buying any other brand for a very long time. Why would I need to with hundreds of products to choose from and such intelligent styling and design?

As Required By The FTC: I received product samples for consideration. No other compensation was provided. All opinions inside are mine and mine alone.

Bark Box- Monthly Subscription Box Bundles For Fido

I love my pets like children. I'm sure it's blatantly obvious from the very existence of this blog, and likely true for 99% of pet owners (I hate that word, we're parents really, right?) The only difference with pets, versus children, is that there are less guidelines as to when to spoil them. Sure, we reward them for learning a new trick, much like a child with a good grade on a test, but I feel there is much less of a stigma for spoiling the pooch, over spoiling a child. And, yes, you can create a little brat/terror, with too much leniency but, for the most part, we can indulge our pets every day, in any way we want to. This may include allowing Fido to snuggle in your bed, looking the other way when Rufus is harmlessly harassing that squirrel, or literally treating Spot to an edible treat or chewy. I have no problem in admitting that we have an entire 4x Cube System set up for our pets' treats and toys. I'll get around to showing it someday, but for now you can imagine a 4.5' x4.5' shelving unit, divided into 4 cubbies, chocked full of doggie sweaters, rawhides, catnip bubbles, Friskies Temptations, and more.

How do we accumulate all of these pet products? Well the majority of the buys are from bargain (clearance) bins at major pet retailers; toys with broken/missing squeakers (I don't care for the squeakers anyhow, so it's a win/win for me), last season's flavor chews (they are still just as yummy to Nora), or discontinued toys and gimmicks (we found Nora's favorite treat, the Chilly Bone this way). All brand new, safe, products, perfectly acceptable for pets who know no season, trend, or difference. They simply know that something is being presented to them- and that makes them feel special! Secondly, we do participate in the PetPals Blogger/Reader program, where we send a box of goodies out to a new pet acquaintance each month. This also returns a unique collection of goods as we rotate our pets in participation each month. And lastly, in a similar, but retail capacity, we receive boxes of goodies in monthly retail subscription services. I'll be honest, I subscribe to 4 monthly subscription boxes for the humans- so why shouldn't the pet's get involved to? I know I certainly like to receive a box of surprise goodies to explore!

I'm not going to yank your chain- I've tried several subscription services and many have failed in expectations of value and originality. I don't, generally, enjoy paying to receive a box of sample size products from brands I already use and buy. Subscription boxes are all about indulging and discovering new and exciting brands and services; they take the footwork our of the consumer's job and present a unique collection of items and services for the consumer to consider. Let's face it, the perfect monthly box subscription would come loaded with full size products you'd instantly become hooked on, logging into websites to track refills and replacements down, ultimately becoming a loyal consumer to those brands. But, of course, even the most carefully of tailored box services won't be chocked full of 'hits'. And that's okay; buy into monthly box services so you don't spend unnecessarily money trying a product or service that isn't right for your pet. Just be sure to fully read the monthly agreement/subscription terms, and always fill out relevant breed/allergy/size information to the best of your knowledge. Nothing will ruin delivery day more than receiving a box of toys and treats as large as your dog!

I've had hit or miss luck with Pet Subscription Services in the past. One company boasted a hand picked organic assortment of toys and treats, rearing 4 items in a single box; many unusable and overpriced (to jack up the advertised 'value' of the box). So, when I kept seeing the Bark Box ad pop up on my Facebook sidebar I was a little hesitant. Their colorful, cartoon, marketing laid out the process quite simply; choose your size  (dog), pay as little as $17/month with a 6 month subscription, or $29 for a non-contracted subscription month, get free shipping, and help out a Rescue Charity with 10% of your purchase price. Bark Box, like others, promises a minimum of 4 products a month; which was a bit of a turn off at first, but seems to vary greatly on the size (dog) bog you subscribe to. Regardless, I've been monitoring the past few months for all sizes and the boxes are literally brimming with great puppy treats and toys. I've yet to see a box with just the minimum '4' items; let's hope this is not a 'launch' trend, and carries on through the remainder year of this company's inception.

In any case, we received a subscription free ($29) box to try the Bark box program out. Our parcel arrived via USPS, thanks to free shipping, and garnered interest from all four-legged family members, immediately. It must be like the old canning 'oils on the lid' theory, because I'd have sworn Nora know that specific box was for her (and we receive quite a few boxes!) No sooner had I slid the scissors through the binding tape, and wedged the top flap open, then she had her nose, and half her body, inspecting the contents inside. I would have assumed that she would have been overwhelmed by the variety of the contents inside, I certainly was, but Nora immediately latched onto a particular treat and drug it out of the box. The Barkworthies Bully Stick was an immediate winner, from the Small November box. While Nora was focused on gnawing this slender and narrow chewy I rifled through the impressively diverse, and appropriately sized, toys and treats. With the exception of the small Bionic Bone (rubber stuff-able chew toy), Nora was able to consume/chew each and every toy and treat! The Bionic Bone would have been perfect if Nora had just a few more pounds, but her jaw simply isn't able to open wide enough to gnaw on this orange rubber stuffie.

One thing Momma, I, found especially exciting was Mr.Barksmith's Cool treats; one of two flavors of ready to eat smoothies for dogs. Appropriate for the Fall season, we received an individual serving of  Pumpkin Patch. These come in single serve cups which have the option of being frozen, and served as a treat for teething dogs, or the perfect cool off in the summer. There were a few concerns that I had, while watching my little monster gobble this up. In particular, the tiny cup had to be placed inside a larger, stable, food dish, to avoid it sliding all over the house as Nora licked. Additionally, the natural orange hue of this product discolored Nora's mouth/fur for a good 2 days, despite diligent cleaning. Regardless, Nora enjoyed this treat so much I have order both flavors in multiples since discovering them through Bark Box. Other edible treats in the November box include Fruitables Organic Treats, and an Acadia Antler Rope to chew on. The Antler Rope has garnered some interest, but took the back seat to the Bully Stick initially.

The value of our November Barkbox went beyond the physical treats and toys; as there were 3 paper goodies included inside. We also received a $10 discount for Rover.com dog-sitting, $10 Mr.Chewy.com Gift Card, and complimentary one month subscription to Dog TV. As silly as the latter sounds I highly suggest checking DogTV.com out, for their engaging videos and help articles for pets and parents. If you have children with pets, this can be a truly valuable resource for education and pet interaction, as well as networking. Barkbox also included a calling card for their app, which offers FREE Shipping on item purchases made through it. In all, I am planning on subscribing to Bark Box with a 6 month ($17/month) commitment in the new year. We were very pleased with the collection of products and services in our November Box, and I recall watching the October reveals in envy as well! Use our exclusive code to save $5 off your first month's subscription: qXl0t59V2x

Please note: I received a month of complimentary service in exchange for my candid opinion.