Spoil your dog with Milo’s Kitchen® dog treats & $25 GC Giveaway

The Milo’s Kitchen® dog treats, gift cards, and information have been provided by Milo’s Kitchen®. All opinions are my own. 

Ever since we got our new family dog, life has been crazy. We are working on training Rocco and it has been a trying experience. One great way to reward him for good behavior is with a tasty treat. I have been really particular about Rocco's food and treats and make sure that they are made in the U.S.A. only. Luckily, Milo's Kitchen home-style dog treats are not only made in the U.S., they are irresistible to dogs. These treats are made of real chicken or beef as the #1 ingredient, and no artificial flavors and colors.  

Rocco LOVES Milo's Kitchen treats. He gobbles them up and begs for more. They have been a perfect addition to our training regimen. 

Each recipe is carefully prepared to bring out all the flavors your dog loves. Milo’s Kitchen makes a unique line of mouthwatering varieties for your dog including: Chicken Meatballs, Beef Sausage Slices with Rice, Steak Grillers Recipe, Chicken Grillers Recipe, Grilled Burger Bites, and Chicken Jerky Recipe.

Milo’s Kitchen® Home-style Dog Treats believes dogs deserve treats made with the same quality of ingredients and care that you want for your food. That’s why they made a treat truck just for dogs!

The treat truck will be rolling through different cities from June 27-August 24. Be sure to see if they will be stopping near your location! If you visit, be sure to use the hashtag #MKTreatTruck to include with your social media photo posts.

Giveaway: One luck Mom Files reader will win a gift pack of 3 varieties of Milo's Kitchen dog treats and a $25 Visa gift card to spoil your pup with more goodies. Enter below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This giveaway is open to US Residents only and will end on July 16, 2014. Please follow giveaway rules in Rafflecopter widget. One winner will be chosen at random and will be contacted via email. Mom Files is not responsible for any lost or stolen prizes. Good luck!

Tips on Integrating Cats and Dogs into the Same Home

June marks National Adopt a Cat Month, created by the American Humane Association to bring awareness to the growing cat population in shelters - approximately 3.4 million per year. Many individuals considering cat adoption may already have a dog. Regardless, before making the decision to bring a cat into your household, it is crucial that potential pet owners take a variety of factors into consideration.

To better help integrate cats into any family, Heidi Ganahl, CEO and Founder of Camp Bow Wow featuring Home Buddies, a premier in-home pet care service, has created a series of useful tips.

Tips on Integrating Cats and Dogs into the Same Home:

-Choose the Right Personality: Always consider the personalities of the animals you are bringing into the home. For example, if you have a dog who likes to chase, you will want a cat that won't be in fear.

-Separate Rooms: For the first week or so, keep the dog and cat separated. You can switch between confining one to a certain room or area for a couple of days and then switch which one is confined. This will give them each time to get to know each other's smells and become familiar with them.

-Supervise At All Times: Don't leave the animals together by themselves until everyone has settled into having new friends in the house. You want to be able to keep an eye on them, so lock them in separate areas when you are out of the house.

-Keep the Dog on a Leash: While the dog and cat are in the same room, allow the dog to see the cat moving around. Watch the dog to make sure it doesn't try to chase the cat and that it isn't too fixated on what the cat is doing. You can also feed the dog some treats when the cat is around to have them build up a positive association with the kitty.

-Practice Obedience: You can then use obedience commands to help keep your dog calm and focused when the cat is around.

-Create a Safe Zone: Make sure the cat has a place to jump up to if they need to. You always want to make sure that your kitty has a safe place to get away from the dog in case they dog does start to chase them.

10 Things We Can Teach Our Children to Prevent Dog Bites

Did you know that children are the most common victims of dog bites? Many dog bites that affect children happen during everyday activities and with familiar dogs.

May 18 - 24 is National Dog Bite Prevention Week and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has great ways to help parents and their children understand how they can prevent dog bites, so you can help your kids - and dogs-stay safe and happy!

10 Things We Can Teach Our Children to Prevent Dog Bites

1. Avoid dogs you don't know. If you see an unknown dog wandering loose and unsupervised, avoid the dog.
2. Ask before petting!  When the owner is with their dog, always ask the owner for permission to pet their pup. Even if it's a dog you know, asking first can help prevent sudden movements that may startle the dog.
3. When confronted, don't panic. If a dog confronts you, walk confidently and quietly away. If a dog goes after you, stay calm and stand still, keeping hands low and clasped in front of you. It's important to take a defensive position, so the dog won't think you are trying to harm him.
4. Don't make it worse. Avoid escalating the situation by yelling, running, hitting or making sudden movements towards the dog. All of these actions will make the dog feel threatened and can make the dog more aggressive.
5. Let sleeping dogs lie. When a dog is sleeping or eating, leave the dog alone.
6. Never tease dogs. Don't take their toys, food or treats, and never pretend to hit or kick them. This could create distrust in the dog, and make him or her more aggressive.
7. Playtime has a beginning and end. A dog has to want to play, but when the dog leaves that's your cue that playtime is over. The dog will come back for more play if he feels like it.
8. Never pull a dog's ears or tail. Pain makes a dog feel like he is in danger and he could respond by biting.
9. Dogs aren't toys. Never climb on or try to ride dogs. Not only could this scare or anger the dog, but it could also injure the dog if he cannot support the weight or tries to get away.
10. Dog crates are safe spaces. Don't bother a dog when he is in his crate. Dogs need a comfortable, safe place where the child never goes. Remember, dogs need alone time too!

Teach your children these simple lessons to reduce dog bites, and help keep your kids and pups safe, happy and healthy! For more information on preventing dog bites, visit www.avma.org.

Meet our new addition

Hi everyone! I wanted to introduce you to our new family member, Rocco Anthony. Rocco came into our lives last week and we are all completely smitten by him. He is a purebred long coat cream and tan chihuahua. He's only 11 weeks old.

Rocco's breeder recommended that we keep him indoors and away from people and other pets until after his next set of puppy shots. He weighs probably 2 pounds and is a great snuggler. Our family just wasn't the same since our beloved Milo passed away in January. The house has been too quiet and we have all been battling the blues and anxiety. Rocco has really turned things around for us emotionally and seems to fit right in with his new family. Funny thing, the breeder told us he had never put his ears up or even seen the light of day, so this would be a big adjustment for him. When we brought him home he shook out of fear for maybe 5 minutes and after that, his ears popped up and his tail wagged steadily. He adjusted immediately.

We are working on the potty training and sleep patterns. It feels like we have a newborn baby all over again. Rocco is a good eater and seems to be growing overnight. We purchased a play yard AKA "dog condo" for him to have a safe place to be when we leave the house for extended periods of time. He's not spoiled at all ;-)

So far things are going well and we all are enjoying Rocco being a part of our family. He even barked for the first time yesterday. He enjoys playing with his toys and is going through the puppy chewing phase. William really enjoys having his own dog. We are happy he has one to grow up with just as the girls did with Milo. We look forward to making a lot of great memories and feel like a little bit of Milo's spirit lives in Rocco. I promise to go easy on the "crazy dog lady" posts. I wish you all a great week!

Helpful Tips for Introducing a New Pet to Family or New Baby

To answer questions every pet owner should be asking when it comes to preparing for a new pet or for baby, Heidi Ganahl, CEO and Founder of Camp Bow Wow, North America’s largest and fastest growing pet care franchise and INC 5000, has some very helpful tips.

Tips for Introducing a New Pet to Family

1. Get everyone in the family on board – It is important that all of your family members are ready for the responsibility of a dog. Prior to bringing your new dog home, determine who is responsible for walks, feeding, etc., so once your pup is in the home, you are ready to get started on the right paw.

2. Head to the store – You will want to purchase items you will need for your pet prior to them coming home. You will need food, dishes, toys, cleaner for accidents, a leash and collar and more. You want to ensure that you have as much as you need.

3. Let your pet settle in – When you bring your dog home, give them time to settle in and relax, especially if you have child. It can take a new dog a few days to acclimate to their new surroundings, so give them time to de-stress.

4. Get your pup on a schedule - Dogs are very schedule-oriented, so ensuring that you get them on a routine as quickly as possible will help them understand potty times, feeding, walks and more. This will help the transition of having new pets in your home easier for the dog and your family.

Tips for Introducing Pet to Baby

1. Get started right away – Start working on helping your dog get prepared for the new little one’s arrival as soon as you know you are pregnant. If you wait until the last couple of months, you will have less time to devote to helping get your dog ready for the baby’s arrival. It will also help your dog by not overwhelming them with too many changes at once.

2. Take a training class- If your dog has not been to training in a while, it is important to take a refresher course. There are many commands that will be extremely helpful for you to use when the baby arrives. You want to ensure that your dog is able to understand your requests and respond in a timely manner once your baby arrives, so a refresher course will help both you and your dog.

3. Put the baby gate up now - You want to start teaching your dog boundaries, especially at the door of the baby’s room. You want to ensure that your four legged family member starts getting used to not being able to come everywhere with you. Practice going into the baby’s room and closing the baby gate so your dog can’t come in with you so they get used to seeing that behavior before your baby arrives. By the time your baby arrives, your dog will see it as a normal behavior and not something that is occurring just because of the little one.

4. Put baby items around the house – Start bringing in items that will be around the house when the baby arrives. Put a bouncy chair on the floor, bring in a high chair and other items. This will allow your pup to get used to seeing them. It is also a good idea to get a CD of a crying baby and baby noises and have your dog get used to hearing those.

5. Let Fido adjust to new smells – Dogs have a very keen sense of smell so it is important to bring in items that are going to be used on the baby. Purchase baby powder, some diapers, and any other items you know you will be using that have a distinct scent. Your pup will acclimate to them and they will be part of their everyday experience before the baby even arrives.

6. Quality time - Spend a minimum of 10 minutes a day doing something with your dog that they enjoy. Play fetch in the back yard, go for a ride in the car, or simply spend time petting them.

7. Buy a baby doll - You will want to practice having your dog respond to commands and displaying good manners when you are holding the baby, so there is no better way to practice than to carry a baby doll. Sit on your couch and hold and talk to the baby doll and make sure your dog sits on the floor and doesn’t try to jump up, put the baby doll in the bouncy chair and get your dog to lay down next to it. Getting your dog practicing manners right away is a must.

I used to think all dog people were crazy

If you told me 11 years ago that your dog was your child or slept in your bed, I would look at you like you were nuts. Growing up in my culture, dogs were taboo in the home. My parents discouraged animals of any kind and would not even visit people if they had a house pet. I did not have the desire to ever have a pet because of my upbringing. When our first child was old enough say the word "dog", she asked for one. I refused to entertain that idea. I told my husband that until we bought a house and had a fenced in yard, I would *think* about it. Of course, the time came that we got the house with the yard and the question came up again. I let my husband and first born have their way and we got a 3 month old long coat chihuahua puppy. He was kind of cute, I admit. It took me no time at all to end up falling in love with this little pooch known as, Milo. We raised Milo as if he was our child. Anyone who visited, even non-dog lovers couldn't resist Milo. He was a cute and sweet dog. He loved everyone except the postal service workers, FedEx and UPS delivery people and the occasional stranger. If he sensed you were not supposed to be around our home, he would let you know it!

Over the years, Milo has been a faithful companion. He was always with one of his family members. He did not like to be left out of anything that was going on. If my husband was outside doing yard work, Milo was there. If I was working in my office, he would nap at my feet. If the kids were watching television, Milo lounged on the couch or floor near them. He was a family dog.

About two months ago, Milo started coughing. It was the first time we had ever heard him do that. We watched him for a few days and decided it was time to get him checked out at the vet. After a thorough examination, x-rays and blood work, it was determined that he had congestive heart failure. At that time, his lungs were full of fluid and he had a heart valve infection. It also was discovered that he had an enlarged heart that was pressing against his windpipe. That was what caused him to cough. We went ahead and got him some immediate treatment and had him put on 4 medications as well as a low-sodium prescription diet. The prognosis was that he may do well on the medications and live a relatively normal life or the opposite. For the first two weeks being on the medication, we noticed a difference and he seemed to be improving. Unfortunately, that didn't last long. He was getting sick again. The coughing came back. It got to the point that he was having a hard time breathing normally. We tried him on another batch of antibiotics as well as his other heart medications and he did not improve. He worsened.

It came down to having to make that big decision. Do we keep watching him suffer or let him go be at peace? It was a unanimous decision by our family (minus William since he doesn't fully understand) that we would have him put down. I always used to tell the girls when Milo was younger that pets don't live for a long time. They aren't the same as humans. I guess we didn't realize that time would come so soon. Ten years flew by and we had to do the right thing for Milo. We spent all of last week saying our final goodbyes to Milo. We let him do as he wanted and fed him like a king. It was hard. We all cried. I cried so much that I couldn't recognize my own face. I did not know I could love a dog that much.

We officially had him put down on Saturday morning. It was so hard. Everyone was very upset, but we knew it was the right thing to do. I think that knowing what was going to happen made it easier to handle. Milo has given us over 10 years of unconditional love and loyalty. We were so blessed to have him in our family. He is gone, but will forever remain in our hearts and memories.

The hardest part now is all the little reminders of him around the house. I no longer have the need for baby gates when we leave the house. I don't have to worry about leaving certain things on the floor in fear he might tear it up. I still hear him though. I hear faint barks and whimpering. I hear the jingle of his collar tags and his nails on the floor as if he is walking around the corner. It feels like he's still here. I have called the kids Milo almost a dozen times already. It will take time. We will all heal. For now, I focus on how much better a person I am because of him. I also know that dog people are definitely not crazy. They have extra big hearts.

Rest in sweet peace, Milo Anthony. You gave us 10 awesome years! We know you are living it up with all your friends in Heaven ♥

We got a moss ball!

Did  you see this post last week? If so, then this post will make sense to you. I got a moss ball for the fish tank. It is so nice to see the pretty glass pebbles instead of that icky algae. If the moss balls weren't $8 each, I would have gotten about 3. We will see how it goes. So far all of the fish haven't bothered it and it looks cool. It reminds me of a felt ball. Let's hope it helps to keep the algae out of the tank :) 

Do you have any experience with moss balls?

You learn something new every day

You are probably looking at this photo and saying, "What in the world?" Looks pretty crazy. An Outback Steakhouse bag as a decoration? Is this a new trend?

Actually, it is a makeshift fix for a pesky problem we have been trying to resolve.  Behind the bag is William's fish tank. We went into the pet store a few days ago to purchase a couple algae eaters and some algae removing stuff. The gravel and ornaments in the tank were slowly getting covered in algae and we knew we had to do something soon. After getting our fish and water treatment, we headed over to the check-out counter.  The cashier asked me if I was trying to get rid of algae in a fish tank. I told her yes and she politely asked if I would like to hear some advice. I accepted and listened. She was very animated and seemed to know her stuff. She suggested some non-chemical methods for me to try and see if they would work. She explained the ins and outs of algae and asked me how often I turn on the light in the aquarium. I told her I had a day and night light and that I run it 24/7. Well.... she told me that was what my problem was. Too much light has been feeding the algae and allowing it to grow. OOPS! That explained it all right there!

She went on to tell me what steps to take. Of course the obvious thing was to turn the light off. She said to only run it at night, maybe 6-8 hours. Next she suggested that I cover the tank in a blanket for 3-5 days without any light and see if that kills the algae. No lie, I looked at her 10 kinds of crazy. A blanket? She told me that if that didn't work then my other option was a moss ball. I noticed them around the store, but didn't know what they were. Here is an example of what a moss ball looks like:

They are supposed to absorb nitrates and prevent algae. Her last bit of advice was to use a chemical although she was against it. I decided to try her blanket idea... hence the Outback bag. Guess what? Blocking all the light for 3 days now has stopped the algae from growing and it is almost all gone! I plan to remove the bag tomorrow and will purchase a moss ball this weekend. I wish I could remember the young lady's name or face so I could thank her for her wonderful advice! I just love home remedies and I certainly learned a whole lot in the process :) 

BarkBox Holiday 2012 Review #KloutPerks

I have been a member of Klout for more than a year and have received a lot of great Klout Perks along the way. The most recent Perk I got came from BarkBox. BarkBox is a service similar to the ones we are used to for humans where you get a box shipped each month with new products inside to try out. I thought it was so cool that there is a fun box made just for dogs. The service works like this:
1. Choose a dog size. They have products for dogs of all sizes.
2. Choose a plan. They offer monthly, 3-month or 6-month plans that include free shipping and you can cancel at anytime.
3. Get BarkBox. Boxes are shipped on the 15th of each month.

Inside my December 2012 BarkBox shipment was: Bocce's Bakery treats, Simply Fido organic plush toy, Fresh Dog Oatmeal Shampoo and a box of Puppy Cake mix. My initial thoughts when I looked through the contents was, "Wow, these are some high-end, quality goodies just for my dog child". I won't lie, I had no idea that there was such a thing as organic dog toys or that a dog shampoo could smell so good that it makes me want to use it! We gave Milo his BarkBox for Christmas and just like any "kid", he was drawn to the toy first. He is very protective if his new Simply Fido holiday moose toy that he naps on it! The quality of it is as good as toys made for children and it squeaks too. I am sure it will last him a long time.

He tasted the Bocce's Bakery "Holiday Feast" treats and loved them. The treats are made of all natural foods like chicken, pumpkin, cranberries and cinnamon. You can even smell how natural the ingredients are. Truly a gourmet treat for your pup. We will be making the Puppy Cake (wheat-free red velvet cake mix with frosting) in January for Milo's 10th birthday and will share with the neighbor's dogs. How fancy is that?  As soon as the weather clears up and we see at least 4 continuous days of sunshine, we will bathe Milo with the Fresh Dog Oatmeal Shampoo. I read online how people tried it on their own hair! The almond scent is amazing and I can't wait to test it out on Milo.

I really think that BarkBox is a great service not only for your own dog, but also is a great gift idea for any dog lover. It's perfect for the person or dog that has everything! You can find out more at BarkBox.com and I forgot to mention that they give 10% of proceeds to a local shelter. Thank you Klout and BarkBox for the awesome Perk!

Milo's Kitchen™ home-style dog treats Review & Giveaway

**Contest Closed**
Winner is #66 Saira H~ Congratulations!

When my family saw the commercial for Del Monte Foods new product called Milo's Kitchen home-style dog treats we knew we had to get some. After all, our family dog's name is Milo! Milo's Kitchen dog treats are 100% real jerky, sausage slices, and meatballs. They have no artificial flavors or colors and are made with real meat or chicken. They look like they were homemade. I tore off a small piece of the Chicken Jerky for Milo to try, and out of habit I sniffed it. I could not believe how much it smelled like jerky that humans would eat. Milo gently grabbed it from me and stood over in the corner. I'm not kidding you he sat there for about 2 minutes and he was drooling until he couldn't take it anymore. He devoured it! Needless to say he was lingering around the snack cabinet for much of the day.
Milo's Kitchen home-style dog treats come in 4 delicious flavors: Beef Jerky, Chicken Jerky, Beef Sausage Slices with Rice, and Chicken Meatballs. I can't wait to share these tasty treats with the neighbors' dogs. I love the fact that these treats are made with real ingredients since our pet's health is very important to us.

Speaking of health, Milk-Bone has come out with new, all natural Healthy Favorites Granola Biscuits. They are made with real chicken, sweet potatoes, rolled oats and flaxseed. They contain no corn, soy, fillers or artificial preservatives. Milk-Bone also makes Mini's treats that have only 5 calories per treat. These mini dog treats provide 12 Vitamins and Minerals and over 200 treats come in a box. This is a great option for pet parents that are afraid of over-treating their furry family member. We have always loved Milk-Bone. They are a household brand and have been around since 1908!












Giveaway:
One lucky Momfiles reader will win the prize pack pictured below including all 4 flavors of Milo's Kitchen home-style treats as well as the 2 new Milk-Bone snacks.

To enter: *Mandatory: Please tell us which variety of dog treats you think your furry family member will love the most. What kinds of treat do you currently give your dog?

For additional entries:
~ "like" Milk-Bone, Momfiles & Milo's Kitchen (there is a "like" button on the top right side of the page) on Facebook (leave the name you are 'liking' from)
~ Share this giveaway on Facebook and leave a link
~ Follow Momfiles on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway (once a day, leave the link to your Tweet):

Enter to win a Milo's Kitchen & Milk-Bone prize pack for your #dog from @momfiles http://tinyurl.com/3s6b3qh #giveaway

~ Follow Momfiles via GFC or grab my button (let me know if you already do)

This giveaway is open to US Residents only and will end at 9:00 PM EST on June 30,2011. Please be sure to leave your email address in your comment if you do not have a Blogger Profile. One winner will be chosen at random and contacted via email to claim prize. Good luck!

I received products samples to review and all opinions are 100% mine always.

Please help the dogs!

In celebration of the launch of their brand new dry food formula, Pedigree will be donating more than 100,000 lbs of food to shelters across the country, because they believe “Every Dog Deserves” leading nutrition. Chelsea Kane, of Dancing with the Stars fame, will help kick off the “Every Dog Deserves” campaign by delivering the first 10,000 lb food donation to the Amanda Foundation in Beverly Hills on June 1.

Throughout the month of June, they’ll be asking dog lovers to help them help dogs by logging onto Facebook and Twitter (#everydogdeserves) to say why they think “Every Dog Deserves” the very best. For each Like, comment, @reply, re-tweet, photo upload, etc. directed at Pedigree, they’ll donate one pound of food (up to 100,000 pounds total). Every single engagement with Pedigree on Facebook and Twitter helps feed dogs.
Feel free to use this as a Tweet: Pls RT/ @PedigreeUS will be donating more than 100,000 lbs of food to shelters across the country because #everydogdeserves good nutrition!
This is such an easy way to help dogs in need at no cost to you. Thank you in advance for you help!

Pedigree Ambassador dog food trial {final update}

Hey guys! I wanted to give you one last update on how Milo had been doing with the Pedigree dog food trial. If Milo could speak he might tell you "My mommy needs to give me MORE!" I don't know what it is but ever since he started eating the Pedigree small breed formula it is as if his appetite has grown. He already is a voracious eater but he has gotten downright greedy! He practically stalks the side of the pantry where we keep his food and makes sure we don't forget when it's mealtime. At 8 am and 3 pm you will find him sitting in the same spot waiting patiently to be fed.

When we first began feeding him the Pedigree food he had just had his thick coat shaved down. We do that when the weather warms up (it helps with excess shedding). We have noticed that his fur has grown in really quickly and it is very soft and shiny. His teeth seem to be about the same which is average considering how old he is. Thank goodness he continues to do very well in the digestion department since his "potty time" is very regular. He is in great health and we love the fact that he is spending a lot more time outdoors with his dog friends. He normally is a bit of a couch potato. I really don't know if it has anything to do with his diet but I will take it!

We have decided to continue feeding Milo the Pedigree food and are considering purchasing the weight control variety since we have noticed he is slightly plumper than he should be. Of course when you have a really small dog you must watch their weight closely. After participating in this trial I would absolutely recommend Pedigree dog food to all my friends and family. Be sure to get your coupon to help save a few bucks. Did you know Pedigree was on Facebook and Twitter? Be sure to follow them for great tips and advice for keeping your dogs healthy and happy. Throughout the month of June, dog lovers can help dogs by logging onto Facebook and Twitter (#everydogdeserves) to say why they think “Every Dog Deserves” the very best. For each Like, comment, @reply, re-tweet, photo upload, etc. directed at Pedigree, they’ll donate one pound of food (up to 100,000 pounds total). Every single engagement with Pedigree on Facebook and Twitter helps feed dogs! I know I will certainly participate. We have been so pleased with knowing our furry family member is healthy and happy! #Pedigreerocks

I wrote this review while participating in an Ambassador campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Pedigree and received dog food to facilitate my reviews and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Pedigree Ambassador dog food trial {update}

Hey there, I wrote a post a couple weeks ago about our dog Milo participating in Pedigree Ambassador dog food trial. I wanted to share a few updates about his progress so far. I am so thankful that we have had a very smooth transition from his old food. He seems to be enjoying his Pedigree small breed formula a whole lot. I even decided to take a handful of his old food and a handful of the Pedigree to see what he would do. He sniffed his old food from one hand and then sniffed his new food in the other. Milo snuck a couple morsels from the Pedigree hand! I was surprised and did not think he would know the difference!

Milo loves to catch some rays!

I haven't noticed any changes thus far regarding his coat or his dental health as yet. Thankfully he has not been sick and has had his usual potty routine. That makes me happy since I was worried about him having digestion issues that sometimes comes along with a change in food. All in all, he is doing very well with the Pedigree small breed and I will be posting again with any new updates. If you are thinking about switching food for your dog I would recommend you give Pedigree a try. Here's a coupon to help save a few bucks. Did you know Pedigree was on Facebook and Twitter? Be sure to follow them for great tips and advice for keeping your dogs healthy and happy.

I wrote this review while participating in an Ambassador campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Pedigree and received dog food to facilitate my reviews and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Pedigree Ambassador dog food trial

Hey guys, I'm not sure if you have noticed the nifty little badge I placed on my blog a couple weeks ago~ Our dog Milo is participating in the Pedigree Ambassador dog food trial. We received 2 big bags of Pedigree Small Breed dog food. Pedigree is a very well known brand in households everywhere. I was thrilled at the opportunity for my pup to get to test out a brand that has been around for so long.

I took some time to check out the Pedigree site and was amazed at how many different formulas they offer according to your dog's specific needs. It costs a little bit less than what I am currently buying, which is a plus since I need to stretch my family dollars.Milo has never eaten the Pedigree brand of dog food before so we had to transition him slowly from his current food. He sniffed the mixture of both foods and dove right in! I don't think he came up for air. He has fully switched over to only Pedigree and I will say that he loves it since the food does not sit in the bowl for more than a minute! I was happy that the kibbles were small for Milo's little mouth. He had no problems crunching it up :)


Based on the four universal needs, here is where Milo stands:
Skin&Coat ~ He is about average.
Oral Care ~ He's 8 so his teeth can get a little icky but he is mostly average
Digestion ~ He is a great pooper and has not had any problem 'going' since trying the Pedigree food.
Immunity ~ Thankfully Milo does not ever get sick besides the occasional need to eat grass. He is very healthy overall.

I will be posting updates on Milo's progress with this new food. I also recommended Pedigree to my neighbors so they will be trying it our for their dogs as well. There is a $3 off coupon available here. Did you know Pedigree was on Facebook and Twitter? Be sure to follow them for great tips and advice for keeping your dogs healthy and happy.

I wrote this review while participating in an Ambassador campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Pedigree and received dog food to facilitate my reviews and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Wordless Wednesday

Check out William's hand shield against licking. He will tell Milo "No licking Miwo!"

The best guard dog ever

I could not imagine a day without having Milo bark at every person or dog that walks by the house. He goes nuts when UPS or FedEx delivers and you better not be a salesperson... he will be ready to break you off! He is such a sweet dog and he always sits guard at the front window in protection mode. I never feel uneasy knowing that he is with me each day. I love my doggy.
It's funny to think that I never used to like dogs and was really afraid of them for the first 18 years of my life. I am so happy that Dwayne and Chardie broke me down and convinced me that we needed a dog. He is such an important part of our family and we love him dearly. Most people who visit (even the non dog lovers) get such a kick out of the fact that he behaves just as well as the kids and does not act like a real dog. Milo lives the good life. My father-in-law always jokes and says that if Milo ever had to live a dog's life he would not survive. Needless to say, Milo has never tried to run away! :)
Milo is a purebred long coat Chihuahua and is getting ready to turn 8 in a couple months. It's hard to believe he is that old. Oh and BTW, he does not know that he is an actual dog ;-)