May 2013 Expenses

Inspired by bloggers Losech, M.C., and saya, I have decided to blog about my monthly dog-related expenses.  I already track all expenses using a smartphone app, so it isn't any additional work for me.

May 2013 Expenses

Food-$336.06
Health-$242.85
Treats-$50.00
Books, etc-$55.00
Misc-$52.47

Total-$736.38

Wow...it is not normally this much.  I spent more than usual on food, because of my large order from Rodney.  There were no vet appointments this month, but my AWESOME neighbor works for a vet's office, and got me 24 doses of Trifexis at cost ($200) from the Elanco rep.  The other $42.85 is for two doses of Trifexis I picked up for Faolan from his vet.

Thanks, awesome neighbor!!

 

The treats are the subscription boxes.  Books are the book and two copies of Through a Dog's Ear I purchased at the Nicole Wilde Seminar.  Miscellaneous is a DAP refill, and bags of diatomaceous earth and Sweet PDZ.

 

It really isn't normally this much.  I bought a large amount of raw, Trifexis, and miscellaneous items this month.  We shall see how next month stacks up.

 

Sweet PDZ Review

Last summer, I learned that male dog urine STINKS, even neutered male dog urine.  Two things occurred-I adopted a second boy, and we had a very hot summer with a terrible drought.  These, combined with the fact that Bruce and Faolan like to pee in the same spots in both the "kennel" and the backyard, led me to searching ways to help get rid of the smell in certain areas.

I can't quite remember how I came across it, but I eventually discovered Sweet PDZ.  It is a horse stall refresher, but is effective for other animals as well.  It captures and neutralizes ammonia.

 

It is organic, safe, and inexpensive.  A 25 lb bag costs me approximately $10 at Tractor Supply.  Last summer I went through three bags.

 

It works incredibly well.  When I first started using it last summer, there was an odor around a couple of trees in the back yard that the boys frequently peed on.  I sprinkled it around the base of each tree, about 16" out, and also sprinkled some on the trunk itself.  I used a heavy hand the first few times I applied it. Within an hour the smell was gone.  Les was particularly amazed, which is impressive, because he is pretty skeptical.

 

It is a granular powder.  I apply it with a cup.  It is drying to my hands, but not harmful, I am sure.

 

 

The heat and lack of rain led me to use this about three times a week last summer, with great results.  So far this year, I have only applied it twice, because we have been getting rain. 

 

I highly recommend it to anyone with any sort of animal.  It can also be used as an add-in for cat litter, and has various household uses.

 



The Windows to the Soul

Top to bottom: Neeko, Bruce, Faolan

Recent Raw Meals

Beef lung.



Turkey hearts.



Chicken leg quarter, beef liver.



Beef heart.



Turkey hearts, pork kidney.



Bison heart, turkey breast chunks.



More beef lung.



Chicken leg quarter, pork heart, beef liver.



Venison.



Venison, turkey breast chunks, pork spleen.



Pork lung.



Bone-in chicken breast, ground venison, beef liver.



As always, the smaller meals are breakfasts, and the larger meals are dinners.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Wordless Wednesday

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

BarkBox Giveaway!!

So a few months ago, I signed up for a BarkBox Groupon, using OH's information and card number.  I knew that it would end in May, so I signed up again, using my information, with the intention of receiving a BarkBox in June.  I made two "mistakes".
1.  I forgot to cancel his subscription, so he was billed for another three months, ending in August.  Darn...
2.  I apparently signed up myself too early, thus receiving a second May BarkBox!!
This second BarkBox is being gifted to someone!  One caveat-Les did cut the tape on either side of the box, but I promise the products have not been disturbed.  If anyone has doubts, they can view last week's Friday Photos, which shows that I have opened one of the bags of treats from the first May BarkBox we received.  This BarkBox will contain the same package of treats (amongst other goodies) still completely sealed.  He was trying to be helpful...
Just leave a comment, and follow me if you don't already.
Winner will be randomly selected after 0001 EST, on Friday, May 31, 2013.

Premier/Petsafe Easy Walk Harness Review

Yesterday, I purchased an Premier Easy Walk Pet Harness, Large, Black/Silver at our local Pet Supplies Plus.  I had been contemplating buying one, and it happened to be on sale.

I took Neeko to PSP with me, as she is always game for an outing.

 Modeling her Premier/Petsafe Gentle Leader.

 Her version of joy-LOTS of toys.

 

The Easy Walk is a front clip harness that has a martingale action horizontally across the chest when the dog pulls.  The strap that goes on the underside is in a contrasting color, for ease of application.  It is very sturdy nylon, with a nicely secured D-ring and sturdy plastic buckles.

 



I bought this with Faolan in mind, both because of his pulling at times, but also because I figure a harness would be safer than a collar on our adventures, after my near disaster. I first put it on Bruce.  The first time was a bit confusing and time consuming, but I figured it out.  After tightening and clasping appropriately, the horizontal chest portion gaped, even on big boy Bruce.  I took him on a quick walk with it, and when he attempted to pull, it had very minimal affect.

Bruce modeling the Easy Walk Harness.

 

I then put it on Faolan, and it gaped horribly across the chest.  I purchased the Large size, designed to fit dogs with chest circumferences of 26-36".  Faolan is 30", Neeko is 33" and Bruce is 34".  It did fit all three in that regard, but gaped across the chest on all three.  I visited their website, and they advise purchasing "tweener" sizes for very narrow chested dogs, which wolfdogs are.

 

Today, I returned to PSP, hoping to exchange it for a M/L "tweener" size, which the size chart indicated would fit all three of mine's chest circumference.  Unfortunately PSP does not carry, and is unable to order that size.  I simply returned it for a refund of my money.

 

I am contemplating purchasing either the Freedom harness, or the Sense-ation harness.  These are not available at any stores in my area, so I would have to order online.

 

Which harness do you like, or would you recommend?

Friday Photos

It's nearly impossible to get them all to look at me at once.



He looks up to no good.



Pretty princess.



Oh Bruce.











I guess he's comfy.



We received these Loving Pets Grill-icious treats in this month's BarkBox and they are a HUGE hit, with all three. They are easily broken into smaller pieces, and the woofers will work for them.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Light Reading

Not really. But it is enjoyable, and easy to read and understand. I ordered this while attending the Nicole Wilde seminar the weekend before last. All available copies quickly sold out.

So far it is humorous at times and very informative. A full review will come upon its completion.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Posers

While on our walk this afternoon, we happened upon a nice level stump. Of course I had to make all three dogs jump onto and sit upon it. Les humored me by snapping pictures with his phone.


Neeko



Bruce



Faolan


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Recent Raw Meals and Prep

I don't typically cut food into bite size pieces, but I wanted to make sure all three got some bison heart.



Veal heart.



Pork hearts, ground beef patty, duck foot.



Pork tongue.



Beef lung.



Chicken leg quarter, beef liver.



Venison.



Lamb heart, turkey breast chunks.



Lamb hearts.



Pork heart.



Beef lung.



Beef chuck roast chunks, turkey breast chunks, pork spleen.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Wordless Wednesday

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

May BarkBox Review

Today we received our May BarkBox.  Review for March and April can be read by clicking on the links, and they contain links to earlier reviews.  To read all subscription box reviews, click HERE.

 The Goods

 



 Barkworthies Roasted Bone.  Approximate retail value $8.99.  While I'm sure there are dogs out there who are careful, or perhaps do not have the jaw strength mine do, I feel that this is not a safe treat/chew.  It's a tooth breaker.  I will gift this to a friend's dog, who has much smarter chewing habits than my mutts.

Katie's Bumpers Fire hose Toy.  Approximate retail value $14.00.  A nice, durable toy that my dogs will be to enjoy, supervised only.  Neeko will systematically search for, find, and destroy a seam on toys like this if left to her own devices.  This will be nice to play tug with, and fetch (which is a rarity, as my dogs don't seem to grasp the concept of fetch) with.  I enjoy when the subscription boxes have durable toys.

Bocce's Bakery Green Juice dog biscuits.  Approximate retail value $9.50. Good ingredients in a smallish biscuit treat.  My crew can be picky about biscuit type treats, but they all ate up the ones I offered them.  Faolan of course did his requisite roll on it first.  It's hilarious to watch him scent-roll a new treat or food.  I need to get it on video.

Loving Pets Grill-icious Dog Treats.  Approximate retail value $7.99.  Ingredients: Beef and sweet potato.  That's it!!  I love simple treats.  USA made from USA ingredients.  Even better!!  I have yet to offer these, but I am sure they will be a huge hit. 








This month's BarkBox was decent.  I am disappointed by the bone, but the treats are good, and the toy is decent.  Four items seems a bit stingy to me, but the combined value is approximately $41.50.