As I sit here on the couch next to my favorite dog (right after I had to carry her into the house because she wasn't coming when I called her) and loving every moment. I had fun doing this blog. I had all these plans for an organized post expecting lots of different walking spots, toy reviews, dog treat recipes, and day-cation spots. I look back now and think wow that was way too ambitious for our short class. I overall loved this experience because it was a perfect excuse to hang out with my dog. Thanks for humoring me through my puppy journey and I will leave you with this:
Spring's Story
Oh no Spring is Sick
We (my husband and I) took my little princess on a walk. While on the walk we are assuming she ate something bad because that night around midnight she started to get sick and threw up for over 2 hours. We felt so bad and all we wanted to do was make her feel better. Also being up until 2 a.m. on the Sunday night before coming back to school is not ideal. When she first started throwing up we were making sure she stayed on the tile but after a while we just started directing her head straight into the garbage. We felt so bad for her she looked so sad and confused.
This event inspired me to be more prepared for when she doesn't feel well again. I took the initiative and used my dog PLNs to do a little research on what to give her. I thought this would be helpful to share with my follow dog owners and future owners.
I couldn't find the original resource for this and just found the image on Pinterest. I will give credit to sheknows though since that is on the bottom of the infographic. Now this should not be considered true medical advice but it is a good option.
Since this was such a sad/gross/boring post I added this :)
Dog Treats - Banana Peanut Butter
My first treat post. I have never made my own dog treats before but I like baking so I am excited for the opportunity to bake without eating way too much sugar! I was so excited about making them for my little princess I bought a dog bone cookie cutter on amazon for about $3 for it. Then I did some scrolling on Pinterest and took my previous cooking knowledge with my knowledge of what my dog likes and picked the perfect treat recipe. (Maybe I will experiment more later.) I ended up choosing this easy 4 ingredient recipe by Chungah you can find it here. The dogs love it but it goes down quick.
The Recipe:
2 bananas
3 cups of oats
1/4 peanut butter
1/4 coconut oil
mix, roll, cut, and bake at 350 degrees until brown
(better directions on the website)
Step 1: Mix
Step 2: Roll
Step 3: Cut
Step 4: Bake
I made a few mistakes like not making sure I had enough oatmeal for the recipe, rolling the dough to thick and having to bake them twice as long. I had my dad try one (my dad tries everything) and he said they were bland. Overall a success though. Just look at those well behaved dogs waiting for their treats!
I can't wait for my next recipe!
Adventure #3 San Francisco Trip
I did it! Well my husband and I did it haha. We did our puppy day-cation! Due to a nap from the day before we ended up leaving at 4 a.m. and went straight to Fort Funston. This is an off the leash dog park on the beach. We drove in to a hawk just chillin' on the sign for the park!
Victor and I ate outside on a little table with Spring but she wasn't allowed inside to order. :(
Next was the golden gate park. I wasn't a big fan of the Golden Gate parks off the leash areas, they were too close to the roads and were small so I choose just to pass and go straight on through to the cleverly named Ocean Beach.
This beach has lots of space to run and lots of dogs to visit. You need to stay in between stairs 1 to 21 since the other side is a bird sanctuary that is open to people just not dogs. We spent about an hour and a half there walking up and down the beach.
Going to the pier also have me an excuse to use her doggy pack. Which carried my stuff since I had no pockets and I didn't want to wear my purse.
As the sun rose over the hill behind the beach we let the hound free!
She ran around and visited all the other dogs (wasn't too busy since it was 6 in the morning). My husband (Victor) and I started walking the trails around we found this sign.
I don't know why we found it funny but the dog falling down the cliff still looks like it's having fun!
There was a little pathway that led to the beach! I was so excited to see my adorable puppy playing in the ocean. I pulled out my phone ready to take pictures of her playing in the waves but no the goof ball was scared of the waves.
But I did get this arty picture I call "The Tracks of Man and Best Friend" haha
Overall Spring had a blast running around Fort Funston.
NEXT STOP was Brunch at Boudin! We just hit one of their satellite bakeries and had a bagel each and split a chocolate croissant and gave Spring a little snack. Look at the cute Thanksgiving themed bread they have right now!
Next was the golden gate park. I wasn't a big fan of the Golden Gate parks off the leash areas, they were too close to the roads and were small so I choose just to pass and go straight on through to the cleverly named Ocean Beach.
NEXT STOP was Pier 39. This is on the leash pet friendly pier that sells Trish's Donuts which are these mini donuts with sugar and cinnamon and they are delicious, I highly suggest it. This wasn't a really fun spot for Spring but we wanted donuts.
It was a little difficult get a good photo of her and me with Alcatraz in the back haha.
Going to the pier also have me an excuse to use her doggy pack. Which carried my stuff since I had no pockets and I didn't want to wear my purse.
Overall this trip was so much fun! Spring was so tired. She rarely sleeps in the car and slept the whole 3 hour car ride home (thanks traffic *sarcasm). I will honestly say I might never do this again but I am glad I did this adventure.
Adventure #2 Mississippi Bar (Lake Natoma)
Adventure #2 is a walk along Mississippi Bar, located along Lake Natoma, which is where the Sac State Aquatics Center is. I used to frequently walk through Mississippi Bar with my childhood dog (April) and now with Spring. It can be located several different ways. I usually access it by parking at the end of Main and Sunset because the parking is free. You can also park at the Sac State Aquatics Center and walk over the Hazel Bridge and follow the bike trail along the edge of Lake Natoma but that is about a half mile and on a very busy street plus you have to pay for parking. Now technically this is an on the leash walking area and there is a horse stable right next to the initial walking area. This is a popular spot and I have taken it with some friends and we walked down to the lake and went swimming with our dogs (no beach we just put our chairs in shallow water haha).
The walk is a neat walk and has a lot of different trails that you can take. The area is an old gold mining area and has hills of rocks that are cool to climb up. Currently the area is beautifully green but during the summer it is all yellow. When you get to the bike trail you can walk along the lake and see the different people sailing, fishing, kayaking, rowing, and swimming. I recommend this walk for a summer day where you can take a quick dip or on a nice evening enjoy the lake.
Pro:
~ Free
~ lots of space
~ neat terrain
~ new walking route every time
Con:
~technically on the leash
~ bicyclists
~ horses
~ wild deer with means tics
~ saw a man pooping in a walkway one time
The picture below have no overlapping areas to show how big this place is and I only traveled through a quarter of the area.
Click Mississippi Bar if you would directions to your next walk.
The walk is a neat walk and has a lot of different trails that you can take. The area is an old gold mining area and has hills of rocks that are cool to climb up. Currently the area is beautifully green but during the summer it is all yellow. When you get to the bike trail you can walk along the lake and see the different people sailing, fishing, kayaking, rowing, and swimming. I recommend this walk for a summer day where you can take a quick dip or on a nice evening enjoy the lake.
Pro:
~ Free
~ lots of space
~ neat terrain
~ new walking route every time
Con:
~technically on the leash
~ bicyclists
~ horses
~ wild deer with means tics
~ saw a man pooping in a walkway one time
The picture below have no overlapping areas to show how big this place is and I only traveled through a quarter of the area.
Click Mississippi Bar if you would directions to your next walk.
A seasonal puddle Spring was able to enjoy.
A picture of the Sac State Aquatics Center from the bike trail. It is hard to see because of the sunset and my phone is old.
Another spot Spring was checking out before she sprinted off.
The main trail (road) to get to the bike trail.
My soloing the walk. Victor had some nerd competition for his class so I was responsible for exhausting the dog.
A view across the flat rocky area over to the hills of rocks from the mining.
Toy Comparison #1
A while ago I went on a toy buying spree and bought Spring about 10 different toys that I have been slowly giving her. I did this because I read this infographic from iheartdogs. Number 4 kind of stuck with me that more toys means a smarter dog. I went around and searched Amazon (I have an addiction don't judge me) and found a plethora of toys I thought she would like. I am comparing these two toys because they were very comparable.
Multipet Nobbly Wobbly Ball Large Dog Toy
$3.99 with Free shipping with Prime as an add-on.
I bought this toy because I thought that it would roll in an unpredictable pattern and would help her develop her reaction time.
JW Pet Company Crackle Heads Crackle Ball Dog Toy, Large, all Colors
$5.82 with Free shipping with Prime as an add-on
I bought this toy because I know she loves crackle toys and that it looked pretty durable and because it rolls it would be a little more challenging to control than her crackly duck.
She has now had these toys for about a week and she plays with both. I decided to check which toy she likes better by placing them side-by-side and letting her choose (thank you Air bud for the idea).
Multipet Nobbly Wobbly Ball Large Dog Toy
$3.99 with Free shipping with Prime as an add-on.
I bought this toy because I thought that it would roll in an unpredictable pattern and would help her develop her reaction time.
JW Pet Company Crackle Heads Crackle Ball Dog Toy, Large, all Colors
$5.82 with Free shipping with Prime as an add-on
I bought this toy because I know she loves crackle toys and that it looked pretty durable and because it rolls it would be a little more challenging to control than her crackly duck.
She has now had these toys for about a week and she plays with both. I decided to check which toy she likes better by placing them side-by-side and letting her choose (thank you Air bud for the idea).
Green ball on the right is the Crackle Head and the multicolored ball on the right is the Nobbly
She was obviously curious about why I had both the balls and took a while to get the pictures then a while to convince her to sit before she could choose.
Once I allowed her to get the ball she chose the Crackle Ball to take outside to play with.
Adventures #1 Folsom Lake
My husband and I (well really just me) have been looking for good off the leash areas for our high energy dog. We were told about Beals Point at Folsom Lake. This is a wonderful place that my husband and I found. After our first visit we went and bought ourselves a year pass! Well not exactly true we waited until the start of the next month because the pass works until the month you buy the pass meaning if we bought it late October we would have paid for a month we didn't actually use it.
The lake is so much fun! Spring gets to run around and chase geese and rabbits and play in the waves. She has an infinite amount of room to run and explore (at least it feels that way to her). Plus there are several different terrains that makes it a unique walk every time we have gone. Below are some pictures of the lake along with pictures of my mom's and sister's dogs.
Update: I decided I wanted to add a pro/com list (11/1/16)
Pro:
~ almost infinite amount of room
~ can swim with your puppy
~ has flush-able toilets
~ super fun things to chase for the puppy
~ cool terrain
~ safe
Con:
~ pay for parking
~ summer is super busy
~ well trained dog required
~ dog will return wet and muddy (often stinky and sandy)
~ no actual trails on the beach area and hard to navigate around some "creeks"
The lake is so much fun! Spring gets to run around and chase geese and rabbits and play in the waves. She has an infinite amount of room to run and explore (at least it feels that way to her). Plus there are several different terrains that makes it a unique walk every time we have gone. Below are some pictures of the lake along with pictures of my mom's and sister's dogs.
Update: I decided I wanted to add a pro/com list (11/1/16)
Pro:
~ almost infinite amount of room
~ can swim with your puppy
~ has flush-able toilets
~ super fun things to chase for the puppy
~ cool terrain
~ safe
Con:
~ pay for parking
~ summer is super busy
~ well trained dog required
~ dog will return wet and muddy (often stinky and sandy)
~ no actual trails on the beach area and hard to navigate around some "creeks"
Beach run on the North side
Tiny waterfall my husband tried damning up (it's like taking a little boy with me sometimes) The teacher in me wanted to plan a class field trip to see what erosion can do to an area.
Spring satisfied with her treat as the other dogs beg my husband
If you look carefully you will see geese and a dog who isn't remotely close to the geese but is still chasing the geese haha
Hint: The dog is the black spot by the push on the right the geese are on the left over the water.
Exciting car ride to the lake (added because it is cute)
The South side of the beach where it is rocky but you get a pretty cool walk at the base of Folsom Dam.
One of the many creeks you have to walk across that feed the lake (another cool example of erosion)
If you would like to go yourself click link for the directions Beals Point Recreation Area
Introduction
Here is my princess, Spring.
She is about 10 months old, she is a mutt (German Shepard, German Pinter, Australian Shepard, and Staffordshire) and we (my husband and I) love her. We were lucky enough to save her (save might be a little strong wording but they were getting rid of her) from her previous owners who thought she was mean and stupid, and went on to adopt a pure bred.
Throughout this blog I plan on sharing my adventures I take on because of this little puppy my husband and I decided to take home.
Goals:
~ Find a perfect walking spot
~ "Cook" at least one doggy treat
~ Plan a doggie day-cation
~ Teach her a new trick (she currently knows sit, lay, and stay if you have any suggestions let me know)
~ Find an engaging toy
She is about 10 months old, she is a mutt (German Shepard, German Pinter, Australian Shepard, and Staffordshire) and we (my husband and I) love her. We were lucky enough to save her (save might be a little strong wording but they were getting rid of her) from her previous owners who thought she was mean and stupid, and went on to adopt a pure bred.Throughout this blog I plan on sharing my adventures I take on because of this little puppy my husband and I decided to take home.
Goals:
~ Find a perfect walking spot
~ "Cook" at least one doggy treat
~ Plan a doggie day-cation
~ Teach her a new trick (she currently knows sit, lay, and stay if you have any suggestions let me know)
~ Find an engaging toy
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