We all love our pets so much. That's why we started Petpourri and why you visit our site. We want the best for our pets and to keep them happy, healthy, and safe. Unfortunately not all animals are lucky enough to have a loving home where they are cared for. That's why the OSPCA is such an important organization that helps homeless and abised animals. But they can't do it alone. They need our help. Here's how you can help.

On May 26 I will be participating in the Friends for life walk-a-thon benefitting the Ontario SPCA. Meeka, Gibbs, and I will all be taking part in this important event. The walk helps raise awareness and critical funds for animal welfare and the prevention of cruelty to animals in Ontario. You can read more about how the money raised helps animals in need here. Please support me in achieving my goal by visiting my fundraising page and making a contribution. Making a tax-deductible donation online makes supporting the Ontario SPCA quick and easy. Your tax-deductible gift makes a difference in changing the lives of so many animals in need. Whatever you can give will help - it all adds up! I greatly appreciate your support.

Getting a puppy or a kitten is such an exciting adventure. But there’s also a lot to know especially if the new addition is your first pet. How much does a puppy eat? How much weight should a kitten gain in its first month? Where do I go in case of an emergency? These are all questions that a new pet parent may ask. Luckily, Purina has made it a little easier to bring your new pet home with their My Puppy Kit and My Kitten Kit.

This is a free kit that you can sign up for. In it (it comes in an envelope) you will find a book that is your step-by-step guide to raise your puppy or kitten. It outlines everything from supplies, health, training, and grooming. You will reference this book constantly. It is a valuable resource. The rest of the envelop is divides into six sections: welcome home, puppy or kitten guide, contact information, health records, important documents, and miscellaneous. This envelop becomes your pet’s file. Anything to do with your pet can be found here.

The contact information divider allows you write important names and phone numbers right on the card. This is great in an emergency situation when you need a phone number quickly.

The health records divider has a list of vaccinations and examinations your puppy or kitten will need. You can write down when your pet got his or her vaccinations and when they are due for the next check up. You can then store all your pets health records in the envelope.

Along with the kit you will receive coupons to get your pet started on the right path with some great products. You will also receive a name tag that you can engrave your pet’s name and your contact information on. An the best part? This kit is free! Just register your pet to receive your kit.  

Before I got my dogs I learned that you can actually teach you dog to ring a bell to let you know he has to go to the bathroom. I thought this must be a difficult thing to teach a dog but after doing some research I found out it is really easy. Learn the tree easy steps to get your dog to learn this trick here.

When you're ready to teach this to your dog you will need a potty bell. Poochie Bells are specifically made for this purpose. There are a series of sturdy bells on a leash-like ribbon. Because the bells are so sturdy you can hear them ringing from a far distance which makes it easy to hear when your dog rings them. The ribbon has a hoop at the top so you can easily slip it over a door handle. The hoop also opens so you can thread it through a sliding door handle. Poochie Pets has a large array of ribbons for you to choose from so you can match it to your decore, your dog's personality, or even the holiday or season. They also have very cute hooks to hang the bells on if you don't want them on your door.  

I hate being bogged down by a bag while I'm taking my dogs for a long walk. But I have to take, at the very least, my cell phone, house keys, poop bags, and a water bottle with me. I tried finding a small bag to take with me that wouldn't get in my way to much but all the bags I found were just too big. After a long search I have found a couple of bags that made specifically for dog walks.

DOOG Walkie Belt

The Doog Walkie Belt has everything a dog walker needs in one place. The belt has many compartments each with their own purpose. There is one pockets that contains easily accessible poop bags. Another pocket easily produces antibacterial hand wipes for those not-so-pleasant clean ups. The middle of the belt has to pockets for you personal items like a cell phone, money, and house keys. Notice how I didn't mention a music player? That's because the belt has a clip specifically for a music player. There's also a clip to attach your dog's leash to so you can be hands free throughout the walk. If all that wasn't enough there's more. The DOOG company has other products that can be attached to the belt. One of these items is the foldable bowl which is so important in keeping your dog hydrated on walks. If your dog is a swimmer like my dogs are you'll love the attachable dog towel. If you're like me and you get in the water with your dogs (why should they get to have all the fun) then you can even use the towel to dry yourself off.


Bags on Board Purse and Pouch

I have been using Bag on Board's classic bag dispenser since I adopted my dogs two years ago. It's so handy to always have poop bags with you and not have to worry about getting stuck in an embarrassing situation. Bags on Board now have two bags that dispense poop bags but also carry your items. The Purse Dispenser and the Pouch Dispenser have an ajustable strap so you can wear it over your shoulder, around your waist, or across your body. They're large enough to carry your cell phone, money, keys, and anything else you need on a walk but small enough not to be bothersome. Both bags dispense poop bags through the bottom.   

If you're like me you take tons of pictures of your pets. I was so excited when I finally got a cell phone with a camera on it (my pets where not so thrilled). I'm  like the pet paparazzi - the puparazzi! So when I first saw Andrew Miller's artwork I was blown away and excited at the same time. These beautiful portraits of  your pet is made up of thousands of little images of your pet. Andrew arranges all the images you give him so that it makes the larger portrait. I would struggle to choose one image of my dogs or cats to be made into a large portrait but this unique portraits combines all your favourite images into one.

Imagine combining all the images you took of your pet from when they were just a little fur ball to adulthood. If you look closely enough you'll be able to see your pet grow up before your eyes. 

Not only will this portrait be a wonderful sentiment of your pet but it is a piece of art that will have your family and friends talking.

Woofstock, North America's biggest outdoor festival for dogs, took place this past weekend at Toronto's St. Lawrence Market. Petpourri was there and we had so much fun. I felt like I was among my people - dog people. We met a lot of nice people who had great dog products to offer. Purina was there offering My Puppy Kits to new dog owners. Earthpawz introduced us to their pet friendly glass cleaner - to clean the dog drool off your windows. I will be discussing these and other products in more detail in future posts. And for all you outdoor enthusiasts we spoke to Dog Paddling Adventures who told us about hiking and canoeing adventures that both you and your dog can partake in.

I have to share one of my favourite finds with you. It is a T-shirt from Dog is Good. The shirt reads, “I like big mutts and I can not lie.” I laughed so hard when I saw this shirt. I guess I like it so much because it's so true for me. I have always loved mutts - they combine the cuteness of a variety of dog breeds in one dog. Dog is Good has many desirable shirts for the dog lover so check them out.

I always like my dogs to have matching things: collars, harnesses, leashes, beds, and even toys. I love that this online store has most products in different colours so there is a lot of options to choose from. Here are two of my favourite collars from Pet Only:

Lupine's Puppy Love & Dapper Dog .

I love an argyle pattern so when I saw these collars I swooned over them.



Lupine's Tickled Pink & Muddy Paws .

This is the classic dog paw collar with a twist. The two tones go well together and the paw prints makes the collar more than just a two colour collar.