Categories
Products

Custom Pup Portraits

Just when we thought we couldn’t be more obsessed with our dogs.. we got custom portraits of them done 🙂 But I have to say – they are SO COOL!

How great are these? Now – I have to share with you all the artist who did these. His name is Lain, and I discovered his shop ScottieInspired on Etsy. I was so impressed with his talent, how affordable these were, and how quickly he did them! It was awesome – Lain just emailed me the digital file already formatted for canvas, so I just sent these to print at Costco. Saved SO much money in shipping costs (Lain lives in Scottland!), and we can save the files to print on other things if we choose.

Here is Roxy’s painting (with the photo I sent Lain) – love it!!

If you’re considering a pet portrait – seriously look no further than Lain. His work is impeccable – and between his incredible artwork and ordering from my local Costco, the pups’ portraits costed less than $200! Can’t beat that.

Categories
Cute photos

Adorable photo

Just had to share this ridiculously cute photo of my friend Lindsay’s baby Cameron, and her pup Cooper. This should be on a greeting card or calendar or something.. Doesn’t get much better than this!

 

Categories
Health

Swollen Face from Allergic Reaction

Swollen Face from bug bite

Last weekend we had a bit of a scare with Roxy. She was fine when we woke up, had a nice morning walk, and her usual breakfast. I left for a quick trip to the grocery store, and when I came back Roxy greeted me at the door. But, it didn’t look like our Roxy – her face was so swollen! She almost looked like a cartoon version of herself – her muzzle had at least doubled in size, and the rest of her face (around her eyes, forehead, and cheeks) were really, really puffy. She wasn’t acting like she was in pain at all, but I FREAKED OUT! (I apologize for not having photos to show you – I was in such a panic! Didn’t even think of it!) Brad calmed me down.. after doing some quick research online we discovered it’s pretty common. Online forums suggested that we give her Benadryl, so I rushed to Walgreens to buy some.

Within five minutes of giving her one 25mg tablet of Benadryl (basic over-the-counter Benadryl pills), the swelling drastically went down.We gave her 1 more tablet about 6 hours later because she was still a little swollen, and when she woke up the following morning she was back to herself again. (Note: Online resources suggested to give 1 mg of Benadryl per pound that the dog weighs. We only gave Roxy one 25mg tablet and it worked just fine even though she’s nearly 3 times that. I’d be safe and start with small doses).

Although we’re not sure what caused this reaction, it’s very likely that it was a bee sting. Roxy does this thing where she nips at bees that buzz by her. I think this time she finally caught one!! Hopefully she learned her lesson. But just in case, I will always make sure to have Benadryl in my medicine cabinet!

Here are some pictures I found online of other dogs that looked similar to Roxy

Swollen Face from bug bite

Has this ever happened to your dog? I would have taken her to the vet, but like I mentioned before she was acting normal – she just looked like Sloth from “The Goonies”! 🙂

"Heeeey yooooou guuuuuuys!!"

 

Categories
Friends

Wednesday Friendsday

Meet Beau Ibarguen – today’s Wednesday Friendsday pup! I’ve been stalking Beau on facebook ever since my friend Jennifer adopted him this summer, I can’t get enough of this lil guy!

Beau may look familiar to you – I shared some insanely adorable puppy photos of him when Jennifer and her fiance Blake first brought Beau home in July. You can view that post and photos here.

Beau was born June 9, 2011 and lives in Dallas, TX. Beau has lots of toys. His favorites are his soft toys –  his crab, turtle and baby bear. He likes to take them outside and play! Beau also likes to chew on his Nylabone, which has really helped with teething.

Every morning when Jenn makes peanut butter toast for breakfast, Beau gets a Kong stuffed with a protein cookie and some peanut butter on top (that sounds delicious – Roxy is drooling reading this!). What a lucky pup!! It’s become such a routine that as soon as he hears the bread popping out of the toaster, he is right by Jenn’s side ready for his treat. How could anyone say no to this brown eyed baby?

Jenn and her fiance hired a trainer that they have had tremendous success with. Although Beau is still just a pup, he can sit, stay, come, and lay down on command. What a smart pup! Gotta love Goldens and their constant desire to please their owners 🙂 Best breed in the world!!

Jenn’s mom Bonnie (who lives down the street) adopted a pup from the same litter as Beau –  his name is Jax. Beau and Jax get to play together all of the time – how fun is that? I can’t wait to share photos of Jax with you soon, but in the meantime here’s a cute shot of the brothers together.

Jennifer & Blake, thank  you so much for sharing all of these adorable photos with us! Beau is so beautiful, fits right in with your family 🙂 I hope you enjoy your first holiday season with your pup – and all of the fun events coming up with your wedding!

Categories
Charity

Rescue A Golden

This weekend we had the pleasure of attending Rescue A Golden of Arizona‘s “Golden Harvest” celebration and fundraiser at Arizona Bread Company in Tempe. It was so fun to be in a room filled with people who are as obsessed with Goldens as we are 🙂

Rescue A Golden of Arizona rescues Goldens who have lost their homes through no fault of their own, and places them through adoption in their forever homes. Since the organization’s inception in 1998, over 3,000 Goldens have been rescued! Although I do not know how anyone could part ways with a Golden (since they are such an amazing breed and have nothing but love to give!) I’m so thankful for this organization and all that they do to ensure this amazing breed is never euthanized.

My company ONEHOPE Wine donated the wine for this event, so I made the pups ONEHOPE bandanas to wear. How cute do they look in them?

The other avid Golden Retriever fans there told us something we never heard before – that Roxy had a “zipper nose.” When Roxy was just a pup, her “zipper nose” was more of a mohawk and it evolved to being a line down her nose. We never knew there was a special term for this! We love her zipper nose, just another thing that makes our girl so unique and special.

To learn more about Rescue A Golden of Arizona or to make a donation, please visit their website. They have some adorable, loveable dogs available for adoption that are so anxious to find the perfect home!!

Categories
Products

Introducing Our Online Store!

Golden Retriever Mens Womens Hat

We’ve now made it easier than ever to show the world just how much you love Golden Retrievers. Please check out our new online iheartgoldenretrievers store featuring items like T-shirts, car magnets, and tote bags!

Love these hats!

Golden Retriever Mens Womens HatGreat tote bag to hold leashes, treats – or even use at the grocery store!

Golden Retriever Tote BagMens and Womens T-shirts – available in several colors

Golden Retriever Womens Fitted TshirtMens Womens Golden Retriever TshirtCar Magnets & Bumper Stickers

Golden Retriever Car Magnet

Categories
Friends

Wednesday Friendsday

Happy Wednesday Friendsday Golden lovers!

Meet Kona McCall – the four-legged child of Kristina & Brandyn McCall (who are newlyweds – congrats!).

Kona is 1 year old, and is quite active (just like his mom and dad). When he’s not swimming, he loves to go on runs with Kristina & Brandyn. His favorite toys either squeak or bounce, and he is always persistant that someone plays with him with these toys. Even if you try to ignore him, he’ll either flick you with his toy – or puts both paws up on your lap.

Kona has an older sister named Daisy (that is a 7 years old Yorkie). Even though Kona is 10 times her size, Daisy still bosses him around. So kind of Kona to be polite to his elders 🙂 He also has a cat brother named Dennis the Menace that he loves to play with. What a lucky pooch – so many friends! Love this photo of Kona cuddling with Daisy.

Kona is so handsome that he is officially a “stud” dog – female Goldens see Kona and want to have his babies! So he’s been called to a couple of houses to produce beautiful pups. What a stud, indeed!

Thanks for sharing photos and fun facts about Kona, Kristine! I hope you and Brandyn are loving married life with your family of pets 🙂

goldensleepingunderdesk

Categories
Travel

..we’re back!

Sorry it’s been nearly a month since my last post – I’ve been super busy with work and living in hotels and airplanes the past few weeks. I’m so happy to finally have a full week at home with my pups! (and husband) 🙂

Quincey does okay while I’m gone, but Roxy gets SUPER lonely. Brad sent me this pic of the dogs while I was traveling.. Roxy’s face explains it all – she missed her mama!

While I was traveling for work, I stayed a couple of nights in Denver at The Curtis Hotel. As I was walking into the hotel, they had a welcome sign with pictures and a big water bowl for dogs that were checking in that day – so cute! Although, it made me wish I had brought the pups with me. It’s an adorable hotel – if you’re looking for a pet-friendly place to stay in downtown Denver, you should check it out! A great restaurant called The Corner Office is attached to the hotel, too.

The Curtis Downtown Denver Dog Friendly Welcome

View my “Travel” page for a bunch of other suggestions for dog-friendly destinations!

Categories
Uncategorized

Happy Labor Day!

Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Labor Day! I hope you all took some time to relax and enjoy the day with your pups. Q-man and I had a nice afternoon floatin’ in the pool!

Categories
Uncategorized

All Dogs Go To Heaven

This morning on my facebook newsfeed I saw that a friend’s dog had recently passed and it broke my heart.

The hardest part of owning a dog is having to say goodbye. Coping with the loss of a pet is extremely difficult, as the bond you share with your furry friend is unlike any relationship you will ever have with a human. Dogs offer unconditional love and companionship. For those who are dealing with the loss of a pet, I encourage you to try to see it as an opportunity to grow emotionally, and to always remember that both of your lives were richer because you had each other in it.

Here’s a photo I love that proves that all dogs really do go to heaven..

Today I’m thinking of Pepper & Dusty, the black and yellow lab I grew up with. I’m a firm believer that growing up with these dogs taught me how to trust, respect, and most importantly – love unconditionally.