All Natural Beef Jerky

Our all natural beef jerky is a smart choice for your dog.  It is made right here in the USA!  We also use non-pet food facilities and USDA-certified meat plants to process our jerky.  It has only a touch of sea salt and water.  No artificial colors, preservatives or additives.  It is even okay for us humans to eat because it is human-grade meat that we use.  Haha not humans mind you! :)  So go online and order some today and have it shipped right to your door for your beloved pet.  

http://www.smartdogjerky.com/

Storms coming!

As an adult I actually enjoy Mother Nature's light and sound show however I can't say the same thing for my dogs....

Last night as I headed off to bed I could hear the low rumblings of thunder outside.  Within minutes it turned into a full on thunder and lightening show.  Now I will admit I'm one of those people that let's their dogs sleep on the bed with them.  In my house that usually means our two small dogs.  Our Golden Lab typically sleeps on the floor while the two smaller dogs sleep on the bed.  As the storm picked up in intensity the two smaller dogs found their way up next to my side, snuggling up to me as close as they could.  After the next loud crash of lightening my Golden Lab hopped up on my bed to find a spot on my other side thus sandwiching me.

Unfortunately our dogs don't have the benefit of reason to understand what is going on.  The bright flashes and the loud thunder will send them scurrying for cover and hopefully a lap to curl up on in order to ease their fear.  As much as we may enjoy nature's show we need to be aware of how it might affect our dogs.  They may seem like tough little companions but they can easily be scared despite how large or small they may be.  I know it's common sense but when storms start to roll into your neighborhood make sure you bring your dogs inside.  It breaks my heart when I hear dogs in my neighborhood barking outside during a storm, wanting desperately to get inside.  Even in the house keep an eye on them.  If they seem scared keep them close to you.  Our smallest dog, Roscoe, gets scared easily and someone just recommend to me last night on Facebook a product called a "Thunder Shirt", a snug fitting velcro-ed shirt that helps to keep dogs calm during stressful events like thunder storms.  I will be looking into those today as we head into storm season here.

So during these hot summer months, enjoy those afternoon and evening thundershowers but keep a watchful eye on your canine friends.

Rescue Centers

Fridays always seem to remind me of what I like to call "Rescue Weekend".

As some of you may know about four years ago we rescued our dog Sophie from Life Line Puppy Rescue in Brighton, Colorado.  Friends of ours knew we were looking to adopt a dog and suggested this wonderful organization that goes out across the country to various kill shelters to rescue dogs and help them find new homes.  Throughout the week they typically send out email notifications and postings on their web site to let folks know what dogs they have available for adoption for the upcoming weekend.  This is the photo of Sophie they posted and it's no wonder I fell in love with her right off.

So if you're looking for a new addition to the family and are wondering what to do this weekend check out your local rescue shelters to see what they have going on.  I bet you'll be surprised how many shelters are near you.   Make a day of it and bring your family and friends to a rescue shelter.  So many wonderful dogs are looking for a home!

Panting to the oldies!

Doctors will tell us that besides eating right we need to make sure we get plenty of exercise in order to stay fit.  It's really no different for our dogs.  I think sometimes we take for granted that our dogs should be exercising.  Perhaps because they walk around on all fours or have to run up and down the stairs or periodically try to chase squirrels in the backyard we don't always think about making sure they work up a pant now and then.  But sometimes we need to remind ourselves that our dogs need just as much exercise as we do.

Our Golden Lab mix, Sophie, definitely reminds us how much she wants to get out in the fresh air.  Every time my husband puts on his running or hiking shoes Sophie makes a bee-line for the door in hopes of joining him wherever he's going.  Luckily for her whenever we go hiking she's our constant companion.  By the time she was old enough my husband started taking her out on "14ers", hiking up the beautiful Colorado mountains where the summits are over 14,000 feet!  It might seem a little extreme but she loves it and it's something my husband always wanted in a dog - someone that could enjoy the great outdoors as much as we do.

Never forget, though, that all dogs need their exercise.  Even our little "princess" Belle the Chihuahua and Roscoe the toy Poodle need to get out from time to time.  It's easy to forget to take them out on regular walks as most of the time the little dogs seem content to find a cozy spot in the house and nap the day away.  But just like humans without consistent exercise they'll quickly get out of shape, put on weight and after a while could develop health problems that could potentially impact their lives.  I do find that if our dogs are getting plenty of exercise they seem to sleep better, eat better and generally have a much better temperament.  Kinda sounds like us humans, doesn't it?

We all live busy lives but it's important to make time not only for ourselves but for our four-legged family members.  Make sure you make the time to get them out, to enjoy the fresh air, to run about and to let them be dogs.  Play time is not just for children.

Scary PIT BULL story

As I sit here in the Reno airport awaiting my flight I am reminded of my last visit here a year ago.  My husband and I drove here from Colorado to visit his parents for Mother's Day.  

The morning we left I was not feeling well.  We got up at 4 am to hit the road for our long drive home.  We were just heading out of town through Carson City and there were a few homes scattered on the outskirts of town.  I felt very ill and asked him to pull over immediately.  As I leaned out the car door to vomit, a large pit bull dog ran right up to my face.  It happened so quick and scared me to death.  It was dark out and at that point I didn't even know what kind of dog it was.  All I know was we were in front of someones's home and had pulled up rather abruptly and this dog was there to protect the home.  My heart raced so fast and I screamed there is a dog! My husband jumped out of the car to run around to help but it was too late...

The dog had totally started licking my face!  He fell so madly in love with me and jumped in the car instantly and onto my lap.  My husband had just reached my side of the car door and the dog was already in the car on my lap.  My fear instantly turned to love as this large Pit Bull sat on my lap licking me all over.  I started laughing so hard!

So it took us a bit to get him coaxed out of our car and then all I was so worried about him being on the road like that with so many truckers going by.  He was not a homeless dog, just a loose dog.  So we tried to get him back up by the house so we could feel comfortable leaving him.  My husband warned me right off..."NO, we are not keeping him!"

So next time anyone tries to make Pit Bulls sound so mean and viscous I hope you will remember this story.  I have met the most amazing, loving Pit Bulls in my life and have yet to ever meet a mean one.  I even live in a city where they are banned!!! It breaks my heart because they are very loving dogs.  

Peek a Boo

I can see you leaving...please take me too!

The Smartdog Team

Sometimes it is nice to put a face to a name.  We are the owners of Smartdog Jerky.  Founded in 2011 by Heather Merritt upon getting this great idea and pursuing her dreams.  Julie Karp joined forces in May as half owner and Marketing Director.  We have been long time friends and are now so thrilled to be doing this business adventure together.  Both of us have such a passion for dogs and their health and well being.  We both love our rescue dogs Carly and Sophie so much and it is the dogs who have truly rescued us.  We have a true passion to spread the word about the importance of saving a dog's life by going to a shelter to pick out your next pet.  We are huge advocates on dog rescuing!  Thank you for all of your support and we hope you will follow our blog. 

Pick Me!

With so many dogs living in cages these days, won't you please just go rescue one!

Rescue a dog today!

AVOID China Pet Treat Products!

Between 2010 and end of 2012 a reported 3,243 dogs became ill after eating chicken jerky treats made in China.  501 dogs were reported to have died due to these treats.  These reports were made according to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration Center for Veterinary Medicine.  Investigations and studies are still being made and no factual claims have fully been proven, but would you still risk your dog's health or life with claims like this?  I know with all the USA products out there, I am going to personally avoid anything food related that comes from China for my beloved dogs.

Here is a list of the reported problems dogs have had upon eating treat such as "Milo's Kitchen" and Waggin Trains.  These products can/were found at grocery stores and Costco.  I have been noticing now at grocery stores that the shelves are empty where I once saw Milo's kitchen.  YEAH! If you have any of these brands in your home, I encourage you to toss them out.

1. Diarrhea
2. Liver problems
3. Kidney failure
4. Decreased appetite
5. Decreased energy
6. Vomiting
7. Stomach rupture

The FDA has found traces of antibiotics in poultry that is used in dog jerky treats as well as certain people foods as well.  Most of these antibiotics are not allowed to be used here in the U.S., but are all allowed in China.  There are also studies now regarding a particular source of glycerin that comes from the Jatropha seeds that is used in China and is thought to be toxic for dogs and humans.  Jatropha is a hearty shrub grown in semi-tropical areas around the world.  It has a high oil content and is sold quite cheap.  Almost every China chicken jerky treat contains glycerin.  There are plant glycerins...such as Jatropha. Not every plant is good for consumption.  I think we can all agree on that.

If you feel that your dog has gotten sick from eating pet food you gave them, then I highly encourage you to report that particular food to the FDA.  Otherwise, how can others know?  We have to spread the word, take action, sign petitions, report such things in order to protect these animals that cannot speak up for themselves.  Here is the website you can report such things to.

http://www.fda.gov/petfoodcomplaints

A note from Roscoe

Roscoe here always has so much to say in our home. Here is what I think he might be thinking in dog words...

"Being the man of the house might sound rather prestigious but it’s a never-ending job to keep things orderly in my house especially when having to contend with dimwitted dogs and lazy, irritable humans.  To be honest I’m really not appreciated for all that I do around here.  It’s a tough job and the rewards are few but it’s a job that must be done.

From the moment they wake up to the moment they go to bed I’m watching over my humans with extreme diligence and nothing goes without my notice and I’m the first to tell the humans something is happening in my house.  

Take for example the doorbell.  When it rings, who notices? Me!  Lord knows who might be at the door.  A salesperson, a Jehovah’s Witness, maybe a burglar.  Ok, a burglar probably wouldn’t ring the doorbell but you can’t be too careful.  But when the doorbell rings I need to see who it is because, hey, I’m the protector of this house.  You think that overweight, middle-aged guy watching the History Channel is going to do anything if someone comes to the door?  I think not.  

“Ding dong!”

“HEY!  THAT’S THE DOOR!  DID YOU HEAR THAT?!   SOMEONE’S AT THE DOOR!  WE NEED TO CHECK IT OUT.  WHO COULD IT BE?  WE MUST GO QUICKLY.  LET’S GO CHECK IT OUT.  STOP YELLING AT ME, I’M TRYING TO GET TO THE DOOR TO SEE WHO IT IS.  HEY, WHO IS THAT?  YOU JUST OPENED THE DOOR!  THEY’RE WALKING IN.  WHAT DO THEY WANT!?  WHY HAVEN’T THEY RECOGNIZED ME?!  WHY ARE YOU STILL YELLING AT ME?!  DON’T YOU SEE THESE PEOPLE?!  WHY AM I THE ONLY ONE WHO CARES?!  LOOK, THEY’RE SHAKING YOUR HANDS AND HUGGING YOU!  WHY ARE THEY DOING THAT?  WHAT’S GOING ON?  WHY ARE YOU STILL YELLING AT ME?!  HEY, THEY’RE SITTING DOWN IN MY SPOT!  THAT’S MY SPOT!!  HEY, GET OUT OF MY SPOT!!  WOULD YOU STOP YELLING AT ME?!”

I don’t know why I care so much.  Nobody else in this house seems to care much about anything.  The Lab just stares up in the trees at the squirrels and periodically snoops over the fence at our neighbors.  The Chihuahua sleeps all the time but has managed to make the humans get up and open the door for her when she needs to poop.  Those humans really spoil her.  What a princess!  And that cat.  Who the heck allowed that fur ball to move into my house? Does anyone notice that she gets up on the furniture and pulls on the window shades?  Not unless I say something.  

Well, if it weren’t for me my humans wouldn’t know the half of what goes on around here.  They are utterly clueless, at least the male is.  But I’ll keep doing my best to take care of these lugs.  You can’t help but love them."

Dogs available for adoption!

Currently, as of today, Boulder Humane Society has 46 dogs available for adoption.  Please take a look at their photos and see if one "jumps out" to you to adopt.  Below are a few photos of some of the dogs they have.  Which is your favorite?

http://www.boulderhumane.org/animals/adoption/adopt_dogs

When people make a difference...

Some people just naturally have it in them to make the world a better place by their actions. No words are necessary, just  acts of goodness and kindness towards something or someone other than themselves.  Sometimes you have to just wonder what our world would be like if we had more of these types of people around. When people take that extra step to help helpless animals, their actions speak much louder than words.  Sadly, it is the behavior of others that put these animals in such a helpless situation.  Gladly, we have people such as those over at "The Dog Rescuers" to be the lifesavers to these helpless creatures.  Thank you to them all!

I encourage you to look through their website that is posted below, see the photos and read the stories.  Don't turn your back on these types of situations that are happening right here in our own communities.  If we all take a little action once and a while to help these animals have a voice and be saved then it will make our communities and world a better place.  One step at a time, one action at a time.

GET INVOLVED

Adopt a shelter pet!

Sign petitions!

Foster a pet!

Volunteer at a shelter!

The Dog Rescuers

 Smartdog Beef Jerky Process

The process of making beef jerky is quite extensive. The first step is to trim the fat off the round. We then hand carve the beef into generous portions for maximum flavor and enjoyment. The beef is laid flat on sheets and is ready to be dried to perfection. Did you know it takes about approx. 3 pounds of beef to make 1 pound of jerky? Beef jerky offers your dog a wonderful snack that is healthy, nutritious and satisfying. Our beef jerky is low in carbohydrates and fat, yet rich in protein.

www.smartdogjerky.com

Allergic Shock in Dogs | petMD

After watching my dog Sophie try to eat several bees this weekend I started thinking about what I would do should she have "caught" one.  We have a lot of flowers planted out back and she likes to lay by them and "snap" at the bees that visit.  My friend's dog's whole face swelled up when she ate a bee once and had to be rushed the vet.

Allergic shock can happen quite quickly to a dog and so here is a great article to read about the signs and symptoms.

Allergic Shock in Dogs | petMD