*This summer shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #PawsToSavor #CollectiveBias
If it wasn’t bad enough that, we have one child in our home that is a picky eater now for some time. But we also have another member of our home, who also is fussy during meal-times.
See those that read this blog know we have a pet dog, Elsa. She recently celebrated her 2nd birthday this spring. Also, she has become a part of our family since having first brought her home back in June 2014 to live with us.
While still a puppy, Elsa pretty much ate whatever was put in her dog bowl and devoured it.
Now that she is technically no longer a puppy and over 2 years old, we have noticed her appetite has changed. See what she once liked to eat in those early days has also been switched to an adult formula. However since changing to an adult blend, we have been having trouble finding a brand that she enjoys as she did in those early puppy days.
As I shared in past articles, we shop for most of our pet food and supplies at PetSmart.
So off to PetSmart, we recently went . There we were trying to find a better meal time alternative for Elsa that she could once again enjoy.
At PetSmart, we sought out the opinion of one of their long time employees. We have known this person since her early puppy days. Therefore, we trust his opinion about food options that might be a better fit for Elsa.
That is when we were introduced to Purina® Pro Plan® Savor Shredded Blend.
But why Purina® Pro Plan® Savor Shredded Blend?
See many dry dog foods only contain crunch kibble bits. However Purina® Pro Plan® Savor Shredded Blend not only has crunchy kibble, but also includes tender shredded pieces for a taste and texture dogs just can’t help, but love.
See it is high-quality nutrition with a taste that dogs will absolutely love by satisfying every dog, from picky eaters, like our Elsa to dogs who crave a sensational mealtime experience. But the Savor® Shredded Blend Formulas are made with real poultry, meat or fish as the #1 ingredient in all dry formula. By the way, they are also available in a variety of dry and wet foods, as well as snacks and meal enhancements that will satisfy all taste preferences.
Plus Purina® Pro Plan® Dog Food is 100% Complete & Balanced Nutrition for each life stage. Also, it has optimal levels of protein and fat to help all dogs maintain an ideal body condition. Plus, their carefully adjusted formulas mean your dog is getting exactly the nutrition he/she needs.
The goal of Purina® Pro Plan® is to give all dogs the nutrition to be their absolute best. Also they hope they can savor the moment of Summer specifically right now.
Thankfully, Elsa seems to happily love Purina® Pro Plan® Savor Shredded Blend. Also, we couldn’t be more thankful to find dog food that not only does she like to eat, but that is also good for her.
So in the spirit of Summer finally being upon us and making this time of the year extra special for Elsa and all her doggy friends, I thought I’d share…
5 Must-Haves for A Dog’s Perfect Summer
1. Portable Water Bottle – Warmer temperatures mean that doggies need to a reason to stay extra cool and hydrated. So making sure to have a portable water bottle on hand at all times is a great way to do just that for them.
2. Freezable Dog Toy – It is indeed warm and steamy outside, even though dogs will still like to play. Then, what better way to get to have some outdoor fun than playing with a cold, freezable chew toy.
3. Doggie Sunscreen Wipes – Because even dogs need protection from the sun. Dog sunscreen wipes provide the fastest, most convenient way to protect your dog from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays whenever they’re outdoors.
4. Water Proof Collar – Yes, doggies like to get wet and play in water activities too in the warm weather. So get a collar that is made from incredibly strong coated polyester. It should be durable waterproof material, which is also easy to clean.
5. Treats – This is a no brainer. Why? Doggies, who are outdoors playing, will still want to have some treats now and again.
An easy way to keep track is to carry and to hold all of the above doggie must-haves. So, a simple way to do this is to make your own DIY Summer Tote. Take a look below at the summer craft my own young daughters helped me with. This one was not only very easy and simple to make. But also quite fun to put together on a summer vacation day for the whole family.
DIY Doggie Summer Tote
Supplies:
Instructions:
- On your tote, use the above supplies to decorate.
- Enjoy! Now, have fun jazzing up your tote to create your own Doggie Summer Tote.
Want to try Purina® Pro Plan®?
If you do and SPEND $15 on any Purina® Pro Plan® product, 5/31–7/5, you can SAVE $15 on your next purchase of 10.5-lbs. or larger Purina® Pro Plan® Dry Cat or Dog Food or Litter by 7/31.
Meredith says
Oh my goodness! Your dog is so cute, my heart is melting! Love her! And super tips–I had no idea about the sunscreen wipes. Genius! Fun tote idea too!
Janine says
Aw, thank you so much Meredith and truly appreciate your kind words and your shares, too always!! <3
Diane Roark says
Janine,
I love the freezable dog toy idea. I have two pets including a lab that still like to play like she was a puppy. She loves chewing and eating ice. I know she would love freezable toys.
I cannot wait to find her some.
Thanks,
Diane
Janine says
Aw, hope you find soon for her and she has a great summer, too now!! 🙂
Seana Turner says
Oh, this makes me miss my little doggie! I love the freezable chewy toy idea, and I would add in addition to the water bottle, have a dish to pour the water into (especially if you have a little dog.) Everybody needs to stay hydrated, just as you said! Dogs feel the heat too, especially with all that extra fur.
Janine says
Great addition to this Seana and you are so right dogs definitely do feel the heat. Thanks again for sharing!!!
William Holland says
We have one on death’s door and another not far behind. After that no more dogs for us.
And with that I’ll wish you a HAPPY TUESDAY, Janine!
Janine says
Aw, so sorry to hear that Bill, but still am also wishing you a Happy Tuesday now, too!!
Tamara says
Aww.. Elsa!
I have to say, I have never heard of the doggie sunscreen wipes but I’m completely intrigued.
And Athena doesn’t love her food right now so maybe it’s time for a switch.
Janine says
Athena and Elsa would get along famously it sounds like over the picky food moments and I loved finding that they make doggie sunscreen wipes, too!! 🙂
Amanda || Growing Up Madison says
My dogs are really picky too but they eat a different brand of dog food which took me almost forever for them to like. They’re still technically puppies although Bentley will be 1 in July and Ella 1 in September. Maybe I can try this the next time I’m in need of a new brand of dog food. BTW I am going to have to try to make that tote.
Janine says
I hope you can try this and they do have for the puppy stage, too. And I do think Madison would love to try to make this bag with you if you can try to make soon, as well!! 🙂
Sheila qualls says
We recently got a dog//last fall. We have not had him through a summer yet, so thanks for the tips!!
Janine says
So happy to share our tips and hope you can use a few with your dog, too now Sheila!! 🙂
Chris Carter says
Those are some great tips, Janine! We don’t have a dog, but yours is SO precious! Where do you apply sunscreen on dogs? You got me curious!
Janine says
Thanks Chris and I usually just apply to her face and lightly over her coat 😉
Kathy Radigan says
We don’t have a dog, but both my sisters do so I will send them your great ideas! Thanks! And I can’t get over how big your fur baby got!!!! That went so fast!! xo
Janine says
Thanks again so much Kathy and glad you can pass onto your sisters. And I know did go so fast already xoxo 🙂
Jenna Wood says
I love the idea to make a tote- we also make cooling bandanas, as the SoCal heat can get overwhelming! Staying hydrated is a challenge for the entire family during the Summer! #client
Janine says
I couldn’t agree more with you about staying hydrated and thanks again Jenna!! 🙂
Carrie Groneman says
What an adorable puppy you have Janine! My mom and my son and daughter-in-law have dogs, so I will definitely have to pass this awesome tips onto them. These are fabulous ideas of how to keep them happy for sure!
Janine says
Aw, thank you so much Carrie and happy you can share with your mom, son and daughter-in-law, too!! 🙂
Nellie says
I’m not even into dogs, but ELSA is the cutest ever!! I think this is the most we’ve ever seen her 🙂 So pretty!!
Janine says
Thank you again, Nellie and loved getting to share more of Elsa here today with you!! 🙂
Cynthia says
You know I am a dog-lover. Hehe. Had to come by and say hi! It’s the end of the year and we have a field trip and end-of-grade testing this week, plus a parent night on Thursday. Yes…this is why I haven’t been blogging as much. Eeep! But I have a special side project I’m working on and I’ll share on my next blog post – which likely won’t be until next Sunday or Monday. There’s a reason! Hehe.
Hope you and yours had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend! xox
Janine says
Aw, now you got me very curious and excited to see your next blog post. But still hoping the rest of your week goes smoothly and quickly as you are finishing up. Also, hope your Memorial Day weekend was a good one and sending many hugs to you now!! xoxo 😉
Aunt Gloria says
I can’t believe Elsa is 2 years old! She is very sweet. Glad you found food that she will eat …. that solves a big problem! And I love the self-made tote! What a great idea and a fun activity for the kids. Hope this week and month moves along smoothly and you manage all the activities without too much stress. Keep taking deep breaths! Love….
Janine says
Thanks Aunt Gloria will keep breathing deeply as much as I can now xoxo 😉
Jen says
Oh your Elsa is such a sweetie! I had no idea there were sunscreen wipes for dogs or waterproof collars! Both are brilliant! Our four legged friends definitely deserve to be taken care of during those hot summer months! Thanks for the great ideas 🙂
Janine says
Thank you so much, Jen for saying that and again so happy to share here with you always!! 🙂
Debbie says
Hi Janine, what an adorable looking dog Elsa is. We do feed our dogs ProPlan, but don’t get the Savor version (which sounds like it would go down a treat with our dogs).
I love the sound of a freezable toy, the dogs enjoy ice cubes in the summer, so I’m sure they would like a cold chewy toy. And I have never heard of sunscreen for dogs, sounds like a good idea for those exposed bits.
xx
Janine says
Thanks so much Debbie and the Savor version seems to be the trick so far with Elsa, so just so happy we found something that she likes and enjoys finally once again. Hope you can also try the frozen toys and sunscreen, too for your dogs, as well 🙂
Jack says
Love the pictures of Elsa.
Janine says
Thank you so much, Jack!! 😉
Bev says
They have sunscreen for dogs? Who knew.
What a cutie Elsa is — she got so big!
Janine says
Aw, thanks so much, Bev!! 😉
Maria says
Great tips, Janine! We’re thinking about adopting a dog soon, so these tips came just in time. Very practical and so informative (never knew dogs needed sunscreen too). Thanks so much for sharing this on #shinebloghop!
Janine says
Very happy to share and so excited for you getting a new dog soon. Cannot wait to hear all about this now when you do!! 🙂
Kristi Campbell says
OMG I miss my dog so much. I can’t believe it’s been 2 years since you got Elsa!!! TIME FLIES! I remember when you first brought her home. Today, we’re just guinea pigging it, but oh wow, I think I’m ready for a dog again. Thanks for this, Janine.
Janine says
You are so welcome and not going to lie in two year’s time, I would now be lost without Elsa in all honesty!!
Leslie says
What a cute dog! I might just have to make one of those totes for my sister’s golden doodle. And why don’t we get sunscreen wipes, too? That would be awesome for my kids.
Janine says
Aw, hope you do get to make for your sister’s golden doodle and your kids get to help as my girls had so much fun helping me with this one 🙂
Rea says
Aww, I LOVE that summer tote! Totally dog friendly! 🙂 Hope you all have an amazing summer with Elsa as our summer is already ending here.
Janine says
Thanks Rea and we are just beginning, but hope it doesn’t go too fast still!
Michelle | A Dish of Daily Life says
Our dogs LOVE Purina Pro Plan. I’ve never given them that formula though. I feed the two older ones Bright Minds. I’ll have to check that out for our younger pup. Elsa’s so big now! She looks so sweet!
Janine says
I think I do remember you sharing about Bright Minds on your blog in the past and I had almost forgotten that. But Purina really does make a great dog food and am highly impressed here now since giving this food to Elsa 😉
Katherines Corner says
I just wrote don sunscreen wipes for our sweet Izzy. Great post as always my lovely friend xo
Janine says
Aw, thanks Katie and so glad you are going to get these wipes for Izzy, too!! 🙂