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Dogs In My Life

Day 166/365: Meet Romeo the Basset Hound

May 21, 2011 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Having Fun With A Basset Hound

Thanks to my friend Julie, who suggested I take a tangent from my flower photography, I got this wonderful photo of her Basset Hound Romeo. Isn’t he a darling? Dogs with long noses pose a difficult problem in photography. The general rule is to get the eyes in focus, which I did, but then their very prominent nose is blurry.

Romeo the Basset Hound
Romeo the Basset Hound

I’ve never been too successful with pet photography it’s always been purely by luck if I get a good picture. My digital camera has a very slow shutter lag that causes me to miss the perfect shots. But, I was using my son’s Canon Rebel EOS while he was on home from the Marines.

I just LOVE this picture and it’s really becoming my favorite. The one below is pretty cute too, I caught him in mid-howl.

Romeo the Basset Hound
Romeo the Basset Hound

So how do you overcome the shutter lag? On a simple point a shoot camera you sometimes don’t have much of a choice, but on most cameras if you press the shutter button half-way down it allows the camera to focus first and prepare to shoot. I have now “inherited” my sons Canon Rebel camera and use this technique often for action photography, photo journalism, or animal photos.

Fun Facts About Basset Hounds

  1. Originated in France by French monks
  2. First brought to the United States as a gift to President Washington
  3. “Bas” means low, as in low to the ground and this made them effective hunters to track rabbits and other ground game during hunting
  4. This dog carries a dwarfism gene and they have achondroplasia, a common form of dwarfism in humans
  5. Breed and trained to hunt in packs 
  6. They did not always have droopy ears, but in the early 1900’s were crossed with bloodhounds to improve their scenting ability.
  7. Droopy ears and jowls actually help them trap the scent and amplifies the smell on the ground.
  8. Behind the origination of “hush puppies” hunters would take their fried bread and throw it to the howling dogs during hunting trips and say “Hush Puppy” (now isn’t that fun?)
  9. This also became a well-known brand of shoes “Hush Puppies” with the silent sole.
  10. The Basset Hound dog has a lifespan of 10-14 years
  11. This dogs average weight is between 50-60 lbs, they might seem small, but they are big boned and stout!

I’ve seen Romeo over the years and I should really do another photo shoot with him. He has since gained another dog companion, Zoe the Great Dane. That settles it, I’m going to go over and interview Zoe next. I hear she loves to chew couch cushions

Ree Drummond Makes Basset Hounds Popular Again

Am I sure you have heard of Ree Drummond? Or maybe you know her best as The Pioneer Woman who has created a country, cooking, photography, internet, marketing empire that surrounds her life on an Oklahoma cattle ranch. Aside from her cooking for cowboys, and writing cookbooks, she also shares the ranch with a Basset Hound named Charlie.

Charlie has gotten into the business with his own line of children’s’ books, which are adorable!!! I mean really, he’s not necessarily cow dog material, more like comic relief.

Charlie the Ranch Dog: Where’s the Bacon? (I Can Read Book 1)Charlie the Ranch Dog: Stuck in the Mud (I Can Read Book 1)Charlie and the New Baby (Charlie the Ranch Dog)Charlie the Ranch Dog

Fun Basset Hound Gifts

If you know someone who loves Bassets or has one of these lovable dogs in their life these gifts are perfect for that dog owner that has everything. I can just see Julie wearing this mask when she opens the door for Halloween or making Basset Hound cookies or doggie treats.

Westland Giftware Mwah Magnetic Basset Hounds Salt and Pepper Shaker Set, 2-1/4-InchThe Mountain Men’s Basset Hound, Brown, X-LargeBigMouth Inc Bowser Basset Hound MaskBasset Hound Cookie Cutter

I’ve seen a lot of dogs in my life and I do have to say the Basset Hound makes me smile every time. There is just something about that face and their short legs that just don’t go together.

I would love to hear about your dog, please comment below and share your favorite canine stories.

Filed Under: Dogs In My Life, Project 365 Tagged With: 365project, animals, basset hound, bassett hound, cameras, dogs, pets, photo tip, Photography, Photoshop, postaday, project365

Day 129/265: My New Car, People and Pet Friendly

April 14, 2011 by info@3QuartersToday.com

After ten years of driving Subaru Outbacks I wanted something a little bigger. You see my fiancee is over 6’4″ and an ex-defensive lineman, so a smaller car is not very comfortable. But I was spoiled by driving a Subaru which was all wheel drive.

My goal was to find a smaller domestic 4×4 SUV that got good gas mileage. I live in Nebraska, you might have seen a little of our winters, and I didn’t feel comfortable driving a 2WD. So after doing my research on www.fueleconomy.gov I decided that my decision was a Ford Escape. Isn’t she pretty?

2001 Ford Escape

I searched all over the internet for a good deal on a pre-owned car. I had a price range where I wanted to stay and expectations on mileage. Sometimes you just have to throw that out the window when you find a good deal. This 2001 Escape had just been detailed and pictures were just uploaded onto the internet when I saw it. Sometimes you just have to be in the right place at the right time.

Facts: Baxter Jeep Dodge, Omaha (ask for Kenny), 2001 Ford Escape XLS, 69,291 miles, asking $8,950

I knew from all my searches that for an Escape in that price range I wouldn’t be able to find with less than 120,000 miles. I had spent hours looking at other Escapes in the area and none were in this good of shape or as clean. But I had to bargain, and I did, hard. After several hours of deliberation we settled on $7,995.

After driving it to Des Moines the next day it got 22-24 mpg on the highway, not bad for the size vehicle. My Subaru consistently got 25 mpg.

So I drove it off the lot that night. One of the first things I did was buy a Dog Pet Barrier for the back. Although I used a Kurgo dog zip-line I didn’t want anymore dog hair in the back seat.  Below is the day I installed it and we went to the park to enjoy the sun and a good book.

Day 129: Off the the park!

 

My Favorite Dog Travel Products

Brody has ridden many miles with me back and forth to Lincoln and considering the hyper dog that he is this wouldn’t of been possible without the award-winning dog travel products from Kurgo. I highly recommend them

728x280 General Kurgo

Filed Under: Dogs In My Life, Project 365 Tagged With: 365project, Bargain, Nebraska, Omaha, pet friendly, pets, Product Review, project365

Day 125/365: Kyjen Dog Toy Test, Part 2

April 10, 2011 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Day 125: The Evil Stare

Welcome to phase two of my Kyjen dog toy test, we first reviewed the This Hard Core FireHose dog toy made by Kyjen Dog Products was the toughest match for my insane Jack Russell. Can you see the green glow to his eyes? Yes, this fabric is the same kind used to make firehoses, tough, durable, but not exactly Brody tough. It did take a few hours to breach the end, totally wore him out and he had to take a rest.

Toy testing is hard work,...

He was bound and determined that no one was going to have his toy and he guarded it well. This small dog toy is tough though. It is tightly packed with fluff, and has a squeaker at both ends. Took several hours of diligent work to get the first one out, but because the fabric is so tough Brody couldn’t tear the rest to get down the narrow opening to the last squeaker.

Can you see remnants of fluff under the couch?

Over twenty-four hours later the squeaker remained in the opposite end and just puzzled him. In a couple of days the Firehose toy did submit and give it up. You might ask what do I do with all these “dead” toys. I throw them in his basket, empty skins, chewed balls with holes and he does take them out one at a time to examine them. For example Brody still tosses his Real Squeaker Mat from Kyjen.

I’ll tell you about that one in the next edition of Brody’s Dog Toy Test.

 

Filed Under: Dogs In My Life, Project 365 Tagged With: 365project, dogs, pet & kennel supply, Photography, postaday, Product Review, project365

Day 121/365: Brody my Jack Russell, the Official Tester of Tough Squeaky Dog Toys

April 6, 2011 by info@3QuartersToday.com

I have found the MOST indestructible squeaky dog toys on the market! Seriously, chew toys your dog won't destroy. My Jack Russel is a pro at tearing toys to pieces and I have found the BEST squeaky dog toys for aggressive chewers.Toughest Toys – Squeaky Dog Toys for Aggressive Chewers

Many of you have followed my quest to find the indestructible dog toy. Specifically, a squeaky toy, my Jack Russell loves squeaky toys. So far only the toys that have past the survivability test has been his Nylabone Dura Chew and his Busy Buddy.

My postings on this adventure attracted the attention of the Kyjen Company who makes unique and innovative dog products.

They sent graciously Brody a box of challenging and definitely unique squeaky toys and I’m going to do them justice during my by documenting Brody’s experience.

Kyjen Pet Products and their tough squeaky dog toys

Outward Hound 32039 Squeaker Matz Gator 16 Squeaker Plush Squeak Toy Dog Toys, Large, GreenKyjen PP02255 Hard Boiled Softies Dog Toys Durable Rubber and Plush Squeak Toy, Large, Multicolor

The day the box arrived Brody just knew it was for him.

Seriously, it was almost like ESP and he could sense all the fun inside. I let Brody pick out of the box and the first one he picked was the Hard Boiled Softies. It honks rather than squeaks and this was different. It is a plush covering with a hard rubber “yolk” inside.

white dog playing with his dog toy
It’s a bee! It’s different!

He pushed and honked it and eventually the antennae and the wings came off. Then he went to work on the bottom part of the plush bee because he couldn’t get at the noisemaker.

After a few hours, the egg came loose from its fabric. I was very impressed with the thick rubber construction. Since it was a very large size it was more difficult to puncture.

Dog toys in my house get destroyed
Got it loose!

After the egg was out of the “shell” Brody played and bounced it around all night.

What? All night, a toy actually lasted all night? This is a first!

The squeaker stayed in the egg even. It wasn’t until the next day the squeaker became dislodged and disappeared inside the dog toy cavity. I fully expected it then to be chewed into many pieces. Nope.

A week later I’m using the egg as a treat toy. I break up his dog bones into three pieces and put them inside. It’s a perfect size the egg is large enough in diameter to encourage some serious chewing and tossing to get them out.

This next phase of toy play will last him hours if I keep the treat pieces large enough.

I have put the egg back in it’s shell a few times, but it’s chewed up enough where it doesn’t stay. But I’m impressed.

As you can see from the video Brody really loves his toys, small toys are a challenge to play interactively with him as he plays keep away. Next review is a toy that is the perfect size in my opinion, maybe if they merged the two together?

Thank You Kyjen!

I have found the MOST indestructible squeaky dog toys on the market! Seriously, chew toys your dog won't destroy. My Jack Russel is a pro at tearing toys to pieces and I have found the BEST squeaky dog toys for aggressive chewers.PetSafe Dog Toys the BEST tough dog toys for aggressive chewers

In my years of buying and testing dog toys, I’ve learned that the Petsafe dog toys are really TOUGH dog chew toys and the BEST on the market.

Here are my favorite dog toys that meet the tough, and fit into the truly indestructible category. PetSafe makes super quality dog toys and the Busy Buddy was Brody’s first toy, my request, or wish, they make a tough durable squeaker came true and the Booya is what every dog toy should be like in the future.

PetSafe Busy Buddy Waggle Dog Toy, Medium/LargePetSafe Busy Buddy Waggle Dog Toy, Medium/LargeBusy Buddy Squeak N Treat Booya Dog Toy LargeBusy Buddy Squeak N Treat Booya Dog Toy LargePetSafe Busy Buddy Barnacle Dog Toy, LargePetSafe Busy Buddy Barnacle Dog Toy, LargePetSafe/Premier Busy Buddy SQUIRREL DUDE Dog Treat Chew Toy LargePetSafe/Premier Busy Buddy SQUIRREL DUDE Dog Treat Chew Toy Large

If you’re looking for GUARANTEED indestructible dog toys these are your best bet, but you may have a dog that is a super aggressive chewer and these still won’t last. One tip is to get one size larger than recommended.

Filed Under: Dogs In My Life, Project 365 Tagged With: 365project, dog toys, dogs, jack russell, pet products, pets, Product Review, project365, toughest toys dog toys, toys dog toys, videos

Day 116/365: Mighty Dog Ball

April 2, 2011 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Searching for Tough Dog Toys

Brody my Jack Russel is at it again, testing tough dog toys. He loves this job. I on the other hand am getting tired of toys only lasting a few hours. Tried something a little different this time, The Mighty Dog Ball. This particular squeaky toy from MyDogToy.com had a hard rubber interior, no fluff. As usual Brody loved the ball, pushing on it making it squeak, chewing on it until the fabric was soggy.

tough dog toys
Day 116: Dog Toy testing

That novelty lasted thirty minutes until his tooth punctured the fabric, then the tugging began. Within ten minutes the fabric was off. The ball inside would have been a good option for an additional play toy, if it were tougher, like  Kong tough. (Kong toys are the only ones he can’t destroy).Back to the Mighty Dog Ball. He found the little squeaky device and purposely extracted the offending noise, then chewed it to bits. Time. one hour fifteen minutes. Not really worth the money if you have a toy destroyer in your house.

Due to my frequent posting about my dog toy experiment, the Kyjen Dog Toy Company and Brody’s amazing destructive ability, they sent him (and me) a whole box of toys to test and review.

Here is part one and part two of the Kyjen Dog Toy review

Dog Toy UPDATE:

Since I posted this several years ago I have been through hundreds of dollars of pet toys. I basically gave up and would just get a stuffed animal from the thrift store for fifty cents and let attack and destroy.

BUT, I did find an indestructible squeaky toy. Not only has it lasted months, but it still drives him crazy and keeps his interest. It’s the Booya Squeak and Treat.

Dog Toys for Aggressive Chewers

Below are some of the tougher dog toys that I have found. The Kong is tough, but doesn’t squeak, although if you have a food motivated pup it will keep them happy for hours. So far the PetSafe dog toys are the best so far for longevity. My Boxer isn’t a chewer and she loves the Kyjen Squeaker Mats, as far as tough dog toys, it’s tough enough for her.

Busy Buddy Squeak N Treat Booya Dog Toy LargeRealtree Waggle Dog Toy, Medium/LargeKyjen PP01379 Squeaker Mat Squirrel 16-Squeaker Plush Squeak Toy Dog Toys, Squirrel, LargeWest Paw Design Zogoflex Tux Guaranteed Tough Treat Stuffable Dog Chew Toy, TangerineTuffy Ultimates Ring Dog Toy, Red PawsKong PB2 Bounzer Medium

Filed Under: Dogs In My Life, Project 365 Tagged With: 365project, dog balls, dogs, pets, postaday, project365, tough dog toys

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