animals

Finally Found an Indestructible Squeaky Dog Toy!

February 22, 2015 by info@3QuartersToday.com

PetSafe Squeak N Treat Booya

I am so excited! For more than ten years I have been trying to find indestructible squeaky toys for my dog Brody, a Jack Russell terrier.

Seriously, there is a basket of defluffed dog toys sitting in my living room as evidene. He can tear apart hundreds of dollars of squeaky plush dog toys within minutes.

There are remnants of dog toy fluff under the couch right now. If the toy contains a squeaker it will get destroyed.

Pet companies sent boxes of samples for testing. No luck. Some were canvas dog toys made of fire hydrant material. Brody is more persistent than a tiger with his squeaky toys. Don’t believe the tiger test.

Most tough dog toys designed for strong chewers normally don’t have squeakers. So unless I could put food inside he soon lost interest.

Chew Toys for Agressive Chewers

The best dog toy I have ever found, up to this point, is the Busy Buddy bone, which I bought shortly after I brought Brody home (he was a rescue). BUT, it doesn’t squeak.

Even after ten years of chewing and being left in the backyard the Busy Buddy survives. It takes hundreds of hours of abuse and survives.

Squeaky Dog Toys for Aggressive Chewers

I always wanted Petsafe Pet Products to release a squeaky dog toy with this material and they HAVE!!

Indestructible Dog Toy Search for large breed dogs — Indestructible Dog Toy Search

My husband and I went to Bass Pro Shop, and displayed on an end cap at the front of the store were PetSafe dog toys.

Look what I found! The first treat dispensing dog toy that squeaks.

Brody has been chewing on it for six hours (update 2 years) and it barely is scratched!

My Jack Russell is a small to medium dog but I get him larger toys so it was the large sized Booya toy for him.

On the scale of chew intensity Brody is extreme and can easily squeeze the rubber to make it squeak. He is a little bit obsessed with it and I don’t expect the behavior to change.

I’m going to have to get two or three they are that good. My Boxer just has to wait her turn, or begs me to take it away from Brody.

The rubber is infused with a vanilla scent, much like the bacon infused Nylabone he loves.

Here is the VIDEO of Brody chewing on his Booya dog toy. This dog toy is amazing and puts all the others to shame.

I have filled it a couple times with treats for Leah (the Boxer) because although she is bigger. She doesn’t have the “chew and destroy” drive of the terrier. With full confidence I can say this is an indestructible squeaky toy for dogs of all kinds of dogs.

Where to find an Indestructible Squeaky Toy

If your favorite pet store (or Bass ProShop) doesn’t carry the Busy Buddy Booya the head on over Amazon, they have everything. Premier-Pet Products has a whole line of indestructible dog toys, they are also the makers of the Gentle Leader dog harness that stopped Brody from pulling on his leash.

PetSafe Dog Toys

Hands down PetSafe dog toys are the best dogs toys for chewers!

What are the best dog toys for chewers survive your persistent canine?

Patriotic Horses at the County Fair

August 10, 2014 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Patriotic Horse Stole My Heart

The social event of the year in many rural communities is the county fair and in Cass County Nebraska this is no exception. Saturday night at the horse arena is the 4-H Horse fun event which includes a costume contest, ribbon ride, egg and spoon, and sit-a-buck. This painted patriotic horse was my favorite horse of the night and I had to get more of their story.

So meet Willy, the Red, White, and Blue horse and his little owner Courtney. This is what 4-H, friends, family, and the fair is all about, fun, smiles and horsing around, literally. According to her Mom, Micki, Courtney couldn’t decide how to decorate Willy for the costume contest, Pegasus was the first idea, but the thought of trying to create wings and attach them to the horse was just too challenging.

Tail Tamers PPNTS-TURQ Pony Paints Grooming Chalk for Horses, Turquoise Jacks Twinkle Mane & Tail Glitter Gel 4 oz Tube Horse Paint Parade Costume Paint Fun Color Sparkles (Pink)

Patriotic Horse Costume — A girl and her horse (photo by Mom)

Courtney’s Dad was in the Air Force, and still works at Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue Nebraska, so when her Mom saw this idea on line Courtney was very excited. Her friend didn’t have a horse to decorate so they went together as a team, one painted the stars and the other the red and white stripes.

They decided the opposite side should say “God Bless America” and tie red, white, and blue ribbons in WIlly’s mane and tail. The red leg wraps gave the whole presentation a patriotic “pop” and although they didn’t win, they turned some heads and made more than a few people smile.

American Flag Star Equine Body Bling Derby Originals Nylon Patriotic Horse Headstall & Breast Collar Set Full Size

These girls have quite a number of years showing ahead and I can’t wait to see what they come up with next year. Fun night is held the last night of the fair after all the “serious” show competitions and events. It’s time to unwind and have some fun. Thank you Micki for texting me pictures from earlier in the evening. By the time I got to the arena Willy’s paint was starting to rub off from the saddle and reins. I love watching the 4-H horse kids. I was a horse crazy when I was a kid and rode my bike into the country just to look at horses. Even though I didn’t own a horse, I joined 4-H and “borrowed” horses from club members, my first was a Quarter horse mare, Wimpy’s Kelly. I entered a few shows, but never really learned to “ride” and get a “seat” until college when a friend and I exercised roping horses at the local stable one summer.

The Soul of a Horse: Life Lessons from the Herd Riding Lessons: Everything That Matters in Life I Learned from Horses

Riding 3-4 horses a day taught you more in one day than a months worth of lessons. We even borrowed a cowboys horses an brought them to school one semester. When I became an adult and bought an acreage buying a horse was the first thing I did, her name was Tomcat Pat and she was a feisty energetic barrel and poles horse that loved to go trail riding. I was lucky enough to have her until she died at age 32, wish she were still around.

Patriotic Horse Costume Ideas and Resources

The Patriotic Horse – Stayton (Oregon) Daily Photo

Patriotic horse is patriotic. Or it’s just a coincidence it’s standing next to an American flag. Or is it? Yes, it is. Or not. This photo was taken along Sublimity Rd. SE, just outside of nearby Sublimity. In other news… Tomorrow is the …

Patriotic Horse Wear | Velvet Rider

Patriotic Horse Wear. July 3, 2014. Bookmark and Share. In honor of Independence Day, I decided to do a post on equestrian gear that celebrates our patriotism. There are options from subtle red, white, and blue to obvious flag references.

Patriotic Plume Browbands, Saddle Blankets and Rein Covers

WishPony.com to order your patriotic horse costume today! If placing custom orders for 4th of July (2011): Order by 5PM PST Wednesday June 15, 2011 for Standard Service Time and delivery by Saturday, July 2, 2011.

Face to Face with a Charolais Bull

June 24, 2014 by info@3QuartersToday.com

You don’t see Charolais cattle very often, but when you do, they are impressive. Most beef breeds are crossed with Angus for that desirable black color.

On my recent trip to Western Nebraska a Charolais bull got into my father in laws pasture with some other cows. He obviously thought me and my camera were worth checking out.

Don’t worry, I stayed in my car and it was with the help of my 70-200mm Tamron lens that I was able to get an up close and personal portrait of this great animal. Isn’t he magnificent?

I’ve often told people I don’t take pictures of people or animals. Landscapes are more my style. But once in a while , find a subject who is patient and this bovine posed quite nicely in the evening golden hour sun.

Charolais are a popular breed in Colorado due to their strong legs on open range and the mountains. We saw several cross breeds on our Colorado trip a few years ago and quite a few Charolais bulls out in the pastures.

Facts about Charolais Cattle (source Oklahoma State Breeds website)

Originated in southern France and legend has it white cattle were noticed in the region as early as 878 AD
Were used for milk, meat and draft animals.
Know for large bone and power with a superior mothering and milking ability.
Introduced into the United States after the First World War by Jean Pugibet.
First bulls imported through Mexico to the King Ranch. Their names were Neptune and Ortolan.
Influenced the American cattle industry by introducing size and a larger frame than the typical British breeds of the time (Herefords)
Charolais are white or creamy white in color and bulls weigh from 2,000 lbs to over 2,500 lbs with cows weighing between 1,200-2,000 lbs.

Information about Breeds of Cattle

A Field Guide to Cows: How to Identify and Appreciate America’s 52 Cattle: A Handbook to the Breeds of the World Raising Beef Cattle For Dummies Know Your Cows The Backyard Homestead Guide to Raising Farm Animals: Choose the Best Breeds Small Cattle for Small Farms (Landlinks Press)

Silent Sunday #21

February 3, 2013 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Funny and Humorous Books For Photographers

December 4, 2012 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Photography isn’t always serious. To me it’s a way to relax and have fun. To a professional photographer just being able to to laugh at themselves or the industry is almost a necessity, or else they would go crazy.You need to have a little fun with photography, that’s why most of us got into it to begin with.

So what is a camera buff do when they don’t have a camera in their hands? Read about photography, and not just serious technical stuff either, sometimes it’s just having fun again. Here are my favorite photography books. Keep these in mind for Christmas, a birthday, Mothers Day, anniversary, or just any time is perfect to give a gift to someone you love.

Fun With Photography — **BUY on AMAZON**

What the Duck: I’ve been reading this comic online for quite sometime and it’s well worth having on the coffee table. If you haven’t gotten enough of the first book try adding What the Duck, Rule of Nerds to the collection.

What the Duck: A W.T. Duck Collection What the Duck, Rule of Nerds

Awkward Family Photos: This series has gone viral and taken the industry by storm. What poses, props, and settings we once thought were cute have now become a bad joke. Really good for a laugh. There are now Awkward Family calenders, games, and even puzzles. But the puzzle might be stretching it a bit. The partner to the Awkward Famy Photos is the Awkward Pet Photos just as funny and we wonder why our kids grow up weird and our pets look at us funny.

Awkward Family Photos Awkward Family Pet Photos

PhotoJojo: Now it’s time to get off the couch and actually create some unique and funny photos. This book is full of DIY (do it yourself) photo projects that will keep anyone busy for the afternoon. Even the dog. Is that a camera cam on his head? Photocrafts have become very popular and another alternative in displaying your photos. The ease of digital photography has opened up a wide range of paper crafts for weddings, graduations and parties.

Photojojo!: Insanely Great Photo Projects and DIY Photo Craft: Creative Mixed Media and Digital Approaches

I Can Has Cheeszeburger: Now it’s the cats turn. Why is it cats are so amusing in posed photos? Maybe because they can be posed and propped with everything from beer cans to books and everything in between. Dogs won’t do that, that’s why they wear the video cam on their head (see above). If cats were to wear a video cam it would be VERY boring.

I Can Has Cheezburger?: A LOLcat Colleckshun How to Take Over Teh Wurld: A LOLcat

Photography doesn’t need to be serious, it’s photos like these that have created great internet memes and made some people millionaires. Think of Grumpy Cat. Someone had to take a photo of him. You never know, maybe you’ll be the next internet sensation.

The Grumpy Guide to Life: Observations from Grumpy Grumpy Cat: A Grumpy Book

More Fun With Photog

More Fun With Photography

Living out dreams through the lens

Until then, Jennings plans to keep having fun with photography and working on a couple projects for Empty Planet Productions. “I love photography because I love capturing people’s memories, showing it to them and flipping their perspective. I also want …

Photographs Are No Longer Things, They’re Experiences

It’s the first time I’ve seen you have fun with photography and laughing while you take pictures.” The second thing I said was, “The images you were making weren’t documents; they weren’t for record. They were just a stream; just an experiential process.”.

Photojojo: Small Business, Big Fun

“We’re a company devoted to helping people have more fun with photography,” Gupta said as he sat in his office, artfully decorated with 4-by-6 photo prints. A poster hanging on one powder-blue wall reads: “Work Hard and Be Nice to People.” Gupta says …

How to have fun with photography at your wedding

Weddings are a special time. You’ll want to look back on the celebrations for years to come. With the advancement of technology and the trends for DIY-style and themed weddings, there’s so much more on offer to help you reminisce than the standard …