July Chewy Review

We are excited to do this months Chewy review!  We opted to try a toy instead of a treat - something we haven't done before.  Of course, the pups knew it was for them the second the box arrived.

The magical mystery box...

We rate toys on four criteria in our house - chewability, durability, loonability (how crazy are they about the toy?) and longevity.  Harlow and Monty have the ability to destroy toys marked indestructable.  We tend to monitor their interactions with toys very closely - it doesn't take them long (usually 15 minutes) to turn one toy into two.

I promise not to destroy dis toy...

I plead the 5th...

Well, I don't believe them, but...

The toy we chose was a Planet Dog Glow for Good Ball.  It promised to be durable (5 out of 5 chompers), buoyant, minty and bouncy.  It'll take some time to test the durable part of their promise, but so far so good.  It does have a minty smell and it is extremely bouncy.  It is also designed to fit into their Wood Chuck ball thrower.

I couldn't get any photos of them playing with the ball, because I didn't think ahead and realize we probably needed two.  Monty and Harlow were quick to point that out.

Check your glasses, Momma.  We iz twins.

After quite a bit of scuffling Monty managed to win the ball.  He immediately took it to the couch.

My precious...  Nasty Harlowses...

After which Harlow took it to her hobbit den fortress and chewed on it for a while.

Nom nom nom

So what do we think of the Planet Dog Glow for Good ball?  Well, on our rating scale:

Chewability:  So far, it has survived 20 minutes of very vigoruous chewing without any damage.  That's a record in our house.

Loonability:  The dogs were crazy over this toy.  Huge bonus!

Durability and Longevity:  We will have to see how long it lasts!

Updated 7/21/2014 - I put this blog post together on Friday.  So far, the ball has survived well with no punctures, gouges or missing pieces.  The pups are still playing vigorously with it.  I would caution if you play with it indoors, it is extremely bouncy - we've had a few minor knick-knacks taken down through the weekend.

Thank you, Chewy, for sending us this great toy to review.  Monty and Harlow are both enjoying it!

More on Planet Dog:

Since incorporating in 1997, we have been known as the industry's leading socially responsible, values-based design house, bringing people and dogs together for fun and mutual support.

The fire in our belly is to concept, innovate and develop premium products "made for dogs, by dog lovers" all while being fully dedicated to satisfying both you and your best friend's needs.

Our mission is to amuse, explore, support, innovate, create, educate, celebrate and philanthropate... all in the name of the dog. We "romp the romp" by providing financial resources to those in need, educating consumers about canine-related issues, creating an array of non-toxic and recyclable products, and keeping the tails of "our pack" wagging.

Planet Dog’s flagship initiative is the Planet Dog Foundation. Since 2012, PDF has donated more than $800,000 in cash and product donations. Our internal mantra of "think globally, act doggedly," keeps us focused on the higher cause of why we entered this industry...wagging, drooling, sniffing, snuggling, howling, romping dogs.

Happiness in our house...

...is a new pair of wubbas....

...which pretty much equals 17 minutes of peace and quiet...  :)

September's BarkBox has arrived!

Guess what arrived?  Our September BarkBox!

Sam couldn't wait to get it open...

I love how excited our boys get when they realize this is their box!

What's in here?

Our first item - WAG Bath Wipes for Dogs!  We've been wanting to try these.

Sam saw something he wanted - a Barkworthies Pretzel!

Mine!

He didn't stay for the rest of the box, so Monty and I continued on.

We got a Zeke's Dental Chew...

Whole Life Sweet Potato Treats...

Whole Life Freeze Dried Pure Fresh Chicken...

...and a Crinkits!

Monty loves his Crinkit's.  I am now a master at getting the bottle inside - a little dish soap and you need to twist the bottle in.  It took a while but we have it figured out!

If you are interested in a BarkBox, head on over and sign up!  Please let them know we referred you - use referral code RrO6nwxTZB and you will $5 off your order of Barkboxes (and we will receive on month free). 

Monty has no toys....

If you ask Monty, he will tell you he has nothing to play with.  Since I spend most of my day picking up after him, I'd like to present "Exhibit A"...

Click on the photo to see in full size....

I think this evidence will hold up in court!

Ummm...

...I think the toys have turned on Monty...

Diet and Kong Toys

In an effort to try to make my headache's better and maybe find out what causes them, Aaron and I are going on a strict vegetable diet. As we head into Day 4, we are both doing okay. Monty, on the other hand, is in distress that all that is in the house are vegetables. He's taken to laying out in the planter box and refusing to come in.


Sam on the other hand, is happy with salad! We've noticed his weight is edging up, so this will be a good opportunity for us to trim him down.


In an effort to make it up to Monty, we bought both of the boys Kong toys. These are the first ones they have had.

Sam immediately cleaned his out, doing it from this unusual standing up position. I tried to show him it would be easier if he laid down, but he seemed quite offended by the suggestion.


Monty, however, found his Kong to be a moment of pure bliss!

That was a bad idea...

Have you ever bought your pups a toy, and realized only later that it was a bad idea?

Wal-Mart had a sale on giant tennis balls, and being a thoughtful doggy Mom, I bought both Sam and Monty each one.

Sam was happy with his, but after rolling it around for a few minutes, decided he liked tennis balls that he could carry a bit more...

Thanks, Mom, it's very nice.


Monty was overjoyed. He took one look at his ball and promptly challenged it to a fight to the death!


Thank goodness we don't have anything fragile! For a few minutes it sounded like a wild bull was loose in our house!

Monty eventually fought it to a standstill.

It's getting tired, Dad!

...and finally Monty managed to pop it! Elapsed time: 8 minutes and 34 seconds...

Here he is resting after his heroic battle!


After a quick nap he sprang into action!

Monty, is that Sam's ball you've got there?

Ummmm, no?


It didn't take as long to pop Sam's, but Monty is now the proud owner of two deflated tennis balls!

Meanwhile, back at the ranch...

With Sam's Momma still on her training trip (or vacation, judging from the reports we've been getting), it's been up to Sam and me to make sure the horses are all fed and watered each day.


Usually Sam stays home and prods me to get busy, but it seemed somewhat cooler this morning so I took him along. He inspected the entire area, chased the cat, marked a few spots he had neglected the last time, and generally enjoyed himself immensely just doing the dog thing.


Even though it was still hot for that time of the day, we decided to play a little catch before it hit three digit temps; which happens about 9:00am these days.

"Quit teasing, and throw it!"


"I'll get it!"


"Huff, huff, huff..."


"Hoo-boy, I gotta get in better shape..."


"Lemme just rest here for a minute."


"Are you kidding? Again?"


"OK, one more time!"


"C'mon, hurry up! I want to get back in the truck!"


"Oh yeah, that feels good...crank the AC alllll the way up."

Best toy ever...

I know these toys have been around forever, but I've recently found a new one for Sam. He hasn't had one since he was a puppy. I've been filling it with a little bit of dog food. He pushes it around all over the living room, and occasionally tosses it in front of him to make it bounce! When he's done, he inspects the floor to make sure he hasn't missed any. He adores it!