Best Ever Dog Treats

I have a Yorkie, which directly translates to: I have a fussy eater. Finding treats for fussy dogs is not only difficult, it's also expensive. As The Pet Store Girl, I am happy to bring to you a list of fussy-dog approved treats. 

Below you will find 5 Yorkie-Approved treats, followed by a list of some of the best treats you can find on the market. If you have any questions regarding the products I list below, feel free to comment on this post or chat with me on The Twitter at @CaptainLakie. Without further ado, let's begin!

5 Fussy Dog Approved Treats

5. Wellness Just for Puppy Treats

 

Why They're Great: These soft training treats for puppies are healthy and delicious (seriously, open the bag and the smell will tempt you to some degree). While working as a Kennel Tech and Pet Counselor, I did not have one single dog turn his nose up to these treats. I sell bags upon bags of these treats to new puppy owners.

What's Inside: These treats contain extra DHA which is excellent in eye and brain development. Just like DHA is important for children, it is also important for puppies. Not all puppy foods add extra DHA to their foods, so an extra helping of these treats supports healthy eye and brain development.

Price: $$- considering the amount of treats you get in the bag (and the fact that you should be breaking the treats into pieces anyways) means you're getting a lot of product for the 6 or so dollars you're spending.

4. Cloud Star Wag More Bark Less

 

Why They're Great: These soft treats smell like peanut butter cookie dough. They're easy to break apart, which makes them suitable for training. This product is also wheat free which lots of pet parents really like. If your dog like peanut butter, this is a great all natural treat for him to enjoy. Cloud Star also donates 10% of net profits to charities. So really you can't find a treat that does more good (for your dog and the community).

What's Inside: These treats achieve their soft and chewy texture all naturally (no chemicals!). Cloud Star products are all American, and contain no iffy ingredients from China.

Price: $$$- Cloud Star products are expensive. I wasn't sure if I wanted to spend 7 bucks on this bag of treats for my fussy Yorkie. While Clancey turned his nose up to these peanut butter treats, my friend's fussy Shiba Inu gobbled them right up.

Bonus: They're wheat free.

3. Wellness Petite Treats

 

 

 

Why They're Great: I'm a big fan of Wellness products to begin with, so I was very pleased when we started stocking their new treats at our store. Wellness Petite Treats are these teenie tiny little snacks that come in crunchy or soft. They're great for puppies and small breeds.

What's Inside: Each of these itty-bitty treats are packed with healthy all natural ingredients and loaded with antioxidants. There are two flavors for soft treats and two for crunchy. The soft treat flavors are Turkey, Pomegranate & Ginger, and Lamb, Apple & Cinnamon. Crunchy flavors are Chicken, Cherries & Spearmint, and Duck, Mango & Coconut. Don't they sound delicious? They smell damn good, I'll tell you that.

Price: $- You get over 100 treats per bag, and the price is fairly low. At around $5 per bag, your dog can try all the flavors and pick his favorite. (pssst- Clancey likes the Lamb, Apple & Cinnamon flavor). 

 

Bonus: They're grain free.

2. Pure Bites

Why They're Great: This is the world's simplest treat. It's one ingredient. It's freeze dried protein that your dog will love. Pure Bites offers a number of different flavors, including chicken breast, turkey breast, beef liver, bison liver, duck liver, white fish, and cheddar cheese. It's inevitable that some of the flavors (mostly chicken breast and duck liver) will crumble and fall to the bottom of the bag. Don't despair- use the crumbs as a topper on your dog's kibble.

What's Inside: Literally just freeze dried protein. One ingredient. That's it. Pure Bites offers a number of different proteins, which helps if your dog has protein sensitivities. Turkey, bison, and duck are excellent alternative proteins for sensitive pooches.

Price: $$$- Yeah I'll admit these treats are expensive. It's worth the cost if you have a fussy dog that won't eat anything but. I trained my Yorkie on  chicken Pure Bites.

Bonus: Cats love them too!

1. Orijen Regional Freeze Dried Treats

Why They're Great: I'm a huge fan of Orijen products for a number of reasons. Firstly, I love that the company is close to home. All of Orijen's products are sourced from Canada. Orijen's treats and foods are high in protein and contain all the goodness that your dog needs to stay healthy. These particular treats are freeze dried, so they have the most curious texture. Plus, my fussy Yorkie dog actually eats them, which is amazing in itself.

What's Inside: Orijen products are full of protein, and feature whole-prey food. So, your dog is getting all the goodness from the organs and cartilage he would eat in the wild. These treats are freeze dried, so they're fresh and all the nutrition is locked inside. They don't stink and they have a cool texture. Seriously, dogs love them. Plus, Orijen offers a number of different flavors and "singles" treats, featuring one protein (for sensitive dogs). Free run duck, Alberta wild boar, black Angus beef, and Tundra are some of the unique flavors Orijen offers.

Price: $$$- All Orijen products are pricey, but they're worth every penny. You're getting locally sourced, all natural meats that nourish your dog. 

Bonus: Cats love them too! And the texture is super fun.

Other Awesome Treats 

 

 

Wellness Core SuperFood Protein Bars

Why They're Great: Wellness Core Protein Bars are loaded with "Super Foods" and protein. These crunchy treats feature ingredients like Turkey or Bison and they're loaded with antioxidant rich foods like kale, pomegranate, and blue berries. Because my Yorkie isn't fond of crunchy treats, I haven't purchased a bag for him to try. But word on the street is these treats are delicious and dogs love them. Whoda thunk- a healthy treat that dogs genuinely want to eat. 

Cloud Star Tricky Trainers

Why They're Great: Tricky Trainers are another product by Cloud Star. These soft little bites are perfect for training because of their size. Tricky Trainers come in a number of flavors, including cheddar, liver, and bacon. They smell great and dogs love these moist, bite sized treats. 

 

Old Mother Hubbard biscuits

Why They're Great: If you have a dog that loves a good old biscuit, this is the perfect treat. Inexpensive and flavorful, Old Mother Hubbard biscuits are simple and delicious. These bone shaped cookies come in a variety of flavors, including Chicken and Apples, Liver, Bacon and Cheese, Charcoal, and Vegetarian. Old Mother Hubbard biscuits also come in a variety of sizes, so you can offer your large dog a giant cookie or your small dog a perfect bite. 

 Pet Naturals Motion-ADE MSM Chews

Why They're Great: Pet Naturals treats are high quality vet developed snacks designed to treat a number of ailments among dogs and cats. I chose to feature the Motion-ADE chews because I like that they include MSM. MSM, or Methylsulfonylmethane, is a chemical commonly used to treat arthritis and support connective tissue health. These little duck flavored chews contain MSM, so they help ease the aches and pains of old and arthritic dogs. Pet Naturals offers a wide variety of treats for both dogs and cats, so if you have a special needs pet, I encourage you to learn more about the medicated treats Pet Naturals has to offer.

The depot from hell and canned dog food

Happy Sunday, everyone! 

On Friday I announced that I was going to the doctor's for my 2nd Depot Provera injection. Let me tell you, that was the depot from hell. See, the first time I had a depot provera injection it went ok. Apart from having the intramuscular needle jabbed into my tiny little arm (mistakes were made) I didn't get very sick or anything. 

Hours after my depot yesterday, I started feeling very sick, like I had a bad flu. I went home and my mother looked at me and said that my face looked grey. I felt sick to my stomach, I was feverish, and just so blah. Not to mention my ass hurt from the needle. So I slept for most of the afternoon. Yesterday wasn't much better. I watched as five angry, swollen pimples erupted on my face. I couldn't get comfortable, I was aching, sore, irritable. My skin was ultra sensitive, I was sweaty yet cold, I had a headache, and my ass hurt. I cannot properly express how awful I've been feeling! 

Today my pimples aren't as swollen or sore (yesterday my face hurt the pimples were so bad). I still feel malaise, but not as bad as yesterday. My bleeding is persisting, and really I just feel burnt out. 

The swelling has gone down significantly, thank god.

I can't believe how miserable I've been feeling after that injection. I'm seriously upset with this depot provera. Apparently the bleeding thing is normal (December-Present----- let that sink in). I'm sure the acne thing is normal too, as per hormone treatment. But what the hell, man?? I can't catch a break.

I'm currently being a very bad girl and I'm blogging from work. I have my laptop out so I can add fancy gifs and things. 

You're welcome.

In regards to this depot from hell, I would like to tell all women that are considering this drug as treatment to RUN AWAY! But, every woman reacts to the treatment differently. Hell, even I react differently from treatment to treatment. It's not a drug that I would recommend (frankly not many women do) but it's not like I'm an expert on the whole thing. 

Here's the thing. 

Lupron is the worst drug I have ever been on. Lupron, or Leuprolide, is the heavy duty "big guns" endometriosis treatment. It's used to treat prostate cancer, and it's actually listed as a chemo drug (despite the fact that it's a hormone treatment). I did not tolerate Lupron well at all. I was physically ill the whole time I was on the treatment. I was throwing up almost every day, I was weak, my hair thinned, and my pain didn't decrease at all. This drug is bad for your bones and it's just evil, really. 

I would recommend trying depot provera before you  consider trying Lupron. Lots of women struggle while on Lupron. I was paranoid, emotionally unstable, depressed (really just more of a whack job than usual). Many women experience this, and almost all of us advise against Lupron. Try the depot provera first.

Pretty much exactly me while on Lupron:

On a completely different note, I want to share with you what I did for fun today (Sunday Funday, Right?) I mentioned a little while back that I'm working at the shop again as the Sunday girl. Today I kept busy by re-stocking all the Merricks dog food cans. I take a little too much pride in my can-stacking abilities. But look at how beautiful it is!!!

So nice and organized *high-fives self*

If you're looking for a really good, high quality canned dog food, Merrick is the way to go. They have so many different varieties, and all their canned foods are "stews." So instead of getting this pate or paste in a can, Merrick features whole ingredients. For example, Wingaling has a whole chicken wing in it, and Brauts and Tots has a whole bratwurst sausage in it. Really good food for dogs of all ages and sizes. I highly recommend Merrick's canned food.

Merrick's features fresh whole ingredients. The Wilderness Blend, for example, has Salmon, Venison, Buffalo, Yukon Gold Potatoes, Carrots, and Golden Delicious Apples. Yum!

Well, I hope this post has been educational in one way or another. Maybe you've learned something about hormone treatments. I hope at least you've learned about a fancy new dinner you can give to your dog. 

Everyone take care, and remember... 

Back at it and OW

Hello everyone!

Today is Sunday which means I'm back at my old job. I quit for a month, and now I'm back to cover all the Sunday shifts. It really isn't all that bad, some extra money in my pocket never hurts! 

Speaking of hurts, I have a big time complaint. 

I have been on my fucking period since the beginning of January (this is after bleeding off and on for the duration of December). Give me a break! This is ridiculous. I'm currently experiencing hard core back aches. Ugh I just want to lay down with my pain pills and a hot water bottle. I've said it before and I'll say it again (and again and again and again) endometriosis is an evil disease! 

Tonight I am going to my friend and former coworkers house for a sleepover. She had the idea of doing the kind of slumber party that 10 year olds would do. We're gonna make cupcakes (that's right be jealous). 

Im not gonna lie, it's weird to be back in the store. Kinda like getting back together with an ex- familiar but weird. It's already proving to be dangerous, as I've picked out a few new toys for Clancey (as if he needed any more). Wanna see? 

The jungle cat skineez is too cute to resist

Skineez and Kong make some of the cutest toys. I love that we stock a wide variety of both brands at the shop. The little ducky (a Kong product) comes with a replacement squeaker which is pretty handy. The skinnies are great because they're soft. My yorkie loves to play with them. Clancey's favorite game is tug of war so the skineez are perfect for that! And those little kitty boinks he loves. I think they feel funny in his mouth and that's why he likes chewing on them. 

Man, time is dragging on here at the store. I'm beginning to feel a bit desperate because my bleeding has been SO heavy all month. I've been at shoppers drug mart twice already to buy stupid lady products. Uhg I am so sick of this. What the fuck kind of period has the nerve to stick around for so fucking long? 

this picture is always an accurate depiction of me.

Blerg. I hope you all had a great weekend. Beware, tomorrow is Monday. 

-Captain Lakie (The Silly Mallard)

Ode to My Little Dog

Happy Sunday, people! 

Every day I am mind-fucked by how cute my dog is. Really, he's so cute, it's mind blowing. 

look at Clancey for too long and this will happen

SERIOUSLY- my dog is so flippin cute. I admire it all the time. I just look at him and I'm overcome with the warm fuzzies. 

For those who don't know, Clancey is a Yorkshire Terrier, aka Yorkie. According to me, however, Clancey is a "Wolf Kitten". 

A couple days ago, I got into a stupid little car accident, thanks to no other than the horrendous winter driving conditions of Southern Alberta. Because of blowing snow, zero visibility, and flat light, I ended up in the ditch. Apparently I jammed my face into the steering wheel because I ended up with a little cut and a bloody nose. My car was stuck in the ditch, so I had to wait for my mom to pick me up on the side of a snowy highway. When I got home, I had some blood on my hands. Wolf Kitten was very concerned and sat on my lap and licked off all the blood. 

The little guy is in bed with me right now. He's such a stress reliever, I swear. This dog can make anything better. 

I would like to dedicate this post to Clancey, my beloved yorkie dog, my loyal wolf kitten, my best friend. 

Like most animals, Clancey is very perceptive. I am chronically ill, and ever since he was a little puppy, he's known when I'm having a pain flare. When I'm feeling particularly ill, Clancey's MO is to sit on my shoulder and guard me while I'm laying down. He won't part from my side, and that to me is absolutely heart warming.

Clancey is just a little over one year old, so he's still super playful. His favorite game is tug-of-war. When we play, he has this fierce little growl that he does.

Currently, Clancey's favorite toys are the "heggies" I got him for Christmas. Heggies are super cute and awesome dog toys because of the sound they make. While most dog toys will squeak, heggies make this hilarious grunting noise. It kinda sounds like a fat congested man coughing, but cuter. For Christmas I bought Clancey a reindeer and snowman heggie. Before I quit at the shop I bought him the Gruntly the Chef heggie. 

I'm so in love with my little dog, I just had to brag about how amazing he is. What better place to do that than my blog? 

*Chewbacca noises*

That's it for tonight, folks. Hope you enjoyed this evening's Sunday Funday: Ode to my Little Dog.

-Captain Lakie

Drugs and Things

Hello, beautiful people!

I'm composing this post from my iPad, at work. I'm beginning to think that perhaps I'm a bit too productive for my own good when it comes to my job. I get all the chores and cleaning done rather quickly so I don't have anything left to do for the remained for my 8 hour shift. 

One of my more recent projects was re-marching the shop's Kong toy section. 

It's a mess, really.

As per re-merching habit, I pulled everything off the wall and started from scratch. I think I got everything nicely organized and I showcased some of the cutest toys we offer. 

Tada! It's so nice and neat now.

Kong makes some cute toys

Some of these Kong toys are absolutely adorable. Here are two of my favorites...

little squeaky jelly piggie!

Is this a koala? A Wombat?! All I know is that it's really cute and I want one.

After I finished the kong section I went on to re-merch all the cat toys. I kept busy. 

Today I strategically put away all the new cat trees and restocked our raw freezer. Now I'm left to type away at my blog amongst towers of boxes that need to be taken out for recycling at the end of the day. Such a good employee, aren't I? 

Lately my endometriosis has been acting up. Since my trip to urgent care, I've found that I've been bleeding each time I pee. It's now gotten so painful to pee that I dread using the washroom. It feels as though the right side of my pelvis is being pulled and yanked on and believe you me that's not a comfortable feeling. Unbelievable cramps ensue, though luckily don't seem to last long after my pee break. So what the hell is up? I mentioned this to my specialist, and he suspects either immense inflammation or endometriosis on the bladder are to blame. Luckily we have a course of action. Next Thursday I'll be seeing my specialist for the worst doctors appointment ever. We will be removing my IUD, administering a depot provera injection, and injecting Botox down my abdomen and on my, well...  Ahem my lady bits. DOES THIS NOT SOUND HORRIBLE?? Apparently the Botox will help with my allodynia so I'm trusting doc on this one. 

Needless to say, I will be taking a lot of pain killers prior to this appointment of death. Speaking of drugs, I've been back on the pills again, rather heavy like. My pain has been bad and I've had these horrible cramps, especially after bathroom visits. I've been taking lots of Tramadol, which sadly isn't doing too much for the pain. I need to take close to 6 tablets to get me through an 8 hour shift following a morning and afternoon of classes. That's pretty fucked up. That's a lot of narcotics. Do you know what that makes me look like??? Crazy, that's what. Or a junkie. Or both.

So high right now

This post is all over the place and for that I apologize. Before I end this post however I would like to share with you the thing that's had me excited lately. 

I'm pretty big into scrapbooking (I've spent too much money on it is really what I'm saying) and I love to give scrapbooks to my boyfriend as gifts. They're always unique and heartfelt and fun to look through. Lately I've been wanting some scrapbooks for myself, especially after my beloved Sunny passed away last week. So I finally got a scrapbooking desk all set up for myself. Castle Lakie now feels a little more homey, now that I have a room to escape to! I believe that creative outlets are important, and nothing beats the blues quite like artistic expression. I'm so stoked about my little scrapbooking space that I can't wait to work on my new project. 

Isn't it the cutest ever??? I was way too excited to start a project right away, even though I didn't have any photos for a scrapbook at the time. So I got the hamsters food jars and labeled them all fancy like. 

My hammies eat a nutritious diet of mixed fruit, seeds, nuts, and special hamster cookies

So cute right!?

I love stickers. 

That's all for today, folks. 

-Captain Lakie, the Silly Mallard

Winter is Here

Hello, Everybody. How are you guys? 

Let me tell you something. Winter has arrived in my province. Seriously. We skipped fall, and full on just launched into winter. And I'm not fibbing or exaggerating. I can prove it! 

This is a photo of my yard. In September. Early September.

See? Snow. The leaves haven't even turned yellow yet.  

We literally skipped the most beautiful time of year and just started this bullshit we call "winter". 

Seriously, what is this witchcraft? I'm a bad Canadian and I forgot to keep a snow brush in my car, so I had to use my fucking sleeve to wipe four inches of snow off my car after work yesterday. As the week went on the snow got worse and everyone in the city including the news papers were referring to this month as "Snowtember". In all honesty it looks like some tree-hating giant went through the city and just trashed all of our trees. There are branches and broken tree limbs littering the streets. ALL BECAUSE OF SNOW. FEET UPON FEET UPON FEET OF SNOW. This is why I take happy pills. 

So work at a Pet Store (thus my name, The Cranky Pet Store Girl). Because winter had reared its ugly head, it's time to start stocking up on doggie booties and coats and shit like that. Which means that I had to re-merch an entire section of the shop. It took six hours, but I'm rather pleased with the result. Allow me to share pictures because I'm proud.

I stripped this display wall of chuck-its and dog booties...

I like making messes!

Isn't it gorgeous? Doggie booties and apparel all arranged by size!

A close-up of my beautiful work. *sniff* so amazing.

It took a while for me to get the chuck-its organized to my liking.

SO MANY PRODUCTS!

Leashes and collars all arranged neatly. I win!

Among the new stock were these adorable little doggie rain coats by RC. They're seriously so cute that I had to buy one for Clancey. Of course I got him the rubber ducky one. 

I love my dog.

These rain coats are so fantastic for a number of reasons, so I can't help but share why I love them. I mean first and foremost they're adorable. They come in a number of patterns and sizes to suit any dog and owner. Here are some of the patterns that we ordered for the shop: 

 

photo from www.rcpets.com

    

photo from www.rcpets.com

photo from www.rcpets.com

Another cool feature is that they fold up into these little waterproof packets that clip right onto your leash. 
I'm pretty thrilled right now because I've been working my ass off, cleaning the shop and making it look good. I've been re-merchandising piece by piece, and recently re-did the back room and even organized our raw freezer. Now if only I could keep my own home that clean...

-Captain Lakie