Fat Cat Dog Toys

We also received some FatCat dog toys and put them to the test with Kite!  The first one we tested was the FatCat Flip Flop Yanker which FatCat describe as their ultimate tug toy which can withstand up to 1/2 a ton of dog tugging with it.  This is able to withstand the force due to a a tightly woven nylon belt inside the toy.  I have to admit that the dogs weren't that keen on this, they love to tug but the toy is quite flat and wide so am not sure they found it that easy to grip.  They love their rope and fleece tugs and when you think about it they are chunkier and not as wide so they are perhaps easier to grip.  It is very strong though and you can't hear it ripping at all when they do tug, unlike some fleece tuggies etc. 

Our other toy we tested was the Fat Cat Mini Puppy Teether.  I liked the look of this toy (even though it means she ends up chewing a cat lol) - it is bright and colourful with soft rubber front paws, a soft fluffy tummy and soft body.  Kite is 10 weeks old now and isn't keen on chewing anything hard so she loves this.  She can chew the nice soft rubber or the material.  So far she has shredded the label on the toy but not ruined any of the body of the toy (yet!)  This toy is a favourite, she shakes it round and enjoys whacking herself round the head with the floppy legs of the toy.  She also likes to sit down and give it a good chew of course!  It has become a firm favourite and I would recommend this to any puppy owners :)

Fat Cat Looney Loops

We were sent these cat toys from Generation Pets so I thought I would put them to the test.  The best way to describe them is coils of really thin plastic.  They came in a pack of three toys.

The video speaks for itself really, Shady loved these toys.  He loves to chase and bat them and he loves to fetch them too.  I wouldn't have ever thought about buying these as the packaging doesn't make the appear overly exciting, but Shady is going mad for them!  Here is the direct link to them - £2.99 for three and hours of fun!

Happy Valentines Day!

Whatever you are doing this Valentines Day, we all wish you lots of love :) 

VicksTricks Challenge

In Britmum's #VicksTricks Challenge, they want to know what we do with our children to make them feel better when they are unwell, as well as how our parents soothed and entertained us during cold and flu season when we were young.  

Whenever I hear the word Vicks it conjours up memories of Vaporub and the smell, it brings my senses to life and I can remember feeling soothed and able to breathe again.  We have done fairly well this year so far and have (touch wood) avoided all the colds and coughs going round!  However our #VicksTricks are as follows:

• Lots of Vicks Vaporub on the chest.
• Warm, comforting tomato soup
• A cosy blanket on the settee, cuddled up together watching a Disney film.
• Warm glass of milk with my daughter's favourite treat - marshmallows!  She doesn't like hot chocolate so just plain milk! 
• Early night with a nice story and cuddles in bed.

She doesn't like medicine, it makes her heave, she cannot stand the sweet sickly taste so Calpol/Nurofen is never an option in our house.  Therefore we have to come up with non-medicinal ways to take her mind off her cold.  She loves magic and Vicks have come up with a series of #VicksTricks magic videos, here is our favourite one:
 

The Facts
Vicks consumer research shows the following most common at home remedies:

• 52% of parents said that rest was the most important thing for making children feel better

• 40% relied on medicine

• 36% believed in the power of TLC

And when it comes to keeping children entertained: 

• 75% of British parents put on the TV or a DVD

• 27% read to their children

• 8% tell jokes 2% that do magic tricks
• 2% that do magic tricks

Family Psychologist Corinne Sweet highlights that “one of the most powerful antidotes to sickness developing further, is parental care and concern.”  Corinne advises that “listening to a story or watching a film is a good idea, as it is soothing and promotes laughter (an immune booster). But don’t let them play video games, watch scary films or spend hours on screens. This will keep their minds over-stimulated, when their immune systems need gentler stimulation and rest.”

 
This is my entry for the #VicksTricks challenge in association with Vicks and BritMums. As a thank you for taking part we were sent a story book, finger puppets and Vicks First Defence to try.

Henry Wag Elevated Dog Bed Review

Our house is tiled throughout the downstairs as we have underfloor heating. I never thought of the impact it would have on the dog, Rum was getting really hot lying directly on the floor so we bought him a Maelson raised bed.  We were looking for another bed for Kite and noticed the Henry Wag looked a similar product so we thought we would try that instead.

With these beds you pay for quality. The bed is on a sturdy frame and has a hard base so it doesn't sag when the dog sits on it. Some of the cheaper beds really sag and you hear about a lot of dogs that don't like them because they feel unstable to the dog. I also don't think it's a good idea for them to sleep on something that doesn't give them support.

The Henry Wag bed comes in pieces so you have to put it together yourself but it does mean you can take it apart if you need to wash it or transport it somwwhere. It was quick and easy to put together, the only trouble I had was getting the wooden board into the base as there is a slim piece of foam that ruckles up when you push the board in and if you try to hold it you can tear it easily. I found that if you pull the foam out just an inch or so that the board doesn't ruckle it up and the last bit just pushes in nicely with the board.

The bed itself is fab, I love it, it is so sturdy and the frame is slighty smaller than my Maelson (even though the bed area is similar) so it means it doesn't take up so much room and can be pushed against the wall better.

Another benefit is the front lip on it which means it has 4 strong sides which keep the bed material in place. I find the material on the maelson slides back over time and you have to keep pulling it forward as it doesnt have the front lip to pull the material tight like the Henry Wag does.

You can use the bed without putting anything in it, I personally like just to put a piece of vet bed on the bottom as it is easier to pick up and wash.  I like the design of the bed as it looks smart in the home, I also like the neutral grey colour which matches any interior and looks classy.  In my case it helps keep the dogs cool, raising them up off a hot floor however in a lot of cases it will work the opposite and raise the dog up off a cold floor which is a lot better for their joints and stops the bed getting damp.  I really would recommend this bed, it is my favourite yet!

I have not been paid for this post, however I received the bed in order to review. I have editorial control and retain full editorial integrity.

Introducing Kite - Starrytails Catch the Wind

 

Our new member in the family is Kite, she is a miniature american shepherd. You are probably thinking what is one of those? Mini Americans were originally mini australian shepherds as they are australian shephers but are bred smaller. The breed standard states should be 13"-18" whereas the australian shepherd is 18"-23". 

Kite was one of the biggest and heaviest pups in the litter so may well measure towards the top end but that doesn't bother me as I loved her chunky aussie look, some are quite fine and am not keen as it was the chunky aussie I originally liked but always found them a bit big.

She has settled in well and is so confident but not over confident so it is nice. 

 Here she was at 3 weeks and 5 weeks :)

 

Bayliss & Harding for Valentines or Mothers Day

I received some products from Bayliss & Harding to review in the run up to Valentines Day & Mothers Day.

Both products are from their La Maison Linen Rose & Cotton collection. Bayliss & Harding say about this collection "Nothing compares to this delightfully clean fresh scent of freshly laundered linen gently blowing in the summer breeze and this delightful fragrance has been cleverly blended with the aroma of delicate rose to create a sensational collection which perfectly captures the essence of summer." 

Baylis & Harding's new La Maison Linen Rose & Cotton Bathing Essentials Tin contains 300ml Body Cleanser, 300ml Bath & Shower Creme, 125ml Bath & Shower Gel and 125ml Body Balm.

I love the tin that the products come in, it is very pretty, what would have been nice was if it had been a little roll top tin bath instead which would have been cute.  I will definitely use it afterwards for storing our bath products in.  The RRP for this is £30, however Argos currently sells it for £19.99.  Which I think is a good price and it does make it a great present for Valentine's Day or Mother's Day, it really looks an impressive gift as it is so nicely presented.

I also received a 500ml bottle of the Luxury Bath & Shower Crème which has a RRP of £12 and should be available from House of Fraser.  It is packaged in a lovely glass bottle with a stopper top and decorated with a ribbon and gift tag. It looks great on the side of the bath as it looks very classy.

The products themselves smell lovely, there is the scent of freshly washed clothes mixed in with roses so they really have captured that beautifully. It is a very girly scent however it is also very delicate and not overpowering at all. I must admit though for me personally I like to still smell the scent of a product on my skin afterwards, I used the body cleanser (this is basically a shower/bath wash/gel) and the body balm afterwards and as soon as it had soaked in the scent went.

The products are lovely and moisturising, skin feels really soft after using them unlike some that leave your skin feeling dry, especially after a soak in the bath.  I would recommend them both for presents for the special lady in your life whether it be mum or wife/girlfriend, they will go down a treat :)