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Chow Hounds

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Cash and Penny

 

 

 

This is a sponsored review by
BlogHer and Purina.

My dogs will eat just about anything. And when they are puppies, that “anything” extends to all sorts of things that you wouldn’t really expect a dog to chew. Rocks. Siding. Trees. The plastic indoor dog potty I got for the old dog so she wouldn’t have so many accidents.

Feet and shoes are a special treat, especially my feet, which apparently taste better than a filet (and always have for my nearly 7 year old female Reva). And my son’s sneakers, one of which we regularly find in the custody of 7-month old Penny because he forgets to put his shoes away after school. We used to have a boot tray by the front door but we had to pick it up, because it was more like the puppy’s toy chest.

When we started the two-week trial feeding of the new Purina Pro Plan Selects dry food, I was fairly certain they’d like the food well enough. Usually, their only problem with their food is that they don’t think they get ENOUGH.

Sure enough, they liked it just fine. So fine in fact that one evening when the baby sitter didn’t put the lid on the food bin tight enough, I found the scoop in the middle of the floor and the bag tilted “just so” that the puppy could snack right out of the bag. Lest you think I am blaming the puppy for everything, be assured that she is the only one with the flexibility to get into the bag, although I am certain she had plenty of assistance getting the lid all the way off!

Reva watches Westminster (2007)

A few comments about dog food. I usually feed my dogs premium dry food and highly recommend taking a long hard look at the label of any pet food you buy, wherever you buy it. Understanding how your pet’s food is made and from what can be very useful in maintaining her overall health. While none of my dogs is allergic to wheat, they really don’t need a lot of it (and other additives) in their diet, so I recently had begun feeding a wheat-free dry food. Pro Plan Selects has no corn, wheat or soy, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives, so it fit my requirements just fine. The dogs like salmon, and I like the nutrients that fish provides them, so during the trial, I fed them the Purina Pro Plan Selects Salmon and Brown Rice flavor. If you want to learn  more about the ingredients in the food, check out the ingredient selector on the Selects web site.

I’ve owned Scottish Terriers since 1996, when I got my first dog as an adult, Sabrina Fair. I started showing them in 1997, when I got my first show dog, Nick. You can read the tribute posts I wrote for them when they passed away here and here. Warning: hankies will be needed if you read those posts.

Doug with Reva, Cash and Music, January 2010

Currently I have four dogs, although we’ve had many more in and out of the house over the years – dogs we’ve bred and even shown a bit before we placed them with a long-term owner. The three older ones at the house – Music, who just turned 13, her daughter Reva (7 in June) and Reva’s son Cash (4 in June) — are all finished champions. I also have been privileged to be the co-owner of a number of other champions, including Carly, GCH Blueberry’s Attitude Dancing, a Music daughter that was the top Scottie in the country in 2004 and 2005. You can read some of my memories of the year Carly went to Westminster on BlogHer.

When finances permit, I’ll place Penny with a handler who will show her for me. I wish I had the time to practice handling and grooming sufficiently to be competitive in the ring, but I just don’t. I can pet groom the older dogs, but know my limitations when it comes to prepping a dog for show.

It’s an expensive hobby, but it’s also a very rewarding one. Showing dogs is the only hobby I know that will greet you at the door when you come home with a bark and wagging tail.  In the simplest terms, I love my hobby and it loves me back!

If you have never been to a dog show, and you love dogs, it’s a great family activity, especially in the late spring and early fall, when the shows in most parts of the country are held outdoors and the weather is just right. Do yourself, and your own dog, a favor though. Leave him at home. You’ll enjoy the dog show much more without having to worry about how your dog will react to all the other dogs on the grounds. Instead, buy him a new toy or some treats at one of the many vendor stalls.

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Want to try Purina Pro Plan Selects? Or more accurately, do you want your dog to try it? Get a coupon for $3 off from Purina. Remember — you won’t find this brand at the supermarket. You’ll have to go to a pet store like Petsmart or Petco. Don’t forget to stock up on treats for your best friend while you are there!

To help you pay for those treats, I’m giving away (courtesy of BlogHer) a $100 VISA gift card to one lucky reader of this post. Tell me why you like to feed your dog premium dry food, or why you think you might like to, in the comments. And for additional chances to win a gift card, read more posts about Purina Pro Plan Selects from other BlogHer dog lovers; you can find all the posts listed on  the round-up page on BlogHer.com.

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Rules: No duplicate comments. You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

  • Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
  • Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
  • Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
  • For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected. The Official Rules are available here.

 

Comments

  1. Though I currently feed my dog a raw diet, this is a dry food that makes me want to investigate further. Processed grains are the main thing I avoid with Clumbers, and I also have to be careful as my current dog is allergic to chicken. Heading off to the website to learn more! Thanks Susan.

  2. I don’t have a dog right now but we’re very excited to be getting a puppy next month. Yay! We will be getting a miniature poodle like my mother’s. My mother’s poodle does well with premium dry food…wet food seems to upset his stomach.

  4. I’d like to feed my dogs premium dry dog food because it seems like it has fewer filler ingredients, and the crunchiness would be good for their teeth.

  6. I have a cat, not a dog, but she has recently been enjoying Purina. We got a sample and she liked the taste and I liked the ingredient list! My cat wouldn’t be enjoying pasta or corn in the wild so there’s no need for her to be eating food with those fillers!

  7. We’ve always used Purina dry food for the dogs and the cats. Of our 3 dogs, one is older, and 2 are young and still growing, so they each have their needs, and we believe in feeding them quality food. I wasn’t familiar with Pro Selects, but I like that it doesn’t have artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.

  8. I think premium dry food is something I’d like to try because the ingredients are better. The cheaper brands have lesser quality ingredients. And dry food is supposed to help keep their teeth cleaner than wet food.

  9. I use Pro Plan because I read all the labels, some of the stuff in dog food is pretty yuck. I started using it 14 years ago when we rescued Wizzer, my little man has a sensitive stomach so I started reading and Pro Plan fit my dogs needs. Now with selects there is even better ingredients. Wouldn’t think about changing my dogs food.
    s barrett 92 at yahoo dot com

  10. When our dog Dezi was alive (he died about a year ago) I preferred to feed him premium dog food because the cheap stuff made his coat dull and rough. You really can tell difference!

  11. I’d like to feed Purina Pro Plan to my dog because I value a balanced and healthy diet that contributes to quality of life and longevity.

  12. I’d like to feed our dog premium dry food because of the lack of ingredients. The artificial ingredients, to be precise. The less artificial ingredients, the better! Also, I like to eat Salmon and brown rice so why shouldn’t he?!

  15. I think feeding our dogs premium dog food in important so they get a proper nutrition.

  17. I like to feed my dog, Joey, premium food because she is an important member of the clan and deserves quality to keep healthy.
    Dove056 at aol dot com

  19. I feel that giving my dog premium dog food is healthier for him, ensuring that he gets the right nutrients.
    Thanks so much.

  20. I like to feed her premium food so I feel like I am doing something special for her.

  22. I like to feed my dog premium dry dog food because I want him to live longer and be healthy.

  23. I feed our dogs premium quality pet food because it makes a big difference in their health and in their energy level. They play much more and seem much more enthusiastic

  25. I think quality pet food is important because you know that your pets are getting the nutrition they need and that its the best for them.

  26. i’d like to feed my dog premium dry dog food because I want only the best for him

  31. we dont have a dog yet, but hopefully when he is a little older we will get one

    nickieisis3atgmaildotcom

  32. look at it this way- feed them right and they are happy- why feed them junk and have them eat their own poop- they deserve the best

  33. The easter bunny is bringing our two girls puppies and I can’t wait! We will definitely be feeding them preium dog food.

  34. ekieuuu@gmail.com

    I want to feed my dog premium dry food because it will maximize his life and feces come out better; I love my dog, so I want him to stay with me as along as possible!

  37. I would like my dog to be super healthy so I am open to premium dog food and quality foods in general

  39. I have 4 large Mastiff/ American Staffordshire mixes, anything less than premium dog foods just don’t do. They need the good food to keep their amazing muscle tone and to keep them at their healthiest

  41. She’s not really my dog, but my parents’. I spend quite a lot of time with her though. I like to feed my dog premium dry food to ensure she gets the nutritions she needs. Healthy dog=happy owner.

    amy [at] utry [dot] it

  42. I don’t have a dog of my own (allergies) but my neighbor’s dog is my “step dog.” I don’t know exactly what kind of food he gets but I have seen his “dad” bringing in big bags of Purina.

  43. I do not feed my dog premium dog food. I would like to give my dog the best nutrition possible at an affordable price.

  44. I would like to feed my dog premium dry food to ensure the highest quality ingredents.

  48. I don’t have a dog, but nothing is too good for a pet. They deserve the best nutrition.

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