DIY Paw Art

Roxi is beyond happy about her Paw Art thanks to Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser for compensating this shop. All opinions are mine alone. #BeyondSnacks #CollectiveBias
--

It is no secret that my pup, Roxi, is treated like my child. A and I have completely spoiled her since she was adopted over 6 years ago - check out her adoption story. She was at our wedding, has traveled with us, been with us during some great times and some not so great times, and she pretty much runs the house. 

Just because A and I don't have any human children yet, doesn't mean that we don't want memorabilia around the house of our fur-child. I thought it would be fun to make some Paw Art. Side note: she did not think this activity was fun or entertaining. 

Click to tweet: How cute - DIY Paw Art. I want to try this with my furry friend.

I was clean out of canvases, so while I was at Target I picked up some new ones and fresh non-toxic paint. I also wanted to make sure we had some new snacks on hand during the process of making art because Roxi isn't a big fan of people messing with her paws. I found Purina Beyond White Meat Chicken Cutlets Natural Dog Snacks and thought they were a good option because they are grain free (like her food) and the number one ingredient is chicken. They also get some bonus points because they are made in the USA. 

The items you will need to make your own DIY Paw Art is;
- canvas of any size (or card stock to go in picture frame)
- small paint brush
- non-toxic water based paint (any color)
- dog
- dog snacks
- paper towel or painter's palette
- towel and bowl of water for cleaning
*optional: stencils and pencil

I started by gathering all of my materials and headed outside with the pup. I bet she wanted to sunbathe until I opened the Chicken Cutlets snack bag, then I completely had her attention.

I had already stenciled the letters to spell 'LOVE' but omitted the 'O' because I wanted to use Roxi's paw for that. I used old stencil lettering from when I was in school and drew them on the canvas with a pencil. I then went back with a small paint brush and filled the letters in. 

There are two ways to achieve this Paw Art; 1. dip paw directly into the paint then onto the canvas, or 2. use the small paint brush to paint the pads of the paw then place paw onto canvas. Both worked fine for us but gave completely different looks. I used the first option on the canvas and the second on the cardstock. 

With a gentle press of the paw, you have an adorable piece of Paw Art to place around the house. 

Click to tweet: Look how cute this DIY Paw Art is.

Next time you are shopping at Target, you can enjoy this Cartwheel offer of 10% off Purina Beyond Dog Snacks, available from 10/4-10/31.

Do you like to place art or photos of your children or pets around the house?
Have you ever made art with your furry friend?
Do you need to entice your pets sometimes? 

Dogs - They Have The Life

Dogs - you're either a dog person or you're not. And if you are not a dog person, you probably aren't reading this post.

A and I were on our way to the park the other day with our dog, Roxi. I was thinking about all the sweet pups she would meet in the park and at the dog beach. This is when my mind started to wander.

There are so many actions that are only appropriate for dogs to do. I mean, imagine if we introduced ourselves to someone new, only after sniffing their rears. Just not going to happen!

Because my thoughts were so random and entertaining to myself, I had to share them with you. Here you have actions that are socially acceptable for dogs to do and will cause all the side eyes if you were to try them. Enjoy!
--

Dogs - It is 100% appropriate, and mostly imperative, to sniff the rear of any dog you walk by. 

Humans - If you sniff the rear of a stranger you might get punched. Or arrested. 

Dogs - That dead fish you just walked by - go back and be sure to roll around on top of it. 

Humans - Roll around on dead fish and you will never, ever have friends. 

Dogs - Be sure to verify your neighborhood is safe and sniff the streets while going for a walk. Ooh, a fresh poo - you must mark right next to it.

Humans - Peeing in public will get you some sort of ticket... if you are caught. 

Dogs - Bark profusely to tell your human that there is a squirrel or bird or a leaf in your back yard. It's only to protect them.

Humans - Start yelling for no particular reason and you will look insane. We judge humans, not dogs.

Dogs - Sleep all day. There's nothing better to do.

Humans - You don't get the opportunity to sleep during the day. It's work, work, work. 

Dogs - Sit, lay, paw, speak, rollover - all just to get a treat.

Humans - Tricks won't get you treats. They just won't.

Dogs - The uglier the pooch, the more love it will get from strangers.

Humans - If you're ugly then you are ugly. Sorry!

--
Those are just a few of my crazy thoughts. Perhaps all of you left and will never return to this blog again.

Click to tweet: Dogs have the life - http://bit.ly/1Mo5tt9 Also, it's not appropriate to sniff a stranger's rear via @atravelingwife

What are some other actions that are acceptable for animals but not for humans? I need a good laugh. 

Life of a Dog / Day in the Life of Roxi

Well erro there! I'm Roxi, Mommy and Daddy's furchild. They think I'm silly and love sharing stories about me. Mom wanted me to help with today's post by having me participate in a Day in the Life of Rox. Happy reading. 

I get Roxi out of her cage in the morning and she slowly crawls out from her cave.
Goood morning! Can I snuggle?
She hops in bed to greet her Dad. Then head dives under the sheets to the end of the bed where she curls into a ball.
I need a few more minutes of sleep. Don't bother me. And definitely, don't move.
One minute goes by and she is in my face licking it.
I'm hungry. Is it time to eat? Let's eat. Go feed me. I'm hungry.

I get out of bed and put Roxi's collar on; better known as her necklace.
Oh man, I forgot I was naked. Put that thing on me. It's mine, not yours.
To the kitchen she runs to eat. Scarfs her food then is ready to go outside. She stands on the end of the deck making sure nothing has changed in her backyard.
Shed - check. Trees - check. Fence - check. Grill - check.
Then she does her business and waits at the door.
'Erro. Anyone want to let me in? It's cold outside. 'Erro! Oh, hey. Finally!

I leave for work and all hell breaks loose.
I'm going to lay on the bed. Nope, that's not good. I'll move to the couch. Was that the mailman? Shit, is that a burglar? I'm going to go hide on the bed. 
*Who knows what she actually does during the day. We haven't invested in cameras. Yet.*

I walk in through the door after 11 hours at work.
O. Ehm. Gee!! You didn't forget about me.
I crouch down to hug and kiss the little pup.
Gimme. Gimme. Gimme all the kisses.

After putting my lunch bag away, it's time for a walk.
A walk? A walk? A real life walk? This. Is. Happening.
I take one to many seconds to find Rox's leash.
A walk! A walk! Remember we are going for a walk. Why am I so short? I must get your attention. A walk!

Walking down the street and a neighbor dog is out walking to.
HEY YOU! I'm super excited to see you. Have we met before? We must shake hands, 'er, sniff butts. Please. Please. Please. Come over here!

Back in the house, I take her coat off and...
It's so darn cold outside. I must run. Run around the house to warm up. Oh wait, is that one of my babies. Mommy should play. Play. Play. Play. Mommy, can we play? 

I sit down to catch up on reality TV.
Oh, fine. You don't want to play. How about I snuggle on your lap? Make room. I want you to put that blanket on your lap. No blanket, no snuggle. Put the blanket down. I want to lay on your lap. Pleeease. Do it. 
I finally get the hint and put the blanket on my lap.
Phew. About damn time. Wait, is that a squirrel in my yard. STRANGER DANGER! STRANGER DANGER!
I yell at her to knock it off.
STRANGER DANGER! STRANGER DANGER!

She finally comes back to my lap, but then Dad walks through the door.
O. Ehm. Gee!! You didn't forget about me.
He crouches down to kiss the pup.
Gimme. Gimme. Gimme all the kisses.

It's dinner time for the adults (AKA real humans).
Guys, I am right here. I am a starving pup. I would like whatever you are eating. Just a taste? No? But I'll be here if you drop anything. Anything at all. I promise I will clean it up. See Mom, you won't have to vacuum. Come on!

Roxi gets tucked into bed and her necklace comes off.
Don't forget about my treat. I will not be able to fall asleep without my treat.
She gets her nightly treat and I close her cage door.
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

And the same thing happens the next day...

Until next time, 
Roxi

Battle of Boxes - Pt 4

It's that time again. Another subscription box review.

*Ad - Pawalla sent me a free box to review. No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

--

I was actually pretty darn excited to receive and review this box. The kind of excitement that happens when you found out you won the Mega Millions lottery - if only that would actually happen. None of the products from this box could actually be consumed or used by me or A. So what type of subscription box is it? Just keep scrolling. Just keep scrolling, just keep scrolling (think about Finding Nemo while reading that last sentence)

Pawalla Box is a subscription box for dogs and cats. Oh yeah, my little baby gets a little action on this whole battle of the boxes. When Pawalla said they would send me a box to review I didn't know if I would be receiving the Deluxe or Mini box. But to my surprise I had a huge box on the front porch.

Roxi thinks any package that comes in the mail is for her because when we used to live in Cali my mom would send boxes and put dog treats in them. Anyways, this box was no exception and she needed to inspect it right away. 

I received the deluxe box and it was full of a ton of goodies for my little baby. And remember, Pawalla doesn't just have subscription boxes for your pooch, they also have mini and deluxe boxes for your little feline too.

Every box is filled with all natural and/or organic products because our pets should eat better than we do, right? Seriously though, I appreciate a box that is conscious about the products they use. I also like that there were no plush little toys in the box because that would have lasted maybe one hour before she tore a foot or ear off - she is brutal.

This little child is just like me and wants to tear into new products instantly. The quicker I can open things the better.

Here is what we received along with the price:

Nutrisca Turkey and Chickpea Stew (13 oz) = $3.17

Evanger's Organics Cooked Chicken (13 oz) = $2.21

Wigzi Stuff n' Crunch Peanut Butter Flavor (6 oz) - $13.98

Emeral Canine Duck Treats with Blueberry (5 oz) = $7.99

YoPup Happy Belly (7 oz) = unknown - maybe $7.99

PushClean Pet Towlettes = $9.99

American Dog Toys Glow Ball = $7.99

I think Pawalla subscription box is amazing. If I were to sign up for this I would probably just get the mini box because the deluxe box is going to take my little pup months to go through. But I think that is one of my favorite things about Pawalla - choosing between mini and deluxe box.

Have you ever bought a pet subscription box?

Mommy Blog

There are so many Mommy blogs out there.

Showcasing their sweet little babies all dressed up in their finest, dirty from playing outside, or just their precious smiling faces. I want to be considered a Mommy blog. I mean...

I am the Mother to a fur-child. So for today and today only I welcome you to 

a traveling Wife, a Mommy blog - featuring Roxi, the fur-child.

Let's start way back when, May 8, 2009. 

A and I drove about 2 hours, from Michigan to Ohio, to pick out our sweet little fur ball.

Once we arrived to the rescue organization, the lady brought out two puppies. One was the one I really wanted from looking at the organization's available puppies to adopt and the other was a pleasant surprise. This little surprise hopped all over the place and wanted all attention on her.

A looked at me and said, "Let's adopt her.", and that we did. 

Little Miss Wilma turned into Roxi after completing our adoption paperwork.

She definitely does not look like a Wilma.

Roxi was a trooper during the entire trip back to her new home. 

This little 1.1 lb, 7 week old PomChi made our hearts melt and she still does.

Today, she is the master of our home. 

Roxi loves to snuggle in the morning, be my assistant by day, and security guard by night.

Roxi is also a well traveled dog. She has traveled by car numerous times and flown by air twice.

She's had overnight visits to Ohio, Michigan, California, Nevada, and Indiana.

Roxi has been a huge part in our life and has been able to experience milestones with us, from being there on our wedding day and vacationing with us for our one year anniversary.

I must say, she is the cutest and sweetest dog I know I am being very biased.

After just celebrating her 4th birthday in March, I am so happy she is healthy and young!

I do not want her to go anywhere.

* Linking up with Mallory @ From California to Kansas for Paws To Claws.

Unleashed - Anniversary Vacation Pt. 2

Today I bring you another post filled with loads of photos. 

Here is part 2 of my 4 part vacation recap. Yesterday I shared 

with you all our hotel room, so go check it out if you missed it.

--

The Hubby and I were so lucky to have such great beaches to visit with our puppy while we were at Monterey Bay. It was crazy how one particular beach would not allow dogs but if you walked 10 steps to a 

certain direction, dogs were allowed. It didn't make any sense to us.

Once we became a bit more familiar with the area, we knew where we could take Roxi and what beaches we could let her off her leash. But we didn't just visit the 

beaches with her, some days we went on our own to enjoy some quiet, alone time.

 Carmel Beach was amazing because Roxi could run free. She has never really been outside in public with her leash off and, of course, she did not know what to do. Her freedom lead to this...

 It was chilly the whole time we were on vacation but I could not complain because 

I have been dying to wear sweaters and you all know I love scarves.

 You could see the famous Pebble Beach Golf Course from Carmel Beach, 

where we planted out butts and the dog.

Of course, not all beaches were okay with dogs off their leash which is completely understandable because some people cannot control their dogs, us being one of them?. But our puppy didn't care. She liked to stalk the birds and then charge them.

 Like I said earlier, we occasionally went the the beach on our own not often though.

 The best part of our whole vacation was being able to walk a few feet from our room to be 

right on the ocean. After touring Monterey or Carmel, it was nice to return to 

our room and walk right out to the ocean to see the dolphins play.

Part 3 and 4 will be posted next week.