Archive for July 2012

Dear Readers,

Today Best Bully Sticks celebrates Mutts Day. Since celebration should have reason and understanding behind it, we beg the question: why are we celebrating? We don’t know who came up with Mutts Day; there isn’t a named founder or creator.  Mutts Day is likely little known to much of the world. It’s not as if it’s a highly notable day, per say, but in the least it is fitting to say that every day with a mutt is a great day.

What are mutts? Mutts are the product of two or more dog breeds, creating a unique hybrid of dog. The word “mutt” historically has a negative connotation, but as any owner with a mutt knows, it’s just a word and nothing more. Technically called “half-breeds,” these dogs bring so much joy into the lives of their owners, no purebred status or high price tag matters. In fact, BBS would say most mutt owners would willingly pay the high price tag yet still keep their mutt-owner status.

So, again, why do we celebrate? Best Bully Sticks is celebrating Mutts Day to recognize the wonder that these dogs bring into our lives. Just as their lineage is indiscernible, so is the effect they have on our lives and it’s simply incredible. And maybe we love mutts because they are a reflection of us, of humankind. We are all a little mixed up ourselves and maybe we need an animal to show us just how joy can be found in any family or background. Mutts show us the past can truly be the past and the future is bright. Just like many other holidays, honor and recognition shouldn’t be confined to just a single day. Neither should it go without saying at all.

Best Bully Sticks also knows you can’t have Mutts Day without appreciating all dogs. All dogs, no matter their pedigree or history bring joy into the lives of their owners. Purebred or half-breed, dogs are intrepid animals. It’s been said that in even in the worst circumstances, dogs don’t know that life is unfair. Tail wags greet you at the door. Face licks aren’t gross; they’re welcome and cherished. And if your pup likes to snuggle, those moments are invaluable.  These fascinating creatures love us. We should love them and honor them every day.

Happy Mutts Day, Bully Fans!

Best Bully Sticks knows it’s easy to forget that our dogs were once wild animals. They didn’t sleep half the day, they didn’t chase after plastic bouncy balls, and they didn’t wear clothes, go to the groomer or get their toenails painted. Your sweet pooch is a descendant of wild dogs and before that, wolves! You have to remember that trapped somewhere inside that cute, cuddly exterior is a wild animal! You live with a wild animal! Isn’t that more than a little strange to think about?

That being said, your dog’s descendants definitely didn’t eat that dry brown food that comes out of a bag. Not that bagged dog food isn’t good. A good food provides all the necessary vitamins, minerals and proteins your dog needs. However, owners forget that dogs are natural hunters and scavengers and ate as much vegetation and roughage as they did meat.  Dog owners sometimes have a stigma of offering their dogs human food, thinking that it isn’t good for them. The fact is, there are some very nutritional and wholesome foods that are great for your dog and you shouldn’t be afraid to share. Over the next three weeks Best Bully Sticks will take you through some natural, “human” foods that will feed your dog and his wild side. Today we’re talking about fruit!

Banana
Most families have bananas on hand in their house for a healthy and quick snack. Your dog can benefit from the same high potassium levels, fiber, magnesium B6 and C vitamins as well as all the good antioxidants in bananas that you will when eating this berry. In a pinch, bananas can help remedy a troubled doggy stomach and you can easily mix banana in with your dog’s dry food to make it more appealing. However, some dogs don’t like bananas because of the compounds that make this berry smell, well, like a banana.

Cantaloupe
This great summer melon is cool and refreshing, so give your pup the benefits of vitamin C, potassium, antioxidants and fiber that cantaloupe offers. Make sure you remove all seeds when serving to your dog. You can serve fresh or even mix it with other fruit, freeze and serve as a doggy popsicle. You might even join in on that! Read more

The “King of the Terriers,” the Airedale Terrier is not only the largest of the terriers, but has been called the dog who can do it all. Plus, isn’t he just adorable!?  Best Bully Sticks Breed Spotlight on the Airedale highlights the regal, unique looking yet beautiful English breed and we know you’ll love learning about this terrier.

History & Background: First called Waterside or Bingley Terriers, the modern Airedale looks very different from the Airedale of the past. The breed originates from the Valley of Aire, a dale in West Yorkshire, England where the river Aire flows through the land. The first Airedale’s were used as all-purpose working terriers. This dog was mostly a hunter and was bred by crossing a black and tan terrier, bull and terrier dogs, and otterhounds. Hunters soon noticed this dog was adept at almost all hunting aspects; speed, quickness, cornering, following a scent and was even great in water.

When the World Wars came to Europe, the Airedale was again used in a myriad of ways. They carried messages to soldiers, transported mail, guarded camp, and found wounded soldiers on the battlefield. After their work in war, the Airedale transferred to police work. Before police forces started adopting German Shepherds for their work, Airedales were used extensively.

Airedales came to North America in the 1880s, but increased in popularity after WWI. The tales of Airedale bravery on the battlefield inspired dog lovers to have this breed in their own home. Another reason for gain in popularity was the Presidential owners of Airedales including Theodore Roosevelt, Calvin Coolidge and Warren Harding. It’s said President Harding’s Airedale, Laddie Boy, was the first celebrity White House pet. Mr. Harding even had a custom chair made for Laddie Boy to sit in during important Cabinet meetings. By the 1920s the Airedale was the most popular dog breed in the USA and continued to peak until 1949.

The Airedale is mostly a companion dog today, but is still used as a working dog in some parts of the world. The AKC recognized the Airedale in 1888, and the breed standard was approved in 1959. Read more

One of the most exciting moments on the Best Bully Sticks Healthy Dog Blog is discovering the ingenious recipes that dog lovers whip up in their homes! What’s even more wonderful is that they give us the opportunity to share them with you!

That being said, this Wednesday’s trip into Best Bully Stick’s recipe book is a gift from the blog Sliver & Chalk. This blog, created and curated by Megan VanSchaick, a freelance writer and a lover of whimsy and art. She posts many craft projects and recipes, including the one she shared with us, Rustic Root Vegetable Dog Treats.

Here is Megan's original post along with wonderful photos of her process and her beautiful dogs, Draya and Bronx.

“A few months ago, in the midst of my sourdough bread flurry, I decided to try my hand at homemade dog treats. I’ve never felt great about dog biscuits.  Also, we have lots of veggie scraps in this house, even with keeping a stock bag in the freezer. And my dogs love fruits and vegetables. Draya would shank you in the back to get a piece of banana; Bronx seems to feel the same about carrots.

I had a kitchen disaster this week, while attempting beet chips, which led to lots of raw beet scraps. And I always keep a jar of chopped carrot peels in the freezer. Then there was that lone banana, staring at me from atop the flour tin, accusing me of not eating it before those spots showed up. Whatever could be done?

Dog biscuits. (Don’t you think Rustic Root Vegetable Dog Treats sounds so much more Martha-y than Vegetable Scrap Dog Biscuits? Me, too.)

There are a billion dog treat recipes on the web (beware: many of these contain a lot of sugar and salt), but I use a super simple base that I can alter according to what veggies I’m using.

My base is just cornmeal, flour, a bit of oil or applesauce, and egg. Everything else is determined by what I have on hand, usually. Read more

It doesn’t even matter. Your dog isn’t a purebred, and that’s more than fine with you. In fact, it’s Mutt-tastic! Best Bully Sticks loves our breeds, our mutt breeds, that is! To celebrate our Mutts and the week leading up to Mutt Day on July 31^st Best Bully Sticks has gone to the Mutts! We know people have very strong feelings about their non-pedigreed dogs and we want to celebrate and show them off with a photo contest!

We’re not putting down purebreds in any manner. We love all dogs to an equal degree!

Upload a good photo of your mutt to the OfferPop app, and include their “mixture.” The mutt photo with the most votes by Tuesday, July 31^th  @ 5pm est wins free bully sticks for a year! Second place wins free bully sticks for a month! 

Best Bully Sticks Rules & Regulations

Only U.S. Residents, 18 and older, are eligible to win contests.

We do not condone cheating. Any suspicious activity will be monitored by contest managers. If we in the least are suspect of any person, we will remove the entry. Voting exchange votes are NOT allowed. Only one vote per person. No votes from profiles that are being maintained as pets will be allowed to vote. Humans only, people. We reserve the right to remove any derogatory comments. No purchase necessary to win. You must meet the requirements of the contest to be eligible. This means that your photo entry must be a mutt, not a pure bred dog. If you, or an organization you represent has won a Best Bully Sticks contest in the past 6 months, you will not be eligible for any prizes.

Because of Facebook Policy, any comments that appear to be votes and are outside or our OfferPop Photo Contest App on Facebook, will be deleted to comply with Facebook Promotion Guidelines.

Contest begins Tuesday, July 24th @ 9am est and ends Tuesday, July 31st @ 5pm est.

Best Bully Sticks is the sponsor and administrator of this contest. Best Bully Sticks is located at 1221 Admiral Street, Richmond, VA 23220

How To Enter

1. Upload a photo of your mutt to the OfferPop Photo Contest App.

2. Include your dog’s name and what you think/know their “mixture” is.

Winning

Winner(s) will be determined by the photo that has received the most votes. The first place winner will receive a lump sum of bully sticks for a year. This is 30 6 inch bully sticks per 12 months, equaling 360 bully sticks. This is a retail value of $406.80 The photo with the second amount of votes will receive odor free bully sticks for a month, or 30 6 inch sticks per 1 30 day period. This is a retail value of $33.90.

Participation & Release

Upon entering the contest, each entrant is releasing their information for use to Best Bully Sticks and is held responsible to Best Bully Sticks contest Rules & Regulations.