Friday's Fetch: Travel Gear

We are planning a road trip this weekend so I figured why not showcase the travel gear we use or want to use for Kirby's comfort and safety.  Key words being style and function.

1. The Solvit Deluxe Jumbo Tagalong On seat Booster Seat is the one Kirby uses - it's strong, comfy, and safe.  It looks really nice with it's washable cover. It's made to hold dogs up to 30 lbs and can easily be moved to the trunk when not being used.  Kirby loves that he can see out all the windows or curl up for nap.  It's large enough that his fosters can ride with him too.  $69.99

2. There are several harnesses hangin on a hook in Kirby's playroom but the one we always grab is theEzyDog Chest Plate Harness which is the perfect companion for walks or riding in the car. It's adjustable and forms to the dog's chest for a perfect fit. This harness really serves two purposes - we can hook his car seat tether to it so if there were a crash his chest would take the brunt rather than his neck which is much more delicate and if he bolted during a walk it would be much harder for him to escape the harness as opposed to his collar he could squirm out of.  I love how we can unhook the tether and hook the leash in just seconds!  $22.00 - $26.00

3. Of course every harness needs a leash and the leash we reach for time after time is the EzyDog Sparky Leash.  On the stylish side it's a perfect match to Kirby's harness.  On the comfort side this one takes top honors in my book. Kirby has a lot of strength which used to wear out my arm from all of his pulling. This leash has 12 in. of shock absorbing stretch in the center which has honestly changed our walks.  When Kirby pulls on the leash it tugs back at him which in turn causes him to back up causing him to walk with me.  Then there's the handle which is probably the most comfortable handle I've ever used. I don't know why other companies haven't figured this out! $26.00

4. Water is vital but can make your dog sick from chemicals used in different areas.  To avoid tummy upset we always carry bottled water which Kirby drinks from a cup. What I'm coveting right now is the new Thirsty Milo Portable Dog Water Bowl. This all in one container won't spill and comes with a two year warranty. I haven't been able to locate this product in the United States so please let me know if you do!

5. Every travelling dog needs a stylish bag to stash all their stuff.  Right now I have a really cute purse I use for Kirby's bag but one day he wants to own a Pet Jetsetter Bag to really travel in style. This puppy has six pockets with room enough for everything Kirby could possibly need.  Even better it only weighs two lbs with the included water and food bowls. $39.99 or $49.99 embroidered with your dog's name.

6.  Never, ever will anyone ever step on Kirby's poop.  We have a bone shaped poop bag dispenser and what I love is now I never forget it since it stays clipped on the handle of Kirby's leash. I keep it filled with biodegradeble bags so I can pull one out anywhere, anytime we are out and about. I saw this adorable weiner poopbag and chuckled - sooo cute! If every pet owner cleaned up after their dog so many more places would allow dogs so please pick up the poop! (I've been known to hand an owner a bag or even pick up their poop) $4.95

Have I forgotten something? Do you have a must-have product or one you just really want?

NOLA Dogs Treats & Boutique

Walking along Royal Street in the French Quarter Kirby's nose began twitching from the new aromas wafting through the air.  Across the street was a lovely little house with a sign that simply begged us to come over.  NOLA Dogs Treats & Boutique fills the left side of this quaint house while the right side is home to an art gallery.

Walking through the door we discovered a high end boutique filled with toys, apparel, gifts and freshly baked artisan type gourmet dog treats.  Some of the shops in the French Quarter don't allow any photographs. This was one of those shops.  They did let me take one picture of Kirby inside the shop as long as no products were shown.  

Along one wall was a bakers glass case filled with an array of beautiful confections created and designed especially for dogs.  Alas, I couldn't take that picture of Kirby with his front paws on the case and his nose pressed to the glass but they quickly offered to set a small sampling of their amazingly intricate delights on the counter for me to photograph.  Check out the pupcake in the center!

When we finally left the shop Kirby made it clear he didn't want to go as he settled down for a rest on the shady front porch with a perfect view for people watching.  I snapped a picture then joined him as we took a short break admiring the picturesque houses up and down the street.  I had to admit he had chosen a good spot to rest since we could feel the cool air coming from the open door behind us.

This charming little dog boutique is expensive.  I decided I just couldn't afford any of their high end products although there was a rubber toy alligator Kirby would have loved.  For a total of $10.92 (ouch) I did purchase three cookies for Kirby.

 $2.99 A Preppy Puppy Corgi Cannoli

Kirby liked this one licking out the soft sweet center before eating the crunchy outer part. 

$2.99 Preppy Puppy Bon Bon Peanut Butter

Kirby especially liked this peanut butter flavored treat eating it in three bites.

 $3.99 Pawsitively Squirrels

To my disdain Kirby did not care for the most expensive one!  

This untouched carob coated cookie was later thrown away.

I do love to spoil Kirby but this shop is quite a bit above my budget, however, we were on vacation!

Kirby Is On Vacation

I has been on road trips before but this is my very first real vacation.  I mean we is staying at a real B&B (thats a bed & breakfast so I think we gets to eat in the bed!) in the French Quarter!  We is gonna be tourists sniffing out all the things a dogger needs to know!

The French Quarter is in New Orleans Louisiana and I is told it is a very dog friendly place.  Mama checked and I is gonna get to go on a horse carriage ride (I seen War Horse) and I is goin on the ferry (thats a boat) across a great big puddle of water and I is even goin on a scary ghost tour - I told mama she can carries me so she dont get scared.

We gonna do a lot of sightseein (thats takin a walk with lots of stuff to see) and Mama says they gots all kinds of foods cookin all the time everwhere so my nose is gonna be v-e-r-y busy!  I mean I has to taste everthin so mama can writes some real reviews.  You has to know if the food is good cos who cares if Fido can go if you dont wants to eat the food!

And iffen we come across a place they dont allows dogs?  I got that covered too!  With this disguise no body would ever know I is a dog! Or mebbe they think I some doggie famous and I could gets special VIP treatments.  It coulds happen! 

Mama works all week at a job that gives her some money so we can has a roof overs our heads and food for our bellies and then she comes home and helps me with my stuff - this blog, my FaceBook page, you know all the stuff doggers do nowadays.  So we talked abouts it and we is not gonna be doin anything with our blog while we is on our vacation but dont worry none cos we will have lots of stuff to post when we gets back like what we did and saw at the Cotton District Festival (I seen lots of doggers there and I ate some lamb) and what I gots in my very first PawPal box (it was pawsome!) and we gots to tell you all about my new fancy smancy dog tag from blanketID. AND lots of stuff abouts the French Quarter!

So I hopes everbody has a good week and I barks at you soon!  Oh, you might can finds me on my FaceBook page just a little bit.  Muaw! (thats a kiss)

Wags,

Kirby the Dorkie