Paw-Inspiring: A Dog's Purpose

Have you read this book yet? It truly is a beautiful story and so inspiring! The book is written from the point of view of a dog who is searching for his life's purpose, and he continues to reincarnate until he is able to fulfill his mission. Even though the story is fictional, it is so well written that I can't help but wonder if dogs really do think this way. Now I always try to imagine what Daphne is thinking or what she would say in certain situations. You can get your own copy on Amazon for around $10.

Daphne + Fear of Water

Daphne should  be a water-loving dog. She has webbed paws for easier swimming, and her weimaraner and lab heritages make her perfect for the water. Despite this, she has always had a fear of getting wet. That is until our trip to the dog park a few days ago when she bravely followed some of the other dogs into the pond! She did not fully submerge, but I was so excited that she even got her paws wet that I had to document the occasion. Maybe we can take a trip to Dog Beach in San Diego after all :)

Have a dog who's a little leery of the deep big blue? Perhaps she needs this adorably darling Paws Aboard Doggy Life Jacket. We know summertime is almost over, but there are still a few lake-worthy weekends left and we can't help but gush over the sweet nautical print. Available in XXS - L.

Celebrating Graduation!

She did it! Daphne has officially graduated from her Beginner Education class at PetSmart, and I am so proud of her. Next up is the Intermediate Education class and then on to Advanced. We are aiming to get the AKC Canine Good Citizen certification before Christmas, and then hopefully on to her Therapy Dog Certification so we can start doing some therapy work. I know she will bring so much light and joy into the lives of those who are suffering, and I am very much looking forward to learning a lot more in the next few months. 

I'm thinking this achievement warrants a special treat, so perhaps a trip to Sprinkles Cupcakes for one of their sugar-free doggie cupcakes is in order. 

Because dogs like cupcakes too.

For the Tennis Ball-Chasing-Champion In Your Life

 

Do you have a tennis ball chasing champion at home? Well please check out these awesome dog beds from Hugh Hayden Design! They come in two sizes, large for $850 and small for $400. The best part? The bed is made entirely from recycled tennis balls. Chic and eco-friendly. We love it.

Relaxing "Spaw" Day!

TGIF! 

In need of a little R&R? Don't forget about your pooch by giving her a nice little "spaw" day with this Bone-Shaped Spa Basket by Cain and Able. Complete with a paw rub, shampoo, bathing sponge, and a rubber ducky, your pup is sure to feel pampered after this treatment. Find one here for $40.

Pez Petz

There is just something so nostalgic about Pez candies and all of the collectible dispensers, so why not let your dog in on the fun? These giant beagle- and hound-headed dispensers release all natural, real meat flavored treats made from cornstarch, and go for around $4.99 on Amazon. I know that in my family growing up, there wasn't a special occasion that didn't involve giving or receiving a Pez dispenser. Now, I'm excited that Daphne can enjoy those same experiences with me.

Now THAT'S a Dog Bed.

via Tiffany Brommerich Kotz on Pinterest

In Daphne's dreams...

Daphne's Favorite things: Harry Barker Bag-O-Treats

Here at Darling Daphne, we LOVE everything Harry Barker. So, when Daphne and I stumbled across this Bag-O-Treats for Dogs, we knew we had found yet another favorite thing to gush about! The only bummer? It won't be available until October 15. What a tease!

Daphne's Favorite Things: Wine Barrel Toy Chest

How chic is this dog toy chest made from retired white oak wine barrels? Gush! I love how dog toys would still look stylish sitting out in a room when housed in this chest, and Daphne loves how the wide opening in the front  would still let her get to her toys whenever she wants. Le sigh. Find it here on orvis.com.

Try This: Doga

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Looking for a new way to bond with your pooch? Why not try Doga classes, where dog-loving yoga enthusiasts can combine their two passions into one class. Doga combines the relaxation of massage and meditation with gentle stretching for both the dogs and their non-canine partners. Classes have been becoming more popular throughout the country since its creation about nine years ago by Suzi Teitleman, a yoga instructor in Florida. She says of doga, 

"But then doga isn't about dogs doing yoga, but about owners interacting with their dogs."

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And there is nothing in life more fabulous than that.

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Bark In the Park + Daphne's Favorite Things

I don't know about any of the other baseball teams out there, but last night was the Arizona Diamondbacks very first Bark in the Park event! How fun to bring your best furry friend to a baseball game, right? Although Daphne did not make an appearance with us, there were many adorable pooches around, including a table set up by the Arizona Humane Society for adoption which is fabulous. I believe the event even kicked off with a dog parade right before the game where owners could parade their dogs around the field! After seeing all the dogs in their spirited DBacks apparel, I realized Daphne might need to add a few items to her wardrobe so she can adequately support our favorite teams. I found this super fun site --> Sports Fanimals that carries a wide variety of sports apparel catered to fit your darling doggie. Another great aspect? A lot of the merchandise is officially licensed by the national organization of that sport such as the NFL etc.  Here are some of Daphne's favorites:

New Orleans Saints Jersey

Arizona Diamondbacks Tennis Toss Toy

Arizona Diamondbacks Pet Bandana, Tee, and Jersey Combo Set

It's National S'mores Day!

Happy National S'mores Day! 

While you're roasting up some of these delicious treats tonight make sure you don't leave your darling pooch out of all the fun by heading over to Barker and Meowsky to pick up some of their Doggie S'mores.

You can buy a 2 pack of treats for $8.

Looking for some delicious S'more recipes for humans? Check out my other blog Big Hair Big Brains!

First Day of School + Dog Training Blogs

Daphne and I had our first day of school yesterday at our PetSmart training class, and I am so excited for the next six weeks. I was worried the class was going to be kind of hokey or cheesy, but our trainer is absolutely fabulous and it is obvious she knows her stuff. Let's face it: there is nothing more darling or impressive than a well trained dog.

Want to do some training on your own? Check out some of these fantastic training blogs to get some tips and ideas on how to work with your pooch.

http://susangarrettdogagility.com/

http://www.thedogtrainingsecret.com/blog/

http://atrickaday.blogspot.com/

http://divadogtraining.com/blog/

Friends Furever.

Calling all you crafty mamas out there! I came across this super sweet line of doggie {and kittie} scrapbook paper/embellishments today so I thought I would share. The line is called Friends Furever and its made by We R Memory Keepers. Perhaps some of these pages will be perfect for documenting Daphne's school adventures as we start her training class next week =]

Need some inspiration on what you can make with something like this? Check out the Button Junkie's blog.

Daphne's Favorite Things: Molly Mutt Duvet Cover

When I first came across the Molly Mutt duvet covers, I honestly wished I had thought of doing this myself. It's pure genius, and such a fabulous way of combining adorable dog bedding with eco-friendly living.

Although Daphne has short hair, it still seems to get everywhere. Living in the desert with a mostly dirt backyard and twice-a-month irrigation can also lead to some pretty dirty paws every now and again. Combine all that with black bed sheets, and sometimes I feel like I need to wash the bedding everyday just to keep everything clean. That's why Daphne's new favorite thing {and mine too!} this week are the Molly Mutt duvet covers. You can use one to cover an old dog bed, or you can make your own with old pillows and blankets that are just laying around the house.

They are super easy to put together, requiring only a few steps before your new dog bed heaven is ready for action. Not to mention the many adorable patterns that are available.

The best part about this for me? Not only does Daphne love to lay on it, but I emptied out an entire drawer in my closet of old clothes and blankets to stuff in the bed. Now, not only are my sheets cleaner, but I have more room to go shopping!

Summer Safety: Fun in the Sun

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There is nothing more glamorous than a day full of fun in the sun, especially when your little darling is along for the adventure. But just like us humans have to slather on the sunblock, Fido also needs some sun protection as well. According to THIS article, lighter pets or pets who are shaved have the highest risk of sunburn, but all dogs with exposed areas should be protected. The most likely places for burns? Dogs abdomens, noses, groins, and inner legs tend to be the most sensitive. Remember that sunlight can reflect up from the ground and roast these seemingly protected areas.

When choosing the right sunscreen for your pooch, make sure you check the ingredients list. Non-toxic, non-irritating formulas are best, especially since dogs love to lick themselves. And while there are specific sunscreens made just for your pooch, sunscreens made for babies or sensitive skin are also an option. If you want to go the natural sunscreen route, THIS is a great article detailing sunscreen basics and what to look for when shopping for a product. It is an older article, so I don't know if the prices that are listed are accurate, but the information is still useful.

Daphne and I like Vet's Best Sun Spray Sunscreen. 

It's easy to apply--just cover the eyes and spray away! 

Licks & Kisses

Fabulous Etsy Finds

No one like to sleep on the floor, including your darling pooch. That's why Daphne and I are loving this Fabulous Etsy Find from CrossBoneDog! This complete bedroom set includes the canopy bed, chest of drawers, night light, and toy box. 

So stinkin' cute!

Check out more pictures {here}.

Daphne's Favorite Things

"Nothing would be more tiresome than eating and drinking if God had not made them a pleasure as well as a necessity."

 --Voltaire

If your dog is anything like Daphne, well, she finds eating just as pleasurable as Voltaire suggests. Her main gush right now? Check out these super darling Tea Cup Dog Bowls from Juicy Couture.

LOVE.