Trick or Treat!? This week's Friday Funny...

BOO!! It's Howl-o-ween weekend Puppy Lovers!! Who's dressing up? Mr Buzz and Miss Hunbun have their Halloween bandanas ready and also a special treat for the 31st... a Vampire costume for Buzzy and a Pumpkin for little missy. Piccies will be coming, no fear!! We hope you all have a spooktacular time if you are going to a party or just staying in with a scary movie and popcorn. Remember to get those treats in for the trick or treaters! Here's a cute little Halloween themed Friday Funny for you from Little Guy who look like he could be Lubo's long lost cousin! Such a cutie! And clever too... Enjoy! x x

Petscorner.co.uk Dog Toys Review

Our Buzzy is one very happy dog at the moment... he was lucky enough to be chosen to do a review of 3 (yes, not 1...3!!)  fab new dog toys for one of t'interweb's best online pet shops... www.PetsCorner.co.uk!! We already knew that Pets Corner online pet shop have so many fab items in stock so we were v excited when the parcel arrived.... here's what Buzz got to try out:

1) Great&Small Rubber Toy "Extra Bouncy...bring it on!"

2) Great&Small Rope Toy "Boring toy... pull the other one!"

3) Great&Small Squeak Toy "For dogs that live LOUD!"

First off we tried out the Rubber Toy which is a soft but sturdy rubber ring that you can throw, play tug with, or doggie can chew... Buzz has never had a dog toy like this before so was a little puzzled at first until I threw it, then  he bought it back to me with this face which I think pretty much sums it all up... H.A.P.P.Y!!! 

He also had a little chew on it later, holding it easily between his paws and we also played toss with it inside the house and as you can see here in our little video, it definitely has the paws up from Buzz:

I'm also very impressed at the quality...here is the toy after a whole afternoon of Buzzy's knasher abuse (usually his toys struggle to make it past a couple of hours entact! lols) and it still looks great. I think that it will certainly become one of his faves and last a loooong time too! Pawesome!


Next up was the rope toy tugger!! Now, Buzz always has a penchant for tuggers and I knew he was going to go crazy for this one... I wasn't wrong... Check out those canines!!



I did make a video of this too but he was just soooooo noisy that I've opted for pics instead. (I also fell over from the force when I let go of the other end which was slightly embarrassing and did not make for great footage! *blush*) The colours are lovely and vibrant and it also didn't get too mucky after being thrown and pawed around the garden which was a nice surprise :) It's soft but tough and Buzz also thinks it makes a nice nose warmer from the looks of it, and again it withstood lots of tugging and nibbling. He is a bit of a shredder after all, but I was pleased to see only little tufts had come free! 

Lastly we played with the Squeaky Ball which I was the most concerned about in terms of it's longeviety - tennis balls tend to have a max 1 hour lifespan once Buzz gets his paws on them as do any rubber/plasticy toys with air inside. However, as yet, he has not punctured it! The squeak is not very loud really which although dogs would probably enjoy it better if it was louder, I think owners will be very satisfied with indeed. It has a nice little squeak which is not at all irritating after long periods of play. Buzz very much likes the ball - infact out of the 3 I think it could be his favourite as he kept returning to it over the other two. He has always been very good at playing by himself and balls are great for that where they roll... here he is (looking somewhat cat-like actually! lols!) playing ball:

As you can see he really has been trying to chew on it with his sharp teeth and strong jaw but without making a hole yet :)

So...all in all... 3 wonderful, fun, and good quality dog toys from those fab people at PetsCorner.co.uk!! From Mr Buzz and myself, thankyou so much lovelies! On the PetsCorner website it states that they are a family run business with a 'commitment to the environment & animal welfare' and 'with providing their customers with the best value' and I really do think that not only do they do that, but that this comes across clearly in all their products and price points - from cosy cat beds & Buzz-proof dog  toys to the more exotic reptile feeding equipment! Go check them out now!! ;) 

M & B x x

P.S. To see our furriend Teagan's review of her selection of toys from PetsCorner, head on over to her blog at www.teagantimes.wordpress.com by clicking here!

Black Dog Appreciation Day

Today we are not doing our weekly Friday Funny as we want to talk about a serious cause close to our hearts. Today is Black Dog Appreciation Day where, worldwide, animal lovers celebrate  black dogs and highlight Black dog bias or Black Dog Syndrome. 

Now if you haven't heard of Black Dog Syndrome before, you will be as surprised as we were to find out that all those beautifully sleek, glossy furred, gorgeous black dogs and cats are more than often the last pets in rescue centres and shelters to find homes, if at all, because they are passed over in favour of the lighter coloured animals. And it's not just the bigger breeds or Heinz 57's that the phenomenon applies to - even the toy & pedigree breeds are affected. 

As you know we have two black rescue dogs in the Puppy Love family, Buzz and Lubo, both of whom spent a long time in the rescue centre waiting for us... Lubo was at the Mayhew for 3 months:

and also these three beauties in our extended family, where again Brook's fursis & bro Soxi and Dino are rescues:

Noone is 100% sure why this happens - it is thought that they don't photograph as well so aren't as appealing on adoption websites, and that people often still associate black with superstitions ie: black cats etc (although I always thought that a black cat crossing your path was lucky!?) Other theories put forward include the idea that in movies and the media as a whole black dogs are usually the aggressive, mean ones or that noone wants the dark fur malting. Personally I LOVE black dogs and cats but I must say when I went to the rescue centre all those years ago in Hull, Buzzy provided the perfect example of Black Dog Syndrome and I am eternally grateful to the staff there for spotting we would be perfect for eachother. He was stood there quiet as a mouse hid in the background away from us, whilst all the other dogs jumped and barked, and I think this is another factor. Certainly in the smaller rescue centres and shelters where it can be a little dark and gloomy, the black fur just doesn't show up :( A shelter in LA did a study to try and challenge the Black dog bias or Black Dog Syndrome by saying a full 28% of adopted dogs were black, but the facts still stand sadly... 

So, today help us promote how totally p-awesome black dogs and cats are and raise awareness of Black dog bias/Black Dog Syndrome! There is an event on facebook here  today with over 12000 people attending online where you can share pics of your black dogs and share your stories - sooo many gorgeous pups! x x

For more info on  Black dog bias/Black Dog Syndrome check out the links after the jump>>  

Personalised Dog Bandanas on Ebay now!

As you all know, I am in LOVE with my new embroidery machine and have been making some fab doggie items with it including 'I NEED A HOME' bandanas for lovely Bethan at Greyhound Rescue Shropshire & Borders and helping to spread the Staffie love with our 'I'M FRIENDLY' and 'BIG SOFTIE' designs inspired by gorgeous Benson. Now, at last....our personalised bandanas are available to buy online in our eBay shop!

Starting at £5.99 with FREE P&P these come in all sizes and soon more colours! If you would like a different colour now just drop us a line here! Doggie's name & paws are embroidered in top quality sheen thread and as always the bandana is edged in soft black cotton bias and fastened with velcro for ease & comfort. Not forgetting that our velcro closure means that should doggie ever by chance become hooked up on anything, it is easy release :) 

You can visit our eBay store here! x x



Good-Friday Funny: Easter Bunny Doggies! As chosen by Buzz.

Hi everyone! Buzzy here! I do hop(e) everyone is having a wonderful Good Friday and enjoying the lovely weather. Me and my sisfur have been sunbathing a little this afternoon, nice! But Mummy and Michaela been keeping an eye on us and keep dobbling our noses with suncream!! I keep trying to lick it off of mine but my tongue isn't always long enough to get it all! BOL! Mummy says this is a good thing though! 

Here is this week's (Good) Friday Funny I picked with Michaela... it has a special Easter theme. Enjoy! B x

Happy Birthday Buzz

Today was Buzzy's birthday! Yaay! We think he turned 9 years old today but I always like to knock a little bit off for his vanity and my own fears for the future... so we'll say 8 and 3/4 :) Now, April 1st is Buzzy's chosen birthday and we can only guess his age because he was a rescue with no history what-so-ever other than a huge fear of everything and everyone and a big chunk missing from one ear. He was found wandering by the city's flyover, alone and terrified. When I think back to the first day he came home to live with me as my absolute rock at whilst I was living alone at University, I still get the leaky eyes and an ache in my chest. He was painfully thin despite being looked after so well by the small local shelter who had taken him in for the last few weeks and cowered at the slightest fast movement. He was particularly fearful of men and loud noises but with lots of love, patience and the help of my beautiful little Dolly, he gradually learned how to be a doggie and grew more comfortable in his own skin. He learned to play, which he had no idea how to do in the beginning and began to put on weight. He experienced his first snowstorm (very late for the UK really) and stood mesmerised in my little back yard looking up at the sky with me and occasionally looking back to me for reassurance that I was still there. That memory will be with me forever - it was the start of his blossoming into the happy, loving and playful boy I know today, and I could see he was beginning to love me as much as I already loved him. I chose April 1st as his birthday because it was his rebirth - the way it should have been the first time around...surrounded by love and kindness and warmth and comfort. Without Buzzy you would not be reading this blog and PUPPY LOVE would not exist... so Happy Birthday Buzzy and thankyou for being both a constant companion and truly my saviour. x x

To read more about Buzzy and how Puppy Love came into being, click on the 'ABOUT PUPPY LOVE' tab above for the full story and the inspiration behind our poster-girl, my Dolly-dog.

Cover Dogs

Now, after seeing these little stars, we're sure that all those Vogue models will be getting worried... check out these gorgeous cover doggies!! 

We made these brilliant personalised Christmas cards using FunkyPigeon.com !! x x

Buzz is on Facebook

Buzzy now has his very own Facebook profile!! Come say 'Hello!' and add him as a fuurriend here! x x

Rave Review by Buzz

*woof woof, wagging tail* Hello Hello!! My name is Buzz, you may have seen me before in the pictures Michaela is always taking of me in my bandanas? Today I have taken over the Puppy Love blog!! I am so excited to be writing my very own article... and am feeling very important indeed :) 

I am here to tell you all about these very clever bells called 'Poochie Bells' that help me let the humans know when I need to go out and spend a penny! They were sent to me by those lovely people at Dougal's Den in the summer and it has taken me a little while to get used to them but now I love them so much! Not only do they look very cool but they are sooo useful!! The ribbon strap just hooks over the door handle (or a hook) and the bells dangle down for us doggies to ring with our noses! They even have little poppers so they can be adjusted to your height! Mine are black & white paw print. I got a little tag to wear on my collar too!

I've never been much of a talker, other than when people come to the house and then I make lots of noise ... well a doggy can't be rude can he?! ... and so often Mummy and Michaela wouldn't know when I needed to go out if it wasn't at one of my usual times of the day. That meant I would sometimes go and do a naughty in the spare room and then get told off... which wasn't nice for me at all & Mummy always looked so sad after she had to tell me off. She often said she wished I could make more noise when I wanted to go out but I just didn't like to bother her and tried to hang on as long as possible. Now with the Poochie Bells, I can go to the door and all I have to do is nudge the bells with my nose and *ring-a-ling-ling* ... Mummy comes to let me out! 

The training was very straightforward, but I can get abit confused sometimes so it took me a little bit longer to learn. When I was a little puppy I didn't live here and I got knocked on the head alot by nasty people who wanted me to fight and I think that's why I get muddled. All Mummy had to do was ring them and then give me big hugs and praise ...lovely!!... before I went out and slowly I realised that if I ring them myself I could get more big hugs when I come back in! :) If I've been very good maybe a biscuit too *paws x-d* but my little sister is a genius and pretends to do good things for treats so Mummy can't always give us biscuits... *little sulk* Honey was a little bit scared of the bells to start with and wouldn't come out AT all which was difficult but I think I have managed to reassure her now that they are great and won't hurt her at all. She is still a little wary but as we always go everywhere together, I just ring them for her and she follows me out so long as the door is open and she can't see them. The Poochie Bells really have made such a difference to me and I am so grateful to Lynn & Dougal from Dougal's Den for letting me be their tester. It is a very big honour indeed! They have lots more wonderful things over on their site, so be sure to check it out! Especially as Christmas is coming! Lots of prezzie ideas for us pooches :)  *lots of licks and huggles* B x 

Christmas is coming!!

OMD! How time flies!! Just 47 days to go until Christmas!! 

Craziness. *heads spins* Seems like only last week we were doing our summer shows! We loooove this time of year though - all the lights & glitter & getting all cosy and warm in front of the fire. We have been busy the last couple of weeks getting together our Xmas collection for you... coming soon will be stockings and Xmas prezzies for doggies & owners too. Keep checking back for listings & updates! First up, we have our new Christmas bandanas, modelled once again by BNTM Sir Buzz:

♥ Cute as Christmas ♥

You can buy direct from us by clicking here or on Ebay here... and FREE P&P as always :) x x

We have missed you!!

Our computer has been poorly sick for a whole week & sadly still hasn't been fixed! *fingers x-d will be soon though!*  That's why we've been AWOL! But my lovely Mummy has lent hers for a few days so we are back... yaay!!

And it's an exciting few days for us ... this Friday we are going to the Big Smoke for a day out admiring Manolos & visiting the Harrods doggie, then Saturday is my birthday (Eek!) & most importantly on Sunday it's... the Jerry Green Fun Day!! Yaaay!! We are very excited about it!! It is going to be lovely & hoping lots of the lovely dogs there will find their forever home. The Market Square Dog Show was great & we loved meeting all the doggies and their owners. I just found out that the day raised just over £1000 for Animals in Need which is fab news :) I will be uploading photos later today.

Buzzy is still training to use his Poochie Bells but the rain has been a little bit of a problem... he has always hated the rain & wet and getting him out is a challenge but we are getting there. Honey is still scared of the bells but we are working hard to get her used to them! Think making some progress :) x x

A Busy Weekend!

Phew...! We have been rather busy again this weekend... in between dodging the ma-husive thunder storm & bucketfuls of rain mother nature bestowed  on us, we have made a new batch of scottie dog cushions, oilcloth pegbags & have trialled a new product... the draft excluder!! Pics of that to come in the next few days!!

We also rehomed this not-so-little guy from the Cancer Research Charity shop.... 

His name is Henry and he is our new Large & Extra Large bandana model!! You can meet him on our stall at this Sunday's Northampton Market Dog Show & the Jerry Green Fun Day on August 29th ♥

You may have been wondering how Buzz is getting on with his Poochie Bells ... well he has given them his 1st cautious little nudge so we think he is making progress... yaay! Although the rain is still a problem - he just hates it & it's such a problem when trying to get him out *sigh* but we will get there. Honey on the other hand is not at all scared of water...but is scared of the Poochie Bells so we are working on getting her used to them! xx

Poochie Bells for Mr Poopy Bum!

Buzz is very proud to be doggie tester for Dougals Den over the next few weeks! He is testing out their new  Poochie Bells as we all know he needs to poop aLOT and we don't always realise that he needs to go out because he doesn't tell us... I think he gets embarrassed bless him! So, lovely Dougal and his secretary Lynn have sent us some Poochie Bells for him to try out & review. Poochie Bells are new to the UK & are bells that he will learn to ring when he wants to go out! It is such a simple method & no dog is too young or too old to train :) Who said you can't teach an old dog new tricks?! Buzz is 8 ... or so he tells us! As he's rescue we can't be 100%! The bells hang on the doorhandle & before doggie goes out, we ring them & say "Outside...ring the bells!" then praise Buzzy & let him out. How simple is that? They come in all different designs ( we have paw prints... v cool! ) & you can buy them for just £9.99 here! And they come with a little collar tag too! P-awesome!!

We will be keeping you updated on Buzz's progress! Follow us on twitter for real-time updates!!

More pics after the jump!! >>

Manic Monday!

Well... not quite! But the countdown to PUPPY LOVE's next public outing has begun ... just 12 days to go until the Market Square Dog Show! New designs previewing at the show include Zingy Zebra print & Stylish Gold and Black Harlequin which will be available to buy online after the 21st :)

And talking of fashionable pooches... check out this handsome fellow posing with Paris Hilton in today's Daily Mail... 

But we think Buzzy wore it better earlier on in the season... what do you think?? 

 

Do you have any pics of your doggie (or self-portraits, anipals!) modelling sunglasses?? I want to see them!!! E-mail me :) xx

New " I ♥ Man Utd" Bandanas on Ebay!!

New " I ♥ Man Utd" Bandanas on Ebay now... here!

Moving swiftly on from the World Cup and England's rather poor performance... it is less than 50 days until the new season starts in the Premier League and inspired by football fans the world over... PUPPY LOVE has a new collection for your furry footie fans!! Made with our usual soft cotton binding using team colours and heat-transferred printing. More teams to come over the next few days!! xx