Honest Pet Products Dog Toys (Plus Giveaway!)

Laura Ducourant August 10, 2016

Bentley, lucky girl that she is, just received a box full of beautiful dog toys from a company called Honest Pet Products and I couldn't wait to share my thoughts on these awesome toys so stick around if you would like an honest review and a chance at WINNING your own all natural dog toys in our GIVEAWAY!

Honest Pet Products was founded by Mary Wolff in 2010 and the concept behind the idea was to "make a difference" in the world in a way that truly mattered. Mary's idea to create eco-friendly pet toys emerged from playing with her own two Yorkies, Willie and Sophia. She realized how all of their toys eventually ended up in the trash bin and therefore in a landfill so she decided to design sustainable and durable dog toys that would last and Voila; Honest Pet Products was born.

The three basic principles of the company are simple :

To be True to our Pets
To be True to our Planet
To be True to our People

The dog toys are made with all natural Hemp which is not only durable, it is also anti-microbial and anti-bacterial, and it doesn't rot so it will last alot longer than a plastic or synthetic fiber alternative. Hemp is also a biodegradable material which is the best part because it doesn't leave a carbon footprint and further pollute our precious mother earth. Each dog toy is made by developmentally disabled adults in Green Bay, Wisconsin and the wool cat products are handcrafted by impoverished women in Mongolia.

When the mailman delivered Bentley's package I opened up the box, set it down, and let Bentley do her thing. The box was filled with an array of beautiful dog toys and the first one she gravitated towards was the "Eco Quacker", a large duck filled with organic wool that makes a chirping sound when you shake it that resembles a bird.

The first thing I noticed about these toys was the quality. The hemp is not only beautiful but makes for a very sturdy toy that proved it wasn't going to fall apart after a day of playing with it. Honestly the toys were so nice that I didn't even want to take them and damage them with play but after a full day of playing with the duck, it still looked good as new and I didn't baby it at all! If you have a large dog, especially a pit bull, you know how these guys love to play hard and how some toys don't last more than a day let alone more than five minutes. I tossed that duck all around our backyard until Bentley was too tired to play anymore.

On the second day Bentley reached for the "Eco Owl Buddy", which I think is absolutely adorable, and played with it by herself for a while. When she was done she decided to lay down with him and take a nap. I think it's safe to say she likes her new little owl friend very much!

On the third day, Bentley reached for the "Eco Fetchin Stick" so off we went to play with it. This time my daughter wanted to join in on the action, hence the fairy wings. After another fun filled day of dog play, the stick held together and I didn't have a bunch of pieces of "filling" all over my yard, as happens with other stuffed dog toys. You know what I mean, when it looks like a toy exploded and the guts are sprawled all over the place? Not this time though thank goodness!

After over a week of playing with these toys, I can say that I love them! I love the fact that they have not fallen apart and I don't have to clean up a mess of torn apart toy parts in my yard. I also enjoy the fact that they are eco friendly and made of natural products since Bentley carries them in her mouth and my daughter handles them. I don't want toxic chemicals or products around my family and especially not Bentley mouth. I appreciate their beautiful design and the concept behind the company and the message that Mary Wolff is spreading with these toys.

I have decided to share my newfound love for Honest Pet Products by having a GIVEAWAY! This will be an Instagram Exclusive giveaway open to anyone so if you would like to enter click here for all the details and good luck to everyone that enters. (Contest ends on Wednesday, August 17th 2016 so Hurry!)

Below is a picture of what the lucky winner will receive!

GOOD LUCK!

How My Pit Bull Helped Me Get Over A Bad Breakup

Laura Ducourant August 7, 2016

Breakups are the worst and everyone who has been in one will tell you that you will eventually get over it, which is true, but in the midst of a freshly bruised ego and a broken heart it feels impossible. Everyone deals with breakups in different ways, and while some ways may be a better option than others, it is a personal journey that one must take and figure out own their own. Afterall there is no simple guidebook on how to deal with matters of the heart because we are all so complex and our relationships so unique.

This my personal account of how my Pit Bull Bentley helped me get over a nasty breakup and helped me heal my broken little heart.

I had been in an on again off again, long term relationship, while definitely not the healthiest, looking back, there was just something that kept us together throughout all the madness of what our relationship was. The crutch we used and that many others can relate to was comfort and fear of being alone. This will keep you in situations that are not the best for you, but why? Because as humans we need company and we don't like failure. When a relationship doesn't work out it is a failure so we try so hard to stop that failure in its tracks even if it is truly best to let go.

"When a relationship doesn't

work out it is a failure so we

try so hard to stop that failure

in its tracks even it it is truly

best to let go."

So here I was in a relationship that I was fighting to make work because I couldn't deal with failure after investing so many years into a relationship. I stuck around through thick and thin, ups and downs. This man put me through hell and back but I stayed strong until one day I couldn't do it anymore. He was with another woman and I was devastated, crushed, hurt, angry, depressed, livid, enraged, horrified, and every emotion in between. The fact that he rubbed it in my face and posted pictures of them together on Social Media made it even harder to digest. As hard as I tried not to, I looked at those pictures, as do many people in my situation, comparing myself to her and asking question after question just trying to rack my head around it. How could he chose her over me after everything that we had been through?

After spending weeks depressed and feeling sorry for myself I decided that I needed to stop being so pathetic. I was in my backyard one day and Bentley laid her head on my lap like she had been doing everyday and just sat there with me looking up at me with those golden eyes. I realized that I hadn't even taken her on a walk throughout this depression and I felt bad about it.

This was just what I needed, someone to get me off my a** and out of the house so I could stop moping around like a fool. I decided that we would go on a hike because the outdoors always made me feel better and you know what, it absolutely did! We hiked up to a high point on a hill and looked down at the whole valley while I reflected on my life. This was so therapeutic to me that I started going hiking with Bentley more and more and felt better and better as each day went by.

"This was just what I needed,

*someone to get me off my a** and*

out of the house so I could stop

moping around like a fool."

This quality time with Bentley inspired me to train her more and in a matter of 2 weeks I had taught her 5 new tricks. I was feeling more than better at this point because my mind was off of this unhealthy relationship with the cheater that didn't appreciate me and on something more positive. I was getting into better shape and my dog was getting more and more trained as the weeks went by.

What I hadn't realized up until this point was that Bentley was there for me throughout the whole ordeal. She couldn't talk but she empathized with me in the only way she knew how, by being present. When I was going through my depression and slept the days away she would come lay on the floor next to my bed and stay there with me the whole time. When I was crying and miserable she would lick my hand and give me her little Pit Bull smile. When I was angry she would distract me by bringing me her favorite toy for me to throw around. I had missed all these little signs because I was so engulfed in myself that I only realized how she played a part in my healing until after I was healed.

When you start looking outside of yourself you realize things. I learned that not everything is my fault and that people do not change and become the person you want them. I learned that the best way to heal is with time and that a positive attitude and constructive distraction will help. I learned that a dog is capable of showing emotion and empathy. I learned that I truly love my dog and that Pit Bulls are such caring creatures if you give them the time and training they need to flourish.

10 Cruelty Free Makeup Brands

Laura Ducourant July 26, 2016

Ah makeup, the wonderful land of makeup where you can spend about an hour at your local Sephora swatching and testing different products or look like a crazy woman going to your 24 hour drugstore in the middle of the night because you can't get your mind off that must have new lipstick shade. Yes I've been there and it's ok but do you ever wonder if your makeup has been tested on animals? This is a topic I recently became interested in as my love for makeup has grown exponentially.

I started doing some research and compiled a list of 10 makeup brands that most of you may be familiar with that do not test their products on animals and this brought me joy because I own a lot of products from these brands. So if you would like to know if your makeup stash is ethical or not take a peak at these well known brands that are considered cruelty free!

1. Too Faced

First on the list is Too Faced and who doesn't love their gorgeous eyeshadow palettes that smell this chocolate? Umm yes please! While this may be on the higher end of the makeup spectrum and one that isn't sold in drugstores, you can still snag some good deals via their website where you get a free gift with every purchase. Now that's SWEET!

2. Elf

ELF is a highly affordable brand that I have been loving since I first saw their products hanging in my local Target and with such affordability it is awesome to know that they too are cruelty free so now you can look great on a budget and know that you are not supporting animal cruelty.

3. Wet n Wild

Wet n Wild has been a favorite of mine since childhood in the 90s where I would beg my mom to buy me nail polish or an absurd color of lipstick (metallic silver anyone?). It's great to see that my childhood favorite has made the list.

4. Kat Von D

Kat Von D is known for her vegan lifestyle so it's no surprise to see that her cosmetics line follows suit. With gorgeous palettes and edgy lipstick shades, this line is edgy, modern, and the packaging is cute too!

5. Becca

Becca has recently become well known for their gorgeous highlighters which give you the most amazing glow and have you looking like a goddess. While it is a more expensive brand it is worth the splurge once in awhile especially when it's cruelty free!

6. Anastasia Beverly Hills

Once known as the queen of eyebrows, Anastasia has truly become a star in the cosmetic world with gorgeous products from the perfect eyebrow pencil to beautiful lipsticks, and contour kits. This is one brand you must have if you support ethical makeup.

7. Hard Candy

This is another childhood fav that can be found in Walmarts and is super affordable. They have a nice selection or products but my favorite has to be their beautiful blushes.

8. Milani

Ok seriously, Milani has great products and can be easily found at drugstores. Their lipsticks and blushes are amazing, literally, and they are affordable. Thinking of Miliani makes me want to go to the drugstore right now!

9. Physician's Formula

If you have not tried out Physician's Formula you don't know what you're missing and if you have then you know all about their awesome bronzers and highlighters. Go to your local drugstore or Target/Walmart and check out their ethical selections.

10. Sonia Kashuk

If you ever browse the Target beauty aisle then you are familiar with this brand and their beautiful makeup brushes but they do make some affordable makeup that is cruelty free so they made the list and seriously those holiday makeup brush sets are amazing and you need to pick one up when the holidays roll around!

3 Ways Your Dog Can Beat The Heat This Summer!

Laura Ducourant July 24, 2016

We all know that the summer sun is strong and can make it hard to cool down but these 3 tips should help make summertime more enjoyable and cooler for your furry friend!

1. Get A Kiddie Pool

We all know that summer is the best time to go swimming and it sure does feel great to relax in the cool water. Many dogs actually enjoy swimming too but if you don't have a swimming pool don't worry because the next best thing and one that won't break the bank is the perfect solution for you, your kids, and your dog. Kiddie pools are inexpensive and can be used over and over as long as you keep it fairly clean. Your dog will love wading around in the cool water on a scorching day - hey maybe you can join in on the fun too. Now that's a WIN-WIN!

2. Make Frozen Dog Treats

Who doesn't love a nice frozen treat on a hot summer day? Ice cream anyone? Well you can easily make some frozen treats that you can enjoy with your dog. Making dog treats doesn't have to be hard, it can be as easy as freezing fruit. There are a multitude of recipes on the web, some of which are extremely easy and others which take more time, so you are sure to find one to suit your needs. Here are a few ideas that are human and dog friendly, aka- YOU CAN EAT THEM TOO!

A super easy way to cool you and your dog down that is also delicious is with frozen watermelon. Just cut the watermelon into bite sized pieces, freeze, and voila!

You can even take it a step further and pour blend watermelon and water, pour into a fun mold, and freeze. You can even use these as ice cubes for your drink.

How about some yummy peanut butter and banana? Just cut pieces of bananas, dip them in peanut butter and freeze, and you have another yummy treat you can enjoy with your pooch.

3. Freeze Your Dog's Toys

This one is probably the easiest summer tip of all. All you have to do is pop your dog's favorite toy in the freezer for a couple hours and you're done. You can even go ahead and freeze a small pillow for yourself and you can both relax and stay cool in the hot summer days.

Now all you need to do is go out and enjoy your summer!

Pet Portraits by Levi Morris- My Experience

Laura Ducourant February 28, 2016

Have you ever thought of getting a portrait of your pet? It is THE perfect way to commemorate your best friend. If you're anything like me then you know that pets aren't just pets, they are family and that we will always share a deep connection with them and carry them in our hearts. So just like you put up your family photos on display in your home, your pets are just as important to display. This is the reason why pet portraits are a great thing. The best part is that you can have your painting customized to your liking. You can choose the colors, sizing, props, preferred picture, and pretty much anything else in between!

This is Levi Morris and his cute dog Cashew. He is the wonderful artist who painted a very special and meaningful painting of my dear Bentley. I will share with you my experience of having a custom pet painting done and my thoughts regarding the process.

My experience communicating with Levi was delightful. We communicated by email and he asked me my preferences and if I had a particular photo of Bentley that I would like to have painted. Eventually we settled with this photo of Bentley for him to recreate. It's a photo I took a while back with Bentley wearing a pearl necklace. It's simple but to me it represents the regal nature of Pit Bulls so it does have a strong significance for me. It shows how these dogs are so misunderstood because, like Bentley, they can be so calm and delicate, just like the pearls she's wearing around her neck. Pearls are found in the depths of the ocean, hidden away inside shells that must be found, opened, and polished. They are elegant and timeless, and special just like my Bentley!

I honestly thought it would take a few weeks for the painting to be completely so I patiently waited and to my shock, Levi emailed me not even a week later with the completed portrait. That's right, just 5 days later and the painting was done. He asked me if there were any changes that I would like to have made but I loved it. I received the painting 2 days later, so in total, it took a week to receive! The resemblance is truly amazing. It looks exactly like the photo. The shading and lighting are beautiful and it is such a joy to know that I will have this piece to commemorate Bentley for the rest of my life. I'm already imaging showing my grandchildren and telling them all about her.

So here are my final thoughts

1. Is it worth it? Absolutely.

2. Do you like the painting? I love it!

3. Would you recommend getting your pet painted? Well obviously, that's why I wrote this blog!

About Levi Morris

Levi Austin Morris is a visual artist, actor, and activist originally from Minnesota. He was raised in a very eccentric home with five older siblings and up to four dogs (more, if any strays wandered over.) After graduating college, Levi relocated to Los Angeles, California. He currently resides in Koreatown and lives with his partner of four years and their adorable pup Cashew. Music is a huge influence on Levi's artistic work and can really determine the emotive quality of a piece. Levi is currently obsessed with Sia!

You can see more of his work and order your own pet painting via his Etsy shop: www.etsy.com/shop/lmorris87

He will answer all of your questions and concerns and work with you to create the perfect pet portrait for you.

You may contact Levi directly by email at :

Leviaustinmorris@gmail.com

Pit Bulls That Love Valentine's Day!

Laura Ducourant February 15, 2016

Love is in the Air and we have just what you've been searching for: Pit Bulls celebrating that special time of year. A time filled with chocolate and roses galore. Feast your eyes on this wonderful occasion of Pit Bulls Celebrating Valentine's Day!