Charlotte

Black & White Sunday — Can’t Stop Smiling!

Thunderstorm Thursday!

Happy Thursday everyone! Its been super stormy all day today so everyone has been staying in the house and trying to stay dry. We have a full house this week. Jack the golden retriever is staying with us and he is a little bit of a baby. (He is scared of thunder!) He has been hiding behind a trash can in our office for the majority of the day. Luckily enough it stopped raining right around our usual puppy walk time. We headed out for a wet two dog walk.

Serious BasilWet NatureTwo dog walk Red dog in your face... What do you do?Wet flowers Basil & Jack

Many more photos of these two best friends coming later this week. Also, a new Basil’s Favorite Things tomorrow. Hope its sunny where you are!

Travel well, nap well, live well!

-Abbey & Basil

Basil the Amazing Flying Dog!

Its been 3 weeks since our amazing trip to the BlogPaws conference in beautiful Lake Las Vegas, Nevada and Basil’s first airplane ride. We think that Basil is now officially the amazing flying dog!

I wanted to share some tips and tricks that we learned from flying with a four-legged friend. As well as a photo or two. I’ll also give you a short review of the SturdiBag pet carrier that we used and that helped Basil take another giant step for dog-kind.Basil at the airport


Tip 1: Give Yourself More Time Than You Think You Need!

When it comes to traveling on airplanes or just plain going to the airport, even when I’m traveling without Basil, I always show up WAY too early. I find that sometimes its a breeze and sometimes the line to just check-in is a mile long. Too many times have I been in line at check-in or for security and there is a frantic traveler in front of me yelling and complaining that he or she is going to miss their flight if they don’t get through this line NOW. I never want to be that person so I would rather be too early than too late!
As for traveling with your pet this tip is even more important. Most airlines do require that you make a “reservation” for your pet before your flight but this reservation is not a guarantee that your pet will be on this flight. When going to Las Vegas we flew on US Airways. They were great but they do have a 6 pet per plane max. This means if 6 pets show up to your flight before you do…Sorry, you are out of luck and that so called “reservation” means nothing! For our flight from Charlotte to Las Vegas for the BlogPaws conference I was slightly concerned, being that Charlotte is an US Airways/American Airlines hub, that there would be more than 6 pets on our flight. To make sure Basil made the flight and the conference we showed up the airport 3 1/2 hours early. This may seem like a lot but it was what made me comfortable and gave me a little piece of mind. As it turned out, we were the only pet on the plane that day but again, better safe than sorry!

Tip 2: Be Kind!
This one may seem like common sense but you would be surprised how many grown adults don’t follow it. Every person you have to deal with when traveling through an airport is just doing their job. From the clerk at the check-in counter to the person that scans your ticket at the gate and the flight attendants, they are all there to do their jobs and serve you. This doesn’t mean you can walk all over them! With just a simple smile and a thank you it really does make all the difference.
In our case, Basil and his pet carrier is slightly larger than the approved pet size allowed on most airlines. This means at any point before the plane takes off we could be confronted and asked to leave. I didn’t want this to happened and we were fortunate enough to not have any issues and everyone we spoke to had zero problem with Basil or his carrier. I do know, for a fact, that this would be a different story if I was overtly rude and chose to complain about issues that couldn’t be resolved. So, just remember to be kind and if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all!

Tip 3: Know Where the Pet Potty is!
For this trip I booked a direct flight with no layovers so that Basil don’t have to “hold it” for too long but I know that sometimes that is not an option. Do research on each airport before you travel. If you can’t or forget I would recommend using the time once the plane touches down on the tarmac and they allow you to switch on your phone to look up where the pet area is in that airport. Will you have to exit the airport and go through security again? Do they even have a spot for pets? The last thing you want to worry about when in an unfamiliar airport is cleaning up an accident. I also have read a tip from a fellow pet blogger, Dog Jaunt that said to bring pee pads. If your pet needs to go while on the plane, this is a way to take your buddy to the tiny airplane bathroom and set up a pad. Also, if you are unable to get to the pet potty or maybe have a short layover, you have a back up plan.Basil is ready!

Our first airplane trip with Basil was pretty smooth and what helped a lot was the SturdiBag pet carrier we had ordered. I choose this bag after doing hours and hours of research online and reading more than my fair share of reviews. I found the large size SturdiBag to fit our 20+ lb. Boston terrier perfect. Its soft sides make it fit nicely under the US Airways seats and the super soft pad inside make Basil feel comfortable. Disclaimer! The large size SturdiBag is 2 inches longer than most airlines listed max size. Please be aware of this if you do choose this bag.Basil in his carrier on the plane
The only down side to this fabulous pet carrier is there is only one door, on the front. If both front and back zipped open it would make it much easier for my dog to enter and exit the carrier. Other than that, I loved the bag and would purchase it again in a heart beat!

Hope you enjoyed this post and we can’t want to get back up into the friendly skies and log some more air miles under Basil’s collar.

Travel well, nap well, live well!

-Abbey & Basil

 

Hot dog loves hot dogs!

Its been a sunny weekend out in our neck of the woods so we decided to spend a little time outside. But because the BlogPaws 2014 conference is just a few days away, we have been really busy!

Nate, Basil, and I decided that a causal BBQ was just what the doctor ordered. The only hiccup in this plan… we don’t have a back yard! Well, that wasn’t going to stop us. We got out our mini BBQ, a few lawn chairs, and everything Basil may need for lounging outdoors. The next few hours were spent cooking, eating, and throwing the football around. A good time was had by all. I give you the “I don’t have a backyard… backyard BBQ!”

Now its time to get back to getting ready for our BlogPaws trip. We leave in 3 days! Vegas or bust!

Travel well, nap well, live well!

-Abbey & Basil

Sunny Monday!

Turn that frown upside down… its Monday! No, I haven’t lost my mind. I know its Monday and not Friday but I’m pretty much over this whole “Monday blues” thing. I mean I woke up this morning with that same ol’ Monday feeling and then I went outside. It is sunny and warm and my dog it happy! So why can’t I be happy too?!

I officially want to throw Basil’s “hat” in the ring for new spokesperson or spokes dog of Mondays! I mean just look at that smile! Vote Basil for happier Mondays! 

If your Monday wasn’t going as planed or you are just having “one of those days” we hope you can take a few moments to enjoy these pictures of the happiest dog in the world and hopefully that smile helps… if only for a little bit!

Happy #SunnyMonday Everyone!

Travel well, nap well, live well!

-Abbey & Basil

Basil’s Favorite Things – Club Fetch

Here we go again with another very special Monday edition of Basil’s Favorite Things. This BFT is a spotlight on a very chic, very clean, totally rocking dog club in Charlotte, NC. So, sit back, relax and learn why you should also fall in love with Club Fetch.

Our obsession with Club Fetch actually started back this last summer, before they even opened their doors. Basil, Nate & I were attending a charity 3k dog walk and happened upon their store front. Out in front of this charming building, painted white with black trim, we first met Blaire & Jackson. Blaire being the friendly human owner of Club Fetch and Jackson being the 4 legged Boston terrier owner that will lick your face. Of course Basil and Jackson hit it off right away and after a quick hello and sniff of the behind (Jackson’s not Blaire’s!) we were off. With new information in my pocket I made a mental note to enjoy their services once they opened full time. 

This last Saturday seemed like the perfect day for us to have our first official visit to Club Fetch. The sun was shining, and there just happened to be a craft beer crawl in the same neighbor. This meant that Basil could run and play with his peers for a few hours while his mommy & daddy could also “run and play” with their peers and beer! We walked into the club and were promptly greeted by name! ( We did happen to call in advance and advise them of our arrive. They aren’t psychic! Even though they may be able to read my dogs mind.)

After checking us in, Club Fetch requires that your dog it up to date on rabies, bordetella, and distemper shots, Blaire took us on a complete tour. Once we stepped beyond the office and into the club spaces I was blown away. Let me first say this place smelled amazing! Like better than a few of my friends homes! It was that good! And I know what your thinking, “really?” Yes, really! If you didn’t know that you were in a space that houses dozens of dogs 24 hours a day, you would not believe it. Seriously, I can not explain to you how incredible this was. I felt like I was in a Febreze commercial but better. Blaire let us know that not only did they updated the entire building, they epoxied all the concrete floors as well as up all the walls by many feet. On top of protecting the floors and walls from absorbing all these common dog smells they clean with only 100% green cleanser.

With my nose still trying to comprehend how this place is even possible we were shown the kennel area. All the kennels included a bed, dog toys, and plenty of access to water. The doors to these kennels were made of aluminum, to prevent rusting, and offered a full view of the many flat screened TVs. Yes, when your dog stays at Club Fetch he gets to watch TV while laying in bed! Again, I have friends that don’t know that luxury! If you are not completely sold on the this place already let me continue.

Along with the cable TV your dog is enjoying while you are away, they were also playing some light classical music. You know if you dog is beyond watching ESPN he or she can contemplating the state of the world while being stimulated by Mozart.

Beyond the kennels there are three play areas designed for toy, small/medium, and large dogs. These areas have a full rubber floor and plenty of windows. Each room had happy dogs running around also had a staff member to “babysit” the action. All Club Fetch’s employees are trained in pet first aid and CPR. This isn’t like just dropping your dog off with your 20 something neighbor that said he “had a lot of dogs growing up” these folks know their stuff!

Along with the kennels, and play areas Club Fetch is fully equipped with a dog wash for full service grooming as well as a full kitchen that houses any and all of your dogs special food items and medications. So whether you need to just drop your dog off for a couple of hours, all day or need to have him stay for a few days while your away on vacation, Club Fetch can accommodate.

The whole time Nate & I were there taking the tour and dropping Basil off we couldn’t have been more impressed. Blaire and his staff have really thought of everything and this protective mommy felt more than comfortable to leave her baby with them.

I few hours later we returned to find out that Basil had a blast! He was smiling that Boston terrier smile from ear to ear and everyone as Club Fetch let us know that he was a great dog and they loved having him. Well, I’m glad they loved having him because he loved being there and we will for sure be back.

We left Basil’s new favorite home away from home with one happy, sleepy dog. The moment his butt hit the back seat of the car he was in full blown coma mode. Not to be awaken until we were home.BizCAP0IMAAwYQn

We highly recommend Club Fetch for all your dog care needs. Another thing you don’t know about Club Fetch is its totally affordable! All their services and prices can be found at their website, http://www.clubfetch.comMake sure to also head over to Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook to follow them for daily photos of all their club members, spoiler alert, they are adorable!

Thank you Blaire, Jackson, and all the staff at Club Fetch for making the best dog club out there. Basil gives you guys 2 paws straight up!!!

If you are in the area and need a place for your pet please consider Club Fetch, you will not be sorry!

Happy St. Paddy’s day everybody!

Travel well, nap well, live well!

-Abbey & Basil

Sunny Weekend at the Dog Park!

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