Ruby Reviews: Dressed to the K9s Custom Leash + Giveaway

Little did I know that when I admired my blogger friend Lia's leash in a Facebook picture that she had made it herself and was starting her own business, Dressed to the K9s. I was beyond thrilled when she offered to make one for Boca and one for a lucky reader! Not only does Lia craft gorgeous custom macrame leashes, but she also hand beads stunning collars that are seriously works of art. I've been a fan of her blog Identity V + E for a while now, in awe of her dedication to her beautiful Elli and her challenging new Malinois, Riko, and am so happy to support the grand opening of her business.

Dressed to the K9s' leashes are unique in that they are woven by hand and fully customizable. You can choose up to four colors of cord and add a bag-carrier loop. I got to see some pictures of the progress on Boca's leash on the Dressed to the K9s Facebook page, and was so tickled by the name she gave it: Bahamian Rhapsody! I was still unprepared for how beautiful it would be in person, and I literally squealed and jumped around like a little kid when I opened the package. The colors were so bright and reminded me of a seaside carnival. 

The 6 foot leash is as functional as it is beautiful - I can see it lasting forever, the hardware and handle are sturdy, and one of my favorite things about the leash is how comfortable it is to hold at any point. Although Boca already has an enviable collection of collars, I couldn't help ordering a Dia de los Muertos collar for her to match her folkloric new leash!

One lucky blog reader will win a Dressed to the K9s leash of their own, in the lovely Sandalwood color scheme. Even though I chose the tropically technicolor leash for Boca, I'm just a little jealous of whoever wins the other one, too. Entrants must be U.S. residents and reply to the winner notification email within 72 hours to claim their prize:

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

Disclaimer: Dressed to the K9s provided the giveaway leash and one for review in exchange for my honest feedback. All opinions expressed are my own and I only publish reviews for products I feel comfortable using in the day to day life of my pets.

Why Laissez-Faire Attitudes Are Unfair to Our Dogs

It's my job to be responsible so my dogs can be carefree.

No matter how much I talk to the Ginger Sisters and treat them like family, I never forget that they are dogs first and foremost. No matter how well-trained (speaking in general here as I am a dog training novice and an admittedly permissive pushover), no matter how well you think you know your dog, they are living creatures with minds and reflexes of their own. There will always be an element of unpredictability because they are not machines or robots. I've witnessed a few dog-related incidents lately that have made me question what people are thinking and why they eschew such simple precautions as leashes, collars and fences.  

My office is located near a major thoroughfare, which is congested with traffic at rush hour. While driving home from work earlier in the month, I saw a man crossing a busy intersection with a German Shepherd. I had to do a double take to confirm that, to my complete shock and dismay, the dog wasn't wearing a leash or a collar. The man was empty-handed, not even carrying a leash. The dog was following him happily, and the man didn't appear at all concerned. I couldn't comprehend why he was taking such a huge risk. I've seen this before in other parts of the city - people with the leash in their hand instead of attached to their dog, strolling down the sidewalk alongside cafe diners and speeding traffic. It almost seems like arrogant swagger, brandishing (illusory) control. As a chronic worrier who outfits her reactive dog in an array of collars and harnesses with security features and backup attachments, I don't understand the carefree attitude. What if the dog sees a squirrel across the street? What if a car backfires and startles the dog? What if it can't resist the temptation to snatch a cookie from a child and gets a finger instead? A leash can be a lifeline protecting dogs from the world's many variables we can't foresee. Tragedy can happen in a heartbeat. Even to the very best of good dogs. Even to the very coolest people.

A lab mix aggressively charged Ruby, Boca and I at the end of an otherwise wonderful walk on Saturday, just outside the building adjacent to ours. Its owner left their gate open while they were next to their car - maybe they'd just returned with the dog or were unloading groceries. The owner would probably say that the dog is friendly or that it wouldn't go anywhere, and yet as it was barreling toward us with its head low and its ears back all I could think was that I was about to be in the middle of a three-way dog fight, with the strange dog greatly outweighing both of mine. Thankfully, the dog did put the brakes on as soon as its owner screamed "NO!" just before it reached us. It happened so quickly that Ruby barely had time to react. I resisted the temptation to say something and just led my girls off briskly - we were so close to home, anyway. A moment of inattention and a day that could easily have gone terribly wrong, with the animals paying the price as they so often do, and the humans left with apologies and regrets.

Sometimes I do wish that I was a more easygoing person, and that my mind wasn't constantly circumnavigating the world of worst case scenarios, but at the same time I feel that my caution and prudence are assets when it comes to protecting my animals and being a responsible guardian. My animals' lives are not a fair extension of my ego nor should they be expected to transcend their natures. I'm supposed to be the more advanced thinker. These examples are just two of the many instances I see on a regular basis both in real life and on the internet where people seem to let their best judgment lapse. We all make mistakes, but a brazen disregard for safety, thinking that the rules don't apply or that nothing bad will happen is a disservice to the animals we are charged with safekeeping and those that share our space. I try not to take unnecessary chances but I've still had close calls of my own. I use those moments of hindsight to make improvements for the future when possible. It's the best I can do. It's what my sweet dogs depend on and deserve. 

Ruby Reviews: Wag Pac March Box

UPDATE: Please note that as of June, 2014, Wag Pac has discontinued its subscription box service. 

This month Ruby received a Wag Pac subscription box to review. She is always excited to see a package come through the door, as nine times out of ten it is for her!

For several reasons, this is my favorite subscription box yet, and I have tried quite a few. I currently have a six-month subscription to one, but think I'll be switching to Wag Pac when that one expires.  First of all, while many of the subscription companies donate to dogs in need, Wag Pac actually allows you to choose the rescue or shelter that your donation dollars will go to.  They have an extensive list to choose from, and I picked Colorado Animal Welfare League, the group responsible for pulling Ruby from a dismal southern shelter, fostering her here in Colorado, and making her available for me to adopt! They just got done with a spay/neuter operation for "potcake" dogs in the Bahamas and are definitely a worthy cause.

The item Ruby was most excited about (she actually stole away with it to the living room), we will be passing on (in slightly slobbered-on condition) as she is not allowed stuffies, but it was a very cute blue squeaky octopus from Kyjen.  The filling is made from recycled bottles and it would hold up to gentle chewers.  Here is Ruby making a grab for it:

Next was a Pet Blinker, something that will come in handy for walks at night, and a fun addition to the box.  I often wish more apparel and accessories were included and not just toys and treats, and this fit the bill!

The winning item, and the best single thing I've ever gotten in a subscription box, is the Alite Boa Lite Leash. This is a high-value item which makes up for more than half of the multi-month subscription price. I was thrilled that the green color matched Ruby's Up Country squirrel collar, and had to immediately leash her up and take it for a spin.  The leash is remarkably lightweight, has a built-in bag dispenser, a key pocket (although a full roll of poop bags leaves little room for anything else), a clip handle for tethering, and a utility loop perfect for attaching the Pet Blinker! The clip is on the heavy side, so it was too bulky for Ruby's front-clip harness and I'll reserve it for her back-clip equipment. 

Lastly, two full-sized packages of treats: Zuke's Mini Bakes and Fruitables Skinny Minis. Ruby is already a fan of the Fruitables and Zuke's, although we have never tried the Mini Bakes and will no longer be buying Zuke's products since they were purchased by Purina. My current subscription service features more small-batch, local companies and I do prefer that over the larger brands.  I hope that Wag Pac will be including a mixture of both in future boxes.  

As I said, between the awesome leash and the ability to choose your own donation recipient, Wag Pac will be at the top of my list when it comes time to pick a new box service.  I love getting surprises in the mail, and being able to share new toys and yummy treats with Ruby upon their arrival makes it all the more fun.  

Which is your favorite pet subscription box? 

DISCLAIMER: I received the March box from Wag Pac in exchange for my honest review.