Potcake Mystery Mix: Genetic Testing with Royal Canin

Boca is, officially, a Royal Bahamian Potcake - a mixed-breed dog native to the islands of the Caribbean - but what breed mixture actually makes up a Potcake is anyone's guess. Potcakes can vary widely in appearance, from longer-haired shepherd-types to short-haired, houndish dogs. One fascinating aspect of street dogs is that certain characteristics are apparent all over the world. Boca looks very much like some pictures of street dogs in India that I've seen, and she is smaller than the typical Bahamian Potcake. A recent study attempted to make sense of the Potcake puzzle, and determined that the gene pool of island dogs included a multitude of breeds both ancient and modern. (Some of the dogs used in this study came from the same shelter as Boca!)

When we were approached by Royal Canin to see if we wanted to review their new Genetic Health Analysis DNA testing kit, we excitedly seized the opportunity. The GHA testing kit provides breed results from 250 possible breeds as well as a detailed health snapshot which identifies over 130 genetic mutations.  I have used DNA tests in the past for Ruby and a previous dog, Lasya, and find them to be not only fun, but advantageous in understanding behavior, energy and management needs.

I'm usually fairly adept at correctly guessing the components of mixed breed dogs and love to play along any time I see a "Guess the Breed" game, but Boca has always had me stumped. She looks like...an adorable medium-sized dog! We've been asked by multiple people if she is a Basenji, and based on size, coloration, and the wrinkles she sometimes has on her forehead, as well as the graceful arch of her neck, if I had to pick one breed she most resembles, it would have to be a Basenji.

Boca came to Colorado as a 4-5 year old dog who had lived in a shelter in The Bahamas for approximately one year. I therefore have very limited information about her previous health history. Longtime readers may recall Boca's 'Ocular Ordeal,' which perplexed several top specialists in our area, so any insight into other potential risks that we can manage ahead of time will be incredibly valuable, not to mention the fun of learning Boca's breed make-up!

The process of having Boca tested was very easy - especially since she seems to enjoy trips to the vet! We had a pleasant drive to the our awesome vet's office, she waited patiently for her appointment, happily posed with our fabulous vet tech Heather, placed herself on the scale to be weighed (exactly 33 pounds if anyone is asking), and willingly followed the staff to an exam room where they swiftly drew a blood sample. This blood sample was packaged and shipped to the Royal Canin lab, and soon after we were notified that it is being processed!

I can hardly stand the suspense and bet there will be some surprises in Boca's unique island ancestry. We'd love to invite our readers to play along - what breeds do you think Boca could be comprised of? Comment with your guesses and we will be back to share the results in a few weeks!

If you are interested in testing your own dog, ask your veterinarian about the Royal Canin Genetic Health Analysis.

This post is sponsored by Royal Canin. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Royal Canin's Genetic Health Analysis test, but Rubicon Days only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Royal Canin is not responsible for the content of this article.

Choosing a Quality Canned Dog Food with Nature's Logic

I use canned food as part of the Ginger Sisters' rotation diet, and we were already fans of this post's sponsor, Nature's Logic, with their commitment to whole, natural foods. I was happy to spread the word about their food while discussing the benefits of a high quality canned diet. Ruby and Boca enjoyed Nature's Logic Canine Venison Feast for breakfast for the past month, and not only did they both love it, but I'm confident through my research that it is an absolutely top-notch food.

Botanical Healing with Natural Paws + Giveaway

Whenever possible, I try to use natural products for The Ginger Sisters, whether that is shampoo or supplements. I was already a fan of the Natural Paws line since winning a sampler of their paw care, so I was happy to try out a couple more products and take part in this great giveaway along with Keep the Tail Wagging, Some Pets and Groovy Goldendoodles.

Ruby Reviews: The Honest Kitchen Proper Toppers

This month, The Ginger Sisters were excited to try Proper Toppers, the newest offering from The Honest Kitchen. I know I wasn't imagining them looking longingly at the package on the counter when I told them we couldn't open it until we got pictures... 

Ruby Reviews: The Honest Kitchen Wonders

I am always excited to try a new offering from The Honest Kitchen. The Ginger Sisters eat their dehydrated food every day for breakfast as part of their rotation diet and I trust in their human-grade ingredients and natural philosophy. I even belong to their auto-ship program so we never run out of Keen, Revel or Beams. Since Ruby and Boca regularly enjoy the dried catfish skins known as Beams, I thought that the new single ingredient pollock skin treats, Wonders, would be a hit for us. It turned out...not so much. While The Ginger Sisters were anxious to sink their teeth into these stinky, scaly snacks, I was skeptical as soon as I saw them.

Ruby Reviews: Raw Paws + Giveaway

The Ginger Sisters were given the opportunity to try some food & chews from Raw Paws Pet Food recently. Raw Paws Pet Food is an online retailer of thoughtfully sourced raw food, including meaty bones, organ meat, pre-made complete raw diets and single ingredient chews. They have a large selection of common and novel proteins and even make a grain-free kibble. Their starter packs and auto-ship plans take the guesswork out of raw feeding whether you are a dedicated raw feeder or are interested in supplementing your dog's rotation diet.

The Honest Kitchen Bone Broth is Comfort Food for Dogs

I love to liven up The Ginger Sisters' kibble dinner, and am already a fan of turmeric for dogs so I was excited to try The Honest Kitchen's new Bone Broth with Turmeric, especially now that we are having some cold weather. I think the girls appreciate something warm and soothing when we come in from a wintry walk. 

Ruby Reviews: The Bear & The Rat Yogurt Treats + Giveaway

The Ginger Sisters are happy to try out any kind of new treats, and because we do so much training I prefer the treats to be healthy and beneficial. I was delighted to sample the latest product from local Denver, Colorado company The Bear & The Rat (you may have seen them on Shark Tank!). 

Fro-Yo To Go are freeze dried yogurt treats loaded with helpful probiotics. They come in two flavors: Bacon and Sweet Potato & Carrot, with over 150 yogurt bites in a bag. The girls were very excited to try the Bacon flavor. 

The treats are made in the USA and are corn, soy, wheat, gluten and grain free. The treats smell really good, with a creamy tang that smells like a frozen yogurt shop. They are about the size of a dime and I think they must melt in the dogs' mouths, the way they licked their lips and were ready for more. 

I have only two minor complaints about the freeze-dried yogurt treats: they are very delicate and got pretty broken up in the bag. This isn't a big deal since I like smaller training treats, anyway. They also make your hands a little sticky. I told you - minor complaints. The Ginger Sisters loved them, I love the ingredients, and I am happy to support a local company. 

The Ginger Sisters Ruby did some tricks to earn some more frozen yogurt treats. She waved "bye bye" while Boca laughed because "down" is one of the only tricks she knows.

We are giving away two packages of Fro-Yo To Go to one lucky winner - must be a U.S. resident and respond to the notification email within 72 hours.

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Disclaimer: The Bear & The Rat provided the giveaway treats and a sample 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.

Defeating Dog Dish Slime with YoMo Essentials

In my early dog guardian days it didn't occur to me to wash my pets' bowls regularly, but then I realized how gross that was. Now that I feed a partially dehydrated and frozen raw diet, it's an absolute must. 

I don't like to use harsh chemicals on dishes my dogs eat and drink out of, but there is always that yucky slimy residue left no matter how hot the water or how much I scrub and not all of my pets' bowls are dishwasher safe. 

For this reason I was happy to try out an all natural pet bowl cleaner by YoMo Essentials. No More Slymees is a spray-on cleaner made from great-smelling essential oils, safe enough to use on your own dishes. 

After their meals, I spray No More Slymees in The Ginger Sisters' bowls, enjoying the pleasant minty fragrance while it cuts through the nasty gunk. With a simple hot water rinse, the bowls are sparkling clean and slime free! 

YoMo Essentials also offers grooming spray, calming spray and insect repellant and I'm happy to support a small company that is dedicated to safe, all-natural products that tackle problems unique to pet parents. I'll be keeping a bottle of No More Slymees next to my sink from now on! 

Disclaimer: I received a sample from YoMo Essentials 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.

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:

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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.

Reasons We Love Rotation Feeding with Open Farm Dog Food

This post is sponsored by Open Farm. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Open Farm's ethically produced pet food, but Rubicon Days only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Open Farm is not responsible for the content of this article.  

Our Marvelous Breakfast Routine with The Honest Kitchen's New Limited Ingredient Recipe

Since I feed a rotational diet, my brand loyalty can be a fickle thing, but The Honest Kitchen is one of my favorite companies around, and one I don't rotate from for The Ginger Sisters' breakfast. We change recipes by the box, but I don't switch brands for this meal. As the only human grade dog food on the market, I believe it's one of the very best.

Ruby Reviews: Biscuit Beast Dog Treats

Have you ever been tempted to sneak a bite of one of your dog's treats? The dog biscuits that The Ginger Sisters received from Biscuit Beast smelled so good that I think Ruby and Boca knew they better guard them closely!

These treats are made in small batches in Miami, Florida with organic, human-grade ingredients that sound a lot like peanut butter cookies to me: 

organic Bob's Red Mill millet flour, organic sweet potatoes (grown in California), eggs (cage-free, antibiotic-free), organic peanut butter (unsweetened, salt-free), korintje cinnamon, vitamin E (natural preservative, mixed tocopherols)

Treat-sampling is definitely The Ginger Sisters' favorite part about being pet blogger dogs. The posing can be endured just as long as they are well compensated in delicious snacks. Biscuit Beast treats are a little on the crumbly side but I don't think they cared. They passed their taste test and Ruby was happy to show off her "jazz paws."

Boca has trained me to dole out bedtime cookies every evening. They run upstairs at the sound of the cookie jar and position themselves in their places on the bed to wait politely. Everything may be covered in dog hair, but I assure you they don't leave one single crumb. 

These treats are perfect for the discriminating dog guardian who wants naturally good biscuits made in the U.S.A. Biscuit Beast is offering my readers 10% off with coupon code TAKE10. Visit them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Disclaimer: I was provided samples of Biscuit Beast dog treats in exchange for my honest review. 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.

Boca's Gotcha Day Giveaway

In celebration of her first Gotcha Day - the day she arrived as a "foster" dog in Colorado after traveling all the way from the island of Grand Bahama - Boca would like to share some of her favorite things! Okay...that's not entirely true. Boca doesn't actually want to share her personal stash, but instead keep it all in the dragon's lair she's made out of her Molly Mutt bed. Fortunately, our awesome sponsors have generously provided the following prize package for one lucky reader to win:

• A dog duvet and matching stuff sack of your choice from Molly Mutt. I got tired of replacing polyfill beds when Ruby decided they were giant chew toys, and decided to try these dog duvets instead. They are available in a variety of sizes and indoor or outdoor fabrics in an array of stylish and adorable patterns. They can be filled with old towels, clothing, or even other dog beds. We are always getting compliments when I post pictures of the Ginger Sisters and their beds on Instagram.


• A $20 gift certificate from One Dog Organic Bakery, a sweet little dog treat company that we're very fond of. Not only do these treats contain healthy, all-natural ingredients, but every bag purchased is matched with a bag donated to the featured rescue organization of the month. In March, 60 bags of treats were donated to Boca's shelter! The Ginger Sisters' favorite are the ginger snaps (of course), and they have grown accustomed to a bedtime cookie each evening.


• Two Benebone Wishbone chews. These synthetic chew bones are made in the USA and come in Bacon and Peanut Butter flavors. They are a long-lasting and unique shape that dogs can really get a grip on. We always have two or three around the house and Boca likes to hoard them all for herself. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 
This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. One winner will be randomly selected and notified by email on or around May 5th and will have 48 hours to claim their prize. The prizes were provided by the brands listed above and I received no other compensation for this giveaway. 

Ruby Reviews: Riley's Organics Dog Treats

At the Ginger Sister residence, we like to have lots of yummy, healthy treats around. We use small treats for training, and the girls get larger "cookies" for being members of the Clean Plate Club after meals. Boca aka Miss Lazybones, has also successfully implemented the bedtime cookie routine as the only way to convince her to move from the sofa to the bed if I stay up late watching television! As such, we were delighted to review Riley's Organics dog treats and offer our readers a chance to win some for their dogs.

Riley's offers something for everyone - their treats come in four flavors (Peanut Butter & Molasses, Sweet Potato, Apple, Pumpkin & Coconut) and two sizes (Large and Small). They incorporate natural, USDA Certified Organic ingredients and are made in the USA. Their products are human grade, and I have to admit that this human was very tempted to try the Peanut Butter & Molasses flavor, which smell just like delicious peanut butter cookies!

Ruby and Boca were very excited to sample the treats out on the patio this weekend. I feel good about the simple ingredients - each recipe contains only five or six - some of which even offer health benefits, like the Pumpkin & Coconut (Organic Pumpkin, Organic Oat Flour, Organic  Oats, Organic Peanut Flour, Organic Coconut Oil). They are free of the common allergens wheat, corn and soy. The small bones are perfect for training, and the large bones can be given whole or easily broken into pieces. 

Just a note on Boca's eye: she is recovering well from her conjunctival graft surgery and at our re-check appointment on Saturday the vet was pleased with how things are progressing. She will be wearing the cone collar for another week but was able to enjoy some supervised time without it this weekend, including the photo shoot for this review. I think everyone agrees that she deserves lots of extra treats for all she has been through lately!

Here is your chance to try Riley's Organics - four lucky readers will each win one package of Riley's Human Grade Organic Dog Treats. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only, and winners will be selected at random.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: I was provided Riley's Organics dog treats in exchange for my honest review. 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.

Ruby Reviews: One Dog Organic Bakery + Discount Code

The Ginger Sisters were happy to review three kinds of treats from One Dog Organic Bakery: Ginger Snaps, Peanut Butter & Honey and Pumpkin Spice. Each recipe comes in several varieties, including gluten-free, so that even dogs with allergies can enjoy them. They also offer targeted support for immunity and joint health. The story behind the bakery is a sad one: the bakers lost a beloved pet to a recalled product. They turned their personal tragedy into an admirable mission and started making pet treats they could trust.

Everyone loves cookies, and my dad made some delicious ones for the humans in the house this weekend since Ruby and Boca didn't want to share their One Dog Organic Bakery treats, which are made with wholesome, all-natural ingredients. In addition to yummy things like peanut butter and pumpkin, One Dog Organic Bakery treats contain super-foods with known benefits such as chia seed which can reduce inflammation, and coconut oil which promotes healthy skin and coat.

The Ginger Sisters taste-tasted all the cookies, and it might not surprise you that they liked the Ginger Snaps best, as evidenced by much lip-smacking.  I loved watching their satisfied crunching and their eyes widen as they hoped for more. Rest assured that although Boca does not appear in this review due to an unfortunate accessory known as The Cone of Woe (paw bump to my friend Hailey for this nomenclature), she was able to fulfill her treat-testing duties. 

One Dog Organic Bakery is offering a 10% discount to our readers with the code RUBICON

 

Updated: the original version of this post contained a giveaway which has ended. 

 

Disclaimer: I was provided One Dog Organic Bakery treats in exchange for my honest review. 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.

Boca's Big Day with her Lavien Leather Leash

In my fifteen years of dog ownership I've never had a leather leash, so I was happy to try out the Lavien six foot leash. We'd been using it for walks for several weeks, but Boca had a big day on Saturday and I thought we would make our rounds in style. The leash has a sturdy gold-tone clasp (I'd actually prefer silver as pictured in the link, but the gold is nice), strong stitching, and a hefty weight to it. One thing I really like about the leather is that it's comfortable to grip at any point, so even though six feet can feel a bit long in some settings, it's easy to shorten when needed.

 

We had such amazing weather this weekend - a lot of the snow has melted and Boca was happy to feel the grass on her paws again! We had a nice walk around the complex with Ruby before heading out for our errands: Boca had a vet appointment to have her eye checked - her right eye, the same one with a Florida spot, had been watery and squinty for a few days. I also planned to take her to try on some more durable dog boots - despite these sunny January days, we've still got months of snow, ice and salt ahead. 

Boca was so good at the vet's office - the staff love her and one of the techs also has a foster failure Potcake! We waited our turn and the vet thinks that Boca may have some allergies causing her eyes to be irritated. She examined Boca's eye, prescribed some ointment that I already had left over from Ruby's eye injury and Benadryl, and sent us on our way with no charge! She called it a "sanity visit" - I love my vet! In the picture above you can see the nice, padded handle on the Lavien leash. 

I thought Boca deserved a reward for being so well behaved, and since we were nearby a huge dog park, I decided we would go. Dog parks make me nervous in general and Ruby gets too overwhelmed so we go very rarely, but Boca has a much more laid back personality, and I also thought it was a good opportunity to see just how reliable that recall of hers is. 

We walked a little ways before I unclipped her leash, and I immediately called her back a few times to make sure she would come - did she ever! Each time, Boca turned and ran to me with a huge smile, and you can bet I had treats on hand to reward her (I know this a little bit of dog park no-no, but this place is enormous and we had plenty of space). I have our obedience class and our relationship of love and trust to thank for installing an awesome recall. Boca doesn't have the proclivity for tricks that Ruby does, but she knows the most important cue of all. I really enjoyed having some one-on-one time with my wonderful Potcake.

Disclaimer: I was provided a Lavien leather leash in exchange for my honest review. 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.  

Boca Reviews: The Puller

Recently The Ginger Sisters were sent a new toy to review, the Puller. It is a simple ring toy that comes in one of my favorite colors: purple! The Puller is made of a unique material that was unlike any other toy I've seen, a kind of dense foam. The company promotes the toy as a "training device" which can solve virtually every health and behavior problem. While I find this a bit hyperbolic, I do believe this is great toy for many dogs and I know that it's become a favorite of some of my fellow bloggers. 

The Puller comes in sets of two along with instructions for three different exercises or games which incorporate running, jumping and pulling. We unfortunately don't have the space for the fetch games, so it is utilized as a tug toy at my house. The standard size was too big for Boca to grab comfortably, so we used the mini set. As you can see, she is quite enthusiastic about tugging! 

Ruby, who is usually my toy fiend, was not interested in The Puller which surprised me; however, I've found some ways to use it as a training tool! Since she isn't naturally interested in taking it in her mouth, it is a great thing to use to shape "take" for later trick training. I have also used it for touch/target and for body awareness by placing it on the floor and having Ruby put one or two paws inside the ring. 

While The Puller is fairly durable, it is not meant to be used as a chew toy. Boca is always fishing it out of the toy box, but if left unsupervised I think she would soon have it torn to pieces. We reserve it for dedicated games of tug. I'm really happy to have found a toy that Boca enjoys so much, since I like to have one-on-one play time with each dog. If we had a yard I think we could have even more fun with it. The Puller can be purchased on Amazon - the mini set is particularly reasonable and is appropriate for dogs Boca's size (35 lbs) and under.

 Disclaimer: I was provided two sets of Puller toys in exchange for my honest review. 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.