Picky Eater Zero Loves Hungry Hound Beer Grain Dog Treats

Disclosure - KCTCL was compensated with Hungry Hound Beer Grain Treats for Zero to try as samples. All opinions contained within this post are of our own opinions and beliefs.

In the little town of Conklin, NY there is a dog treat company that creates dog treats from recycled brewers grain. Don't let the name fool you, these awesome little treats do not contain any type of beer or alcohol, but do contain amazing goodness that your dog(s) are sure to love. Spent grain that is used in the beer brewing process is normally skimmed and thrown out, but why throw out something that contains nutritional benefits for dog(s)? Hungry Hound utilizes these spent grains by creating their dog treats. As the company states "These delicious, crunchy beer grain treats won't get your dog drunk - but they will get him buzzing with excitement". Very creative tagline, if  I do say so. Hungry Hound Beer Grain Dog Treats are "All Natural Crack for Dogs". I can definitely agree with that statement!

Zero puts her nose up to more treats than any dog I've ever had, but not these little pieces of dog crack. She absolutely loved them! I was actually sad when the bag was empty because after that I'm sure you can guess what happened; she snubbed the rest of the treats. Even though no local store in my area carries these treats, I can still order them online. To which I most certainly will be doing.

So more about these "all natural crack for dogs" beer grain dog treats by Hungry Hound. They are produced with all local ingredients and even utilize local breweries to get the recycled brewers grain that goes into the treats. You can find a list of brewers on their website here. Other ingredients include flour, peanut butter, fresh local eggs, and parsley for doggie fresh breath. All ingredients bought locally by Hungry Hound. Supporting of their local economy is what gives this small business a very classy edge. Local and good treats for dogs. Win and Win in my book!

You can learn more about Hungry Hound on their website, Facebook, and Twitter pages at the links below! Make sure to let them know that Kathy's Calm to Chaos Life and Zero sent you!

Hungry Hound Beer Grain Treats

Hungry Hound Beer Grain Treats Facebook Fan Page

Hungry Hound on Twitter @HungryHoundBrew

Wordless Wednesday - Whose Patio Sofa Is It Anyways?

Apparently Zero's

Wordless Wednesday - I Put The Patio Furniture Out

No words even need to be said - I put the Patio furniture out Saturday, but Sunday it was already "claimed"

Copyright KCTCL 2015

Zero's Journey To The #PerfectWeight Final Check-In Video & Sweepstakes #ad

This post is sponsored by Hill’s. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Hill’s® Science Diet® Perfect Weight 10 Week Turnaround, but Kathy's Calm To Chaos Life only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. is not responsible for the content of this article.

Just because the 10 Week Turnaround Challenge is coming to an end that doesn't mean you still shouldn't take a journey with your own pet. Hill's Pet is giving my followers a chance to win 10 Weeks of Hill's® Science Diet® Perfect Weight Adult Dry Cat or Dog Food to start their own pet on a weight loss journey. With six drawings left in the sweepstakes you can click the link below to enter for your chance to win. Please be sure to read the terms and conditions of the sweepstakes before you enter. 

Hill's Pet 10 Week Turnaround Sweepstakes

Ten Weeks ago I had a couch potato named Zero. She barely moved off the couch other than to eat and go potty. Ten weeks ago I feared that Zero's weight would get the best of her. Today, ten weeks later, I have my silly girl back. My Zero, who tosses her toy box in search of her favorite pink pony, will drag her bowl across the kitchen to remind you it's meal time, and runs around the yard playing with Dylan. She may not be down the whole 20LBS that she was overweight by, but Zero has definitely lost weight. How much weight you wonder? 6LBS!!. While that may not seem like a lot, to a dog of her size it is a great deal. With the weight down her whole mental attitude changed. She no longer seems depressed.

Zero's Journey to The #PerfectWeight Mid Challenge Check In & Sweepstakes #ad

This post is sponsored by Hill’s. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Hill’s® Science Diet® Perfect Weight 10 Week Turnaround, but Kathy's Calm To Chaos Life only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. is not responsible for the content of this article.

Here we are the middle of April and already we have reached the mid check-in for the 10 Week Turnaround Challenge with Hill's Pet. The weather has finally started to break and warm up, but my backyard is still a little too damp to put out the agility equipment. Nice weather arrived and everyone in the house became sick with the stomach flu, so that alone was a roadblock getting Zero on her daily work out walks. So mid-challenge we've had a little set back, but it's nothing we can't handle. There is still half a challenge left to go and Zero is surely on the right path.  She has way more energy and just wants to play and play some more. She is back to her happy singing bring you a baby when you walk in the door. Granted she is not where I pictured her size to be by mid-check in, but at least progress is being made.

Doggie Gear For Zero

Today I decided to invest in some doggie gear for Zero. I was looking for a dog backpack and came across this great pink one on Amazon.  It will work perfectly, as it has a water bottle holder in the one pocket and ample room to pack stuff in the pockets.  She can be my assist now that garden season is coming up and I will be able to put some gardening things in the pockets for her carry around. This will be her gardening job for the season. Last year she stayed outside with me the entire time I would be out doing any type of gardening. I'm giving her a definite job this year!

• Removable pack takes weight off the dog during rest stops
• Reflective accents and bright colors for high visibility
• Convenient pockets for carrying food and water
• Interior water bottle holder and mesh pockets
• XL Size is Designed for dogs weighing 70-90-pounds with a girth of 25-Inch - 41-Inch
• Reflective accents and bright colors for high visiblity
• Comes in 4 color choices and sizes from S-XL.

Kyjen Dog Backpack Easy-Fit Durable Dog Pack with Removable Saddlebags was only $27.86 and being I'm an Amazon PRIME Member shipping was FREE! If you're looking for a backpack for your dog my suggestion goes to the Kyjen Dog Backpack!

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising

Zero's Journey To The #PerfectWeight First Two Weeks #ad

This post is sponsored by Hill’s. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Hill’s® Science Diet® Perfect Weight 10 Week Turnaround, but Kathy's Calm To Chaos Life only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. is not responsible for the content of this article.

Two weeks ago Zero's journey began. The plan and goal are to get Zero down to her perfect weight of 75-80 lbs and back into agility training. After all, I have all this nice agility equipment collecting dust in my basement and this nice huge back yard so this year we plan on setting it up and using it. The ultimate goal would be to put an agility title on Zero through participation in agility trials in the area. She already has a CGC Title, but the agility title has always been just out of our reach. That truly is the end result and goal we are shooting for. Of course none of that is possible without this weight loss journey Zero is on.

Hill's Pets provided this great transition chart to assist me in getting Zero changed over to Hill's® Science Diet® Perfect Weight Adult Dry Dog Food.. We are now two weeks in and she is 100% on the Perfect Weight formula. My biggest challenge in this challenge was this picky eater eating the new dry dog food. She loves her new food and you can find her waiting by the bowl almost daily around 5PM Dinner time. This is surely a site I have welcomed! 

I also needed a way to track Zero's progress along the next 10 weeks and Hill's Pets provided a great Calendar tool with the 10 Week Challenge Package. It is important to keep a journal and the calendar provides tips and information relating to your pet's weight loss. Even if you aren't participating in the 10 Week Challenge with Hill's you can still participate at home with your pet. You can view and download your own calendar here to help you along your way.  You can also get a calendar and more information about Science Diet Perfect Week and the 10 Week Turnaround Challenge from a Hill's Nutritional Consultant at your local PetsMart and Petco locations.

Week 2 - Top View

Of course what would this post be if I didn't show some progress pictures of Zero. It is important to take before and after pictures and/or videos so you can physical see the change of your pet and they also help you track the progress along the way. The picture to the right is Zero's Week 2 top view. You can start to see more of a defined shape to her. Not all pets will see a physical change within the first two weeks, but I am ecstatic that I am seeing them in Zero!

It's not just physical changes but also mental ones as well. She has more energy, seems to want to play with her toys more, and moves off the patio outside now. When I come home every day she is beyond happy with tail wagging, toy in her mouth, and she sings me a song. This is my old Zero coming back to life. She is slowly getting back to her silly self. This dog is just beyond silly and those who follow know how silly she can be. I am loving seeing her so happy, full of life, and eager to play with her toys. It is hard to contain my excitement going forward thinking about returning to agility classes. I have an agility title in my sites and this goal is very obtainable as long as we stay on this weight loss path. Her health and wellness are the most important thing to me. 

Zero - Playing With Pink Ball

Zero - Out In The Snow

Zero - going through the yard

Follow Zero's progress right here on my blog, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Google+, and Instagram

The best thing you can do for your pet’s health is feed proper nutrition every day. The Hill’s Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight Formulas are available at your vet or favorite pet specialty store. Products, including Perfect Weight Dry Cat Foot and Perfect Weight Small & Toy Breed Formula are also available from Pet360, with an additional discount for Autoship. 

Zero's Journey To The #PerfectWeight Begins #ad

This post is sponsored by Hill’s. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Hill’s® Science Diet® Perfect Weight 10 Week Turnaround, but Kathy's Calm To Chaos Life only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. is not responsible for the content of this article

My dog Zero has officially become a couch potato. It wasn't until my best friend came over, walked in the door, and said “Oh My God what did you do to Zero she’s so fat!” Reality struck that I had a major issue on my hands. I convinced myself something was medically wrong with her and took her to the vet just for the vet and the blood work to reveal nothing, nada, zilch! She was just simply put – drastically over weight. I do mean drastic, she tipped the scale at 94 lbs. This is a Boxer, she is a little stocky to begin with, but 94 lbs is just out of control.  Zero’s Perfect Weight is 70- 75 lbs.  At 20 lbs overweight I began to worry about her hips, joints, and legs all bearing this extra burden. Boxers already have issues; this was just contributing to them unnecessarily.

Zero - outside on the Patio

The biggest factor that contributed to her becoming so overweight was me taking for granted I have a big back yard and if I let her outside with Dylan they would exercise themselves. Dylan exercises himself while Zero just stands on the patio like a queen watching over her kingdom. I really thought she’d be more active, but apparently the yard bores her when you aren't out there with her.  She is trained in obedience, rally, and agility and a plain backyard to a dog who used to be so busy is just not cutting it. My working long hours during the day was another factor. I kept saying OK tomorrow we will set up the jumps, tomorrow a walk, tomorrow the dog park… well… tomorrow never came until today! Today, being this past Sunday, is when Zero's journey began by transitioning her to Hill's® Science Diet® Perfect Weight Adult Dry Dog Food. 

Thanks to Hill's Pet Zero will be participating in the 10 Week Turnaround Challenge. Over the course of the next 10 weeks you will be able to follow her progress as the mission becomes to get Zero back to her Perfect Weight. I had to think what the agenda would be going forward. She has too much extra weight to go back to agility classes, as the jumping, running, and climbing might pose a harm to her health and wellness. The 10 week plan will will start with weekly trips to the water treadmill. She always did well on the water treadmill in the past, so if it worked in the past we are going to definitely try it again! We are also trying to fit into one of the obedience refresher classes at our dog club, until the weather breaks and I can put the agility equipment out in the yard and go for walks.

Logo courtesy of Hill's Pets

Putting Zero on this journey was one of the easier decisions to make due to the fact 70% of cats and dogs who used Science Diet Perfect Weight lost weight within 10 weeks.  Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight Dry Dog Food offers 100% precisely balanced nutrition, a breakthrough blend of natural ingredients, and prebiotic fibers for gentle digestion. Healthy weight adds to quality of life and life expectancy. 

The best thing you can do for your pet’s health is feed proper nutrition every day. The Hill’s Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight Formulas are available at your vet or favorite pet specialty store. Products, including Perfect Weight Dry Cat Foot and Perfect Weight Small & Toy Breed Formula are also available from Pet360, with an additional discount for Autoship. 

Zero's Week 1 Photos  

Follow Zero's progress right here on my blog, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Google+, and Instagram

Zero's Winter Adventures - Destination SHED

To make a long story short the following will be simplified with videos and photos of Zero's latest winter adventures!

View from my back porch. Snow isn't very deep at this point, the dogs can freely run through the yard and walk around with no issues. See said shed - let's remember this shed as it's a focal point for this adventure.

It had snowed a little, OK a lot more than just a little it was more like a foot more. This deep snow didn't deter Zero one bit from her agenda while outside. After I had shoveled off the patio and a path along the entire back of the house Zero still decided these spots weren't good enough. She was determined to get into the back of the yard by aforementioned shed. See, her favorite potty spot is any place around this shed. In front of, on side of, or behind of as long as it's by the shed. She paced the back of the house and that patio just looking for the perfect opportunity to take the leap!

Below video is Zero's determination to get back there. She found the tiniest of tiny spots to leap into and over a three foot snow bank, around the dog house, and get along the fence - Destination - SHED!

Now that you've seen her determination to get through snow that is pretty much as high as half of her height let me bring into the adventure the next factor. Another snowfall of a good 6-7 inches, an 11 PM at night need to go potty, and Zero's new found "path to the shed". She got herself up through that snow bank, around the dog house and walked down that fence line. Problem being is she was now stuck back there in the deep snow with this look on her face like "are you coming to get me". Did I mention it was 11 PM at night?  There I found myself mumbling words I'd much rather not post while putting on my boots, heavy jacket, gloves, and going to get the snow shovel.  After getting 3/4 of the way back to her now creating a "doggie path" from the back porch to that, now landmark, shed she decided she could jump through deep snow! 

See below - said path that was created at 11 PM at night. You can't even see the shed in the picture because it was pitch black outside! 

Oh my girl Zero! How I obviously would do anything for you!

Now we have a doggie path that goes back to the favorite potty spot and Zero is happy to walk down it, and well... she runs up it from the shed to the back door. Below picture is from this past Saturday. As you can see the snow is getting deeper and deeper as the sides of the path are now higher than she is tall! Thank goodness for me and my shovel! 

Saturday morning I had to work and came home from work during a clipper that dumped a quick foot of snow on us in approximately four hours.  I honestly don't know what was worse. Having to shovel my way into the driveway to get my car into it OR digging Zero out of the back of the yard..AGAIN!!  By now the path to the shed was no longer what she wanted. She wanted to go up along the very back of the fence. After I cleaned the newly fallen snow off the path one more time I then had to create a new path to go get to her(I'm feeling a little Ground Hog Day at this moment)... she got back there, turned around, but sure  as heck couldn't get back out! 

I've dug my car out, my Mom's car out, my driveway out, my friend's cars out, a fire hydrant, a mailbox, and even a spot for my garbage can... I can honestly say I've never had to dig my dog out of the snow until now! I sit here thinking to myself that I should just write a book called The Adventures of Zero. It would surely be a best selling comedy. I get asked at work almost on a daily basis what did Zero get herself into now. They find it funny and amusing her daily adventures!

Wordless Wednesday 10/10

ZERO

Feed Your Dog The Very Best Natural Balance REVIEW & GIVEAWAY

Everyone knows I love and adore my dog Zero. I've also made it my mission to feed her the very best food and treats that I could possibly afford. After reading about ingredients in dry dog food it began to scare me. I've changed her food from one to the other to another and saw little to no results as far as energy and also saw a lot of weight gain. This is a dog that should be bouncing off the walls most the time she is awake because she is a Boxer. Boxers love to run, play, and just be goofy! Which has been evident based on some of the pictures I post. Thanks to a twitter party I was introduced to a dog food company that I otherwise knew very little about. I had seen their products and used treats here and there, but didn't have a vast amount of knowledge on their pet foods. But thanks to that twitter party I learned a lot about their pet foods and now here I am to pass on that knowledge to my followers about this company.

Zero's Vet Visit & Begging

Zero had to go to the Vet today. Not for just a regular check up - but because she has gotten really congested at night time... congested enough she almost moans and whines while she is laying down at night. I've resorted to putting the vaporizer with Vicks Vapo Steam on at night. She will literally sit next to it and put her nose into the steam stream or she will lay on the bed with her head hanging off so her nose is close to the steam stream. It has seemed to help the both of us at night. The vet thinks she might have some type of respiratory infection, previously she has had kennel cough (almost a year to the date ago) and over the summer had allergies flair up from all the golden rod here where we live now. She looks like she was retaining water and swallowed a balloon, was a little lathargic, but never lost her appetite, but she sure was not herself the past few days. You could talk to her and she'd only open her eyes and look at you... no head up, no jumping up to see you, no happy expressions. So off to the vet we went. I was concerned, but not super concerned because she never lost her appetite. Of course now that I started feeding her the Ideal Balance by Hill's Science Diet (see previous post for review) it has been like crack to her! I tease her saying come on girl I'll fill your crack pipe for you (as I walk with her bowl to the dog food bag) 

Vote for Zero in PetsMart Contest

Yep I did it again... I entered Zero in another photo contest! I really do not like voting contests because they are more like popularity contests.... but oh well I'll give this a whirl and I'm entering it late so I need ALL the help I can get. I've been searching for a "Pet Agent" to talk to as an attempt to get Zero into commercials, photo shoots, and movies... well this contest came along and the grand prize is a PetsMart commercial for the winning dog...

Instructions on how to vote..

Go to PetsMart on FB and "like" them

Go to the Monster Cute Photo Tab

Click on View and Vote

Search for "Pumpkin Rider" or "Zero" 

Click on Vote

This is a daily vote and it goes until the 24th of Oct.. 

This is the picture you're looking for

Thanks for the votes in advance!! We sure do appreciate them all!!

Rebellious or Doing The Right Thing

Am I doing the right thing or being rebellious is my question. I normally take Zero to agility training on Saturday morning at the dog club we belong to (No name mentioned) This isn't the only dog club in the area, but another club has classes on Tues, Wed, Thurs night also... but back to the one we belong to. The classes on Saturdays are stacked... 9am beginners, 10am advanced beginners, 11am intermediate, 12pm pre-show, 1pm those that do show. Zero started agility way back in April 2010. My Mom actually started taking her because she was getting bored in the obedience and rally classes and with agility she could run around have fun play jump and all that stuff. Well 4 weeks into her training we had a handler switch to me. My Mom was having shoulder surgery so it was my dog and now my duty to take her to classes. At the end of the session dogs were moved up to the next class as they progressed. However, Zero was not. I understood it this time because we did a change of handler half way in so I was more comfortable staying back in the beginner class.

Please Vote For Zero's Video

Hello Followers! I have entered Zero into a funniest pet video contest on YouPet.com. I need everyone to please go and give her two videos a 5 star rating. The grand prize is a $1000 and that could sure buy a lot of dog food. Zero is on Wellness Dog Food and it's like $54 a 20lb bag, I am also still currently laid off but don't want to sacrifice feeding her a lesser quality food.. so the grand could really help.

Please go to youpet.com and create an account (it's free) and then to

http://www.youpet.com/funniestpet/newest/?cvid=367
AND
http://www.youpet.com/funniestpet/newest/?cvid=366

Then once you are logged in click 5 stars and submit votes! I've seen some cute videos but Zero in the tub is just one of the better one (Not to toot my own horn)

All votes are much appreciated by myself and well by Zero as well!!

Wordless Wednesday 10/12

Zero's Sleep Number is 40 also!

Wordless Wednesday 9/21

Bath Time

Wellness WellBars Snacks for Dogs - REVIEW

A little bit about Wellnss, they are a pet food company that goes above and beyond to create healthy foods for our pets, both for cats and dogs. Their products include dry foods, wet foods, and of course an assortment of treats for our beloved four legged family members. All of their products are made with all natural ingredients, which can be read on every can, box, and bag! These are ingredients I recognize and love the fact my dog is eating products that are not only good for her, but also contain NO meat by products. Attached to every item is an expiration date and also a Wellness Guarantee. The Guarantee states that for any reason if your pet does not like their items to bring back the unused portion, with receipt back to the place of purchase and there will be no questions asked for a full refund or exchange.

Wordless Wednesday 9/7

She couldn't see from the back so hopped in the front to wait for my Mom to come out with lunch

Caring for Zero

I have been up half the night with a sick dog. I think I've slept all of 1 1/2 hours before being woken up by Zero. She has that nasty hookah of a cough again.  She previously had caught kennel cough from some place (I think the ragg-a-muffin mut at dog school) and had to be rushed to the vet in the early AM on a Saturday morning in January or February, just to be loaded up with meds for a few weeks. Well it's that nasty cough that seems to be back on a smaller level. As I type this I am waiting for the Vet to get into their office at 8 AM. Not only does she have this cough but once she finally gets comfy enough to lay down and fall asleep she starts shaking like she is going into a seizure. This is not a fun night and not exactly how I expected my Friday morning to go, but it is what it is. I would stay up for days straight if it meant having to stay near my animals while they are sick. Matter of fact I don't think I slept a single night from the day Charity got hurt until six weeks after I had put her to sleep.

The look on poor Zero's face is just breaking my heart right now. She is laying behind me and every time I turn around to look at her I get that sad "help me Momma" face looking at me. She is so tired she is laying with her head stretched out into the air and you can see her eyes fighting to close. Then finally she lays her head down and falls asleep just to be followed by the shaking. It is such a struggle for her to get comfy right now and how this kills me to watch her like this.