FURminator deshedding tool -- REVIEW, plus Amazon sale

Believe it or not, Lulu sheds.

We are not talking Chow shedding, or even Labrador Retriever shedding, but she does shed and it gets everywhere. Little white and black hairs (I've yet to find brown hairs).

My trainer says FURminator makes the best grooming products on the market. So we put it to the test.

 This is the FURminator short hair shedding tool for a medium sized dog. How you can tell -- the orange represents the size, the blue, the short hair.

The comb part is stainless steel, made up of dozens of tiny, close-set teeth. The blue part helps you get the hair off the brush. It connects to the blue button on the back, which pushes the blue piece, and the hair off.

 A downward stroke gets the fur off the dog. You aren't going to brush like you would with a regular slicker though. You should use this like you would a rake. You should be picking up hair that is going to be shedded, especially that undercoat.

When you are ready, push the blue button. The fur comes off in easy to clean-up clumps (this looks like a caterpillar, huh?).

This part I particularly like. I remember brushing my brother's chow, and the fur would come off and fly everywhere. This is much better.

So:
Pro

• Solid tool, well-built. I've been kicking it around in the house the last couple of weeks and it's very sturdy.
• Easy clean-up. I love this part. The fur makes such neat clumps, so easy to pick up and throw away.
• Makes Lulu's fur shinier and softer. It is definitely worth keeping her groomed.
• More important: Lulu likes it! She loves it when I pull the brush out, she loves the feel of the brush, it doesn't seem to bother her at all.

Con

• The price. This particular tool retails for about $55. Ouch. Very expensive.
• Made in China. If that's important to you, you should know that. 

This week, Amazon and their sellers are selling FURminators for much, much cheaper. For instance, this tool for medium, short-haired dogs is only $21. Find the whole search list on AMAZON here.

DISCLAIMER: I received a deshedding tool from FURminator to review.

Countdown to Global Pet Expo -- Orbee-Tuff Mazee Treat Ball

We are counting down to the Global Pet Expo!

This is an older review, but it still holds.

Lulu loves her treats, as we've clearly seen here.

But I don't want to just give her treats. And when I'm working, I also want her to keep occupied.

I looked at all kinds of treatballs, but Lulu's had a few before and never did much with them. Then I found the Orbee-Tuff Mazee from Planet Dog. I mentioned this in my Holiday Gift Guide.

What I liked best about Mazee was that it was clear. Lulu can easily see the treats in there, and that will entice her to keep playing. Also inside -- a bright green maze that she has to navigate her treats through.

The Mazee has two holes -- the larger one is where you put the treats in. Smaller treats are better. I use mini-peanut butter bites from Pookie's Bakery in Winter Park. They roll around well.

Lulu now goes to town, trying to get the treats out, and I can spend time doing chores or -- working on this blog.

PROS:

•  Made in America
• Clear plastic and nice and squishy. 
• Lulu gets her brain working to get the treats out, so it's not just me giving her treats.
• Lulu loves it, and anything Lulu loves is worth it to me!

CONS:

• The rubber doesn't always clean as well. 
• It doesn't roll as well on the carpet.

I bought my Mazee at Woof Gang Bakery in Winter Park for $18, but you can also buy it at Amazon.com, and on the company website. If you buy it from Amazon right now it's only about $13.

DISCLAIMER: I bought my mazee on my own, without any help from Planet Dog or any other company.