Going to Barkworld! What should Lulu wear?

This coming week is a big week. We're going to BarkWorld Expo! Four days of meet pet companies and pet bloggers and dogs and cats and other people who can help make our blog bigger and better. Sponsors including everybody from Petco to Natural Balance to ASPCA to Modern Dog magazine.

The whole bash kicks off with a Halloween "Pawty" this Thursday night.There's an appearance by Norman the Scooter Dog.

Norman is the latest member of the Tillman and Friends team over at Natural Balance. This is him at the KTLA studios.

I have to admit I'm a little nervous about Lulu seeing Norman. She barks at kids on skateboards, riding bikes, riding in golf carts. Seeing a dog on a scooter might make her head explode.

There will also be treats for humans and pets, and prizes for the best costume, funniest costume, etc.

So the question is, what should Lulu's costume be? And I'm not just dressing Lulu, I'm dressing Lulu's pal Cappy the long-haired dachshund. So I need costumes for both.

Here are some ideas I had from some of the local shops. The first few are from Target:

This just makes perfect sense. We live in Central Florida. I've been to Kennedy Space Center. Lulu is a total space cadet. And to boot, my niece thinks Cappy should be either an astronaut or a goose. So we could have our own space team ready for blast off.

This would be cruel but hilarious. Lulu loves chasing squirrels. Now she can be one!

This is one of my favorites. Plush gnome from PetSmart.

I just think this is hysterical. From the Spirit Halloween store.

One for Lulu, one for Cappy? I dunno what Dad would think. These are from Party City.

Out of all the Star Wars costumes, it's the awesomest I've seen. Only seen it at Party City.

So, which costume do you think? Do you have other ideas? Let me know! Natural Balance is doing a special contest for posts. The more comments I get, the more chances I have to win money for a charity of my choice! So please comment after you read this.

Orlando businesses help Doggy Day Out and Harbor House of Central Florida

Uh no, Lulu, that's not for you.

That's from Woof Gang Bakery in Winter Park. It's for Doggy Day Out Orlando this Sunday from 4-6 p.m. at Barber Park. Remember? We're going to meet doggies and collect pet items for Harbor House's new shelter.

That's not for you either. That's for the event too. It's from Pookie's Bakery in Winter Park.

Pretty, huh? This painting...

And this one were donated by Painting with a Twist in Orlando for Doggy Day Out. They also gave us two gift cards.

And this is from Tijuana Flats' Just in Queso Foundation. It's a gift card for the humans.

And this gift card is from Pine Twenty 2 in Orlando.

We also have prizes from Rick's Dog Deli, Orlando Science Center and Sit and Stay Pet Cafe coming. And more!

We need to get the humans to bring their dogs out to Barber Park Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m. If they donate pet items for Harbor House's new pet shelter, they can enter a raffle for these prizes.

More information is here on our Doggy Day Out Orlando page.

Habor House's Paws for Peace Kennel is slated to open in December. They need new pet beds, toys, bowls, leashes and high-quality canned food.

Wordless Wednesday: Time for a snack

 

PS: We are getting more awesome prizes for Doggy Day Out Orlando! Check out the updated list on the Doggy Day Out page, spread the word, and come out if you can this Sunday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Barber Park in Orlando. Meet other pet owners and help Harbor House of Central Florida. Go here to find out more!

Make your own "text from dog" with a text message generator

Have you read the Tumblr site "Text from Dog?" This extremely popular site is nothing but texts between the dog and the owner. It's hysterical. And it's so popular that the writer has apparently gotten a book deal.

It made me think: What would Lulu text me if she could? (Click the image to make it bigger)

 

There are a number of sites were you can make your own funny text messages. To make this one, I used iphonetextgenerator.com, which was very easy to use. There's others too. Give it a shot!

Wordless Wednesday: Designer dogs, and a message for humans

PS: If you didn't notice, I started a page for Doggy Day Out Orlando, October 21 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Barber Park in Orlando Florida. Please pass this around and help a great cause.

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday: What beagles can teach us

Always be yourself. Unless you can be Bat Dog. Always be Bat Dog.

PS: Lulu is still on the board in the Modern Dog magazine photo contest. If you can, please go and vote for her. You can vote daily, so if you've already voted, please vote again!

From collars to treats: Cool pet products made in Central Florida

The last couple of weeks Lulu and I have had the privilege of meeting some neat people at events here in Orlando. And what we've learned is some people are making amazing local products here in our own backyard.

Lulu and I won this designer collar at in a Barktoberfest raffle two weeks ago benefiting the Animal Welfare Alliance of Central Florida. The collar was by Bentley's Custom Collars. Nicole Bentley lets use pick from a variety of fabrics she had on hand, and makes them to your dog's specifications. Just head to her FaceBook page, choose a size, and a fabric choice from the photo album, and send her an email.

Rick's Dog Deli makes food and treats using whole foods. They also make food to your pet's specifications -- breed, age, size, conditions, etc. You should see the print out they gave me for Lulu. They gave me some samples of their chicken and rice mix.

We haven't tried those yet, but these liver brownies they gave us to sample have become a favorite of Lulu's. Check out their website, or their store on Corrine Drive in Orlando.

Then there's Pookie's Bakery in Winter Park. I got some samples of this at another Barktoberfest last week, this time benefiting Orange County Animal Services. They bake treats in-house, and have an assortment of big company pet products.

Then there's Dog House Parties. They make custom party packs for pets! Whether it's a birthday party, a welcome to your new home party, or even a baby shower! They'll help you custom design your party kits, and even help you plan if you want.

And these are just a few of the pet services you can find in Central Florida. If you're looking for more check out Urban Pet magazine.

This free magazine is full of tips, ads and reviews for Orlando pet living. It can be found at shops, vet offices, groomers and other pet-related businesses all over the Central Florida area. Check it out if you see one.

Got a local pet product you love? Tell us about it!