Window Film for Privacy and Dog Smudges

We have a patio door that opens into our main living room.  It is so frustrating because whenever the neighbors come down their driveway their headlights shine right into our living room.  Also I could see all the smears from not cleaning it good enough.  Well, I got over this.  But then we got a new dog and she smudges it with her big nose and big slobbers.  She is a american bull dog/ st. benard mix.  She is way more slobbier than our previous border collie/ sheperd mix.  I was going to attempt some diy window film but felt I was not artistic or patient enough.  So I found this one on Amazon with a bamboo print that goes pretty well with our decor.  With help from the husband, who has applied tint to many a car window we got it done pretty easily.  I have to say, even though we opted to do only one window, since the other is always blocked by our bamboo shades, it looks pretty good.  Even though Daisy will have to peak behind the bamboo to see the outside cats or anyone approaching the front door, it's a great choice. 

This is our previous dog looking at the cats from our patio door.  you can imagine the doggie nose prints!

This is the door minus the grid and with our new bamboo window film

OLD TUBE SOCKS, DOGGIE DIY CHEW ROPES, ETC

I found purpose for my husbands old tube socks.  Our St. Benard, American Bull Dog has shredded a play rope or two, has torn the bits out of stuffed toys so I repurposed some old socks.  I cut the socks toes out, then cut the socks into about 1" strips.  Then I tied three strips into a knot at the top, proceeded to do a simple braid and tied knots at the ends.  I made 2 of these and had 2 strips left over.  So I took the two strands, left about 2" at top and kept knotting them til I got about 2" from ends and then tied the two ends into a circle.  She loves em.  And when they get shredded or just plain nasty from her saliva, I can toss em, with no buyers remorse!

Dog Gone Tastee Treats and People Eats

 

So do you like to give your doggie a tastee human food treat?  I do!  I have been researching what I can give our new addition.  She's an 8th month old American Bull dog/ St. Benard mix.  While I do not encourage gorging your dog on human food or feeding at the table I do think they deserve a little something of what us people eat.  Our dog, by the way, thinks we are her people.  She does have us wrapped around her big ole paw.  She is constatly laying by my feet while I'm on the computer and when I'm working around the house, she follows me from room to room.  Now when I'm in the kitchen cooking, I am so tempted to give her a taste of human food.  She is such a loyal family member, keeping me company in the kitchen.  While I do enjoy cooking (sometimes), I do long for the company and well, darn it, she's there! 

So here are some tastee people food that I found are safe and enjoyable for your doggie...but give in moderation and never from the table unless you want a begger!

Dried Sweet Potatoes
Instuctions:
wash and dry sweet potatoes
slice in 1/2" sections, skin on
place on cookie sheet in low oven
bake for 2 hrs
flip potatoes over and bake 2 more hrs
cool and serve
(I keep mine in plastic bag in refrig.)

 



Bananas



Simply give your dog a bite of your banana. I don't mean literally let her bite off your banana...hehe... My husband gets credit for this. I wouldn't have tried it, as our first dog hated bananas! But our new dog loves that first or last bite.

 

Carrots

You know those bags of the little peeled and washed carrots?  Well, try it, they might like one.  Or try frozen carrots, green beans or some peas added to their food.  This might be a good idea for a summer snack.  And just adding some of these (less than 1/3 to their food) could help with...ummm...their weight problem? 

Other tastee treats

Diluted chicken or beef broth frozen ice cubes for a summer treat but be careful because according to www.webMD dogs sometimes can break their teeth on ice cubes.
Salmon cooked
For dogs with sensitive digestive systems or if they have been vomiting...
Chicken or turkey cooked
Cottage cheese
Boiled white rice
Other tastee treats I found were safe!
Unsalted, unbuttered popcorn (my last dog use to share mine, she'd have a bowl and I'd have a bowl but I didn't use the unsalted, unbuttered and she had a weight problem.  I'm trying for a healthier dog this time...)
Vanilla or strawberry yogurt without artificial sweeteners
Vanilla flavored animal crackers
And one that will keep your dog busy for awhile....
Peanut Butter in their stuff a ball dog toy! 
You will be suprised how clean they can get it.  And great for seperation anxiety.

 

*  (I do suggest only offering one a day as they may change your dogs digestive system...if you know what I mean!)

This our Maxine (RIP 2010) watching my son, eagerly wanting a bite.  She died of stroke or heart attack this is why I am not feeding Daisy "junk" people food.

This is our Daisy. Who can so no to these eyes? 

 

Happy Pet Parenting!