Dog sitting

A couple weeks ago my Husbands sister, Katie, asked if we could watch their chocolate lab, Ender, from Thursday to Monday. Now, my Bigby and Ender are cousins and best buds. They're about 6 week apart age wise and have been playing together since they were puppies. They love each other so I said yes, we'd be happy to. I'm not going to lie, I was a little anxious about Ender and my little doggies. It would bring a total of 4 dogs, a cat and 2 adults in our little 1100 square foot house. I'm happy to say that it went perfectly!

We started our time together with a trip to the dog park. They loved it. Usually Bigby sits up front with me but with his best bud around, they're attached at the hip. So I had 2 worn out puppies snuggling in my back seat. 

I bought them some yummy big bones to chew on. So did Katie. There weren't any dominance issues or anything. 

They liked to be close. To each other and to me. You can't tell but in this pic they are at my feet. I had 2 big furry buddies. Ender was the perfect gentleman. He didn't bug my little doggies or my cat. I even had to convince that he was allowed up on Bigby's beds before he felt comfortable on them. 

This is my favorite picture. Bigby settled on the ground and then Ender climbed up on the bed with a bone and soon fell asleep. Then Bigby propped his little head up on the bed too. So cute. 

We had so much fun. We'd be happy to have Ender in our home any time. 

Bigby's new dog bed!

A couple week ago I decided my Bubs (Bigby) needed a new dog bed. A thick dog bed. 

My dopey bubs is big. I wouldn't be surprised if he's reached a 100 pounds or at least close to it. He's broad. I've been told he's the English style yellow lab. Which means his head is more square, his snout is shorter and he is bulky/broad bodied. That's my boy. That's also why I decided he needed a thick bed. I wanted a bed that when he laid down wouldn't sink to the hard floor. I don't want his joints hurting him. Broad thick dogs can get arthritis and I want to put that off for my bubs as long as possible. So I began the search. Everything I found was in the $90-$140 price range. They were plain too which would show dirt, I wanted a cover that would hide dirt. 

Here's what I ended up with. 

It's 40 inches x 30 inches and 6 inches thick. Actually in the cover it's 8 inches thick. I spent $61 plus tax and shipping. About $68 total. Awesome right?!

 The Cover is like a thick durable. soft, fabric cover with a 36 inch long zipper. Plus, it's browns and tans which will hide stains nicely between cleanings. I love it! How and where did I find this dog bed for such a good price you ask. 

I bought 2 queen size foam mattress toppers. The cheap ones at Walmart. I came home and folded them is half length wise then in half again and measured it to see if it would be big enough. Sure enough, it was the perfect size. I had taken Bigby to Petsmart the day before to see what size bed he'd need. 30 by 40 it was and 30 by 40 is what my folded mattress pads turned out to be. Then I folded the second one and put it on top of the first one to see if it would be thick enough. Sure enough it was thick enough too. So then I started looking for dog bed covers that measured 30 by 40 and were at least 6 inches thick. The results, nada. So I headed to Etsy. I found the covers I liked the most in my price range ($20) Found the material I liked the most and asked the seller if she could make a cover out of that material that was 30x40 and 6 inches thick and prayed that if she could that it wouldn't cost me an arm and a leg. She got back to me super quickly with news that she was out of that fabric. A little bummed I informed her it didn't have to be that material just boyish and stain friendly. She sent me picture of material she had I okayed it and asked how much it would cost me still hoping beyond hope it wouldn't be a ton. She got back to me and said it would be $21. PERFECT! I told I wanted it and she had it done the very next day and mailed it the next. 

My cover arrived today and I put my folded mattress pads on it there and it's absolutely perfect. I love it. Best part. When my big bulky dog where's down the padding and I'm sure it will eventually, all I have to do is buy 2 new mattress topper and put them in the wonderful cover. It's so nice I seriously think it'll last at least a couple years. It's so nice I don't think bubs has realized its his to get on.

When he does though, I'm sure he'll love it as much as I do. 

You want to do something similar the Etsy seller is here Art n Arfs on Etsy