P52- Birthday Pooch

Today is Bella's birthday! That may not mean a whole lot to you, since I haven't posted pics of her in ages, but Bella is our great dane. It seems like just yesterday she was a sweet little pup and we picked her up in NC. Five years later, she is a wonderful companion and still as goofy as ever.

She had the birthday zoomies today. There's really nothing like a great dane running crazy circles around the house! The best part is the big belly laughs it elicits from all the kids. :)

 Happy Birthday Bella girl! We love you!!

What did you do last week?

PEDIGREE DENTASTIX Prize Pack Giveaway

Because the physical health of a pet is closely tied to their oral health, PEDIGREE is hosting a giveaway here on my blog for my readers with waggy-tailed friends. In an effort to get the word out about the importance of proper dental care for our pets, they have also put together this awesome site with oral care tips and coupons for DENTASTIX Snack Foods. 

Poor dental health can lead not only to bad breath and tooth loss, but also has been linked to more serious issues like heart, lung and kidney problems. However, according to a survey conducted by PEDIGREE DENTASTIX Treats, only 32% of people report taking their dog to the vet for an annual dental cleaning. That's concerning because four out of five dogs over the age of three have some level of gum disease. 

Since doggie dentures aren't an option, taking a preventative approach to oral care for your pet is key. That includes an annual dental cleaning at the vet, plus daily tooth brushing and feeding of oral care treats like PEDIGREE DENTASTIX, which are clinically proven to reduce tartar build up by up to 80%.

I was sent a sampling of DENTASTIX Treats to try with our pooch Bella, and boy does she love them! And I love that they take care of her canines and freshen her breath. Trust me, that's important when you're staring down the barrel of a great dane!

If you'd like to win a PEDIGREE DENTASTIX prize pack, like the one show above, for your pooch just enter here!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Simple Things Sunday #9

My simple thing for this week is puppy love. This big goofy thing is our great dane Bella. She drinks from the sink, bounces around the house like a rabbit when she's excited, can greet you eye to eye, and will happily settle down in your lap if you let her (though only a paw or two will really fit.) Love, love love <3

For more Simple Things Sunday visit Rebecca's beautiful blog:

This or That Thursday Link Up

It's been a while since I have posted many pics of our pooch Bella. I snapped some shots of her last weekend when we were in NC, so I thought I'd share them today. She is a sweet puppy and is great with the kids. I have long been a great dane lover. Once you meet one, they are hard to forget. Sweet natured, gentle giants they are. Bella is small in stature, but has that typical goofy dane personality that I just adore.

I'm wishing I hadn't cut off her bum in the last shot. I still need to work on slowing down and thinking before I shoot. I always feel I'm in a hurry with kids running about. But, these are all lessons I take in stride as I keep clickin' away ;)

Linking up today at debduty.com. Stop by and check out her gorgeous pics!

Also linking up at Rachel's place. Pop over to check out this talented and witty mama.

Thanks for stopping by! And Happy Holidays!!!

5 Minutes for Mom: Summer Photography Series Week 3

5 Minutes for Mom is hosting a Summer Photography Series to help other bloggers learn more about how to take great photos. I signed up for the weekly email alerts so that I can follow along. You can read more about it here.

The focus this week is on getting to know your camera and utilizing Aperture Priority mode. Here's the simplified definition from our hostess Lolli: By controlling the aperture, you can control how much of your photo is in focus (among other things!). If you have a camera with AV or A priority mode, switch to that and try some test shots using different apertures. If your camera does not have AV priority, use the Portrait mode (which looks like a lady’s head profile).

To find out more read her full post here.

We had visitors last week and my mother-in-law asked me to take some portraits of her pampered-pooch, Daffy, so that she could display them in her office. She was a great model ;)

Here are a few of my shots. All were taken with my Nikon D5000 and a 55-300 mm lens, ISO 400, f/5 and 1/200 shutter speed.

I'm enjoying the Summer Photography Series. I hope you'll join in and show us your shots!

SOOC Saturday

Welcome to SOOC Saturday {or Sunday} hosted by Marvelous Mommy who says: "Whether you are a professional photographer, an amateur photographer, or just someone who likes taking pictures, I encourage you to link up. This is a super simple weekend meme that doesn’t take up much time. Please join me! I’d love to see your shots."

I haven't posted any puppy pics in a while so I'm sharing these shots of our Bella. Clearly she wasn't in the mood for a photo shoot!

Thanks for stopping by today! For more SOOC Saturday fun visit Marvelous Mommy.

Pet Armor Giveaway

If you haven't heard, PetArmor™ is a new flea and tick medication that works like others on the market, but at a fraction of the cost. As a great dane owner, I'm no stranger to large pet bills...not to mention large food bills and large piles in my back yard, but I digress. The point is, who wouldn't love to save a buck or two when it comes to pet expenses? Yes, we love our four-legged furries as family, and they deserve the best care possible, but that doesn't mean it should cost an arm and a leg. Now, thanks to PetArmor™, we can protect our pets from those pesky parasites and save a pretty penny too. You'll find it at Walmart for $25-$35 for a 3-month supply.

So, what's the scoop on this new med and how does it compare to market leaders like Frontline?
From the company website:
"It's simple. PetArmor contains the same active ingredients and the same flea and tick
protection as Frontline. For years, Frontline was the only flea and tick medication of its kind on the market. Now PetArmor™ offers the same active ingredient (fipronil), in the same concentration as Frontline, so it's just as safe and effective against fleas and ticks. Fipronil is the number-one active ingredient recommended by veterinarians for flea and tick control. Also, PetArmor Plus contains S-methoprene, just like Frontline Plus, which prevents flea eggs from hatching and growing up, and then laying more eggs.

Why the same, for less?*
PetArmor is a generic version of Frontline with the same active ingredient—fipronil. The fipronil patent (U.S. Patent # 5,232,940) has expired, clearing the way for generic products to be available. We've made it up to 50% less expensive* and available in stores where you shop, because we'd like to help more pets stay flea and tick free.

PetArmor is all about providing greater access to affordable pet medications in support of better health for all pets. As an official flea and tick treatment of the ASPCA, PetArmor protection will be offered to dogs and cats in the ASPCA’s Adoption Center and clinic. Additionally, we are working with the ASPCA to launch the PetArmor Protection Pledge to create a community dedicated to better pet health. We encourage you to visit our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/PetArmor) to take the pledge. Each pledge taken triggers a $1 donation to the ASPCA, up to a maximum of $100,000, to help pets in need. We hope you’ll take the pledge and rally others to do the same."

I have been using PetArmor on our dane, Bella for a month now and it seems to be working well. We live in the mosquito and tick-ridden south and spend a lot of time outdoors. Bella has not been bothered by bites and I have not seen a single flea or tick on her. (I know they're out there, we pulled a tick off of my daughter about a month ago!) Of course, you should always consult your vet before using any medication for your pet.

Our Bella Girl

Great news for my pet-loving readers, PetArmor is offering a sweet gift pack giveaway!

The “Take a Hike” gift pack is valued at nearly $100, and includes:
Sling-style backpack
Aluminum sports water bottle
Sunscreen (Coppertone SPORT, SPF 50)
Travel-friendly pet water bowl
Custom-printed pet bandana (so they can hit the trail in style)
A waterproof digital camera (to capture the memories when hiking with your family)
A discount coupon for Pet Armor

Here's how to enter:
First entry, tell me what you love about your pet. That's it! Easy ;)

For extra entries:

Subscribe to my feed (3 entries)

Add my button to your blog or add me to your blog roll (3 entries)

Follow me publicly in google
Become a fan of PetArmor on Facebook

Become a Fan of Serendipity is Sweet on Facebook

Follow me on twitter

Tweet this giveaway link (please leave a link to your tweet in your comment, 1 per day)

Fave me on technorati
Leave a comment on another post and let me know you did.

Be sure to leave a comment for each entry and a valid email address. Open to U.S. only. Winner will be chosen by random integer selection. The winner will have 48 hours to claim the prize or a new winner will be chosen. Contest will close on June 30, 2011 at 12:00 AM EST. Good Luck!!!

**I received no compensation for this post, but was offered a sample of PetArmor to try myself, and the prize pack valued at almost $100 to giveaway to my readers. The opinions expressed here are my own.**

May is Pet Cancer Awareness Month

May is Pet Cancer Awareness Month and Blue Buffalo and Petco have joined forces to raise awareness and fight to find a cure. You probably don’t realize it, but dogs and cats get cancer at approximately the same rate as people do. Unfortunately, 80% of pet parents know little or nothing about pet cancer.

A couple of years ago I wrote about our sweet Great Dane Max, who was diagnosed with osteosarcoma. He was so dear to me, and was definitely an important member of our family. Losing him was devastating, but watching him suffer was even worse.

Please join me in supporting Pet Cancer Awareness month. Make a donation, or just help get the word out. Together we can make a difference.

Learn more here.

Fido's Favorites - Dog Bone Recipe

I haven't posted anything pooch-worthy in a while and figured it was about time that I did. Here's a recipe my dogs have always loved. These also make great gifts for pup-loving pals.

Ingredients:
1 egg
1/3 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup mashed banana
1 tablespoon honey
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup wheat germ
1 egg white, lightly beaten, for brushing

Directions:
Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Lightly grease a baking sheet. Stir together the egg, peanut butter, banana, and honey in a medium bowl; blend thoroughly. Stir in the flour and wheat germ; mix well. Turn dough out onto a floured board and roll to 1/4 inch thick. Cut into shapes with a cookie cutter, place on prepared baking sheet, and brush tops with egg white. Bake biscuits in preheated oven until dried and golden brown, about 30 minutes, depending on size. Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack.

WOOF!

Lend A Paw for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month

LEND A PAW WITH WALMART AND HELP IMPROVE PETS’ LIVES

Americans Can Help Donate Up To One Hundred Thousand Dollars to the ASPCA

Bentonville, Ark. – April 15, 2010 – Walmart and its top pet suppliers are asking Americans to join them in their support for the ASPCA® (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) and its Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month.

Animal lovers everywhere are encouraged to visit www.facebook.com/lendapaw and help “Lend A Paw” to support the ASPCA’s mission to save and improve the lives of millions of animals nationwide. By clicking on the “Create a ‘Lend A Paw’ Post” button, Walmart, through the generous contribution of key pet suppliers, will donate $1 for each post (for a total donation of up to $100,000). All funds raised go to support the ASPCA, the first organization in the Western Hemisphere dedicated to the humane treatment of animals.

“Pet overpopulation, caused by far too many pets not being spayed or neutered –even by otherwise responsible pet parents – is a leading cause of unnecessary euthanasia,” said Elysia Howard, Vice President of Marketing & Licensing for the ASPCA. “In fact, half of all puppies and three-quarters of all kittens born are from unintended litters. Every dollar raised up to $100,000 through the ‘Lend A Paw’ campaign will help us get one step closer to our goal of helping pets in need. For example, $100,000 would help spay or neuter 1,000 animals.”

“Walmart offers everything pet owners need to care for dogs, cats and other pets,” says John Kunkel, Senior Pet Buyer, Walmart. “We are ecstatic about partnering with the ASPCA to help promote the importance of pet adoption and responsible pet ownership, and actively engage the American public to take part in such an important cause.”

I'm joining the cause to help our furry friends, won't you?

You Might Be A Great Dane Owner If...

You use your microwave as a place to hide food because your dog can reach the top of the refrigerator.

When you wake in the morning and open your eyes, you are staring nose to nose with your dog even though you are laying atop of your queen size bed.

You go for a walk in the neighborhood and everyone stops to meet your dog and ignores your kids.

You go to vacuum your car and most of the fur is up there on the ceiling.

You purchase a large screen TV and you still can't see the program when he stands in front of the television.

Your dog can hide an entire tennis ball (among other things) fully inside his lips and give you that innocent look that says, "What? I'm not eating anything!"

You have given up on water dishes because your dog prefers to use the sink.

You avoid the dogs on your way out the door, so they won't smear your makeup.

You tell your dog to sit and he backs up until his rear hits the sofa.

Your dog can swallow an entire stick of butter in one gulp.

You've learned to force a smile when someone says, "You should just put a saddle on that thing and ride it."

The pizza guys phones you from the car and asks you to come out and get the pizza.

Hey there dog lovers! Be sure to enter my DENTASTIX Prize Pack Giveaway before you go! I'll be choosing 5 winners this Friday. Enter to win great treats for your four-legged friend!






Love Danes? See more pics on this blog post :)

Happy Birthday Bella!

A year ago on December 2nd, a sweet little puppy was born. She came into our lives last February and she has grown a whole lot since then! Now she's a big girl, and she's one of us; part of the family. We can't imagine life without her. She's our sweet, goofy, playful, great dane girl. Happy First Birthday Bella!





Woof! Woof!

Baby Bella Turns 6 Months Old

Unfortunately, I don't have any baby pics. We met Bella when she was about 8 weeks old. She was born on Dec 2, 2008 and today marks her 6th month of life. She has been with us for four and we can't imagine life without her. Our sweet, goofy, rambunctious, Bella. With her daily doses of long-legged lunacy, snorfely sneezes, silky soft snuggles and taste-tempted thievery she fills our days with mischief, mayhem and merriment. Bella! Bella! We love you.