Find Your Adventure- Canine Style With Natural Balance

Momma Told Me: Never stop exploring.

Some may think that Nora, weighing in at 7.8lbs soaking wet, and standing a whopping 13" tall is not much of a dog. Small breed dogs have a bad rep for sleeping in all day, being carried, and getting dressed up for their owner's entertainment. But the truth is, it doesn't matter the size of the dog- Man's Best Friend is precisely such for their unending curiosity and thirst for exploration, unmatched loyalty, and energetic companionship. Of course there are traits that vary with the breed of dog, but every dog is a canine underneath. For our family, and Nora, that means plenty of exploration and a thirst for life that truly inspires the humans around her.

Nora has many nicknames 'Rocket Dog,' 'Wildling,' and 'The Flash' are just a few. We like to take a short drive from our home and let her run wild in the abandoned fields by the high school. It's great to get her off a 'leash' and really let her connect with her roots. Freedom is something Nora enjoys almost as much as a good run. For someone who's legs are 5" long, she can outrun me until she's just a speck on the horizon!

As much as I love sending Nora to the 'dog spa' to get a trim, and general pampering- Nora has other ideas of indulging herself. It drives my father bonkers how little we restrain our pup, and the lack of 'training' we gave her. Nora likes to play rough, and puts all of her enthusiasm into it, with the kindest heart, of course. I snapped the above shots when we took her on a 'fashion' photoshoot I was doing for the blog. Behind us were beautiful strawberry fields and a rustic old barn. Nora spent her time waiting on us chasing after birds and mice through the mud- I think it's safe to say she might have even had a romp through the sprinklers. Doesn't that face just sum up everything great about having a dog in the family?

As curious and energetic as Nora is we are constantly planning day trips just for her to go out, get back to her roots, and explore her wild side. She loves a good adventure, and she loves interacting with other animals and wildlife. The nearby pond is a favorite where we can spot squirrels, turtles, seagulls, ducks, and even a swan or two. On our first trip I was worried her enthusiasm might wind her up in a hot water with the territorial birds. But size means nothing to Nora- she happily told them she was here to explore, and they could just leave if they had a problem with it.

On our more recent trips Nora's turned into a tracking dog. She likes to 'point' and sniff things with great intent, following invisible trails down the shore until she runs face to face with an ornery duck. An argument inevitably ensues until she spots a squirrel or some other wildlife in need of due inspection.

Nora never seems to tire- as long as there is a field to be ran through (even in circles at times) or a new corner of the park to explore she'll keep going. Sometimes she explores with such enthusiasm we have to literally run to keep up and force her to stop and hydrate! The fact that she's leaping over mountains of grass with her tongue smacking her neck doesn't seem to bother her one bit. Of course a high energy dog requires delicious food and great nutrition. We feed Nora Natural Balance Wild Pursuit Dry food and Natural Balance Delectable Delights® single serve wet food cups. It's a brand we trust for Nora because each of it's unique pet food ranges are formulated based on scientific principles of a canine's dietary needs.

Delectable Delights® single serve cups come in 4 delicious grain free flavors, Woof’erole™, Surf N' Turf™, Duck'en-itas™, and Fish N' Chicks™. Each single serve cup is the perfect size for a small breed dog, or a great supplement to any larger breed's everyday meal schedule. These unique recipes feature real chunks of protein and wholesome ingredients cooked in a savory broth that will turn any bowl of boring kibble into a real 'fuel' treat! Best of all, these are easy to toss in our 'go bag'- so we always have some on hand when we get caught at the park on an extra long exploration session.

Believe it or not the beach is actually much closer than our favorite park, so we take a walk to the pier whenever we can. I like to go during the week, when it's usually less crowded, and really let Nora go wild in the sandy dunes. There is something about sitting on top of the dunes and barking at all of the seagulls that entertains her endlessly while I attempt to catch some sun!

One might think Nora would have a hard time carving through the sand up and down the inland shore, but she is actually much more nimble than me. She certainly doesn't sink as much! Sometimes, if it's windy I can hardly see her through the sand being kicked up with each leap! When it gets especially hot out she'll roll in seaweed or the plants up by the dunes to help cool off.

We bring our Delectable Delights® with us to the beach too, I like to think I'm being witty when I pick up a few extra packs of Fish N' Chicks™ just for beach days. With real chunks of chicken and salmon alongside sweet potato and green beans in a rich broth, I actually find myself getting a little jealous of the gourmet eats. I hate to say it- but I always remember to bring a snack for Nora, I rarely remember to pack one for me! Whenever we sit down at the cookout tables she's quick to jump up onto the concrete seat and begin scanning the table. Nora's no fool- she knows we only go to the tables for one thing- to eat!

Momma Told Me not to swim on an empty stomach- so we like to go sunbathe a little more after snack time. I like to think of this as the time when Nora 'scouts' her next attack- eyes a particular seagull, or barks at a family passing by. Every now and then, when she can get the attention, she'll even wander off (with my permission) and play fetch with some locals near by. She even tries to play Frisbee and catches some amazing air!

Trips to the beach almost always end with a walk along the water- Much like the pond, Nora will follow her nose right up to the water's edge, only to realize seconds later the tide is rolling in much faster than her paws can get traction in the wet sand! (Don't worry we never leave her alone at water's edge without supervision and a flotation vest.) After a few waves she starts daring the tide to roll in, and will even run up as it recedes back into the shore and bark as if she's scaring it away. By the time we're ready to pack it in Nora's a wet, sandy, wind blown dog- still bouncing up the sand dunes with her tongue hanging out of the side of her mouth. How do you explore with your dog? Follow Natural Balance on Facebook and Instagram for more paw-some pet adventures, and keep an eye out for Delectable Delights® at a store near you.

What Daughter Says: Nora inspires me to always explore and greet each day with unbridled enthusiasm.

Protecting The 'Best Day Ever' With #SentinelSpectrum For Dogs

This post is sponsored by Virbac® Sentinel® Spectrum® and the Blog Paws® Pet Influencer Network™. I am being compensated to help create awareness about protection against common parasites found in dogs, but we only share information that we feel is relevant to our readers. More information about Sentinel Spectrum. Virbac is not responsible for the content of this article.

Momma Told Me: Every dog has it's day.

We have a saying in our family- "Best day EVER."

Nora, our morkie, has a lot of these.

Oh, yes, you can have more than one best day ever. In fact, every day can fit this description when you greet the sunrise with a thirst for life and enthusiasm towards the day ahead. And, while some may look at our small, hyper, over-enthusiastic little dog as stereo-typical, or even poorly trained, I prefer to look at her as inspiration. We should all be so lucky as to treat each encounter, every meal, and our next experience as the most wondrous and appreciated. Just think what life would be like if you enjoyed every moment to the fullest, with a smile on your face.

Yes, Nora is lucky indeed.

But every adult knows life isn't quite all fun and games. Sure, it's a bit easier to keep this outlook when your biggest quandary is whether to chew the rubber football, or the braided rawhide next.Thankfully Nora has parents who are there to consider the less than pleasant things- like parasite prevention. Nothing can ruin a good old fashioned dog day like one of the 6 most common parasites that impact canines. Roundworm, heartworm, whipworm, tapeworm, hookworm, and fleas often come as a big surprise to pet parents, and can pose an even stronger threat to a dog's health and safety once identified.

Of course going to the vet is far from the 'best day ever' for most pooches, and many parents are entirely unsure of how to protect their dog from one of these parasites, let alone all 6. So we recently educated ourselves about heartworm, and the 5 common parasites found in dogs during Nora's annual check-up. Naturally, being the happy, people lover, she is, she didn't sweat the visit, and was the happiest animal in the waiting room. Your dog might not be so enthusiastic, however, so it's a good idea to make sure to maximize the time with your vet during annual check-ups. Ask about important issues such as vaccinations, aging and diet concerns, and parasite prevention.

Our vet told us about new Virbac® Sentinel® Spectrum®.(Click here to learn more about Sentinel® Spectrum®.) Available in a once-a-month bacon flavored chew (sold in various dose sizes based on your dog's weight,) Sentinel® Spectrum® helps protect your dog from common parasites they may come into contact with while traveling, on walks, or even in your own backyard. In fact, in addition to protecting your dog from the dangers of whipworm, hookworm, tapeworm, roundworm, and heartworm, Sentinel® Spectrum® actively helps prevent the hatching of flea eggs. Yes, Sentinel® Spectrum® can be used in conjunction with over-the-counter flea adulticides to break the flea life cycle and keep your pet flea free.

Because Sentinel® Spectrum® protects against heartworm, your vet will need to administer a simple, same visit, heartworm test before prescribing this prevention treatment. Regardless of where you live if you have not been giving your dog a regular heart-worm protection regimen, it's a great idea to perform this test annually. Once you have your prescription in hand you can purchase Sentinel Spectrum through most veterinarians, in 6 or 12 month supplies, or online at various websites.

While I'm lucky to have a very enthusiastic, positive, adventurous Dogher, many dog parents have pets who become anxious in medical situations, or are reluctant to take medications. Which is why I'm grateful for the easy to treat, deliciously bacon flavored, once-a-month Sentinel® Spectrum® chew that can help protect Nora from those 6 most common parasites. It's as easy as 'treating' your dog, and serving them a small meal. The small meal will help the chew's active ingredients stay in your dog's digestive track longer, and absorb better- plus, what dog doesn't love a bonus mealtime? If you have multiple dogs, medications, or simply like to stay organized, you can package your monthly Sentinel® Spectrum® doses with a small serving of food and our reminder tags- grab the free Printable here.

Protecting your dog from the 6 most common parasites doesn't have to be an ordeal- after all, they've got plenty of bikers to bark at, and squirrels to chase. A dog's life is full of adventure and responsibilities. Us silly humans don't even know the half of it. Or so I hear. Which is precisely why Nora and I pack as many 'Best Day Evers' into our weeks as possible. It's hard to remember how dull car rides were before this little Morkie came into my life!

When we first adopted her, I was constantly worried for Nora's well being. In fact, she was so tiny I didn't allow her to sleep in our bed, for fear I'd roll on top of her! Today we face the world with a fearless thirst for whatever the sun, the shore, and the waves will bring. Our favorite place to go romp around is the beach- there are so many exciting things at the beach! From the second we pull up to the marina Nora's tail begins to wag , and her ears perk up as she sniffs the air for that familiar saltwater fragrance, and scans the horizon for her security guard 'friends.'

It's a wonderful piece of mind to know that I can let Nora greet and interact with the other humans and dogs at the beach knowing she is protected from 6 of the most common parasites found in dogs. As sparkly as the warm sands are, the beach is an incredibly social place for animals of all varieties, and Nora's not the most discriminating when it comes to where to put her nose.

Sniff ALL the things.

Visible fleas only make up a small portion, and eggs and larvae are able to survive in a home for up to a year before finding a host- those are some hitchhikers I don't want to bring home! And just one bite from an infected mosquito can put your dog at risk for heartworm, which cannot be diagnosed until approximately6 months after infection (yikes!).


Thank goodness for Sentinel® Spectrum®.

Okay, so our dog might be that dog in the stroller walking the Boardwalk- what can I say, her tiny paws get tired with all that energy being drained from her ridiculously wide smiling face. Besides, one has to rest up for all of those waves they plan on dodging later. Now, if only we could break her of her salt water drinking habit...*sigh*

At the beach we come into contact with all sorts of dogs- many of them off leashes, some of them perhaps even strays. I typically find myself cringing, wondering if they're protected- if they have a pet mom or dad who knows about Sentinel® Spectrum®. Maybe they do- maybe they do not. At least I know we can continue walking, and sniffing, knowing we're protected. Ask your vet about heartworm protection on your next visit and take advantage of a money saving rebate for Sentinel® Spectrum®.

Best Day Ever.

We say it all the time in our family.

It may not be a day any more important than a drive down the coast, or a walk in the park, but Nora's enthusiasm for each experience, as though it were an unimaginable adventure brings our lives to life, and a little extra appreciation to our hearts. And how grateful I am to know we will enjoy so many more 'best days' protected from some of the most common parasites who would otherwise threaten to ruin them.

Do you think you know everything there is to know about fleas, parasites, and tapeworm in dogs? Take this quick survey and see the data collected represented in a future post here on Momma Told Me!

What Daughter Says: Maximize your dog's best day potential by protecting them from the 6 most common parasites, in one easy to treat chew.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Virbac® Sentinel® Spectrum®. The opinions and text are all mine.

Saturday State of The Woof: Family Update

Momma Told Me: Live like there's only one shoe left to chew on.

Do you ever just have one of those weeks? Months? Years? Sometimes life can get a little tricky to navigate, but I honestly feel like it's just another challenge- double dog dare obstacles meant to be conquered and triumphed over. I've never really turned away from something simply because it's hard, if anything, setbacks and unforeseen circumstances only drive me more determined towards my goal. I never minded work, back when I pulled a regular 9-5, and even my schooling was just another hurdle I was eager to tackle. Such enthusiasm for life, however, does tend to bring it's own lulls. And it's the times in my life where I feel least challenged that I get mopey and bored. I shouldn't ever, really. I have a great life, with a great family, and I make money doing what I love best. However, as much as I may complain when the going get's tough, I find myself yearning for that opposition when things settle back down.

June was a whirlwind for our family. I went all out for my Pop's birthday, and Father's Day, celebrating both twice. I made 4 cakes in total, and organized a few secret surprises; including the coordination of several family members paying his entire Summer (bowling) league fees in full. It was exhausting, but entirely worth it to me; I receive an immense amount of gratification doing unexpected things for others. I haven't quite learned how to indulge myself yet- so this is an even compromise.

My father's birthday is just before my grandfather's (his dad), and Father's Day follows less than a week later. As it turns out Momma's pop had a heart attack on Father's Day, but was walking around unaware for almost 24 hours! Thankfully my Aunt lives across the street and finally convinced him to go into the ER after a day of unrelenting back and chest pain. Don't worry, all is well now- he was discharged 72 hours later after a thorough cleaning of his valves (which revealed a scar tissue blockage from an injury some 20 years earlier). We, the family, simply left it at "Grandpa must've partied too hard on father's day," And, in fact, that's not too far from the truth, as this boisterous German man is never seen without a good glass of wine, a full plate of food, and a crowd of loving family and friends!

Most of my regular readers know I don't have any (human) kids of my own. I got married in my early 20s on the back of a childhood full of dreams of being a Momma, and it just didn't work out (thankfully, for the best, seeing as we are now divorced). I've come to terms that I may not have my own children anytime soon, or at all, and frequently borrow the children of others to get my 'fix'. Jay and I watch Sabrina (10) after school Monday-Friday during the school year and during most vacations, while her single Momma works to pay the bills. Well, as it turns out, her steady boyfriend has won Summer custody of his 2 children (a boy of 3, and a girl of 8), and we have happily added to our child-care group for the month of July. I will not lie, it is a full time job that is completely exhausting (caring for kids), but so, so worth it. I may not have children of my own, but these kids are like family, and we have a blast in between tantrums and jealous fights for affection. I will try to keep up a post a day, as usual, but if I miss one it's likely because we're out on some sort of epic adventure.

Speaking of kids, as a stay-at-home (disabled) Mom, Momma was always great at finding activities (And frugal activities at that) to keep me entertained. I have quite a few tricks up my sleeve when it comes to Summer. I'm hoping to get together a Lemonade Stand with the eldest (10) in August, and have found a slew of local FREE perks for kids nearby. The county library offers free story-time, daily, 3 times a day. Our local theaters offer early morning movies free (Lorax, Happy Feet 2, Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, etc), and I've managed to find a daily calendar for 'Kids Eat Free' deals, listed by location. Monday we will be taking the whole clan to the Pick-Your-Own farm (while I have Jay's help, on his day off), and Tuesday we will be going to a night show of the interactive Pirates! Dinner Adventure. I've also stocked up on $1 store kites, clearance craft kits, and some easy paint wood frames to make a little memento for the parents. Because there is a 3 year old boy in the mix, we eagerly await nap-time every afternoon for some treasured gal time :)

Nora's been enjoying the transition as well; this means more time outside for the typically condo bound pup. Speaking of which, it's about time for a haircut for Missy.....But that is for another day- sometime before Jay and I trek up to Oregon to see Momma in August. Phew, this 'Summer' bit has me exhausted just thinking about all of the shenanigans and adventures. But life's too short not to make memories at every chance- and you can be assured I'll have my camera along for the ride to share with you all! P.S. Everybody be careful with the bugs out there this Summer, I've already shelled out $111 for an infected mosquito bite and antibiotics- blah!

What are your plans this Summer?

What Daughter Says: I happily wag my proverbial tail at every chance for adventure, no matter how messy.