10 Day Pet Detox Quick-Start Guide + Supreme Source® Pet Food Deal

This post was sponsored by Supreme Source® as part of an Ambassador Program for Influence Central and all
opinions expressed in my post are my own. Please Note: Nothing contained below should be taken as 
professional veterinarian or medical advice. Please always consult your pet's veterinarian before making 
changes to your pet's diet or routine.

As much as every new year is marked by resolutions, and the promise of a fresh start, the spring season is 
associated with clearing out cobwebs, both in the physical and spiritual attic.

Winter is such a cozy season that it can be easy to find one's self settling into simpler routines and cutting 
corners for the sake of ease and comfort. By the time the sun starts thawing the ground, and the flowers 
start blooming we're often inspired to refresh our outlook but a bit overwhelmed at where to start.

A great detox can be the perfect way to quickly reset one's system, flushing it of some unnecessary 
build-up, and jump starting it with some high power targeted fuel.

A great detox is not just one that impacts one's lifestyle on an internal note, but also a physical and 
emotional one as well. It's much more than changing your diet for a period of time. And most successful 
detoxes will have the support of a close ally such as family and friends. 

Of course 'they' say "What's good for the goose is good for the gander," and this certainly applies to your 
furriest family members, too. 

Around here some of us have really dug into those lazy Winter habits- Gidget hardly gets up to turn 45 
degrees and plop back down in her plush pup rug, while Nora has been enjoying some post holiday spoiling 
just a little too much around the mid-section.

A pet detox can be a great way to not only take a moment to consider your pet's diet, but also get back on 

track with physical activity and emotional bonding.  When I read about Supreme Source® pet food's 10-Day 

Pet Detox program, and how I could take advantage of a free bag (up to $9.99 retail, while supplies last) when 

I sign up to make the switch at SuperFoodSwitch.com I was excited to have a little extra motivation and support 

along the way. This March and April, you can sign up to receive daily emails during the ten days with 

instructions and tips.

Supreme Source® pet food is a premium grain-free, superfood diet that's packed with healthy enzymes and prebiotics to cleanse and rejuvenate our best buddies, inside and out. It comes in delicious varieties for both cats and dogs, including Supreme Source Grain Free Pork, Peas & Wild Boar Dry Dog Food and Supreme Source Whitefish Meal & Salmon Meal Dry Cat Food and is always entirely grain free with no artificial flavors or colors. I particularly love that I can read and understand each and every ingredient on the nutritional information label!

Before I continue I do want to note that you should always consult your pet's veterinarian before making any major dietary changes, including a pet detox style program, or new food. While there are many benefits of protein focused, grain free, diets every animal's unique dietary needs vary.

To start your pet on their Spring detox with Supreme Source® be sure to print out your coupon for a free bag 
(up to $9.99, while supplies last) and bring it to your local Supreme Source® retailer. We purchased our bag of 
Supreme Source® Lamb Meal and Potato Dry Dog Food at our local VONS. Once you've downloaded your 
Supreme Source® coupon and redeemed it in store you'll begin receiving daily prompts to help your pet 
through their 10-Day Detox; which is essentially generally sound advice to integrate the new food into your 
pet's diet over time, and fun activities to help your pet adjust to the switch and engage with you more.

Before I left VONS I was sure to grab a few extra treats for our dogs, such as some new chew toys to help 
engage their minds, and pass the time; as well as bottled water to stock the car, and a brand new pet brush.

Of course you should never shock your pet's routine with sudden changes to diet or activity, so the Supreme 
Source® 10-Day Pet Detox is styled to gradually get your pet back on track while introducing a new food over 
time. Much like we will begin introducing our Supreme Source® pet food into our pet's daily portions of their 
'usual' dry food, we will also begin adding a little extra physical activity every day.

No moderation is needed with extra hugs, cuddles, and slurps though, so feel free to portion though out 
generously and often!

Like every program or goal in life having a support system is essential to making it a success, the 
free Supreme Source® 10-Day Detox guide will help get you and your pet off on the right paw, but 
you're the real superstar in making this Spring refresh a success.  It's often not had to get even a picky 
dog to warm up to delicious premium ingredients such as lamb meal, potatoes, or pork and peas- but 
Supreme Source® is packed with healthy enzymes and probiotics your pet's sure to begin feeling just 
as much as tasting!

Take advantage of your pet's internal refreshing with a direct plan to engage both their minds and 
bodies more during this 10-day process. When out on walks take the longer route home, plan trips to 
the local dog park to interact with other dogs, and encourage guests to treat and engage your dog with 
their new Supreme Source® food as a special treat.

Over the next 10 days we'll be taking part in the Supreme Source® 10 Day Detox*** as we introduce both Nora 
and Gidget to their new Supreme Source® grain free pet food. I'm especially excited to notice any potential 
changes to energy and behavior, and see how they enjoy the flavors of their Supreme Source® Lamb Meal 
and Potato recipe. We've already begun to break through the cobwebs of Winter habits by taking early afternoon 
walks (before the sun falls with the evening temperatures) and we've been restocking those chew toys with 
healthy snacks and treats to keep their minds active during dull periods.

I'll have to admit, we're really just getting started here- Gidget still insisted on stopping and stomping her paws 
when the snack cart rolled up to us the other afternoon!

***While this is a “Pet Detox” Promotion, products and information provided by American Pet Nutrition are not 
intended to substitute for medical advice or treatment. It is always recommended that you consult your 
veterinarian or a qualified medical professional for your pets. The information and products are not intended to 
diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or medical problems.

What's that Momma always told me?

I think it was "Nothing worth while comes easy."

Refreshing a pup's mind, body, and stomach is definitely a task in itself, but a 10-Day program certainly helps 
along the way. We're excited to document and share our progress with the Supreme Source® 10-Day Detox 
for pets, and hope you'll follow along with us and pick up your very own free bag of Supreme Source® 
($9.99 value, while supplies last) and 10-Day Detox guide too. For more great tips on refreshing your 
pet's mind and bowl follow Supreme Source® on Facebook,  Twitter, and Instagram.

How To Help Your Dog Grab Life By The Leash In Stressful Situations

This post is sponsored by Therabis™ and the BlogPaws® Pet Influencer Network™. I am being compensated to help share information about Therabis - Hemp wellness products to help your dog with itching, anxiety and joint mobility. Momma Told Me only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Therabis is not responsible for the content of this article.

Nora has always been described as a high energy, fun loving, happy dog both by those who know her well, or simply have the pleasure of meeting her. We, okay I, like to joke that Nora would greet an axe murderer with a wagging tail and a silly smile- she simply never seemed to have any sense of negativity. The exception being, like so many dogs, loud sudden noises such as fireworks- New Year's Eve and the 4th of July have long plagued the animals in our home with stress and anxiety. And every year it seems like the number of days people set off fireworks before and after the holidays themselves continues to grow, despite it being entirely illegal where we live.

Because it was such a rare, twice a year, thing we never did much more to handle this stress within our pets outside of lots of cuddles and a good loud movie night. Then, last year, I was rear ended at a complete stop exiting the freeway and my car was totaled. Nora was inside- properly secured, and experienced no injuries- but she was fairly shaken up by the sheer sound and shock of the impact. Suddenly my happy-go-lucky dog who loved to go for a ride any chance she could get was experiencing immense anxiety and signs of distress when she was forced to be in the car for even a short period of time.

Above is a snapshot I took on my mobile phone as Nora and I set out to visit my father, a 5 mile drive across town, just a few weeks after the accident. It's hard to believe that photo is my Nora. Her rapid panting, ears back, and efforts to climb over the seat and into my lap were all clear signs that she was feeling anxious about her current situation.

A perfectly happy, well loved, well cared for dog can experience signs of anxiety or stress from time to time. In Nora's case she began associating an event/location with a traumatic event and could no longer control her involuntary reactions to being placed back in a similar situation- despite the lack of actual threat. If your dog regularly responds to a situation with cues such as excessive barking, standing or sitting with one paw raised, ears back, whining or howling, or excessive panting and pacing your dog may be experiencing forms of anxiety or stress.

The first, and most important thing to do is to identify what is going on, and where your dog is, when they are exhibiting these behaviors. In many cases there may be a simple solution of removing the dog from the stressful surroundings, or avoiding the situation. In some cases, such as separation anxiety, social stress, and fear of cars you may be unable to eliminate your dog's behavioral response by sheer avoidance.

It can be frustrating when you see that your dog is not acting like themselves, and natural for you to want to fix whatever it is that is bothering your pet. The first, and most important thing, aside from identifying what is causing the anxiety, is patience and understanding. You may wish you could solve this with cuddles and a few comforting words but, unfortunately, dogs are conditioned with natural responses to situations, and cannot understand a threat has passed once they have experienced something traumatic enough to trigger a response behavior. The simplest remedy is time, and the rebuilding of safety through trust in similar situations.

Nora, almost a year later, is much better in car rides and no longer breaks out in panting with signs of anxiety when we enter the car. However, there are still memories associated with the originating event in her mind. When our car goes over a pothole, or railroad tracks, it is as though she is experiencing a heightened sense of fear all over again. The painting starts, the ears go back, and she'll nervously attempt to hide. Where short car rides are relatively uneventful, and Nora happily emerges from the car her typical bubbly self, longer car rides can be quite rough on all involved- which is why I recently sought out the Therabis™ range of natural hemp oil derivative pet products. 

Therabis™, as a brand, is backed by 25 years of veterinary experience and over 10 years of research and development by founder and veterinarian Dr. Stephen M. Katz. Their hemp-wellness formulas harness the natural benefits of hemp extracted Cannabinoids(CBD) alongside other natural ingredients such as L-theanine (from green tea) and comprehensive vitamin compounds. The CBDs obtained for Therabis™ pet products are sourced from industrial hemp that has been specifically cultivated to have minimal levels of THC so their natural therapeutic properties can be harnessed without producing any psychoactive effects.

So what are Cannabinoids? They're a naturally occurring chemical compound found in hemp that interacts with your pets endocannabinoid system (the central regulatory system which impacts things such as mood, digestion, and sleep.) Your pet's body naturally produces it's own Cannabinoids which bind the the receptors of this endocannabinoid system, and Therabis™ should be considered a supplement used to help boost this systems natural impact.

Therabis™ features multiple formulations to help ease and supplement your dog's unique set of challenges; Up And Moving (for ease of mobility and joint pain), Stop The Itch (for dogs with hot spots and excessive self grooming), and Calm And Quiet (for dogs who experience stress in situations or settings). After reading many experiences from actual Therabis™ Calm And Quiet users I was excited to be able to give it a try with Nora and her anxiety towards car rides. Therabis™ offers 2 formulations for their Calm And Quiet supplement, easy to take fast-acting treats- for on the spot treatment of stressful situations, and a daily Powder sachet intended to be sprinkled on a dog's primary meal each day.

I was hesitant to start Nora with the daily powder supplement because I simply was unsure how she might react, and wondered what the impact would be throughout the day. The treats really appealed to me for an incident by incident bases of stressful car rides. However, I consulted with my Veterinarian and his insight was that an overall daily supplement, intended to help alleviate general stress, might be beneficial to work towards Nora's comfort with car rides in the long run. His theory was that she might naturally regain her confidence in the car if, over time, she continued to experience positive trips in them.

Nora didn't seem to notice the Therabis Calm And Quiet powder sprinkled on her breakfast as she has eaten every such sprinkled bowl with equal enthusiasm to an everyday meal. Because we have chosen to give Nora Calm And Quiet daily as a supplement to her everyday nutrition I feel the impact of this Therabis™ supplement has been immediate and dramatic. Jay kept joking that or dog would be 'out of it' and 'a different dog' but the truth is we have both been astonished by the positive change in Nora. She is just as much her usual active, bubbly, self around the house and out for walks- but we have successfully gone for multiple care rides now and she has yet to let out a single pant.

It is such a pleasure to see my dog's ears up in the car. Not only up, but Nora is very engaged and attentive. One might think Calm And Quiet would indicate a dog would be 'out of it' and sleeping all the time. We've found it to be the opposite- Nora is equally alert and, if anything, more discerning of the situation. She seems to more rationally process information and react enthusiastically, but within reason. It's the Nora we know and love, just sharper and wiser- if that makes sense? I am over the moon to see her once again enjoying car rides, and have high expectations of Therabis™ Calm And Quiet for next year's New Year's Eve.

There are several things that can seem to hold a dog back from being themselves. Sometimes we tend to attribute these things to age, or other circumstances outside our control. Unfortunately we can't sit our pets down and talk them through situations such as stress, itching, or sore joints, so it can be hard to know how to treat them. In most cases we simply want our 'old dog' back- that twinkle in their eyes when you come home, that silly smile as they run back with that fuzzy tennis ball. For a while, when Nora began showing signs of stress in the car we were forced to make the decision to leave her home on trips where she would have previously been our partner in crime. I am so glad to be able to grab the leash once again and get the whole family out and moving.

When a furry family member is experiencing something that alters the way they greet each day and live their lives that last thing one wants to do is change their dog's behavior further with treatments that can further slow a dog down. When it comes to a conditioned response to stressful stimuli and situations multiple forms of problem solving will benefit your dog on the road to becoming their 'good ol' selves'. Identify the problem and accept your dog's perception of the situation as stressful, limit the amount of time your pet has to put in similar situations until trust and confidence can be properly rebuilt, and seek the help of natural supplements to ease anxiety and allow your dog to embrace their everyday lifestyle once again. Learn more about Cannabinoids, and purchase Therabis™ pet supplement products online at Therabis.com. Do you have, or have you aver had, a pet who experienced anxiety during certain events? How did you handle it?

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Therabis™. The opinions and text are all mine.

How To Calm Anxiety In Dogs

***I received a product from Calmz to help facilitate this story, regardless my thoughts, and experiences are all my own. Nothing written below should be taken as veterinary advice. If your dog exhibits any of the behaviors discussed please consult a veterinarian.

Momma Told Me: Don't be a fraidy cat.


Everyone who knows Nora, our Morkie, says she is the happiest, most energetic, enthusiastic dog they have ever met. And, while it's true Nora never stops exploring and greeting everyone/everything that crosses her path, even she experiences anxiety from time to time. Anxiety, in dogs, brought on by specific personal triggers is not uncommon, and does not mean your dog is a 'bad dog.' Much like children, our pets are conditioned to respond to different situations and stimuli from a very young age. One traumatic bad experience can trigger an uncontrollable response, even years later. Unfortunately, unlike children, we can't sit them down and explain there is nothing to fear, or that they are going to be 'okay' when their anxiety kicks in.

The degree of anxiety your dog experiences, and the severity of the symptoms varies with the type of trigger and your dog's individual personality. Anxiety could be caused by meeting new people, traveling, thunderstorms, fireworks, or even separation from a family member or owner. It may not always be obvious at first that your canine companion is feeling stressed. Anxiety in dogs often presents itself first as panting, excess salivation, hiding/tucking the tail between it's legs, or even whimpering. In extreme cases a dog may even respond to anxiety by urinating, chewing, or digging where it's not supposed to.

As pet parents I know it can be frustrating to see your lovable best friend acting contrary to themselves. It's natural to worry if your dog is ill or requires professional training, when they exhibit these signs. It's important to pay attention to what occurred immediately before the behavior was witnessed, often there are signs and patterns of triggers resulting in the behavior. (NOTE: If your dog experiences anxiety towards a specific person, and only that person the behavior may be as a result of negative experiences with that individual. Examine the entire situation before assuming it's a case of unjustified anxiety.)

So what makes 'the world's happiest dog' feel anxious? Nora, like many dogs, and quite understandably, has a hard time coping with sudden loud noises. She can be carried through a concert, or the bustling fairgrounds with complete enthusiasm and excitement, but the sound of lightening, fireworks, a car misfiring, or anything similar completely disables her. Ever since we first brought her home she was a fearless ball of fluff- We like to joke she'd walk up to a man in a hockey mask with machete and lick them to submission. But there is something about sudden loud noises which pins her ears back, makes her pant heavily, tremble, drool, and hide.

Every year I stay home with the house buttoned up, playing some sort of loud music to try and drown out the sound of fireworks. Unfortunately, despite being illegal in our country, this year the fireworks began over a week before the 4th, and to this very date we still hear one or two shot off a day. It is entirely unexpected and truly puts both Nora and I on edge. A year ago, after a car had misfired in the alley and Nora had begun showing signs of immediate anxiety I discovered that singing (No, I am not a good vocalist) 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow' in a very calm lullaby tone, and noticed that Nora responded dramatically and immediately to this. Ever since it has been my best tool to help her cope.

Flash forward to our recent discovery of the Calmz Anxiety Relief System- We'd previously tried aromatherapy and compression treatments for on the spot anxiety relief, after our veterinarian suggested them, but neither seemed to offer long term, or continued relief beyond an initial calm. The Calmz system combines a few common anxiety relief treatments into one easy to use therpy 'harness'. The specially designed neoprene harness comes in a variety of sizes for different breeds of dogs, and is very breathable. It's made to fasten and provide direct pressure to acupressure spots on your dog, while acting as a holster for the companion Calmz device.

Stay with me, because I laughed a bit at how the Calmz system worked, at first- but I was honestly willing to try anything to ease Nora's sudden anxiety to loud, unexpected, noises. The Calmz device sits in a specially designed pouch atop the Calmz harness, right between your dog's shoulder-blades and along the spine. With several options for intensity and length of programs, the Calmz device delivers targeted pulse vibrations in time with an ever so faint 'zen like' audio track, played just behind your dog's ears. A massage and meditation, I thought- right.

While some dogs might have a unique response to the system at first, ans require an adjustment period, Nora is used to wearing a harness, and even clothing, so she instantly took to the Calmz system. I was also expecting her to turn her hear from side to side, in an attempt to figure out where the vibration and music was coming from. To my surprise I saw an immediate response. The dog who never closes her eyes when a human is awake and present, the dog who never lays down when I have my camera out began almost collapsing into the couch. And by collapsing I mean she was fighting the urge to lay down and relax. Just look at the photos I snapped as she attempted to keep her eyes open only 2 minutes into her first Calmz session.

Clamz isn't meant to be worn everyday, or constantly. It's intended to be used as a conditioning aid to provide relief and calm when your dog is in a stressful situation. For us that means we will only be using the vest during thunderstorms, or firework seasons (4th of July and New Years). For others it may be a vital aid when traveling, or even a useful tool to help integrate a pup at the local dog park. Each dog, like every human, responds differently to anxiety, and your dog may or may not require several sessions with the Calmz system before seeing results. So far, I can say it really does have an impact on our, generally hyper, dog. Learn more about the Calmz Anxiety Relief System for dogs online.

What tends to stress your dog out? What signs of anxiety do you notice when they are stressed?

What Daughter Says: Man's best friend experiences many of the same emotions- help your dog deal with anxiety by first recognizing the signs and cause.

Protect Your Dog Year-Round From 6 Of The Most Common Parasites Found In Canines With #SentinelSpectrum

This post is sponsored by Virbac® SENTINEL® SPECTRUM® and the BlogPaws® Pet Influencer Network™. I am being compensated to help create awareness about protection against common parasites found in dogs but we only share information 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: Don't waste time fearing what you can't see.

When I was a little girl I had the worst night terrors- We lived in a 2 bedroom condo in which my bedroom had a massive walk in closet with an entrance to the attic. One Summer, when I was still quite young, a nest of wasps decided to take home in the attic directly above my bedroom. For weeks I would lay, terrified of the ambient buzzing I could hear, but not see and for weeks Momma would console me, telling me there was nothing to fear, it was all in my head. Then, one day, after I absolutely refused to go into my bedroom at bedtime, my father decided to take a journey into the attic to show me I was being quite ridiculous.

I wish I could say I was reassured by what unfolded next- but, as you can imagine, a nest of wasps being uncovered in a dark and desolate attic was far from a joyful sight. And never again did my mother tell me that which couldn't be seen wasn't of bother.

On the surface this story might seem to have nothing to do with pets at all, but it really is a good metaphor for parasites and our dogs. Through the years, as a pet parent, I've come to learn that parasites, such as fleas, are not a seasonal worry. While it may seem like fleas are more active in the Summer, when our dogs may be spending more time outdoors, they can survive impressively inhospitable conditions and the non visible fleas may be the ones you should fear most. Visible fleas make up just a small portion of the flea population, and those that aren't visible can live in your home for up to a year before finding a host.

And, while fleas can be carriers for other parasites, such as tapeworms, there are even more pests, such as mosquitoes, which can transmit parasites as well. Just one bite from an infected mosquito can give an otherwise healthy dog heartworm- a deadly parasite that is often not detected until it is causing potentially life threatening symptoms to the host dog. Because of this most veterinarians recommend annual or biannual heartworm screenings. Whipworms, roundworms, and hookworms round out the list of the 6 of the most common parasites found in canines. It's enough to keep any pet parent up at night.

Unfortunately, one of the most common misconceptions about parasites and dogs is that the threat is seasonal- We shared a reader poll last month and 20% of those polled said they only provide their dog flea protection during the Spring and Summer months! Fleas, and parasites don't take a break! Female fleas can produce up to 40-50 eggs a day, and most adult fleas survive 2-3 months under normal conditions- making them a year round concern whether your dog is primarily indoors, or out chasing ducks by the creek.

Dogs can contract tapeworms from simply grooming themselves, whether an active flea infestation is present in home or not- one single flea ingested during everyday grooming, gnawing on a flea bite, or coming across a dead animal, can result in a tapeworm problem. Tapeworms are typically not detected until the issue presents itself as changes in the dog's behavior, appetite, or literal worms being expelled in a dog's bowel movements. If any of this sounds terrifying or nauseating, it should- because parasites, such as tapeworm, are preventable with a simple year-round treatment called Virbac® SENTINEL® SPECTRUM® (More info about Sentinel Spectrum.)

Fearing what you can't see is a natural instinct- but fearing the 6 most common parasites in your dog, doesn't have to be. Ask your veterinarian if Virbac® SENTINEL® SPECTRUM® can help provide peace of mind year round for you and your canine family. (Learn about a special rebate here!) Virbac® SENTINEL® SPECTRUM® is a once a month, delicious bacon flavored chew, given to your dog as a treat with a small meal. It's unique active ingredient, Lufenuron, prevents fleas from developing into adults, while the broad spectrum paraciticide also actively protects against tapeworms, hookworm, whipworm, roundworm, and heartworm. Virbac® SENTINEL® SPECTRUM® can help protect your dog so you can stop worrying about the parasites you can't see, and they can get back to being a dog again- or, in our case, role-playing as a goat in the backyard.

What Daughter Says: Fleas, and parasites, should be a concern year-round- but you don't have leave your dog unguarded. Ask your vet about Virbac Sentinel Spectrum today!

Explore the info-graphic (COMING SOON!) below to learn more about Flea and Tapeworm knowledge, as surveyed from readers in our last post!

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

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.

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