I will remember that my dog comes from a long line of beggars, scroungers, and clever food-finding survivalists.

I will not hold this survival skill (one my ancestors liked and bred to keep) against my dog.

I will not expect my dog to feign a mere casual interest in food.  

I will try to understand that to my dog, walking around with food (aka: holding an ice cream cone or a sandwich) is practically inviting them to share.  If we wanted to keep it to ourselves we would surely behave this way; bring our food to a quiet corner, hunker down, and eat it quickly! 

I will try to remember that putting food down, or leaving food unattended is the same as putting out an all-points-bulletin "UN-NEEDED, UN-WANTED FOOD!"

Take Home Message: Dogs like food.  Dog's like food a lot.  Dog's don't beg; they ask with their eyes!

Pets Prodcuts Review - Catswell VitaKitty Chicken Brest treats

My cat Stinky is notoriously finicky when it comes to food, especially cat treats.  We've tried nearly every treat we run into, and always searching for more.  This week's trial was with a company I've reviewed before Catswell.  They have a unique treat that looks like small moist and meaty strips of succulent chicken Breast.  It goes by the name VitaKitty. 

I couldn't wait to try this treat, because its more than a treat, its a supplemented nutritional food item that is packed with flaxseed oil, vitamins and vitamin E to help maintain eyes, skin and coat.  The concept of combining reward with healthy nutrition always appeals to me.  To boot, I know the that Catswell assures that no hormones, antibiotics, fillers or byproducts are used.

Unfortunately, Stinky did not care for this treat.  I tried over three days, and each time he rejected it.  But hey, that is only my cat.  My dog Champ, he loved them.  Try them with your cat first.  Go to www.catswell.com for information and to order.  If you don't see them in your local store, contact the website and have a sample sent to you.  At $3.99 for 2oz, you want to be somewhat frugel.

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Pet Products Review - Wagatha's Wheat & Lactose Free Breakfast Biscuits

You know what one of the best things about being a pet parent? giving your little loved ones special treats and biscuits, especially when teaching new tricks. If your training and obedience is first thing in the morning, than what better way to start the day than with Wagatha's Wheat & Lactose Free Breakfast Biscuits.

These biscuits are incredibly good.  I learned about them from Hilton Hotels.  Hilton includes Wagatha's biscuits in their fashionable doggie ammenities tote.

Only the very best organic ingredients go into all Wagatha's products.  Human Grade Certified Organic Ingredients: whole spelt flour, oat flour, barley flour, sunflower oil, dried apples, ground flax seed, rolled oats, brown rice flour, whole eggs, dried bananas, cinnamon, maple sugar, sea salt.  Yes, "Human Grade"so I the Secret Shopper did indeed test out the product.  I found them quite good, and even tasted the bananna. 

Each can contains about 32 biscuits, so at $8 per can, thats not bad for a month of super premium biscuits.  Shop online at www.Wagathas.com.

If you've got a product that you think will pass the Secret Shopper test, send an email to SecretShopperBlog@gmail.com.

Pet Products Review - Puppy Cake - The Cake Mix for Dogs

Its the Holidays! Hooray!  What that means for me is baking, desserts, cookies, cakes, and home made treats of all sorts for my entire family, including my puppy.  Until now when I go into the luxury boutique pet stores with the bakery, or should I say "barkery" counters right up front, I wonder where they get those scrumptious looking cookies and cakes.  They look so people-icious. I am always tempted to buy them, but the prices, quite frankly are beyond my budget.

With that, I was aiming to get into the festive spirit and bake my own cookies and treats.  So, I went to Dogtime.com for homemade recipes and such.  But to tell you the truth, I'm a bit lazy.  What I really wanted was a cake mix that had all the ingredients, and all I had to do was add an egg, a little oil and water.  Just like the cakes I bake for my family.  Well.... I finally found a company that has cake mix for dogs; Puppy Cake.   Finally, what took so long.  This clever company made it easy for us.  They have a variety of doggie delicious cake mixes that are simple to make and include all the ingredients, including the frosting!

I ordered the Fifi's Favorite Carob Cake Mix and Frosting it was only $4.99 and will make 6 cup cakes.  When you order 4 boxes, the shipping is free.  Go to www.puppycake.com where you will find all the information you need on the mixes and purchase.  It really is perfect for your next doggie party.  Most of all, have fun!

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Pet Products Review - Wet Nose Pressed Natural Rawhide Bone by Castor & Pollux

It's the holiday season, and everyone knows pets like stocking stuffers too.  Thats why to my surprise I noticed my local mom & pop pharmacy started to sell select organic pet food and treats from a company called Castor & Pollux.  I could not resist getting Champ a 6" natural pressed rawhide bone.  And at $1.50 it was a no brainer.

Well, it's a no brainer, dogs love rawhide.  Champ loves to not only chew his raw hide bones, but collect them and bring them into his bed for protection.  The Wet Nose Pressed Rawhide was no exception. Best of all, I like how a % of my purchase of Champ's new bone went to the Pet & Soul Foundation of charities.

So my word of the day is keep your eyes open for Wet Nose treats by Castor & Pollux next time you're shopping for sundries.  Or, go to their website www.castorpolluxpet.com for a great selection of affordable and healthy foods and treats. 

If you've got a product you think will pass the Secret Shopper test, send an email to SecretShopperBlog@gmail.com