Happy 2016!!!

Well 2015 was a blur. 

My family relocated to Salt Lake City, Utah in early January last year. Lots of changes and adjustments.

Snow has been a new experience for all of us.

California Chi has been busier than ever. Participated as a vendor at several adoption events.  Currently working full time at a doggy daycare.  So many, shapes, sizes, colors, and personalities to be around.  Salt Lake City/Utah is very dog-centric. I love it!!

2016 I would like to blog more, possibly take my blog in a different direction. We'll see how that goes.  BOL!  So much more to do and explore!!

April -Dog Mom
The California Chi

25 Dog Days of Christmas

Celebrating the 25 days of Christmas by watching animal themed movies!!

Here is our list of (more than 25) animal holiday themed movies/ TV shows.

 Santa Buddies

The Search for Santa Paws

Santa Paws 2

Snow Buddies

12 Christmas wishes for my Dog

12 Dogs of Christmas

12 Dogs of Christmas: Great Puppy Rescue

12 Dog Days till Christmas

Hercules Saves Christmas

Golden Winter

The Dog who Saved Christmas

The Dog who Saved Christmas Vacation

The Dog who Saved the Holidays

A Dog Named Christmas

Christmas with Tucker

Chilly Christmas

Chilly Dogs

Snow Dogs

A Christmas Wedding Tail

Shelby: The Dog who Saved Christmas

Adventures of Bailey Christmas Hero

A Golden Christmas

A Golden Christmas 2

A Golden Christmas 3

A Charlie Brown Christmas

I want a Dog for Christmas Charlie Brown

An All Dogs go to Heaven Christmas Carol

Jingle All the Way

Jingle and Belles Christmas Star

Olive the other Reindeer

Alpha & Omega A Howliday Adventure

Nightmare before Christmas

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Movie)

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Cartoon)

Santa’s Dog

Beethoven’s Christmas Adventure

Benji’s Very Own Christmas Story

A Dogs Christmas Miracle

Nine Dog Christmas the Movie

Alone for Christmas

Scoot & Kassie’s Christmas Adventure

A Bulldog for Christmas

Christmas Spirit

Chilly Christmas

Dog with a Blog (Episode- Twas the Fight before Christmas)

Dog with a Blog (Episode- Stan Steals Christmas)

Dog with a Blog (Episode- Bark the Herald Angels Sing)

New this year

One Christmas Eve

Christmas Sheppard

The Nine Lives of Christmas (A cat holiday movie)

Grumpy Cat’s Worst Christmas (A cat holiday movie)

Did I forget one? Add animal holiday themed movies in the comments below.

Keeping Track of Your Pets Medicine

One thing I've learned as a pet parent is giving your pet the right dose of medicine at the right time is important. Since I'm addicted to Pinterest I stumbled upon a pin for keeping track of your child's medicine. Light bulb moment!

I should do that when and if my pets have medicine to take.  From previous blog post I've talked about my Pit Bull, Blueberry's food allergies.  In my research I learned that dogs with food allergies are more susceptible to ear infections.  Well................................................she had an ear infection (A nasty one at that) and it turned into a yeast infection because her brother Blackberry thought he was helping by licking and cleaning her ears. 

We went to the vet and he gave 3 different medicines.  2 pills given 3 times a day and an ointment for her ears given 2 times a day.  I used the method of tracking children's medicine I saw on Pinterest.  I have to tell you it made my life so much easier.  I didn't have to wonder if I gave the medicine or if my husband did.  No more worrying about missing a dose.

For the 2 pills 3 times a day I gave it with each meal; breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  I put the ointment on her ears after she ate breakfast and dinner.

I'm blessed that Blueberry took her pills like they were treats.  I've battled with pleanty of pets trying to get the medicine in them.  It was either get it in a soft treat or its forced down the throat. None of that with sweet Blueberry! :)

As a pet parent/ doggy mom I highly recommend this method of tracking your pets medication.

For the Love of Catnip

After Christmas I listed my Organic Catnip toys for Valentines and St. Patrick's.  Well let me tell you I have been busy filling orders for these.

So far I've made over a dozen Conversation Heart packs and over a half dozen clovers.

I even offer personalized Conversation Hearts with your cat's name on them.

As I said before my catnip is organic and the felt and other materials I use to make these are Vegan friendly.
I also have personalized Conversation Hearts and Clovers for dogs.  Check them out at my Etsy store.

www.thecaliforniachi.etsy.com

Direct link to the Conversation Heats.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/91127664/organic-catnip-conversation-heart-toys?ref=shop_home_active_2

National Dress Up Your Pet Day

We interrupter this regularly scheduled blog to bring you barking news....



Today is National Dress Up Your Pet Day!!!

Run to the closet and pull out Fido's or Kitty's wardrobe and start playing dress up!!!

Here are some of my furbabies all dressed up for today.

 I pulled out some of their clothes, so we could play dress up.  

I've collected and made pet apparel for over 10 years.  We have an extensive stockpile of shirts, pajama, costumes.... you name it I've probably made it.

 Blackberry is the funniest one to dress up.  He's a stinker when it comes to putting on clothes.  Tougher to dress him than a baby.  He loves his clothes, but thinks its funny to roll around to put them on.

Group pic!!

  Fresa- The dinosaur

Blueberry- The Punk Rocker

Blackberry- Tough guy

 Pepita the cat as Aqua Man!  He he he

For more information on this annual howliday please visit 

http://www.dressupyourpetday.com/index.htm

Bay Area Pet Expo

Last Saturday was the Bay Area Pet Expo!!!!

I was super excited to go, especially because I was going to be a patron with two of my friends and one of their dogs, Starr. Usually I'm a vendor at things like this. 

Over 100 exhibitors and  23 rescues were there.  Walking in was Pet Nirvana. My favorite stores to shop at are pet stores and fabric/craft stores, so I'm more than excited when I have a chance to look at pet products/things. 

Pet Expos are amazing; they encompass everything pet. Dogs, cats, birds, and rodents. You name it. It's also great to be around like minded people and bring your pets with you. Brining your pet with you anywhere is always a plus. 

Vendors, demonstrations, speakers, activities and don't forget the swag.  It's a great way to learn about being the best pet parent you can be, have a social outing, and see the latest and greatest products.
 Here are a few pictures for the event.

 

 Shop till you drop!!!

 Shop, Shop, Shop some more.

     

 Agility courses

Shorty Rossi from Pit Boss was a guest speaker on Pit Bulls and BSL.

The SWAG  BAG!!!!

I'm feeling super inspired to do so much with my Furbabies and my business!!!

For more information on this event visit

http://www.bayareapetexpo.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/bayareapetexpo

Looking back at 2013

The new year is here and it's time for some new goals/resolutions.

2013 was packed with amazing events.

I adopted 2 pit bull puppies.  Blueberry (blue and white female) and Blackberry (black and white male).
In March 2013, at the tender age of 1 month the Berry twins came to their furever home.Rasing puppies was a handful at times.  To the Berry Twins I'm mom, so I do everything in my power to care for and comfort them.  Little Blueberry has brought me a new quest in life.  She has food allergies; NO wheat, corn, soy, beef, chicken, or egg.  This leaves me with 2 choices of dog kibble and no choices for store bought treats.  I'm working on new and healthy treats for her all the time.  It's hard to believe the twins are already 9 months old!

Blueberry & Blackberry

 

Continuing on.....
I made 3 outfits for Trashique 2013, designed a line of pet apparel for the Dogs Gone Wild K-9 Fashion Show, (where I was finally able to use live dogs as models). October through December I sold my pet goods at different events as a vendor.  Exhausting back to back weekend and week night events. Now my inventory is extremely low, which is exciting because I get to jump behind my sewing machine and make new garments!

Made my first cosplay outfit for a dog; A Murloc form World Of Warcraft. As well as over a dozen Snow White costumes, her prince, and 3 dwarfs (Grumpy, Sleepy, and Dopey).  Even made Beasts formal wear from Beauty and The Beast.

Murloc costume

So for my business goals/resolutions for 2014....
I'd like to blog more.  I honestly thought I did blog a few times last year, but no I never did.  It's obvious keeping up with a blog is a tad difficult for me. >_<

Expanding my priduct line is at the top of my list.  I have tons of ideas that I need to get out of my head.  There are smaller goals, but these are my main ones.

Happy New Year!!!

April
The California Chi