This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Nutrish. All opinions are 100% mine.

Brownie is spoiled and can sometimes be picky when it comes to his food, and we are too. Often dog food companies make their kibble mainly with corn which is considered an inexpensive filler with no nutritional value. It's important to look at the labels of your pet's food too. If one of the first ingredients is corn, it is likely not a quality product.

With that said, we were offered a free sample of Rachel Ray Nutrish dog food a few weeks ago. I was impressed to see that real meat is the first ingredient. There are no meat by-products, fillers, artificial flavors or preservatives. According to their website, it is formulated with simple, natural ingredients for overall health and wellness of dogs. It is good to have another high quality premium food option for our pet. At first Brownie wasn't very impressed. He looked in the bowl and walked away. A few times he picked up a piece or two and carried them onto the carpet before abandoning them. He's used to a smaller kibble since he's a Chihuahua, and I think he tends to have a harder time with larger pieces. The pressure of me standing by and the flash of the camera may have also been distracting After snapping a few pictures of him checking out the food, I left him with the bowl and he eventually gave it a real try. Over the next few days he finished off the sample which we mixed in with his regular food.

From their website, here are more benefits of Nutrish and just 6:

Omega Fatty Acids with a dash of EVOO (extra virgin olive oil) to keep (your dog's) skin and coat shiny and healthy. A healthy fiber blend including oatmeal makes Nutrish easy to digest. Calcium, which helps to keep (your pet's) bones strong and teeth healthy. For immune system, there are antioxidant nutrients like vitamin E and selenium. And high quality proteins like real beef or chicken help support healthy organs and lean muscle mass.

I wouldn't hesitate to purchase Nutrish just 6 dry dog food again for it's nutritional aspects, but would suggest perhaps they also consider the preferences of smaller dogs. While they pieces weren't as huge as other brands we have tried in the past, I know Brownie prefers a little bit smaller pieces. I also like that proceeds from Rachael Ray?s Nutrish product go toward helping animals in need through her Rachael?s Rescue organization. Do you think your dog would enjoy giving it a try? Follow the link to get your own free sample.

Pet insurance is not something we have typically considered for Brownie since we have been financially able to care for his needs without it. However, after reading more about it, I can definitely see the benefits. See if you feel the same way after reading this next paragraph provided to me on behalf of Kroger Pet Insurance:

Pet insurance can allow owners to have coverage for the unexpected, and it can allow them to better budget for planned expenses. Some plans, such as the accident-only pet insurance plan covers treatment that results from an injury or accident, such as a car collision or unintentional ingestion. But with a more inclusive policy, pet owners can seek reimbursement for preventative care, such as teeth cleaning, flea control, annual exams and behavioral training. Pet insurance can provide peace of mind for pet owners, knowing they will not be stuck making a decision between proper care for their pet and possible “economic” euthanasia.

I know caring for a sick pet can be outrageously expensive. Given that we truly feel that Brownie is a member of our family, we would do and pay absolutely anything to make sure he was given proper treatment. Having pet insurance would definitely make budgeting for those unexpected expenses easier.

Kroger sent a few helpful tips if you are considering acquiring insurance for your pet:

· Get the coverage you want. Take the time to review what policies are available. Some carriers, like Kroger and PetFirst Healthcare, offer accident-only coverage, which pet owners may find more attractive than a premium coverage plan which costs more per month. Pet owners should examine how much they’re willing to spend on the monthly premium and match that with the benefits of each plan.

· Buy early. Most, if not all pet insurance providers will refuse a pet with a pre-existing condition. Just like in humans, a pre-existing condition means the pet was diagnosed with an illness or disease prior to seeking pet insurance. It’s best to seek coverage from Day 1 to avoid the possibility of a pre-existing condition.

· Know your coverage. Not all treatments will be covered, and what’s covered varies from policy to policy. Because pet owners pay out-of-pocket and then file a claim for reimbursement, some pet owners may not know a treatment isn’t covered until their claim is denied. Avoid that scenario by knowing the coverage benefits before walking into a vet’s clinic.

Would you like to win a $20 gift card to Kroger to purchase gift for your furry friend? Tell me something you learned from my post or Kroger’s pet insurance website. (mandatory). To receive extra entries:

1) Follow me, @laurie_pooh, and @PetsOfHealth on Twitter and send the following message:

I entered to win a $20 Kroger gift card from @PetsOfHealth and @laurie_pooh: http://tinyurl.com/KrogerPets

2) Follow my blog using the Google Connect in my sidebar to the right.
3) Subscribe to my blog in a reader.

U.S only, please. The winner will be selected randomly from all valid entries on or around September 27. You must leave a comment letting me something you learned from the website and why you’d like to win, as well as additional comments letting me know what else you have done to earn extra entries. Please also use your real first name and leave a valid way for me to contact you should you be selected as the winner. You will have 48 hours to respond to my e-mail before another winner is selected. Good Luck!

Disclosure: Kroger provided me with a $20 gift card from its One-Stop Gift Card Shop so that I could select some pet-related products for Brownie, as well as a gift card for one of my readers so they could do the same for their furry friend.

My dogs were such an important part of my life growing up, and I truly cannot imagine what it would have been like without them. I love that Kroger is recognizing that furry friends are also part of our families too. They are helping to educate pet owners about how to make smart decisions on everything from choosing the right pet for them to making sure their health is taken care of.

Did you know that Kroger also offers pet insurance? I didn’t. Policies cover routine care and medical procedures for dogs and cats, and is available at more than 2,400 stores in the Kroger family including City Market, Dillon’s, Fred Meyer, Frye’s, King Sooper, Owen’s, Pay Less, QFC, Ralph’s and Smith’s. In addition to being available in-store, Kroger’s pet insurance can be purchased online and works at any veterinarian nationwide, with reimbursement typically occurring within two weeks. Coverage starts as low as $9.95 per month and right now, individuals who purchase online can save $10.

They also have a Pet Health blog that covers a range of topics that you might find interesting. For example, do you know the top four family friendly breeds?

1) Cocker Spaniel – These lap dogs are sensitive and sweet and enjoy the attention of children. Cocker Spaniels are obedient with training and friendly around people.
2) Pug – This affectionate breed loves being part of a family. Outgoing and mischievous, they make playful companions for children.
3) Golden Retriever – Similar to Labs in personality, Goldens are mild mannered and enjoy being around families and other people. These dogs are easy to train are gentle with children.
4) Basset Hound – This breed is good with children of all ages. They are known for their docile nature and gentleness. Their long backs need to be supported when they are picked up, and an eager child can accidentally injure them.

We have always been partial to Chihuahuas in my family, though our very first dog, Sandy, was part Golden Retriever. Riding in the car to pick her up is one of my earliest memories of childhood. You can check out their blog for more information on family friendly breeds and more. There are some really good tips for teaching your children about pet safety too.

Would you like to win a $20 gift card to the Kroger family of stores? Visit their Pet Health blog blog then come back and comment with something that you learned that I haven’t already mentioned.

If you would like to earn extra entries:
1) Follow me @laurie_pooh and @PetsOfHealth on Twitter and send the following message:
I entered to win a $20 Kroger gift card from @laurie_pooh and Kroger @PetsOfHealth: http://tinyurl.com/KidsandPetDay
2) Follow my blog using the Google Connect in my sidebar to the right.
3) Subscribe to my blog in a reader.

You can also help me raise money for Susan G. Komen by:
4) Becoming a fan of Hotels Combined on Facebook. They will donate $5. You can mention in their comments that you are supporting Laurie B. and Susan G. Komen.
5) Tweet the following message from your Twitter account and they will donate $10:
Please RT @laurie_pooh: Check out HotelsCombined.com! I’m spreading the word and supporting Susan G Komen http://tinyurl.com/ao2rgj

U.S only, please. The winner will be selected randomly from all valid entries on or around May 7. You must leave a comment letting me know your answer to the questions above, as well as additional comments letting me know what else you have done to earn extra entries. Please also use your real first name and leave a valid way for me to contact you should you be selected as the winner. You will have 48 hours to respond.

Disclosure: For helping raise awareness of National Kids & Pet Day I was provided with a $20 gift card to spoil Brownie, and a $20 gift card to give away to a reader so that they could do the same by the Global Influence Network and Kroger Co. All thoughts and opinions here are my own.

I have been wanting to get a similar picture of Brownie for awhile, but finding a patch of Bluebonnets in a safe location around here has proved to be challenging. Also, with Brownie being Peanut’s son, he clearly inherited the same disdain for being photographed. Oh, and then there’s the notorious devil eyes.

None-the-less, I spotted a large field full of Bluebonnets near the highway across the street from my job, and managed talk Dave into taking Brownie on a trip to fulfill my quest. We didn’t pick the best day to do it (it was windy and raining), but I still think we got some pretty good shots. See for yourself:

He looked up, down, left, right, had his eyes closed, howled, yawned, but rarely right at me. His ears were back in all of them, even though we tried to perk him up by saying his words. I guess I will allow him an occasional Diva moment. Some of the outtakes are actually my favorite though, and it kind of reminded me of the Brady Bunch. If only Picnik didn’t want to charge me $25 for premium access, then I could have done it.

Also? As we were about to leave Dave took a few shots of both of us. This is my favorite. I love Bluebonnets, the color blue, Brownie, and you Dave. Thank you for going with me and walking through a muddy field of weeds in the rain to make me happy.

We usually spent it at my Grandma’s house, and I remember coloring eggs on her kitchen counter. We always had an Easter egg hunt with actual eggs, and there would be a contest between my brother and I. There was a prize for the one of us that collected the most, and for the one that found the “Golden Egg.” Somehow we each always won one or the other, so we both got a prize. Funny how that worked out, huh?

My Grandma would make lamb with mint jelly and we’d have a big fabulous homemade meal.

Today we spent the holiday with my parents. We had brunch and went to a movie. Dave and I have made each other a basket every year too, which is a tradition we started when we were dating. My basket was filled with lots of yummy things, the New Moon DVD, and some cute Hello Kitty toys. You can’t see it all, but I promise it was all wonderful, especially the Chocolate Covered Peep. I also got some gorgeous purple tulips from my mom and dad. Even though we never have fancy plans, I always like to buy a new dress. This year it is from the Liberty of London for Target line. In case you didn’t know, peacock prints are in. Personally I liked it because it has a lot of layers and it is fun to spin in. I’d like to think I would have spun around like a little girl at my Grandma’s house.

Hope y’all had a great holiday with your families too.

A fantastic husband who loves me and takes care of me (even when I’m not sick). Wonderful parents and a supportive family. The best (and cutest) puppy in the whole wide world. Awesome friends who always have my back no matter what. A decent job which includes a boss who isn’t crazy. Health insurance and while I complain sometimes, doctors who fix me when I feel broken. A nice house that isn’t always clean, but is filled with love.

I’m sure by the time this posts and you’re reading it, I am passed out on the sofa or maybe even in bed resting up for Black Friday. I do have to work tomorrow (which is why we didn’t travel this year), but there are a few stores that open at midnight or a little later. Crazy, huh? I have never minded the crowds, and usually find some pretty good deals for Christmas. I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but it is definitely one of my favorite days of the year. I hope that you had a happy and safe Thanksgiving no matter where you are and who you spent it with.

Oh, and thanks to my friends at IZEA for the fun turkey hat. Gobble, Gobble! I got it earlier in the week and immediately posed for pictures to post today, along with a ToFurky and Gravy Jones Soda that has been put in the fridge. I am still afraid to drink it, but maybe tomorrow!

Somehow I get the feeling that Dave is responsible for this. Still, I couldn’t help but laugh.
Edit: And yes, there was a small log waiting for me in the hallway upon returning home. Little bastard. I won’t post a picture of it because I’d like for you all to come back to visit me again sometime. You’re welcome.

Before I headed off to New York City on Saturday, Dave and I took Brownie to Dallas for Petco’s 5th Annual Chihuahua Races. We got there a little before 9:00 AM, but it was pretty packed and we had to stand around in the heat for quite awhile waiting in the registration line. Brownie made lots of new friends, including the fawn cutie Natalie (you’ll see her in the slideshow).

Brownie’s brother, Ty, raced earlier in the morning. We watched him come in fourth place in his heat. Afterward we took a few photos before LeAnn and her family left. We browsed inside the store, visited the vendor tents, and even enjoyed some iced tea, while waiting for his race to start. I was really nervous for him. He’s had quite a few misadventures in the past, but this was actually the most uneventful race yet. This year he came in 9th, and actually somewhat ran toward the finish line. I guess all the rest were just a little faster. We didn’t mind though. He’s still #1 in our hearts, and there’s always next year.

Is your dog itching, scratching and stinking beyond belief? The day before Brownie’s birthday we gave him a bath. Being an inside dog, he doesn’t really get the wet, dirty dog smell. He does have his own odor though, and it was getting kind of strong. I like to give him a bath pretty regularly, even though I actually like his own special scent. The funny thing is even though he is clean smelling after getting a bath, he’s right back to smelling “doggy” the next day.

I recently heard about a new dog shampoo, DogOsuds, made by Dinovite that actually makes your dog smell clean for a long time! It also contains no chemicals, perfumes or fillers that may dry out or irritate your pet’s skin. It is also really easy to lather and rinse off which is great, because Brownie really hates the long process of me trying to get all of the soap off of his fur.

I like that it comes in four different formulas and scents (unscented included), and that it contains natural ingredients that help deter flees, remove odor, and is gentle to a dog’s sensitive skin. I have no doubt that Brownie would approve of bath time taking less time, and I’m okay with that too!

Do you and your dog enjoy bath time? Have any fun stories to share? Brownie actually hides from me when I turn the water on, but then after he gets in and I start massaging his skin he looks like he is enjoying it!