Giveaway: Pet First Aid Kits & Collapsible Water Bowls

Giveaway! Pet First Aid Kits & Collapsible Water Bowls!

Irresistible Pets is currently having a giveaway sponsored by VPI Pet Insurance and All YOU magazine for 10 Pet First Aid Kits & Collapsible Water Bowls.  It doesn't take too much effort, just a bit of research and a simple post to enter.  Feel free to visit Irresistible Pets for more information on this exciting giveaway!

Product Review: H2O4K9 25oz. Stainless Steel Dog Bottle & Bowl

Product: H2O4K9 25oz. Stainless Steel Dog Bottle & Bowl

Price: $19.95

Info: An eco-friendly stylish stainless steel bottle with an integrated dog-friendly 'bowl' cap system

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Paws

To be honest, I have never thought about carrying water for my dogs during walks.  Though, I suppose I should have given the burning hot weather going on this summer (especially living in humid South!)  Typically though, the walks generally are around the neighborhood and lasts about 15-45 minutes.  However, I can say that my dogs seem to have a bad habit of drinking water from questionable sources a lot of times instead of drinking the NICE CLEAN water I set out, they prefer the stagnant rain water from a hole in the ground.  In fact, I believe one of my dogs obtained coccidia AND giardia from drinking out of a stagnant pond that likely had dead stuff in it.  As such, I thought the H2O4K9 water bottle may serve as a solution to this issue during trips away from home.

Unlike any other stainless steel (SS) bottles on the market, this one has been specifically designed for dogs.  As such, it bears a unique cap design that doubles as a drinking bowl that holds approximately 8.5oz. of water per serving.  It comes with a sturdy carabiner attached so you could easily hook it onto a backpack, harness, or belt loop.  In addition, it is available in many bold and vivid colors to boot!  A neoprene sling accessory is also available that will help insulate the bottle to keep it colder.  I didn't opt for one, but now in afterthought, I probably should have since Spock (Rat Terrier) will probably never be able to carry a 25oz. bottle by himself, LOL.  It should be noted that H2O4K9 did have a 9.5oz. bottle available as well; however, I did not purchase it because it seems to lack a way to 'hook' onto something to carry like the 25oz. bottle (no hole in the cap, no carabiner). 

Compared to my personal SS water bottles, this one seems to be on par in terms of build quality with many other brands.  The only one that I know that is noticeable heavier/sturdier are the CamelBak SS bottles.  Though the differences could be due to two reasons: Insulated design of the CamelBak SS bottles and the use of 18/8 food grade stainless steel in the H2O4K9 bottles.  Unlike many brands though, the H2O4K9 was designed in such a way that it has a very nice 'feel' to it when held.

As you can see on Leila's harness, the bottles are attached on either side comfortable.  Personally for me, it would be great if it could be slightly shorter (or Leila could get slightly taller) as to provide better ground clearance.  I found that it occasionally came to bang against trees/posts (namely the bottom of the bottles as it swung back and forth) during walks however the durability was solid so it's really not a concern.

Drinking from the bowl cap was great and simple as opening the bottle and pouring it into the cap.  As you can see even Leila's massive jowls are accommodated by the cap.  Unfortunately, it still does not prevent her from splashing water everywhere (she's a really messy drinker!).  

My only concerns consists of relatively minor issues.  Due to its design, the plastic cap becomes thinner as tapers into its scoop design.  I'm sure it's sturdy, though I wonder its durability after everyday wear-and-tear including impact against objects or accidentally 'drops'.  Most regular SS bottles would not have this issue due to their very basic and simple cap design (little room to break into pieces).  A warranty or replacement cap option would easily solve this issue though.  The other issue was based on quality control.  One of the bottles I purchased had what looks like paint residue/chips stuck on the inside of the bottle (it matched the same color as the bottle).  I tried washing it with soap and water but it was still there, I may have to try at it again with a bottle brush.  Additionally, I received a 'nice' cut from the scoop cap end when I twisted it open for the first time.  Upon further inspection, it seems like it had a fine sharp edge along the edges of the extended ledge of the scoop cap.  Again, this is not a major issue and can easily be remedied with better mold casts or light sanding prior to shipment (or maybe it was just my particular bottle cap).

Likes:

• Durable yet lightweight
• Distinctive color options 
• Ergonomic bottle design
• 'Free' carabiner
• Functional integrated cap/bowl system
• Neoprene sling option (insulation increases duration of cold water)

Gripes:

• Long-term durability of plastic cap
• Quality Control

For More Information:

• visit www.h2o4k9.com

Disclosure: I was not paid for my review and all opinions are entirely my own.

Woman ties puppies to fence outside Southern Pines Animal Shelter

Source: Hattiesburg American
Hattiesburg, MS
07.12.11

Unfortunate local event that led to the suicide of one puppy and euthanization of its 10 siblings.  Why in the world could she not have waited until the next day when it was open?!  Ridiculous, nice job ma'am.

The article has been copied here for your convenience:
HPD seeks woman who tied puppies to shelter fence
Southern Pines Animal Shelter and the Hattiesburg Police Department are looking for a woman who tied 11 puppies to a fence at the shelter Sunday night.

Shelter employee Elizabeth Swann said one of the puppies hanged itself during the night, and the other 10 had to be euthanized because of the injuries sustained from being tied to the fence.


"We showed up for work at 7:30 in the morning (Monday)," Swann said. "They had been tied with plastic twine - each and every one of them had it tied around their neck tight to the fence."


Shelter manager Lara Hudson said she had to euthanize the other 10 shepherd mix puppies Monday.
"(They) had their collars embedded so far into their necks that they weren't savable," she said.


Hudson said the woman who tied the puppies to the fence was caught on videotape. She said a police report has been filed with the Hattiesburg Police Department.


HPD spokesman Lt. Eric Proulx said the report is currently filed as a misdemeanor animal cruelty charge, but that the report has yet to be officially approved.


He said the report states that a white female with brown hair who is approximately 250 pounds was seen on the tape tying the puppies to the fence.


The misdemeanor carries a maximum penalty of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.
A new state law passed in the 2011 legislative session changes the rules on how animal cruelty cases are prosecuted as they relate to domesticated cats and dogs.


The new law states anyone who intentionally tortures, burns, starves or disfigures a dog or cat can be charged with aggravated cruelty, which would remain a misdemeanor on a first offense. Another offense within five years would be a felony.



"I wish there were stronger laws in the state of Mississippi to protect from this," Hudson said. "This was a hideous, horrible crime."


The Associated Press contributed to this report.

About Tails of the South

This blog is about the randomness of four distinctive pets living in 'urban' Mississippi.  Introducing the pack:

Leila, the diva princess Boxer dog

Rhys, the attention-starved alpha Savannah cat

 

Nashota, the aloof and strangers-hating Bengal cat

Spock, the exuberant and mischievous Rat Terrier puppy

The blog will also cover various pet issues including but not limited to the following: news, training tips, informative articles, giveaways, and product reviews (with an emphasis on local and regional affairs if possible).  Ironically, I'm not quite sure whether Leila's docked tail or Spock's natural bobtail can really count as 'tails'...but hey, who's really keeping count anyways right?