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Much better alternative to the Pupsicle — and way cheaper

We started with the blue Pupsicle and while my dog Stanley loved what was inside, I couldn’t stand the toy itself. I could never get it open, even after trying the coconut-oil trick people recommend online — no luck. Eventually I gave the whole thing away, freezer tray included, and picked up this orange toy instead.

Big improvement. It’s noticeably harder but much easier to open than the Pupsicle. I haven’t tried it with frozen treats yet, but I did put a shelf stable Pupsicle type treat in it and it worked out great. I need to make some frozen treats to try.

I’ve been using bigger chunks of dried liver (the hole is a bit large for regular kibble, so stick to bigger pieces). It comes with two freeze compartments so you can make your own frozen treats too; I plan to use baby food mixed with kibble, peanut butter,

Stanley’s New Trial Gear Just Arrived!

Guess who’s got a brand new agility accessory and could not be more excited about it?! Stanley just got his very own custom fleece martingale collar and leash set from Dream Dog Designs, and I am obsessed.

We picked out custom colors just for him, and they even personalized it — so it’s 100% one-of-a-kind, just like my little guy. The fit is perfect (seriously, martingales can be so finicky to get right, but this one is exactly right), and it’s so soft and comfortable for him to wear. The quality is excellent. The fleece is soft, the buckles are smooth and everything is so well put together.

The timing could not be better either, because Stanley’s got his first CPE trial coming up soon, and now he’s going to look as good as he runs. We’ve been putting in the work on our sequences and reverse spins in class, and honestly having gear this cute just makes me even more pumped to get out there with him.

Fake it til you make it… whatever happens at our first trial, Stanley will be looking good!

It’s a Hit!

We used the new booster seat on the way to and from Agility class last night. Stan was a little confused about why he couldn’t get to my lap, but once he figured it out, he snuggled right in to the new bed! It is so plush and cozy!

The inside clip attaches right to his harness and keeps him in the bed. I love that the side facing the dashboard is taller to give him a bit of cushion if something did happen. Stanley isn’t a big fan of the AC vents, so the taller front also blocks him from that a bit which is nice. Having the side facing me a bit lower gives him a chance to sit up like this, and makes it easy for me to reach in and pat him.

And on the way home, tired after his agility runs, the side makes a nice pillow, and he can still keep an eye on me.

I think this is going to be a fantastic addition to my dog care items. So nice to not have him loose in the car, and to know he has a super cozy spot to call his own.

I’m going to try to be better about updating my Instagram, so feel free to check me out there as well at petmomma.co

Zomisia Pet Carrier/Booster Seat Review

I recently bought the ZOMISIA Dog Car Seat for Small Dogs, and after a bit of a bumpy start, I’m officially a fan.

At $29.99, the price was hard to beat, and right out of the box the outer covering felt well-made — rugged, durable, strong stitching, and not at all cheap-feeling. My only hiccup: the listing says the cushions need 24-72 hours to fully fluff up after being vacuum-packed, but mine just weren’t puffing up no matter how long I waited. I decided to take a chance and exchange it for a new one. Amazon customer service was great as usual. I had a new booster the day after I requested it.

Best decision ever. The replacement arrived and the cushions started fluffing up almost immediately — a totally different experience from the first one. So glad I gave it a second shot! I will say a review I read said to put the cushions in the booster when they have started plumping up, but not gotten to full size to make it easier, and that was really helpful when putting it together.

Size-wise, this thing is not small, but it will be great for Stan to have a little stretch room. It takes up the entire passenger seat, which is perfectly fine when it’s just me and Stan riding together. Now that the cushions have puffed up properly, it’s incredibly plush and looks so cozy.

One thing I really dug into before buying: safety. I’ve learned there are very few dog car seats on the market that are actually crash/safety tested (I found exactly one), so for this purchase I mostly had to go with my gut — and I really like how this one attaches. There are three points of attachment: canvas straps on the back of the booster for the seatbelt to run through, a strap that loops around the headrest and buckles back to the booster, and another strap that clips to two rings on the back of the booster and wraps around the back of the seat. There’s also a buckle inside the seat that clips right to Stanley’s harness, so he stays secured in his little bed even once he’s settled in.

I love that the two exterior straps have an easy-release buckle in the middle, which makes it simple to attach each side to the booster and then clip it behind the car seat or headrest. The buckles also make it easy to cinch the straps snug so everything stays put.

Installation was genuinely fast — about 3 minutes. I set it in place, buckled the two straps around the back, and ran the seatbelt through the loops on the booster. Done.

Oh, and I almost forgot — there’s a giant pocket on the front that’s perfect for stashing a leash, treats, and other essentials. It also has two handles so that it could be used as a pet carrier.

Stanley is trying it out for the first time tonight, so I’ll be back to update once I see how he takes to it. He had a booster seat as a tiny puppy, but once he outgrew it, he’s mostly just ridden in my lap or on a blanket on the passenger seat. He’s a pretty good passenger already, but if this booster is a hit — and we start taking more road trips — it’ll be great for him to have his own safe, cozy spot in the car.

Super excited to see how tonight goes!

Deep Cleaning the Catlink Scooper Pro — A Confession

Confession time: I had no idea the Catlink Scooper Pro needed a real deep clean every couple of months.

I’ve had mine for years, and it’s always done a great job with the day-to-day scooping, so it honestly never occurred to me that there was more maintenance involved other than emptying the box under it. Then my son mentioned that he’d taken his own Catlink apart to clean it out, which planted a little seed in my brain — but I didn’t think much more about it until yesterday, when I noticed my box smelled pretty bad even though I had just emptied it.

That was my wake-up call. I pulled up a YouTube video on how to take apart the Scooper Pro, and it honestly came apart way more easily than I expected. No fighting with it, no special tools — just following along step by step.

Once I got it open, I could see exactly why it needed the attention. I cleaned everything thoroughly, got into all the spots I’d never touched before, and put it all back together without any trouble. I’ll admit, I feel a little guilty for owning this thing for years without ever giving it a proper deep clean — but better late than never!

If you have a Catlink, or really any automatic litter box, take this as your sign to look up a deep-clean tutorial for your model. It’s easier than it looks, and your nose (and your cat) will thank you.

Sassy, Classy, and BadAssy!

That’s how I’m attacking this upcoming year! Thanks to Skye for the motivation.

I’ve added a bunch of stuff to my eBay listings, there are over a 100 listings now including handmade jewelry, crystal bracelets, and still lots of books. I’m hoping to add some pet products at some point, but still experimenting and learning how it all works.

Cats

The cats are doing well. I am always grateful for the everyday joy that comes with sharing life with them.

Bean’s fur is growing back quickly—possibly a little too quickly for my liking! I am hoping he makes it through the winter without needing another shave, but for now, it is nice to see his coat filling back in.

Puck is, of course, still Puck: sweet, lovable, cuddly, and always ready to make himself comfortable nearby. Some things never change, and that is one of the best things about him.

One thing I need to improve on is brushing their teeth more regularly. It is easy to let little routines slide when everyone seems happy and healthy, but dental care is important too. So that is my reminder to myself: make tooth-brushing a more consistent part of our cat-care routine. If I need motivation, remember the cost of a vet dental cleaning!

Hector

Hector is her usual cranky self. Yesterday, while I was on a Zoom call, she was screaming, whistling, chirping, and banging toys in the background. Thankfully, I do not think anyone else on the call could hear her!

First Agility Trial!

Stanley and I have been working hard, and I officially signed us up for our very first agility trial. I am so excited! My only real goal is to show up and experience what a real trial is like. If we actually finish a class, that will be a wonderful bonus.

It is a three-day trial, and on the first day we are doing three game classes: Jumpers, Colors, and Full House. We are entering the easiest level in each class, and little Stan only has to jump 8 inches.

Jumpers is a set course made up of jumps and tunnels. We will need to complete the course within a certain amount of time—hopefully without going off course, refusing obstacles, or knocking down jumps.

Colors has two courses set up in the arena at the same time. We get to choose which course to complete, which gives us the opportunity to find the one that works best for us.

Full House sounds like it will be especially fun. There will be a variety of obstacles set up around the arena, but no assigned course. Each obstacle is worth a different number of points, and we will need to earn a set point total within the allotted time. A jump might be worth one point, while an A-frame or weave poles could be worth five points. A tunnel or tire jump may be worth three points. We can choose the order in which we do the obstacles, so if Stan decides a tunnel sounds more appealing than a jump, that is completely fine—as long as we meet the requirements!

I have also signed us up for another Jumpers class on the third day. I am thinking it might be good to give Stanley a day of rest and then return to the trial atmosphere while it is still fresh in his little mind. Of course, I can always skip the Sunday class if he seems like he needs a break.

Back to agility class tonight! We will be doing lots of practicing over the next few weeks as we get ready for our first competition.

How’s your summer going? What are you doing to keep your pets busy and engaged? Let me know!

Exciting News!

It’s time to declutter! I’ve been going through my house and selling off a bunch of books and other items. It all started a couple of months ago when I had to pay for two cat dentals in less than two months. Needed some extra cash, and selling off a bunch of stuff I wasn’t using seemed like a good ideaand, I discovered that I’m enjoying reselling!

Finding items, photographing, listing, packaging and mailing. It’s been fun, so I’m going to keep doing it!

I’m mentioning it here because the name of my business is now PetMomma’s Picks! You can find me on ebay.

Right now there is a huge variety of books out there, Stephen King, horse books, and just novels. Feel free to take a look!

Sales are going to help fund my pet expenses and new obsession with Agility, and I’m donating part of my sales to my local animal shelter 😉 Hoping to add more pet related products as time goes on. What would you like to see me selling?

Saying Goodbye, a Sick Pup, and a Tricky Cat: Never a Dull Moment

Happy 4th of July!

A little sad news to start today’s post: I lost my bearded dragon last week. She’d been slowing down for months, pickier about food, sleeping more, and less active, and I knew she was getting up there in age. I got her about eight years ago when she was already around five. I’ll miss her watching me work and tapping on the glass whenever she wanted to come out.

Stanley picked up kennel cough while boarding during my daughter’s wedding, so he had to sit out our 4th of July trip. He’s doing fine now, and thankfully a friend stayed at the house to take care of him and the rest of the pets, I think she enjoyed the relaxing weekend. His quarantine ends this week, so we’re excited to get back to agility after missing two classes.

Hector seems happy the foster bird went back to the shelter, though I’ll admit I loved watching the two of them interact.

The cats are doing okay. Bean’s haircut is growing in nicely. My son’s cat’s urinary issues have flared up again: he’s peed on a new bed and the couch several times despite closed doors and a tarp. It’s rough since he’s such a sweet cat, but we may need to try anxiety medication. For now it’s back on the calming prescription food.

Never a dull moment!

Bean’s DIY Summer Haircut

Today started as one of those easy summer days where nothing in particular is happening, but everything feels just right. We were out on the deck eating lunch, soaking up the warm weather, and I was mentally running through the list of chores I’d been happily ignoring. Somewhere between “do the dishes” and “fold the laundry,” it hit me: I really needed to spend some time grooming Bean, our big fluffy Maine Coon.

Grooming Bean is not my favorite chore. He absolutely hates being brushed, and he has so much fur. Normally I can keep up by working on him in small batches a couple of times a week, but this year his coat has been especially bad. I’m not sure if it’s the weather, his age, or just a heavier shed season, but he’s been getting matted more than usual, especially in those tricky spots where it’s hard for him to groom himself.

For the past few weeks I’ve been slowly working away at the mats, a little at a time, trying not to stress him out too much. Even so, every time I thought I was making progress, I’d find another tangle hiding along his sides or under his belly.

While we were talking about it, my husband casually asked why I didn’t just shave him. I immediately said I was nervous about doing it myself, and the groomer I talked to wanted over $400 to shave him down. That’s a lot of money for one cat haircut, even a very large, very fluffy one.

My son, however, had a different attitude. He was sure we could handle it ourselves. Before I could overthink it, I decided to be brave. I grabbed all my grooming supplies, the clippers, and, of course, the cat. I started on my own and was able to get a little done, but Bean wasn’t thrilled with the process and I definitely needed an extra set of hands. My son jumped in and we took turns—one of us holding and reassuring Bean while the other worked carefully with the clippers.

I’m not going to pretend the end result is show-ring perfect. There are a few slightly choppy spots, and he definitely looks a little funny if you catch him from the wrong angle. But you know what? We got rid of the mats, and that’s what really matters. Bean seems so much happier and more comfortable already. All that heavy fur can’t feel great when it’s hot out, especially when it’s pulling on his skin in tight clumps.

Now that he’s lighter and smoother, he’s moving around more easily and seems more relaxed when we pet him. I’m hoping this new short “summer style” will also cut down on the number of hairballs I find around the house. With less loose fur for him to swallow while grooming, maybe we’ll all get a bit of a break.

In the end, I’m really glad we went for it. It was a little nerve‑wracking to do it ourselves, but it saved a lot of money and, most importantly, Bean is more comfortable. Sometimes the spur‑of‑the‑moment decisions turn out to be the best ones—for both pets and their people.

Agility and the Foster Bird

What a day! I volunteered with my new Dog Agility Club at a local charity dog walk today, and it was such a fun but exhausting day. Stanley and I got there early to help set up, then spent time walking around the park, checking out the exhibits, and meeting lots of dogs and people. Stanley did really well with all the excitement — even after an unexpected little escape from his crate when I went to give him water! Thankfully, I stayed calm, caught up with the little rascal, and after that he stayed in his crate with his leash on.

We ran the agility obstacles a few times, and after a few wild loops at first, Stanley settled in and really started listening. The crowd loved watching him fly through the weave poles, and he sailed through all 12 like a pro. On our second run, he listened even better and we practiced some serpentines too. I had so much fun watching the other dogs, helping new people try the obstacles, and chatting with everyone. I’m so proud of my boy — great day all around!

Another bird update: one of the foster birds is still with us for a little while longer. The lovebirds have already gone, but the shelter still isn’t bird-safe yet, so I agreed to keep the little Senegal parrot a bit longer. He really isn’t too much trouble, and it’s definitely easier having just him here instead of him and the lovebirds together.