My Review of Guyot Designs Squishy Pet Bowl - 48 oz.

Originally submitted at REI

The ingenious Guyot Designs Squishy pet bowl mashes down into a thin, flexible layer in your pack and pops back into shape when you pull it out to offer your 4-legged friend a drink or meal.

Guyot Designs Squishy Pet Bowl - 48 oz.

Almost Perfect

By emmysue from Phoenix, AZ on 3/10/2010

4out of 5

Gift: No

Pros: Easy To Drink From, Attractive Design, Good Height, Easy to Clean, Stay Put, Tough, Good Depth

Best Uses: Active Dogs, Indoors, Outdoors

Describe Yourself: Long-time Pet Owner

My dog seems to favor this bowl over any fabric/drawstring bowl we've tried in the past. I like that it keeps it's shape no matter smashing it into a bag for a hike. The only thing I wish it had is a place to hook a carabiner on to hang in between water breaks. PS – Love the color (orange)!

(legalese)

My Review of Ruff Wear Grip Trex Boots

Originally submitted at REI

All-terrain, all-season and all fun, these Vibram®-soled boots let your best friend keep up no matter the adventure underway!

Ruff Wear Grip Trex Boots

Better than expected

By emmysue from Phoenix, AZ on 3/10/2010

4out of 5

Gift: No

Sizing: Feels true to size

Pros: Good Quality, Easy to Put On

Cons: Adjust often

Best Uses: Harsh Weather, Outdoors, Travel

Describe Yourself: Single Dog Owner

I got these for my dog for the hot summers in Phoenix. The first time she wore them, she chased a duck into a pond and lost one of them (think it got stuck in the mud). Since we got her replacements, she hasn't lost a single one. They have saved her paws when going on long rocky hikes and on the hot pavement in town. People think she looks ridiculous, but we don't have to deal with ripped or burned pads ever! They do need to be adjusted often — every water break I need to tighten them. We use the liners and I can't really tell if they help the fit, but I think they do reduce rubbing on her ankles.

(legalese)

My Review of Ruff Wear Palisades Dog Pack

Originally submitted at REI

Dogs love to carry their own weight—let them do it with confidence and comfort in this full-featured dog pack from Ruff Wear.

Ruff Wear Palisades Dog Pack

Excellent Harness & Pack!

By emmysue from Phoenix, AZ on 3/8/2010

5out of 5

Gift: No

Pros: Easy To Load, Large Capacity, Highly Adjustable, Comfortable

Best Uses: Extended Hikes, Day Hikes, Special Needs, Heavy Loads, Light Loads, School, Travel

Describe Yourself: Avid Adventurer

What Is Your Gear Style: Minimalist

We were recommended the Web Master Harness when our dog Dixie had amputation surgery on her front left leg. When I found the Palisades Dog Pack had detachable saddle bags on a Web Master Harness, I knew that was the product for us. Slowly but surely, we're working up weight in the saddle bags by filling the water bladders. Eventually we hope Dixie can once again carry her own water and food on a hike.

About the harness:
Dixie wears just the harness when out and about in town, or camping and hiking. The harness gives her overall support while navigating out in the world. We love the handle — it helps us get her in and out of taller cars and up and down rocks when hiking. It has withstood plenty of wear and washes in the washing machine.

About the saddle bags:
I LOVE LOVE LOVE that they detach from the harness. It makes giving her a rest a lot easier than taking the whole thing off her. I like that the bags have water bladders, although I wish the valves were more like flexible Camelbak valves. I like all the adjustment options and everything seems to be withstanding normal wear and tear.

Thank you Ruff Wear for making such a wonderful product!

(legalese)

My Review of Ruff Wear Mt. Bachelor Pad Dog Bed - Medium

Originally submitted at REI

Now made with recycled materials, the Ruff Wear Mt. Bachelor Pad dog bed is the perfect place for your precious pup to call home.

Ruff Wear Mt. Bachelor Pad Dog Bed - Medium

Great Camping Bed

By emmysue from Phoenix, AZ on 3/8/2010

5out of 5

Gift: No

Pros: Comfortable For Pet, Easy To Clean, Attractive Design, Long Lasting

Best Uses: Camping, Indoors, Small Pets, Travel, Large Pets, Medium Pet

Describe Yourself: Long-time Pet Owner

Our dog Dixie is a tripawd so she needs a little extra padding when we camp. It's not a super plush bed by any means, but it gives Dixie a warm, dry spot to lay her head. We love that it rolls up relatively small and doesn't take up more room than, say, our tent in the car. We also bring it along when we go to friends' houses. It gives her a familiar place to "go lay down."

Tags: Picture of Product, Using Product

(legalese)

Eleven weeks post-amp. woot woot!

Well, it's been 11 weeks since Dixie's surgery, and she is totally rockin' the tripawd look.

Dixie's favorite spot to rest — Adam's sleeping pad chair.

We did a little camping this weekend in Southern AZ. Dixie loves camping and was a trooper. She only took one spill, and got a wee scratch under her nose. Adam, D and I squeezed into our tiny two person tent and snuggled up every night. Of course, Dixie took up most of the tent so I had some trouble stretching out, but we all stayed warm.

Campsite on the road to Harshaw, south of Patagonia.

I've been chatting on the Tripawds.com forums lately about phantom limb pains Dixie has been having lately. She jumps up, yelps and trots away. Then comes back and wants to be petted. It's very strange. She did not have a single episode while camping, but did have a big one when we got home. I wish I could figure out how to make the "pain" go away. There are a lot of suggestions on the Tripawds.com forums to treat these phenomenons. However, no one really knows if it's phantom pain our dogs are having, or if it is muscle spasms, static shock or who knows. If only the D could tell us in words.

Dixie's car spot.