Purrz for Pure NZ and Ascent

Marcus:  I've been patiently ... okay, impatiently waiting for this day.  Jan hoped the weather would clear up and we could get some sunlight in the house so we don't look jaundiced in photos, but this is the day she promised Buddy, Merci and I we would all get to talk about food, so let's get to it!

Buddy:  Zuke's asked if we would like to review their new Pure NZ lineup.  We have liked the Zuke's products we've tried to date, so we couldn't wait.  They sent us a bunch of little sample bags of such interesting Pure NZ treat combinations as -

  Grass-fed beef Steak treats.  (Beef, carrots, apples.)
  Meaty jerky Cords.  (Beef, turkey, apples.)
  Meaty jerky Bites.  (Beef, venison, apples, rosemary.)
  Meaty jerky Cuts (Beef, green-lipped mussel, apples, peas.)

Each has three recipes to choose from.  They are made in small batches from real NZ product with limited ingredients, without GMOs, grain and gluten free.  And they are delicious!  We loved them.  Unfortunately, Miss Missing Memory handed them out but forgot to take pictures until they were gone. There are no photos of us salivating over them.

Scroll down on Zuke's treat page for the Pure NZ treats and more information on them.

Merci:  Included in the above photo are some samples of Ascent Natural dog food.  Check out these recipes -

    Duck & Chickpea.
    Trout & Sweet Potato.
    Grain free Chicken & Lentil.
    Grain free Lamb & Pea.

A list of the natural ingredients with vitamins and minerals can be found with each recipe on Zuke's dog food page.

Marcus:  Here we are taste testing a bag of Ascent Adventure Wild Boar & Pea recipe dog food.  Jan split the small bag between the three of us.  I am such a good boy I ran into my Private Dining Car without even being asked to.  I really do love eating in my Private Dining Car when pictures are being taken.

Buddy:  In between showers yesterday, Jan took us for a short walk, but first she stopped to let us taste test some Ascent Grain free Crunch Blend Pollock & Chickpea recipe dog food.  The kibble is very small.  She thought it would be fun to take some along instead of treats.  She dropped a few at a time for us and before she could get a picture, we'd scarfed them up. 

Rusty:  Don't worry, Zuke's didn't forget us kitties.  They sent a couple of sample bags of Natural Purrz - perfectly sublime soft treats for cats.

Micah:  We got the Tender Chicken recipe.  There are also Savory Salmon and Tasty Tuna recipes.

Taylor:  Don't you dare steal my treats, Marcus!  You had your own.

Cyndi:  Jan gave me mine on top of my mountain of storage boxes.  I don't have to worry about Marcus stealing from me.

Percy:  I'd just bop him over the head if he tried to steal mine.

Taylor:  Well, I didn't bop him.  Jan did so I can eat my treats in peace. 

Rusty:  They were a hit with all of us.  Click on the photos to enlarge.


The samples were provided by Zuke's.  We were not paid for this review and Zuke's is not responsible for the content.

Fishy Flake Euphoria

Marcus.

Marcus:  Hey, that smells good.  What's in the package?

Percy.

Percy:  I'm not sure.  Smells like fish.  Were you expecting any fish?

Percy.

Percy:  Hey, it is fish.  It's a .5 ounce bag of Cat-Man-Doo extra large dried bonito flakes.  I don't believe these are for you, Marcus, so I'll take over the modeling, if you don't mind.

Marcus:  Wait, it says "cat and dog treats" on the webpage.  I'm a dog. 

Percy.

Percy:  But that's a cat fishing on the package and the package says, "Reward your cat with this nutritious treat."  I'm a cat.  The reward is mine.

Percy.

Key benefits as listed on Chewy:

    No additives or preservatives, just fish!
    Appetite stimulant.
    Made with high quality single ingredient.
    High protein, low fat.
    Healthy meal additive - helps entice finicky eaters when crumbled on food.
    Natural fish oils will keep your cat or dog’s fur shiny and beautiful.
    No refrigeration required.

Marcus & Micah.

Micah:  Don't drool on my fish flakes, Marcus.

Rusty & Cyndi.

Rusty:  They sure are tasty.

Cyndi:  Why don't we finish our post with photos so we don't have to stop eating?

Rusty:  Good idea.

Rusty and Cyndi - and Marcus licking fish flakes from his nose.

Taylor.

Taylor.

Rusty & Cyndi.

Micah.

Micah:  I guess you can tell we loved these Cat-Man-Doo XL dried bonito flakes.

Taylor:  Hey, I didn't get to say anything.

Micah:  Why don't you give the disclaimer?

Taylor:  Thank you.  A good idea.

We received a bag of fish flakes from Chewy.com for this review.  We were not paid to write this and any opinions expressed are entirely our own.


We are joining the Pet Parade blog hop with hosts Rascal and Rocco,  Bionic Basil, Barking From the Bayou and Love is being owned by a husky.

Calming Chews for Jan ... er, Cats

BUDDY:  We've had a very eventful few days away from blogging. 

MARCUS:  After this past month, especially these last two weeks, Jan says her old body is ready for arrest.

MERCI:  No, no, Marcus.  A rest.  Two words, not one. We'll give you an update on Sam's condition and Jan's mishaps in a day or two.

BUDDY:  Don't bother asking.  Our lips are zipped until we post.  Besides, the felines want to do a post today. 

Cyndi.

 CYNDI:  Is that for me?  It smells good.  What is it?

Micah.

MICAH:  I think it's a Pet Naturals of Vermont Calming chew.  Yes, this definitely tastes familiar.  We've had them before.

CYNDI:  Then why did Jan volunteer us to review them?

RUSTY:  You know how she is.  She forgot, but then she thought it was a brilliant slip, Micah, because they might help you,stop fighting with Percy.   

PERCY:  They are supposed to help manage everyday stress and behavioral issues naturally.  We've sure had a lot of stress around here since Sam got sick.

 Key Benefits -
    Helps encourage relaxation and calm behavior.
    Does not sedate or cause a change in personality.
    Ideal for times of high stress like holidays or trips to the vet.
    Naturally delicious and veterinary formulated.

CYNDI:   The active ingredients are Thiamine (Viratmin B1), a Colostrum calming complex, and something called L-Theanine.  The inactive ingredients are brewers yeast, calcium sulfate, canola oil, chicken liver flavor, citric acid, glycerin, maltodextrin, mixed tocopherols, propionic acid, rosemary extract, silicon dioxide, sodium alginate, soy lecithin and vegetable oil.

MICAH:  The colostrum calming complex is made from proteins supposed to support cognitive function and manage everyday stress.  The vitamin B1 is to affect the central nervous system to help calm and relax anxious animals.

PERCY:  There are five of us and 30 chews in the package.  Since we have all been stressed, there weren't enough to find out if they would help help stop you from attacking me, Micah. 

RUSTY:  You guys can attack each other.  I'm going to enjoy my Calming chew for today. 

PERCY:  I only eat mine if Jan breaks it in half for me.  It tastes better delivered with a dollop of servitude.

TAYLOR:  I'm still new at this.  What am I supposed to say?

RUSTY;  You're supposed to be honest about the product.

TAYLOR:  I licked my Pet Naturals of Vermont Calming chew and it tasted so good I ate it and asked for a second.  Jan didn't give me one.  Why is she so stingy with treats?

CYNDI:  I think she helps herself to some when we aren't looking.

PERCY:  There are two types of calming chews for cats - with or without the vitamin B1 and colostrum calming.  There are also two types for dogs.  We should get a case for Marcus.

We were provided with a bag of the product by Chewy.com but we were not paid for this review.  Any opinions expressed are solely ours. 

Orijen Cat Treats

PERCY:  Here I am posing with a bag of cat treats.  I'm waiting patiently for Jan to open the bag for me.  Jan, you are going to open the bag, aren't you?

CYNDI:  Cat treats?  Are they anything I would eat?  If so, I want some too.

PERCY:  They're Orijen Cat Treats. They're freeze-dried, made with cage-free chicken, turkey and wild-caught flounder. 

RUSTY:  Eh?  Did I hear the word treats?  Just give me a few seconds to finish waking up.  I was dreaming about chasing a salmon upriver.  Whatever made me think I could swim?

PERCY:  These don't have any salmon.  Just boneless chicken, boneless turkey, chicken liver, turkey liver, and boneless flounder. 

MICAH:  Oh, they taste good.   Please toss a handful or two over here, Jan.  It will save you from walking across the room again.

MICAH:  Well, phooey!  I asked for seconds and Jan walked off with the bag so Taylor can taste them too.

CYNDI:  Jan does remember that Taylor is only visiting, doesn't she?  If Taylor gets fat, she won't fit under the bed any more!

PERCY:  I don't believe Taylor would get fat on a few of these.
    Made from 100% meat and nothing else!
    Freeze-dried to lock in flavor and nutrition.
    Low calorie and carbohydrate free.

RUSTY:  I guess this means they're good for us.  Jan likes us to eat as healthy as possible. I wish I could turn my nose up at them just to confound her, but they're good and I want my share.

PERCY:  These are the Original Orijen Cat Treats.  They also have Tundra, Regional Red, Ranch Raised Lamb and Alberta Wild Boar flavors.

We received a free bag of Orijen Cat Treats from Chewy.com to taste test but we were not paid for this review.  Any opinions expressed are strictly our own.

Kanga Boo Boosters

PERCY:  Hey, guys, look what I found on top of Marcus's private dining car.  I think these are for you canines.

BUDDY:  Then what are you doing with them?  You're not a canine.

PERCY:  I'm guarding them so Jan doesn't eat any before she gives you guys some.

SAM:  Okay, here she is ready to pass out treats.  What are these, Percy?

PERCY:  According to the package, they are Boo Boo's Best Boosters, dehydrated raw treats and food toppers for dogs for supplemental or intermittent feeding.  And they're not for human consumption, so Jan had better not eat any of your treats.   

MARCUS:  They smell good.  What are they made from?

PERCY:   They're called KangaBoo, made from  kangaroo, fruits and vegetables.

SAM:  For real, made from kangaroo?

PERCY:  Yes.  The ingredients are wild Australian kangaroo, bison heart, bison fat, organic zucchini, green beans, pumpkin puree, papaya, blueberries, organic virgin coconut oil and Vitamin E. 

MERCI:  Hey, that's quite a list of healthy foods.  No wonder Buddy grabbed one from Jan's fingers so fast he nearly took her fingers with the treat.

SAM:  I think we'd all lick out bowls clean if Jan dropped some of these on our food.

PERCY:  There are no grains, wheat, corn, soy, gluten, artificial ingredients or preservatives.  And they have wild or grass-fed meats raised without hormones or antibiotics.  Do you guys think I could have one?  They sure smell good.

BUDDY:  Hey, where did Jan go with the treats?  I was going to suggest Jan feed us an extra meal today and top it with the KangaBoo.  

MERCI:  Boo Boo's Best sent us a bag of treats and a bag of ... air?  Well, actually, they probably sent Jan the green tote bag.  We don't generally tote anything.  That's why we have Jan.

MARCUS:  They also have Mighty Mussels and Renewing Rabbit flavors, with Glorious Goat and Bountiful Bison coming soon.   We all loved the KangaBoo treats and food topper.  Jan loved that they are healthy for us.

We were provided with a bag of KangaBoos, but we were not compensated for this review. Any opinions expressed are purely our own.