Happy New Year

We weren't going to post but we do what to wish you a Happy New Year and a healthy, happy 2016.

Jan:  We said we would give you an update this week, but won't.  Suffice it to say things are not going well around here  Still, we have a lot to be thankful for.  Enjoy your New Year celebration. 

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. 

Merry Christmas 2015

CYNDI:  We are going to take a few days off to lounge in the sun by the pool and gorge on tuna and chicken..

MARCUS:  We are?  I've never been on a trip before. Where are we going?  What should I pack?

PERCY:  For starters, you should pack your imagination.  It's the cheapest way to travel.

MARCUS:  Does that mean we aren't going anywhere?  I was looking forward to wearing my new shades and straw hat.

MICAH:  You know we don't have any travel funds and we all have to be here to help Jan take care of Sam.  He had a good day Tuesday and a bad day Wednesday.

RUSTY:  So we decided to do our Christmas post on Christmas Eve and hopefully take it easy for a couple of days.  Or a couple of years.  Whichever comes first.

MERCI:  We hope you have a Christmas filled with family, friends, good food, and fun.  But most of all, we hope you remember that Jesus is the reason for the celebration.

PERCY:   Taylor, don't be shy; tell everyone Merry Christmas.

TAYLOR: Uh ... *waves a paw* Merry Christmas, everyone!

BUDDY:  Pipo & Minko from WeBees Siameezers posted Belated Birthday Mews to Cyndi and sent her a card  They mentioned Sam.  Their woofie sibling Mr. Jack Freckles also included Sam in his Sunday post. How sweet, Pipo, Minko, Jack Freckles and Mom.

We originally planned to post the lovely Christmas cards we received but we aren't going to be able to do it this year.  Thank you, each of you. We have enjoyed each ecard and snail mail card received.  They have lifted our spirits during this time when Sam's health is our major concern. Have a blessed Christmas.

Today is Thankful Thursday.  Stop by PepiSmartDog to see what he is thankful for this week and to join the blog hop.

Taylor Steals Breakfast

MERCI:  We promised to let you know how the 30 day I and Love and You dog food Challenge is going and ...

BUDDY:  Hey, Taylor, you get out of my bowl.  That's my breakfast!

TAYLOR:  I've never had dog kibble before.  It tastes pretty good.  How about if we trade?  You can have my breakfast. 

MARCUS:  We made the recommended gradual switch from our food to Poultry Palooza.  (I and Love and You Challenge.)  In the first part, we told you why Jan was so eager to try it for 30 days.  (It sounded very healthy.  For us, not for her.)  Now we want to tell you how we are doing on it. 

NOTE:  We had to remove Sam from the challenge since he had a stroke (Body Here, Personality Missing) because he has has had to have canned, or at least soft and wet food (or cooked chicken - he loves chicken) so he can lap it up.  His health problems are in no way related to this food.  In fact, Jan is sorry he is unable to eat it as she feels it would be a healthy food for him during his convalescence. 

MARCUS:  Here I am in my private dining car again because Jan is taking pictures of food.  A while ago I started to get a bit chunky and Jan cut my rations back by 1/2 cup twice a day.  I am looking good now and she finally realized I am a high energy dog and I need that missing cup of food to help keep me from being so food aggressive.Since she has been feeding Sam by hand and I like to hang around waiting for drips and drops, she has noticed I have been a good boy.  I haven't been the least bit aggressive toward Sam while he is being fed.  It helps I get to lick the bowl when he is done eating.

My coat is healthy and I poop like a pro.  Oh, perhaps I shouldn't have said that.  But I always do my best.

MERCI:  That's me on the left.  My coat is soft and my poop is softer.  I haven't had a ... well, you know *blush* .. a dingleberry lately.

BUDDY:  Jan fears I am a lost cause.  She has been working with me to clear up my skin problems and then along came all the stress with Sam's health, and then the cold weather came back, along with lots of rain, and I am miserable again.  I don't do well in extremes, either hot or cold.  I had a good bag of no grain food before the challenge and my poop turned from yellow to brown.  It's normal firmness now.

MERCI:  We all like the I and Love and You Chicken Palooza, even the cats, as you can tell from Taylor's picture at the top of this post.  Last night was her first venture onto the washing machine and this morning she was thrilled to find three bowls of dog kibble served for her breakfast.

MARCUS:  She was disappointed when they were removed and given to us.  It's a good thing she wasn't food aggressive when Jan took away the bowls of food.  What would Jan have done with her?  Taylor doesn't have a private dining car.  I guess she's not as special as I am.

Chewy.com provided the food for this review but we are not being paid.  Anything in this post is our honest opinion or experience.