Maddie's Backyard Has Moved!!

We are pleased to announce we have had a makeover and have re-launched our Web site with a whole look new and all new inventory! We have also moved our popular & growing blog over to the *new* site. Please visit our new blog at www.maddiesbackyard.com/blog.

We hope to see you there!

MJ

FOLLOW UP -- Thundershirts: What Are They & Do They Work?

Back in January, I wrote a blog about the increasingly popular Thundershirts entitled "Thundershirts: What Are They and Do They Work?"

Well, as stated, we decided to do our own experiment with our own anxiety-ridden pup and see how the Thundershirt panned out for us...

It really didn't - for Molly at least.

Now, to be fair, Molly was an owner-surrender and has obviously suffered from severe neglect and aggression, leaving her with serious anxiety issues. We thought we'd give the Thundershirt a try on her, however, it didn't really seem to make a difference in her demeanor.

With that said, Thundershirt reports over 80% of dogs show significant improvement in symptoms when using Thundershirt. And, lots of my clients have had a positive experience with Thundershirt as well.

So, in my opinion, Thundershirt is a hit-or-miss item. I truly believe in the idea behind it (I mean we swaddle newborns to help calm them and make them feel safe & secure, so it only makes sense it would work for our furry friends too).

In Molly's case, I think she needs consistency, love and security to overcome her inherent issues - much more then a shirt can provide. However, if your pup suffers from bouts of anxiety, I would suggest giving it a try. If nothing else, it makes a cute shirt :).

If you've tried the Thundershirt out, we'd love to hear your feedback and we'll share it on our blog. E-mail us your stories and a picture of your pup in its very own Thundershirt!

MJ

Thanks to all who came out to see us!

We had a great time Saturday at South Ocala' Shop 'Til You Drop event. We were very excited to share a sample of our fun dog & cat products with you! On a side note, MaddiesBackyard.com is getting ready to re-launch VERY soon! Stay tuned, you won't be disappointed!! :)

Happy Mutt Monday!

MJ

FASHION ALERT: Designer Duds For the "Social" Pooch!

I just LOVE these designer doggy tanks with a "social" flare for the pampered pooch! Every fashion-forward pup should have one...I mean we are in the social networking age, so why not bring our furry friends up-to-speed too?

Facebook Inspired Doggy Tank

Twitter Inspired Doggy Tank

I See Spot's spring collection of doggy tanks makes it easy to take social networking to the next level - and have the most stylish pup at the park!

If you're looking for a place to purchase these tanks, visit Maddie's own backyard - www.maddiesbackyard.com.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
MJ

This Saturday: Shop Til You Drop with Maddie's Backyard

We'll be there...will you?

 

Lots of fun, new & hip inventory is still arriving daily! And...on a {barkable} side note, our re-designed Web site should be up VERY soon! We cannot wait to share it with you -- we promise you won't be disappointed. Check back often, as we will be releasing a special promo code to receive a discount the week the updated site re-launches!

Hope to see you Saturday!

MJ

Maddie {& Mommy's} Pet Gate Favorite

This pet gate takes the cake and is one of my favorite pet-related items on the market right now! Talk about style, functionality and durability rolled into one.

I had the pleasure of meeting the lovely ladies of Dynamic Accents at Global Pet Expo in Orlando earlier this month and they graciously introduced me to their line of upscale pet gates and furniture.

These products - while pricey - are totally worth the investment, as they add subtle elegance to any living space. I picked one up for our house at expo, as we just did some remodeling and removed an out-dated exterior sliding glass door that seperated our main living area from a converted screen room. The only problem? We no longer had a way to keep our pups out of the sunroom and off the new carpet (most especially our still-very-destructive lab/mix puppy, Zoe). I had been looking and looking for a solution and finally found it with Dynamic Accents.

Below is a picture of how we used the 32" Tall 5 Panel Freestanding Walk-Through EZ Gate in our own home. We absolutely love it and the dogs have adjusted well too. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the pet gate is actually very durable & sturdy, which proves to be extremely important when you have two very active dogs running around and playing all the time.

We are so excited to be partnering with Dynamic Accents to bring you these distinguished accents for your pet-friendly lifestyles! 

Needless to say, these designer gates get the Maddie {Zoe & Mommy} Tested, Maddie {Zoe & Mommy} Approved product seal! 

Have a great weekend my pet friends!
MJ

Launching Maddie's Deal of the Day with MBYDeals.com!

We are pleased to announce we have launched www.mbydeals.com to officially showcase Maddie's Deals of the Day. Each day Maddie will chose a product to feature and offer her pet friends a fido friendly discount. Be sure to check back daily to see what Maddie has to offer!


Click here to see today's deal.

Happy Shopping,
MJ

It's Maddie!

Here's a cute pic of Maddie and her Daddy watching tv together this past weekend! Too cute.

MJ

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Officially Licensed Sports Apparel for Dogs

In the spirit of spring training baseball, I thought I'd use today's blog to introduce you to some great sports apparel and product options available for our spirited four-legged friends! From collars, to leashes, to dog bowls, to jerseys, to plush dog toys... your dog can chose the way to show it's team spirit!

Below are some examples of the various products available:

MLB Team Jerseys

Dog Bowls
 

NCAA Dog Collars

Plush Toys

Dog Bandana

Dog Collar Bandana

Go Team!
MJ

Goats Milk Gone To The Dogs...A Product Favorite From Canus Nature's Dog

Okay, so this blog requires a little background before we get started...

A few years back, I worked in a local upscale boutique in my hometown during a summer home from college. I really enjoyed my experience there, not to mention I was introduced to many unique homegood products that I fell in love with. Among them? Fresh Goat's Milk Skin Care Products by Canus (click here to check out their great "human" product line). The body butter and lotion have proved to be some of my bathroom inventory must-haves!

With that said, imagine my surprise as I am perusing the isles of Global Pet Expo and I see the Canus Nature's Dog logo staring me in the face. Honestly, I was pretty pumped about it, I'm not going to lie!

So, without further ado, may I present to you the Nature's Dog product line:

All Natural Shampoo Product Specs
Manufacturer: Canus
Options: Moisturizing Shampoo, Oatmeal Shampoo & Puppy Shampoo
Size: 16 oz.
*Phosphate free and biodegradable 

Healing Pet Wipes Product Specs:
Manufacturer: Canus
Size: 70 count 
MSRP: $9.99

All Natural Shampoo Bar Product Specs: 
Manufacturer: Canus
Size: 5 oz.
MSRP: $3.99
*Phosphate free and biodegradable

I also want to share a few of the noteworthy reasons Goat's Milk products are a no-brainer for man's best friend.

Fresh Goats Milk:

• Helps dry skin irritations
• Is rich in vitamins, minerals & proteins, all of which are easily absorbed by the skin
• Is enriched with Tea Tree, Neem and Juniper Oils, which naturally helps to control fleas, ticks and dandruff
• Is also enriched with wheat protein, meadowfoam seed oil and shea butter, which helps maintain a healthy and shiny coat for our furry four-legged friends!

Can you tell I'm a Goat's Milk fan? Now, this one isn't Maddie tested -- yet -- but it is certainly approved by her Mommy! You'll have to stay tuned for Maddie's review...coming soon!

Cheers to Nature's Dog,
MJ

New to Maddie's Backyard...A Product Favorite From Max's Closet!

We received our first shipment today from orders we placed at Global Pet Expo last week. We are so excited to introduce our new merchandise to our Maddie fans!

Straight from Max's Closet, this nautical sundress is perfect for spring & summer and looks simply adorable on!

Product Specs:
Manufacturer: Max's Closet
Size: XS (3-4 lbs), S (5-11 lbs), M (12-15 lbs) & L (16-19 lbs)
Color: Red, White & Blue
MSRP: $18.00

Did I mention this would also make a perfect outfit for your pampered pooch on Memorial Day AND Fourth of July! As always, until our Web site is LIVE again, you can E-mail us at maddiesbackyard@gmail.com to reserve your merchandise favorites TODAY!


Happy Shopping!
MJ

Always a Product Favorite: I See Spot Designer Dog Clothing!

One of my all-time favorite pet vendors is I See Spot - the maker of extremely high-quality designer doggy duds! I've been carrying the I See Spot line now since 2008 and I have come to expect and appreciate their exceptional quality - a trait I know my customers appreciate as well.

Did I mention they have a doggy shirt for everything? From birthdays, to holidays, to drama queens, to "greenies," Spot's got something for you.

Now that I think of it, this product probably takes the cake for the longest "Maddie Tested/Maddie Approved" product seal too! You should see Maddie's closet (I think she could be a model for Spot's line, if you catch my drift). I'll be sure to post a photo soon!

Easter is April 24th...why not grab an adorable doggy tank for the occasion!

 

These tanks retail for $14 each and are available in XXS-L (Easter Egg Hunter) and XXS-XXL (Happy Easter). Place your order with Maddie's Backyard today. Just shoot us an e-mail and we will send you an electronic invoice....it can't get much easier than that!

Enjoy!
MJ

 PS - We promise shopping will be back to normal VERY soon! Our *NEW* Web site should be up within the next couple of weeks. Trust me, it will be worth the wait!

Eating Green: A Pet Product Favorite by Guyot Designs

Okay...so one of the most unique products I came across at pet expo, that I absolutely love, is the Squishy Silicone Pet Bowl! What a neat idea, not to mention super practical & eco-friendly all rolled into one!

Product Specs:

Manufacturer: Guyot Designs

Size: 12 oz, 24 oz, 36 oz, 48 oz
Color: Lime Green, Tangerine, Tahoe Blue (NEW color coming soon in Camo design!)

MSRP: $10-$20

• Food Grade Silicone
• BPA Free
• Easy to Clean
• Dishwasher Safe
• Made in USA

Maddie's Backyard will MOST definitely be carrying these gems! We couldn't be more excited and we know our customers will love them too!

Enjoy!
MJ

Bath time: A Pet Product Favorite by Molly Mutt!

Today's Product Favorite: Wash - Dog Shampoo

As previously reported, there were over 800 pet product vendors at Global Pet Expo last week, but we sure didn't have a hard time finding our favorites. Among them? Molly Mutt - the dog bed duvet company. Molly Mutt has a wonderful line of duvets - we will save that for another day's post though - this one's about Molly Mutt's NEW Clean line. We ordered a case of both fresh and wash at expo to carry on www.maddiesbackyard.com, but we finally had a chance to put the wash to the test (thanks to the great samples they provided to us).

Last night, Maddie gave it a try! While she certainly isn't a fan of bath time, I'm positive she appreciates the clean smell and feel she is sporting today. Shampoo is a toughie for Maddie too, seeing as she is a West Highland White Terrier and often suffers from moderate-to-severe skin allergies. I have a hard time finding products that don't irritate her skin. So, when I came across Molly Mutt's natural line, I figured I'd give it a go. AND...I'm sure you guessed it -- I wasn't disappointed!

Maddie not only smells great, but she feels clean and soft. No itching either, which is a great indication of a quality pet cleaning product -- especially for dogs prone to skin irritation.

Product Specs:
Manufacturer: Molly Mutt
Size: 16.5 fluid ounces
MSRP: $15.00
*Made in the USA

I thought I'd share some fun photos of her at bath time. Also, be sure to watch "The AfterBATH of Maddie," featuring her humorous after bath drying ritual.

Getting ready to try out the samples!

Maddie's not a happy camper!

"Get me outta here Mom!"

Needless to say, Molly Mutt's wash gets the "Maddie Tested/Maddie Approved" product seal! :)

Happy Bathing,
MJ

An Awesomely "Rockin" Product by Cats Rule Dogs Rock

As promised, today launches our new daily Global Pet Expo "Product Favorites" blog from your friends at Maddie's Backyard. We plan to bring you some of our favorites from each pet product category!

Today's Product Favorite: Amazing Pet Hair Pick Up Mitt

This pet hair pick up mitt is exactly what we have all been waiting for! Talk about a must-have pet hair solution for every pet owner. This amazing mitt instantly pulls hair off your clothing, furniture, bedding, curtains... virtually any surface you can imagine. Aside from the amazing product functionality, one of my favorite things about this mitt is just that - it's a mitt, making it super easy to use, while fitting comfortably to any hand. Cats Rule Dogs Rock sure got it's aesthetics right on this one!

Product Specs:
Manufacturer: Cats Rule Dogs Rock
Size: 9" x 8"
Color: Sea foam Green
MSRP: $6.99

We are also pleased to announce we will soon be carrying this product on www.maddiesbackyard.com! If you're interested in reserving yours in advance, simply e-mail us!

Make sure to check back tomorrow for our next expo favorite!

MJ

Launching Tomorrow....

Every day this week, Maddie's Backyard will introduce you - our readers - to our FAVORITE pet items from Global Pet Expo 2011! We spent three days in Orlando, Florida last week visiting with over 800 top pet product manufacturers and we are so excited to share our experience with you!

Stay tuned for our favorite dog & cat products, accessories & more...ALL THIS WEEK (many of which will be available for sale on www.maddiesbackyard.com)!

We hope you enjoy.

:)
MJ

A St. Patty's Day Discount To *BARK* about!

In honor of St. Patty's Day, we are offering 10% OFF at our Etsy shop. Simply enter SPRING10 at checkout and save 10% instantly. For a line up of our featured Etsy items, click here!

Happy Shopping,
MJ

Fabulous Holiday Pet Finds!

 

Great for St. Patty's Day - March 17, XSmall, Small & Large Available $18 on Etsy

 

Great for Easter - April 24, Small, Medium & Large Available $14 on Etsy

AND, the BIG plus? There is a coupon code available. Simply enter SPRING10 at checkout to receive an additional 10% your purchase!

Happy Shopping!

Coupons For Pets!

Recently, I have gotten into couponing and let me tell you - it is fun! There is nothing better than saving money with little-to-no effort. It can even become much like a game, seeing how cheap you can get one single item. Well, there are also coupons out there to use on our pets!

One of my favorite Web sites is Coupons.com. They have coupons for everything, from household items, to food, to entertainment to our PETS.

There are currently 10 coupons available in the pet category from Coupons.com. Click here to check them out and then click on pet care (10) from the menu on the left-hand side. My favorite is the one for the greenies! My dogs love them and they make a nice treat, not to mention they are great for our pup's teeth too.

If you have any other pet coupons to share, we'd love to hear from you. I will post more as I come across them.

Michelle

We're Getting a Makeover!

We are proud to announce that MaddiesBackyard.com is getting a make-over! Our new teaser site is up - visit us and let us know what you think!

Lauching soon....a BRAND new, easier to use Web site with all new inventory and merchandise. Check back soon and see what it's all about.

We look forward to serving you :)

Michelle

A Birthday Gone to the Dogs

Gourmet Dog Cookies

Doggy Cake

Zoe & Maddie eating their cake

Doggy Ice Cream

Enjoying her Frosty Paws!

"Opening" her Birthday gifts....so funny!

On to another one...

Loving every minute of her party

Madison trying to steal one of Zoe's toys

Maddie girl

Sicily - Her and Zoe share Birthdays! :)

All of Zoe's Birthday gifts. She's one lucky (ahem, SPOILED) pup

Sisters

One worn out puppy!