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Your Pets View of the LeashLocket Retractable Lead

Sunday, January 15th, 2012 at 11:55 pm

My pet parent and I attended BlogPaws 2011 where we spotted the LeashLocket retractable leash on display…and I immediately wanted to sniff the display to see if these lockets carried dog treats. I am sure your pet would view anything that is attached to their collar in the same way.

Leash Locket at BlogPaws 2011

Let me report first that Amelia has her reservations about retractable leashes due to some people having received serious injuries from the retractable corded leads. The AKC/Eukanuba National Championship even bans them from their show grounds to prevent not only human accidents but also a repeat of dogs being scared by retracting handles chasing them that they have pulled from their handler’s grip…causing them to run off into a dangerous situation. Those concerns aside, Amelia does attach a retractable belted lead to me when we are going on nature walks where strict control is not required.

Upon closer examination, we found out that the LeashLocket is a revolutionary retractable belted leash in that it actually attaches to a magnet that is on an elastic strap that snaps around my collar. Wow…how convenient to use on the trail. Now, instead of both of my pet parents having to carry a separate leash for times when they are not in the same location and have to put a leash on me, I can just return to them carrying my one and only leash! This allows them to have instant control without having to fumble with snapping a leash onto my collar.

The LeashLocket is so lightweight that I don’t even notice it. Amelia feels this LeashLocket will also be ideal to use in the agility and obedience training rings. Many handlers use a short tab that is attached to their dog’s collar but with a big coat like mine, a tab can get lost in my mass of fur. The LeashLocket will be much easier to locate.

So what else makes the LeashLocket so appealing? Both of my pet parents like the way the locket fits comfortably in their hands. An optional wrist strap attaches to the locket for those times when their hands need to be free to grab my doggie bag and scoop the ‘you know what.’

Retractable leads normally extend from 10 to 26 feet which gives the pet the ability to lead the pet parent wherever the trail leads…or not. The LeashLocket extends less than 6 feet so I remain in a safe walking zone near my pet parent. Cool.

We had a puppy try out the LeashLocket during puppy socialization time in class. The other puppies quickly knocked the LeashLocket off of its magnet but the snap kept it attached to the collar and the locking mechanism on the lead kept it close to the puppy. The puppy was not at all bothered by the dangling locket and none of the other puppies tried to grab the locket. If someone planned to use the LeashLocket during play time at the dog park, they may want to make sure the locket magnet is attached somewhere on the dog where the locket will remain secured to the magnet. The optional wrist strap can be removed and attached to a belt loop for later use.

The LeashLocket comes complete with Precautions and Instructions for Use. The top three tips suggest that the locket is only to be worn when dogs are supervised, that they are to be used on well-trained dogs only and handled only by adults. For more information, visit www.LeashLocket.com

Take time to watch our short and fun pet video review of the LeashLocket.

Disclosure
We received a Leash Locket from the company for our review. We were not paid for our review and all opinions about the LeashLocket are entirely our own.

Living in the moment,
Schatzi
Pet Companion to animal lover Amelia Johnson

Digging Into BlogPaws 2011 Treasures

Monday, September 12th, 2011 at 10:54 pm

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I’ve been digging into the BlogPaws 2011 treasures that my pet parent brought home from this gathering of pet bloggers. I am a discerning watchdog so Amelia took me along to keep her company. I also networked with the other pets, boned up on my social skills, and had some fun…actually the ferrets provided entertainment for me during some of the same sessions that we were in together.

BlogPaws 2011 was sandwiched in between the East Coast Earthquake and Hurricane Irene…which explains why some of the speakers never made it in or others had to leave early. We arrived Thursday, just in time for the Welcome Reception. The Sheraton Premiere at Tysons Corner welcomed pets in all of the educational sessions, general sessions, exhibit areas AND MEAL AREAS!! Of course, Amelia was required to fill out a Pet Waiver for me. A complimentary Pet Park and pet sitters were available too.

Friday morning’s Keynote was by Rescue Ink. Their message was both serious and humorous…and they made my tail wag.

Joe Panz, Amelia, Schatzi, and Big Ant

After meeting the Fire Safety dog Tango

Tango - Fire Safety Dog

and Travelin’ Jack,

Travelin' Jack

we listened to their pet parents Dayna Hilton and Jill Lane talk about leveraging niche blogging. Those lucky dogs get to travel everywhere with them. They even have their own products to promote their message. Cool.Our next stop was to meet Dino Dogan, the co-founder of Triberr to learn about Reach, Relevance, Design and Presentation. I don’t know what all this fuss is about tribes when most pet parents say we travel in packs…but Amelia understood the value of his message. I slept through it.

: Dreaming about Relevance

We had time for two more breakout sessions on Friday so we attended WordPress Tips & Tricks with Nikki Jeske of

Design Coyote

followed by StumbleUpon with Vijay Vachani, Business Development Manager for

StumbleUpon.

I think that is where I stumbled upon some of my own entertainment in the form of sleeping ferrets nesting in bags.

Ferret Entertainment

After snacks, cocktails for pet parents, and more networking, we were invited to the FIRST press screening in the country for Disney’s Spooky Buddies! Many of us dogs in the audience followed the action on the big screen and barked along when the puppies needed some assistance on Halloween night. I also watched the security guard at the front of the room to make sure he didn’t come to close to Amelia. He was one big dude! Amelia and I had our picture taken with Robert Vince, the Director, Producer and Writer of Spooky Buddies. He was sincerely interested in the feedback from the pet bloggers. Amelia got to hold one of the Spooky Buddies while I stayed with one very pretty lady who gave me an awesome neck rub.

Amelia & Schatzi with Robert Vince of Spooky Buddies

Amelia with a Spooky Buddy

Fresh popcorn had been served during the movie and pizza was served after the movie. No one went to bed hungry that night.

Heidi Ganahl, the Top Dog at

Camp Bow-Wow

was the Keynote speaker on Saturday morning. She found her purpose and overcame her grief after a personal tragedy put her on a journey that has been a blessing for pet parents and pets alike.

Then we learned how to Unleash Our Inner Movie Producer with Kenn Bell of

The Dog Files.

The Dog Files

One of Kenn’s dogs left the session with the pet sitter while his other dog slept through it…she’s heard it all before…

Dreaming about Dog Files

Our next session was about No Blog Being an Island. With Irene coming in, getting an internet connection was proving to be tricky but Felissa Elfenbein of

Two Little Cavaliers

persevered and the room full of people learned about topics such as Linky Lists, BlogHops, and other ways to grow blog traffic.

No Blog is an Island

Every Picture Tells a Story was the last session we attended with Brett Chisholm, the photographer for

LIFE + DOG.

Brett shared tips that we have yet to implement but we certainly hope that you have enjoyed the pictures in this blog post. We are grateful that pet bloggers will continue to bring out the Best of Pets.

How do you like my ghost costume? Do you think I would make a good Spooky Buddy for the Spooky Buddies?

A Natural Ghost Appeared at Spooky Buddies Premier!

Saturday morning, along with our room receipt, we received a letter from the Director of Operations and the Sheraton Team. The letter made us aware of the emergency preparations that were underway in preparation for Hurricane Irene’s arrival in the Washington DC area on Saturday evening, August 27th. Luckily, we drove, so we stayed to within two hours of Irene’s arrival. We sure didn’t want to miss dinner and only missed Saturday night’s networking. The remaining pet bloggers were either stranded there or chose to stay and party…Woofie Woo!

Living in the moment,
Schatzi
Pet Companion to animal lover Amelia Johnson

Honoring Tango- The Fire Safety Dog

Friday, September 9th, 2011 at 2:34 pm

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Tango Helps Keep Kids Fire Safe

My pet parent and I recently met Tango, the Fire Safety Dog, and his pet parent Dayna Hilton, at BlogPaws 2011. I could tell Tango was a special dog the moment I laid my eyes on him. He is a dog with a purpose and we should all honor that purpose.

Dayna, a firefighter herself, initially started teaching fire safety to children with her Dalmatian named Sparkles. As her passion for teaching children about fire safety grew inside her, so did the desire to make the fire safety message grow. As a result, the Keep Kids Fire Safe Foundation was formed in September 2009.

The Foundation teaches fire safety through coloring books and provides downloadable coloring pages for educators. Hidden picture puzzles are also available to spread the fire safety message in a way that children and their caregivers will remember. You can help the foundation promote fire safety and develop fire safety related materials by making a tax-deductible donation.

Practice fire safety every day. Follow my Top Ten fire safety tips:

Make sure the fire alarm and fire extinguisher work!
Stash matches and lighters away from your children.
Help your family kick the smoking habit to avoid smoldering cigarettes.
Douse the pet odor exterminator candle.
Don’t lay too close to the fire in the fireplace or wood stove. The same goes for space heaters.
Practice your fire escape plan and chase your family out of the house at least twice a year.
Practice with your family to “Stop, Drop, Roll and Cool.”
Crawl low under the smoke.
Go to your outside meeting place.
Use your herding skills to prevent your family from going back inside a burning home.

I hope that your family never experiences a fire. Stay safe. Support Tango and Dayna with the Keep Kids Fire Safe Foundation!

Living in the moment,

Schatzi

Pet Companion to animal lover Amelia Johnson

BlogPaws 2011 – Here We Come!

Sunday, August 21st, 2011 at 4:34 pm

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Hanging On Until We Get to BlogPaws 2011 !

My pet parent and I are hanging on until we get to BlogPaws 2011…just as Stuart the kitten is hanging on by a nail while his sister Lizzie stares in awe at his athletic ability. We know we will be hanging on once we get there too on Thursday, August 25. We will be hanging on to the new friends we make and the relationships that we build at this event just for pet bloggers. The Pet Park and the Exhibits will be open. I wonder if the pet park is anything like the Frostburg Dog Park that I go to now?

Rescue Ink will be welcoming the pet bloggers on Friday morning. The day will be filled with so much to learn and many exhibits to see. I wish I could take notes so that Amelia and I could split up and take in more. I think I may be spending some time with other dogs and pets that will be attending. The hotel has relaxed its pet policy just for this event. I can’t wait to check out the rooms. We are supposed to have a room with a view. I haven’t been in a hotel since I was working on my Champion and obedience titles. My manners have improved a great deal since then. I am a Canine Good Citizen and proud of it!

Saturday will start with more time at the Pet Park, then more information to challenge the mind and soul. Heidi Ganahi from Camp Bow-Wow will be presenting the morning keynote. I am sure the day will go by very fast…too fast. My pet parent did not want to leave BlogPaws 2010 in Columbus, Ohio and she will probably have the same feelings about this one.

Join us this weekend at BlogPaws 2011! You can register at the door.

Living in the moment,

Schatzi

Pet Companion to animal lover Amelia Johnson

Blog Paws Introduces Kodak’s Pet Eye Retouch Kiosk

Wednesday, May 12th, 2010 at 6:14 pm

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At Blog Paws, my pet parent had the opportunity to eliminate the pet eye that appears in so many photos taken of pets. I have no doubt that it has happened to you. Your photographer wooed you with treats and got your ears to perk up and your head to tilt for the absolute sweetest picture ever taken of you…only to have your glowing green or yellow eyes make you look like something from the world of demons.

Other software programs for red eye for people just don’t eliminate the glowing eye in pet pictures. Kodak now has picture kiosks with the ability to remove pet eye. You can learn more from Chief Blogger Jenny Cisney at A Thousand Words.

Watch this pet video Jenny did about the pet eye software reviews:

Living in the moment,

Schatzi

Pet Companion to animal lover Amelia

BlogPaws Surprises, Prizes and Celebrities

Wednesday, May 12th, 2010 at 1:17 am

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My pet parent experienced BlogPaws in April but we are just getting this blog back up and running so forgive the late report. Believe me, it is worth waiting for. BlogPaws exceeded everyone’s expectations. This was a gathering of pet bloggers for networking, learning and fun!

Many sponsors made this event possible: Meow Mix, Kibbles ‘n Bits, Purina Care Pet Health Insurance, PETSMART, dogtime media, Wellness Natural Food and Treats for Pets, Bissell, Puppy Tweets, Cats against clay.org, Kodak, AAHA, i LOVE DOGS, bamboo, TPPC.tv, Destinations Design, Furminator, West & Co., Bella’s Pain Relief, blogger BLACK BOOK, The Pet Bus and purrfectplay.com…names you should recognize if your pet parent has been shopping for you at all.

The sponsors were very generous. Every chance the Founders got, tickets were drawn and prizes were awarded. My pet parent was quite delighted with what she won.

Experience the excitement of Blog Paws in this pet video:

Living in the moment,

Schatzi

Pet Companion to animal lover Amelia

Time for Another Change

Wednesday, April 14th, 2010 at 5:45 pm

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Brad Smith Photography

My pet parent had a doggone great time at BlogPaws over the weekend. She was in the company of pet bloggers such as Tom Collins, Ken from DogFiles and Yvonne who never stopped smiling.

Now “Mom” is on fire to change the format of my blog once again. The first blog was eaten by a nasty virus and she doesn’t feel this platform has all the bells and whistles that I deserve so there may be a hiccup along the way before you see our postings again.

I may be getting older but I am wise enough to learn new tricks to blogging for your benefit. It is time for another change. See you in my new blog, same domain.

Living in the moment,

Schatzi

Pet Companion to animal lover Amelia