My favorite gal turned six exactly one week ago! She’s come a long way from her pandemic puppy beginnings in Dallas, and is now a bone-a-fide (see what I did there) New York City girl! It hasn’t been without its challenges, of course, with all the moving and flying back + forth we’ve done in the last several years… but now that we’re settled and back on a routine things are better than ever. My favorite gal turned six exactly one week ago! She’s come a long way from her pandemic puppy beginnings in Dallas, and is now a bone-a-fide (see what I did there) New York City girl! It hasn’t been without its challenges, of course, with all the moving and flying back + forth we’ve done in the last several years… but now that we’re settled and back on a routine things are better than ever. I truly believe she loves living here – all the smells, people and other dogs, and this city is seriously so dog-friendly! Not so much this time of year, but when the weather starts to warm up I can take her pretty much everywhere with me. She loves our new apartment, but especially our neighbors, doormen and porters who give her attention anytime we’re in the elevator or walking in the lobby. It’s safe to say she’s thriving!
Today I thought it might be fun to share a roundup of my favorite puppy products, dog toys, clothing and accessories for any of my fellow pet parents out there!
CALMING DONUT BED – We’ve been using these round beds since Reeses was a puppy! They are so cozy and soft, and because the whole thing is machine washable it’s very easy to clean. They’re also lightweight and easy to pack up in a big tote for transport if you’re traveling. We use the size small!
PUPSICLE DOG TREAT BALL TOY – If I want to keep Reeses busy or wear her out a little more, this does the trick! You put one of the dog treats in the ball and she’ll be licking on it, working to get the treat out for 20-30 minutes. It’s a great interactive toy, especially for using on days where you can’t spend much time outside due to weather!
ROVERLUND PET CARRIER – Ever since I started flying with Reeses, we’ve used this TSA-approved carrier. It’s incredibly well-constructed and sturdy, while also being lightweight – the size large fits dogs up to 25 pounds… Reeses is closer to 30 and we’ve never had an issue with it. It features a sherpa-lined panel inside for comfort, a vented front and sides for breathability, a pocket in the back for wipes, poo bags & treats, and a front and top zippered closure. Highly recommend! The back section features an optional stiff panel I ended up having to remove in order for it to fit under certain plane seats.
MAL-A-KET WIPES – Frenchies are notoriously prone to allergies and itchy skin, so we’ve got quite the collection of wipes, sprays, foams and balms. You name it, we have it! These wipes dry out areas that get moist (think skin folds on her face, her private parts) to prevent bacteria and fungus from growing and causing issues.
BURT’S BEES PAW & NOSE LOTION – I’ve tried using other balms in the past, but always come back to this one. Because it’s more of a lotion and less of a waxy formula, it absorbs better and is easier to apply.
LAVENDER CHAMOMILE DOG SHAMPOO – Another item I’ve been buying since I first brought Reeses home! This 2-in-1 shampoo & conditioner smells amazing and makes her fur super soft and fresh every time. A little goes a long way, so a single bottle will last you a long time!
HONEST WIPES – These hypo-allergenic multi-use wipes are my go-to for cleaning Reeses up after walks and while we’re on the go! From wiping away drool to making her butt sparkle after a #2 (Frenchie owners know what’s up), we can’t live without these.
DOG TREADMILL – When I was living in Dallas, I invested in a small dog treadmill so Reeses could get her exercise no matter the forecast. Texas is incredibly hot in the summer – not only would the pavement burn her paws, but Frenchies (and other brachycephalic breeds) have trouble breathing and regulating heat above 75 degrees. Instead of only being able to give her a 10-15 minute walk in those temps, I’d put her on the treadmill for 45ish minutes so she’d still get the exercise she needed. While New York doesn’t have the heat problem, it does have more cold weather, snow and ice that might also shorten our walk times. Having a treadmill on hand is also handy if it’s a particularly busy day and I don’t have time for two long walks. You have to be in the room while your dog is on the treadmill, so she’ll walk on it while I’m cooking or doing some work – killing two birds with one stone! While you could just put your dog on a regular treadmill, several brands make ones with guard rails so they can’t jump off + a bar for you to attach their leash to so they keep walking forward. The one I bought in Dallas is no longer available and actually quite bulky, making it a challenge to store when it’s not in use – so I’m replacing it with this one I just found online! It’s about the same size but can be completely collapsed flat for storage under your bed. If you have a bigger dog, this one is another style I found that’s about a foot longer!
CUSTOMIZABLE STRIPED COLLARS – A family friend of mine bought Reeses a collar from If It Barks when I first got her, and it’s been my go-to for collars ever since! I love being able to customize the colors for different looks and seasons, and I always add “Call Merritt” along with my phone number onto the buckle just in case. You can select the width, neck size, stripe colors, buckle materials and more!
ELECTRIC ROLLING DOG TOY – My neighbor actually recommended this recently as a good interactive toy for indoor weather days. Similar to popular cat toys, this one rolls around, vibrates and lights up, making it fun for Reeses to chase around! It features a rope on the end for chewing too. It doesn’t keep her entertained for too long (maybe 10 minutes?), so I don’t just leave it out all day – but it’s a fun one to mix things up with!
CERAMIC GOOD DOG BOWL – I’ve got a more practical non-slip food bowl set in the kitchen, but I love this bowl for her water in my bedroom! It’s definitely more aesthetically pleasing and a breeze to clean.
JUST FOOD FOR DOGS VENISON & SQUASH RECIPE – Because of my dog’s allergies, my vet recommended trying a different protein source for her food. I ended up buying this kibble along with this frozen wet dog food as a topper and she loves it! I’ve definitely noticed a difference in her level of itchiness since changing the food, so could be worth trying if you have an itchy pup! My vet said venison and kangaroo are great protein sources for dogs with sensitive skin & other allergies.
ARM & HAMMER TARTAR CONTROL DENTAL SPRAY – Reeses won’t let me brush her teeth, but she LOVES this dental spray! I spray her teeth right before bed every night – I’m hoping it’s keeping her teeth cleaner and breath a little more fresh!
YAK CHEWS – I’m super grossed out by bully sticks and am a bit scared of hides and bones, so when my friend Katelyn recommended these yak chews we decided to give them a try. Reeses adores chewing on these! They’re long-lasting, digestible and high-protein.
SPARK PAWS SWEATER – This was a recent purchase but it is the softest sweater and such a pretty color! Reeses wears the size large. I also ordered two puffer jackets from this brand but they have yet to arrive – fingers crossed they get here soon!
KONG TENNIS BALLS – If you know Reeses, you know ball is life. She loves a plush toy, but a tennis ball is her everything. These Kong balls are her favorite – easy for her to grip, chew and squeak! She never tires of fetch with these, and they last a long time!
Separately, you may have been following the saga of our search for finding the perfect boot on my Instagram stories. The whole point of the boot is to keep her paws covered so they don’t come in contact with the salt and chemical de-icers on the street and sidewalks. It can burn their paws and cause infections – not fun at all! Unfortunately I’ve tried maybe six different brands and none of them have been perfect. I’ve had the most success with these and these – both are such a challenge to get on every time, but they’ve lasted the longest on our walks. With that said, they still usually pop off before the end of the walk – it’s SO frustrating! We even tried a pair of suspender boots, but Reeses was not having it. If I find anything amazing, I’ll report back!
