Dog Days of Summer on the Lifestyles channel

At The Food Bowl, Heather’s got a frosty treat to help your dog beat the heat with a home-made, doggy-approved ice cream recipe, and she wants to know how you calm your upset pet when it comes time for travel and vacation.

Linette at Mother Earth’s Garden shares photos of her four legged garden companions.  Robust Cooking has 9 Healthy Treats you can make for your dog And, it’s dog party planning time at She Knows Parties, with dog party invitations, and dog party games.

When you write for Simply Thrifty, even your dogs have thrifty habits and it sounds like Katelyn’s dogs are well on their way.

Peggy at Tree Hugging Family explores reasons to choose a hemp dog collar and looks at a company that specializes in them.  At Junk Creation she features some tutorials from various crafters — including making a dog bed from a skirt to recycling old dog collars into new ones.

Susan at PlayLibrary shares news of the Little Tikes Dog Days of Summer Sale which includes pools, playgrounds, bounce houses and more.  Check out the pics of her basset hound getting in on the bounce house fun at her triplets’ 4th birthday party!

Tracee from BlogFabulous to her kids – “Heck yeah, you can have hampsters if it only costs me $5, and there is virtually no maintenance involved,” while visiting country garage sale.

Colleen at Drinks After Dark shares the story of her dog Jackson.  Jack was an adopted via her local SPCA.  It’s great to hear and read heartwarming success stories.

Chloe at Tangled Thread has been sewing easy & inexpensive bandannas for her dogs to dress them up for summertime.

Noreen’s small dog keeps her hopping as he grabs and runs with yarn and other treasures in the studio while she authors Hankering for Yarn.

Christina at SoloMother tells of the tales she shares with her son, of the beloved pets of her youth while looking forward to the day when they can welcome a new dog into their own little family.

Mary Emma Allen at Quilting and Patchwork shares some pattern and design ideas in Quilting Goes to the Dogs.

Gayla’s contribution on Supernanny Rules -  is the latest picture of her  precious tiny Yorkie, Molly, who has had a very rough summer battling parvo and adverse reactions to vaccinations.  At 2.9 pounds, she has a very strong will to live.

Gayla also noted: If you or someone you know is thinking about adding a pet to your family, I urge you to check the internet.  There are rescues that operate on just about every breed – or check the SPCA or local animal shelters.  It’s been my personal experience that unwanted or abandoned pets seem ultimately gracious to their new homes and masters.

I agree with Gayla 110%! All our animal companions (including our horses) are rescues from breed rescue organizations or the SPCA.

I also want to emphasize how essential it is to spay and neuter your pets. They’ll live longer and healthier lives, and you’ll be part of the solution, not part of the problem!