Top 5 Dog Subscriptions

By CHERESE COBB

Don’t hog all the mail wealth: treat your pooch to one of these five subscription boxes. Stuffed with mouth-watering treats, cuddly plush toys and adjustable accessories, they’re gifts that keep on giving—in licks, cuddles and tail wags.

1. BarkBox
Cost: $29 per month
Shipping: Free to the United States and Canada
Coupon: Use the code RWPCH0LSSR for a free month of products

What’s inside:
The leader of the monthly dog box pack in both sales and name recognition, BarkBox is one of the least expensive services that you’ll find. Offering a multi-dog discount, the company even donates 10 percent of its proceeds to roughly 3,000 different rescues. Featuring monthly themes like Bento Blossoms, Sniffin’ Safari, and Chewrassic Bark, BarkBox includes at least two innovative toys, two all-natural bags of treats, and a heavy-duty chew toy. “The monthly toy selection…is always a plush item. It makes your pooch’s toy chest start to remind you of ‘The Claw’ game at the local arcade,” says Aasit Thakkar, a current BarkBox subscriber. “I’d prefer my pooch to enjoy toys of different natures, i.e., balls, puzzles, ropes, tossers etc. If BarkBox offered either more challenging or fun toys…then I’d say the service is truly worth barking about.” However, if a toy or treat doesn’t get your dog’s tail wagging, BarkBox will send a replacement for free. “No muss. No fuss. No disappointed pups.”

2. Pet Gift Box
Cost: $24.99 per month with
free shipping in the United States,
excluding Hawaii and Alaska
Coupon: Use the code FETCH
for $5 off

What’s Inside:
Pretested on pets for “paw prints of satisfaction,” Pet Gift Box offers six toys and treats themed around the relevant holidays. Whether you have a small, medium or large pet, you can choose a one-time, 3-month or 12-month subscription. Cats will receive balls, catnip-filled toys, catnip and feathery chasers, while dogs get balls and plush, stuffingless or waterproof toys. “My dogs [Christopher and Danny], being both greedy and toy-obsessed, soon worked out that they could open the box with their nose by flipping the lid…so it had to be kept out of reach,” says Kim O’Meara, a Pet Gift Box customer. Every box looks like a gift with a bow and supports Pets for Patriots, Family Reach, and Music Drives Us.

3. RescueBox
Cost: $29.95 per month
Shipping: A $5.95 flat-rate fee is
applied to orders outside of the
contiguous 48 states

What’s Inside: “My dog, Diamond, gets extremely excited each month when her RescueBox comes in the mail,” says Ashley Jacobs, the founder of Sitting for a Cause. “She loves to rip it open, tear the paper wrapping to shreds, and play with her new toys.” Depending on whether you have a cat or a small, medium, or large-sized dog, every month the RescueBox team will handpick five toys and treats. Every delivery also features a rescue story that’s only possible because of the generous donations of subscribers. “What I love most about the box…they will tell you the impact your subscription has had. Since subscribing to RescueBox in October of 2016, they have donated 80 bowls of food and 32 vaccines to shelter animals.”

4. PupJoy
Cost: $26 per month
Shipping: Free shipping to the
lower 48 states

What’s Inside:
“A finalist for the 2018 Purina Pet Care Innovation Prize, PupJoy has a very transparent charitable donation model to help support animal rescue, in partnership with the BISSELL Pet Foundation,” says Dustin McAdams, the founder and CEO. “We donate $2 on every order and 100 percent of the donated money goes directly to help over 3000 rescue organizations that they work with.” PupJoy also has the most personalized model available for dog parents. After choosing an Uno or Grande (small or large) box, you can specify the type of items that you want: accessories, toys and treats, including all-natural and organic options. Depending on what stage of life your dog is going through, you’ll get five to seven products valued at over $40. For example, if your dog is a chew-inator, you’ll get virtually indestructible chew toys, or if your dog is in potty-training mode, you may get extra pee spray. “PupJoy’s toys are the kind of stuff I would expect to see in an expensive dog boutique in New York City,” says Amanda, the owner of Shiloh Shepherd’s Luna Rae and Nova Mae. “The treats…have straight-forward ingredients and a small business vibe. They all have ingredients that would be edible for us humans too!”

5. Bullymake
Cost: $39 per month
Shipping: Free to the US and $8
to Canada

What’s Inside:
A monthly subscription box for power chewers, Bullymake never sends plush toys or rawhide, which can cause choking, blockage and diarrhea. Instead, the team sends two to three extremely durable toys and three to four treats, chews and healthy edibles. While the treats are hand-selected based on your dog’s allergies and size, you can opt for a “toys-only” box. “While I wish that it [the default subscription box] was more heavily weighted on the toy-side rather than the treat, I also appreciate that Bullymake always sends one long-term chew treat—it’s a good way to occupy one of my dogs for a few hours,” says Christine Massey, a long-time Bullymake customer. Even if your ruff and tuff pup continues to turn his or her adorable toys into ripped-up rags, under the Bullymake 100 Percent Guarantee, they’ll ship you a replacement that’s rougher and tougher for free.

Did your favorite dog subscription box make the list? Let us know at [email protected]

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ALL SPIRIT HEELING: Whole-istic Healing

BY STACY KRAFCZYK

Animals are like us in so many ways that sometimes we forget or don’t realize that what we do for ourselves we can also do for them. For instance your dog may benefit from the following: massages, chiropractic, acupuncture, crystals, hydrotherapy, laser therapy, Reiki and more.

Animal communication is a great “tool” to use to find out if your animal is happy, sad, in pain, etc. But it’s also important to use other tools. It is necessary to take your animals to the vet for health checks and various treatments. Or for example, dog trainers for proper training. And it is also important to see practitioners who specialize in holistic animal care—Chinese and western medicines are a great combination.

For example, if your animal doesn’t feel well, is lethargic or not eating and looks like it is suffering, then a vet would be your first call. Your second call should perhaps be an animal communicator.

Animal communication can definitely improve behavioral issues, walking on a leash, and other issues. However, training is still necessary to build ones confidence with their dog so they learn to speak the same language and not send mixed messages. As humans we tend to send mixed messages to our animals, telepathically and verbally. In our minds we say, “don’t bite, don’t bark, don’t jump” but in our minds we’re showing them barking, biting and jumping. Training is a great way to send the right signals, deepening the bond and strengthening our confidence.

A few tools:

Chiropractic/Spinal Manipulation. Animals get thrown out of whack all the time, just like humans do, and strongly benefit from adjustments to realign their body which also affects their health, energy and emotions.

Essential Oils. Get ones that are all-natural (not chemical or fragrance grade) and good quality to diffuse in your room or car, especially after a stressful event like surgery. This can aid in calming your furry friend.

Massage. Getting your animal massaged will keep your animals limber, energetic and bring relief especially if there is already an issue at hand.

Reiki. A form of energy work done in person or from a distance can help heal the animal emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually. Reiki has been an amazing part of my healing journey personally and professionally with hundreds of animals.

Food. Raw food, high-quality canned or dry food, grain-free, etc., can also assist your animals in healing and reducing ear infections, UTIs, yeast, diabetes and other illnesses or diseases. I’ve personally witnessed miraculous transformations with changing of the diet alone. Contact your local pet food store for holistic options.

Cold Laser Therapy. This is done by certified professionals to accelerate healing safely and effectively.

Pain Medicine. Whether it is holistic, natural, Chinese herbs and/or western meds…it is VERY important to help maintain your animal’s pain in old age, as well as his diseases or illnesses. One of the main complaints from animals is their pain level. Remember, it is an animal’s instinct and nature to hide or disguise his pain. If they were in the wild, they may be killed or forced out of their pack so they tend to hide their discomfort until it becomes so unbearable they begin to show signs like not eating, limping, excessive licking or sudden behavioral changes like aggressiveness, not sleeping well, pacing and digging at the carpet. Please talk to your vet about pain medicine and/or natural remedies from holistic pet food stores.

Sleep. This is important to people for recharging and healing their bodies and is the same for animals. It is challenging for animals to heal and recharge if they’re in pain. A lot of animals have shared in animal communication sessions that they would like some pain management around breakfast, dinner and most importantly, bedtime. Our animal friends will sleep better and so will their humans.

There are many avenues you can explore to help heal your animals emotionally and physically. You may need to use several different healing modalities continually until the pain begins to diminish or is at least under control.

Talk to your vet about some of these options and if your vet doesn’t know about these, then do your own research. Go in chat rooms, Facebook groups, and on other websites to find the right answers for your animals. The Internet is awesome for finding out information.

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CELEBRITY PAW PROFILE: Millie the Canine Concierge

By MANETTE KOHLER, DVM

Word is out around Milwaukee. There’s a cute new gal with blonde, curly hair working at the Hilton Milwaukee City Center. It’s Millie, the canine concierge. At just one year of age, Millie, a mini Goldendoodle, is very popular and regularly receives emails and comments via the hotel website, great Trip Advisor reviews, and dog treats, sweaters and toys from adoring fans (aka hotel guests). Her proud owner, Rusty Dahler, the human concierge at the hotel, was thrilled to share Millie’s story with FETCH readers.

“Last fall the idea for a ‘hotel dog’ began to circulate,” says Dahler. “A great idea never happens easily,” he adds. “It takes a lot of determination and hard work.” He set to work finding just the right dog for the job, researching breeds and talking to breeders and decided on a smaller, non-shedding dog with a phenomenal temperament. Millie, whose name represents Milwaukee (first and third syllables), fit the bill perfectly. Born September 13, 2016, Millie went home with Dahler at eight weeks of age and by ten weeks was spending a few hours at a time at the hotel. She now spends 40 hours a week in the lobby and hotel, brightening the day for guests and employees alike.

As one would guess, training has been and continues to be a focal point for Millie. Dahler explains that it’s been a lot of work to train a puppy in such a large hotel and to teach her all the things she’ll need to learn including not jumping on guests and coming when called. Holly Lewis, a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and owner of Cold Nose Canine, has worked one-on-one with Millie as well as in group classes. “Millie’s private lessons are focused on specific skills that Millie utilizes at the hotel,” says Lewis. “Millie learned to stay out of specific areas of the hotel as well as showing guests where the restroom is from the concierge desk.” The “say hello” cue directs Millie to the check-in line where she greets guests. She may even bring along her favorite ball for someone to throw.

Other important tasks include riding luggage carts up to the rooms for deliveries and standing proudly on the podium at the front door, smiling and wagging her tail as guests arrive. “On the flip side,” adds Lewis, “it is really important for her to remain in tune with Rusty so she does not wander off and get distracted with a guest. Recall and focus are important points of Millie’s training.” The need to be able to easily adapt to the fast pace and changing environment of the hotel lobby is the biggest goal, according to Lewis. “There are always people and animals breezing through the lobby and it takes a special dog to be able to handle the activity,” says Lewis.

“Millie has changed the environment in our lobby by 100 percent,” shares Dahler. He knew she’d have an impact on the guests, but he never guessed the impact she’d have on the employees. They stop by the desk to share phone pics of their dogs and love on Millie as if she were their own. Fellow co-worker, bellman Jack Wood says, “Being able to experience Millie’s friendly and playful personality is the reason both myself and the guests keep coming back to see her every day.” Millie takes all the attention from guests and employees in stride, and that’s part of what makes her so special. “She gives a lot to her work,” says Dahler. She’s petted hundreds of times per day, often awakening from a nap because an eager guest really wants to say hello.

Like any hard working employee, Millie deserves and enjoys her time off. “Home is her restful space where she can do what she wants to do when she wants to do it,” says Dahler. “She enjoys walks on Brady Street, playing with dog friends at Pulaski Park and dog training classes at Cold Nose Canine,” he adds. She also enjoys the company of Oliver and Rose, Dahler’s two cats. “Oliver and Millie love to hang out and tussle together while Rose enters in only when she thinks it appropriate.” As for toy preferences, the more squeakers the better, but long toys she can play tug with are also preferred.

Dahler explains how rewarding it’s been to see her progress and to hear guests comment on how well-behaved she is. “She has brought smiles, laughter, and even tears to many within her short time here and we can’t wait for more of this to come as she grows older with the Hilton Milwaukee,” shares Dahler.

For more info check out “Millie At The Hilton” on YouTube; on Instagram at “hiltonmilwaukee” and on Facebook at Hilton Milwaukee City Center.

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ALL SPIRIT HEELING: Messages from Heaven

By STACY KRAFCYZK

It is very difficult when our animal friends leave their physical body and leave us here on earth without them. They form such a deep and healing bond with us that once they’re gone, they sometimes leave a hole and void in our homes and hearts. It is important to remember that animals come to us for healing and teaching as much as we go to them. More and more people are sharing their experiences, visitations and dreams of their animal companions coming back to them in the spirit form to say hello and make their presence known.

From the animal communication perspective, the soul never dies. It continues on in the spirit plane—some call it heaven—where it continues to help its human friends on the earth. Some even choose to be reborn into another animal body down the road, whereas others may remain in the spirit plane assisting us from that level.

Animals have shared that being in the earthly form of an animal is very heavy, dense and challenging for them to fully assist their human companions in their life. In the spirit form, they are limitless—evolving and helping us in so many ways—so it’s hard to be fully aware of “how” they’re assisting us.

It almost seems like they can move mountains for us, sending us the perfect new animal friends to join our pack, to make amends with friends or family members that were once estranged and even helping us find the right home. There are so many powerful validations of animal friends still helping from the other side.

One client shared that they waited until their dog passed away to move because they didn’t want to stress their dog out. Once the dog passed on, they moved within six months. The woman swore it was her dog that helped! The husband, a non-believer, saw footprints in the snow that started and ended in such a weird place that even he knew it had to be his dog. That night, the husband had a dream in which his dog said telepathically that he liked the new house and then happily trotted away. The husband woke up in tears with a heart full of love knowing his buddy saw the move and chose to visit the new house. This was all validated in the communication session, but the best part for me was that the people “knew” it before they even contacted me. I was able to validate that for them by what their doggie companion relayed to me. Beautiful!

Ways They Visit Us

One way is in dreams. We are the most open and least skeptical in our dream state. That’s why so many people receive “visits” this way. People tend to wake up very emotional and touched knowing in their gut that their animal friend came to them. Even people who don’t believe in an after-life will become believers once they’ve had an experience that I call “visits” from the other side.

Other experiences may be hearing their toe nails on the floor when no other animal is around or seeing a flash out of the corner of your eye. A person may even experience being touched, poked or even feel a pressure next to their body that can’t be explained. Some may hear tags jingling but no animals moving or walking around them. Or perhaps you just wake up and feel the animal’s presence next to you where they once laid. If a person keeps their animal’s picture displayed, or if they have a memorial set-up in the house, sometimes those objects move without anyone touching them. There are many amazing stories of this happening.

Another great example is in the vehicle:
You might hear noise in the back but have an empty car. A song may come on the radio that reminds you of them. Their leash or collar may be moved somewhere in your vehicle where is wasn’t prior. Sometimes your current animals won’t jump into the car because the spirit of the previous animal isn’t letting them in.

I’ve had several readings where people wonder why their animal is no longer jumping into their vehicle. Well, it’s because their previous animal used to do that when he or she was alive. So we would have to tell them to “stop” and allow the current animals into the vehicles. It’s the old analogy of “play nice guys.” It’s been quite comical and touching for clients because they feel funny saying those words out loud.

Some clients have also found feathers, coins and other weird items along their walking paths, at the dog parks, doggie daycares, vets and other locations that make them know their animals are still present. Other people have had magical experiences with butterflies, hummingbirds, dragonflies and birds acting strangely around them. Even landing on the tree or bush they planted for their deceased animal where they have never seen one there before.

When people who are grieving ask for signs, they come in many forms. We just need to be more aware and present in the moment, but it is hard not to feel like your drowning in the grief and pain. Each day, little by little, the pain will lessen, and you’ll begin to see signs regularly. Try to write them down when you begin feeling lonely or down, read the paper and warm your heart all over again. Savor these magical moments for years to come.

I’ve seen, felt and experienced great reunions of animals and souls, known or not, helping animals transition to the light (or heaven) that it brings tears to my eyes to witness such love, compassion and healing. Plus, it gives their human companions great comfort knowing that their transitions weren’t lonesome and that they were greeted by loved ones in the spirit plane.

There are so many examples of our loved ones and animals coming back to visit, and I’ve shared just a few. So pay attention when you receive little nudges from heaven. Remember that once our animal friends leave the physical, earthly realm, there is a grand celebration and reunion on the other side. Even our animals and human friends who have previously passed greet the new animals.

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ALL SPIRIT HEELING: The Magic Between Us

By STACY KRAFCZYK

Animals come to us for healing and teaching just as much as we come to them, however it’s on a much deeper scale than we know or can imagine. These animals are able to reach us at a depth that most humans are unable to access. Why? Because we feel safe with animals—safe to love them and safe to be loved back. This is an unconditional love that is very challenging to find and keep between human beings. That’s why when we lose our animal friends it is such a devastating loss and can be even more painful than losing a human family member.

Many of us have closed off our hearts due to hurt or betrayal caused by another. Sometimes even a devastating loss of a beloved animal or family member can cause us to “shut down” and deter us from wanting to love again.

However, when a new fur friend comes to us or we go out seeking one again, we slowly begin to open ourselves up. And depending on the demands of our new furry friend, we may need to stop what we’re doing and squat, sit, lay down or figure out what they’re trying to tell us. That’s when the magic begins to happen.

Not only do they look at us in our eyes, but also into the depths of our soul. No matter if you think you’re intuitive or not, it doesn’t matter because anyone who shares their life with an animal companion is already communicating with their animals subconsciously. It’s the energy you feel when you look into their eyes and your heart overflows with love. It’s the animal’s smirk that makes you laugh. That’s the magic.

First, make yourself open and ready to receive the message. Our animal friends are constantly trying to help us and heal us simultaneously. Other times, we are doing that for them. For instance, if they’re sick or not feeling well, we try to cater and baby them back to health. If they’re mad at us, and we all know when they’re mad at us, we try to sweet talk them by promising extra walks, treats, etc. The connection is so deep and so important to us that we don’t always realize what exactly we’re doing for them, but if we slowly begin to observe how we’re responding and/or behaving towards our fur babies, that opens up the door allowing the magic to seep in.

When it’s our animal friends’ turn to heal their humans, they turn on the healing magic when they lay by us while we’re sick or happily greeting us at the door if we’ve had a bad day. For example, a cat may lay on someone’s chest purring away day after day until their human is up and moving. Or a dog may lay by their person’s feet on the bed until they feel better. Some animals may lick the tears rolling down their humans face. Animals just know how their humans are feeling, physically and emotionally, so it’s no secret. They always know!

And we usually always feel better once we see, hug and kiss our fur friends. That’s more magic! Every little instance and interaction has a touch of magic for you both. You may not even see it at the time. Even when they chew up your shoes or get into the garbage, they’re trying to speak to you. So just sit down, breathe, close your eyes and take a second to pull yourself together so you may calmly figure it out. I’m not saying it’s easy, but it will help you to observe, reflect and possibly understand the animal’s message in the good and or uncomfortable situations that may arise.

Secondly, accept the message. Animals are great at pushing us to change. If you’re a hermit and don’t like to socialize but then get a very active and social pup, the pup is helping you to get out and mingle. Or if you’re an uptight person and you get a funny, comical and humorous animal that makes you laugh a lot, it’s for your own good. Maybe you have sworn off all animals and even people, but this little critter shows up at your door and slowly weasels its way into your heart forcing you to open it up again. Our journey here on the earth is to love and be loved, and our animal companions are able to assist us with that.

Keep in mind that if you have multiple animals around you, each one will have a different lesson it’s teaching you or will be helping you to heal differently. Most of the time, it’s going back to heal your heart and soul on many different layers. Take a few moments to observe, not judge, your animal friends, and begin to think of what that particular animal companion has taught you or helped you with.

You may know immediately their purpose on why they came to you, and with other animals it may take a few days to reveal itself, especially if you have intense and nervous critters. So be patient and allow the universe to bring you and your furry friends together in time. There may be a lot to learn and much to heal.

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