Sometimes love just wants to go out for a nice long walk.
Because love loves exercise. It will run you around the block
and leave you panting, breathless. 

–Taylor Mali,
from ‘Falling in Love is Like Owning a Dog’ 

 

I can’t imagine how I would spend my days without my dogs.

Well, obviously I can imagine, but my life would just be missing something without a dramatic morning hug and face licking (she’s up! she’s up!), without a pup keeping my feet warm all day, without two four-legged friends greeting me every time I walk in the door regardless of how long I’ve been gone as if they’d been waiting all their lives for just this moment, without a furry beasty sitting by my side as I type into the night, pressed up as tightly against me as I will allow.

Naturally we try to make our animals’ lives richer, as they have for us. That means toys and bones; tasty, good-for-them food and treats; sweaters and beds; and lots and lots of cuddle time.

 

It also means letting them leave their everyday environs and join in the activities we love. Like hiking and hitting the beach.

So many new things to smell! So many exotic places to pee!

Active dogs are healthy dogs. According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, an estimated 55.6% of pups in the US are overweight or obese. Jimmy is looking kind of jumbo-sized these days, so we’re looking to get him moving more.

Getting outside has benefits for everyone, even our four-legged companions: keeping their weight in check prevents a host of health problems like heart and joint issues, not only ensuring they’ll keep us company longer but stay more comfortable during their time with us. And the more fun outdoor time is for everyone, the more you (and your tech-addicted kids) will keep doing it.

 

 

You know what’s fun? Outdoor gear just for dogs.

I recently was sent a gift card to try out and review Alcott Adventures, which “features an array of dog products, offering pups + their people an adventurous lifestyle, whether on a walk around the block or a trip around the globe.”

I love that their focus is not so much on pampering your dogs, but supporting adventures that you can take with them: you can actually search the online site either by category or by adventure (Essentials, Explorer, Traveler, Mariner). They carry the expected high-quality collars and leashes, toys and beds, but specifically ideal for travel— slimmer, more comfortable and lightweight.

They also have all of these items which just beg for epic outdoor fun for the four-legged. Maybe this summer I’ll brave camping and boating with the kids and dogs? Or is spending a lot of time in the backyard and on park trails enough to justify a pup tent and UV goggles? Perhaps 🙂

• Mariner Life Jacket, UV Goggles, Pup Tent
• Adventure Backpack (one pocket is insulated!), portable paw and claw resistant Inflatable Pool, trailer wagger Collar Charm, Visibility Dog Vest

 

With the gift card I opted for the Cooling Bandana (1) and Visibility Bandana (2) for Karma, our Saint Bernard. The Cooling Bandana has water-absorbing beads inside it, so it can be soaked and put on her to help keep her cool on hikes or just in the heat of summer. The Visibility Bandana makes me feel a little secure about her being outside alone since we border on state park land where deer hunting is allowed; I can’t help but think her size and white tail mean that mistaking her for a deer isn’t completely out of the question. Normal people would probably think about visibility to other hikers or to cars while out on a walk, particularly at dawn and dusk.

Jimmy aka “The Dogness” received an upgrade to his bulky harness, which has never fit well and seems like it’s hot to wear when the temperature rises. The Adventure Harness (3) clips around the neck like a collar and then has two clips around the waist, so I don’t have to make him step through to put it on, and a lightweight chest pad. In addition to the standard harness ring placement further back, this one has a ring at the collar to attach a leash to (Jimmy seems to like this better).

 

 

I’m always worrying over what size to buy for our dogs; I literally spent hours agonizing over Christmas sweaters and collars. Karma is tall and slim for her breed (Jeff calls her a racing Saint Bernard) and Jimmy just the opposite, long but short and stocky, a beagle mixed with something much more barrel-chested.

The harness adjusted perfectly. Alcott reinvented dog sizing to make it easy on their humans; generally speaking, if you buy a medium collar, you’ll also use a medium in all the other Alcott products.

Which is why I went for a medium in the other purchase I made through Alcott with my own money. Karma got two things, so I had to get Jimmy two— gotta keep it even steven with our babies, amiright?

 

Look how super handsome and Red Baronesque he is in his Bomber Jacket. He’s the Top Gun of beagle mixes.

You can search for a store that carries Alcott Adventures using this store locator, but if like me your nearest location is at least an hour away, you’ll find the online store a treat to browse. Shipping was fast and well-packaged.

 

GIVEAWAY!

Alcott Adventures is offering one of my readers a $25 gift card to help kickstart your next adventure, whether it’s a swim in the lake or a run around the block. Just visit AlcottAdventures.com and leave me a comment with what product you would like for your canine companion!

For an optional second entry, send out a tweet about your adventures with your dog, tagging @FunWithAlcott and the hashtag #DogsLoveAdventure. Make sure to leave a 2nd comment with your Twitter @name letting me know you did.

This giveaway will end at 11:59pm on Sunday, March 30. One winner will be selected at random and notified using the email address used to leave comments.

 

Ever taken your dog camping? Anything I should know?

 

P.S. The whole I was typing this I was thinking of my favorite dog adventure video— it makes me smile widely and tear up unabashedly every time I see it. Do yourself a favor and watch!

 

 

 

Also, just for fun: puppy photoshoot outtakes 🙂