Noche Buena or No Noche Buena? That is the Question

In the spirit of Christmas, we Pinoys always have Noche Buena. This is the feast usually done just before or during the midnight of Christmas Eve. Noche Buena literally translates to "good night." It is a time of good and plentiful food. It is a tradition, one we so love.

But be warned, pet parents, as much as we wish to include our babies we must be cautious and conscientious. Our dogs and cats have small bodies. A bowl full might be so much for one to finish. 

I remember my mother giving my baby Robin so much noche buena feast with lechon, ube, rice, beef, etc. that he gained a kilo in two weeks. He's only a pom. Please be conscientious of what you give them. Small bones and too much fatty food can get them sick. Now Robin is suffering from hyper acidity. As much as we wish to include them or use them as waste disposal, please moderate your pet's feeding this Christmas season!

Merry Christmas and Happy New year!

Babies' Wishlist

Of course, our babies don't get to a have a say so we say it for them. What else do our fur babies want? Treats, treats, treats!

Robin (4yo Pomeranian)

1. Soft cotton shirt (28" chest)
2. Vitality
3. Treats with no chicken
4. Chew bone
5. Rope toys

Chichi (2 yo Miniature Chihuahua)

1. frilly dresses 
2. Milk Treats
3. Marshmallow

Bambi (2 yo Apple head Chihuahua)

1. Toys
2. Treats
3. Toys
4. Treats

Prince (1 month Miniature Chihuahua)

1. Blankets
2. my own harness
3. Soft Treats
4. Boxes to hide in. (I think I'm a cat!)

 Merry Christmas everyone!

Tired of the Same Dog Food?

Dog parents can relate to this dilemma.

Sometimes, dogs get tired of the same monotonous dog food. It's hard for us to resist them when they beg for a scrap or two. How will we make sure they eat their food?

Here's a way we tried with Robin: We gave him carrots. He loves it. He likes cucumber and a bit of apples too. To make sure he eats his daily dietary requirements, we mixed in the chopped veggies into his dog food. Ta-da! Salad a-la dog food!

We are not sure how this would work for cats. :-)

We hope this tip is useful! Let us know your thoughts!

Little Fashionista

Meet Tinkerbelle Bernards, our lovely Toy Poodle. She is our pet of the Month for November 2014.
Tink loves to dress up. She knows her style and knows how to pose.

See more of Tink this month!

Pet of the Month

Tinkerbelle, our lovely little toy poodle is November's pet of the month.

She's fashionable and friendly!

More photos of Tink this month!

Purple Pets!

Mini Fashion Show at Sun Valley Dog Club Event

 Baby Moon Pawprints was invited to host a mini fashion Show Last Oct. 5 at SM Bicutan. The mini fashion show was composed of seven volunteers plus the designer. The theme of the show was Victorian Dandies.

Reniza and Timtim as a Dandy and his Madam.

Robin in Purple!

Petiquette for Non-Pet Owners: Going to Events

Petiquette for Non-Pet Owners Series. Article 2.

This series is a guide for non-pet owners. Proper Petiquette should apply not only to those with pet but also to those without pets who come into contact with pets.

It is lovely to walk in the mall or the park and see a pet event. A lot of beautiful pets are out on display. You can interact with pets and pet parents. You can take pictures too. Be warned. Even if you are not a pet parent, you still have to follow some Petiquette for a meaningful experience.

Dos

• ·         Talk to pet owners first before petting the pets.
• ·         Smile at everyone. Start your conversation with a smile, a greeting then a compliment. It works wonders!
• ·         When a dog is blocking you way, do ask the owner nicely to move their dog.

Don’ts

• ·         Just take close up picture of pets without asking.
• ·         Use flash in taking pictures. Pet’s might get blind or they might get stressed.
• ·         Just offer food to any pet. They might not take to it or you might ruin their diet. Ask first.

These three dos and don’ts are so easy to follow in any scenario.

Purple Your Pet!

It's Domestic Violence Month and we urge you to join the movement!

DDLC's Pawsion Sunday

Here is the short write up written by Mr. Jake Tadla of DDLC about the Pawsion Event that took place in SM Lanang Davao City. 

We Filipinos, being traditional and family-oriented as we are, save up Sundays to spend quality time with our dear ones. Last 14th of September 2014 was no different. However, it was a significant day laid out for our furry loved ones and their human parents to dress up and impress the eager crowd by gracing the catwalk.

The Davao Dog Lovers Community (DDLC), in cooperation with Mini Air Dog Cafè, Philippine Siberian Husky Club Inc. Davao Pack, Red ROCK Designs and Prints, with the outstanding help of Pongee Party Shop, The Mindanao Daily Mirror, Davao Kendo Club, Baby Moon Pawprints, and Jade's Cargo, and through the accommodating grounds of SM Lanang Premier, we were able to showcase the unconditional and exemplary friendship of man and dog through a one of a kind fashion show and theme-based photo contest.

Twenty-seven (27) human-dog teams proudly participated in the fashion show and sixteen (16) photographs were hung on the board at the SM Fountain Court for everyone to appreciate. Aside from the Pawsion participants, event goers together with their furkids dressed up in accordance to the fun height of the show and were recognized during thw program as our audience pawsionistas. Chelo Femiz & Sparkle (1st - fashion show), Carlito Laurel & Missue (2nd - fashion show), Eugene Maning & Pewee (3rd -fashion show), Joy Raphanan & Dexter (1st - audience pawsionista), Gianne Tuazon & Wicca (2nd - audience pawsionista), and Alan Lee Lopez & Peanut (3rd - audience pawsionista) bagged the respective recognition at the end of the event. All fashion show and audience pawsionista winners received specially handcrafted hats from Baby Moon Pawprints. Through the in betweens of the programme, trivia winners also received dog fashion clothes from Paws Avenue.

Everybody also witnessed and was awe-inspired by the dog wedding of Agong of Mini Air Dog Cafè and Dobbie (friend of the cafè owner) stated their vows and marked the start of their dog days as mates.

Occasions like this envision to strengthen the unconditional bond between man and dog. This event was also a venue for the four-pawed creatures and their parents to socialize and share their stories with their fellow, as well as learn to make their relationship better through every joyous day, may it be warm or cold.

Special and utmost gratitude to those who helped in making our furkids' fab up experience an absolute blast. That day is already a memory well-kept for the jovial disposal of the future.

Photo credits: Davao Dog Lovers Community Facebook Page.

 

Petiquette for Non-Pet Owners: Parties

Pettiquette for Non-Pet Owners Series. Article 1. 

This series is a guide for non-pet owners. Proper Petiquette should apply not only to those with pet but also to those without pets who come into contact with pets.

Pet parties are all the rage nowadays. You might just get invited to one. If you are uncomfortable attending a party with animals, say so. When they ask to RSVP, respond please. Pet parents giving a pet party is a way for them to celebrate their time and love for their pets. It’s just proper etiquette to accept or decline with grace. 

If you accept, they will be expecting you. Food is usually counted because they have to prepare for two sets, one for humans and another for pets. Some even prepare for three sets, adults, children and pets. If you are bringing others with you, tell your host.

Since it is a pet party, ask for the theme. Dress accordingly and bring a gift. For pets celebrating their first year of age, you usually give useful things like teething toys, plushies, blankets and training tools. For older pets, it’s nice to give chewable rawhides, rope toys and the like. Don’t give garment unless you know the size and preference of the pet. In giving treats, if you don’t know the dietary restrictions, better to stick to toys. If you are close to the owners and know that they don’t mind, gift them with used towels. They could use it under the pet bed or convert it into toys or rug. Things to also consider giving are fruits and veggies. Apples and carrots are the safest. Arrange them in a basket or wrapped well in ribbons. Safest things for gifts are colorful leash, pet toys, blankets, and gift certificates. Price is not an issue when giving. You must not equate cash value to what you expect the party to be. The fact that you are invited means your host thought about you. Giving a gift is just a way of saying thank you.

Upon leaving the party, thank your host and with their pets well. Enjoyed yourself or not, it is good manners to say thank you for thinking about them and taking time to invite them. If you noticed you are one of the last ones to leave, offer to help clean up. Even if it’s just picking up paper hats, bottles and putting away dishes. 

Our Pet of the Month for Sept 2014

Mama and Party Pooch

Pet Parent Anne De Guzman and Pet Diesel Madison wearing reusable Pet Party Hat by Baby Moon!

Poor or Pampered

Is your pooch poor or pampered?

Is your pooch caged or chained the whole day? That is a sign or a sorry dog.

Do they eat their fill and have two types of treats and three kinds of toys? They have a favorite blanky and a plush pillowed bed? Then that means they are pampered.

What is your pooch?

Dressing the Dogs

Photo credits: Hello Miss Dar Photography!

Remember when dressing your dog, to dress them responsibly. Do not over do it and make sure the total weight they carry of clothes + accessories will only be 20 to 30% of the weight of the pet.

Have a great day!

Paws for a Cause

We'll be giving prizes!

Petiquette for Yaya

·         Yaya is the colloquial term for house maid or nurse maid. A more politically correct term is kasambahay. It literally translates to those who live with us at home.

Just because we left our babies to our Kasambahay doesn’t mean we relinquish all responsibilities. If you find out from the law, if the dog bites somebody the person liable is the owner not the minder. It is the owner’s job to make sure the dog is behaved through education or proper classes. If you are a bit iffy on your pet’s behavior, better keep them in the house.

Now, picture yourself so busy that you have no time to take pooch out to walk. You ask Yaya to take them for a walk. First and foremost, Yaya should be prepared and willing to take your dog out. Some yayas are scared of dogs. Before selecting our Kasambahay, we ask them if they like dogs. They even come to the house to see the dog before accepting the job. It is important for all to get along. Now, yaya is happy to take your pooch to the park for you. Show her the proper commands. If you can, give her a test run with you. Sometimes, it is your dog who freaks out when there is a change of routine. A test run with yaya is in order.

Next, prepare the things yaya will need. Your dogs need leash, water and poopie kit.  Sometimes, I give yaya a treat to bribe pooch in case he turns belligerent. Don’t forget the poopie kit and enforce this on yaya. Most villages and park have fines for owners not cleaning up after them. Tell yaya to bring plastic and newspaper all the time.

Lastly, enforce a time schedule on yaya. As harsh as it sounds, you must do this. At times, our yayas take a side trip to meet their friends in the village taking your babies with them. I had a yaya once and she took my baby for three hour walks. They leave at 2pm and come back five to half-past five. When my dog comes home, he runs under the table and sleeps in exhaustion. They didn’t do much walking but my yaya tended to talk a lot and flirt a lot. She can go sit with other yayas for hours leaving my baby to wait with her. The heat outside was getting to my dog. When I realized this, I asked them to just take an hour and no more.

Now, make sure your yayas understand the why’s of petiquette. Petiquette may be for a good mannered pet owner but it also helps us avoid getting into trouble. That goes for your yayas as well. Forearm them with knowledge and you will be at ease when they go out for walks.

Gift Giving 101 for Cats

So, what do you give as gifts for pets in a party? It is not as easy as selecting something in the department store. First, let us know the reason for the party. Cats are much simpler to give gifts to than dogs.

First birthday: Congratulations, it’s a kitten. Kittens are a bit different than puppies. For one thing, they are just an innocent bundle of joy!

What best to give: Balls, blankets, treats, gift certificates, books.

Second birthday and up: Cats are more or less more consistent than dogs. It would not matter to then what age they are. They know they are gown up cats and demand to be treated so. By this age, the have taken to a specific brand of cat food and treats. It is hard for them to try new food items and not all cats eat fruits.

What best to give: scratching post, toy mouse, laser toys, extra blankets or old clean towels.

Blessings and milestones: Most cats hardly achieve milestones because they are secretive. They don’t usually let their pet parent know what they have accomplished, good or bad. When the pet parent do catch them in the act, a party is in order.

What best to give: congratulatory card, books, gift certificates, unique pet gadgets.

Celebrating adoption (newly adopted kitten): It’s a baby! It’s a kitten! It’s a bal of love! So, like a puppy adoption, it is like a baby shower. Show them love by giving necessities.

What best to give: scratching post, bowls, unique pet gadgets, blankets, treats, toys.

Celebrating adoption (older, rescued cat):  Celebrating rescue adoption is celebrating commitment. There are problems in adopting rescue especially if the pet has suffered trauma. Congratulate and pat the pet owner’s back by coming to the celebration.

What best to give: congratulatory card, unique pet gadgets, blanket, books, toys. Ask if they have bed and cat food. It’s lovely to aid the adopters too.

What not to give: As in any pet, Don’t give pet food unless you know the dietary restrictions of the pet. Don’t give clothes if you don’t know the size or preference of the pet and pet owner. Consider the views of the pet owner before giving clothes.

Never give mixed message items. Even if you know the diet of the pet, giving them “diet” food shouts you are affirming their pet is overweight. Giving things like deodorizing sprays and air freshener says you think they smell bad.

Never give items from a dead pet like their old bed, old toys, old bowls. A pet knows this and might take offense.

Don’t give very expensive things unless you are very close to the pet owner. Items like jewelry, expensive carriers, strollers and such are a bit too much for party gifts.