Beco Scoop

I know you guys have been on the edge of your seats waiting to find out what a BecoScoop is. The wait is over! A BecoScoop is just a regular litter scoop. Sorry.

"the eco-friendly litter scoop"

BUT! It's an environmentally friendly scoop and is made of the same material as the BecoTray, and I now own one. It's matchy matchy with our BecoTray, which makes scooping the litter box more fun, right? Right. That's what I keep telling myself. It's like when Mike bought me a tennis racquet and I was REALLY into tennis for about a day. It's starting to wear off. 

Out With The Old, In With The New

I could probably just start another blog all about litter boxes. Good grief. If you've been following my blog since the beginning, you know that I HATE litter boxes. In the last few years, we've been through more than a few boxes. We've also tried our fair share of types of litter: clay, s'wheat scoop, newspaper pellets, pine pellets, you name it. 

Our most recent acquisition was a litter mate automatic self-cleaning box. When we first brought it home, life was good. That little robot really knew it's stuff, and did its job well. Well, for the past month it's been slowly neglecting its duties. For the past week, it's been going back and forth with the idea of retiring altogether. I usually don't like to touch the littler box at all, but it seemed like every day I was scooping a box that was supposed to scoop itself. WHAT HAPPENED TO THE DRIVE AND LOYALTY OF OUR ROBOT?! 

This time technology doesn't win. Buh-bye, robot. Your time with us is finito. In all honesty, even though it's labelled as suitable for multi-cat households, I think it would do better with a single cat, which is why it will get a second chance at my mom's house.

So, out with the old, and in with the new. Seeing how we were scopping the box everyday anyway, we decided to kick it old school and revert back to the good ol' days of a regular box with no robot required. In the past, we've usually had a covered box, but this time around we decided to be crazy and go with a regular pan, since we plan on scooping daily. 

Introducing our new litter box (isn't this blog exciting?), the BecoTray.

It's "the eco-friendly litter tray". From the label:

"becotrays are made from the natural plant fibres found in bamboo and rice husks. this makes them both sustainable to produce and biodegradable when finished with. so while they will last for years in the home, they are also completely eco-friendly. combine your becotray with a becoscoop, and keep your floor clean as well as the environment."

Anywho, the litter box has been setup and has been christened by Loki. While taking photos of it, he came to check it out. I put down the camera and filled it up when I realized that he actually needed to use it. It's a hit! Now I just need to find out what a becoscoop is.

High Fashion on the High Seas

Odie is becoming quite the dock dog. We just returned from another ocean adventure, and she gets more comfortable being on a boat with each visit. She was hopping between docks like a pro this time. Go Odie! Of course to suit this new love of the ocean (okay, she doesn't love it), her wardrobe needed to become a bit more nautical, and what addition would be better than some couture? Yes, I'm insane. We wouldn't want all the other yacht chihuahuas to laugh at her though. 

The Hampton Dress by Ruff Ruff Couture is perfect
for hanging out with your Grandpa on the water.

She really is the perfect dog for a boat. When we went to visit the Museum & Archives, or out for dinner, she stayed on the boat and just had a snooze. The great thing about this little coastal community is that it's extremely dog friendly. Most restaurants have tie ups for your dog on their patios, and almost all businesses have bowls of water outside. Odie scared a girl at breakfast on one restaurant's patio when we were entering, by putting a paw on her leg. The girl freaked out thinking it was a mouse. Oh, tiny dogs, you little pranksters.

Keeping an eye on things for us

 There was a festival going on, and there were people and dogs EVERYWHERE! I had to pick Ode up a few times, because people just honestly couldn't see her.

Taking in a parade

Odie's not the only animal on the docks though. A boat a couple down from ours has a live aboard cat! It owns that place.

Coming over for a visit

Our whole family has matching t-shirts (yeah, we're those people) that have our title on the front and a quote and the boat's name on the back. Odie's title is "Salty Dog". 

Custom shirt from cafepress.ca

We were all trying to stay awake until dark for the fireworks, and we made it! Well, we didn't all make it. 

All tuckered out!

The next morning, it was time to take off. We went to set a crab trap, and then went for a kayak in a nearby bay. Odie tolerates kayaking, but she certainly isn't the biggest fan. It's necessary when you're anchored or tied though, so she can have a little jaunt around on the shore and do her business. She reluctantly had a little swim between Mike and I, and she's not the biggest fan of that either. At one point she just bobbed in the water. Good thing she has a life jacket!

Outward Hound Life Jacket

It's always nice to have a few days of rest, relaxation and exploring. When you're boating, it always feels like you're so far away from the place you started, when really you've probably only travelled a 10 minutes drive. It's so nice being on the ocean and seeing all the local wildlife. 

Mike plays Captain for awhile

Cruising around the bay

That's not a crab

Right after we lost her leash and
resorted to using a string

What a natural

Sad to see the coast in our rearview mirror

Rain or Shine

The past week has been pretty rainy, but I'm not complaining. I love the rain. Odie does not. I had been eyeing up this RC Pet Products raincoat in the pet store every time I went in, and yesterday I finally tried it on Ode. It was too cute and too nice to take off. Probably one of the most frivolous purchases I've made, as she doesn't often go out in the rain. However, it will come in handy in the winter, as it's waterproof, and lined with a lightweight fleece. 

My review is two big thumbs up! I love this jacket. It's great quality, and was made with small dogs in mind (although the company has rainwear and many other jackets made for large dogs specifically). It was pricey, but I'm sure we'll never have to buy another. 

Some of the features of the 'Robson Rainwear' are reflective piping, a leash access pocket, and detachable hood. The hood will be permanently detached in our case, because Odie just stands still when it's on. With it off, she seems super comfortable in it.

Of course, today it's gorgeous outside. We spent the day getting some much needed sun, and of course we brought the little monkey along. We probably won't actually need the rainwear until the fall. C'est la vie. Viva la summer!

My Little Taco

A friend of ours had a Cinco de Mayo/May the Fourth Be With You themed birthday party, and Odie was cordially invited to boost the Mexican atmosphere. Everyone was encouraged to wear a costume, and Odie was no exception. A black dog sweater, felt fabric and some ribbon lead to a pretty cute little taco. Unfortunately she was feeling a little under the weather the night of, but that didn't stop us from making a card.