Cocktails + Mocktails For Your Dog

July 30, 2019

Cocktail for you, mocktail for your dog

[ This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of ZippyPaws. The opinions and text are all mine. ]

Who loves a good happy hour? My go-to drink is an Aperol Spritz, which I’m currently sipping on as I sit in a cafe in Paris—à votre santé (“cheers” in French)!

One of my biggest changes in 2019 was cutting down on the alcohol. I used to love a bottle of wine at night but now I have a drink or two a week, usually less, depending on what’s going on, ie: if there are any social events.

Ever since I started antidepressants in December, I sometimes go several weeks without a drink. BUT I never feel “limited” and try not to restrict myself. I just listen to my body and it’s definitely craving less. The changes are amazing! I feel more clear-headed, clean and not to mention, it’s less calories, sugar + money!

ZippyPaws recently sent us their new Happy Hour collection of toys and I thought it would be cute to put together some cocktails and dog-friendly mocktails, especially with us in summer. I’ve been a fan of ZippyPaws for awhile now and love how everything is so beautifully-designed and high quality. All of Weston + Fira’s toys have stood the test of time as well!

The Bloodhound

1 strawberries + 1 for garnish
¾ oz. dry vermouth
¾ oz. sweet vermouth
1 ½ oz. gin
ice

Strawberries are super ripe in the summer, so this is a perfect way to use them. 🙂 Muddle the berries in the bottom of a glass then mix in the rest of the ingredients.

Refreshing and sweet, you can make a dog-friendly version with just water + muddled strawberries!

Onto the next drink…

The Salty Chihuahua

1 oz. tequila
½ oz. Triple Sec
6 oz. grapefruit juice
Salt rim + grapefruit slice

This drink is pink and super adorable! To make it dog-friendly, I just pureed watermelon. I added some of the puree to the human-friendly drink too and think it goes really well as a blended summer drink.

(I was not sponsored by any alcohol brands lol but if any want to reach out, EMAIL ME nikcanvas@gmail.com :))

The French Bulldog

2 oz. gin
2 ¹⁄₂ oz. grapefruit juice
¹⁄₂ oz. St Germain

Yum! I read that gin goes really well with the tartness of grapefruit. I didn’t make a dog-friendly version of this, but had to add this because french bulldog!

The Toys

The pups are LOVING these toys. Why? Aren’t they just like every other toy, you ask? WELL, these squeak of course but the inside contains a special water bottle and you know how much pups adore chewing on those loud plastic things. It’s also removable which you can then throw the cover into the wash! Love.

You could add your own water bottle in it but it wouldn’t have the special noisemaker part. So make sure not to lose the included water bottle. Enjoy!!!

How To Get Rid Of Tear Stains

July 24, 2019

Ahh, the dreaded tear stains.

The one question I get THE MOST, by far, is “how do you get rid of tear stains?”

I have a lame answer: they don’t really get them.

Weston never really had them BUT I was looking at photos of baby Fira and she did have some dark undereyes. Well, I hear tear stains are mostly from diet and/or genetics.

From Pet MD:

“Brachycephalic (short nosed) dogs can be prone to tear stains. “The shape of the head and the way the eyes fit into the socket will affect whether a dog is prone to tear stains,” according to Klein. “This is because the connection to the muzzle can be configured in such a way that the tears accumulate instead of flowing through the ducts that normally drain them away from the eye.”

Now the diet…

When I got Fira (11 weeks old), her breeder recommended she stay on the food she was already on til she was 6 months old. So, she stayed on a puppy kibble but after 6 months, I then switched to homemade cooked foods + fresh human-grade foods from dog food companies.

Fira’s undereyes immediately cleared up and to this day, both Weston + Fira’s undereyes are so bright and white.

Fira at around 4 months old. You can see her wrinkles were very dark. We weren’t really that diligent about wiping them, admittedly, but her eyes did seem to water more when she was younger.

Unedited photo. You can really see them here.

8 months old. Starting to lessen.

1 year old!

June 2019.

I think food makes a HUGE difference. I’ve heard so many stories about switching food and their pups’ tear stains lessening or completely going away.

Making sure their water is only filtered can help. Even adding a teaspoon or two of apple cider vinegar (I’ve never tried it).

I just posted a new guest post from The Frenchie Journal on WTFrenchie blog covering different wipes, removers and a powder called Tylan that works!

Hopefully some of these tips will help. I know that some frenchies can just have darker underyes genetically but as long as you maintain their folds and keep them dry (in other words, bacteria-free), it should make a world of a difference.

What has helped your dog’s tear stains? Comment below!

My Top Picks From Amazon Prime Day

July 15, 2019

PRIME DAY

It’s that time again! Amazon is having their Prime Deals Day today and tomorrow (July 15 + 16th) and there are some great deals, especially for us dog parents. Here’s what’s already in my cart:

K9 Advantix II. Normally $67.99 and now $43.34. SUCH A GOOD DEAL. These are a must, especially in the summers. I don’t give Weston + Fira the oral pills for fleas etc so I get these topical ones. They usually go for a bath once a month and then right away I apply this!

Dyson Animal Pro Vacuum. We already have this and love it! I love that it’s not super bulky but since it’s a Dyson, you know you’re getting the strongest power. Originally $399 and now $279!

Pure Hepa Air Filter. An air filter is so nice to have, especially if you have pets and there is fur flying everywhere. This one is normally $99.99 but today and tomorrow = $79.99.

Furbo. An interactive camera with app that can shoot out treats! $199 now $134.99!

Double Collapsible Dog Bowl. How great is this for travel?! It collapses flat. Made of silicone so it’s easy to clean and wipe down. $29.99. Prime deal = $13.80.

Embark Dog DNA Test. Find out your dog’s true breed mix and any health issues. We tried it ourselves (read full review here) and totally recommend it. For Prime Day Deals, originally $199 now $135.

Phone Charging Passport Holder. This is so cool! This passport holder/wallet comes with its own power bank so your phone can always be charged. Normally $55. With prime deal = $35.75.

Universal Travel Adapter. All-in-one and works for over 150 countries. I totally need to upgrade mine so this is perfect! $19.98 but with prime deal = $15.08.

iTvanila Ultrasonic Humidifier. Los Angeles can have an especially dry climate (I really notice it when I come back from somewhere humid) so I like to have a few spread around the house. It helps with my allergies and I think just makes insides feel better, lol. This one is so sleek and really goes with our decor. $26.99

TravelPro Maxlite Luggage. This carry-on is adorable. It fits right under your seat on the plane and actually fits a lot more than I thought. There’s a packing video on the Amazon link. $69.99. Prime deal = $35.78.

Beyond Silence Ultralight Backpack. Kind of in love with this backpack. I hate carrying around heavy things, especially if it’s going to be hanging on your shoulders! Waterproof, packable (it folds down into a square) and super lightweight. $26.98. Prime deal = $18.89.

[ Where's The Frenchie is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and incorporates affiliate links. ]

Do You Know What Breed Your Dog Really Is?

July 8, 2019

DNA testing for dogs?

When I recently had the chance to find out Weston and Fira’s DNA, I jumped at it! Embark is a kit that tests for over 160 genetic health conditions and over 250 breeds, even wolf.

Being a french bulldog owner, I thought how perfect this is especially if you’re curious what kind of genetic future your dog could have. If your dog is predisposed to a health risk, you and your vet could tackle it sooner than later. The custom test results can also be sent to your vet.

What breed is my dog?

Although we already know what breed Weston + Fira are since they were from a breeder, this is such a cool feature for all the mixed mutts out there. How cool to know what characteristics your pup could have because of their breed etc. It’s always tricky finding the right breeder, so I could see this helping considerably for future dog owners.

With the growing popularity of french bulldogs, this would be great for breeders or even pup parents to know if their dog is mixed with anything else.

The kits we tried included health reports but the new Breed Identification Kit is only for finding out your dog’s breed mix. You can always upgrade later to get their health and traits reports ($99).

We swabbed the inside of their cheeks and inserted the special Q-tips back into their tube and popped ’em in the mail! Less than 4 weeks later, we got the results.

What are Weston + Fira?

100% French Bulldog!

Not that we were surprised, but the especially fun part was seeing how much “wolf” is in their DNA. Tiny Fira’s percentage is higher than Weston’s!!! Weston is so ashamed (lol).

It also shows predicted adult weight, although Weston + Fira’s actual weight is lower than the number they predicted. I guess because they were the runts of the litter! Genetic Age results are their current ages.

We also found out they did not test positive for any genetic diseases Embark scans for or common diseases in the breed including hereditary cataracts, kidney + bladder stones, degenerative disorder of the spinal cord and more. Yay!

French Bulldog Ancestry

Another cool feature is seeing where their mom and dad came from in the world. You can see the type of haplogroups and haplotypes your dog has which can explain how your dog’s ancestors migrated across the globe. You could also use this information to confirm their origins or verify their pedigree. You’ll also see a section that shows other dogs’ profiles who have done the test who share certain DNA (relatives?!).

Interesting stuff! We were so giddy opening their test results—it’s like finding out who their birth parents are or something, haha. Overall, I think this test is totally worth it to find out what breed(s) your furry loves are and more importantly, what potential diseases they could carry.

GIVEAWAY CLOSED

Congrats Laura Nelson!

Order your own kit now!

[ Disclaimer: Where's The Frenchie is not affiliated with Embark. We were sent these DNA kits for our honest review and experience. However, if you order through the button above, we will receive an affiliate comission which helps keep this blog running smoothly. We only recommend products we fully believe in! ]

The Most Instagrammable Spots: Brooklyn Edition

June 26, 2019

Guide to Brooklyn for Basic Bitches

Honey, you know I got my soapbox moments. Nothing drives me crazier than seeing basic bitches pushing people on an active road to get their shot for the gram on Water Street. You know, that street is so well known, even the world’s most beautiful couple (IMHO), Liv Lo and Henry Golding, took a shot here. (*where was I? Ten minutes away avoiding this street.)

[instagram: @henrygolding]

Anne Hathaway used to live a block away. Ah, back in the day she even gave Elle a little cuddle. Guess what? No phone that day. No shot, just good old human and hound interaction.

Why a guide to Brooklyn?

Because in Brooklyn we go hard, we go hard and you also should explore how wonderful and more to life there is than Manhattan. Come on take the adventure. You may even run into us, but don’t run us over to get your damn shots. Okay, bye soapbox.

WATER STREET SHOTS

Water Street has a view of the Manhattan Bridge, but if you scoot forward to where it’s legal and safe a few hundred feet, your dog and the views will reward you. You know, I write these so you will develop your own style and perspective on popular spots. So, move around, play with it. Zoom in on what’s behind the Goldings. Do you see that crowd? It is ever-present now the fickle sun has made an appearance. Zero in on the the ramp on the left side of them. Did your mind wheels begin turning? If you must insist on a shot here, try from this vantage point. Pick me up a $20 tip at the bank machine it gives you access to as well, cause you’re welcome bishes.

BROOKLYN BRIDGE PARK

Now you’ve made it to the end of Water Street, walk left towards the Brooklyn Bridge. Make your way to west elm, also dog friendly and has a cafe if you need mind-fuel. Really, you are coming here for shot number two. There are rocks, there are stairs, go up a flight. Find yourself between the BK and the Manhattan Bridge with epic views. Again, you’re safe, the views are insane and your dog will thank you.

JANE’S CAROUSEL

[instagram]

You may recall the haunting photos of Jane’s Carousel during Hurricane Sandy. With Manhattan suffering a blackout, and water rising, the lights of the 1922 created carousel remained on as Hurricane Sandy raged. The piece had long been sitting in storage, waiting for restoration that began in 1984 to make it’s 2010 debut in Brooklyn Bridge Park only to have the storm nearly wipe it out like it did so many parts of Brooklyn in 2012. It has been one of our favorite places, and the views are sensational. My dog seems drawn to the music of Jane’s Carousel and always love to sit outside staring as it goes around in circles. The views of The Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Skyline are not to be missed.

1 Hotel Brooklyn

Did you think you were done when you saw the Bridge? Darlings, round the tip as they say. And you’ll discover access to the water ferry, more importantly access to air conditioning, filtered water, Bocce Bakery Dog Treats and a friendly, cool wifi sustainable access cafe, Our Neighbors inside our favorite hotel.

INDUSTRY CITY: take the R to 36th Street and 4th. Walk down 36th to 3rd avenue, cross under the freeway to Industry City.

If you love food, this is a great spot that is not yet out of control and fun. Revitalized and thriving with small business and a PetCo, Industry City also provides ample photo opportunities in their elevators. I watched a female influencer dance for forty five minutes, play air guitar at the new Theresa Rivera designed flower installation. Bright neon signs, food vendors and many buildings to explore, make your way around this complex to find the different and beautiful spots. Outdoors includes sculptures, eating areas and views of the water. This is not an off-leash area, though it is dog-friendly throughout the office spaces like @shopfbl and our recent fave, The Brooklyn Candle Company. Leave a couple of hours to really enjoy this space and discover the many murals along the way inside and out like Japan Village.

Biggie Mural

1091 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11216

Homeslice was almost removed a few years ago. Fans schooled those who were trying to gentrify without respect. So, for our hip hop homies, we must direct you to Bedford, with an Old Dirty Bastard mural (*several included we promise along the way) a few blocks away. Pay homage to Biggie. It’s worth seeing.

You might hear whisper of “check it out, I like this” as you make your way to take in this giant mural of Biggie. I love street art and always look at the bottom of any mural due to that being where my beloved Frenchie Elle is going to be sitting. This is the spot for that Nasty Gal thick faux gold bling you’ve been sporting. This king also wears a crown, so make sure you match with gold accents of some kind. Bounce your head to the beats that come in your head. This is real Brooklyn, this is where the music comes from and the locals are friendly.

For Frenchie parents, there is a tremendous BONUS spot across Quincy Avenue, diagonal to the Biggie Mural. Next to D’s Do or Dine—a fun dive bar—is a tribute a fawn Frenchie, complete with crown and chain.

30 Wyckoff Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11237

[instagram]

You can take a walking tour, but we love meandering here on our own. You’ll see incredible art here as it is one of the most celebrated areas for street art cultivation.

From the heart of true OG Brooklyn to hipster glam, we made our way from DUMBO to Bedford and end with dog-friendly AF Williamsburg.

The Hoxton Hotel

[the dogist]

The Hoxton Hotel is dog friendly globally. Last year, the Williamsburg location opened, much to the delight of local dogs and hipsters. Open spaces hotels are so incredibly great to dogs, it’s a wonder more businesses do not share this idea.

Brooklyn Brewery

Kick back, you’ve had time to roam the streets, now it’s time to enjoy yourself, dogs welcome. Sunday evenings through Wednesdays are easier to get spots and enjoy having your dog there without insane crowds. Check for events.

Dog Friendly Road Trip to Mendocino County

June 18, 2019

We just got back from a 6 day road trip up the Central Coast of Cali! Ok, so in 6 days we really squeezed in a lot of stops and miles (1000+!). Since we had a tight schedule, we really made the most of it.

My friend Liz was visiting from England and it was her first time in California aaand it was the first time for Fira and I doing this drive up north too- finally! The farthest north I had been before was San Luis Obispo (besides San Francisco), so I was super excited to venture up with the girls.

(325 miles north of Los Angeles)


[ S. GREG PANOSIAN GETTY IMAGES ]

We left LA early and headed north. We got really lucky and the weather was 80+ degrees most days! We blasted the AC for Fira, went through some of Bob Dylan’s hits and picked up Del Taco (being from England, this was on the top of Liz’s list).

Carmel was home to actress + animal activist Doris Day, who was co-owner of Cypress Inn–deemed one of the most pet friendly hotels in the country. It’s a tiny town but it packs a punch with its adorable fairy-tale style buildings and story-book homes. We took Fira for a walk to the beach and loved pointing out all the different style houses!

We stayed one night at Hotel Carmel (totally recommend) and what else did we do? Food and wine tastings!

DOG FRIENDLY RESTAURANTS IN CARMEL

Forge in the Forest. Beautiful outdoor patio with fireplace and even a doggie menu.

Casanova. European cuisine open for dinner and an outdoor patio once frequented by Van Gogh.

Portabella. French/italian in a gorgeous cottage + patio.

WINE WALK TASTING ROOM PASSPORT

Did you know you can purchase a passport and have tasting flights in any 10 of the 13 rooms in Carmel? From reading all the reviews online, it looks like dogs are welcomed in all!

(275 miles north of Carmel)

After a beautiful drive through the redwoods, we finally arrived to Mendocino for the first stop: a wine tasting at Maple Creek Winery (located in Mendocino’s famed wine country and about a 45-minute drive from the Mendocino Coast)! Very dog friendly and the Cowboy Red is a must.

Maverick, Fira + Chompers

If you guys are ever in Mendocino, plsss stay at Little River Inn. We stayed two nights and it was just what we needed. Spectacular view of the sea, delicious food and so quiet + relaxing.

DOG FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES IN MENDOCINO

Anchor Charter Boats.

Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. $14/person. Pets free.

Catch A Canoe. Canoes made especially for dogs! This was such a blast! We had a guided tour and about 2 hours on Big River.

Skunk Train. Historic scenic train journey through the redwoods. Tickets from $27+.

We headed back down south, spent the day driving and then the night at a random motel in Fremont. In the morning, we drove a few more hours and arrived to Big Sur. We didn’t sleep over but we had the whole day to just lounge and stop at the beaches for sun–ahh. 🙂

Certain areas of Pfeiffer State Park + campgrounds are dog friendly and dogs are allowed on Pfeiffer State Beach. Here’s a great dog-friendly guide from a fellow traveler.

I want to go back and next time will stay at the famed Ventana! Dogs are welcome for $150/stay and they even offer glamping.

250 miles later, we arrived in Ojai! Ooh, was I tired and grumpy at this point, lol. I immediately got a massage for my aching back at Bamboo Creek (chinese massage, $48/hr) and we refreshed ourselves with some wine at Ojai Valley Inn.

DOG FRIENDLY RESTAURANTS IN OJAI

Hip Vegan. My fave lunch spot here- every dish is so spot-on with flavor.

Boccali’s. A true Ojai family-owned classic. Huge portions of pasta + garlic bread.

Farmer + Cook. Farm-to-table mexican/vegan food.

Oak Grill. Delicious Californian cuisine at Ojai Valley Inn.

Don’t forget to check out my Dog Friendly Ojai Getaway Guide!

Watch out for poison oak! Apparently, there’s been a huge overgrowth of poison oak in the Central Coast area and somewhere/somehow I got into some. I’m now itching like crazy and waiting for these rashes to go away!

HOME TOUR: Jenna from House on Hawk

May 16, 2019

House on Hawk

I met Jenna briefly a few months ago at my first Alt Summit and once I took a look at her site, we needed to do a House Tour asap! Her home in Schenectady, New York is a full house of DIY renovations, beautiful light and two adorable Boston Terriors (and a husband + 4 girls!). BTW- this DIY Modern Privacy Fence post is bookmarked. Perfect for pup parents and at a fraction of the cost.

Now let’s get to the gorgeous photos!!

How would you describe your interior style?

I would definitely describe my style as Mid Century Eclectic. Each space has a touch of several different styles with a base of mid century modern. We love light, bright and minimal and it can be reflected throughout our home.

What’s your favorite room and why?

Such a tough question! Had you asked me this a month ago I would have said my living room or master bedroom but today it is definitely my kitchen. The kitchen is the heart of every home and now that we have wrapped up our renovation I can really feel it in this space.

What’s the most personal piece of furniture or decor in your apartment?

The most personal piece of furniture in our home is our dining room table. It is the first big purchase we made after buying our home and our first table that was big enough to seat us all. It has become a place for gathering as a family after a long day to share about the good as well as the bad, where we play games on the weekends and entertain during the holidays. It has become a staple in our everyday.

What is your dogs’ favorite room?

We have two Boston terriers: Beau who is 3 years old and Bennie who is 6 months old. Just like their personalities, they each have different favorite spot in our home. Beau loves the peace and quiet of our oldest daughter’s bedroom. He will spend most mornings and afternoons lounging on her bed in the sun waiting for her to get home from school. Bennie, on the other hand, loves to be in on the action. More often than not you can find him on our living room sofa sleeping the day away but ready to play at a moments notice.

What is your favorite DIY piece you’ve made?

My favorite DIY has not be a piece but rather a space. We did all of the work for our kitchen ourselves. From the planning to demo and putting it all back together again. Sometimes the spaces that make you the most happy are the ones that you pour your own blood, sweat and tears into and for me that has definitely been our kitchen. A piece of advice I have for someone looking to DIY is just go for it!

What are your favorite interior instagrams?

Some of my favorite DIY and Interior Design pages to follow are @chrislovesjulia, @studiomcgee, @vintagerevivals, and @em_henderson among others. There are so many good ones and they each have something to offer.

You can find Jenna at her blog and IG @thejennaogle.

[ Where's The Frenchie is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and incorporates affiliate links. ]