We’re not suggesting you go out and buy your dog a new heart valve just because Lance Armstrong spent $10,000 patching up his pup at Colorado State University. But it did get us thinking that there are plenty of other ways to keep our animal friends healthy.
Make dog breath
play dead
Developed in Durango to help keep active dogs from bonking on the trail, Zuke’s line of nutrition treats has expanded to include the Z-Ridge bone, a yummy chew treat that helps douse dog breath.
$2.89 EACH; AVAILABLE AT WHOLE FOODS,
VITAMIN COTTAGE AND SPECIALTY RETAILERS AND ZUKES.COM
Artful feeders
You already knew not to put red food coloring in your hummingbird feeders, but these gorgeous art-glass globes by BirdBrain help eliminate the urge and are almost as pretty as the hummers themselves.
$35-$50; AVAILABLE AT
PERENNIAL GARDENER IN OLD TOWN FORT COLLINS
These boots are made for barkin’
Keep Fido’s feet fit with 3D Bark’n Boots, the same brand of paw covers used by the big dogs in military search and recovery. Protects pads from hot or slick surfaces, sharp rocks, snow and ice, and maybe even the hazards of city-dog life.
$38; AVAILABLE AT COLORADO CANINES IN BOULDER,
CB PAWS IN CHERRY CREEK NORTH AND RUFFWEAR.COM
Feed the squirrels
Give a squirrel food of its own and it will stop gnawing your trees and dumping your birdfeeder. At least that’s the prevailing backyard wisdom. Grand Island, Neb., entrepreneur Dr. Dave makes it easy with six ears of high nutrition, trademarked Squirr-Oil packaged in a handy carrier, four carriers to a case.
$39.80 PER CASE; AVAILABLE AT
SQUIRR-OIL.COM
Catty messages
Potter and cartoonist Tom Edwards says what a lot of people are thinking, one panel at a time on pieces of porcelain thrown and glazed at his Evergreen studio. The Wallyware cat bowl is among the tamest of his socially charged messages.
$20; AVAILABLE AT WALLYWARE.BIZ AND SELECT LOCAL RETAILERS
