dog care – La Jolie Frenchie

Move Over Bones–We Got Balls!

January 17, 2022January 17, 2022 Sabrina A.W.

I love felting wool! I have a lovely alpaca farm, not too far from home, that sells some really beautiful, natural wool that I love to work with. I really enjoy making felt dryer balls with cute designs on them. Know who else really digs them? Daisy! She snags them and takes off with them all the time! That’s when I thought…well why not? I decided to do a little research and found that wool toys are a great option for pets. I now make and sell hand-felted wool balls for pets and wanted to share with you some of the benefits of these toys.

Benefits of felted wool toys:

dogs love natural smells and textures
they are free of chemicals and unnatural dyes–our dogs love tennis balls but they are made with treated plastic…ewww!
wool is digestible–a little wont hurt them but of course a whole toy will so always supervise when your dog is chewing any toy and remove if needed
natural wool is antimicrobial and antibacterial–and when they get funky and gross, just pop them into the wash to freshen them up
they feel good in their mouths and are gentle on their teeth and gums–Daisy LOVES to suck on them. It is like she is soothing herself with it.
easy on your house–they are soft so they don’t make noise and are less likely to break things or bang up your walls
great for puppies–my puppies love them when they are teething and they love that they are light and they can carry them around in their teeth

So many great reasons to add wool felted balls to your pups toy box! Remember, to supervise and buy the appropriate size for your dog. They are very durable, but if you have an aggressive chewer, pay close attention. Like I mentioned, if they ingest a little wool, they will be fine but you don’t want them eating too much! And finally, refresh the ball in the wash whenever needed. Just throw it in with your clothes. If it looks a little fuzzy after, you can always trim them. Keep an eye out for my La Jolie Frenchie Store coming soon here on my website 🙂 If you are interested in purchasing one before I have them available on my store, email me and I will send one out to you.

Two of my favorite things: Cooper and ball

Coop and his flow working in our new Yukon 2.0 solo fire pit. Oh summer…how I’ve missed you so!

Coop and his flow working the new solo fire pit 🔥

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cs4OSu9PT__/

We’re having a fundraiser to help with Davin’s grade 8 graduation trip. If you are interested in any Easter treats from Rheo Thompson, let me know! 😊❤️🐣

We’re collecting empties for Davin’s grade 8 grade trip. Give me a shout if you have any (oh you know you do!) and we can come grab them😊

Tub Time Tips

November 18, 2021 Sabrina A.W.

Bath time can be a stressful time for our pets but also for us! Here are a few tips that have helped us make bath time a little more enjoyable for everyone.

Sweet Talkin’

Our girls are not fans of water at all. Dallas will tiptoe around a puddle if she can. Therefore, I do what I can to make it as pleasant as possible. Lucky for them, I used to be a hairstylist and give a mean scrub and massage. But before we get to the rubby-dubby stuff I start with a warm bath and some sweet talking. I run the tub with warm water and double check the temp before letting them in. I call them over with positive energy and promises of treats. One really important thing to have is an anti-slip mat for your tub. It really helps them stand and feel more confident in the bath. Also, don’t forget to get your supplies ready beforehand. You don’t want to leave your dog unsupervised in the bath while you are running around getting stuff. Make sure you have your shampoo, towels, cup, and something to put under your knees.

Let’s Talk ‘Poo

I like to keep it simple. Our dogs, being bulldogs, can have skin irritations so I use a shampoo that is formulated for sensitive skin and has little to no scent. Just like humans, dogs all have different needs and that should be taken into consideration when choosing their shampoo. As I mentioned, I stay away from strong smelling shampoos. As tempting as it is to buy the luxurious smelling dog shampoo and how nice it would be for us to snuggle our noses into their perfumed fur, you have to remember how sensitive dogs noses are and also those strong perfumes can be drying on their skin.

Washing Off the Stink

Once they are in the tub, I take a cup and scoop the warm water and get them all wet. I am very careful not to get water in their face and ears. Using cotton balls in their ears can help, just don’t push them too far in. I just use my one hand to hold her ears out of the way while I carefully pour water behind her ears. I avoid washing their face and just use a wash cloth. Next, I add soap to my hands and start scrubbing. Don’t forget to get into all those nooks and crannies…that includes the stinky tail pocket if she has one. I rinse her all off and then do a second shampoo. This time I let it sit on while I give her one of my super massages and good butt scratches. I now do a final rinse and continue until all soap is gone. You really want to make sure you get it all off or it can cause irritation. I follow that with a rub with my hands to try and get some water off before taking them out of the tub. I like to have a couple towels on the floor layered open on top of each other. It doesn’t matter how many towels I have though, I still end up getting a shower too. It is what it is! Good thing they are cute, right?! After they have shaken all the water off themselves and all over your bathroom (sorry, no tip for that one…if you have one, please share!) give them a good towel dry. If you have a bulldog or any other wrinkly faced pooch, make sure to dry their wrinkles well. Same goes for that tail pocket. I like to use my blow dryer on low with a few shots of cool to dry the tail pocket.

Remember, you don’t have to bathe your dog too often. Just like people, washing too often will strip them of their natural oils. Usually the nose knows. If they are smelling a little wild, we bathe. That is usually every couple months. During allergy season we bathe more often. But just like anything, if you aren’t sure…ask your vet.

Essential Oils for our Dogs

May 19, 2021May 20, 2021 Sabrina A.W.

Ok..not a summer pic but you get the idea 🙂

I live for summertime! However, I do not enjoy the bugs and neither do my furry girls. We love going for hikes but I get so paranoid that we are going to bring some critters back with us but I know that human bug spray is a big no-no for dogs. What is a dog mom to do!? Well after some research and testing, I found a natural solution that works for us.

I do not like using a lot of chemicals in my home, on my children or on myself and I feel the same about my dogs. After a little research, I found that essential oils such as lemon eucalyptus, citronella and rosemary have been proven effective bug repellents. I know that this isn’t breaking news (I’m a little slow to the essential oils game) but for me a lightbulb came on.

I don’t know about you but I am sensitive to scents. Too much of anything will eventually give me a headache. So the idea of spraying my dog with lemongrass or lavender sounds great at first but would drive me crazy after awhile. If it is strong for me, can you imagine how strong it would be for a dog whose sense of smell it so much stronger than ours!

That is where the La Jolie Frenchie cotton macramé leash comes in handy. Being made from 100% cotton, it is the perfect “diffuser” for your pooch. It allows you to spray the leash or the tassel with the essential oil of your choice before going on your walk. For example, sweet orange is great at repelling fleas and ticks. You can spray your tassel (which can be clipped to the carabiner by the way, if you want more exposure) or the leash directly and feel protected in a cloud of lovely essential oils but you can rest assured knowing that you can take it off after your walk so you and your dog don’t have to smell it all night. Essential oils are great but not all dogs tolerate the oils directly on their skin. This is a way to include essential oils without drowning your pet in the scents.

Some great oils to try are:

lemongrass, rosemary, peppermint, citronella, lemon eucalyptus — repel fleas, ticks and mosquitos
lavender–calm and sooth. Might help your nervous pet when going to the vet
bergamot–ease anxiety and stress

If you are trying these scents for the first time on your pup, take it slow and only use a little bit. If you see any signs of abnormal behavior, take your dog away from the smell immediately and into some fresh air. If that doesn’t help, see a vet. Also, essential oils are not to be used on puppies, pregnant dogs, senior dogs or toy dogs. Further, please do not use oils that were created only to infuse scents in your home. They will be ineffective and could cause harm. And keep in mind, the smaller the dog, the less you should use. If you have any concerns, please see a vet. I am not a vet. I am only a lover of dogs who loves to share my experience with you.

For your very own La Jolie Frenchie leash visit

Www.lajoliefrenchie.etsy.com

Doggy Christmas Dangers

December 16, 2020December 16, 2020 Sabrina A.W.

Merry Christmas from the old Purser Street Posse!

Christmas is a fun time of year around our house and I am sure, yours. Let’s keep it that way by protecting our pets from some of the hazards that could potentially hurt them over the Christmas season. The following is a list of hazards that dog owners should be aware of to keep their pet safe this holiday.

Ornaments and hooks – I was out taking my girls for a walk when we ran into one of our neighbors who happens to own a bulldog puppy. He told us that their puppy just had surgery for ingesting a bunch of Christmas ornament hooks! Seriously…hooks. There is nothing that a bulldog puppy will not put into their mouths. We put up a gate to keep our girls out of the Christmas tree. We found that by the time they were two years old, they lost interest in the tree but that first year it was the biggest chew toy they have ever seen!

Christmas plants – Rumour has it that Poinsettias are poisonous to dogs but the truth is that they are not that bad. If ingested it will probably give them the poops so I probably would still keep them away. Mistletoe and Holly on the other hand, are much more toxic and really need to be avoided. The Christmas plant of all Christmas plants, the Christmas tree, can also cause harm to our pooches. The needles of a Fir tree, if eaten, can mess up their tummy and cause punctures and blockages. And keep those fluffy butts out of the Christmas tree water too! The water can contain bacteria, moulds and fertilizers and other chemicals that can make them sick really quickly.

Christmas lights – this is pretty obvious I am sure, but dogs can easily electrocute themselves if they chew the cords. Make sure that they are out of the way of chewy puppies.

Food – Oh the food! So much food, unfortunately not all of it is good for our pets. Remember to keep the chocolate out of their reach and also anything with artificial sweeteners as both are toxic to dogs. Also, try to keep an eye on turkey bones! My girls are freakin’ vultures waiting for anything to fall from a plate or counter. Keep those bones away, especially cooked bones that can be very dangerous as well.

Another couple things worth mentioning even though they are not exactly “Christmas hazards” but they are around a lot this time of year are silica packets and Chapstick. Silica packs are those little baggies you find in so many products, such as shoe boxes, purses etc. that are filled with silica gel and labelled “do not eat”. They aren’t toxic but they will make you feel crummy. Chapstick is another one of those things that isn’t toxic but you will regret afterwards I’m sure. I keep Chapstick everywhere in the house during the winter and have learned the hard way to keep it away from the dogs.

Thanks for reading and hope this list helps keep all your furry ones safe this holiday season!

How to Care for our Squishy-Faced Friends

December 4, 2020December 11, 2020 Sabrina A.W.

Oh those cute bulldog faces! So wrinkly, squishy, cute and stinky. Ya, unfortunately those wrinkles that we love so much can become pretty funky pretty quick if not taken care of. Part of a bulldog owners daily routine should consist of cleaning and caring for their bully’s wrinkles. I wanted to share my wrinkle care routine and a couple products that help me tackle the funk and stink.

Those wrinkles can be real moisture and bacteria traps therefore keeping them clean will help prevent the development of infections. Our girl Daisy was born with the largest nose rope that I have ever seen! She has grown into it but it is still quite large. She also has very active tear ducts that keeps her face very wet. Any time that Daisy eats, drinks or chews on her toys, her face gets even more wet. Every day (sometimes a few times a day) I will clean her face with a baby wipe. I make sure that the wipes I am using are gentle and fragrance-free. I clean under her nose rope and in-between her folds. Once I have cleaned them up I will use a soft cloth and I pat them dry. I try not to rub them too much. I don’t want to cause her any irritation. If her folds smell stinky (they tend to smell like a dirty, wet dish rag) I will use a chlorhexidine solution to clean away the bacteria. We have used these wipes in the past that have worked really well https://www.amazon.ca/DOUXO-Chlorhexidine-3-Pads-Ct/dp/B01MDRJZGZ These wipes are really thick so we would sometimes cut them in half to make them last longer.

You can also purchase the Chlorhexidine solution and use a quilted cotton pad (you don’t really want to use the regular cotton balls as will leave cotton behind on their faces) to clean them up. The solution will last forever! https://www.amazon.ca/Durvet-Chlorhexidine-Solution-fl-oz/dp/B000HHSD8M/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA2af-BRDzARIsAIVQUOf3d-r4YqUc0gLR6EaBEg6j2g7yeAI-7gcVEs9kiNoqP1g2D7aOH7oaArY3EALw_wcB&hvadid=208447550566&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9001003&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=12801653351656807521&hvtargid=kwd-296696470771&hydadcr=27202_9609738&keywords=chlorhexidine+solution&qid=1607099238&sr=8-2&tag=googcana-20

Once we have used the solution and patted the folds dry again I will keep them dry with a wrinkle paste. We like Squishface Wrinkle Paste and not because it has a cute bulldog on the tube and I am a sucker for everything bulldog but because it is really thick and works like a charm. https://www.amazon.ca/Squishface-Wrinkle-Paste-Wrinkles-Frenchies/dp/B01JH2DG8O

This routine has helped us care for our girls and we haven’t faced any infections yet. Bulldogs are a special breed that require special care. I would love to hear about some of your tips and products that have worked for you and your bullies!

If it was only boogers!

March 10, 2020December 8, 2020 Sabrina A.W.

I loved this meme the moment I saw it. It’s funny because it’s true! Eye boogers, dirty wrinkles, crusty butt nuggets… is this what I signed up for? Yup. I sure did and I will do it again and again!

Bulldogs tend to need a little extra care when it comes to keeping themselves clean. The way that they are built doesn’t really allow them access to all their bits and pieces, if you know what I mean. That is where us pet owners come in. We stockpile baby wipes in our house! We wipe our girls after they come in from their business. We wipe their feet when they are muddy. We wipe their eye boogers, wrinkles and tail pockets too. They really do come in very handy. Just make sure that they are hypoallergenic and scent free.

To some, this may sound like a lot of work and sometimes it does feel like a lot (especially when our girls are in heat and now there are diapers to deal with too!). If that is the case, then maybe a Frenchie is not for you, or maybe any dog for that matter.

Bulldogs do need extra care but when you are in love with your pet, those things aren’t a bother. It’s one of the ways that we show our furry buddies how much we care for them.

There is a plus side to having a dog that can’t reach it’s own butt! You will never have that awkward moment on the couch with your father-in-law when your dog decides to come on over and start licking himself. Ya, I don’t know about you, but that there is enough for me! “You need a bum wipe Luna? No problem!”

Welcome Friends!

March 5, 2020December 8, 2020 Sabrina A.W.

Dallas our English bully and Luna our French

I’m excited to share my adventures, my thoughts and my tips on bully life. My name is Sabrina, I am a stay-at-home mom to two boys but also three furry girls. Over the years I have picked up a thing or two that you may find helpful (or maybe not..let me know either way!) while raising your fur babies. I’ll share stories, tips, recipes, rants and our family’s adventures as we prepare our home and our lives for our first litter of Bulldog babies!