That competitive spirit

Posted on November 10, 2011 by

Ladies and gentlemen, dogs and cats . . . get your keyboards and cameras ready.  It’s contest time!

Okay, I’m not talking about a contest on The Daily Toki (although I have a feeling something interesting is in the works).  I’m talking about several giveaways and contests that I’ve come across in the dog blogosphere.

For instance, one of my favorite blogs, City Dog/Country Dog, is holding a giveaway contest for a new Ruffwear Dog Coat (the K9 Overcoat or the quilted Quinzee).  Entries are due by November 24.  The City Dog/Country Dog post also includes a full review of the coat and great pictures of dapper Theo, so head over there and check it out!  (We love the Quinzee puffy in red!!)

You should also mark your calendar for entering the American Automobile Association (AAA) Pet Book photo contest.  Your pup could be featured on the cover of the AAA Pet Book, a resource for traveling with your pet.  The deadline is November 30.  Details are available on the contest website!

Finally, don’t forget the Tiny Prints Cutest Pet contest.  Entries are due by November 15.  This contest involves “community voting” though, which requires some effort at vote gathering.  I’m not the biggest fan of popularity contests, but at the very least you can check out some of the cute pet entries.

Good Luck!!!

Posted in Events | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The indiscriminate chewer

Posted on November 8, 2011 by

Toki is a very dainty eater and chewer.  She doesn’t gobble her chews or eat toys, household items, and other foreign man-made objects.  But, when it comes to nature’s bounty, Toki transforms into a little chewing barbarian.

She loves to demolish small bushes, crunch pine cones, and demolish the fallen palm leaves that fall onto our Venice Beach sidewalks.

If you need proof – here’s Toki in 8 mm (from a previous post about some fun iPhone apps).

Apparently, Toki also loves to eat bamboo Tiki huts.

While we were out of town a few weeks back, Toki stayed with her dog sitter, who has a Tiki hut that Toki found particularly irresistible.  When we picked her up after her trip, we noticed that Toki would occasionally make a funny sound with her mouth–almost like she had peanut butter in her mouth.  We thought maybe she had something stuck in her teeth, but couldn’t find anything out of the ordinary.  It was only the next morning, when we pried open Toki’s mouth, that we spotted a piece of bamboo stuck in the roof of her mouth!!  Poor Toki.

We ended up taking her to the vet, who had to give her a sedative before they could remove the bamboo stick.

I’d heard about bones getting stuck in the roof of dogs’ mouths, but hadn’t been too concerned about the prospect because Toki is usually a very dainty chewer.  I guess I didn’t take into account her interest in Tiki huts.

Lesson learned!

Posted in Stories, video | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Monday Meow

Posted on November 7, 2011 by

Posted in Photo Post | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Pawliday Cards by Moo.com

Posted on November 4, 2011 by

It’s rainy outside.  And in Southern California, that puts me in the Holiday spirit!  (Rain is kind of like our equivalent of a snow shower. . .)

 Luckily I just ordered my Daily Toki Holiday cards from Moo.com!

They arrived last week in this cute package: one set of Holiday cards with silver metallic envelopes.

From past posts, you might know what a Moo.com fan I am.  I’ve used them to make business cards, mini-cards, and even stickers.  So when they ran a sale on Holiday cards, I decided to try them out.

My verdict?  The cards have the usual Moo-style, high quality, satiny finish that I love so much.  But a high price point and limited customizability bring the rating down to 4 stars out of 5.

Here’s a summary of the cons:

– not a lot of customization, including font and ink color . . . Moo needs to work on that! (Note: this is less of an issue if you want a straightforward design, or you are able to use Photoshop or other programs to add your own text to your cover image.)

– metallic envelopes felt flimsy (maybe try the recycled brown envelopes)

– I noticed some smudging on the back side of some of my cards, near the fold (Moo generally has great customer service, so they would probably remedy this if I asked)

The pros?  They are many . . .

+ high quality, lovely paper and print quality

+ ability to put a different photo on each card

+ cute packaging that protects the product during delivery, so it arrives in pristine condition

+ clean, professional looking folds

+ uncoated paper inside, for easier writing

+ option to add a fun photo and short message on the back of the card (see below)

Overall, I’m excited about the cards – they turned out great!  But I’m curious if any of you have a favorite customized card printer that you like?

For more information on Moo products, including business cards (my favorite!), postcards, and stickers (currently on sale), go to Moo.com. 

Posted in Photo Post, Reviews | Tagged , , , , | 10 Comments

A Content-Free Day

Posted on November 3, 2011 by

It’s been a slow couple of days.  Maybe it’s the weather.  Or maybe it’s the post Halloween blues.

At least Toki knows how I feel . . .

Posted in Photo Post | Tagged , , | 10 Comments

Happy Halloween, luv Toki, Yuki & Rocket!

Posted on October 31, 2011 by

Rocket and Yuki are two of Toki’s blogger friends.  For Halloween, you can call them Sir Rocket and Princess Yuki!

Yuki & Rocket are also the stars of their own blog (one of my favorite doggy-themed reads).  They shared photos of their costumes with The Daily Toki.  (Thanks Yuki and Rocket!)

Toki is especially happy about all of the delicious recipes that they post on their blog, since the recipes have inspired me to bake some of Toki’s favorite cookies (like these Peanut Butter yummies).  Yuki and Rocket’s mom, Melissa, has a knack for whipping up delectable treats and presenting them in mouthwatering photos.  She also has a few recipes for people too (like these adorable Schnauzer cupcakes)!

Check out the Yuki & Rocket blog for a costume photo spread, and while you’re there, check out Melissa’s latest Halloween-themed recipe for Pumpkin Frozen Yogurt for pups.

Happy Halloween!  Luv Toki, Yuki & Rocket.

Posted in Photo Post | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Fall Break!

Posted on October 24, 2011 by

This week, The Daily Toki will be taking a fall break.  We’ll be back just in time for Halloween!

We hope you have a relaxing week – and feel free to check out our archives if you need a Daily Toki fix.  : )

 

 

Posted in Photo Post | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

Uncertain

Posted on October 21, 2011 by

Testing out wide angle lens options for my Nikon.  Can’t decide!  In the meantime, I’m having fun taking lots of test shots of my favorite subject . . .

Posted in Photo Post | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

He’s back: Clarence the Cat

Posted on October 20, 2011 by

Clarence.  Remember him?  He sent a rather cat-like bit of correspondence to Toki almost a year ago.

Well, I received this photo from him recently with the note: No, it’s not a guillotine.  It’s my favorite chair.

Clarence, how I’ve missed you!  I hope you know that our feline friends are always welcome on The Daily Toki.

Posted in Guest Blogger, Photo Post | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Halloween Happenings 2011

Posted on October 19, 2011 by

It’s almost Halloween!  That means lots of fun pet “pawties” and adorable dogs in costume – like this cutie, one of my favorites from 2010.

In the Los Angeles area, there are plenty of pet happenings to choose from, like the Urban Pet Halloween Carnival on Sunday, October 23 at 6 pm, featuring Complimentary Valet, Doggie Fun Maze, Paw Printing, Furtographs, Bobbing for Tennis Balls, Moon Shine Facials, Trick or Trick bags, Costume Contest, Drinks, and even a Doggie Disco.  For more details or to RSVP, check out the invite here.

The Healthy Spot is holding its annual Howl-o-ween Bash on Thursday October 27 at 7 pm in Hollywood, and Friday, October 28 at 7 pm at their Santa Monica Store.  I attended last year’s event and loved it!  There will be a pet parade, plenty of refreshments for two-legged and four-legged attendees, plus vendors and dog goodies on hand.

Sunday, October 30 is also the 11th Annual Haute Dog Howl’oween Parade in Long Beach, California.  The parade starts at 2:30.  Enter your dog into the parade, or just stop by to watch!  Organizers expect 500 dogs in costume.

If you don’t have time for a party or parade, both Centinela Feed and the new “Unleashed by Petco” stores will be offering special treats to visiting dogs in costume.

And finally, I want to invite The Daily Toki readers (that means you!) to send in photos of your pets in costume.  For Halloween, we’d like to feature your favorite costumed pets on the blog!  You can email your photos to The Daily Toki at furfilled(at)gmail.com.

Posted in Events, Photo Post | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments