How my hum-mom gets GOOD WINE at GREAT PRICES - this is a great tip!

Today's tip was a twofer! We covered daily deals at www.shopallthat.com and how to get good wine at great prices (plus cash back!).

So let's summarize this baby...

First we talked about Daily Deals. Through December 25, www.shopallthat.com has a new daily deal. Today's is an awesome flavor infusion water at nearly 50% off plus cash back. Pick your color!

Then we went over how to shop for wine in a really smart way. You get good wine at great prices and 4% cash back! Sometimes you can get free shipping too! Trista uses Wine.com through Shop for the cash back and then she looks at price and star ratings to get the best deals. Watch the video for a demonstration.

I was impatiently waiting to play when she was doing this video so I barked a lot. Trista turned it into a drinking game .. can you guess how many drinks she took during the video?

We want to know about your favorite wines and the color you chose of the infusion water bottle!

Happy shopping!

Bella's Trip to Staples - Is Staples a Dog Friendly Store ?

By Trista Polo

Shopping with your dog is definitely a growing trend. Some stores are quicker to get on board than others. Home Depot has been known to be dog friendly for quite some time. We frequent Marshall's too but those trips are shorter because the customers seem to find it odd that there's a dog walking around near by.

I think the growing dog shopping phenomenon is due to the increased awareness of the dangers of leaving your dog in the car. The Humane Society says that a dog left in a car could be dealing with temperatures of over 100 degrees inside the car, even with the temperature outside is cool. They also report that open windows appear to have little affect on the inside temperature of the car. You can read their whole article here.

Recently I needed to make a trip to Staples to print out color certificates for an upcoming training I was leading in Fishkill, NY. I thought this was the perfect shopping trip for Bella. I wouldn't be there long and the print center at Staples is open and spacious. If you Google, "Is Staples Dog Friendly" today, you get mixed reviews. In 2008, an LA Times article noted Staples as being open to service dogs only but it seems they Staples is loosening their grip on that rule, depending on the store...and likely it is at management discretion.

I have learned my lesson at Barnes & Nobel and called first. I made sure to speak to a manager - a lesson I learned at Kohl's - and asked the following question:

"I need to come in and get some stuff printed but I have my dog with me. I don't want to leave her in the car because you know how people are these days..they'll probably call the police. So I'd like to bring her in with me...would that be ok?"

I worded it this way to assist him in giving me the answer I was looking for, which turned out to be quite effective. I could tell he was hesitant...resistant...leaning toward saying no.

He asked her size...if she would be leashed...if she was well behaved. I said yes. I also threw in that I would clean up after any mess she made. That was when he said (quite relieved) that it would be fine.

When I went to the store with Bella, I was a bit nervous about going in. I almost didn't do it. But then how could I write about the experience? ;-)

We went in and made a bee-line to the print center. I had her leashed and had treats with me to keep her occupied. Generally she was great. She got a bit bored and barked once...and on our way out she really wanted to sniff and say hello to a customer at another copier. But we made it out without incident or comment.

As the dog friendly store rules continue to unfold, my advice is to call and speak with a Manager to request permission. That way, you won't catch anyone by surprise and if an employee gives you a hard time you have a manager's name to refer to. Keep your dog leashed and happy (treats work best for Bella) and don't do anything to wear out your welcome. Most of all, clean up after your dog! A mess left in a store is the quickest way for a store to remove themselves from the dog friendly store list!

Where do you shop with your dog? What tips do you have to keep your dog on the "Welcome" list?

Bella's New Writing Gig with Lady's Best Friend Blog!

We have some exciting news over here in AccordingToBella land! Bella has been doing lots of networking and caught the attention of Maria Huntoon, a dog behavior specialist.

Maria has a blog - LadysBestFriend.com - that will have all kinds of great information on training, behavior, fun new doggie items, veterinary information, and of course ways to enhance your relationship with your best four-legged friend!.

Maria wanted to have a fun submission that highlights great dog stories from near and far. She and Bella got together and came up with the perfect thing - the GEM OF THE WEEK! 

Bella's first Gem of the Week will be published soon and will be about Bella herself. So She can properly introduce herself to all of Lady's Best Friends subscribers and readers.
Bella will bring her own unique voice to each story and highlight some really awesome dogs over the next many months. Stay tuned for updates! 

If you have a special dog you would like Bella to introduce to the world through Gem of the Week, email us at gems@accordingtobella.com

If you are interested in receiving this newsletter, please sign up by emailing maria@mghcanineconsulting.com, subject "newsletter", or on her website at www.mghcanineconsulting.com.

FREE PRIZE Giveaway - Help Bella Pick Out Her Human's New Cross Body Bag from Kohl's

It's Contest Time!

We're giving away this PAWsome Pet Prize Pack:

Pet Health Hypoallergenic Shampoo
Tomlyn Relax & Calm Chews
TropiClean Fresh Breath +Plus Dental Chew
PetNaturals of Vermont Scoot Bar
Aspenpet MaxGlow Glow in the Dark Leash
Halo Grain-Free Cat Formula Spot's Stew
KC's Labs All Natural Dog Treat
TLC Dog Food $10 Savings Voucher

 Here are the details:

My hu-mom needs a purse but she just can't decide! We went to Marshall's and Kohl's and found lots to choose from but she (FINALLY lol) narrowed it down to the Relic Evie Flap Cross Body Bag.

Here's the trouble - it comes in lots of colors and she can't choose between them! 

So I said we should get help choosing. The new bag will be featured in lots of shopping sprees with me and my hu-mom, so we want to make sure YOU like it too! I do have my favorite but I don't want to influence your vote.

Here are the choices, the voting steps and the prizes - 

 

There's TEAL, TILED, STRIPED and FLOWERED 

All so pretty! But which one, which one!?

We can't decide. We can't choose. We need the help from all of you!

To vote:

1 - Fill out THIS FORM

2 - SHARE the following post on Facebook or Twitter: I just VOTED (Choice) for #bellasbags You can vote too at http://bit.ly/votebellasbags
3 - COMMENT in this post with your favorite

You can do one, 2 or all three! Each vote counts toward the total and counts as an ENTRY TO WIN OUR PET PRIZE PACK.

Do ALL THREE and get DOUBLE your contest entries! YAY!

Voting closes January 4, 2016 at 11:59pm and winner will be announced Wednesday, January 6, 2016.

Let's talk about what's in the awesome PET PRIZE PACK!

Post a selfie of you, your pup and your favorite handbag! What do you love most about it? Use #bellasbags so we see your selfies!


This post contains affiliate links. 🐶

Dog Friendly Stores with In Store Pick Up - A Holiday Miracle for Last Minute Dog Loving Shoppers! (and a Holiday poem!)

Dogs Gone Shopping - A Christmas Poem by Bella Victoria

Where ya goin? Can I come too? 

Yes, Yes said she! We're headed to bed. Curl up on the quilt and lay down your soft head.

Were you leavin'? Can I come with you?

Yes, Yes said she! We're going to friends'. With Calico and Cricket the fun never ends!

What's up with your feet? Can my paws follow suit?

Yes, Yes said she! We're PetSmart bound! We ordered online now we head into town!

Who you seein'? Will my leash surely do?

Yes, Yes said she! To the Groomer and Vet! They can't wait to see you and give you a pet!

But what about shopping, it's Holiday bliss! The stores are all filled for both Mr. and Miss!

No, no silly girl. That's for Service Dogs working. Not Cattle Dogs leashed, and sniffing and jerking. 

But wait, what is this? There is good news afoot! Stores don't just approve Santa covered in soot...

They also rejoice at your four furry paws and your tail wagging round and your clackity claws!

This is great, this is cool! I'm a dog on the town! You just wait there, we are coming right down!

Tis a holiday story wrapped up in a bow! Last minute shopping with furry friend in tow.

You ordered online, and they shopped just for you. I won't tell a soul of what's green and what's blue.

We'll go down the aisles...we'll walk and we'll run! The children and staff will get licks just for fun!

So when you get your presents from under the tree. Don't mind the  paw prints from my wrapping spree.

I helped pick it out. I can help unwrap it too. Merry Christmas to she and to him and to you!

The Full Story - A Holiday Miracle for Last Minute Dog Lovers - by Trista Polo

Bella is an active Cattle Dog mix and needs 3 hours of activity per day - a mix of physical and mental work is best for her. She's a working dog breed and she really needs a job. The daylight is shorter, the weather is cooler and my schedule is fuller. All of that adds up to limited work/play time for Bella and me.

In the car, ready to shop!

I have been racking my brain with how to juggle my busy schedule and Bella's need for activity. How to get it all done - the running around that seems to fill the Holiday season - and still keep Bella's mental and physical well being in tact.

If only I could kill two birds with one stone! There are so many hours in a day, Christmas is fast approaching and there is still so much to do!

I'm happy to say that I found a great way to get everything done, spend plenty of time with Bella and leverage the little amount of time I have.

Here's my sure fire Holiday Miracle for Last Minute Dog Loving Shoppers in 3 easy steps:

1st - Occupy Puppy!
Make sure you have fully stocked food puzzles, frozen Kongs or other indoor activities that keep your dog busy.

Home Depot, Here We Come!

2nd - Shop Online!
Leverage ONLINE SHOPPING at your favorite stores that meet the following criteria: They have in store pick up AND they let you bring your dog into the store. (More on this later!)

3rd - Leash up and head out!
You and your BFF (Best Furry Friend) can have fun adventures at stores all around town wracking up curious stares, big smiles and happy children everywhere you go!

Below are the details that we learned through trial and error, so your first trip out is as worry and stress free as possible. =)

Occupy Puppy! - This may not be necessary for your pup, but if I'm home, Bella looks for more attention than your average dog. "A tired Cattle Dog is a good Cattle Dog" is an expression quite apropos. Unfortunately, since I don't work a typical office job where I can do my shopping online at work (I know YOU don't do that either!) I have to find time at home to do it. And if I'm home, I should be playing with Bella right? We use food puzzles as our main way to feed Bella. I'll be doing a review soon on many of the available puzzles out there. In the meantime, a Frozen Kong is always a good bet. You can watch my How To video for this option - it's been a a great option to keep Bella busy all year round.

Now that your pup is occupied, it's time to...

These lines are long!

Shop Online! - Imagine you are going into a store with your pup in tow for the first time. You have your car keys, purse, phone, leash, poop bags (definitely don't forget these! ;-)  ) and now you need to deal with shopping cart, buying things, standing in line at check out, having your things rung up, getting out your credit card...and you are still expected to have holiday spirit! By the way, they don't have those handy-dandy dog leash hooks at every cashier that are so conveniently located at the Vet counter. So at least when you are a shopping spree with dog newbie, get the bulk of your shopping done first. We love to shop at www.ShopWithBella.com - We can still shop at our favorite dog-friendly stores PLUS AND we get up to 50% Cash Back every time we shop. And bonus - we feed our #shoppingannuity with each purchase. If you want to see if your favorite dog-friendly stores offer cash back - you can check that here: http://bit.ly/bellastores. One more tip about shopping at www.ShopWithBella.com - I recommend you download Shop Buddy, a free widget that will get you cash back, current coupon codes and the best price all around the internet even if you forget to ShopWithBella.com. There's a full list of stores that offer the Trifec-dog below (In Store Pick Up + Dog Friendly + Cash Back).

I'll Take This one!

Leash Up and Head Out! - You'll get the hang of this after a few trips, I promise! It's very odd the first time you go to a store like Macy's and walk in with your dog on a leash. I kept wondering when someone would yell at me. I was defensive waiting for a hard time from an employee. It never happened though! We got lots of smiles and even some friendly pets. =) It's definitely worth a little stress and uncertainty at first because once you and your BFF start shopping together you won't want to shop anywhere that says "Service Dogs Only." Here are some things to keep in mind when heading out with your pup. It's not just about pet stores! Yes, PetSmart and Pet Co welcome your furry family and friends. And you may have heard that Home Depot is also a great place to take your pup along. But did you know that Macy's, Lowes and Gap do too? Popsugar.com wrote an article and some great dog-friendly stores made the list. See their full list here. Before you shop, take these tips to heart.

Barnes & Noble Poughkeepsie
Is No Place for Dogs =(

- Call first! Even though Barnes and Noble is on the NICE list in the Popsugar article, our local B&N is Service Dogs only.

- Consider a leash/harness combo for more control in the stores! There are a lot of people walking around the store and you want to maintain the best and most humane control possible. No long leashes and keep a tight reign on your pup when shopping.

- Go during off-peak hours! It's not just about fewer feet in the stores...you also have less parking lot traffic to navigate. It's safer and will ultimately be less stressful.

A $320 toy from MK -  I can has it?

- Seriously! Poop bags! You just never know. Pet stores are great about cleaning up after your pet. Don't expect a Macy's employee to run to your rescue. Be prepared to deal with whatever comes your way.

- Keep your purchases to a minimum or bring another set of hands along! Remember, if you bring your pup into the store, you will be bringing your pup out of the store with whatever else you purchase. So bring a friend along to carry the bags or keep your purchases to a minimum.

Home Depot is a great "Find It" spot!

- Training Treats optional! If your dog responds well to them, as Bella does, you can use them to distract your pup from the merchandise, frightened children and other things that may catch her attention. They are also a great way to grab some fun photo ops or even play a game of "Find It" in Home Depot!

- Be patient and have fun! This is a great option for spending time with your pup and getting some last minute holiday shopping done. Be prepared, be patient and have fun!

Bella is a high energy dog who is still learning to be on a leash and LOVES dogs and people. These tips are based on our own trial and error experiences and we quickly got the hang of it. No teeth marks on leather, no accidents and no embarrassing stories. We'll definitely be doing lots more shopping together!

These 12 Stores make the Trifec-Dog List!

They offer In Store Pick Up, Cash Back and are Dog Friendly! (Plus all of these stores have lots of great coupon savings you'll find when you click the store link)

• Pet Smart (Bella Tested!) 4% Cash Back
• Home Depot - (Bella Tested!) 2% Cash Back
• Macy's - (Bella Tested!) 2% Cash Back
• Bass Pro Shops - 3% Cash Back
• Bloomingdale's - Currently no Cash Back 
• Nordstrom - 2% Cash Back
• Urban Outfitters - 4% Cash Back 
• Gander Mountain - 2% Cash Back
• Michaels - 2% Cash Back (Ship to Store)
• Foot Locker - 3% Cash Back
• Tractor Supply - 2% Cash Back
• Apple Store - Currently no Cash Back

Where have you shopped with your BFF? Any other tips you can share to make these outings awesome?

This post contains affiliate links. 🐶

More Holiday Gifts for Your Furry Friends

Most animal lovers will tell you, pets are part of the family. Whether you wrap their gifts and place them under the tree or they have their very own personalized stocking, chances are your furry friend will be receiving gifts for Christmas as well. ShopWithBella.com has millions of products to choose from to spoil your furry friends so that they don’t feel left out on Christmas morning! Read on for this year’s holiday gift ideas for pets!


Pet Lounger

This Lazy Zebra Pet Lounger is a purr-fect gift for the feline in your life. Not only does it feature machine washable orthopedic foam, it also comes with a Manufacturer’s 1-year warranty. If zebra print isn’t your pet’s style or you would like a larger one to accommodate your dog, shop from a wide variety of additional pet beds HERE.





PetHealth™ Products

PetHealth offers 6 great products that make great stocking stuffers! Enjoy hypoallergenic, medicated shampoos and ear washes, Pad and Palm Balm for cold climates or hot pavements and a MulitVitamin and OPC formula to protect your pet from the inside out! View the whole line of PetHealth products HERE.

Personalized Treat Jar

This personalized treat jar is a delightful way to store your pet’s favorite treats. Personalize it with your pet’s name, plus earn 4% Cashback from Miles Kimball. Your pet may not be a fan of an empty treat jar- find pet treats to fill up the new jar HERE.

Toys for Playtime

Your cats will love being able to play and explore in their very own Kong Interactive Tunnel. Earn 4% Cashback when you purchase this interactive cat tunnel sold by PetSmart, the nation’s largest pet supply retailer. Discover more exciting toys for your cats and/or dogs HERE.

Warm Apparel

Nothing says “trendy pup” like this Klippo Pet Argyle Pattern Turtleneck Sweater. Not only will it keep your dog warm and snuggly in those cold winter winds, it’s also very stylish. Not a fan of argyle? Take a look at other apparel options HERE.







Bella provided her own list a few posts ago. Check it out here.

Have you already picked out the perfect gift for your pet? Comment below and add to our gift list! Or you can tweet us your gift picks using the hashtags #accordingtobella #shopwithbella

This post contains affiliate links. 🐶