Could spring finally be on its way here in New England?  We had a relatively warm (albeit gray) weekend.  It was nearly 50 degrees yesterday and Saturday, so we decided to venture out on our first neighborhood leash walk since Wally broke his hip.

Since we still have a good amount of snow on the ground, this warm weather lends itself to massive amounts of flooding.  What a MESS!  There were  way too many puddles – not to mention the mud.. ugh.  The dogs were FILTHY by the time we got home.  Luckily, they both fit in the tub together and they both enjoy their bathtime.

I’ve been using Dr. Bronner’s Lavender 18-in-1 Hemp Pure-Castile Soap as a dog shampoo for a while now.  The dogs smell so good afterward, their fur is shiny and soft, and I haven’t seen one flake of dandruff.   Dr. Bronner’s is organic, fair trade, and not tested on animals.  There are no harsh chemicals in it, so it doesn’t strip the oils from the fur like a normal soap or shampoo would.  It offers an amazing lather because of the high coconut oil content, so you don’t need very much to suds up your whole pooch!  One bottle has lasted us months!

I usually use a neem and oatmeal soap (in combination with Frontline Plus) during flea season.  This year I am planning on trying Dr. Bronner’s peppermint soap once flea season starts.  Peppermint oil is supposed to be a natural flea repellent.  We’ll give it a shot!   (Side note:  Peppermint, lavender and  many other essential oils can be toxic to cats.  Please do not use any peppermint or lavender oil or soap on your cat for any reason.)

Dr. Bronner’s website offers tons of uses for their soap products, including laundry, body wash and everyday cleaning.  They even have a blog with a video of how to wash your dog with their soap!  :p

Well, I didn’t intend for this to be a product review post, but there you have it anyway!  ;)

I also wanted to share with you this lovely song.  Every time I hear it, I can’t get it out of my head for days….

Nellie Mckay – The Dog Song – Letterman

“The Dog Song”

I’m just a walkin’ my dog
Singin’ my song
Strollin’ along
Yeah it’s just me and my dog
Catchin’ some sun
We can’t go wrong

My life was lonely and blue
Yeah I was sad as a sailor
I was an angry ‘un too
Then there was you
Appeared, when I was entangled
With youth, and fear, and nerves
Jingle jangle
Vermouth and beer
Were gettin’ me mangled up

But then I looked in your eyes
And I was no more a failure
You looked so wacky and wise
And I said, lord I’m happy
’cause I’m just a walkin’ my dog
Singin’ my song
Strollin’ along
It’s just me and my dog
Catchin’ some sun
We can’t go wrong
’cause I don’t care ’bout your hatin’ and your doubt
And I don’t care what the politicians spout
If you wanna companion
Well just go right to the pound
And find yourself a hound
And make that doggie proud
’cause that’s what it’s all about

My life was tragic and sad
Yeah I was the archetypal loser
I was a pageant gone bad
Then there was you on time
And wagging your tail
In the cutest mime
And you was in jail
I said woof, be mine
And you gave a wail
And then I was no longer alone
And I was no more a boozer
We’ll make the happiest home
And I said lord I’m happy
’cause I’m just a walkin’ my dog
Singin’ my song
Strollin’ along
It’s just me and my dog
Catchin’ some sun
We can’t go wrong
’cause I don’t care ’bout your hatin’ and your doubt
And I don’t care what the politicians spout
If you need a companion
Well just go right to the pound
And find yourself a hound
And make that doggie proud
’cause that’s what it’s all about
That’s what it’s all about
That’s what it’s all abow-wow-wow-wout
That’s what it’s all about

I am not affiliated with Dr. Bronner’s in any way.  I was not asked to write this review, nor did I receive any product or compensation for it.  I purchased this product merely for my own use and the opinions expressed in this post are my own.