Have you ever read the ingredients on your dogs bag of food?  (This information is also applicable to cats, BTW.)

I know I never did before owning The Biscuit! I started out with food from The Biscuit because I wanted to feed my baby the best, even though I didn’t know what made it the best at the time. I will admit though – there was a period of time when I fed our girls Beneful – because I didn’t have the knowledge to understand what I was feeding my dogs.

I read a blog post from Lauren, the former Biscuit owner, on the ingredients that are really in the foods carried by the large, big-box chains (Beneful, Ol Roy, Purina, Pedigree, etc…) and I instantly switched to HealthWise, an economical, yet good-quality food available at the store.  With three large dogs, cost was definitely a concern for us. The girls were on HealthWise for 2 years before we bought the store. We have since had them on Taste of the Wild (which they all LOVED!) and I am now serving them the Fromm Four-Star line. There isn’t a food in the store that I would hesitate to give my girls.

Take a look at the ingredients on the food comparison chart comparing Taste of the Wild High Prairie to a very popular food sold in big box stores. The second ingredient in THEIR food just disgusts me – to think that I could be serving my dogs DEAD, DYING, DISEASED or DISABLED animals everyday just gives me the shivers! At least this food identifies the meat (chicken). Some foods only list “Meat By-Product Meal” – they can’t even ID the meat – it could be chicken, beef, lamb, or even worse, dog. Yes, some of the foods out there contain dog.

You can be certain that any food carried at The Loyal Biscuit Co. will always contain high-quality ingredients and will be produced in reputable facilities.  We diligently monitor websites and chat rooms that contain information on product/ingredient quality, recalls, etc., and you can rest easy knowing that any foods we carry are healthy for your pets.

We encourage you to stop in to the store to chat about nutrition. In addition to kibble diets, the Biscuit also carries raw and dehydrated options for feeding as well as healthy treats, bones and chews.

On June 19, 2010, the City of Rockland celebrates the arrival of summer with Summer Solstice.  This year, the Summer Solstice Celebration will begin at 5:00 with a Pooch Parade!

Starting at Camden National Bank at 5:00 pm and ending in front of the Loyal Biscuit Co, prizes will be awarded in several categories.

This Pooch Parade is a fundraiser for Rock Dogs ~ Bringing Dock Dogs to Rockland.  All entry fees from the parade will go straight to Rock Dogs to help bring this fun, dog-friendly event to Rockland.  Pre-registration is available at the Loyal Biscuit, 442 Main Street, Rockland and same-day registration will be available at Camden National Bank.

So, if you think you have the cutest dog ever, the biggest dog, the tiniest dog, the most creative costume, or the most unusual dog, sign up!  You will be helping a great event and having a blast at the same time!!

Summer Solstice Pooch Parade – click here for the application!!

This morning, Joel called me at 5:00 am to see if I recognized a dog.  He was a sweet, sweet dog, appeared to be well taken care of and loved. He was found walking alone on the Boardwalk.  Joel thought that he might be a dog that frequents the store and was hoping we could find his owners.

Going for a ride in the cruiser

I had never seen the dog before, so I was no help.  This loving dog did have on a collar and a Humane Society of Knox County tag with ID numbers, but that was it. There was no owner information, no number to call, no address to go to.

So, this dog was taken to the shelter and put in a kennel until the shelter employees come to work and look up the ID number on the tag.  This dog will find his way home because of that tag, but if he had a tag with owner contact information, he could have been spared the scary ride in the back of a cop car and the trek back to the Shelter where he appears to have once lived. 

Micro-chipping and HSKC tags work and pets eventually are matched back up with their owners.  But wouldn’t you want to spare your pet – and you – those scary moments when you are apart? If someone finds your pet, even the police, there is nothing that they can do until the shelter opens but to put your pet in a small kennel until the ID can be looked up.

Save both of you the angst and frustration of being separated with an ID tag. It will bring your happy reunion back together in no time.

Engraved with your contact information, these Red Dingo name tags will get your lost pet home to you sooner.

YAY!  After lots and lots of hard work and late nights, the Loyal Biscuit Co. Self Serve Dog Wash is now open for business!!   Check out these step-by-step videos of how the dog wash works!  The super model dog in the videos is our own Tyra Banks of dogs – Miss Fenway!

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 6

Step 7

Our self-service dog wash includes:

• A waist-high professional grooming tub
• Tropiclean shampoo of your choice 
• Fluffy towels (please on per washing)
• Warm water
• High velocity, pet safe dryer
• Grooming table
• Assortment of grooming tools

No appointment necessary! Our facilities are available on a first come, first served walk-in basis. 

The Rules:

• All dogs must be on a 6’ or shorter leash or in carriers at all times under the control of an adult.
• Pets are not allowed to be left unattended at any time. 
• Disruptive and/or aggressive dogs may be asked to leave, at management’s discretion. You may make an appointment to come back before or after regular business hours.
• Children 16 years old and younger must be attended by and under the supervision of a parent or responsible adult at all times.
• Last wash is ½ hour before closing time (we close at 6 pm M-F and 4 pm on Sat.).

IMPORTANT SKUNK POLICY:

To ensure a pleasant environment for all, if your dog is sprayed by a skunk, you must first wash your dog thoroughly at least once at home and pass our “sniff” test before we will allow you to use our facility. If your dog gets sprayed, mix 4 cups of hydrogen peroxide, ¼ cup of baking soda, and a tablespoon of dish detergent. Sponge this mixture onto the effected areas and let sit for 30 minutes and then rinse. Follow this up with a good dog wash. We also sell skunk odor neutralizing formula’s that you can use before you bring them in to be washed. 

Prices:

Wash usage fees are charged by the size and/or coat type of your dog, to make the prices appropriate to the amount of water, shampoo and tub time needed by each customer.Because we charge by the type of dog, there is no time limit, so please take your time and enjoy bonding with your best friend during his bath. 

SMALL & MEDIUM DOGS – $14
LARGE & EXTRA LARGE DOGS – $16
EXTRA THICK COATS – $18

Frequent Wash Program:

After nine washes your tenth wash is FREE with our frequent wash program! 

Please note that dog washes are not part of our Loyal Biscuit Frequent Buyer Program, nor can Frequent Buyer certificates be redeemed for dog washes.

Ever let the dogs out before bed only to have them visit Mr. Skunk or roll in the smelliest pile of who-knows-what out there? With our emergency wash program, call us when the store is closed, and if we are free, we will be more than happy to meet you at the store so you can clean your friend up. Emergency wash fee is $75.00—please call 691-1340. Please note that if your dog does come face-to-face with Mr. Skunk, you must first bathe him at home (see Skunk Policy above).

Flea and tick season is upon us…if you are looking for an all-natural remedy for your dogs or cats, I am happy to report that I now carry Earth Animal Flea & Tick Internal Powder and Bug Off Spray.

Nutritious Internal Flea and Tick Powder

This Nutritious Internal Flea and Tick Powder is a special blend of dark brewer’s yeast, garlic, B vitamins, minerals and special nutrients that work together synergistically and more effectively for fleas than yeast and garlic alone. Taken orally, the Internal Flea and Tick Powder produces an odor that is undetectable by humans and is loathed by fleas and ticks, mosquitoes, and black flies. Taken regularly, the Internal Powder makes your animal less attractive to infestation. All ingredients are human food grade with no insecticides, chemical preservatives, salt or sugar. IT WORKS! Over 20 years of testimonials prove this product really works. .

Internal Flea and Tick Powder Benefits

• Helps deter fleas, ticks, black flies, and mosquitoes
• Helps reduce the incidence of fleabite dermatitis, lymes tick disease and heartworm.
• The highly digestible protein found in the yeast, liver and eggs contain large amounts of sulfur, which is known to deter external pests.
• Garlic is a blood and intestinal purifier and immune booster.
• Unprocessed yeast and hops have oil residues that concentrate in the skin’s oil glands and help deter external parasites.
• The highly digestible minerals help the skin carry out its cleansing and detoxifying metabolic processes.
• The concentrated b vitamins, especially (thiamin) which is known for its flea and tick repelling properties b6(pyridoxine) which is a natural antihistamine help minimize external pests and their symptoms.
• The internal powder acts as a general nutritional tonic and stress reliever, which helps relax the body and boost the immune system. Generally, animals with an active, balanced immune system will naturally repel all external parasites.

Internal Flea and Tick Powder Details

Internal Flea and Tick Powder Ingredients

Unprocessed brewers yeast, bone phosphate, zinc amino acid chelate, garlic, hops, rice bran, desiccated liver, di-methionine, egg shell calcium, whole dried eggs.

Internal Flea and Tick Powder Dosage

Slowly Introduce Internal Powder into your Dog and Cats daily meals. Double the dosage during peak Flea and Tick season. Use regular or reduced dosage or take a break during the winter months. Can be mixed with plain organic yogurt! Yummy!

Kittens and Puppies: 1 teaspoon
Cats and Toy Breeds: 1 1/2 teaspoons
Small Breeds 10-20lbs: 2 teaspoons
Medium Breeds 21-50lbs: 1 tablespoon
Large Breeds 51-80lbs: 1 1/2 tablespoons
Giant Breeds 86+lbs: 2 tablespoons

Bug Off! Natural Flea Repellent – not for use on cats.

Bug Off! Natural Flea Repellent is a truly organic, non-toxic insect repellent spray. Bug Off! Natural Flea Repellent will repel fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, black flies, horseflies, gnats and sand fleas. Bug Off! Natural Flea Repellent will make hiking, walking, going to the beach, boating and those lazy days in the yard more enjoyable for you and your companion! Don’t forget that everything you apply on your dog winds up inside him and on the people that come in contact with him, so only use the safest products possible! Safer for you, your pal and the environment!

*Please use on dogs only. Cats can be sensitive to essential oils

Bug Off! Natural Flea Repellent Benefits

• A safer, non-toxic insect repellent for dogs.
• Features organic extracts and essential oils.
• A natural and effective alternative to chemical flea and tick products.
• Quick and easy application – just spray on.

Bug Off! Natural Flea Repellent Details

Available in an 8oz spray bottle – not for use on cats.

Natural Flea Repellent Ingredients
Organic extracts of rue, neem, black walnut hulls, wormwood, horsetail, chrysanthemum flowers. Organic essential oils of flea bane (erigeron) and eucalyptus.

You know it is a good day at the Biscuit when a fluffy little puppy comes to visit!  Thank you for stopping in Penny!!

Our newest addition to the Loyal Biscuit Visitors Club!

Penny & Fenny giving smooches!

Ash and K.C. were in the other day while out for walks with their humans!

Ash came to visit the other day!

A very muddy K.C. and his mom stopped in for a visit while out on a walk.

Fenway is having a blast at the Loyal Biscuit celebrating her 2nd birthday today!  And she is really enjoying her new Maine made fleece Tug Me Toy from A Pet’s Picnic!  Happy Birthday Fenway!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2wDhJnOlP4&hl=en&fs=1%5D