2013 New Year Goals

In keeping up with my yearly tradition I’ve decided to take a look back over the goals I made for myself last year to see how I did! I’ve also come up with a new list of goals for 2013 that will hopefully keep me on my toes!

My 2012 Goals:

1. Learn a new trick with my favorite pony, Minnow.

Ok, so I can’t recall a SPECIFIC trick I learned with Minnow this past year, but I did star in our brand-new Painting Pony DVD with him. And I had a super fun super hero shoot with Minnow this summer.

Ammo the Dachshund Super Hero and his Super Hero Pony

2. Compete in my first agility trial or take an agility class with a new club.

While I’m not quite ready for my first agility trial just yet, I have been taking agility classes since the spring. I’m hoping I might be ready for a trial sometime next year.

DIY Dog Agility Weave Poles // Ammo the Dachshund

3. Make more home movies, featuring me!

I’m happy to report that I’ve created lots of new video footage this year (over 50 videos on my youtube channel!), and I even landed on two national television spots at the end of this year (which I’ll be sharing all the details on the blog soon). And if you want to catch my biggest performance of the year you can check out my new DVD HERE!

Filming for the Painting Pony DVD 2012

4. Get more creative with my costumes.

I’m happy to say I’ve dressed up more this year than any other year! You might recall my pilot’s outfit when I went flying, my super cool Halloween costume as Wile E. Coyote, and even my dapper Holiday outfit for this year.

Ammo the Dachshund // Halloween // Wile E. Coyote Costume

5. Master some new tricks and share them on the blog.

I started a new feature on the blog this year called Let’s Get Tricky! I also added a few new tricks to my repertoire and I’m hoping to continue the trend in 2013.

Ammo the Dachshund // Let's Get Tricky // Teach Your Dog to High-Five

6. Take pictures every month for my 2013 Calendar!

So I may not have specifically set out to take photos for my calendar every month, I did rack up quite a lot of space on Mom’s hard-drive with my thousands of photos from this year.

2013 Dachshund Calendar from the Flying Hero Etsy Shop // Ammo the Dachshund

7. Make more DIY projects.

I definitely got my DIY on this year! I came up with over 10 great DIY projects this year, including my Birthday Bandana, a Dipped Yellow Chair, and even a Pet First Aid Kit.

Birthday Week // DIY Pet Birthday Bandana // Ammo the Dachshund

8. Paint more.

Painting may have taken a bit of a backseat this year, but that didn’t stop me from getting created. I opened up my very own Etsy Shop, Flying Hero, to sell my greeting cards, calendars and more – many of which have helped raise money for animal rescues!

Flying Hero Etsy Shop via Ammo the Dachshund

9. Dig more holes in the backyard.

You know I got this one covered!

Ammo the Dachshund - Hole Digging Heaven - Backhoe on the Farm

10. Smile everyday!

How can you not smile when you’re having this much fun!

Ammo the Dachshund // Backyard Super Hero

So moving on to the upcoming year, I can’t wait to start 2013 off with a bang!

2013 Goals:

  1. Create some more greeting card designs for my Flying Hero Etsy Shop
  2. Master the weave poles for my agility classes
  3. Compete in an agility trial
  4. Learn a performance that I can perform on my own at events
  5. Make every day count!

So what about you? What are your goals for 2013?

2013 Dachshund Calendar from the Flying Hero Etsy Shop // Ammo the DachshundDon’t forget to start 2013 off right, check out my Calendar available for purchase HERE! Hurry, because I only have a few copies left! Ammo the Dachshund

Friday Fetch: Pet By Number from Easy 123 Art

One of the gifts that my mom got this year for Christmas was a subscription to Modern Dog Magazine (a lifestyle magazine for modern dogs and their companions) – it was love at first sight for me. Mom and I quickly poured through the pages and came across some really neat products that we couldn’t wait to share with you!

One of those products was from Easy 123 Art, a website designed to help you create your own paint-by-number kits out of your very own photos. How cool is that!

Easy 123 Art Custom Paint by Number Kits of your Pet // Friday Fetch - Ammo the Dachshund

The website boasts that it’s simple to use kit allows you to upload your own photo, customize it, then get to painting!

Easy 123 Art Custom Paint by Number Kits of your Pet // Friday Fetch - Ammo the Dachshund

Easy 123 Art Custom Paint by Number Kits of your Pet // Friday Fetch - Ammo the Dachshund

These would make great gifts, or even allow you to create a custom painting of your own favorite furry friend!

You can fetch your own paint-by-number kit at Easy 123 Art starting at $49 Ammo the Dachshund

My Holiday Adventures

Ammo's Holiday Adventures // Ammo the Dachshund

This year when Christmas morning arrived, so did the snow! I awoke to a blanket of snow in my backyard….it was glorious!

Ammo's Holiday Adventures // Ammo the Dachshund

After taking a romp in the newly fallen snow I set to work unwrapping all of my gifts!

Ammo's Holiday Adventures // Ammo the Dachshund

Santa must of known that I’ve been a very good boy, because he brought me lots of goodies this year.

Ammo's Holiday Adventures // Ammo the Dachshund

Ammo's Holiday Adventures // Ammo the Dachshund

One of my favorite gifts this year was an add-on for my agility poles so that I can practice indoors too! Santa knows me so well!

Ammo's Holiday Adventures // Ammo the Dachshund

So after diving into all my presents at home, we loaded up the car and headed over to Trooper’s house for some more Christmas fun.

Ammo's Holiday Adventures // Ammo the Dachshund

I dressed for the occasion in my Holiday tie!

Ammo's Holiday Adventures // Ammo the Dachshund

Trooper said I made him feel very under dressed.

Ammo's Holiday Adventures // Ammo the Dachshund

Even my new cousin Jack joined us for some fun during the holidays – although he was smart and staked out the best spot on the couch before we started opening gifts.

Ammo's Holiday Adventures // Ammo the Dachshund

Ammo's Holiday Adventures // Ammo the Dachshund

We opened so many gifts at Trooper’s house, that Trooper fell asleep with all his new toys in his mouth. He just doesn’t know how to hang.

Ammo's Holiday Adventures // Ammo the Dachshund

After the party at Trooper’s we loaded up the car again and headed to my MomMom & PopPop’s house so that I could give my human cousins some gifts too!

My cousin Maddie got a pony for Christmas, which she promptly named Ammo. I’m not sure if I should be flattered or insulted?

Ammo's Holiday Adventures // Ammo the Dachshund

When we finally arrived back home late that night, mom said I had to put all my new toys away in the new toy baskets Santa had brought me.

I figured Santa would want me to enjoy my gifts to the fullest, so I snuggled up for the night inside one of my toy bins. Morning couldn’t come soon enough!

Here’s a round-up of what goodies I got this year:

Ammo's Holiday Adventures // Ammo the Dachshund

1. Hot Dog Slicer for my Agility Training from Amazon

2. Mascot Id Tag from Blanket ID

3. Bully Sticks from Best Bully Sticks

4. Toys from Planet Dog

5. Toy Storage Bin from the Container Store

6. Toy Storage Bin from Land of Nod

7. Lumps of Coal Cookies from Bocce’s Bakery available at Olive

 

I had a wonderful Christmas with my family, getting to take some time off work and spend time with the one’s I love was just what I needed after a busy Holiday season at mom’s shop. I hope you all had a wonderful Holiday as well! Ammo the Dachshund

The Day After Christmas

It’s the day after Christmas, and lucky for me I have the day off of work!

The Day After Christmas // Ammo the Dachshund

I’m very much looking forward to spending my day lounging around the house and catching up on some much needed napping.

The Day After Christmas // Ammo the Dachshund

Not to worry though, I’ll be fully recharged in no time – and ready to share my Christmas adventures with everyone!

Merry Day After Christmas to You! Ammo the Dachshund

12 Days of Cheer! Merry Christmas!

Today is the last day of my 12 Days of Cheer! And it is also Christmas Day! Hooray!

12 Days of Cheer! Merry Christmas from Ammo the Dachshund

I hope you’ve enjoyed celebrating the season with my 12 Days of Cheer – and just for fun, let’s take a look back at all the fun we’ve had these past few days.

12 Days of Cheer! Free Downloadable Desktop Wallpaper featuring Ammo the Dachshund

Day 1: Free Holiday Desktop Wallpaper

12 Days of Cheer // Ammo the Dachshund's Christmas Wish List

Day 2: Ammo’s Christmas Wish List

12 Days of Cheer // Ammo the Dachshund visits Santa

Day 3: Visiting Santa

12 Days of Cheer! Ammo the Dachshund's DIY Holiday Dog Ornaments

Day 4: DIY Holiday Dog Ornaments

12 Days of Cheer! Holiday Gift Guides for Dogs and Dog Lovers

Day 5: Holiday Gift Guides for Dogs and Dog Lovers

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Holiday Dog Cookie Jar via Ammo the Dachshund

Day 6: DIY Holiday Dog Cookie Jar

12 Days of Cheer! Christmas Parade with Ammo the Dachshund

Day 7: Christmas Parade Time

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Holiday Pet Garland using Milkbones! via Ammo the Dachshund

Day 8: DIY Holiday Pet Garland

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Pet Snowglobe via Ammo the Dachshund

Day 9: DIY Pet Snow Globe

12 Days of Cheer! Holiday Dog Gift Wrap and Free Gift Tags from Ammo the Dachshund

Day 10: Gift Wrap for Dogs and Free Printable Gift Tags

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Christmas Eve Outfit for your Dog via Ammo the Dachshund

Day 11: DIY Christmas Eve Outfit for Dogs

So on our final and last day of the 12 Days of Cheer I wanted to wish all of my friends and family a very Merry Christmas!

12 Days of Cheer! Merry Christmas from Ammo the Dachshund

I’m now off to visit with my family and spread my Christmas Cheer while wearing my most awesome Christmas Outfit. When you’re this good looking it’s pretty easy to leave some cheer behind everywhere you go!

xoxo! Ammo the Dachshund

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Christmas Eve Outfit for your Dog

Yippee, it’s Christmas Eve! If you’re anything like me you are getting out your best Holiday Outfit to wear to all of the upcoming Holiday parties and festivities.

This year I decided to whip up some special festive wear – a simple DIY to make you look oh-so-spiffy this Christmas.

Disclaimer: this post does contain some affiliate links

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Christmas Eve Outfit for your Dog via Ammo the Dachshund

DIY Christmas Eve Outfit for Dogs

Materials:

  • Clip-on Tie or bowtie* (I got mine from goodwill)
  • White Collared Shirt* (I also got this from goodwill)
  • Velcro
  • Scissors
  • Hot Glue

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Christmas Eve Outfit for your Dog via Ammo the Dachshund

Step 1: Cut just the collar off of the shirt.

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Christmas Eve Outfit for your Dog via Ammo the Dachshund

Step 2: Cut the collar in half at the back of it.

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Christmas Eve Outfit for your Dog via Ammo the Dachshund

Step 3: Glue velcro to the back of the collar, you may need to measure your dog’s neck to see where to position the velcro.

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Christmas Eve Outfit for your Dog via Ammo the Dachshund

Step 4: Take your clip-on tie and shorten the length of the tie to an appropriate length for your dog by pushing the excess fabric up and through the knot of the tie.

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Christmas Eve Outfit for your Dog via Ammo the Dachshund

Step 5: Cut off the excess tie fabric at the top, leaving enough that you can glue it later.

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Christmas Eve Outfit for your Dog via Ammo the Dachshund

Step 6: Hot glue the ends of your tie back into place.

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Christmas Eve Outfit for your Dog via Ammo the Dachshund

Step 7: Clip the tie onto the collar and you’re ready for a festive night!

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Christmas Eve Outfit for your Dog via Ammo the Dachshund

I must admit, my festive Holiday outfit makes me so ridiculously good looking! Not the DIY type? Don’t worry, you can snag a festive pre-made bowtie for your pup* for any occasion!

So what will you’re pets be wearing this Christmas? Holiday bowtie, Christmas sweater or maybe – dare I say it – your birthday suit? Do tell!Ammo the Dachshund

 

 

12 Days of Cheer! Gift Wrap for the Dogs & Free Gift Tags

Every year mom helps me wrap up my holiday gifts (the lack of opposable thumbs really hinders me in this department). And every year I try to add a little something special to the packages from me.

12 Days of Cheer! Holiday Dog Gift Wrap and Free Gift Tags from Ammo the Dachshund

This year mom and I used some brown kraft paper, baker’s twine, and washi tape (cut out in the shape of dog bones using a cookie cutter) to adorn my gifts.

12 Days of Cheer! Holiday Dog Gift Wrap and Free Gift Tags from Ammo the Dachshund

You also may have noticed the cute little gift tags with my Christmas mug on them! Well guess what!? I’ve created a printable set just for you!

Feel free to download my Holiday Gift Tags HERE. You are free to use them for personal use on all your holiday gifts this year. Send a little smiling doxie cheer! Yipppee!

12 Days of Cheer! Holiday Dog Gift Wrap and Free Gift Tags from Ammo the Dachshund

 

Merry Christmas Everyone! Ammo the Dachshund

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Pet Snowglobe

It may not be snowing in Pennsylvania just yet, but that won’t stop me from creating my own magical winter wonderland this Christmas!

Today we’re making magical DIY Pet Snowglobes!

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Pet Snowglobe via Ammo the Dachshund

DIY Pet Snowglobes

Materials:

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Pet Snowglobe via Ammo the Dachshund

Step 1: Mold your sculpy into a “snow mound” that will fit inside the lid of the jar. Make sure sure that it can fit inside the jar lid with the jar on top.

Step 2: Bake your sculpy in the oven at the temperature and time specified on the package. Allow to cool.

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Pet Snowglobe via Ammo the Dachshund

Step 3: Using a hot glue gun attach the “snow mound” to the lid of your jar. Then glue the dog figurine on top of it.

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Pet Snowglobe via Ammo the Dachshund

Step 4: Add glitter to your jar.

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Pet Snowglobe via Ammo the Dachshund

Step 5: Add water to your jar, making sure you don’t overfill it.

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Pet Snowglobe via Ammo the Dachshund

Step 6: Screw the lid onto the jar, shake, and enjoy!

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Pet Snowglobe via Ammo the Dachshund

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Pet Snowglobe via Ammo the Dachshund

It’s magical isn’t it?

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Pet Snowglobe via Ammo the Dachshund

I’m very much enjoying my snowglobe – it has just the right amount of Christmas Cheer!

 

This DIY was inspired by this tutorial from ModCloth.Ammo the Dachshund

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Holiday Pet Garland

Festive, fun, and made of COOKIES! This is totally my kind of DIY!

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Holiday Pet Garland using Milkbones! via Ammo the Dachshund

Mom helped me come up with a fun holiday garland to decorate my home with this year. I figured can’t hurt to make my home extra festive, because you never know what jolly round fellow might be stopping by in a few days!

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Holiday Pet Garland using Milkbones! via Ammo the Dachshund

DIY Holiday Pet Garland

Materials:

 

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Holiday Pet Garland using Milkbones! via Ammo the Dachshund

Step 1: Using your Electric Drill, drill holes through the pre-existing hole marks in your cookie. You can alternatively use an awl to push holes through them – but this method tends to crack the cookies easier.

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Holiday Pet Garland using Milkbones! via Ammo the Dachshund

Step 2: Spray paint your cookies a fun and festive color.

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Holiday Pet Garland using Milkbones! via Ammo the Dachshund

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Holiday Pet Garland using Milkbones! via Ammo the Dachshund

Allow them to completely dry before moving onto the next step, preferably overnight.

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Holiday Pet Garland using Milkbones! via Ammo the Dachshund

Step 3: Thread the bakers twine through the back of your cookies. A toothpick may be helpful to push the twine through them.

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Holiday Pet Garland using Milkbones! via Ammo the Dachshund

Step 4: You will want to knot the end of each piece of twine near your cookie so that it won’t slide around on the garland.

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Holiday Pet Garland using Milkbones! via Ammo the Dachshund

Step 5: If you choose you can tie some festive ribbon onto the bakers twine. Then hang and enjoy!

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Holiday Pet Garland using Milkbones! via Ammo the Dachshund

Had I know this Cookie Garland was just for looks and not for nibbling I might not have been as excited to make it.

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Holiday Pet Garland using Milkbones! via Ammo the Dachshund

Despite the red spray paint I can still smell the cookies underneath, so make sure you hang your garland out of reach of any furry friends! Mom says it might smell good, but they won’t taste good! Ammo the Dachshund

This diy was inspired by the following halloween decorating tutorial.

Product Review: SafetyGlo Harness for Dogs from Chewy.com

Disclaimer: This review is brought to you by Chewy.

When my friends over at Chewy.com, formally known as Mr. Chewy (they dropped the formality because we’re all friends here), contacted me about the new SafetyGlo products they are carrying on their site – I just knew I had to take them for a whirl.

Safetyglo Harness Product Review from Chewy.com via Ammo the Dachshund

The SafetyGlo products are the only ones on the market that are solar and usb chargeable. They emit a glowing light that is visible from over 500 yards away.

Perfect for keeping your pet safe on late night walks, visible at night in the back yard, and if you’re like me….on the family farm.

Safetyglo Harness Product Review from Chewy.com via Ammo the Dachshund

But before I could take the SafetyGlo harness for a spin, I had to charge it up! The easily detachable charging unit comes with a small USB cable that can be plugged into your computer for charging. Alternatively you can leave it to charge out in the sun – or simply place it on your dog while they are outside during the day and let the sun do it’s magic.

Safetyglo Harness Product Review from Chewy.com via Ammo the Dachshund

Once charged, the SafetyGlo unit easily snaps & velcros to the back of the harness.

Safetyglo Harness Product Review from Chewy.com via Ammo the Dachshund

There is also a handy on and off switch on the charger – so during the day you can switch it off.

Safetyglo Harness Product Review from Chewy.com via Ammo the Dachshund

And at night you can let it Glo!

Safetyglo Harness Product Review from Chewy.com via Ammo the Dachshund

Of course the true test is always the farm dog test….so I harnessed up and prepared to romp around the farm in my new SafetyGlo Harness.

Farmdog approved!

I’m wearing the medium SafetyGlo Harness, which fits me snuggly like a glove – it seems the sizes might run a little small, so when ordering maybe order a size up if you are unsure.

You can fetch your own SafteyGlo Products from $5.99 – $24.99 at Chewy.com!

Disclosure: I received a SafetyGlo Harness from review, all opinions are entirely my own.Ammo the Dachshund