Rainy Days at the Lake

On those hot summer days one of my very favorite things to do is to visit the Marshcreek State Park – home to my favorite lake. But what about on those rainy summer days? Well, I still like to visit the lake!

Rainy Days at the Lake // Marshcreek // Ammo the Dachshund

The day started hot and sunny enough, so I packed up my life vest (and my pal Shilah the Husky) and headed out to the lake.

Rainy Days at the Lake // Marshcreek // Ammo the Dachshund

I was surprised to find that the water was warm, as in bathtub warm! So I had no hesitation in jumping right in!

Rainy Days at the Lake // Marshcreek // Ammo the Dachshund

Rainy Days at the Lake // Marshcreek // Ammo the Dachshund

Shilah had a bit more hesitation with the water, would you believe she’s never been to a lake before! Not to worry though, I was able to coax her right in.

Rainy Days at the Lake // Marshcreek // Ammo the Dachshund

Just as I was starting to get warmed up a huge storm came through and dampened my chance to hop on a boat rental!

Rainy Days at the Lake // Marshcreek // Ammo the Dachshund

But after waiting out the heaviest of rain, I wasn’t going to let it spoil my fun, and it was back in the water for Shilah and me!

Rainy Days at the Lake // Marshcreek // Ammo the Dachshund

Rainy Days at the Lake // Marshcreek // Ammo the Dachshund

I even took to some good old fashioned dog paddling, because I of course had to show off my mad swimming skills to my pal Shilah!

What do you do on rainy summer days? Ammo the Dachshund

Voyagers K9 Product Review & Giveaway

Disclaimer: This review and giveaway is brought to you by Voyagers K9.

Voyagers K9 Apparel is a company that I am already pretty familiar with – having owned two of their custom made coats for several years now. So when I got the chance to test out one of their raincoats, I did a little happy dance (in the rain of course).

Voyagers K9 Apparel for Dogs // Product Review // Ammo the Dachshund

The unique thing about these coats are that they can be custom made to fit your dog, and not just pure breeds – ANY BREED OF DOG. So I sent in my measurements and pretty soon there was a package waiting at my doorstep with this spiffy new red raincoat that fits me oh-so-perfectly. I mean just look how tailored it fits, which is no easy feat for an oddly shaped dachshund body.

Voyagers K9 Apparel for Dogs // Product Review // Ammo the Dachshund

Unlike their winter and cold weather coats, this raincoat is light weight with a mesh lining – meaning even though it’s summer I don’t have to worry about getting overheated in it.

Voyagers K9 Apparel for Dogs // Product Review // Ammo the Dachshund

I love the attached hood as it is the perfect for keeping my little ears dry, but I also have the option to unvelcro the front and fold it over too.

Voyagers K9 Apparel for Dogs // Product Review // Ammo the Dachshund

The coats from Voyagers K9 Apparel also come with holes to attach a leash to a collar and optional ones to attach to a harness as well.

Voyagers K9 Apparel for Dogs // Product Review // Ammo the Dachshund

And my final test of my spiffy new raincoat was to see how it faired in the rain – which as luck would have it a storm was rolling in on the farm!

Voyagers K9 Apparel for Dogs // Product Review // Ammo the Dachshund

I started off slow – testing my new coat inside under the drops of rain that were bouncing into the barn.

Voyagers K9 Apparel for Dogs // Product Review // Ammo the Dachshund

Each drop beaded up on my coat and kept me perfectly dry underneath, but the true test would be romping in the puddles outside! Check it out for yourself in my instagram videos below:

My new raincoat even kept me dry enough that I wanted to take a potty break outside in the rain – now that’s saying something!

The fact that I didn’t even need a bath afterwards is proof that this is one of the best raincoats out there! And if it’s anything like my winter jackets from Voyagers K9 (which have lasted me for over 3 years now), then you know it will hold up to the rigors of farm life!

So now onto the super awesome news for you!

Voyagers K9 Apparel for Dogs // Product Review // Ammo the Dachshund

ONE Lucky WINNER will WIN a $50 GIFT CERTIFICATE to VOYAGERS K9!
– so you too can get your own custom coat!

Here’s HOW TO WIN:

For this giveaway I will be using, Rafflecopter. We only use the information you provide to contact the winners and we never share it – so not to worry. You’ll also get bonus entries for liking Voyagers K9 on Facebook. You are welcome to leave a comment on this post as well, but comments will not be counted as entries. Winners will be chosen at random and you will be contacted via e-mail to claim your prize. All the winners will also be announced on this blog post once the giveaway ends on 7/27/12 12AM EST. Open to US Residents & International Residents! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received a raincoat from Voyagers K9 Apparel to review. All opinions are entirely my own. Ammo the Dachshund

Swim Lessons

Swim Lessons // Ammo the Dachshund

I’ve been taking swim lessons with my Dad at the pool lately, because I want to become a much stronger swimmer!

Dad says my swim kick is getting stronger every time, and before you know it I’ll be the official life guard at the family pool.

Swim Lessons // Ammo the Dachshund

In preparation for my inevitable lifeguarding duties I have been practicing saving my cousins.

Swim Lessons // Ammo the Dachshund

Although with all those flotation devices on it makes a little hard for a dog to practice saving drowning people! Ammo the Dachshund

I went to the Rodeo

You might remember that a couple of months ago I visited the Rodeo in Amish Country, well this time I was back to watch my mom and Boomerang compete in it!

At the Rodeo // Team Penning // Ammo the Dachshund

Boomer was competing in a sport called Team Penning, which basically means that three riders have 90 seconds to round up three cows that are the same number (a number is called out by the announcer at the start) and pen them into a small corral at the other end of the arena.

At the Rodeo // Team Penning // Ammo the Dachshund

My buddy Boomer is pretty new to moving cows around, and this was only the third time he’s tried team penning.

At the Rodeo // Team Penning // Ammo the Dachshund

Luckily he had me in the stands to cheer him on, and I think I was good luck because on his very first time out Boomer’s team penned their cows well under the time limit!

At the Rodeo // Team Penning // Ammo the Dachshund

Not to brag, but I pretty much taught him all he knows!

Find out more about my famous pony friends at PaintingPony.com Ammo the Dachshund

Friday Fetch: Dog Harnesses from Ginger’s Wonders

I came across this interesting harness design from Ginger’s Wonders on Etsy and was intrigued. I like a good harness that gives me freedom of movement, and these harnesses seem to do just that. Plus they come in some fun colors and patterns, perfect for some summertime fun!

Friday Fetch: Dog Harness from Ginger's Wonders // Ammo the Dachshund

Friday Fetch: Dog Harness from Ginger's Wonders // Ammo the Dachshund

Friday Fetch: Dog Harness from Ginger's Wonders // Ammo the Dachshund

Friday Fetch: Dog Harness from Ginger's Wonders // Ammo the Dachshund

Friday Fetch: Dog Harness from Ginger's Wonders // Ammo the Dachshund

Friday Fetch: Dog Harness from Ginger's Wonders // Ammo the Dachshund

That houndstooth pattern certainly looks good on my fellow dachshund friend!

You can fetch these dashing harnesses from Ginger’s Wonders for around $30Ammo the Dachshund

Day at the Pool

Day at the Pool // Ammo the Dachshund

One of the great things about the summer is getting to spend the day at my mom mom & pop pop’s pool.

Day at the Pool // Ammo the Dachshund

I wouldn’t say that I love to swim or anything, but floating around on a raft in the water is a pretty good time.

Day at the Pool // Ammo the Dachshund

Day at the Pool // Ammo the Dachshund

I’ve become sort of an expert at patrolling the waters, making sure no one drowns and that everyone plays by the rules. I run a tight ship at my pool!

Day at the Pool // Ammo the Dachshund

Day at the Pool // Ammo the Dachshund

Now if only I could get someone to bring me out a tray of hot dogs – I think I might never leave!

Day at the Pool // Ammo the Dachshund

Day at the Pool // Ammo the Dachshund

Happy Summer everyone! Ammo the Dachshund

My Personal Puddle

My Personal Puddle // Ammo the Dachshund

It’s been raining in Pennsylvania A LOT, like as in thunderstorms most nights and sometimes all day long. But it’s also been hot hot hot. So while I hate that the rain sometimes puts a damper on my plans, I’m loving that it’s created a personal puddle on the farm just for me to cool off in.

My Personal Puddle // Ammo the Dachshund

It may not be crystal clear waters, but it’s the perfect place to cool off, and maybe fetch a few sticks in too.

My Personal Puddle // Ammo the Dachshund

My Personal Puddle // Ammo the Dachshund

My Personal Puddle // Ammo the Dachshund

With just a couple more inches of rain I’d have to slap on my life vest and call it my own personal swimming puddle.

My Personal Puddle // Ammo the Dachshund

My Personal Puddle // Ammo the Dachshund

If anyone needs me I’ll be dipping my paws into my personal puddle, and dreaming I’m at the beach chasing crabs out to sea! Keep cool friends! Ammo the Dachshund

Kayaking Adventure

Kayaking Adventure // Ammo the Dachshund // Marshcreek Lake

Over the weekend it got hot hot hot, and instead of just laying around the house panting I decided to go to the lake!

Kayaking Adventure // Ammo the Dachshund // Marshcreek Lake

I’m no stranger to the Marshcreek Lake, in fact I took my first paddleboarding adventure out there just last year.

Kayaking Adventure // Ammo the Dachshund // Marshcreek Lake

This time though I decided to take to the lake via kayak!

Kayaking Adventure // Ammo the Dachshund // Marshcreek Lake

Kayaking Adventure // Ammo the Dachshund // Marshcreek Lake

The wind in my ears was just what I needed to cool off on a hot summer day.

What do you do to beat the heat in the summer?Ammo the Dachshund

 

Fashion Show with my Friends Mattie & Margot

Disclaimer: This review is brought to you by Mattie & Margot.

Mattie & Margot Collars // Ammo the Dachshund

Have you heard of Mattie & Margot? If not, then you are missing out my friend. Makers of stylish handmade dog collars, Mattie & Margot carry every color under the sun, and they’re just what I needed to brighten up my summer!

Mattie & Margot Collars // Ammo the Dachshund

I purchased one of Mattie & Margot’s Mystery Collars (in yellow) and received this sunny Yellow Gold collar – isn’t it happy? With their Mystery Collars you can choose a color range for $16 or let it be a total surprise for $12 – what a great deal!

Mattie & Margot Collars // Ammo the Dachshund

And because Rachael (the expert sewing machine operator behind Mattie & Margot) knew that us farm dogs always need a back-up collar, she sent along this snazzy Bluebird/Navy Collar too.

Mattie & Margot Collars // Ammo the Dachshund

I’m still not sure which one I will stink up first on the farm, it’s a tough call.

Mattie & Margot Collars // Ammo the Dachshund

Mattie & Margot Collars // Ammo the Dachshund

I was looking so fine in my new collars that my kitty pal Spider got a little jealous. Too bad for her they don’t come in kitty sizes!

But for all you canines out there, I’m sure there’s a Mattie & Margot Collar just for you, they even come in a new miniature size! Which one would you choose?

[Shop] Mattie & Margot

[Friend] Mattie & Margot Ammo the Dachshund

In Preparation – Pony Penning 2013

Ammo the Dachshund Helps Prepare for Pony Penning

Every year around June mom and I start training the ponies for a very special trip. A trip to Chincoteague Island in Virginia at the end of July to watch their wild relatives swim from Assateague to Chincoteague during the annual Chincoteague Pony Swim and Auction.

As official pony trainer it’s my duty to help the ponies prepare by learning new tricks so they are ready to perform for their week long stay down there at the Chincoteague Pony Centre.

Ammo the Dachshund Helps Prepare for Pony Penning // Chincoteague Pony Boomerang

This year my pal Boomerang will be making his first trip to Virginia to perform, so I had a little chat with him about how he’s supposed to behave properly and not embarrass me.

Ammo the Dachshund Helps Prepare for Pony Penning // Chincoteague Pony Boomerang

Boomerang sulked for the rest of the day, what a baby!

Ammo the Dachshund Helps Prepare for Pony Penning // Chincoteague Pony Boomerang

Another part of Boomer’s preparation is reading the famous book by Marguerite Henry, Misty of Chincoteague. Things were going well until Boomer confessed that he doesn’t know how to read!

Ammo the Dachshund Helps Prepare for Pony Penning // Chincoteague Pony Boomerang

Sigh, it’s going to be a very very long summer! Ammo the Dachshund

 

Learn more about where you can see my pony friends perform at the end of July on the Painting Pony Blog.