Stealing Lab Pictures

Someone had asked what I had meant in my last post when I stated:

We know the pictures aren't super clear but we only post the medium quality pictures of our girls as some Internet users have begun to steal our high quality pictures to try selling them online for profit. Sorry.

The reality of it is that we have often found pictures of our Lab Brats on other people's websites as just harmless pictures of Labrador Retrievers or as pictures on products being sold for a profit. The former doesn't really bother our family as we don't mind sharing pictures of our dogs with other people and , quite honestly, we are a little bias in believing they are too beautiful not to be shared. (Such is a Lab owner's life!) However, there are many sites out there that you can upload a picture and have it placed on a number of items such as mugs, t-shirts, and other gifts items. Heck, we have a section of our Lab store devoted entirely to pictures of Labs on such items (See 8PawsUp.com Photography). However, our selling items with Lab pictures on them is fully legal as we have consent from those that have submitted their pictures. Unfortunately, not everyone is as ethical as we are in our selling of items and it came to our attention that many pictures of Dakota were being placed on items, for sale, without our permission.

Hope that answers the person's question and any other questions our frequent viewers have in reference to the picture quality of our last post. Not to worry though - the picture quality will get better - that was just me testing out the photo software to find a happy medium.

New Lab Brat Pictures

We have a great time at the dog park yesterday. The early morning hours provided the right amount of shade and cool breeze for our Labrador Retrievers. Needless to say, Dakota and Cheyenne have an awesome time and slept the rest of the day.



Always remember; a tired Lab is a good Lab. *wink*

(We know the pictures aren't super clear but we only post the medium quality pictures of our girls as some Internet users have begun to steal our high quality pictures to try selling them online for profit. Sorry.)

Father's Day Sale!

Product Review: FURminator

You've probably seen it in numerous places but do you truly know what the FURminator is?


For our house, it is one of the best products ever invented. Sure, there are loads of dog brushes out there but none of them even come close to the FURminator! This brush reduces shedding up to 90 percent by removing the loose, dead undercoat without damaging the topcoat. We have put it to the test by first brushing our Labrador Retrievers with the "Shedding Blade" and then going over them with the FURminator. What happened? Well, we ended up with two large bags of dog hair! That was after we had already brushed them!

Needless to say, the FURminator has a permanent place in our house. There is one thing we should mention though - do not use it all the time as it can strip the top coat of hair and make it dull and thin. We use ours about every 2 weeks during the shedding season and alternate with the Shedding Blade. During the colder months, we use it about once every month or two (depending on their shedding).

We give the FURminator 8 Paws Up!

A Pool for my Labs

No, really, I haven't been slacking on my duties to provide the Lab community with news about the Lab Brats. Okay, maybe I have but I can honestly say that as the weather gets warmer, the Lab Brats demand more attention! Yes, I am going to paw this over to it being my own Labrador Retrievers' fault and they would agree. You see, Dakota and Cheyenne think that the summer is all about them and now that they have their pool, they think they should be in it about every minute of every day!

Yes, we have a pool just for our dogs. It costs us $10.99 at the local hardware store and it will last the entire summer and beyond. No, it is not huge - just the largest hard plastic kiddie pool we could find. Hard plastic with Labs is a must! Their natural tendency to scratch the sides and bottom of the pool make soft plastic and inflatable pools impossible. The hard plastic allows for them to be as rough and tumble on it as much as they want. Which, to say, makes Dakota a very happy pup. She doesn't just scratch at it; she grabs her Cuz toy, drowns it so that it makes a squishy noise and then rolls around in the pool squishing it in her mouth. Then she gets out, rubs her body against the concrete while continue to squish it. Cheyenne, on the other hand, loves to run in and out of the pool as much as she can but doesn't like her ears wet.

Two totally different personalities and one pool to accommodate them both. If only someone made an easy way to dry Labs so that, even when you think they are fully dry, they don't leave huge wet marks from their butts resting against the side of the couch afterwards! *laugh*

$5 Off PLUS Free Shipping!

We all know how expensive dogs can be to have as part of our families. I don't even want to think how much our Lab Brats have cost us. That is why I have decided to start posting online coupon codes I find for dog products. The Lab Brats want to make sure you are able to continue to afford to provide what your pups need to stay healthy and safe. We dare not go against the Lab Brats so here is the first coupon code for dog products and medications online:

• Store: PetCare RX (http://www.petcarerx.com/)
• Coupon: $5.00 OFF Plus Free Shipping
• Coupon Code: SMART507
• Expires: June 30, 2007

Please note that just because we supply these coupon codes does not mean we endorse nor work in conjunction with the store we are listing. The Lab Brats have no affiliation to any of the stores listed, unless otherwise noted.

Calling All CafePress Shopkeepers!

We know this is may be a bit off topic but we are so excited!! Our mommy, Shannon Steffen, has been nominated for a seat on the CafePress Shop Management board due to my great success with my online businesses through CafePress, including her 8PawsUp.com Labrador Retriever Info & Gifts and her DogWire Dog Gifts stores!

It has been such an honor for her to be nominated and we hope that you will vote for her on the Shop Management board so she can speak on behalf of the dog lover Internet entrepreneurs! Remember, you must already be a CafePress Shopkeeper to vote or else your vote won't count!

Vote here: http://www.cafepress.com/cp/community/nominees

Labrador smiles,
Dakota & Cheyenne

PS: The picture in mommy's CafePress profile for the nominees was taken at LabFest she hosted last year in Milwaukee, WI with both Cheyenne and I . . . she was sad to see they cropped us out of the picture but she guessed that since us pups weren't running, only her picture mattered. BOL

This is a reminder that the CafePressVoice election is CafePress Shopkeepers only. This election is to select CafePressVoice reps to represent the viewpoints, interests and concerns that fellow Shopkeepers have about their businesses. They've added an email field to the poll. Be sure to enter the email address that you use to login to your CafePress account.

Vet Cost for Labs

The veterinarian appointment went well and both Lab Brats are in great shape. Now, I know that many of our blog readers come looking for the vet costs of having a Lab so I figure that since we spent so much today on our vet bill, some good should come from it. So, without further delay, this was our veterinarian bill for a 2-year old Labrador Retriever with no extra hidden costs associated with any particular aliments.

• Office Call with Vaccines or Heartworm Screen: $30.00
• Medical Waste Disposal Fee: $1.00
• DHLPPC Shot: $26.00
• Bordatella Shot: $26.00
• LYME Shot: $26.00
• Nail Trim: $12.00
• Heartworm Occult: $22.00
• Blood Draw: $10.50
• Stool Parasite/Worm Check: $17.00

Add that with the office call, LYME, medical waste, and nail trim for Cheyenne as well and you have a grand total of $239.50!! (without tax) This, of course, does not include the Rabies shot as Dakota is now up to the every 2-year shot so we lucked out this time. Again, this is the yearly routine exam and does not include any medical care for ailments or injuries occurred throughout the year. This is also not specific to just the Lab dog breed as all dogs go through these routine exams and shots. So, for those that don't currently have dogs and are thinking about getting one or more, make sure you can afford them because, although they are cute and great companions, they come with such expenses attached.

Lucky for us, Cheyenne isn't due for her checkup until the beginning of next year!

Oh no! The Vet!

Yep! Today is Dakota's annual vet appointment and she is due to get all of her routine shots. From last count, I believe there were 4 of them and although she has a needle waiting for her at the veterinarian, when I ask her if she wants to go, she gets all excited and cocks her head from side to side. It just makes you smile when you see her do this head action and breaks your heart at the same time because of what awaits.

No, it isn't that bad and she doesn't hate the vet. It is just that when she gets into that small exam room, she quickly plants her rear end tight into the corner of the room. Why? Because she hates it when the doctor sticks a thermometer up her butt. *laugh* It reminds me of that scene in Dr. Dolittle when the dog keeps asking what the guy is doing near his butt... *big laugh*

Sure, she will be fine after a small exam, nail trimming, routine shots, and hip dysplasia follow-up exam. Why should she complain? She gets free cookies at the end of the visit and didn't have to wake up early this morning to collect fecal samples! Oh, she has no clue how good she's got it! *wink*