Does your dog need a good grooming? Pooches & Smooches located on 1001 Starling Drive, Henrico VA 23229 has a wonderful lavish extensive menu. They will also be carrying Patio Pups Green Paws dog treats. Book an appointment & pick up some of our dog treats. They are more than just treats they are a great nutrition booster. https://m.facebook.com/PoochesandSmoochesrva/
I wanted to connect with dog owners in our area and have them share with you there stories of how they ended up with their precious pups.
So, here’s our first pups story.
Written By His Owner:Katherine Coleman
Mack-a-doodle, Mack Attack, Mack-a-licious, Macky-whacky Mackity-Mack-Mack…whatever tickles your fancy; he lives up to the name. He’s a goofball from nose to tail with a million-dollar smile that will melt your heart.
A few things to know about Mack:
Mack is a one-year-old boxer-mix (I think he might also be part Ridgeback) who I fostered through Blue Ridge Boxer Rescue, a small, foster-only, boxer rescue based out of North Carolina.
I met Mack on December 1st, 2018 in the parking lot of a Cracker Barrel in South Hill, VA. He was a bit road weary and uncertain; he had just completed the 4th leg in his journey from South Carolina to Virginia and I was the 5th stranger he would meet and the 5th and final car he would get in that day.
He was my second foster dog and I would be his second foster home. He was only about 9 months old when he was relinquished to the Pickens County, SC Animal Shelter. The story is that his owner was terminally ill, but I’m not so sure that’s the full story. He was underweight and uncertain of the world and came to me with a warning label, “needs slow introductions” (with other dogs) as he had not adjusted well to his first foster home.
When I brought Mack home I followed the standard protocols for “slow introductions” to my 10-year-old boxer Ozzy. We were met on arrival by another local volunteer from the rescue, walked the neighborhood and slowly introduced the two dogs. I was somewhat apprehensive but grateful to have the support of other volunteers. Mack adjusted well. He was quiet, somewhat reserved, and very well mannered, surprising to me for such a young boxer pup, and he seemed to respect his new home and new roommate Ozzy.
As the days passed and he got comfortable in his new home, his personality began to shine. He was a total goofball, but sweet as could be and I quickly found myself smitten with his snaggle-toothed grin and sweet nature. He had yet to grow into his legs and would get them tangled when he ran, but I was impressed with how he could compact and contort himself into the tiniest of spaces to sleep.
He attended my family Christmas on South Side where he won everyone over, even my step-dad who suggested I ought to snatch him up and adopt him quick because he was so well behaved. But I was intent on my role as a foster and on finding him a forever home. I continued to promote him for adoption and entertained several potential adopters, but for one reason or another I was finding reasons why they were not a good fit.
I think I knew early on that Mack was meant for me, but it wasn’t until March when my other dog Ozzy was diagnosed with a serious heart condition that I decided that this foster home would be Mack’s forever home.
Ozzy, was fairly anxious by nature and had always had a canine companion. With this new diagnosis and after losing his best canine companion of 9 years, Millie, to a brain tumor in September and then the adoption of our first foster dog Aurora in November, I knew I didn’t want to introduce yet another loss or the stress of another new foster introduction. Plus I knew Ozzy had bonded with and grown fairly attached to Mack, although he would have been the last to admit it. So it was decided, the paperwork was signed, and Mack was officially in his forever home. Some call it a “foster-failure” but I like to call Mack my “foster-now-forever dog.” I don’t see it as a failure at all.
It’s funny how things work in rescue and how the universe sometimes sends you exactly what you need when you least expect it. We had to say our goodbyes to Ozzy last week and while Mack and I are both heartbroken, I believe we have an even deeper bond. Not only was he a special dog friend to Ozzy, but Mack has also been a tremendous amount of support and comfort for me. Dog friends are special friends. Mack adored and looked up to Ozzy, and Mack provided a comfort to Ozzy in his final days. I will always have the memories of their playful antics and dog-pile snuggles to look back on and smile.
Mack and I are looking forward the many adventures ahead of us.
Follow Mack on Instagram: @wigglesandkisses
Where did WigglesandKisses come from?
I started fostering in October after we lost Millie. I wanted a way to share my foster dogs personality to help promote and market them for adoption, so I created the WigglesandKisses IG account. The name “Wiggles and Kisses” was in honor of Millie’s memory. She was all wiggles and all kisses all of the time, even to her very last day. It’s been an honor to share our story and the dogs’ stories and I look forward to continuing to use it as a platform to support rescue efforts in whatever way possible.
Follow @BlueRidgeBoxerRescue
Much like a cat, funnily enough, you are likely to be a very independent person. You’re pretty happy spending time on your own, but you also love surrounding yourself with a few carefully chosen confidantes.
You take your work very seriously, and can sometimes be seen as a bit of a workaholic by the people around you. They may interpret your dedication to the task at hand as you being stubborn. But frankly, as far as you’re concerned, that’s up to them! You don’t worry too much about what others think of you.
If you saw two cats, then you like to flex your intellectual muscles whenever you get the opportunity. You are bookish and reflective, but you also have a fantastically creative side.
“Cat people” are witty and sharp, and while gloriously affectionate are best left alone if you get on their bad side!
If your eyes went straight to the image of a pooch in this picture, then the likelihood is that you are a very social person with extrovert tendencies. You feel at your best in the company of your wide circle of friends, and many would describe you as the life of the party.
Being the center of attention doesn’t scare you one bit, but you are also humble, down-to-earth, and very capable of sensitive conversation. Your friends trust you; they value your loyalty and your opinions.
“Dog people” are fun-loving folk. You want to have them around. So, chances are, if you saw a dog in this picture, then you are a popular sort. Your friendly, positive attitude is highly valued by the people around you.
* Read the entire article Pooch Times
Not doing anything during the day today? Not in the mood to cook and you just want to relax on a restaurant patio with your pup while you sip on something refreshing.
Here is a list of dog friendly patios that ARE OPEN today.
Please remember if you are out staying to watch the fireworks with your dog, it’s best not to. Some dogs don’t like it. It’s better not to chance it and risk your dog getting scared and running away. You never want to put your precious pup in any harms way! 
Happy 4th! Be safe and have so much fun!
Next week our Watermelon Patio Pup Pops will be available for your lovely pups at Poe’s Pub! Hang out on the patio with some great food and drinks while your dog can cool off with a Pup Pop!
It’s official, we are in production! Kick up your paws and cool off with these single-ingredient dog treats.
Made from 100% watermelon 🍉 These treats are packed with plenty of vitamins and nutrients that are beneficial for your dog’s health, and they’re made of 92 percent water, so they can be especially refreshing on a hot day. Watermelon is full of beneficial nutrients that are healthy for dogs, including potassium and vitamins A, B6, and C. It is also high in fiber, which is good for digestion. Although watermelon contains sugar, the fiber content in the fruit insulates the sugar and prevents it from being released into the bloodstream too quickly. It’s also a source of lycopene, which is an antioxidant that may help prevent cancer.Watermelon is low in calories, low in sodium, fat free, and cholesterol free, which makes it a healthier choice than many store-bought treats. Being made of about 92 percent water, this fruit can be a good source of hydration and an especially refreshing treat on a hot day.
Collaborated with pure talent today. It was so much fun collaborating with a professional who creates and designs an image that you’ve envisioned in your head. We are designing a Patio Pups slouchy V neck tee shirt for myself although it will be available for purchase for anyone in about 2 weeks through Amazon. Stay tuned.
Today we ordered all our packaging labels for our Watermelon Pup Pops & we are so excited to give you a sneak peek at what we have been up to! The packaging labels are super fun & colorful just like my dog’s personality. Now, the packaging itself is biodegradable. We believe in leaving a carbon footprint in our daily life, so of course it would reflect in our packaging as well.
Pretty soon your dog will be able to kick up it’s paws and cool off with our Watermelon Pup Pops!
This is a must read article. Emma, a healthy dog was euthanized & laid to rest with it’s owner.
Click on the link below to read this unfortunate heartbreaking article. nbc 12 Loved to death news article
🐾 We are so excited to Announce we have completed all our testing & have acquired all the necessary licenses and now are able to sell our Pup Pops in stores!
What’s next? We are currently working on our design on what visually will be on our packaging. We our filing to get our name Patio Pups Trade marked. We are also filling out applications for stores so they can sell our products. Things are coming along and hopefully you’ll be able to purchase Patio Pups POP Pups soon enough.
Where Paws Are Accepted 