Fall - It's a Whole Vibe!

As the late summer sun turns her attention to burnishing and crisping leaves, we find ourselves sighing with deep, heartfelt contentment multiple times a day and opining that everybody - everybody - likes fall. To check the veracity of this statement, we did a scientific poll and the results were even better than we thought: 29% of respondents like fall, 65% LOVE fall, and just 6% are indifferent to its clear light, cool air, dappled sunshine, and pumpkin spiced everything. Armed with this knowledge, we made the only choice available to us and resolved to write about some of our favorite fall floofers in all their autumnal glory. Fall; it’s a whole vibe!

1. The Red Setter

Is there anything more fall-forward than a breed whose official colors are chestnut, red, and mahogany? These lovely Irish hunting dogs are, according to their breed standard, "rollicking", and honestly if there is a better stipulation we can’t imagine it. Energetic and spirited, setters are made for fall. They love nothing better than long walks, ideally with the option to run (them) and saunter (us). Plus, the presence of autumn leaves enriches the experience for dogs bred to use their sense of smell to locate game birds such as quail, pheasants, and grouse, all of which are predominantly, get this, “walking species”. For scent hounds, leaves and undergrowth are the equivalent of sizzling bacon, baking bread, and percolating coffee, all tasty and tempting, with the added bonus of toning beautifully with the colors of the carpet! 

Now as much as we are about encouraging rollicking in all its forms, we also recognize it comes with consequences. Besides the gift of a tired pup - setters are amongst the slowest maturing dogs, retaining the rambunctious energy of puppies until they are three or four years old - their gorgeous coats can get matted, harboring small twigs and burrs which is no fun for anyone. Happily, we have the absolute best tool for restoring 'dos to their absolute best: behold, the Hands On Gloves! Forget traditional combs, mitts, and shedders - these gloves are a game changer. Whether wet or dry, they won't slip or fall off, ensuring a thorough and enjoyable grooming or bathing experience for you and your furry friends. Say goodbye to tedious tangles and hello to smooth sailing! The nodules effectively clean and remove shedding, while hair doesn't stick to the glove and can be easily released with a flick of the wrist. Amazing.

2. The Golden Retriever 

Now we are not here to encourage one of the most beautiful breeds on the planet to besmirch their lustrous locks, but we could not help but be utterly charmed by a pair of especially enthusiastic goldens to whom fall means MUD. Mud isn’t the top of our list of fall faves, but a dog’s gotta do what a dog’s gotta do. Plus, before the winter comes, perhaps the odd mud bath might be a good thing? Okay, hear us out. According to the experts, mud “contains high concentrations of minerals such as magnesium and can hold heat for a long period of time, and has been found to be helpful in healing wounds, reducing skin inflammation, treating joint pain, stimulating circulation & lymphatic flow, and in cleansing the skin.” Now we’re not sure that splashing around in a muddy pond is quite the same as luxuriating in a bespoke mud bath in a spa, but what ponds lack in finesse, they make up for in splashiness, and we think that the health benefits of splashiness are obvious and plentiful. Plus, with a few well chosen accessories, the mud bath need not extend to the car or the couch...

...to protect upholstered seats, look no further than Kurgo’s power pair of seat protectors perfectly designed for bucket seats and bench seats! Made with waterproof and stain-resistant materials, these covers feature top, middle, rear, and under seat attachments to ensure a secure fit as well as convenient pockets for storing treats and toys. For a quick paw clean, we love to keep a pack of wipes handy and we particularly love these from Scout’s Honor. Designed to gently remove dirt, dander, and unpleasant pet smells from faces, paws, and other areas, they are hypoallergenic, contain no colors or dyes, and are made with cruelty-free, plant-based, biodegradable fibers. We find them perfect for quick clean-ups post mud hole exploration and feel sure you will too! Last but not least, the Mud Buster is the ultimate walk-to-home transitional tool that makes cleaning your dog's paws a breeze and prevents any unwanted tracking of dirt and mud inside! To use, simply add a little water to the base of the Mud Buster, insert the muddy paw, do the twist, dab the paw dry, and repeat x 3! With an array of soft, gentle, thick silicone bristles inside an easy-to-grip tumbler, it could almost be mistaken for a foot massager; we won’t tell if you won’t!

3. The Chocolate Labrador

Last but not least, the mighty Chocolate Labrador is, paws down, one of the gentlest, sweetest giants around. Never happier than when by your side, these cozy companions are the perfect pal to fall for at this time of year, tolerating colder weather well and being hardy enough for hikes throughout the season. Blessed as they are with coats that look good enough to eat - chocolate! - we are always thrilled to admire their glossy grace and have some tools and tricks to help you keep them in tip top condition! 

Breeds such as Labradors tend to shred in fall as well as spring, and to help with this, we recommend the JW Pet Gripsoft Shedding Blade. Made with your pet's comfort and your control in mind, its curved, oval-shaped blade with tiny teeth effortlessly tackles matted fur, making it paw-fect for big pups. It also prevents mats and skin irritation, and the teeth are angled to avoid any unwanted scratches for a fur-tastic grooming experience. It really is as quick and easy as brushing your hair and is a must for the dapper dog. 

Now of course a well groomed dog should be equally well rewarded, and for that we have a number of perfect picks, starting with none other than doggie s’mores! Yes, you read that right! The clever bakers at Bocce’s have outdone themselves with pup-approved versions of the very best campfire treat. Made with a soft baked blend of peanut butter, carob, and vanilla, don’t be surprised when your dog begs for s'more and s’more and s’more! Yum. Equally classic and equally delicious, we also love, love, love to show our labs some love with Crown to Tail Oatmeal Cookie soft chew treats made with fall’s favorite spice, cinnamon, and sweetened with wholesome honey. And of course no fall would be complete without pumpkin, and guess what, we have that too! The clever folk at What’s Barking have combined real pumpkin with ginger and probiotics to create a nutrient rich treat that helps keep coats glossy and tummies happy, and what could be better than that? 

Whatever your plans for fall, we wish you and your pack a happy and healthy season. Until next month, friends, that’s a burnished autumnal wrap!  🐾🍁🍂🐾