Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Happy Tails Canine Spa Review and Giveaway Link Party!

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Welcome to Happy Tails Spa Giveaway Event hosted by Two Little Cavaliers, and sponsored by Happy Tails Spa! This event begins on May 15, 2012 at 12:01am EST and will end on May 29, 2012 at 11:59pm EST.


Over 65 bloggers have come together to bring you some amazing natural spa products for your dogs. Each blog is offering one or more fantastic Problem Solving Products for the Modern Dog. All of the products offered by Happy Tails Spa are Eco-Friendly, All Natural, and Cruelty Free.

Be sure to hop along to each of the participating blogs for an even bigger chance to win all of the products that you feel your dog would benefit from.

You can also sign up for a newsletter from Happy Tails Canine Spa, which will include discounts, articles, and helpful information about dogs.



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A while ago, I signed up over at Two Little Cavaliers to participate in a product review and giveaway blog event. Shortly after signing up, I received a package in the mail with two products from Happy Tails Canine Spa: Ear Wipes and Ear Clear.

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If you've been following my blog for a while, you know that Pallo has some ear issues. When I adopted him, he had ear infections in both ears, evidence of long-term infections that had gone without treatment, and even permanent lumps in his ears from hematomas, likely from shaking his head so hard, so often, and for so long due to the ear infections. When Pallo came home with me, he was neutered, given his vaccines, and was treated for his ear infections, which, let me tell you, was an adventure. Understandably, Pallo was very uncomfortable with his ears being touched. He would squirm away, roll onto his back, and even snap or bite to get his ears left alone. Ear treatment for those first few weeks included twice daily rounds of muzzling and then wrestling him down for the treatment. I always tried to make it as pleasant as possible for him, but the fact was he needed the meds in there, even if it caused stress.

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Once his ears were cleared up, I set to work on the long path of allowing Pallo to be handled. He was also jumpy and snappy about his feet, tail, or rear being handled as well as his ears. Through the use of gradual petting, treats, careful handling, and even formal conformation classes, Pallo is now comfortable being handled by anyone, in almost any way. Snapping is a thing of the past. But, he still dislikes his ears being handled much, and, like many dogs even without his past, dislikes his ears being cleaned.

While Pallo has occasionally had full blown ear infections since clearing up those first ones he came home with, he tends to suffer from permanently dirty ears even when the ear is not actually infected. His right ear is much worse than the left, and needs cleaning much more often.

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All this is simply a lead up to the products I was sent to review. I thought the history of Pallo's ears is pretty important here, to explain why these products were something I wanted to try with him, and to explain his miserable looks in the photos. While he doesn't enjoy getting his ears cleaned, he willingly allows me to do so, and we always follow it up with a game of fetch.

The Ear Wipes are a pretty neat product. They are round, pre-moistened pads that come in a round little container. It is super simple to take out a wipe and use it to clean out a dirty ear. It is was easier to use these than to use cotton pads that you have to apply solution to for ear cleaning, and way more convenient for when you are traveling or simply in a hurry.

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They also manage to get a TON of gunk out of the ear quickly and easily.

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Pallo is less than impressed with the amount of gunk that comes out of his ears.

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When Pallo's ears are this gross, I follow up the ear wipes with some of the Ear Clear solution. This is basically a serum of natural ingredients that helps prevent gunky ears from becoming infected and helps loosen up and remove any gunk actually in the ear.

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I flip up Pallo's ear flap, put in a little of the solution, hold his ear up so the solution will get into the ear, then I rub, rub, rub his ear really good. He seems to very much enjoy the rubbing part.

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Then, I stand back and let him know we're done. Pallo always will give his head a big shake, then run around a little, rub the side of his face on the grass or carpet (I try not to do his ears indoors unless the weather is nasty), and then he grabs a toy and asks for the game he knows comes after ear cleaning time.

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I always end up looking at his ear again. Sometimes, the serum and rubbing will release a lot of gunk that was deep in the ear into the outer ear, where it can be easily wiped away.

Overall, both of these products have worked great. I've noticed that Pallo's ears seem to be staying cleaner (though the pollen levels in the air have a big effect on his level of ear gunk, I've noticed). The Ear Wipes are part of the traveling kit I always put together when we go away for a weekend. The only down side I found to these products is that for a dog with sensitive skin, like Koira has, the wipes need to be used super gently, otherwise they can cause some irritation in the ear. As long as I am careful to be gentle with them on her, she does just fine. Pallo has never had any problems with irritaiton from the Wipes or the Ear Clear serum.

For a chance to win one of these products to try out yourself, please use the Rafflecopter entry form below. If the form doesn't show up, please click on the blog post title.

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Disclaimer: Please note that the Happy Tails Spa Host and participating bloggers are not responsible for prizes that do not get shipped on time, get lost in the mail, or that are never claimed. We have represented the sponsor with the expectation that they will fulfill all of the prizes in a timely manner. While we are not responsible, we will make an effort to assist the winner in obtaining their prize.

35 comments:

  1. My babies have dirty ears and I'd like to clean them.
    Whirlwind of Surprises

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  2. I would love to win this product for Dumpling because he is prone to getting ear infections. I clean out his ears once a week with a liquid solution, but he hates the sensation of liquid going down his ear.

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  3. My dog had a lot of hair in his ears that tends to catch dirt, so these should be really helpful.

    ps--your dog is beautiful!

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  4. I guess we probably need to try the ear clean we were sent the ear pads to review and they work really well for us. Thank you for participating.

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  5. I just love the idea of the ear wipes! It would make cleaning Fred and Gloria's ears so much easier! I love the first picture of sleepy Pallo! :-)

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  6. Oh I'd love to try this for Nola! Her ears are always dirty, and living on the coast doesn't help as she's always in the water.
    Nola's Mom

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  7. Oooo Parker's ears are similar- he hates having them cleaned! Those wipes would be a much easier way to keep the gunk away!

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  8. Because ive been using Qtips to clean her ears and she moves too much and im afraid I could hurt her accidentally one of these days. This looks so much easier!

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  9. I am currently having alot of issues with my dog having allergies and ear problems.

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  10. Great post but i am pet food adviser and Pet food normally sold in pet food supply stores and pet food supermarkets, it is usually exact to the type of animal, for instance dog food or cat food. A big quantity of meat used for non-human animals is a by-product of the human food manufacturing.
    Natural dog food

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  11. I really want to try these products because I have a basset hound and I have a hard time cleaning his ears! I know that these wipes would really work!

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  12. I am so glad these products worked so well for you. My dog has floppy ears so I am always hyper conscious of any ear issues she may have as I know she may be prone to them. So far we have been fairly lucky and I am grateful she has no issues with our handling of them.

    Love the photos of the gunk. Hilarious!

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  13. My dogs have sensitive ears and need to keep them clean.

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  14. My pup's floppy ears are always getting dirty - I'd love to try to clean them with a wipe instead of a liquid!

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  15. My youngest dog is starting to get ear problems, so these products look perfect for her!

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  16. The wipes look like a great idea. I've used up to 30 q-tips to clean Maggie's ears.
    Pallo doesn't look stressed in the pictures, it's easy to see all the time and energy you've put into training him!

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  17. they seem like they are made with the best ingredients and from pictures it seems like dogs really like them.

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  18. My dog is hyper so sleepytime tonic would a great one for us to try.

    Jennifer Rote
    wildnmild4u at yahoo dot com

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  19. My dog has cronic ear infections so this would be great to try.

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  20. my springers get ear infections too so this product would be great especially for cleaning their ears after swimming
    msboatgal at aol.com

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  21. the reviews on all these products sounds wonderful

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  22. I would love to try these products as my bullies get ear infections and hate when I put the liquid in them.

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  23. My dog is pretty anxious when it comes to ear cleaning so the wipes would be great.. and I'd love to try the Ear Clear on my mom's dog who is very prone to ear infections!
    taznjade at gmail dot com

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  24. Our dog is a pain when we try to clean his ears. He's always scratching at them.
    rierie11booger (@) yahoo.com

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  25. Because my dog knows how to get dirty!

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  26. sarai martinez-gomezMay 27, 2012 at 10:31 AM

    My boston terrier has been getting ear infections lately and I really think these products would help him

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  27. After reading your review on Happy Tails Canine Spa: Ear Wipes and Ear Clear - I would like to try this product! I also would like to try Fur Butter. Thanks for the contest and review.
    leaguebet@gmail.com

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  28. I would love to try these products as my dog Kody is prone to ear infections....he's a cocker mix. They would help keep his ears nice and clean : )

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  29. I would love to try these because our puppy loves the dirt as soon as a bath is taken.

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  30. Roxy has had ear infectionss when I first got her and never has liked her ears to be cleaned and miolly gets into everything and her ears get dirty, she has beagle ears and everything gets in them

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  31. I would love to try this, my Chi constantly has ear issues. :(

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  32. Ear wipes & ear cleaners!! For the WIN!

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  33. My dog is itchy all of the time and I think the itchy spray could help.

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