Designed for Good + Cutest Pet Contest!

Y'all know how much I love my dogs. One look at my Instagram feed and you'll be convinced. When Bella was a puppy, I would literally rock her to sleep at night like a baby and carefully lay her inside her kennel. And she also had a real baby playpen she used for about two months (until she learned how to climb out). While she's three years old now, she'll always be my little baby Bella even though she doesn't particularly enjoy being rocked to sleep anymore. Instead, she has no problem falling asleep in bed with us, usually hogging my pillow. When Bentley came along last year, I couldn't have predicted how different he would be. He's the sweetest little boy but unlike Bella, he still wants to be held all the time and struggles with trusting strangers. They both have such sweet yet different personalities. I really don't think of them as dogs. They're members of our family as much as human children are.

Dogs are forever trusting, loyal, forgiving, and loving no matter what. I'm so passionate about animals and hate seeing strays or hearing terrible stories about abuse, neglect, or abandonment. Or even worse, animal testing.

I don't understand why innocent animals have to endure such cruelty when there are alternative methods. I don't understand because I can't identify with heartless people who harm animals. While I can't stop companies from animal testing, I can support companies that make it their mission to provide products not tested on animals, contain no animal by-product, and are pet friendly. Enter Method.

Method is in business to change business. Their challenge is to make sure that every product they send out into the world is a little agent of environmental change, using safe and sustainable materials, manufactured responsibly. And that also means no animal testing.

Method believes that guinea pigs should never be used as guinea pigs. That’s why they never test any of their products or ingredients on animals, never use animal by-products, and make products that are safe for cleaning up after your pets. Their newest "Designed for Good" hand wash duo tells this story, and, they hope, helps raise awareness for the fair treatment of animals. As always, the naturally derived, biodegradable formulas are 100% vegan + cruelty-free.

Method so generously sent me both "Designed for Good" hand washes and now I'm hooked. They smell so good and I love that I'm supporting a cause that I'm truly passionate about.

To further support the cause, Method and Soap.com are teaming up to donate 15% of Method product sales on Soap.com in June to the ASPCA®, whose mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States.  

During checkout, use the code PAWPRINT at checkout to receive 20% off your purchase at Soap.com!

This is a great time to try Method's products at a discounted price, while also supporting 2 wonderful organizations dedicated to preventing animal cruelty and raising awareness for the fair treatment of animals. I promise, you won't regret it. 

Method is currently hosting a cutest pet contest! Share a photo of your pet to be eligible to win two "Designed for Good" hand soaps and a $50 gift card to Soap.com. Method will choose one winner each week through the end of June!

To enter via Facebook: Visit Method's Facebook page and find the 'pet photo contest' tab and follow instructions for uploading your photo. Note: smartphone & tablet users, use this link.

To enter via Instagram: Follow @methodhome and post your pet’s photo using the hashtag #methodcutepets.

The contest will begin on June 11 and end June 30. Method will select one winner each week to receive the two “designed for good” soaps and a $50 gift card to Soap.com. Only residents of the US and Canada (excluding Quebec) are eligible to win.

This post is sponsored by Method. This is a cause I truly believe in and all opinions are 100% my own.

Meet Bella and Bentley!

They are the inspiration for my blog title and the loves of my life (besides Tyler, of course- love you honey!)... Meet my furry children, Bella and Bentley!

This is Isabella, most often referred to as Bella, Bella-Poo, Beller, Stinkerellie, and B.P. She's a Cockapoo (Cocker Spaniel & Poodle) although she looks nothing like either in my opinion. She's a Bella-Poo! Tyler surprised me with her for Christmas in 2009 (when she was just 5 weeks old), and she's been my very best friend every since. I smile remembering the early days when she would whine if anyone except me held her. It was just she and I for two and a half years before I married Tyler (and before I had a big-girl job), and I cherish the memories of our late nights watching TV, our (all day) cuddle time, and afternoon walks. I love her more than life and would do anything for her. She's as friendly as can be and has never met a stranger. She's also more spoiled rotten than you could possibly imagine, but I wouldn't have it any other way. She basically gets everything she wants, including treats and bones whenever she asks (whines) for them. She sleeps on my tempurpedic pillow with me at night and whenever we're gone, she has her own memory foam bed. She gives me kisses on demand and is the sweetest cuddler. Walks and treats are her two favorite things and she is so smart that we have to spell those words out while in her presence or she will go bananas. Speaking of bananas, that's her favorite food. She was quite rambunctious as a puppy and destroyed too many things to count. It took her a good 2 years to calm down, but now she is just the perfect dog child. It's no secret that she's my favorite, but please don't tell Bentley. It would break his little heart.

This is Bentley, most often referred to as Bentley-Bug, Little Bear, and Pip Squeak. He's a Cavachon (King Charles Cavalier Spaniel and Bichon Frise) but looks mostly like a Bichon with brown colorings. We got him in September 2012 when he was 8 weeks old (he was born on our wedding day!). He's always playful and happy but is little shy around new people and is scared of young children. We're hoping he'll grow out of that as he gets older. He practically worships Bella and follows her everywhere, doing exactly as she does. He likes to jump on her head and taunt her with his toys. He likes to lay our bed but is no longer allowed up there after several accidents. He loves to play "hide and seek" where he hides in various spots (under the bed, in the linen closet, behind the washing machine) and we have to find him, then brib him with treats to come out. He has grown to love his crate and willingly goes in there when it's time for bed. He's just the sweetest little puppy that loves to play fetch and nap in your lap. I'm soaking up every moment of his puppy days.

Is it obvious that I'm obsessed? These little furballs are the reason I smile 99% of the time. I couldn't imagine life without them!