Katie's New "Dog Car Seat" Review

Here she is - Katie in her new Car Seat, the Snoozer Luxury II Lookout Car Seat!  As the name implies - doesn't she look like a good "lookout?"  And she loves it!

It was supposed to arrive this week, between Monday and Friday, but it came last Friday.  That was nice. I immediately took it out of the box to see what it looked like and I was happily surprised.

It was well packed, and I put Katie in it to see what she thought.  She just sat there, looking around and didn't seem to want to get out.

This model seats the dog high enough to look out the windows, even if they are lying down, so there's lots of room underneath the car seat to put a drawer for storage.  It's a good sized storage space.  I haven't decided yet what I'll use it for, my stuff or Katie's stuff.

I installed the car seat on the passenger seat of The Palms, and it was super simple.   I like the way the seat is held by the car's seat belt, not wrapped around the passenger seat with it's own straps, like the one I returned.  This is much more secure, and looks like the seat won't move in an accident.

The lap part of the seat belt holds the car seat down and the shoulder harness is used to attach the included tether, which is attached to the dog's harness.

It is recommended that the dog wear a harness for attaching the tether, rather than their collar.  I can understand this - if I stop quickly, Katie could have neck damage if I attached her collar to the tether and she was jerked forward.  She has a couple of harnesses and this pink one works perfectly.

I like that the clasp is a thick, sturdy metal and not plastic like the clasps on the car seat I returned.

I took photos from all angles and Katie just sat there and watched me.  See how high up she is?  She seems to like that pillow she's sitting on, but I might take it out and put in a blanket, which would put her lower in the seat and more enclosed if she wants to lay down and sleep.

You can see how large the Snoozer Luxury II Lookout Car Seat  is - this is a Medium. I'm thinking the small size would have worked - Katie is only 12 or 13 pounds, but I wanted her to be able to lie down.  You all know how long I drive sometimes - in fact next Sunday Katie and I are driving back to San Diego for my annual medical appointments.  We're leaving early in the morning, and will be driving all the way - close to 10 hours on the road. That will be a good test of how well the car seat works on the road, and how well Katie does with it over a long period of time.  I'll let you know. :)

Yesterday morning the sun was streaming in the front windshield and I put her in her seat to see if she would stay there.  I left her and went about my business, and she settled in and laid down for a long time.  Finally Lauren came over and knocked on the door and she jumped out.  I didn't see if she jumped over the back of the seat or down onto the floor between the two truck seats.  I'd love to get her used to hanging out in her seat.

If you are interested in checking out this car seat (it's pretty expensive, but there are smaller sizes and less expensive car seats that I considered, too) check on amazon.com, hopefully using a link on this post. :)

P.S. -This morning with the sun shining in through the windshield, Katie climbed over the passenger seat back and settled down with her chin on the car seat arm rest.  She likes it!

Thank you to all our readers/followers who have commented and sent e-mails on my advertising - I appreciate you saying you'll support my site and use the links here.  I know it's important to many of us full-timers to have a little extra income, and I'll continue to support some of the other bloggers who advertise and will use their links when I'm purchasing something on amazon.com.  Put  my money where my mouth is!

From Me and My Dog, have a great Monday, everyone!

Camco Flying Insect Screen - correct size for Suburban 6 gal HWH

The end of November I installed my Camco Insect Screens on the vents outside The Palms.  That was something I had been wanting to do for a while.  As I blogged on November 23, 2012,  the refrigerator and furnace screens fit fine and went on easily.  However, the hot water heater screen didn't fit.  The screen I ordered said it fit my Suburban 6-gallon hot water heater (HWH), but it was too big.  It was shaped like a rectangle and my screen vent is a square.

This is the correct package, #WH400 - a square shaped screen

I did some research and finally ordered the Camco Insect Screen, Item # WH400.  If your hot water heater vent is square - you need this size for your Suburban Flush Mount 6 gal. Water Heater Vent.  Don't believe the information on the WH500 - it's the wrong shape and won't work. I don't know if mine is considered an older model or a newer model, but I think it has something to do with the year of your RV or HWT.  Not sure, but I think I saw that somewhere in my research.

So this is what comes in the package - minus one of the little screw attachers - there should have been two but my package came with only one. 

The last screens I installed went on easily, but I had trouble with this one.  Finally I took the Hot Water Heater cover off and brought it inside to attach on my dinette table.

First I used a wire to attach the screen in one corner, then I attached the wire/spring that came with the unit, and finally I found in my craft things another small wire with a bee attached.  I kind of liked the idea of using a bee attachment to keep out bees.

Guard Bee :)

Here's a photo of the HWH vent before I installed the screen:

Here it is after I installed the Insect Screen and re-attached the vent door:

Close-up - I wonder how long that bee will last...

I'm going to have to find some wire that's a little more sturdy than my craft wire, then I'll attach the corners more securely.  I'd hate for it to fly off while I'm driving down the freeway! (I'm happy to report the furnace and fridge screens survived all the horrible freeway roads coming through Los Angeles.  If they survived those washboard roads and freeway potholes, they should be attached for good!)/

So now all my outside vents are covered - the hot water heater, furnace and refrigerator.  And I have the vent covers on the roof for my bathroom and kitchen vents and the Fantastic Fan in the living area.

I  keep thinking I have everything I need for The Palms, but you know how it is - something else comes along.  Each modification makes full-timing easier, safer or more fun.  What's next?

I don't know if you'd consider this a mod, but I've received Katie's Car Seat and it's a real winner.  I'll post about it next time with lots of photos.

SUPER BOWL SUNDAY!!!

It's almost 3:00 pm in California and Matts parents are coming over for the game.  Kristy has the chili cooking in the crock pot and the pre-game nibbles are ready.

Good Luck, I hope your team wins - as long as your team is the San Francisco 49ers!  (Sorry Raven fans, I'm a San Francisco Bay Area girl - born and raised.)

8:30 PM PST

Well, after the way the game began, I'm happy for the 49ers that they had such a good showing during the second half.  And Kristy's chili is the best I've ever had - I NEVER like chili.

I thought it was a great game with lots of excitement - CONGRATULATIONS, RAVENS! 

From me and Katie, have a great Sunday, everyone!  :)

Short and sweet

The other morning the sun was coming in a high window and both dogs found a spot in the sunshine. When I transferred this photo to my computer, I thought it looked like a studio portrait.

Portrait of Katie and Cody

And here are two exhausted grandchildren:

Sometimes I feel the same way.

From me and Katie, have a great Thursday, everyone! :)

Family Crab Feed

Last Friday night Kristy and Matt hosted a family crab feed.  Matt's sister, Allison, and her new husband, Wes, stopped over for a few days on their way to Texas.  Wes is in the Air Force and just returned from Korea where he's been serving for a year. Matt's parents, Marie and Dave, also came for dinner, so including grand kids Lauren and Drew, we had nine people for crab legs. 

Matt was at Costco in the morning when they opened their doors and bought almost all the crab legs they had for sale.  Along with a Caesar salad and bread, it was truly a feast!

This was the first batch!

We also had some of the wine purchased during our wine tasting trip earlier in the week.

The crab legs are already cooked, but Matt put them on steamers with a little water in these big pots, covered them, and let them steam until they were hot.  A bunch of bowls of melted butter and we were ready to go.

Matt's Dad moved out of the way so he wasn't blocking the shot, and I told him I wanted him IN the shot, so we took another.  Unfortunately, that picture was blurry, so - Sorry Dave - at least I got your arms and hands. :)

For dessert, Matt's mom, Marie, baked some brownies and brought sweet strawberries and vanilla ice cream.

She bought a bottle of a desert wine from Convergence Vineyards while we were there tasing.  It's a Raspberry Zinfandel Chocolate wine and we poured it over the desert.  Wow!  It was delicious!
 

Here is Uncle Wes - tall, strong, and a kid magnet.  Even shy Lauren couldn't leave him alone.  He has such patience and the kids just LOVE him.  He picks them up and spins, dunks, twirls, tosses, etc., until he can't do anymore.  The kids laugh hysterically and want more, more, more.

Drew and Lauren sure love their Aunt Allison and Uncle Wes; they are now on their way to Texas and it will be a while before they can visit with them again. I hope you guys find a good house, and thank you for your service, Wes.  Safe Travels!  :)

The photo above is Kristy's family dog, Cody, and that little poodle is Roxie, Marie and Dave's new dog who is about 18 months old.  She is a pistol, and loves to run, play with toys, and generally be playing with Cody all the time.  When we first got here, Katie instantly assumed the Alpha position with Cody.  Then when Roxie was added to the mix, Katie became Cody's (unnecessary and unwanted) protector.  You can see her barking at Roxie from above when Roxie tried to get Cody to play.  Katie did NOT want Roxie playing with Cody.  Sometimes our dogs are noisier and need more discipline than our kids! 

The Crab Feed was wonderful and delicious, and I enjoyed spending more time with your family - thanks Matt and Kristy!

From me and Katie, have a great Tuesday, Everyone!  :)

Advertising on Me and My Dog

You may have noticed my new advertising links from amazon.com on yesterday's and today's posts.  If you have been reading Me and My Dog from the beginning, you'll remember that when I started the blog, I signed up for AdSense through Blogger to make a little extra money to help us while full-timing.

Unfortunately someone over-clicked on one of the political ads of a person she didn't like, and AdSense kicked me off.  Forever.  and Ever.  I appealed.  They said no.  Then I made an inquiry a while ago to see if they would let me back in since it had been a year or so and I'm such a nice person, but they said, Never, Never, Never.  See that post where I RANTED about it here.  I really felt it was unfair to punish  me for something a reader did - and she had no idea what the effect would be on my blog.

When they first kicked me off I was going to just forget about it, but I did search around to see if there was anything else I could do to earn a little money while blogging - and there are some other options.  I signed up for a couple of them, but never put links on the blog to utilize those money-making possibilities.  I decided I wouldn't use the blog for that purpose.

I decided yesterday to opt back in, and I've created some links on the sidebars. On the left side of my post you'll see GOLD BOX DEALS:

This link brings you to "Deal of the Day," Lightening Deals," and other deals on amazon.com. Check it out, and if there isn't anything you want, you can continue into the website for any shopping you planned to do, which will give me credit also.

On the right side is a text link that brings you right into amazon.com with Amazon's search box below. You can use either one for more direct access.  :)

So... If you are going to purchase something on-line through amazon.com, I would appreciate it if you'd use my blog links as your portal to the Amazon website.  Anywhere you go in that site and anything you buy will give me back a small percentage of your purchase.  There is a report I'll receive, but only on the clicks and purchases, not the buyers' names or any other information regarding the purchase.

I would LOVE it if Me and My Dog becomes your linking page for on-line purchases.   If so, THANK YOU!  If not, Katie and I will still love you LOTS, anyway. :)

In either case, keep reading Me and My Dog - nothing else is changing.

From me and Katie, have a great Sunday! :)