Natural Balance

Big thanks to Natural Balance for sponsoring today’s post! The opinions expressed are, as always, my very own 🙂Cricket recently turned 11 years young and she’s never looked or felt better! Geez, what is that in dog years- 77? Well this pup is one spunky granny! She’s still running, and easily clocks 8 miles on the beach with my mom (because I don’t run that far, haha!). Her coat is shiny and soft, her eyes are bright and full of youthful life, and her athletic slender shape would be the envy of all the other dogs at the park!

I came across Cricket over a decade ago at a horse show. She was a 8 week old fluffy black and white fur ball up for adoption, and I just couldn’t resist her. Her wet pink tongue licked my hand, her little milk teeth nibbled my fingers, and she stole my heart. I proudly brought her home and my life was forever changed for the better.

Cricket has been by my side ever since. We are best friends, truly. She comes everywhere with me, has lived in 6 different states and has moved with me all the way across the entire country…not once, but TWICE!

So this year I wanted to make her birthday extra special to show her how much I love her and appreciate her. I thought of all the things she loves to do and planned a very special day for my loyal and lovable pup.

We started off the morning with some bacon, of course! She did her usual beggin’ dance while I was cooking up the crispy bacon. It’s pretty hilarious to watch. She paws the air with her left, then shifts her weight, and waves with her right paw, and back and forth she goes, all the while moaning and groaning like she can’t wait another second for that juicy bite. I mixed in her bacon with a cup of Natural Balance Surf n’ Turf Delectable Delights, which is her favorite wet food!

We went out for our daily walk, and we took her favorite route to the park. Cricket adores this park. It’s large expansive green grass fields stretch as far as the eye can see. As we approached her tail started waging with extreme velocity and her excitement was palpable. As I unclipped her leash she darted to the nearest tree to check for squirrels and have a sniff. (She is part Beagle, so she smells EVERYTHING!) Once she checked out all the park’s various aromas she had a quick roll in the grass, and then off she went! Cricket is lightening fast, quick and agile. We played her favorite game of chase. She runs at me full speed and I’m suppose to guess if she is going to fake left, or fake right, and I’m usually wrong. Well today was no exception. I made a move to the left to attempt and interception, and she leans left to lead me on, and THEN GOES RIGHT at the very last second. She flies by me just out of reach and I then proceed to trip and fall flat on my face. Before I know she’s on me attacking me with exurbant wet kisses, so fast and furious I can barely breathe.

After Cricket was well tuckered out we headed home to have our afternoon snack of her favorite grain-free wet food, Natural Balance Delectable Delights. If you have read my other posts about Cricket, then I am sure you know how picky she is, right? She is not your average dog that eats everything in sight. NO. NO. This girl likes her bacon, fresh grilled chicken, savory steak, and she loves Delectable Delights! She goes bonkers the minute I peel back the lid and she can smell the deliciousness.

I am very picky about what I feed Cricket because I believe food and nutrition are one of the key elements of health and longevity. Natural Balance Delectable Delights are made with the highest quality ingredients, and it’s grain-free, so it’s my first choice in prepared dog food! You guys should definitely check it our for your furry four legged family members. They will love it too, birthday celebration or any day! Here is the link to the Natural Balance Facebook Page.

Be sure to check out the Natural Balance Instagram Page for absolutely adorable doggie pics! They will make your heart smile 🙂