Au Naturale!

I sort of spoil myself on shampoo and other cosmetics so I was pretty excited to see the "Pet Head" shampoo and dog fragrance line at some commercial pet stores but then I saw the price and I was like ok its either I get nice shampoo or he does... until I saw how cheap they are online!!

and then I may have gone a bit overboard XD 

He will need Paw lotion right?!

and and he of course needs tooth brushing wipes so his breath is minty fresh!

and as far as shampoo you don want it to hurt his eyes so like baby shampoo no tears!

And if you're into the the natural option they have a great oatmeal shampoo

And if you maybe don't get around to a bath every week there is some fragrance spray

Like I said maybe a bit overboard... but these are extras, not necessities. Happy thrifty-ing and budget building!

If you find these or other items at better prices please comment below!

Clean up clean up everybody lend a hand! (or paw)

* To the tune of Barney *

Well now you're done with that terrifying childhood flashback XD 

One thing I have put into my budget that you can see in the checklist page, is cleaning supplies. This I think is important because I will be renting an apartment during grad school and I don't want to loose any deposit for something that could have been either prevented or fixed instantly.

Ive done a bunch of searching and found some really great pet product cleaning supplies from Bissell. These costs can add up quickly so I decided to make a list (who would have guessed!) of all the equipment and supplies I would be needing.

Spot Bot cleaner I'm torn between the Pawsitivly Clean and the Little Green the latter has a water heating system and it might just be the winner... too soon to call it XD

Drool Cleaner I've heard a lot about how much this particular breed drools and I think that this Bissell yecch Drool Cleaner

 will help me keep up with the best of them (of course with some drool towels handy)

Steam Mop This will be good for sanitizing and cleaning the kitchen floors not just for dog stuff but I'm messy too don't wanna blame it all on him XD But this one is from the same Pawsitivly Clean line.

Vacuum  for regular vacuum stuffs XD just from the same line so I'll link it!

Handheld Vac  the pet hair eraser for quick weekday messes and pet hair on furniture!

let me know if you have any suggestions or ideas or maybe even a site with cheaper prices!! stay thrifty!

ProTip: Bissell really impressed me with their pet supply line, and the cleaning liquid refills and replacement mop heads were reasonably priced! 

That thing's gonna eat you out of house and home

So delicately put by some of my concerned family members when I brought the Great Dane idea to them initially.
And I had to admit they are big dogs! And I've heard they can eat and I have researched on how to feed them and prepared for that initial cost. 
Now it was time to do more research! Yay and more lists and more price comparisons! woot woot (basically my whole life, but like I've said I'm a planner, Janet, gonna plan contingency till the day I die{there is no Janet, damnit, Janet})
Recurring costs!
Food: well I have been in contact with my breeder since the beginning of October 2013 and have had many conversations and email discussions with him on several aspects of Dane ownership. And even though it goes against everything I've read online he still tells me to feed Iams giant breed or diamond. At first I shrugged him off saying in my mind 'the internet knows all' but then he informed me of his lineage's lifespans: males 9 to 13 years old! Well he must be doing something right (the average lifespan for Great Danes is 8-10 years) so I thought it is definitely something to look into XD comment below with your pet food brand and a review if you'd like!

Anyways I found a great website during all this searching and and best of all it gives discounts for scheduled delivers on weekly or monthly repeats. Also their products are already super discounted so of course this made swoon XD 

This is one of the sites I found its called pet food direct.  

Share any other deals you find in the comments section!

ProTip: The monthly prices are the best and that way you won't have to make any late night trips to the grocery store for puppy chow!

The Costly Crate

You know what costs a lot of money? 
A dog crate that could hold a medium sized child!
i.e. a crate I and all other Dane owners will have to get at one point. Whether it be for travel or daily crate training, this is a given cost that you will have to accept..............
unless.... You are nifty thrifty!
and if not (or you aren't willing to admit how much you liked that rhyme, because really who doesn't like a good rhyme?) I can shed some light on how I am going to save money on a large crate for my dog by making my own (sort of/ish) for a fraction of the cost! (1/4 to be nearly almost exact assuming a contiguous united states and friction-less surfaces and neglecting wind-resistance and well anyways) 

Here is a commercial giant dog crate. And for those lovely few of you that clicked there I probably should have asked if you were sitting down first! That's right ladies and gents for the free shipping $389.90 gets you one free arm and leg amputation.
Don't get me wrong I shopped till I was fed up looking for a cheaper version of the same crate amazon, ebay, craigslist, but the cheapest I could ever find was $180. Which if you're into that kind of stuff go for it, it is easy and I mean how do you say no to the free shipping?! 
I did but I also had a brilliant beyond brilliant idea! (and if someone else has had it already before me I am upset that they never posted it to the blogs and help sites I scoured!!) 

The pens that breeders and the people at Petsmart use to corral the dogs on adoption day, they are basically just a crate folded out into a circle...

behold the brilliant idea! (if you scrolled down for the link..

you're nearly there..

hahaha oh internet how short your attention--squirrel--)

Note this picture is not the one linked below that amazon picture was low quality but this is the same style

but really. It's just a matter of setting these playpens up as rectangles and using the other panels as the top and bottom!!
And wait for it... they only cost (even the great dane sized one) $50!!!! oh but Jessica the shipping is $25? Well a small price to pay I say to you dear reader (in a British accent of course) because if dear reader notices that is a mere trifle compared to the Big commercial costly crate. 
I will post updates on my personal DIY project the play pen panels are my next purchase! :D

ProTip: This DIY modification is not just for the mechanically inclined all hardware you need is provided with the playpen, just make sure your walls are stable and the pen you choose is coated metal, don't want any rust! 

ProProTip: This link model even has a door already!

The big bad B word: Bloat!

If you are interested in Great Danes, like I am, I'm sure you have come across this scary word. It is a major health concern for Great Danes of any age.
If you aren't familiar with this condition you can read more on Pet WebMD. 

There are several ways in which Dane owners can reduce their dog's risk of bloat. Habitual breaks before and after meals and some feeding tools can ease your worry and your dog's stomach!

Some of the best suggestions I have found in the many months that I have been researching and planning for my dog have been a mixture of both strict scheduling and commercial products.  

1. Before Meal Break: (~15min.) let the dog calm down/relax. Meal time anxiety can be problematic for any size dog. You can take this time to practice his new tricks (low energy) or just calm TV/cuddles time!
2. Elevated Feeding Stand: There are several on the market for 'normal' sized dogs but when it comes to Danes you are going to want something adjustable and tall :). This helps the feeding process to occur at a more natural digestive angle. This link is a DIY and I think an IKEA trip is called for! XD                
3. Slow Feed Bowl:  These types of food bowls usually have some sort of raised design (circular/x-shaped/dots) in the well of the bowl so that the dog cannot gulp up the food (and air with it!) and he is forced to pace himself by working around the obstruction.
    
4. After Meal break: (~15min.) down time like that before meals but this is more focused on no exercise right after feeding as to reduce the chance of stomach contortion.

I plan to crate my dog for the Before and After meal breaks just to set him up on a ridged schedule from the beginning! (This is mostly because I am a student and will be in grad school for the first years of his life and want him to be used a regimen) Don't worry there will be plenty of play time and walk and fetching but not around meals! (Safety First)

PRO TIP: They make slow feed inserts if you already own food bowls and don't have to buy new!    

Dog Bed, Crib Mattress: Po-tay-toe, Po-tah-toe

So like I said earlier I will explain the crib mattress.
I have found that several Great Dane owners and lovers recommend a foam dog bed. The giant breeds have joint issues later in life and investing in a good quality dog bed will make it easier for them throughout life. 
After reading this I (being the planner and list maker I am) swiftly went to Amazon to look for a foam/therapeutic dog bed. Success! Well actually initial small amount of success, the small dog beds were reasonably priced but the sticker shock set in as I clicked the drop down menu for the sizes. 
$200?! (not including shipping!!!!) I was floored. 
I searched everywhere and I kept finding exorbitant costs for a dog bed in the size I knew he would eventually need.
Then I came across a comment on another Great Dane site (Honey the Great Dane, love her site very informative, RIP Honey) one dane lover said she uses baby mattresses!
EUREKA!
It's the perfect size for a full grown great dane and guess what the price is for a firm foam crib mattress?

go on guess...

$25. Yep that's right only $25 for a great Serta mattress! On Amazon with free shipping for orders over $35 so add in the fitted sheet and BAM!! affordability! 

This is the one I bought.   

PRO TIP: This bed has a laminate cover (great for puppy accidents and easy cleanup) and in the reviews one customer said it doesn't make that awful crinkle sound :) 

First Post!

This is exciting and I know it probably shouldn't be that exciting but I really am. that. excited.
I am ordering my first item on the list I have been making since the beginning of this school year, my last undergraduate school year(!) <insert Seniors Rule comment> 
Anyway I have been making lists upon lists of items I will need to buy in preparation for my Great Dane puppy. Today (/tonight/tomorrow-ish-post-midnight-awkwardness-that-is-12:17am) is the day I make my first purchase! 
And you won't believe what it is I am buying!

A crib mattress. 

For my future puppy who will rapidly become my giant best friend!
Anyway my roommate is sleeping so I should probably do that too ya know maybe that's a thought, sleep... it could be helpful.
More to come soon! and don't worry I'll explain the mattress tomorrow :P Goodnight internet, sweet piano-cat-filled dreams.