Review: Poodle Box

Review : Poodle Box

This box is the first of its kind, designed specifically for poodles and their owners. I first caught wind of this project in a Facebook group for poodle owners. The spearhead of this project, Cody Dobberstein, asked for our input, then invited us to a group he made for the box. He invited us to add others, and asked for more input and suggestions, as well as basic and fun info about our poodles. We began posting pics of our dogs and sharing where we were from.

The box arrived today, so as soon as my toddler crashed, Polo the miniature poodle and I hovered eagerly over this box. I was surprised by what all I found inside. First to greet us upon opening the box was a greeting from a poodle in Raleigh, NC named Barkley, which explained how some of the products in the box are used. Next was a short poodle bio on featured poodle Ned, from San Diego, CA.

What Came in the Box?

The products included grooming supplies, treats and a toy. The toy was a handmade, felt rope toy, which Polo immediately ran away with. 

Next, we pulled out a lavender vanilla scented shampoo by Willowberry Pet which I’m eager to try out later this weekend. The smell has a much stronger vanilla scent than lavender, however, and I personally would have preferred more lavender. He’s going to end up smelling like baked goods, which I don’t mind but it’s not for everyone. 

Maybe it pairs well with the next product, a puppy perfume by Sweet N Salty Bath Shop. It smells mildly of lemony cleaning products and when I sprayed it on Polo, he started rubbing himself all over the carpet... I like the way it smelled but he wasn’t keen on it. He’s also not a basic poodle, the kind that enjoys Starbucks and has doggie bffs. He’s more into rolling in grass and stealing socks. So what does he really know?

One product stumped me: snout balm. Say what. Why even.. I mean, maybe if it got cold or dry out and his nose was... chapped? Anyways, Barkley & Pawsh make this, among other classy looking and natural products for dogs. The snout balm smells really nice and minty, and goes on smooth. I’d love to use it on my lips but... it’s Polo’s now.

2 Little Bostons Pet Bakery makes this delightful cookie, which Polo is currently begging for as I write this. In fact, he loved all the snacks that came in the box; Rocco & Roxie Supply Co. small batch jerky sticks, which normally retail for almost $20, and dehydrated meat braids by dogjerkyco, which retail for about $8 on etsy. 

Is It Worth It?

If you add up the retail value of each of these individually you pay roughly $50. However, that doesn't include the rope toy (the maker's website was way too slow to load - don't nobody got time for that!), or shipping or additional taxes that could be tacked on. Considering I paid $30 for my Poodle Box, it's well worth it. I won't run out of treats anytime soon. The shampoo will last for several months at the least. The rope toy managed to survive the first 10 minutes with Polo, who is an expert toy destroyer, which means it has a good chance of lasting several years. 

It's safe to say I'm inclined to purchase a subscription, because it can only get better from here. 

Catfish, caviar and camouflage: Cypress Grill in Jamesville, NC

My dad has a knack for shacks, the old southern kind, tucked away in a place known only to locals.

This one had fried fish and plenty of character. Dreadlocks, mullets, camouflage and ball caps; I saw it all today.

Back in the day, shacks like these lined the Roanoke River. Fishers pulled herring and catfish out of the river and sent them to the fryer, along with oysters, french fries and other goodies. This shack, the Cypress Grill, unlike so many similar shacks, remains untouched by the dust of time.

You wind your way to the back of an older subdivision in tiny, sleepy Jamesville and take an unlikely turn down a steep hill that appears to dead end right in the Roanoke itself. The shack sits beneath Spanish moss, on the riverbank. Parking is scarce and you will compete with Cadillacs, various convertibles and cars of luxury you don't expect to see lined up on either side of the road outside a shack that looks like it could fall into the river at any time (though I highly doubt it ever will).

Inside, the dining room is split into two. In from the cold, a heater blasting warm air is a pleasant welcome. Accommodations are simple; wooden benches, plastic table clothes, a single fork in a paper slip and plenty of vinegar, cocktail sauces, tartars and butters on the table.

The menu consists of two pages. One with fish, and one with sides and beverage options. I ordered the specialty, fried salt herring, along with catfish and clam strips, with sides of coleslaw and fries. The fish came fried. Lemon went on my herring, tartar on my clam and cocktail sauce on my catfish. Everything was to die for, apart from the roe my dad ordered, but I guess it's personal.

Paired well with sweet tea! For desert, I had the lemon pie which was sweet and not tart.

We arrived a few minutes before noon and scored a table in the middle of the room. The entire place filled soon therafter, with people from all walks of life.

Perhaps that fascinated me the most. White, black, young and old alike. Everyone wanted the fried fish, the hush puppies, the pie. Everyone wanted to come in out of the cold, with friends and family, and share this old coastal meal.

The walls of this shack have seen plenty. They sport enough of their own character, to include an old framed photograph of a man holding a rifle, standing beside the bed of his truck, in which a large brown bear lies. According to the Smithsonian, the restaurant is around 75 years old, and has traded hands at least once. It's a bit exclusive in that it's only open for a few months during the year.

You can read more about the history here. In any case, I can't wait to see what shack my dad takes us to next.

Like cats and dogs

I've got an empty pasta bowl to my left and several stacks of folded laundry to my right. The TV is on, playing a show I've seen too many times. It just kind of runs in the background.

I should have started my chores sooner today (it's now 1:51 pm), but while having my breakfast of coffee and cheesecake left over from date night (because Ruby Tuesday sends us so many coupons..), my friend sent a link to her wedding video... so many tears.

You would think that a housewife sipping coffee in the quiet morning can watch a video uninterrupted. I don't have kids (yet) so what's to stop me?

Wrong.

I hit pause three times. Shocker, I know.

The first time was to prevent my poodle from choking on the squeaker in his new stuffed bunny. He's OK. So is my dog.

The second time was because the cat thought it would be a great idea to crap in my potting soil. I had a bucket of it sitting by the window and I heard the unmistakable sound of cat scratching..

The third time was to fill the dog bowl. The water was not up to par, so the dog thought he should forage for water in the plants.

Pets keep us on our feet. They keep the elderly moving. My husband says they are training us for kids. They don't let you sleep in. They will scratch and whine and body slam the door to be let in, will climb all over you, and put their stink breath in your face until you get up and be their butler.

Pets make you open the door for them, close it, let them back in, let them back out and repeat. Often.

I love them, even when the carpet derby starts up. Even when the toys are all over the house. Even when the dog refuses to poop because it's raining and the cat throws food all over the kitchen while eating.

I really can't understand how our country's shelters are so full. How so many people can acquire animals and dump them after a short time because they didn't realize having a pet would impact their lifestyle. How so many people let their animals breed and dump the babies for someone else to take care of. These animals ARE my babies and I could never part with them. People don't do this to their kids.

Oh wait, yes they do.