3 Labs And A Beagle: Who We Are

Hi, my name is Marla Ballentine and I live in the great Northwest state of Washington with my dogs; Oso and Tankie. Oso and Tankie each have health issues that I never anticipated would be helped or healed by their food. But they have been. The idea for 3 Labs and a Beagle sprang to life as I watched my dogs improve right before my eyes just by changing their kibble from mainstream brands to premium. Please, read about how food made the difference! I didn't want to stop at creating just another online pet store. My vision was then and is today to support animal-related charities and rescues and help to educate folks about animal issues in addition to carrying terrific products we use and can vouch for. So...here we are!

3 Labs and a Beagle is a Not Just For Profit organization. We strive to give back to our global community of animal caregivers as well as organizations that value and care for our elderly and disabled using pet therapy. And we do, every day, not only through monetary or in-kind contributions to a featured organization each month, but by sponsoring and nurturing people who need a helping hand to help others in need, whether they are two-legged or four. In this small way, we hope to make a difference.

We also strongly believe in participating in the stewardship of our Earth. We recycle everything that can be, repurpose what we can and save energy wherever possible. Our garden is pesticide free, and Oso, Tankie and Sushi are treated with natural, holistic flea products and medicines. We love our planet and hope that our actions and evangelizing of events like Earth Hour will help others see how easy it is to care for Mother Earth. While we do not carry many of the holistic products we use, we have many contacts for natural medicines and therapies. Feel free to ask!

Hmmm Marla
"Who can we help...?"

About Marla
I have been an animal lover for all of my life and a devout Internet shopper too so it was only natural that it finally occurred to me to create a website for premium, tried and true dog stuff. As far as I am concerned, my dogs are my kids and they deserve the best. I know many of you feel the same way.

I love to cook and make many meals for my dogs as part of my on-going effort to ensure they have a nutritious, varied and healthy diet. I truly believe that what they eat makes a huge difference in their life. They are given a hybrid raw diet, which includes raw meat and bones, home cooked meals, high quality canned, and Flint River Ranch kibble. Here is the recipe for one of Oso and Tankie's favorite stews:

Oso's Favorite Stew for Dogs
1 lb of chicken gizzards
2 T of olive or other healthful oils
2 sweet potatoes or yams, roughly chopped
1 cup roughly chopped green cabbage
1 granny smith apple, roughly chopped
one or more veggies in the fridge such as broccoli, zucchini, green beans - about 1 cup each
Optional, 1/2 cup of brown rice

Put all items in a large pot (I use a 5 qt),fill with cool water to about half as high as the total contents. Bring to a boil, then cover and turn down to simmer for 3 hours or so. The time allowed will be more dependent on whether your dog likes his/her food more chunky or more mushy. Makes about 6 servings for 80 pound dog.

I often make this using salmon oil - but warning, it's pretty smelly - but dogs love stinky food! I also give my boys blueberries at every evening meal - they love them. Try sprinking a handfull over top of your dog's stew when you serve it to him.

About Oso
My name is Oso Rios. I am a black lab and my job is neighborhood watch. I am good at my job because I work at it daily. My best method is to sit on the couch like I am napping but really I am spying through the window. I keep busy even if there is no suspicious activity to bark at. I am also checking that my girlfriend Katey, who lives across the street, is safe. When not working, I love to chase the birdies that insist on visiting my backyard. My favorite things are Mama, my job, snow, and my squeakerman toys. Squeaking is one of the neatest sounds around so I usually walk around squeaking my favorite toy of the moment as much as possible until Tankie steals it. Little brothers can be such pests! Anyway, Mama said I should tell you that this is THE place to shop for cool stuff like my totally pawsome Salmon treats from Pet Naturals. I don’t know what that means but you should do it ‘cus Mama says so and I always listen to my Mama!

Oso
"Shhh, I am doing surveillance."

About Tankie
My given name is Tank but Mama never calls me that unless I am in trouble (uh oh). She calls me Tankie La Rue or Ponkie Poo. I like it when she does that. Mama sings all sorts of silly songs to the three of us all the time. I like that too. Aside from my Mama, my favorite things are to be petted, to roll and snort on brand new clean sheets, to eat any kind of Flint River Ranch food or treats, or to steal Oso’s chewies. He always chews them til they are just the perfect size for me. I also like to steal his squeaker toys. I don’t care at all about squeaker toys but he does so I must take them from him whenever possible. But my all time favorite thing is hunting. I can smell the scent of critters in the backyard from inside the house! Oh and in case you are wondering, I am a Lab/Beagle mix. Mama says that my brindle colors probably means there is some other doggy in my past too. Who knows! Who cares!

Tankie
"Oh Mama, You Said I could Have a Treat..."

3 Labs and A Beagle guarantees that every single item that is offered on this site has been given the paw of approval by our dogs. If they don’t like it, it will not be offered! Choices for cats are also available; rest assured that they also come with the purr of approval by the Test Kitties of family and friends! We will not offer any item on this site that has not been thoroughly chewed, licked, carried, buried and played with by our own dogs and cats. Believe it!