Typist: Bethany
Anyone who has ever read this blog before (and it is okay if you haven't- welcome!) or has met me while out on a pet adventure knows that I am a huge fan of hands free dog walking. In fact, I would go so far as to call myself a hands free dog leash addict. I never, ever go anywhere without my Umbilical Belt Hands Free Dog Leash. Ever. When I set out to find the best hands free dog leash, I put on The Umbilical Belt and never looked back. And after almost two years of wearing my first Umbilical Belt at least once a day, every day, it was time for a new one. Just like any well used and loved product, even the best made, highest quality hands free dog leash on the market is susceptible to wearing out. My 3" wide Umbilical Belt had never been uncomfortable but I opted for a new 2" wide belt. After a short adjustment period to get used to the thinner belt I love it. I expected to. All of The Umbilical Belt products are the same comfortable, strong, plastic free, high quality dog leashes and hands free belts I fell in love with over two years ago. The Umbilical Belt is made by a dog fitness enthusiasts for dog fitness enthusiasts. What's not to love? This is why I can't imagine a dog friendly hike, walk, snowshoe or other adventure without The Umbilical Belt.

Besides comfort and convenience, why be hands free? Wait. Seriously? Okay, I'll lay it out:

• Back support: My lumbar vertebrae were all fractured by a fall in 2011. Nothing I have put around my waist since then has been as comfortable as The Umbilical Belt. I wish it could hold up my pants!
• Style: Any leash can be attached to The Umbilical Belt. I regularly attach my bungee leashes to my belt, The Umbilical Belt Reflective Leash for night walks and I attach my favorite collar matching leashes or holiday leashes for special occasions.
• Hands Free: Oh the things free hands can do! Not holding a leash takes getting used to for both the dog and the dog walker but once hands free harmony is acquired the dog walker can hold a drink, push a stroller, swing their arms, click a clicker, clean up poop, carry a cockatoo... that last one may just be me.

Speaking of my own "healthy" snacks, I know what is best for myself and for the dogs but even though I tend to do a better job at choosing the best treats for the dogs how I decide what we snack on shares some commonalities. The source of what the dogs and I snack on matters. Merrick dog treats are made in the USA, the ingredients are sourced in the USA as much as possible and never from China. I have a lot of food sensitivities and allergies so the ingredients of my snacks matter as does what is in the dogs treats. Merrick offers an entire line of gluten-free, grain-free treats- Kitchen Bites, Power Bites, Dental Chews & Jerky Chip Treats- all of which were in the picnic pack that we took camping. What matters most about treating myself and treating the dogs is that what we are having is truly a treat. The definition of treat is "anything that affords particular pleasure or enjoyment." Wilhelm, Brychwyn and Huxley do truly enjoy Merrick treats. And seeing them take pleasure in their treats, is a treat for me too.

Just minutes after arriving home from our camping trip, my mom dropped off her corgi Morgan to stay with us for a few weeks. That's right. For the duration of Multiple Pet Mania month, we will have four dogs and a total of six awesome pets. We are pet maniacs who are really glad that all of the Merrick picnic pack dog treats weren't devoured on our camping trip. I though a little comfort food might help Morgan settle down after my mom left. And I was right! Thank you Merrick. It is a treat to have been treated both while on the road and at home to the pleasure of feeding Wilhelm, Brychwyn, Huxley, Amelia and Morgan such healthy pet food.

Merrick Pet Care provided dog treats for review in this post and paid a fee to be a Multiple Pet Mania Month sponsor. Cascadian Nomads purchased the Merrick cat food ourselves and were not asked by Merrick for a review. Cascadian Nomads only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers and all opinions are always our own. Merrick Pet Care is not responsible for the content of this article.

The truth about natural cleaning products is that sometimes they just don't work. I have tried more brands than I can even remember over the decades that I have been cleaning house naturally. It has been a pleasure to try the line of cleaning products from PL360, Ordor & Stain Remover, Fragrance-Free Cleaning Wipes and Multi Surface Cleaner. The brand also carries an Odor Neutralizing Carpet Powder but our home is completely free of carpet or rugs that can't be thrown in the washing machine. Not only are all the PL360 cleaning products safe for use around (not on) all the pets including extra sensitive Leo but the products actually work. The wipes removed Leo's extra moisture resistant feather dust from surfaces, the stain remover took a few stubborn dog drool stains off of my micro-suede couch and the multi surface spray easily tackled a greasy, cat trampled kitchen counter. The only ingredient in the PL360 products that slightly concerns me is methylchloroisothiazolinone or MIT (used as a PL360 preservative*) but my research showed that this biocide only has proven dangerous when applied directly to and left on the skin, like in cosmetic products or hand sanitizers. No matter how natural a cleaning product is, I would never apply it directly to any of the pets, so I trust that when used as instructed, PL360 products are safe.

Learning about K9 Bytes meant more to my multiple pet lifestyle than fulfilling a wacky dream of the dogs and cat in matching collars. Believe it or not, living with all these pets isn't just about me. Among other items for pets and pet lovers, K9 Bytes also carries dog and cat toys. Sharing my joy in shopping for affordable dog and cat toys on one convenient website is the last part of this review that is about me. The real reviewers were so excited about the K9 Bytes box I could barely get a clear photo. Playtime included tugging, fetching, squeaking and a human enjoying the brightly colored toys on a gray Seattle day. Clearly the dogs approved of their new dog toys. When Amelia tried out her K9 Bytes catnip toys, all the rolling, drooling and batting made it obvious she was pleased with her cat toy three pack. Even Leo found something in the box that a cockatoo could enjoy. K9 Bytes truly knows how to please multiple pets and their people.