Dog Days of Summer

Welcome back, friends! How was your weekend? We unplugged and celebrated the end of school with a lot of cook-outs, pool time, and no real plans. And it was perfect! The weather has been amazing lately, so we’re taking advantage before the heat arrives and spending as much time outdoors as possible.

Y’all know we’re hardcore fans of Backcountry, and it’s the go-to place for all our active family adventures, from hiking the Grand Canyon to skiing in Winter Park. In fact, they have the gear for just about every outdoor activity you can think of!

But did you know they also have an amazing selection of gear for pups?! Yes! Even our furry family can get in on the amazing quality gear like collars, leashes, and beds!

Remember a few years when we up and moved with no warning? Of course we loved the house (or the bones of the house, we’re slowing making it ours)…but the biggest selling feature was the location. Just down the block is the most beautiful greenbelt and private nature preserve, which means miles of trails, hiking, biking, and big open fields for the pups to run! #bliss

We love living in Texas and closer to family, but had been missing all the landscape and nature from our life in Nashville. Now we have the best of both worlds! And Maggie and Mollie couldn’t be happier!


Dog Collars | Lightweight Rope Leash | Dog Accessories

I tend to hunker down behind the computer for long stretches of time, so I try to venture out almost every day…if even for a few minutes. It’s amazing what a little fresh air and nature does for my mood. And productivity! Not to mention, the pups get to run free for awhile!


Day Pack | Retractable Water Bowl | Sneakers | Water Bottle

These leashes are my favorites…super lightweight, but incredibly sturdy. The handle is smooth around my arm, and there’s even a spot for a pick-up bag. The clips are wide and easy to hook quickly on collars, too.


Tank | Sneakers

On the weekends shoot for longer walks, and this day pack is essential for storing water, hat, snacks and anything else we need. It folds down to the size of a small envelope, too, so it’s perfect for packing! I use these small carabiners to attach keys, water bowl, and other smaller items to the bag.

This pop-up bowl is perfect for keeping the pups hydrated on long walks…it holds a ton of water for both dogs, and collapses flat when not in use. It’s light as a feather, too, so doesn’t add bulk to your bag. Sometimes I skip the daypack, and just attach the water bowl to the lease with another carabiner.

Their collars are super sturdy, too, and adjust easily. I love the little rubber tag to quiet their tags when running around.


Dog Collars | Lightweight Rope Leash | Retractable Bowl | Water Bottle

If you follow my Instagram Story, then you’ve likely seen Mollie leaping in the pool and swimming for hours at a time. If Little Miss is in the pool, it’s guaranteed this pup is going in, too. (Maggie wants nothing to do with it!)

And while Mollie is a great swimmer, we always put a float vest on her so we don’t have to worry about her getting too tired. (She seriously stays in for hours!!) This one is lightweight, but keeps her really buoyant. It slips comfortably around her neck, and buckles securely around her torso, and even has a sturdy handle to help lift her out.

Fit Tip: The product page has a helpful sizing chart with detailed instructions on where and how to to measure your pup for the right size! 


Tank Top | Dog Life Vest


Life Vest

Her face cracks me up! She looks like a sea otter!


Tank Top | Sneakers | Collars | Leashes | Day Pack | Water Bowl

I love these precious girls, and our time together outdoors. It’s funny Mr. SP and I went 18 years without a pet, and now we’re both crazy dog people! Are you a dog person? What gear is essential for your walks and adventures?

Don’t forget, code SUGARPLUM15 gets you 15% off your first order with Backcountry (some exclusions apply).

[Shop Our Dog Gear]

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*Photos by the darling and talented Audrie Dollins. This post is sponsored in collaboration with Backcountry and ShopStyle, but all product selections and crazy dog-mom behavior is my own. Thank you for supporting Hi Sugarplum sponsors*

 

 

 

Leave a Comment

10 Comments

  1. Sheaffer Sims wrote:

    What a cute post highlighting those precious pups! I think I need to pick up some gear for our pups too. Thanks for the tips!

    Posted 5.28.19 Reply
  2. Sandy wrote:

    I so believe in life vests for dogs. Some people think it’s a joke, but you can save a life w/one.
    Miss Mollie Googly eyes!! She does look like an otter!

    Posted 5.28.19 Reply
    • Cassie wrote:

      Right?! total sea otter! I love the peace of mind the vest gives us. After hours of jumping and swimming, I’m sure her little body appreciates the help!

      Posted 5.28.19 Reply
  3. Caroline wrote:

    That collapsible bowl is gold! I’m a hard core dog lover. We adopted our first one (a Rottweiler, Cléo) when I was 4 and when she passed when I was 15, we couldn’t live without a dog in the house (it was too empty) so we adopted a chocolate lab (Cassis (French for Blackcurrent)) and then when she was 5 we got her a sister (another chocolate lab we named Momo (Japanese for peach)). Cassis passed away 2 years ago at 14 and 8 months and we sadly lost Momo last February at age 13. It’s the first time in my life where I don’t have a dog around and my mother is now completely alone. It’s really hard and she’s thorn between the sadness of having lost her two last babies and the desire to adopt again (I give her till the end of the summer…..she’ll fall in love with a rescue and give me a call to announce I have a new “sibling” ;p). As for me, I’ve been wanting a dog of my own for years. But I used to live in a condo on the third floor which was highly inconvenient for a dog (I needed a backyard) and now that I live in a house with a backyard, the spousal unit is reluctant to get a dog because he knows I live by the rule “the bigger the better” when it comes to dogs and since we don’t plan on living here for more than another year or two, he doesn’t want a destroyer of hardwood floors. So I’m bidding my time and you bet your butt that once we move……..Imma get a puppy!

    Posted 5.28.19 Reply
    • Cassie wrote:

      Fingers crossed that happens soon!!! xoxo

      Posted 5.28.19 Reply
  4. Beth Meyers wrote:

    Thank you for the dog gear information. I am always looking for new things for our beloved rescue pup Bear. The treat trader will work well during his training sessions. Have a wonderful day!

    Posted 5.28.19 Reply
  5. MelanieL wrote:

    Well I love you all but Mollie steals the show today!! OMG, she’s so cute in the life jacket!! It matches her eyes! You and Maggie are also adorable:) We went 10 years without a pet and we’re crazy dog people now too, LOL! Cutest post…I need to get my little one a new harness.

    Posted 5.28.19 Reply
    • Cassie wrote:

      LOL — she steals every show! And she’s the kookiest little dog, so she’s always making us laugh, too. But Maggie is still our noble queen!

      Posted 5.28.19 Reply
  6. Emily wrote:

    I love summer too but like you I have a graduate too, so sad!! Our party was last Friday night after the actual ceremony. Catered Mexican so good and fun!! I forgot the RSVP too and didn’t hear from 4 families at all and still had more food left over than eaten. I hired a lady to help, she was great. I was able to enjoy the party while she kept things moving. Enjoy these times 😢

    Posted 6.1.19 Reply
    • Cassie wrote:

      Yum, you can never go wrong with catered Mexican food! Sounds like a ball, I hope it was a wonderful evening. Congrats to your grad!! xo. C

      Posted 6.2.19 Reply