Petstages Mini Nesting Mat Gets Snuggle Points from Oliver

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

© Carrie Boyko
Ahhh....That Was Fun!

Petstages is fast becoming a favorite among the All Things Dog Blog pack. Tanner enjoyed tackling their Gator toy recently, during my series on gator safety. He's wishing we had done a full-fledged review on that toy, and I have to agree. It has a cool-beyond-cool squeaker that won't choke Fido.

© courtesy Petstages
Mini Nesting Mat

Now it's Oliver's turn to do some tackling. The Mini Nesting Mat resembles a folded up baby blanket--soft and cushy--when you pull it out of the box. The colorful color blocks each fold in, allowing for plentiful exploration by a pup who enjoys foraging or digging. You guessed it--perfect for your Terrier! Apparently Oliver has a budding Terrier inside of him, as we found he quickly took to the idea of digging and rearranging this wonderful bedding toy until he got himself completely wrapped up inside it. He's too funny!

Let's watch--like a spider on the wall--the progression as he investigates this new surprise inside his crate: 

© Carrie Boyko
Cool! What's Underneath Here?

© Carrie Boyko
Let the Investigation Begin...

© Carrie Boyko
"Where's The Bottom of This Thing?"

© Carrie Boyko
I Call It the "Adventure Blanket"

© Carrie Boyko
Drag it Out
 and I'll Be Able to Get a Better Sniff

© Carrie Boyko
How Did This Happen? I'm Swaddled!

Did Oliver wear you out? I took about 50 photos of this session, but I had to pare that number down for your enjoyment. Needless to say, this blanket was a ton of fun for Oliver. Each morning I find it in a completely different arrangement when he awakens. He must enjoy a midnight playtime that only he is privy to. One morning, I found him completely buried, snoring softly as if to say, Please don't wake me; I'm still dreaming of my tag game with the squirrel that I know is inside this blanket!"

Oliver, as some of you may remember, is not the most toy-motivated dog. It takes a special plaything to engage him. I hoped this blanket would have that effect. Mission accomplished! Thank you Petstages!

Do you have a toy-challenged, toy-sized dog? Petstages has graciously agreed to give 3 of the Mini Nesting Mats away to our readers. If you'd like to participate in the giveaway entries, here's how:

• You may enter the giveaway once daily per method, but you must use a different Tweet, comment, photo, etc. each time. 
• COMMENTS are the primo form of entry--super simple since you're already here. Visit the bottom of the post to find the COMMENTS link and click.
• As of this week, winners will be selected from comments here on the blog that include a method of contact (URL, email, Twitter handle, etc). All Tweets and emails must be followed up with a comment here to be entered in the drawing. Random.org will be used to select the winners.
• For 3 entries, drop me an email at AllThingsDogBlog@gmail.com with a photo of your pup and a sign that says "We Love Petstages ". You can print the picture at the top and write the note on the photo for an extra entry. That's 4 entries right there! Your photo may even be featured on our Facebook page, Petstages' Facebook page, or here on the blog. You can also submit a photo to Petstages for their Summertime Photo Contest. The winners will each receive a gift basket of Petstages toys valued at about $100. See their Facebook Page for more info.
• Leave a comment here saying "I Like All Things Dog Blog and Petstages on Facebook" for another entry.
• Likewise, follow @Petstages on Twitter and leave a comment here telling me you've done this.
• Subscribing to our blog by email using the dog house subscription box at left is a great way to keep up with our posts, giveaways, Ask the Vet and Trainer columns and more. Leave me a comment for one entry, saying "I subscribe to All Things Dog Blog." RSS subscribers may use this method also.
• Tweet "Thx @AllThingsDog 4 connecting us up 2 the @Petstages Photo Contest and gift basket giveaway!" Don't forget to leave me a comment that you've tweeted.
• And of course, hit that Tweet/Retweet button at the top of the post, and then leave me a comment telling me you Tweeted/Retweeted this post. Leave your Twitter handle for verification and we'll be thrilled to give you another entry.
• Don't forget to include a method of contact so we can notify you if you win.
• Entries will close at 5 PM sharp on Thursday, July 7th. I'll report the winners on Friday, July 8th.

Before you head off, be sure to check out our second round of photos with the Mini Nesting Mat in the slideshow at 5 Minutes for Fido, where Oliver got to enjoy his new digging spot outdoors in the warm sunshine of our screened porch. Either way you offer this nice soothing mat, your pup is sure to find it to be an engaging and relaxing activity. The fleecy fabric and padding inside is just delicious. Do you think they make one my size?

Full disclosure: All Things Dog Blog has  been provided with a free sample to do this review of the Petstages Mini Nesting Mat.  We have not been paid to provide our opinion of this product, and the opinion provided is our own.