Name Jamie DeBenedetto			Background/Experience I began backpacking over twenty years ago after a childhood loaded with all sorts of outdoor adventures. At present I work as a hike leader so I'm trekking in some capacity about twenty times a month. The majority of my trips are day-hikes but I take an occasional overnighter with my family here and there too. When backpacking, I prefer to sleep in a hammock and I gravitate toward multifunctional gear that will enhance my comfort level with minimal weight. My total pack weight year round is rarely above 25 lbs (11 kg) for outings of two to three days.
Age and Gender 36 year old female
Height 5' 11" (1.8 m) Weight 160 lb (73 kg)			Experience Relevant to this Test Ten years ago I merged my love for dogs and the outdoors by starting the Canine Hiking Club of Arizona. My involvement with this group has given me an opportunity to educate others about hiking with dogs. I regularly give talks on this subject to individuals, local dog clubs, and entities like REI, City of Peoria, City of Phoenix, etc… Beyond my hobby, I also work part-time as a Canine ExPAWdition Leader, which involves hiking each week with as many as a twelve different breed types ranging in size from 12 lbs (5 kg) up to 95 lbs (43 kg).
Email jdeben@hotmail.com
Personal Webpage www.mydog8az.com			Location Phoenix, Arizona USA (The Grand Canyon State)

Product Information Back to contents

Manufacture	Guyot Designs - www.guyotdesigns.com
Year of Manufacture	2009
Made in	Taiwan
Model & Size	"The Park" 36 oz (1 L) Also available in "The Trail" 24 oz (710 ml) and "The Base Camp" 48 oz (1.4 L)
Color	Tangerine - Also comes in Tahoe Blue and Lime
MSRP	$14.95 (US dollars)
(Specifications - Taken from the manufacturer's website or the product tag)
Total Weight	4.3 oz (122 g)
Volume	36 oz (1 L)
Diameter	6.3 in (160 mm)
Height	2.7 in (69 mm)
Care Instructions	The tag states it is freezer, dishwasher and microwave safe. No other instructions given.
Warranty	None listed
(Specifications as received and observed by this writer)
Total Weight	4.6 oz (130 g)
Volume	32 oz (0.95 L)
Diameter	Opening: 6 in (152 mm) Base: 6.5 in (165 mm)
Height	2.7 in (69 mm)

Description of Product

The Guyot Designs "Squishy" Pet Bowl is a pliable, food grade silicon dog dish. It's the common round "bowl" shape with a slightly larger base than opening. The one I received is a very bright and cheery Tangerine color. According to the manufacturer the silicon material is good between -40 F (-40 C) and 446 F (230 C), which means it can be placed in the freezer, dishwasher and microwave safely. The silicon does not contain Bisphenol A (BPA), a controversial substance that for several decades has been under some scrutiny regarding whether or not it's safe to use in food and drink containers.

Arrival Condition and Informational Material Back to contents

The "Squishy" Pet Bowl arrived in perfect condition as if I had just plucked it from the store shelf. The picture to the right shows the bowl with the product tag still affixed. This tag was the only informational material supplied. Given the simple nature of this item, I can't imagine what else would be needed.

While writing this report I found a few discrepancies with some of the listed information on the webpage, tag and the bowl itself. The most pressing of these inconsistencies is the given volume listed on the tag/website. They show the medium sized bowl, which they call the Park, as having a 36 fl oz (1 L) capacity but written on the bowl it says this size holds 32 fl oz (0.95 L). My testing showed the second measurement to be the correct one.

Expectations and First Impressions

The look of the bowl is just how I pictured it from the website. The "squishy" moniker doesn't seem quite right to me though. Yes the dish is bendy but the silicone material has kind of a rubber-like feel. I guess the word squishy made me think of something a bit spongier, akin to closed cell foam. Regardless, it appears to be sturdy but we'll see how it holds up to the various dangers dogs and outdoor use bring into the mix. Things like clumsy dog paws stepping on it and pointy objects poking at it from below, are just a few potential doomsday scenarios off the top of my head.

My overall first impression is positive. I like the bright color and I think the size will work for my purposes. The only area of concern for me at this time is how packable it is. I've folded the bowl every which way during my initial inspection and while it does crumple nicely it pops back into the original shape straight away. Without a strap or something heavy keeping it compressed I'm not sure it will stay squished in my pack. I'm sure I'll figure out all the little fun and not so fun qualities of the Pet Bowl once I get field testing.

Please check back in two months for the next installment of this test series, the Field Report.

Back to contents

-Jamie J. DeBenedetto - 2009

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