Pet Franchise Report

Ever think of opening your own pet related franchise? The Pet Industry Franchise Report gives you some interesting information in regards to the type of franchises that are available. Good resource for those pet entrepreneurs.

Why Do Dogs DESTROY Their Squeaky Toys?

Some dogs are very destructive with their toys. Even dogs that are generally pretty good can be VERY destructive sometimes.

This can be a very annoying behavior if you are the dog owner buying the toys they destroy. What is equally annoying is that many dogs quit playing with their toys after they get the squeaker out or the toys quit squeaking.

Why do dogs do this?

One theory goes back to nature. When dogs hunted for prey, they would hunt and kill. Their prey would squeak or make noises.

This was part of their natural hunting instinct. Once caught, the prey made noises as the dog proceeded with the kill, which can be very satisfying to a hungry dog. When the prey was dead - the squeaking stopped. A squeaky toy can give a dog the same type of satisfaction.

-From the Petplace.com

Caring Means Not Sharing

By DogAge Staff

This season, share your holiday mood with your dog, but not your dinner.

Protect your dog from possible stomach upset by keeping festive but unfamiliar foods out of his or her bowl. Fatty poultry skin or meat shavings, spicy snacks, and rich desserts all can cause digestive discomfort in dogs, and turkey bones present a dangerous choking hazard. Treat your dog to extra praise and playtime instead

17 rare sea turtles rescued off Cape Cod, Mass.

QUINCY, Mass. – Seventeen rare sea turtles suffering a variety of ailments are recovering at the New England Aquarium after being rescued over the past two days off of Cape Cod, Mass.

The turtles rescued by volunteers with the Massachusetts Audubon Sanctuary at Wellfleet Bay are being cared for at the aquarium's new animal care center in Quincy. They eventually will be released back to the ocean.

Most of them are Kemp's ridley turtles and are suffering from hypothermia, dehydration and malnourishment. The turtles usually migrate to warmer waters in the winter, but aquarium officials say strong northwest winds Wednesday drove the turtles to shore.

Many had body temperatures in the 50s, when they should have been in the 70s.

An aquarium spokesman says it's unusual for the center to care for so many at one time.

Doubts rise on bedbug sniffing dogs

Earlier in the year, I had posted about bedbug sniffing dogs.
According to a recent New York Times Article some doubts are being raised.

As the number of reported infestations rises and the demand for the dogs soars, complaints from people who say dogs have falsely alerted to bedbugs are also climbing. And within the bedbug industry, where some dog trainers and sellers are on back-order until next spring despite the dogs’ $11,000 price tag, there are fears that a rise in so-called false positives by dogs will harm their credibility and business.

This has led to many paying money for bedbug remediation where no signs of bedbugs ever existed prior as apartment complexes are having these dogs check every room.

Hero dog from Afghanistan mistakenly killed

What a terrible story -

FLORENCE, Arizona — A dog named Target that lived through explosions in war-torn Afghanistan couldn't survive a brief stay at an Arizona animal shelter.

The shepherd mix was featured on "The "Oprah Winfrey Show" and local media for her heroics in Afghanistan, got loose from her owners on Friday and was put down on Monday after spending the weekend in a county shelter.

An unidentified employee at the Pinal County facility was placed on administrative leave after euthanizing the female shepherd mix by mistake, county Animal Care and Control officials said

I'm heartsick over this," Ruth Stalter, the county animal control director, said in a written statement. "I had to personally deliver the news to the dog's owner and he and his family are understandably distraught."

Stalter said that the shelter works hard to reunite lost pets with their owners and that an investigation had been launched to determine how the mistake was made.

"When it comes to euthanizing an animal, there are some clear-cut procedures to follow," Stalter said. "Based on my preliminary investigation, our employee did not follow those procedures."

Adopted by U.S. troops
Sgt. Terry Young, the owner of the dog, told The Arizona Republic, "I just can't believe that something like this would happen to such a good dog."

Target frightened a suicide bomber inside a military base and potentially saved dozens of soldiers' lives, Young said.

According to "The Oprah Winfrey Show" website, Target and two other stray dogs, Sasha and Rufus, were adopted by U.S. troops in Afghanistan after wandering into a military compound there.

The three dogs were hailed as heroes after attacking a suicide bomber who entered the compound, apparently headed toward barracks with some 50 soldiers inside.

Story: Dog that 'came back to life' gets new home
Story: Botched euthanasia leaves dog owner in quandary

Sasha was badly injured when the bomber detonated an explosive device and had to be euthanized, but Target and Rufus survived and were brought home with soldiers returning from their tour of duty in Afghanistan.

Young said the dog was treated like royalty at the base at Dand Patan, near the Pakistan border. Target was brought to the San Tan Valley area southeast of Phoenix in August, when Young returned home.

"He had personally been profoundly affected by this dog's heroism and had worked very hard to bring the dog back over here," Pinal County spokeswoman Heather Murphy said.

After the dog escaped from the family's back yard Friday, Young put out online notices and contacted TV stations that did reports on the missing hero dog.

A neighbor found Target wandering later Friday, put her in his back yard and called the pound. The dog did not have a microchip or tag.

On Friday night, Young found Target's picture on a website used by Pinal County's dog catchers to help owners track lost pets. Young figured the shelter was closed for the night and weekend.

He showed up at the shelter in Casa Grande to claim his dog on Monday, only to find out she was dead.

County officials say the employee mistakenly took the dog out of its pen Monday morning and euthanized it.

The Republic said Young and his family will get Target's cremated remains.

Why Dogs Turn Around Three Times Before Lying Down

If you've ever wondered why dogs turn around several times before flopping down on the floor, the answer is simple genetics. They've been genetically programmed to trample their sleeping areas in the wild so that the grass is tamped down to make a comfortable resting place.

Although your dog have the finest dog bed money can buy, he still feels the urge to circle before lying down, even in the comfort of the modern home. It's nature at work. Nature is the reason dogs gobble their food. The most successful survivors were able to eat fast before other members of the pack could grab a share. Wild dog cousins didn't know when his next meal would come, so being the fastest gorger was a real advantage.

Source - www.thepetplace.com

Fun Differences Between Dogs & Cats

The Top Ten Differences Between Cats & Dogs:

10. Dogs come when you call them. Cats take a message and get back to you when they are good and ready.

9. Dogs will let you give them a bath without taking out a contract on your life.

8. Dogs will bark to wake you up if the house is on fire. Cats will quietly sneak out the back door.

7. Dogs will bring you your slippers or the evening newspaper.Cats might bring you a dead mouse.

6. Dogs will play Frisbee with you all afternoon. Cats will take a three-hour nap.

5. Dogs will sit on the car seat next to you. Cats have to have their own private box or they will not go at all.

4. Dogs will greet you and lick your face when you come home from work. Cats will be mad that you went to work at all.

3. Dogs will sit, lie down, and heel on command. Cats will smirk and walk away.

2. Dogs will tilt their heads and listen whenever you talk. Cats will yawn and close their eyes.

1. Dogs will give you unconditional love forever. Cats will make you pay for every mistake you've ever made since the day you were born.

Survey: Online Retailers Expect Improved Holiday Sales

According to a recent article from Pet Product News, The majority of online retailers expect strong sales this holiday season, according to a survey released today by the National Retail Federation’s digital division, Shop.org.

The eHoliday Study, conducted by BigResearch, found that nearly two thirds, or 63.8 percent, of the 51 online retailers surveyed expect their company’s online sales to increase 15 percent or more compared to last holiday season. Last year, 45.8 percent of the retailers surveyed had those expectations.

Online retailers may have good reason to expect better sales this holiday season. Overall holiday retail sales are expected to increase at least 2.3 percent over last year, according to forecasts made recently by NRF and Kantar Retail, a consultant group in Columbus, Ohio.

“Retailers continue to see the web as a bright spot in the industry and are putting the finishing touches on new site features so their customers will have good experiences when shopping online this holiday season,” said Shop.org head of research Fiona Swerdlow. “In addition to using websites to bring in sales, retailers are leveraging the Internet to encourage shoppers to head to nearby stores, featuring store locator information, product availability and store circulars on their websites.”

Although it’s only October, 40 percent of the retailers surveyed said they will begin holiday marketing by Halloween, while another 40 percent said they plan to begin marketing the first week of November.

To attract customers, most of the retailers surveyed, 84.8 percent, plan to offer free shipping at some point during the holiday season, according to the survey. Nearly one-third, or 31.4 percent, said these offers will begin earlier this year than a year ago, and 36.7 percent of retailers said their budget for free shipping is higher than last holiday season.

The majority of retailers surveyed said they are investing in site features and services to maximize their holiday sales. About 72 percent said they have invested in the company’s Facebook page in advance of the holidays, 54.9 percent said they have invested in cross-selling on product pages, 54.9 percent said they have invested in site search and 52.9 percent said they have invested in customer ratings and reviews, according to the survey. Another 43.1 percent of retailers said they have invested more this holiday season in a Twitter campaign or Twitter feed.

“Online retailers know shoppers care about low prices and free shipping, but they also appreciate the ability to easily find gift ideas or shop around the clock,” said Phil Rist, executive vice president of strategic initiatives for BigResearch. “Instead of trying to entice shoppers to come to them, retailers will be leveraging social media in an even more vibrant way this holiday season to reach consumers where they already are: Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.”

As part of the survey, BigReserach polled 2,583 consumers about their holiday shopping plans. About one-third, or 32.2 percent, of the shoppers surveyed said they’ll make more of their holiday purchases on the Web this year, listing 24-hour convenience (35.1 percent), easy price comparisons (33.1 percent) and a lack of desire to fight the crowds (30.8 percent) among the main reasons why they’re shifting a portion of their spending.

Of 6.1 percent of online shoppers who said they’ll spend less of their holiday budget online than a year ago, 19.2 percent cited issues with expensive shipping charges, 13.9 percent said they’d prefer to see or handle an item before purchasing it and 5.7 percent said they did not want to wait for the item to be delivered.

Now our pets are fat, too

Interesting article on the weight of pets.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 34.2 percent of Americans over age 20 were overweight as of 2008, and another 33.8 percent were obese. As human waistlines have ballooned, so has pets' girth: A 2009 national survey of veterinarians by the Association for the Prevention of Pet Obesity found that 45 percent of dogs and 58 percent of cats were overweight or obese. Those numbers revealed a 2 percent increase in dog weight problems from the year before, and a 5 percent increase for cats.

The article contains some diet tips for your pets.

Botched euthanasia leaves dog owner in quandary

In the category of I've never heard of this happening before, After bringing dog's body home from vet procedure, owner finds her standing up.
From the Associated Press -
REDFORD TOWNSHIP, Mich. — A suburban Detroit man whose Rottweiler was given a new leash on life after surviving a botched euthanasia said he has neither the heart nor the money to try the procedure again.

Redford Township resident Matt Olivarez, 27, said he's in a tough spot: facing possible home foreclosure while at the same time trying to do right by Mia, an 11-year-old pooch that he feeds by hand, partly because of her spinal problem that makes walking difficult.

Olivarez said he took Mia to the Westcott Veterinary Care Center in Detroit on Saturday to alleviate her suffering. He said Westcott officials speculated afterward that the drug dosage wasn't strong enough or had been watered down.

He now shudders at the thought of almost burying his beloved pet alive.

"I don't know if I could do it a second time," Olivarez told The Detroit News for a story published Wednesday.

Olivarez said he returned to his garage Sunday morning and noticed Mia missing from where he'd placed her on a pile of hay the day before. He'd planned to bury her in his grandfather's backyard.

Instead, he turned to find her standing on all fours, staring at him.

"Are you still my dog?" he said, saying he felt like he was living a scene from one of the scary movies he enjoys. "It was like a scene from 'Pet Sematary.'"

Olivarez purchased Mia, the only member of her litter to survive, around the time his first child was born. She was intended to be a companion for his sons, now 8 and 9. Olivarez tried to explain Mia's resurrection to them Tuesday night.
"It's crazy," he said. "It's not something I planned for."

Meanwhile, Olivarez is seeking a new owner who can give Mia proper care.

"I'll keep her until I figure something out," he said

Pet Adoption Month

Did you know that October is Pet Adoption Month? Adding a new member of the family is a big decisions. The Wellness pet food blog has posted a list of things to consider when adopting a new pet.

Check it out as there are some good tips to consider.

Thinking Pink for Pups: Dogtopia Pampers Dogs for Cancer Research

Dogs across the country will get primped and pampered in October, all in the name of breast cancer awareness and research. Dogtopia, a full-service dog day care, spa and boutique with locations throughout the U.S. is partnering with Susan G. Komen for the Cure® for their first annual “Paws for Pink” campaign.

Throughout the entire month, all 22 Dogtopia locations in 11 states will be giving pups fabulous fluffs and perfect pawdicures to help raise money for cancer research. For everyone who treats their canine to a spa bath or nail trim in October, Dogtopia will donate 10 percent of the purchase price to Komen for the Cure in support of breast cancer research and community outreach programs.

“It’s difficult to find anyone who hasn’t been personally affected by breast cancer, whether themselves, family, friends or co-workers,” said Amy Nichols, CEO and Founder of Dogtopia. “A number of our locations have participated on the local level for the annual Komen Race for a Cure, so we decided to hold this system-wide event because it’s such a worthy cause.”

Founded in 1982, the organization has raised more than $1.5 billion for breast cancer research, education and health services. With more than 100,000 volunteers, Komen is the largest breast cancer charity in the world.


Dogtopia has pledged at least $5,000, with a goal of raising double that. For information on local Dogtopia stores, visit www.dogdaycare.com.

Interesting Pet Industry Article

An article from Smart
money Magazine to the 10 things the pet industry won't tell you.

More Pet Industry Trends

Ultra-Clean…
Pet-owners take grooming one step beyond a haircut, a quick bath and a nail trim. Mouthwash and an electric toothbrush for canines are routine steps in a beauty session for some pooches. Birds receive daily pedicures with special cage perches, while others enjoy manicures complete with nail polish. Pet-owning homes stay cleaner with automatic, self-flushing litter boxes, cleaning cloths for muddy paws that mimic traditional baby wipes, and scented gel air fresheners to keep rooms free of pet odors.

Dinner is Served
Today's pet foods include complete and balanced diets that tantalize our pets' taste buds and satisfy their tummies. Formulas for puppies and kittens, specialized meals for reptiles, birds and fish and diets for senior pets ensure a long and healthy life for our beloved companions.

State-of-the-Art
High-tech products including computerized identification tags, digital aquarium kits, automatic doors and feeders, enhanced reptile terrarium lighting systems and touch-activated toys help pet-owners take care of companion animals with ease and precision.

Loosen Up
As pet owners meditate in yoga class, cats relieve stress by frolicking in a toy gym or relaxing in a feline spa before enjoying herbal catnip packaged in a tea bag. Dogs sip fresh water from flowing fountains after a soothing rub with a doggie massager.

Help Yourself!
Products designed with convenience in mind lead this trend. Programmable feeding and drinking systems, automatic and battery-operated toys, self-cleaning litter boxes and self-warming pet mats let pets virtually care for themselves!

Straight from the Catwalk
Faux mink coats, hipster lumberjack vests, designer plaid jackets, matching jeweled and leather collar and leash sets, Halloween costumes, and holiday outfits keep pets in fashion throughout the year. Upscale leather carriers complete with a cell phone and water bottle holder are the perfect accessories to keep the pet owner in style as well.

Keep on Truckin'
Whether it's a quick trip to the supermarket or a long ride to the beach, companion animals are now traveling animals too. Buckled up in a harness, seat belt system or a portable carrier, these pets stay safe and secure while on the road. Food and water along with safety supplies are on hand in all-in-one kits, waste disposal systems make for easy clean-up on quick stops and motion sickness aids are available too.

Hello, My Name Is…
From monogrammed sweaters and personalized food and water bowls to digitized collar tags and hand-made treats, owners embrace their pets as true members of the American family celebrating their fluffy, finned and feathered companions with their very own belongings.

Pet Industry Trends

We pamper them. We bring them wherever we go. We surprise them with something new on special occasions. They even get holiday presents. They are our pets!

From high-end items to high-tech items, products for our companion animals now extend beyond traditional necessities. The American Pet Products Association (APPA) presents top pet product trends for 2010.

Reducing Your Pets Carbon PAW print
Around the world people are making conscious efforts to help our planet Eart, and the pet industry is no exception. From natural litters to toys, accessories and organic food options, earth-friendly pet products are sprouting up everywhere.

Going to the Dogs
More and more companies traditionally know for human products are going to the dogs, and cats, and reptiles. Big name companies including like Paul Mitchell, Omaha Steaks, Origins, Harley Davidson and Old Navy are now offering lines of pet products ranging from dog shampoo, pet attire, and name-brand toys to gourmet treats and food.

Pets Welcome
Many hotels across the country are adopting pet friendly policies. Several chains have announced new pet-friendly policies that include everything from oversized pet pillows, plush doggie robes, to check-in gift packages that include a pet toy, dog treat, ID tag, bone and turn down treat. Some even have a licensed dog masseuse on staff.

Pet Products Sold Here
Shopping for pet products is becoming easier than ever with an increasing variety of retail outlets now selling pet products. Right along side fertilizer and shovels, shoppers can now find pet products such as doggie doors and yellow lawn spot removers sold at many lawn and garden stores, nurseries, and major home improvement stores including Home Depot.

Health Benefits of Pets to Their Owners

-Pets Help to Lower Blood Pressure A recent study at the State University of New York at Buffalo found that people with hypertension who adopted a cat or dog had lower blood pressure readings in stressful situations than did those who did not own a pet. (Dr. Karen Allen, State University of New York at Buffalo)
-Pets Help to Reduce Stress Walking with a pet helps to sooth nerves and offers instant relaxation. Studies conducted worldwide have shown that the impact of a stressful situation is lesser on pet owners, especially males, than on those who do not own a pet. (Josephine M. Wills, Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition, United Kingdom)
-Pets Help to Prevent Heart Disease Because pets provide people with faithful companionship, research shows they may also provide their owners with greater psychological stability, thus a measure of protection from heart disease. (National Institute of Health Technology Assessment Workshop: Health Benefits of Pets)
-Pets Help to Lower Health Care Costs People with pets actually make fewer doctor visits, especially for non-serious medical conditions. (National Institute of Health Technology Assessment Workshop: Health Benefits of Pets)
-Pets Help to Fight Depression Pets help fight depression and loneliness, promoting an interest in life. When seniors face adversity or trauma, affection from pets takes on great meaning. Their bonding behavior can foster a sense of security. (Between Pets and People: The Importance of Animal Companionship)

Spending Per Year on Pets

Another indicator on how much pet ownership has grown since 1984 - The following spending statistics are gathered by American Pet Producst Association from various market reseach sources and are not included in the organization's bi-annual National Pet Owners Survey.


Total U.S. Pet Industry Expenditures

Year Billion
2010 $47.7 Est.
2009 $45.5
2008 $43.2
2007 $41.2
2006 $38.5
2005 $36.3
2004 $34.4
2003 $32.4
2002 $29.5
2001 $28.5
1998 $23
1996 $21
1994 $17

Pet Ownership Statistics

PET OWNERSHIP

According to the 2009/2010 National Pet Owners Survey, 62% of U.S. households own a pet, which equates to 71.4 millions homes

In 1988, the first year the survey was conducted, 56% of U.S. households owned a pet as compared to 62% in 2008

Breakdown of pet ownership in the U.S. according to the 2009-2010 National Pet Owners Survey

Number of U.S. Households that Own a Pet (millions)

Bird 6.0
Cat 38.2
Dog 45.6
Equine 3.9
Freshwater Fish 13.3
Saltwater Fish 0.7
Reptile 4.7
Small Animal 5.3

Total Number of Pets Owned in the U.S. (millions)


Bird 15.0
Cat 93.6
Dog 77.5
Equine 13.3
Freshwater Fish 171.7
Saltwater Fish 11.2
Reptile 13.6
Small Animal 15.9

* Ownership statistics are gathered from APPA’s 2009/2010 National Pet Owners Survey

No Fluff Zone

Dogs love to play with their toys, not the stuffing inside, so SPOT Pet Products showed their stuff by getting rid of the stuff(ing) to create unique and easily identifiable pet toys called Skinneeez. Reflecting the recent trend toward more floppy pet toys, Skinneeez have a more realistic appearance that is more attractive to dogs, and brings out the hunter in domesticated companions.

Skinneeez toys are easy to distinguish from other pet toys on the market because of the way they look – they appear to be soft-sculpture toys that have not yet been filled with polyester fiberfill. But that is by design – Skinneeez toys are flat, easy to grab, hold and carry for any dog or cat, and despite their super-soft fur-like fabric exterior, Skinneeez are amazingly durable and last longer than regular plush dog toys, because of the lack of stuffing. Realistically made to look like favorite backyard critters and have the mouthfeel of real prey, Skinneeez allow dogs to indulge their inner hunters, an instinct that never goes away, regardless of how domesticated they are, reminding them of a day in the field and why fetch games are so much fun.

Skinneeez reflect on the recent trend in pet toys towards floppy toys, but Skinneeez takes this trend a step further and leaves out all the stuffing, creating a toy that flops even more than some toys designed to be floppy with more room inside for squeakers in the head and tail. The lack of stuffing also means that there won’t be any bits of fluff for the owner to pick up. Also, unlike most fiberfill stuffed toys, Skinneeez are washable, and have securely sewn-on eyes, ears and tails for added safety.

Skinneeez for dogs come in two sizes – regular and mini – and several different varieties, including Mallard Duck, Chicken, Jungle Cat, Pink Flamingo, Ostrich, Beaver and Flying Squirrel.

The SPOT brand of pet products is a division of Ethical Pet Products, a Bloomfield, New Jersey company dedicated to serving pets and pet lovers since 1952. SPOT’s product line includes innovative dog and cat products, such as toys, dishes, waste management products, apparel and other dog and cat accessories. SPOT is committed to providing its customers with the best value and service in the pet industry, while keeping quality, safety, honesty and humanity in mind. SPOT pet products are available at retailers nationwide.

50 Terrific Tips (& Tricks) for DIY Pet Grooming

With the economy the way it is, people have to try to save where they can, and one such way is to groom your pets yourself. Here is an article on pet grooming courtesy of vettech.org

Pet Shot While Owners At Work

There has to be more to this story, but another weird act of animal cruelty...

Pet Shot

How Far Would You Go For Your Pet?

How far would you go for your pets? Your story could land you a prize.

Did you recently spend your daughter’s college fund on a five-star celebration for Fido’s birthday? Do you have more photos of Fluffy in your home than of everyone you know combined? If so, Fetch! Pet Care wants to hear from you as part of their new online contest, “How Far Would You Go for Your Pet?”

Fetch! Pet Care, the nation’s largest provider of professional pet sitting and dog walking services, will reward one lucky winner who goes the absolute farthest for their pet with a well-deserved grand prize: One week’s worth of Fetch! Pet Care services valued up to $500. The contest concept mirrors the company’s culture of truly understanding the pet parent relationship, always going above and beyond for the pets they care for, and believing that no pet’s need is considered too frivolous.

To enter the online contest, go to Contest Starting September 13, 2010, pet owners are encouraged to get creative and post videos, photos or short descriptions that illustrate how far they have – and will – go for their beloved pets. Posts must include pets and their owners. Did you recently give that fire hydrant a second glance? Have you found yourself catching Frisbees out of mid-air with your teeth? If so, Fetch! Pet Care wants to see it. One winner will be selected based on online votes and will be announced October 22, 2010.

A PET'S TEN COMMANDMENTS

. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.
2. Give me time to understand what you want of me
3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.
4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.
5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.
6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.
7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.
8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.
9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.
10 On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.


~Take a moment today to thank GOD for your pets. Enjoy and take good care of them.
Life would be a much duller, less joyful experience without God's critters.

Fun Dog Quotes

“My goal in life is to be as good of a person as my dog already thinks I am.” Unknown

“The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue.” – Anonymous

“Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea.” – Robert A. Heinlein

“Scratch a dog and you'll find a permanent job” - unknown

Storm Emergency Prep for Pets

This year's hurricane season is expected to be more active then in recent years. Here is an article on how to better prepare your pet in case of an emergency.


Emergency Prep for pets

Dog Costs vs. Cat Costs

According to the APPA National Pet Owners Survey, 2009 - 2010, dog veterinary expenditures nearly doubled those of cat for last year.

Dogs are bigger - their food costs more, they generally require more grooming, owners give them more vitamins, they are boarded more often and therefore require more vaccines (e.g. kennel cough vaccine) and surgery costs more.

Here is the APPA table comparing cost of care:


Service
Dogs top line
Cats 2nd line

Surgical Veterinary Visits
$532
$278

Food
$229
$203

Kennel/Boarding
$273
$255

Routine Vet Visit
$225
$203

Groomer/Groomer Aids
$66
$22

Vitamins
$61
$28

Food Treats
$64
$37

Toys
$4
$19

Where to Put The Fish Tank

When considering buying a new fish tank, consider the space you have available and where the aqauriam will be located. Remember, a tank gets heavy. Water itself is a lot of weight. Add in rocks, decorations, filters, and the fish, and you're talking about something you're not going to move very easily.

Be sure when positioning the tank that it is a place where it is visible. Why spend money on an aquarium if you are barely ever going to see the thing? It is also good to consider your tank maintanence when choosing a tank and location. Will it be easy to access the filter when you want to clean it and change the filter cartridge? Is it in a location where you can do water changes with ease? The harder it is to do regular cleaning, the less motivated you'll be to maintain the aquarium.

Also keep in mind that you're dealing with water...and spills, splashes, and accidents will happen. Don't keep the tank near any expensive furniture or electronics.

Just some tips to help if you're acquiring a new tank.

Inner Peace?

If you can start the day without caffeine,

If you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains,

If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles,

If you can eat the same food every day and be grateful for it,

If you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any time,


If you can take criticism and blame without resentment ,

If you can conquer tension without medical help,

If you can relax without a glass of wine,

if you can sleep without the aid of drugs,

...Then You Are ��Probably

...The family dog!!

Benefits of a Dog Park

More and more communities are adding dog parks. Here are some of the benefits for both owner and pet.

-Gives persons with limited mobility, or the elderly, the
opportunity to allow their dogs to get exercise
Provides a safe, fenced-in area to let your dog run, socialize and play, unleashed – legally
-An exercised dog makes a better next door neighbor
-Enclosed area prevents off-leash dogs from running loose and
infringing on the rights of others, such as children or those
fearful of dogs
-Socialized dogs are more adjusted to people and other dogs
and are unlikely to be aggressive and dangerous
-Promotes enforcement of dog control laws such as licensing
and regular rabies shots, making for safer, healthier
neighborhoods
-Provides an opportunity for dog owners to socialize, meet new friends with similar interest: dogs
-Allows members of a community representing all walks of
life to come meet, to learn and to talk. This bond between
neighbors strengthens communities

15 Amazing Facts About Therapy Dogs

Check out this post about therapy dogs!

Hills Pet Comes through

In some previous posts, I had talked about the Cromwell, CT dog park effort. We are raising funds to establish a new dog park in town.

In the process of fundraising, I had contacted several manufacturer's about product donations to help our efforts. I would like to thank Hills Pet Products for their product donations and will definately give preference to their products in the future. HillsPet.com

Summer is ending and that means one thing: Back to School. For most people right now, images of school supplies, homework and a new fall wardrobe are dancing in parent’s heads. But there’s one thing people often forget about: the family pet.

It’s not abnormal for dogs and cats to get depressed when kids leave the house to head back to school – or go off to college.


Paul Mann, the Founder of Fetch! Pet Care gives the following tips to take right now to help avoid the Back-to-School funk for pets.

Lots of exercise is a key. If you can exercise pets in the morning before you head to work, they’ll be so tired that there will be less time to think about the empty house they’re sitting in.

Don't make a big deal about your leaving. If you smother the dog or cat in kisses, they’ll be able to tell that something’s up and will get anxious while you’re away.

Consider hiring a professional pet sitter for a mid-day dog walk or cat visit to break up the day. Even a half-hour walk or visit will give your pet the one-on-one personal attention they deserve, not to mention tire them out.

Give your pet an old T-Shirt while you’re gone so that he can cuddle up with it and have a familiar smell.

Get into a routine where you let the kids walk the dog after they get home from school – and before they start on homework. That way, the dog will look forward to the kids getting home from school.


If one of the kids usually feeds and plays with the cats, try switching up the routine so that the cat gets used to other people in the house. Also consider having the cat sleep with a different family member so they’re less attached to the kids.

supermarket sued over dog ban

Should service dogs be allowed in supermarkets? What if the dog is being blamed for causing damage to the store? This debate is going on in Connecticut

New Haven Register Article

How Pets Keep Us Healthy

Interesting article from from MSN about the ways our pets help keep us healthy

Many of these are based on scientific studies being done on the effects of our pets.

Pet Fire Prevention

New data shows that pets start nearly 1,000 accidental fires a year. Here is an article that helps keep you and your pets safe.

Fire Safety and Prevention

Preparing for an Emergency

In response to the flooding we recently dealt with and the fact that many other areas have had similar experiences in the past few months, not to mention that it is hurricane season, I've included a list of emergency items for your pets. It is recommended that you keep these items in a plastic storage tote in the same area you keep the emergency kit for your 2-legged family members. While we hope that you never need them, it is always best to be prepared.

The ASPCA website has much more detailed information to help you before a disaster strikes, and you can order a free Rescue Alert decal for your home. Visit their website at www.aspca.org.


Emergency Tips for Pets

3 - 7 day supply of food and water. This is for each pet. Rotate these items every few months to keep fresh.

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Medications and medical records, including vaccination records. Store in a resealable plastic bag to keep dry.

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Leash/harness & crate for transportation. Disposable crate liners are also a good idea.

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Current photo and description.

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Several small toys and things to chew on.

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Remember, if it is necessary for you to evacuate your home, then it is not safe for your pets to stay there either.
While there may be an emergency shelter available to you, most will not accept pets. It makes sense to plan ahead!

The Cromwell, CT Dog Park Effort

Dog Parks are becoming more and more popular as dog owners look for ways to exercise and socialize their furry friends. In fact, many people inquire about the proximity of dogs parks when buying a new home.

I have since joined the effort of the passionate people in this beautiful town of Cromwell - located in central Connecticut. Our goal is to raise funds through private donations in order to construct a public use dog park.
For any companies who read this blog, we are currently asking for product samples for upcoming fundraisers (and money is always nice too! :-). The products will be used as door prizes and giveaways during our various events. Our next fundraiser will be an information/donation booth at the Cromwell Riverfest in August. We would be grateful for any help in our efforts to beautify a part of the community and create a place for dogs and their owners.
For more information about our efforts, check out this article http://www.middletownpress.com/articles/2010/06/15/news/doc4c16f5ba0ecba526041112.txt.

A Green Way to Clean

Here is another (edited) press release I have received in regards to a unique cleaning product. If anyone has tried it out, let me know your thoughs:

Clean+Green® are eco-friendly aerosol pet cleaning products. Unlike most other cleaning products that can be harmful, require multiple applications and/or only temporarily mask odors, Clean+Green delivers instant results in a non-toxic, eco-friendly solution. Clean+Green permanently cleans pet stains and eradicates odors. It is safe for pets, people (kids too!), and the planet.

“Green cleaning” is especially important for pet owners - according to the Environmental Protection Association (EPA), typical household cleaning products and air fresheners are one of the leading contributors to poor indoor air quality. The agency reports that poor indoor air quality can lead to health issues that manifest soon after exposure or, possibly, years later. As people become more aware of the dangers of harsh chemicals in cleaning products, they may wonder if the eco-friendly products on the market work as well as their tried-and-true clean up tools.

You can visit www.odorandstainremover.com for more information.

The Exotic Pet Challenge

Retailers that deal in exotic pets must navigat through a jungle of regulations. Here is an interesting article from Pet Business magazine in regards to the many challenges facing the exotic pet industry

Check out the article Exotic Challenge

What is Your Dog Saying

When you dog talks, is he really saying anything? A Pet Place.com article debates this issue.

Taking The Stuffing Out of Toys

Here is an interesting press release I received in regards to a relatively new pet toy. Would love to hear from anyone who has tried this toy!

The Release:
Dogs love to play with their toys, not the stuffing inside, so SPOT Pet Products showed their stuff by getting rid of the stuff(ing) to create unique and easily identifiable pet toys called Skinneeez. Reflecting the recent trend toward more floppy pet toys, Skinneeez have a more realistic appearance that is more attractive to dogs, and brings out the hunter in domesticated companions.

Skinneeez toys are easy to distinguish from other pet toys on the market because of the way they look – they appear to be soft-sculpture toys that have not yet been filled with polyester fiberfill. But that is by design – Skinneeez toys are flat, easy to grab, hold and carry for any dog or cat, and despite their super-soft fur-like fabric exterior, Skinneeez are amazingly durable and last longer than regular plush dog toys, because of the lack of stuffing. Realistically made to look like favorite backyard critters and have the mouthfeel of real prey, Skinneeez allow dogs to indulge their inner hunters, an instinct that never goes away, regardless of how domesticated they are, reminding them of a day in the field and why fetch games are so much fun.


Skinneeez reflect on the recent trend in pet toys towards floppy toys, but Skinneeez takes this trend a step further and leaves out all the stuffing, creating a toy that flops even more than some toys designed to be floppy with more room inside for squeakers in the head and tail. The lack of stuffing also means that there won’t be any bits of fluff for the owner to pick up. Also, unlike most fiberfill stuffed toys, Skinneeez are washable, and have securely sewn-on eyes, ears and tails for added safety.
Skinneeez for dogs come in two sizes – regular and mini – and several different varieties, including Mallard Duck, Chicken, Jungle Cat, Pink Flamingo, Ostrich, Beaver and Flying Squirrel. Skinneeez dog toys retail pricing begins around $6.99.

The SPOT brand of pet products is a division of Ethical Pet Products, a Bloomfield, New Jersey company dedicated to serving pets and pet lovers since 1952. SPOT’s product line includes innovative dog and cat products, such as toys, dishes, waste management products, apparel and other dog and cat accessories. SPOT is committed to providing its customers with the best value and service in the pet industry, while keeping quality, safety, honesty and humanity in mind. SPOT pet products are available at retailers nationwide. For more information, contact SPOT at http://www.ethicalpet.com/

A New Pet Food Recall

1. Merrick Pet Care Recalls 10oz Bags Of Merrick Beef Filet Squares


Merrick Pet Care, Inc. of Amarillo, Texas is recalling 86 cases of its 10oz “Beef Filet Squares for Dogs” pet treats (ITEM # 60016 LOT # 10084TL7 BEST BY MARCH 24, 2012) because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.
Consumers who have purchased 10 ounce packages of “Beef Filet Squares for Dogs” are urged to return the unused portion to the place of purchase for a full refund. Information about the recall can be found on the company’s web site: http://www.merrickpetcare.com/about_us/news_article.php?tid=430. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-800-664-7387 M-F 8:00 – 5:00 CDT.
2. Nature’s Miracle, Excel, Pro-Pet, Petco, DDS and Drs. Foster & Smith Nutritional Supplements and Powdered Form Products
United Pet Group has recalled a variety of nutritional supplements for dogs and powdered form products for dogs and cats. THESE PRODUCTS ARE SOLD UNDER DIFFERENT NAMES AT DIFFERENT RETAILERS. Please check the FDA release for a complete listing of products affected by this recall here is the link: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm217999.htm


The products involved in both recalls are very popular, so it is important that we get the word out to fellow pet lovers. Please let your followers and readers know about these recalls.

All About Catnip

There is a brand new blog dedicated to the joys of one of the most popular substances for cats - The Catnip.
Cat Nip Mouse will show the variety of reasons why catnip is so addicting. Check it out.

Driving dog runs over his owner

RIDGE MANOR, Fla. — A Hernando County man was reportedly run over by his own truck after his dog put it into gear.

The sheriff's office reports that 43-year-old Christopher Bishop was checking under his Ford F-150 for oil leaks Sunday evening. He had put the running truck into neutral and left the driver's door open. While he was under the truck, Bishop's bulldog, Tassey, jumped into the truck and knocked the vehicle into gear. The truck rolled over the left side of Bishop's body.

Bishop managed to get up, stop the vehicle and go into his house. After several hours of pain, Bishop finally called for help.

He was taken to a nearby hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening.

"A Natural Smile"

Biodegradable Pet Bed

As things are getting more and more 'green,' here is another new product targeted to the green market...the price seems a bit steep to me, but let me know what you think.

DOG GONE SMART GREEN BED
Leave No Paw Print™

Companies today are working harder to be good corporate citizens, especially when it comes to the environment.

Dog Gone Smart is proud to present the world’s first-ever completely biodegradable pet bed made with all-natural and organic materials. Every component of the pet bed decomposes - even down to the zipper. These Green pet beds "Leave No (Carbon) Paw Print" on the environment.

Every year, millions of pet beds are discarded into the environment, and it can take thousands of years for these beds to completely biodegrade. Even the so-called "green beds" on the market today are mostly filled with plastic from recycled bottle tops and metal zippers that can take thousands of years to decompose.

Until now, eco-friendly pet beds have been made from recycled materials. Dog Gone Smart Pet Products is the first to design a completely natural product that is good for both your pet and the environment.

Dog Gone Smart Pet Products uses…

-All-natural materials which will completely breakdown or decompose in the appropriate composting environment within 120 days;

-Certified 100% organic natural cotton/bamboo fabric for your pet to snuggle in;
-All-natural vegetable dyes;
-All-natural, organic fill material called Kapok. Kapok is the silky natural fiber around the seed pods of the cotton tree and is known to be one of the best natural fills available today.
Kapok is a very bitter fiber that naturally repels bacteria and microbes. It is also great for pets who may suffer from allergies due to dust mites (which cannot live in the fiber). The cotton tree canopy is a very important part of the rainforest ecosystem providing habitat for monkeys, birds, and a variety of fauna and flora. It is important to note that the Kapok trees are never destroyed during the harvesting period;

-Biodegradable zippers used in the pet bed covers, are made from a mixture of corn and other plant materials. When placed in the appropriate composting environment, these zippers begin to biodegrade within 140 days, completely breaking down into water and carbon dioxide;

--Rectangle pet beds MSRP priced from $119.95 for the 24”x32”, $154.95 for the $28”x38”, and $199.95 for the 34”x46”.

Natural Balance Dog Food Recall

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- June 18, 2010 - Natural Balance Pet Foods, Inc., of Pacoima, CA, announces a voluntary recall of Natural Balance Sweet Potato and Chicken Dry Dog Food with the "Best By" date of June 17, 2011, in 5-lb. and 28-lb. bags because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

No illnesses have been reported to date. The recall notification is being issued out of an abundance of caution based on an isolated instance in which a product sample with a "Best By" date of June 17, 2011, had a positive result for Salmonella in a random sample test conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This product was originally manufactured on December 17, 2009, and is the only Natural Balance product being recalled.

Salmonella can affect animals and there is a risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products. People handling dry pet food can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with surfaces exposed to this product. This product was manufactured on December 17, 2009.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

Recalled products were only distributed in pet specialty stores in the states of Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

The only product affected by the recall is the Sweet Potato and Chicken Dry Dog Food with the "Best By" date of June 17, 2011, product information as follows:


Product: Sweet Potato and Chicken Dry Dog Formula
Bag Size: 5 lb
Bag UPC Code: 7-23633-9000-4
Bale UPC Code: 7-23633-99003-5
Best by Dates: June 17, 2011

Product: Sweet Potato and Chicken Dry Dog Formula
Bag Size: 28 lb
Bag UPC Code: 7-23633-99002-8
Bale UPC Code:
Best by Dates: June 17, 2011

New Local Directory for Dog Owners

A new site (www.MyDogsNation.com) has launched to help dog owners find dog-related businesses and dog-friendly places in their local communities.

All of the listings are posted for free to ensure that pet owners have the best information available on local vendors in their neighborhood. Visitors simply select one of the 20 categories available below and enter their zip code to get started.

Categories available include:

• Adoption

• Beach
• Boarding
• Breeder
• Dog-Friendly Travel
• Dog-Friend Restaurant
• Dog Daycare
• Dog Sitter/Walker
• Grooming
• Legal
• Memorial Services
• Park
• Pet Boutique
• Pet Superstore
• Philanthropic Organization
• Rescue
• Specialty Medicine
• Training
• Veterinarian
• Waste Removal

The site currently has over 3,000 listings across multiple states. Over the next year, the site is expected to have over 50,000 listings across all 50 states.

For more information, visit www.MyDogsNation.com

PetZen Launches DogTread Website

PetZen has launched a new website to tout the benefits and flexibility of dog treadmills.

DogTread.com features a navigation bar that quickly links visitors to helpful information like side-by-side dog treadmill comparisons, product feature definitions and size guidelines. The site’s Training & Resource section also steps dog treadmill information seekers through four main areas critical to understanding dog treadmills - Before You Buy, DogTread Setup, Learn to Tread, and an Experts Corner.

“The website is a direct response to answer our visitor’s questions about dog treadmills,” says Krista Wickens, co-owner of PetZen Products. “We want everyone to know as much as we do about the benefits of treading, the technical aspects of the equipment and the flexibility it can provide to many dog owners. Regular exercise is a key component to a dog’s well being, but it isn’t always possible to get outside. Treading is a not a hard skill to learn, for the dog or the owner, and it can help eliminate many of the excuses we make to our dogs.”

For more information, visit www.dogtread.com.

"Ugly" Dog Raising Money For Shelters

Miss Ellie, a chinese crested hairless dog, was a runner up in the Ugliest Dog Contest 2009 and became quite famous last year. Her pictures were in papers worldwide (more so then the actual winner).

Alot of it had to do with the fact she was doing it for a cause, to raise money for her local shelter. Ugly for a cause, not cause she's ugly.

She also gained fame when she tried to win the nationwide Cutest Dog Competition. She was a weekly winner and recieved more votes then any other weekly finalist. There were over 50,000 dogs entered and 12 weekly winners. She was trying to win 1 million dollars for the animal shelter. She did not advance to the final four to win the grand prize. But her efforts brought incredible awareness and support for rescue dogs and the humane society.

Last year her owner and her raised over $30,000 for their local humane society.

She was featured on Animal Planet's DOGS 101, on billboards, and her home town even named a day after her.

This year was to be her last year in the contest since she was almost 17 years old..

She just passed away.. possible stroke and as the vet said.. she was just old...



Her owner is determined to carry on her legacy and is vowing to raise 1 million dollars for the local shelter to build a new shelter. The current one was built in the early 70's to house 1,000 animals per year, and currently they take in over 5,000! With the ecomonic problems they are bound to see more! They are a full service shelter for the 4-5 surrounding towns and take in everything, including cruelty case animals and livestock. More kennels means more animals can be held for adoption! They are in dire need of a new building.



Dawn Goehring, Miss Ellie's owner, owns 14 rescue dogs total and has spent the last 8 years using her dogs as advocates for shelter animals. They do school shows, pet therapy, commercial work, and have been performers at a family theater called The Comedy Barn Theater in Pigeon Forge, TN. They do over 500 shows a year. They are active in promoting a positive, fun, relationship with your pet. They also teach pet responsibility and bite prevention at the schools.



Dawn would love to see people come together to help the animals. With so much publicity about where donated dollars go, people can rest assured that ever dollar donated to this cause will go directly towards building a new building. Even if it is just a dollar, every bit helps. Miss Ellie was a face that people remembered and her work will never be forgotten. This is about helping animals, even if it isn't your community, you can still be part of something big and important in saving animal's lives.


Go to www.misselliesmission.com to find out more

Home Care for Vomiting

Interesting article on tips for when your pet is vomiting...home care for dogs

Hobby or Obsession?

In most cases, having a fish tank starts out as a hobby. However, I can understand how it can become an obsession. Sometimes, I feel as if I'm starting to become obsessed.

Fish are relatively inexpensive when compared to the costs of many other animals, and with so many varieties and types, it is easy to become obsessive about the hobby. At first, a 20 gallon tank is great, but then you want to keep more fish, so you look to purchase a bigger tank. Maybe a 30, or 55 gallon tank. But after a while, as your fish get bigger, and you get bored of the species you own, and you want to get a bigger, newer tank. With more fish. Or perhaps you want to keep the fish you own, but you want to try a different species that isn't compatible with your current fish.

So you start a second tank with a different species. But maybe you want to try your hand at breeding fish, which then of course may require some type of breeding tank. And then you want to keep some of the fish you bred, so you need a bigger tank to keep those fish, and the cycle starts all over again.

I know a person who loves the hobby and has his own fish room. He built it in his basement and now has over 50 tanks with all kinds of species. He breeds many of them and sells some to fellow hobbyists. To many people, this can be considered some what obsessive. To him, this is what he enjoys doing and this is what brings him joy.

I've also gone to fish auctions. These are usually sponsored by aquarium fish clubs and it features hobbyists who breed their own fish and bring them to auction off to other aquarium enthusiasts. Again, you see people who have several fish tanks, perhaps obsessed by them, but also bring tons of knowledge to share with others.

In my opinion, it's a matter of how it effects your life. If it is something you enjoy, and it doesn't interfere with the rest of your life too much, then enjoy!

Happy Memorial Day

Fun Dog Quotes

"Anybody who doesn't know what soap tastes like never washed a dog."
--Franklin P. Jones

"Don't accept your dog's admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful."
-- Ann Landers

"No animal should ever jump up on the dining room furniture unless absolutely certain that he can hold his own in the conversation."
-- Fran Lebowitz

"Outside of a dog, a book is probably man's best friend; inside of a dog, it's too dark to read."
-- Groucho Marx

"No one appreciates the very special genius of your conversation as the dog does."
-- Christopher Morley

"I wonder what goes through his mind when he sees us peeing in his water bowl."
--Penny Ward Moser

Contest from Beneful

ST. LOUIS, MO, May 4, 2010 – Imagine how much fun it would be to help create a dream dog park that you and your best buddy and your entire community could enjoy! For millions of dog owners, life truly is better together with their four-legged friends. To celebrate these special relationships, Beneful® brand dog food is announcing a first-of-its-kind contest that could make one lucky dog owner’s dream come true.

The Beneful® WagWorld™ Dream Dog Park Contest invites dog owners to imagine the many ways they would create the ultimate dream dog park if they had $500,000 to spend. Whether they and their best buddy would like trails to run, a sandy beach area to explore or small foothills to climb, dog owners can enter the national online video contest and share their ideas to help create a dream destination where they could spend even more quality time with their four-legged friends. Dog owners can enter the contest at benefuldreamdogpark.com.

One lucky winner’s idea for the ultimate dream dog park will help serve as inspiration for a $500,000 renovation of a dog park in their area. The Grand Prize winner will receive $5,000 cash and a year’s supply of Beneful® brand dog food. The Beneful WagWorld Dream Team, led by dog lover, design expert and television host Jason Cameron, will manage the transformation of the dog park to create the WagWorld Dream Dog Park for the dog-loving community to enjoy. Also on the team is pet expert and bestselling author Arden Moore, who will help manage the renovation from the dog’s point of view.

In addition to the Grand Prize winner, nine runners’ up will each receive a year’s supply of Beneful® brand dog food.

“My dog CJ and I are best buddies and we truly love spending time together, whether it’s playing at the park, running errands or hanging out on the couch,” said Jason Cameron, dog lover, TV personality and head designer for the Beneful® WagWorld™ Dream Dog Park Contest. “I’m excited to see how other dog lovers enjoy life with their four-legged friends, and to hear their dreams to help create the ultimate dog park for their daily adventures together.”

Dog owners across America can enter the contest starting now through June 18 by submitting a video (not to exceed two minutes) that answers the question: If you had $500,000 to create the ultimate dream dog park for you and your best buddy, what would you do? Entrants must also describe in 100 words or less how a makeover of their neighborhood dog park could enhance their daily adventures with their dog. The $500,000 renovation will be awarded as an in-kind donation to a public or non-profit dog park in the winner’s area.

“I’m excited to team up with Beneful for this contest to celebrate the joy our dogs bring to our lives,” said Cameron. “Life truly is better together with our four-legged friends and it will be fun to see the creative ideas that dog owners dream up to enhance their daily adventures with their dogs. Remember, dream big!”

Beneful WagWorld Dream Dog Park Contest Timeline

May 3 – June 18 – Contest entry period
June 2010 – Entries will be judged by an independent panel based on their creativity (60%), feasibility of bringing the idea to life (20%) and demonstration of how life is better together with your dog (20%).
July 14 – August 11, 2010 – The top ten finalists will be announced and their videos will be posted on benefuldreamdogpark.com for public viewing and voting.
August 2010 – The Beneful WagWorld Dream Team, led by Jason Cameron, will select the Grand Prize Winner from the 10 finalists using the same judging criteria as the first round. This final judging will account for 90% of the total score to select the Grand Prize winner; the assigned public voting rank will account for the remaining 10% of the final score.
September 2010 – A celebration event will take place in the Grand Prize winner’s hometown to reveal the blueprint for the WagWorld Dream Dog Park.
Spring 2011 – The much anticipated unveiling of the newly renovated park will take place.


For more information about the contest and the official rules, visit benefuldreamdogpark.com Calling all dog owners: Beneful to award $500,000 dog park makeover.

Cats Are Like Potato Chips....

"Cats are like potato chips - you can never have just one!"

Once you have one adorable kitty, it is very easy to get a second, a third and even a fourth or fifth.

Based on national averages, the American household has 1.4 dogs and 2.1 cats. So most people have 1 dog and 2 cats.

Throwing your dog a bone could be deadly

By Jennifer C. Kerr
Associated Press Writer
The Food and Drug Administration issued a reminder to consumers Wednesday to toss out bones from their meals rather than feed them to their pets.

“Some people think it’s safe to give dogs large bones, like those from a ham or a roast,” said Carmela Stamper, a veterinarian in the Center for Veterinary Medicine at the FDA. “Bones are unsafe no matter what their size.”
The FDA spelled out 10 reasons it’s a bad idea to give doggie a real bone.

Among them: broken teeth, mouth or tongue injuries, bones or fragments of bones getting stuck in a dog’s esophagus or even its stomach, which might require surgery. Bone fragments also can cause constipation.

Worse, it could be deadly. Giving your dog a real bone could cause a bacterial infection of the abdomen, called peritonitis, when fragments poke holes in a dog’s stomach or intestines. “Your dog needs an emergency visit to your veterinarian because peritonitis can kill your dog,” says the caution from the FDA.

Dog stayed by owner’s side for 7 days

Golden retriever guarded deceased man, who had dementia

Through the last six years of his life, Parley Nichols, 81, never left his Hartville, Ohio, home without his dog Lady. The two were best friends, soul mates and constant companions who took care of each other.

So when Parley, who had developed dementia, went missing on April 8, it was no surprise that Lady, his 6-year-old golden retriever that he bought as a puppy, was also gone.

"Dad had been wandering around, and we kept looking for him for a solid week, sending out flyers, doing whatever we could," Terry Nichols, one of Parley's two sons, tells PEOPLEPets.com. "With his dementia, he would struggle to hear you talk to him, then four hours later he seemed okay. We were very worried."

Finally, a neighbor called saying someone had driven by a field outside of town and heard a dog barking, trying to attract attention. But when Nichols and other family members drove to the area, they found nothing.

"When we went a second time to a different place by a creek, we found Lady and my dad, who was already dead," Nichols tells PEOPLEPets.com. "Lady was standing by his side protecting him. We are sure that she never left my dad for seven days, staying alive by drinking water from the creek."

Lady didn't know what to do when she saw other members of the Nichols family arrive at the scene on April 14. They had to pull her away from her master and place her in the back of their pickup truck.

"I don't know how dogs perceive things but she knew she had to stay with dad no matter what," says Nichols. "And she did."
Lady may not have eaten for a week, but the sturdy dog (who weighed 75 pounds before the incident) was in great condition.

The preliminary autopsy conducted by the Stark County coroner found that Parley Nichols, whose story was first reported by WKYC-TV, passed away from heart failure. He could have been dead for the full week.

With the sad loss of her owner now behind her, Lady has been able to move on. She is living with other Nichols family members in the immediate area, enjoying a similar lifestyle that she had with Parley.

"Lady seems fine now ... she is a friendly, happy dog," Nichols tells PEOPLEPets.com. "I don't know if she misses my dad, but she is responding well to the rest of us. She did the right thing for dad, and we will always be comforted by that."

"Restful Sleep"

This is Rocky..the English Bulldog we watched for a week while his parent were away..he's still a puppy and still have plenty of crazy, stubborn, bulldog energy

Pet Safety Tips

From thepetplace.com

Here's a list of a few great things to do to keep your dog safe:

1. Keep a collar on to identify your dog. Every dog should have a collar. This is the best way to be reunited with your dog quickly if he is ever lost or injured. You'd be surprised how often this happens.

2. ID your dog. Please use an ID tag and microchip in case your dog gets lost or gets out and loses his collar. Many people are never reunited with their pets because the pets don't have any form of identification.

3. Keep a leash or harness by the door in case you need to get out of house quickly with your dog or dogs - especially in case of a fire or other critical emergency. Keep multiple leashes if you have multiple dogs.

4. Keep fire safety stickers on the house so firemen will know how many of each kind of pet are inside.

5. Observe your dog for problems and know the common signs of illness. Call your vet when you detect a problem.

6. Keep emergency phone numbers handy e.g. vet, emergency clinic, humane society, animal rescue, poison control. Print and keep this list of emergency phone numbers handy. You never know when you will need it. Go to: http://www.petplace.com/emergency-numbers

Dog Nutrition Myths

MYTHS ABOUT DOG NUTRITION AND HOW THEY AFFECT YOUR SENIOR DOG

In a groundbreaking, 14-year study published by JAVMA, researchers found that dogs fed to an ideal body condition throughout their lives had a median lifespan of 1.8 years longer, and were considerably healthier than their littermates. According to this study, feeding your dog the right food and the right amount will lead to a healthier and longer life.

According to Mike Grant, PA, Nutritional Science Director for Senior Pet Products.com. a senior dog's nutritional health depends on receiving the correct amounts and proportions of nutrients from water, protein, fat, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins. Grant states, “Commercial dog foods like Wellness Super5Mix, Holistic Select and Nutro Natural Choice are usually designed to meet these needs. Seniors can also benefit from adding supplements like Chondro, Synovial-Flex products and Pure Essentials for Mature Dogs and Essential Omegas for Dogs and Cats to help with age related diseases like arthritis, cognitive and cardiovascular disease and cancer. Just knowing what to feed and how much to feed is equally important. Your veterinarian is always the best way to get the correct information. They are up-to-date on all the new science”

Here are a few of the dog nutrition myths that have been disproven:

1. A raw meat diet is the best for dogs. Many people continue to believe that dogs are carnivores and require a diet of raw meat to be healthy. The fact is that today’s domestic dog is no longer a true carnivore. This means that a diet of raw meat alone is no longer able to meet nutrient requirements. Today's dog does need a meat-based diet; however, small amounts of grains, like rice, oatmeal, pasta, vegetables, and fruits are a normal and a desirable part of good dog nutrition. It is also untrue that dogs can not digest cooked or processed protein. Dogs have no problem using the protein in cooked meat.

2. Raw eggs are dangerous for dogs. This issue continues to cause debate even among experts. There are two concerns about raw eggs. The first is the risk of salmonella poisoning. The fact is, dogs have much shorter digestive tracks than humans and are far less susceptible to salmonella poisoning. Eggs are an excellent source of protein for dogs. A raw or boiled egg added to a dog's diet occasionally is not dangerous.

3. Dairy products are unsuitable for dogs. Some dogs are lactose intolerant and may not tolerate dairy products that contain high levels of lactose. Cottage cheese and yogurt are two dairy products that do not contain high levels of lactose. They are excellent sources of calcium and can be given to dogs safely.

3. Fat supplies only empty calories to dogs. The fact is fats are highly digestible and the main source of energy for dogs. One gram of fat provides 2.4 times the energy of one gram of protein or carbohydrates. Fat is also essential for the proper absorption of vitamins A, D, E, and K. Omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids are examples of low-saturated fats essential to healthy dogs.

4. A dog is not able to digest grains. There is some truth to this myth, but here is the science. A dog's digestive tract is less specialized for digesting grains and carbohydrates, especially in raw forms. However, starch and grains that have been converted by the cooking process are digestible. Digestibility depends on quality and type of grain used. Rice (72%) is more digestible than wheat (60%) or corn (54%). Grain that isn’t absorbed becomes fiber and contributes to good intestinal health.

5. Commercial dog foods are bad. It is true that there are products that vary from good to average. The fact remains that research has shown that the quality of commercial dog foods is more than adequate to meet proper nutritional requirements in all breeds of dogs. Companies are taking great care in choosing the ingredients in their formulas. Most vets would recommend a commercial food versus trying to make your own dog food at home.

6. A diet needs to be tailored to a specific age or breed of dog. The fact is that a good diet for a dog is good for all dogs at any time in their lives. The only thing that will change is the amount of food your dog needs. Puppies need more food than seniors. But seniors will need supplements to replace vital nutrients that they have stopped making naturally due to the aging process.

Info from - SeniorPetProducts.comTM was founded on two fundamental ideas - dogs and cats require special care as they grow older and pet owners need a place to go to learn how to take better care of their aging pets. SeniorPetProducts.com is committed to being the expert, online resource for the growing number of pet owners with older cats and dogs. SeniorPetProducts.com exists to help senior pets live healthier lives as they age, by providing news, information and products for health and wellness.

Dog Quotes!

"If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went." Will Rogers

"The average dog is a nicer person than the average person." Andy Rooney

"If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you; that is the principal difference between a dog and a man." Mark Twain

"There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face." Ben Williams

"Don't accept your dog's admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful." Ann Landers

How to Pick a Good Dog Food

Guest Blog - Dog Food Reviews
Use of Corn

There is an ongoing debate about the inclusion of corn in dog foodformulas. It has generally been agreed that corn is often used as acheap filler ingredient in many dog food formulas. Indeed, many dogsseem to develop allergic reactions to corn-based dog food formulasover time. The danger of corn often comes from when it is used as theprimary source of protein in a dog food formula. When corn is listedamong the first five ingredients, it is making up a significant bulkof the food. Corn has a lack of bioavailability to your dog, and maycause digestive problems. In general, a dog food formula that containscorn will be inexpensive, and your dog may need to eat more of theformula to feel “full”.

The First Five Ingredients
To gain a basic understanding of a dog food formula’s quality, you canuse the first five ingredients as a guide. As a general rule, thefirst five ingredients of a dog food formula make up the “bulk” of theformula. If you’re in the grocery store shopping for dog food, you canlearn a lot about a formula from reading the first five ingredients.For example, the first ingredient in a dog food formula should ideally be meat meal. If simply meat is listed as the first ingredient, it isusually mostly water. It takes five pounds of meat to make one poundof meat meal. This means that meat meal is usually more nutritionallydense. The only catch is that some companies use meat meal that is oflow quality. Some meat meals have animal parts ground down and mixedin to the meal, in order to ‘bulk’ it up for the formula. If possible,you should always check with the company about the quality of theirmeat meal. Ask where it is made, if they purchase their meal fromforeign countries (which may not be as strict in their healthregulations), and what the ingredients are. You may also want to ask which parts of the animal are used in making the meat meal.

Protein is the foundation of your dog’s diet, and should make up atleast two of the first five ingredients. Always avoid formulas that list a grain as the first ingredient, since this means that the formula is primarily grain-based. It’s usually best to steer away fromdiets that use an excessive amount of carbohydrates. Also avoid any formulas that use artificial preservatives, such as BHA or BHT. It’salso best to stay away from dog food that is artificially colored.

Toxic Ingredients for Dogs
There are several ingredients that have proven to be toxic for dogs.The two most notable ingredients (that are sometimes contained in somedog food formulas) are garlic and onions. Garlic and onions bothcontain a toxin that may lead to the breakdown of red blood cells in adog’s body. These toxins are more prevelant in onions than in garlic.Some dog food formulas contain a small amount of garlic seasoning,garlic oil or garlic powder. If this ingredient is among the first fewingredients, it’s best to avoid feeding this formula to your dog. It’s also very important to keep your dog on a diet that is properlybalanced in fats. Dogs may be prone to developing pancreatitis whenfed a high-fat diet over time (or from having just one high-fat meal).Monitor the fat content of the treats and food that you feed your dog.The guaranteed analysis usually shouldn’t have more than 20% fat,except if your dog has specific veterinary needs.

For more information on Dog Food you can visit:
Dog Food Reviews

Paralyzed Bunny Helps Children

Article from zootoo about how these bunnies are helping children with their own disabilities.

10 Amazing Ways Dogs Have Helped Advance Medicine

10 Amazing Ways Dogs Have Helped Advance Medicine

http://www.mritechnicianschools.org/10-amazing-ways-dogs-have-helped-advance-medicine/

Check out this link for a good article about how dogs have helped in medical advances

Guest Bloggers Wanted

There is a lot of great information out there about pets, and I'm always looking for other voices to share their knowledge on this site. If you want to contribute and article about anything pets, just let me know. Send an email to mattfm77@hotmail.com. I'll review and post the article and all I ask is for a link back to the article in return. It can be something already posted or something completely new...it's up to you!

lazy dog

Dogs understand growls, even if we don't

By Jennifer Viegas, Discovery News

One dog growl may sound like another to human ears, but a new study shows for the first time that dogs receive specific information in growls that conveys meanings like "get away from my bone" or "back off."

The study, accepted for publication in the journal Animal Behavior, presents the first experimental indication that domestic dogs rely on context-dependent signals when they growl at each other.

The findings add to the growing body of evidence that animal calls are far more complex than previously thought. For example, prior research suggests chimpanzees communicate information about food quality, while birds, prairie dogs, chickens, squirrels, primates and other animals likely share information about predator types.
Of all of these sounds, dog growls are particularly intense.

"A growl is a short-distance warning, not like a bark or howl, which you can hear over a large distance," co-author Peter Pongracz told Discovery News. "When a dog growls, the opponent is near, so he/she can hear clearly that the next few steps forward will not be greeted with a warm welcome."

"The other common usage of growls is during play," added Pongracz, a behavioral biologist at Eotvos Lorand University. "This can be explained by the fact that dogs very often play 'martially' — they wrestle, chase, play tug of war — so these actions and visual displays are accompanied with martial sounds too."

For the first part of the study, Pongracz and his colleagues recorded 20 adult dogs of various breeds growling during the following situations: when a threatening stranger approached, during a tug-of-war game and while guarding a large, meaty bone.

The scientists electronically analyzed the recorded sounds and found that play growls stand out from the other two types because they are, in part, shorter and higher pitched. The computer analysis didn't show any major differences between the other two growls, but dogs picked out the specific meanings immediately during the second part of the study.

For this experiment, 41 adult pet dogs of various breeds were recruited from the databases of the Clever Dog Lab in Vienna and the Family Dog Project in Budapest. The researchers placed a freshly cooked, meaty and juicy large calf bone in a bowl. All of the study dogs found the bone irresistible.

But as the test subject dogs approached the bone, the researchers played back the previously recorded growls through a hidden speaker. The hungry canines only jumped when the bone-guarding growl was played, even though the threatening stranger-associated growl sounded just as menacing to human ears.

While it remains unclear how dogs communicate such precise information, Pongracz said one possibility is that dogs are very sensitive to the emotions of other canines.

"One could argue that a dog faced with a threatening stranger is more 'afraid,' for example, while the dog that is defending his/her bone from another dog is more 'aggressive,'" Pongracz explained, but he hopes future analysis of dog growls will reveal more about how these sounds are structured.
Daniel Mills, a professor of veterinary behavioral medicine at the University of Lincoln, said the study adds to a "growing recognition of the greater complexity of vocalization by dogs."

"I believe that some of the unanswered questions about assessing how vocalization relates to the inner emotional states of dogs will be addressed and, with this knowledge, we will gain much greater insight into the inner lives of dogs and other species," Mills added. "Hopefully this will also lead to a greater appreciation of, and respect for, non-human animals in general."

Missing dog turns up 600 miles from home

About two weeks before Christmas, Deacon, an 85-pound German shepherd, went missing from his family home in rural Stuart, Va.
During the first couple of days, Pamela Holt, her husband Keith, and their daughter Brooklyn, 3, weren't terribly worried because they figured their nearly 2-year-old pet was running in the fields behind their home.

"We have a lot of land and thought Deacon might be enjoying the outdoors," Holt, who works as a teller for SunTrust bank, tells PEOPLEPets.com. "But we soon got worried and called the area dog warden, the pound and the sheriff's office. After two weeks, we gave up, fearing he had died or was stolen."
Deacon, a gift from Holt to her husband Keith, a teacher and football coach, had become a beloved family member, and everyone was upset. But a curious call in late February from a man in Deland, Fla., changed everything.

"A male voice on the other end said he thought he may have Deacon," Holt tells PEOPLEPets.com. "I was angry at first and thought he was a prankster trying to play a joke on us ... I nearly hung up on him."
The man, who said he was from Animal Control in Deland, told Holt he was looking at her dog. Holt said she thought Deacon was dead. But when he asked her if the dog's name was Bruno, Holt went crazy with joy.
"I was speechless," she says. "The dog was originally called Bruno when he was micro chipped, so I knew this was not a hoax. When the man emailed me a picture, and I knew it was Deacon, I called my husband. We were so thrilled that we drove 10 hours to Florida to pick him up."

The Holts believe Deacon was stolen by people who had hoped to breed him, but they were unaware that he had been fixed so it was a waste of time. And somehow, the dog ended up in the Sunshine State for the holidays.

"Deacon was in a pen with another dog when he saw us," Holt recalls. "He trampled the poor thing to get to us. He ran to my husband and jumped on him. He was so excited."

The following day, when they got back to Virginia after the 600 mile drive, Deacon ran directly over to the outside window of Brooklyn's bedroom, hoping to see her.

"He cried and cried until she got home," Holt says. "Once he saw her, he was so happy!"

Even though there is no leash law in their area, the family has vowed to tie their dog in the yard so nothing ever happens again.

"We are blessed to have Deacon back," Holt says. "And will do what we must to keep him safe and sound."

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/35696541/ns/today-today_pets_and_animals/?gt1=43001#ixzz0hDjeBe0C

Are Your Pets Buckled Up?

Want to go for a ride? Those six little words are often music to a dog's ears. Whether you're bringing them to the local dog park, on vacation, or to visit friends and family, most dogs enjoy a road trip. You probably ensure that you and your human family are buckled up before you go, but are you also keeping your pet safe when they are riding in the car with you?

TRIPSwithPETS.com conducted a poll to find out how many pet owners are securing their furry companions while on the road. 53% of the 765 respondents reported taking proper safety precautions, which is up from just 44% only two years ago. Many states now have pending legislation regarding the use of pet restraints in a vehicle, so if you currently have your dog or cat “loose” in your car, it's time to consider using one of the following methods:

Vehicle Pet Barrier
This was the most popular pet travel restraint in the survey, cited to be used by 41% of pet owner respondents. These barriers are used in the cargo area of the vehicle, keeping your pet safely away from you and your passengers, and more importantly, away from the windshield in the event of an accident.

Pet Travel Crate
32% of pet owners in the poll reported putting their pet in a travel crate or carrier while inside the car. Make sure it's well-ventilated and large enough for your pet to stand, sit, lie down, and turn around in. There are a variety of wire, mesh, hard plastic and soft-sided carriers available to fit your pet. If you're buddy hasn't been familiarized with a crate environment, it will be important to do so prior to heading out.

Pet Safety Belt
Buckle 'em up like 9% of the people in the survey do. Dog seat belts are made to easily slip onto your existing vehicle seat belt and acts as a harness to keep your pet safely in the seat in case there is a sudden stop or impact. It also keeps pets from distracting drivers.

Pet Car Seat
For smaller pets, pet travel car seats are the perfect answer when you're on the go, and are a good option for 8% of the survey respondents. Reminiscent of a booster seat, your pet is able to look out and see what is going on while your vehicle's own safety belt holds it in place. Your pet is secured in the car seat with a lead which is attached on to their harness.

Roaming Free is Not a Good Option
It's encouraging that owners traveling with their four-legged family members are trying to keep them safe, but 47% of the people who took the survey do not currently secure their pets in the car. Letting your pet have free reign in a vehicle or sit in your lap while driving can have serious consequences. Aside from the obvious implications during a crash, if the scared pet gets free from the car, he could wander out into the road or try to hamper the efforts of rescue workers. And although dogs love to stick their heads out windows, doing so can actually damage their eyes and ears, not to mention put them at risk of falling out. The same also applies to truck beds.

An unrestrained pet can multiply its weight by hundreds or even thousands of pounds during an automobile accident. Some vehicle accident statistics report loose objects, including pets, to be one of the top five reasons for automobile injuries. Don't put your beloved pet in harm's way when you take them for a ride.

For more information about pet travel, visit TRIPSwithPETS.com - the premier online guide for pet travel. TRIPSwithPETS.com offers resources to ensure pets are welcome, happy, and safe when traveling. Visit www.tripswithpets.com, to find a directory of pet friendly hotels & lodging across the U.S., airline pet policies, pet travel tips, pet travel supplies, along with other pet travel resources.

Sleep Tight; these dogs will do the rest!

Article from Chicago Tribune about canines trained to detect signs of bedbug infestation.

Beating the Blizzard Blues

With all the snow that has come across the mid atlantic and northeast, pet owners have to look for ways to keep their pets active. Here is an interesting article regarding innovative ways pet owners are beating the winter blues.

http://www.zootoo.com/petnews/petownersfindinnovativewaystob-1522

Bird Picture

Image of the Day!

Tips for Persian Cats

I was sent this link on a great article for those interested in Persian Cats:



Enjoy!Tips on Persian Cats

Tasteless Joke - A frog calls a psychic

Recently, the Psychic Hotline and Psychic Friends Network have launched hotlines for frogs. Here is the story of one frog and his discussing with his psychic.

A frog telephones the Psychic Hotline and is told, "You are going to meet a beautiful young girl who will want to know everything about you."

The frog says, "This is great! Will I meet her at a party, or what?"

"No," says the psychic. "Next semester in her biology class."

Classic Super Bowl Commercial - Goldfish

Another classic pet related Super Bowl commercial. In this one, "Sparky" the goldfish plays dead until a boy holds a Pepsi over his tank and he performs tricks. Dad is clueless, though, and flushes the lifeless fish (a common practice).

Later, we see Sparky in the ocean doing back flips for a fisherman.

Another example of how pets help sell products.

Trackposted to Big Dog's Weblog, Cao's Blog, The Random Yak, third world county, and The Yankee Sailor, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.