Think Pink

The perfect way to pay tribute to so many women who have battled breast cancer (those who survived and to those who are never forgotten). We call this print "Think Pink" and it features a crisp, white background with lots of little pink ribbons. Our Think Pink print is available for collars, harnesses and leads. 

This weekend, we are offering 15% off all orders of our Think Pink print and the savings will be donated to the Susan G Komen foundation. 

Today's featured print: Just Say Woof!

Looking for a unique dog collar for your furry best friend? Found in our Novelty Prints Collection, this print has all of his or her favorite things: doggie bones, hydrants, food bowls and a ball to chase and we call it, "Just Say Woof!". It is available for collars, harnesses & leads in any size to fit your dog. Today we are offering 15% off all orders for Just Say Woof until midnight tonight (pacific). 

Click here for a slideshow of more images of this print. 

Today's featured print: Wasabi!

Today's featured print is called Wasabi! It's a fun, whimsical print featuring a black background and with a great variety of colorful sushi. All orders for this print are 15% off through midnight tonight. So order yours now! 

World's Ugliest Dog Contest Goes Hollywood

This year's World's Ugliest Dog Contest in June is underway with a whole new Hollywood look. The ugly dog contestants this year at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma will be judged by celebrity judges and and the winner will receive new prizes (a modeling contract and another $1,000). While the judges deliberate, the contest will also showcase the first annual "Ugly is the New Beautiful" Doggie Fashion Show with the latest in dog fashions. Animal Planet is back to film the contest for the third time.

Petaluma, CA (PRWEB) May 28, 2009 -- Bring in the red carpet, the limo and the glamour! At this year's World's Ugliest Dog Contest, there are a few new developments. In addition to ugly dogs, on Friday, June 26 at 6 pm at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, there will also be celebrity judges, new prizes (including a modeling contract for the winner and another $1,000), plus an all-new "Ugly is the New Beautiful" Dog Fashion show.

Celebrities will be sitting in the judges' seats. The first celebrity judge to step up is Karen "Doc" Halligan, DVM. Committed to animal welfare and pet-owner education, she has appeared on Animal Rescue 911, Dog Tales, Groomer Has it, Dogs 101, and Cats 101 and is currently developing her own syndicated show. She will sign her book Doc Halligan's What Every Pet Owner Should Know: Prescriptions for Happy, Healthy Cats and Dogs for fans after the contest.

This year's World's Ugliest Dog winner also receives a modeling contract from House Of Dog, a manufacturer of sophisticated dog accessories favored by celebrities. House Of Dog will award the contract and another bonus check for $1,000 in an official paw-signing ceremony. This is in addition to the $1,000 prize money and trophy awarded by the Sonoma-Marin Fair. House Of Dog will also provide the winner with a prize package of collars, leashes, bowls, toys and a carrier. Says CEO Shannon Miller, "We think the World's Ugliest Dog should own the prettiest accessories in the world!" Finally, the winner will also receive a professional photo shoot with the Official World's Ugliest Dog Event Photographer Grace Chon of Shine Pet Photos.

During the judges' deliberations to determine the winner of the World's Ugliest Dog title for 2009, the Fair and House of Dog are partnering to bring fairgoers a new feature. It's the "Ugly is the New Beautiful" Fashion Show pairing models with dogs wearing the latest dog fashions. Other partners include local animal rescue organizations.

Animal Planet will return for the third year to film the show.

For more information on the World's Ugliest Dog Contest, the "Ugly is the New Beautiful" Fashion Show, and the celebrities who will be judging the 2009 contest, please visit www.sonoma-marinfair.org. The Sonoma-Marin Fair is now in its 21st year of producing the World's Ugliest Dog Contest and has trademarked the World's Ugliest Dog name and logo.

Featured on: Barkability.com

I recently discovered a great pet product review blog called Barkability.com. Happily, Chris and McKenzie (adorable Golden credited as "Contributing Editor and Tennis Ball Lover" - ha - love it) liked our Glory Days print and featured it on their blog. Check it out here. 

Stylish Animal Prints by SwankyPet.net

Does your pet want to take a walk on the 'Wild Side'? These chic and stylish Animal Print collars are the perfect accessory to bring out the animal instinct in your pet and no matter which print (or prints) you choose, you are sure to turn heads everywhere you go! 

As a weekend promotion we are offering 15% off all orders from our Animal Print Collection. This will end at midnight Sunday (pacific), so don't delay - order now! 

Later, Gator!

Looking for a stylish animal print collar for your pet? Look no further than Later, Gator! This is the newest addition to our Animal Print Collection. It features a very realistic alligator print, but it is actually 100% cotton fabric. 

We are featuring it today and offering 15% off of every order for this print through midnight tonight (pacific). This print is available for collars. harnesses & leads. 

Disclaimer: no alligators were harmed in the making of this collar 

The Dog Translator by Purina

You will LOVE this new feature by Purina! It's a lot of fun to play with. You type in the mood of the dog you'd to see and the dog (who is very cute, BTW) will show you what it looks like in 'dog language'. 

Try typing in moods like, "hungry", "sleepy" or even "in love" for some fun! You'll have a laugh using this Translator. 

Today's featured print: Sneaky Snake

Is your pet a Sneaky Snake? All of mine are :-) But they are cute sneaky snakes, so I let it slide....

When I came across this fabric, I knew it had to be an addition to our Animal Print Collection. If you want your pet to take a walk 'on the wild side', this is a print that will do just that! 

Our Sneaky Snake python print is available for collars, harnesses & leads (custom sizes are welcome). It is a brown python print which is chic and stylish while still being flexible and also importantly, machine-washable (easy to take care of). 

Today we are featuring this print, so all orders for Sneaky Snake are 15% off through midnight tonight. Order yours now! 

Students bring in Pennies for Pets

PORT CLINTON -- Students at Immaculate Conception School raised nearly $1,000 recently during the Pennies for Pets fundraiser to help fund the Humane Society of Ottawa County, with the fifth-grade class winning a pizza party and a visit by Humane Society shelter staff and residents Tuesday.

But the big winners, according to Lisa Ramirez, president of the Humane Society, were the many animals awaiting adoption at the Sand Road shelter.

"We really appreciate this," Ramirez told the fifth-graders who spent an hour outside the school Tuesday morning with dogs Manny, Romeo and Toby and several feline friends.

"We're very busy and understaffed," she told the students.

While the three dogs romped and rolled throughout the students, basking in the attention, Humane Society Project Manager Bruce Theobald spoke about the shelter's operations.

"We rescue all kinds of domestic animals," he said, "though mostly dogs and cats."

Students were excited to learn there were a few exceptions, like the pot-bellied pig a family left in a closet when they moved, and a boa constrictor.

"Strays, runaways and abandoned pets," Theobald told students. "We feed them, take them to the vet, care for them and try to love 'em the best we can."

The fifth-graders asked questions about where the animals come from, how they are cared for and how they could help the shelter.

Fifth-graders Evelyn Gillman and Steven Kast said the fundraiser went well.

"We had a big jar filled with pennies, dimes and quarters," said Kast. "We also had dollars."

Gillman said the money from students just kept coming in.

"Everybody kept bringing more and more and more," said Gillman.

"We raised over $200," she said.

Humane Officer Nancy Silva spoke to students about caring for cats and dogs.

"We don't want our dogs to be left on the end of a chain on a dog house," she said.

Silva said the shelter currently has almost 200 cats and about 16 dogs, and she invited students to come to the shelter with their parents to pick out a new family pet or volunteer.

"We need all the help we can get," Ramirez said.

Today's featured print: our entire Patriotic Collection!

With Memorial Day quickly approaching and the rest of the Summer holidays right behind it, we are featuring a special on our entire Patriotic Collection. All orders are 15% off through midnight tonight (pacific).

Java is looking cute in her Glory Days collar



Sassy is more adorable than ever in American Dream

Hiking Safely with your Dogs

I saw this article and thought it was a great reminder of how to get ready for fun summer hikes. Just thought I'd pass it on...

VAIL, Colorado — Whether we take our Vail Valley dogs on long hikes or take them camping, we should always have an emergency kit with us.

There are some basics to bring along with you as venture into the wilderness. As discussed previously, porcupines are abundant in the mountains and our curious dogs will go after them even if they have experienced the uncomfortable effects of the quills in the past.

In order to remove quills immediately, the easiest tool to have would be small pliers. Grab the quill close to the skin and pull straight back. You will get some resistance at fist but tug hard and get them all out. If any are left in, then you should get back to town and get your dog to your veterinarian to remove the deeper ones.

Once the quills are pulled the site of entry will bleed. You can apply some pressure and the bleeding will stop. Antibiotics are not usually necessary.

If your dog goes leaping through the forest, as I know some do, then there is a chance that they may cut some part of their body or even get a stick embedded in them. For lacerations, the fist thing to do is to clean the wound with clean water. A little container with chlorhexadine or some sort of diluted iodine would be ideal.

The emergency kit should have an antibiotic ointment, some gauze and a roll of stretchy wrap to apply pressure to the wound if bleeding or to simply cover the wound and keep clean. Sometimes lacerations require stitches, and the sooner that’s done the better.

Let's say that your dog gets a bad case of diarrhea and you are in the wilderness camping out, not returning to civilization for a few days. Then, it would be handy to have some Immodium AD. This will help slow down the diarrhea, but remember that it probably will not cure the problem that caused the diarrhea.

Remember to also alter your dog's diet to a very bland food, such as rice and low fat cottage cheese or maybe lean hamburger. Dogs should not drink from stagnant water holes and should not eat rotten stuff found on the trail. I know that it is hard to avoid sometimes.

Now, if you have one of those dogs that are known to eat anything they find and gets colitis often, then your emergency kit should include an antibiotic that helps clear colitis and a probiotic that helps put the good bacteria back in the intestines.

If you have a dog that has lighter pigment around the eyes and nose and other parts of the body, then good sunscreen would be beneficial.

Do not start with long hikes at the beginning of the season, but gradually work your dog into longer hikes so that he does not get too sore. If you have an older dog, or one that get sore from over exercising, then bringing anti-inflammatories would be beneficial to give to your dog after the long hike. Remember that human anti-inflammatories should not be given to dogs, they can cause stomach ulcers. See your local veterinarian to get the appropriate anti-inflammatories and the right dose.

Remember, to give them plenty of water, and do not let your dogs get too close to the faster flowing rivers right now as they have strong currents and the dogs can get carried along easily.

Enjoy the summer with your loyal companions and take them out to enjoy the great hikes in the Valley.

Today's featured print: She Sells Seashells

Today's featured print is from our Seasonal Collection and we call it "She Sells Seashells". If you're looking for a Summer pet collar, it's perfect for that walk on the beach and for the entire Summer season. 

This print features a pale blue background with several beautiful seashells pictured. It's available for collars, harnesses & leads in any size! 

All orders for this print are 15% off through midnight tonight (pacific). So, order yours now! 

Enter your pet in the Cutest Pet Contest

CutestPetContest.com is currently accepting entries for our quarterly cutest pet photo contest. All of the entries we receive are voted on by our site viewers. The pets with the most votes will win a spot in our next book and qualify as semi-finalists with a chance of winning $1,000.00 in cash. Trophies & $100 Pet Smart Gift Cards will be awarded each quarter and the grand prize is awarded annually. There are absolutely no fees or subsidy payments required to enter the contest. Enter your cutest pet pic today to receive cash and prizes including a cash grand prize of $1,000.00.

In addition, 10 pet photos will be chosen to grace the cover of our next Cutest Pet Photo Book; six photos on the back cover and 4 photos on the front cover. That means there are 10 more chances for your pet to be a winner!

"We refer to the 10 photos selected for the cover as our Cover Pets. In addition, roughly 10% of the entries we receive will also win a spot on the inside pages of the next book. Therefore, you have a 1 in 10 chance of having your photo published in a major publication," said Dr. Rex Naylor, contest volunteer.

"Last year, 1,500 photos were placed in print out of nearly 15,000 entries. With odds like these, wouldn’t you’d be an absolute fool not to enter the contest today," continues Dr. Naylor.

Today's featured print: Tortoise Shell

Today we are featuring our newest Animal Print.....Tortoise Shell!

Fashion meets safari with this print. It features earthy tones of browns and rust for a chic and stylish tortoise shell pattern. 

All orders for this print are 15% off through midnight tonight (pacific). Order yours today! 

It's National Pet Week!

Though those of us who call PetsMart a home away from home might argue that every week is Pet Week, this week is actually officially National Pet Week.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the Auxiliary to the AVMA created the holiday of sorts in 1981 to promote responsible pet ownership, celebrate the human-animal bond, and promote public awareness of veterinary medicine.

All great causes. Maybe we pet-lovers can observe the holiday by giving our dogs and cats an extra head-rub, remembering to book a preventive exam at the vet or maybe making a donation to a local animal advocacy organization.

The Auxiliary to the American Veterinary Medical Association holds a contest each year to select the official poster of National Pet Week. The poster shown here was 2009's winning entry.

WATCH: EPA: Flea and tick killers can harm dogs too

The Environmental Protection Agency has sent out an advisory to pet owners warning them about the dangers of spot on flea and tick killers.

The agency said it noticed a number of animals dying after owners used the liquid on their pets.

The liquid comes in a vial and is usually applied on the back of a dog or behind a cat’s head.

It may seem simple, but Houston Veterinarian John Brasher says owners may give their pets a deadly dose for one simple reason.

“Just not reading the directions,” said Dr. John Brasher, “There’s lots of fine print on those little packets and people are like everybody else, they don’t read the fine print.”

The EPA says it issued warnings about the so called “spot-on flea & tick killers” after a sharp increase in the number of pets that died after the products were used.

The EPA is still trying to figure out exactly what’s causing so many problems for pets.

In the meantime, Dr. Brasher suggests you talk to a vet before using over the counter spot on flea and tick killers.

The EPA did not name a specific brand.

Today's Featured print: Stars & Stripes

Are you always on the lookout for cool Patriotic collars, leashes & harnesses for you pet? With Memorial Day weekend just a couple of weeks away, it's time to get your pet ready for the Summer holidays. We make it easy to show your and your pet's patriotism with an entire collection of Red, White & Blue prints. 

Today we are featuring Stars & Stripes which features red and white stripes with white stars in small navy blue squares. It's a very crisp and clean print that reminds me of something Ralph Lauren would design. Very all-American, very cool! 

To help you get a start on your pet's summer wardrobe, we are offering 15% off all orders for this print through midnight tonight (pacific). Order yours today! 

Unleashed: Pets get their own airline in July

by Mary Ullmer | The Grand Rapids Press

I was waiting for the young woman who was pet sitting over the weekend to show up. (She was late. Probably not a good sign.) We needed to run her through the "how to feed our dogs" routine. It got me thinking about travel and pets.

We're headed to Kentucky -- for the gazillionth time, no, we're not going to the Derby -- and we're leaving our pets behind. We're driving, so we could easily take them. But we're off to a remote area with no cell phone reception, no wireless, and no pets. You know, getting away. But for those who can't stand to be apart from Fido or Fluffy for even one vacation, Pet Airways has made your day.

Come July 14, you'll be able to send your little Beatrix or Beasley on a flight in the cabin to and from New York, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Denver or Los Angeles. Oh, but you can't go. Pets only. The only humans allowed are the pilot and pet attendants. I guess owners take a separate flight and claim little Fifi and Pooky at baggage claim.

I'm all for this because I remember feeling worried sick about flying The Greatest Dog in The World, aka Ella, my Jack Russell terrier who also happened to be my first dog, from Florida home to Michigan one Christmas. You can imagine my horror at watching Ella's dog crate being transferred onto the conveyor belt, then the luggage cart and onto one of those little planes we'd be taking from Detroit Metro to Muskegon. Her little face, I swear, spotted me looking out the window from the tarmac. It was snowing and very cold and Ella was, after all, a Florida dog. She was not happy.

Pet Airways' press release said a study by the San Francisco SPCA found about 2 million pets ride in plane cargo areas each year and about 5,000 of them are injured during the trip. So giving pets their own ride in the cabin is aimed at setting pet owners' minds at ease, and that's a good thing.

If you're wondering about cost, they're offering one-way $149 introductory fares. I guess they're banking on you forking out another $149 to get Rover back home.

I can't figure out if this will be wildly popular or a bust. But it does make me wonder about a few things:

• Do cats ride first-class and dogs coach?
• How many animals can these "pet attendants" handle on a flight, especially when mixing cats and dogs?
• Will dogs have to pay to check their poop bags?
• Will there be water dishes on the beverage cart?
• Do litter boxes fit in the overhead?
• How will they prevent the terriers from constantly bouncing on the seats and hitting a pet attendant's call button? More importantly, how will they keep the terriers apart?
• In-flight movie possibilities: "My Dog Skip," "Old Yeller" (probably not a good idea), "Lady and the Tramp," "Cats," "The Adventures of Milo and Otis," "Cats Don't Dance."

Meet Boots - our April winner!

Meet, Boots! An adorable dog living in Crystal Lake, Illinois. Pictured here, Boots is wearing Love Me, Love My Dog from our Valentine's Day collection. Boots' grandmother, Debra Ann tells me the story of how Boots joined their family:

In April Margaret asked if she could get a puppy. Ross' Aunt had a friend who rescued a Golden Retriever. Unbeknownst to her, the golden was pregnant (surprise!). We told Margaret "no--not at this time". We didn't say no forever...just not right at that time. I explained that we wanted her to come home from school and give us time to become a family again. We had had some family issues and just needed time. Then, perhaps in the late summer/fall we could go to a shelter and adopt. I was really wanting to avoid the whole house training thing.

Then came May 18...I walk into the house after being out and what do I see...a puppy. You do know that God makes puppies cute so it's harder to say no. Boots was (is) the ultimate of cuteness. I told Margaret that we'd have to talk with her father when he got home. Of course in the mean time I heard "please let me prove to you I can do this". You all know the drill.

Ed comes home and we're all outside. At first he didn't see Boots. We had to tell him to look down at his feet. He looks down, smiles the biggest smile, and then bends down to pick her up. He was supposed to be the strong one to say no and that fell apart before my eyes. Boots was officially part of the family and our house has not been the same since.

Ross also brought a puppy home...Boots' sister! Wrigley is just as cute as Boots and when they are together it is quite fun to watch.

Congratulations Debra and Boots! For submitting this photo and telling us your story, Boots is getting a free collar from swankypet.net!

The Pet Responsibility Act - California’s SB 250

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - During this tough economic time, people are desperately looking for ways to cut costs. Sadly, all across the country people are abandoning their pets because they have no money to take care of them-they lost their job, their home, etc. What can we do to help these pets? Well, the answer is simple- spay and neuter laws. Judie Mancuso, president of Social Compassion In Legislation (SCIL), a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization focused on reducing pet overpopulation through legislation, (www.SocialCompassionInLegislation.org)and several other organizations and companies such as Karma Rescue, The Humane Society, and YogaFit are working hard to get SB 250 passed in California, a bill that requires that dogs be spayed or neutered in California unless their owner/guardian obtains an unaltered dog license when they license their animal.

Each year, over $250 million dollars is spent housing and euthanizing homeless dogs and cats in California. Approximately one million dogs and cats enter California’s shelters each year, and over half of them are euthanized (killed) simply because there are not enough homes.This enormous number of homeless pets actually means that every dog born in the state of California today has nearly a 1 in 4 chance of ultimately becoming homeless and dying in a shelter. Two-thirds of the cats entering California shelters are euthanized. And, the number of dogs and cats entering our shelters is currently on the rise. SB 250 provides a reasonable, fiscally responsible step towards reducing pet overpopulation in California. The bill simply requires that dogs be spayed or neutered unless their owner/guardian obtains an unaltered dog license when they license their animal. SB 250 also requires that roaming cats be spayed and neutered by their owner/guardian.

The time has come for SB 250 The Pet Responsibility Act, a common sense, fiscally responsible method for reducing California’s tragic, expensive pet overpopulation crisis.

For more information visit www.YESonSB250.com.