Today's featured print: Bad to the Bone

Is your pet B-B-Bad to the Bone? Then our Bad to the Bone collar and leash set (also available for harnesses) is the perfect fit! This is one of our most popular Novelty prints which features a bright red background with lots of fun jolly rodgers in black and white. 

Your pet will be the talk of the bark park wearing this eye-catching print. Today we are offering all orders for this print at a 15% discount through midnight tonight (pacific). Order yours today! 

Swine Flu No Risk to Cat, Dog Communities

Animal health expert says such strain hasn’t shown to spread to pets.

Cats and dogs do not appear to be at risk of becoming infected with the swine flu virus that’s in the news for making 91 people sick in the United States as of Wednesday.

Sharon Hietala, a professor at the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System, headquartered at University of California, Davis, said that the H1N1 influenza viruses “have never been shown to transmit to dogs and cats.”

Hietala, an expert in clinical immunology and diagnostic techniques for infectious diseases in animals, added that at this point, humans only need to be concerned about protecting themselves from the swine flu, but there’s no need to worry about their pets becoming ill.

“The novel H1N1 influenza virus in the news right now is being transmitted from human to human, there have been no findings of this virus in any animals,” Hietala said. “Pig populations often have H1N1 influenza viruses, but not the particular novel H1N1 flu strain that is currently in the news.”

The health concerns, therefore, are for influenza transmission from other people. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers the following suggestions on what people can do to avoid influenza virus transmission between people:

Use tissue to cover coughs and sneezes. Throw the tissue in the trash after use.
Wash hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.

Avoid touching the eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that people stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

Valley Surgeon “Making A Difference” on NBC Nightly News

I came across this article from Phoenix Pet News Examiner and wanted to share with all of our readers. Watch tonight if you get the chance!

Dr. Deborah D. Wilson of Scottsdale, Arizona is being profiled on NBC Nightly News series, “Making A Difference” for her “Top Doc” skills as a surgeon and “Top Dog” rescue work of animals.

Phoenix, AZ (PRWeb) 28, APR 2009 - It’s not unusual to see Dr. Deborah Wilson at Scottsdale Memorial Hospital in the surgery room performing laparscopic surgery, then later that evening watch her pick up an injured dog on the side of the road. As the owner of a highly successful gynecological surgical practice, founder of Circle L Ranch, Feathers Foundation and Circle M Ranch, it’s all in a day’s work.

Wilson has been honored for her work in an episode of NBC Nightly News in their popular “Making a Difference” segment. In this segment, Wilson discusses her commitment to both animals and people.

“Life itself has a value,” Dr. Deborah Wilson says during the national broadcast. “Be it the life of a horse, or the life of a goat, or the life of a dog, or the life of a human... They all have value.”

Wilson has been saving animals since she can remember. “It just seemed natural to take my love of animals to a new level.” Her animal rescues allow her to do this.

“She saves people’s lives during the day, then saves the lives of animals at night,” says Caron Loerber, a volunteer for Mixed Up Mutts. “She commits herself to just about every humanitarian cause, but animals hold a special place in her heart and she has been an inspiration to many.”

With two locations and numerous willing foster homes, Wilson has been successful in pulling hundreds of dogs and cats off of the euthanasia list. Her work also extends to horses on feedlots where animals are being sent to slaughter in Mexico and Canada, and also includes the rescue of goats, sheep, chickens and even two geese. Wilson and affiliated rescues recently succeeded in raising funds and outbidding slaughterhouse buyers for 19 horses, 10 of which were pregnant.

View her website at:  http://www.circlel.org and http://www.drwilsonobgyn.com/

Today's featured print: Sneaky Snake

We think swankypet.net has the coolest Animal Print collars around! One of our new favorite prints is Sneaky Snake - a very realistic python print. It's very cool and stylish and will turn heads everywhere you go when your pet is sporting this snake print in a collar, harness or leash! 

Since this is our daily featured print, all orders for Sneaky Snake items are 15% off through midnight tonight (pacific). So don't delay, order something for your little 'sneaky snake'!

Dog Lovers Share Memories of Beloved Pets Lost to Canine Cancer at Web Site

DENVER, April 28 /PRNewswire

Dog lovers and pet parents whose dogs are suffering from or have been lost to cancer or whose dogs are successfully beating the dreaded disease can share memories and celebrate their dog's life at www.CureCanineCancer.org. Go to the "Why Hope" section of the site and click on "Memories & Survivor Stories." Sharing and celebrating the life of a loved dog helps ease the pain and loss, while others can share good news on how their dog is beating cancer. Morris Animal Foundation operates this site in conjunction with its Canine Cancer Campaign, a global effort to prevent and cure canine cancer, while also finding treatments for dogs suffering from the disease now.

One in four dogs dies of cancer--it is the no. 1 cause of death in dogs over the age of 2. In fact, 60 percent of golden retrievers die of cancer, and many other breeds have a high incidence of the disease. Also at CureCanineCancer.org, dog lovers can watch a canine cancer Web exclusive that includes top canine oncologists answering questions on various kinds of canine cancers and treatment options. Dog lovers can also support canine cancer research.

About Morris Animal Foundation: Morris Animal Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit established in 1948, is dedicated to funding animal health research that protects, treats and cures companion animals, horses and wildlife. MAF has been at the forefront of funding breakthrough research studies benefiting animals on all seven continents. MAF has its headquarters in Denver. Charity Navigator ranks MAF as a four-star charity, the highest rating. MAF is a BBB Wise Giving Alliance Charity Seal Holder. For more information, call 800.243.2345 or visit MorrisAnimalFoundation.org.

Weekend Special: Patriotic Collection Prints

Are stylish, Patriotic pet collars, harnesses or leashes on your list? Then, you've come to the right place! swankypet.net offers the coolest selection of prints that allows you and your pets to proudly display their patriotism. 

We have five red, white & blue prints: American Dream, American Star, Glory Days, Stars and Stripes and Star Spangled. These prints are perfect for Summer and scream USA! Our sixth print is a desert camouflage we call Reporting for Duty...if you or anyone you know are in the military this is the perfect choice! 

This weekend we are celebrating our Patriotic Prints Collection and offering 15% off all orders of these prints through midnight Sunday (pacific time). So, don't delay, order yours now and your pet will be ready to go for the Summer holidays! 

Today's featured print: Juicy!

Looking for cool Summer dog collars? You've come to the right place. Today we are featuring Juicy! from our Seasonal Collection. 

It's a very fun, fresh watermelon print that will get you in the mood for summer days. It features a bright green background with little slices of watermelon. The perfect print for those summer days or weekend barbecues! 

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

NEADS/Dogs for Deaf and Disabled Americans Hosts 20 Participants of Pet Tech's Pet Saver and Pet Instructor

NEADS/Dogs for Deaf and Disabled Americans announces that PetTech, of Carlsbad, Calif., recently completed an extensive training program on the NEADS campus in Princeton, Mass., where 20 participants received in-depth training from certified instructor Thom Somes, the Pet Safety Guy.

Somes' background in the medical field for more than 30 years inspired him to help others "improve the quality of pet's lives, one pet owner at a time." He encourages pet owners and pet care professionals to learn pet first aid and is an advocate for adopting pets from animal shelters and rescue groups.

The Pet Tech PetSaver(TM) Program encompasses CPR and first aid training, while the PetTech Instructor training is a comprehensive, three-day interactive program. Instructors learn the necessary skills and teaching methods to properly train pet owners in first aid and care. This course includes competent training in the identification and evaluation of the signs and symptoms a pet may develop and the appropriate actions to be taken for proper emergency medical treatment.

PetTech has an international network of certified instructors who are skilled at delivering rich, hands-on programs for first aid and dental care, senior pet care, and the PetSaver Program.

"We are thrilled to host the Pet Tech Pet Saver and PetTech instructor training here at the NEADS campus in Princeton, Mass.," says Sheila O'Brien, chief executive officer of NEADS/Dogs for Deaf and Disabled Americans. "The Pet Tech classes are well-recognized among our constituents as high-quality programs that ultimately help our staff and clients to come to the aid of injured or senior pets, and after all, one of NEADS' major concerns is the health and safely of our canine partners, so sharing this knowledge helps everyone."

ABOUT NEADS

NEADS/Dogs for Deaf and Disabled Americans (http://www.neads.org) is entering its 33rd year of providing highly trained canines to help human partners regain a measure of independence and mobility. Programs include:

. Canines for Combat Veterans
. Halter Dogs
. Service Dogs
. Balance Dogs
. Ministry Dogs
. Service Dogs for the Classroom and Therapy
. Social Dogs
. Specialty Dogs

CONTACT:
John Moon, jmoon@neads.org
NEADS/Dogs for Deaf and Disabled Americans
978-422-9064
978-422-3330
http://www.neads.org

Crab Cakes, anyone? Save 15%

Today's featured print comes from our Seasonal Collection and we call it Crab Cakes! 

This print makes a super-cool Summer pet collar, harness or lead. It features a bright and sunny yellow background and has several little red crabs dancing around, ready to give you a little 'pinch'!

All orders for this print are 15% off through midnight tonight (pacific). So don't delay.....order yours now!  

Green pet ideas

I came across this article from the Salt Lake City Examiner and wanted to share it for Earth Day. Enjoy!

If you are a person who constantly tries to do the right thing when it comes to the environment, then maybe it's time to take a look at your pets! Here are a few ideas to help you pooch get his green on!

Feed organic pet food! With the recent recall of more than 100 brands of pet food (some considered 'premium'), it might be time to take a closer look at what you're feeding your pets. I recommend Only Natural Pet Store for an excellent selection of all natural and organic pet foods! For treats and other pet products - another great resource is Jake's Doghouse - cool stuff for cool dogs!

Use all natural or organic pet shampoo! Many people just use human shampoo on their dog. This is not a good idea, because many formulas contain chemicals and other stuff that can irritate a dog's skin and make him itchy. It also doesn't rinse out very well. I recommend Newman's Own organic oatmeal dog shampoo! This stuff smells great, and rinses out much easier!

Consider an alternative way to deal with poo! Composters.com has some great ideas for pet waste. This keeps it out of landfills, and also keeps it from polluting the environment! CLICK HERE

Today's featured Print: Flip Flops

It's heating up here in Phoenix --- our first 100-degree day is expected tomorrow already (whew!) So I thought our Flip Flops print would be perfect to feature for today's promotion. It's one of 9 fun, Summer prints from our Seasonal Collection. 

This print is cute and stylish for pet collars, harnesses & leads. It features a crisp white background with lots of fun and colorful little flip flops. It is the perfect print to get your pet into the Summer style and perhaps, a day at the beach! 

All orders for this print are 15% off through midnight tonight. Order yours now! 

Suburban backyard pet safety

I saw this article in the Chicago Examiner and wanted to pass it along. Some great safety tips that, perhaps we've forgotten or overlooked. Enjoy!

Away from home, city or suburb, your pet should be leashed for safety unless you’re playing with your dog in a designated off-leash dog park—but I covered leashing your pet safely in yesterday’s Keeping your pets safe in the city post. So, let’s talk briefly about how you keep your pet safely confined in your yard. Fence is the most convenient confinement. But what if your yard has no fencing?

Our previous house had a laundry line running from house to garage that doubled as the perfect cable from which to attach a long lead. With the end of the lead high off the ground away from trees, our very active half-terrier, Amber, couldn’t tangle the lead around anything. It did let her get into my vegetable garden … but I never left her out without supervision anyway.

Our current yard has no good place for a high cable—mostly because our corner lot has no private back area, just a lot of side yard. Luckily, I have a metal auger stake I can screw into whatever part of the yard I choose if our current dog, Crystal, accompanies with me while I’m gardening, mowing—or any activity other than walking her around the yard.. The stake needs to be far enough from trees that Crystal won’t wrap herself around a trunk but close enough she can get to shade. If we’re going to be out a long time, I bring a water dish out for her.

If you do have a fenced yard, or are planning to fence some or all of your yard, how do choose fence to keep your pet in? Start with a fencing material that doesn’t have gaps large enough for your pet to squeeze through. The exception to this would be if you install a so-called “invisible fence” electronic warning system and choose to reinforce the barrier with, say, a split-rail fence, to remind your children not to run into the neighbors’ yards … or the street.

Besides going through a fence, dogs (and any other pets you might want to let loose in a yard) have over and under tendencies. If your dog is a digger, you may need to dig a trench inside your fence, line it on the fence side with a sturdy mesh, then backfill to replace garden or turf, to discourage your dog from trying to tunnel free. A lot of work, yes—but you’ll get the benefit of discouraging groundhog and rabbit pests from entering your back yard.

Fence height should be chosen based on the size and jumping abilities of your pet. Our neighbors have a malamute that often decides its yard is boring. The wire running below the fence stops Harley from crawling out. However, the top of the vertical slat fence rises not much over waist high on me, a 5’6” woman, at its lowest points—so Harley jumps out whenever wanderlust takes him.

Finally, know that invisible fencing not for every dog. I’m pretty sure it would work fine for our Crystal, an easy-going spaniel/retriever-ish sort of dog. However, our half-terrier Amber would have blown past such fencing without a second thought. She was smart enough to have figured out that the momentary unpleasantness would cease once she got past the boundary and out of range. The other factor to make you think twice about invisible fencing is aggressiveness. Aggressive dogs, frustrated by being zapped at a barrier they can’t see, may become more aggressive toward people and dogs approaching their yard along a public sidewalk. For such dogs, visible fencing reassures your dog as well as passers-by.

Weekend Special: Caliente! for Cinco de Mayo!

Through midnight Sunday (pacific) all orders for Caliente! are 15% off to help you get your pet geared up for Cinco de Mayo! 

Add either a Grrrona Beer or Muttgarita toy and receive a credit to receive free shipping! 

Ready for Cinco de Mayo?

It's time to get your pet decked out and ready for Cinco de Mayo - only 3 weeks away!

Perfect for celebrating, is our Caliente! print - stylish black background with little red hot chili peppers!

And to keep your pup playful, get him or her their very own Muttgarita or Grrrona
Beer toy! Your dog will love one or both of them. The Muttgarita is approximately 6" tall, plush and has a squeaker.

The Grrrona Beer toy comes in two sizes; the large is approximately 6" tall and the small is approximately 4" tall for those pint size players!

Weekend Special: Sputnik

This weekend we are offering a 15% discount on a print we call Sputnik. You will find this hip, cool print in our Funky Retro Collection. 

This print features a pale pink background, with several 60's style jacks in various colors: medium pink, brown and white. It's perfect for the Spring and Summer seasons and is very stylish - you and your pet will turn heads at the bark park! 

This special ends at midnight Sunday (pacific), so order yours today! 

Making sure pets aren't forgotten

By P.J. Huffstutter : Reporting from Clackamas, Ore.
6:25 PM PDT, April 10, 2009

Joni Taylor learned the hard way that pets suffer during hard times too. Now she's opened a Portland-area food bank for the four-legged.

Joni Taylor's family was evicted from their home in Venice Beach when she was 15. They couldn't pay the mortgage and moved away, leaving the family's cats to fend for themselves.

It happened decades ago, but Taylor still remembers how she cried for months. She imagined the animals roaming the streets, confused and hungry. Every few days, she would go to the grocery store and head back to her old neighborhood with a supply of canned tuna and hope.

So when the unemployment rate began to skyrocket in Portland in recent months, she knew what she had to do.

"People shouldn't have to chose between going hungry and giving up the family dog," said Taylor, now a 53-year-old grandmother and head of Friends Involved in Dog Outreach, a local group that helps rally support and donations for the Clackamas County dog shelter.

Taylor and some friends called pet shops and animal food manufacturers, asking: Could they spare a bag or two of dried dog food? Maybe a box of pet chews or puppy treats? Thousands of pounds of dried and canned food poured in.

In February, Taylor and her friends started a dog food bank in this Portland suburb, handing out a 30-day supply to anyone who showed up at their storage facility on the third Saturday of the month. No questions asked. They focused on dogs because there was already a local cat food bank.

On a recent Saturday, a crowd of nearly three dozen shuffled and shivered in the early morning rain. Taylor, who works as an accountant during the week, saw the anxious look in people's eyes. They stared at the ground and stood apart from one another.

Eric Gateley and Bella, a two-year-old boxer, waited quietly until a volunteer called out his name. Gateley, 40, lost his job as a construction manager last June and has been living in a motel with his wife and 9-year-old son since January. Family in Texas have been sending money to help them cover the bills.

He has been trying to make his son believe that their motel stay is an adventure. They swim in the motel's pool. They get McDonald's and curl up in front of the TV on the weekends for movie marathons.

"My wife and I, we have to put on a front for our son," Gateley said.

There's a certain relief in coming for free dog food. "With Bella," Gateley said, nodding to the caramel-colored dog at his feet, "I don't have to fake it."

Taylor, her round face flushed from exertion and graying brown ponytail wet from the rain, listened to part of his story. "You don't need to explain," she said. "Come back if you need more."

There is a familiar ring to the tales she hears. Taylor remembers how her own mother struggled to feed her five children after the family was evicted.

The children were sent to stay with friends in Santa Monica who offered a spare room. At least once a week, they would drive Taylor and her sisters to their old neighborhood.

She spent hours wandering around the family home, searching the overgrown backyard and calling the cats' names. Sometimes, they came running. Once plump, they grew scrawny.

Last year, a social worker told Taylor about people skipping meals in order to feed their children and pets.

She reached out to her friend Linda Cloud, 63, who heads FIDO's program delivering pet food to area senior citizens and the housebound. Cloud knew of elderly shut-ins spooning Meals on Wheels dishes into the pet bowl.

Cloud's group supplied a first shipment of food. And their joint call for donations and volunteers worked. In the warehouse, wooden pallets were piled nearly six feet high with dried sirloin-flavored kibble and faux bacon treats. The scent of beef and chicken was thick.

Pat Foss, a quality inspector for a manufacturing firm who was bracing to be laid off, gnawed on her lower lip as she filled out a food-bank form.

She listed the names and weights of four of her seven dogs: The food bank only lets each household get food for four. Hers are strays. Foss, 47, can't bear to shut her kitchen door to an animal in need.

Foss was relieved to get her portion -- up to 24 pounds of dry food, two cans of wet food and a gallon-sized bag of big-dog treats. But her heart sank as she saw how many boxes she was taking. The line leading up to the warehouse was still long.

She filled out a volunteer form and promised to return. She helped set up signs. She hauled bags for other pet owners. Before she left, she leaned against her SUV and cried.

By noon, Taylor and Cloud were scrounging through empty boxes in search of scraps. Volunteers had bagged up more than 3,000 pounds of food weeks earlier. Now they had given out just about all of it -- enough for 199 dogs.

"Dig out whatever is left," Taylor urged. A volunteer tipped one box and a few bits of kibble poured into her hand. Some of it spilled onto the concrete floor.

Taylor bent down and scooped up each piece.

Friends Involved in Dog Outreach

Care arrives for pets lost, injured in Italy quake

L'AQUILA, Italy (AP) — Help started to arrive Thursday for the more than 2,000 cats and dogs believed to have been left homeless the earthquake in Italy.

The national animal protection agency, ENPA, said seven tons of feed had been delivered to L'Aquila for both domestic and farm animals.

Many pets and farm animals are believed to have died in houses and barns that collapsed during the quake Monday. Those that survived are showing signs of trauma, rescue officials said.

When the earthquake hit, the first thing Maria Grazia Broberzi grabbed was her cat, Pallina.The cat now sits in a cage in the tent she shares with her owner in a camp on the outskirts of the devastated city of L'Aquila. She has refused to eat or drink since the quake. Every time Broberzi approaches, Pallina hisses and growls."She never did this before," Broberzi said. "Sometimes we argued over who got the couch, but she was always affectionate."

At least 2,000 cats and dogs are believed lost in L'Aquila alone, said Silvia Damiani, an animal rights official from Bracciano, north of Rome.

Fausto Cavalieri, a veterinary student with the Red Cross, was working at tent city outside L'Aquila, which houses 1,700 people, unloading dog and cat food from trucks. The supplies also included materials to build kennels and computer chip readers to identify animals in the effort to reunite them with their owners.

"There are people who lost their animals, and animals who lost their owners" Cavalieri said.Iolanda and Sandrino Tarquini, a couple in their 70's living now in the camp, were mourning their dog, a 10-year-old black pincher named Pisolo who died Thursday morning.

The couple could not get Pisolo his medication because the vet's office was closed. And they believe the rain and chill in the tent city contributed to his death.

"He had a coat but he wasn't wearing it" said Sandrino, as his wife cried.

Agricultural officials are beginning to assess the loss of farm animals. Cavalieri said many sheep and other farm animals were abandoned and will probably starve if they cannot be reached.

He said he had already seen a few hundred sheep crushed in a collapsed stall.The Italian farm association Coldiretti said it was too soon to give an assessment of how many animals had been lost.

Late Wednesday evening in L'Aquila, a Yorkshire terrier walked in circles, ignoring a policeman's offer of a sandwich.
"I see a lot of these poor dogs looking lost and frightened" said the officer, Carlo Chipa. "You can tell they are domestic pets because they are healthy and well-fed, but they look lost and frightened."

In dogs, seasonal allergies often cause itching

The plants are in bloom and so, too, are many of our noses.
Inhaled allergies are becoming more and more prevalent. There is, however, a difference in how these types of allergies manifest in animals vs. people.

Inhaled allergies in people affect sensitive areas and result in watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing and sometimes wheezing and/or coughing. These symptoms reflect an inflammation that results from a hyper-responsive immune system. Medications, used to slow the response, are usually in the antihistamine category and have varying degrees of success.

In dogs, we use the term "atopy" to represent the condition of inhaled allergies; with this problem, dogs often have skin problems. There are, of course, some dogs that show similar symptoms as humans, the excess tearing from the eyes, with redness, sneezing and even breathing problems. In fact, canines can develop asthma with atopy. It is, however, far more common to see skin manifestations in dogs with atopy.

Dogs with atopy usually have itching. In fact, the pruritis associated with this process is so intense that dogs will spend the bulk of their waking hours scratching.

There are breeds known to be predisposed to atopy, several of which are in the terrier group, with the West Highland white terrier leading the pack. That said, any dog can develop atopy.

A diagnosis of atopy can be elusive, because there are many causes for itchy skin. And in some cases, there are other causes in addition to the atopy. Atopy testing can involve special blood testing and, in some cases, skin testing against many possible allergens. As always, a definitive diagnosis is best in order to formulate a treatment. Sometimes, we find a patient is allergic to just one or two environmental allergens and, therefore, with elimination of the offending agent, the atopy is cured. Other times, the patient is allergic to many different allergens, making avoidance or elimination impossible. Some of these patients can respond to allergy shots. This involves giving small amounts of the allergens via injection so the patient can become desensitized over time. The success of this therapy runs the gambit of total cure to no response - same as in humans.
The other options for treatment usually involve medications designed to stop or at least curb the itching. These often include antihistamines and/or cortisone.

Certainly, there are other conditions that cause pruritis in dogs. In fact, the No. 1 cause is parasites. Can you guess which type? Yep, it's fleas. Fleas and flea allergies are also considered a seasonal problem in many cases, especially with outdoor dogs. Coincidentally, the seasonality corresponds to the same timing as atopy. In fact, I would rather my dog had fleas as the cause of his itching as opposed to atopy, because the treatment for fleas is generally easier and a cure is possible. With atopy, this is less likely.

So if your dog is itching, especially this time of year, it may be prudent to have him checked for the possibility of allergies, while hoping it is fleas.

(Jeff Kahler is a veterinarian in Modesto, Calif. Questions can be submitted to Your Pet in care of LifeStyles, The Modesto Bee, P.O. Box 5256, Modesto CA 95352.)

Today's featured Print: Good N Plenty

Today's featured print is from our Funky, Retro Collection, called Good N Plenty. This cool, retro print features the colors of the candy we loved as kids:  pink, hot pink, white, black and green. This print is equally delicious and your pet will love it, too! 

We are offering a 15% discount on all orders for this print through midnight tonight, pacific. Order now! 

AARF art show to size up pet overpopulation

For those of you in the Atlanta area...here are some wonderful fundraisers to attend:

There will be paintings and sculptures, jewelry and pottery — 219 pieces in all.

And while it will look like many other art exhibits and sales, it’s the alternate meaning that organizers hope people will take home — each of those pieces of art represents one of the average 219 animals killed in Atlanta-area animal shelters each day.

This painting by Patti Russell will be among 219 pieces exhibited at an Atlanta Animal Rescue Friends fund-raiser.

“Estimates are that about 80,000 animals a year are killed in metro Atlanta shelters,” said Susan Leisure, president of Atlanta Animal Rescue Friends, the group staging the exhibit and fund-raising sale Saturday. “People can’t conceptualize 80,000 animals a year, but they can get their mind around 219 a day.”

Artists donated the items, with the proceeds going to AARF’s dog and cat rescue programs. But Leisure hopes people also get the message that Georgia has a severe pet overpopulation problem.

“New York takes in only about half the animals we do each year, and Los Angeles euthanized less than 20,000 pets in 2008,” Leisure said.

Janet Weiss, founder of Stopping Pet Overpopulation Together, the group that pulls together statistics from 20 local shelters, said most people have no idea how many pets are killed each year in area shelters.

“And the sad thing about pet overpopulation is that it’s totally preventable,” Weiss said.

How? Weiss gave three steps: Spay and neuter pets. Don’t get pets unless you’re dedicated to caring for them for their lifetime. And don’t buy pets from stores, backyard breeders or others that breed pets for money.

“It’s something we could stop in just a few years if everyone would just pull together,” Weiss said.

“219: The Show.” At Fine Line Gallery, 465 Boulevard S.E., Atlanta. Free to attend. Bottomless glass of wine, beer or soft drinks and hors d’oeuvres $25, or $20 in advance. 7:30-11 p.m. Silent auction ends at 10 p.m. Live auction items at 10 p.m. Information:www.aarfatlanta.org/219theshow.html.

Stray Pet Strut
This 5K run and 1-mile walk on April 19 benefits the Humane Society of Hall County. Food and merchandise vendors open at noon at Presentation Point at Lake Lanier Islands. Walk leaves at 2 p.m., run at 2:30 p.m. $25; $20 in advance. T-shirts or bandanas guaranteed for preregistered people and dogs. 770-532-6617 or www.humanesocietyhallcounty.com.

Doggie baths
A local Girl Scout troop will bathe dogs in exchange for a medium or large bag of dog or cat food donated to Meals “Fur” Pets, a pet-food bank in Cherokee County. 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, at 8420 Main St., Woodstock. Info: www.mealsfurpets.com or 678-520-2236.

Despite Economic Downturn, Americans Continue to Shower Dollars on Pets

The declining economy has discouraged many Americans from spending money on anything, even on the pets so many people in the United States love. But consumer research shows Americans still are spending on average $1,000 a year on their beloved animal companions.

Professional dog walkers exercise other people's pets - for a fee
Some Americans are willing to pay a dog walker $26 a day, per dog. In fact, Americans' love affair with their pets costs a total of $41 billion a year, according to a U.S. consumer research company - double what they spent a decade ago.

PetSmart's Vince Malanphy says animal adoptions are increasing during the economic downturn as people spend more time at home and seek out companionship.

An Associated Press poll found that one in seven pet owners in America reported spending less on their pets since the recession began last year. But Vince Malanphy, director of a PetSmart store, detects another trend in these times.

"We see a lot of people saving money by staying home more. So, since they are home more, they want some companionship, and we are seeing more people coming to our store and adopting cats and dogs."

Malanphy's store provides a variety of services for "pet parents," such as "doggy day camp." At PetSmart, the largest American pet store chain, there is also veterinary care and grooming available.

Four-legged guests at the "PetsHotel" are treated to doggy ice cream, comfy beds and televisions
When owners are out of town, they can indulge their pets in private suites in "PetsHotel" - spoiling them with ice cream, with raised platform beds and televisions tuned to the Animal Planet Network. And there is "phone bone," so that the absent own can talk to their pets. The price - $41 a night for this suite.

According to a national survey by American Pet Products Association, Americans own about 75 million dogs and 88 million cats. There is a pet in six out of every 10 households - and not just cats and dogs.

Sales of all animals - not just dogs - are up

Richard Parsons owns "Friendly Feathers," where he sells pet birds.
"I have people that have 50 pet birds in their homes. So, bird people are pretty fanatical," he says. "Some people spend as much as $30,000 on hand-fed [birds]."

At PetSmart, they say there has been a rise in the ownership of a variety of exotic reptiles - including huge snakes - and small pets like hamsters, guinea pigs, chinchillas and tropical fish.

The love and affection that Americans of all ages shower on their favorite animals does not appear to have diminished in the face of hard economic times.

Today's featured Print: Grrr...Baby!

Today's featured print is from our Animal Collection and shows everyone the sexy beast inside your pet! We call it, Grrr...Baby! and it's an adorable, sassy leopard print blending black, shades of brown and a little gold. Wherever you wear this print, your pet will turn heads!

All orders for Grrr...Baby! will receive a 15% discount through midnight tonight. Order now! 

Cougar Ridge Fundraiser April 15th

Cougar Ridge Education Center is holding it's first Annual fundraiser next Wednesday, April 15th.

COUGAR RIDGE Educational Center, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Your contribution is appreciated and tax-deductible.

They are holding a Silent Auction & Fundraiser featuring art by world renowned Wildlife Artists!
TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2009
6:OO – 8:00 PM

Sittig Hall at the Florida League of Cities
with entertainment by special guest

Deborah Lawson
Accompanied by Stan Rosenthal on guitar

Now more than ever, we need your help and tax-deductible contributions!

Doing our Part!

Cougar Ridge understands that education is vital to our State’s success but that money is tight. Due to cuts in the education budget, CREC will now offer our public school programs free of charge!

For more information or if you would like to donate a tax deductible item for auction
please call CREC Founder Gloria Johnson at (850) 566-1877 or (850) 539-4337 or by email at gjpanthergirl@aol.com

Honda's new pet-friendly Element

A new "dog friendly" Honda Element at a dog park here at the invitation of USA TODAY, which got a peek at the vehicle prior to its public debut Thursday at the New York International Auto show. The new version of the Element is sort of a rolling Ritz-Carlton for the canine set. It features a built-in bed in the cargo area, a private electric cooling fan, a spill-proof water bowl and a mesh net to keep animals separated from people. Rubber floor mats are embellished with a dog-bone design.
Being shown at the show as a concept, a final version of the pooch-coddling 2009 Element will go on sale in late summer, setting up a dogfight of sorts with Toyota. Honda's rival has outfitted its Venza crossover with its own canine-friendly features and displayed it at a few dog parks and events around the country.

The Venza offers doggy seat mats, barriers and other items designed to make dogs and their owners more comfortable.

Honda and Toyota officials say the curious timing of the twin debuts is just coincidence. In an age when dogs join HMOs, get massages and see therapists, it was only a matter of time before they could have their own limousines.

More empty-nesters dote on their dogs now as their children have scattered, says James Jenkins, a Honda product planner.

Who let the dogs in?

It's no small market. About 63% of U.S. households have a pet, the American Pet Products Association found in its 2007-2008 pet owners survey. More households, 44.8 million, own a dog than a cat, 38.4 million.

The average owner spends $580 to $875 a year on food and care for their dog, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals says.

Honda started thinking about a dog version of the Element after unveiling a concept vehicle focusing on the same theme at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2005, Jenkins says. The "WOW," for "wonderful open-hearted wagon," fit nicely into the nonsense that often defines the Tokyo show, says Jenkins, but Honda received a surprising barrage of support from fans.

The Element, largely unchanged since it was developed as a youth-oriented, surf and camp funmobile in 2003, seemed well-suited to the dog-loving crowd. Besides its large, boxy space in back, Element has a relatively low floor for a crossover SUV and an interior designed to be easy to clean.

Besides the bed and other dog-friendly features, the dog-oriented Element even has a fold-out ramp for dogs that can't, won't or shouldn't (because some breeds can develop bad backs later in life) make the leap into the Element's rear.

The Element EX retails for $22,385, but the price with the added pet features has not yet been specified.

When it comes to Toyota's Venza, owners will have to choose from an a la carte menu of accessories. They include $44.99 for a "zip line" to keep an 80-pound or larger dog confined in the back seat or $99.99 for a "bi-fold pet ramp."

The idea grew after Bob Zeinstra, a Toyota national marketing manager, read an article on the growth of the pet market a couple of years ago. He saw the potential. "A lot of times, we throw ideas against the wall, and they don't stick. This is one of those ideas that really resonated," Zeinstra says.

Toyota has made a direct appeal to dog owners around the country. It has sponsored dog-oriented television shows on cable television and started showing off the Venza at dog parks around the country.

At the Redondo Beach dog park, Hercules toured both the Venza and the Element before rendering a verdict: a big paws-up and tail wag for the Honda.

Leaders of the pack

Hang around at a dog park, and you soon see how dog owners choose their vehicles with their dogs in mind.

One of them is Romy Friedman of Manhattan Beach, Calif., who works in real estate and who is shopping for a new car.

"I am buying the car for the dog," says Friedman, who happened by the dog park with Buster, her golden doodle (golden retriever/poodle mix). She had looked at Hyundai, Lexus and BMW, but prefers the Element. "He's a big dog. I want him to go in the back, not on the seat."

No matter which vehicle an owner chooses, experts say the key to carrying pets safely in cars is to make sure they're restrained, tethered or kept in crates with tie downs so they can't interfere with the driver.

"About 30,000 accidents a year are caused by pets," says Lindsay Wood, director of animal training for the Humane Society of Boulder Valley in Boulder, Colo. Wood has been working with Toyota on its Venza program. "It's a much safer option to have them restrained."

She says she practices what she preaches when it comes to her two Labradors. "Their safety is important to me," she says. "They like their crates."

Today's Featured Print: Glory Days

Today's featured print is from our Patriotic Collection - it's called Glory Days. This is a bright and sassy red, white and blue flag print that will definitely turn heads wherever you and your pet go! 

All orders for this print are 15% off through midnight tonight (pacific). Order yours today get your pet ready for the Summer holidays! 

Easter can be perilous for pets

By Peter Mucha
Inquirer Staff Writer

Easter isn't just dangerous to marshmallow chicks and chocolate bunnies.

Real pets are often put in the peril, too, warns webvet.com, which just released its "Seven Deadly Sins of Easter."

Chances are you've been warned before about getting a live bunny: Most wind up in shelters or "on the streets, which is a sure death sentence," the website says.

Chocolate's another familiar no-no: Chemicals caffeine and theobromine can trigger problems in dogs and cats, ranging from vomiting to abnormal heart rhythms to even death.

Less well known are the hazards of other seemingly innocent holiday traditions.

Which of the following might make your dog or cat quite ill?

(a) An Easter lily.

(b) Plastic Easter basket grass.

(c) Xylitol, the artificial sweetener.

(d) Rotten eggs.

(e) Candy wrappers.

(f) All of the above.

Gee, the answer's (f).

Lilies. They're toxic to cats. "All portions of the plant are poisonous to a cat's kidneys when eaten and, even with prompt veterinary care, treatment is not always successful," says webvet.com.

Plastic grass. This indigestible stuff can cause choking or gastro-intestinal obstructions that require surgery. Appetite loss and vomiting are symptoms.

Other candies, especially ones with xylitol. Jelly beans, marshmallow critters and other candies can, if eaten, disturb a pet's digestive tract. In a half-hour, a "small amount" of xylitol can cause a host of maladies, from low blood sugar to seizures to liver failure, webvet.com says.

Rotten eggs. Keep track of what gets hidden during an egg hunt. Animals do get sick finding real eggs left to spoil. Plastic eggs should also be rounded up, because dogs might go for the goodies inside or choke on the egg itself.

Wrappers. Pets shouldn't be ingesting shiny noise-makers either.

Today's featured print: Picnic Ants

We've unveiled our Summer Collection so you can get a jump-start at having your pet sport the latest summer prints. Today's featured print is Picnic Ants. It's a bright and cheery red and white check background with little blank ants marching towards the picnic treats!

All orders for this print are 15% off through midnight tonight (pacific time).

Sassy the Love Bug: a day in Prescott, AZ

We recently had the chance to take a day trip to nearby Prescott, AZ. This time of year, it's chilly in the mornings, but sunny and warm in the afternoons. Luckily, it's only a 2 hour drive from our home, so my sisters and I (Java the Mutt and Merlot) buckled in for a fun road trip!

When we arrived there was lots of fun places to explore and sniff. We stopped at the town square and ran up and down the many steps of the courthouse for some exercise after the drive.

We had a wonderful lunch at Prescott Brewing Co., Well, we didn't get any beer but Mom had a glass of their Belgium Tripple and said it was very yummy.



After lunch, we headed to Lynx Lake to do some exploring around the lake. It was our first time there, so we had a lot to check out. The fish weren't biting but there were plenty of ducks that kept swimming past us. We figured out they wanted our crackers, so we were nice enough to share with them. Merlot didn't like them very much and growled whenever they would come close.

I was even brave enough to step into the lake a little bit. After a few hours of enjoying the sun lakeside, we hopped back in the car and after all of our adventures, we slept the whole way home!

Exercise good judgment when working out with pet

If you're looking for a consistent workout partner, you may have a furry one at your feet.

Incorporating pets into an exercise routine is a good way to get yourself moving and active, and the benefits can extend to your pet as well.

Stephanie DeGesero, owner and trainer with Pawsitive Pet Training in Abilene, says animals need to stay active just like humans do.

"From a dog's perspective, things can get boring in the house and in the yard," she said.

DeGesero said that a bored animal will become a destructive animal. A walk through the neighborhood allows for new sights, smells and sounds.

Exercising with a pet doesn't have to be limited to a walk around the neighborhood, although a walk is a great place to start and is good, consistent exercise. Dogs can be trained to run beside a bicycle and even swim in a residential pool. Playing ball or Frisbee with your dog is another way to exercise both you and your pet.

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals does not recommend riding a bicycle with your dog tied to a leash.

The SPCA recommends walking your dog a half-hour twice a day, and to never push a pet beyond his or her capabilities. It also recommends paying close attention to the dog's footpads, which can be irritated or damaged by surfaces such as sharp-stoned gravel or hot pavement.

Regularly check your dog's footpads for excessive wear from walking on pavement and for cracking.

DeGesero uses walking with her dogs for exercise, but also for personal time with each dog. She owns four dogs, so frequently goes on four brief walks -- a walk with each dog.

"I have limited time in my day, so I use a walk as a training opportunity, as well," DeGesero said. She includes time to practice sit, stay and other commands while on a walk.

"Taking a walk around the block is a start and better than nothing," DeGesero said. She also mentions that concrete can be hard on a dog's feet and taking advantage of Abilene's great parks with nice trails can be a wonderful change of scenery.

"Get out there and start," DeGesero said. "Be patient and always take treats with you. I want to reward the good behaviors. When you feel yourself getting frustrated and training isn't going well, go see a dog trainer. The whole key is to make it fun for you and your pet."

DeGesero recommends checking with a veterinarian before beginning any strenuous exercise with your pet.

Dog found after going overboard four months later

SYDNEY (AFP) – A pet dog that fell overboard in rough seas off Australia has been reunited with its owners after surviving alone on an island for four months, reports said.
Sophie Tucker, apparently named after a late US entertainer, fell overboard as Jan Griffith and her family sailed through choppy waters off the northeast Queensland coast in November.
The dog was believed to have drowned and Griffith said the family was devastated.
But out of sight of the family, Sophie Tucker was swimming doggedly and finally made it to St Bees Island, five nautical miles away, and began the sort of life popularised by the TV reality show "Survivor."
She was returned to her family last week when Griffith contacted rangers who had captured a dog that had been living off feral goats on the largely uninhabited island, in the faint hope it might be their long-lost pet.
When the Griffiths met the rangers' boat bringing the dog to the mainland they found that it was indeed Sophie Tucker on board.
"We called the dog and she started whimpering and banging the cage and they let her out and she just about flattened us," Griffith told the national AAP news agency.
"She wriggled around like a mad thing."
Griffith said that when the dog was first spotted on the island she had been in poor condition.
"And then all of a sudden she started to look good and it was when the rangers had found baby goat carcasses so she'd started eating baby goats," she said.
Sophie Tucker, a member of the Australian cattle dog breed, had been quick to readjust to the comforts of home, complete with airconditioning, Griffiths said.
"She surprised us all. She was a house dog and look what she's done, she's swum over five nautical miles, she's managed to live off the land all on her own," Griffiths said.
"We wish she could talk, we truly do."

Weekend Special: Bad to the Bone!

This weekend we are having a special on one of our Rock N Roll Collection prints, Bad to the Bone. This fun print features a bright red background with several skulls and crossbones being tossed around and making different faces (smiling, winking, etc). 

It's a great way to tap into your pet's rebel side :-)

All orders for this print will be 15% off through midnight Sunday (4/5) pacific time.