People Food May Shorten Dog's Life

Darlene Dunn of Channel 40/29 wrote an article on the effects of giving your pet human food and table scraps.

“I had an experience with a (Yorkshire terrier) that was given bacon every morning for breakfast,” she says. “Anything greasy, fatty or salty is not good. The dog would end up skipping meals, waiting on the bacon.” The pooch was eventually diagnosed with pancreatitis.

Read the original post here.

While our treats are made with human grade ingredients, we actually agree with this article. (shock, awe, and gasp) Most of what is out there is not that good for dogs. Especially if it's loaded with salt, fat, or sugar - and if you look at what most people's diets consist of, then you would agree thats it's hard to find foods that are not loaded up on those three ingredients.

On rare occasion we come across a dog that will turn it's nose at our treats, and after a little interrogation, we soon find out that the dog got McDonalds hamburgers every day for lunch. While our treats are very tasty, if not addictive to most dogs, there really isn't any comparison of a liver cookie to a McDonalds hamburger. I would turn my nose too! Our cookies would probably be healthier for me tho, even tho I usually choose McD's for myself.

New Razorback Song

I thought this was too funny not to pass on. A local artist Steve Lee has coined a new razorback theme song, and he's trying to get it played at games. Here's a video for you to enjoy.




There is also a nice interview on him at the Fayetteville Flyer

The Bigwag Blog Century Mark - secrets for other local businesses

This is our monumental 100th post. Not too bad for a fairly young blog. Why do I keep up with a blog for a small pet business? Is it because we're crazy? I refuse to answer that last question on grounds it may incriminate me.

It's fairly common knowledge that newspapers are on the decline. Readership has diminished over the years. More and more younger people are turning to blogs for their source of news and information. I'm 36, and blogs and the Google RSS reader are pretty much my entire source of news these days. The RSS feeder allows me to digest a lot of articles every week quickly, including my local news.

Why is this important? Surely there are more important things we could write about.

The concept for us started back with the Menu Foods pet food recall. Our customers were starving for information, and trust was at an all time low for packaged dog food. We didn't have a good way of getting updates out to our customers, so I began researching what could we do that we could post news updates and blurbs to. By the time we figured out we could write a blog, most of the recall news had subsided, but the blog still seemed like a good idea. Our blog has evolved over the months to be more of a community, where we let you into our world, talk about products we found that are remarkable, keep you up to date on important news we find, and maybe even give you a laugh or two.

As a small business, a blog is an invaluable marketing tool. I think it's important for every small business to find a niche that they can use a blog for. For us, binding the pet community together seemed like a natural extension of our newsletter, our customers, and the events we participate in. It's just one of the tools that help people transcend from "Know about us", to "Trust us", and finally to "Love Us". It allows us to feature other pet businesses in NW Arkansas, talk about the pet community, and give glimpses inside a real dog bakery - which is a fairly new concept for NWA. The products we feature or review are typically items that "actually work" or performed better than we would have guessed, or are super nutritional for your pet. We try not to just post advertisements for products that we have overstocked and want to sell through on. So far, they haven't really been about our every day treats either.

So, what benefit has our blog given our business? Well, our website traffic has increased 1200% since this time last year. Our internet orders had increased 400%. More people find us, and have a chance to really learn about the folks that you are trusting your pets health with. Few companies give that kind of transparency, let alone local businesses, and I think that feeds the "Trust Us" level that we work very hard to get to. I think it's important for our customers to hear stories like: we've been trying to figure out how to make doggie suckers and pops, because a customer asked us about some they saw somewhere else, but the only thing we can find to use for the stick are rawhide straws, and we refuse to carry rawhide, so we still don't have any doggie suckers or pops. We're keeping our eyes peeled for a natural, non-rawhide, popsicle stick idea, but still haven't come up with anything. If anyone has a good idea - please let me know!

Someone might ask, "Whats he got against rawhide?" The information is there, but what you might not know, is that it is largely a personal choice for me. I had to extract a piece of rawhide from my dogs throat to save his life several years ago. A little research turned up rawhide was dangerous to swallow, and I don't know of any dogs that don't try and swallow rawhide chew toys.

It's impossible to convey that kind of information in a newspaper advertisement, or at least we haven't come up with a good way to yet. There are still a lot of people that hear the term "Dog Bakery" and think birthday cakes, or trips for treats after the vet or groomer. What they don't know (yet) is that we feel a personal responsibility to elevate your pets lives, through nutrition, better health, aroma therapy products that actually work, toys that challenge and expand their minds, chews that are made in the USA and are 100% digestible. We help dogs that have food allergies, dogs that are diabetic, dogs that need tougher toys, and dogs that need homes.

More and more people research products and companies on the internet first. Having a great internet presence is not optional any more. I feel like our internet presence really speaks to who we are about, and once a customer loves you, half of the battle is done. The other half is delivering on your promises day after day.

Candlelight Vigil held at Murphy Dog Park

I have been begging Toni to guest blog about this, or get me some numbers so that I could share with you guys, but I have been unsuccessful. So, here's my take on it:

Toni Carter organized the Candle Light Vigil for Homless dogs at Murphy Dog Park on Saturday, August 16th. Animals that were Eutanized in shelters were honored, with uplifting stories of rescues and the benefits of having dogs in our lives, with speaker Chaddie Platt from Dog Party USA. Jackie from Pets Rock posted pictures of the vigil here.

Shelters across the country take in 6-8 million animals each year. In 2007, the Rogers Animal Shelter took in 1182 surrenders and strays. Of that number, 326 (31%) were rescued, 167 (16%) were reclaimed, and 550 (53%) were euthanized. The Fayetteville Animal Shelter's euthanization rate was 47%.

The best research done so far indicates that the only way to combat these statistics is through an agressive, low cost spay and neuter program. NWAAR offers a low cost spay and neuter program in Benton County, and the Fayetteville Animal Shelter operates one in Washington County. For more information, visit Spay Arkansas.

Follow-up: New Aprons

Here's another picture from our birthday party, compliments of Terresa. These are the new aprons Erin gave to Toby and I for birthday presents. This is related to the post earlier this month were we "Slam Dunked" the old aprons into the garbage can.

Excerpts From the Dog and Cat's Diary

Excerpts from a Dog’s Diary…

8:00 am - Dog Food! My favorite thing!

9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!

9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!

10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!

12:00 pm - Lunch! My favorite thing!

1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!

3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!

5:00 pm - Milk bones! My favorite thing!

7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!

8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!

11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!

Excerpts from a Cat’s Diary…

Day 983 of my captivity. My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre dangling objects.

They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength.

The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.

Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a ‘good little hunter’ I am. Bastards.

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitay confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear noises and smell the food. I overhead that my confinement was due to ‘allergies.’ I must learn what this means and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow…but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special priveleges. He is regularly released, and seems more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded.

The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicating with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For now………

Original Post from Four Legs Photography in Fayetteville

Wal-mart fabricates back-to-school supplies list

This one surprised me a little. I don't think there is much that big corporations keep off of the table, but come on guys: (from Kelby Carr)

My daughter is about to start kindergarten, so naturally we did some back to school shopping. Our state sales tax break weekend happened recently. When we noticed the local Wal-Mart had shopping lists not only specific to school and grade level, but to teacher, we were thrilled. We started tossing items in the cart to spend, spend, spend.

Weren’t we a little surprised to learn afterwards that Wal-Mart invented those lists. Not only were we a bit surprised to learn they did not, in fact, base the lists on anything remotely suggested by the school. Wal-Mart, in fact, put items on the list that are BANNED from being brought to school.

Our daughter’s school said Wal-Mart makes up those lists on their own, and a number of items (such as crayons) are on a list from the school. A list of items parents are specifically told not to have their child bring to school. Seriously?

Read the rest of it here.

Pictures from Our Birthday

Hey Everyone!

I know many of you had pictures of your dogs taken by Jackie and Chad from Pets Rock Photography while you were at our 2nd birthday party. I recently got an e-mail from them explaining how to get you photos, and I thought posting them here would be useful to everyone. Have a great Friday!

Lots of Love,
Erin

Here are their instructions:

Dear Pet Owners,

This note is a big "Thank You" for attending Big Wag's 2nd Birthday Party!It was such great fun to take photos of your PETS and the photos are yours to keep.Your pictures are posted on http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/5541552_Ee9Ps#339424642_V5sNh where you can download them for free (the instructions are listed below).You can also place an order and receive prints & gifts right to your front door.If there is any other service Pets Rock can provide for you, please let us know.

Cordially,
Jackie & Chad Collie


Single image downloading



Method 1: Move your mouse over the main image in Big Wag B'day Galley. You'll see a save photo icon. Click it. That's all there is to it.




Method 2: Alternatively, you can move your mouse over the main image in a gallery and click on original.
The photo will be displayed (it could be very large). Right-click (Windows) anywhere on the photo and a small menu will pop up; choose Save Image As...

Rising Costs Survey Results

Three weeks ago, I reported that I had discovered Post brand cereals had hidden their cost increases in just their economy sizes of cereals, so that it was actually cheaper to buy the smaller sized cereal boxes as they were cheaper per unit oz.

I then asked the question: How would you rather see a company deal with the rising cost of goods sold?

with three possible responses:
1 - Just raise the price, I know it's going up
2 - Shrink the size, you've done it before
3 - Hide the cost increase in just the economy sizes

83% chose answer #1 - Just raise the price. 16% chose answer #3 - Hide the cost increases in just the economy size.

I think, if I am able to interpret these statistics, that Americans really just want to be shot straight on prices. For decades, CPG companies have tried to, and possibly succeeded in, deceiving the public. They shrank bags of sugar from 5 lbs to 4, so that the price didn't have to increase. Post cereals made their economy size actually more expensive, counting on the public not price comparing the brand against itself. Who knows what else they have done to manipulate prices and profits. Is this really necessary?

I know that it is not often I price compare a brand against itself. You just assume that the company makes an economy size for a reason - to save on packaging costs. I don't think I'm lazy so much as time strapped, as I am sure most Americans are these days. I want to get out of the store as quickly as the next guy. I have blog posts to write when I get home!!!

I guess I see this as an important lesson - don't trust those big guys out there, and don't try and hide your price increases. If I have to raise prices at the bakery, I'll just raise them instead of trying to be sneaky about it. If anyone asks, I'll say 83% of you guys suggested I not try and hide the fact when they confront me on it.

Are Our Rescues "Too Good"???

I just read an email this morning from our beloved pug rescue of Northwest Arkansas, and it seems to be a trend I am noticing, even from the HSUS a few weeks back. Breeders and puppy mills retire, sell out, retire some of their dogs, cash in all of their chips, and then basically drops dogs, or in the case of the HSUS, everything, into the hands of cash strapped rescues and shelters.

Now, I have nothing against the rescues in these cases. They do wonderful work day in and day out. The Pug Rescue was even at our birthday party on July 26th.

What seems like a problem to me is that these folks make all of their money on these dogs, breeding them over and over, and then when they are done with them, lob them over the fence at a rescue to deal with. Now, I do know what the alternative is. These rescues step in when often these animals might go to a kill shelter, and might not make it another 30 days, but it just seems so crass to me that they have the audacity to wring every cent they can, then leave them as some one else's responsibility.

I think there needs to be a disposal fee (I know that sounds bad) that breeders and millers have to pay for someone else to take over the ownership of these dogs. Some fee to help with food, medical care, and the myriad of other costs associated with rescuing these dogs and rehoming them. They won't pay it - unless it's a requirement to be licensed by the USDA for a kennel. The requirements are so weak as they are now anyway. This just seems fair to me. You have to pay to have the junk yard take your old beater from you, or to dispose of anything else. There are the folks that just go dump their trash somewhere off of their property, like in a ravine, or out in the woods, because they are too cheap to take it to the dump. There are some pretty stiff penalties for this "Illegal Dumping". Why don't we charge the breeders and millers to take "their garbage" off their hands too?

Murphy Dog Park Needs You Plastic Bags!

Toni reported yesterday that Murphy Memorial Dog Park needs our extra plastic bags for cleaning up the dogs' "bidniss". If you take them to the park, please put in the plastic containers. This helps keep them from becoming mosquito farms.

Murphy Memorial Dog Park
407 E. Nursery Road,
Rogers AR 72758
(479) 631-9909 (Steve and Toni Carter)

You can also drop them off at the bakery.

Bigwag Dog Bakery
2301 W. Walnut Suite 23,
Rogers AR 72756
(479) 631-2924

Camp Bow Wow Grand Opening

On Saturday, Camp Bow Wow held it's public grand opening. They had a great turnout!

It really floored me, how our customers react when they see us out other places like this. Of course, we got to meet lots of people that hadn't met us before, but our customers are awesome. They all almost want to come up and give us big hugs, or at least it feels like it.

It almost feels like a big extended family of ours. They come up, and tell us how their dogs are doing, how they like the new food they are on, how they love our chews more than anyone else's. We measure how big their kids are getting, how fast they are growing.

And I love it.

This made me proud to be a business owner, and proud this is the business I own. I've done other types of companies, but I have never had a customer base like this that makes me feel I am part of their family, like they did on Saturday. It helped bring some clarity to what it is exactly we do. We've got almost 4 years invested in this bakery, even though we've only been open for 2 of those. We don't carry every product there is under the sun, but everything we do have, we have researched very carefully, trying to buy as much American as we can, to carry the best products that we can find, to find stuff that is guaranteed, find companies that have the same work ethic and principles we do, and choose those as our partners.

It's like recommending pet products to family, and we have a big, extended family out there, and this is the best stuff we can bake, find, and carry at the moment. I sell this stuff to my mom, because I believe in it. I think our customers get that too, and they were really showing their appreciation on Saturday. We don't feel like this is a business as much as it feels like a pet club, where we get to talk about cool pet products every day.

Thank you to our supporters who find us at all of these events, who know our story, who know why their dogs love our treats best, who are part of our family! If there were ever a time where I felt like a rock star, it was Saturday.

You guys are the ones that rock! Thank you, for validating that what we are doing is important.

Slam Dunking The Old Aprons!!!!

This year, for our two year birthday, Erin bought us some new aprons. Those white canvas ones we had since we opened we made ourselves, and they were looking a little ratty (minor understatement).

The new ones are some sharp black aprons, with pockets, and the embroidery done by Donna Foster. We have some of her blankets and aprons in our store for sale, and she will do custom work as well.

We took possibly too much enjoyment from disposing of the old aprons. We held this little cerimony at the store after everyone had left after our birthday part. Thank you Erin!!!

Ezine @rticles had to go

OK, I guess I've had enough spam. I hate to have to "unsubscribe" to a pet blog, but I just couldn't take the spam on Ezine @rticles any longer.

For anyone unfamiliar with the blog, I started counting how many articles were actually useful vs. how many articles were of such baloney, I had to laugh out loud at them. My best guess is that 96%, or 29 in 30 of the articles that come out of here are completely unfounded and made up. My favorite was the article about how to throw a birthday party for your dog. It gave some very non-specific advice....send out some invitations, create a guest list, think up some activities to play during the party. It doesn't actually give you any ideas for any of these things, or some good places to get things like dog invitations, and then the final paragraph was "Don't forget to buy some dog apparel and collars for the occasion" with links to her website, which mostly sold dog apparel and collars.

I know that dog apparel is apparently hurting right now, as this was polled as the first thing dog enthusiasts would cut out of their budgets with high gas prices and a possible recession, but come on! This type of blogging is ridiculous. Now, I know full well that not everything I post is of interest to everyone, and sometimes I go on tangents, but you don't see me writing articles about dog clothing, and then finish the article about how well a peanut butter soft bite goes with that new collar you just bought.

OK, here's a note to all of you Ezine bloggers out there. Can you come up with something that has a point, that is semi informative, has even a tinge of research, talks about your local community, or has something of interest? That birthday party article took someone 2 minutes, had absolutely no research, and was mostly a plug to get a new link out there in the wild back to your website. That is why I am unsubscribing to this blog. My blog reader actually sighed from relief of all of that spam.

Don't get me wrong - I realize there are different reasons why people blog. Some do it as a journalistic outlet. Others educate. Others like to record their daily life for posterity. I try to keep our readers informed of the events that are happening out in our community, talk about pet issues that might effect them, talk about pet products they might be interested in or need to avoid, introduce other pet businesses to everyone else. I see this blog as a channel to update our friends out there on whats happening in the NWA Pet World.

I will, very shortly, write an article on how to throw a birthday party for your dog, and I will actually do some research so that it's useful. I may plug our barkday cakes, because there are still people out there that don't know we do them, but I will also tell you where to find edible dog invitations, the most popular dog apparel for a birthday party, plus other products that are out there you may be interested in that we might not even carry. It will be the authoritative, complete guide to dog birthday parties (tongue in cheek).

p.s. - if anyone has any pointers or complaints for me, I will at least listen. Send me some comments. What can I do better for you?