Rolling Into Fall - Event Season

Well, as the air turns crisper it seems fall is upon us. Still feels a little early to be having such cool weather, but it reminds me that it is once again Pet Event Season.

Pet events are a lot of fun. They allow local businesses to "Keep Arkansas Funky", so that our neighbors can shop locally and stimulate our own economy. They also are a great tool to socialize your dog, getting them over fear anxiety, playing and sniffing other dogs, seeing other people, and it gives them someplace to go in the car other than the vet, which can develop car ride anxiety. These events can also be a good source of knowledge, since often experts in their fields will be on hand to answer questions on nutrition, behavior, grooming, boarding, and medications.

Here's a recap of some of the big events that are lined up:

Responsible Dog Owner Day

When: Sat, September 12, 11:30am – 1:30pm

Where: Murphy Dog Park (map)

Description: The annual RDOD sponsored by the NWA Kennel Club. Events include Lure Coursing, NWA K-9 Disc Club demonstration, Biggest Wag Contest, vendor booths and more! Burgers will be available from Backyard Burger for only $3 with proceeds benefiting Murphy Dog Park and The Humane Society. I'm glad the NWAKC is continuing this event with James at the helm. This was our first ever dog event we ever attended in 2006, despite the wind and grit in our teeth, it holds a special place in our hearts. I'll never forget all of the weird looks we got that day. I still think not that many people know what a dog bakery does, but we broke onto the seen in our first RDOD. Last years event was cancelled due to inclement weather, but these have been huge events in the past, and are lookign forward to another great one this year.

National Pet Memorial Day

When: Sun, September 13, 4pm – 6pm

Where: Bark Park, Bentonville, AR (map)

Description: Sponsored by Save Our Strays
This is the first year for this event, and it may be the first event at the Bentonville Bark Park since it's completion. Recognizing the importance of remembering our cherished pets, the International Association of Pet Cemeteries (IAPC) has designated the second Sunday in September as National Pet Memorial Day.

Weiner Dog Races

When: Sat, October 3, 9am – 12pm

Where: Glasgow Road Softball Field, Bella Vista, AR (map)

Description: The 3rd annual Weiner Dog races benefit the Bella Vista Animal Shelter. More details will be available at a later date. We attended this event for the first time last year, and it was a blast. I didn't even know that many weiner dogs lived in NWA. So moch fun to see them all running, lose interest and then run off the field, ears flopping. Another great event in Benton County. Should be a great photo op. This is the third year for this event at the softball field in Bella Vista.

Pugfest 2009

When: Sat, October 3, 11am – 2pm

Where: JB Hunt Softball Park, Springdale, AR (map)

Description: We will have games, a fashion show, and other happenings at the event. Ryan Greig with 98.3 KKEG will keep things moving during the day as Pugs, small canine friends and human friends enjoy the day and compare Pug Experiences. If a dog clothes designer would like to participate in the fashion show - please contact me as soon as possible. We already have one designer set up to show their clothes on the RUNWAY (ok sidewalk). Get your costumes ready now and participate in the costume contest and of course - as we do each year - we will crown Mr & Miss Northwest Arkansas Pug - Includes a crown and trophy! If interested in becoming a vendor, contact Reta Parton at rpsodapop@aol.com or call 479.... We had over 120 pugs in attendance last year. This year we expect more! Come enjoy the day and meet our pugs up for adoption. A Pug is a comedian with a fur coat and generously gives love to everyone - come join our celebration.We've got a great pug rescue in NWA, and these little guys are so cute! Come out and support this great group.

Howl-O-Ween Carnival

When: Sat, October 31, 1pm – 4pm

Where: Murphy Dog Park (map)

Description: Costume Contest with 4 categories: cutest, scariest, most creative and owner/dog costumes. Carnival Games Bigwag Biggest Wag Contest Trick or Treat Vendor prize for best decorated Howl-O-Ween Booth prize will be a free 4x3 sign at Murphy Dog Park Silent Auction Food Goodie Bags T-Shirts. Ever since we started attending dog events in NWA, we've heard of the mythical "Howl-o-ween" event, but it has been on hiatus since 2005. This is purportedly going to be huge - silimiar to the Dogwood Walk in Fayetteville, and a ton of fun. We are looking forward to seeing the reemergence of this spooktacular event in NWA.

We should be offering (almost) live coverage via Facebook and Twitter. Be sure you don't miss out!

After Three Years....

Wow, three years in business. My how the time flies. As we approach our third year in business, I traditionally write a nostalgic year wrap of whats happened over the last 12 months of Bigwag history, what we've learned, what we've forgotten, how we've grown, and what this year has meant to me.

Being a business owner is definitely a life changing experience. It's definitely been by far one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever taken on. Being a part of the community, seeing all of the testimonials roll in for our Year of Free Treats Contest as today is the deadline to enter from our friends and customers makes me feel good about the work we do at Bigwag. I've always felt like we were more of a health food store for dogs than anything else - even though I think our clothing line is really cute. Uploading all of the photos from our Barkday Cake collection, thinking about how many dogs we have made happy over the last three years.

Lets see, what did I learn this year? I learned that when you do the best you can, run your business with integrity, building a community (Not just being in business, but being a part of the community you do business in) you build lasting relationships with your customers - relationships that can weather a recession.

I learned how to actually get some fans on our Facebook page.

I've learned that you don't spend 7% of your gross sales on marketing and advertising, you spend 7% of what you want your sales to be. That is easier said than done.

I learned that you need a CAPTCH code on your online submission forms or else you get SPAM bots submitting erroneous Pet Calendar entries.

I've learned that Twitter CAN be a viable marketing channel for your business as long as you post interesting content and actually listen and interact with the people online.

People are surprisingly generous even when things are tight. Our Pet Angel tree at Christmas and our Puppy Shower yappie hour this spring were tremendous successes for the Humane Society of Rogers.

Persistence pays off. People may walk by our store 100 times before they come in. Sometimes you just need a flashy LED sign in your window with the right message.

I've learned that I love IPOD. I've resisted for years, but finally broke down - now I rarely leave home without mine. (My wife thinks I'm a goober). This has nothing to do with the business, but it shows that when you really find a quality product you fall in love with, you become a fan. I'm a fan. Our customers are our fans. Thank you.

Baking salmon treats actually smells worse than baking our liver treats. Might be why dogs go crazy over them. They like liver treats too - but holy cow.

I've learned that if you have never designed a logo for a real business you should leave that to the pros. We learned that the hard way. It's been a year since I redesigned our logo, and it has definately made a big difference. I wish I knew then what I know now, as I am still working on getting the logo switched over in various places (Leslie - how can I bribe you to update your website!?!).

They really do make an all natural cleaner that will take stains out of your carpet that are over a year old. It's not a myth. I was amazed and shocked.

OK - that's probably more than anyone will read, so I'll stop here. If you've read this far - thank you. Thank you from the entire Bigwag family. Without you there would not be a dog bakery in Northwest Arkansas!

Microchipping/Vaccination Clinic at Bigwag

We had a huge turnout for the Microchipping Clinic held at Bigwag on Saturday that was held by Northwest Arkansas Animal Rescue. I volunteer with that group, and it was great to see everyone bringing their dog despite threatening rain that managed to hold off in Rogers at least (see my post about the Skyhoundz K9 Disc Championship).

Mary Lou helping participants fill out their paperwork

This sweet baby is up for adoption at Sugar Creek Animal Rescue. She can't wait for the Bigwag treat I'm about to give her.

Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament

Northwest Arkansas Animal Rescue held their first annual Texas Hold’em poker tournament November 8^th, 2008 to help raise funds for a mobile spay-neuter clinic, cover NWAAR operating costs and to protect animals. Over sixty five people came to watch and participate in Northwest Arkansas Animal Rescue’s first annual Texas Hold’em poker tournament fund raiser. Play was intense with players wanting to win the grand prize a 50” flat screen television. Players started entering the event at the Rogers-Bentonville Elk’s Lodge BPOE #2144 at one in the afternoon. Play began at two with sixty five players with Chris Peplinski of the Northwest Arkansas Poker Club overseeing play. Intense play continued until almost nine that evening. Drawings were made throughout the event for prizes ranging from gift certificates to a paint ball gun. People played at side tables entertaining themselves while waiting for the final winner to be announced.

Final play came down to the last table consisting of nine players. Onlookers watched as play slowly came down to the final grand prize winner Richard Coleman. Mr. Coleman had just lost his television and was very happy to win the 50” flat screen television.

Northwest Arkansas Animal Rescue held their first annual Texas Hold’em poker tournament November 8^th, 2008 to help raise funds for a mobile spay-neuter clinic, cover NWAAR operating costs and to protect animals. Northwest Arkansas Animal Rescue would like to extend a special thank you to Chris and Chrissy Peplinski for assisting NWAAR with organizing and holding the event. NWAAR would also like to thank all the sponsors, players and volunteers for their contributions. Just over two thousand seven hundred dollars was made during this event.

Who: Northwest Arkansas Animal Rescue
What: First Annual Poker Tournament Fund Raiser
Where: Rogers-Bentonville Elk’s Lodge BPOE #2144 located at 501 South 40th Street, Rogers
When: November 8th, 2008
Why: To help NWAAR raise funds for a mobile spay-neuter clinic, cover NWAAR operating costs and to protect animals
E-mail: spaynwa@yahoo.com
Phone: 479-439-7978
Website: www.nwa-animalrescue.blogspot.com
Founder: Mandy Keenen
Media contact: Pam Lamb

Bark Parks gets one step closer

Bentonville Bark Park Update
For anyone who lives in the Bentonville area, and thinks it has taken an excruciating amount of time to get your Bark Park up and going, relax and take a deep breath. We've heard under pretty good authority that the Bentonville Bark Park is going to go up in stages, so that the whole amount they were seeking will not need to be raised before there is some place you can take your dogs. The folks responsible are finalizing plans for the fencing, and are getting ready to take take bids, and might soon be ready to have phase one completed. Yea!!! There was also a rumor that the City of Bentonville might be willing to build up the land for the Bark Park, to get it a little higher and out of the mud. I know this was one of my concerns when I first heard where the park was going in at.

Fayetteville Bark Park - Pup Parade
Walt Eilers, Fayetteville Mayoral Candidate, will be on the Fayetteville Square Saturday, July 5th, at 9:45 AM for a short pup parade, and then to discuss the current state of the proposed dog parks in Fayetteville.

Fayetteville Dog Park - Fayetteville Animal Shelter
Is Fayetteville ready for more dog parks? Saturday was my first time to see the dog park at the Fayetteville Animal Shelter, during the Grand Re-Opening celebration, and this is a very beautiful park. I get the feeling that it is entirely under utilized. Community awareness of this great park could be increased by planning some dog park activities, and promoting them. I know that the Rogers Dog Park has a great following, partly because it plays host to events like the easter egg hunt, RDOD, Mardi Paws, and Halloween Carnivals. Fun, vendor supported events, with free stuff to give away, that afford both the people and the dogs to socialize with their own kind. If Fayetteville is hosting events like these at their current park, they need to get the word out better.