Hey Everyone!
Cary and I dropped by the Humane Society on Saturday to take the treats you donated and while we were there we fell in love with a little brindle hound puppy. Cary and I have both said previously that two is enough, but on occasion we've also seriously considered getting a third dog. The last time we found one that we were drawn to, Cary had just been laid off and we didn't feel like it was financially responsible to take on another dog. By the time he'd found a job, she'd found a home, so obviously, it just wasn't meant to be.
This time, we're in a good place. We have the room in our home and our hearts. Of course, there are still lots of things to consider before we bring another dog into our family. For example, Hannah and Sam will have the final say on whether this dog is a good match for our family. We'll have to take them out to the dog park to meet this little guy and see if they get along. Plus, we'll have to make sure this puppy would be good with cats as well.
But, the point of this blog is this: For those of you with three, what is your experience? Paul Knutson tells me that the adage "one dog is like one dog, two dogs is like two, but three is like six" is true. I've never had three dogs (my parents drew the line at two!) so I'm curious if that's everyone's experience. Plus, I'm concerned about someone being left out. What if Sam takes to the new puppy and doesn't want to play with Hannah anymore? Has anyone experienced that, or do they all get along well? And overall, I just want to know what you guys think. If you have a three dog family, are you glad or do you wish you'd stopped at two? I'd appreciate any feedback that will help us make an informed decision. Because, if anyone knows, it's you!
Monday, June 14, 2010
Friday, June 11, 2010
Tips for First Time Dog Parkers
Hey Everyone!
I saw this great article on Earthbath's blog the other day and I thought it was worthy of passing along. If you'd like to read the article from it's original source, you can view it here:
If it’s your first time heading to the dog park,
I saw this great article on Earthbath's blog the other day and I thought it was worthy of passing along. If you'd like to read the article from it's original source, you can view it here:
If it’s your first time heading to the dog park,
- Go to the park for the first time at an off-peak time! This will help allow your dog to get acquainted with the territory without any pressure or anxiety brought on by other dogs, high excitement and activity.
- Transition your dog slowly to the off-leash area, using the gated entrance.
- Stay with your dog, and be alert! Take notice of the other dogs in the park, how they are playing and interacting with other dogs, and how your dog is reacting to them.
- Your dog should be confident, be well socialized to other dogs and people, and reliably come when you call him.
- Supervise your dog at all times and don’t talk on your cell phone or get too involved with talking with other people; this is your time to bond with your dog in a fun, dog-friendly social environment.
- If there are designated areas for small dogs and big dogs, use them. These areas are for the safety and comfort of both large and small dogs; whether or not your dog is a gentle giant or fierce teacup poodle; the other dogs may not appreciate the size differential and become intimidated or aggrieved.
- Be prepared to leave if your dog seems overwhelmed or isn’t having a good time.
- Remember that there are as many human personalities at the park as there are canine personalities, so prepare to be patient and polite.
- As always, clean up after your dog.
- Though it’s a good idea to start socializing your dog to other dogs at an early age, puppies under the age of 4 months should stay home.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Throw Out Your Pets’ Food Bowls!
Hey Everyone!
Yesterday after I blogged about the Crazy Critters, Cary and I were talking about interactive pet toys. He mentioned he'd seen a segment online that addressed interactive toys and how we're actually making our dogs less inelligent because we do so much for them. Being Cary, he forwarded the link to me. And although it's a little long, the overall concept of the video is pretty interesting. Who'd have thought that we're actually creating not only health problem but also mental problems for our dogs because of how much we care for them? And even better, who'd have thought that you cannot only make your dog healthier, but also smarter, simply by tossing out their food bowl?
Yesterday after I blogged about the Crazy Critters, Cary and I were talking about interactive pet toys. He mentioned he'd seen a segment online that addressed interactive toys and how we're actually making our dogs less inelligent because we do so much for them. Being Cary, he forwarded the link to me. And although it's a little long, the overall concept of the video is pretty interesting. Who'd have thought that we're actually creating not only health problem but also mental problems for our dogs because of how much we care for them? And even better, who'd have thought that you cannot only make your dog healthier, but also smarter, simply by tossing out their food bowl?
You can check out the video by clicking on the link below!
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Crazy Critters and the Myth of the Indestructible Toy
Hey Everyone!
Yesterday I had a sweet customer who wanted a tough toy for her Golden Retiever call and ask if we carried the Crazy Critters. For those of you who have yet to see the commercial, you can watch it below:
When I first saw this commercial, I thought two things: First, we carry a very similar product called Unstuffies, and immediately I thought, I should get more in stock because people would be looking for Crazy Critters. Second, I cringed at the claims that these toys were so tough. To put it simply, plush is not a tough, durable material. And although they never actually use the word indestructible, they certainly give the impression that this toy is going to be around for years to come with phrases like "super strong", "reinforced" and "durable". They even say they'll stand up to "the toughest dog."
I spend a lot of time telling people there is no such thing as an indestructible toy. It's a myth. Even our lovely, wonderful, guaranteed Planet Dog toys are not indestructible. Guaranteed, yes. Indestructible, definitely not. I have a stack of items that have been returned for a new toy sitting here next to me as a reminder of that.
I have searched the world (via the internet) for the toughest toys I could find. Because, Hannah is that dog. The dog who will chew anything and everything. The dog who ate Cary's electric razor and all of our television remotes. The dog who ate my nativity scene at Christmas time and a t-bone in three chomps (the first and last time she was ever given steak bones, by the way) So, I know what it's like to have a dog that destroys her toys. I know how sad the stuffed animals look when they have only one eye and a nub where an ear used to go. And I understand how frustrating it is to get a toy that's supposed to be tough only to have it destoyed in under twenty minutes (I'm looking at you, Walmart fire hose toy!)
So, when companies make claims about their products that are too good to be true, it makes me angry. And so after speaking with the customer looking for the Crazy Critters, I went online in search of information on the product. What I found were multitudes of reviews. And while I found some happy people, I found a lot more with comments like this:
So my recommendation? Give up on the indestructible toy. You'll be far less likely to be disappointed that way. Then, pay attention to what your dog enjoys. Does your dog really like gnawing on things or does your dog simply get bored and destroy things? We found that if we offered Hannah alternatives to chewing, like interactive toys with treats inside, our household possessions had a much more favorable fate. If your dog really likes to chew, buy things that are meant for chewing. We keep deer antlers on hand for Hannah when she has the need to gnaw. If your dog really likes the soft, plushy toys, there are tougher lines, like Tuffies Sea Creatures, but they still aren't indestructible. My advice? If you want to go for the plush, make peace with the fact that it's going to end up destroyed. Let your dog enjoy a cheap, plush toy for fifteen (or five) blissful minutes and then clean up the pieces before they become a choking hazard!
Yesterday I had a sweet customer who wanted a tough toy for her Golden Retiever call and ask if we carried the Crazy Critters. For those of you who have yet to see the commercial, you can watch it below:
When I first saw this commercial, I thought two things: First, we carry a very similar product called Unstuffies, and immediately I thought, I should get more in stock because people would be looking for Crazy Critters. Second, I cringed at the claims that these toys were so tough. To put it simply, plush is not a tough, durable material. And although they never actually use the word indestructible, they certainly give the impression that this toy is going to be around for years to come with phrases like "super strong", "reinforced" and "durable". They even say they'll stand up to "the toughest dog."
I spend a lot of time telling people there is no such thing as an indestructible toy. It's a myth. Even our lovely, wonderful, guaranteed Planet Dog toys are not indestructible. Guaranteed, yes. Indestructible, definitely not. I have a stack of items that have been returned for a new toy sitting here next to me as a reminder of that.
I have searched the world (via the internet) for the toughest toys I could find. Because, Hannah is that dog. The dog who will chew anything and everything. The dog who ate Cary's electric razor and all of our television remotes. The dog who ate my nativity scene at Christmas time and a t-bone in three chomps (the first and last time she was ever given steak bones, by the way) So, I know what it's like to have a dog that destroys her toys. I know how sad the stuffed animals look when they have only one eye and a nub where an ear used to go. And I understand how frustrating it is to get a toy that's supposed to be tough only to have it destoyed in under twenty minutes (I'm looking at you, Walmart fire hose toy!)
So, when companies make claims about their products that are too good to be true, it makes me angry. And so after speaking with the customer looking for the Crazy Critters, I went online in search of information on the product. What I found were multitudes of reviews. And while I found some happy people, I found a lot more with comments like this:
I gave a crazy critter to my dog this morning. In fifteen minutes he had removed the squeakers. Normally it takes less than five minutes for him to remove a squeaker, but even if it did take three times as long, fifteen minutes isn't long for it to last. Crazy critters are not as durable as advertised.
These reviews have been extremely helpful and have successfully prevented me from wasting my money and time. It is time for consumers to take charge and blow the whistle on companies that gain market share based on false advertisement! Kudos to those of you who took the time to share your experience.
If you'd like to read reviews from their original source, you can find them at http://hubpages.com/hub/Crazy-Crittersmy chihuahua played with it 3 or 4 days before she got the squeaker out. I was really disappointed with the toy.
Well our dogs DID love them crazy critters but unfortunatley our big chocolate lab ripped it apart-THOUGHT THESE THINGS WERE INDESTRUCTABLE - WRONG- How can we get our money$ back?
So my recommendation? Give up on the indestructible toy. You'll be far less likely to be disappointed that way. Then, pay attention to what your dog enjoys. Does your dog really like gnawing on things or does your dog simply get bored and destroy things? We found that if we offered Hannah alternatives to chewing, like interactive toys with treats inside, our household possessions had a much more favorable fate. If your dog really likes to chew, buy things that are meant for chewing. We keep deer antlers on hand for Hannah when she has the need to gnaw. If your dog really likes the soft, plushy toys, there are tougher lines, like Tuffies Sea Creatures, but they still aren't indestructible. My advice? If you want to go for the plush, make peace with the fact that it's going to end up destroyed. Let your dog enjoy a cheap, plush toy for fifteen (or five) blissful minutes and then clean up the pieces before they become a choking hazard!
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Your Voice Can Make Stray Cats Sterile
Some of the fabulous, fun volunteers from Spay Arkansas
Hey Everyone!
Spay Arkansas, a local non-profit organization that is raising money for a low-cost spay/neuter clinic is having a fundraiser in two weeks that sounds like a blast! It's called Sing for Spay: A Night for k-9's kids and karaoke with the Schulertown Band.
Spaying and neutering is the only way we'll ever solve the problem of homeless and unwanted animals and control the feral cat population. But unfortunately, not everyone is able to afford spaying or neutering, so a low-cost clinic is a real, viable solution to ending animal homelessness.
If you'd like to help raise money for this worthy cause while having a great time, check out Sing for Spay! It's going to be out at Dog Party USA on Saturday, June 19th, from 5:30 until dark. For more information, visit our Pet Events Calendar!
Friday, June 4, 2010
Invasion of Flying Saucers!
Hey Everyone!
We are honored to be sponsoring the First Annual Arkansas Disc Dog Championship, coming Saturday, June 19th at 10am to Old Tiger Stadium in Bentonville. Matt Srum of NWA K9 Disc Club has worked very hard to organize this event and he already has 38 teams registered to compete in four events. If you are interested in participating in the event, you can pre-register online until June 17th! You can also register on the day of the event. Even if you don't have a dog that catches discs, this will be a great event to come out and watch!
Above: Matt & Draykun prepare for a demo at Dogwood Walk
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Low-Cost Vaccination/Micro-Chipping at Bigwag
Hey Everyone!
I am happy to announce that Northwest Arkansas Animal Rescue is going to hold another low-cost vaccination/micro-chipping clinic at Bigwag! The one we held last year was very successful and I look forward to this one being successful as well! The information is as follows:
When: Saturday, June 12th, 10am-2pm
Where: Bigwag Dog Bakery; 2301 W. Walnut Ste 23 Rogers, AR 72756 (behind Popeye's Chicken)
What: Low-Cost Vaccination & Micro-chipping clinic hosted by Northwest Arkansas Animal Rescue
Cost: Rabies $10; Parvo/Distemper $10; Bordetella $10; FVRCP $10; Feline Leukemia $12;
Microchipping $20 (Microchips are on the 24 hour Petwatch system)
There are no appointments taken. Everyone will be seen on a first come, first serve basis. You may want to bring lawn chairs and water for yourself and your dog or cat. For more information you may contact us at (479) 631-2WAG.
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