Birthday Press Release

Hey Everyone!

I just finished sending out the press release for our birthday party, but since you never can tell whether a press release will get picked up by a media outlet or not, I thought I'd go ahead and post it here.  That way I know that I didn't do all that work for nothing :D  We're so excited about our birthday party and the Year of Free Treats contest - We've already received some fantastic photos, but be sure to keep them coming.  You have until the 21st to submit those great pictures of your dogs eating our treats.  And you know you want a year of free treats!  (Or at least your dog does!)

For immediate release

Bigwag Dog Bakery Celebrates 4th Birthday

Rogers, AR… July 8, 2010

Saturday, July 24th from 9am-12pm, Bigwag Dog Bakery is celebrating their fourth birthday. But they don't expect to be the center of attention. Rather the focus of their party will be the pet community of Northwest Arkansas. Bigwag's birthday will include vendors and pet organizations such as Angel Pet Sitters, Friends of the Lowell Animal Shelter, Murphy Dog Park and many more. Also a focus of the party – the guests, both two-legged and four-legged. The first 100 guests will receive goody bags. Guests who don't receive a goody bag will still have much to enjoy, including low cost microchipping provided by Northwest Arkansas Animal Rescue, coffee from Mountain Bird Coffee Company of Eureka Springs, free food and free cake for both dogs and people. There will be giveaways all day with prizes ranging from gift baskets to bags of premium dog food and collar and leash sets. The day will conclude with the Biggest Wag contest and the announcement of the winner of a Year of Free Treats. To enter to win a Year of Free Treats, guests can submit a picture of their dog enjoying Bigwag treats to treats@bigwag.com through Wednesday, July 21st.

About Bigwag Dog Bakery

Bigwag is located at 2301 W. Walnut, Suite 23, Rogers, AR in Turtle Creek Plaza. It opened July 29, 2006.

Bigwag can also be found online:

Online Store http://www.bigwag.com

Facebook http://www.facebook.com/BigwagDogBakery

Twitter http://www.twitter.com/BigwagDogBakery

Blog http://www.blog.bigwag.com

Further Information:

What: Free food, goody bags for the first 100 guests, low cost microchipping provided by NWA Animal Rescue, vendor booths, contests, prizes and much more!

Where: Bigwag Dog Bakery

2301 W. Walnut Suite 23

Rogers, AR 72756

(Behind Popeye's Chicken)

When: Saturday, July 24, 2010 9am-12pm

Why: Bigwag is celebrating it's 4th year of being business

Who: Open to the public

Cost: Free

A Friday Night Dump & Run Recall

Hey Everyone!

From time to time recalls are necessary.  It's simply the nature of food items.  Sometimes, even under the best of circumstances, things happen.  Recalls are then issued for the safety of consumers.  Unfortunately, recalls are usually not seen in this light.  They have come to reflect on the capabilities and integrity of a company.  Perhaps it is this perception that led Merrick to issue their most recent recall is such a cowardly way.  Merrick issued a recall on their Beef Filet Squares late Friday, July 2nd.  That's not only what's become known as the Friday dump and run (a technique used to minimize the media attention given to a recall) but a dump and run on a holiday weekend!  I have to think that Merrick damaged their name more by issuing this recall in such a cowardly fashion than they would have if they had simply manned up and issued the recall in a straight forward, honest manner.  But they didn't.  And that leave us as consumers wondering what we can really expect from a company that displays such a lack of integrity...

Here is Merrick's official statement:

Merrick Pet Care Recalls Beef Filet Squares 10oz Bag (ITEM # 60016 LOT # 10084TL7 Best By March 24, 2012) Because of Possible Salmonella Health Risk

07.02.2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 2, 2010
Customer Inquiries:
Other Inquiries: JAMES WITCHER, COO (806) 322-2806

MERRICK PET CARE RECALLS BEEF FILET SQUARES 10oz BAG (ITEM # 60016 LOT # 10084TL7 BEST BY MARCH 24,2012) BECAUSE OF POSSIBLE SALMONELLA HEALTH RISK

Merrick Pet Care, Inc. of Amarillo, Texas is recalling 86 cases of its 10oz “Beef Filet Squares for Dogs”pet treats (ITEM # 60016 LOT # 10084TL7 BEST BY MARCH 24, 2012) because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella can affect animals and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products. People handling the treats can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the chews or any surfaces exposed to these products. Consumers should dispose of these products in a safe manner by securing them in a covered trash receptcial.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers immediately.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian immediately.

The Beef Filet Squares were shipped to distributors and retailers throughout the US. These individuals have been notified and have activated their recall procedures.
The treats are sold in 10oz plastic bags marked with “Lot # 10084TL7 Best By Mar 24, 2012” on the top of the bag and on a sticker applied to the bottom.

No illnesses have been reported to date. FDA collected a surveillance sample of “Merrick Beef Filet Squares for Dogs” (lot #10084TL7) which were purchased from a retail store. The sample tested positive for Salmonella.
Consumers who have purchased 10 ounce packages of “Beef Filet Squares for Dogs” are urged to return the unused portion to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-800-664-7387 M-F 8:00 – 5:00 CDT.

We found out about this recall thanks to the watchful eyes of the Pet Connection Blog.  If you don't already follow them, I recommend checking them out.

Keeping Your Dog Calm During Holiday Fireworks

Hello Everyone,

It's not the fourth of July yet but the fireworks have already begun bringing fear to many dogs. Last year, I was babysitting Sam and Hannah as Cary and Erin went out of town to visit family and I soon realized the fear that fireworks brought to some pets. Sam didn't mind the fireworks display, in fact he sat outside and enjoyed them with me on the patio. Hannah, on the other hand, was absolutely terrified! I could not get her to go outside to use the restroom and she would pace back and forth constantly.

According to Dog Star Daily, veterinary offices are filled with people looking for drugs while humane societies report a steep increase in the number of dogs wandering at this time of year.

To keep your furry friend from becoming a statistic this holiday weekend author Lisa Spector offers these tips:

1. Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise earlier in the day.

2. Keep your dogs inside during fireworks, preferably with human companionship.

3. Provide a safe place inside for your dogs to retreat. When scared of sounds they can’t orient, dogs often prefer small enclosed areas.

4. If possible, keep the windows and curtains closed.

5. Make sure all your dogs are wearing ID tags with a properly fitting collar. Microchips are ideal in case they get lost.

6. Leave your dog something fun to do – like a interactive toy filled with his favorite treats.

7. Train with counter classical conditioning. Patricia McConnell, Ph.D., CAAB, has a very clear definition and tips here.

8. Sound Therapy: play music to calm your canine companion.

These tips are useful with sound phobias such as thunderstorms as well. Hopefully these tips will make the holiday enjoyable for you and your pet!

It's Our Party...

Hey Everyone!

It's our birthday, Saturday, July 24th from 9am-12pm!  This year we're turning four and the party promises to be spectacular, topping even last year's event, which was amazing.  We have prizes lined up from lots of great vendors including Taste of the Wild and Lupine.  Plus we have goodies from your local favorites too!  You'll want to start warming those tails up for the Biggest Wag Contest, and in the coming days look for the announcement on how you can win a Year of Free Treats!  (Let me just say, you should start sorting through your photos now...)  But for now, the invitation:

Lovin' Linkables

Hey Everyone!

Ever since I saw the video on throwing out your food bowls, I have really reconsidered how I feed my dogs and what it's doing for them or not doing for them. We've always had plenty of interactive toys that we stuffed with treats for play times, but we only rarely used them as food dispensers. Well, I have now taken to feeding Hannah and Sam using those same interactive toys as a way of stimulating their minds and bodies. (It should be beneficial for Hannah's weight to have to work a little harder for her food) They really seem to enjoy even the simplest games, like scavenging food from the back yard after I've tossed it all over. (I'm guessing the birds enjoy the spoils of this game as well)

Our new Linkables (top shelf)

Anyway, last week we got a new toy, called Linkables, in the store and I couldn't wait to get them home. They come in three styles, an elbow, a twist and an orb. Each one has "threads" similar to a screw, so that you can connect them together easily. They're similar in concept to the Canine Genius, but easier to connect together and the openings are smaller, making them better for kibble than treats. The toys are made of a dense rubber (which I do have to say doesn't smell fantastic when new, but the dogs didn't seem to mind) I actually took all three pieces home because I wanted to challenge them as much as possible, since they're kind of old hat at interactive toys. Did they love them? Well, check it out for yourself!

Good Night, Sleep Tight!

Our new Molly Mutt duvets

Hey Everyone!

Last week we got in several new Molly Mutt duvet patterns.  I love the beautiful colors and patterns of Molly Mutt and I also love that the duvets allow you to re-use old dog beds, towel, clothes and so much more!  In addition, they are easy to take apart and wash (although I haven't gotten a chance to test that out yet.)  Today I cleaned the carpets in our house and I decided it was a great chance to re-do Hannah and Sam's beds, so they each got a new Molly Mutt duvet.  Sam's has a bird on it, of course, since Sam loves birds so much.  We simply put it over his old bed that we got at Walmart several years ago that had shredded after it's first washing.  Hannah got the Mr. Postman pattern, which is purple with a squirrel and was absolutely too cute to pass up. We filled Hannah's with Cary's old clothes, which served a couple purposes.  One, it cleaned out our closet, which was long overdue!  The second is that our clothes carry our scent, and since Hannah has separation anxiety and is nervous, especially at this time of year with the fireworks, our scents help to calm her in our absence.

 Sam's bed (left) and Hannah's bed (right)

Checking out their new beds!

Not Meant to be a Three Dog Bakery

Hey Everyone!

A little over a week ago I ask those of you with three dogs if you would recommend it. The overwhelming response was yes! So, last Thursday, Cary, Hannah, Sam and I went to the Humane Society. We let Hannah and Sam play at Murphy Dog Park with the hound puppy for a little while to try and get a feel for how they would do together. But, it was hot and the end of the day and there were lots if dogs at the park, so it was hard to get a good read. Clay was kind enough to allow us to bring the puppy, Huckleberry, home for the evening to get a better feel for the situation.

Huckleberry snoozes at the store.

Well, I am sorry to report that it didn't work out so well.  I was really most concerned about Hannah's reaction, because she tends to be a little anti-social. Turns out she was fine, but Sam was not! Sam was just grumpy and growly and generally not his happy-go-lucky self. (Cassie threw her vote in with Sam, by the way)

Sam while we had Huckleberry

I think maybe given time, Sam could have accepted Huck, but I don't think he would have ever loved him. So, unfortunately, we had to return Huck to the Humane Society, which was indescribably difficult, considering he only visited us for one day. Clay said they had already had a call about him, though, and he is a smart, sweet and gentle puppy, so I know he'll find a good home. Just not with us. Maybe in the future, we'll try again. I've learned a couple things from this experience, like Sam gets along with females better than males, and any dog that's going to be a part of our family needs to be fast to keep up with Hannah and Sam. And overall, I'll try to remember not to get too attached before Hannah and Sam get their say.

Sam's smile returned after we'd dropped Huck off.