Tuesday, November 29, 2005

Season's Greenies!

From a press release:

Greenies®, the first in the green dental dog bone category, is the No. 1 dog treat in the United States for the second straight year. S&M NuTec, LLC, the creator of Greenies, listed 2004 domestic retail sales of the product at $315 million dollars. S&M NuTec is a small independent business headquartered in North Kansas City, employing fewer than 100 people.

“We invented Greenies to eliminate the bad breath of our own dog, Ivan,” co-Founders Joe and Judy Roethelli said. “Bad breath in dogs is a symptom of dental disease, a condition that affects more than 80 percent of dogs over the age of three. Ivan’s breath was so bad that we began experimenting to invent something that would solve the problem.”

Using his background in agricultural science, Joe developed a product that scrapes tartar and plaque off the dogs’ teeth while they are chewing. In less than a month of using Joe’s prototypes, the Roethelli’s noticed a remarkable improvement in Ivan’s breath. Now that they had a product, the Roethelli’s needed a name. The use of chlorophyll gave the product its characteristic green color and that made the naming process easy – Greenies were born.

Get Greenies!

Find Your Pet with Global Pet Finder



From a press release:

GPS Tracks Unveils New Pet Accessories for GlobalPetFinder
Water Resistant Softguards Provide Comfort and Security for Pets

Jericho, NY November 29, 2005 GPS Tracks, today unveiled two new fashionable softguards for GlobalPetFinder(TM), the first patented Global Positioning System (GPS) location device for pets. The new softguards provide a convenient way for pet owners to secure the GlobalPetFinder device to your pets' collar. Available in jet black and sour apple green, the soft neoprene pouch is water resistant and provides an even more comfortable fit around your pets neck.

Utilizing GPS technology and two-way wireless, FCC approved GlobalPetFinder automatically locates and reports the exact location of a lost pet directly to an owner's wireless device of choice (cell phone, PDA, Blackberry, or computer). Pet owners can also monitor the environmental temperature of their pet, being alerted if temperature conditions become dangerously hot or cold for the pet. GlobalPetFinder is a five-ounce device that snaps securely and comfortably onto a pet's collar (recommended for pets 30 lbs. and over).

Available exclusively through Neiman Marcus Direct and www.globalpetfinder.com, GlobalPetFinder provides pet owners with the piece of mind of always knowing the location of their pet. The price for the system is $349.99. Upon receipt of GlobalPetFinder, customers will be required to subscribe to the "Peace of Mind" plan for $17.99 a month and a one-time only activation fee of $34.99. Additional locate plans and details are available.

Monday, November 28, 2005

Petstar Presents: Doggie Photo Tips


courtesy of Petstar


1.Bring the camera in close - The closer you can get, the more the pet's personality will shine through in the photograph. Emphasize the animal, not the background.

2.Keep the camera at the animal's eye level - Pictures taken at high or low angles don't flatter pets and can make them look distorted. Get down on their level for the best shots.

3.Don't photograph a dark pet against a light background - Dark pets can be especially difficult to photograph. Using a darker background with good lighting will help bring out their features.

4.Choose outfits and props that suit the pet - Make sure your pet is comfortable wearing clothes or hats or before you spend a fortune! Try different styles to see what flatters them most. People in pet pictures should choose their own outfits to complement the color of the pet's fur, feathers or skin. Stay away from stripes and busy patterns; you want the pet faces to stand out, not the clothes.

5.Don't overwork the animal - Consider the age and health of your pet before you start. Animals have attention spans too. Your pet will let you know when they have had enough for one day. Pay attention to what your pet is telling you and know when to quit.

6.Don't overheat the animal - If you are indoors, lower the air temperature before you start. Animals can get hot very quickly. Don't use costumes that will overheat them and don't leave them in a costume for a long time.

7.Use tricks to get attention - Pets often need tricks and toys to grab their attention, encourage a certain behavior or to get them to look in a particular direction. Use these sparingly, though. Pets get used to toys quickly, so have several on hand.

8.Get a helper - At Pet Star, we use an animal handler and a photographer. Ask a friend or family member to help position your pet and keep their attention while you snap pictures.

9.Don't sedate the animal - You want your animals to show expression so we don't advocate the use of drugs or anything else to sedate nervous pets. Praise, positive attention and a few treats will go a long way!

10.Have patience and remain calm - Faster doesn't mean better. Be ready to work at your pet's pace and remember pets can sense anxiety! If you get aggravated, the pet knows and will respond accordingly. If you're calm and relaxed, your pet will be too.