By Marni Jameson[1]

“I thought you were planning our vacation" my husband, Dan, says, looking over my shoulder as I Internet surf.

 I am, I say.

"By shopping for a dog gate?"

To enjoy my vacation, I need to know Theo and Oliver have a nice, safe place to stay inside the house, I say.

"To enjoy my vacation, I need to know we have a nice, safe place to stay outside our house, like a hotel room."

This one is good, I tell him, but isn't wide enough to reach across the hallway. This one is sturdy, but you'd have to drill it into the wall. This one is too tall to step over. This one looks like a chicken coop. Who knew this would take more research than a master's thesis? Oh, hey! This one comes with a toy box attached.

"For goodness sakes, they're dogs," Dan says.

They're family, I correct.

"They have custom feather beds, which cost lord knows how much, and a pet sitter coming three times a day. Now they need a special gate?"

So they have their own apartment, I explain.

"Next you'll be sending in filet mignon every night."

Look at them, I tell him. They know I'm leaving. We turn to see Theo and Oliver, our two bichon frises, watching with worried expressions.

"They have each other," Dan says.

They won't have me, I sniff.

"You're way overestimating yourself."

Are you saying they won't miss me?

"I'm saying they have a pet sitter."

You'd replace me with a pet sitter?

"What I meant was …"

Don't answer that, I warn, and go back to gate shopping. I finally find one that meets my criteria: Removable but stable, attractive yet functional, with cherry wood sliding panels that won't mar the wall. I order it.

"How much was that?" Dan asks.

Whatever I say will be the wrong answer, so I dodge. Don't worry. I'll take it out of the hotel budget. How do you think they'd like their steaks?

Petcentric central

I don't apologize for fawning over my dogs like a tween girl over Justin Bieber. I have lots of company. According to Dallas-based interior designer, author and dog lover Betty Lou Phillips, Americans are becoming increasingly obsessed with their pets, and our homes reflect that. However, we remain well behind the French, who even have a word for their lavish spoiling of dogs — toutoumania.

In Paris, Phillips tells me, a salon offers color restoration for dogs whose fur has faded, and a patisserie for dogs only offers fois gras and carob truffles.

"In both cultures, small dogs are a fashion and household accessory. We spare no expense," says Phillips, whose next book, "French Impressions" (Gibbs Smith Publishers, due Oct. 1), includes a section on toutoumania.

The study says dog ownership can decrease the chances of children being obese by as much as 50 per cent.

They are called man's best friend, but they could also be the best weapon in the fight against childhood obesity. A new study indicates dog ownership may also be the antidote to junk food, computer games and television which many say causes childhood obesity. 

Jo Salmon from Deakin University in Victoria was the lead researcher on the project which looked at obesity levels among kids with and without dogs.

"We found that young children who are aged around five to six years of age are 50 per cent less likely to be overweight or obese if they own a dog, compared to those who don't own a dog," Dr Salmon said.

The study also found there were health benefits for older children with dogs.

For 10 to 12-year-olds, 30 per cent who did not have a dog suffered weight problems compared to 27 per cent of their peers who have a pet.

Dr Salmon says the health benefits come even if the children do not walk the dog regularly.

"We looked at whether or not the frequency of dog walking might explain this association of perhaps all children who own a dog or walking more frequently with their dog," he said.

"But this didn't explain it, so the way we interpret our data is we think maybe they are outside playing with the dog and just spending more energy generally and playing with the dog and in fact it's not through dog walking, but just through playing." Dr Salmon says the results span the socio-economic divide.

"When we adjusted … the family's economic status and the neighbourhood's level of economic status, we found that this association between dog ownership and children's weight status persisted," he said. And dog owners agree children and canines are a good mix.

John is the owner of Sam, a black Labrador and he also has children.

"Walking a dog is one thing, that's very sort of perambulatory," he said. "But if you're a kid and a dog, you chase balls, you play soccer with them, you rumble with them, wrestle them on the carpet even if you're watching TV," he said. "So it's activity and it's also a mind thing as well."

If the fur is flying around the office today and you hear a little more whimpering coming from your boss’s office, don’t jump to any doggone conclusions that things are worse than you thought.

Those sounds just may be coming from his or her four-legged friend.

Friday June, 25^th was Take Your Dog to Work Day. The Humane Society of the United States and Petplan are using the day to ask businesses to consider programs that allow employees to bring their dogs to work.

According to a survey by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, nearly one in five companies in the U.S. allow pets in the workplace.

Studies have shown that employees who bring their dogs to work tend to be more efficient, happier and healthier in the workplace, the organizations claim.

“We share everything with our four-legged family members – our joys, our sorrows, sometimes even our lunch. It seems only natural that we also share our work lives with our pets,” says Natasha Ashton, co-founder of Petplan.

If you can’t quite convince the boss of the benefits of bringing Fido to work, you might want to get him or her a copy of “Dogs at Work: A Practical Guide to Creating Dog-Friendly Workplaces,” published by the HSUS.

“In the midst of tough times, employers can improve morale and support the human-animal bond by relying on ‘Dogs at Work’ to develop and implement a workable – and free – program that works for everyone,” says Jennifer Fearing, the organization’s chief economist.

And in case you were wondering, the HSUS says 50 dogs come to work at its three offices in Washington, D.C. They are kept behind baby gates in each employee’s cubicle.[1]

Mia Wedgbury

Tobi Skovron, CEO of Pup-Pee Solutions, has a brief chat about the two new additions to the company’s ever-growing pet waste management product lines.

How long has it taken to get these two new lines to reach the shelves (from brainstorm to creation)?

Pee-Pods have been in the works for over twelve months. We were trying to bring the right product to that market and had so many varying options. We trialed each of these options and the only one that really made sense is what you can see today:

Click here to see what Pee-Pods are all about!

Where did the idea of Pee-Pods and Wee Sponge come from?

There were a couple of factors that bought us to launching Pee-Pods but it all boils down to Pup-Pee’s desire to be revolutionary in the industry. Engrained in Pup-Pee’s DNA is the ability to deliver innovative, first class products of need.

Pee-Pods fit neatly inside our value and proposition system - to make life easier for pet owners and give them more time to enjoy the benefits of animal companionship.

When we first introduced The Pet Loo to the global pet industry we revolutionised the way in which pets toilet. The introduction of Pee-Pods is enhancing that experience and changing the game again.
What’s more, Pee-Pods retain the benefit of being safe for people, pets and the planet – something we feel passionate about.

How does Skip to My Loo differ from other training aids on the market?

Skip to My Loo is a synthetic urine that works by mimicking animal urine, as opposed to attractants currently on the market, which can contain harmful ammonia or extracts of smelly animal faeces. When applied to a surface (not only The Pet Loo), Skip to My Loo will result in the dog/cat marking over it with their own scent.

Skip’s formula is first class and unmatched!

“Skip To My Loo… My Darling” was a nursery rhyme I used to sing as a kid. The synergy between that rhyme and our Pet Loo is incredible. So when it came to creating a formulation, the synergy needed to be as strong.

In what way will these new lines will push your company further into the title of ‘Number 1 Pet Waste Management Group’?

When we first launched, we were The Pet Loo Company – a one hit wonder. What we have done with that success as a company is identified unique and specalised areas to roll out into.

We are not interested in being a “me too” we want to set the benchmark on everything we do and maintain our innovative flair. In simple we are heading towards being recognised as the number one pet waste management company in the world. The Pup-Pee team is passionate, strategic and innovative with what we do - That passion cannot be replicated!

The inventors and owners of The Pet Loo have certainly marked their territory in the Pet Industry as leaders in Pet Waste Management.   Who would have guessed that a business created in a small apartment in Melbourne Australia would be a hit with the Global Pet Industry and their human friends in Hollywood?

It all began very early this decade when Tobi Skovron and wife Simone found themselves in a wee-bit of a situation when they were forced into apartment-style living with their dog, Subii, in Melbourne.  
  
With no backyard and a dog with toilet training issues, a solution was needed to bring the garden indoors.  And so their hero product, The Pet Loo, was born – an environmentally friendly waste system for Pets that’s ideal for…you guessed it, apartment living.

From a business concept scribbled on the back of a napkin to a product that is now successfully sold in 74 countries it seems that one doggy-door has opened after another.

In 2006 (after 3 yrs or R&D), the couple showcased their invention on ABC’s reality television show ‘The New Inventors’ to see if they had a winner on their hands. The live audience concluded that they did, and they won.   Four years down the track with an Australian Pet Product of the Year award, almost 30 employees, 35 distributors and up to 250 sales staff worldwide, the owners of Pup-pee Solutions moved to LA to try their luck in the American market.

Within a year of moving to the US, their products are already flying out the door at an incredible speed.  Some of the largest retail outlets, online dealers and catalogues, such as Petco and Drs. Foster & Smith, simply can’t keep them in stock long enough. Although their goal is set at being the number one Pet waste management company in the world, they are definitely not barking up the wrong tree.

For more information:  www.thepetloo.com

By Talia Krape,

Los Angeles CA

Ellen Warren

Tribune senior correspondent

April 29, 2010 

"Pets have become the first child," says pet industry analyst R.J. Hottovy, explaining why even in tough economic times, spending on our animals continues to climb.

Instead of investing in a human baby (and his college education), we're getting started with dogs, cats, birds, fish.

Look around. That photo in your neighbor's cubicle. It's her Chihuahua — wearing sunglasses. You know who I'm talking about.

"It's the trend of humanizing pets," says Morningstar's Hottovy. It's one reason we're spending more on our animals — even in a recession.

 "People are cutting back in other areas to make sure they can still take care of Fluffy and Spike," explains Bob Vetere, president of the American Pet Products Association. And he's not just talking about the basics, like food and rabies shots.

Last year was awful for virtually every retail segment of the economy. But APPA figures show pet spending in 2009 grew 5.4 percent — to $45.5 billion — even as the rest of the retail world was cratering. Sure the lousy economy might have slowed the growth of pet spending. But the arrow is still pointing up.

In fact, the recession might be a blessing for people who make their living from pets. The worse we feel, the more we cherish (and spend on) our animals.

"People are really looking to their pets for comfort," says Vetere. "It's the one place you can turn to for unconditional love."

No matter how lousy your day, they're happy when you walk in the door. "They'll lick your face!" says Vetere. And, in return for a little tail wagging and doggy slobber, "we reward them not in animal terms but human terms."

In other words, we buy them stuff, like the items arrayed here.

These range from the luxurious to the hilarious. There are real wood nonskid steps to help your dog jump on the couch or the bed ($220, petsstop.com) and home-baked PupCakes for treat time ($9.95, luckypawsonline.com).

Tony Deitch, who makes pet beds that resemble Crocs shoes, says, "It's a very inexpensive way to make a feel-good purchase when there's so much going wrong in the world."

OK, maybe a new place for your pet to nap won't bring world peace, but Deitch says he has solved the problems of most dog beds that get "ratty, hairy and smelly."

Michele Levan, creator of the $12 rubber ball that makes your dog look as if he's wearing a cartoon mustache, says her sales are soaring.

"I think people could use a good laugh right now. My stuff is a really inexpensive, funny thing to give you some relief from your economic blues."

Vetere says empty nesters, too, are contributing to the pet-spending trend. Their kids are grown and gone, and "they're looking for something new to hover over, so they're turning to pets in a big way."

For his part, Vetere has resisted major spending on pet toys and gimmicks for his golden retriever, Dakota, who "just loves to fetch." For that, Dakota settles for old tennis balls

by Brigitt Hauck
April 22, 2010

Pets can help you green the earth too. Make your own pet toys and select eco-friendly products to clean up after them, for instance. Follow these tips to help pets live a healthier, happier life and help the environment at the same time.

1. Clean it up

Animal waste is bad for the environment and may contain bacteria that can contaminate water supply, said Kelsie Dolezal, a certified veterinary technician at The Chicago Center for Veterinary Medicine. Always clean up your pup’s waste. Flushing a dog’s waste down the toilet is the best option, but biodegradable or compostable bags can be used when flushing isn’t an option. Cat waste can be difficult to dispose of if cats have toxoplasmosis, an infection caused by a parasite, which can pose a health threat to humans, she said. Put those pesky, old newspaper sleeves to use as gloves when cleaning up after your kitty and seal their litter in bags too.

2. Recycle and reuse

If your pet has a lot of toys, think twice before buying a new one. “Put half of them away and then switch them out and all of the sudden your pet has a new toy again,” Dolezal said. Many household items can be easily transformed into fun toys that mirror those sold in stores. For pups, make a tug of war toy by stretching an old sock over a tennis ball and tie two knots, one on each end. For kittens, turn an old box upside down, cut holes in the top and put food inside. Another creative trick she recommends is to put food in an empty plastic bottle. Your pet will knock the bottle around to get the treat.

Pet bedding can also be re-stuffed with old pillows and blankets laying around the house. Even making the choice to donate old leashes, collars, bedding and towels to a shelter instead of throwing them out is a step towards being greener.

3. Chow time

“It’s the same way as it is with us—you are what you eat,” Dolezal said. Feed your pets natural, organic foods that are minimally processed and exclude harsh ingredients like pesticides, antibiotics and artificial ingredients and preservatives. Begin paying attention to the labels on pet food, said Brenda Lang, owner of Green Dog Inc, an eco-friendly canine care service. “More than just being preventative against the negative effects of non-environmentally-friendly products, the benefits of a diet with high-quality, organic ingredients are seen in the long run, with fewer trips to the veterinarian and a better quality of life,” she said.

“Many local and organic foods are readily available, and it’s not difficult to make your own food,” she said. But, always check with your veterinarian before changing your pet’s diet.

4. Be conscious of cleaning products

Home care products can be toxic to pets. If a pet ingests most commercial cleaners, lawn care chemicals or pest control pesticides, it could be fatal, Lang said. For indoor and outdoor maintenance, consider using non-toxic products which are also pet-friendly. In the winter, there are eco-friendly de-icers are gentler on pups paws, she said. Even environmentally conscious shampoos and flea control products are available for pets. Many pet-safe and non-toxic products sold in stores can easily be made for less than the cost of commercial cleaners, so being green won’t break the bank. 

Pup-Pee Team: 13

Puppy: 19

Bottles of Liquid Ate: 3/4

A whole week into toilet training and I can honestly say we’ve dealt with everything that can possibly come out of a puppy! And if there is one upside to all the accidents, it’s that Zeke couldn’t have chosen a better workplace to have them – everything we need to clean up after him is under the one roof. Liquid Ate has come in handy on many occasions this week already. It really is the best stain and odour eliminator on the market, as the office looks and smells as clean as the day Zeke pitter-patted in.

What an excellent day it has been - the distinctive slap of hand-to-hand contact echoed across Collingwood today, as high fives reigned supreme in Pup-Pee Head Office! 

He did it, he did it all on his own!

After a particularly crazy play session, the office parents gathered around to watch Zeke confidently make his way to The Pet Loo, bounce up all by himself and wee directly on the centre of the grass! We were like teenagers at a Jonas Brothers concert, there was jumping and dancing and hysterics, and of course high fives, all round! 

But sure enough, in the thrill of all the jumping and high fiving, Zeke’s own excitement got the better of him and he piddled right at our feet, on the carpet. It was a short trip back to reality for the team, as the celebratory champagne was put back in the fridge. But after only seven days of toilet boot camp, we realised that we were jumping the gun a little bit. Toilet training graduation was still a while off and we needed to continue being as patient and as vigilant with Zeke as possible.

But at least we know that he’s on the way - peeing by himself on the Loo was one giant wee for puppy-kind!

By Janet Storm

The Daily Reflector

Donna Whitfield doesn’t travel alone.

When she packs for vacation, the Plymouth resident prepares a special suitcase for her 4-year-old Jack Russell terrier, Skipper.

“I can’t think of traveling and Skipper not going with me,” Whitfield said. “She is family.”

Skipper’s bag contains such essentials as a treat ball, pig ears, and “night night puppies” — small stuffed animals that spend the night in the terrier’s traveling crate.

“On one trip to my mother’s I forgot the ‘night, night puppies,’” Whitfield said. “Skipper cried or barked all night. I had to go the next day and purchase a stuffed puppy, and put it inside my sweater so it would have my scent on it.

“Skipper slept all night with the new puppy,” she said. “I have never made that mistake again.” 

A growth industry

The popularity of traveling with pets is hardly surprising in light of statistics from the American Pet Products Association.

Last year, Americans spent more than $45 billion on their pets, and 62 percent of all households in the United States include an animal companion. That adds up to more than 77.5 million dogs and 93.6 million cats.

Jason Halliburton, who operates the pet travel Web site bringfido.com with his wife, said that although the overall travel industry took a hit when the United States’ economy faltered, traveling with pets is becoming more common.

“We’ve seen exponential growth in the past four years, said Halliburton, whose site hosted more than a million visitors in 2009. “It’s become increasingly popular for people to bring their pets along when they travel. It’s a great alternative to kenneling or hiring a pet sitter.

“A number of hotels charge no fee for pets, or have a very reasonable fee in the $10 to $15 range,” he said. “Because of that, it can actually be less expensive to travel with a pet that to make other arrangements.”

Eddie Beverly of Greenville said he and his two rat terriers, Pee Wee and Whitey, have received a warm welcome at La Quinta Inns.

“It can be hard to find a pet-friendly hotel, and we’ve found La Quinta to be the best,” he said.

A regular routine

Halliburton said pets typically do very well once they become accustomed to traveling.

“Some can be a little fussy, but once they get settled, they usually adjust,” he said.

Preparing pets for travel can be as simple as maintaining a regular routine, he said.

“Some animals can get a little anxious when they see the pet carrier, so it’s best to keep things as normal as possible in advance of a trip,” Halliburton said.

When bringing an animal on a flight, he recommends that owners refrain from feeding it for four hours before takeoff and taking it out for a bathroom break before heading into the airport.

Owners can, and should, continue to give pets water right up to the time of travel, he said. “It’s important to keep them hydrated.”

Driving vacations are a bit easier, Halliburton said, because owners can stop every few hours to allow their pets bathroom breaks and give them a little exercise.

Whitfield said that when she and Skipper make trips in the car, the terrier curls up in a crate, seat belted into place. To make the journey more pleasant, Whitfield fills the crate with “a treat or two, a stuffed toy and the purple cow toy I had for Skipper the day I picked her up and brought her home.”

Stemming misbehavior

Halliburton said owners occasionally express fears about their pets misbehaving once they arrive at the hotel. That’s understandable, since animals will be surrounded by unfamiliar scents and sounds, and may even run into other traveling pets.

“When dogs are anxious they may start barking, and the best you can do is to help them make that room their room,” Halliburton said.

“A special toy or favorite blanket may calm them. And it’s best to spend as much time as you can in the room initially so they can get comfortable.”

Whitfield said that Skipper once struggled to adjust to a rental house during a trip to Sunset Beach.

“The first two nights, Skipper wanted to bark all night — even with me in the room with her,” Whitfield said. “But after the second night, she was no problem.

“Everyone wanted to know if I had given her cough medicine she was so quiet and good. She was just comfortable with the new place.”

When Bill and Mercedes Ervin of Greenville travel with Honey, their 6 1/2-year-old cairn terrier, they always bring along her food, treats, water, toys and bowls.

“When she’s out, she is always on her leash,” Bill Ervin said.

Honey has never been on a plane, but Mercedes Ervin said she the dog was on her best behavior while taking a ferry ride in Virginia.

“She was fascinated with the water and the sea gulls,” Mercedes Ervin said.

Planning ahead

More and more hotels are opening their doors to pet guests, but Halliburton pointed out that the majority still do not. That makes planning ahead important.

“Some hotels have designated areas for pets and they impose a limit on the number of pets they will accept each night,” he said. “It’s always advisable to call ahead. Traveling from hotel to hotel looking for one that accepts pets can just make the day that much longer.”

Pet owners have a range of choice in accommodations, from budget to high-end, Halliburton said.

“Many budget hotels have low or no fees, but policies for high-end hotels vary,” he said. “Some charge between $75 and $100 per stay, while others don’t charge a pet fee at all.”

Popular pet-friendly chains often attract more four-legged guests, which can be hard on temperamental animals, Halliburton said.

“Most high-end hotels will have fewer animals, so that can make the stay more comfortable if your pet has some anxiety issues,” he said.

Some tourist attractions also have pet accommodations.

Mercedes Ervin said one of Honey’s favorite trips is to Busch Gardens.

“She gets to stay in the motel and at the kennels at the park,” Ervin said. “All you have to do is say ‘Busch Gardens’ and she is ready to go.”[1]