Bake-at-Home Brownie Mix
Your dog will surely enjoy this “homemade” treat. Bake-at-Home Brownie Mix uses carob, not chocolate, for flavoring. You can find it at local Ross Dress for Less stores for approximately $4.99. Or visit their website for other locations at www.americanhealthkennels.com.

Grain-Free Goodies
No Grainers is a 100% grain-free dog treat packed with protein. They’re a great choice for canines allergic to grain fillers. No Grainers chicken-bacon flavored biscuits come in small, medium and large sizes, and they’re also offered in a semi-soft version with three flavors. No Grainers are available at Wal-Mart stores for $1.50 per 7-oz. package and $3.50 per 20-oz. bag. Visit www.NoGrainers.com for more information or follow them on Twitter.

Cat Grass Plus
Cats enjoy eating grass so why not give your kitty his own green treat to nibble on in the safety and comfort of the great indoors? Cat Grass Plus allows you to grow your own quickly and easily. Cat Grass Plus ingredients include grass seed, barley, oats and/or wheat along with a non-toxic water absorption agent. You can purchase Cat Grass Plus for $5.94 at Wal-Mart stores. The company promises sprouts in just two days!

Homemade Treats for Dogs:

Dog’s Favorite Hot Dogs
Cheap hot dogs work just fine. Cut into small pieces. Spread out in a single layer on a paper towel. Microwave for three minutes. They should be crispy around the sides and slightly rubbery in the center.

Broth Cubes
Distribute bouillon evenly in ice cube trays. Select very low or no sodium bouillon cubes or canned broth. Freeze until solid. If desired, chop into chips by placing cubes in a thick plastic bag and hitting with a hammer.

For Cats:

Tuna Tidbits

• 6-oz. can of tuna
• ¼ cup water drained from tuna
• 3 Tbsp cooked egg white, chopped
• ¼ cup cornmeal
• ½ cup whole wheat flour

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine tuna, egg white and water. Add cornmeal and flour and blend to form dough. Knead into a ball and roll to ¼-inch thick. Cut into 1-inch sized pieces. Bake for 20 minutes. Makes 12 cookies.

Kitty Treats

• 1½ cup rolled oats
• ¼ cup vegetable oil
• ½ cup flour
• ½ cup tuna oil, chicken broth, or beef bouillon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients into dough. Dust hands with flour and form small, ½ inch thick, round biscuits. Set on greased cookie sheet. Bake 30 minutes or until biscuits are slightly browned. Cool 30 minutes before serving.

Treat Tips
Remember, treating pets is a good thing when you practice moderation, proper portions and types of treats. Follow these tips to “treat your pet right:”

• Choose treats specially made for your type of pet. Specialty stores offer formulations for all kinds of animals including dogs, cats, ferrets, reptiles, birds and more. Consult your veterinarian if your pet has food allergies or special dietary needs.
• Don’t fill pet up on treats before mealtime.
• Look for snacks that benefit your pet’s overall wellbeing. There are many ‘all natural’ selections containing no preservatives. Healthy morsels might include treats that clean teeth, have added vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. An arthritic pet can benefit from treats with glucosamine.
• Fresh veggies are good snacks for pocket pets like gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs, etc. Always consult your veterinarian first to make sure the foods are acceptable.
• Ask your veterinarian how many calories your pet needs per day. Then add up the calories his/her food provides and never let treats exceed daily caloric needs.
• A good rule of thumb, don’t let treats equal more than 10% of pet’s daily diet.

Human food not safe for pets
The following foods have been identified as potentially toxic, even fatal to dogs: alcohol, avocados, chocolate, macadamia nuts, fatty, moldy or spoiled foods, onions, grapes and raisins, salt, and yeast dough.

According to a Kansas State University study, flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) is the most common dermatologic disease of domestic dogs. I asked veterinarian Link Welborn, owner of four Bay Area companion animal hospitals, for advice on giving pets a fighting chance against fleas.

Q:  Last year, many pet owners had a particularly difficult time fighting fleas on their pets. How can you advise pet owners to protect their pets (and homes) from fleas this year?

A:  Pet owners should seek the advice of their veterinarian. There are dozens of flea control products on the market that fall into many categories: with/without heartworm and intestinal parasite prevention, with/without tick control, prescription and over-the-counter, topical and oral, products that kill adult fleas and those that block the development of immature fleas, those that are greatly affected by bathing and others that aren’t, some that are very safe for one species and toxic to other types of pets. The choices can be dizzying.

Veterinarians are in a better position to advise pet owners about the best flea control for an individual pet than anyone. I would like to highlight the word “individual.” Every pet should be treated as an individual with regard to flea control. The species of the pet plays a major role in determining the best product for flea control since products designed and FDA or EPA approved for dogs are commonly different from those for cats.

The lifestyle of the pet is a significant factor to consider as well. For instance, dogs that rarely leave their house and yard may only need to receive a monthly dose of an insect growth regulator. A fast-acting product that kills adult fleas can be administered for the occasional trip outside of the home. On the other hand, dogs that routinely walk in areas frequented by other dogs, such as dog walks, apartment common areas, and parks, should receive a once-a-month product that kills adult fleas continually. Other considerations include potential exposure ticks. For dogs with tick exposure, the use of a combination flea and tick control product is essential. Finally, the frequency of bathing also needs to be considered. Dogs that are bathed more than once a month may benefit more from an oral flea control product.

Flea control can get complicated. Your veterinarian can help you determine the most effective, safest and cost-effective product(s) available for your pet.

Q:  What do pet owners need to know about the possible dangers associated with over-the-counter topical flea treatments?

A:  Many over-the-counter products are relatively safe for mammals. However, some spot-on flea products contain 45-65% permethrin. These products are labeled only for dogs and even small amounts on cats can cause tremors, seizures and death. Ironically, these very potent products often aren’t that effective at killing fleas since they’ve been on the market for many years and fleas have become relatively resistant to them.

Spring is in the air, which can stir up allergies for not only us, but also our four-legged friends. According to a recent survey conducted by Novartis Animal Health, nearly half (43 percent) of pet owners revealed that they wouldn’t know how to tell if their pet was suffering from an allergy. Linda Messinger, DVM, Diplomate ACVD and head of the dermatology practice at Veterinary Referral Center of Colorado, say these are the top three symptoms that may show your pet is having an allergic reaction:

• Ear infections in dogs. Many pet owners aren’t aware that recurrent ear infections may be a sign of allergies to food ingredients and/or environmental allergens.

• Recurrent skin infections. If your pet is constantly suffering from skin infections, it may be a sign of underlying allergies. (This is what my dog, Chilly, encountered last Spring. Through allergy testing we determined he was allergic to oak and grass—which exist in our yard plentifully! He’s now being treated with immunotherapy—so far, no skin issues!)

• Paw licking. While many pet owners might think this is just a habit or their dog cleaning themselves, chronic paw licking can also be a sign of underlying allergies.

So what do you do if your pet is suffering from spring allergies? The veterinary dermatologists at VRCC offer the following advice to help relieve some of your pet’s symptoms:

• Give your pet a wipe-down using hypoallergenic baby wipes or just a plain washcloth with water (no soap). This will help get the allergens off the top layer of your pet’s skin/fur.

• Check Pollen.com’s “Allergy Forecast” daily to find out the top three allergens pollinating in your area. This data can be used as a guide for the allergic pet.
• For severe cases, consider asking your family veterinarian for a referral to a veterinary dermatologist who can do intradermal allergy testing to pinpoint what allergens may be affecting your pet.

The ASPCA is a great resource for pet allergy information. Visit their website to learn more about allergies in cats and dogs.

Countless studies have shown that pets can help combat depression and loneliness through the social interaction and emotional connection they offer their owners. However, owning and caring for a pet is a big responsibility, commitment and expense, and therefore may not work with many seniors’ lifestyles.

Thanks to GeriJoy, seniors can now fill that void with the company’s new, virtual talking dog. Victor Wang, an alumnus of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), was inspired to start GeriJoy after his grandmother, who lives alone, started to suffer from depression and suicidal symptoms.

Touted by AARP as one of the most innovative companies in senior care, GeriJoy makes talking pets that run as a software service on tablet-based devices. The virtual companion provides lonely seniors with the availability and unconditional love of a pet, combined with the ability to talk with true intelligence and compassion. Through sophisticated, patent-pending software, the pet reacts realistically to touch and care from the senior, and because it lives inside the tablet, it can deliver the health benefits of pet therapy without the smells, allergies, cleaning up, bites, food or veterinary bills that come with owning a “live” pet.

For more information about GeriJoy and its virtual talking pets, visit www.gerijoy.com.

My Dad was an early Boomer, born in 1945. Many of his purchases were driven by his love for pets. He was the consummate Pet Loving Boomer.

BOOM! That’s a favorite saying of one of our favorite Fetching Communications’ clients, Tobi Skovron of Pup Pee Solutions, a PetSafe brand. It’s his chant or cheer for our team to do our best work.

It’s also the sound you hear when over 50 million American pet parents, members of the Baby Boomer generation, spend money on their pets.

Last week I attended the What’s Next Boomer Summit in Chicago–a gathering of the most progressive thought leaders and entrepreneurs serving the 50 + consumer marketplace. There I spoke to marketing directors, business owners, media and fellow presenters about the wag-worthy opportunity for growth when one endears their brand to 50+ pet lovers.

Boomers, those born between 1946-1964 are marketing’s most valuable generation. Here are some amazing statistics gathered by Media Horizons, Inc. and shared at the conference:

• 80 million Americans are considered Boomers
• 70% of the U.S. disposable income is from Boomers
• 49% of the U.S. total CPG sales are thanks to Boomers
• 67% of them plan to spend more on hobbies and interests
• 33% of them shop online, spending nearly $7Billion

What Media to they Use?

• 50% local newspapers
• 33% heavy internet users
• 36% own smartphones
• 20% own tablets
• 91% email users
• 53% are on Facebook
• 58% read print magazines

According to Bob Vetere, president of the American Pet Products Association, Boomers are the fastest growing segment of the pet parent population and not surprisingly, the most affluent.  If you do some quick math, there are just over 54 million pet loving Boomers in the U.S.

So, what is your marketing strategy to reach them? You do have one, don’t you? (Don’t worry, if you don’t, you are not alone!) Here are a few questions to ask to get you started on the path to aligning your brand with the largest and most powerful consumer segment in the U. S. of A.

First, is your business pet related? If yes….

• Do you know what percentage of your target audience is made up of  Boomers?
• Are you dedicating that very percentage (or more) of your marketing budget to reaching them?
• How can you use your Boomer audience to advocate for your brand, thereby influencing other Boomers and younger generations?

If you don’t have all these answers, not to worry. Set out on a journey to uncover the answers and develop a strategy to communicate to 50+ American pet lovers in the ways they like to be communicated with.

If your business is not pet related, have no fear! There’s a good chance your product or service may overlap with those who live a pet lifestyle. Here are your questions:

• What percentage of your target audience is a Boomer household?
• Multiply that by 2/3 to figure the approximate number of pet parents in your target audience.
• How does your product or service provide solutions to others? Do thy also offer the same solution for those caring for pets? (even if     pets have nothing to do with your product/service)
• Are you willing to find appropriate, genuine ways to align your brand with pet parents?

Once you have these answers and a commitment from decision makers at your company to embark on a pet initiative, you’ll need a strategy, budget and resources to execute.

Speak to your marketing director or your marketing or PR agency about helping you sniff out the Boomer consumer! You can’t afford to ignore this loyal, passionate audience with $2trillion in spending power.

BOOM! Any comments you’d like to add?

Today Chilly and I are on Daytime to tell Lindsay McDonald about the Canine Good Citizen Program.

If you’re looking for ways to spend more quality time with your pet, start by setting new goals for yourself and your dog in 2013. Your goal could be for your dog to master basic obedience commands, learn to perform an agility course, or maybe you want to participate in pet therapy programs with your dog, like Chilly and I have committed to do this year.

Here’s the thing. People and pets have a lot to offer one another in terms of companionship, love, laughter, exercise, stress relief and more. Why not maximize the benefits for both of you by spending more time together, possibly helping others!

Our goal is to do pet therapy so I can share the joy of Chilly with others. Therapy dogs visit hospitals, schools, nursing facilities, rehabilitation centers and other locations to provide joy and healing to the elderly, the disabled and children. Earning your Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certification is the first step in having your dog become a therapy dog.

What is the Canine Good Citizen Program?

Started in 1989, The American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen Program is designed to reward dogs who have good manners at home and in the community. The CGC Program is a two-part program that stresses responsible pet ownership for owners and basic good manners for dogs. All dogs who pass the 10-step CGC test will receive a certificate from the American Kennel Club.

Benefits of the CGC Program

Working with your dog to teach the CGC skills offers a variety of benefits for you and your pet. In addition to improving your dog’s manners, training also helps enhance the bond between you and your pet. Dogs with solid obedience education are more fun to live with and better behaved around people and other dogs. The certification can also be helpful when renting an apartment or condo, and may even save you some money on your homeowner’s insurance, as many companies now offer discounts for CGC-certified dogs. The CGC Program lays the foundation for other AKC activities such as obedience, agility, tracking, and performance events, and many therapy and service organizations use the CGC as a screening tool or prerequisite for participants.

Who Can Participate?

Both purebred and mixed breed dogs can participate in the CGC Program, and there is no age limit for the CGC test.

How it Works

You can teach your dog the CGC behaviors yourself (see the CGC Participants Guide for some helpful training tips), or attend a basic training or CGC class. To locate CGC training in your area, contact your local AKC dog club or CGC evaluators. Some pet super stores and private trainers also offer CGC training.

When your dog is ready, visit the AKC’s website to find an evaluator in your area. Local specialty clubs, AKC judges, some 4-H leaders, therapy dog evaluators, veterinarians, vet techs, groomers, private trainers, kennel owners, animal control and police K-9 officers can also give the test. You can view a list of upcoming CGC tests held at both AKC events and in the community on the AKC’s website.

The CGC Test

Before you and your dog begin the test, you’ll need to sign the Responsible Dog Owners Pledge, committing to take care of your dog’s health needs, safety, exercise, training and quality of life. After signing the pledge, you and your dog can begin the test, which includes the following 10 exercises:

1. Accepting a friendly stranger
2. Sitting politely for petting
3. Appearance and grooming
4. Out for a walk (walking on a loose lead)
5. Walking through a crowd
6. Sit and down on command, and staying in place
7. Coming when called
8. Reaction to another dog
9. Reaction to distraction
10. Supervised separation

For more information about the CGC Program and test, visit: http://www.akc.org/dogowner/training/canine_good_citizen/links.cfm.

Good girl, Ari!

It was love at first sight….. the packaging caught my eye at SuperZoo! I love Dr. Emmo’s line of pet first aid products, but to be sure they were Chilly-worthy, I asked my fabulous “Marketing Mutt”, Meredith Schneider to give the products a try.  So, in her words, with help from 2 year old, female pit mix, Ari, here’s the scoop!

With two floppy-eared dogs in our family, we’re used to dealing with frequent (and costly) vet visits for ear infections. Most of the ear washes/rinses I’ve used in the past were prescription products (read: expensive), so I was thrilled when I received a bottle of Dr. Emmo’s Ear Care Rinse to test on my pups.

Part of the Dr. Emmo’s Pet-Clenz line of pet first aid products, the Ear Care Rinse (MSRP $12.99 – 4 oz. bottle) is a no-sting antimicrobial cleanser that breaks down and removes wax, debris and irritants from the ear canal and can help prevent ear infections and related problems. The all-natural, antibiotic-free formula kills infection-causing bacteria with safe hypochlorous acid and can be used as often as needed to help maintain clean and odor-free ears. It’s also non-toxic, so no need to worry if your dog tries to paw it out of his ears then lick his feet (like mine does). The solution can be administered by either applying it to a cotton ball or (gently) squirting it directly into your dog’s ear – another huge benefit for me, since my dogs will bolt at the first sight of a cotton ball.

Other first aid products by Dr. Emmo’s include the Wound Care Wash (MSRP $14.99 – 8 oz. spray bottle) and Wound Care Spray Gel (MSRP $14.99 – 4 oz. spray bottle). All of Dr. Emmo’s first aid products use Pet-Clenz technology to fight infections caused by bacteria, viruses and fungi. The safe and highly effective Pet-Clenz technology seeks out pathogens then surrounds and kills them using hypochlorous acid.

For more information about Dr. Emmo’s Ear Care Rinse or other Pet-Clenz first aid products, visit Dr. Emmo’s website or connect with the company on Facebook or Twitter.

Follow these links to check out the PAWESOME products Kristen Levine, Pet Lifestyle Expert, mentioned on today’s FOX 5 News broadcast!

• Tagg – The Pet Tracker (http://www.pettracker.com)
• Kurgo (https://www.kurgostore.com)
• The Pet Loo (http://www.thepetloo.com/products/fresh-air-cat-litter)
• Red Barn (http://www.redbarninc.com)
• NoviPet  (http://www.novipet.net)

Tampa Bay’s Dancing for Charity 2012

I believe strongly that animals and people together offer one another enumerable benefits. They make us laugh, reduce stress, promote physical activity, and they promote well being and self worth.

I’ll be supporting the “pets + people = perfection” notion this fall by participating in Dancing for Charity, for Julie Weintraub’s Hands Across the Bay, supporting Bay area charities.

Two of the five beneficiaries of this year’s event are Saddle Up Riding Club whose vision is to provide the highest quality therapeutic horseback riding and related activities to all those who can benefit. The Suncoast Animal League, takes in abandoned, abused, homeless and unwanted animals. They provide medical treatment, shelter,  socialization and plenty of love to the animals while they wait for their forever home.You can learn about all benefiting charities here.

Unfortunately, you can’t help me be a better dancer, that’s the job of my fabulous partner, Alberto Tabares at Fred Astaire Dance Studio in St. Petersburg.  Alberto has his work cut out for him, teaching me the Cha-Cha!

But you CAN help me help these great causes! If you are so inclined, I will be forever grateful. Here’s 3 ways you can help us meet our fundraising goal for Saddle Up, Suncoast Animal League and the other great causes:

1. Vote for me here! A $10 tax deductible contribution will help us help the charities through Hands Across the Bay. At the time of this posting, I am in last place for votes because I got into the competition later than the others. Help me catch up with this impressive pack!

2. Share this post on Facebook. Here’s a possible post to make it easy for you! “Help animal charities with a vote for my friend Kristen for Dancing for Charity! Vote here: http://dancingforcharity.com/dancers/kristen-levine/ ”

3. Attend the star studded, spectacular event, with a ballroom seat or suggest a sponsor! More info here.

Thanks so much for any help you can offer in spreading the word to help us meet our fundraising goal!

Summer Pet Products Satellite Media Tour

I can hardly believe summer is about to wane. It seems like just yesterday I was just shopping for strappy sandals and a spring-green collar for Chilly. Speaking of Chilly, I thought I’d share some highlights from my summer working vacation on the airwaves.

A favorite fringe benefit of my work is sharing great solutions with pet parents. If you missed my t.v. takes the first time around, here’s the recap. Oh, and this was my first time working with professional t.v. dogs. See if you can spot the pros!

A media tour in The Big Apple transported me via satellite to pet lovers from Miami to Monterrey with sizzling summer finds from BISSELL, Adams’ Flea Control, Frolicat and Comfort Zone.

TBS’s popular Trends With Benefits hosted me and PetSmart in Atlanta to fetch cool pet trends, and in July, Chilly and I co-hosted HSN’s Pet Solutions!  For the dish on pet grooming trends, tune into TBS on September 15th during the movie, The Replacements.

To round out my summer work adventures, I had the pleasure of having breakfast with Betsy Saul, a woman I deeply admire for her revolutionary pet adoption creation–Petfinder.com. What a treat for me. Follow Betsy on Twitter @betsybankssaul.

I’m curious, have you bought a pet product recently that you learned about on t.v.?