Speak – for Holiday Dog Gifts

There are some strange noises coming from the warehouse at DogToys.com. They've just received their shipment of plush dog toys for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and Christmas. And, they all speak or sing.

"In 2004 we sold out of plush talkers before the season was half over," said owner, Jill Gizzio. "This year, we bought more – and our sales are up 29% over last year at this time. We've watch pet owner trends, and we buy accordingly. Our savvy selections give retail stores the best assortment and opportunity to turn higher profits and get repeat business. No one buys just one of these toys – and if they do – the come back for more."

The pet owner trends Ms. Gizzio referenced are from the web statistics she gathers throughout the year. They indicate dog owners purchase as many as four plush toys, and Christmas is the most popular occasion for giving dogs gifts – followed by Halloween.

This year's plush collections have dogs howling for more. As pet owners continue to elevate their dogs to a human level, that means more toys and toys with personalities. "We answer phone calls all week long from pet mom and dads searching for repeats of talking toys that have been lost, broken or worn out. We have one lady whose dog just loves The Dreidel Song – and she stocks up for the year," says Gina Mirolli, RetailPets' new General Manager.

Woof or Treat™ Collection

Each of these Halloween characters possesses a personality to unique, so funny – no one can buy just one. The Wicked Witch truly sounds like one, and the red devil steals a line from a popular TV show aired decades ago. Do you remember "The devil made me do it"? Continue the tradition of superstition with the black Scare-D-Cat and his screeching meow or the haunted house music with Mr. Monster. And this one is selling out – Mr. Red-Caped Vampire whispering "I've come to suck your blood." If howling wolves aren't your fuzzy-faced child's style, try the great orange pumpkin announcing "Trick or Treat" or the adorable scarecrow who apparently wasn't too successful, because he sounds like a crow.

Pet Carolers Collection

DogToys.com offers Nick the Santa saying "Ho, Ho, Ho – Merry Christmas"; Chilly the Snowman with his carrot-nose and shaking his jingle bells exclaiming "Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow"; and Douglas the Tree playing -- what else -- O Christmas Tree. Each toy comes with a "To and From" tag. And for those celebrating Christmas a little closer to Thanksgiving, Tyler Turkey will charm every dog – and a few people too -- with his floppy yellow legs and his "Gobble, gobble, gobble" greeting.

Families will come to your store looking for the perfect pet accessory for the family holiday photo. Display Jingle Bell Collars, Hanukkah Collars, Reindeer Antlers, and Santa Suits for all those additional sales opportunities. Who can resist?

Hanukkah Collection

The Star of David and the Menorah play traditional music with their irresistible blue and white colors. The Dreidel plays The Dreidel Song in children's voices. Be sure to cross-sell doggie cookies as part of this present. Rover will appreciate having his very own tokens for the Dreidel game.

For more information contact DogToys.com at 1-877-364-8697.

Holidays from a Dog’s Perspective

Okay. This year I've just got to ask! This is my fifth holiday season. That's 35 holiday seasons in human years. Yet, I'm perplexed. Here's my quandary.

Routinely, you go away every morning – to do goodness knows what, and I guard the house between my naps. (What can I say? It's a dog's life.) Then you're home eight hours later wanting to play with me and my squeaky toys. So I indulge you until you're worn out, and we snuggle in front of the television until it's time to do it all over again.

Now, I think this is a very nice routine. So why do you insist on doing everything differently this one week of the year?

• You're home all day doing the oddest things, and I can't sleep.
• You're gone in the evening, and that's OUR time.
• You play strange music – some with dogs barking in it. (You don't laugh when I bark like that!).
• You bring outside things inside. And I must say, I'm confused about the whole "go potty" routine at this point. I "go" under trees outside – why is it different in the house? (By the way, the cat doesn't know the difference either. He's hanging on a branch this very minute!)
• You bring out all these shiny, bling bling things that I'm not allowed to sniff or chew.
• The doorbell is driving me nuts. I'd disconnect it if I had a screwdriver!
• And worst of all – you embarrass me. Those reindeer antlers are ridiculous!

Although I don't understand any of this, I'm willing to compromise and let you proceed with your strange traditions, because I love you so much and am devoted to your happiness. Invite all those people over. Just know they're going to spill things on the carpet – so don't blame me for -- well, you know. And, please tell your guests in lieu of hostess gifts you'd like them to go to www.dogtoys.com and bring me cinna-swirls, p-nutty biscottis and chip nips so that you can stop feeling guilty every time you tell me "no" when I beg for a cookie.

For the record, I like the big red paw stocking and all those toys and treats that jolly man in red put in there. He can come back!

From www.dogtoys.com

Feline Greenies - Free Samples

S & M Nutec the makers of Greenies for dogs have finally come up with a great treat for cats too, Feline Greenies. Just like the dog treats these cat treats help freshen your cats breath and maintain dental hygiene.

 

Right now they are offering FREE [yes you heard me right, FREE] sample packs of all 4 flavors for your cat to try. And once you know your cats favorite flavor you can go back and fill the online poll and get a full bag FREE direct from S&M Nutec!

 

Check out on their website: http://www.felinegreenies.com

 

But don't take our word for it. Here is the original email sent directly to us from Greenies!

 

Greenies® play an essential and daily role in keeping our dogs happy and healthy. We couldn't be more thrilled to tell you that the other four-legged friends in your family can benefit from their own Greenies®. We have just launched our newest product…Feline Greenies™! Now your cats can have a SmartTreat™ tailor-made for their unique dental needs and keen sense of taste.

Speaking of taste, our four flavors will please even the finickiest of cats. With Ocean Fish, Salmon, Chicken, and Liver, you have four delicious ways to prevent plaque and tartar buildup on your cats' teeth.

To celebrate the new Feline Greenies™, we've set up a new web site you're invited to visit. At www.treatforall.com/en/cats, you can request a FREE SAMPLE PACK of all four flavors, then come back and vote for your cat's favorite. We'll send you a FREE 3 oz. bag just for casting your vote! You can also earn Feline Greenies™ coupons by referring this new product to your cat-loving friends and family.

Have fun!
Sincerely,
Joe and Judy Roetheli
Founders and Developers Greenies®

For more information visit http://www.treatforall.com/en/cats

 

TennisBone(r) Dog Toy from Happy Dog

What dog doesn't like a bone to chew on? And what would make that bone better? If it was made of tennis balls! Happy Dog has been making the Tennis Bone dog toy for years and it really is a hit with owners and dogs a like.

The TennisBone comes in three sizes and lots of colors. The ORIGINAL TennisBone® has 2 standard 2.5"-diameter tennis balls attached to the super-tough rubberized base. The Mini TennisBone® is great for small breeds! With two mini 1.5"-diameter tennis balls attached to the same great rubberized center. Then there is the Jumbo TennisBone® the super-sized TennisBone for large breed dogs with its two jumbo 4"-diameter tennis balls.

These make wonderful fetch sticks, especially since the tennis ball ends make it bounce in every direction. And with some many size and color combinations you should certainly be able to find one right for your dog!

Thing in a Bag Cat Toy from Happy Dog

IT'S ALIVE! Thing in a Bag is specially-designed to bring out kitty's natural stalking instinct. The bag's exterior may look like an ordinary brown lunch bag, but this toy is actually made from tear and claw-resistant material, making it extremely durable for even the most playful cat! Inside the bag are crinkly-sounding materials and a randomly activated motor that makes the "thing" come alive. The On and Off motion will have your cat wondering what's rustling inside for hours! Requires three AA batteries.

Cats seem to go nuts for this toy. At first they are of course curious yet scared of the toy all at the same time. Then once they gather up the courage to go over and check it out, they pounce!

The on/off switch is easy to locate even through the bag [kitty can even turn it back on all by himself too - that is if he is playing with the bag when in the off position]. Apparently this cat toy will run for several minutes and eventually turn itself off [at least our does - unless the cat can also turn it off by playing with it]. The motorized Thing in a Bag is not always the cat's favorite toy, but it does offer up a nice diversion every now and again!

New Store - ShopOurPets.com

Found this store today when looking for the play and squeak mouse [my kitties LOVE them!]. The play-n-squeak mouse is one of my cats FAVORITE toys of all time! If you are unfamiliar with them it is a little mouse with a chip inside that squeaks whenever that cat bats at it. My cats go crazy for them [not sure if there is catnip in them or not --- I hide them in a bag of nip and get them out one at a time. The combo catnip and squeak drives kitties nuts].

ShopOurPets.com
http://www.shopourpets.com/ourpets-interactive-pet-toys.htm

They have every toy, treat and bowl made by OURPETS and a good prices too!

Check them out for all your cat an dog needs.

Warning About Flea & Tick Meds from Sergeants.com

Important Safety Information For All Cat Owners!

EPA Bans Certain Over-the-Counter Flea & Tick Products – Sergeant's Unaffected --- On June 3, 2005, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it would ban the sale of a number of over-the-counter topical feline flea and tick products containing the active ingredient phenothrin.

Please be assured that Sergeant's Pet Care Products do not contain phenothrin.

Both Sergeant's Gold™ and Sergeant's Silver™ Squeeze-On for Cats were formulated with safety as a primary concern . The result of seven years of development and testing, these highly effective flea, tick and mosquito control products are not only effective but are "gentle all month long."

However, as with any medication, it is important that you Look at the Label to read the directions and warnings before use.

More information on this important matter can be found on the EPA's Web site. Click here to go there now. http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/flea-tick-drops.htm

Misuse of Flea and Tick Products Widespread and Can Harm or Kill Your Pet

Flea and tick control products can go a long way toward making your pet comfortable. But too many consumers may not know how to use them properly, which can put their dog or cat's life in danger. As a leading provider of over-the-counter flea and tick control products for dogs and cats, Sergeant's is reaching out to the millions of pet owners about the need to follow specific label instructions for these products by launching a national consumer educational campaign called "Look at the Label."

» Sergeant's "Look at the Label" Consumer Safety Campaign
» Reading Label Tips
» View Product Label
» Label FAQ's
» Flea & Tick Product Facts
» EPA Precautions
» Know the Ingredients
» Sergeant's Gold FAQ's
» Protect Your Dogs & Cats