Pet Expo 2009 - making friends and rubbing elbows with local anchor, Greg McQuade

Thanks to those who came to see us at the Henrico Humane Society’s Pet Expo 2009. It was a great event with over 3000 visitors and 75 booths. The disc dogs performed and we even rubbed elbows with CBS-6, WTVR’s morning newscaster, Greg McQuade.  He was lovely and stopped by after the show for a quick chat and to tell us of how he fell for a puppy from CBS-6’s Adopt-a-Pet program five years ago.

He even asked Henry’s Backyard for a recommendation to help keep his frisky pup off the furniture, so if you have any suggestions, please share them with us and we will test them out in Henry’s Lab - and send some recommendations to Greg.

We also met Pat Lacy, the inventor of a new type of training harness and the owner of Jackson Sage, a line of herbal skin care products currently available at Whole Foods and Ellwood Thompson’s. Both products will be tested in Henry’s Lab so be on the lookout for our results.

And stay tuned for information on where Henry’s Backyard will be next!

Mickey Rourke and his beloved dog, Loki

The glitter and glamour of the Oscars included one very special dedication. Mickey Rourke attended with a pin photo of his beloved dog, Loki, his 18 year old chihuahua terrier mix who passed away just six days before the show.

Rourke’s deep affection for his dogs is well documented since the Golden Globes six weeks ago when he thanked his dogs during his acceptance speech for winning the Best Actor award for his role in The Wrestler.

“She was the love of my life. She made it until six days ago so she left me at a time after almost 18 years when she knew I’d be alright. That’s Loki. It’s bittersweet because I’d rather have Loki another two years than an Oscar, and I told her that. But she stayed as long as she could. She just fell asleep in my arms. I think we all want to go that way.”

Mickey explained that stars including Bruce Springsteen, Al Pacino, Emma Thompson, Anthony Hopkins and director Jon Favreau have expressed their sympathy following Loki’s death.

He said that this Oscar morning he attended church and “lit a candle for Loki and for my grandmother and my brother.”

Rourke did not win the Oscar but did show his softer side and touch the hearts of many dog lovers. 

innovative turf for your local dog park

They call it K9 grass but it is now installed at a dog park in the Los Gatos Creek County Dog Park in Campbell, CA. In the past, the park was hardly used because the ordinary grass would get torn up and muddy in the rain. The park reopened this past December and is already a huge hit.

‘The new K9Grass was designed especially for dogs by ForeverLawn, which is based in Albuquerque, N.M. ForeverLawn says the grass drains well and can withstand wear and tear. It also has a knitted structure that helps wick away urine and odors .’

It’s not cheap but this park was able to install it with help from the city, county and donations. [ I'm thinking I would like it in my yard!]

But if you’re neighborhood needs a good dog park or your dog park needs some work, you may want to check it out.

portable pet feeding and watering system for your MP3 player

The Onion have done it again.

Just in time for the holidays, they have come up with a clever, yet non-existant product every dog owner should have…the iFeast. Here’s the description from their web store:

‘Let’s face it. You and your pet don’t share the same “taste” in music. That’s why TechnoPetz created iFeast, the portable pet feeding/watering system for your MP3 player. Mealtime will never be the same for your pet with iFeast.

No, the products aren’t real. But the empty boxes are. Wrap your otherwise forgettable gift in an Onion gift box, and watch their faces fall when they realize there is no such thing as a pet feeding/docking station for an overly pampered pet’s portable MP3 player—just a crappy bric-a-brac inside you waited until the last moment to buy. ‘

How fun is that? A great laugh for $7.99.

Give it this year for the holidays and let me know what they think!

Obama vs. McCain - which one does your dog look like?

I just couldn’t resist this…the Winners of the ‘My Dog looks like Obama or McCain photo contest.’!

Here’s a link to all the contestants.

So who get’s your vote?

what breed are you?

Did you know that you can find out what breed your “mutt” is? The Wisdom Panel™ MX test is a comprehensive DNA-based mixed breed test for dogs. It can identify more than 130 AKC-recognized breeds that may be present in mixed breed dogs and will answer that nagging question everyone asks you, “What breed is your dog?”

Visit The Mars Wisdom Panel for all the details and to purchase a testing kit for $125. You’ll need to go to your vet to get a blood sample and have them send it off for you but all that is included in the kit.

Knowing what breed your dog is could be helpful in training, behaviour issues and most importantly, health issues associated with the breed. Now some dogs are truly a ‘Heinz 57′ and I think the test will show just some of the breed history - but it’s would be worth a try if you need to know. It also does not detect ALL breeds but there is a pretty comprehensive list on the site.

If you do try it, please give us a shout and let us know how it goes…Here’s to the mutt!

train your dog like the dog whisperer - Cesar Millan

So you want to be a dog whisperer? well here’s your chance…sort of. For all you computer game fans, Ubisoft, the company which produces the Petz and Imagine game titles is coming out this Fall 2008 with a game based on Cesar Millan’s, the Dog Whisperer. 

In the game, you get to be Cesar and help rehabilitate dogs. You are confronted with 40 different common dog issues and, using Cesar Millan’s guidance, learn how to deal with each of them as a dog behavior expert.

“Ubisoft’s team has done an amazing job turning the ‘Power of the Pack’ methodology into an interactive experience,” said Cesar Millan. “The game is easy to play and offers many fun ways to learn rehabilitation techniques that can be applied to dogs in the real world.”

Sounds like great fun and an education. I’ll put out another post when the title has actually launched - I may even purchase a Nintendo DS just to try it out….

Get excited all you Cesar fans - and if you have a Nintendo DS and would like to try it out and provide feedback for Henry’s Backyard, go to the contact us page and shoot me a note and I’ll try to get you a copy.

Please note: the photo is not the actual game cover, just a representation.

is your child feeding your dog alphabet soup?

it’s not what you think…there is a good reason…Martha Speaks. It is a new, sweet animated series on PBS about a dog named Martha. The premise of the story is that Martha the dog has eaten some alphabet soup and can now talk. My little girls love it - and they can be a tough crowd to impress. I liked it too, but they could have cast a better voice for Martha. Just like Clifford, it’s just not right…but, I digress.

According to Susan Meddaugh (Martha’s creator), “Martha the dog is confident, honest, loving, talking and acting before thinking, sometimes wrong but seldom in doubt.” (sounds a lot like my husband). 

The show is meant to help build children’s vocabularies with complex words but also to teach good pet ownership behavior. They hope viewers will come away with an appreciation for the important role dogs play in our lives and to raise awareness for animal shelters and encourage more families to adopt.

The Real Martha
The “real” Martha was a rescue dog who was so out of control, they almost couldn’t keep her. But with training and patience, Martha’s true personality came through. The story premise came from Susan’s daughter who asked the all important question, “if I give Martha alphabet soup, will she talk?” …ahhh a story is born.

Martha Speaks was based on a book series which is being re-released in the fall with new editions and enhancements such as tips for families on building vocabulary. You can find fun and games with Martha at the PBS kids website. Two thumbs up for “Martha the puppy dog” which is what my girls call it.

another dog food recall

Wanted to be sure you heard about the voluntary pet food recall from Mars Petcare US.

Due to possible Salmonella contamination, some dog food brands manufactured in PA have been recalled.

The voluntary recall only affects the United States and only effects dog food manufactured in their Everson, Pennsylvania facility.

The following brands are effected (and there are “types” affected in the brands, so please see the entire article for product codes):

Country Acres
Doggy Bag
Member’s Mark
Natural Cat/Dog
Pedigree
Ol’ Roy
Paws N Claws
Pet Pride
PMI Nutrition
Red Flannel
Retriever
Special Kitty
Wegman’s

The pet food is being recalled because it is potentially contamination with Salmonella. As you probably know, salmonella can cause serious infections in dogs and cats, and, there is the potential for cross contamination (caused by handling of the pet food) in people as well, especially children, the elderly, and people with immune system issues.

Here’s the Pedigree recall and the actual FDA recall press release for all the information. 

So please check your dog food carefully - if yours is included in the recall you can return the dog food where you bought it for a complete refund.

can your dog dial 911 in an emergency?

Have you heard this story? Now we all know how wonderful our dogs are and how their love and affection has amazing healing powers but for Joe, here, his dog, Buddy really did save his life.

His owner, Joe, developed seizures after sustaining a head injury during a military training incident 10 years ago so he adopted Buddy when he was just 8 months old to help him out. Buddy is an assistance dog who he taught to dial 911 when he’s having a seizure.

How did he do it? “If I have a seizure he will grab the phone and try to bring it to me and I have all the phone numbers programmed so that as he bites down on it he dials the police department,” Stalnaker reveals.

When buddy dialed 911 the operators just heard Buddy barking and whimpering and sent help as a matter of routine when a call is made and the caller is unable to respond.

When they arrived at the house they found Joe, unconscience with Buddy standing over him.

Joe is now recovering but has much to be thankful to his dog for… “I just hope I can be as good to him as he’s been to me,” he agrees.

Truly, man’s best friend.

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