Purr-Fect Gifts for Every Cat and the Humans Who Love Them

FELINE-FRIENDLY GIFTS TO SPOIL KITTY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Purr-fect Gifts for Every Cat and the Humans Who Love Them

Finicky kitties want more than a stuffed mouse filled with catnip or a standard carpet-covered cat gym this holiday. Pamper your beloved pussycat this year with a unique gift from KittyUtopia.com™, which offers an array of luxury cat products for the even the most discerning felines—and their owners.

Here are a few recommendations from KittyUtopia^TM’s CEO Billy the Cat and his human pet, S. “Rain” Rainess:

Best Stocking Stuffers

Catnip Bubbles: There are only so many games a cat and human can play:  hide and seek, chase the lazor beam, dinner time.  Well, here is a new game that is sure to become a quick favorite.  Kitty will spend her time chasing and popping the delicious bubbles flavored with premium quality natural catnip, while her Human enjoys blowing the bubbles and watching Kitty go!

 

Remote Control Mouse: Want to play a little game of Cat-and-Mouse?  Great entertainment for both the human and Kitty, the Remote Control Mouse flies by and Kitty goes running!  The remote allows for easy navigation around curves and under furniture to keep Kitty guessing.

 

Best Holiday Gifts

Cat Tree House: Cats are inclined to climb, yet most kitty-friendly climbers are not designed for human homes… until now.  This stunning cat tree house is designed with both Kitty and Human in mind.  Kitty can perch and climb to her heart’s content while using the wood as a natural scratching post, while Human can enjoy the beauty of a stunning home accessory.

Best Gifts for Cat Lovers

What is My Cat Thinking T-Shirt: The perfect stocking stuffer for any cat lover, these shirts offer a twist on human perception, featuring scenes like a fish swimming in a bowl with the caption “Fast Food” and a cat’s litter box with the cat-translation of “Safe Deposit Box.”

ABOUT KittyUtopia^TM

KittyUtopia^TM is an online boutique, offering unique feline products as well as interactive content, including What is My Cat Thinking, where cat owners can try to figure out what a cat is thinking when it finds itself in interesting circumstances and Billy’s Purr-spective, the only blog in the world written by a cat.  Rain has also written the book Silly Billy, which showcases Billy the cat in precarious situations.

 

Skattered Moments

Skattered Moments takes a simple photo and transforms it into personal, customized artwork.  This unique concept makes an extraordinary gift for someone special or an incredible addition to your own home.

A favorite photo of your family, pet, landscape, or anything you can capture can be scattered, customized and transformed into spectacular wall art of almost any dimension.

The innovative process uses patent pending software to turn photographs into stunning wall art, by pixelating an image using a variety of shapes and then dividing the image across any number of frames.

For more information, visit their website by clicking on this link: Skattered Moments.

Injinji Performance Toe Socks

Runners, cyclists and outdoor enthusiasts have long experienced the competitive advantage of Injinji Performance Toesocks.

Now, team sport athletes are taking note of the incredible benefits associated with Injinji’s patented five-toe-sleeve design. From MLB superstars to the Long Beach State Men’s Lacrosse team, athletes are rethinking tube socks and are embracing performance enhancing Injinji Performance Toesocks.

Injinji breaks the traditional tube sock mold with a design that enables wearers to fully utilize the agility, dexterity and balance associated with each individual toe while providing a seamless layer of sport-specific comfort and protection.

Engineered to separate each toe with an anti-friction, breathable membrane, Injinji Performance Toesocks are ideal for training, practice and game day performance. “Every team sport athlete needs complete and correct use of his feet from heel to five toes,” said Dr. Marc A. Brenner, New York-based podiatric physician and founding director of the Institute of Diabetic Foot Research.

“Injinji Performance Toesocks improve the foot architecture and eliminate fungus infections, yeasts and molds by removing shear and stress forces.  In doing this, the athlete’s performance will obviously improve.”

From lacrosse and football to soccer and basketball, Injinji Performance Toesocks are beneficial for all types of athletes. As football players are often plagued by plantar fasciitis and turf toe, Dr. Brenner says Injinji Toesocks can help prevent these ailments by promoting proper foot biomechanics.

Long Beach State Lacrosse defender Andrew Smith saw an immediate improvement in his performance while wearing the Performance Series Toesock last season. “I liked the additional support on my arches and the freedom of being able to move my toes individually inside my cleats,” he said. “The physical advantages they provided really allowed me to mentally focus on the game.” The majority of his team suited up in the Toesocks for the ’09-’10 season, with many players reporting benefits ranging from cooler, drier feet to the absence of athlete’s foot.

The Performance Series Toesock is recognized for its ability to provide superior moisture management and healthy digital alignment. The toesocks separate each toe with a thin layer of anti-friction, moisture-wicking CoolMax® fabric. Injinji’s original and most popular toesock, the Performance Series is ideal for a variety of sport activities. MSRP $12-$14.

Injinji’s EX-Celerator Compression Toesock is an essential addition to the athlete’s recovery routine. The over-the-calf toesock provides graduated compression with LYCRA® Energy fabric, which fuels circulation and promotes swift muscle recovery during and after exercise, and also incorporates antimicrobial and moisture-wicking Coolmax® freshFX™ fibers. MSRP $38

Injinji is the maker of Performance Toesocks™ for sport, outdoor and casual use and is a recipient of the American Podiatric Medical Association’s Seal of Acceptance. For more information on the company, visit www.injinji.com.

 

Pet Transport Soars To New Heights

A MATCH MADE IN THE SKY: PET TRANSPORT SOARS TO NEW HEIGHTS
Petmate® Partners with Pet Airways® to Make Travel by Air Safe and Comfortable!

Arlington, TX (November 11, 2010) – Petmate, the company that invented airline-approved portable carriers, is proud to announce its partnership with Pet Airways, the first airline specifically designed to transport pets.

Pet Airways is the first pet-only airline, where pets fly in the main cabin – not in cargo. Pets fly in the specially equipped and climate controlled main cabin and are continuously monitored by the In-Flight Pet Attendant. The company’s mission is to provide safe and comfortable transportation of pets. The airline launched in 2009, and now serves coast-to-coast destinations across the United States, including Los Angeles, Phoenix, Denver, Omaha, Chicago, Baltimore, New York, Atlanta and Ft Lauderdale.

As a valued Pet Airways partner, Petmate is now the sole provider of carriers to help ensure the safe transport of the pets. Since October 2010, Pet Airways has exclusively transported pets in Petmate’s Vari Kennel carriers, an ideal solution that makes travel safe and enjoyable for pets and pet parents alike. With durable wire windows, covered door posts, rear vents, moated interiors, heavy duty kennel fasteners and a secure door that provides closure with a handy squeeze-latch entry, these carriers are designed with safety in mind. The line is offered in a wide variety of sizes to fit the tiniest of pups and cats to giant dog breeds.

“As a leader in the pet carrier industry, we’re a logical partner, with our expertise in safe pet transportation,” says Brad Kane, vice president of marketing for Petmate. “We feel that, as a cherished part of the family, on-the-go pets should experience safe and comfortable air travel, and their families should be able to rest assured that their pets are taken care of in the best way possible.”

“We are extremely excited to partner with Petmate. In our search for the right pet carriers, the Petmate line of products stood out as the products that would provide the safety, quality and durability we were looking for. Petmate is a premier company that is very passionate about all aspects of pet care and together we will make travel for pets safer and more comfortable one flight at a time,” says Dan Wiesel, CEO of Pet Airways, Inc. “The announcement of this partnership caps off some significant developments for Pet Airways in the last few weeks, including the announcement of our trading symbol PAWS on the OTC BB, and features in The Washington Post and New York Post.”

About Pet Airways, Inc. (OTCBB: PAWS)
Pet Airways is the first airline specifically designed for the safe and comfortable,  transportation of pets. Pet Airways’ pawsengerstm travel in the specially equipped main cabin of its planes – where pets are continuously monitored by an In-Flight Pet Attendant and the climate is controlled for maximum pet comfort. With Pet Airways, pet parents can be assured their animals will be treated with tender, loving care throughout the journey.  The airline launched flight operations in 2009, and currently provides coast-to-coast to 9 cities.  For more information, go to www.petairways.com

Petmate® is the trusted authority in smart solutions for devoted pet parents and discerning retailers alike. Our mission – making the experience of being a pet parent more enjoyable – has remained steady for nearly half a century because we have pets too. Attractive design and superb function are Petmate hallmarks, as shown in complete lines of quality pet products including portable kennels, dog houses, bedding, litter maintenance, feeding and watering products, toys, collars and leads, and pet accessories. All Petmate products can be found at pet supply stores nationwide.

An Open Letter to my Ninth Grade Teacher

I have had the good intention of locating you for several years. I was a non-descript student of yours shortly after you began teaching. I have my doubts that you will remember me, but I remember you.

A series of unrelated and otherwise unspectacular events has me looking backwards at my childhood and the twelve years of school that followed. I had been hoping to find you and let you know that the warmest memories from those first eighteen years involved you as an individual and an educator.

First of all, I could always count on you for a smile. Always. As indicated, I wasn’t a stand out kind of kid. I had a life full of adults I couldn’t count on, but you were there.

And before I go on … when you smiled you meant it. There was nothing flimsy about it. It was a genuine smile that caused your eyes to sparkle. Early in my life I learned how to read the validity of a smile. Yours was sincere.

I remember your lessons on poetry. The shortest poem ever? Fleas. Adam had ‘em.

I remember a relaxed classroom, a patient young teacher who wanted to be teaching.

I remember you knew our names and you used them when you spoke to us.

I remember you tried to convince me that I could write. That was the first time I recall an adult believing in me. The assignment was to write twenty five lines of poetry. I got an A. Probably my first.

Don’t worry if you don’t remember because I do and I am about to dazzle you again.

 

I hope today

Within my lunch

I have a carrot

On which to crunch

I’ll walk down the halls

And loudly munch

Just me, my carrot

And my lunch

 

Sorry, I can only remember the first portion of the lesson but I’ll never forget your empowering belief in me that impacted the rest of my life. As an attempt to forget life outside of school, I over memorized things about school such as locker combinations, classroom numbers, seating assignments, etc. Yes, I remember the names of all my teachers but I remember what you taught and how you taught it. And the smile. And the eye contact.

I would love to tell you I grew up to be a teacher, that would be quite a tribute to you. But I didn’t. I grew up to be a writer.

Another very special educator has “discovered” my writing and my original intent was to sit down and write a letter to thank her for her interest in me but at that point I realized that you have been too long neglected and I hope this letter today adequately shows my gratitude and appreciation.

Anyway, when I was doing my Internet search to find you, I was glad to see a current picture of you. The smile is exactly like I remember. And the sparkle of your eyes is exactly like I remember. And I am confident you are still empowering others and encouraging them to dig deeper and find out what lies just beneath the surface just like I remember.

Thank you so much for being exactly who you were at a point in my life that I needed it the most.

With great respect,

And warm memories,

A continued admiration,

Me.

Black Cats are “Lucky” After All

Pet insurance claims indicate that black cats are less prone to accidents

Halloween conjures images of mysterious black cats that cross paths and bring bad luck. According to Petplan pet insurance, however, nothing could be further from the truth. Among the cat population, black cats are the least accident-prone, resulting in the lowest number of pet insurance claims.

Based on Petplan’s insurance claims, black cats are 15% less likely to be victims of an accident or injury compared to their colorful kitty counterparts. By contrast, orange cats are twice as likely as their inky cousins to be involved in a mishap. These unforeseen accidents can cost a small fortune.

Petplan’s most “unlucky” cat to date is a grey one, named April. After ingesting a belly’s worth of plastic, she required extensive surgery. Luckily, April survived and so did the family’s bank account. Petplan picked up 99% of the $5,000 veterinary bill for the insured cat, their highest feline accident claim to date.

While black cats may be lucky in avoiding accidents, they are not as fortunate when it comes to being adopted. According to a study by the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, black cats are often the last to be selected at an animal shelter.

Despite this, “Lucky” is the third most popular name of black cats insured by Petplan. Subscriber favorites include “Midnight” as the top choice with “Boo” as the next preferred. Black cat names inspired by popular culture include “Beetlejuice,” “Optimus Prime,” “Leroy Brown,” and “Jesse James.”

“Regardless of the color of your pet, this Halloween keep all furry friends away from lit jack-o-lanterns, decorations, and candy,” advises veterinarian Dr. Jules Benson, Petplan’s Vice President of Veterinary Services. The average veterinary cost of chocolate ingestion by a pet is scary indeed… upwards of $1,000.00. Additional Halloween safety tips are available on Petplan’s webpage (http://www.GoPetplan.com/newsletter/201010/newsletter.aspx).

About Petplan

Petplan is America’s #1 rated pet insurance company, offering comprehensive accident and illness health insurance for dogs and cats. Petplan offers simple, customizable policies to meet any coverage requirements and budget and is the only pet health insurance provider to cover all hereditary and congenital conditions for the life of the pet without dollar limits per condition. For more information, visit http://www.GoPetplan.com or call 1-866-467-3875.

Pet Food Recall

FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and market withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.

Blue Buffalo Company, Ltd. Recalls Limited Production Code Dates of Dry Dog Food Because of Possible Excess Vitamin D

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 8, 2010 – Blue Buffalo Company, Ltd., recalls certain dry dog food because of possible excess Vitamin D that can affect the health of some dogs. The Blue Buffalo Company, Ltd., is recalling certain packages of its Wilderness Chicken, Basics Salmon and Large Breed Adult Chicken dry dog foods sold under thc “BLUE” brand which have the potential to contain excessive levels of Vitamin D.

While Vitamin D is a beneficial component of these foods, the Company believes that these products may have levels of Vitamin D that are beyond the formula specifications, and has therefore chosen to withdraw them.

Dogs reacting to the higher levels of Vitamin D may show signs of lethargy or exhibit unusually frequent water consumption and urination. If your pet has consumed the recalled products and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

The affected productions of Blue Wilderness Chicken, Basics Salmon and Large Breed Adult Chicken dry dog foods were distributed nationwide through pet specialty stores.

Only these production runs of the products are involved in this recall:

 

Blue Wilderness Chicken Flavor dry dog food	4.5 1b	“Best If Used By JUL2611Z” “Best If Used By JUL2711Z” &  “Best If Used By JUL2811Z”
Blue Wilderness Chicken Flavor dry dog food	11 lb	“Best If Used By JUL1211B”
Blue Wilderness Chicken Flavor dry dog food	24 1b	“Best If Used By JUL1211B” & “Best If Used By JUL1311B”
Blue Basics Limited Ingredient Formula Salmon and Potato Recipe dry dog food	11 lb	“Best If Used By AUG2111B” & “Best If Used By AUG2211B”
Blue Basics Limited Ingredient Formula Salmon and Potato Recipe dry dog food	24 lb	“Best If Used By AUG2111B”  “Best If Used By SEP2311P” &  “Best If Used By OCT2611P”
Blue Life Protection Formula Natural Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Large Breed Adult dog food	30 lb	“Best If Used By SEP2211P”  “Best If Used By SEP2311P” &  “Best If Used By OCT2611P”

 

No other BLUE dry or can pet foods are involved in this recall, and only the specific code dates of these products are involved.

To date there have been 36 cases nationwide of dogs reported with symptoms consistent with elevated Vitamin D in their systems while feeding on these specific productions of the products. In all cases the symptoms have subsided upon discontinuing feeding these products, with no apparent long term health consequences.

Blue Buffalo learned of this potential eondition in its products when it received reports of dogs diagnosed with high Vitamin D levels while feeding on the products from these specifie production runs. On further investigation it was learned that a sequencing error had occurred at the supplier of the dry ingredients for these products. Immediately before producing the ingredients for these specific production runs, the supplier had run a product for another customer that contained a more potent form of Vitamin D used in chicken feeds. It is now believed that there was some level of carry over of this Vitamin D product into the ingredients for the specific manufacturing runs of the BLUE products, thereby increasing the Vitamin D activity to unacceptable levels in the Blue ingredients.

Consumers who have purchased any of the products being recalled are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-877-523-9114 from 8 AM to 8 PM Eastern Time or visit the Company web site at www.bluebuffalo.com/news for more information.

Tips on Halloween Candy and Avoiding Tooth Decay

Tips on Halloween Candy and Avoiding Tooth Decay

By Dr. Margaret Mitchell

Kids love candy and Halloween is a great time to celebrate that love. However, what is a parent to do if they are worried about tooth decay from all this candy consumption? Candy usually contains sugar, which the bacteria that cause tooth decay dine on. So eating a food loaded with carbohydrate or sugar feeds the bacteria that cause tooth decay. Consequently, to avoid negative impacts from candy, we have to do two things: 1) Avoid excessive consumption of these sugary treats and 2) Lessen the amount of time the sugar is present in the mouth.

As the owner of Mitchell Dental Spa, a dental spa facility in Chicago’s Water Tower Place, I’d like to offer the following tips to for protecting your kids teeth at Halloween.

• Examine your child’s candy to see if it meets your approval.
• It is okay for your child to eat any candy that you approve of, but to help lessen the chance for tooth decay, have them brush as soon as possible (after eating the candy). If a child or adult brushes right after, the impact of the candy on the teeth is minimal.
• Avoid sticky candy such as taffy, gummy bears, caramel, etc.  Sticky Candy adheres to teeth and causes decay
• Kids can eat candy ANYTIME, there is not a good time of day/night to eat candy
• Prior to Halloween, visit your dentist to have sealants put into the child’s teeth grooves

If brushing soon after eating is not possible, then try the following:

• Consume the candy with a meal. The increased saliva production while eating will help wash the sweet off the teeth.
• Rinse the mouth with water.
• Chew a sugarless gum (especially those containing xylitol) after snacking on candy. The increased saliva from chewing will help wash the sugar off the teeth and xylitol gums help control the bacteria that cause tooth decay.
• Eat the candy quickly in one sitting to decrease the amount of time it is contact with the teeth. Avoid eating any candy slowly over an extended time or over multiple sittings. Recent studies have shown that length of time eating a sweet can be more harmful than the amount of sweet consumed. This means hard candies, breath mints, etc. (long residence time in the mouth) can actually be worse for your teeth than a chocolate candy bar (shorter residence time in the mouth).
• Avoid sugary sodas.  They are: 1) Loaded with sugar (often over 10 teaspoons per 12 ounce serving), 2) Are acidic enough to dissolve away tooth enamel, and 3) Are often sipped for long periods of time, resulting in teeth that are being bathed with sugar and acid almost continuously throughout the day.

For more information, please visit www.MitchellDentalSpa.com.

About Mitchell Dental Spa

The philosophy of the Mitchell Dental Spa is over-the-top dentistry combined with over-the-top amenities.  Unlike other cosmetic dental offices which only have dental services, the Mitchell Dental Spa is a full-service facility offering dentistry along with massages, facials, and skin rejuvenation. Complimentary 10-15 minute spa treatments are included with every visit and this is offered up along with refreshments, a friendly staff and world-class professional service.  The Mitchell Dental Spa is located at 845 North Michigan Avenue in Suite 922 East in Chicago’s Water Tower Place. For more information, please call (312) 642-1014 or visit http://www.mitchelldentalspa.com.

 

Trick or Treat: Seven Ways to Keep your Pet Safe this Halloween

1.    Be careful with Halloween decorations.  Pumpkins and corn are considered to be non-toxic, but they can create gastrointestinal problems when ingested by a pet. Intestinal blockage could even occur if large pieces are swallowed. Additionally, curious pets can easily knock over a lit pumpkin over and cause a fire.

2.    Make sure your pet’s costume is safe. The costume should not constrict the animal’s movement or hearing, or impede his ability to breathe, bark or meow.

3.    Have pets try on costumes a day or two before wearing them. If the pet appears distressed, has an allergic reaction, or shows abnormal behavior, remove the outfit.

4.    Take a closer look at your pet’s costume and make sure it does not have small pieces that could lead to a choking incident. Poor fitting outfits can get twisted on your pet, leading to injury.

5.    During prime trick-or-treat hours, keep shy dogs in a separate room. Too many strangers can be scary and overwhelming for pets.

6.    When opening the door for trick-or-treaters, make sure that your cat or dog doesn’t run outside unexpectedly. Always make sure your pet has the proper identification. If for any reason your pet escapes and becomes lost, a collar and tags and/or a microchip can increase the chances that he or she will be returned to you.

7.    Sorry Fluffy, but Halloween treats are just for kids. If you have a pet in the house,  be mindful of the following:

• Tin foil and cellophane candy wrappers are a choking hazard for pets, in worst cases ingestion may cause intestinal blockage.

• Chocolate can be very dangerous for dogs and cats. Symptoms of significant chocolate ingestion may include vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, increased thirst, urination and heart rate, and even seizures.

• Candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can be poisonous to dogs. Even minimal amounts of xylitol can create a sudden drop in blood sugar, which leads to depression, lack of coordination and seizures. In cases of significantly low blood sugar, liver failure has been known to occur. Avoid lollipops and hard candies when you are around your pet.

These Halloween hints for canine safety are brought to you by Camp Bow Wow!

About Camp Bow Wow®

Where a dog can be a dog®

In just 10 years, Camp Bow Wow, the premier doggy daycare and overnight camp, has grown to include over 100 Camps across North America, becoming a $50 million business. The company was recently ranked as the 447th fastest growing private company on the INC magazine 500 for 2009 list.

The Camp concept provides the highest levels of fun, safety and service for its campers, and peace of mind for their parents. Dogs romp together in an open-play environment and pricing is all-inclusive.  New services include Bow Wow Behavior Buddies, an in-home dog training program, which will launch in May 2010.  Since the Boulder, Colorado-based Company started franchising in 2003, Camp Bow Wow has sold more than 275 franchises in 39 states, plus one in Canada, over 41% being women-owned. As Camp Bow Wow grows, our simple philosophy remains the same: It’s all about the dogs.

www.campbowwow.com

www.facebook.com/campbowwow

www.twitter.com/campbowwow

 

American Humane Association Seeking Entries in Smitty’s Shelter Dog Art Contest

American Humane Association Seeking Entries in Smitty’s Shelter Dog Art Contest

Winning Illustration to Appear in the Major Motion Picture Smitty

DENVER, Oct. 4, 2010 – American Humane Association, the nation’s voice for the protection of children and animals, is seeking hand-drawn illustrations that showcase the theme “adopt a shelter dog” for its Smitty Shelter Dog Art Contest. The contest is for children ages 8-12 and will be held during the organization’s Adopt-A-Dog Month® in October.

American Humane Association’s Adopt-A-Dog Month is about the importance of adopting dogs from animal shelters, so it’s only fitting that the organization would partner with the major motion picture Smitty. Scheduled for release in 2011, Smitty is a family movie about a lovable shelter dog’s friendship with a young boy. To celebrate both, American Humane Association created Smitty’s Shelter Dog Art Contest.

A digital version of the contest winner’s illustration – along with the winner’s name, age, hometown and state – will be featured in the actual film in movie theaters across the country!

Smitty received American Humane Association’s Monitored: Outstanding rating and coveted “No Animals Were Harmed”® disclaimer. The film stars Oscar nominee and Golden Globe winner Peter Fonda, Oscar winners Mira Sorvino and Louis Gossett Jr., and BooBoo Stewart from The Twilight Saga: Eclipse.

For contest rules and information on how to enter, visit www.americanhumane.org/aadm.

About American Humane Association: Since 1877, the historic American Humane Association has been at the forefront of every major advancement in protecting children, pets and farm animals from abuse and neglect. Today we’re also leading the way in understanding human-animal interaction and its role in society. As the nation’s voice for the protection of children and animals, American Humane Association reaches millions of people every day through groundbreaking research, education, training and services that span a wide network of organizations, agencies and businesses. You can help make a difference, too. Visit American Humane Association at www.americanhumane.org today.

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