Being thankful

I am so happy today. After going through a period of being really under the weather, (Whew!) I am all better now. I've been thinking about a few new treat ideas and shapes. As well, our new packaging will be coming out this Spring. It's all good stuff.

So excited to be working hard again and will be getting out to more dog events when the weather gets more temperate. Gotta love New York though...for all it's worth, our streets were neat and tidy, our walkways were cleared and today everything just looks like a really nice wintery day outside. It's not too cold and walking is perfect in this kinda New York day.

Today is the first day of Lent, February 21, 2007 starts Lent and it ends on April 5, Holy Thursday in the evening. I'm not a religious person in the sense that I do not go to church every Sunday, but I do have a special place in my heart reserved for these rituals that I believe are quite important in our everyday life. The very concept of Lent is what draws me to it. It is the discipline and self-sacrifice which brings about a greater awareness in general. It is a time for reflection. I like that. Take the time to reflect on yourself, your life, how you treat others and how you treat yourself. It's meditation and heightened awareness which we should practice each day. I also get to thinking about those dogs that need a home. See, it all comes together now...because I really was just looking at Katie today and thinking how lucky I am that she came into my life and how I wish that other dogs, shelter dogs, will be so lucky as to find a loving home and bring joy into the lives of their families. That is what I reflected on today.

I'm giving up ice cream for lent. Yikes. Can I do it? I think so...wish me luck!

Prayers for Bob

Katie and I are both very sad to have learned that Boston Bob met an unfortunate end after what appears to have been electrocution. The article is here:

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/local/story/497690p-419529c.html

Con Ed is investigating the situation. As you may recall, last year a woman was electrocuted and died while walking her dogs on a city street. The dangers of walking the city streets are limitless...Seriously though, I've seen boots that perhaps could protect both you and your dog from electrocution. Rubber soles for your dog and for yourself, so fashionistas out there...just wear those ugly boots or a pair of Uggs with rubber soles and protect your pooch as well.

The sad story about Jodie Lane is here:
http://www.thevillager.com/villager_38/couldpolicehave.html

The salt that we spread to help melt the ice on our sidewalks and streets actually will conduct electricity better and therefore the exposed or corroded wires will pose an increased risk of electrocution for this reason.

Here is the safety information from Con Ed regarding "Street Safety"

http://www.coned.com/customercentral/streetsafety.asp

The hotline to call for any sort of dangerous electrical condition in NYC is:

1-800-75-CONED (1-800-752-6633)

I would put this number in my cellphone along with 911 emergency because you never know when you need to just hit it and get help.

Stay warm and safe.

It's all about location

I just stumbled across this article today about locating devices on shoes. GPS for people. I've had this idea for a long time but well, as technology always does, it found it's way to a market.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070209/ap_on_hi_te/gps_sneaker

We have microchipping for dogs so why not microchip kids? They could have it removed when they are adults but we could consider this for safety considering the number of children who are abducted or attacked year after year. I'm not saying that we must know where our children are at all times but I do believe that this may be the answer to a problem that has long existed in a society that has enough knowledge to stop such heinous crimes against children.

As well, there are many of us who don't care who knows where we are and have no secrets to hide. Why not microchip yourself? Maybe this might hold up in court that perhaps someone was somewhere at sometime and not at a crime scene? Have you ever been somewhere remote, driving along thinking, "If I got stuck here...I'd have to walk miles to find help. Nobody would know where to find me..." That's a scary thought. But if you have a microchip that conveys a signal and let's "People Finder!" know where to find you, you have an emergency service that will save the day. Well sure, for you skeptics the thought is...well why not just put some locator on your car? Well no. Because then the car and you are two separate entities right? You walk to find help and poof, you're off the radar.

Ok, this is getting outta hand

I just got my copy of a little dog supply catalog, Doctors Foster and Smith and came across this little ditty, doggie slippers.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=15350&Ntt=dog%20slippers&Ntk=All&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&pc=1&N=0&Nty=1

I think there is cute and then there is "too cute." By "too cute" I don't mean, "Oh that itty bitty teensy weensy cutey pootie has adorable slippers on!" No. I mean, "That's just over the top man." Whoa. I mean, what are slippers for? Aren't they to keep your feet warm? Well, let's get this clear. Dogs have paws. They already have their slippers on. This is just a way to provoke laughter, embarassment or just make a dog look cute waddling along in his ducky slippers.

Oh boy.

Katie bit me today. It didn't break the skin or anything but she meant business. What happened? She's a great dog. Still is. I love her but this was weird. We were just sitting on her chair and I reached around her to scratch her chest, she normally lets me do this but today, she let out a growl and then whomp! She just closed her mouth on my right hand! Whoa. That was freaky. So I pulled my hand out and jumped up. She didn't bite to break skin but she definitely meant that she wanted to show me some dominance. That scared me a little so I did yell at her. I let her know who was boss. Then she looked sad and remorseful. Sheesh. Talk about a real Long Island dog. Well, then she followed me around with her tail between her legs and then wagging in little friendly wags. I don't know what that was about. I checked her for lumps or something that might cause her pain but nothing showed up. She might be mad at me because I yelled at her this morning because she was just barking and howling at the garbage men. My yelling is not yelling yelling though. It's just me being as stern as I can with her and telling her not to bark. I guess I gotta go consult The Dog Bible now...be back later with the info.

Mail Call!

I have to remind my wonderful customers to provide the correct shipping address when placing an order. I just had a terrible time trying to gets treats to one of my customers because she had supplied her home address and is virtually never at home.

All of my other customers have supplied a shipping address if different from the billing address by emailing me or calling. I love to hear from customers and I will oftentimes get emails just specifically to make sure the treats are going to a certain mailing address. Oh well...I've been an online buyer for years so I know exactly what must be done to make sure a package gets to me. I am therefore stressing that the MAILING ADDRESS be clearly stated on all orders.

I thank you...Katie thanks you and your dog will thank you when your treats arrive promptly and safely.

It's been a while but I'm back!

Yes, the cold weather has got me back into the baking swing. It's been a slow couple of months despite the holidays. I guess people have been spending on themselves more than their dogs? How sad. But anyhow, I have been working on new recipes that should be ready for the Spring line up. Yay! Today was a beef treat kind of day and Katie really enjoyed it. My improved beef treat is crunchier and Katie loves it.

Funny way to incorporate a dog in a video

I just found this on You Tube as suggested by a funny guy...check this out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KybdTGD6v3U&mode=related&search=

I think the dog is a Sheltie...actually from the speed and the cuteness factor, I'm certain that the dog is a Sheltie. I loved this. Laughed so hard.