Pick up after your pets folks

Men face assault charges after dog doo dispute

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100701/ap_on_fe_st/us_odd_dog_doo_dispute

Visit your local SPCA

This morning my fiancee and I did just that and had such a great time visiting with the dogs there. We were there to inquire about the adoption process (we're looking at getting a second in a few months) and volunteer opportunities there. It was apparent that all of the volunteers there really enjoyed their time there - often staying much longer than the 2hr blocks ... but we found it hard to tear ourselves away from the puppies and adoptable dogs there.

So please ... instead of purchasing a dog, consider adopting one of the adorable, lovable dogs available at your local branch.

Remember Sam from "I AM LEGEND" ...

... and how he came to Will Smith's rescue, risking his own life to save his master's when he was attacked by the mutated dogs? Well, Presley is not that kind of dog. I know in the face of danger he's running the other way, tail tucked between his legs.

This morning I took him for his morning walk and found a golf ball in the grass.  I tossed it into the woods in front of Presley and as soon as it hit a tree - POOF! My dog was running for the house. If it had not been for the leash around him he would've made it too.

If this were the land of Oz, he would definitely be asking for courage. Even an ounce will do.

C.S.I. ASPCA

Forensics now able to bust dog fighting rings through canine DNA. Cool stuff!

http://bit.ly/dpjKhk

NC Adopts Tougher Animal Cruelty Laws

NC Adopts "Susie's Law" in light of a (now) 1 yr old pit bull puppy that was beaten, set on fire, and left to die on the side of the road.

How people that can do that exist and live with themselves baffles me to no end.

Susie is alive and in a good home. It's a shame that it took her suffering to pass and adopt a much needed amendment to a law that lets inhumane individuals live quietly amongst us with only PROBATION.

The law now classifies such acts as a Class H felony as if it were an act against an individual and carries a sentence of 10 years or a fine or both.

http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/7835724/

Happy (doggy) Father's Day

Here's the first of our printable holiday cards! Make sure that your printer is printing two-sided and that it is flipping on the short side for landscape printing!

Happy father's day to all fathers out there ... doggy or otherwise.

WRAL.com - NY police dog finds parole violator 1st day on job

NY police dog finds parole violator 1st day on job.  What a way to start a career.
http://www.wral.com/news/strange/story/7792439/

A blind dog has her own seeing eye dog

From PawNation:

http://www.pawnation.com/2010/06/11/blind-dog-has-her-own-seeing-eye-dog/

Presbucket > Garfield in marketing ...

Article re-posted from: http://trendpost.blogspot.com/2010/05/why-are-dogs-effective-marketers.html

Why are dogs effective marketers?

Have you noticed that canines have been used in marketing of products and companies that are totally un-related to the species? Why is this? Why is it that cats are used to specifically market cat food (we're specifically referring to "real" cats and not cartoon versions such as Garfield, Tony the Tiger, or Chester Cheetah) and dogs are in commercials from Cottonelle toilet tissues to Target stores?

A recent University of Texas Austin [1] study of 4,565 survey respondents found that:

• 46% were dog people, 12% cat people
• 28% were impartial in preference, 15% were neither
• Dog people were 15% (more) extroverted, 13% agreeable and 11% more conscientious than those described as cat people
• Cat people were 12% neurotic and 11% more open than dog people

In addition, according to the 2009 - 2010 National Pet Owners survey, the breakdown of pet owners showed that while the number of dogs owned falls behind the number of cats, the number of dog households out numbers all other animals. [2]

Number of U.S. Households that Own a Pet (millions)
Cat                               38.2
Dog                              45.6


Total Number of Pets Owned in the U.S. (millions)

Cat                               93.6

Dog                              77.5

Looking at these facts and figures, it is not hard to see why Americans see more dogs than cats in marketing of products that are totally unrelated to the pet industry.  When was the last time you saw a dog use toilet tissue (Cottonelle), enjoying music (RCA), eating tacos (Taco Bell), enjoying a beer (Spuds McKenzie - Bud Light), or buying ANYTHING from Target?

Outside of the big cats (i.e. lions and tigers), can you name the last advertising campaign that utilized a cat that was not for a product, business, or service that was not "for" cats?

Dogs rule.  Thanks for reading.

[1] Research Shows Personality Differences Between Cat and Dog People. (2010, January 13). University of Texas at Austin. Retrived on May 29, 2010 from http://www.utexas.edu/news/2010/01/13./personality_dogs_cats/
[2] Pet Ownership Industry Statistics and Trends. (2010). American Pet Products Association (APPA). Retrieved on May 29, 2010 from http://www.americanpetproducts.org/press_industrytrends.asp

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