Last week Furry Travelers exhibited at the largest pet trade show in the US - Global Pet Expo. We decided we would take Cookie and Katie with us. This would be Katie's first event and we were a little concerned how she would do. She's a bit more timid than our other dogs have been. Cookie was there though, the professional Furry Traveler and we hoped she would be a good influence on the younger pup.
Travel sickness: For years I have heard from customers with dogs that have motion sickness and as a result get sick when they travel. I have done my best to direct them to a solution, but until I experienced it first hand, didn't know how difficult that could be.
Our newest dog, Katie, has terrible motion sickness. It is so bad that she will vomit just going a few blocks! And when we do find a way to settle her stomach so she doesn't get sick, she drools so excessively from anxiety that we fear she will get dehydrated on a long trip. We were traveling about 3 hours so we figured this would be a good test. We finally found the right combination for her: Dramamine the night before and first thing in the morning, combined with Rescue Remedy to calm her anxiety.
Our Pet Zip Dog Stroller was another needed product for the trip. While we were setting up our booth, this kept them out of harms way and during the show, they spent most of their time in it, enjoying watching all the activity around them. During slower times, we took them out to stretch, get tummy rubs from our booth neighbors and treats from some of the other exhibitors. They even helped us get more traffic into the booth. Who can resist these cute faces?
On this trip I also tested a new product that we have carried for a few months now - Doggy Baggage.
What a great bag! I was able to keep all the girls stuff in one convenient place and stay organized, too. 6 outside pockets to keep important items handy (medication, brushes, water bottle, leash) and the bag itself is large enough to hold food, dishes, To Go Bowl, toys - everything else you need for a great trip.
And of course we had our To Go Bowl! This allowed the dogs to drink whenever they wanted while in the car and we just put it in our Doggy Baggage when we went into the hotel or trade show to then be used on the floor. Of course we stored the girls favorite treats in the removable cup, too!
The trip was a great success!
We get lots of calls and orders for carriers that are approved for in-flight use. As every airline has their own requirements and restrictions, we always recommend checking with your specific airline. If you are planning a trip, I just came across a website that lists all the airlines and their restrictions: http://www.petflight.com/airlines
Safe travels!
-Nancy
We recently found a company in California that bakes all natural dog treats in some very unique ways with healthy ingredients.
Here is the scoop:
Sweetie Pies are a healthy dog treat made of free range chicken and sweet potatoes. Research has shown that sweet potatoes are one of the top 10 healthiest foods you can eat! They are packed with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Even better, dogs love them!
The chickens and sweet potatoes are both from small local farmers. They are slow baked to preserve their goodness. Dogs can't say no to these treats! Break pieces off to use as training treats or as a nutritious low calorie snack.
I had always heard of dogs that had a "tooting" problem, but this has become a recent issue with Cookie and I can't wait to try these! We sold out of them too soon for me to try with our first order, but now that we have more, we won't waste any time getting her started on them!
Enzymes are the catalysts for every metabolic process in the body and the foundation for good digestion and overall health. Better digestion means less gas. Digestive enzymes are added to these treats so they are easily absorbed.
Fart Busters are made from pure whole free range chicken with a proprietary blend (human grade) of digestive enzymes that can aid digestion and help with those "aromatic" moments. These are all meat treats, manufactured in California. Chickens are from local farmers and are raised without the use of antibiotics or animal by-products and are fed a vegetarian diet.
Cookie and Katie both have tried - and go crazy over - Bark Stix. What a great idea - dog treats that look like bread sticks! They are made with organic whole wheat flour, beef liver, water, rolled oats, carrots, bacon, parsley and baking powder.
I am very happy to be able to offer healthy treat options for your Furry Traveler. Give one or all of them a try while they last!
I hope there aren't too many dogs living outside this cold and snowy winter. Whether your dog lives inside or out, knowing how to kekep your dog warm is important. Here are a few tips we found online along with a few of our own. If your dog is small, has short hair, or is older, consider purchasing a jacket to help keep him warm. In some climates, it is appropriate to choose a sweater for the fall months and a heavier jacket for the colder winter months. When choosing outerwear for your dog choose something simple that is easy for you to put on. (Jackets carried by Furry Travelers are all very convenient to use and clean.) If your dog is not used to wearing clothing, simply put the coat on for short periods each day making sure to give lots of good treats. Your dog will learn to associate wearing his coat with yummy treats making it much easier for you to dress him. Choose a coat made from durable materials that are easy to care for. Just because it's cute doesn't necessarily mean that it is appropriate. Also, if snow is a concern, look for water resistant materials. Make sure to know your dog's measurements and follow the manufacturer's directions to ensure proper fit. Dogs that walk a lot, work outside, or are older, may also need to wear boots. Dog boots are available from many manufacturers and help keep feet protected from ice, snow, and salt. As with coats, make sure to follow the manufacturer's directions to ensure proper fit. If you choose not to purchase boots for your dog, make sure to remove ice and snow from between his pads when he comes inside. This will help keep him warm as well as help prevent dry, cracked, irritated pads.
During the winter, it is just as important to keep your dog properly groomed as it is during the summer. Your dog's coat provides natural insulation against the elements. It is important to keep your dog's coat brushed and free of mats and burrs. The hair between the foot pads needs to be trimmed up to help prevent ice balls from forming. Regular grooming will help ensure proper body temperature during the winter months. Some dogs, especially those kept outside, will require extra food during the winter months. It is important to discuss these nutritional needs with your veterinarian or pet professional. If your dog is kept outside, it is also very important to make sure that he has access to clean, fresh water at all times. Snow and ice are not appropriate for hydration. Be careful to make sure that his water has not frozen over. If your dog lives primarily outside, make sure you get him a good quality shelter of some sort. Many pet supply stores and manufacturers make great quality dog houses in a variety of styles for every budget. Get one that will help keep wind, rain, and snow away from your dog. Make sure that the opening to the dog house does not face the wind. You will also want to make sure that you lay down straw or provide a bed or several blankets to help protect your dog from the frozen ground. Make sure to change the straw and/or bedding periodically. Blankets and beds can get wet and straw, when wet, can get moldy. Moldy straw can lead to upper respiratory and skin infections. Some people like to provide heat to their outside dog houses. It is not a good idea to do this with heating pads or space heaters with electrical cords. Your dog can chew through these cords causing a hazardous accident. If you choose to provide heat to your outdoor dog, it is best to have this done professionally. Some pet stores offer heated beds that contain a disc that can be heated in the microwave or with hot water periodically. There are many things you can do to ensure that your dog stays warm and safe during the winter months. If you have further questions about how to do this, please ask your veterinary staff or pet professionals.
Cookie and I just got back from the AKC Dog Show in Atlanta. It has been a few months since we traveled together and it reminded me how important it is to have proper pet travel accessories. These are some of our favorites:
Safety First!
The Kurgo Skybox Booster Seat keeps smaller dogs safely buckled, while allowing them to see out the window - something a simple safety harness can make difficult.
The Skybox adjusts to any height and holds up to 30 pounds. I often put both of our dogs in it! You simply strap them to their own harness, or a safety harness. When it is not in use, just unclasp the seat strap and flip it over the head rest. It is lightweight and collapses to just a few inches when not in use.
Note:
All dogs should be safely buckled up, just like you and the rest of your family. There are many styles of safety harnesses to choose from at many price ranges. You might be surprised to find how quickly your dog adjusts to a safety harness. Even the most active dogs can feel more secure when they are restrained in the car. And everyone will be safer in case of a sudden stop or accident.
The To Go Bowl by Furry Travelers is a must have travel accessory for all road trips. Cookie was able to drink whenever she wanted without having to stop the car or worry about splashing. We also used the bowl in our hotel and at the dog show by removing the cup portion (which of course carried her treats).
The patented, award winning To Go Bowl fits cup holders between 3 - 4 inches and can be used for dogs of all sizes.
We never take a trip without Cookie's own bag, the EBD Carry All Travel Bag. This bag is the greatest! It has so many interior pockets that staying organized is a piece of cake. Cookie had to look her best while working at the dog show, so we had pockets for her hair brush, dental spray, tear wipes, extra harness and leash, a coat (it was cold there!) and still had room for some of my own things. The EBD Carry All Bag even comes with its own fleece blanket.
NEW FAVORITE: I picked up the Kurgo Quantum Leash at the trade show this month. It is a leash that can be used 6 different ways (see details)! I didn't really see a benefit to using this type of leash, especially for a small dog like Cookie. While setting up our booth at the show, I thought I would give it a try. Cookie likes to be with me all the time, especially when in a new environment. I often keep her in her Susan Lanci Travel Sling, but she can still be in the way and gets kind of heavy after a while. Anyway, I hooked the Quantum Leash to her harness and hooked it across my shoulder. What a problem solver! She was with me everywhere I went, without me having to carry her.
Finally, the big seller of the show and perhaps my all time favorite product (next to the To Go Bowl, of course), is the Susan Lanci Travel Sling. Cookie "hung around" all day, every day at the show and really started a trend with the other small dog owners in Atlanta. The sling is ideal for smaller dogs (under 10 pounds) and comfortable for both you and your pup. It is lightweight, breathable, and folds up so small you can keep it in your pocket or purse!
Traveling with your dog can be fun and easy! There are many, many great travel accessories for pets. Furry Travelers goal is to carry the newest and most unique pet travel products on the market. We are constantly adding great new items, so check our website often!
To see all our pet travel accessories, click here.
We lost our dog Sammy earlier this year. We had to make the difficult decision to put her to sleep. She had been suffering for years from serious back problems related to major surgery she had 10 years earlier. She also had recurring eye problems caused by a paralyzed facial nerve.
We did all we could to make her life happy over the years. This included building homemade ramps for 4 rooms of the house so she could sit and sleep with us, taking her for walks in a stroller so she could get fresh air, putting carpet runners throughout our tiled house so her little paws wouldn't slip out from under her while she walked. We gave her supplements, a radiant heat lamp, acupuncture treatments. She was truly a loved member of our family and we spared no expense or effort to make her happy and comfortable.
At 15 years of age, she was no longer our happy-go-lucky Sammy. She seemed uncomfortable and the only excitement she showed was at mealtime. Other than that, she didn't wag her tail or even want to be in the same room with us. Given her health history, we discussed that we would not put her through another surgery, should that need arise.
When she developed another serious eye problem requiring surgery, we discussed the situation with her doctor. Our wonderful vet assured us that these were all signs she was ready to move on. She was no longer enjoying her life. I heard another vet once say that it is better to end a dogs life too soon than to risk ending it an hour too late.
While this made our decision easier, it did not make the loss easier. For all but the last few months of her life, she was the happiest, friendliest dog we had ever known.
(This blog entry started out to be about a pet product and I'm not sure what got me on the subject of Sammy, but I am going to leave it in case someone out there is needing to make a similar decision about their beloved dog. Talk to your vet. They can help you decide what is best.)
The loss of a pet is tremendous and the sadness sometimes overwhelming, but it does get easier with time. Let yourself be sad, cry, go through the grieving process. They are members of your family and most likely loved as much as your two legged family members.
Finally, don't be afraid to eventually get another pet! I have spoken to so many people whose dog passed away years earlier. When I ask why they haven't gotten a new one, they say because they don't want to ever go through that type of loss again.
I can't imagine being a dog lover and choosing to be alone rather than have a dog bring you love, companionship and joy for so many years. Don't be afraid! It can help you overcome the grief and bring you years of happiness.
Just be careful not to expect your new pet to "replace" the old. Dogs, as people, are all different. One thing that stays the same, is the unconditional love and wet kisses you only get from a dog.
Our little Sammy
The first time I ever saw a decorative crate cover was a few years ago at a trade show. A young woman explained that she had a small apartment and crated her dog while she was at work. Having little space to work with, she thought it would be convenient to be able to use the crate as a coffee table, so she designed a cover for it to coordinate with the rest of her decor. What a great idea!
Many companies are now designing crate covers and Furry Travelers recently added a few to our product line - with matching crate pads. So cute!
The best part of a crate cover is the benefit to your dog. Dogs are den dewlling animals by instinct. A crate that is covered provides the dog with a den-like atmosphere. This is very useful when you are away from home, whether or not you bring your pooch with you.
If you keep the crate in an area that can become drafty or cold, the cover will help keep your pet warm. In the summer months, the cover can provide shade.
Our 5 month old puppy, Katie, is the first puppy we did not crate-train. Now that I work at home, we thought it was easier not to. This was a mistake. Our little Katie had emergency surgery on Friday and we are taking her home tonight. The vet told us we must keep her in a crate so she doesn't hurt herself (and to prevent her from roughhousing with our other dog). So, we now have to hope that her few days in a cage at the hospital will be enough to make her happy to be in a crate at home. We will be using the ProSelect 2-Piece Crate Cover and Bed Set!
It's been hot all summer and it doesn't look like it is going to end any time soon for many areas of the country. I think it is always smart to brush up on the signs of heat stroke in dogs.
I visited New York City for the first time last week. It was a business trip - a media event showing the latest unique pet products. (I will post pictures when they become available).
While it is quite a distance from SE Florida, I decided to drive so I could bring a variety of products to show at the event. Cookie came along for the ride and also to be our model.
The event was held at the New York Barclay Hotel in midtown Manhattan. They recently became pet friendly, and I must say, Cookie felt very welcome by everyone that worked there as well as other guests.
What we didn't realize, unfortunately, is that while New Yorkers love their dogs, unless your dog is a "city dog", you might have problems. Being a professional "Furry Traveler", I thought I was prepared for everything. There were a few items I had wished I brought, however.
Of course we took our To Go Bowl on the trip so Cookie could drink whenever she wanted while in the car. This bowl was then brought into the hotel and used on the floor for her water bowl. I had brought a folding travel bowl for her food, but this didn't work well for us. Since she is a small dog and I didn't need to put a lot of food in the bowl, it would start to fold down when she put her face into it. She didn't like that and I ended up hand feeding her. The Kurgo Collaps-a-bowl would have been better. It stays rigid until you manually collapse it. The Little Buddy Lunchbox would have been convenient, too. I could have stored her dog food in it, as well.
Then there was the "potty" issue. I knew NYC was not known for its lush landscaping, but I thought there would be grass somewhere. There was - Central Park - about a 20 minute walk from the hotel. Of course I have seen it on television, but it truly is a beautiful, gigantic park, with street vendors and performers, ball parks, outdoor (pet friendly) restaurants... We had a great time exploring the park and Cookie had blocks and blocks and blocks to find the perfect spot to go.
The next morning we tried a closer dog park, just a couple blocks away. While it didn't have a lot of grass, it was fenced and right on the Hudson River. A great place for dogs to run and have fun. We walked back on a different block that did have some grassy patches. I guess a city dog doesn't need grass and I'm sure Cookie would eventually adjust if necessary. Next time I will bring our Pup Head, though. This would have made things so much easier!
I took many of the products we sell to make the trip safer and more convenient. One necessity is the Kurgo Tru-Fit Smart Harness. It kept Cookie safe while driving and then when we stopped, I clipped her leash to it for a quick walk. It is padded, so nice and comfortable for Cookie, and easy for me, as it simply slips over her head and clips around her chest. Of course Leash Luggage, the Bow Wow Bag, waste bags, reflective collar are other items that made traveling more convenient.
We also took Cookie's stroller. This made it easy to maneuver in the crowds, get on the hotel elevator, eat at the cafe. It was hot in NYC last week so I think all the walking in the hot weather would have been too much for the little one.
And no trip is ever made without her EBD Carry-All bag. I love this bag! It has a pocket for everything so it is easy to stay organized. Cookie is our Furry Travelers model, so she her share of supplies we bring on each trip and needs her own bag in which to carry them.
I wish we had been able to stay in New York City longer and look forward to going back in the future!
For see all Furry Travelers products, visit www.FurryTravelers.com.
