Here are some tips for a safe holiday with your furry friend:

-Rather than taking Fido to watch a fireworks show, spend time with him during the day!! Play some Frisbee out in the sun!

-Having a barbecue? Make sure if your meat contains any bones to place them on a hard to reach area so your dog has no chance of getting a hold of them! Also make sure your garbage bin has a lid that closes tightly so your pet cannot get into that either.

-Do not take your dog out with you and keep them locked up in the car! You would never want to leave a family member in the car and here at DOGSWELL, pets are family too! If your dog is left in the car, the heat and lack of hydration will not be a good combination.

-Contact your veterinarian if your dog is flustered by loud noises to see if there is anything your dog can take through the holiday.

-Make sure your canine companion is wearing proper identification just in case they do get out.

-Staying in? The high-pitched sounds and the low-bellows of the boom of the fireworks can frighten your dog. Hide from the fireworks under a sheet together!

-Going out for the night? Make your pup as comfortable as possible while you are away. Your dog can hear noises from fireworks in the distance, even if we cannot hear them! Give them the run in a certain room in your house, not outdoors because you do not want your dog somehow escaping! Take them out to go to the bathroom before you leave, and make sure they have water and stay hydrated! Maybe even play some classical music to relax them and have some background noise to distract them from the noisy fire crackers.

-Speaking about relaxing, try Mellow Mutts from DOGSWELL. The chicken breast treats will be sure to relax your dog, enriched with lavender and chamomile to help them calm down.

Have a Safe and Happy Independence Day from DOGSWELL!!!

Supporting shelters and homeless pets has always been important to DOGSWELL®. The Pet Pantry of Michigan is a rapidly growing organization that we have been fortunate enough to partner with in the past and donate some food supply. Last week, the Pet Pantry was nominated during a Facebook contest, hosted by DOGSWELL®, and won over 1,500 lbs of food! After learning more about the Pet Pantry of Michigan and how they have helped SO many different types animals, we were fascinated! Below, DOGSWELL® interviews the Pet Pantry of Michigan founder, Jennifer Stiles, and finds out how one person’s dream became a reality.

Why did you decide to start the Pet Pantry of Michigan?

“The Pet Pantry of Michigan was established in February of 2009 by myself, Jennifer Stiles. In tough times, I found I needed to visit food pantries to get help with food and other supplies. I found that the one thing that food pantries typically do not help with is food for your pets. That’s when I decided to do something about it. In this uncertain economy, treasured family pets are being left hungry, homeless and abandoned. When families are faced with the decision to feed the pets or feed the family, the pets are usually the first ones to go without. The Pet Pantry program is aimed at helping families with the food and supplies needed to keep pets in their homes with their families where they can live a long happy healthy life.”

What type of animals can benefit from the Pet Pantry?

“The Pet Pantry of Michigan believes that all animals have the right to be cared for and loved no matter what species they are. We help all types of animals. We have helped horses, cats, dogs, lizards ,turtles, hermit crabs, fish and even wild ducks.”

Can you tell us a bit about your organization?

“The Pet Pantry has gone from just a dream, to a reality serving an estimated 2,200 pets and 1,000 families in the community and has successfully kept these pets in their homes and out of the shelters. We have numerous drop-off donation sites at local businesses that support us and through continuous fundraising and public donations we are able to support our facilities that play a vital role in serving those in need. The Pet Pantry also assists local animal rescues in need of supplies and with other animal related emergencies. Our clients range from the elderly, disabled and the homeless. One of our major points of interest is working with Girl Scouts of America, local schools, as well as other youth based organizations. We have done numerous fund raisers, and are regular guests at many community help service events, parades, and other animal related events. The Pet Pantry was on the front page of the Muskegon Chronicle, Grand Haven Tribune, News Review, Cats and Dogs Magazine, and many newspapers based in other states. We have been on many local news broadcasts, radio and TV talk shows.”

Where do you get your supplies from?

“We are completely supported by public donations and fundraisers. All of us here at the Pet Pantry of Michigan work vigorously to keep the funds coming in to pay the expenses of our building where we help our clients and store our materials. If we lose our building the Pet Pantry will be forced to close its doors. We also actively seek out donations from pet food companies such as Dogswell. There are many companies that will not help us, but we are blessed to have received help from Dogswell. We couldn’t be more grateful for their generosity. The gifts that they have given to us has helped feed hungry animals that normally would have starved or perished.”

How can one donate?

“We encourage everyone to join in our mission to feed hungry animals. On our web site we have a Pay Pal button that makes giving a gift easy, fast and secure right from the comforts of home. Any size gift can do so much for an animal that needs help with food, medicine and even blankets. Please visit our site at www.petpantrymi.org today and give the gift of a healthy long life to an animal in need.”

Do you have any pets yourself?

“All of us here at the Pet Pantry of Michigan have many furry family members. I myself have three beautiful rescue dogs and have added a brand new kitten to our family just yesterday.”

What is your favorite DOGSWELL® product?

“Although we haven’t tried all the Dogswell products, the most popular item at the pantry so far has been the Happy Hips dry dog food that was donated last year. We have clients that still come in requesting the Dogswell food saying that they have never seen their pet more happy and healthy with any other food. A large number of our clients cannot afford food of such a nutritional value such as Dogswell. Most times they are forced to feed the pets table scraps or a poor quality food that is mostly fillers like corn.”

If you were a dog, what breed would you be?

“If I were a dog I would like to be a Golden Lab. The temperament and patients of Labs are wonderful, especially with children and their coats are beautifully colored.”

For More information on The Pet Pantry of Michigan please visit: http://www.petpantrymi.org

Greetings, I’m Arthur L. Fishwell, most people skip over my Bio on the DOGSWELL website, and office visitors barely notice me; let’s face it, I’m lucky if I even get fed! At DOGSWELL I’m the Office Fish Coordinator, you may have figured it out by now, yes, I am indeed a fish. Although I live in the shadow of office dogs, I can see EVERYTHING through my fish bowl- I always know ALL of the juicy gossip! No, I’m not talking about the DOGSWELL® employees, I’m talking about the dogs! Let me fill you in:

Abbey- Office Shadow
No need to send emails, Abbey’s right there at your feet! She follows employees around the office just in case there’s an urgent need for a taste tester, kiss, or belly rub. If she’s not in sight, you’ll find her resting her head right under your chair. You can’t help but notice her adorable brown eyes, excited whimper, and soft fur, thanks to VITALITY™ canned food! Outside of work, Abbey loves being a social butterfly at the dog park, chasing birds, and looking for squirrels.

Riley-Office Temp
Riley is a Beagle/Jack Russel mix. Like most temps, he’s a little unclear about his office duties, but loves getting attention any way he can. He savors Biscuits with Benefits, especially HAPPY HIPS® Bacon & White Cheddar to go along with his whine. In Riley’s spare time, he loves running wild at the dog beach, performing Chew Toy Surgery, and exploring all boundaries! He won’t admit it, but he’s got a little crush on his co-worker Lucy.

Lily-Office Greeter and Assistant Taste Tester
Lily may not let you pet her, but she will always let you feed her, especially if it is a DOGSWELL® VITALITY™ Chicken Treat! One can earn Miss Lily’s trust by having a constant supply of treats to dispense at her command. Lily has been a part of the DOGSWELL® team since late 2009, with a little love, and a lot of treats, she has started to come out of her little Yorkie shell! She has an amazing work ethic, as she is always sitting at attention, ready to greet any office visitors with a demure tail wag. When Lily is not busy at the front door, you can find her lending a paw taste testing! In her spare time she enjoys lounging on office desks, getting belly rubs from those she deems worthy, walks around the neighborhood, car rides, and flirting with stuffed animals twice her size.

Lucy-Taste Tester and Comic Relief
Lucy joined DOGSWELL® in October 2006 when she was six weeks old. Practically reared on DOGSWELL® food and treats, she snubs her nose at any non-DOGSWELL® food item. Unlike other pugs, Lucy is a picky eater with a discerning palate. This trait allows her to assist her mother in new product development; no product is launched unless it meets Lucy’s approval. A total diva, Lucy loves attention and affection. It’s not uncommon for her to interrupt meetings or break the concentration of DOGSWELL® employees with her incessant desire to play fetch. Lucy also loves to sleep and her other-worldly snoring will bring a smile to your face. Sorry guys, her heart belongs to Tugboat, a Chihuahua 15 pounds her junior

Buddy-Office Jester
Buddy Bear has been with DOGSWELL® since October 2008, and still wakes up every morning with true enthusiasm for another day at the office. His day begins with a full sprint from the elevator to the office door, where he jumps and barks until his mother can catch up and let him in. He is always thorough with his morning greetings, taking the time to give warm kisses to everyone, whether they like it or not. His love of everything and everyone is both a blessing and a curse. His inability to discern between a treat and a tree branch make him unfit for taste testing, however his overwhelming friendliness makes him an excellent member of the Office Greeting Committee. He lives to love and loves to live, which really helps to keep the office atmosphere light and cheerful.

Peanut-Hall Monitor/Security Guard
Although she is 100% purebred Pomeranian, Miss Peanut would argue she is no one’s pet! As the only daughter of Alissa Riach, she feels that although she is very small and furry, and happens to walk on four adorable little paws, she is just as much a member of high-class society as any aristocrat. She may not have an official DOGSWELL® nametag, but Peanut has taken it upon herself to be the office guest announcer, shoe/foot inspector, hall monitor, and on occasion, office security guard. While she rarely listens to her superiors, she will do anything for a VEGGIE LIFE® chicken & sweet potato chew.

Now that you are familiar with the office dogs you will have to stay tuned for some interesting updates…

Do you want your dog to be famous, fit, and fabulous? Enter your dog in the SHAPE UP YOUR PUP Challenge! Click here for Details

I’m sure you have all thought about skin cancer before, but probably not in relation to your pet. This is a very serious issue that is not to be taken lightly.
Believe it or not, your pets are just as susceptible to skin cancer as you are. Dogs with light colored coats or short hair have an increased risk.

It is important to know what signs to look for, make sure you examine your pet monthly for the following:

-new growths or change in color or size of existing cells
-tumors that have difficulty healing and bleed frequently
-masses or lumps of tissue
-any area that a dog continuously licks or scratches
-discoloration under the tail
-scaly or crusty lesions
-swelling in the breast tissue

If you notice any of the symptoms listed above contact your veterinarian right away. Luckily, most skin cancer cases can be treated successfully when caught.

Now you may be wondering, is there anything you can do preventatively, read the list below for some tips:

-Apply sunscreen with an SPF 15 or higher to susceptible areas, you may use one formulated for pets or you can use your own as long as it does not contain PABA which is toxic for animals when ingested.

-Keep your pet in the shade during the hours when the sun is the strongest between 10am-3pm

-Give your pet a bath in cool water after extreme sun exposure

-If your pet gets sunburned be sure to apply Aloe Vera gel on the affected area.

DOGSWELL® wishes you and your pet a happy, healthy summer!

There may be several reasons why your dog is scratching, although it is usually an indicator of an allergy.

There are many different types of allergens, the 3 most common are:

-Inhalant Allergies: This is the most common type of allergy and it happens when a dog is allergic to something in the air such as pollen, dust mites, mold, or mildew. This often happens at certain times during the year, especially in the spring when the pollen count is higher. The symptoms that come with inhalant allergies include: licking paws, inflamed ears, red skin, hair loss, constant scratching. You can treat this type allergy with 3 different options: cortisone pills, shampoo therapy, or allergy shots.

-Flea Allergies: When a flea bites into a dog’s skin it deposits salvia which causes itching. The symptoms include: redness, severe itching, and in worst cases, scales. This can easily be cured by visiting your vet and getting some anti-flea medication.

-Food Allergies- This type of allergy is often overlooked, the most common foods that cause allergies are: beef, chicken, milk, eggs, fish, corn, soy, wheat, and preservatives. Symptoms include: itchiness, red spots, and digestive issues. The best solution is to figure out what is causing this allergy by process of elimination, ultimately resulting in a change of diet. A great food for dogs suffering from a food allergy is DOGSWELL®’s canned food, the VITALITY™ Duck and Sweet Potato Stew recipe! This product is free of gluten, corn, soy, chicken, wheat, hormones, antibiotics, fillers, byproducts, and preservatives! The best part is that the VITALITY™ recipe contains flaxseed and vitamins to help maintain the skin and coat!

We hope this clears things up for all of you itchy pups out there!

Before you start running with Fido you may want to consider these tips:

• Make sure you consider your dog’s breed, not all dogs are long distance runners, and some have more endurance than others. Golden Retrievers, Pit Bulls, Labradors, Rottweiler’s, Dobermans, Huskies, German Shepherds, and Collies are excellent running partners just to name a few. Keep in mind that really small dogs will have relatively less stamina than the larger breeds. However, if you come up with a program that is specifically geared towards your dog, anything is possible!

• ALWAYS be sure to provide your dog with plenty of water, a portable water dish would be ideal.

• Keep an eye on your dog’s paw pads! You want to look for any excess wear, sometimes this can result in blistering. Stick to trails whenever possible, the terrain will be better on your pooch’s paws.

• Consider your dog’s physical condition; hip and joint problems such as arthritis may be aggravated by running. Luckily, DOGSWELL®’s HAPPY HIPS® will do the trick! With added Glucosamine and Chondroitin, these tasty treats with help to maintain hips and joints.

• Use a reflector on your dog’s collar at night, just because cars can see you does not mean they see your pup!

• Start off slow! Just as how humans may be a little rusty if they have not worked out in a while, your dog is the same way! Work up to your goals by increasing distance a little each time.

• Watch out for extreme weather conditions. High temperatures can increase your dog’s risk of dehydration or stroke, the best times to run are early morning and evening to avoid the heat. Cold weather can also pose threats, be careful if there is snow on the ground, antifreeze can cause serious health risks for dogs when exposed for long periods of time

• Always remember to leash your dog and pickup after them!

• Don’t forget to reward your dog for all their hard work when they get back! Try DOGSWELL®’s SHAPE UP® Biscuits with Benefits™. This yummy snack contains L-Carnitine which will help to promote a healthy weight

HAPPY RUNNING from DOGSWELL®!

How would you like to win a six month supply of DOGSWELL® natural dog food and treats? Click here to find out how!

On the evening of Thursday, February 18th DOGSWELL® will host the 1st Annual WAG Awards, a fabulous and unique Cocktail Party and Awards Ceremony at the newly renovated Hollywood club Les Deux.

All of the proceeds from this event will go to Four Legged Friends Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to promoting programs that save family pets, increase adoptions and share the joy pets bring to people. For a minimum donation of $30, you will enjoy photo ops on the red carpet followed by complimentary cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, a fabulous silent auction, and awards ceremony. You can RSVP at www.dogswell.com/rsvp.

After careful deliberation, we are very excited to announce our DOGSWELL® WAG AWARDS™ winners! We hope that you will join us and host Debra Skelton for a fabulous Red Carpet Cocktail Party and Awards Fundraiser to highlight these truly amazing honorees! www.dogswell.com/rsvp

WAG AWARDS HONOREES

Heroic: Sweetheart

On September 16, 1999 in Apple Valley, California two malicious young teenagers poured gasoline on a small stray mixed breed dog and set her on fire. As disturbing as this was, the activity set in motion a compelling and compassionate story that is almost unbelievable. After several operations and skin-grafts, the little dog survived the horrifying ordeal with the help of many compassionate people. Her resolve was strong, her loving happy benevolent attitude never faltered and she became known as “Sweetheart.” Although her recovery was a true miracle, her greatest testimony to life is the gift she has given back to society by becoming a Certified Therapy Dog. Sweetheart is now semi-retired but is still active with her therapy work. She has an amazing affect on everyone she encounters. Her “skin grafts” are highly visible, inviting curious questions. As they tell her story, people melt into this euphoric empathy. As the story continues, they become refreshingly bewildered by her present day perseverance. Sweetheart forgave her oppressors refusing to carry the heavy burden of hatred. She never lost her trusting nature with humans, even though it was that trusting nature that initially led to her suffering. She was patient, enduring a four-month hospital stay and six-month recovery. Sweetheart has a very profound affect on the clients and staff we visit. She makes their most pressing problems seem small and distant, bringing a glimmer of hope, a motivation to improve.
Sweetheart’s own survival stimulates a strong belief in a sometimes demanding healing process, a process that can be severely aggravating and painful, but through her example, achievable. Frequently our clients will say, “If that little dog can make it through what she did, so can I.” In October of 2001, one month after the 911Twin Towers debacle, her owners drove Sweetheart to New York City. Coordinated through Red Cross and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals New York she made visits to Pier 94 Family Assistance Center. Sweetheart assisted family members on the boat ride to “Ground Zero” giving them comfort and support. In 2007 her owners drove Sweetheart and her brother and sister, Jackson & Ellie Mae to San Antonio, Texas, where they spent the month of June at Brooke Army Medical Center working with Wounded Soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Charitable: Ricochet

Her name is Ricochet (Rip Curl Ricki, and the SURFice dog). This video best describes what she does: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGODurRfVv4. Please watch this video if nothing else, as it pretty summarizes her journey… but much has happened since it was posted! She is inspiring millions of people. Teachers are using the video to illustrate to their students, Juvenile detention centers, and women prisons are showing it to their kids/women. People from all walks of life, and pretty much everyone who watches it sheds tears… Ricochet has raised over $17,000 for various fundraisers, a toy drive that resulted in over 630 kids getting toys for Christmas, and her current fundraiser for a 7 year old boy who suffered a brain injury in a horrible car accident that claimed the lives of his parents. In addition, one of her sponsors awarded a grant to the boy in the first video which will pay for three years of his physical therapy. Additional information including more videos and pictures can be found on her website www.surfdogricochet.com

Comic Relief: Elle

A 7 year old Chihuahua named Elle (She’s named after Elle Woods from the Film “Legally Blonde”). Elle is obsessed with sun tanning! It’s to the point where even if there is just a 3 inch by 3 inch square of sun, she will squeeze herself into the little patch (as you can see from the attached photos). When she visits her cousin, another Chihuahua named Nolie, they fight over who will get to lie in the sun, and they inch over as the sun moves throughout the afternoon. Elle is a true “LA Dog” with a personal pet sitter and expensive spa days. She is considered to be a real California girl because of her love of the sun!

Talented: Jess

Jess, the Border Collie for Hospice Patients. Jess has been a Pet Partner for 2 1/2 yrs and has found her specialty visiting hospice patients. She’s a very active 4 yr old who wants to play and run for her ball, but when it’s time to visit, she loves to lay beside a patient on the bed or cuddle up to them on a couch. She seems to go into a trance while they continually pet her. Sometimes the patient doesn’t want to talk, so she is just there for them, or the spouse or caregiver enjoys conversation while the patient pets Jess. For hospice patients having Jess there to pet calms them, is a distraction from their illness, and changes their attitude. The patients usually start by talking about their past pets, then sometimes talk about things they are not able to tell family members. When it’s time to leave her owner has a hard time getting Jess off the bed or couch because she wants to stay.
In her fun time, besides playing ball in the park, Jess is learning Freestyle, dancing. She has performed with the “Dancing with the Dogs” group, doing demos at the Best Friends Adoption Festival in LA, and a party for a facility that trains service dogs in Malibu. To keep her mind busy, she is also is learning the names of her many toys.

Inspirational: Daisy

Daisy was rescued at 4 months old. Daisy was born blind and deaf. Her owners had never raised a dog with special needs before so they didn’t know what to expect. The first year wasn’t easy, they had to teach Daisy how to climb stairs, walk on a leash and ride in a car. All of these are normal everyday activities for the average dog, but with Daisy it required daily practice to conquer her fear of the unknown. Daisy felt safe within the 4 walls of her home, but anything beyond that scared her to the point of freezing up. Her owners worked daily to build her trust. They had very little sleep and had to adjust their work schedules to make sure that someone was always there for Daisy. Due to her handicaps, she had a very hard time trusting and bonding with her owners, but one day it all changed. Daisy courageously climbed the stairs by herself, slowly but surely. When in new surroundings, she would climb into my arms if nervous, finally trusting I was a safe place for her, and then when she was ready she would climb down and begin to explore. Daisy’s courage inspired her owner to write a children’s book highlighting special needs. They hope to one day work with children and other animals with special needs.
To see video documentation of her amazing experiences please go to: http://www.youtube.com/user/maryamfaresh#p/u/4/gdhCSuriB2U; http://whataboutdaisy.com

Animal Rescuers: Joseph St. Georges and the LA Fire Department

The man who dangled above the Los Angeles River to rescue a dog is a hero in the eyes of everyone who values the life of an animal.
Joe St. Georges, a 50-year-old firefighter paramedic, got a nasty bite to his thumb for his efforts, but said the crew was already deployed that day — and Spikey, the dog, was a victim in need.
“We’re not going to leave the dog. We’re just not,” he said. “You’re not going to stand there watching a dog drown.” They also didn’t want anyone else — untrained — to attempt the rescue.
Los Angeles Times.

WAG AWARDS HOST

Awards Host: Debra Skelton

After eight seasons of the sketch-comedy show MAD TV on Fox Television, Debra Wilson Skelton remained as the only original cast member from the show’s debut season in 1995. In addition to her work on the Saturday night fixture, Wilson took on numerous film roles, including Spike Lee’s Girl 6, the improbable farce Jane White Is Sick and Twisted, and the thriller Skin Deep. MAD TV viewers are most familiar with the actress through her outspoken characters such as the trash-talking Melina and the irascible Bunifa Latifah Halifah Sharifa Jackson. But Wilson’s real life has been far more thoughtful. In addition to sending fans personal responses to their problems through the MAD TV web site feature “Ask Debra,” Wilson has served as a volunteer and honorary board member of the Create Now! program, dedicated to helping at-risk youths find stability and personal growth through artistic programs.

Don’t forget to RSVP ! We hope to see you there!

DOGSWELL® investigates what causes this smelly problem, and offers some helpful tips!

The medical term for stinky breath is Halitosis which is caused by the buildup of bacteria and tartar. When your pet consumes food/treats there are excess food particles that are left behind in their mouth that start to decompose. The bacteria becomes plaque that sticks to the teeth, causing inflammation of the gums. If you see a yellow or brown coating on your pet’s teeth, you have spotted plaque! To get rid of this problem, experts recommend brushing your pet’s teeth on a regular basis. If you visit your local pet store you’ll be able to find toothbrushes and toothpaste formulated for your furry friend! It is recommended that you start to implement dental hygiene when they are young so they grow used to this routine.

There are other great remedies to get rid of the odor that pets will actually enjoy! DOGSWELL® offers a yummy option – BREATHIES® Chicken Breast Treats! These delicious cage free chicken strips are all natural and contain mint and parsley to freshen breath and clean teeth. We assure you this is one part of dental hygiene that your pet is sure to love!
For Dogs

For Cats

How do you keep your pet’s breath fresh? Comment with your favorite tip and the best one will receive a free package BREATHIES™ !