Coupaw

Hi Everyone! Happy Valentine's Day! I was really excited to come across this website called Coupaw. Created Exclusively for pets, it offers specials to pet owners by receiving their e-mail newsletter or checking out their website. Similar to Groupon or Living Social, this is a great way for pet owners to find unique deals on anything pet related.

The company started from a simple idea. Last summer, one of the founders of FamilyPet.com had move to New York City. Having come across a fantastic dog walker, this individual raved about the business to all of his friends. In appreciation of the extra business, the dog walking company gave him a huge discount. The idea for Coupaw was soon born.

Now, a national phenomenon, Coupaw offers deals for cities all over the country. Even if you don't live in one of the cities they cover, they have national offers as well. Signing up is easy too. You can either sign up for an account at the website or use your Facebook information to log on to the site.

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What's your favorite way to save on pet purchases?

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Homer, My Hero

This week, I got hit pretty hard with a cold. In the past, I've had an uncanny knack for misplacing my glasses. This time was no different. One night, I fell asleep wearing my glasses and when I woke up yesterday, I couldn't find them anywhere.

I went the whole day without them. I was paranoid because I was concerned that I would have to get a new pair. Considering these were just repaired, that's the last thing I wanted to happen. I went to school and asked my mom to keep an eye out for them.

Then, while I was on break at school, I checked my phone. Sure enough, there was a message from Mom telling me "Guess who found your eyeglasses?" It turned out that Homer had crawled under the bed and took them out with his teeth. Homer has this thing where he'll bring a personal item like a sock or a glove and drop it right on the floor and stand by it wagging his tail. It's as if he saying "Look at what I found, isn't this great?" He then beams with pride at his accomplishment. That was the case with my glasses.

It's a small thing I know. Sometimes the small things make all the difference though.

Let's Discuss!

Have you ever had your dog bail you out of a minor crisis?

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The Best Dog Commercials Of The Super Bowl

Super Bowl XLVI was as popular as ever. With a 47.8 rating and 48.3 rating for the halftime show, most networks would be elated with the ratings. After the game ended, on Twitter, there was an average of 12,233 tweets per second.

1. The Dog Strikes Back
The ads didn't disappoint either. My favorite ad was The Dog Strikes Back from Volkswagen (pictured above). It was adorable seeing the overweight dog wanting to get through the doggie door and making weight loss as part of its mission. Played by the animal actor Bolt, this St. Bernard/Australian Shepherd mix was a stunner. Many people know how hard it is to lose weight and watching this dog was inspiring. What's even better was that the Volkswagen Beetle, the car being advertised, wasn't shown till the end of the segment. This way the image of the car sticks with you as well as the joy from watching the dog. The only thing I didn't like was the Darth Vader bit at the end. It seemed like it was stuck on to fill time, and had no connection to the cool dog antics.
2. SKECHERS - GO RUN Mr. Quiggly!
While dogracing is becoming a thing of the past, I was totally impressed by this commercial by Sketchers. The French bulldog Mr. Quiggly was adorable and showed how he stood out in the crowd. It was a very effective way to communicate the brand of Skechers shoes.
3. Bud Light - "Here We Go" Rescue Dog
I'm not much of a beer drinker, but watching this commercial, I couldn't help but smile. It was so clever in how they used the dog. The most impressive thing about this is the fact that they mentioned rescue dogs and even created a special Facebook Page encouraging adopting rescue pets.

Honorable Mention

Well, those were my favorites. I also enjoyed the ad promoting The Voice. I thought it was clever and hilarious. It reminded me of a cross between The Matrix and Mortal Kombat.

Let's Discuss!

What was your favorite commercial of the Super Bowl?

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Suzuki Sled Commercial

I've never been a huge fan of football. Most of the time, I view it as a bunch of grown men tackling each other. However, growing up in a house with my dad and three brothers who were huge sports fans, it was impossible to turn a blind eye to the sport and I gained an appreciation of it.
One can't deny the appeal of Super Bowl XLVI (46).

This year's game is set to draw over 111,000,000 viewers average. I had no idea whom I would be rooting for this year. I kept hearing that everyone wanted the Giants to win and didn't realize that the Patriots were the other team until I heard about Tijuan Underwood.

Photo: Yahoo Sports

I recently read and the fact that he was cut from the team the day before the Superbowl. The kicker is that he was cut for no reason except that it was a "business decision". Never mind that this guy had such pride for his team, he had his hair cut in a special cut celebrating it. That's like not giving a kid his gifts on Christmas morning when all along you were telling the kid how great Christmas is going to be this year. Well, thanks Bill Belicheck, because you've made it easy to choose.

Bring On The Ads!

Thankfully, the Superbowl isn't just about football. For a passive fan such as myself, it's equally enjoyable watching the halftime show as well as the ads. Many people have parties which make it quite a fun atmosphere.

True creativity and brilliance is shown after the kickoff heads to a commercial break. A 30-second ad will cost $3.5 million USD. Many of the ads will go on to win Clio awards. The best of the lot will be responsible for active discussion at the water cooler on Monday morning.

There are going to be at least four ads featuring dogs this year. One of my favorite ads that I got a sneak peek of is The Bark Side From Volkswagen. Another ad that endeared me was Sled by the Subaru Car Company. Promoting the latest car from it's Suzuki line, this ad beautifully shows the sled dogs enjoying a ride in the new Kizashi their owner picked up. Since I don't like spoiling things, I'll leave the rest of what happens to "Tune In Tomorrow."

What's really great about the ad is the backstory. The rapper 50 Cent uses Movin' On Up as the song. The dogs used for the ad were recruited from Alberta, Canada, and were coordinated and handled by Flo Krisko, one of the most respected animal coordinators and trainers in the Motion Picture Industry. It also had the American Humane Association overseeing the shoot so there would be no issues of inappropriate mishandling or abuse.

Help The Red Cross

Also on Super Bowl Sunday, Suzuki will give away BARKCODE® tags to the first 1,000 consumers to register on the Kizashi Kicks website. Each personalized pet identification tag has a scannable 2D code, making it easy for pet owners to be reunited with their four-legged friends when they are lost or even misplaced during a natural disaster.

Every tag that is ordered through the Kizashi Kicks website, BARKCODE®, on behalf of Suzuki, will donate three dollars to the American Red Cross for disaster relief and preparation to help people and pets. For additional information on BARKCODE®, please visit http://www.barkcode.com.

Staying true to form, Subaru is also encouraging dog owners to get out and about with their dogs. Their Facebook Fan Page has a pledge to walk with your dog on Superbowl Sunday so you and your dogs can both benefit from a healthy walk. Whether it's before, after or during the game, one should just do it.

As you can see, the Super Bowl is so much more than just a game.

Let's Discuss!

What do you like best about the Superbowl? What team are you rooting for this year?

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When Dating and Dogs Don't Mix

Photo Source: iStockphoto

We all hope to meet someone who makes us feel like one of the people in the picture above. Lately, I've met men who have never been raised around dogs and view them as an animal that belongs outdoors. I've always seen my dogs as members of our household. Both views are realistic, yet as I get older, I'm finding that I've become less tolerant of men who view dogs as a nuisance.

Many times, dogs are a non-issue when you meet someone special. In the beginning of a relationship, it's about discovering one another and enjoying time together. Many people are willing to put the little things like whether or not they like pets aside when they first start dating and then a short while later, their true feelings come out. If one person loves animals and the other would rather be without them, this can be a huge source of contention for the relationship.

I remember watching Keeping Up With The Kardashians one time and there was a scene where Kim's fiance Kris introduced her to his dogs. He was very sure she would warm up to them and then you see her saying to the camera "I love dogs but love them from a distance". When I saw that, the first thing that went off in my head was "RED FLAG". I was hoping that it was something they would overcome. Well, you know the rest.

Knowing your limits

Many couples find a way to compromise on the pet situation to make their relationship flourish. It's important to have honest and clear communication from the beginning. Like everything in a relationship, it should be made clear that there are some things you'll tolerate and other things that are non-negotiable. Since everyone is different, everyone has different opinions on this topic. They are neither right or wrong. One can only hope that the differences balance out.

Let's Discuss!

How do you feel about dating someone who isn't accepting of your pet?

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Why Fostering Is A Great Option

It's not easy being a shelter dog. You sit in a cage, watch strangers walk by and say "cute doggie". If you're lucky, they'll stop by and talk to you. Then, you know you've hit the jackpot when you are taken out of your cage to be with them. There's always a good chance you'll be adopted, but never any guarantees. Medium to large dogs are even harder to adopt because many people are intimidated by their size.

With all of the shelters becoming filled and more dogs waiting for homes, there's only so much space available for strays. One solution that helps with shelter overpopulation is fostering dogs in a home environment.

The Great Compromise

What makes fostering ideal is the fact that dogs are living in an environment that doesn't involve metal bars all of the time. They get the human affection that they don't get in a shelter. Shelter life isn't easy for a dog. It's ok for a temporary solution, but after a while, many dogs become overwhelmed and will start acting out as a result of being caged so long.

Foster families have the opportunity to have a dog in their house. There is no permanent commitment required. If the foster family is interested in having a dog long-term, this gives them the option of seeing how the foster adapts to their lifestyle.

Other benefits include:

• Giving the foster pet a calmer environment. Animals don't have to worry about being around a bunch of dogs barking constantly but rather a select few, if any at all.
• It teaches dog lovers about the differences in breeds. Every dog that enters a foster home, brings a different dynamic.
• The rewards of volunteering without leaving your home. You make a difference in a dog's life even if it is just for a few weeks. A dog can become adoptable, and more socialized as a result of its time as a foster.
• It's tax deductible. I first learned about this through my Twitter friend Nadine. Many times, people who work in animal rescue do so for the love of the animal. They really don't profit from it. Now, thanks to a landmark case, Van Dusen v. Commissioner, most fostering costs are tax deductible. However, if the costs over $250, one will need a letter from the 501c3 agency stating that the expenses have to be directly related and solely attributable to the rendition of services towards the benefits of the foster animal.

The Caveats

1. It is very hard to remain detached from a foster animal. The bond between animal and human is very strong and it's hard for many to say goodbye when the time comes. Many fosters will wind up adopting one of the animals.
2. Many cities and towns have a limit on how many animals a resident can have living in their home. One has to be careful to not exceed that limit.
3. It takes a couple of weeks to truly understand the animals behavior. The first days are an adjustment phase and the days after will determine the true nature of the animal.

The Right Decision

While fostering a pet isn't the easiest job in the world, it is one of the most rewarding. It's not for everyone, but if you've been curious, it may be something to consider.

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How do you feel about fostering an animal?

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The Bark Side: 2012 Volkswagen Game Day Commercial Teaser - YouTube

Happy Monday Folks! With the Superbowl being less than a couple weeks away, one thing is certain. Clever ads are soon to follow. This video is by Volkswagen and they do a great job where the dogs bark to the Darth Vader Theme from Star Wars.

How popular is this video? It's been view over 7.2 million times. Enjoy and please share your thoughts below.

2011 Home 4 The Holidays Wrap-Up

The Iams Home 4 the Holidays adoption campaign was a smashing success. A total of 1,267,541 animals were adopted between Oct. 1 and Jan. 3 through more than 4,000 animal organizations from around the world (that's an average of 9 adoptions per minute!). Forever homes were found for:

• 651,224 dogs
• 595,000 cats
• 21,317 other animals (including rabbits, reptiles, horses, birds and more);

On top of that, since the program began in 1999, more than 7 million families have experiences the joy of pet adoption through Iams Home 4 the Holidays! IAMS also met its goal to donate 5 million meals to pets in need through its annual Bags 4 Bowls program. This was all made possible through retail purchases and online engagement from all the animal lovers out there who participated.

If you would like to read more about this program, please visit their Facebook page.

Let's Discuss!

How did you participate in the Home 4 The Holidays program this year?

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Why Dogs Love To Chase Moving Objects

An Unexpected Attack

Last week, a 62-year-old man was running along a beach. Out of nowhere, two pitbulls chased him and nearly mauled him to death. If a neighbor hadn't intervened, by hitting the dogs with a baseball bat, he would have died. He was admitted to the hospital in a coma.

Because they attacked a human, the dogs shot on site, and the owner was cited with failure to own a proper license as well as failure to restrain each dog. How did this happen? Someone had left the gate open in their backyard.

What makes this story especially tragic was the owner, Jimmy Johnson, was forthcoming when the story broke. He was hoping that these weren't his dogs but his worst nightmare came true.

What Drives Dogs To Chase Objects In Motion

This story is terrifying for all parties involved. It's a situation where all dog owners should be proactive. I couldn't help but wonder what drives them to chase people and other moving objects. All it takes is for a dog to chase a car and get hit. There isn't just one reason but many. Here are some.

They are protecting their territory.

Many dogs feel that their job is to keep watch over their home. A home with a fenced-in yard is practically a requirement for dog owners because it's easy for a dog to take off an running. They will stop at nothing to protect their territory and one of those ways is to chase intruders away.

They are intriguing.

Joggers and bicyclists are interesting to dogs. They are naturally curious and when they see a jogger running by they want to see what's happening.

They view it as prey.

Although dogs are domesticated, many have a natural prey drive. Whether it's a squirrel, rabbit or cat, many are inclined to want to chase them down. Seeing a person or fast moving object can easily trigger the prey drive, especially if the dog is a hunting breed. Dogs don't see this as work, but more as if it's sport.

Final Thoughts

Accidents happen. Not everything can be seen in black and white when it comes to dogs. Even though they are now domesticated, it's always important to remember that they will have a strong animal instinct that comes out from time to time. It's a reminder to owners that being a dog lover comes with an even stronger ability to anticipate these moments.

Let's Discuss!

What are some things that your dog loves to chase that you wish they wouldn't?

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I know it's been awhile since I've written a post. I'm in the middle of learning a new technology (Drupal). The process has taken more of my time than usual. Balancing it out with blogging has been quite a challenge but I just wanted to let you know that I will always be writing, just not as frequently. I appreciate your patience and if anyone has any comments or questions, leave them below.

The Unusual Surprise On New Year's Eve

Yesterday in the early evening, I was taking the three dogs out for a long walk. They love the exercise and it's a great energy release for them. When I was just short of the halfway point, I heard a noise similar to a firecracker. It was this noise that stopped Homer in his tracks and made a beeline to come straight back home.

So we had walked quite a bit and were leisurely heading back. Within a block of my house, I heard a "Pop, pop, pop" sound that made Homer want to amp up the speed. One of the things I forget to do is not to coddle him. When you do that when a dog has a challenging situation, it actually reinforces the reactions as good instead of comforting him.

The Source Of The Noise

When I had explained the situation to my neighbor, he told me that the noises were gun shots. I was floored. I never really have liked guns. While they may be a necessary evil to keep things in the world running smoothly, they are not a necessity to live your everyday life.

While it's great that this country's constitution gives us the right to bear arms, I can never understand firing one's gun into the air just to do it. Too many times we hear about how a bullet ricochets and kills an innocent bystander. My neighbor also informed me that he found two bullets lodged in his roof. One he was able to remove and the other he wasn't.

I'm all for celebrating the new year to the fullest. But I think that many of use can go without the gunshots that follow. I know that Homer would agree with me.

Let's Discuss!

What are your thoughts on this? Have you ever felt that people overdo it when it comes to guns?

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