Gifts for Dogs and Dog Lovers

Bark & Beg Offers Treats for Dog Birthdays, Valentine's Day, Other Holidays Plus Treats for Every Day Enjoyment

PRESS RELEASE from BARK & BEG LLC
Contact: Jeff Luce, Bark & Beg

Couple's Business is going to the Dogs

Home-based business offering a new twist on gourmet treats

Marietta, GA January  16, 2010 - In this time when more people are scrambling to find work or create a niche home-based business, this Cobb County couple's business has literally gone to the dogs. For Jeff and Amy Luce it's all about making dog treats that are wholesome enough that they can be said to be "Human tested and dog approved." With this being said local dogs find the Bark & Beg treats so tasty that they refuse to share with their owners.

Jeff and Amy grew up around dogs filled with the joy and comfort that pets can bring and then as adults realized that their dogs required nutritious food and all natural treats so that they could live longer and healthier lives.

When asked how it all started the couple replied, "lt was when our daughter decided to make biscotti for our two beagles, Dodger and Lucy. We had extra biscotti so we shared them with our friends; who raved that their dogs loved them. This gave us the idea to make different flavored dog treats and make them all natural. We gave our exciting new treats out and we got requests for more. As a result, Bark & Beg was born."

Treats are designed and created with special occasions and holidays in mind, such as, birthdays and wedding cakes, holiday cookies, gourmet biscuits, and much more. Most of the treats are made to order, with only the best ingredients available, all natural and preservative free. Safflower oil is used in the treats because it helps to control shedding, is great for the skin, and is an all natural preservative.

The couple is utilizing online advertising on Facebook to promote these healthy, tasty treats as well as catering special events for the area's canine friends.

New Dog Treat Recipe up on Cori's Cookies - Valentine's Day Treats for Dogs

Cori's Cookies, a website offering homemade dog treat recipe ideas, has a new Valentine's Day recipe up. Visit the Cori's Cookies website for this new recipes and others, plus links to great dog friendly companies offering high quality, healthy dog treats for Valentine's Day and year round.

Directory of Gifts for Dogs and Gifts for Dog Lovers Includes Lots of Online Gifts, In-Store Items and Gift Certificates for Dog Lovers

The following dog friendly companies offer gifts for dogs and dog lovers. Use this guide to not only shop for the dog or dog lover in your life, but support companies that care about dogs.

If you are a dog friendly company, contact DogFriendlyCompanies.com to join.

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GIFTS FOR DOGS AND DOG LOVERS IN CALIFORNIA

Costa Mesa and online
Zodiac Dog is a Los Angeles-based, online dog apparel company offering dog accessories by Zodiac sign. A little Leo or precious Pisces might can enjoy a new leash, while an adorable Aquarius might like a new bandana. 

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GIFTS FOR DOGS AND DOG LOVERS IN CONNECTICUT

East Haven and online
A Spoiled Dog offers healthy, homemade treats for your furry friend. They offer several flavors including peanut butter, oatmeal, and more, as well as a wheat-free line for dogs with wheat allergies.

Southbury
Pet Aesthetics is a full service grooming salon offering baths, nail clipping, medicated shampoos, brushouts, de-matting, deskunking and more. They also offer holistic food, raw diets and healthy treats.

Wallingford and online
Pawty Time Treats and Gifts sells treats, accessories and gifts, as well as spa items and other nonedible indulgences. They also offer birthday cakes, party platters and other items for your dog's birthday or other special day.

Woodbury and online
Michael Fortuna is a Connecticut artist who has lovingly created a 2010 calendar using a series of his own hand drawn dog-oriented cartoons. These fun, lighthearted cartoons will make any dog lover chuckle throughout the year.

Various towns
Pet E.R. Guide by Melinda Lord lists over 700 after-hour and 24-hour vet clinics in the US. This is a great resource for people who travel with their companion animals, or just want to be prepared.

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DOG FRIENDLY COMPANIES IN FLORIDA

Zephyrhills and online
Pampered Paw Gifts is an online dog boutique with gifts for dogs and dog lovers, ranging from toys and beds, to clothing, travel items and more. They also offer items for your dog's birthdays and other holidays. Pampered Paw also promotes rescue groups on their site.

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GIFTS FOR DOGS AND DOG LOVERS IN GEORGIA

Acworth and online

Bark & Beg offers custom made, freshly baked dog treats with all natural human grade ingredients, and no artificial colors, chemicals, salt, preservatives, or by-products. Along with everyday treats, Bark & Beg offers wedding and birthday cakes, holiday cookies, gift baskets and other special occasion items.

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GIFTS FOR DOGS AND DOG LOVERS IN MAINE

Greenville Junction and online
Lori Martin owns Dog-Booties.net, offering handmade dog boots and shoes for all seasons. Available in a variety of colors and sizes, these items are made from Cordura and flannel. Select from winter boots to protect from ice, snow and salt, or summer boots to to shield from hot sand and pavement.

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GIFTS FOR DOGS AND DOG LOVERS IN MARYLAND

Baltimore and online
Gardner Hume Collection offers a variety of handmade ceramics direct from Italy. Items include glassware, platters, wine holders and more. The owner donated to local animal rescue three years in a row.

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GIFTS FOR DOGS AND DOG LOVERS IN MINNESOTA

Minneapolis and online
Good Grief: Finding Peace After Pet Loss by Sid Korpi serves as a path to validation for those who have lost a companion animal. The loss of such a friend is not always legitimized as it is with a human death, although the pain is as real and as devastating.

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GIFTS FOR DOGS AND DOG LOVERS IN PENNSYLVANIA

Indiana and online
All Dogs Big and Small offers items for both dogs and their people. Items include leashes, collars, clothing and accessories. They also offer eco-friendly dog products, soy candles and more.

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GIFTS FOR DOGS AND DOG LOVERS IN SOUTH CAROLINA

Hilton Head Island
Get a gift certificate from Bistro 17, an upscale restaurant on Hilton Head Island. They allow dogs on the patio, and offer a full dog menu for four legged friends. The owner of Bistro 17 also donates regularly to animal rescue initiatives.

Hilton Head and online
Lucky Dog Cuisine was developed as a labor of love by Dr. Janice Elenbaas DC. The company reflects a philosophy that health comes from within, and it cannot flourish without a diet of whole, natural, unprocessed foods.

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GIFTS FOR DOGS AND DOG LOVERS IN TEXAS

Little Elm and online
Bean Dogs Cafe was founded by the fundraising director of American Boston Terrier Rescue in an effort to raise money for rescues. They  do this through programs that provide 20%-50% of proceeds to rescues.

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GIFTS FOR DOGS AND DOG LOVERS IN WASHINGTON

Tenino and online

Ultimate Health For Dogs™ Liquid Dog Vitamins Formula is a liquid dog vitamin containing 70 trace minerals, along with glucosamine and MSM for joint support, and mangosteen, one of the superfruits that is believed to promote and maintain health and well being.

Washougal and online
DogMom DogDesigns offers custom made unique photo products for dog lovers. This company uses your own favorite photos or artwork to create personalized artistic designs for flags, windsocks, shirts, tote bags, photo jewelry, and much more.

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Do you know of a company that offers gifts for dogs and dog lovers? Contact us so we can include them here!

Visit DogFriendlyCompanies.com for more info on dog friendly companies and rescues.

New E-Catalog Will Feature Items From Dog Friendly Companies

We will soon be launching an e-catalog with special items from our featured dog friendly companies. These items may range from treats to accessories to anything in between. Stay tuned, or contact us to make sure you are the first to know about these featured items.

Doggy, You're The Best Valentine ... Yes You Are!

Valentine's Day is February 14th. Have you thought about what you will get for your loved one? Your dog, that is... after all, dogs provide the greatest love of all. Check through our directory of dog friendly companies offering Valentine's Day gifts for dogs, and dog lovers too.

The Best Gift of All: Being Loyal, Faithful To Your Dog In Times of Trouble, and Spreading This Message To Others

"I can't see him like this."

"He's acting stubborn."

"I don't want to deal with it."

These are lines sometimes heard from people dealing with their dog's health issues. As a parent to a blind dog, I understand that it can be traumatic and upsetting to deal with a negative change in your dog's health. It can be emotionally draining, which sometimes causes people to distance themselves emotionally. This is equivalent to turning your back on your best friend.

When witnessing any kind of health problem regarding your dog, it is important to step back and think about how friendships work. To show you what I mean, here's a quick pop quiz:

Question 1: If a good friend of yours were in trouble, what would you do?

a) help him through it and offer support
b) ignore his needs or treat him with contempt or impatience

Question 2: Is your dog a friend of yours?

a) yes
b) no

If you answered 'a' to these questions, you and your dog can get through anything. A dog who is ill or scared can have accidents in the house, or appear to act stubborn when in fact they are just scared. It is important to realize that he needs you now more than ever. This is often the case with loved ones. When they are sick, you step in and take care of them. When they are weak, you stay strong.  You can do this for your dog too, by offering reassurance to him, maintaining your patience, and always offering lots of love.

If you are looking for the perfect New Year's resolution, how about this one: promote as widely as possible the idea of staying loyal to dogs, who are always loyal to us. We have a lot of power to promote ideas like this in our everyday lives. 

If a dog is suffering and has no hope of recovering, of course this is another issue, and many pet parents have to deal with it at some point. Most people realize it is inhumane to allow animals to suffer. But if a dog is ill, special needs, handicapped, getting older, etc. and is not in pain, the best gift you can give is to stick by him and attend to his needs. He has always been there for you. And you can take it one step further by promoting this idea to others. 

Happy new year to you and your loved ones, human and nonhuman.

Sarah Whitman
Founder, DogFriendlyCompanies.com
a Whitman Syndication website

How to Help Dogs This Holiday Season and Year Round, Part 10: New Year, New Way of Looking at Dogs and Their Place in Society

This is Part 10 of a new ten-part series, "How To Help Dogs This Holiday Season and Year Round"

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How To Help Dogs This Holiday Season and Year Round - Part 10
New Year, New Way of Looking at Dogs and Their Place in Society

by Sarah Whitman, founder of Whitman Syndication

"Man's best friend" still faces a lot of discrimination. Save a few exceptions here and there, they are usually not allowed on most public transportation options, whether it's a bus, a train or a plane--unless they are in the cargo hold (BAD idea) or small enough to fit under the seat (discrimination based on size). They are not allowed in many stores, restaurants, or many other places their human parents go. Instead, they are often forced to remain in cars while their parents shop. This presents a myriad of problems, including risk of abduction, and exposure to the elements, especially relevant in warmer months.

Skeptics may say, "just leave them home" and while this may work sometimes, most pet parents realize it doesn't always work. What if you are on the road and need to stop somewhere? What if your dog has a health problem and you need to monitor him? These and other obstacles would be completely avoided if their dogs were welcome to accompany them.

In the case of long distance traveling such as flying, dog parents either don't travel, or leave their dogs in the care of someone else while they are gone. This, in turn, can cause stress for the dog parent, who, instead of fully enjoying a vacation, may be worrying about their dog. I have witnessed this first hand, watching friends spend a great deal of their vacation time worrying, or on the phone with the dog sitter. Again, this problem would be easily solved if their dogs were welcome to travel with them. Which airline, bus line or train line is brave enough to be a pioneer in this regard?

Companies that do take dogs into consideration should be rewarded and praised for it. That is why we started DogFriendlyCompanies.com. Businesses that treat "man's best friend" as such deserve a high ranking in our spending habits.

But, dogs are still victims of one of the last prejudices. They have no solid standing, and in addition to their exclusion from many stores and transportation options, they are also still subjected to use in medical experiments, fighting and other violent practices worldwide. They are bought and sold at whim, fed unhealthy or condemned food products, and are generally at the mercy of humans.

In the coming year, it is my hope that we address some of the discriminatory practices and attitudes imposed on these individuals. As a United States citizen, it may be difficult to directly address what is happening in other countries. I can only hope that animal protection organizations with adequate resources are working with international liaisons to address important global abuses. Supporting organizations addressing these issues is one way we can help.

Wherever one lives, this year we should strive toward a new way of looking at dogs and their place in society. There are many things to do, from stopping puppy mills, to working on allowing dogs to accompany us in our everyday lives, to improving their diets, and more. When it comes to welcoming dogs--whether it's in a store, on a plane, or elsewhere--companies should know that by turning dogs away, they are also turning against the humans who take care of these dogs. That needs to change, and it can be done in a way that benefits dogs, dog parents and companies alike. With a more inclusive attitude, companies can attract more customers and in turn make more money. This should be a goal for 2010.

How to Help Dogs This Holiday Season and Year Round, Part 9: Regifting to Animal Shelters

This is Part 9 of a new ten-part series, "How To Help Dogs This Holiday Season and Year Round"

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How To Help Dogs This Holiday Season and Year Round - Part 9

By Sarah Whitman, founder of Whitman Syndication

Did you get any gifts you don't want? Instead of returning them, think about calling your local shelter to see if they can use them. You'd be surprised the kinds of items that animal shelters can use – aside from the obvious towels, blankets, beds, etc. they also need items to help their business run – electronics, tools, and every day items to keep the shelter running. They might even be able to use your item for upcoming fundraisers such as auctions.

Give it a try! You might be pleasantly surprised by the good your unwanted gift can do. This trick also works year round, when you are cleaning out old items. Before trashing anything, I ask myself: Can the local shelter use this? If think there’s a chance that the answer is yes, I call or email them.

How to Help Dogs This Holiday Season and Year Round, Part 8: The Best Gift of All

This is Part 8 of a new ten-part series, "How To Help Dogs This Holiday Season and Year Round"

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How To Help Dogs This Holiday Season and Year Round - Part 8

By Sarah Whitman, founder of Whitman Syndication

This Christmas eve, I am reflecting on and enjoying the best gift of all: the friendship and bond I share with my dog. I hope that this holiday season, everyone takes time to appreciate the importance of man's best friend, and all they give us. Their friendship is truly the gift that keeps on giving year round, and I hope that 2010 brings increased appreciation and respect for dogs.

How To Help Dogs This Holiday Season and Year Round, Part 7: In the Midst of the Chaos, Don't Forget To Tend To Your Dogs

This is Part 7 of a new ten-part series, "How To Help Dogs This Holiday Season and Year Round"

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How To Help Dogs This Holiday Season and Year Round - Part 7

By Sarah Whitman, founder of Whitman Syndication

No doubt the holidays are a chaotic time, with shopping, cooking, cleaning, running errands, and everything else that accompanies this time of year. In the midst of the chaos, remember the family dog still needs his routine care, and he also needs to be kept safe from holiday hazards. Most dog lovers already know these things, but here are some friendly reminders for the holiday season:

• Keep dogs away from chocolate and fatty holiday foods.
• If your dog doesn't like children or is afraid of them, don't put the dog or child in a situation where either could get scared or get hurt. Keep both of them safe and calm.
• With all the distractions around, remember to tend to your dog's everyday needs - food, fresh water, regular potty times, etc.
• Make sure your dog doesn't get out unintentionally - dogs may try to run away when they are afraid. If your dog does get lost, there are services like Dog Gone Detectives that help relocate lost pets.
• Take an extra minute here and there to pet your dog and tell him he is still an important part of the experience. He may be stressed with all the extra activity.