It’s the perfect time to promote first aid products in your store so your customers can be prepared in case of an emergency.

Of course pet first aid came into the spot light during Hurricane Katrina when thousands of dogs had no access to medical care. While Katrina was an extreme case, we should still be prepared for the smaller, more common mishaps like dog park injuries, scratches, flea bites, ticks, thorns in paws, hot spots etc.

Walk around your store and identify the items that could be categorized as health and first aid and put together a display. You can also merchandise these packs as pet sitting packs- everything a dog owner would need to give their pet sitter.

You can purchase preassembled packs or you can create your own first aid kits by assembling the following items:

- Tweezers (to remove ticks)

- Antibacterial Ointment

- Bandages

- Dry Dog Instant Clean -a spray to use after the dog park to keep your dog clean and sanitized

- Flea the Scene- an all natural insect repellant and sunscreen. (yes, dog’s can get sunburned too!)

- Cotton Swabs

-Emergency Phone number list (As basic as it sounds, how many people really know where the nearest animal emergency hospital is? Or what about those customers who may not drive- do they know the number for the animal emergency vehicle?

- Assemble everything into a cute bag. Or you could purchase pre-assembled first aid kits like the ones from VSI

The Red Cross is also offering a pet first aid class. To find the Red Cross chapter in your area click here. You can let your customers know about this, or even organize a group and go together, make it a fun social group event!

In addition, the Red Cross assembled a skilled team of animal, emeregency and safety professionals to develop a guide which covers many aspects of pets’ physical and mental well-being.

Pet owners will learn other great tips, such as:

• Paying attention to what is normal for your pet so you can detect signals when something is wrong;
• Learning how to build a pet first aid kit;
• Labor and delivery – and what to do if there is a problem;
• Making your pet part of a Family Disaster Plan, including identifying hotels and shelters that accept pets before a disaster situation; and
• How to spot signs of depression in pets.

You can purchase the “Pet First Aid” guide at your local Red Cross chapter or by visiting www.redcross.org/store. Each purchase made through the Red Cross online store will help benefit the Red Cross chapter in your area.

With almost 3 million Americans buying Valentine’s gifts for their dogs and 30 million sharing their beds with them, clearly the differences between humans and canines are disappearing. In the past, spending Valentine’s Day with your canine companion could be the choice of last resort but now for many dog owners it’s preferable.

You find yourself alone, again, on Valentine’s Day. So you turn to Plan B, your faithful, furry canine companion. If this story sounds familiar you’re not alone. Over 15 million* single people own dogs in this country and it’s a good bet that most of them have curled up with their dog on at least one Valentine’s day.

Today, human and hound can share everything from a Valentine’s Day meal for two, to spa and pampering products and even matching clothes.

Just look at Dogster.com which is basically the Facebook for dogs. Dogs can send messages to other dogs, invite them to be pup pals and send virtual gifts!

“People view their dogs as extensions of their personalities,” says Kevin Fisher, co-owner of happytails Canine Spa Line. “If the owner is into sports, they’ll have a sporty dog. If the owner is into fashion, the dog will have a wardrobe. With someone around who likes all the same things as you do, why look any further? You’ve found you perfect Valentine.”

Some dog owners are taking the trend even further as the differences between humans and canines disappear. “People are looking for ways not only to bond with their dog, but to humanize them,” Fisher said. “Just look at Dogster.com which is basically the Facebook for dogs. Dogs can send messages to other dogs, invite them to be pup pals and send virtual gifts!”

So according to almost 3 million* Americans who actually buy Valentine’s gifts for their dogs apparently it is perfectly acceptable to date your dog this Valentine’s Day.

Here are a few things that you can share with your special furball this Valentine’s Day:

• If a movie on the couch is your plan for Valentine’s Day forget the popcorn! Sammy Snacks Treats are created especially for owners to enjoy with their dog.

• Feeling a little dry? bowWOW Butter Balm is an indulgent shea butter treatment for relieving dry cracked noses and paws. This blissful balm will also moisturize your dry lips, elbows, cuticles and heels (and it makes a great massage cream should you be in the mood)

• Maybe you can’t share clothes with your dog, but you can match. Check out the hip fashions from Ruff Ruff & Meow.

• If you want to take a hike on Valentine’s day, now you and Fido can sip from the same Water Bottle. One bottle, two separate water supplies! Keeps you and your pet properly hydrated on those long hikes!

• Is your dog’s bad breath and gas becoming a little overwhelming? Dog Smog Remedy to the rescue. This all natural breath freshener and digestive solution is sugar-free and delicious to both hounds and humans.

• The classic yoga pose, downward facing dog, has taken on a whole new meaning. Why not spend Valentine’s Day getting even closer to your innerdog with some at home Yoga (or Doga). Check out “Doga: Yoga for Dogs“

• If you’re really feeling frisky, why not share your bed with Fido this Valentine’s Day? According to Sealy, the mattress company, 67% of US pet owners regularly sleep with their dog or cat.

• You and your little loved one can be matching fashionistas in co-ordinating newsboy caps and scarves from Barking Baby. Leopard fur, menswear plaids, and bold florals are just a few of the prints available.

• Okay, maybe this isn’t YOUR first choice in movies, but in every successful relationship there is compromise. On movie night why not also pop in the Movie for Dogs. Your dog will love it.

• So a night out on the town is in store for you this Valentine’s Day? Put on your hills, your little black dress and sprtiz on your dog’s Shimmering Mist. It can be sprayed onto your hair, décolletage or any other body part. This subtle glitter spray contains natural silk proteins that moisturize and restructure the coat (or hair), leaving it silky, smooth and glittery.

*According to the 2007/08 APPMA National Pet Owners Survey
                                                            

Top 10 Reasons Why Your Dog is a Better Companion than your Partner

1. You were sober when you picked out your dog (no beer goggles)

2. Your dog doesn’t argue about what movie to see

3. Your dog isn’t looking at other humans wishing she was theirs

4. Your dog likes all the food you cook and always comes back for seconds

5. Your dog is always happy to see you, even if you look like crap

6. If you dog could speak he would say “of course I love to cuddle”

7. When you ask your dog “Do these pants make my butt look big?” he’s smart enough not to tell you the truth

8. Your dog doesn’t hold grudges

9. Your dog will listen to you for hours without interrupting

10. No matter what, your dog is always up for a little heavy petting

Happytails, the leader in high end grooming and wellness products, launches an interactive questionnaire to determine if the family pet is happy and healthy or plagued by allergies and fleas.

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) October 31, 2007 — Today’s conscientious pet parents can rest-assured that they are taking excellent care of their barking babies. Happytails, the leader in high end grooming and wellness products, launches an interactive questionnaire to determine if the family pet is happy and healthy or plagued by allergies and fleas.

The owner will be given an understanding of the causes of the problem and guided toward a variety of long term solutions

The happytails dog survey is an online questionnaire that takes less than two minutes to complete. It asks the user a series of questions designed to pinpoint grooming and wellness related issues faced by the modern dog. Once the questions are completed the site presents an analysis of the dog’s general well being.

For example if you answer “yes” to the question “Does your dog scratch more than five times a day?” The questionnaire will offer insight into the cause of such itching (allergies, dietary problems and of course insect bites). But the questionnaire will go one step further to also recommend products that can help.

“The owner will be given an understanding of the causes of the problem and guided toward a variety of long term solutions,” said Kevin Fisher, Alpha Male of Happytails. “Dog ownership comes with a tremendous responsibility and today’s owners often don’t have the time to do all the necessary research. This is a quick and easy way to obtain useful information”

The service is free and can be found at www.happytailsdogsurvey.com/

happytails grooming & wellness products are not intended to diagnose, cure or prevent disease. Our web site, email communications and other correspondence are for informational purposes only and do not replace the expert care and advice provided by your veterinarian. All healthcare changes should be made under the guidance of your vet, particularly when underlying health conditions exist.

happytails donates a portion of proceeds from the sale of its products to Canine Companions for Independence, a non-profit organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly trained assistance dogs and ongoing support to ensure quality partnerships.

Los Angeles-based happytails sells and markets happytails spa products for the dog about town. happytails Canine Spa Line uses the finest (”better than human quality”) ingredients available to pamper, soothe and beautify today’s harried hound. The products can be ordered through the company website at www.HappytailsSpa.com or by calling 1-866-HAPPY-20.