Embrace Pet Community blog

Elmer and the Kong Groom Tunnel

2012-01-25T06:55:00-05:00

Embracer Jen's cat, Elmer, LOVES the Kong Groom Tunnel that PetSmart sent over. The tunnel is smallish, not ideal for ginormous cats, but helps to catch loose fur that your cat needs to shed. Besides, Elmer doesn't even realize he's being groomed. He's too busy loving the feather toy inside:

The tunnel was recently marked down to $20.99.

Embracer Cat Moms are pleased with some of the other Kong for Cat products too:

Scratch and Groom Post
Kitty Kong

Dia de los Muertos Pit Bull Necklace

2012-01-20T15:57:11-05:00

I love getting stuff in the mail, especially when it's my new Dia de los Muertos Pit Bull necklace! Etsy seller The Ring Leader handcrafts these and other pieces, while donating $5 from each sale of this rad pendant to Villalobos. I saw this piece before Christmas, but it stuck with me and I just had to have it.

The chain and pendant are lightweight and styled in that vintage tattoo fashion. It's amazing what wearing a little bit of color will do for your mood come mid-winter. Then again, maybe it's just because I'm a sucker for floppy ears and big Pibble grins.

Walking Jacket from JoyKatz: day 1

2012-01-19T06:35:00-05:00

Laura is featuring pet behavior this month at the Embrace Pet Insurance blog, but we wanted to make sure you got to follow her reviews of her cats' new walking jackets from JoyKatz. She's posting videos and reviews of the process in training your cat to walk on a leash. Check out Rocket and Rosie as they are introduced to their cat jackets for the first time:

I'm totally envious of that leopard print pattern! These, as well as other leather jackets and custom pieces are all handmade at JoyKatz.

What We're Reading: Good Dog, Practical Answers to Behavior Questions

2012-01-17T13:30:40-05:00

Every dog has their quirks. You might be aware of your dog's leash pulling or growling at strangers. Perhaps you think it's cute, just ignore it, or don't even realize that it's rude and even dangerous behavior.

Certified Animal Behavior Consultant Steve Dale bring us Good Dog, Practical Answers to Behavior Questions, an e-book in Q&A format to discuss everything from introducing a new baby to your Yorkie to problem solving your Lab's inappropriate chewing. Dale works with other Canine Behaviorists and Trainers to solve problems that many of us think are just part of living with a dog. Do any of these behaviors sound familiar?

leash pulling
excessive barking
exhuberant greetings and jumping up
sharing issues with toys
separation anxiety

Don't feel bad. My dogs have all of these problems. That doesn't mean we can just ignore them. Dale's e-book is just $2.99 available for most e-readers here, and the articles are straight to the point and written with practical pet parents in mind. (You can also check out the weekly free excerpt on Facebook.) It's a nice price for some good advice and improved canine-human balance in your home.

Steve Dale is offering up one free e-copy of this book. To enter,

Step 1: Visit author Steve Dale on Facebook and tell him Embrace sent you.

Step 2: Go to Embrace's Facebook and tell us what bad behaviors your dog has. (Photos of your Good Dog gone bad are a definite bonus!)

Comments submitted to Embrace's Facebook wall during January 2012 will be considered for entry. Winner will be contacted by Embrace Pet Insurance for prize fulfillment via sponsor. Embrace staff and families not eligible to win. Must not have won within last 90 days. Good luck!

Clean Slate Contest: Bissell SpotBot Giveaway!

2012-01-17T12:42:35-05:00

We had a tremendous (and sometimes funny!) response to the Bissell SpotBot Giveaway last month. Congrats to our winner, Ragan B. who wrote:

"Oh Bissell! I have double the trouble with my bad boys, Elvis and Vegas! They are 3 year old twin shepherds who find it their purpose in life to get a bath and find the closest muddiest spot possible to run through and then leave evidence of their "fun" all over the house. Their cuteness might keep them out of the "dog house" so to speak (let's be real...these 2 don't even know what a dog house is they're so spoiled!) but it certainly doesn't clean up their messes...can you!?"

Good luck with that one, Ragan! Now, to give you all a second chance:

To enter:
Step 1: Go Like Bissell on Facebook and tell them that Embrace sent you.

Step 2: Hit up Embrace Pet Insurance's Facebook wall to tell us how you plan to start your pet's year off with a clean slate! Are you grooming her daily? Taking her for more walks? Scheduling more time at the doggie spa? Share!

We'll select the winner on February 1st and Bissell will help you get 2012 off to a clean start.

We use our office SpotBot weekly, *ahem*. I think some dogs are having accidents just to give us a chance to play with the cleaning robot! The SpotBot and other nifty Bissell products are available at Bissell.com.

Comments or photos submitted during January 2012 will be considered for entry. Winner will be contacted by Embrace Pet Insurance for prize fulfillment via sponsor. Embrace staff and families not eligible to win. Must not have won within last 90 days. Good luck!

UPDATED: Steam Cleaner Controversy

2012-01-03T12:08:00-05:00

I've been a long time Swiffer user, for my vinyl and hardwood floors (no carpet in my furry house), but I've always noticed that it left a lot of streaks and a sort of filmy appearance on my white kitchen tiles. So, when Buckley the Beagle's mom, Kate, mentioned that she was pleased with her SHARK STEAM MOP I was intrigued.

Kate said that the mop got dirt that she didn't even see, and then she just washed the replaceable mop heads. No disposable pads or special cleaner bottle needed, so it's definitely more eco-friendly than my swiffer. It's only $69 at Amazon, though I noticed there are a lot of people concerned about the quality and usability of the device. Most people say the handle is flimsy. One reviewer did a very detailed comparison of several steam mops, and finally endorsed the Eureka Envirosteamer.

The Eureka is actually cheaper ($64.99), heats water to a higher temperature, has a longer cord and larger water storage tank. And as some reviewers noted, the tank is just above the pad, not up on the handle, so it's helping to push down on the cleaning pad, not causing resistance to your pushing motion.

So, why would I buy the Shark, when the Envirosteamer seems so much better? What mop should I buy to clean up those muddy paw prints that are coming with the Spring showers? Do you have a steam mop and would you recommend it to other pet parents?

**UPDATE Jan 2012**

I just realized I've been loving my Envirosteamer all this time, and never updated this post. We got the steam mop in Spring 2011 to combat the muddy paw prints, and it's made cleaning my kitchen easily one of my favorite household chores. The steam mop cleans without any residue or sticky fluid buildup of a cleanser. The floor looks remarkably clean--almost new, once I'm finished.

My only advice: don't wash the pads in very hot water, or they'll shrink to the point of almost not fitting in their grips. I may need to buy replacements, but it's probably time to do that anyway.

2012 Pet Resolutions

2011-12-31T06:14:00-05:00

Halo, Purely for Pets surveyed more than 1,000 pet parents to find out their New Year's Resolutions. Do any of these spark New Year's Resolutions for you?

Exercise....

88.7% of pet parents plan to help their pets get more exercise. Here's how:
62.4% - more walks
68.3% - play with them more
30.3% - find a new game to play
2.9% - take a Doga class
1.9% - get into extreme sports
20.2% - go to the dog park more often
15.8% - run my cat up and down stairs

Weight loss....

45.9% plan to help their pets lose weight in 2012. Here's how:
44.8% - feed better quality food
35.1% - feed less food
34% - give fewer treats
33% - give more nutritious treats
68.7% - get more exercise
10.9% - plan a program with their vet

New tricks

48.1% plan to teach their pets new tricks this coming year

Healthy Eating.....

69.4% plan to feed their pets higher quality food

Grooming....

86.8% plan to groom their pets more regularly. Here's how:
68.1% will trim nails more regularly
52.7% plan to bathe their pets more regularly
80.3% are going to brush their pets more regularly
35.5% will start giving their pets supplements for their coat and skin
50.1% plan to brush their pet's teeth more often
33.2% are going to start using natural grooming products

Philanthropy.....

94.1% plan to help pets in need. Here's how:
11.5% - adopt a new pet
11.5% - foster a pet
69.8% - donate to a rescue or shelter
45.5% - play Freekibble.com or Freekibblekat.com 65.6% - continue what i've been doing!
Other open-ended answers include helping feral cats, joining unchain dogs organization and others!

We also loved some of these touching and personal resolutions people mentioned:

Take them to the beach
Hand making toys and cushions for them
More rides in the car
Buy a new scratching post
Visit hospitals and retirement homes to make people happy
Make sure he drinks more water
Build new cat trees
Train dog to ride to the dog park in his Harley side car
Bring them with me more places
Open her own savings account for vet emergencies*

*We'd suggest Pet Insurance, of course.

The biggest response: Pet parents would like to spend more time with their pets and love them even more than they did in 2011!

My resolutions:

Teach Kayden a new trick a month--we're working on "bang, you're dead!" right now.
Get my boys out for more walks and trips to the park
Spend more time with Lyger individually--he doesn't come to work with me as often, so I need to focus on him at home more
Pet my dogs for just a moment at bedtime each night. It is nice for them and relaxes me too.

12 Days of Kittenmas: Scooter

2011-12-23T06:01:00-05:00

Day 12: Scooter, an adoptable lovebug in Denver, CO.

12 Days of Kittenmas: Dennis

2011-12-22T15:57:00-05:00

Day 11: Dennis, an adorable adoptable.

12 Days of Kittenmas: Freya and Odin

2011-12-21T06:33:00-05:00

Day 10: Freya and Odin, Embraced by Susan and Jeff in Menlo Park, CA

Alternatives To Gifting Pets

2011-12-20T20:37:10-05:00

I recently read an article on the topic of gifting pets--giving a cat, dog, hamster, fish, etc as a holiday gift. You might ask yourself, "who does that?" But an acquaintance was given a Dachshund as a holiday bonus by her boss. My groomer was gifted her Rottweiler by a well intentioned husband...it happens. Meanwhile, Embracer Sara and her husband are recent foster failures, and they've decided to give themselves the gift of Cosmo Kramer (right)--which I think is a fantastic way to share the holidays!

While I'm sure my readers are pet savvy enough to know the drawbacks to the gifting of pets, I liked the author's suggestions on alternatives to pet purchasing:

Visit a local shelter or breeder or go on their website and find out what it takes to adopt, what breed or breed mix would be best for you and why; why they don’t recommend adopting during the holidays; what support and references they can provide once you adopt a pet and get an idea of what it will cost to care for the animal (veterinarian costs, food, fun, training, travel, boarding, etc).
If your child is old enough to volunteer at a local shelter, sign him/her up for a couple of months. The child will learn something about compassion, responsibility, how to behave around animals, etc. If he/she still wants one of its own you will at least know that the desire is well-informed. That does not by any means get you – the parent – off the hook in terms of responsibility, however your child will have demonstrated that he/she is as ready as he/she will ever be.
Give the Promise of a Pet Instead for those kids that have persistently been asking for a pet. For example, add a pet collar, toy or dog training book under the tree. You can also enclose a gift certificate or card from a shelter promising a pet for after the holidays so the family unit can go and visit a shelter or breeder together
If you don't plan on giving an animal as a gift, you can still help the animals by donating food and toys to your local shelter.
You could also donate money to pay for a neuter or spay for an animal at a shelter or for a pet owned by someone having financial difficulties. You might also make a donation in a name of a favorite animal lover.
You can also foster rescue animals with your local shelter. Fostering is temporary –unless you decide to adopt – and helps an animal in need get some loving and wagging during the holidays. That also gives you time to assess if this is the right breed or time for your family to adopt.
Give your child a stuffed dog instead - My parents gave me about 20 stuffed dogs throughout the 13 years I pleaded for the real thing. Best decision they made for all of us.

This list courtesy of Ines de Pablo, founder of pet safety company Wag’N Enterprises

Shown bottom is Bruiser, the the lovable Mastiff Embraced by Vet Specialist Chrissy. For more photos of our Embraced pups (and people) check out our holiday album.

12 Days of Kittenmas: Monkimus

2011-12-20T07:29:00-05:00

Day 9: Monkimus Spunkimus, a one-eyed feline, loved by Embracer Sam A.

12 Days of Kittenmas: Osiris

2011-12-19T11:15:00-05:00

Day 8: Osiris