My Fire Hydrant

As I was surfing this morning, I came across Ten Peeves that Dogs Have About Humans (read this, it’s very funny!), posted by Laura over at My Favorite People are Dogs. Coincidentally, yesterday I was going through some old paperwork and came across some quotes I’ve been collecting. Thanks, Laura, for inspiring me to post!

The average dog is a nicer person than the average person.
-Andy Rooney

We give dogs the time we can spare, space we can spare and love we can spare. And in return, dogs give us their all. It’s the best deal man has ever made.
-M. Acklam

I wonder if other dogs think poodles are members of a weird religious cult.
-Rita Rudner

A dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance, and to turn around three times before lying down.
-Robert Benchley

Anybody who doesn’t know what soap tastes like never washed a dog.
-Franklin P. Jones

If I have any beliefs about immortality, it is that certain dogs I have known will go to heaven, and very, very few persons.
-James Thurber

If your dog is fat, you aren’t getting enough exercise.
-Unknown

My dog is worried about the economy because Alpo is up to $3.00 a can. That’s almost $21.00 in dog money.
-Joe Weinstein

Ever consider what our dogs must think of us? I mean, here we come back from a grocery store with the most amazing haul — chicken, pork, half a cow. They must think we’re the greatest hunters on earth!
-Anne Tyler

Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea.
-Robert A. Heinlein

If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you; that is the principal difference between a dog and a man.
-Mark Twain

You can say any foolish thing to a dog, and the dog will give you a look that says, ‘Wow, you’re right! I never would’ve thought of that!’
- Dave Barry

Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.
-Roger Caras

If you think dogs can’t count, try putting three dog biscuits in your pocket and then give him only two of them.
-Phil Pastoret

My goal in life is to be as good of a person as my dog already thinks I am.
-Anonymous

The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue.
-Anonymous

Don’t accept your dog’s admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful.
-Ann Landers

If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.
-Will Rogers

There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face.
-Ben Williams

A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.
-Josh Billings

The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue.
-Anonymous

I didn’t get to go to the Eukanuba National this year (WAA!!). Even though Dog Show Poop kept us all up-to-date on what was going on (thanks Billy!), I still wanna watch it on TV. And FINALLY it’s gonna be broadcast. THIS SATURDAY!!

The AKC/Eukanuba National Championship will be simulcast on Animal Planet and the Discovery Channel on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2009 from 8-11 p.m. (ET/PT). Highlights from the AKC Agility Invitational will air on Animal Planet on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009 at 8 p.m. (ET/PT).

Animal Planet has fabulous coverage of the show on their web site.

Here is last year’s commercial–it’s too funny!!

And if you want a preview of everything that went on before and during the Eukanuba Championship, I’ve collected a playlist on YouTube with all the videos I could find (ACK! At last count that was 91!):

Yesterday, it snowed. I shoveled snow away from the grass around the patio so that Bailey would have a place to go potty. She flat out refuses to go out through the front of the house because the snow is too high.

One patch of grass.

Another patch of grass.

This worked fine, yesterday.

Last night, we had freezing rain. Today, more snow. The snow has a hard crust, and I can’t shovel it away, so no more grass patches.

Bailey is not amused.

Hurry spring!

This is what Eukanuba marketing geeks do in their free time!

OMIGOSH! My knees and back are killing me ’cause I worked backstage on Sunday night at the Cat Walk!

The Cat Walk at Meow-lin Rouge was an absolute hoot! This fabulous event benefited the kitties of the Humane Society of Greater Dayton. There were over 30 volunteers from Pet Care, and as many volunteers from the HSGD, along with 13 different Dayton hair salons. What a night! We helped put on the show, serve drinks and food, and collect money for the shelter.

The Room

Each of the salons had a group of from 2 to 5 models who were made up, coiffed, costumed, and given a cat walk routine to perform. There was a panel of judges who voted for the best one. And after the Cat Walk was over, the models walked through the audience collecting tips. The salon that earned the highest $$ amount for tips got the People’s Choice award. And the shelter kitties got all the money!

I’m still waiting to find out how much money we raised. And I’m sniffing around trying to find more photos to post here. My friend Bud has posted a video of the winning salon (Mark Philips Salon and Spa) on YouTube. I’m hoping he’ll be posting videos of the other salons. Watch these kitties strut their stuff!

VERY IMPORTANT! IAMS AND EUKANUBA ARE NOT IN RECALL MODE.

I think I’ve mentioned somewhere on the Fire Hydrant that I work in Consumer Relations for P&G Pet Care. PetSmart recently announced a recall of their Grreat Choice Dog Biscuits. From what I’ve been hearing, some of the television news coverage has shown video that includes shots of Iams and Eukanba bags.

WE ARE NOT PART OF THE PEANUT BUTTER RECALL. We don’t use peanut butter or peanut butter paste in ANY of our products.

PetSmart’s Press Release

FDA list showing pet food companies involved

FDA-full details

What a day! I wish I could be in DC, but I think I have a better view with CNN.

The Rose City Classic is finished, and I recommend checking in with Billy at Dog Show Poop for the results–he also has excellent pictures! In fact, there’s a beautiful photo of CH Aviator’s Luck B A Lady, who is a Portugese Water Dog and was part of the Best in Show competition. The Portugese Water Dog is one of the breeds under consideration for our new First Dog. I still think the First Family should strongly consider a Bichon from Small Paws Rescue.

Here’s the last report from Allison as she leaves Portland and the Rose City Classic:

SUNDAY 1/13/09 11:17 PM: Sadly this show has come to an end for us! As we leave, we’re thrilled that we had an opportunity to talk with so many people about their dogs and the science and benefits that Eukanuba has to offer! We went through over 1,000 pounds of food samples! Any way you slice it that is a WOW portion of samples for our customers and breeders to try. It reminds me of why I do what I do everyday. I love what I do. I love connecting with people and their dogs.

In good mama fashion I had to bring something home for my little man, Roo Roo (2.5 year old Shih Tzu) He will now be sporting a brand new lead fit for any champion show dog. Michele is also bringing home a squeaker pull toy for her three Boxers. Bye bye Portland! What a great show!

I’ve started a YouTube playlist for the Rose City Show. Here it is:

I cannot believe how fast this week has gone!

I have teammates–Michele and Allison–at the Portland dog show this weekend. The Rose City Classic is hosted by the Dog Fanciers Association of Oregon. Participating clubs include the Tualatin Kennel Club, The Portland Dog Obedience Club and 19 other breed speciality clubs. My good buddy, Billy Wheeler, over at Dog Show Poop will have all the latest results.

As I said, two of my teammates from Consumer Relations are at the Portland show. I heard from Allison yesterday. Here’s what she has to report:

“When I got to the airport, Michelle was already there and told me that our flight from Dayton to Chicago was cancelled. The only flight available to get us to Portland, Oregon would be to fly through Washington, DC(!), and then on to Portland. So after touring the U.S. by air we finally arrived exhausted and hungry. We were very blessed to have NOT been on the flight that landed in the Hudson. I made sure not to tell Michelle about the water landing til after we arrived since she is not a fan of flying anyways.

While getting our bags in baggage claim, Michele recognized a man standing off to one said with a few men and their luggage. The guy was Lemmy from the band Motorhead. Michele knows her rockers!! She took a picture with him on her cell phone so you’ll have to ask her to see it! Turns out that Motorhead is playing in Portland this weekend! And here we thought the dog show was THE event to attend this weekend.

Once arriving to the show, we got started setting up our side of the booth. We are sampling nine Eukanuba dog food diets. We were told that this Friday we were much slower than previous years. However, we did speak to numerous consumers/breeders about food suggestions for their dogs. The booth is beautiful! On one side, breeders can sign up for the Eukanuba Trial Challenge. In the middle is a Breeder hospitality area that includes, chairs with backs & foot messaging, lemonade, Star Bucks coffee, snacks and a Eukanuba video featuring our diets and interviews of consumers giving their testimonies. And then there’s our spot where we’re handing out food samples and talking to people. We’re also conducting breeder seminars three times a day to explain some of the innovations we have had over our 40 years in the pet food industry.

After being all business at the show, it was great to have some laughs and get to know some of our Pet Care sales people on a more personal level. I love this part of the dog show trips! We all come from so many different parts of the US in order to work these shows as the Eukanuba team. It’s great to hear sales stories and adventures, and to connect on what we all have in common and that is: we are passionate about our pets! Just like people’s framed desk photos at P&G Pet Care HQ, when our folks pull out their wallets to show you photos, more often then not it’s of their dogs or cats!

Thanks for the report, Allison!

1,202,751.

ONE MILLION, TWO HUNDRED TWO THOUSAND, SEVEN HUNDRED FIFTY ONE.

The numbers have finally been tallied and the press release is finally out. In three months, our global adoption event helped 1,202,751 pets find forever homes!

Here’s how it breaks down:
- 17 countries participated
- 591,533 dogs
- 543,569 cats
- 67,649 other animals (like rabbits, reptiles, birds, etc)

I feel good! (someone cue the dance music, please)

A friend of mine pointed out this post onPetSugarWill the Top 10 Dog and Cat Names of 2008 Surprise You?
Bailey is the number 2 most popular dog name. Hmmmmmm. Not sure that I like that. But I guess it’s OK because there really is only one, unique Bailey-the-Bichon.

Bailey was a birthday present from my mom back in 1996, and in the weeks before she came to live with me I did a lot of thinking about what to name her.

Some of you may remember that on April 19, 1995 the Alfred P. Murrah building in Oklahoma City was bombed (see this entry in Wikipedia), and a year later this was still high on the list of conversation topics. One of the photos that came out of that tragedy was this one of firefighter Chris Fields carrying Baylee Almon–there was a daycare center in the building so some of the victims of the bombing were young children. I named my Bailey for this Baylee (I didn’t know at the time the proper spelling of Baylee’s name). And since Bailey’s mom’s name was Cream, it seemed logical to name her Bailey’s Irish Cream. Or course, when I sent in her papers to the AKC, I found out she was Bailey’s Irish Cream number 26! Ah well. Bailey’s name started with this photo and she is named in remembrance of this little girl.

So, according to a VPI (Veterinary Pet Insurance) survey, as quoted by MSNBC and PetSugar, here are the top dog and cat names:

Top dog names
1. Max
2. Bailey
3. Bella
4. Molly
5. Lucy
6. Buddy
7. Maggie
8. Daisy
9. Sophie
10. Chloe

Top cat names
1. Max
2. Chloe
3. Tigger
4. Tiger
5. Lucy
6. Smokey
7. Oliver
8. Bella
9. Shadow
10. Charlie

Most unusual dog
1. Rush Limbark
2. Sirius Lee Handsome
3. Rafikikadiki
4. Low Jack
5. Meatwad
6. Peanut Wigglebutt
7. Scuddles Unterfuss
8. Sophie Touch & Pee
9. Admiral Toot
10. Spatula

Most unusual cat
1. Edward Scissorpaws
2. Sir Lix-a-lot
3. Optimus Prrrime
4. Buddah Pest
5. Snoop Kitty Kitty
6. Miss Fuzzbutt
7. 80 Bucks
8. Sparklemonkey
9. Rosie Posie Prozac
10. Toot Uncommon

I don’t see a Luxor or a Salinger among any of these lists. I guess those particular names are incredibly unique!