My Fire Hydrant

Wednesday at 3 o’clock everybody at work received an email saying that there would be a mandatory company meeting at 8:30 yesterday morning. The message gave us just barely enough time to rearrange our schedules, but not enough time to really sniff out what the heck was going on.

Our Front Door

For several years now, we have all seen many of our teams migrate south to other P&G offices in Cincinnati so that we can take advantage of efficiencies and streamline our work flow (OK, I realize that sounds like corporate-speak—but at least I’m not using words like “synergy” and “leverage”). The number of people actually working from our HQ in Dayton has shrunk considerably to the point of being cut in half over the past couple of years.

I won’t say I lost sleep in speculating on the topic of the meeting, but it was the last thing I thought of as I dropped off to sleep last night, and the first thing I thought of this morning.

So yesterday morning we all trooped in to the biggest meeting room in the building. And the topic of the meeting? We’re going to sell our building after we all move down to P&G’s Mason Business Center (MBC). The announcement was met with hardy applause. Quite a few of the people who work in our Dayton office must commute from Cincinnati.

To me, this is a little bitter-sweet.

Our building at 7250 Poe Avenue became our corporate headquarters in February of 1985. When we moved in, we occupied three-quarters of the first floor. By July of 1990 we occupied the entire 4 floors of the building. Before 1995 we had built a 2nd 4-story building of offices to the north of the original building, connecting the two through a lobby. I started with the company not long after we expanded into the 2nd building. I’ve worked from this building for nearly 14 years.

The Paw over our Front Door

I will miss this old building with the Paw Print carved into its concrete façade.

But I won’t miss our cafeteria—the one at the MBC is much nicer with a larger selection of food and a bank of windows that looks out onto a green space.

Plus our new digs has a fitness center, on site banking, a dry cleaning service, and a little corner shop in case your pantyhose gets a run. There is a beautiful outdoor walk surrounded by lots of trees. We will be investing in an on site dog park, so that we can continue to bring our dogs to work with us. And we will all be together under one roof instead of scattered between Dayton and Cincinnati.

We will continue our relationships with the three shelters here in Dayton. And we get to keep our jobs, which is really the very best part of the deal in this economic climate. Did I mention that it will be 10 years ago in August that we were acquired by P&G? And we are now, finally, moving in together. I think this will be a good thing for P&G Pet Care (AKA The Iams Company).

Here’s what the press release says:

Cincinnati, May 28, 2009 – Procter & Gamble, maker of Iams and Eukanuba pet foods, announced today it will move its North American operations for this business from Dayton to Mason, Ohio.

These operations will now become part of P&G’s Mason Business Center, where the company’s oral care, personal health and pharmaceuticals business are also based.

P&G said that moving its NA Pet Care business to Mason will increase productivity and enhance collaboration among even more of its health care employees at this site. About 2000 P&G employees work in Mason.

About 240 P&G Pet Care employees, currently based in Dayton, will now work in Mason. P&G said it expects the move to begin in early October.

“Our home address is changing but not our commitment to improving the well-being of all dogs and cats,” said Dan Rajczak, vice president of P&G’s pet care business in North America. “If anything, this will help us do an even better job of connecting with our colleagues in health care to bring great innovation to pet care.”

P&G acquired The Iams Company in 1999. Since then, sales of its Iams and Eukanuba brands have more than doubled. The pet food category remains attractive to P&G. It is large, growing and fits well within the company’s core strengths.

Some of our (Iams/Eukanuba) feeding guidelines are changing.

1. What’s changing?
In the past, we’ve used feeding trials to figure out the number of calories in our food so that we can set up our feeding guidelines. In 2006 we replaced feeding trials with something called the Modified Atwater Calculation. Since that time, whenever we’ve made changes to our packaging we’ve also adjusted our feeding guidelines so that they are based on the Modified Atwater Calculation, instead of on feeding trials.

Iams dog and cat formulas have already had the Modified Atwater Calculation applied to the feeding guidelines. In the next few months, the Modified Atwater Calculation will be applied to Eukanuba dog feeding guidelines.

Let me emphasize that we (Iams/Eukanuba) always advise people to use our feeding guidelines as a starting point, not as an amount that’s written in stone. A dog or cat may need more or less food depending upon age, activity and temperament. The pet owner knows the pet best, and we encourage pet owners to be responsible for adjusting the amount of food so that the pet gets the right amount for their individualized needs. Your pet’s body condition (Too fat? Too thin? Just right?) is the best indicator of how much to feed.

If you’re feeding your pet one of our diets, and your pet is thriving, there is no need to change the amount you’re currently feeding because you’re feeding to satisfy your pet’s nutritional needs.

2. Why did we do this?
The Modified Atwater calculation is globally recognized by professionals involved in pet food nutrition as the official method for calculating metabolizable energy (calories) in dog and cat foods. Also, it eliminates any of the variables that can happen with live animals and environmental factors. It gives us a more consistent calorie amount comparison across our products. And it reduces the use of live animals in feeding trials.

One of the things I like about the way the new guidelines are presented is that they now give a range of how much to feed instead of a specific amount. For instance, it might say “1/4 — 3/4 cup” instead of “½ cup” which I think encourages people to adjust the amount to meet the individual pet’s needs.

3. How does it work?
The Atwater Calculation is used to figure out the number of calories (a unit of energy) per kilogram (a unit of weight) of food. From that number, we can figure out the amount of food that is needed to feed a dog or cat on a daily basis.

4. Why is it “Modified?”
This kind of calorie calculation was the result of work done by Wilbur Olin Atwater. In 1896, Dr. Atwater headed the federal nutrition program and published a work titled “The Chemical Composition of American Food Materials” which listed minimum/maximum/average values of all known American foods—the first calorie-counting guide!

According to Wikipedia: “The Atwater system (after Wilber Olin Atwater) or derivatives of this system are used for the calculation of the available energy of foods.” His calculations for human nutrition have been modified for dog and cat nutrition.

DISCLAIMER:
I’ve put this information in my own words after training and study. I reserve the right to add to and/or edit this post if it becomes outdated or additional/better information becomes available. Information posted on my blog (or on the Internet for that matter) should NEVER be substituted for the guidance and advice of your veterinarian or your animal behavior professional.

I just found this through Twitter and Gina Spadafori over at PetConnection. An ad from Oregon Humane. Very sweet and so true!

 
Today, I want to introduce you to Emily, a Veterinary Technician, and one of my teammates in Consumer Relations. She has been with P&G Pet Care for one and a half years.

Here are her answers to my 4 questions:

Emily and Murphy

I work with a great bunch of people!

1. What pets share your life?
We have 2 dogs. India is our rescue Greyhound and is ~ 10 years old. We adopted her about 6 years ago. She came from a race track in Kansas and has been a wonderful pet. She is a big couch potato. Murphy is our 2 year old Golden Retriever. I lost my Golden Retriever to cancer back in 2006 and could not live without another one. We purchased Murphy through a breeder that had similar bloodlines to Goldens that I had owned in the past. He is a great dog and our family has a lot of fun with him.

2. What is the most unusual or most endearing thing your pet has ever done?
It is so much fun to watch Murphy interact with our daughter. He has become so attached to her and she loves to play with him. Sometimes he will let her sit between his two front legs and she pretends like he is her chair.

3. What’s your favorite story about participating in a dog/cat event?
I’ve participated in several events since starting with Pet Care. My favorite one was Bark in the Park at the Cincinnati Reds baseball game. It was so much fun to see all the dogs attend the game with their owners. The parade and the costumes were so entertaining!!!

His strange habit is that he likes to lick the floor over and over and over again. He must think that food is going to eventually come out of the carpet.

4. What is your favorite part of working at Pet Care?
I enjoy working in Pet Care because I feel like I’m making a difference in the lives of dogs and cats. The human-animal bond is an amazing relationship and I enjoy hearing about this from our consumers. Also, it is very rewarding to talk to a consumer, veterinary professional, or breeder to help address nutritional concerns with their pets or clients. I have personally fed Iams and Eukanuba for as long as I can remember and it has made a huge difference in the lives of my pets. I’m so proud to work for a company that is focused on enhancing the well-being of dogs and cats through high quality nutrition.

 Back in December, I briefly mentioned a new product we (Iams) were launching called Prostora Max. Here are some more details.

1. WHAT IS PROSTORA MAX?
Prostora Max is our new probiotic supplement for dogs.Probiotics are the beneficial or good bacteria that can provide health benefits in the gut beyond what basic nutrition provides. In your dog’s gut, they help provide a natural defense system against bad bacteria; they promote vitamin synthesis and absorption; and they maintain the health of the immune system.

Prostora Max (our new supplement!) contains a unique and patented strain of bacteria called Bifidobacterium animalis AHC7. Bifiobacterium is naturally present in the dog’s gut and probiotics originating from the target species (the dog) may be better adapted to adhere and colonize.

It comes in a soft, chewable treat form that (I can personally testify because Bailey has tried it) dogs love to eat and owners love to give!

2. WHAT DOES IT DO?
More than 500 species of bacteria reside in your dog and there is a delicate balance between the good ones and the bad ones. Several things can impact this balance such as disease, age, diet, stress and antibiotics. Upsetting the balance can result in digestive upsets and loose stools.

Probiotics (the good bacteria) can help restore the delicate balance. But all probiotics are NOT created equal. Benefits depend on the kind of probiotics (Lactobacillus, Acidophilus, Bifidobacterium), the species they are used in (human, dog, cat) or the level that is consumed.

In a clinical trial Prostora Max was shown to nutritionally manage diarrhea faster than without using probiotics (anyone whose dog has had diarrhea will tell you that stopping it even 1 hour faster is a benefit!). Antibiotic use in this study was also decreased by 23% when Prostora was given.

3. WHERE CAN I GET IT?
Prostora Max is only available through your veterinarian.

4. WHERE DID THAT GOOFY NAME COME FROM?
The rumor around the office is that they took the words probiotic and restore and mashed them together to make Prostora. Prostora helps restore the bacterial balance.

DISCLAIMER:
I’ve put this information in my own words after training and study. I reserve the right to add to and/or edit this post if it becomes outdated or additional/better information becomes available. Information posted on my blog (or on the Internet for that matter) should NEVER be substituted for the guidance and advice of your veterinarian or your animal behavior professional.

Thursday I flew to the Big Apple for something very important.

Bideawee (bide-a-wee, which means “stay a while”) is an animal shelter located at 410 East 38th Street, in NYC. It was started by (the very beautiful) Flora D’Auby Jinkins Kibbe in 1903–which makes it one of our oldest humane societies. Bideawee does not euthanize any of the animals who are brought into their care (unless it is suffering or incurably ill). From their web site: “Bideawee’s Mission is to promote and support safe, loving, long-term relationships between people and companion animals by providing a continuum of services and programs that are innovative, personalized and of high quality.”

I was thrilled to be part of the Pet Care contingent as we represented Iams on Thursday night at the Gala on the Green, a fund-raising benefit for Bideawee.

[UNSOPHISTICATED GUSHING HICK WARNING: It's not like this was my first time in the City or that I've never attended a fancy society party or met famous people before. But for some stupid reason, I seemed to fixate on the fact that the Gala was at Tavern on the Green (here I am: Carrie Bradshaw's awkward gawky cousin), and Bernadette Peters (who I have totally adored forever) was the celebrity host. All evening I felt my inner annoying fan/country bumpkin fighting to get out. It was a battle to preserve some (very small) semblance of dignity and cool!]

As I mentioned on Friday, I made this trip with my good friend, Kris Parlett. Kris is the Iams’ half of the heart that is Iams Home 4 the Holidays. Mike Arms (of the Helen Woodward Animal Center) is the other half of the heart. We met Mike and his wonderful wife Carol at the Crown Plaza in Times Square.

At 6:15 PM, in our evening togs, we cabbed it up to Tavern on the Green [roughly a 10 minute drive up 8th Avenue...past Trump Tower...Is that the Donald?...to Columbus Circle...to Central Park West...OMIGOSH how classy is this to live across the street from Central Park!...and into the little drive that leads to Tavern on the Green...big limos!...horse-drawn carriages!...valet parking!...And the liveried doorman at the end of the canopied walkway who opens our cab door and helps me out is wearing white gloves and a hat!...OMIGOSH, is that paparazzi????...No. GET A GRIP!].

Tavern on the Green is a slightly kitschy fairy garden (at least it was to me) that is an icon of NYC glamour. Nestled in a group of trees just inside Central Park at West 67th Street, there’s a canopied walkway that leads to beveled glass entry doors—you can’t help but feel that this is some place special. The carpeting is a pattern of cabbage roses and flowers. The chairs and tables are similar to the kind you see at big weddings where they’ve spent a fortune to have a sit-down dinner–only better. The lighting ranges from twinkle lights and Chinese lanterns, to (what really took my breath) very ornate crystal chandeliers. Yep! Those chandeliers had some very serious glass hanging off of them. They were exquisite! Tavern on the Green was built in 1870 as a place to house sheep. It became a restaurant in 1934–Fiorello LaGuardia (like the airport) was mayor of NYC, and he officiated at the opening. The chandeliers (which fascinated me so) were added in 1976 as part of a $10 million renovation. If you ever get the chance to eat at Tavern on the Green DO IT!!

Cocktails were served at 6:30 while a silent auction went on and the media interviewed attendees with lots of cameras and lights. I stationed myself near the Bideawee-branded photo backdrop and before I knew it, there was Bernadette Peters with her dog Kramer taking photos! She was joined in the photo shoot by Dr. Ruth Westheimer, Montel Williams, Paulina Porizkova, Jill Rappaport, Julie White, and Dr. Debbye Turner Bell. Also in town and joining the party was Chanel, recently named by the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest living dog, along with her pet parents Karl and Denise Shaughnessy. [OMIGOSH! I cannot believe that I'm standing within touching distance of Montel Williams.....he is so handsome! And look at Dr. Ruth! She's so tiny.....but what a huge smile! hmmmmmm, bet she practices what she preaches.....Paulina is so beautiful!..........man! these lights are hot....I'm sweating like a pig....no wait...let's be classy here...I'm glowing with the heat from all these lights...I wish I could pull out my camera and start taking photos, but no one else is doing it....must be dignified!....maybe I can sneak up my phone and take some shots.....].

At 7:30 we moved from the Rafters Room into the Crystal Room, and were seated for dinner. I took my seat at the Iams table. Moments after I sat down, I was approached by one of the Bideawee committee members. She was very sorry, but our table was overfull and would I mind it if she moved me to another table? I was just happy to be part of the celebration, so I had no problem being helpful and moving. She took me (and my bud Kris) across the dance floor to a table on the opposite side of the room. As we approached I recognized who was sitting there. I stopped walking, turn to the committee member and asked, “Are you really putting me at Bernadette Peters’ table??” She smiled and said, “Yes. If that’s alright with you?” DUH!!! I was ecstatic!!

[OH-MY-GOSH!!! I'M SITTING AT THE SAME TABLE AS BERNADETTE PETERS!! I so totally CANNOT eat any of the food because I'm sure to spill something on myself!!! I'm almost afraid to look at her.....I don't want to be an intruding geeky fan.......what am I going to do?? I can't talk to her....I'll say something totally stupid.....she's so beautiful.....look how hard she's working.....I never thought that a celebrity host would have a script to learn, but it makes sense.....she is so focused on the job she's doing....I REALLY want to take a picture of her....but I REALLY don't want to intrude on her privacy......she's so pretty!! Maybe if I take out my phone and start Tweeting the event she won't notice me...]

I did my best to act nonchalant, but kept an eye on Ms. Peters. This beautiful woman is a major animal lover. With Mary Tyler Moore, she founded Broadway Barks over 10 years ago. Broadway Barks is a program that helps promote shelter adoptions in NYC. She was seated across the table from me, going over her notes. In fact, I don’t think she had the opportunity to enjoy the meal that was served because her hefty duties as host kept her tied to the stage manager (seated at a table in the corner behind her), going over her speaking notes (which I think she must have had memorized because I didn’t notice her using the prompter on the podium when she spoke), or up on the stage at the podium where she kept the event moving along at a sparkling pace.

And she was (as they say) a trooper when she was on stage! Her introduction and welcome involved her dog Kramer (a very handsome pooch), who was so excited by all the people and dogs (of course dogs were invited to this event!) that he wouldn’t stop barking. She made the best of it and told a touching story of how she first came to be involved with Bideawee (as a child), and (with great patience) allowed Kramer to also have his say. All evening, she was back and forth to the podium, making introductions, dealing with the audience talking and the dogs barking, and never loosing her cool (or forgetting what she needed to say). I stand in awe of her professionalism (I know I’m gushing, can’t help it, she’s kick-a** brilliant!!).

[If this video I found on YouTube doesn't touch you, you need to have your meds adjusted.]

One new fact I learned about Bernadette Peters: She has a special place in her heart for the Bully breeds. During her remarks she said, “…but I have another dog…Stella…and she’s a Pit Bull and they’re wonderful dogs, and I used to cross the street when I saw Pit Bulls because I was uneducated, but they are truly amazing dogs.” As I write this, she features a Staffy named Aponte that’s available for adoption from the Brooklyn Animal Resource Coalition on her web site.

At the start of Ms. Peters first remarks, someone new came to our table. I know this woman, I said to myself. She’s a singer….OMIGOSH!!!! Roberta Flack!! Turns out, Ms. Flack is also a major animal lover. I was told that she is a regular visitor to Bideawee.

So for the next two hours I breathed the rarefied air of the celebrities! Dinner was:

I’ve been to New York City twice in the past two weeks. A week ago, I flew to NYC to represent P&G Pet Care at a blog seminar (BlogWell) and also as a member of the Blog Council. It was a fabulous opportunity and experience.

Today is the end of Be Kind to Animals Week, but there’s still time to enter the contests on 4 The Love of Animals and Romeo the Cat and Puglsey Too! The prize on both blogs is a fabulous Iams basket of goodies!

Bailey’s diabetes seems to be under better control. We did another blood test on Wednesday. Her initial sugar level was over 500. Now it’s down to 143. I’m still a little too nervous when I give her her insulin shots–she picks up on it and then that makes her nervous. But I’m getting better.

What I find amazing is the fact that she seems to be more frisky! Prior to the diagnosis, she slept alot. I figured it was old age creeping up. But now I think it was because of her blood sugar level–it’s a night-and-day difference!

We will both eventually get used to the shots. I’m thrilled that my senior pooch is acting puppyish again. And diabetes is certainly a better diagnosis than cancer.