My Fire Hydrant

While I wrap up the final numbers for how much money was raised for the March Online Bichon Bash, I had to share this little bit of fame with you: Tyler appears in this week’s Bloomsberg BusinessWeek Magazine.

I don’t really mind that they give P&G all the credit for coming up with My Fire Hydrant (my blog) and Tyler–that’s just reporters editing the facts to suit their needs, and I had my 15 minutes a few years ago with The Wall Street Journal. But I wish they would have added in the URL.

Of course, Tyler is the cutest thing that the business world could ever hope to seen, and he’s in a typical Tyler pose!

Is he cute or what??!

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I had to stop by my vet’s office today. As I was leaving, I wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year–but my tongue got all tied up and what came out was

HAPPY NEUTER!

But that’s OK, because they knew what I was trying to say. And actually, isn’t that really a more appropriate wish?

Wishing you all a very safe and Happy Neuter!

Cooper and Mason

Since this is Adopt a Less Adoptable Pet Week AND ALSO Deaf Pet Awareness Week, it seemed appropriate to check in with my friend, Michele–who shares her life with less adoptable pets, deaf Boxers.

Last year, Michele was dealing with the news that her Boxer, Cooper, had been diagnosed with Stage III Mast Cell Cancer. And also adjusting to adding a 4th Boxer to her pack — Mason — because Michele failed Foster 101. Both Cooper and Mason are deaf.

Michele tells me, “In the past year, Mason has learned over 20 signs but his favorite sign is ‘good boy.’ People who see us walking always ask about him and his deafness when we sign; they say they would have never thought a dog could communicate through sign. I also still get calls from people who have deaf dogs. And also from people who realize their old dogs are going deaf. And I think my old girl is losing her hearing some too — she startles a lot more as she is getting older — but she knows the signs, so we communicate.”

Michele goes on,

Geddy, Mama Michele, and Mason

So a little over a year has passed since our lives were touched by a new Boxer in the house, can I just say it’s been a whirlwind!

Bailey, Cooper, Geddy and Mason are all sleeping on my bed as I write this update.  Sleep is what Cooper does most of his days now.  The vet is completely astonished that we still have him in our lives and he is doing as well as he can.  The cancer has spread to some organs but he seems to be still happy when he’s awake and will take any opportunity to lie on my lap…. Which of course no matter what weight loss he has had, he’s still a BIG boy!

Our Bailey has had two tumors removed from her this past year, both were benign which is a blessing, however she had her shoulder injured last fall with a run in with our crazy pup and her arthritis has really kicked in.  She still runs the roost and is the Queen around this house!

Geddy is still our sweet boy and has enjoyed Mason the most since we got him.  They are the best and worst of friends… we call it the love hate relationship as Mason gets the most pleasure out of torturing Geddy!

Then there is Mason…. Or as we like to say, the DEMON SPAWN!  Oh yes, I have to say he’s tested my patience this past year!  He’s every Boxer owners nightmare with bad behaviors… he’s mouthy, he loves to destroy toys… he’s torn up any toy I can find, which includes the ones that say SUPER TOUGH or UNCHEWABLE!  That makes me laugh when I bring them back the next day.  He was a challenge to get him crate trained, to not chew on everything he could in our house and walk on a leash without wanting to chew it up also!

He also is my youngest son’s best friend, who will wait by the window every day without fail 5 minutes before he gets off the bus.  He will fall asleep with him at night and slowly creep out of his bed once he’s asleep as to not wake him up and he has the sweetest face anyone could imagine. He has a special sense about him when the older dogs are not feeling good, always “trying” to be on is best behavior or giving them extra kisses on the head when they are laying down.  He is so smart, sometimes too much for his own good, but he has learned so many signs, he knows the routines when we leave or go to bed and although he was this little guy when we got him, he towers over all the other dogs with his gangly “pup” legs!  He is a blessing and as I look over on the bed, his head resting on the back of my Cooper, I realize he’s brought new life into Cooper as well and may just be what’s helping us keep our house full of Boxers!

Mason

Both Mason and Cooper were classified early on as “less adoptable dogs.” How lucky for them that Michele saw their potential. And how lucky for Michele and her family. These two sweet boys are well-loved members of Michele’s family. They just communicate with their human pack members in a slightly different way.

Not less adoptable. Totally more adaptable.

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If you’re interested in more information on what great pets deaf dogs can make,
visit Deaf Dogs Rock.

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How can a pet be less adoptable? They’re old; the wrong breed; have special needs; they’re not as pretty; or they’re simply different or the wrong color.

Next week, the good folks at Petfinder are devoting the entire week to celebrate less adoptable pets, to bring attention to these sweet furbabies, and to encourage pet parents to think about adopting a special needs furkid. And to do my part to encourage adoption, I’m going to feature a “special needs” Fluff from Small Paws Rescue–and you will see just how adoptable a “less adoptable pet” can be!

But what if you can’t adopt? You can still help! If you’re a blogger or a tweeter, make a post about adopting. If you’re on Facebook, “like” Petfinder and tell your friends about Adopt a Less Adoptable Pet Week. You can go to a shelter or animal center and volunteer or donate money or goods. Or give your neighbor a phone call–anything to spread the word!

What will you do to celebrate less adoptable pets?

A recently delivered letter of resignation:

Dear Friends,

Today, I am announcing that I intend to retire from my position as V.P. of Canine Communications for P&G Pet Care effective April 15, 2012.   I am happy to report that I am 9 years young.  My eyes are still bright and shiny, my energy level is like any 2 year old pup and my body weight is superb!  But let’s be real ladies and gentlemen, I’m ready to take advantage of all the P&G has to offer in retirement.  I am currently finishing negotiations for a lifetime supply of Iams Dog Biscuits and Eukanuba Dog Food.

The company hired me back in 2003.  I was a naïve young pup studying to become an assistance dog at the MIRA organization located in Quebec, CANADA.  At that time, I had just completed all of the training required to become an assistance dog but I failed my final exam.   I was devastated!  MIRA felt that I had “bonding issues.” They labeled me as being “TOO” friendly to become an assistance dog.   What can I say?  I love people!  Looking back I must agree with my assessor’s at MIRA.  I would much rather greet many new people every day rather than being the eyes or ears for one person.  MIRA felt I had a talent and shared my resume with The Iams Company.  The rest is history.  I was hired by P&G Pet Care.

I have met with Pet Care Leadership to discuss the job requirements of the next V.P. of Canine Communications.  My successor will be required to: like children and adults, love being an official greeter and have a mastery level knowledge of basic obedience.  He will need to be photogenic and love being videotaped.   He will need to be smaller than I am because he will be making appearances around the globe and will need to travel on an airplane.  Like all of our Vice Presidents, he must carry sufficient credentials.  He must earn his champion title at dog shows, be certified as a Canine Good Citizen and become a certified Therapy Dog.

For the next 10 months, I will be sharing my brand knowledge, social expertise and trademark “tricks” that will be critical to the success of the young lad who will be replacing me.  I am very excited about my new training assignment.  It will be challenging and very satisfying to know that I will be influential to the success of my successor.  I am keenly aware that the V.P. of Canine Communications is the face and the iconic ambassador for the best pet food brands in the world!

Now is not the time to say “good-bye.”  I look forward to spending the next 10 months coming to work , mingling with coworkers (both two and four-legged) and most importantly, showing the new pup the ropes of P&G Pet Care.

I feel very fortunate to be representing the best Dog and Cat Food Company in the world and working with the most pet passionate employees in our industry.

Sincerely,

Euka

V.P. of Canine Communications

I wrote about Euka a couple of years ago when she reached her 8th year. She’s a sweet pooch, and I’m going to miss seeing her at the office.

~

Some very exciting news! Our second annual “Behind the Paw” summit is scheduled for next week! We’ve invited a furbulous group of pet community advocates and anipals to come for a visit to learn more about P&G Pet Care. We’ll be tweeting about it–if you’re on Twitter be sure to watch for #BehindThePaw to get updates. Here’s a preview of what’s happening!

Another reason why I love where I work!

The official statement:

“P&G has donated nearly 12 tons of dog and cat food to the help the animals in Arkansas and Alabama that were displaced by the recent tornadoes. The food was distributed to several locations throughout the region to help save the lives of the many dogs and cats that were affected. We will continue to monitor the situation to determine if further assistance is needed.”

Some stuff that happened behind-the-scenes:

When asked to help, our closest distributor immediately worked out a plan to interrupt schedule product shipments so that they could get the product donation shipped to where it was needed. They also donated their time to do it.

We’ve already heard from some of the rescue groups located in the tornado-stressed areas—they posted on the Iams Facebook wall that they’ve received much-needed Iams food to help feed displaced dogs and cats.

I’m so glad we were able to get food where it was needed so quickly!

The new wind turbine at our pet food plant in Coevorden, The Netherlands

You probably don’t know that Procter & Gamble (P&G) has a corporate sustainability program. You might also not know that P&G Pet Care (the company I work for) has a pet food plant in Coevorden, The Netherlands, that makes our products for consumers in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

As part of our (P&G’s) corporate sustainability program, the ultimate goal is to power our plants with 100% renewable energy. We will accomplish this in increments. By 2020, we want P&G’s plants to be powered by at least 30% renewable energy.

So here’s what I find really exciting: This month, the Iams/Eukanuba plant in Coevorden added a wind turbine to its power grid, and by pressing the red button that started the turbine our plant jumped the 2020 deadline by 8 years! Our Coevorden plant is now getting one third of its power from the very first P&G wind turbine! As my buddy Dan Rajczak (Senior Vice President of Global Pet Care and Snacks) said:

“Pet Care is proud to lead the way on turbine-generated renewable energy for P&G. Meeting our 2020 Sustainability goals for this plant a full eight years ahead of our commitment is a significant achievement.”

Dan is absolutely right! This makes me so proud!

~

Representatives of Iams Home 4 the Holidays rang the closing bell today at the New York Stock Exchange. Oh, I wish I coulda been there!!

Here’s a link to the NYSE video showing today’s closing bell.  It only a couple minutes long—and OH SO CUTE!!

Iams Home 4 the Holidays Adoption Angel Jack Nazarian and his pup Jane, second left, representatives of the Helen Woodward Animal Center and adoptable puppies and kittens from Bideawee animal organization in New York rang the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange to celebrate the Iams Home 4 the Holidays pet adoption campaign Thursday, Dec. 23, 2010 in New York. The campaign, which began on Oct. 1 2010, aims to raise awareness about pet adoption, place 1.5 million pets in happy homes and donate 5 million meals to homeless pets by Jan. 4, 2011. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow, Iams)

Iams Home 4 the Holidays Celebrates the Holiday Season and Raises Awareness for Pet Adoption; Nedra Abramson of Helen Woodward Animal Center; Nancy Lynn Taylor, President and CEO of Bideawee Inc along with orphaned dogs and cats ring the Closing Bell at the NYSE. Source: NYSE Euronext / Valerie Caviness

Christabelle, an adoptable dog, poses at the New York Stock Exchange Thursday, Dec. 23, 2010.

Source: NYSE Euronext / Valerie Caviness

(L-R) Neelam S. Modi, Iams Brand Manager; Nedra Abramson of Helen Woodward Animal Center; Nancy Lynn Taylor, President and CEO of Bideawee Inc. Source: NYSE Euronext / Valerie Caviness

Source: NYSE Euronext / Valerie Caviness

Source: NYSE Euronext / Valerie Caviness

Maddy Callahan holds Christabelle at the New York Stock Exchange Thursday, Dec. 23, 2010.

Maddy, Claire and Jane Callahan hold kittens from Bideawee Animal Organization at the New York Stock Exchange Thursday, Dec. 23, 2010.

From left, Neelam Modi and Yeechin Harvey, both from Iams, Ronald Taylor of Bideawee, Nedra Abramson of Helen Woodward, Alex Harris and Nancy Taylor, both of Bideawee, and Kathleen Flynn and Steve Flynn, both of Helen Woodward, pose at the New York Stock Exchange Thursday, Dec. 23, 2010.

From left, Nedra Abramson of Helen Woodward, Yeechin Harvey of Iams, Jack Nazarian and his dog Jane, Nancy Taylor of Bideawee and Neelam Modi of Iams pose at the New York Stock Exchange Thursday, Dec. 23, 2010.

Yeechin Harvey of Iams holds Liam, a kitten from Bideawee Animal Organization at the New York Stock Exchange Thursday, Dec 23, 2010.