Sunday, May 23, 2010

“Extra precautions needed for pets with increasing temperatures - Examiner” plus 3 more

“Extra precautions needed for pets with increasing temperatures - Examiner” plus 3 more

Five Filters featured article: The Art of Looking Prime Ministerial - The 2010 UK General Election. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.

Extra precautions needed for pets with increasing temperatures - Examiner

Posted: 23 May 2010 06:58 AM PDT

Name:

Comments:

Dexter Dog Treats leave pets begging for more - Heritage

Posted: 23 May 2010 03:23 AM PDT


View and purchase photos

By Bryce Pico, Special Writer

When Penny Hotzel set out in June 2009 to sell hand-made dog treats from her home, she hoped to create extra income for her household and have fun at the same time. One year later, Dexter Dog Treats are being sold in more than two dozen stores around Southeast Michigan, and their popularity is growing.

"Word is starting to spread," Hotzel said. "I was shocked and so was my husband."

The all-natural pet snacks come in four varieties: Paw Paw Cookies, Sweet Potato Chews, Veg-Its – a gluten-free treat –– and Tug-A-Chew, an edible chew toy. Each product is free of salt, sugar and chemicals and is handmade in Hotzel's home north of Dexter.

"I'm a one-man band," Hotzel joked.

The Ann Arbor native has made homemade dog snacks for many years for friends and family. At the prodding of her daughter, Hotzel made the decision to go into business early last year. She set out with the goal of heading out once a week to find new customers with a focus on community-based pet stores.

"This has been fun and I've met a lot of interesting people," Hotzel said. "Pet store owners are just so down to earth."

For their part, area merchants are receiving positive feedback about the handmade treats.

"People have totally embraced her product," said Kristen Snyder, owner of Wags to Whiskers in Dexter. "Especially the Sweet Potato Chews."

Snyder said that customers will come to Wags to Whiskers –– which also has stores in Chelsea, Saline and Ann Arbor –– to buy several bags of treats at a time. The healthy and unique nature of Dexter Dog Treats, along with its local ties has made the snacks popular among area dog owners.

"She's stumbled upon a really good thing," said Snyder of Hotzel's business venture.

Hotzel was driven to make her own dog snacks when a beloved family pet died due to an unhealthy diet supplemented by table scraps. She said the attending veterinarian indicated that the dog was unable to process so much sodium and its kidneys were damaged.

Using healthy ingredients, Hotzel began perfecting what would become Dexter Dog Treats. Paw Paw Cookies are made with salt-free boullion; Veg-Its are free of corn and wheat, based instead on bean and root flours; and the Sweet Potato Chews are hand sliced and dehydrated in Hotzel's home. Even the Tug-A-Chews are all-natural, incorporating a hemp rope.

According to Paul Skinner, manager of Green Pawz in Ann Arbor, Dexter Dog treats sell "extra fast."

"Sweet Potato Chews are what everyone loves the most," said Skinner, who even buys the yam snacks for his Labrador retriever, Bacardi. "They're great treats with no additives."

Even though Hotzel's cottage industry is growing, it's not the money that drives her as much as building relationships.

"I'm not out to make millions (of dollars)," Hotzel said. "I've made a lot of friends and met some really nice people."

To learn more about Dexter Dog Treats, visit www.dexterdogtreats.com, e-mail goodtreats@dexterdogtreats.com, or call 1-734-368-1145.

Bryce Pico is a freelance writer for Heritage Newspapers. He can be reached at bryce_pico@hotmail.com.

 

Comments

The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of heritage.com.

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Five Filters featured article: The Art of Looking Prime Ministerial - The 2010 UK General Election. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.

Pets available for adoption - Salisbury Post

Posted: 22 May 2010 10:15 PM PDT

Sunday, May 23, 2010 12:00 AM | Printer friendly versionPrinter friendly version | E-mail to a friendE-mail to a friend |
The Rowan County Animal Shelter has several animals waiting to be adopted and taken to a good home.

Dog: This tiny, female pit bull mix pup came to the shelter as a stray. She welcomes each visitor she sees with a bark that far exceeds her small stature. Since she is a stray, shelter staff does not have any further background information about her, but it's obvious she loves attention.

Cat: Come by the shelter and you can meet Garfield. He is an adult, neutered male, orange tabby that is also declawed. His owner became ill and could no longer care for him. Garfield was also joined by his brother Odie. Both are free to adopt.

From rescued animals to those abandoned by owners who couldn't afford them, and all others in between, the Animal Shelter has them all.

Adoption fees are $70, a down payment for spay/neuter costs. The voucher can be used at any veterinarian's office.

Before adopting any animal, individuals must agree to take the pet to a veterinarian for an exam and spaying/neutering. If the animal isn't already vaccinated for rabies, the person must agree to begin shots within three business days.Rabies shots can be given as soon as the pet turns 4 months old.

The animal shelter isn't equipped with a medical facility, and cannot administer any procedures or treatment.

A worker at the shelter will go over all information and gladly answer questions from those adopting pets.

Want to view animals at the shelter? Kennel hours are Monday through Friday from 11 a.mk to 4 p.m.; and Saturdays from 8 to 11 a.m.

Office hours are Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday from 8 to 11:30 a.m.

To learn more about adopting a pet, call 704-216-7768, or visit the shelter at 1465 Julian Road, Salisbury. You can also visit the shelter's website at www.co.rowan.nc .us/animalshelter/.

Five Filters featured article: The Art of Looking Prime Ministerial - The 2010 UK General Election. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.

Pets have their day at Kaukauna Dog Park - Post-Crescent

Posted: 23 May 2010 01:50 AM PDT

KAUKAUNA — Thirteen-year-old Shannon Keenan loves teaching her dog, Minnie, new tricks.

The 1½-year-old Cavachon — a cross between a Cavalier King Charles spaniel and a bichon frise — has already mastered rudimentary tricks like sit, lay down and beg, and has moved on to more challenging agility tasks.

On Saturday, Keenan proudly showed off Minnie's most recently acquired talent — jumping through a hoop — during the first-ever Dog Day in May at the Kaukauna Dog Park.

"She has plenty of tricks," the Sherwood resident said after showering Minnie with praise for successfully completing the trick. "I like teaching her because then she can do tricks I can show off."

Recreation director Jeff Malloy was pleased with the early turnout for the three-hour event, which sought to raise funds for improvements to the 13-acre facility. In the first hour, organizers estimated more than 40 families had walked through the park's gates.

Carla and Brian Eide of Kaukauna and their daughter, Chella, brought their 5-month-old English mastiff, Bruno, to the park to help him become more comfortable around other dogs and people.

A bundle of energy, Bruno showed off his speed by clocking in at 10 mph in the running challenge.

"His favorite game is 'ping pong puppy,'" said Chella Eide, 7, describing her dog's passion for running as fast as he can from one person to another.

Ten-year-old Crystal Smith of Kaukauna used a treat to coax her dog, Olivia, a 1-year-old shepherd/black Lab mix, to perform her trick — sitting and shaking hands.

Smith has been trying to teach her puppy to lie down, but said it's been a challenge.

"It's going bad," she said.

Over by the pond, a three-legged golden retriever named Rosie wasn't letting her disability hamper her fun. She joined a St. Bernard and a black lab for a dip.

"We've got a pond at home and she jumps in and swims," said owner Jason Dale of Brillion. "She had a club foot when she was born. We had it amputated when she was 12 weeks old. She doesn't know any different."

While the event was all fun and games for most dogs at the park, Maizie, a 6-year-old basset hound, was all business staffing the kissing booth with owner Heddy Lettau of Kaukauna. Maizie's job was to shower children and other visitors with sugar — something she does quite well.

"Her favorite pastime is coming out here looking for people to give kisses to," Lettau said. "She's the lover girl in the family."

Sharon Hanuszczak-Froberg: 920-729-6622, ext. 27, or shanuszc@postcrescent.com

Five Filters featured article: The Art of Looking Prime Ministerial - The 2010 UK General Election. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.
Posted by at

0 comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)