An interview with Marg Shadid, creator of the K-Rosco Dog Walking Utility Jacket – the first jacket made specifically for dog walkers.

How did you come up with the idea?

After walking family dogs for over 45 years, I just got tired of the everyday hassle of stuffing my jacket with all the needed supplies for an enjoyable dog walk. I observed and chatted with many dog owners who were also having the same hassles, and like most, always forgetting one thing or another, from pick-up bags, the home key, sunglasses, tissues…whatever. So in 2008 I finally decided, enough is enough. The jacket was designed to allow myself, and other dog walkers the convenience of keeping only one jacket supplied, and one jacket that could be used for all seasons and all weather conditions, from the bitter cold of winter, (full jacket), to the hot sunny days of summer, (vest version). The K-Rosco Dog Walking Utility Jacket gave me back the precious minutes lost in finding and stuffing a coat, to an enjoyable dog walk with confidence of being prepared.

How long did it take to bring your idea to market?

The full process of development has been about 11 months. In order to assure the highest quality it was a series of detailing the jacket’s design, testing the finest fabric, adding superior seam sealing, and having in-use walk testing by various avid dog walkers during different seasons and in different climates.

What makes your product unique?

The K-Rosco Dog Walking Utility Jacket is a one-of-a-kind product. So often pet products are designed for the pets rather than for the pet owner. Every dog owner knows that it can be just the little things one forgets before the walk begins that can disrupt a fun dog walk, i.e. forgetting the pick-up bags, being locked out of the house, it starts to rain without warning, the leash breaks…on and on. The K-Rosco Dog Walking Utility Jacket eliminates those frustrations –which our dogs do pick up on — and allows the owner to simply enjoy having that special walking time with their best friend.

Are you planning any enhancements/improvements to the product?

Yes. Let’s Go Design will be introducing the men’s Dog Walking Utility Jacket this Fall.

What is your professional background? Did that line of work or education help you in developing this product?

I am an ex-broadcast marketing executive, (television), for 30 plus years, during which time I have always had family dog members. My professional background only lent education toward developing the K-Rosco Dog Walking Utility Jacket in that I was like every other dog owner office executive; rushing in the morning, running home at lunch, making it home at a good time so that I could walk my dogs…and always having to run around the house finding all the dog walking supplies. I believe as an ex-executive, the K-Rosco Dog Walking Utility Jacket is an example of good time management.

Throughout the entire inventive/manufacturing process what was the hardest obstacle you faced? And how did you overcome it?

I had a ton to research and learn; everything from understanding all legalities in product development, different materials, production facilities, shipping, latest forms of advertising…and I am still learning. This truly is the epitome of teaching an old dog a new trick. It has been and continues to be a wonderful experience and totally stimulates my mind in shaking up the creative juices.

What type of pets do you own? And what are their names?

At present we have three family dogs, Rosco, (for 12 years – the jacket is named after him), Duke, (for 10 years – he will be the name for the men’s line), Bueller, (for 3 years). All are shelter dogs. Unfortunately, this past summer our family cat of 18 years, named Dits, passed away.

The news is bad.  You’re at your veterinarian’s office with your beloved and very sick pet.  The doctor has done everything he can, but the situation is hopeless.  He tells you to take the one being that utterly adores you and has always been there for you home-so you can spend a few last hours together before returning to the office for euthanasia.  What would you do once you received this devastating news?  Would you follow the doctor’s advice, or would you do something, anything, that might help keep your pet alive?

Dr. Shawn Messonnier, D.V.M.  is a veterinarian who believes that no case is too tough to treat, and that healing can occur even when the best minds feel that “hopeless” is the kindest description of a pet’s medical problem.  Once a strictly conventional doctor, Dr. Messonnier is now a nationally recognized authority on integrative medicine for animals.  The author of the award-winning The Natural Health Bible for Dogs & Cats, he also writes a monthly column for Dog World, Animal Wellness, Dog Fancy, and Body & Soul, as well as hosts the award-winning weekly radio show “Dr. Shawn-the Natural Vet,” on Martha Stewart Radio.

In his latest book, UNEXPECTED MIRACLES (Forge Books; $14.95; September 1, 2009), Dr. Shawn shares some of the miracles that he and his staff have been an integral part of during the past ten years.    Countless times, conventional doctors tell pet owners that the situation is “hopeless.”

Dr. Shawn offers hope because he has the knowledge and the willingness to go beyond conventional medicine, and recognizes the benefits of integrating alternative methods such as acupuncture, natural supplements, and homeopathics in treating a myriad of conditions and diseases.

In UNEXPECTED MIRACLES, Dr. Shawn brings readers into his waiting room, and introduces them to some remarkable animals…and the courageous owners that never gave up on them.  Using case studies and highlighting diseases that commonly afflict our pets, Dr. Shawn shows readers the integrative methods he has developed to help his patients not only survive the maladies they were originally diagnosed with, but in many cases go on to live long and healthy lives.  Within the pages of UNEXPECTED MIRACLES, you’ll read fascinating, poignant, and inspiring stories about a wide range of animals:

• Brit-a boxer plagued with skin allergies (Dr. Shawn’s first integrative patient!)

• Shasta-a middle-aged chow/golden retriever with liver cancer

• Jessie-a three-year-old dachshund diagnosed with intervertebral disc disease

• Bailey-a tricolor beagle whose life was saved because of his owner sought Dr. Shawn for a second opinion

Divided into chapters on related conditions and chock-full of anecdotes, UNEXPECTED MIRACLES will not only entertain, but also inspire the millions of people who love pets.

The floating alligator decoy adds a little fun to your pond, while protecting your valuable fish. This 34 inch gator has three hinged body parts that gives the decoy natural body movement, helping to deter herons and other predators.

The Turd Burglar is a plastic sleeve with a scoop that fits over a hockey stick blade. It allows you to loft and fling puppy poop to a collection area or compost heap with the flick of your wrist.

The Dog Treadmill incorporates modern features into a motorized treadmill specifically designed for small dogs. With speeds up to five miles per hour and an adjustable incline, it greatly simplifies the problem of exercising pets no matter what the weather or schedule dictates. The space saving tilt-up design allows for easy storage in a closet or behind a couch when not in use.

The Kitt-In-Box gives your feline friend a place to rest while you work. The wood box attaches to the side of a desk with special clamps; felt pads protect the surface. Your cat is out of your way but still close enough to pet.

Mouse in the House is designed to entertain home alone cats. When activated the toy emits squeaks to signal the cat that the mouse is coming out. The mouse makes two revolutions of the track and then lets out a humorous cuckoo sound. This sequence can be set to occur at intervals from one minute to several hours.

1. How did you come up with the idea?

The Cosmopolitan Canine is a family owned and operated business that started with a move from the suburbs back into the city. With all of our non-canine kids grown and out of the house, my husband and I decided to pack up our two dogs, sell the house, and move into a downtown high rise. At the time, we never realized that simply letting our dogs out into the backyard to do their “business” was a major luxury. After the move, and many nights and rainy days of countless elevator rides and sidewalk visits, I finally said to myself, there has got to be an easier way. Later, after creating the Penthouse Potty for our family, my sister, daughter and I decided to create a business to help out other uptown pooches and owners who might be having the same problems we were. So in 2004, The Cosmopolitan Canine was created to do just that.

2. How long did it take to bring your idea to market?

It took approximately one-and-a-half years from concept to a custom-finished product. During that time, we consulted with several plastic fabricators to get our mold exactly the way we wanted it. We also searched for the most skilled carpenters we could find to build our wooden frames. We were also testing various drainage system ideas to determine which would be the most efficient and simple-to-use.

3. What makes your product unique?

Our drainage system is by far the most user-friendly on the market. Our stylish design appeals to the discriminating dog owner who wants only the best.

4. Are you planning any enhancements/improvements to the product?

We’re always open to new research and ideas and are currently looking into making our Penthouse Potty in different sizes.

5. What is your professional background? Did that line of work or education help you in developing this product?

With a wide variation of background of the three owners, we bring an array of skills to the table. We have a variety of backgrounds including accounting, real estate and telecommunications. But the main thing we have in common is our life-long love of dogs and a desire to make life simpler for people who share this view about our four- legged friends.

6. Throughout the entire inventive/manufacturing process what was the hardest obstacle you faced?

The most time consuming was the development of the drainage tray and obtaining a patent. This process took much longer than we expected. We didn’t want to cut any corners, but it was definitely worth the wait!

7. What type of pets do you own?

Our family pets include two dogs: a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Sadie and a rescue mix named Katy. Our cats are a Maine Coon, Mattie, a black-and-white named Zeke, and a stray, Leah. We are currently in the process of adopting another rescue dog and visit our local SPCA for lots of petting time at least once a week. We also have an office cat that just adopted us named Tommy.

Cody and Kelly Acree of Unleashed Indoor Dog Parks came up with the concept three years after adopting a very active lab mix named Lucas.

“It was born out of our own necessity,” Cody recently told me.

Back then the couple regularly visited local dog parks but was frustrated by the lack of maintenance and monitoring at the city run facilities. And on some days they couldn’t go at all because it was raining or just too hot outside.

Seeing room for improvement, the Acrees decided to create a dog themed recreation facility that not only addressed their concerns but offered a variety of services and amenities.

The jewel of their two story facility, located minutes from downtown, is the indoor artificial turf field. It’s divided into two areas: one for big dogs; the other for small. Experienced handlers roam the park overseeing play and diffusing any problems before they turn into a scuffle.

Unlike outdoor dog parks with permanent fencing, a mobile partitioning system allows for quick reconfigurations of the area to accommodate an increase in usage on busy holidays, for example, or special events such as adoption days, training classes or private birthday parties.

On the first visit, owners are asked to bring their dog’s vaccination records and to fill out a simple registration form. An electronic collar tag (tied to your records and credit card) is then given for your dog to wear. From that point on, the electronic tag triggers the park’s gate to open, and automatically charges your credit card the daily fee.

“We try to make it as easy on people as possible,” says Kelly.

An outside play space is also available. The 2 ½ acre fenced-in park is filled with shade trees and waterfalls that flow into splash ponds. You don’t have to worry, though, about bringing home a wet dog. Drying stations stocked with super absorbent towels and forced air dryers are nearby.

Other services available at the facility include a supply center, grooming shop, doggie daycare center and a café –similar in feel to a gourmet coffee shop – that offers free wi-fi. Best of all, next to each table is a fluffy dog bed. (You won’t find that at Starbucks.)

The company hopes in the near future to open other indoor dog parks nationwide.

A newspaper in the Philippines recently ran a story about two dogs, named Cute and Bambi, who were born without their front legs. The mixed mutts have been dubbed “dog kangaroos” by locals in the village of Quezon City  where the pets live with  Lope Tulipas, a street vendor.

Via “Dog-kangaroos” found in the Phillipines -

The take home message here is that handicapped pets can live long, happy lives … just like people with disabilities.

If you have an elderly, injured, or disabled pet with special needs, a wonderful online chat room and resource is Handicapped Pets (click on Support for Caretakers at the top of page.)

Chicago’s Mercury Skyline Cruiseline invites leashed canines aboard for a special 90-minute lake and river tour with lively commentary about dog-friendly spots around the city. Along the way you’ll  see the Navy Pier, John Hancock Center, Museum Campus and the Merchandise Mart. Special amenities include large bowls of fresh water, a newspaper-lined restroom and, of course, doggie treats.

Near the dock at Cyrano’s Riverside Cafe, restaurateur Didier Durant offers meals for people and their pets. A four-course doggy menu includes beouf a la jerky, bone marrow gateau, ostrich county pate, white rice croquettes, grilled staeh hache, root vegetables, carrot cake and mineral water.

The Canine Cruises are held on Sundays at 10 am beginning July 12, and run through the end of September. Tours depart from Riverside Gardens at the southeast corner, and lower level of the Michigan Avenue bridge and Wacker Drive.

Don’t live in Chicago? No problem. Here are a few more tour boat companies to try: Watermark Cruises in Annapolis, Maryland. Several different sightseeing cruises run until September, ranging from 40 minutes to a full day along the Severn River and Chesapeake Bay.

Fun Zone Boat Company in Balboa, California.  The 45 and 90 minute na tours of Newport Bay view sea lions and homes of the rich and famous. Tours run all year round.

Potomac Riverboat Company in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. Offers a 40 minute canine cruise of Alexandria’s seaport every Thursday through August. All are invited, with or without a four legged friend. Dogs even get to ride for free.

The New York City Canine Cruise is billed as a “yacht party for small dogs (under 25 pounds) and the people who love them.” The one day event is being held this year on September 12th with all proceeds from ticket and raffle sales going to animal related charities. Adoptable dogs will be onboard and pet professionals with grooming, training, and veterinary care knowledge are on hand for demonstrations and Q&A sessions.

Dog Lovers Wine Club is a boutique California winery offering carefully crafted premium wine to support animal shelters and rescue organizations around the country.

Every shipment includes a new and inspirational pet story and photo, chosen from people who submit their stories to the winery’s website.

Along with the personal story, the shipments include tips about dogs, tasting notes about the wine, the source of the grapes and recommended food parings.

The club’s Carivintas Winery makes its own wine, as well as works with other established and up-and-coming winemakers.

This month’s offering is a crisp, dry Chenin Blanc named A Bit of Sunshine from Bliss and Baldwin. The label features Bliss and Baldwin, therapy dogs who visit children at the University of Southern California Medical Center.

“We blend the culture of giving into our wine and when we learned about the good work that Bliss and Baldwin do for their community, we simply had to highlight them,” Fleet Hamilton of Dog Lovers Wine Club said in a written statement.

“The beautiful painting (reproduced on the label) along with wonderful wine, is a positive offering featuring these doggie do-gooders,” he says. “We put our partners first by furthering their mission and paying forward financially to the organization, or in this case, organizations.”

When you purchase Baldwin & Bliss Chenin Blanc, you can choose to have a portion of your sale donated to County USC to benefit the children in the hospital, or to Therapy Dogs International, the organization that trains these canines, or to the Lange Foundation (a Los Angeles based rescue group) responsible for saving Baldwin’s life almost ten years ago.

About 14 wines are produced annually with a new dog illustration created for each bottle.

More about the book from the press release ….

Is your dog driving you crazy with his obnoxious and destructive behavior? Did he chew up your favorite pair of designer Italian shoes or you-know-what on your brand new rug? Are you ready to call it quits and send the precious little puppy you picked up just months ago back to the shelter or worse yet, kick him out of the house to fend for himself?

If so, then it’s time to read Don’t Dump the Dog: Outrageous Stories and Simple Solutions to Your Worst Dog Behavior Problems, and restore order in your home with these highly effective training strategies from legendary dog guru, Randy Grim.

Grim, founder and owner of the acclaimed nonprofit animal shelter, Stray Rescue, has battled for the well-being of feral, abandoned, and wild dogs for two decades working alongside animal welfare organizations and fighting to change legislation while attracting major national media attention.

Now in his heartfelt, inspirational, and humorous book intended for down-and-out dog owners everywhere, Grim shares his all-important secrets to success that have made him one of the foremost and dedicated authorities on dog training in the nation. Don’t Dump the Dog features:

• Tales on how Randy helped desperate dog owners rethink their decision to return their acquired animals
• Essential advice dog owners can’t live without, from how to properly housebreak your puppy to managing your dog allergies
• Dozens of poignant anecdotes from Grim’s years of dog rescue

Restore the love, understanding, and patience for your canine companion with the help of Grim’s revolutionary teaching methods. Abandoning your precious pooch isn’t the answer. Whether it’s reducing that noisy, headache-inducing barking or learning to properly control hyper or aggressive dogs, Don’t Dump the Dog will provide you with everything you need to turn things around today, and help you rediscover the true feelings of joy, comfort, and camaraderie only man’s best friend can offer.

If you’ve had a long week, like I have, you’ll appreciate this lighthearted video of “talking” dogs. (Love the little pooch at the end.) Dogs not only posses an amazing ability to read our body language but they’re pretty darn good  at mimicking us too.

And for you feline fanatics …