A Bit of Halloween Spirit

Flying Witch on a broomstick sparkles in the evening light.

Long time readers of this blog know that Halloween is one of my favorite times of year. A wonderful reminder of those carefree days of my childhood. Growing up in New England, the autumn season was filled with iconic memories; cool, crisp nights, falling leaves in brilliant hues of red, yellow and brown, pumpkins, apple picking, warm cider, and hay rides leading up to the excitement of Halloween. Many decades on from my childhood, one still looks back fondly at all the fun and excitement of the season. A pumpkin and various seasonal and Halloween themed decorations still adorn the doorstep every year. Most Halloween evenings I'm home, dressed in some costume to answer the door for trick-or-treaters, dispensing chocolate to kids in the neighborhood. Two years ago I dressed as Harry Potter...and ever since,  the kids in the neighborhood still call me Harry when the see me throughout the year.

Roman Centurion and a Wizard at a Halloween party

This year I chose to dress as a wizard. I wasn't specific as to which one, Dumbledore, Gandalf or Merlin, I just wanted to dress as a good wizard. Perhaps all this dressing up in costumes sounds silly and immature, but it is fun. It is also a big business in the US. Yesterday I realized that a wig was still in order to complete my costume, so off to the shops in search of some locks. Luckily, even at the last minute the Halloween store in Burbank had a handy wizard wig and beard kit! It was a little itchy and hot, but it did the trick. So here I am, as a wizard. Incidentally the wand was one I bought at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios (all that means is I paid too much for it). The robes however are genuine movie studio costumes, I rented them from Western Costumes in Burbank. It turned out to be a fun costume. This photo above is from a Halloween party last night, but I plan to reprise this look again Monday evening for this year's trick-or-treaters. My inner child is beaming with joy yet again. Happy Halloween to you.

Halloween Pet Tips & Watch Outs for Dogs & Cats

Halloween can be a scary time not only for kids but for pets too. Every year, hundreds of dogs and cats end up in the emergency room, or get killed because they get scared, or run out the door when trick or treaters come knocking. Some people even take their pets out with the kids to go trick-or-treating, and that can be dangerous too. Here is a great video clip with some tips and watch-outs for anyone with a pet.

San Diego Surf Dog Auditions Interview KUSI TV

Friday the folks at KUSI TV in San Diego interviewed me about the Lucy Pet Gnarly Crankin' K9 Wave Maker dog surf auditions being held this weekend in San Diego. On Saturday the wave maker will be at the Petco Sports Arena store in San Diego to hold open auditions. We're searching for a dog to represent San Diego to surf on our 2017 Rose Parade float. 

http://www.kusi.com/clip/12843046/surf-dog-auditions

My Civic Duty

I voted by mail in ballot

Ever since reaching the age to become eligible to vote, I've never missed an election. Democracy may not perfect, but it sure beats the other forms of government I've witnessed first hand during my travels. This year's presidential election is a doozy, nearly everyone I've spoken to has had enough and just want it all to be over. Regardless of whom you are supporting, it has just gotten ugly and tiresome. That being said, I firmly believe that each of us as citizens has a civic duty to perform by participating in the election process. This year I'll be in Hong Kong for an extended trip, and on Election Day in the US, so I already exercised my votes through the mail in ballot. I doubt my single votes in California are enough to swing the results, but I feel better knowing that I have done so. After all, it is my right, and my tax dollars being spent. So I encourage you to vote. Do your civic duty, even if you have to hold your nose to cast your vote for a candidate who stinks. I cherish our democracy and I sincerely hope you do too.

Halloween Pet Costume Contest!

For all you fellow pet lovers here is a Halloween pet costume contest worth checking out. The contest is presented by KTLA TV 5 Los Angeles, and sponsored by Lucy Pet Products and Petco. All you have to do is upload a photo of your cat or dog dressed up for Halloween to Facebook or Instagram, and be sure to include the hashtag #PickMyPetLucy. You could win a $200 Petco gift card plus goods & services from Lucy Pet Products.  Or enter using the form on the KTLA site here. The folks at KTLA will be picking one dog winner and one cat winner, but hurry enter today, and be sure to include that hashtag #PickMyPetLucy so they see your post! See terms and conditions for the contest at the KTLA site.

The Age of Pet Adoration

It isn't exactly a newsflash or breaking story that pets have become an increasingly important and meaningful part of human lives. For the past two decades in particular, those of us living in the developed world have seen the status of pets rise to levels never seen in modern history. 

Experts who observe these trends attribute the humanization of pets to a variety of factors; most

My rescue pup Ellie

notably generational shifts, aging populations, and the delayed ages of marriage and having children among the Generations X, Y and Z. Regardless of the reason, there is no doubt that many dogs and cats, now enjoy the highest quality of life in history. Pets are living longer, benefiting from better quality nutrition, higher levels of awareness of pet health needs and generally safer living environments at home.

Despite all the good news for dogs and cats, there is a staggering level of animal euthanasia that occurs every day-- right here in the United States. In fact, every week, more than 80,000 dogs and cats are put down due in shelters due to overpopulation. Americans in particular are especially generous toward animal welfare issues, yet the needs of animals is far greater than the rates of adoption and rescue from shelters. 

If you have never been to your local animal shelter, consider visiting one to learn about the needs in your own community. Regardless of whether you personally have the ability to adopt a pet, you can make a difference by visiting your shelter. Make a donation, volunteer some time, foster a pet, or even just assist with local adoption days. Many pet stores offer onsite adoption days, by partnering with local shelters. Those groups need volunteers to staff the adoption weekends, or need basic supplies to help facilitate the adoptions.

Hopefully you will consider adopting a pet. There are numerous studies that show the health benefits of pets in our lives. Children, adults, seniors, single, married, whatever-- humans are enriched by pets. HABRI, the Human Animal Bond Research Initiative has set out to demonstrate this point, and has funded numerous grants and projects to further study the role pets play in human life. Never before have pets ascended so high in the level of love and adoration from humans. This truly is what I call The Age of Pet Adoration.

More than 20 years ago I ventured into the pet industry and never strayed. I've had a front seat as an active participant in programs, projects and products all dedicated and focused on improving the lives of pets. I'm proud to have had leadership roles in some of the "best of the best" in the pet industry; from guide dog organizations, non-profit animal charities, rescues, pet products manufacturing, marketing and retailing. I'm especially proud of Lucy Pet Products, because we designate part of our net profits (after taxes & expenses) to help animals through the Lucy Pet Foundation.

Today's pet parent consumers have so many choices in what they buy for their fur-children. People often ask me what I recommend...my advice is to always buy the best you can afford. Feed the best quality nutrition, be vigilant to maintain their healthy weight, give them exercise and plenty of toys for mental stimulation. Educate yourself about maintaining a healthy living environment for your dog or cat, as you might do for human children. People forget about things like household cleaners, detergents, room fresheners, pesticides, etc that are used in the home and yard. Your pet can be exposed to potentially harmful environmental hazards you unknowingly use. 

I hadn't really thought much about my cat's health until recently. In developing our new Cats Incredible cat litter, we learned all about the dangers of ammonia exposure in cats from the litter box. It turns out that this very normal biological impact of cats urinating turns into very dangerous and toxic levels of ammonia. For some reason, no one ever thought to fix that. We did. 

In working with leading scientists, Lucy Pet developed the first cat litter that actually stops ammonia from forming in the litter box. So now, we are proud to make this technology available to cat owners so they can provide their cat with a safer, healthier cat litter box. Just a few years ago, no one ever thought about the dangers of ammonia to cats. Lucy Pet understands and embraces the Age of Pet Adoration. Its products like our Cats Incredible that embody this ever-evolving era where our pets are at the top of the family. And rightly so.