Help hurricane Katrina victims with a donation

There are times we all have to be thankful for what we have and open our hearts and wallets for those in need. The true scope of hurricane Katrina's damage won't be known for days, but it is clear there is and will be much suffering for many people and pets in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. We've donated money to the Red Cross (whose site is clearly being overwhelmed by people wanting to make a donation) and Humane Society and we'd ask you to consider your own donation.

If you're interested, here are some trustworthy sites through which you may make a donation:

• Red Cross
• Network for Good
• US Humane Society Diaster Relief Fund
• Salvation Army
• Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

Many of these Web sites are operating slowly today because of traffic from others who wish to donate, so please stay patient.

There is also a unique site that has been launched to try to match those in need of shelter with those who have it to offer. Not sure how much it can help in the short-run since the Katrina victims don't have electricity or access to the Internet, but it can't hurt to share the site: http://www.shelterforkatrina.org/.

New Pet Stroller Models Available!

When our small store started carrying pet strollers two years ago, there was one brand on the market and only two styles. Today, pet strollers are becoming more popular and more common, and we carry four brands and a dozen sizes and styles. Just this week we added a new brand and three new models to our selection! Here's what's new:

Happy Trails PLUS Pink Pet Stroller: Identical to the blue Happy Trails stroller (about which our customers consistently rave), except for the color and two additional inclusions: A wind and rain cover (in pink to match, of course) and an interior fleece pad.

AT3 All Terrain Pink Stroller: We get asked all the time about a jogging pet stroller, and now there is one available. The AT3 is the largest pet stroller on the market, holding pets up to 60 pounds. It also has the largest wheels of any pet stroller (11 inches) and its three-wheel base is very stable.

We're excited to be carrying these new pet stroller models. Please let us know if you have any questions and please visit our site or call us to learn more.

Taking your cat for a stroll when you walk your dog

Another purpose for a pet stroller: Taking your cat for a stroll when you walk your dog. Maybe your cat is feeling left out when you leave with your pooch to enjoy the great outdoors? A pet stroller would take care of that problem. Angela from Ohio sent us this:

Our cat loves going on walks with it. We also have a dog and now we can take both animals with us when we go out.

Thanks for sharing, Angela!

Another pet stroller purpose--multiple dogs!

Someone posted below about the reason they purchased their pet stroller, and I thought it was worthwhile to share this as an additional purpose for the product. She said:

I have 3 Yorkies and it makes life much easier when they can't run in 3 different directions! They love it! Also, when taking them to the vet I don't have to worry about them being on the floor with germs from other sick animals. After all, that's why most animals are at the vets.

Thanks for posting, and if anyone else has any ideas or feedback on strollers for cats, dogs, and other animals, please let us know!

Like having a brand new dog

We've been collecting a list of uses for pet strollers, and the list is getting longer. We just got a call from a customer who thanked us profusely because the stroller gave his dog a new lease on life. His pooch was older and couldn't make the walk to the park like he used to. When he finally got to the park, all he could do was lay down, rest, and watch the other dogs play.

Now with the pet stroller, he gets rolled to the park and is rested and ready for play. His human companion reports he "explodes" from the stroller ready for action and that since he got the stroller it was "like having a brand new dog."

So, add renergizing older dogs to the growing list of purposes for a pet stroller! And if you have more to add, please post here or let us know.

Squirt says hi from his pet stroller

Squirt is a customer at our bricks-and-mortar store in Milwaukee. His human companion purchased a Happy Trails pet stroller some months ago. His first trip in the stroller he seemed a little nervous, but within a few days he adjusted and now absolutely loves it. We're told he runs right for the stroller whenever he's asked if he wants to take a walk.

Squirt can run into some agressive dogs during his walk, and being a little guy he sometimes could be intimidated. Now, he stays in the stroller for certain portions of his walk, and then hops out at the park or as he walks down streets on which he feels more comfortable.

This picture was taken in our store. He has his pillow and blanket along for the ride in his pet stroller.

If you have any pet stroller pictures you wish to share, please visit http://justpetstrollers.com/contact.html for our contact info.

"Massive Thanks" for a pet stroller

We love to hear from our customers (and to share their feedback with you). Just got this from a customer who purchased a Happy Trails pet stroller:

I would just like to say a massive thanks to you for the stroller. It managed some very rough terrain and is still intact. It also survived a bad rain shower and kept it's waterproofness.

But most of all my pup loved it to bits. She even crawled in one day to go to sleep as it's her little safe house now. She is growing quickly so i am getting as much use out of it as possible. Lots of people loved it who stopped to look at her in it and believe me EVERYONE stopped.

I have printed out a picture of her in it and it is on my vets notice board, i took the liberty of adding your website on there in case anyone wants to order one.

Once again a massive, huge thanks for all your help in making sure I received it in time. We walked miles and couldn't have done all our usual mileage without it.

Best regards

Hazel

Thanks Hazel!

Call to voice your displeasure over unfunny animal abuse game

While I often hate to give any additional visibility to things that are better off ignored, I was appalled by an unfunny online game that involves the abuse of dead pets. The site (deadpetsgame.com) supports a book that "explores and explains the universe of the Dead Pet. From dead pets in public life... to a selection of the cruellest (sic) deaths meted out to pets in the movies... from a comparison of attitudes and doctrines of pet afterlife across religions to Ancient Roman recipes for dormice and songbirds."

I won't fault the publisher of the book (Canongate) for the book itself--I love that we live in a world and country where people are free to purchase or read virtually anything. But that doesn't mean that a "game" in such poor taste needs to be used to market a book. Animal abuse isn't funny, and offering a free game where any kid (or adult) can beat a dead animal with a baseball bat is, in my opinion, completely unacceptable.

I try to keep my sense of humor about things, but I let the publisher know I did not approve and requested they take down the Web site. If you agree (or if you disagree and feel the publisher's site is appropriate), you can e-mail the publisher at customerservices@canongate.co.uk.

Uses for Pet Strollers

We keep getting e-mail and customer comments about purposes for pet strollers. This all started with one person asking "Why would anyone need a pet stroller?" So, here is the complete list built by our customers:

• Snow/Winter: A northerner reported her dogs paws were taking a beating on the ice and salt, so she purchased a pet stroller to get her dog to the parks where they can play safely. She loved the stroller and shared a picture (at right.)
• Festivals: One couple liked to take their dog to local festivals, but between the crowds, noise, and other agressive animals, they found it stressful rather than relaxing. With the pet stroller, they keep their small dog safe and the puppy still enjoys getting some fresh air.
• Jogging: One athletic customer reported using the pet stroller while jogging. She reported that the pet stroller wheels could get wobbly at higher jogging speeds. (We expect to add a true jogging stroller to the line of pet strollers at http://www.justpetstrollers.com/ within the next month or two.)
• Boaters: A boater said she loved using the stroller to get her dog onto the boat safely since her pet didn't enjoy walking on the docks.
• Traveling: The right pet stroller can make it much easier to travel with a pet. One customer who took a lot of driving trips especially liked the Kittywalk model, which includes a detachable carrier and collapsible frame--this allowed her to keep her pet secure in the car and easily roll the pet into buildings.
• Alternative to pet carriers: Some pets can be walked into their vet's office, but some pets need to carried. Rather than using a heavy carrier, some customers find it much easier to use a pet stroller (which really is just a rolling pet carrier).
• Cats: Cats can be tough to walk on leashes--if you don't get them into harnesses at a young age, some cats will never adjust to a harness. A cat stroller is a great way for cats (or rabbits, ferrets, or other animals) to get some fresh air.
• Injuries: Animals with certain types of injuries cannot be walked for long distances but still want to get outdoors.
• Safety: We have had city customers use a stroller to get their dogs to parks--the stroller keeps them safe on congested urban streets. Another customer had a dog that could get aggressive, so walking him in the dog stroller helped to keep him calm (and other dogs safe.)
• Teacup dogs: Some small dogs cannot be walked very far, so customers find they can get all the way to the park and back if they use a pet stroller.
• More quality time: One customer shared that the stroller simply gave her more quality time with her pet. Using the stroller, she could take her dog more places than she could've otherwise, so she and her pet were enjoying more time together.

Any other purposes for a pet stroller? If so, let us know, please!

Another picture of a pet in a stroller

One of our friends reports his Shiba Inu loves riding in the pet stroller, and he shared a picture (which we're sharing with you).

Will my pet enjoy being strolled?

A month ago we posted the question "Will my pet enjoy being strolled?" Most pets will take to the stroller right away, but you'll find some tips to help your pet adjust in that older post.

I thought I'd share the following e-mail we just received from Zeda in California, which may help answer the question about if pets enjoy being strolled:

I received my Happy Trails stroller the other day and finally got off my duff today and assembled it. It is great! The "assembly" just consisted of putting the wheels and drink tray on so even I could do it.

I put my miniature pinscher (Terminator) into it and he immediately loved it. He is young (about 2 years old) and I figured he would want out on the ground to walk and sniff --- that wasn't the case. He was playing "King of the Hill" in the stroller.

I was also more than pleased with the quality of the stroller, it is made better than some that I see that people use for their children!!!

I have already emailed a couple of people to tell them about you --- hopefully this will bring you more business. If you wish, feel free to put this into your "Customer Raves" section.

Thanks for the comments, Zeda. We really appreciate when our customers share their questions, praise, and concerns!

ABC Television Looking for Families Who Love Their Pets

This isn't related to pet strollers but may be of interest to those of you who own or want a pet stroller:

A Casting Producer with ABC Television has contacted us and asked us to pass the word to our customers that they're looking for families who truly love to pamper their pets! ABC is seeking unique, outgoing, over-the-top dog fanatic families for their upcoming season of 'Wife Swap!'

Please don't be confused by the title - "Wife Swap" is a family show on ABC primetime. The premise is simple: two moms from two very different families get the opportunity to swap lives (but not bedrooms!) for a week to experience what it's like to live a different lifestyle - and to see what they can teach each other about their own! All featured families will be given a financial honorarium of $20,000!

ABC is looking for two parent families with children (ages 5 and older) that are up for an adventure. If you're interested, please e-mail your contact info to petlover@metropawlis.com and we will, in turn, forward it on to the contact at ABC.