It's Official! We Love Pets More Than....

OURSELVES????
Yep you got it! With all of the current news out surrounding animals, and our love for them, it's just blatantly obvious that while we can stomach the images of war, starvation and death on the newscast every night, it's a heart wrenching affair to hear about the mistreatment of animals. In fact it's just gone TOO FAR!
Almost two thirds of homes in America own a pet. This year's estimated money spent in the pet industry is a whopping 41 billion dollars, up from a measly 38.5 billion last year! According to Bob Vetere, the president of the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, 42 percent of pets sleep in the same bed as their owners - up from 34 percent in 1998.
I'm pretty sure I can guess where Leona Helmsley's 12 million dollar pup Trouble slept......



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Spot... Enjoy Your Stay With Us Here At.....

The Hilton?
Yep, you guessed it. The Hilton has now implemented across their worldwide chain a pet friendly policy. Recognizing that pets have become a very important part of their customer's family lives, the Hilton now allows dogs and cats under the weight of 34kgs to stay at their hotels. With a fee of $90 per stay, your fuzzy buddy will receive a bowl, bed, and treats to enjoy during their stay. A $500 deposit per stay is also taken against any possible extra clean up or repairs.
Pretty sweet!

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Lights Are Bright on Pet Fashion Week in New York City...

This week saw the beginning of the second annual Pet Fashion Week in New York City, NY. With every design from high-end couture to gold, jewel encrusted leashes and collars on display, the highlight of this week was the pet fashion show. It lasted for an hour or so and featured designs from over 20 different pet fashion houses. Now that's entertainment!


Most of the pets that participated in the show were dogs, although there was one black cat that dawned her strut on what is appropriately named "the catwalk." Maybe that's why the dog in the above picture didn't want to step out on to the stage :)


With the show being held on the fifth floor of this Manhattan exhibition building, on the first and fourth floors, you could find exhibits from all kinds of varieties of pet businesses serving up products like vitamins, pet furniture, and various luxury pet apparel.


Buyers from pet companies worldwide were there to check out what was "hot", and bring back the newest and best products for their customers. The pet industry is worth some $US40 billion a year, including:

• $US16 billion in pet food,
  
• $US20 billion in veterinarian bills and medicine,
• $US4 billion in toys, clothes and dog-sitters.

Enjoy the rest of the pictures from the pet fashion show!








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Lets see Michael Vick scramble out of this blitz!!!

I don't know how many of you have come across this story today, but I remember hearing about it on the news, not quite catching all the details. It appears as though one of the NFL's most recognizable quarterbacks is about to get A LOT more media attention before the season even begins!
Michael Vick, star quarterback from Virginia Tech, is being indicted on grand jury charges of running a vicious, "to the death" dogfighting ring on his property in Virginia, along with two of his friends. He established his own operation called "Bad Newz Kennels," where the dogs (mostly pitbulls) were housed, trained and fought in his own competitions (and I use that terms loosely.)
Should he be convicted he and his co-defendants could face up to six years in jail and fines in upwards of $350,000.
The disgusting parts of the story is where they cover the methods used to execute the damaged dog who lost the fight. I'd rather not talk about it. It makes me sick to my stomach, but should you choose to find out more, you can read all about it in the reference article.
I'll keep you posted as this story develops.

Reference Article: http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7033242?MSNHPHCP&gt1=10239

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It's a dog's life?... It sure is!

It's funny that I've always known this, and I'm not particularly sure of why or from where. But I've always known this mantra of "people are willing to spend more on their pets than they do on themselves." And it's true, isn't it?!
Not meaning to toot my own horn or anything, but not only am I the official "blogmeister" and editor of "The Scoop", our fantastic newsletter (shameless self promotion - enter here), but I'm also involved with our advertising division. Because we want to have a high standard of quality of services offered here on our site to better serve you, our insanely devoted, loyal, and most cherished readers, I've sorted through a lot of different businesses to find the ones we think are worth your while. And I've noticed something once again. People will spend a fortune on their pets! Check this out!
You want to buy a Swarovski pearl or crystal collar for your pet? No problem! For a mere $50, your cat will look as hot as Paris Hilton walking down a red carpet. Want your pet to enjoy a "Furcedes" bed, "A Furrari" pillow bed, or (and this is my favourite) a "Sniffany & Co" doggie bed? SURE! Just pony up $129.95, and your pet is pimped out, blinged out, and relaxing with the best that this world can offer. Not to mention, spa treatments, hairstyling, and massage! The world is literally your pets oyster. I've even heard of pet owners arranging "doggie dates" for their pets to meet in leash-free areas all around the city. I mean how is Rex supposed to keep up with all his girlfriends if he didn't have you as his personal social coordinator?! Hahahahahaha.. I just can't help but laugh.
But all these things said, isn't that what pets are for? Don't we get them so we can spoil them to death? Because let's face it, even if we spoil them their whole lives, they're never going to grow up and expect a pony for their 16th birthday, a new car when they get their license to drive, or help out with a down payment on school or a house...
It's definitely a dog's life...

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