Purina Pure Love For Pets Instant WIN Game: Dyson Vacuum Plus TONS of Prizes Up Fur Grabs! 5,000 Winners

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Purina Instant Win Game

Check out the Purina Pet Lovers Instant Win Game for a chance to win one of 5,000 amazing prizes including a year’s worth of pet food, a $500 Dyson Pet Vacuum, toys, and treats! You can play every day through 2/15/2012 so if you don’t win the first time, do not give up! Good Luck!

Score Some Sweet Deals AND Help Save Animals: Up to 50% Off on ASPCA Sale and Clearance Items!

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ASPCA gift sale up to 50% off

This month, when you shop ASPCA’s big sale you’ll not only save yourself some money you’ll also half save animals’ lives by supporting the important work ASPCA does! I love their tees and accessories…I already had a bunch of them pinned to my boards on Pinterest!

Right now, items on winter clearance are up to 50% off, and all outerwear is 15% off through January 31.

In honor of Valentine’s Day, all jewelry and I Heart My Shelter Pet tees are 20% off through February 15.

This stuff is all so cute and the prices are great, but the best part? All proceeds from the ASPCA Online Store help support life-saving work for animals!

Salute to America’s VetDogs and Tips on Etiquette for Encounters with Service and Assistance Dogs

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America's VetDogs

I’d like to start featuring the many pawsome animal-related causes and nonprofit organizations out there. Since Daisy’s papa is an Army veteran, I thought it would be fitting to begin by shining the spotlight on America’s VetDogs. In addition to learning about their wonderful programs, I also found some very important information we all should know, about the proper way for humans to behave when encountering an assistance dog.

America’s VetDogs uses guide dogs, service dogs, and state-of-the-art technology to help disabled veterans live better lives. Not only does a VetDog provide assistance with daily activities, the dog provides the motivation to conquer new challenges: people focus on the dog, not the disability. And with a VetDog by his or her side, a veteran is never alone!

VetDogs trains and provides assistance dogs for veterans who are blind or visually impaired and those with disabilities other than blindness. Their organization trains physical, occupational, and emotional therapy dogs to work with wounded soldiers and active duty personnel. For a dog to become a VetDog, it must meet strict health, safety, and training standards. Each dog is also trained and matched for the specific needs of the individual veteran being paired with the dog. Read more about VetDog’s Programs and how you can support them.

 

Etiquette and Assistance Dogs

Assistance dogs perform vital tasks for their human partner. They are guide dogs for people who are blind or visually impaired and service dogs for those with disabilities other than blindness. They provide independence, enhanced mobility, and companionship.

These dogs are specially bred and trained for these important jobs. There are several guidelines people must follow when in the presence of a guide or service dog to allow for the safety of the dog and its handler. Disregarding these guidelines can distract the dog, which can create a dangerous situation for the team.

  • Don’t touch, talk, feed or otherwise distract the dog while he is wearing his harness or service vest.
  • Do allow the dog to concentrate and perform for the safety of his handler. 
  • Don’t treat the dog as a pet.
  • Do give it the respect of a working dog. 
  • Don’t give the dog commands.
  • Do allow the handler to do so. 
  • Don’t try to take control in situations unfamiliar to the dog or handler.
  • Do assist the handler upon her request. 
  • Don’t walk on the dog’s left side as it may become distracted or confused.
  • Do walk on the handler’s right side. For someone who is blind, you should be several paces behind. 
  • Don’t attempt to grab or steer the person while his guide dog is guiding him or attempt to hold the dog’s harness.
  • Do ask if the handler needs your assistance and, if so, offer your left arm. 
  • Don’t give the dog people food.
  • Do respect the handler’s wishes. 
  • Don’t tease or abuse the dog.
  • Do allow it to rest undisturbed. 
  • Don’t allow pets to challenge or intimidate an assistance dog.
  • Do allow them to meet on neutral ground when all parties can be carefully supervised. 
  • Don’t allow the dog on your furniture or in areas of the home where the handler doesn’t want it to go.
  • Do ask the handler to correct any misbehavior or trespassing. 
  • Don’t let the dog out of the house unsupervised. It is a very valuable animal!
  • Don’t pat the dog on the head.
  • Do stroke the dog on the shoulder area but only with its handler’s approval.

For more Resources and Information regarding Assistance Dogs, Access Laws, and Materials for Students and Teachers, Visit VetDogs here.

Send Your Pup Through the U.S. Mail…On a Real Postage Stamp!

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Print your pet on real US stamps

Stamps.com is having a Free Shipping Promo, but what really caught my eye was that you can use any of your own photos to create completely customized stamps that are fully authorized by the US Postal Service.

This would be great for sending out Thank You Notes, Birthday Cards, Wedding Invites, etc. Or, they would make a great thoughtful and creative gift for a friend or family member. I’m thinking how cute they would be with Daisy’s goofy mug! If you are in a hurry, you can also print stamps.com postage from home without photos, but what fun would that be!?!

custom pet photo stamps on envelopes

The Stamps.com site will walk you through the easy steps to order your own custom photo postage (yes, these are REAL US Stamps), and you’ll see the Free Shipping Offer when you arrive at their homepage from this link.

Drs. Foster and Smith: Flea & Tick Control Lowest Prices of the Season – Plus Free Shipping!

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Flea and Tick Control on Sale

Save up to $23 plus get Free Shipping on K9 Advantix II, Advantage II and Cat Advantage II Flea and Tick Control at Doctors Foster and Smith now through Sunday, January 15, 2012.

It’s always important to do your research when buying pet meds online and you can trust the quality and authenticity when you order here. Doctors Foster and Smith are an accredited and certified online pet pharmacy and are one of only two online stores recommended by Daisy’s personal veterinarian. Do remember to check with your OWN vet when it comes to questions about which products, treatments and doses are appropriate and safe for your pets!

Tip: If you really prefer to only buy pet meds from your local veterinarian’s office, but want to save money, ask if they will honor online prices. Many vets have an approved-list of online pharmacies or stores and will price-match if you bring a print out showing current prices.  (I do this with my Contact Lenses, too!)