Pop Art Pet Unleashed

Archive for July, 2007

Komfort Pets has introduced the first climate-controlled pet carrier designed to automatically keep pets cool when it’s too hot and keep them warm when it’s too cold.

Komfort Pets has pioneered a patent-pending technology to offer both heating and cooling capabilities for your pet’s comfort. Their innovative temperature control system is designed to compliment the natural methods by which a pet regulates its own body temperature by using both conduction and convection simultaneously. They have incorporated this ingenious technology into the best-looking and most distinctive pet carrier in the marketplace today.

The Komfort Pets Carrier can be taken or used almost anywhere. It is surprisingly affordable and can be used in cars, SUVs, RVs, rental cars, boats, or in your home or garage to provide a comfortable cooled or heated sanctuary for cats, dogs, rabbits, or just about any other household pet.

After having beads, and stained glass, and sockdogs, and mini felted models all made in Kylie’s likeness (not to mention all the portraits of course), I think we have finally found the ultimate way to truly capture Kylie.. A life-sized sculpture!

We saw some of the whimsical works of local artist, DD LaRue in a gallery in Breckenridge, CO several months ago and contacted her about a commission. And we’re so glad we did because it got us a ticket into her home studio which was just amazing! So forgive me for going overboard with the pictures included but we really wanted to share her creativity with you. So please click on the thumbnails to see larger images.

DD’s animal sculptures are done in mixed media in a medium she calls Neo Cartonnage, after the ancient Egyptian materials used to create sacred objects, including wood, paper mache, glue and linen. Some of her work is realistic, like Kylie, while much of it is more symbolic and even mythological; but all of it is fun! Like her mirror mosaics and her very popular line of wall art featuring dogs enjoying a ride in a VW.

Oh, by the way DD also rescues and finds homes for Chinese Crested’s!

Animal artist, animal rescue, she’s really our kind of people! There are even more of her surreal sculptures available to view and purchase in the portfolio on her website, check it out at DDLaRue.com !

Did you know that our little, live-in model / mascot Kylie was a pioneer on the internet? She was had her own website since 1996! It started out as a simple page and gradually took on a life of its own. It’s a huge site all about Kylie and her escapades, and it’s actually been featured in national papers and magazines and on television in the US and the UK! On her website, Kylie also keeps a blog to keep her readers up to date on a regular basis about what’s new from Kylie’s eye-view – check it out!

Well we recently met another dog who blogs – Louis of Louisthepug.com! His blog is awesome, with lots of Louis-centric categories like “getting into trouble,” “stuff I bark at,” and “unusual edibles;” it’s highly entertaining!

And now we have had the pleasure of immortalizing Louis in a Pop Art Style custom dog portrait so we’re very pleased to be part of the mayhem that is Louis the pug!

Check out Louisthepug.com and read up on Louis’ misadventures, you won’t be disappointed.

And if you know of other dogs (or cats) that blog – let us know!

Below are some common dog and cat injuries, and ways you can help your pet until you can get to a veterinarian.

Automobile accident
Find or create a firm surface (such as a stretcher, board, mat, or even a blanket held taut). Slide it under the animal and lift gently. Keep animal warm while you take him to a vet or animal emergency clinic.

Bites and cuts
Wash with mild soap, rinse well, and pat dry with a clean towel. Gently dab with hydrogen peroxide. Apply an antibiotic salve. (For punctures or large wounds, get immediate veterinary attention.)

Bleeding
Apply direct pressure with a clean cloth.

Bloat
A dog’s distended abdomen may be a symptom of a life-threatening illness. Get to a veterinarian immediately.

Broken bones
Do not move or disturb the bone. Splint fractures with a magazine or newspapers loosely rolled around limb. Tape just above the splint, continue down the leg; do not cover toes. Do not attempt to splint a struggling animal.

Burns
Apply cool compresses. Don’t immerse animals that have burns over large areas; they may go into shock. Dress small burns with sterile nonstick bandages. Do not apply ointments, butter, or petroleum jelly; they retain heat and attract infection.

Choking, coughing, or gagging
Choking may signal a tracheal obstruction or defect. Coughing is common after strenuous exercise and should subside when the pet rests. Frequent coughing may signal illness.

Eye injury
Check for obvious foreign bodies, such as a small stick or hair; flush with mild saline drops. Scratches or irritations may require medicated eyedrops or salves. Cover eye with damp gauze to prevent pet from rubbing.

Frostbite
Discoloration indicates freezing injury. Get pet into a warm place. Warm injured skin slowly with tepid water.

Heatstroke
Soak overheated pet in tepid water; provide fresh drinking water. Never leave pets in cars. Provide well-ventilated outdoor shelter in hot weather.

Insect stings
A swollen muzzle or face indicates a possible sting. Apply a paste of baking soda and water, or a topical antihistamine. Respiratory difficulty signals allergic shock; get to a vet.

Poisoning
Three common poisons are antifreeze, rodenticide, and moldy garbage. In all cases — even if only a suspicion — get immediate veterinary care. Also, call the 24-hour hotline of the ASPCA’s National Animal Poison Control Center, 800-426-4435. Symptoms take as long as 24 to 72 hours to manifest, which may be too late for lifesaving treatment.

Vomiting
If it occurs more than once, or is projectile, call your vet. Never muzzle a vomiting animal; he could suffocate.

Source: Better Homes & Gardens

The dog days of July are almost over and when they are our Pop Promo for Free Shipping on any portrait* will be over too. So don’t wait any longer, hop out of the hammock and have your dog portrait or cat portrait commissioned by Pop Art Pet today.

By taking advantage of this special you can save approximately $10 – $50 on priority shipping charges. Just place your order for any size or style of our custom pet portraits during the month of July and use the Voucher Code, “FREEDOM” then click on Recalculate to see your shipping charges removed.

It’s excellent incentive to give a great gift to any pet-lover or to indulge your own pet obsession!

* Please visit our specials page for the details and restrictions of this free shipping offer.

Another amazing animal story is making big news here in Colorado. Below is the story from the local Loveland, Colorado news, reporterherald.com:

The Longs don’t often see rattlesnakes in their manicured backyard behind a yellow farmhouse near Masonville. But last week, a rattler slithered onto the rocks in their yard and into the path of their 1-year-old grandson, Booker West.

As Booker splashed his hands in a birdbath in the yard, and as his grandfather, Monty Long, watched him, both unaware of the snake, the rattler poised, standing tall. It rattled and then it struck.

But the family’s Chihuahua, 5-pound, mellow, blond, 1-year-old Zoey, threw herself in front of Booker, taking rattlesnake fangs to the head and face.

“She got in between Booker and the snake, and that’s when I heard her yipe,” Monty said, sitting in his living room Thursday, an almost-walking Booker on his lap.

“I just kept thinking about the baby,” said his wife, Denise. “If it would have struck the baby. …” But Zoey’s yelp brought Monty running to scoop up the baby.

“(Zoey) took the bite for him,” he said. “If I hadn’t been paying attention to her yipe telling me something was wrong, (Booker) would have been next.”

And for her efforts, Zoey earned a face the size of a grapefruit, a trip to the veterinarian’s office, antivenin and morphine shots and a scar that cuts vertically across her head. She almost lost an eye.

“They didn’t know if she was going to make it,” Monty said. But she has earned hero status in the Long household.  She knew she was a good girl,” Denise said. “She just pranced around after that.”

And now Zoey, and the Longs, keep a closer watch on Booker, and a closer lookout for snakes. Once (Zoey) could see (after the swelling went down),” she was following Booker around,” Denise said. “She had snake on her mind.”

Thursday afternoon, Denise kept Booker away from the birdbath, away from the rocks where the snake had lurked. And Zoey romped in the grass with one of the Longs’ other three dogs.

“These little bitty dogs, they just don’t really get credit,” Denise said. “It’s usually the big dogs. … Chihuahuas are protective, but she’s on the sweet side, too.”

Natural Balance has announced that it is recalling it’s Natural Balance Eatables for Dogs due to a supplier’s recall. The affected formulas include 15oz cans of: Irish Stew, Hobo Chili, Chinese Take-Out and Southern Style Dumplin’s with Gravy. The supplier, Castleberry Foods, found one instance of botulism in improperly sealed cans of human food.

The recall information was only sent to subscribers of their newsletters. This information is not yet available on the Natural Balance website.

Full recall details below from Itchmo:

Natural Balance was informed at 2:45 pm by our USDA manufacturer, Castleberry Foods, in Augusta, GA, that they are doing a voluntary recall on all 15 oz edible foods for humans as well as our Natural Balance Eatables for Dogs (Irish Stew, Hobo Chili, Chinese Take-Out and Southern Style Dumplin’s with Gravy).

This voluntary recall is from one reported case of botulism in Castleberry’s human edible Hot Dog Chili Sauce. Botulism is generally due to an improperly sealed can or a can that has become damaged, thus letting air inside.

Natural Balance checks all of its cans for any kind of leakage, puffiness or damage before they are shipped, and we have found none. However, to comply with our manufacturer, we are asking that you discontinue use and return Eatables for Dogs to your store for a full refund.

Consult Itchmo.com for further information as it becomes available.

The director of communications for TripAdvisor.com was quoted as saying, “Animal lovers might be even pickier about travel accommodations for their pets than they are for themselves.” TripAdvisor just conducted a survey of their clients who travel with their pets and found Best Western is the most pet-friendly hotel chain followed by Holiday Inn and Red Roof Inn. The top pet-friendly Best Western is the Best Western Lake Norman in Cornelius, North Carolina, based on pet-friendliness ratings on TripAdvisor.

Check out their complete Top 10 list before you head out on your summer vacation with your furry family members!:

1. Top Dog: TierraLinda Bed and Breakfast, Galena, Illinois – Average nightly rate: $135

A slice of dog heaven, TierraLinda Bed and Breakfast brings you and your four-legged friend closer to nature. Let your dog run through the forest, swim in the lake, dash through the waterfalls, and lay by a bonfire. Most importantly, turn the TV and phone off — who else truly deserves your undivided attention? As one TripAdvisor traveler said, “The best part for us by far, as dog lovers, was how much our dog loved it.”

2. Dog Show: The Sleepy Dog Guest House, Bisbee, Arizona – Average nightly rate: $95

Appreciate the artwork in the Sleepy Dog Guest House, a colorful converted miner’s cabin decorated with canine watercolor portraits, papier-mache sculptures and eclectic Southwestern art. As the only guests, feel free to let your pet loose on one of the leash-free trails and play in the Frisbee lot or enclosed yard. As one TripAdvisor traveler said, “The owner is a great host and the Sleepy Dog Guest House is the most pet-friendly place I’ve ever seen.”

3. Lassie Locale: Gazebo Inn Ogunquit, Ogunquit, Maine – Average nightly rate: $144

Don’t leave your dog at home while visiting the Gazebo Inn Ogunquit, an old farmhouse. With pet-friendly rooms and designated dog-walking beach areas and parks, your canine will feel more than welcome in this upscale establishment. As one TripAdvisor traveler said, “Nothing like being able to enjoy your pet and very fine lodging, such as you will find at the Gazebo Inn.”

4. Canine Cottage: Spruce Moose Lodge and Cottages, North Conway, New Hampshire – Average nightly rate: $124

With pooch-friendly cottages, the Spruce Moose Lodge and Cottages is the perfect place for a getaway with your pet. Kimball’s room, located in the main lodge, has recently allowed pets, with a separate entrance from the porch. As one TripAdvisor traveler said, “The owners were exceptionally friendly and service-oriented. True dog lovers, they made my dog feel welcome.”

5. Pet Stop: The Ocean Lodge, Cannon Beach, Oregon – Average nightly rate: $220

Spoil your pet at the Ocean Lodge with oceanfront views of the Oregon coast. With a private deck, easy beach access, pet packages, and even a dog wash in the front lawn, the hardest part will be leaving. As one TripAdvisor traveler said, “If you are looking for a place that is on the ocean and takes dogs, this is as good as it gets.”

6. Basket-Hound: Cambria Shores Inn, Cambria, California – Average nightly rate: $232

Let your canine bask in the sun on the seaside lawn at the Cambria Shores Inn on the California coast. Your pet will be pampered with a welcome basket, including special doggie biscuits, towels, a mat and a copy of “Fido-Friendly” — a dog-lover must-read. As one TripAdvisor traveler said, “They have baskets for every dog. The three ocean view lawns are perfect for the dogs, and the views are spectacular.”

7. Pamper Palace: Hotel Marlowe, Cambridge, Massachusetts – Average nightly rate: $288

For the stylish pet, impress them at the Hotel Marlowe, an eight-story luxurious boutique, modern hotel. Choose from the finicky feline pampering kit or the man’s best friend pampering kit, both containing sumptuous treats from the hotel’s preferred pet bakery, Polka Dot Bakery. One TripAdvisor traveler commented, “The Marlowe has captured us! They allow pets, actually greet them with water bowls and a sign announcing the names of all the pets in the house for the evening.”

8. Animal House: Courtney’s Place, Key West, Florida – Average nightly rate: $104

Go island hopping around the Florida Keys with your pet and stay at Courtney’s Place in Key West. With cats, dogs and birds on the premises, your animal is sure to feel right at home in this colorful retreat. As one TripAdvisor traveler said, “We spent four nights at Courtney’s Place with our two little dogs and we could not have been more pleased!”

9. Pet-Equipped: La Quinta Inn and Suites South Padre, South Padre Island, Texas – Average nightly rate: $177

Enjoy the hotel’s features with your pet, including a complimentary breakfast, oceanfront views and spacious suites at La Quinta Inn and Suites South Padre. With pet-friendly rooms and endless amenities, this is the perfect accommodation for pet owners looking for great service. One TripAdvisor traveler commented, “We brought our small dog so she could have a vacation as well.”

10. A Real Treat: Hotel Monaco Denver, Denver, Colorado – Average nightly rate: $247

Charm your pet by staying at the Hotel Monaco Denver, a luxurious hip hotel with a vibrant and bold interior. Try the reigning cats and dogs pet package, which includes a pet pamper basket, organic treats, doggie-bed, and food and water bowl, making your pet feel like it’s finally out of the “dog house.” As one TripAdvisor traveler said, “Our dogs were petted by almost every employee they came across, and enjoyed being with us for the evening wine reception, where they met a Boxer.”

Bake your own Bacon Dog Biscuits!

Ingredients:
5 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup milk
2 eggs
3 slices of turkey bacon
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup cold water
1 tablespoon vegetable oil (to grease pan)

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and use vegetable oil to grease a cookie sheet

Cook and chop the bacon. Mix all ingredients well. Pinch off pieces of the dough and roll them into two-inch balls. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes.

Let them cool, then let your pups enjoy!

This should make about 40 treats so be sure and store them in an airtight container.

-from the Humane Society of Santa Clara County, in Santa Clara, CA.

We are very honored to be included in the “Better Homes and Gardens” special issue, “For Your Dog” for the second year in a row!

We’re in the section titled, Must Love Dogs, which reads..

Our love for dogs is an all-encompassing affair. Dog-lovers everywhere enjoy surrounding themselves with stuff that reminds them of their devotion to their pets.

Whether you’re devoted to a particular breed or love dogs in general, succumb to your passion.. pay tribute to your beloved companions.

You’ve already given your dogs the run of your house, now let them take over your heart. After all, what would life be like without dogs?

We couldn’t have said it better ourselves!

PS: July is half over – don’t forget to take advantage of our Pop Promo providing FREE SHIPPING on all portraits ordered this month! Check out the details on our specials page.