Friday, February 27, 2009

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Calling All Foo-Foo Pups and Kitties!


I am tickled pink with this latest product from Merlin's Bark Products ! This pink elevated feeder is for all of those cute little foo-foo girly pups and kitties who wear ribbons in their hair and are their mommy's and daddy's sweet little princesses. Measuring just 3" in height, it will be perfect fit for all of the tiny spoiled little girly fur-babies out there. This cute-as-can-be look of the feeder is topped off with two 1-pint stainless steel bowls that sets it off like a crown on top.


Got a bigger foo-foo girly pup and need a larger feeder? Not to worry, this color will be available in all the different sizes we offer in our Etsy store. If we don't currently have the size and color you desire in stock - just ask for a custom order and I'll have my workers create one just for your pet.


Did you know that elevated feeders are a great thing for a pup (or kitty) to have. Not only do they look nicer than just a plain old bowl setting on the floor, but elevated feeders are very beneficial for pets too. Does your pet eat too fast or cough and gag when eating? Giving them an elevated feeder to eat out of is the most common solution. Veterinarians recommend elevated feeders because they help ease digestion problems, and are easier for pets that have problems with arthritis, neck or back problems to eat out of. Also, using raised feeding bowls help provide pet owners with a more hygienic and cleaner house. How great is that!

I'll be barking to you later!

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

How to Measure Your Pet for an Elevated Dog Bowl Feeder

Since so many pups (and their parents) have been asking me about Merlin's Bark Products line of elevated dog (and cat) bowl feeders and how to figure out what size would be perfect for them - I figured it would be helpful if I included that info in my blog.

So here's some guidelines to help inquiring pups that want to know:

#1 The feeder's height. The usual guideline to find the perfect feeder height is six inches below the pup's withers (i.e. front shoulders). Another broader guideline is that the feeder's height be between 4 to 10 inches below the withers. For example, if you got a tiny pup and six inches seem like a lot, four inches or less should do.

#2 The bowl capacity. My general thought is that the bigger the bowl the better! I know that a lot of pups would agree with me on that, but I also realize that a lot of owners would disagree. So I have included some bowl size measurements below so you can get a good idea of what size the bowls are that we use:

1-pint bowl: inside measures - 4 1/2" wide x 2" deep (holds 2 cups)
1-quart bowl: inside measures - 5 1/2” wide x 2 1/2” deep (holds 4 cups)
2-quart bowl: inside measures - 7 1/4” wide x 3” deep (holds 8 cups)
3-quart bowl: inside measures - 8 3/4" wide x 3 1/2" deep (holds 12 cups)

Once you have figured out what size feeder and bowl would be perfect for your pup - all that is left for you to do is stop by my Etsy store, and pick our which color you like best. So measure your pup and stop by Merlin's Bark Products to find that perfect feeder for your pup (or kitty).

I'll be barking to you later!

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Stump is Best in Show!


Best in Show: Stump, 10, stuns at Westminster Dog Show
By Kelly Whiteside, USA TODAY
Tuesday, Febuary 10, 2009

The 10-year-old Sussex spaniel became the oldest Westminster winner in history and the first of his breed to win the silver cup. In one of the most stunning results in recent Westminster history, Stump came out of retirement to win his first show in four years. Owner-handler Scott Sommer decided last Wednesday to bring Stump to the big show, just for fun.

Needless to say, there was no pressure or expectations. "This was like going for a walk with my pet," Sommer said.

Stump won the Sporting Group in 2004; the next year he nearly died after a serious ailment. "His insides stopped working," Sommer said. Stump spent 19 days with veterinarians at Texas A&M, who saved his life. "A miracle," Sommer said. He could have been talking about both feats.

There was no preparation other than a walk around Sommer's Houston driveway, quite different from the green carpet and bright lights of Madison Square Garden.

Judge Sari Tietjen didn't know who Stump was or his age when she pointed to him. "I just couldn't say no to him," Tietjen said. "He is in fabulous shape."

As for Sommer? "To bring a dog into the Garden who hasn't been showing, he was a little insane," Tietjen said. In 2001, Sommer won Best in Show with J.R., a Bichon Frise, and the two champs are buddies.

When Stump plodded around the ring, the Garden crowd erupted. He celebrated his victory by standing on his back legs and the crowd loved him even more. By winning the prestigious show, Stump proved you can teach an old dog new tricks.

His next one? No more comebacks. "He really is retired this time," Sommer said.

With floppy ears and a slow gait, the golden-red Stump beat out a sparkling final field. Sommer guided him past a giant schnauzer that was the nation's top show dog, a favored Brussels griffon, a Scottish deerhound named Tiger Woods, a standard poodle with 94 best in show wins, a Scottish terrier and a puli.

Nearly 2,500 dogs were entered at Westminster. Last year's champion, a beagle named Uno, was perhaps the most popular winner ever.

But with a bounce in his step, Stump is sure to win over plenty of people while he reigns for a year and gets extra playtime with his green Grinch toy.

Monday, February 9, 2009

Dogs Rescued from North Carolina Puppy Mill

Dogs Rescued from North Carolina Puppy Mill
The Humane Society of the United States - Press Release
February 6, 2009



GOLDSBORO, N.C. ― Approximately 300 dogs were rescued in an early-morning raid at a Wayne County puppy mill. The Humane Society of the United States partnered with Wayne County Animal Control to bring an end to the suffering of these neglected animals.

"This rescue mission is the culmination of a year-long investigation into Thornton's Kennels," said Justin Scally, director of the Department of Animal Control for Wayne County. "I can finally rest easy knowing that these animals are no longer living in constant confinement."

The HSUS and Wayne County Animal Control were joined on this operation by volunteers from United Animal Nations, who are overseeing the temporary shelter of the rescued animals. Much-needed supplies are being provided by PetSmart Charities®, which sent its Emergency Relief Waggin' Vehicle® full of donated goods such as wire crates, dog food and medical supplies.

"These animals were denied basic veterinary care and socialization. This terrible cruelty could have been avoided if North Carolina had laws addressing the worst abuses in puppy mills," said Amanda Arrington, North Carolina state director for The HSUS. "We are calling on state lawmakers to crack down on puppy mill cruelty by mandating licenses and inspection for large-scale breeders."

The HSUS put together a response team of nearly 20 staff and volunteers within days of receiving the call for help from Wayne County Animal Control. The HSUS' specially designed animal transport vehicle was used to comfortably carry all of the animals to an emergency shelter.

When rescuers arrived at the property they were greeted by a gruesome scene. The dogs, mainly Lhasa Apso, Shih-Tzus and Chihuahuas, were suffering from serious medical ailments and housed in filthy conditions. Many of the dogs were emaciated, had untreated lacerations, severely matted fur and serious skin and eye infections. They were being housed in unheated cages inside unventilated barns and outhouses. It was obvious that many of these animals had never known life outside their wire cages.

Puppy mills are commercial dog breeding operations that mass produce puppies in factory style settings for sale at pet stores, directly to unsuspecting customers, and over the Internet.

Rescuers are working swiftly to remove all of the animals and transport them to a nearby emergency shelter set up by The HSUS and UAN. Once at the shelter the dogs are being checked by a team of veterinarians and given any necessary immediate medical care. They will remain in the custody of Wayne County Animal Control pending final custody decisions.

"These dogs have may need extensive rehabilitation, but they are already beginning to warm up to their temporary caretakers. I believe they are on their way to leading new lives as loving family pets," said Janell Matthies, UAN emergency services manager.

Residents of North Carolina interested in taking action for animals can sign up for the upcoming Humane Lobby Day, which The HSUS will host on Feb. 12 in Raleigh. Local advocates will gather at the Capitol to lobby for animal welfare legislation – including a puppy mill bill.

High-quality video and still images will be available upon request. Video opportunities and interviews will be available at the emergency shelter, which is set up at the Wayne County Regional Fairgrounds.

Facts About Puppy Mills

* Approximately one-third of the nation's 9,000 independent pet stores sell puppies.
* The HSUS estimates that 2 to 4 million puppy mill puppies are sold each year in the U.S.
* Puppy mill puppies often have health problems, genetic defects and behavioral issues.
* Documented puppy mill conditions include over-breeding, inbreeding, minimal veterinary care, poor food and shelter, crowded cages and lack of socialization.
* Dogs kept for breeding in puppy mills suffer for years in continual confinement. They are bred as often as possible and then destroyed or discarded once they can no longer produce puppies.
* Pet stores and puppy mills use attractive websites to hide the truth and to dupe the public into thinking that they are dealing with a reputable breeder.
* Reputable breeders never sell puppies over the Internet or through a pet store and will insist on meeting the family who will be purchasing the dog.
* Puppy mills contribute to the pet overpopulation problem which results in millions of unwanted dogs euthanized at shelters every year.

For more information, go to humanesociety.org/stoppuppymills.