This is the last PetProductDelivery.com Newsletter of 2016...and what a year it has been! So many changes. Yet through it all one factor remains consistent: We all want the best for our families, both 2-legged and 4. To that end, I will endeavor to work even harder to deliver the best products and services for your fur-families in 2017. In the meantime, in this edition we will be talking about 1) the limitations of "human grade" labeling, 2) changes in the PPD product line-up, 3) some well needed levity, 4) Meet the Breed: The Italian Greyhound, 5) results of the Holiday Pet Photo Contest, and, finally 6) a New Year of optimism. Here we go!
1) So much mention has been going on lately about the "importance" of "human grade" ingredients in pet food, that I feel that some objectivity is long past due. Folks, I don't know if you have noticed, but processed food regularly sold to HUMANS is full of chemicals, hidden GMOs and other substances not fit for consumption. While we search for better foods for our pets, we should all be careful not to fall prey to emotional pleas for "human grade" labeling. Instead, we need to take a step back and realize that we, as a society, have a problem with blindly trusting advertising and, as such, will purchase items with little or no research. Putting all of our time and energy into a campaign for "human grade" ingredients in pet food will not change the problem. "Human grade" will just become another empty promise. Please, take a moment to reach into your cabinet and randomly read the ingredients on any packaged product. Do you see some mystery ingredients? Look them up on the Internet and you may be shocked to learn that what you are consuming should not be consumed by you or your pets. Propylene glycol is one case in point. It was linked several years back to illness and death in canines fed certain popular food products containing this ingredient. But, did you know that it is regularly used in a variety of human products from food to cosmetics? Especially sweets and candies sold to children are loaded with chemicals like this one. So, what to do? Common sense dictates that we feed food that is fresh and unprocessed as often as possible to our pets and families. When we do purchase processed products, it is our job to understand that less is more. NEVER take the front of a package of processed food for anything more than advertising. Read the ingredient list and if you don't know what an ingredient is, don't buy it. Propylene glycol is just one nasty substance, but there are many more. As a pet professional, I spend much time and effort researching products, calling manufacturers and when a company I carry changes their food sources and/or ingredients, I drop the product. Here's a little more info about Propylene glycol: https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/substances/toxsubstance.asp?toxid=240
2) In an ongoing effort to meet the needs of pet parents from Conroe to Rice Village and indeed across the country, I am in the process of adding new products and expanding our current line-up. For example, I have already updated the website to reflect the full line of Fromm Family products. By January 1st you will also find that the full line of Vital Essential products will be represented and that we will be adding a new manufacturer: Open Farm. All manufacturers on our site are listed in alphabetical order w/ a short description of each company. In addition, PPD prices are VERY competitive with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. And, sadly, we must say so-long (for now) to Precise Pet Products. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this company, but our local distributor is discontinuing the line. When I find another source for the food, I will add it back to our line-up.
3) Traveling from home to home as I do, I have noticed that some of us are a little glum, lately. Instead of a jaunty, "Have a Nice Day!" more folks than not are issuing parting words of caution: "Be careful." or "Stay safe." Perhaps it's time that we all lighten up a bit. This video is the absolute funniest series of candid dog shots I have ever seen. I laughed so hard I cried! Take a few minutes to enjoy...
Dachsunds Are AWESOME!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJCJuJYrARA
4) Every month PPD News features a different cat or dog breed. This month is no exception:
Meet the Breed: The Italian Greyhound
American Kennel Club Breed Profile
http://akc.org/dog-breeds/italian-greyhound/
In addition, I would like to call your attention to a group that works very hard to save members of this regal breed from a variety of neglectful situations:
Italian Greyhound Rescue IGCA - Texas
http://igrescuetx.org/
IGCA - Texas had a mass Italian Greyhound intake last August and they are still reeling financially. In this time of giving, please consider clicking the donation button on their homepage to help them meet their financial goal for 2016. Also, if you scroll down a little you will find a nifty video describing the virtues of this petite athlete. Highly recommend!
5) I am sorry to report that this year's Holiday Pet Photo Contest was a complete flop. The one entry we did receive did not get a single vote. Oh, well. I still have 100lbs. of pet food to give away, so I made an executive decision and will be donating it to IGCA-Texas in January. 100lbs. is a lot of food for those tiny doggies, so hopefully it will take care of @ least some of their needs.
6) Thank you all for sharing the adventure that has been A Peaceful Pet aka PetProductDelivery.com. Last Thursday was the Winter Solstice which means that every day is growing longer and brighter! It is a time of facing the future with optimism. A time of leaving the past behind and looking forward to all the good things that are waiting for us as well as appreciating the many blessings we already have. I am indeed very grateful that, if only for a little while, I am able to share the joy of caring for each and everyone of your beloved fur-kids. For that and so much more, I say another heartfelt THANK YOU! Holiday Blessings.
Sandy Stutz NCMG