Lucky Dog Blog: The not so silent third partner

My Turn!!

I met Bonnie a LONG time ago back in university through our mutual friend, Shannon. We would see each other once in awhile (read: girls night out) and I would get the occasional updates from Shannon, but then Bonnie would disappear into the shadows again. One day Shannon told me that Bonnie was super busy because she and Quinn had started a business.

At the time I had just finished my MBA and was working in a plum job for the National Research Council. Throughout my MBA I studied entrepreneurship and small business management. Entrepreneurship to me seemed like the ultimate challenge for a business person; creating a new business from an idea, a passion, a cause and making it a reality. A successful start-up was like the Everest of Business to me. I read books about famous entrepreneurs like Anita Roddick (www.anitaroddick.com) of The Body Shop fame (and was even lucky enough to have a very brief, but incredibly inspiring chat with her; a highlight of my entrepreneur stalking career). I've known many not so famous, but equally amazing and dedicated entrepreneurs. I even had a ring side seat as my husband became a founding partner in Two Rivers Brewing Company, later merged into Fort Garry Brewing Company www.fortgarry.com. I had been an observer but not a participant and I wanted in on the action. So I left my nine-to-fiver for the exciting times at Holts Pets.

Lots to tell about this amazing ride but that will have to wait for another time. I must get to work! There are hungry dogs out there.

But before I go - do you have a favourite entrepreneur or business start up story? Are you an entrepreneur? Do you want to be? Share your stories with us.

Mavis

Replies to Questions

Shayla - Pigs ears are just the right size to cause a gastro intestinal blockage if your dog is a "wolfer" meaning they don't chew their food very well, they just wolf it down. The packaged ones you find at Costco and the like are highly chemically treated with carcinogenic agents. You can find natural/raw ones at the grocery store and just dehydrate they yourself. They are, however, also high in fat which some dogs don't need or can't tolerate. A too high of fat food or treat will often cause diarrhea. Having said all that, if you use them once in a blue moon and you dogs aren't "wolfers" and don't seem to get diarrhea from them, then it should be okay. But really, just once in a while.

If you're looking for things to chew on, you could try stuffing a KONG toy. Fill the KONG with a couple of biscuits that have a little natural peanut butter on them, just enough to kind of make them stick in there. You can also fill the KONG with canned tripe. You can find bleached tripe in the grocery store but the none treated tripe called green tripe is better. TRIPETT www.tripett.com makes a canned tripe dogs LOVE. I'll admit it kinda stinks but put some in a KONG and throw it outside. Even better if you can put some tripe in the KONG, and freeze it before you give it to your dogs. Your dogs will love it AND it's a healthy treat.

Bully Sticks also offer a healthy alternative. They are a dehydrated jerky beef tendon so they're low in fat but offer a good chew. Check out your local store to see if they carry them. - Bonnie

Korey - we just just JUST set up for shipping to the states on the online store. Let me know if you want to try this and we'll get the product to you. And thank you for the picture of Mr. Pipp. He looks like a pretty happy guy! - Bonnie

Kal - Does Crash like the Peanut Butter and Saskatoon Berry biscuits? That's cause dogs love cinnamon. Yes they do have the same healthful benefits for humans - I PILE it on my morning oatmeal with organic unsweetened applesauce. MMMMM. And of COURSE Crash is eligible! No discrimination here. - Bonnie

Comments

thanks bonnie for the feedback!
miller is a wolfer! and he has puked after eating a pigs ear. so now i think that maybe we will pass on them. i remember you telling me about the tripe, will have to try that. they love peanut butter in the kongs too! i have both natural and regular peanut butter, what is the difference for the dogs?
going to get my pics in right away!
can i send in one of each of them, or should they both be in the same photo? or both?

Posted by: Shayla Vokey | May 09, 2007 at 06:48 PM