Embrace Pet Community blog

Nominate your Fav Pet Charity to receive $200

Byron, an adoptable Dobie, urges you to nominate your favorite pet charity for a $200 donation. Would you really want to hurt Byron's feelings?

This is one of our favorite contests--it's time, once again, to nominate your favorite pet charity to receive a $200 donation from Embrace Pet Insurance.  We're making it super easy with multiple ways to enter, using Facebook, Twitter and blog comments. 

The biggest bang for your nominee buck: tweet about the contest using the Rafflecopter below.  Earn 5 entries for your tweet and hope your followers join in too.  We hope you'll post this to your Facebook and other social sites too!

Can't pick a single special group? Here are a few of our local favorites:

Secondhand Mutts (Byron the Dobie's favorite charity)

Rescue Village

A New Leash on Life

Operation PetFix Northeast Ohio

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Feline FURminator CONTEST

The FURminator needs no introduction.  (But if you want a refresher anyway, you can read our posts on how we <3 it here.)  It’s become such a household name that many groomers list “FURmination” on their list of services, and with good reason.  A good FURminating after a bath and blow out is the best way to keep a pet’s shedding under control.  It’s no exaggeration that I’ve brushed a solid pound of fur off of Lyger in just one treatment.

It’s not just for big fluffy dogs though.  FURminator’s feline products include large and small tools with special blades to suit long or short haired cats.  The reduction in hairballs and furry clothing alone make it a must have.

Now comes the time for one of our last contests of 2012 so we’re going to make it a doozy: We’re giving away a feline FURminator tool so that your new year can be fur free.  

Our Rafflecopter is ready to take your entries, so have fun and let the fur fly!
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Pet Fella Doggie DNA Test Review/Giveaway

The Embrace Pet Insurance office pups are a wide range of breeds, ages, sizes and colors. You're able to look at some of our regular office pets and know what breed they are immediately - like Bruiser the English Mastiff or Andre the Pomeranian.  Then there are those pets that you look at and wonder, "What are you?"

Such is the story with Hazel and Captain.  Both are sweet and adorable but neither are completely recognizable as a certain breed. As is often the case with rescue pets, we have no way of knowing for sure where they came from, what they've been through or who their parents were. Some people sit and wonder while others refer to their pup as a "mutt" or "mixed breed" and call it a day.

However, knowing your mixed breed pet's genetic make-up can be beneficial in ways beyond just being able to answer "What are you?" Most importantly, it alerts you to the genetic/hereditary conditions your pet may be prone to. So when Pet Fella, an online pet boutique, contacted us about trying out the Wisdom Panel Insights Dog DNA Test we jumped at the opportunity, and when they said we could have 2 we jumped for joy! Lots of members of our staff with mixed breed dogs entered their pet to win the tests with Captain and Hazel coming out on top.

Administering the test is fairly simple. You first register the test online so that the results could be emailed when they were ready. The pet's mouth is swabbed for saliva and the swabs are sent in for testing. Then you wait! It took about 2 weeks to get the results for Captain and Hazel and we were floored by the results.

Captain: When Embracer Katie adopted Captain she was told he was a mini Labradoodle or mini Goldendoodle but as he became a part of her family, Katie noticed that his personality didn't seem like a Poodle, Lab or a Golden. So what was he (click the image for a better view)?

Hazel: Hazel's mom, Jenna, used to refer to her as the APL Special and thought she must be the muttiest of mutts because it was so hard to place her features. The entire staff was dying to know what made up this sweet, adorable girl and we were shocked by the results - but they make perfect sense!

Here's what Jenna had to say about Hazel's results: "I can totally see the resemblance in Hazel to each breed they came up with, especially with the pictures and breed descriptions they sent with the final results. I would not have thought JRT (Jack Russell Terrier) made any sense until I looked at those pictures. She has the same eyes and mouth as some of the JRT’s on her results. So happy I know now!"

Wondering what makes up your mutt? Pet Fella had donated 2 Wisdom Panel Insights Dog DNA Tests for us to giveaway this month! Check out our Rafflecopter below to enter:

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Give Thanks for Pet Health Giveaway

Last month's Trick or Tweet contest with Tails Pet Supply was such a hit we're bringing it back for November with our Give Thanks for Pet Health Giveaway.  The prizes are the same--6 lucky winners.  

• 5 winners get a bag of supplements and a coupon
• A grand prize winner gets a 6 month supply

Tails Pet Supplements has several supplements for both cats and dogs to help with anything from hip and joint health to hairball prevention, so be sure to tweet your entry daily!

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Ginger's Pink Skeleton Costume from PetSmart

Halloween is only a week away! Seriously, where has October gone?!

While most pets that hang out at the Embrace offices are rarely found sporting clothing, we definitely don't shy away from a good canine/feline Halloween costume. That's why we love our friends at PetSmart!  They're always eager to show us the newest in spook-tacular Halloween costumes for our pets.  In previous years, we've had Cooper the Lobster, Dracula Guizmo and more!

This year, our lucky costume tester was Ginger the Pom-a-Nauze (Pomeranian Schnauzer mix for those not up to speed on the hybrid lingo!). Her dad, Embracer Rich, selected an adorable pink skeleton costume from PetSmart's Martha Stewart Pets™ line.  We were a little worried about sizing - Ginger is short and fluffy with a barrel chest - but hit our mark with a medium.

Can we please take a moment to notice just how cute this costume is?! There's a purple bow on the skeleton's head! The stretchy pink fabric fit Ginger like a glove and the quality is exceptional.  Only down side? Like many dogs, Ginger is not a fan of wearing a hood. Luckily, the costume looks cute with or without the hood up. 

So, will you be dressing up your furry best friend this Halloween?  Whether headed to a Halloween fundraiser for your favorite local rescue or just passing out candy, a festive doggie dragon or cowboy cat is sure to bring a smile to friends' faces. Just be sure to keep your pets safe! Costumes should not be too big (tripping hazard!) or too small (cutting off circulation) and should never be worn when you aren't available to supervise your pet (the last thing you want is a Halloween trip to the emergency vet because a pair of Batman ears ended up in your Beagle's belly!).

We hope you have a happy Halloween!

Dogs Incorporated Personalized Pet Art Giveaway

***UPDATE - CONTEST CLOSED.  Winner: Doreen***

Dog lovers seem to have an affinity for all things dog. They don't just adopt a pup, they embrace a lifestyle. I discovered this soon after I adopted my first dog, Henry, almost 4 years ago. My first purchase? A dog bone frame to hold my handsome guy's photograph. My house is now littered with items that label me a dog lover. I wouldn't have it any other way!

One area that hits especially close to home is breed specific memorabilia. You can't drive down the highway without seeing an "I love my Great Dane" or "Chihuahua on Board!" bumper sticker. While at a friend's house this weekend, I noticed a "Protected by Pug" decal on her back door (I'm sure that's scaring away a lot of potential intruders!). And while I don't have purebred dogs myself, I can't help but find myself attracted to Rottweiler and Beagle merchandise! It's just another way of showing off that we love our pups.

Dogs Incorporated has capitalized on the breed craze with their personalized dog art. Their adorable pet prints come in over 60 breeds and feature saying like "A Dalmation rescued this family" and "Life is better with a Beagle."  When you order most available prints, your choice is personalized with your pet's name.

As I mentioned in last month's giveaway, our Rottweiler mix, Kramer, has often experienced second child syndrome. This is also true when it comes to photos and Rottie themed items around the house. With that in mind, I asked for the "All you need is Rottweiler love" print. Check out the photo to see just how cute it looks on our office wall! I picked the background color to compliment my bright orange walls, and while this print doesn't offer the option of personalizing with your pet's name, it fit the space perfectly.  The only thing you might want to notice is that the 8x10 print does come with a white border so expect to see that if you put the photo in an 8x10 frame like I did.

Would you like to win a print for yourself? Dogs Incorporated is a giving one lucky winner a dog print from their "shop by breed" or "shop by collection" categories. Entering is simple, check out our Rafflecopter widget below for all the details!

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Choose Your Purrfect Howloween Adventure

Halloween is probably the very best holiday at the Embrace Pet Insurance offices.  Both staff and our furry friends dress up and celebrate. Below check out photos from Halloween 2011 at the Embrace office while you read up on creating the best Halloween experience for your favorite furry little monsters. 

Our friend, Sarah Sypniewski, is one half of the fabulous team at Bark Pet Photography and Ninja Dog Concepts.  She has some great suggestions for a spook-tacular Halloween:

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The holidays are bearing down, with Halloween leading the way.  Before the months of festivities begin, it’s a good idea to think about how your pet would best enjoy them.  Not sure if (and how) Fluffy wants to be included in your parties and events?  This handy guide will help you figure out just what to do with your pet so you all can have a “purrfect Howloween.”

DRESSING FOR THE OCCASION

Does your pet like dressing up?  Start thinking about a fun “couples” costume now!  Just remember to keep it safe--make sure the fit isn’t too tight that it cuts off circulation or too  loose that it trips your pet up.  How about Dorothy and Toto, Santa and a reindeer, hotdog and ketchup, or Little Bo Peep and her sheep?  Call some friends over for a small gathering and see which pet-human pair takes the top prize! 

If your pet’s into costumes and likes going out on the town, check out your local rescue groups or pet businesses to see if they have any pet-friendly events going on and go strut  your stuff!  If he’d rather just hang at home, you can still dress up and hand out candy to Trick-or-Treaters together!  One word of caution--be careful with that door.  Maybe keep a leash on, just for extra safety.  If your pet is super anxious about the doorbell or is a big flight risk, it might be best to keep him in a secure room until you’re done passing out candy (although, you better make it up to him later with a special treat!). 

GETTING AWAY FROM IT ALL

What if neither of you want to bother with outfits or Trick-or-Treating?  Well, you can “hide” by keeping your porch light off, cranking up the volume on a scary movie, and snuggling up together on the couch.  Perhaps you could even pull a recipe for a Halloween pet treat off the Internet to make for your furry friend!  And if you really want to become invisible, pack up your fluff ball and hit the road - set out on a daytrip to the local arboretum or apple orchard for some pet-friendly leaf-peeping and fruit-gathering, try a moonlit hike in the evening, or make a true getaway for a few days and explore a resort that welcomes pets and invites you to unplug.  A great site I found for this is here.

SPECIAL CONCERNS FOR BLACK CATS

And one more thing--if you’re the parent of a black cat, you’re on double-duty over Halloween.  It’s terrible, but true: people are cruel, and black cats often fall victim to pranks and abuse during this time.  Don’t leave your black kitty outside alone in the days--even weeks--on either side of Halloween.  And maybe you can love on him a little extra, just because you’re extra thankful for such a handsome, black kitty in your life.

So what are you going to do to make your Halloween spooktacular this year?  Post your plans (or pawsome things you’ve done on Halloweens past) in the comment box below--we’d love to hear them!  Also, be sure to share this article with other pet-loving friends!  Have a safe and happy “howl-o-day”, everyone!

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Sarah Sypniewski (www.sarahsypniewski.com) is a writer and entrepreneur living in Santa Monica, CA with her partner Kim and a pack of rescue pooches who like to hog the furniture.  When she’s not hustlin’ like the rent’s due tomorrow (aka running the businesses she owns with Kim - Bark Pet Photography and NinjaDog Concepts, a lost pet logistics service), she’s writing all about it.  Her blog, Sarah Leaps, was recognized as Freshly Pressed by WordPress in August 2011.  Her first book, Dog Photography For Dummies (Wiley), was released in November 2011 and her articles can be seen in places like CityDog Magazine, The Bark, and Pawsh.  She’s currently editing a non animal-related title for Wiley, due out in December 2012.  Despite these credentials, she still can’t seem to get a place on the couch - and she’d have it no other way.

Trick or Tweet to win Tails Pet Supplements

***UPDATE - CONTEST CLOSED.  Winners: Darci A. (grand prize), Jamie M., Sarah T. Kelly T., Gretchen C., Jane E.***

Back in July we started Kayden on the Canine Bliss from Tails Pet Supplements and weeks later his coat is showing improvement from the fatty acids.  And, after a very short initial increase in gassiness he's now more "regular" and less tooty.  It's nice when a dog comes running for his morning vitamin!

 

Your cat or dog can now reap the benefits of a Tails Pet Supplement with our Trick or Tweet contest! 6 people can win!

• Our first winner will receive a 6 month complimentary supply of a supplement of their choice.  
• Five runners up will get a bag of supplements with a coupon code to order more.

It's easy: just use our rafflecopter to go Trick or Tweeting!  Feel free to tweet daily for multiple chances to win.

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"Cat"urday Deal at PetPeople

If you're reading this from Embrace's home state of Ohio and have a cat - we have a freebie for you! PetPeople is giving away free cat toys this Saturday, September 8th. Just print out the coupon below and take it to your local PetPeople to get the deal. Easy as that! Enjoy!

Dog Proof Cat Feeder

The only thing dogs like as much as people food is cat food, which is exactly why I could see a reason for a dog proof cat feeder like this one from Orvis.  The entry is small enough for a cat but keeps out nosey noses.  But I love this handmade one.  I think if you use your smarts and setup a good box system using corners or gates you could easily dog proof your cat's eating area.

Long overdue leather rolled collar

    I've always seen those rolled leather collars in the pet stores and wondered if they'd flatter my fluffy guy.  Regular collars squish all of his fur up, making him look a little bit Elizabethan and they look a little uncomfortable, especially in warm weather.  So, we got him a rolled leather collar from Hamilton in black, though red and brown were options.  The buckle is sturdy, the leather smooth, but most importantly, I can't even tell he's wearing it.  I'd post an "above" shot, but you can't even tell there's a collar on.

If you've got a husky, shepherd, chow, or even lab with a lot of neck fur, I'm all in favor of keeping your dog's coat streamlined and smooth, with a leather collar that does not split their natural fur patterns.  Lyger quite prefers it to the old 1 inch collar, even though it was soft and loose.   It's easy on, easy off, and I'm glad we spent wisely.

Party Collars for Pups help Shelter Dogs

Thera-Pit Gremlin just posted a photo (right) where she's modeling her new Daddy's Girl party collar from Just Dog Gone Cute.  I checked out their store to find that this darling doggie apparel company was started by a shelter volunteer looking to jazz up the adoptable dogs' photos.  Now she custom makes dog collars and bows, donating a portion of the proceeds to pet charity.  I love that she'll even make matching clothes and bows for kids (see right).  Cute and charitable wrapped up in a cute little bow--literally.

Wouldn't you just love this for a parade, a yappy-hour, or a therapy visit?  Get a quote or check out their product and pricing page.

DoggyLoot BullyStick Giveaway

June chows down on a bully stick from doggyloot

Our office dogs have it pretty good, but it was a particularly outstanding day when a 10 pack of Bully Sticks from doggyloot arrived for product testing.  The chews went fast! Some of the reports from the Embracers:

Henry's eyes say "don't touch my bully stick!"

"I can only guess that Henry (left) thinks the bully stick is the best thing ever by the way he was protecting it. Once he was done with his, Henry went around staring down the other dogs in the office to see if they might want to give theirs up. No luck!"-Embracer Sara

I wanted to give you an official review of the bully stick you gave Brutus! I gave it to him, went to grab a coffee, and when I came back it was gone. So… he liked it?"-Embracer Lindsey

Sounds like an understatement to us, Lindsey.  But then again, we already know how much we love our treats from doggyloot.  Whether it's dog chews or dog treats, dog toys or other loot--they've got daily deals on all sorts of dog supplies.  To spread the word about their stellar discounts they're giving away a 10-pack of Bully Sticks to 3 lucky winners.  One of these winners will also receive $125 in retail donations to the shelter of their choice! Don'tcha just love it!

To enter: 

• Follow this link to sign up for doggyloot's daily deal email
• Comment on our Facebook wall to tell us which rescue you'd send your doggyloot donation to

In September 2012 doggyloot will contact 3 lucky winners for their bully stick prize and reach out to the selected shelter of the grand prize winner! 

related posts about doggyloot:

antlers
unbreakoball

Contest runs through August 2012. Friends, staff or family members of Embrace Pet Insurance or doggyloot not eligible to win. Open to residents of U.S. only. Good luck!