There’s never such thing as having too many dogs—especially if they belong in the pages of a book! From beagles to bloodhounds, Pomeranians to poodles, these adorable canine-centric cozy mysteries are poochfully perfect to read while you’re waiting for your own pup to finish ruffin’ around with their dog park friends.
After a rough divorce, Abby McCree only wants to stitch up her life and move on. But other loose ends appear after her elderly Aunt Sybil passes away, leaving Abby to tend to a rundown estate, complete with a slobbery Mastiff and a sexy tenant who growls more than the dog. Expected to assume her late aunt’s duties as member of a variety of different committees, Abby’s first order of business is to help the local quilting guild track down twelve missing quilts…and a killer.
Elizabeth Denton is an animal lover who decided to open her pet recue with her vet husband and two children. While Liz is dealing with a local shelter, her son goes in to pick up an elderly Pomeranian dog that the shelter claimed was unadoptable…but when Liz goes to pick her son up, she finds instead that he is at the police station accused of murder. Now she must save her son from a crime that she didn’t commit. Did it have anything to do with the elderly dog? Or is it some sort of set up that her son unwittingly walked into?
When Hope’s elderly neighbor perishes in a home fire, she can’t help but feel somewhat responsible—only the day before, Peggy Olson had called her oven, having burned a pot on the stove while she was sleeping and filling the house with smoke. In fact, she couldn’t even remember cooking—clearly, it was dangerous for the woman to live alone. But when a second body is discovered in the burned house, what appears to be a tragic accident starts to look like premeditated murder. With the help of her excitable adopted Beagle, Bigelow, Hope is determined to sort out the facts and smoke out a killer.
Kelly Jackson, manager of the Redwood Cove Bed and Breakfast, is fond of the Silver Sentinels, a crew of crime-solving senior citizens. But after a body is found on the fishing boat owned by two of the Silver Sentinels’ members, Kelly and her acquaintances—including a Bloodhound named Gus and her friend’s Basset Hound named Fred—must find the murderer before it’s too late.
Mystery bookstore owner, Samantha Washington’s mother, Grace Hamilton, is planning to marry her fiancé, Harold Robertson. The stress of planning a wedding and dealing with two unexpected visitors has everyone a bit frazzled. When Harold’s sister-in-law recommends hiring Lydia Lighthouse to plan the wedding, Harold and Grace jump at the idea. When Lydia dies not long after arguing with Harold, Sam, along with her two poodles Snickers and Oreo, must figure out who murdered Lydia before her mother’s wedding plans become a nightmare.
For more information on these and other cozy mysteries from Kensington Books, please visit: www.KensingtonCozies.com.
Looking to match with your furry four-legged friend? Dog on Leash creates luxurious matching accessories for both you and your dog. Rock a belt or bracelet that matches your dog's collar, leash or show lead for maximum style and sophistication. Made from materials like Italian leather, pearls, and Swarvoski crystals, these handcrafted pieces are well-made and sure to receive many compliments at the dog park and beyond. Johanne, founder of Dog on Leash, spoke with us about her business and the beautiful products she creates for her customers.
Dog on Leash is much more than just a boutique. We specialize in unique leather dog collars and leashes for your canine best friend, as well as similar belts for their owner. From the United States, Canada and Europe, we support artists that create unique collars and leashes that will bring out your dog’s unique personality.
All of our products are handmade with the finest Italian leather and the strongest hardware. From luxurious Swarovski crystals to silver ornaments and stones, these are some of the absolute finest pet art wear available. From small to big dogs, classical to fashionable, we have a style and size for your beloved furry best friend.
Products:
DOG COLLARS are handmade and available in a range of models - both luxury and casual depending on your dog's style. Choose a base model and customize by changing the colour of the leather/suede and Swarovski crystals with our colour tablet.
LEASHES are available in the same styles as collars, so your dog will have the perfect matching accessories! Tassels are made from kangaroo leather with European beads and gems to enhance your dog's collar. With this collar and leash combo, your dog will be the most stylish pup around!
BELTS are available in the same styles as dog collars and leashes, so you can match with your stylish dog.
SHOW LEASHES are made in exquisite kangaroo leather, and are available in almost any colour with beautiful beads. Kangaroo leather is the most durable and soft leather you can find, making it great for show leads. Customers have the option to customize the colour, length and beads based on their dog's style.
BRACELETS made from kangaroo leather with European beads and gems to match your show leads.
BioStar US creates supplements and treats for the dog (and horse) owner with the health and wellbeing of their pet in mind. By utilizing a range of natural, whole, real ingredients, their products aim to target immune system support, weight management, and so much more. We had the pleasure of speaking with the BioStar US team to ask them more about their products and what makes BioStar US a great choice for pet owners.
What goods/services do you provide?
We formulate and create unique supplements from whole bioavailable foods that are organic, high-quality, and raw, never baked. BioStar US empowers dog and horse owners with knowledge and insights into alternative nutrition sources using the oldest medicine on earth: plants. Our products address whole health: the mind-body connection, joint support, daily wellness, and overall equilibrium.
Why are your products unique? How does your company stand out?
As leaders in our field, BioStar US has exceptionally high standards for every ingredient and method of production. Your dog’s wellbeing is our number one focus above all else, therefore we use only the best, most nutritious, whole food ingredients for our supplement formulas. Each product is handmade with love by our dedicated production staff and our products are free from coal tar derivatives, wheat, soy, added flavorings (artificial or “natural”), and petrochemicals. We source organic and non-GMO ingredients wherever possible.
Why is BioStar US a good choice? What are the benefits?
From top to bottom, BioStar stands apart from other supplement companies — not only because we use real, whole food, but because we know fundamentally that whole food and health are strongly connected. We don’t sacrifice raw material quality to save money, and we don’t sacrifice our employees’ wellbeing in order to boost profits. We know without a doubt that our product formulas are unique to BioStar — not replicas, copies or generic alternatives to what some other company has created. We seek out specific ingredients from small, conscientious suppliers, ensuring better quality control and a closer relationship from farm to table. We offer a guarantee of freshness, performance, and palatability. Our blog articles bring you information on whole food nutrition so you can make the best decisions about the care and health of your horses and dogs. We believe in our products because we’ve seen the BioStar difference firsthand in our own dogs.
What are your core values? How do they influence your business practices?
Just as BioStar’s focus on ingredients in our formulas is of utmost importance, so is our dedication to give back by supporting larger sustainability efforts like GMO labeling, saving the pollinators, biodiversity, no-till farming, the reduction of chemical fertilizers, pesticide and herbicide reduction, the importance of a healthy soil microbiome, and reducing the carbon footprint. Each quarter, a charity is chosen and a percentage of product sales goes directly to it. Charities range from horse and dog rescues, to environmental organizations, to sustainable agriculture initiatives. Each are given the spotlight in newsletters, highlighted on our website, and featured in social media posts along with donation information. From there, BioStar builds on these philanthropic ideals to join forces with the American Sustainable Business Council, an organization that promotes sustainable and vibrant economics, working towards better environmental policies in the government and in the media. In 2017, BioStar created a sister company, Changing Tides, that promotes environmental sustainability through conscious gifting. The selected products are made ethically and sustainably, and support vendors that promote community, recycling, and the conservation of our wildlife, wild places, resources, and clean air and water. BioStar believes in being the change we'd like to see in the world.
What is the inspiration for the creation of BioStar?
BioStar was born in Tigger Montague’s kitchen in Charlottesville, Virginia — the result of her trying to help her horse overcome crippling inflammation of the bursa that had not responded to any sort of treatment options or therapies. Tigger decided that adding some whole food would at least be supportive before more drastic and permanent paths were followed. The horse improved and eventually came sound after feeding a combination of sprouted foods and whole foods. No longer was permanent nerve loss or a lifetime of pharmaceuticals on the table. This diet was the foundation for what would become BioStar. Soon after, a wide variety of formulas for horses were in development and the company launched in 2008.
In 2013, Tigger’s Australian Shepherds decided that the horses were getting enough of the spotlight and we expanded our products to include a full canine line.
What is the best way for dog owners to connect with your company?
You can visit our website www.biostarus.com. We are also available by email at GetFood@BioStarUS.com and by phone at 800-686-9544 to answer questions about our products and to consult about your dog’s overall diet and lifestyle. As dog enthusiasts ourselves, we acknowledge that each dog is an individual. Part of what drives us is learning about your dogs’ stories and becoming a piece of the puzzle on their journey to whole health.
When it comes to giving hemp supplements to your pet, there are a few important things to keep in mind as a guardian.
Full Spectrum Hemp Oil Vs. CBD Isolate
You might see these terms thrown around quite often when explaining various products that are said to benefit your pet's health in certain ways, and it can be rather confusing to take in. Full spectrum hemp oil and CBD isolate are two completely different products, and it is important to understand these differences and be able to spot them when looking for a CBD product to give your pet to ensure the most therapeutic experience for your furry loved ones.
Full Spectrum Hemp Oil
This is a whole plant extraction, preserving hundreds of beneficial compounds from the hemp plant, one of the main one's being Cannabidiol (or CBD). Others include therapeutic phytocannabinoids such as CBG, CBC, CBN, terpenes, flavonoids, as well as essential vitamins, minerals, omega fatty acids, and chlorophyll. All of these compounds have a synergistic interaction with each other (also known as the Entourage Effect) and the more that are present, the better. This improves the overall therapeutic value of the hemp oil. You will also notice that full spectrum oil is murky and dark in color.
CBD Isolate
This is CBD in its purest form. This is a highly processed extraction, removing everything recognizable from the hemp plant except the molecule CBD. It is often found in the form of white powder, or crystals, and can be mixed into nearly anything.
What We Use
After working with top veterinarians in the field, we have found that the most beneficial and therapeutic hemp oil to use for pets is raw, full spectrum oil that is phytocannabinoid rich, while retaining as much of the hemp plant as possible. Bailey's CBD products are all natural, contain no additives, no preservatives, and are made with organically grown hemp. This is so important to keep in mind when choosing a CBD-based product for your pet, because at the end of the day, we all want what's best to help our pet's live healthy, age gracefully, and feel complete.
Is Bailey's CBD Safe For My Pet?
Yes, it is safe. Because our products are virtually free of THC, there is no intoxicating effect. However, phytocannabinoids, like those found in Bailey's CBD products are instrumental in our body's regulatory system and support important functions, such as: appetite, digestion, immune function, inflammation, pain, mood, sleep, reproduction/fertility, motor control, temperature regulation, and memory. The overall effect is that the body achieves homeostasis, and all of it's systems are balanced.
Our Mission Is Rooted In Helping Pets & Giving Back
Bailey’s CBD was started in October 2017 after I had spent five years working at a medical cannabis dispensary in North San Diego. The shop cultivated their own high CBD plants (ACDC) and created CBD tinctures and Rick Simpson Oil for their terminally ill patrons. During that time, I was educated on how cannabidiol (CBD) interacts with the body. Eventually, I opened a delivery service and for three years supplied medicinal cannabis products for folks with cancer and other chronic or debilitating conditions. One day I decided to formulate a CBD tincture for pets, and began to provide those formulations through my delivery business as well as to friends and family. This garnered a different clientele — these customers weren’t cannabis users, they just really loved their pets. I received overwhelming feedback, and many would report back in tears of joy due to the impact that CBD had on the quality of their pets’ lives. I began to fine-tune the product with meticulous effort, and made the adorable face of my pug Bailey as the logo and brand mascot (and of course he is the boss). Our mission is to help as many pets as possible find relief through hemp derived CBD products. In dedication to getting our products to as many pets in need as possible, for every four bottles sold, we donate one to a rescue. Every month we choose a new rescue to donate our CBD products to, and we also provide coupon codes for rescues to receive generous discounts on our products throughout the year. If you are part of a rescue that would like to work with us please reach out, we would love to hear from you.
Developed in Germany and USA-made, LivanoPET creates health supplements for canines. Whether your dog struggles with stress and anxiety, suffers from hip or joint pain, or you're just looking for an extra health boost for their skin, coat and joints, LivanoPET creates a range of supplements your dog will love (they're bacon flavoured!). Their supplements are made without the use of animal by-products, wheat, or artificial flavours and colours, making them a great choice for the dog owner who is conscious about what they feed their dog. We had the pleasure of speaking with the LivanoPET team about their products and what makes them a great choice for dog owners.
What kind of goods/services does your organization offer to pets/pet owners?
At LivanoPET, we believe that dogs are more than just pets; they are part of the family. We’ve developed a line-up of healthy, tasty supplements for dogs because we all deserve to be in the best of health. Our products are aimed at providing the best of health for dogs by tackling common canine health issues, in a selection of tasty soft-chews. We are constantly researching to develop new products that will keep your best friend in tip-top shape! We plan to expand into dog food as well!
What makes your organization unique? How do you stand out in comparison to similar organizations?
We completely focus on our customers – on the product side and service side. Customer satisfaction is priority number one. We take advantage of new technologies and ingredients when creating our quality products and supplements at LivanoPET. We are an FDA registered organization, so no need to fret about the safety of our products; you’re guaranteed safe, delicious, and healthy soft chews for your dogs.
All of our products are produced and designed in a collaborative effort with expert pet specialists in Germany, and manufactured in the USA under the highest of production standards.
LivanoPET is a team built by pet lovers, and all our products show that passion. We want to give our pets the absolute best of care, and show them how much we love them.
What makes this organization a good choice for pet owners? What benefits do they gain by engaging with your organization?
Our love for all pets has driven us to create our products at LivanoPET, but we feel we can do so much more. When you support us by purchasing any of our products, a percentage of our profits are donated to non-profits aimed at ensuring the best of welfare for animals. This is our way of doing what we can for animals all over the world, and by supporting us, you are supporting them.
What are the core values of your organization? How do they influence your business practices (production quality, charitable giving, etc)?
Our core values all simply revolve around our passion for all pets. Just like us humans, no dog should have to endure poor health or pain. We all love our dogs and they love us too, so we want to spend the longest time with them. We aim to ensure that there are products available to keep your pet healthy and happy, and we make sure that our products are as wholesome as possible.
These are the reasons we work with animal specialists in Germany in designing our products and why we ensure that when we manufacture our products in the United States, we do so under GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) standards.
This passion for these sweet animals is also why we donate a percentage of our profits to support pet welfare organizations.
What’s the best way for pet owners to find out more about your organization?
Our website, www.livanopet.net, contains a wealth of information on LivanoPET, our products, our motivations and so much more. Any inquiries or questions can be made through our email at contact@livanopet.net.
Canis World creates CBD tinctures for our furry four-legged friends that are suffering from a host of issues, such as anxiety, pain, seizures, and more. Their USA-made products cater to your dog or cat's tastes, coming in flavours like bacon, cheese and natural. We had the pleasure of chatting with some of the Canis World members about the inspiration for starting the company as well as their goals for the future.
What passions, life events, or furry friends inspired you to start your company/organization/venture?
Christopher Robin is a dog we rescued several years ago. All of our dogs are very special dogs to us, but Christopher Robin has had his share of obstacles in life, which had left us with a very special connection. When Christopher Robin became ill and was battling for his life, we explored every single medical option we could find along with alternative options to leave “no stone unturned” in our quest to provide him with the best care and outcomes available. He literally had a team of seven healthcare providers and scientists engaged in his care.
We didn’t like what we were seeing online being pedaled for pets in the CBD space. The cannabinoid industry (CBD) for pets is an industry with a lot of different directives, products and misinformation. Most of which we really just weren’t really thrilled about, and when it came to Christopher Robin’s best interest we felt we had no choice but to develop a product we knew was clean, high quality, and effective.
Upon seeing the benefits Christopher Robin experienced (which left our veterinarian speechless), we decided to then work with various veterinarians who started to report back their clinical case studies and inspiring results they had seen in their clients first hand. This is when we knew it was time to pay it forward, and make Canis World available for purchase, not as a business, but as a cause for the pets to provide quality and comfort.
What does your work offer to pet owners? What are your goals for this venture?
Our work is to be on the cutting edge of developing some of the best solutions surrounding cannabinoids for the benefits of pets. Our goal is to incorporate our background and access to medical providers and scientists to help keep us moving in the right direction with innovative options for pet parents.
What is your personal connection to pets, and what effect does this have on your work?
One of our favorite things about life is the happiness, comfort and well-being of our pets. The other day we had seen a meme that stated something along the lines of “there are about 8 people I really care about and 3,000 dogs I have never met”, and the overall gist of that is how we feel. In working with pet parents at Canis World, we have had some very rewarding cases, pet parents crying and thanking us, friendships with the pet parents and dogs we have not even met but love dearly.
We have always rescued and adopted our personal dogs. In some cases, they are senior dogs or dogs with health or behavioral issues. The breeds of dogs we have adopted vary so much. We don’t select a breed or dog to foster or adopt but they just seem to find us. After all, they do say that we don’t pick our dogs, but they pick us, and it is our obligation to do right by them because we are fortunate to have them in our lives.
Our love for dogs (and cats), has fueled our passion in making a difference and that is why Canis World exists.
How is your work a benefit to pets and pet owners? (through work or through charitable giving)
Our work is a benefit as we feel we are motivated for the “right” reasons, which is to first and foremost always think of what is best for the dog. We are not out to make a buck on the back of a dog, but we are out to find ways to create benefits for dogs that are affordable to their pet parents. We are also passionate about giving back to causes aligned with our philosophy (those who actively seek to help senior and rescue dogs).
How can pet owners get in contact with you/find out more about your work?
They can contact us personally through our website at: www.CanisWorld.com and if they wish to speak with one of the founders to ask questions or swap stories on dogs, we will always make ourselves available for such dialogues.
What advice can you offer to other entrepreneurs looking to get started in the pet industry?
Personally, we know many brands and products enter the pet industry for profits. While there are certainly good pet products, there are also bad pet products. Our advice is make sure you have a true love, passion and commitment to pets as your priority and never lose sight of that committed focus and purpose, which also means quality control measures and standards. Do a lot of due diligence.
There exists a wide gamut of individuals, much like in any other field. Finding and identifying quality individuals or companies to align yourself is worth the arduous amount of time and effort on the front end, as it will ultimately lead to a great product and good relationships on the back end. Nothing worthwhile is easy, as is often times quoted, but if you are passionate about helping animals, it is an honor to spend your time in pursuit of championing a cause for which they need to rely upon a human voice.
Traveling with your dog just got a whole lot safer. Petsavvi created the Otto Dog Harness with dog's safety in mind. This product also duals as a walking harness, making it a great multi-purpose product for any dog owner. We had the pleasure of chatting with a few members of the Petsavvi team to discuss a bit more about the Otto Dog Harness.
What is the Otto Dog Harness and why is it a good choice for pet owners?
The Otto Dog Harness is a crash-tested solution that acts as both a walking harness and a car safety harness. If you are looking to keep your dog safe during vehicle transportation, this harness is for you. Worry less about your dog's safety in the case of an accident or a sudden brake.
What are the benefits of this product for pets and pet owners?
The Otto Dog Harness has innovatively combined all the features a dog owner would need while maintaining aesthetics and functionality. Petsavvi will be rolling out additional add-ons such as a backpack and winter jacket which can simply be added to the velcro at the backside of the harness.
What makes the Otto Dog Harness unique? How does it stand out in comparison to similar products?
Apart from it being crash-test certified by the Center for Pet Safety, an innovative mechanism that was engineered to allow everyone to put the harness on and off the dog within seconds. Unlike any other harness, this harness caters to dog owners with arthritis in the hands or weak hand/finger strength.
How does this product reflect the values and goals of your organization (charitable giving, production value, etc.)?
The Otto Dog Harness is a crash-tested solution to increase both your dog's safety and your safety during car travel. Petsavvi aims to increase road safety for active dog owners while providing them with innovative products for their outdoor adventures.
How much does the Otto Dog Harness cost, and how can pet owners find out more about this product?
Keeping your furry friend safe will be worth a lot more. Here's how much it will cost:
X-Small - $99.99
Small - $112.99
Medium - $125.99
Large/X-Large - $138.99
The Otto Dog Harness can be found online at www.petsavvi.com or on Facebook and Instagram: @petsavvi
Certainly not lacking in style or function, Kennel & Crate craft beautiful handmade dog crates you'll actually want to keep inside your home. Choose from a variety of standard crates or customize your dog’s crate to fit your own style aesthetic. We sat down with a few members of the Kennel & Crate team to ask them about their organization and what makes them unique.
What kind of goods/services does your organization offer to pets/pet owners?
We build custom dog kennels. These are real pieces of furniture, crafted and finished by hand. Most of our kennels are wood, but we also offer a more rugged, industrial all steel version.
Our double kennels feature an interior door that can be latched open to create one large den, or latched closed to make two cozy spaces.
What makes your organization unique? How do you stand out in comparison to similar organizations?
We build everything from scratch. We have craftspeople that build the kennels from kiln-dried lumber, metal workers that fabricate, weld, and assemble the bars for our kennel doors, the barn door mechanisms, the locking pins, foot rails, and finishers that create our one of a kind stained and painted finishes. We are proudly a “Made in Oklahoma” company and we build our kennels on my family’s farm.
What makes this organization a good choice for pet owners? What benefits do they gain by engaging with your organization?
People spend a lot of money on their home design and décor. We build kennels that complement that décor. We work directly with our customers to coordinate the size, shape, and finish details to create a kennel that is worthy of their dogs and their home. We have so many customers that work with professional decorators and designers to create a beautiful home. After going to that much time, trouble, and expense, it doesn’t make any sense to stick a wire kennel in the corner.
Our kennels are real, hand-crafted furniture. We integrate kennels into desks, sofa tables, end tables, kitchen islands, media centers, pub tables (pup tables – get it?), sideboards and bookcases. We’ve even done a dining table. Our distinctive designs, excellent quality materials, attention to detail and customer service set us apart from our competitors. I don’t even like to say competitors – we really don’t have any competition.
What are the core values of your organization? How do they influence your business practices (production quality, charitable giving, etc)?
This truly is a family operation. We build the kennels on our family farm. My uncle is my primary partner. My aunts and cousins go to trade shows with me. My brother is my California sales rep. My family has been in Stillwater community for generations and we love being a part of the community. We donate to local events that support animal welfare organizations like the Stillwater Humane Society which we supported through Putts for Pets event sponsorship and the Central Oklahoma Humane Society’s annual fundraising gala by donating a custom kennel for their silent auction. We are also providing a kennel to a teen in Kansas City who is getting a service dog through SIT Service Dogs. We built an all-steel kennel for an active law enforcement K-9, too!
We’ve had an OSU (Oklahoma State University) student come take a tour and discuss entrepreneurship as part of a mentoring program. We hope to have more interactions like that!
We did a nice discount promotion over Veteran’s Day 2018 and had a few veterans take advantage of that. We will do more promotions like that in 2019.
We take pride in our customer service. We talk to all of our customers. Even if we get an order online, we still call and go over details, we ask for pictures of existing furniture so we can make sure we coordinate the finish just right. We send sketches sometimes when asked for unique items – like a hexagon kennel with a round top. We will send pictures or even samples to a customer for their review if it’s something tricky or really out of the ordinary.
We don’t send out an order if it’s not right. We will completely rebuild a kennel if it’s not right. Almost all of our in-stock items are items that are great, but not exactly what the customer ordered. Maybe we made it too short, or the stain didn’t come out as expected. I’d rather re-do a kennel completely than send it out wrong.
We love it when customers send us pics of their dogs in their kennels and tell us that their dogs love the kennel as much as they do. We especially love it when we have a customer that will actually come to the shop to pick up their kennel. It doesn’t happen very often as few of our customers are actually local, but it’s awesome when it does. We love showing off our little shop!
What’s the best way for pet owners to find out more about your organization?
Death by Dog Show is the perfect murder mystery for the dog-lover in your life. We spoke with author Arlene Kay about the inspiration for her novel as well as the role her furry four-legged friends play in her life.
Mason passed almost three years ago at 14 ½, but he’s still with me in so many ways. I couldn’t part with his special food dish or favorite toy, and the collar bearing his Therapy Dog tag holds pride of place in my office. Every time I visit the beach, I visualize Mason streaking gracefully across the sand chasing his beloved ball and attracting a throng of admirers. Friends called him “Big Guy,” and at 105 pounds and 28 inches tall, he was indeed a giant Belgian Tervuren. Together we achieved many goals but one we missed was securing his AKC Championship. Although he amassed 10 of the 15 required points, he grew too tall and was permanently dismissed from the show ring after failing the “wicket” test.
When Lord Byron entered our life, I decided to try again. Like his namesake the famous poet, this silver Tervuren pup was “mad, bad, and dangerous to know.” Initially he refused to even walk around the show ring but gradually with a bit of gentle persuasion he grew to love the excitement and thrill of competition. Like most pet parents I lauded his achievements and sulked when he was overlooked. (That judge must need glasses!). Gradually, with the help of a professional handler, Byron inched toward his championship. That long, laborious process often required trudging to small town venues across the east coast and bedding down at some dubious lodgings whose only distinction was their pet friendly policy. In the end it was all worth it.
One week a blizzard blanketed Pennsylvania Dutch country, temporarily halting the dog show. Tempers frayed (human not canine), and it occurred to me that this was the ideal setting for a murder mystery. Where else, outside of an Agatha Christie country house cozy, would such a seething caldron of boredom, frustrated ambition, and backbiting exist? Needless to say, no dogs were among my victims. Creating venial, vile characters who invited mayhem was a cinch as it is in most human endeavors! Thus, Death by Dog Show was born.
By the end of the year, I completed my novel and Lord Byron became an AKC champion, and subsequently a Grand Champion!
Although Mason was often dismissive of his younger sibling, I know he would be proud of Lord Byron’s victory. The “Big Guy” had absolutely no insecurities about himself. He knew instinctively that despite that dreadful wicket test, he was and always would be a Grand Champion too.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Arlene Kay spent twenty years as a Senior Federal Executive where she was known as a most unconventional public servant. Her time with the federal government, from Texas to Washington, DC, allowed her to observe both human and corporate foibles and rejoice in unintentional humor. These locations and the many people she encountered are celebrated in her mystery novels. She is also the author of the Boston Uncommons Mystery series as well as Intrusion and Die Laughing. She is a member of International Thriller Writers. Visit her on the web at ArleneKay.com.
We love our pets, so why wouldn’t we want to feed them the highest quality products we can? Redbarn Pet Products crafts premium treats, chews and food for the four-legged friend in your life. They place an emphasis on using premium ingredients that everyone will recognize (think blueberries, flaxseed oil, chicken, and quinoa), allowing pet owners to feel confident about what they are feeding their pet. We sat down with a few members of the Redbarn Pet Products team to discuss more about the company and what sets them apart from their competitors.
What kind of goods/services does your organization offer to pets/pet owners?
Redbarn Pet Products is a manufacturer of premium treats, chews, and food for dogs and cats. With over 200 products, Redbarn has a tasty option suitable for every pet at all life stages. We are on a mission to make products that don’t just speak to consumer’s desires and trends, but help support the health and wellness of their pets. Our ultimate goal is to help pet parents make educated and nutritious decisions on behalf of their cats and dogs.
What makes your organization unique? How do you stand out in comparison to similar organizations?
Family Owned Business Since 1996:
Our co-founders, Jeff Baikie and Howie Bloxam, met on a hockey rink when they were 12-years-old. Fast forward to adulthood, and the two best friends partnered up to create Redbarn Pet Products after realizing the need for genuinely natural dog food. Natural is not just a trend at Redbarn, it’s a philosophy baked into the company’s founding.
Redbarn Owns 2 Manufacturing Facilities:
Redbarn is one of a few U.S. based treat companies to own their own manufacturing facilities. This allows Redbarn full control throughout the entire manufacturing process— sourcing ingredients, quality assurance, safety protocols, etc.
The first facility is located in Great Bend, KS.
The second facility is located in Paraguay and is where all of our bully products are sourced and made. Owning and operating a South American plant allows us to (1) safely source the best grass-fed bully sticks at an affordable price for pet parents; the U.S. is not a leader in grass-fed bully, but South America is and (2) because we own the facility, we operate it following U.S. standards
Industry-leading Quality Assurance Standards: Redbarn performs physical, chemical, and microbiological tests on all our products daily, racking up more than 2,5000 tests per month. All products that come in our facilities, like raw product, are tested for quality and safety before being used in our facilities. Every single batch of final product is also inspected and tested before leaving our facilities. Finally, Redbarn utilizes an outside ISO accredited lab to ensure the accuracy of our own tests.
What makes this organization a good choice for pet owners? What benefits do they gain by engaging with your organization?
Our quality assurance standards truly set us apart from many of our competitors. When a pet parent buys Redbarn, they should know they are buying a product that was thoughtfully and safely manufactured from step one to done. As one of the only treat companies to own their own manufacturing facilities, we can ensure quality and safety every step of the way, from sourcing ingredients to the cleanliness of our facilities and testing for bacteria, for example, before sending our products out for consumption. And, of course, for people who like to support family-owned businesses, that’s something very important to our company as well!
What are the core values of your organization? How do they influence your business practices (production quality, charitable giving, etc.)?
Redbarn’s core values are: family, history, integrity, and quality.
Family:
“We’re still a family-owned company and we’ve chosen to stay that way” – Howie Bloxam. What began as two friends cooking in a kitchen has flourished into what our founders call, one big family. Howie and Jeff don’t simply make business decisions based on bottom line numbers, but what’s best for our pets, pet parents, and team members.
History:
For over 22 years now, Redbarn’s mission has remained the same: manufacture nutritious, palatable, and safe food with integrity. Jeff and Howie continually invest both time and money into quality assurance programs, hiring skilled team members, and utilizing improved processing and testing protocols so Redbarn can continue to be a leading treat manufacturer.
Integrity:
Integrity is a core value at Redbarn. Our team members choose to be honest, to have strong moral principles, and to exceed ethical standards every day. We recognize our daily decisions directly impact the health and wellness of pets. And because pets are part of our families too, there’s a personal stake in every decision we make. As our Quality Assurance Manager, Jennifer Hood, said best, “Pets can’t speak for themselves, we have a duty to speak for them.” If our own pets won’t eat the treat, we go back to the drawing board. If our QA team says a product isn’t safe enough, we continue to invest time and money into the product or we won’t sell it. But at the end of the day, we trust our Redbarn team members to make the right decisions for their pets, for our pets, and for all pets.
Quality:
Quality and safety are our top priorities throughout the entire manufacturing process. We require a Certificate of Analysis from all of our vendors verifying the correct grade and purity of material with every shipment. Our quality assurance team checks everything that comes in and out of doors in our two state-of-the-art lab facilities, totaling up to at least 2,500 tests per month. We also utilize an outside ISO accredited lab to verify our results, and in short, ensure we’re doing what we say we’re doing. We like to say we are in a committed relationship with quality assurance! With internal and external monitoring and auditing and industry leading safety protocols in place, we hope pet parents feel confident in treating their dogs and cats to Redbarn.
What’s the best way for pet owners to find out more about your organization?
To find out more about Redbarn, visit our website at Redbarn.com. If you have specific questions, our Customer Service Specialists are also available by phone Monday though Friday.
e values? How do they influence your business practices?
we made it too short, or the stain didn’t come out as expected. I’d rather re-do a kennel completely than send it out wrong.
