Happy New Year from Geno! With 2013 just around the corner, I’ve noticed many humans making of a list of New Year’s resolutions. Seems they all want to be better, smarter, slimmer and happier. Well we pets have taken note and I have decided to a make my own list this year and thought I’d share it with you!

10. Eat healthier and exercise more
9.   Beg less (or not as much)
8.   Be nice to the vet and my caregivers
7.   Only chew on bones – not shoes
6.   Learn a new trick
5.   Have friends over more often
4.   Don’t fall for the ‘fake ball throw’ (only fetch after it’s actually thrown)
3.   Try to stay off the couch
2.   Tolerate the outfits my owner dresses me in

And my number my #1 resolution for 2013 is…

1.   Spend more time with family!

I paw-promise to do my best to keep these resolutions – well at least for the first week anyway! Woof!

Happy New Year’s from Geno & Chuck & Don’s Pet Food Outlet!
We Make Pets Happy!

Ho! Ho! Ho! – Geno here! Still need some stocking stuffers or gift ideas for your pet? Here are a few items I’ve sniffed out that your dog or cat might enjoy:

• Zuke’s Mini Naturals in peanut butter, salmon, chicken and wild rabbit flavors
• Dogswell Sweet Potato Chews
• A Banana or Cigar Yeowww! Catnip Toy from DuckyWorld

And there are many more great items to choose from! There’s only a few more shopping days left – so hurry in and let the friendly folks at Chuck & Don’s help you select the perfect gift.

Happy Holidays from Chuck & Don’s Pet Food Outlet.

We Make Pets Happy!

This is Happy Dog Geno writing this post.

Have you been watching the 2012 Olympics like Dad and I have been over the past week?  It’s been fun to see athletes from all over the world competing and excelling at the highest levels.

One of my favorite parts was during the Opening Ceremonies when there were finally a couple of my kind in the Olympics!  Did you see them?  Dad said they were the Queen’s Corgis.   I always bark at the TV whenever I see a fellow-four-legged on screen.  These two seemed very friendly, but I have to say that they didn’t look very athletic to me (no offense to the Queen, of course!)

Some of the sports that we’ve been watching would be perfect for me to compete in!  Running (I’m super fast!), Swimming (why don’t they include the Dog Paddle – I’m a shoe-in for that one!), Gymnastics (ok, this one might be tougher…)

But maybe not!  Dad showed me this photo of Sweet Pea, an Australian Shepherd/Border Collie mix who holds the Guinness World Record for most steps walked down by a dog while balancing a 5-ounce glass of water on her head (10 steps).  She could certainly give those gymnasts a run for their money with balancing skills like that!

I’m not going to lose hope, there’s lots more Olympics yet to come and maybe I’ll get lucky and see some of my four-legged friends competing for gold yet!

In the meantime, Dad says he’d love to see pictures on Chuck & Don’s Pet Food Outlet ‘s Facebook page of your dogs doing their favorite sports.  Dock diving, running, frisbee, swimming – you name it, let’s see how your dogs enjoy summer sports!

Chuck & Don’s Pet Food Outlet

We Make Pets Happy!

This is Happy Dog Geno writing this post.

Humans sure are funny creatures.   For instance, if there is one thing I will never understand, it’s why Dad likes to use those little plastic bags to pick up my messes in the yard or when we’re out walking.

I mean, everywhere we go, he has those bags with him. I think it’s a little obsessive personally, but he seems to enjoy it.  He even talks to me about how much food and how many treats I get every day … no idea why he does that, but – did he say “treats?”  That’s a good word, so I always pay very close attention when he says that.

Dad used to stick those little bags in his pocket and it would slow us up when we were preparing to head out for walks while he hunted around the house for the bags.

Not any more!  Ever since I invented Geno’s Choice Clip-on Bag Dispenser and Litter Bags – Dad always knows right where they are!  He just clips it on his belt (or sometimes just on his pants because he doesn’t always wear a belt when he’s “relaxing” – but that’s another story) … and no more waiting – off we go!

Dad says that Geno’s Choice Litter Bags make it easier for him to clean up my messes and make everything “san-i-tary” … I don’t know that word, but it must be important to humans … I don’t get what the big deal is – everybody poops, right?  Now with Geno’s Choice Litter Bags, it’s easier for Dad to clean up after me – which gives him more time to go walking…and, of course give me treats!

Dad sells these at his stores – you should give Geno’s Choice Litter Bags a try – your dog will thank you!

Happy Dog Geno

Send me a Tweat Please!  @HappyDogGeno

Get it — “tweet”  … like “treat” …  *grin*

This is HappyDogGeno writing this post. 

I was reading the newspaper over dad’s shoulder the other day, (Yes – we dogs can read!  It’s turning the pages we have trouble with … but that’s another story!) and guess what I learned:  this week is Pet Appreciation Week!

As you can imagine, this is convenient for me and my 4-legged friends.  Now I think that every week should be Pet Appreciation Week, but sometimes humans have trouble remembering … so it’s nice to have a whole week for us to remind them.

I thought dad could use a reminder of ways he could celebrate this week, so I put together a little list of ideas for him:

• Make sure your pet has a proper identification tag – what a great week to make sure your friend can make it home easier if he or she is ever lost
• Treats – lots of them … we pets don’t mind at all when you show us how much you love us with our favorite treats
• Spending time with us – for dogs – how about some extra walks, or trips to the dog park?   For cats – well, how about doing whatever it is cats like to do? (I never have been able to figure them out, but my neighbor’s cat mentioned cuddling and snuggling as her favorite human-time.  Cats – who can figure ‘em?)
• Make sure your pet is eating the right food!  Food is very important to me, and I always let dad know if I’m unhappy in this department.  But that’s me, and I know not all pets are as vocal as I am about their food. This is a great week to make sure the food your pet is eating is right for their age and weight
• Have you seen some of the new toys that dad has at his stores? Some of them are really challenging and make us pets think while we play
• Did I mention treats?

Just a few ideas to get dad thinking about treats – I mean – Pet Appreciation Week!

How will YOU celebrate?

Happy Dog Geno

Send me a Tweat Please!  @HappyDogGeno

Get it — “tweet”  … like “treat” …  *grin*

This is HappyDogGeno writing this post.

Have you ever wondered if your pet wants a pet?

There are many ways to consider this and since I am a pet I will give you this information from a pet’s perspective.

The simple answer to the question is:  Some pets do, some pets don’t.  It depends on the temperament of your pet. Some pets, like me, think ‘the more the merrier’ when it comes to having more pets in the household. Other pets are happier as only pets, preferring to have their human and house to themselves.

I’ve actually heard some cats and dogs will show their displeasure if another animal is brought into the house by marking the house as ‘their’ territory.

So…….I guess the best way to find out if your pet wants a pet is to ask him or her!

Happy Dog Geno

Send me a Tweat Please!  @HappyDogGeno

Get it — “tweet”  … like “treat” …  *grin*

This is HappyDogGeno writing this post.

I have noticed an intriguing phenomenon. Humans have this thing called a ‘thumb’. It allows them to do all kinds of useful things, like open car doors, treat jars and bags. It also allows Dad to catch me by the collar if I look like I’m going to run off, which is unfortunate.

Some cats, like Bertrum Thumbcat have a thumb too. It’s called polydactyl when it occurs in cats.

Of course it’s not as common in cats as it is in humans – I don’t know what they call it in humans – other than a thumb, that is.

But I digress. The point is even as we dogs don’t have thumbs, we can do many of the same things humans do. Watch your dog sometime. Has not having a thumb ever stopped your dog from opening a bag of treats?

What would your pet do if he or she had thumbs? Post a picture on Dad’s Facebook page.

I’m sure it will give me and other thumbless pets ideas on what we can do……in honor of thumbs.

Happy Dog Geno

Send me a Tweat Please!  @HappyDogGeno

Get it — “tweet”  … like “treat” …  *grin*

This is HappyDogGeno writing this post. I was helping Dad in the office the other day and he was listening to a song that humans call a Christmas Carol. Something about Santa Claus Coming to Town, making a list and checking it twice.

So I decided I would get in on the action and make a wish list of what I want for Christmas. When I’m finished, I will leave it on Dad’s office chair so he will be sure to see it!

First of all, I want a new bed.  I ate my old bed, as I was HINTING to Dad that I wanted a new chew toy. He didn’t take the hint, I chewed the bed. A dog’s gotta do what a dog’s gotta do in life. Now I need a new bed. I want one with higher sides so I can lay up against it easily and put my head on the side …Hear that Dad???

Just to make sure I don’t have to chew up my NEW bed, I want REAL deer antlers, stuffed bones and the biggest bully stick you can find (it won’t last long, but it will be soooo good). This will keep the NEW bed safe for a week or two.

Hmmmm….what else…..

Oh! I know! Anything that squeaks.  Dad gave me an empty water bottle that makes the coolest sounds when you crunch it.  And dad doesn’t really mind the squeaky crunching noises!

I have heard about the new poop bags that are coming out called “Geno’s Choice”. Nicely named, of course, but I could care less about these bags because, from a dog’s perspective, it’s rather silly humans are so obsessed about picking up dog poop. But it makes them happy, so I have these on my list for Dad. It will make him happy. Maybe your humans would like some of these too!

Happy Dog Geno

Send me a Tweat Please!  @HappyDogGeno

Get it — “tweet”  … like “treat” …  *grin*

Hey! This is HappyDogGeno writing this post. Why? Because sometimes humans need to take a break.

But the REAL reason I’m writing this is because I know quite a bit about what it takes to be an agility dog, having been one myself.

Geno and his dad, Chuck

Fact of the matter – a dog’s success begins with his human. The human has to love to run, has to be willing to admit that when their dog makes a mistake it’s because they gave the wrong instruction. After all, it’s common knowledge how obedient and smart we dogs are – we do exactly as we’re told (unless there’s a squirrel involved, but that’s another blog post). Humans have to be willing to celebrate with their dog on each round of the course, and, humans have to be willing to learn from watching other dogs and their humans run the course.

Now, a dog with the following characteristics has the likelihood of doing well in agility:

• Lots of energy
• Willingness to run
• Likes to work in tandem with humans
• Is medium build and descended from a working breed – like me. I’m a retriever, a perfect specimen for an agility dog
• Confident
• Trusts people
• Is socialized well with other dogs

All in all, agility is a good way to keep both you and your human on your paws, in good shape.

Disclaimer: This document is for animal eyes only, not human eyes.

I was at work with Dad the other day, and I heard him talking about some event called Pins for Pets…bowl for the fix Fundraiser. It has to do with people having fun and bowling to help reduce pet overpopulation, a good thing. Dad said the recipient this year is Minnesota Spay Neuter Assistance Program, Inc. (MN SNAP).

It sounds good doesn’t it?

But as CCO – Chief Canine Officer – of Chuck & Don’s Pet Food Outlet I noticed one serious flaw.

One crucial oversight I’m sure the humans simply didn’t think about. This oversight is so momentous, I have decided to take upon it upon myself and rectify it.

The organizers have not included a way for the animals to help people participate in Pins for Pets! We animals are splendid at getting what we want, case in point: When’s the last time you gave your human that look which melts their heart, and then you received your favorite treat?

See my point?

I am releasing a ‘Paws to Action’ for all animals.  Your job is to get your human to participate in some way or form in the Pins for Pets…bowl for the fix Fundraiser. Put your paw here so you can read about the different ways your human can become involved.

And if that’s not enough to get your humans motivated, I heard some whisperings around the office about how all participants will be entered into the grand prize drawings.  A 52” Flat Screen HD TV and an Apple iPad (whatever that is) will be given away each day of the event (Saturday, August 13^th and Sunday, August, 14^th).  Your humans can find out more about that here.

Here are some ideas on how to get your human’s attention so they go to their computer and read the post.

• DOGS: Engage your human in a game of tug, gradually pulling them to the computer. When they are positioned just right, quickly release your end of the tug rope, allowing them to fall back into their computer chair.
• CATS: Curl up on the computer keyboard and pretend to sleep.
• BIRDS:  If you must, break free from your cage in order to accomplish this. Fly over to the computer, landing on top of the monitor. Then sing your human’s favorite song, enticing them to come to the computer. When they are at the computer, say, “Pins for Pets, Pins for Pets!”

Animals, we can do this! We can help our humans help other humans help animals!

And, there just might be a few treats involved in this for us.

Happy Dog Geno

Send me a Tweat Please!  @HappyDogGeno

Get it — “tweet”  … like “treat” …  *grin*