Let me tell you about one of the most exciting things that I experienced this month. Did I win the lottery? Nope. Did I go on a trip to a far away land? That would be awesome, but that's not it either. So, here it is (insert drum roll, please)...

On February 7th I received a Certificate from the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters stating that I had successfully completed the Aging Cat Course with an A+. Ta-da!

I know, I know. I'm a big pet nerd. No surprise there. But why is this news worthy? Because if there's one thing that I have learned in my 40 years of working with pets it's that continuing education is important. I have learned a lot in 4 decades and I don't intend to stop. And, best of all, I get to share that knowledge with my favorite people in the whole world: pet loving people like YOU!

As a National Certified Master Groomer I have enjoyed many years of sharing tips and recommendations with groom clients. As someone who has spent decades studying pet products and staying on top of trends in pet nutrition in both the retail and wholesale segments of the industry, I am better qualified than most to curate the HOLISTIC products we offer online at PetProductDelivery.com. And, now that I am a member of the ONLY national, non-profit, professional pet sitting association dedicated to raising and abiding by industry standards, I can lend a helping hand to pet parents in an entirely different segment of the industry.

Exciting, right!

As a member of both the National Dog Groomers Association of America and also the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters, I look forward to sharing everything that I have learned so far, and everything I will be learning in the future. It is a joy and a privilege to work as a pet professional and to stand side-by-side with other pet parents to keep our pets happy and healthy. 

When I think of the word "holistic" I think of the WHOLE as being greater than the sum of its parts. This means that when I dedicated PetProductDelivery.com to "Holistic Health Products for Pets..." I had to consider the impact not only of the products that we purchase on the pets themselves, but also the overall impact on the environment. This is extremely difficult as we cannot separate ourselves or our pets from the environment that we all share and, at the same time, manufacturing is inherently BAD for the environment. It's a truth we humans sometimes try to sugar-coat, but there really is no way around it. If a product (food or otherwise) comes in a box, can or bag, it is part of the manufacturing process and therefore will have some kind of impact on the environment.

So, what can we do if we want to feed our pets a healthy "manufactured" diet AND do our due diligence to protect the planet? 

In this article I hope to introduce some basic information about recycling that might shed some light on how environmentally friendly certain packaging is...or is not. And, since most of us are becoming aware that our environment - including our own bodies - is saturated with plastics, I thought discussing plastics might be a good place to start.

Have you ever noticed that little "chasing arrows" symbol that is on all plastic containers? Many of us believe that symbol indicates that the container it is printed on is recycled or recyclable, but that is not the case. The number in the center of the "chasing arrows" symbol only indicates the type of plastic. So, when you sort your plastics for recycling, you may want to consider separating your plastics by the numbers so that they can find their way to where they need to go. For example, plastics with the number 4 are made from LDPE plastic, which stands for low-density polyethylene. This plastic comes in the form of shopping bags, highly-resistant sacks, and crushed bottles. You can also find this number on bags of some of the products we carry like our Steve's Real Food products. This type of plastic can be converted into floor tiles and shipping envelopes. In other words, if you have all of your type 4 plastics grouped together when you arrive at the recycling center, they have a better chance of making it to those facilities that can use LDPE plastic. If they are together with all of your other plastics, they may be thrown out.

Some other types of plastics, like those that exhibit the number 3 with the letter V (PVC plastic or polyvinyl chloride), are not usually recycled at all and should not be lumped in with plastics that you plan to recycle.

To better understand plastics by the numbers, you may want to read this excellent article written by Acme Plastics: 
Your Guide to Plastic Recycling Symbols  

Learning more about the products we purchase helps us all make healthier choices.

It is my job to be informed about the products this company carries. And, while it is rare to find any manufactured products that check all of the right boxes, I think as a company we have done a really good job of presenting you with the best options available. 

This week our focus is on packaging, but in the following weeks we will be exploring definitions like "all natural", organic, sustainable, nonGMO and more. I am diligent in my study of what it means to be holistic and healthy. There is much to learn and to share. I look forward to sharing more with you in the days, weeks and years to come. Together, we can all make a difference.

The first 30+ days of 2023 have been absolutely wonderful, so far! These are just a few of the highlights...

January 13 - 14 saw us as vendors at the CFA Houston Cat Club Houston Charity Cat Show held at the Houston Hilton North. It was even better than last year! Our booth was very busy and the show had many spectators, exhibitors and several cat charities with kitties for adoption. 

Many cats and their handlers visited our booth. Check out these photos from the show...

There were many other vendors. It's fun to get to know one another. This vendor is brand new to the show circuit. Meet Katie Frank, owner of the Duck Bar Bath Shop. Her hand made soaps look good enough to eat!

Every show we have a drawing at our booth and we choose a winner on the last day. Jessica D. was not present when we drew her name, so we shipped her prize to her home in Alvin, Texas. She chose the Stella and Chewy's Sea-Licious Salmon & Cod Raw Dinner Morsels as her prize. Congrats Jessica!

Pretty awesome stuff, right?! But, that was only some of the fun. On January 28 - 29, we had the pleasure of being invited to participate in the TICA Felines, Football and Fun Cat Show at the Jimmy Burke Activity Center in Deer Park, Texas. So much fun! See photos, below...

We've seen Mariana at several of the shows. She's super nice and a very talented make-up artist. Such skill!

Congratulations to Christie H. of Houston, Texas! She won the drawing at our booth in Deer Park and chose Steve's Real Food Freeze Dried Lamu Recipe for Dogs and Cats for her prize. Woo-hoo! :-D

If January is any indicator of what the rest of 2023 will be like, I have high hopes that this will be the best year yet.

​Thanks for letting us share our love of all things PETS with all of you. Your fur-kids mean the world to us!

We had so many happy memories this last year. It seems only fitting that we should share the best moments of the very last month of the year with you all.

The holiday season started out with a bang with our PetProductDelivery.com booth at the Conroe Holiday Classic Dog Show December 2 - 5. There were lots of other vendors, food trucks, and we made lots of new friends - furry and otherwise! We offered an assortment of toys, treats, and holiday goodies at our booth.

Senor Poco de Amor modeled the Pet Dome Milo bed for our guests.

We always have a drawing at our booth when we attend any event. Melissa O. was the lucky winner this time and she chose the Small Batch FreezeDried ChickenBatch Sliders as her prize!

Throughout the month we were busy with Small Animal Pet Sitting in our clients' homes. We can't show you those photos because they are private, but I can share that we had SO MUCH FUN playing Santa to all of our adorable fur-friends!

Everyone should have at least one favorite charity to donate to during the holidays and ours is aniMeals on Wheels. We donated cases of holiday treats for dogs as well as dry cat food and cat treats. The aniMeals Program is 100% funded by donations, made possible through the generosity of people like you.  This is an easy way you can support homebound seniors and their pets.

How did you spend the holidays? What are you excited about in the coming year? If you have photos of your pets that you'd like to share on this blog, feel free to email them to apeacefulpet@gmail.com

Our clients and fur-friends are like family to us and we love  sharing the joy that pets can bring.

May you all have the very happiest New Year ever!

Claudia is a VIP! She LOVES her Perfect Purees from PetProductDelivery.com #catsoftwitter #catsoffacebook #PetProductDeliverydotcomTextVIPClub

Melinda Olinde had a second cousin with 3 dogs. Two of the doggies were considered "high maintenance," so Duchess, the third canine, traveled home with Melinda from San Diego, because she deserved a lot of love. That was in 2012.

Flash forward 5 months later. A little blonde dog was found under some bleachers at a baseball park. Her hair was shaved short, but otherwise she was in bad shape. With a terrible odor, heartworms and a urinary tract infection, the dog was fortunate to be found and cared for by a rescue group. And, that is where Melinda met the dog she would name Muffin.  "After many baths and her hair growing out to look like a Shih Tzu she became 'the Queen.'  She’s spoiled rotten with so much personality, you can’t help but love her," Melinda says.

Duchess and Muffin have a wonderful life now and are quite the pair! Both dogs love their treats. Muffin enjoys a good belly rub and is the talker of the two. Duchess follows Melinda everywhere and at 3:00p. sharp she reminds her Mom when it is treat time, just in case she might forget. Duchess likes to keep a regular routine, because at night she also lets Melinda know when it is time for her to sleep in the big bed.  

​The Olinde family live on property in Magnolia, Texas. When it comes to fairy tale endings Duchess and Muffin have hit the jackpot. Not only do they have a nice home with oodles of love and treats, but they both look forward to their daily rides in the family golf cart! Melinda says, "After having them for 8+ years, we can't imagine life without them!"

Ann and Jim Jackson adopted Gus (fawn, 12 years old), Betty (black, 8 years old), and Clyde (Brindle, 7 years old) from the rescue group PugHearts.  They are part of a longer line of Jackson family Pugs who were also adopted from PugHearts, including Cleo, Julius, Bess, and Amelia - and of course we can’t forget Lucy, the inherited Miniature Pinscher - who have now crossed the Rainbow Bridge. 
 
Gus is a special needs Pug who can’t use his back legs due to spinal problems.  He uses a wheelie cart to get around.  Clyde is a mix of Pug and Boston Terrier.  He’s a big goofy guy at 44 pounds.  Betty is like the princess and the pea who will always find the highest perch on a pile of pillows or the sofa back cushions.  She runs the show around the Jackson house.  This family lives in the Rice Village neighborhood in Houston and, in the summer time, they all enjoy heading up to the Colorado mountains to get out of the Texas heat.
 
What Ann loves most about living with dogs is their constant and snuggly companionship.  “We have been taking lots of walks these days, but our favorite thing to do is read on the big chaise after doggie dinner time and before human dinner time.  Well… I read while they nap.” 

It's been an honor caring for several generations of Jackson fur-kids over the years, including delivering their favorite food, treats, and toys every month. Nothing could be more rewarding than being greeted by a house full of wiggling, snorting, happy dogs anticipating their special goodies!
​

Joseph grew up in a "cats only" household. One day his brother came home with two Siamese siblings. The family already had one cat, but were happy to have more! The male Siamese took a liking to Joseph and after many pettings and play times it became clear that Simon was his.

​Being a cat fancier since childhood, Joseph knew that he wanted a cat to show in conformation. He also volunteers and helps abandoned felines. After playing with some Persian kittens at an animal rescue he fell in love with the breed. So, when a Persian breeder that had fallen on hard times needed to re-home one of his cats, Joseph was more than happy to make Blue the newest member of his family. The breeder knew Joseph would take very good care of his boy.

Both Blue and Simon enjoy their food, so breakfast and dinner times are filled with wide eyes and purring sounds. Simon and Blue love it when Joseph pours their dry food and TAPA entrees into their cat food bowls.The boys also enjoy running around the house and playing with strings and mouse toys.

Joseph says, "I just really enjoy their company and happy faces when I come home and when I wake up in  the morning. My cats are always there and happy to greet me. Pets are a great way to express joy and companionship. They are never tired of seeing you and are always happy to be fed. Pets are a constant source to make you smile." He continues, "I have always enjoyed animals and hope to continue to provide animals a great place to live and grow. I really enjoy my two cats and do not know what I could do without them."

Joseph has worked at several pet businesses including PetProductDelivery.com. He has been an active member of our team and is very definitely a part of our extended family. He is also an aspiring cat groomer.

Dear Pet Parents,

I am introducing something new and fun this evening. It's called PetProductDelivery.com BINGO! It has been such a joy receiving and sharing your stories in our PPD newsletters. To celebrate, I created BINGO cards based off all of the newsletters from 4/10 - 5/8. Here's the link to your bingo card:

https://mfbc.us/v/ada65623ee61ddf6709d5a5ea97d  


You can print your BINGO card or play online. It's up to you. If you can't access your card, send me an e-mail (apeacefulpet@gmail.com) and I will snail mail you one. Once a day for the next 25 days I will send an e-mail with a question. I will also post the question to this blog in the comments section below. The answer to the question is on your BINGO card. The first person to get 5 in a row (diagonal, vertical or horizontal) wins a 10.00 Gift Card! If you play online I should be able to see your card, but I won't know to look for it until you e-mail me with the word BINGO in the subject line. You can also take a screen shot of your card or, if you are playing with a paper card, you can take a picture of your card and send it via e-mail.

But, wait, there's more!

Keep your BINGO card. We will continue playing until we reach a total black out. The first person to reach a total blackout will receive a 50.00 Gift Card! There are 28 possible answers, but only 25 on each card. Everyone's card is different. They are generated by the app and all the questions that I send out each day are random, because they are also generated by the system. So, it is a totally fair game!

Pet parents that contributed stories that have already been published in the newsletter (4/10 - 5/8) get one automatic FREE square. Just mark FREE across one of the squares if you are using a paper card or leave a square blank if you are playing online. (If you have contributed your family profile, but it has not been published, yet, hold tight. You will get a chance to use your FREE square next month.)

Here's the link to back newsletters, so you don't have to go digging through your trash folders:

https://us18.campaign-archive.com/home/?u=145200203b8eb2647d640fdd2&id=8273f1379f 

 We start playing tonight. GOOD LUCK! :-D 
 
Sandy Stutz NCMG
PetProductDelivery.com