Issue #29
Did you know… the word “pet” was first used in the 1500s to describe spoiled children? The history of pets is intertwined with the process of domestication, and it is likely that the dog, as the first domesticated species, was also the first pet. At some point, a working relationship developed between dogs and humans. Man discovered dogs were more agile, had stronger jaws, and were better at tracking prey. They proved to be quite useful in hunting and guarding duties. From human beings, on the other hand, the dogs were assured of a constant supply of food as well as warmth from the fire. There was a mutual benefit to the relationship. Indirect evidence shows dogs may have been kept as pets since Paleolithic times. In Mesopotamia, dogs that look like the present-day mastiff were shown participating in a lion hunt. Domestic pets were often depicted in the scenes of family life in ancient Egypt while hunting dogs of the greyhound or Saluki type accompany their master to the chase, and lap dogs frequently sit under the chair of their master or mistress. So what is the dog’s greatest asset? Their nose? their hunting skills? Or perhaps their hearts? ♥️
Nestle gets out of candy to focus on pet care. Candy giant, Nestle is selling its U.S. candy business to Italy's Ferrero for about $2.8 billion in cash. After a review of its portfolio last summer, Nestle hinted that it might sell its U.S. business, with its eye on higher-growth areas like pet care, coffee, and infant nutrition. On top of that move, Zuke’s Pet Treats and Merrick Pet Care, which are both owned by Nestle, will merge into one business into Merrick’s portfolio.This means that the long-running Durango company, Zuke’s will be leaving for Texas and laying off nearly 75% of its employees.
We heard pizzle is the shizzle. And in the box available until Jan. 28th! This month’s box has Green Tripe Patties, Lamb Lung, Salmon Skins, Beef Aorta, Duck Neck and Pig Ear. The Super Chew is a Spiral Steer Pizzle.
It turns out, Turk and I are finally ready to take a vacation this year. So we’re sharing the line-up of next month’s box a little early! The next box comes out tomorrow, January 29th and will be available until February 25th. Here’s what we got planned: Turkey Breast, Beef Liver, Smelt, Chicken Feet, Lamb Gullet & Beef Trachea; the Super Chew is a Lamb Femur. Peep the unboxing on our Instagram and Facebook tomorrow!
Did someone refer you? Let us know and we’ll send BOTH of you a FREE bag of treats or chews!
Pet-related startups killing it at CES 2018. Petrics’ smart pet bed monitors cats’ and dogs’ weight and sleep patterns. Each bed comes with an activity tracker and thermostatic control. Owners can view the data collected via a mobile app, and it can be integrated with voice assistants like the Amazon Echo and Google Home.
Pet translator could be available in less than a decade. With the help of artificial intelligence and machine learning, scientists are learning how to translate animals’ vocalizations and facial expressions into something we can understand. Recent advances include an AI system that listens in on marmoset monkeys to parse a dozen calls they use to communicate with each other and one that reads sheep’s faces to determine whether an animal is in pain suggest the longstanding dream of being able to converse with animals. Using an AI algorithm, we might be able to decipher what each wag or bark means.
Search dogs lead the hunt for more victims of Montecito mudslide. Dogs are a key piece of the rescue effort in almost all disasters, including the neighborhood of Montecito that was buried by mud last week. At least 15 bodies have been recovered, and the search is continuing. These search and rescue dogs trained by the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation. The organization rescues shelter dogs, trains them for disaster relief and provides them free of charge to first-response agencies. We are very lucky to have these working dogs among us.
A dog’s greatest asset... No technology is as powerful at detecting scents as the nostrils of dogs, which have long been trained to use their superior schnozzes to sniff out explosives, cadavers, bed bugs, ants, and cancer, among other things. The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston has brought on its first canine employee to detect insects that eat through textiles and damage artwork. The Univ. of PA recently announced a K-9 Artifact Finders program that trains canines to sniff out illegally dug-up artifacts to help customs officers identify smugglers, especially from the Middle East.
AKC adds 2 new canine breeds to the roster. The Grande Bassed Griffon Vendeen and Nederlandse Kooikerhondje… say that 3 times fast! Grand Basset Griffon Vendéens are French scent hounds known for their speed, stamina, and cheerful nature. The Nederlandse kooikerhondje goes back hundreds of years in Holland. The smallish, brown-and-white, spaniel-style dogs can be seen in some Dutch Old Master paintings. Kooikerhondjes were trained to help duck hunters and are classified as a working breed.
Easyjet launches pet-sitting service. With many travelers struggling to find suitable accommodation for pets when they make holiday plans, easyJet has teamed up with a house-sitting provider to ease the burden on holidaymakers. The airline’s new service will give customers the opportunity to find a free house-sitter or find free accommodation as a house and pet-sitter when booking flights. Its decision follows a survey which revealed that 58% of pet owners would travel more often if they could access better pet care. Never heard of easyJet? That’s because they’re based in the U.K.
San Diego Short Leash Social & Pack Walk. Join us every two weeks for a 2-3 mile walk with our dogs. 🐶 A pack walk establishes calm behavior and teaches our dogs to coexist in peace. Enjoy the outdoors, build a better dog with your dog. Are you in So Cal? Join us next weekend, Feb. 17th, for the Coast to Crest Challenge! We’d love to meet you.