Hummus hopes you can help...

I have recently posted on facebook fanpage for Peachy Keen Pets that our sweet rescue pug Hummus has recently had a lot of medical issues arise this week that have been very scary, and very costly. So far just in diagnostics, we have spent $4100, and Hummus was rejected from insurance companies long ago, so we have paid this entirely. We have so much more to go, as it looks like Hummus has a herniated disc on his spine near his left shoulder causing him to limp and causing him pain, but we have also found out while they did blood tests before taking him for an MRI, that he is also living with a bad infection. A scope, some biopsies, and an ultrasound have suggested he MIGHT have cancer, and we will find out for sure in a couple of days what he is living with right now. We are praying its anything but cancer. Once we know what he has, we will have to get an MRI for the shoulder which is another $2000, possible surgery at $4000, and if he does have cancer, chemotherapy might be an option, but that is $6000... the bills are enormous. Our friends and fans of Peachy Keen Pets have suggested we do this chipin to raise a little money for him, even though I find it so hard to ask anyone for anything in this manner. For those of you that do, every dollar means so much to us, we appreciate absolutely everything people are willing and able to do. I am also having a big sale on my products to raise money for Hummus, and you can find the details at www.facebook.com/peachykeenpets I am happy to scan any bills for anyone to see, I'm just posting this now since I have been told by so many to do this, and I realize I need to do this for him, even though it's uncomfortable for me to "ask" this way. Thank you so much to those who pass this chipin around, and to those who donate. It means an enormous amount to our little guy who is the sweetest most loving little guy you've ever met. Thank you again for your support.

2011 Wrap up!

2011 has been an incredible year for Peachy Keen Pets, thanks to all the fans, friends, rescue volunteers, pet boutiques, animal lovers we've encountered these last 12 months.

This year we were featured on an awesome show, InnerSPACE (http://www.spacecast.com/InnerSPACE.aspx), on the Space Channel, where they talked about our nerdiest pet apparel, like this Star Trek SPOCK harness:

We were also on Pet Fashion TV, doing a fashion show and talking about what sets Peachy Keen Pets apart, with our sassy pinup girls, retro cartoons, sci-fi comic nerd gear, and more!
(http://www.thepetnetwork.tv/)

We were also in Dogs Dogs Dogs magazine, Pawsh magazine, and we were part of the online edition of the Globe and Mail gift guide for pets!

Our proudest work this year would be raising money for WSPA's Collars Not Cruelty campaign, where each collar sold directly went to save one dogs life in various countries around the world that cull massive amounts of animals in fear of rabies. The WSPA mass-vaccinates dogs with the help of donations, and $5 from each of my red collars was donated this year, and hopefully will go on to raise even more in the new year. Visit their site to read more, http://redcollar.wspa.ca/.  If YOU want a red collar, just email me, niki@peachykeenpets.com.

As you may know, we also do a lot of work with various rescue organizations, especially these fine rescues below. Please visit their sites for information on how you can help with rescue, whether it be through donations, volunteer work, or just to be informed to pass it on to someone else! We rescued our pug Hummus from Pugalug, and have been directly affected by the incredible work rescues do to bring wonderful, loving pets to new forever homes.

Pugalug Pug Rescue - http://pugalug.com/
Boston Terrier Rescue Canada - http://www.bostonterrierrescuecanada.com/home.cfm
Loyal Rescue - http://www.loyalrescue.com/
Dog-Ma Pet Rescue - http://www.dog-mapetrescue.com/home.cfm

For fun, here is the listing for Hummus back when he was in rescue and named Gus, and our adoption photo from 2008!  http://pugalug.com/gus.html

And finally, we are now sold at 34 stores in North America, with new locations in New York City, Ft Lauderdale, Ottawa, and more! Check out our official site for a listing of amazing shops that sell Peachy Keen Pets!
www.peachykeenpets.com


THANK YOU ALL FOR MAKING THIS YEAR AMAZING, REWARDING, AND FUN FOR ME AND THE PUG POSSE HERE AT PEACHY KEEN PETS!!

WSPA's Collars Not Cruelty campaign!

I am delighted to be a part of an incredible campaign with WSPA, Collars Not Cruelty, in the fight against rabies. Peachy Keen Pets designed red collars for awareness of this initiative on behalf of the WSPA, and we are also fundraising for this campaign!

If you would like a red collar to show your support to WSPA, $5 from each sale goes directly to the Collars Not Cruelty campaign. Collars in S, M, L are all $15, XL is $18.  Email me at niki@peachykeenpets.com!

For every collar we sell, that $5 donation is about what it costs to vaccinate, collar and save a dog in Bangladesh .  Every single one saves a dog’s life.

Please read the information below, or visit the website http://redcollar.wspa.ca/ for details on the fabulous work they are doing around the world!

Miso and Hummus have been showing their support all afternoon!!

 (information below taken in part from the website:  http://redcollar.wspa.ca/)

Today is World Rabies Day and the WSPA (The World Society for the Protection of Animals) are launching a new campaign – Collars Not Cruelty in the fight against rabies.

In nearly every part of the world, people and dogs live together.  But in some communities that bond is being tested. Twenty million dogs are brutally killed every year and fear of rabies is often used as the excuse. That's 38 dogs killed every minute. People think it will stop rabies. It doesn't.    But rabies is completely preventable. There is a scientifically-proven, humane and sustainable alternative to fear and cruelty – it's vaccination.  That is the only way to protect communities from rabies and to protect these at-risk dogs from being killed.

WSPA is launching the Collars Not Cruelty Campaign, a global initiative to establish dog vaccination programs in countries where dogs are killed in response to rabies.  WSPA vaccinates all dogs and gives them a red collar.  These collared-dogs become a symbol of safety, life and hope in their communities. We have had some great successes in Sri Lanka, Bali, and in some South American cities with this program and we are going into Bangladesh (starting today) and beginning a vaccination program there. 

WSPA used Peachy Keen Pets lovely red collars to make the connection with Canadian dogs, pictures to come shortly to  http://redcollar.wspa.ca/

You and I know how much Canadians care about dogs and the dogs suffering on the other side of the world are not so different that the ones we call family here.  We have some beautiful photos of saved dogs as well as a really impactful video on the campaign that you can access at http://redcollar.wspa.ca/

Contest!

 

Visit Marcia's facebook page here

PKP's Morning Pug Competition of Cuteness PART 1, Pet Fun Fest, and Maria Bamford!

This morning, my pugs were being impossible. They were making a point of being adorable and doing goofy things so that I would continue to play with them instead of working. The perils of working from home and having adorable pug creatures!

I decided we were going to have a Competition of Cuteness (and Special Skills), and today I will post the first two rounds.

The Contenders:

MISO (left) and HUMMUS (right)

MISO is a brainy brute, blind in one eye, and one ear flops around when he runs.
HUMMUS has a gigantic forehead but very little brain power inside. He has a skunk tail.

Both pugs have adorably gray chins, both are 8 years old, and both weigh 21 hulking pounds. They also both snore loudly, and are cuddle champions.

ROUND ONE:

Cutest Yawn.

MISO makes weird noises when he yawns that sound like "woooo", and can yawn on command if you rub his cheeks.
HUMMUS opens his mouth so wide, he looks like this:

 

WINNER: It was a hard one, but Hummus wins because he keeps is mouth open really long and wide and for a long time, and I have a picture to prove it :)

ROUND TWO:

Cutest Sleeper

MISO is part acrobat, part Shakespearean tragedy, and part smooshed beyond belief. His tongue often peeks out.

HUMMUS flops his body as wide as it can go. He spreads out all his legs and when his head is down his eyes disappear under wrinkles.

 

WINNER: Miso

Hummus is an adorable and ridiculous creature when he sleeps, but Miso deserved a whole blog post about it a few months ago. He is upside down, head hanging off of things, face rested on his paws, lips flopping open and looking like portobello mushrooms, and his tongue often sticks out. That is a seriously talented sleeper. I could post 50 more pictures of them sleeping! Also, for an added bonus, every single morning without fail, you can find purple belly lint in his belly button. 

 So it probably seems like them each winning a category is just me being the mom who loves her pugs equally, which I do, but they won these fair and square. The next few rounds they will continue

to battle it out by essentially snuggles, talent, and brains (oh Hummus, you will not win that portion, that is my prediction).

Right now their snores are overpowering the music I'm listening to, and I keep thinking my phone is vibrating, but no, it's just their nostril noises :)  

 Today at PKP Headquarters, we are gearing up for The Second Annual PET FUN FEST this weekend, out at Downsview Park in Toronto. Check out www.petfunfest.ca for all the details! 

Driving directions, times, vendor information, and event schedule! It's going to be a really great show!

The event is organized by the amazing people at Helpless Homeless Pets, check out their site too! www.helping homelesspets.com

Another thing I've been so excited about has been that very recently I met my favourite comedian, the hilarious Maria Bamford, at her show in Toronto. Maria has two pugs and shares some stories of them in her sets, so I thought I would bring Maria some PKP harnesses for them :)

Of course when you meet someone you like so much, you hope they are going to be good people so your opinion of them doesn't change too much. With Maria Bamford, both my friend Gord and I were so happy to find she was not only kind and funny, but really sweet and generous and she seemed to really like the harnesses I brought, and ended up getting one for a friend of hers too! I hoped she would eventually send a photo, but not only did she send one, she sent it to me 2 days after the show!

Her great pugs are named Blossom and Burt :)

You can see a really funny hour-long special that Maria made in her living room with the pugs snoring beside her here:

http://www.vimeo.com/7944778

 Here is a photo of me and Maria together at the show!

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays from Peachy Keen Pets!

The end of 2010 signals the end of our first full year in business, and what an amazing year it's been! We started out the year just selling online and at rescue events, and now we can be found in 19 stores across North America!
It's been so exciting and rewarding, thank you to everyone who has supported us along the way!

Solution for itchy ears!

In the last few weeks, I have come across a great deal of dogs suffering from itchy ears and chronic infections, so I thought I would post a recipe that has helped our dogs for the last 3 years without fail! As soon as we see some redness or notice the pugs are itching, usually one treatment of this natural solution takes away the problem. This recipe was handed down to me by one of the great people at Pugalug Pug Rescue, along with the below testimonials, but I can say with great confidence that this solution should rid you of the most chronic ear problems!!

INGREDIENTS: (all should be available at a pharmacy)

• 16 Oz. Isopropyl Alcohol
  
• 4 Tablespoons Boric Acid Powder
• 16 Drops Gentian Violet Solution 1%

Mix in a bottle and shake well (every time you use it). I apply with an eye dropper into the ear canal, massage gently for 60 seconds and wipe with a tissue. Apply a second time, wipe with a tissue and leave alone without massage. The dog will shake out the excess, which can be wiped with a tissue.

Schedule:
Treat twice a day for 1-2 weeks depending upon severity of ears
Treat once a day for the next 1-2 weeks
Treat once month (or even less frequently as needed)

The solution appears to work well on any and all ear problems from mites to wax to canker. After the 2nd or 3rd day you can clean out the ear GENTLY with a Q-tip or cotton balls. The success rate for this treatment is 95-99%. Those who do not succeed have usually not done the treatment long enough or have not been regular about it.

Dogs on the verge of ear canal surgery have been returned to normal with only the regular follow-up treatment to keep the ear healthy. If an infection seems to be remaining in the treated ear after the above course of treatment, you may also have some Pseudomonas bacteria in the site. This can be eradicated by using a gentle flush of raw apple cider vinegar and water (warm). Use 2 tablespoons of vinegar to one cup of water, 2 x per week.

They have found the Blue Power Solution to be effective for treating fungus-type infections on the feet and elsewhere on the dog, for cuts on dogs or people and for hot spots. You may find other uses for this simple anti-infective agent. Remember it is for external use only and be careful not to get into the eyes."

"Kim-Soo has had chronic ear infections for years and I've tried just about everything on the market (from the vet too). The only thing that works for her is Blue Powder Solution. If the ears are sore or irritated, do not use as it will sting. Most dogs will not object to even the first treatment. The Boric Acid Powder soothes the ear. The Gentian Violet is an anti-infection agent. Be careful where you do it - preferably outside - as it stains fabrics and white cupboards, etc.!"

Happy Engagement Story!!

I received an email today that cheered up this grey day in Toronto.

Our customer Sean, from Boston, purchased a bright red bowtie from us a few weeks back for his supercute Boston Terrier, Gus. We didn't know then that it was to be used in a proposal to Sean's girlfriend, Jess!!

Sean wrote:
We took Gus for a walk (despite the overcast weather and wind) to the beach near us where we had our first kiss. As we came up to the spot I said to her "Oh, I have a new trick I've been working on with Gus that I want to show you. Turn around, it takes a little costume change".

She turned around and I quickly knelt down, pulled Gus' harness off threw on his red bowtie, took the ring out of a package I had it in, and hooked the ring onto his collar (I made a special hook to hold it).

While on my knee still I picked up Gus, held him up to her and asked her to turn around. I proposed and she said yes.


How cute is that?!?! And how adorable is Gus?

Updates!

I've had a lot of people comment at events lately that they are worried to clean their PKP items! DON'T BE!! Just pop your collar/leash/harness/bandana/bed pillow in the washing machine on cold with the rest of your washing, and hang over the shower rod to dry! Easy peasy!
Although everything we make certainly is SPECIAL, there are no special care instructions to add extra work to your day.

Just because Miso doesn't like to get washed, doesn't mean his harness has to suffer the same fate!


Another very important announcement: Miso is a bit of a drama-king. I have realized that when he's sleeping he looks like he's been tragically killed in a Shakespearean-style way, possibly by a jaded lover or a rival Capulet. Exhibit A:





























































Hummus has tried to call someone for help, but fell asleep himself. Is there a useless, sleepy, snorty character in Shakespeare? Because if there is, Hummus would be that guy.

Woofstock aftermath!

Woofstock was incredible! Thank you all who came out despite our rainy Saturday! At least we had a lovely sunny Sunday and some great events!

We saw some pretty amazing dogs and I have a ton of new customer photos from the event to share! Check the album out on the facebook fanpage: www.facebook.com/peachykeenpets
If you become a fan on facebook, you also get updates on new fabrics, one-day-only deals and more!

We've also had a great photoshoot with Megan Battersby Photography, one of the pictures from the day is this one of me and the pug duo, Hummus and Miso! They are the inspiration for this whole business, they are the most integral part of the process! The boys are modeling red and blue sailor symbols collars and leashes for the shoot, it's so weird for me to see them without their harnesses on!






















I am also launching some really fun new products, the start of these are pet beds made from vintage hardshell suitcases! In this photo, a punky Pom named Tiffany took a seat in the Movie Monster case at Woofstock! These beds have safety precautions built in with a strap on the back that keeps the case open, and it can be removed when you want to travel with your pooch! Put your toys, dog bowls and food inside and you're good to go!
Each bed is totally unique. I have various colours, sizes, and you can always pick your fabric for the pillow yourself.




















I also have a few other items to launch in the coming weeks, so stay tuned for that!!! It's a fun surprise!

May the 4th be with you!

Ah, Star Wars jokes.. May 4th is made for people like me!
For those of the Alliance or the Rebellion, I make geek-tastic Star Wars bandanas to show your allegiance in style! From the the Falcon, to Darth Vader, to Stormtroopers to Chewie, I've got them all!


















Email me at niki@peachykeenpets.com and let me know who your favourite character is, and I'll send you some options! Only $16 each, and made from vintage Star Wars sheets!

May Flowers Sale!!

SALE SALE SALE!!

For the month of May, take 15% off all floral items from Peachy Keen Pets! Custom orders included, so you have your choice from harnesses, collars, leashes, bandanas, seatbelts, treat pouches, and doggie doorbells!

You can check out fabrics at www.peachykeenpets.com!!

Woofstock and more!

This year on June 12 & 13, Toronto is hosting another Woofstock in the St. Lawrence Market area of Toronto! Woofstock is a really amazing event where the streets are closed and dogs are allowed, it's always a warm and wonderful weekend, and all the patios allow your dogs to join you at your table! I'll be setting up a booth there this time and I'm so excited! Check out the website at www.woofstock.ca for tons more information! It's the largest outdoor pet event in North America and it's free to get in! Last year we did the Pug March and worked the Pugalug booth to raise rescue awareness, and this year our booth with donate to some rescue organizations as we did at Pet Fun Fest and the All About Pets Show! I'll post some options up on the facebook fanpage and let the fans decide the winners this time around.















Some more great news for Peachy Keen Pets is that our products will also be found at PET POD, a great little pet boutique at King Street just west of Bathurst. A fabric ring will be left there, like all the stores carrying PKP, and you can do custom orders straight from the shop, try stuff on, and browse a great store.


We are also offering e-giftcards if you would like to give the gift of cute and quirky pet accessories! You can offer a card with a monetary amount, or specific items, like a collar and leash combo! A sample is below! Spring is puppy season, give the gift of fun and functional items for furry loved ones in your family and for your friends!


I can't stop using this picture of Hummus for everything PKP related! This face is the face of adorableness, and giftcards, thank you cards, and coupons so far... it is also a cure for the blues. Don't you feel better just looking at him?