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January 17th, 2022

1/17/2022

After what we can only define as a brutal last couple of years, it’s given us a chance to look at our lives and take stock of what is important. Never has it been clearer that family and friends are what our brief dance here on earth is about. It, hopefully, isn’t about the accumulation of wealth, which is obviously important, but not the-be-all end all in life. And somehow, we always come back to our best-selling design; “Families come in all shapes and sizes”
This original design of a family composed of not only drastically different individuals, but different life forms, sums up our belief that our families, no matter how we define them, warts and all, loom as the most important element in our lives. Hopefully you agree with this sentiment.
Let’s let 2022 become something very positive, because the flip side of lightness is unacceptable.
Keep Wagging everybody!

Happy Holidays!

11/23/2020

Here's our new design and it is our homage to those grumpy people in our lives that simply do not like the holidays.

In fact, this grumpy little fella doesn't like the holidays much either. Original pen and ink/watercolor captures that world weary "Oh god and they brought the kids with them..." look of the grumpy sibling who can't just catch a break for some peace and quiet.

Celebrate the holidays with the Grumpy Griffon!

Taos search and rescue

11/16/2020

This was probably one of the most singular experiences that we participated in and it helped inform what kind of awesome work that Taos Search and Rescue performs. This feels like it was a long time ago (okay, maybe it was) and we were just starting Keep Wagging / Nose Prints out.

We met with Delinda VanneBrightyn and she kindly took the time to tell us about their mission and arranged for a demo to illustrate just how professional they are and how difficult the work is.

I highly suggest checking out Taos Search and Rescue's web site when you have a chance and watch the video below. It's really quite informative.

We didn't know much about Taos Search and Rescue until they put us through the paces. We learned that they are all volunteers, highly competent and professional. They work in all kinds of weather throughout the state searching for lost hikers, climbers, hunters, campers, children, people with Alzheimer’s or dementia, skiers, snowmobilers. Here's an enlightening profile of a typical rescue in the Rio Grande gorge.

We encourage you to support the fantastic work Taos Search and Rescue does here!

Get what you give

11/16/2020

Our new design is hopefully one of those lessons that life teaches us early on. For some, it's in their later years that the pieces click together and they finally get it. What you put out in the universe comes back to you. Treat people with disrespect, you'll harvest a ton of disrespect directed toward you. Treat people with kindness and respect, and I guarantee you'll be able to look back upon your life with a smile.
I'm hoping this image captures the spirit of this though and we can increase the peace going forward. Keep Wagging!

Be Kind

9/23/2020

We recently visited, for the first time, a quaint little town in Florida named New Syrna. Funky place, seems to have a lot of cool, progressive things going on. But what stopped us in our tracks was the following message on a business: "Please be kind to each other."

As most people who share their lives with companion animals have noticed, people with animals "seem to be" more empathetic and generally happier in their lives. I don't think most of us would have to be reminded to be kind due to the dogs and cats in our lives. By taking responsibility for another life, you are probably hardwired for kindness.

So rather than coming away with a sense of depression that we've reached a point that people have to be reminded to be kind to each other, we were heartened by the statement and hope that the story behind it is a pleasant reminder.
Oh, and remember to be kind to each other.

Valentines day

1/30/2020

I think, in my humble opinion, that my single greatest accomplishment in my life to date has been the fact that I've maintained a wonderful relationship with a woman that I love dearly. My wife humbles me every week with an action or observation that I generally feel embarrassed that I didn't see. She always provides context that I'm not seeing or is one that I haven't considered. She is stunningly a breath of fresh air. She is, quite simply, everything to me. When it comes to doing the right thing, whatever that maybe, she does it. Her integrity and honesty are off the charts. Oh, did I mention she is a hell of a cook? She's funny when she allows herself to be, creative, assertive, perceptive and a non-judgmental pain in my ass. Sometimes.

We've been together thirty years and I hope to share another thirty with her because she makes me a better me. Is that being selfish?

Four Legged Family Members

6/18/2019

Izzy Catching A Little Shut Eye

Geoff is a busy guy with a busy life. Geoff is a Project Manager/Engineer at SeaRobotics, a growing robotics company on the east coast of Florida. Outside of work, he and his wife have a pretty bustling household with their two kids, both of which are furry. We're going to focus on Isabella, an eleven-ish year old English Bully. Like all dogs, she has more than one name, depending on the circumstances - Izzy, Smush, SmushMush, Bear Pig are the most frequently uttered names.

Izzy has her own opinions and will let you know what your opinion is when she gives it to you. "Izzy....when she wants something she lets us know, usually with one bark. She's a pretty good communicator," Geoff said.

Compared to Lola, who will harangue us with a five minute barking spree, it's refreshing to hear about a dog that is succinct and to the point. Why go one for five minutes when a single utterance will do?

Like most four-legged family members, Izzy makes Geoff smile when he comes home from work, no matter what his day is like. And work can get pretty hectic. "I come home...and I just smile. Izzy is it."
Almost anyone who has a dog in their life...or hell, a companion animal of any sort, really - can understand and relate to this sentiment.
"Izzy is every bit of our family as any human is. To my wife, Izzy is everything, the most important family member, even over me!" Geoff said, laughing. "To me, she is an equal to any other family member."

Geoff & Izzy Enjoying The Breeze

Geoff said that Izzy loves boating and the beach and in fact, they go out almost every weekend. Geoff knows that bullies can't overdo the outdoors, and he takes precautions. And like a good dad, Geoff said they always have their emergency kit with them - one gallon of cool water.

Honda Elements and English Bullies

6/17/2019

Our blunt instrument of love, Lola, is frequently mistaken for a Honda toaster. You can decide for yourself, but if you can tell us the difference, we'd love to hear from you.

Silly Willie's Pet Boutique in New Smyrna Beach, Florida

6/16/2019

Lola & her Silly Willie's Anchor Toy

We were passing through the small downtown of New Smyrna beach, Florida when we spotted a pet boutique. We also like to stop in and support mom&pop stores like this and we were pleasantly surprised by how many things this boutique got right. We understand that the appeal of a store is purely subjective, so we'll define how we're looking at it to give you some context. We tend to look at looks filtered through thirty plus years of working in the animal industry and our understanding of shoppers who have companion animals. Not lets take a look at what Silly Willie's is up to.

The products they carried were high quality, higher end, better made and sourced USA. For example, Lola can blow through toys like a highly-caffeinated Jack Russell Terrier, ripping them apart and removing the squeaky within minutes. However, if you look at the picture of Lola with her toy that we bought at Silly Willie's, two days later it's still intact! Amazing!

Food - We're not familiar with Life's Abundance animal products, but we've used their human products and they're solid and have a good reputation. Silly Willie's also carries Fromm - an excellent food, family owned and very high standards, good ingredients and they don't sell to everyone. They support the smaller business owners and don't sell to corporate owned businesses. They also carried a quality skin, coat and ear product line as well. In addition, they sold CBD oil from Pet Releaf, which supplies highly regarded CDB products.

The layout of the store is smart - U shaped, products in the middle and on the side. Busy, not cluttered. Nice assortment of products, treats, toys, leashes and collars. Where they really stand out from other pet Boutiques is that they sell stuff for humans that love animals.

Many boutiques drop the ball on this front and are leaving money on the table, so to speak. Silly Willie's had Tee shirts, magnets, mugs, and more. Companion animal lovers and people shopping for them don't always want to just buy gifts for the dog - they want to include the humans in the fun as well.

If you are a pet lover and are passing through New Syrna Beach, stop in at Silly-Willies (Silly-Willies.com) and do some shopping! You'll be glad you did.

heat and your pets

5/31/2019

My wife and I were a bit clueless about the dangers of heat when we moved to Florida. We knew that it was hot, but we did not realize how quickly an average summer day can become life-threatening for a pet.

Due to the extreme heat in Florida, there are precautions you must take to prevent jeopardizing the life of your pet. Hot sand, heat buildup in the interior of a car, tossing a dog in the back of a pickup and even an innocent walk all present dangerous risks to your pet.

SUSCEPTIBLE BREEDS
Certain breeds of dogs are more susceptible to heat issues. Bulldogs, Pugs, Boston Terriers, French Bulldogs – in short, any squishy faced dog – will have problems in the heat. The smooshie faced breeds are known as “brachycephalic” dogs. Their short noses can’t move in air fast enough nor can they shed heat quickly which means they overheat more quickly than other breeds.

That being said, all breeds are susceptible to heat stroke and related illnesses. Use caution when considering what type of activity you want your dog to participate in and what the potential risks are. The must have check list is to always have cool, not cold, water available. Shade should be readily accessible. And always be aware of the effects of the heat on your dogs and monitor them - it's easy to assume they are feeling just like we do - but they are very different. Wearing a fur coat doesn't help either. Be safe and enjoy the outdoors with your companion animals!