It's amazing the stuff you can find while doing your Spring cleaning, right? The kids' lost toys, your Journey's Greatest Hits CD, a ten dollar bill that got washed in the pocket of your favorite shorts (score!)... During this year's Spring cleaning, Canine Company staff decided to answer a need that is felt by many animal shelters and rescue organizations; the ongoing need for bedding and cleaning supplies for the animals' crates and playrooms.

On May 16th, Canine Gives provided approximately 100 pounds of bedding- sheets, blankets, throws and comforters, to the Monmouth County SPCA in Eatontown, NJ and the Trenton Animal Shelter in Hamilton, NJ. These organizations are dedicated to finding happy, forever homes for the hundreds of adoptable pets that come through their doors every year, and Canine Company is dedicated to supporting them in their efforts. Thanks to our employees for their generous spirit which will allow many pets to be very comfortable while waiting for their adoptive families.

Canine Company (www.CanineCompany.com) of Wilton, CT has donated $25,000 to Guiding Eyes for the Blind as a platinum sponsor of the Guiding Eyes for the Blind 36th Annual Golf Classic, hosted by NY Giants Quarterback Eli Manning. “For people without sight, teaming up with a Guiding Eyes dog can change their lives, keep them safe, give them independence and a trusted friend,” said Manning, New York Giants quarterback and two-time Super Bowl MVP.

Guiding Eyes and Canine Company have developed a unique friendship based on their mutual understanding of the powerful relationships between people and dogs. This is the fifth year that Canine Company has sponsored the event. The Guiding Eyes for the Blind 36th Annual Golf Classic will take place Sunday, June 9 and Monday, June 10 at the Mount Kisco Country Club in Mount Kisco, NY and Fairview Country Club in Greenwich, CT - two of the region’s favorite and most challenging golf courses. “We are fortunate to have the perfect combination of star power and compelling mission to propel our Golf Classic into what will soon be another sold-out event,” said Sue Dishart, Vice President of Marketing and Development, Guiding Eyes for the Blind.

In addition to sponsoring this annual fundraiser, Canine Company supports Guiding Eyes for the Blind throughout the year through various promotions to help facilitate fundraising for the life-changing organization. The company features a page on their website dedicated to the work of Guiding Eyes encouraging Canine Company clients and other site visitors to join in supporting the mission:http://www.caninecompany.com/GuidingEyes.aspx

Guiding Eyes for the Blind (www.guidingeyes.org) is headquartered in the state of New York with its Training Center located in Yorktown Heights, N.Y. and its Canine Development Center in Patterson, N.Y. An internationally accredited nonprofit guide dog school, Guiding Eyes was founded in 1954. Since its inception, Guiding Eyes has grown to be one of the foremost guide dog schools in the world, known for its cutting-edge training programs, commitment to excellence, and dedication to its elite and superbly trained guide dogs. The school provides professional instruction and follow-up support services to the blind and visually impaired at no cost to them, and is dependent upon charitable contributions to fulfill its mission. In 2008, Guiding Eyes launched its Heeling Autism Program which boasts a 100% success rate, with the largest statistical improvements in the areas of traveling, eating, and sleeping behaviors. These service dogs provide safety, companionship, and emotional support for children with autism and their families.

Guiding Eyes for the Blind will hold a drawing on June 10th, at its annual Golf Classic hosted by Eli Manning, for a chance to win a 2013 BMW 128i or a pair of Rolex watches. Only 1,000 tickets will be sold at $100 each and the winners do not need to be present to win. Tickets can be purchased online atwww.guidingeyes.org/raffleor by calling 914-761-7111. All proceeds benefit Guiding Eyes, the nonprofit school providing guide dogs to blind men and women and service dogs to families with autistic children.

The 2013 BMW 128i is sponsored in part by BMW of Mount Kisco. Additional options above the dealer's model are the financial responsibility of the winner. Tax, title and delivery charges will be the responsibility of the winner. Rolex Oyster Perpetual watches will be provided by Rolex.

To find out more about Canine Company’s relationship with Guiding Eyes for the Blind, contact Jesse Rosenschein, Marketing Communications Manager, Canine Company at 203-834-3225 or jrosenschein@caninecompany.com.

Here are 5 great ways to celebrate:

1. Cut down on waste that takes space and switch to affordable, biodegradable "business" bags: http://bit.ly/ZEk6jF

2. Overpopulation, and consequently euthanasia, is the #1 killer of dogs in this country. Visit your local shelter and adopt, or volunteer with a rescue group to help as many dogs in need find great forever homes. Find a shelter near you:  http://bit.ly/Zgz1Rw

3. Old blankets and sheets may seem like junk to you, but they are very valuable to animal shelters where they provide comfort to cats and dogs. Donate your old towels, linens, and blankets to your local shelter to help a homeless animal enjoy a little more comfort.

4. Instead of driving to the dog park, how about walking or jogging instead? This provides more time for you and your dog to spend together and more exercise for both of you. Plus, you won’t be using fossil fuels or spewing greenhouse gases into the air.

5. Check your household cleaning products and make sure you’re using ones that are chemical-free and therefore, not contributing to harmful runoff into our ground and water sources. Chemical-free cleaning products are better for you and your dog!

Spring has sprung and moderate weather is approaching the Northeastern United States. That makes this the perfect time to make sure you’ve taken every precaution to help your dog or cat enjoy the outdoors without getting lost or injured.

The first step to ensuring that your pet doesn’t go missing is to make sure that you have a proper containment system to keep your dog or cat safe in your yard. There are multiple methods of pet containment for your yard. One of the most affordable solutions are Invisible Fence® Brand pet containment systems and training, available in the Northeastern U.S. at www.CanineCompany.com. An Invisible Fence® Brand www.invisiblefence.com pet containment system can help ensure that your pet remains safely in your yard. Keeping your pet in your yard is half the battle in making sure that he/she does not go missing, helping to prevent loss and injury.

According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), only 33 percent of pet parents admitted to always having ID tags on their dogs and cats. ID tags are another important step in preventing the loss of a pet. In the event that he/she manages to get loose from a leash during a walk, hike or other activity, an ID tag will provide your contact information to anyone who finds him/her. While any ID tag is better than none, not all dog tags are created equal. Boomerang Curved Dog Tags (http://bit.ly/Xm9pnf) are made of Non-Magnetic Stainless Steel. They’re stronger and thicker than traditional tags. Plus, they lie flat on your dog’s collar so that they can’t snag on obstacles, causing them to fall off or injure your dog during play time.

To further ensure that you are reunited with your pet should he/she ever become lost, consider having your four-legged family member microchipped.  Microchipping your pet offers a permanent identification method. Microchips cannot be easily misread, and the permanent identification number is tamperproof. A microchip is a very tiny transponder that is encoded with a unique identification number. Before insertion, the sterile microchip is scanned in the package to confirm that the identification code of the transponder matches that shown on the label of the bar code on the package.

The microchipping procedure is fast, safe, and generally painless, even in puppies and kittens.  Many vets and shelters offer this service at a reasonable price. To find a local vet or shelter that may offer the service in the Northeastern United States, try searching for one of our partners here: http://bit.ly/XB3EkR .  Many humane societies and animal shelters carry scanners and can use the information in the microchip to help reunite you and your pet.

Make sure that you and your pet are prepared to safely enjoy the temperate weather by covering all of your bases. If you haven’t already, seek an Invisible Fence® Brand pet containment system and Boomerang ID tag from www.CanineCompany.com and look for a local Veterinarian or humane society that offers a microchipping service.

We are proud and excited to announce our sponsorship of the Danbury Animal Welfare Society (DAWS).

Danbury Animal Welfare Society, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of animals in the Greater Danbury area. They promote responsible pet guardianship and the humane treatment of animals, and work toward ending animal overpopulation through education and a variety of programs. The hardworking staff members and volunteers of this organization keep homeless pets safe, happy and sheltered.

It is important that organizations like DAWS continue to thrive in order to save and improve the lives of countless animals while enriching the lives of people in their community who benefit from the unconditional love and companionship their pets provide.

We share the mission of keeping pets healthy, happy, safe and most importantly, alive.

Our products and services align with this mission in a number of ways:

-By helping to keep dogs and cats safe and alive through Invisible Fence® Brand pet contaiment systems

-By eliminating stressful situations that can lead to the end of pet and person relationship - We do this through our Manners in-home obedience training program and Invisible Fence® Brand avoidance solutions

-By keeping pets healthy and happy through high-quality product offerings on www.caninecompany.com and in our retail store in Wilton, CT

We look forward to our involvement in various events this year to benefit DAWS and the animal community as a whole. See our event page for the latest on DAWS events. To learn more about DAWS, visit www.daws.org.

There is a lot of love in the air in February; it is International Friendship Month, Responsible Pet Owners Month, includes Valentines Day and Love Your Pet Day on the 14^th and 20^th, respectively.  With that in mind, I visited the Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge Inc. (RBARI) on behalf of Canine Company to share a little love.

On February 14^th I met with Steven Mark, the Executive Director of RBARI, which is in Oakland, NJ. Steven was kind enough to give me a tour of the facility, which is an efficiently run space, clean and bright, housing dogs and cats who are waiting for their forever homes. The first floor is dedicated to reception and dogs, with multiple indoor kennels as well as outside space for exercise and fresh air. The dogs engage in regular walks and playtime with the staff and volunteers, all of whom share the common goal of finding good homes for the animals in their care. Steven’s office is on the second floor which is also home to the feline residents of RBARI. All cats are socialized with people, and some interact with one another for the potential to be adopted into a multiple-cat home.

On this visit I brought with me a donation from Canine Company (www.CanineCompany.com ) of cat and dog collars and toys, of which one particularly squeaky variety was put to immediate good use by a pretty, playful pit-bull mix who was hanging out with the volunteers. As a non-profit organization, RBARI relies on the generosity of the community and companies like Canine for the items needed to properly care for their adoptable population. Donations of food and toys are always welcome, but the behind-the-scenes essentials such as bleach and paper towels are incredibly valued as well.

You can find RBARI on the web at www.rbari.org or visit them in person at Ramapo Bergen Animal Refuge, Inc.  2 Shelter Lane Oakland, NJ 07436.

In the aftermath of harsh winter weather conditions in the northeastern United States, we want to provide pet owners with 10 Winter Weather Safety Tips to help protect their furry family members.

1. Watch those paws! If your dog will tolerate it, consider foot protection booties or Paw Wax like Mushers Secret: http://bit.ly/120CS7x
2. When walking your dog near ice, use extra caution to avoid slipping.
3. Do not allow your dog to run across frozen bodies of water - he/she could fall into icy water if the ice is too thin.
4. If you use an indoor or outdoor fireplace, always keep a safety guard around it in order to protect your pets from flames and soot.
5. If your dog or cat has been in the cold and begins to excessively shake or shiver, get him back to warm shelter as soon as possible. If you suspect your pet is developing hypothermia, bring him to a vet immediately.
6. Avoid letting your pets eat snow or anything else on the ground. Dangerous objects or chemicals may be hidden in the snow.
7. Beware antifreeze - It is highly toxic!
8. If you have an Invisible Fence® brand pet containment system and you suspect any risk of malfunction due to a lengthy power outage, falling debris or other damage, use caution and walk your pet(s) on leash in a location out of harm’s way until the system can be properly restored by a professional.
9. If you have a physical fence, be sure your dogs or cats are not able to jump over the fence if they stand atop piles of snow. If they can, it is strongly recommended that you walk them on leash until the piles are cleared.

There are various leashes available to meet different needs, such as multiple dogs, running with your dog, or keeping your dog extra close: http://bit.ly/XkqgUA

10. In general, if you notice any abnormal behavior or signs of illness in your pet, contact your vet right away.

With proper safety measures, the winter season can be a fun time for pets and their families to enjoy playing in the snow together. If your containment system is working properly, retrieval toys (http://bit.ly/Z2AmN7) can be a fun way to keep your dog safely occupied and out of trouble in the snow.

Our Tour of the Guiding Eyes for the Blind Canine Development Center

In December 2012, our Manager of Operations, Jodi and I made our very first trip to the Guiding Eyes for the Blind Canine Development Center in Patterson, NY. Upon our arrival, we were greeted by three warm, smiling faces. While some of the voices were already familiar to me, it was nice to finally meet them in person. Linda, Susan, and Vikki are three very important members of the team at Guiding Eyes for the Blind, but moreover, they are three good, down-to-earth people dedicated to an important and life changing cause.

We began our tour of the Canine Development Center with a visit to the Canine Reproductive Center. I have to admit that I don't know much about cryogenics and until that day, the idea was a bit eerie to me, but my viewpoint shifted from skeptical to supportive after realizing some of the benefits of this techonology. Having adopted all three of my dogs, I didn't know much about the dog breeding process either. Jodi and I were both awestricken and intrigued by all the processes that occur in the first stages of developing the perfect future guide dog. While Jodi had a flood of questions, I found myself just taking in all of the impressive details, including that fact that they take measures to ensure that the most ideal genes are available for generations thanks to the science of cryogenics.

As the day progressed, we saw various other areas of the Canine Development Center. We became aware of the fact that the Whelping Kennel where the females deliver puppies is quite a distance from the surgery area. On the rare occasion that a dog needs to be transferred for emergency c-section, she would be wheeled from one building to outside and then into the surgery area. While this information reinforced the unfaltering dedication of the Guiding Eyes team, it also became even clearer why sponsors and corporate partners like us are imparitive to helping the non-profit organization continue to thrive and aid the visually impaired and the blind.

What came next was surely one of our favorite parts of the day. We got to spend time with a litter of five week old lab puppies. I was stunned that these five week old puppies were so alert and seemed to know basic commands. Naturally, like any dog lover, I was a little bit gaga over them. Jodi shared the sentiment. She stayed strong and resisted the urge to smuggle a couple of lab puppies home in her purse. However, she did offer to help out with the puppy raising program - the best of both worlds!

I thought about the unimaginable amount of work it must take to train each little puppy. I have a puppy of my own at home and I feel quite accomplished when she learns a new command. The future guide dogs go way beyond learning basic commands. They are trained to become dependable guides for a visually impaired or blind person. We were able to witness early training for a  small puppy and the skills she had already learned were nothing short of remarkable.

Lastly, we saw the kennel area for the larger puppies. They had a great outdoor, hillside area for play and exercise. It was clear that these dogs were well cared for and treated with a great deal of love, but was also transparent that the facility was smaller than what the team really needed. The outdoor portion could not be used during extreme weather or in the less comfortable months of summer and winter in New England. This is just one more reason that Guiding Eyes for the Blind needs strong support and sponsors in order to continue enriching so many lives.

When I left the Canine Development Center, I experienced a variety of different feelings. I felt awestricken and inspired. I also felt very proud to work for Canine Company, a strong supporter of Guiding Eyes, a non-profit organization made up of kind, smart people, dedicated to a magnificent cause that touches the lives of so many wonderful people and dogs.  

So, you typically take the kids to the mall and wait in line for hours for pictures with Santa... Why not have a different kind of visit with Santa this year? Look no further! Our Howliday Benefit in Wilton is a great opportunity to take your kids AND your dogs to see Santa while also supporting a great cause. The event will take place on Saturday, December 15, 2012 from 12-3PM at 493 Danbury Road in Wilton, CT.

Aside from being a fun and festive Saturday afternoon activity, this event also raises funds for a life-changing organization. A fifteen dollar fee for a picture with Santa serves as a donation to Guiding Eyes for the Blind, a non-profit guide dog school that enriches the lives of blind and visually-impaired individuals as well as children with Autism.

We're really honored to be in a position to help support this important cause and we're thrilled to be able to invite the local community to join in the fun. So take some time out of that hectic holiday schedule and enjoy a festive Saturday afternoon with your dogs and/or kids. Feel free to bring friends and the whole family too. All are welcome. We hope to see you there!