Got pets? Then I bet you got stuff – or are thinking about getting stuff.
There is serious stuff, like medications and safety collars, and silly stuff, like doggie duds and electric litter boxes that supposedly scoop themselves. There is stuff for grooming, for playing, for sleeping, for eating.

But what to buy? For every thing I get for Franny and Dolan that they love, there’s three things that they loathe or ignore. Amount of money spent does not guarantee success. Dolan, for example, loved the $4.90 fleece donut bed I bought on sale at a drug store but would not go near a $50 leopard print “cat nap” mat with no-slip backing.

So with this in mind, SSS! presents: Pet Tested.
I get lots of promos from product manufacturers about the latest pet gadget. But I want to hear what has worked for you, the consumer, and your pet – NOT from the product promoter. So if you have purchased something that your pet has loved, or hated, tell us about it. Send your thoughts to: dlade@sun-sentinel.com.

Here’s our first Pet Tested product: The FURminator.
Invented by a professional groomer, the FURminator deShedding Tool looks like an oversized disposable razor. It supposedly removes the loose undercoat that eludes surface grooming. The tool comes in small, medium and large sizes, with additional models for cats and horses.

Click here for the FURminator Web site, complete with demonstration videos. Looks like they range in price from about $35 to $60 (don’t know about the equine one). Available at a wide range of stores and Web sites, which you can locate through the company’s home page.

But don’t just take the company’s word that FURminator is great. Here’s testimony from faithful SSS! reader TJ:

I swear by the Furminator pet grooming tool. I have a long-haired cat with a deep undercoat that defied all manner of grooming tools, and she had hairballs, etc. due to this thick coat. I ended up buying a Furminator in cat size, brushed her thoroughly once, got a TON, I mean a PILE of cat fur off her, including all the undercoat.

Now, we touch her up every couple of weeks and no more hairballs, shedding, etc. It’s great. I understand its great for dogs,too, and they have larger sizes for that.

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These product tips came from someone at RG PetComm. It's an online company that sells the SmartWalk Manager, a system that allows you to walk multiple dogs and holds your stuff.

Here are the suggestions. And thanks, RG PetComm!

Going green home remedy for pets not found in your pet supplies store.

For natural flea control – groom your pet daily. Use a fine toothed flea comb. Bathe your pet a natural pet shampoo that has flea repellent herbs. During summer wash your pet’s bedding in hot soapy water weekly and dry in hot dryer.

Flea killer: Pennyroyal aromatherapy oil is supposed to be good to get rid of the pesky bugs.

Try lavender on smelly dogs

Dog odor: When your dog comes in from the rain or outdoors, wipe him down with lavendar essential oils or other aromatherapy oils, that will make him smell good!

Dog odor on the carpet: Sprinkle baking soda and wait 15 minutes then vacuum it up, it is safe for the pets and will smell nice again.

Stickers - Use a stainless steel comb with wide teeth to pull out stickers from the fur before matting begins. Or else you can use your fingers to pull them out. If you find the sticker deep inside the ear making it difficult to remove, put some warm vegetable or mineral oil in the ear to soften it and take your pet to the vet.

"Whoever said you can't buy happiness forgot about puppies." !!

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Nothing beats a trial run when it comes to new pet products. So it's great when you SSS! readers write in about stuff that you have tried and your pet has loved -- or hated.

Matt is raving about the Rapid Bath, available at local PetSmart stores and on their Web site. (Click here). The claim is that you can bathe your dog in three minutes or less with this gadget -- and Matt swears its true. Suggested retail: $69.99.

Below is his review.

Want to take the hassle out of dog bathing? I bought one of those RapidBath systems at PetSmart this weekend. I've been bathing every dog in the neighborhood! I could not believe how easily I could bathe my two labs (both mixes). If you follow the instructions, which I didn't at first, it really does allow you to bathe your dog in under 3 minutes. This thing is amazing. And that's my tip of the day.

Have a new toy, bed or gadget that your pet loves -- or ignores? Speak! Send your reviews to me at dlade@sun-sentinel.com.

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Big dogs live large and play hard.

With that in mind, Planet Dog has created Cosmos, a line of super-sized, semi-chewy balls -- including one, the Luna model, that glows in the dark for those late-night romps.
Cosmos also have a "Treat Spot," where you can tuck in a tasty reward.

The balls are 5-inches in diameter and designed for 65-to-100 pound (or larger) pooches.
Suggested retail price is $14.95. Click here to order them online. Or call 800-381-1516.

Planet Dog is a company based in Portland, Maine (a city I've visited often and a place where they love their dogs) that prides itself on its social initiatives. The Planet Dog Foundation, funded out of product purchases, donated $200,000 last year to programs that promote and celebrate man's best friend.

Click here to see some of the amazing programs they are supporting for police dogs, service animals, therapy animals and just plain pets. Also has information on how to apply for funding. Maybe your favorite organization can be the next grantee?

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Finally a solution to the "cone of destruction". I don't know about you, but when my dogs had to where the plastic cone around their necks they would run into things and knock things over.

The Comfy Cone seems like it solves a lot of problems the plastic cones causes our pets. Check it out.

Click here for the details.

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A book crossed my desk that is nothing more than pure indulgence. Eye candy. Escapism canine-style.

Because if you like dogs, you’ll love Dogs: 101 Adorable Breeds ($24.99, Andrews McMeel). Rachael Hale, an animal portrait photographer from Aukland, New Zealand, manages to capture the essence of every breed. You can also read about each dog’s origins, temperament and maintenance.

But this book is really about looking at photos. And judging by the reaction of my co-workers, it's about oohing and awwing at the collection of adorable dogs.

Doggone cute.

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If you’re like 30 million other Americans, you travel with a pet.

Nancy Cribb of Delray Beach was returning from a visit with her parents in Arkansas, when she got tired of trying to get her two Bichon Frises to drink water at every rest stop.

She looked at her cup holders and a light bulb went off. Why hadn’t anyone invented a bowl that fits in a car cup holder?

The To Go Bowl is her first invention and available just in time for Memorial Day travel from her web site furrytravelers.com.

“People that take their dogs in the car immediately know how valuable it is,” says Cribb, who left a job in property management to launch the site and her flagship invention.

Available in six colors, each $15 bowl holds 24 ounces of water. Cribb recommends filling the bowl to just 16 ounces in stop-and-go traffic. A removable base holds treats or dry dog food. The bowls are made in a Dania Beach factory.

Cribb sells several other products on the web site including harnesses, booster seats and strollers. You’ll also find South Florida stores that carry the To Go Bowl.

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When my sister, who hadn’t had a pet in years, decided on a Weimaraner, I figured she was in trouble. She works nearly full-time and has three daughters who were then just entering their teens.

The Weimaraner proved to be a little too opinionated and a little too hard to train for her family. Back he went to the breeder.

I wish she’d read a new book called New Dog: Choosing Wisely and Ensuring a Happily Ever After (Firefly, $19.95) by Dr. Bruce Fogle and Patricia Holden White.
Fogle, who lives in England, is often referred to as the world’s best-selling practicing vet with more than 20 best sellers. Holden White is a professional dog trainer.

New Dog is a step-by-step guide for potential dog owners with all kinds of easy-to-access lists. There are: recommended breeds for inexperienced owners (Cavalier King Charles spaniel, Yorkshire terrier); breeds for active, involved owners (English springer spaniel, Brittany) and breeds for families with ample spare time (Jack Russell terrier and the aforementioned Weimaraner). My favorite category is breeds for socially responsible families. What else but a mixed breed?

The authors give a run down of what to expect from a breed: personality, health and time taker.
There’s even an essential shopping list so you don’t go out spending gobs of money on things you don’t need. New Dog is filled with colorful photos, which makes it the kind of book even kids will want to read.

My sister, by way, now shares her home with two cats. Let us know if there are other dog books you’d recommend.

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SSS! regular TJ asked earlier this week: Is pet loss and grief to heavy a topic for blogging?

"Not an upbeat subject but an important one," she wrote. "So many people think they aren’t allowed to grieve the death of their pets, and are so desperate for understanding during this tough time.”

I agree completely. TJ also packed so much information and good links into her note that I am going to put it out over several posts.

First, here's Animals in Our Heart, a Web site sponsored by Teresa Wagner, a pet loss support counselor. Wagner does seminars and consultations but also has some free articles online. “It talks about spiritual connections between humans and animals, pet grief and support,” TJ wrote. "If you visit the site, turn on your speakers, because the music on the homepage is BEAUTIFUL. It’s by Richard Shulman, a great musician.”

The site also has pet bereavement cards, books on pet loss -- and these incredibly cool pet prayer flags. I plan to buy a string for my backyard, where Sputnik and Cinnamon lay side by side. I miss you guys but will remember you always.

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In tribute to the earth I'm not going to buy a new toy this week, I'm going to make one.

All you need is a water bottle and a large sock (an old tube sock would work perfectly).

It's really easy. Take the lid off a water bottle and squeeze and crush the bottle as much as you can. Then put the bottle into the sock and tie the top.

Ta da, instant toy.

Note, this toy is not for all dogs and if your dog rips through the sock you should either get another sock or recycle the bottle.

Norman goes crazy when he crunches down on the water bottle because it makes a very loud noise.

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ConsumerAffairs.com, which tracks recalls and takes consumer complaints, has just posted a report that claims NUTRO pet food is causing dogs and cats across the country to have diarrhea, vomiting and other digestive problems.
Click here to read the full story.

The Web site, which has been critical of the pet food industry, said it came to the conclusion after examining reports submitted by pet-owning readers. However, others said they were satisfied with the products.
Several veterinarians interviewed said many things can cause GI problems in pets. While food ingredients or formulation could be one, so could changes in diet or other health issues, they said.

NUTRO spokespeople said their products had passed quality assurance standards and meet standards set by the FDA. There have been no recalls. Concerned consumers can contact the company here or by calling 800-833-5330.

Have you had good or bad experiences with NUTRO foods?

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Sneaky, those marketers. Look what crept into our mailbox a couple weeks ago...

Hmm, Greenies. Sound familiar? In 2006, the Food and Drug Administration investigated Greenie’s popular canine line after consumers complained the toothbrush-shaped green nuggets were fatally clogging their dogs’ intestines and digestive tracks. Manufacturer S&M NuTec settled a class action lawsuit against Greenies last year. The formula and the packaging now have changed.

But my bigger concern is: Do my two cats really need treats? A friend calls them "crack for cats." A lot of them contain sugar. That's not the case with Feline Greenies, but they are 30 percent carbohydrates. I did test out two Greenies on picky Frances Jeanne, before I tossed the freebie in the garbage pail. Yep, she scarfed ‘em down.

So did you get a Greenies sample and what did you do with it? And are you feeding treats in general?

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A comment was posted about the Squeeze Meeze Jr. Octopus that I thought I should share.

Eileen Glasco writes:

Please watch your pets closely with these toys. My Dachshund chewed and swallowed some of the latex and became quite ill. Buyer beware.

Noman was able to rip off one of the extendable arms but he doesn't usually swallow his toys when he is done with them. If you have a dog who like to kill toys and then eat them I would stay clear of these toys.

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Norman was once again totally stoked by his new toy. This week we took a trip to Pet's Mart and found a very loud and animated octopus. (FYI, I couldn't find these on Pet's Mart website)

Squeeze Meeze Jr. Octopus has crazy extendable arms that spring outward when squeezed. This freaked Norman out at first (in a good way) and he was out of control with excitement.

The Squeeze Meeze Jr. is made out of latex and, unless Norman rips a hole in it, I don't think he will be able to "kill" the squeaker.

The toys range from $3.99 for the Jr. brand (made for smaller dogs) to $5.99 for the regular size.

This is a toy that will keep your dog entertained for hours. (Well, that is if your dog is anything like Norman, obsessed and relentless.)

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If you've never checked out the collars at Around the Hounds you must. Everytime I go to this site I wish I had a girl dog because the female collars are gorgeous.

Around the Hounds make customized collars for hounds, and have recently expanded into the all breed buckle market. They specialize in martingale collars for sight hounds, like my Italian Greyhound Silvio.

If you have any great sites for dog collars let me know. Calvin has been sporting a Chicago Bears collar for over a year now and it's probably time for something new. (Though, I think the Bears are going to bounce back from last season so I'll be hanging on to it.)

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Yes, the dog in this picture is napping. Eternally.
He’s dead.

But thanks to the same technology that sent ice cream into space, his bereaved owner was able to have him lyophilized -- or freeze dried. Why bother with photos when you can have the real thing, arranged on his dog bed, for all time?

Pet Preservation is just one of several companies offering this service. Lyophilization-philes describe it as perfect for someone who doesn’t have a private yard for burial, is squeamish about cremation or just can’t let go. “Now we can keep him forever! He looks just like he was,” a New York couple wrote to Perpetual Pet, which dried and posed their black kitten playing with a spool of thread.

The process keeps the entire body intact without decomposition – as compared to taxidermy, which preserves only the external skin and fur. Prices range from about $395 to $2,000, depending on your pet’s size. Poses are extra.

Freeze-drying isn’t a new process, and even freeze-drying animals has been around for awhile. I found a Time magazine piece about a Florida man who was drying everything from pet hamsters to alligators back in 1989.

Don’t get me wrong: I do understand how someone might want to thwart the heartbreak of losing an animal companion by keeping them around, forever fluffy. But I can’t imagine that frozen, silent versions of my cats would give me much comfort. Plus we would have to pose Dolan eating, not sleeping.

So: Would YOU ever consider freeze-drying your pet? Is it a lasting memorial? Or macabre?

(photo from Pet Preservation at www.petpreservations.com)

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Last week, I was happy to be on the walking rotation for Misty, my friends' sweet golden retriever, when they were out of town. But I had forgotten how different clean up is for dogs vs. cats. With cats, the poop hopefully is waiting for you in the litter box. With dogs, you gotta scoop on the go, with an eager retriever towing you like a water skier.

The Dispoz-A-Scoops that Misty's family left for me made it a breeze. Manufactured by a South Florida company, it's a small plastic bag with a wire around the one end and a cardboard handle. Flip it open, hang onto the cardboard and you can scoop with ease, then toss it in the trash.

My friends' Davie neighborhood has Dispoz-A dispensers, stocked with bags, scattered along its main walking trail, and manufacturer Microlene told me most of their business comes from condo and homeowner associations. You can get scoops direct from Microlene - although you have to buy 500 for $146. A more convenient option is to pick up a 24-pack at PetSmart for $10.99.

I know these contraptions are more expensive than some other poop patrol equipment mentioned in an Angie post last week (where I was so glad to see people enjoying getting our newspaper at home if, for nothing else, it comes wrapped in a potential great poop bag.) But you might want to treat yourself to a Dispoz-A-Scoop.

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This week Norman met his match. The Bad Cuz Toy, a very loud and rubbery ball with feet and horns, kept going and going — and going. We bought him the medium size which is quite big for his little mouth. This was great because it really wore him out.

The toy was so much fun that even Chewy played with it. I rate the squeakability very high. Norman did not completely break the squeaker but he did damage it enough to mute the squeak quite a bit.

You can buy these toys at most pet stores ranging from $5 to $10. I highly recommend them, but earlier when I said the squeaker is loud I was not exaggerating!

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We recently moved from a neighborhood that had doggy bag stands everywhere. In our new neighborhood there is only one, but you have to walk a mile to get to it. Which is why I'm so excited that I can now buy BÄSTIS (pet waste bags) from our local IKEA.

I know it's not the most exciting thing to buy, but these bags are only $1.49 for 50 bags and are way more reliable than my reused Publix plastic bags.

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If you've never heard of them your pets are missing out. Snuggle Sax are a perfect place for your little animals to sleep the day away. They are made of premium polar fleece with fuzzy lining inside to keep them nice and warm.

The Basic Snuggle Sax is 34" by 30" and comes in tons of colors and patterns. It's yours for $30. Or you could splurge and get a Fancy Snuggle Sax with embroidered fleece for $50.

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