Tips on saving money on caring for your pet | ABC7 San Francisco

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By ABC7

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Tips:

Driving with your dog. The Governor just vetoed a bill that would make it illegal to drive with your dog in your lap. They do make dog car seats and seat belts....we sell the seat belts.

Dog Beds: As the weather starts to cool off, dogs start to get a bit chilly. A nice warm dog bed is exactly what they need! Dog beds can be a bit pricey, but finding the right bed can save you money in the long run. A pre-washed, pre-shrunk cotton cover that can be removed is ideal. It allows you to wash the dog's bed as often as you like. There are a couple of new trends in dog beds. Most of your dog beds are now made to match your homes interior. Another trend, which fits in with the "green movement" is to stuff the bed inserts with recycled plastic bottles. Very eco friendly and super soft and cozy! Long gone is the cedar stuffed bed that can't be washed! A great tip to keeping your dog's bed fresh for years is to buy some water proof sheeting at a baby store. Cut it to fit the top of the bed. This way, if your dog has an accident and the damage goes beyond the cover, your inserts are still clean.

Winter Wear: There are people out there that think dogs wearing any clothing is just plain crazy. I want to disagree. Some dogs weren't bred to be in cold weather and you can see them shaking when they are cold. A sweater or jacket can really help. This is especially true if people plan on taking their dogs to the snow. A dog that isn't use to the snow can suffer hypothermia. Protecting their feet is also important. Booties that are lined with fleece work well. If your dog is walking on the sidewalk, you may still want to protect their feet. Cities treat sidewalks and street with salt or other chemicals to prevent ice from forming. These chemicals can irritate your dogs feet, plus when you get home the dog will most likely lick their feet and ingest the chemicals.

Dogs that like to chew: give them a challenge! A treat stick that keeps dogs busy without destroying anything.

Murphy's Paw
Website: www.murphyspaw.com
410 Main Street
Pleasanton, CA 94566
(925) 600.8925

Murphy's Paw is located at 410 Main Street in the heart of beautiful downtown Pleasanton. We've scoured the country searching for the most unique and highest quality canine products on the market. At Murphy's Paw, we strive to be experts in our field, providing superior customer service in a pawsitive environment. From beds and carriers to collars and leashes; from treats and toys to apparel and decorative items, Murphy's Paw is THE source for gifts and accessories for the discriminating canine. We also have a "Kitty Korner" for our feline friends, not to mention gifts for the dog and cat lover.

Yappy Hour at Murphy's Paw
Yappy Hour gives dogs and the people they own a chance to mingle. Wine and appetizers are served to the people, while dogs munch on some of their favorite treats. We have Yappy Hours every two months and the proceeds benefit the Molly Inspires Foundation. (A non-profit organization dedicated to assisting people with special needs dogs.) We will be pouring wine until 11:30pm.

About Melanie Sadek, Owner of Murphy's Paw:
Melanie Sadek always dreamed of giving her Golden Retriever, Murphy, a special store to call his own. When Murphy turned 6 years-old, she made that dream come true. Melanie left the corporate world, where she specialized in highway safety, and opened Murphy's Paw, a posh, yet affordable dog boutique in beautiful downtown Pleasanton. In Murphy's honor, Melanie made it a goal to cater to dogs of ALL size. The result: Murphy's Paw has the most unique and highest quality canine products on the market. From beds and carriers to collars and leashes; from treats and toys to apparel and decorative items, Murphy's Paw is THE source for gifts and accessories for the discriminating canine. However, providing a fun atmosphere and great selection of products was just the beginning. Melanie essentially wanted to create "Cheers" for those who consider their dogs family members, not just pets. Murphy's Paw strives to organize fun events and charitable promotions to keep both human and canine customers entertained. Ice Cream Socials, "Pawlitician" elections, and Yappy Hours not only "raise the woof" for local patrons, but also benefit Bay Area animal charities such as Tri-Valley Animal Rescue and the Valley Humane Society. Please visit murphyspaw.com for an upcoming calendar of events, and remember it's a dog's world--we just live in it.

Save money on caring for your pet