A couple of things caught my attention at this year's
America's Family Pet Expo. Among the new products being promoted were a new Web site, similar to WebMD, that offers pet owners a way to check out symptoms and other pet health issues.
PetzMD lets you plug in symptoms and search the site for information on what may be going on with your cat or dog -- and whether you need to see your veterinarian. It also has information about medications. Their marketing rep told me it arms owners with helpful information that allows them to make the most of the vet visits.
Another new company, based in Downey, is
Senior Pet Products which specializes in the special care our aging dogs and cats need. As vet care improves, our animals are living longer, so this is a field that is definitely growing.
As for the 2009 expo in general, it's well worth your while if you love pets as much as we do, but I'm sorry I didn't get to more of the demonstrations.
Splash Dogs was great, but there were also K9 demos, a bird show, grooming and training how-to events and other highlights that are simply all hard to get to in one day. I suppose that's always my one regret each year, there is simply too much to do and see in a single day at this event. Rather frustrating since most of us can only set aside one day to go.
The expo continues through 7 p.m. tonight (Saturday) and runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at the Orange County Fair grounds, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa.
Check out the jump on this post for some random photos I took Friday at the expo. (If any of our readers took pictures of the demonstrations and shows that I missed, email them to us and maybe we can post them.)
You have to leave your own pets at home for the expo, but there are plenty of cute dogs, cats, birds and (ugh) rodents to see there in the sprawling exhibit halls.
Many rescue groups have animals available for adoption.
These guys were really quite adorable.
This Bichon Frise named Jackson isn't quite ready for adoption yet, but will be after he recovers from some bite wounds he received when he was attacked by another dog. (He still has stitches across the back of his neck.)
The folks from Toyota had their new crossover vehicle called a
Venza at the expo for a special media preview (not open to the public). The car includes many features and accessories that dog owners might find appealing (the accessories cost extra, however, and are available separately to fit most cars).
And this being the marvelous age of digital, Megan could even film and interview herself, all by herself (below).
There were several therapy dog groups on hand to pass out information, answer questions -- and show off their very well-behaved and cute dogs!
Funniest doormat I saw for sale (at the Border Collie Rescue booth) was one with a crazy-looking border collie and out-of-control cat: "We're so excited you're here that we don't know whether to pee on the floor or rip up the couch."
If you've got some loose change to spend, there are lots of things to buy.
This handsome, tartan plaid doggie carrier (right) caught my eye (the Scotswoman in me and all). Alas, my dogs are way too big to be carted around in something like this. But if I'd had smaller dogs, I would have been sorely tempted to come home with this little item.
Daily Breeze reporter Donna Littlejohn has shared her homes with a succession of wonderful, funny, and occasionally difficult canines -- Muffin, Fritz, Ellie, Mercy, Pilgrim and now Cowboy, an Australian shepherd-border collie, and Tess, a border collie. From strong-willed terriers to weirdly obsessed Australian shepherds, they've invaded her world with boundless energy, wet noses, muddy paws and soggy tennis balls. But they've really brought so much more than that -- like laughter and joy, some unexpected life lessons, and more than a few tears along the way.
Josh Grossberg grew up with the usual array of animals: goldfish, dogs, hamsters, parakeets and turtles. He now owns the loudest dog in the South Bay(Video: Rocket the Dog) and is the least popular person on his block. He spends his free time in dog parks, pet shops and always has an extra plastic bag in his pocket just in case. He also has a cat.
Hey, you're welcome. I actually used the site myself yesterday. I'm taking one of my dogs (a young, spayed border collie) in to see my vet tomorrow for a problem she's had with incontinence when sleeping. Being able to do some advance research on the problem & medications typically used to treat the condition helps me to know what questions I should be asking.
Thanks for the kudos regarding our site! We were thrilled to be a part of the Family Pet Expo this year and look forward to making it back next year to sunny southern Cal!
Thanks,
Tina Cannon
President & CEO
PetzMD LLC
http://www.petzMD.com