Recently in America's Family Pet Expo Category

Pet Expo: What's new, what's cool, what's cute

By Donna Littlejohn on April 18, 2009 3:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) |

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.)

Continue reading Pet Expo: What's new, what's cool, what's cute.

Pet Expo: Portuguese Water Dogs

By Donna Littlejohn on April 18, 2009 12:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) |

Gwen Brock and Eileen Hartwick were busy answering lots of questions Friday at the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America booth at America's Family Pet Expo. (The expo continues through 7 p.m. tonight and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at the Orange County fairgrounds, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa.)

After all, the breed recently burst onto the public scene in a very big way after President Barack Obama and his family adopted Bo, a 6-month-old PWD, as their very first family pet.

While fans of the breed are rightfully proud and appreciative of their dogs' newfound prominence, they're mostly worried that their popularity will lead to amateur, backyard breeding (possibly even ruining some breeding lines) and more dogs winding up in shelters after owners realize they cant handle the lively water dogs.

PWDs are a rare breed -- there were only 17 of them in 1975 -- but they've bounced back and definitely have a strong fan base. One thing I learned while talking to the women at the booth on Friday was that PWDs have hair, not fur, which is why they are less prone to shedding and causing allergy flare-ups.

So was a PWD a good choice for the First Family?

Yes, Eileen told me, because "they do love kids." But she worries that the dog may wind up bonding with caretakers (Bo is bound to have his own staff). The puppy no doubt will have limited access and limited time with family members under the circumstances.

And what about the webbed-footed breed's need for water? The White House apparently has two swimming pools, one indoor and the other outdoor. Oh, and there are fountains. Bo is bound to find his way into those at some point, Eileen and Gwen told me.

Still, people need to do their research and be careful about adopting a PWD. Already, one of the women told me, there are ads out on craigslist for "PWD" pups. And that gives them much cause for concern.

That's Raley at the left, who belongs to Eileen (a Needles resident).

At right is Brinkley, Gwen Brock's PWD (and a Rancho Palos Verdes resident). Brinkley is a therapy dog who visits local libraries (including the ones in Palos Verdes) under the Paws 4 Healing program. The dogs "listen" as kids practice their reading skills.

As with choosing any purebred dog, prospective owners are urged to do their homework, to make sure a particular breed will be a good fit for their family and lifestyle.

You'll find booths representing most of the popular breeds at the Pet Expo this weekend where you can ask questions and get the information you need if you're considering adopting or purchasing a purebred dog. The booths have handouts about the breeds and are staffed by people who can answer any questions you have. Some have dogs on site available for adoption, although there were no PWDs there this weekend needing homes.

The folks at the booths also can steer you in the right direction to find good, reputable breeders if you're looking for a purebred puppy. And, no, those breeders don't usually advertise on craigslist.

Pet Expo: Splash Dogs

By Donna Littlejohn on April 18, 2009 10:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) |

If you go to the Pet Expo this weekend, be sure to see the Splash Dogs show. The competition involves dogs diving off a platform after a toy -- winners are determined by the length of their dive.

Below are some photos I took Friday of the dogs preparing for the event (do they look ready to go or what?) and competing.

The expo is at the Orange County fairgrounds, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. today (Saturday), 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Pet Expo: Products, products, products

By Donna Littlejohn on April 18, 2009 9:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) |

The take.

If you go to the Pet Expo, be sure to bring a bag -- for all the free samples, coupons and pamphlets you'll no doubt collect as you wander the exhibit halls.

I did purchase a couple things for my dogs: A western-themed collar and bandana for Cowboy. And a red sheep collar and tartan plaid scarf for Tess.

My friend Shirley collected plenty of cat samples as well and purchased a cat tank top (for her, not her cat) that promotes the worthy cause of spay-and-neuter (the booth was run by a nonprofit group, the Nooters Club.)

She also purchased a couple of those ribbon car magnets promoting spay and neuter.

But you really don't have to spend anything beyond the admission price to come home with lots of good information, discount coupons and trial-sized samples.

Pet Expo: Peter Zippi to the rescue of homeless cats

By Donna Littlejohn on April 18, 2009 4:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) |

This was one of the best moments of my visit Friday to America's Family Pet Expo, ongoing this weekend in Costa Mesa.

The woman on the right, a Santa Ana resident, adopted Cheeto, a beautiful year-old cat that had been taken in by the folks at the Peter Zippi Fund for Animals in Hermosa Beach. Cheeto was found wandering around an apartment complex and has been with the rescue group since January (that's Peter Zippy volunteer Dolly Rhamy of Torrance on the left). The new owner said she and her husband have been wanting a cat and Cheeto seemed like a perfect fit.

The Peter Zippi Fund was established in memory of a young, aspiring veterinarian who began working as a veterinarian with Dr. Alice Villalobos in 1976. A year later, he and three friends were tragically killed in a small plane crash in Torrance. When Peter's family was presented with his final paycheck after he'd died, his family asked Dr. Villalobos to keep the money and "do something special for the animals he loved so much."

So 32 years later, thanks to all that, a cat named Cheeto found a new home this weekend. He joined some 11,000 other animals that have been placed in homes since the fund was begun, according to Leslie Neff, who has worked with the nonprofit organization for 20 years.

Cheeto may be gone, but there are several other great cats still available for adoption at the Peter Zippi booth, including a real cutie named Tamale (last shot below).

Pet Expo: Dogs, cats and lotsa stuff to buy

By Donna Littlejohn on April 17, 2009 9:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) |

America's Family Pet Expo kicked off Friday and continues through this weekend (10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday) . These border collie pups above are just a sample of the great pets you can see at the expo.

Set up on the Orange County fair grounds in Costa Mesa, this is one of the biggest pet events all year, complete with hundreds of dog and cat rescue groups, pet demonstrations, and a dazzling array of pet products.

There were "Pet hair eraser" Bissel vacuums, kitty kamodes, "Sleepy Pod" mobile pet beds, dog houses shaped like football team helmets, and collars and leashes galore. There were lots of free samples of foods and treats,

Toyota was on hand for a special showing of its Venza (for media only), a crossover SUV that comes with dog-friendly accents (backseat hammocks, car seats for small dogs, etc.).

I'll post separately about some of the booths and other highlights at the fair. But check it out yourself if you have some time this weekend, head south on the 405, stimulate the economy and enjoy.

America's Family Pet Expo is here

By Donna Littlejohn on April 16, 2009 3:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) |

pet expo logo.jpg Well, kids, it's here -- the annual America's Family Pet Expo at the Orange County Fair grounds in Costa Mesa.

If you're a pet lover (and we assume you are if you're reading this) and you've never been to this event, it's worth the drive down (the fair kicks off Friday and runs through Sunday, April 17-19).

Daily shows, competitions and demos feature diving "splash" dogs (Drama, a regular at the San Pedro Dog Park, will be competing I'm told), exotic pets, pony rides, free flight bird shows, a cat show, dog grooming makeovers, and police K-9 demos.

Thousands of pet products will be available for sale and pet rescue groups will be on hand with animals available for adoption (including many of the breed rescues).

Some of the vendors also give out free samples.

Warren Eckstein of The Pet Show (KRLA 870 AM) is scheduled to broadcast live from the expo fair grounds between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday.

Expo hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. General admission is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors (60 and older), $6 for kids 6-12 years and free for children 5 and under. There's a $2 discount if you buy tickets online via Ticketmaster.

I usually head out there each year with my childhood friend Shirley (we grew up next door to each other once upon a time) -- she's the cat person, I'm the dog person. So between us we make it to most of the exhibit areas, although we skip the reptiles and rats.

Maybe see you out there this weekend.

« alligators | Main Index | Archives | American Kennel Club »

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.

E-mail Donna at donna.littlejohn@dailybreeze.com.

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.

E-mail Josh at josh.grossberg@dailybreeze.com.

Recently in America's Family Pet Expo Category

Pet Expo: What's new, what's cool, what's cute

Pet Expo: Portuguese Water Dogs

Pet Expo: Splash Dogs

Pet Expo: Products, products, products

Pet Expo: Peter Zippi to the rescue of homeless cats

Pet Expo: Dogs, cats and lotsa stuff to buy

America's Family Pet Expo is here

About this Archive

Advertisement

About the Bloggers

Search

Categories