Tips To Help Keep Your Pets Warm And Safe

Summer is great for animals – they love the outdoors as much as we do. It’s the cold-weather months that are just hard on on them as it is on us. Keeping pets safe and happy when it’s cold is a major concern for all pet owners. Marc Morrone, renowned pet expert and host of Hallmark Channel’s “Petkeeping with Marc Morrone” (airs weekdays at noon), is a modern-day Dr. Dolittle and Martha Stewart’s go-to guy in the world of four-legged and winged beasts, from dogs to cats and rabbits to parrots. On his show, Marc reveals what viewers need to know about caring for their pets, and below are Marc’s top tips for winter pet care:

• When fitting dogs with boots and sweaters, make sure to practice inside your home first. If your pets aren’t comfortable walking around the house in their gear, they will not be comfortable in the outdoors.

• Don’t forget about the wild animals in the winter. Placing a bird feeder outside your window can mean the difference between life and death for a little songbird.

• Keep antifreeze out of reach of pets. It is extremely toxic. Marc cannot stress that enough.

• If you live in an apartment building or co-op, petition the board to only use pet-safe deicer on the sidewalks and courtyard walkways throughout the winter.

• If you own a reptile, keep extra heat lamps on hand during the winter months in case one blows out during a holiday or snowstorm and you can’t get out to replace the bulb.

• In the winter, dry air causes dogs and cats to shed quite a bit. To combat this, brush your pet daily and add raw flaxseed oil to your pet’s food (1 teaspoon for every 10 lbs. of your pet’s weight). This will help reduce dryness of the skin.

In every episode of “Petkeeping with Marc Morrone,” customers stop by with pet in hand seeking Marc’s advice on every topic from common cat/dog misconceptions to how to keep children and pets safe and happy while living under the same roof. This season, he looks at plus-size pets, baby pets, older pets, high-maintenance pets and more. He made his national TV debut in 1998 on Martha’s show after she spotted him on a New York cable access show. The author of five books, Marc also writes a syndicated pets column for Newsday, hosts “Ask Marc, the Petkeeper” on Martha Stewart Living Radio and has a weekly show on News 12 New York called “Animal Island.”

Find More Pets Tips:

For more pets tips and advice in your local area contact your area Humane Society of Vet.

By Marc Morrone

Gen Con – Where Our Inner Child Come’s Out To Play!

Where in the world is Carmen Santiago? She was at Gen Con this year in Indianapolis, Indiana having a great time. She wasn’t the only one there are superheroes and mythical creatures everywhere in the Indianapolis Convention Center gaming, buying stuff, and just making your life more interesting. People may not get what Gen Con is all about, well that is because they have never experienced all of the glory that is the best four days in gaming. You really have to be there to enjoy it all – then you get it!

While you walk around you see everyone’s inner child coming to life and it really makes others happy to see characters from their favorite games or moves coming to life. You really feel the dedication that these people went through to construct the costumes, and the detail that that you see in some of them is amazing.

You also get a feeling of just happiness all of these people have come to this place all 50,000 of them to just have fun. You see kids with the parents learning about D and D and the wonderful world of imagination that kids are so used to, but adults rarely show because they are busy. This is an amazing place to just talk to others that are like minded and really connect with others at a fantastic level.

I like to interview people and just hear what they have to say about Gen Con and every year people have been that much more impressed with the results. Some of the people are there for games others to shop, because where can you get a pair of elf ears now a days? Not at your local convenient store, where else do you see Mega Man and the Cookie Monster in the same exact room – nowhere.

I have always felt that Gen Con brings out the best in people because as this one guy said today and I quote,

“I can dress up as anything, and you know what, people won’t judge a bit here that’s why I come!” 


That really summed up the idea behind it all, that we can have a great time just playing a simple game and really connect with others.

I have met amazing artists like Lydia Burris, played in worldwide tournaments, and have enjoyed experiencing many of the great done a lot of family fun activities at this event. All of this is under one roof – at the Indianapolis Convention Center, and, GEN CON is one of the most amazing events that I is a must-attend on my calendar and for many other people that I see yearly – and is part of the fun – seeing old friends, and making new ones! 

Get ready for the best four days in gaming – learn more about Gen Con, and upcoming events, news, and other updates by visiting their website.
Visit USA Travel Magazine at http://www.usatravelmagazine.com/ for more News and Travel Destinations to “Explore Across America’s Backyard and Beyond!”

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Racing Icon’s Join Brickyard Vintage Racing Invitational At IMS

The Indianapolis 500 set the stage for a summer of great racing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. IMS welcomes 26 former Indianapolis 500 drivers for the Brickyard Vintage Racing Invitational. Among these driver’s are Al Unser Jr., 1992 and 1994 winner, 1996 winner, Buddy Lazier, Scott Goodyear, Dick Simon, Willy T. Ribbs, Lyn St. James, plus many others, who will compete in early June on the recently reconfigured road course at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

After a day on the famed 2.5-mile oval all cars will be on display in the IMS infield providing fans up close access to the racecars and their owners. This will be a amazing event that has twelve different race groups that range from early 1900s cars all the way up through to relatively modern prototype cars and everything in between. Plus, there will be three oval race groups focusing on pre-war, roadsters and the wings and slicks era.

Hosted by the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association, race fans will not want to miss the largest competitive motorsports event ever held in the United States. The three-day event will include over 700 racecars, and is the first time that a vintage racing series has ever competed at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Prior to the opening ceremonies Pro-Am drivers will also participate in a Fan Walk so you can see the cars up close, take photos and chat with the drivers before the race.

It will be hard to stay in your seats during the high-speed exhibition that runs on Saturday, and will feature 1950’s-vintage Indianapolis 500 roadsters. And, three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Unser will lead the Brickyard Invitational high-speed oval experience, which is open to all cars entered in races for the weekend. Cars entered in the Brickyard Vintage Racing Invitational will be eligible for awards honoring giants of the sport: mechanic and car builder A.J. Watson and three-time Formula One World Champion Sir Jack Brabham. Watson and Brabham both passed away last month.

Racing icon Parnelli Jones, the 1963 Indianapolis 500 winner, is the grand marshal of the event, and will drive the pace car for the Charity Indy Legends Pro-Am race at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday featuring drivers who competed in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” Jones’s pace car will be the Mustang Boss 302 he drove years ago when competing on the Trans-Am racing circuit. 

A highlight of the weekend event is the Charity Indy Legends Pro-Am race that will feature Indianapolis 500 veterans paired with amateur drivers. The drivers will each take a 20-minute stint, with five minutes allotted for a driver change. The cars used in the Pro-Am race will include 1963 to 1972 vintage Chevrolet Corvettes, Camaros and Ford Mustangs. In addition to Unser Jr., Lazier, Goodyear, Simon, Ribbs and St. James, former Indianapolis 500 drivers competing in the Charity Indy Legends Pro-Am include Mark Dismore, Johnny Parsons Jr., Alex Lloyd, Pete Halsmer, Robby Unser, Rocky Moran, Davey Hamilton, Eliseo Salazar, Jaques Lazier, Robby McGehee, Spike Gehlhausen, Billy Roe, Eldon Rasmussen, Scott Harrington, Rick Treadway, John Martin, Tom Bagley, Bob Lazier, P.J. Chesson and Jack Miller.

Getting To IMS:


Brickyard Vintage Racing Invitational tickets are $40.00 for a three-day general admission pass. Single day general admission tickets are $15 on Friday, June 6, $20 on Saturday, June 7 and $25 on Sunday, June 8. Children 12 and under are admitted free each day when accompanied by an adult. To learn more about the Brickyard Vintage Racing Invitational, overnight camping options available, and upcoming events call 800-822-INDY or 317-492-6700 between 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
(ET) or visit www.ims.com/tickets.

To learn more about Sportscar Vintage Racing Association, and find a complete schedule for the weekend and an entry list for the Brickyard Vintage Racing Invitational visit http://www.svra.com.

Join The Yosemite Grant 150th Anniversary


There will be a variety of events happening to celebrate the occasion of the Yosemite Grant 150th Anniversary. Events will take place both inside Yosemite and in the surrounding gateway communities. While in the area be sure to visit these two galleries; the Gallery Yosemite and Timberline Gallery. Gallery Yosemite that is a new venue for creative artists to express their love for Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada.

Timberline Gallery has been a community-centered art institution for 28 years, and will hosts two shows this year that are dedicated to the grandeur of Yosemite.
These galleries have partnered to honor the Yosemite Grant 150th anniversary with eight months of artistic learning series providing speakers and classes for travelers as well as locals.
“Our members are award winning artists in juried competitions. Many have their work in corporations and International collections. A number have been featured in National art magazines,” said Merylyn Whited of the Timberline Gallery.
There will be a Free Artist Learning Series on the 2nd Saturday of each month from 2 pm to 4 pm, which includes these summer events:
June 14th – Panorama Photography by Mark Heliger
July 12th – Summer Children’s Event with painting, art stations, stenciling, clay bears and more.
August 9th – Art Treasures of Yosemite Museum presentation by Richard Pettier
September 13th – Yosemite Museum, Yosemite history presentation
Information For Planning Your Trip:
To explore area attractions, recreation, festivities to enjoy, and to plan your trip visit the Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau website at www.yosemitethisyear.com.
Check out details on the Yosemite Grant 150th Anniversary by visiting www.nps.gov/yose/anniversary.

ATTENTION RACE FANS – If You’re Headed To Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s KNOW YOUR ZONE Driving Routes

It’s May, and time for all the exciting events that lead up to the Indianapolis 500 race. As you plan your visit to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway there are several ways to avoid traffic headaches. IMS has created the KNOW YOUR ZONE program that helps you plan your routes ahead of time for an easier, more efficient drive to the track.

The track will open at 5:30 a.m. on Race Day, and the race begins at noon, so officials suggest you arrive in Marion County no later than 8 a.m. to ensure getting to IMS in time to experience all the traditional pre-race activities and the start of the race. Working together with the Indiana State Police, IMS has specific areas for parking within the KNOW YOUR ZONE program, which are:

•Orange: The southern end of IMS.

•Red: The northern end of IMS.

•Green: Between the Orange (southern) and Red (northern) zones.

Take note that Georgetown Road will be closed at 7 a.m. on Indianapolis 500 Race Day on Sunday, May 25, to all vehicular traffic between 16th Street on the south and 25th Street.  After Georgetown Road is closed, no vehicular traffic, including placarded traffic, will be allowed to access the road way.

Those race patrons with placards accustomed to entering IMS Gate 7 will have to enter through Gate 2 (W. 16th Street) or Gate 10 (30th Street).  Upon completion of the race, Georgetown Road will remain closed to vehicular traffic until the vast majority of race pedestrian foot traffic clears from the roadway, which is approximately 1 hour after the race.

A limited number of Indianapolis 500 Race Day Turn 3 reserved infield parking passes remain available for purchase. A popular parking option for tailgating reserved Turn 3 passes were made available for the first time at IMS for the 2013 Indianapolis 500. The recommended gate entry point for pre-paid Race Day Turn 3 infield parking pass-holders is through Gate 2 (Tunnel 2) off of 16th Street.

Turn 3 parking passes can be purchased in person at the IMS Ticket Office, by calling (800) 822-INDY or (317) 492-6700 between 8 a.m.-5 p.m., or by visiting the IMS website.

Limited free parking on Race Day is also available in Lot 7 on a first-come, first-served basis. Free parking will be available outside the oval for fans attending all IMS events in 2014, with access to lots from both eastbound and westbound 30th Street.

Vehicles traveling west on 30th Street from Lafayette Road will be routed into Gate 10 until the area is full, then westbound traffic will be diverted to Lot 1C (Coke Lot), west of Georgetown Road. Vehicles traveling east on 30th Street from Moller Road will be routed into Lot 1C.

Recreational vehicles and buses, with the exception of those with proper placards or credentials, will not be allowed inside IMS property. Sufficient parking is available for oversize vehicles in Lot 1C.

To save on fuel and avoid traffic consider riding your bicycles to the Indianapolis 500. If you do, you can use the free secured parking at the Pedal and Park bicycle corral. Located on Crawfordsville Road just west of the corner of Georgetown and 16th Streets in Speedway, Ind., riders should take 10th Street North to Main Street in Speedway to Crawfordsville Road. For more details on biking to the track visit: www.pedalandpark.org.

Another option for avoid traffic and parking issues is using the shuttle bus service provided by the Free Enterprise System and Star of Americas’ Park-N-Ride Shuttle. Online advance registration for bus service from three downtown locations and the Indianapolis International Airport is available at: http://www.indy500parking.com.

Getting There:

To learn the locations of work zones and highway restrictions call INDOT’s TrafficWise at 1-800-261-ROAD (7623) or viewing an online map at www.TrafficWise.IN.gov. ISP will also offer updates on traffic and parking on Twitter and Facebook.

To order your tickets for the Indy 500, and other races go to www.ims.com/tickets, or call 800-822-INDY or 317-492-6700 between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (ET) Monday through Friday or by visiting the IMS Ticket Office at the IMS Administration Building at the corner of Georgetown Road and 16th Street between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (ET) Monday through Friday.

Power Paws by Woodrow Wear Protect Your Dogs Paws

Each day we slip on our shoes before going off to work or taking a trip. Without them we face the risk of cutting our feet on glass and other obstacles. While nature provided our dogs with thick pads, they do face the same problems we do when outside. This is where Power Paws by Woodrow Wear can help.

These socks are anatomically designed to fit a dog’s foot, and provide traction on slick floors. This is especially helpful for our Terrier, who has problems with slick surfaces like the tiles and wood floors in our house. In fact, we have a rug laid out just for her so she can jump on the couch and sit with us.

Power Paws also provide wound protection, and outdoors they protect your dog’s feet from the extreme temperatures. We know from personal experience how hot the sand on the beach or side walks get on a steamer summer day. With Power Paws your dog’s feet will be protected, which means they’ll be more interested in playing than licking their sore paws.

To keep your furry friends in fashion you can select from one of 10 designs, that include festive holiday patterns that fit paws of every size. Power Paws are also a preventive measure for those dogs who have allergies, provide stability for older dogs that may be suffering from arthritis or hip problems, and keep your pets claws from scratching your hardwood floors. Power Paws are not only for dogs; they are also perfect for rabbits, cats, pot belly pigs, and ponies.

Crafted from cotton and elastic for comfort, Power Paws are a eco-friendly option that require no belts or velcro, and can be thrown in the washing machine and dryer. We’ve used Power Paws when we take our dogs to the park for a walk where they have a long stretch of black top trails, which can get very hot in the summer. In the winter we put on our coats and some pets with thin coats may need extra protection too. And, Power Paws are great for winter to prevent frostbite when the temperatures drop below freezing.

Learn More About Woodrow Wear:

Visit the Woodrow Wear web site at www.woodrowwear.com, and you can view the entire collection of Power Paws that also make great gifts for pet lovers.

Handy Tips For Traveling with Pets

Handy Tips For Traveling with Pets
Packing up the kids or pets, which for us are like children can be a challenge. When traveling we’ve found more people are traveling via airlines with their pets as well. Our dog loves to ride in the car. We’ve often wondered how do you prepare to travel by air with your furry friend?

Our friend, Heidi Ganahl, CEO and founder of Camp Bow Wow, which is the nation’s largest pet services company, has some answers for what to do when traveling with your pets. She understands pet owners needs to find the best care for their pets. Whether it is boarding, day care, home care, or training, we all want to insure our pets receive the best possible care; after all for many people – their pets our their children. And, with this in mind, Heidi Ganahl offers the following tips for traveling with your pet:

1) Check all airline requirements before boarding a plane. See if your pet can travel in a carrier that can be kept under a seat in the cabin or if your pet must travel by freight.

2) Familiarize your pet with its carrier. Pets like familiarity. If you plan on keeping your pet inside a carrier while traveling, allow your pet to get used to the environment by placing it in the carrier for a few minutes each day. Gradually lengthen the time until your pet seems at ease with being placed in the carrier.

3) Don’t try sneaking your pet on the plane. Although it may seem like a good idea if your pet is small enough to fit in a carrier beneath your seat, do not sneak animals of any size on a plane. There will be repercussions for doing so. Instead, look into travel alternatives such as Pet Airways, which was created specifically for traveling with pets. Although routes are limited, traveling on pet-friendly airlines may reduce times that pets are required to be in a carrier.

4) Feed your pet no less than five or six hours before flight time. Give the pet a drink of water no less than two hours before flight. It is very easy for your dog or cat to become sick in transition.

5) Find a hotel that will allow your pet to spend the night. Most pet-friendly hotels will not allow pets to be left in the room alone, so also consider taking your dog to a nearby Camp Bow Wow doggie day care facility if you want to do things during the day. It will cost less than paying for damage incurred by leaving a dog along in a hotel room.

6) Make the animal feel at home. Use familiar dishes, blankets, toys and other items from your home to create a sense of comfort for your pet.

Looking for more news and tips to help you with your pets? Visit Camp Bow Wow online. This fun and informative site has plenty more tips, advice, and support for pet owners and those thinking about a career in pet care. To learn more about Camp Bow Wow and Heidi Ganahl visit their website.

By Heidi Ganahl

Dogs Love Play Time With The Funchux

Yes, we spoil our pets. They’re family, and we enjoy taking them places as often as we can. And, 
 when it comes to play time we’ve found a new toy they love; Funchux.
They knew they had a surprise coming the moment we took it out, and this is one toy they won’t destroy within hours. Funchux’s has two natural rubber balls that are connected to a super-tough ballistic nylon, which means our dogs can play tug-a-war; they love it! They use to have a rope until they chewed through it; not so with Funchux.
We’ve play fetch, and enjoyed watching them run after the Funchux as it bounces across the floor. It’s great for tossing at the park, and much better than their old rope. The fun part it that they enjoy playing with it so much we’ve spotted them outside toss it around to each other. This is great exercise, which pets need regularly just as we do!
Funchux is just one of the fun dog toys you’ll find at the Petprojekt web site. You’ll find toys that make noise in the Squeeki Tiki section; each toys resembles a tiki totem. There’s sports themed toys like the Baseball and Basketball Fetch Flyers. In the Dog Meat section there are steaks, Mackerels and chicken toys to keep your dogs entertained.
These are just the toys; you’ll also find Fresh Fido Fragrance, charms for your dogs collars, and leashes, pet bowls and products, and more fun stuff for your furry friends!

Find More Fun Products For Your Pets:

Look for Funchux and other products by Otomik in your local store.

GET SERiOUS About Pet Stains and Odors

GET SERiOUS! is recommended and endorsed by shelters, rescue groups, pet industry professionals and organizations.GET SERiOUS! is the only stain & odor remover available on the market today with the ability and strength to EXTRACT THE PET’S PHEROMONE OUT during the quick & easy soiling clean-up process, thereby STOPPING the needless Re-SOILING pattern of behavior!
Pet owners can easily STOP the re-marking cycle, without seeing yellows stains, quickly with GET SERiOUS!, which completely extracts pet stains, odors & pheromones all at once in 3 minutes.
GET SERiOUS! is a SAFE, non-toxic and biodegradable product. It can be added to laundry loads and used as a pre-wash agent for tough stains and odors.
It can also be warmed in your microwave to remove any old or locked-on stains. GET SERiOUS! comes in 3 sizes and is sold nationwide at PetSmart and local retailers in the US, Canada, Singapore and Norway.
GET SERiOUS! is recommended and endorsed by shelters, rescue groups, pet industry professionals and organizations.
The biggest tragedy of pets soiling repeatedly is that their owners become frustrated and send them to the pound. With GET SERiOUS! owners find a solution and their pets are no longer wrongfully blamed for inappropriate urination or yellowing that truly is the fault of ineffective cleaners on today’s marketplace.
For new pet owners GET SERiOUS! expedites the puppy house-training process, and eases the delicate transitioning process when adopting a pet & introducing it to his new home. There’s no more confusion of attraction to soiled and newly marked spots.
Ask your local Pet Care professional for their suggestions on the best products to suit your specific needs.
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