News & Comments

· 11 January, 2007 - Photo Contest/Dog Bed Giveaway

I will give a free dog bed along with free shipping to anyone who submits a photo or photos of their doggie on a Victoria Peak dog bed, nice enough looking and with the correct compostion that I decide to use it as a 'product image' on my website and/or eBay auctions. Because the photos must conform to certain criteria, I'm also offering a $10 store credit, one per customer, to anyone who submits a conforming photo simply because it qualifies for consideration, whether I ultimately use it as a product image or not.

The bed models for which I need photos are all those beds with my fat little tri-colored mutt, Sally Mae, on board. If you study those pictures you will see that, though they show the top of the bed, they were all taken at a fairly low angle. Also they show the zipper flap (closed). Also the bed is in mint condition. They are brightly lit. The photos are meant to be primarily of the bed, just as a first time buyer would see it after it comes out of its shipping box; the model (your sweet, adorable doggie) on top is really window dressing, although said doggie needs to look cute and attractive, of course, not foreboding.

I will take care of removing 'green eye' and whiting out the background. What I'm looking for is a relaxed or, better yet, a snoozing pup, sacked out, making the bed look good. If you'll do this (for one of the bed models with Sally on it only), and compose the shot the way I need it, you win a $10 store credit (which CAN be combined with any other promotion going on at the time) immediately.

Then, if I decide to post up your pooch as a product image, decision of the judges (me) is final, I'll ship you your free dog bed with my thanks!

12 November, 2006 - Occasionally folks ask me why I don't offer waterproofed dog beds and here's why. Waterproofing, even on fabrics like Gore-tex, which many people mistakenly believe to be waterproof by virtue of its weave, is actually dependant on the application of DWR, durable water repellant chemicals. DWR is a liquid fluorinated polymer sprayed on whatever is to be waterproofed. In both the liquid and dry state DWR has been shown to induce acute, sometimes fatal respiratory failure when it interacts with the moist tissues deep in the lungs. Numerous cases have been reported where people applying DWR have suffered severe and irreparable lung damage as a result of inhaling the mist and also from inhaling the dry particles found in the spray booths. Because dogs lie with their faces in their beds, inhalation of exfoliated particles of DWR is not only likely, it's impossible to avoid. And since, in order to maintain its waterproof character, DWR needs to be reapplied from time to time, it is at best a temporary solution. I much prefer using the incontinence bed pads available at www.valethics.com. They're cheap, washable and therefore reusable. They have the added virtue of trapping the spill or urine in the pad instead of directing it off the bed and into the carpet. Just cut the piece to size and slip it into the bed on top of the cushion via the cover zipper and the problem is solved.

An additional concern about DWR is its carcinogenic properties. While not yet proven, there is not inconsiderable evidence that it is and the EPA is currently conducting studies on DWR to determine the level of risk. I don't want the stuff in my house and I DEFINITELY do not want my dog's face down in it when there is a better, completely non-toxic way to deal with leaks and spills.

30 October, 2006 - E. O. Wilson's latest book, ''The Creation, An Appeal to Save Life on Earth'' is nothing less than the pealing alarm bell implied by its title. A Harvard professor for five decades and a two time winner of the Pulitzer Prize, Wilson marshalls his considerable wisdom and years of biological field work in explaining how, as the consequence of human-wrought changes to the biosphere, we may come to lose HALF of all Earth