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Happy Summer Costume Contest!
Let's make our own fun!
Hello all! Once again I’m faced with a newsletter without a neighborhood or store event to publicize. How strange! Normally this time of year I'd be trying to convince you to march in the Fremont Fest parade in August, especially because this year would be the 15th anniversary of the dog part of the parade (the community parade featuring kids on decorated bicycles has a history that stretches back many years before that, but when we opened, we decided the pet parade had to become a new part of the tradition). This year would also have marked the 15th time Green Dog would have coordinated the Fremont Fest parade. There's no Fremont Fest or parade this year, but there’s no reason we couldn’t have a little fun anyway, right?
How about this: In my opinion, the best part of the parade is the costume contest! We’ve always been amazed at the creativity and hilarity of many of the costumes through the years. Dogs in a myriad of costumes, kids dressing up and decorating their bicycles, and families creating themed floats using little red wagons are always a fun part of the parade. A few wagons that stick out in my mind: one decorated with flowers with their dog dressed as a bee, and another with the mom dressed as Godzilla and son dressed as a fireman - their wagon contained burning buildings with tissue paper flames! Kids and adults coordinating their costumes with their dogs’ costumes are especially fun. I remember Wendy with her dogs dressed as Peter Pan and Captain Hook, dogs dressed as doctors with their owners dressed as patients who had fake bare booties sticking out of their gowns, and one coordinated costume with a mermaid walking a jellyfish. The Rose Parade this year coordinated a "Porch Parade" where neighbors decorated their porches and lawns (check out this link to see lots of them). We thought it might be fun to take their lead and hold a costume contest, even without a parade! Kids can dress up and decorate their bicycles or create a float, families can dress up their pets (all willing species of pet can take part) or can work together on coordinated costumes with their pets. As always, cool prizes will be given for Best Pet Costumes, Best Coordinated Human & Pet Costumes, Best Decorated Bike, Best Decorated Float (or car, or boat), and best doggy smile (but if your goat has a great smile, by all means enter it in the contest)! There's no reason you couldn't organize a socially distant mini-parade with a few of your neighbors to show off your amazing work.(send a video!) Email these fun photos to info@greendogpetsupply.com by August 1st (that's when Fremont Fest would have been). As photos roll in, we'll post them on social media for people to enjoy and announce the winners early in the following week. |
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| | CURBSIDE PICKUP FAQ:
"Are You Still Doing Curbside Pickup?"
Lots of people ask this when they call or email. Yes, unfortunately we don't foresee a time in the very near future when we won't be doing curbside, so keep those orders coming!
"What's The Best Way To Order?"
Emailing is the easiest way for us, especially if you email the night before and we can come in in the morning to a bunch of orders already placed that we can put together and then call you when we're ready to process the payment. Our phones ring off the hook with orders during the daytime and with people letting us know they've arrived to pick up their completed orders, making it hard for other people not to get a busy signal. We did get a second phone line to help this problem, but it's not enough. Comcast has a crappy automatic message if both lines are busy that says something like the call has failed, making people think we're no longer in business. When there are two people in the store trying to purchase items and two people on the phone trying to purchase items, our two registers aren't enough, and we don't have enough employees to ring, put together these phone orders, help the people who are shopping (lots of advice to give and harnesses to fit while trying to hurry a bit in order to get the people inside who are patiently waiting in line outside) and man the door, all while trying to put away pallets of freight, put prices on the stuff coming in, make new orders, etc. Whew! Our days are often without moment to take a breath. So, if we can process some of those orders first thing, we can keep the phone lines a little clearer and take care of you better if you need help while you're shopping. If you can, send us an email to info@greendogpetsupply.com
Would You Rather We Came In Instead?
Though we really truly do miss you dearly, we are still seeing up to 80 humans a day in the store in person. Most of you are very careful and diligent about safety (thank you!), but some are not. Long consultations about nutrition, new puppy issues, and health concerns are absolutely the most important thing we do, but the longer we spend with any person does increase our chances of exposure. With case numbers still climbing in Portland, we are deeply concerned about the safety of our employees and our business. The hard fact is that if any one of us gets this virus, we'll have to shut the business down, perhaps for 2 solid weeks. This would be an economic blow that we don't want to have happen. The fewer people we see in person, and the faster they can make their visit, the chance of this happening is reduced. One thing we've done when we can is to have one of us go outside when it might be a longer talk and chat out there while other people get a chance to go in. We can also start a conversation on email and get a lot of things covered that way, so that when you come in we've gotten a head start. So, if you need to come in to shop, (like if you want to pick out a collar or choose a cat toy, etc), come on in - we're still allowing 2 people in the store at a time. But if you just need food and a few things and you know generally what you're after, shoot us an email (or you can of course call if you're in a hurry).
What If I Need Things But I don't Know What They're Called?
No sweat! You can use the same words you'd have used on the phone, like "I need the same poop bags I got last time" or, "I like to rotate so give me a bag that's a different flavor but the same brand as I got last time", or "It might be time for my free bag of whatever I got last time, and I could use a good bone for chewing". We can look in your history and figure some stuff out, and we can tell you about those bones and that free bag when we call you back. |
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| IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!
A new study finds No Credible Link between diet and
Cardiomyopathy in dogs
We’ve spent a very long year addressing the fears instilled by a news story that sparked panic and outrage in the dog owning community about the possibility that grain free kibbles might lead to heart problems. The trouble was, there was no study, just an investigation by the FDA into a “potential link” between certain ingredients and this very rare yet serious disease of the heart.
It was a frustrating conversation, as there were so many problems with the topic. Frankly the science was bad, (assertions that there were correlations that had not yet been proven stated as causation, conflicting studies from previous years that weren’t that scientific either, a very small dogs percentage of dogs presenting with these symptoms, some of which were breeds that already have a genetic predisposition for DCM, etc.)
The most frustrating part for us was that one basic truth was always overlooked when vets made the recommendation that clients immediately switch their foods to a grain based diet: The elemental question was about why some dogs had low taurine levels in their blood, and when taurine was supplemented their levels recovered. Dogs have to have taurine or a few other amino acids that they can use make taurine it in their diet. This does point to a connection with diet, but here’s the crux: amino acids like taurine is only found in meat proteins. Some plants contain protein, but no plant protein ever contains taurine. Some kibble companies “cheat” by boosting their overall protein percentage by adding extra plant proteins to their recipes, as they’re much cheaper than meat proteins. It makes consumers think this food has a lot of meat in it, but actually it does not. So it absolutely doesn’t help a dog to switch from a grain free food that has too many plant proteins like peas vs. meat, to a food with grains that has too many plant proteins like corn vs. meat. Not only do these plant proteins not have taurine, most of them can also inhibit the absorption of taurine. So if the elemental problem is a lack of taurine which is only found in meat proteins, then switching from one type of plant protein to another makes no sense. It won’t help. These foods would both need more meat proteins to supply more amino acids like taurine. (Rest assured, we don't carry any of these "cheater" foods).
One message that we’ve tried to convey to our customers for the last 16 years and especially this year during this DCM hullabaloo is to remember that all kibble is a heavily processed food. The amino acids they need (like taurine) are fragile and are often damaged by heat processing. Providing some whole animal proteins in the diet can make a significant contribution to their overall health and longevity. We have lots of easy and inexpensive solutions Read more here!
The other thing we like to point out is that some of the diets out there with grain in them do contain harmful ingredients. Not all grains are bad, of course. We carry a few foods with grain that we like, but there are a few ingredients that we’d never allow in the store. Are these ingredients in your foods that contain grains? Read more here!
To read about this study that discusses the problems with the association of DCM and grain free foods Click here |
| | DONATIONS!
Big thanks go out to one of our amazing customers, Daphna. She's always looking for ways to help out organizations like Multnomah County Shelter, and occasionally takes donations over there from us. Recently though, when MultCo said they were pretty set for food lately, she found a unique new opportunity to help members of our community. There's a Portland Public Schools food pantry nearby that she visited (probably with donations) that provides food for food challenged kids and their families. She got to talking with one of the volunteers there and discovered that there was a need in these households for pet food donations as well. We started sending bags that way right away. As luck would have it, one of our distributors called and said they had about a half pallet worth of food to donate somewhere. They called us as they know we do a lot of donating! We were able to help a lot of pets the day that it came and Daphna managed to stuff it all into her SUV. She sent us lots of cute photos she took during her delivery including this one above of the dog that dressed up in a Green dress for Green Dog! (another one is above in the curbside FAQ article)
In the last newsletter we told you that we would be donating a percentage of our sales for the week to two organizations: The first organization that we we able to donate to with your help was the Equal Justice Initiative. EJI is a private, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides legal representation to people who have been illegally convicted, unfairly sentenced, or abused in state jails and prisons. They work with communities that have been marginalized by poverty and discouraged by unequal treatment. They are committed to changing the narrative about race in America. EJI provides research and recommendations to assist advocates and policymakers in the critically important work of criminal justice reform. They publish reports, discussion guides, and other educational materials, and their staff conducts educational tours and presentations for thousands of students, teachers, faith leaders, professional associations, community groups, and international visitors every year. They challenge the death penalty, extreme sentences for children, excessive punishment, and abusive prison conditions through litigation, advocacy, and education. They share America’s history of racial injustice, from enslavement, racial terror lynchings, and segregation to mass incarceration. Check out this amazing tool they've created!
You can donate to EJI here
Second is The Black Resilience Fund which is a brand new local nonprofit launched on June 1st, 2020. Their mission is to foster healing and resilience by providing immediate financial relief to Black Portlanders in need. As of July 10th they’ve funded $374,619.81 in immediate support for 1,092 Black Portlanders, including warm meals, groceries, and unpaid bills. Our donation will actually be made to an organization called Brown Hope, to support the creation of paid staff for the Black Resilience Fund to sustain the work that is currently being done entirely by volunteers. BRF says this about the partnership: "We’re proud of everything the BRF team has accomplished with 100% volunteer energy. Through passion, grit, and collaboration, we’ve established a solid infrastructure that can benefit our entire community over the long term. In order to make this lasting impact, we know we’ll need stable leadership that we can’t attain with volunteer time alone. Thus, we will begin encouraging folks to donate to Brown Hope, the nonprofit that is sponsoring the Black Resilience Fund. A portion of all new donations made to Brown Hope for the BRF will be dedicated to the Black Resilient Futures Fund, with a goal of bringing paid staff to help sustain the work. We will continue to keep our GoFundMe campaign live as it’s linked to several newspaper articles and websites, and is a great way to communicate with the 10,000 people who have donated so far". You can donate to Brown Hope here |
| | | PRETTY NEW PILLOW BEDS!
Foggy Dog proudly handcrafts their products in San Francisco, working with skilled craftspeople who are paid fair wages. Wherever possible they use recycled materials, low-waste manufacturing, and natural fabrics to create products you can be proud to have in your home. Not only that, but every order helps a shelter pup in need. These patterns are so much prettier than they look in this little photo! We especially love the African Mudcloth patterns.
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| | | FLEABUSTERS!
Oh the fleas! They're definitely causing trouble out there right now, and if you have fleas on your pet (even just a few) you have fleas in your home.This product is often overlooked, but I believe it to be one of our most powerful tools to keep fleas from taking over your life, especially if you have a lot of carpets and area rugs. Fleabusters is a service that can come out to treat your home and yard, but they also sell their amazing product to stores like ours.
When a flea feeds on your pet, they lay eggs, which fall into your carpets and blankets, etc. After several days the larvae hatch. As they develop and move toward adulthood, the larvae spin tight webs around themselves, encapsulating themselves inside. These are called cocoons or flea pupae, and they can live in these encapsulations for up to five months without food or light.
During this time, the larvae mature fully into adult fleas with a lowered metabolism which doesn't require feeding. When a potential host passes by the cocoon, this adult flea will sense it due to changes in thermal energy around them. They will then emerge from the cocoon and hop on to their new host, then feed immediately, continuing this cycle. So, it's incredibly important not only to address the fleas that are on your pet, but these fleas that are potentially hiding in your home.
Fleabusters is a nontoxic powder in the Borate family that is finely milled so that when sprinkled into carpets, it becomes electrostatically charged and adheres to the fibers. It stays put for up to a year, even with regular vacuuming! This product kills every stage of the flea lifecycle, and they cannot become immune to its dessicating effects. It protects your home and pets from infestation all year. It can also be applied to cracks and crevices in wood floors (like the spaces under baseboards).
To start treating your home, vacuum floors and furniture thoroughly and wash all bedding and dog bed covers. Remove all pets and children from the room (it's safe to let them back in after you're done) and cover your fishtanks and electronic equipment if you have them. I'd advise using a mask (hey, you just happen to have one!) and sprinkle the powder very lightly but evenly over carpets (more is not better!) Take a broom and gently sweep it all into the carpet so you can't see it anymore. Sprinkle some in dark carpeted areas like under beds and in closets - fleas like dark places. Sprinkle some deep in furniture wells (not on cushions). If there is any visible powder on furniture or rugs that your couldn't sweep in, vacuum it up. Normal vacuuming of the rest of the carpets can resume after 24-48 hours. This product really helped us when Otis developed flea allergy dermatitis after just a flea or two followed us home from work.
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| | New Puzzle Toys!
We’ve gotten the most amazing dog puzzles! These games and puzzles are made from certified wood covered with water-based varnish that is not harmful to humans or animals. It’s said that 15 minutes of mental stimulation with an interactive game can be the equivalent to 1 hour of physical exercise for a dog. This is good news during this time when many of you are trying to work at home! Puzzles are also good for senior dogs or post surgical dogs when they lack mobility or need quieter activities. Check them out at My Intelligent Pets (we don't have all of them, but you can see them better on the website and we might order different ones next time) |
| | | DROP IT!
We know many new puppy owners during Covid may lack a lot of options when it comes to puppy classes. They do exist in Portland, but these days they are often filled up too quickly, as there are SO MANY new puppies right now. Even if you can find open classes, maybe you don’t feel that comfortable about leaving the house right now. Whatever the reason, I’m hoping to help you along with some specific handy behavior basics in a series of blog posts on the Green Dog Blog. (All of them have links at the bottom to the other relevant articles) Stay tuned for more, and check out the newest one:
The most recent article is about the command "Drop It!" Don't you wish your new puppy would happily release whatever is in her mouth without her becoming defensive or having to chase her around the house to get the item away from her? Here's how!
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| | GREEN TIP!
Many of us are using more cleaning and personal protective items these days and it can be confusing which items go in the garbage and which can be recycled.
Here's a quick guide:
Garbage:
- Face masks and face shields
- Facial tissues
- Plastic gloves
- All wipes (even those labelled flushable or biodegradable. Portland says PLEASE don't flush them!) and wipe bags and boxes
- Empty hand sanitizer bottles smaller than 6 oz
Make sure all garbage is bagged and securely tied to avoid litter and protect the safety of waste collectors and the community.
Recycling:
- Cardboard boxes from tissues, soap and gloves
- Cardboard tubes from paper towels and toilet paper rolls
- Plastic bottles from cleaning supplies (empty, rinsed, no caps or sprayers)
- Plastic hand sanitizer bottles larger than 6oz. (empty, rinsed, no caps)
- Plastic cylinder shaped wipe containers (rinsed, no lids)
Reuse:
- For hand sanitizer and hand soap, consider buying a larger bottle and refilling the smaller bottles you use every day. This prevents packaging waste and can save money.
Have a question about an item that's not listed here? Ask these guys: wasteinfo@portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-7202.
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| | | NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS!
Rose City Book Pub - Have you been here? It's a lovely spot just a little ways down Fremont. It's part pub, part used book store. It sits in a shaded, brick building with nooks for reading, a lovely shaded back patio area, and sidewalk seating. They have a curated collection of good books, good drinks, and good food. The menu is cafe and bistro style with hearty, whole ingredients and bold flavors. Their tap list rotates with an emphasis on NW beers, and their cocktails are made exclusively from local spirits. They are among the many bars and restaurants really suffering from lack of business, and it would be a real shame to lose this little gem in our community. Anybody want a beer on a patio? Let's remember to go here!
Fresh Air On Fremont! Thursday 7/23 in the evening, many of the businesses on Fremont are setting out merchandise on the sidewalk like the Arrangement (50% off!) and Pacific Holiday, or offering specials like at Tomorrow's Verse (have you been yet? it's great! More beers to be had in a quiet outdoor setting!), and few fun bonuses: Dee's Golden Door is offering outdoor haircuts and Wildhearts Wellness is offering sidewalk acupuncture and soft tissue chiropractic for free! (Wildhearts Wellness is open these days, with many safety measures in place. Relaxation and healing abound in this lovely place, so don't miss out).
Remember to stay safe during these fun neighborhood shopping events with space and masks when you might be distracted by the pretty merchandise on tables, etc! More info on the stores participating here.
Speaking of beer on patios, don't forget Hi Top has one of the prettiest biggest patios in town!
Pip's Donuts is open, and have you heard they have ice cream??
Thank You So Much For Your Support Of Our Business And Others In Our Neighborhood! We Literally Would Not Be Here Without You!
Public Service Announcement: |
| | | | | | Located in Beaumont Village 4327 NE Fremont Street, Portland, Oregon 97213
Telephone: 503-528-1800
© 2007 - 2015 Green Dog Pet Supply. Green Dog Pet Supply® is a Registered Trademark. |
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