Dog Waste Powered Lamp

American artist Matthew Mazzotta is putting a spin on modern day poop scooping. He created an interactive art piece that uses poop to power lamps in a Cambridge, Massachusetts park. The project is called the Park Spark and it uses local dogs poop to form energy which later turns into methane which ignites several lamps around the park. When asked about his overall perception of this project he says, “Dog owners everywhere are collecting pet waste in plastic bags and then sending it to landfills. The waste contained in these plastic bags release small amounts of methane that over time is a substantial quantity. The Park Spark Project is based on substituting the common trashcan and plastic bag with a public methane digester and biodegradable bag, so that the dog waste collected is converted into a usable form of energy (methane).

 The Park Spark machines are  relatively simple to use. They consist of two steel 500-gallon oil tanks. Dog owners drop their waste in one of the tanks and then gently turn the wheel which stirs up the waste and water. Then methane mixture than ignites the lamp! Watch out America, Matthew is planning on expanding his project to six more -cities this year! For more information, visit Matthew's website: Park Spark Project.

Check out Matthew demonstrating the Park Spark below! 

Congratulations We Have A Winner & Many More to Come

Congratulations to Ms. White, she is this months winner of our Pet Deodorizer Gift Basket ($75value).  For all those who did not win this month, no worries! Starting today our new contest begins! To enter: Sign up for service by March 12, 2011 or refer-a-friend, it's that simple. 

Congrats Again to Ms. White

This month we also have an added bonus, for every friend referred you will also receive a free gift valued at approx $10, and have your name added to our March drawing an additional time. Good Luck to all and remember with PetTastics Service everyone is a winner.

For more information go to: Facebook, Twitter, or PetTastics.

The Future of Dog Toys

Once upon a time, dog toys use to be simple. A rawhide bone or a squeaky rubber ball. We're in 2011 and dog toys have finally advanced to our time. From dog bowls to chew toys, PetTastics is showcasing those not-so-ordinary doggy treats. Who knows you may see one of these toys featured in our montly give-a-ways! So make sure you follow us on FB & Twitter to get the latest information.

Alikiou Interactive Food Bowl
Make feeding time fun with this entertaining dog bowl. Not only is this bowl fun and exciting, it slows down eating at mealtime and it gets your pooch's brain crunching!

Fetchtastic

(Sounds lovely with PetTastics!) Fetchtastic is probably one of the best toys invited. Fetchtastic is an automatic fetch machine. It can be purchased in two forms; battery powered or AC powered. It holds up to 15 tennis balls which dispense at a rate of 7 seconds. This particular toy is sure to keep your dog in shape! For more information check out their website: Fetchtastic.

Shooey Chewie 

Does your dog like to make your shoes his chew toy? Finally! A chew toy that is made from natural leather. The rubber is tough, yet flexible and will keep them entertained for hours.

 

Hunk 'O Meat

This bone is ham scented and completely safe and chewable! It doubles as a squeky toy and hard nylon chew! 

Artist Spotlight: William Wegman

William Wegman is an extremely well known  photographer who features Weimaraners as his focal point. Unlike most photographers, his work is original in the aspect for which he dresses these dogs up and places them in various localities. His well-respected photos are showcased all around the world and his merchandise can be purchased at Wegman Store. William Wegman's most popular items are his calendars, which also can be purchased through the website. Give a warm PetTastics welcome to influential photographer William Wegman and his modern day spins on not so normal portraits!

Sneak Peek At Our Grand Prize Gift Basket

Just as we promised, here is the sneak peek of our Grand Opening Pet Deodorizer Gift basket! The rules are simple. Sign up for a PetTastics service by February 12th, 2011 and you will automatically be entered into the drawing. Good Luck :)

Canine Obesity

Canine obesity is one of the most common health conditions in dogs. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has estimated a total of 17 million, approximately 40% of the dog population is either overweight or obese. Recognizing obesity may be a little difficult for pet owners. But we are the only ones who can help! The extra weight can cause tons of other hazards down the line and the best way to be sure your pet is safe is to take caution in obvious signs. Overweight dogs have increasing amount of fat over their ribs and an almost non-existent waist. Morbidly obese dogs have protruding abdomens and fat deposits throughout their body. Often times breed characteristics should be taken into account as well.

How do you stop it?? Stopping canine obesity or easing the growing pace is simple. Monitor the amount of food they are given and how many times they are fed a day. Giving a dog 24/7 access to its dog bowl allows them to eat throughout the day. When your dog is finished eating, put the bowl on the table until the next time it should be fed. Or ration their food when it is being poured. Make sure to pay special attention to dog treats. Often time they are extremely high in calories and that may also aid to obesity.Neutering also plays a huge role in canine obesity. Being neutered lowers the metabolism rate in dogs and thus can cause an expedited weight gain.

EXERCISE EXERCISE EXERCISE! Letting your dog out for a 5 minutes is not considered adequate exercise. Much like people, dogs should exercise for at least 45 minutes unless a medical problem or age permits them to do so. Take your dog for a walk, maybe take them up hill or down hill to change up the terrain. (If you don't have the time, PetTastics can help you with that.) 

My dog is obese! Now what? If your dog is obese start small and work your way up. You don't want to overwhelm it or make it uncomfortable with their new routines. Keep it on a strict diet and begin a daily workout regiment. Be sure to keep your pooch away from the dinner table. The food that we eat carries a lot more calories than dog food. Keep in mind, you don't want to starve your dog but rather balance their meals.


To be sure your dog is living a safe and healthy lifestyle, visit The Barc Test at Stop Canine Obesity and see if your pooch needs help tackling weight loss.

Help! I Don't Know What to Name My Puppy!?!?

New puppy? Having a hard time trying to name it?  No worries! We understand that naming a pet can be quite difficult and often time consuming. We've been through it ourselves. Trying to find the perfect name for our perfect pet. PetTastics is taking the sweat off your brow with this one. We are giving you useful tips for naming your perfect pooch. Let's face it, Fido is a little overused these days!

• Before you begin this process make sure to have a pen and pad. Trust us, you'll need it!  Having these things handy will make your selection process a lot more organized. 
• If this happens to be a family pet, grab the entire gang and make this a joint effort. Jot down names as you guys yell them out. You can make it into a game!
• If its just you and your new pooch, involve some close friends to assist you. The more the merrier. 
• Jot down 20-30 possible names. No matter how silly or extremely long they are, write them down anyways. You'll end up eliminating them one by one.
• Keep in consideration the breed of your dog, the size, the color. It could be extremely helpful with the process. For example, a Chihuahua is relatively small so a name such as "Tiny" might work. Chocolate Labs have brown coats, so maybe "Brownie" can work! 
• If you have small kids, try to choose a name that they are able to say. A dog listens when his name is called and that often instills trust. 

In a nutshell, this is a new edition to your family. Despite the fact that it is solely up to your discretion be aware that your pet's name will stick with it forever. Keep it fun, safe and reliable!

Pet of the Week

It's that time again! PetTastics showcases YOUR pet every week! Remember to send in your submissions to questions@fayettevillepetservices.com and give your pooch an opportunity to be featured next week.

This Weeks Pet: Let's give a warm PetTastics welcome to Malin and Joey!

 "Joey is a 7 year old Shih Tzu that still gets treated like our little baby! He gets along great with our 1 year old daughter, Malin. He has the spunk of a lab and the face of an angel. He enjoys running around our poop free yard..Thanks to PetTastics!" 
 - Beth
Fayetteville, NC



If you would like your dog to be featured as our Pet of the Week, simply email us with a picture and quick blurb on why your dog is the best!! Email:questions@fayettevillepetservices.com

Peter Hannon- He Puts the "P" in PetTastics. LITERALLY!

Many of you are dying to know who is the brains of this operation! Others are quite perplexed as to who would want to pick up dog poop for a living. No need to google names. We are giving you an exclusive insider on the owner, Peter Hannon. The who, the what, the why and of course the "poop".

PetTastics: PetTastics is such an original name. Where did you come up with the concept?


Peter:  I wanted something original but completely relevant to the services we provide. It took me a few days but I wrote down a bunch of adjectives that I felt described our services. The word "Fantastic" stuck out the most and with a play of words I came up with "PetTastics".

PetTastics: What made you come up with PetTastics?  Scooping poop seems like a pretty dirty job.

Peter:  I've had pets all my life and the importance of keeping your pets happy and healthy was always something my parents instilled in me. I always wanted a business that catered to the health and vitality of household pets!

PetTastics: Do you have any pets of your own? If so, what type and what are their names?

Peter: I have 3 dogs and 2 cats. My dogs are Angel which is a German Shepard, Coco which is a Vizla, and Sincere which is a Yorkie. My cats are Fergie and Luna. Fergie and Luna are both Tabby's. 


PetTastics: Would you like any other animals?

Peter: I'm always willing to provide a healthy home to an animal. I love animals and in the future I would definitely consider it but right now I have my hands full.

PetTastics: What was the sole purpose for creating PetTastics? What do you hope to achieve?

Peter:  My sole purpose for PetTastics was to raise awareness in the local pet community. I strive to make pet ownership easier because I know sometimes it can be a slight hassle. PetTastics wants you to stop worrying about the extra and spend more time with your pet!

PetTastics: You work with a lot of dogs with PetTastics. Do you ever find yourself becoming emotionally attached to these animals?


Peter: Definitely! I always try to find balance between my personal life and the professional aspect of it. They say a dog is a mans' best friend and in some cases their companion. I sometimes form a bond with these animals. It's like they are one of my own.

PetTastics: How big would you like the company to go? Local, National?

Peter: Go big or stay home! That's always been my motto. Promoting a safe and healthy environment for pets is one of my long-term goals. To have PetTastics grow nationally would be a dream come true!

PetTastics: Before I let you go, for those who are second guessing PetTastics or feel like the service isn't worthy. What would you say to them?

Peter:  Our customer promise is to keep your pet both safe and healthy. Pet ownership can be straining at times and we honestly are trying to take a load off for you. We want to make PetTastics a company that can both benefit the dog and their owner. Smiling faces and wagging tails is motivation for us to keep doing what we love!

Healthy Homemade Doggy Treats

Do you like baking cookies? Or how about icing cupcakes? Baking is one of America's most favorite hobbies. Often times dog treats can cost you an arm and a leg. Especially those high quality all natural dog treats. Baking isn't only for humans! Go ahead, grab your pooch and start baking some of these delicious treats. And remember, it's perfectly ok for them to lick the bowl!


Peanut Butter and Pumpkin Dog Treats 

Ingredients 

2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

2 eggs

1/2 cup canned pumpkin

2 tablespoons peanut butter1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Whisk together the flour, eggs, pumpkin, peanut butter, salt, and cinnamon in a bowl. Add water as needed to help make the dough workable, but the dough should be dry and stiff. Roll the dough into a 1/2-inch-thick roll. Cut into 1/2-inch pieces.
3. Bake in preheated oven until hard, about 40 minutes. 

 Fido's Favorite Treats

Ingredients  

1 cup rolled oats

1/3 cup margarine or butter
1 cup boiling water
3/4 cup cornmeal
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons chicken or beef instant bullion 
1/2 cup milk 

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 egg, beaten                                       

2 cups white or wheat flour 


Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.Grease cookie sheets.
2. In large bowl combone rolled oats, margarine and water; let stand for 10 minutes. 
3. Sitr in cornmeal, sugar, boullion, milk,cheese and egg. Mix well. Add flour 1 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition to form stiff dough. 
4. On floured surface, knead in remaining flour until dough is smooth and no longer sticky, 3 to 4 minutes. 
5. Roll or pat out dough to 1/2 inch thickness; cut with cookie cutter. Place 1 inch apart on cookie sheets. 
6. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely. Store loosely covered. Makes 3 1/2 dozen large biscuits. 
 

The Best Doggy Biscuits  

 

Ingredients
2 cups whole wheat flour

1 cup cornmeal

1 tablespoon salt

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1 egg

1 cup water

Directions 

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a cookie sheet.
2. In a large bowl, stir together the whole wheat flour, cornmeal and salt. Mix in the oil, egg and water to make a soft dough that is not too sticky. You may add more flour if needed. Roll teaspoonfuls of dough into balls, and place on the prepared cookie sheet. Flatten slightly. 
3. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, until nicely browned and firm. Cool completely, then store in an airtight container.