Changes, Changes and More Changes.

Hello everyone! We are embarking on some major changes at a bone to pick and wanted to let you all know. As of the end of July, we will have a new look and feel. If you notice, we've put our new logo up on the blog for you all to view. We think that this logo much better represents who we are and what we do. Once the new site is up and going, please let us know if you have any comments. We polled our current customers for suggestions and have implemented many of those suggestions into the new site. We truly hope you all will love it after we launch. We will send out an email to our customer list as soon as the new site is launched so that everyone can take a look. In the meantime, summer is here and we've got great sumemr products - like the Cool Mesh Harness, travel blankets that absorb water and repel dirt on the bottom and 100% biodegradable pet waste bags for those days outside! We hope you enjoy the beginning of summer. Please let us know if there is anything we can do for you!

Eco-Friendly is IN!

This fall, a bone to pick made the business decision to add in a category of eco-friendly products. Over the last 6 months, we have steadily added to our repertoire of "green" products and are constantly looking for new "green" products. We are consistently reminded that we had a good idea in adding this category, as our customers rave about and pets love the products. Today the Washington Post featured an article on a local "green" pet shop in D.C., talking about green pet products and the recent, and hopefully, growing surge in demand for green products. To check out the article, click on this link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/14/AR2007031400573.html. Also, check out our newest "green" product, our BioBag pet waste bags! http://abone-to-pick.com/store/cart.php?m=product_list&c=199. Please let us know if you have comments. We'd love to hear!

Eco-Friendly Products Mentioned in Verdant Magazine's Next Issue!

Wow! We are truly excited over here at a bone to pick. We just received word yesterday that a bone to pick is going to be mentioned in the next issue of Verdant Magazine - a magazine dedicated to living "green" - with respect to our eco-friendly dog products.

Eco-friendly dog products are becoming more and more popular and, from our perpspective, more and more necessary. But what, you ask, are eco-friendly dog products? Well, let's start with materials.... All products must be made of natural, organic or recycled materials, or be biodegradable. That means that we sell all natural hemp collars, organic cotton toys, recycled polar fleece beds, and very soon biodegradable pet waste bags, for example.

For the natural and organic products, the dyes are generally natural as well - or they may simply remain undyed and in their natural state. The recycled polar fleece beds use scraps of fleece from companies like Patagonia, for example, to stuff the insides of their beds, and, therefore, reusing materials that would otherwise make their way to the local landfill. The pet waste bags we offer (by the end of the week!) are biodegradable.

What we've just described above is a very brief introduction to eco-friendly pet products. Come back soon, however, for details on how the eco-friendly collars, leads and toys are manufactured. And be sure to check out the next issue of Verdant Magazine (or check out their website at www.verdantmag.com)!

Our Appearance in Modern Dog Magazine

That's right, a bone to pick been featured in Modern Dog magazine! The current issue focuses on 120 of the coolest dog products and we're happy to say that Modern Dog chose a leather dog couch featured on our site as one of their fabulous products.

The couch is deserving of inclusion - it's made from genuine leather with a solid foundation and is perfect for any smaller pooch that just refuses to happily snooze on the floor or a classic dog bed. Better yet, the style of the couch fits into just about any room in the house - from a formal living room to a cozy den. There's no doubt your pup will love a couch of their own!

And Now for a Contribution from the Mutts

Here's a photo of my dog Junior, relaxing at the Nantahela Outdoor Center in Tennessee after a long day's walk on the Appalachian Trail.

For Love of the Shiba

If you've ever seen a Shiba Inu, you've no doubt been struck by their beauty, grace and spirit. They are striking dogs - in color, conformation and personality. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Shibas, the Shiba Inu is the smallest of the Japanese native breeds of dog and was originally developed for hunting by sight and scent in the dense undergrowth of Japan's mountainous areas. Shibas are excellent watchdogs and companions. The typical male Shiba is anywhere between 14 inches to 16½ inches at the withers, while females are about 13½ inches to 15½ inches. Their average weight is approximately 23 pounds for males and 17 pounds for females. Shibas have thick fur – they’re double coated. The outer coat is stiff and straight, while the undercoat is soft and thick (and there is a LOT of it!). Their fur is short and even all over the body (and they are incredible shedders). Their tails curl around, much like the Akita, and the tail hair is slightly longer and stands open in a brush. Shibas come in three colors: red, black and tan, and sesame. The undercoat, though, is always cream, buff or gray. Red Shibas are a bright orange-red color with urajiro – creating a foxlike appearance for these Shibas. Black and tans are predominantly black with tan points. Tan points are generally seen as two oval spots over the eyes, on the sides of the muzzle between the black bridge of the muzzle and the white cheeks, on the outside of the forelegs and hind legs. Tan hairs may also be seen on the inside of the ears and on the underside of the tail. Sesame Shibas have black-tipped hairs on a rich red background. The distribution of black-tipped hairs is light and even on the body and head with no concentration of black in any area. Sesame may end in a widow's peak on the forehead, leaving the bridge and sides of the muzzle red. Eye spots and lower legs are also red. (For a great illustration of colors, check out www.shibas.org/color.html.) Regardless of the color, urajiro (cream to white color) is seen on all Shibas, on the sides of the muzzle, on the cheeks, inside the ears, on the underjaw and upper throat inside of legs, on the abdomen, and around the tail. But what can you expect from a Shiba? Shibas belong in special homes, with owners who can establish consistent discipline while understanding the basic nature of the Shiba. Per the AKC, Shibas exhibit “a spirited boldness, a good nature, and an unaffected forthrightness, which together yield dignity and natural beauty. The Shiba has an independent nature and can be reserved toward strangers but is loyal and affectionate to those who earn his respect.” While accurate, it is important to realize that while beautiful, regal, loyal and spirited, Shibas present challenges. They demand attention and quality time. They do not like to be idle or confined. They are incredible athletes and can easily jump fences, flatten themselves to go under fences or, in general, escape any enclosure not completely secured or high enough. They need to be challenged constantly and loved often. They give the love and attention back tenfold, but be prepared to have a nose nudging you to play or to pet almost always. So, if you’ve ever thought about owning a Shiba Inu, or are considering adopting or purchasing a Shiba, prepare yourself for certain occurrences:

• First, be prepared to be stopped repeatedly and asked what type of a dog you own, with people generally commenting that your gorgeous pup looks like a fox (particularly if you own a red Shiba). They’re uncommon, as dogs go, and will certainly attract quite a bit of attention.
• Second, Shiba-proof your house. Seriously. Shibas seem to seek anything remotely destroy-able and conquer – from toys (please no squeakers!), to articles of clothing, pillows, tissues, etc. From their perspective, the more stuffing or mess, the better.
• Third, Shibas are intensely loyal. This means that when in the presence of strangers or other dogs, be prepared to hear a low, gurgly/rumbly sound. That’s the growl. Shibas love their people, but often are not good with strangers or other dogs.
• Fourth, they need space, space and more space. Shibas need to run, sniff, play and work out their energy. Be prepared to play, play, play. They’ll crash and then pop up again, ready to go at it all over.
• Fifth, be prepared to “love me, love me!!” Shibas are attention hoarders. When not sleeping or playing, they will paw, nose whimper, etc. all to get your attention. They’re happiest when you’ve got a hand on them, even just as a measure of comfort, to feel that connection with their “person”.
• Sixth, meet the escape artist extraordinaire. If it is possible to escape from an enclosure, a Shiba will find a way. Whether it’s over, under or through, just wait…. It will happen.

Shibas are incredible dogs – their attributes are incredible and they truly are gorgeous, but to any owner out there – BE PREPARED! To get the love and respect they offer, you have to give love and discipline on a constant basis. To the Shiba owners out there, we invite you to comment – disagree, agree or tell us stories. We’d love to hear! Please also check out these websites (with referrals to breeders, breeder websites and more information): American Kennel Club - http://www.akc.org/breeds/shiba_inu/index.cfm National Shiba Club of America - http://www.shibas.org/index.html

Welcome!

Hello and welcome to the blogspot for a bone to pick - Your etailer for all things dog. We're new to blogging and very excited to hear your opinions and share some of our own. Within the next few days you will see our first post - a short foray into the world of Shiba Inus - followed by a look into the world of eco-friendly dog products and a review of a dog carrier, the Pawpoose. In the meantime, if you have any ideas, thoughts or issues related to the dog world, feel free to let us know. Happy blogging! a bone to pick