February is big pet awareness month; every day is Give Dogs More Than Shelter Day for Kiss My Mutt

Feb. 17, 2011 - PRLog -- Even mutts deserve to be pampered and loved. That’s the philosophy business woman and dog lover Jennifer Beinke lives by. It’s also what her company Kiss My Mutt was founded on.

The maker of indoor and outdoor pet beds that feature recycled bedding materials, as well as braided collars and leashes, reversible bandanas, apparel and accessories, Kiss My Mutt is about quality and comfort for all dogs.

February is a big pet awareness month that is dear to Jennifer and her company. It is National Prevent A Litter Month, Pet Dental Month and Responsible Pet Owners Month. Additionally, days to observe are Pet Theft Awareness Day (Feb. 14), Love Your Pet Day (Feb. 20), Spay Day (Feb. 22), and International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day (Feb. 23).

Of course, every day is Love Your Dog Day for Kiss My Mutt. Every day is also Give Dogs More Than Shelter Day for Jennifer and her company.

“There are millions of homeless and abandoned dogs in shelters across the country that all want a loving family and home,” Jennifer said. “Some are mutts, some are pure breeds, but they all have one thing in common; they are all looking for their forever homes.”

Jennifer stresses forever. She says that making sure you know what you are getting into is key.

“It’s important to know that you will stick with this dog for its entire life, and to make sure you’re able to secure a healthy and safe environment for him or her,” Jennifer said. “I also think it’s important to pick a dog that fits your lifestyle and family atmosphere.

Launched in the summer of 2010, Kiss My Mutt sells stylish, comfortable and durable dog beds that are eco-friendly. They also offer an assortment of other products and have been highlighted in Dog Fancy, Natural Dog, OK!, Modern Dog and Vogue.

Jennifer adopted her two dogs while volunteering at her local animal shelter in Santa Barbara, California. She has been fostering pets there for the past three years and has worked with a large number of dogs. She explains that she didn’t pick which dogs she wanted to join her family; she feels Kali and Brody picked her.

“My first meetings with Kali and Brody were exciting,” Jennifer said. “Both circumstances taught me the value of patience and love for an animal that is quite unsure of them self.”  

When she first saw Kali, she was hiding in her dog house located inside her shelter cage.

“She was tired, scared, and was a very shy dog that didn’t trust new people,” Jennifer said. “I sat with her in her cage for a while, and after a few treats and some gentle speaking, Kali finally came out to greet me.”

The two ended up going for a walk and then hanging out in a play yard that afternoon.

“I knew from that moment on I was going to dedicate my time in helping her socialize and learn to trust others,” Jennifer said.

Over the next few weeks, Jennifer encouraged people visiting the shelter to meet with Kali to see if they could love her as much as she did.

Kali wasn’t really interested in spending time with anybody else.

“She would just stick right by my side, looking up at me,” Jennifer said. “I knew that Kali had picked me as her best friend, and wasn’t going to let me out of her sight. I loved her so much and finally brought her home with me.”

Her first meeting with Brody was similar in that he had a hard time trusting others. He was brought into the shelter after being found in a backyard, sick, neglected and hungry.

Young and already very scared of the world around him, he would shake and shiver at the sight of a new person, and would hide from anyone he didn’t know.

“I met Brody when he had been at the shelter for about a week,” Jennifer said. “He had kennel cough and was not the happy, chipper young dog you would expect to see at his age. But, I knew that all he needed was some love and care, and that he too, just as so many of our dogs at the shelter, could come out of this situation happier and more confident than ever.”

One afternoon, Jennifer took Brody out into a yard to play. Instead of playing, all he wanted to do was sit with her on a bench and get petted. When it was time to take him back into his cage for the evening, Jennifer sat down with Brody to hug him goodbye. Instead of letting her go, he sat on her lap and wouldn’t budge.

“He trusted me and really appreciated the attention that I gave him, and I knew this was difficult for him to do,” Jennifer said. “I went home that night and couldn’t get Brody out of my mind. All he wanted was his forever home, and I knew I was dedicated enough to help him get through his difficult past. So, a couple days later, I brought Brody home to be a part of our family.”

The family she speaks of includes three other dogs, her sister Kristen, a photographer, and their parents, who are all involved in different areas of her company.

After lots of love, some training, pampering and quality time, Kali and Brody are now great confident dogs. Brody still has trouble trusting people at times, but Kali is comfortable in meeting new people and being in new situations.

“Kali is proof even a sad and lonely dog who was living in a shelter can become a beautiful, happy, and social dog in this world,” Jennifer said. “We also spend quality time with Brody to ensure he feels confident everyday. We want to give him the best chance at a fulfilling life, and are so proud at how far he has come.”

Kali and Brody spend their days lounging on Kiss My Mutt beds throughout the day, both inside and outside. They also sleep on them at night.

“I’m so happy I have been able to make a difference in both of their lives,” Jennifer said. “They have both inspired me to continue my work with dogs and continue with my dream of opening up my own shelter and rehabilitation center for animals through Kiss My Mutt.”

Kiss My Mutt’s eco-friendly dog beds, braided collars and leashes, reversible bandanas, apparel and accessories are handmade with love and care to create a happy and stylish lifestyle for you and your pet. The collection is fashioned to complement pet owners’ lives and is perfect for any pampered pooch.  

For more information visit www.kissmymutt.com/, www.facebook.com/KissMyMutt, or twitter.com/KissMyMutt.

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