The Pet Gazette - Westchester : Spring 2018

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Animal Specialty Center Expanding the Horizons of Veterinary Care

Image by Michael Priest Photography

Celebrating 10 Years Providing Exceptional and Compassionate Specialty & Emergency Pet Care

Animal Specialty Center is a leading full-service veterinary hospital serving the metro New York and Tri-State region.

9 Odell Plaza, Yonkers, NY 10701 (914)457-4000 animalspecialtycenter.com

ER 24/7

We offer cutting-edge treatments in Neurology, Orthopedic and Soft Tissue Surgery, Internal Medicine, and Oncology with TrueBeam Radiation Therapy.


Inside this Issue... Features pg. 5-7 pg. 8-14 pg. 16-17 pg. 26-27 pg. 28-29

Tardar Sauce aka. Grumpy Cat The Power of Pets and The Internet 6 Steps for Going Viral Google, How Do I Find the Best.... Cats Dominated the Internet

Departments pg. 18 pg. 19-21 pg. 22-25 pg. 31 pg. 31

The Pet Gazette #pets Wanna-Be-A-Celebrity Contest Did You Know: Honorable Mentions Popular Pets to Follow World Pet News In Memoriam

If you would like your business to be a part of our distribution, send a request to: Joe Losinno, joe@thepetgazette.com

Catering to US pet owners and pet businesses. New features now available daily online at ThePetGazette.com and via The Pet Gazette App. Editors: Ian Bosin, Jeremy Sage, Ida Stepinac Writers: Jennifer Galluzzo, Wendy Crawford, Cedric Jackson, Korell Constable Sales Representatives: Ian Bosin, Wanda Law, Rachel Law Graphic Design: InMotion Media Digital Publication Founder: Jim Dempsey Publisher: Jason Klatsky

From the Publisher After a long discussion with our publications founder, Jim Dempsey, regarding his time on the Green Chimneys Board of Directors (which allowed him to work closely with Sam Ross, founder of Green Chimneys — see Jim’s memories in our In Memoriam Section on Pg 31) our conversation turned to what is new with The Pet Gazette. I told Jim that we were going full color. He said, “When I founded The Pet Gazette in 1998, I had no idea that it would still be going strong after 20 years. Given this is such a milestone, it seems fitting to celebrate by going color and I am confident this will help the magazine stand out in market and also help the limited advertisements featured inside really pop.” I continued to explain how we are spreading the good word by almost doubling (and refining) our distribution across each of our four locations, as we get closer to our goal of getting into the hands of every pet professional and pet enthusiast in America - with NO wasted copies. In addition to physical distribution, our local editions of our magazine are now available digitally through The Pet Gazette app. So, now anyone who wants a copy of our magazine can get it with just a few clicks. Finally, I told him about the biggest transformation to make his brainchild pop even more than color. I explained that the theme of this issue is The Power of Pets and The Internet and that we’ve partnered with 20+ of the BIGGEST pet social advocates in social media across the World. Initially, he didn’t fully realize the full potential, but I explained that by featuring their stories in this Issue we are not only making 40,000+ pet enthusiasts who read The Pet Gazette knowledgable about these amazing pets and how they are changing the world, but we are also opening up our historically local-only content to millions and millions of new pet lovers who will now be exposed to The Pet Gazette. It is an exciting time for us and I invite you to like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram and download a free digital copy from our app. Send it to a pet parent you know outside of your area!! This issue is a guide to a treasure of funny viral content to keep you laughing, smiling and crying tears of joy all year round. Enjoy! “Hot Diggety Dog” and “The Cat’s Meow” Regards,

PO Box 468, Armonk, NY. 10504 info@thepetgazette.com, 914-273-9721

We’re hiring pet enthusiasts!!!

Readers and advertisers love The Pet Gazette because, simply put, they love pets. We are looking to bring on team members with this shared passion to help continue our awesome company’s mission of giving back to the pet community. The roles that we’re looking for: experienced writers and distributors in Long Island, Westchester County & Fairfield County. We accept photos, opinions, short articles, stories, poems and drawings from the general public. We assume no responsibility for failure to publish a submission or for typographic errors published, or incorrect placement. The content of the magazine consists of copyrightable material and cannot be reproduced without the expressed permission of the publishers.

©The Pet Gazette

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To Achieve Success Always Be Yourself, Even If You're A Bit Grumpy. by Korell Constable It’s known that many people spend countless hours trying to increase their follower count on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter & Youtube. Whether it be through outlandish viral videos, artistic photography or even retelling their daily mishaps, social media users want to be seen and heard. The formula for viral success continues to evolve, but for one individual, better known as the Grumpy Cat, this feat has been accomplished by simply being herself. Tardar Sauce, Grumpy Cat’s, real name is a female cat who suffers from both an underbite and feline dwarfism that causes her to appear perpetually grumpy. With no intention of becoming a viral Instagram pet, Grumpy Cat’s rise to stardom happened accidentally. It all started when Grumpy Cat’s owner’s brother posted her picture on Reddit, a social news site, and she became an overnight sensation. Her grumpy facial features were used as

internet satire, leading her to become the biggest meme of 2012. The increasing usage of her meme helped evolve the online cat videos from simple clickbait into a tool that could be used in daily situations. The Grumpy Cat meme was used to express negative impressions on mostly happy situations. By the year 2013, Grumpy Cat had become a

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modern day Ebenezer Scrooge, whose influence lasted way beyond the Christmas season. Unlike most internet sensations, Grumpy Cat did not fade away with time. In fact, she became bigger and better by the day. She has made appearances on NBC News’ Today, Good Morning America, CBS Evening News and even American Idol. She even expanded heavily into merchandising, promoting a book creating her own licensed merchandise under Grumpy Cat Limited. The merchandising company has an estimated value of $1 million dollars, based purely on items sold featuring Grumpy Cat features. It is definitely an unexpected blessing for both Tardar Sauce and her owners, whose lives were unexpectedly changed overnight by a random picture uploaded onto the Internet. Grumpy Cat is a great example of how the evolution of online cat videos are allowing pets to become bigger than actual celebrities. The mundane cycle of fashion, fitness and flashy posts has pushed social media users to desire something new. Pets are timeless, relatable, and cute, which is the recipe for a timeless post. As of 2018, Grumpy Cat has an Instagram follower count of over 2.4 million people (and pets!) This puts her in the toptier league with influencers such as Doug The Pug, Marnie The Dog, and Manny The Frenchie. With her own movie titled, “Grumpy Cat’s Worst Christmas Ever” and her book titled “Grumpy Cat: A Grumpy Book” achieving a New York Times bestseller status, Grumpy Cat has become more than just an Internet celebrity or another famous pet fad. She is a cultural icon who will continue to be adored by millions across the globe without ever cracking a smile. TPG

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THE POWER OF PETS AND THE INTERNET: REVIEWING THEM FROM HEAD-TO-TAIL

by Jennifer Galluzzo

Featuring 8 Pets Working Toward Bettering the World, our Top Pet Social Media Honorable Mentions and a List of Pet Profiles You’ll Want to Follow Tomorrow plenty of sites listing the most popular There are pets of the Internet. You see their name,

how many followers they have and maybe a fact or two about them. But we wanted to know more! So, The Pet Gazette went in search of these famous fur-riends to find out what they are really like and what their lives entail. What we found was not really what we expected, and quite impressive! Here’s the lowdown:

1. Many popular Internet pets are not in it for the money or free stuff, which can be significant. They have real, genuine causes and foundations behind them that rake in a lot of cash for charities. From proceeds from merchandise to appearances to straight out donations, we’re talking millions of dollars. 2. They get noticed in public. Yes – on the street, in the grocery store, in the park – wherever they happen to be. And most are more than happy to pose for a photo and take some time with their adoring fans. 3. Their owners – aka support staff – dedicate a significant amount of time to their pets. Some more than 100 hours per week! A few even have agents or managers. Some tasks include press junkets, photo shoots, interviews, outreach, music videos, foundation management, merchandising, appearances, meet and greets, television specials, radio shows, and of course, filming, editing, and posting multiple times a day on social media. And don’t forget the daily routines of pets – eating, sleeping, playing, bathing, and lots of love. 4. Many rare pet owners use the Internet to show prospective owners it’s not all fun and games; raising and caring for an exotic isn’t easy. From monkeys to giant reptiles, these pets aren’t for everyone. Even for simple things like nutritional requirements, you need particular expertise. It’s not like you can go to your local grocery or pet store and pick up lemur food. These owners want to

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make sure that people know what they are getting into before they decide to bring home an animal that needs a lot of special care. And if you think you are suited for one after seeing what goes into it, then best of luck in building your owlery! 5. Pets on the Internet are free therapy for millions of people. These critters and balls of fur bring billions of smiles a year to people from all walks of life. Many depressed and critically ill people have reached out to these little stars to tell them how much they are appreciated, how they’ve helped them through a rough day or treatment, or how they simply bring joy to their lives. It’s fairly well-known that people who have pets tend to have lower heart rates, blood pressure, and heart-disease risk than those who don’t. But recently, smaller studies have shown that pets help those with mental illness, autism, PTSD, Alzheimer’s and more. Scientists are studying the effects of cats, horses, rabbits, dogs, crickets, fish and even guinea pigs on various groups that have hard-to-treat ailments. These amazing animals provide companionship, emotional support, touch therapy and more. But for those who are not fortunate enough to have a therapy pet, the Internet provides plenty of options for daily joy. With all of this goodness at the tip of our fingertips every day, we’d love to hear from you! Who are your favorite pets on the internet? Do you have a favorite post or video? Have you met any of these tiny celebrities? Do you think your pet has what it takes to become the next YouTube sensation? Would you have the commitment to keep up with the requirements necessary to maintain a pet celebrity? Let us know using #ThePetGazette! Your pet may wind up in the next issue of The Pet Gazette!

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#1 Lil BUB’s Big Heart At first glance, you can see why she has over 5 million combined fans - Lil BUB is simply adorable. We looked deeper, however, and were frankly in awe. This little creature, often referred to as a “one-of-a-kind magical space cat” has raised over $500,000 for other pets that were homeless or in need of some extra cash. Yes, HALF A MILLION dollars! Go, Lil BUB!

Pet’s Name: Lil BUB Age: 6 Location: Bloomington, IN Website: lilbub.com Instagram: @iamlilbub (1.7m) Facebook: @iamlilbiub (3m) Twitter: @iamlilbub (600k) YouTube: /lilbubbub (230k)

So, how does a cat even do that? Aside from sheer heart melting cuteness, a caring, compassionate, dedicated, very special Lil BUB’s Favorites: person is behind the scenes with Lil BUB. Activity – Meditation Mike Bridavsky has spent 40 – 90 hours each Toy – Meditation week for the last six years helping Lil BUB raise Food – Yogurt awareness for homeless pets, and money for the special care that some require. Lil BUB has partnered with the ASPCA to help special needs pets nationwide. Lil BUB’s BIG Fund for the ASPCA raises money through direct donations and proceeds from her merchandise and appearances. While BUB can certainly be found on the Internet, Mike doesn’t really think of her as an “Internet Star” despite her fame. She first became known when a photo of hers went viral on her blog. Shortly after that she was featured on Buzzfeed, which led to an appearance on Good Morning America, a featurelength documentary “Lil BUB and Friendz” with VICE Media, a book, a TV special on Animal Planet called “Lil BUB’s Special Special” a weather app, a store full of merchandise and more. Aside from the fact that she’s helped thousands of people and hundreds of thousands of pets, we still wanted to know more about this incredible little kitty. We sat down with Mike to get some inside information on Lil BUB. Here’s what he had to say.

#2 Exempel the Bunny

Pet’s Name: Exempel Age: 7 Location: Sweden

When you think of a famous internet pet, the first Instagram: thing that comes to mind isn’t a paw-slapping @ExempelTheBunny (183k) rabbit named Exempel from a small city in the Facebook: middle of Sweden. But Exempel, a mini-lop who lives with Moa Näslund, is known around the world @Exempelthebunny (37k) by his nearly 200,000 followers. Exempel is no ordinary bunny. Moa started posting photos and videos of him doing tricks like “high-five” and “spin” in 2013. They were poor quality, unedited, and shot from a phone. But people loved it, especially his koala-like nose. She decided to start photographing Exempel in creative photo shoots as well as his natural elements, and in 18-months he had 100k fans.

Exempel’s Favorites: Activity – Tricks! He loves them Toy – Anything he can chew on. He loves those grass and stick balls Food – He loves everything. But dandelion leaves, bananas and apples, are certainly at the top of the list

Moa and Exempel have become a go to team for other pet owners that have had trouble with their own bunnies. They get DMs from people thanking him for making their day a lot better. There’s nothing like a little fuzzy nose and big, floppy ears to warm your heart. And that makes Moa grateful and happy - really happy.

Does Lil BUB have any special talents? Clairvoyance, telepathy, teleportation, time travel, telekinesis, levitation. What do people love best about Lil BUB? Her razor-sharp wit, her perseverance and determination, and her commitment to homeless pets. How did you decide on Lil BUB’s online persona? I have no control over BUB’s persona. She is who she is, and I love her for it. So do we, Mike. Keep up the fantastic work!

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Does Exempel have any special or funny talents? He can make almost anyone happy when they’re sad. He’s also so smart and can play the piano, draw with a felt pen and jump on his hind legs. What do people love most about Exempel? Honestly, I think they like his cute little nose the best and that’s why he got his ‘koala’ nickname.

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#3

Pet’s Names: Diddy Kong & Yeti Kong Ages: 3 Location: Miami, FL Type: Marmoset

Diddy and Yeti Kong Two Tiny Monkeys are Better Than One! Meet Diddy and Yeti Kong. When you take a video of an adorable finger monkey taking a bath and grooming with a toothbrush, you’re destined for internet gold. That’s how Diddy Kong became a viral sensation, his video was reposted by many celebrities and large Instagram accounts. Celebrity followers now include Snoop Dogg, Neil Patrick Harris, Madison Beer, Ashton Irwin, JoJo Siwa, Jhene Aiko, Asia Monet Ray, and many more. Diddy was even featured in the Wiz Khalifa music video for “Celebrate”.

Instagram: @realdiddykong (1m) Facebook: @realdiddykong (26.5k) What are Diddy and Yeti’s Favorites? Activity – Foraging for marshmallows Toy – Soft cozy toys Food – Sweet potato

His beginnings were much more humble. His parents, Matt Crown and Gabriella Katia, fell in love with him at an animal sanctuary in South Florida and adopted him. About a year later, they decided to adopt a second marmoset, Yeti, so that Diddy could have a friend. They are now inseparable, and best buds. Although they are so famous that they get stopped in public, to date, the family has not accepted any form of payment for sponsorship. They do support as many animal charities as possible, however. Diddy and Yeti are currently partnered with the Klique app and Klique For A Cause to raise money for charity through meet-and-greets with Diddy and Yeti. Matt and Gabriella’s plan is to continue to give viewers raw, organic, and especially cute videos of their tiny monkeys living day-by-day life, which is a full-time commitment for their parents. They also try to provide educational materials and real-life examples of living with a marmoset for their fans, as not everyone is suited for the work involved in caring for a tiny monkey, as cute as they are. Does your pet have any special or funny talents? Diddy Kong can open a water bottle with his hands . What do people love most about Diddy and Yeti? How happy they are. Our fans love to see both Diddy and Yeti smiling on Instagram (and their smiles are truly spectacular!) Look for big things this year from these tiny monkeys, as they are planning to use their celebrity to raise awareness and some serious cash for charity. A book on this delightful duo is in the works as well. Watch out, King!

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#4 Jay the Bulldog If you are lucky enough, you may get off the subway to see Jay the Bulldog strutting through the streets of New York City with his pawrent, Mariana Neff. This relative newcomer, who is quite the social butterfly, has recently broken onto the scene. They started by interacting with other accounts, attending local meet-ups and online “pawties” and then just started meeting people on the street with his Instagram handle on his collar. Now, Jay already has almost 30,000 followers. But then again, who wouldn’t want to see this face every day?! You can also call Jay a matchmaker. The relationship Jay has with his pawrents has inspired other bulldog owners to call on them for assistance in placing bulldogs in need of a home. In most cases, owners have reached out to them after seeing how well they treat Jay, and were looking for someone to do the same for their bullies, which they could no longer take care of. Luckily, they were able to help them find a forever home and they could not have been happier!

Pet’s Name: Jay The Bulldog Age: 3 Breed: English Bulldog Location: New York, NY Instagram: @JayTheBulldogNYC (26.5K) Jay’s Favorites: Activity – Playing in water & swimming, sleeping, eating, meeting people and running/chasing his pawrents at the park! Toy – Balls!! But only to chew on – Jay “doesn’t do” fetch! Food – Everything! Unfortunately, due to his allergies, he is limited to white fish treats

Mariana says that keeping Jay’s fans happy is a part-time position in itself, on top of her full time job. The family doesn’t take money in exchange for promotions, but will accept things like treats or products that Jay will enjoy for a company shout out.

Does Jay have any special or funny talents? Jay is a shopaholic! He loves going to the stores and walking around the aisles. He can balance and jump using just his back paws and he is bilingual (English/Spanish). What do people love most about Jay? People love how friendly he is, and the way he wags his tail (yes, he has a long tail for a bulldog). What is your favorite thing about social media? Through social media, we have met the most incredible people from all around the world. One of our favorite things is exchanging holiday cards with our furriends from all the US and other countries. I love when people send messages saying thank youyou’ve made my day, I love seeing your face, or simply, I love you Jay!

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#5 Scout’s Honor Scout, who passed away in 2016, is still advocating for pit bulls, against BSL (BreedSpecific Legislation) in Ontario, and for positive reinforcement training through his social media legacy. Scout had been casually balancing stuff on his head for a few years before he blew up on the internet in about 2013. After an online whirlwind, Scout became a household name. Scout and his mom, Jen Gillen, went on to publish a book called “Lessons in Balance,” appear on Rachael Ray, help provide over 20,000 lbs. of food to rescues, and even have Harvey’s create a burger in his name for an online campaign. When he crossed the rainbow bridge, it was covered by TMZ and Perez Hilton. “You only live once, and I’m glad he was able to leave behind such a wonderful legacy,” says Jen.

Pet’s Name: Scout Age: 12 Breed: Pit Bull Terrier Instagram: @stuffonscoutshead (26k) Facebook: @stuffonscoutshead (15k) Tumblr: Scout’s Favorites: Activity – Does snoozing count? Toy – LOVED the cheese flavored nylon Tastybone Food – Other than Acana, he was pretty partial to any meat or carrots

Advocating for pit bulls isn’t always easy. But the time commitment is worth it, and Jen didn’t mind it at all since it was more time that she got to spend with Scout. Through the years, they have channeled all of his fame into various outreach efforts, including raising donations for multiple rescues in Ontario, and now raising money for human shelters as well. His foundation, Stuff in Scout’s Honour, and his memory are still helping change the perception of pit bulls. Scout was neglected, mistreated, and underfed when Jen rescued him and gave him a second chance. He flourished into one of the cuddliest pit bulls ever. She still uses Stuff on Scouts Head to educate people about how smart, loyal, loving and patient pit bulls can really be. Any special or funny talents? Balancing stuff on his head. What do people love most about Scout? He was such a big sweetie, representative of his breed.

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#6 Manny the Frenchie Buzzfeed has called Manny – whose rise to fame was completely organic – the “most famous French bulldog in the world.” “We weren’t trying to get him famous at all. We simply thought it was fun to share his photos and videos as if he was posting himself,” says Amber Chavez, Manny’s Mom. “I think what makes him unique is that he’s always liked to sleep in the sink… and talks,” she continues. Not to mention they have been giving back to charities and rescues since the beginning. Having one dog is a job on its own. Having five dogs, one being the most followed French bulldog on the planet, is a whole other level. Amber says that they try to keep Manny’s life as normal as possible, so he doesn’t “work” everyday. His job includes taking a ton of photos, especially in his natural setting, which he doesn’t mind at all. But that’s the easy part. Manny has several annual partnerships in place, and his very own 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation, Manny & Friends (https://www. mannyandfriends.org/). His non-profit has raised over $100K for several different rescues and charities. He raises money for charity from his sales of merchandise, his book “Manny the Frenchie’s Art of Happiness”, and much more.

Pet’s Name: Manny the Frenchie Location: Chicago, IL Age: 7 Breed: French Bulldog Website: mannythefrenchie. com Instagram: @manny_the_ frenchie (1.1m) Facebook: @Manny the Frenchie (1.8m) Twitter: @ frenchiemanny (18.3k) YouTube: Manny the Frenchie (7k)

Manny’s Favorites: Activity – Wrestling with my brothers and sister Toy – Any ball that squeaks Food – Bacon (really anything meaty)

Helping animals isn’t his only strong suit. “We’ve done so much that we’re very proud of,” says Amber. “We surprised a fan with cystic fibrosis with a visit from Manny and made a donation to the cystic fibrosis foundation. We’ve also recently attended a gala for The Children’s Heart Foundation Illinois chapter and made a donation to them,” she adds. “We also fundraised for all the natural disasters that happened recently. We do hear stories and get emails from fans who say we brighten their day or help them through a rough time just by posting Manny pictures and videos. It’s all so very fulfilling and rewarding.” Does Manny have any special or funny talents? Manny’s “frenchie talk” is hilarious! Not a lot of frenchies can “talk” but some like Manny make these yappy/whaling noises that’s not a bark at all. It really seems like they are trying to speak! If you’re similar to his over 3 million fans, you’ll like following his adorable and super funny personality, but you’ll love his philanthropic efforts. Keep up the great work, Manny and Amber!

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#7 Tuna Melts Your Heart When Courtney Dasher adopted Tuna from a Farmer’s Market in LA seven years ago, she was in for quite a shock. The whole process of fostering, adopting, and caring for a rescue was more than she had ever imagined – her appreciation for animal shelters skyrocketed. But with his exaggerated overbite and recessed jawline, there wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do for him. Tuna was certainly unique! Upon seeing Tuna, Courtney’s friend told her that she needed to start an Instagram account for him. This was before pet accounts were even a thing. There was no competition and no agenda – just a simple love for her dog and the desire to share his quirky face with people to make them smile. So she started @TunaMeltsMyHeart Much to her surprise, she found out that Instagram featured Tuna on its personal account. His followers climbed from 8,500 to 32,000 - in 12 hours! And this was just the beginning. When you see Tuna, whether on TV, magazines, press tours, meeting fans, selling his customizable merchandise, promoting his book or calendar, or working through his daily routine, his message is simple: beauty comes in all forms. His charming personality certainly shines through his unconventional looks.

Pet’s Name: Tuna Location: Cleveland, Ohio Age: 7 Breed/Type: Chiweenie Website: tunameltsmyheart. com Instagram: @Tunameltsmyheart (1.9m) Facebook: @Tunameltsmyheart (300k) Tuna’s Favorites: Activity – Sleeping Toy – Colin, a green emo hipster alien, who now has his own cult following. Colin was once lost at a park, and Courtney put up missing persons signs. He was returned, and now they are inseparable. They even have a calendar, or ‘Colindar’, together! Food – Popcorn, and cheese

Courtney never expected Tuna’s rise to fame. After his first “Tuna Tour,” an 8-city road trip to raise awareness for local animal shelters, she realized that social media could really make a difference. Courtney and Tuna could use these platforms to positively impact so many lives. Does Tuna have any special or funny talents? He does something called “big boy kiss” where he will gently raise his mouth and parts his lips to kiss me – not lick me. He also retrieves Colin when I tap my knee twice. Have you had any unreal moments? One that pops into my head is when we found out that Reese Witherspoon was doing a rapid-fire question segment with a media outlet. She was asked whom she thought everybody should be following on social media, and she responded with Tuna Melts My Heart. We were in shock! How did she even know who he was?!

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#8 Denver the Guilty Dog

Pet’s Name: Denver the Guilty Dog Location: Millington, MD Breed: Yellow Labrador Retriever

We would be remiss if when discussing pet internet stars, we did not include one of the original viral wonders that stole our hearts. If you don’t know Instagram: Denver the Guilty Dog, you should. Denver became @DenverTheGuiltyDog famous in 2011 when a video featuring her inability Facebook: @GuiltyDog to hide guilt after eating a bag of cat treats went YouTube: foodplot viral. The video has since been viewed over 150 million times on YouTube and Facebook alone! Instagram: 30K Facebook: 400K Over the years, we watched Denver get into trouble YouTube: 46K of all sorts, from eating Christmas ornaments and SnapChat: 25K crayons, to laying on the forbidden couch and dumping the trash can. Every time she was caught, her face would say it all; with the toothy grin and Denver’s Favorites: a half-sneeze – which came to be known as the Activity – Swimming in “McCheesy” face – she would confess her guilt. the creek, hands down! Toy – Retriever From her viral stardom Denver’s Guilty Dog Bumper Brand was born. She quickly became a business Food – Cat treats guru and has her own T-Shirts, Children’s Book, and stuffed toys. She even licenses intellectual property rights for her videos. Her dad, Mali Vujanic, has spent a significant amount of time, in addition to his full-time job, taking care of Denver’s schedule. He responds to fans and media, attends book signings at schools, schedules television appearances, does press interviews, and more. Over the years, the family has been extremely generous with their time and Denver’s fame. They have received phone calls and emails from fans that were terminally ill and wanted to thank Denver for helping them on a particularly difficult day. They have promoted others’ fundraisers, special events, products, and more to help charities and organizations. They have made donations to both human and pet charities alike, as well as visits to local animal shelters. Sadly, Denver crossed the rainbow bridge on February 12, 2018, but her big personality and endearing smile will live on in our hearts forever thanks to social media. You can read her obituary on our website. Denver has brought joy to millions of people, and that is something to McCheesy smile about.

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So

what is it about some videos that turn them into viral sensations? What prompts those tens of thousands of clicks, likes and shares on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, etc? Odds are there is a baby, a dog or a cat in the leading role. Most videos that go viral - get the most hits - have a combination of one, two or all three of these adorable characters. “Make them laugh or make them cry”, i.e., tug on their heartstrings. Kodak and Hallmark figured out what sells umpteen years ago. And the formula is just as true when it comes to having a pet video go viral.

6 Steps for

Follow these steps and your pet may end up with more friends than you: Step 1 – Be Mindful of Safety Safety always comes first, especially when you are capturing your pup interacting with others. As experienced pet owners you know the signs to look for, but when we’re behind the camera we can easily get distracted. For instance, if a video has an adorable toddler tugging at the family dog’s ears and the pup starts out fine but then begins to tense and give ‘back off’ signs … well, I’m betting you would join me in mentally screaming – “CUT”. Our pets warning signs are different from humans; we need to know what to listen and watch for. This is especially true if we are camera-person and director. Finding the fine balance between safe and not can be tough. You need to know what to anticipate before it happens and the first step is being aware that something could happen. Step 2 – Get to Know Your Camera Now that you know your video stars are safe, you can concentrate on getting a topnotch video.

Step 4 – Be Creative and Have Fun One way to add variety and fun to your videos is by capturing your pet’s antics with a Doggie Cam. Or you can get a small camera designed to be attached to your pet’s collar ... you’ll see the world as he does.

So, what is it about some videos that turn them into viral sensations?

Capturing such a video of even a semiactive dog requires some skill and a lot of luck. No amount of digital splicing and editing can make a shaky video clear or correct grossly out-of-screen photography errors. The solution is easy: get to know the camera on your phone. Intimately. To the point where you can adjust settings, including sound, without having to stop and look. It helps to remember the best viral videos are never staged; they are candid, spur of the moment and spontaneous expressions of pure joy. We can’t plan for them – so keep your camera handy!

16 • The Pet Gazette

Step 3 –Practice! Practice. And then practice some more. As your skills improve, you’ll find your intuition for the perfect shot becomes second nature. You become less self-conscious and/or likely to photo-bomb. The plus to all this practice: you’ll have a digital chronicle of your pet’s idiosyncrasies, joys, loveable silliness, and personality. You’ll not want to share most of what you shoot – but Cloud storage is a pittance. And the memories are forever.

The Doggie Cam is a monitoring system to see what your pets are up to when you’re away. Are they abiding by your training rules such as “stay off the furniture unless I invite you up?” The doggie cam will tell you. In fact, you will be treated to some hilarious shenanigans, along with realizing how many hours dogs can sleep. Step 5 – Edit Your Footage to Convey a Story Think about the story you want to share. The “Why” or purpose of what you want to convey. This is when you might discover you have not one but a few stories to share with Internet fans.

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dog personality match for the ideal forever home begins. Then comes my favorite part - the videos that elate even the most hard-hearted. It is adoption day! These are the “WOO HOO, I’m finally HOME” videos that inevitably choke us all up.

Quick Check List for

Going Viral by Wendy Crawford

Video clips can be edited to do everything from sharing your pet’s exuberance at discovering a toys to sharing a training ‘light bulb moments’ to helping a foster pup express his personality to potential adopters. Sharing your pet’s love of life with the world brings smiles to every viewer. And smiles and messages are what make videos go viral. Step 6 - Review Successful Viral Videos Some of my favorite videos are from the Dodo and from the rescue group I work with, Saving Carolina Dogs Rescue and Adoption Network or SCD. The Dodo’s videos are either funny or share a story that began in dire circumstances and ended up happy-everafter. The videos posted on the rescue group’s Facebook page begin with the initial photo or video of the terrified dog. Once under the group’s umbrella, the pup is vetted, neutered and placed in a foster home. The volunteer foster family posts videos, photos and written commentary highlighting the pup’s progress as he/she becomes acclimated to newly-discovered human kindness and caring. It is these videos that are so instrumental in generating true interest in potential adoptees. People get a solid sense of the dog’s personality. “Will he/she blend in with our kids, other pets and lifestyle?” Then the arduous screening process for finding the optimum human and

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My favorite rescue Making Pet Videos video is about Remy. He was found at the ӹӹ Know your camera San Antonio Animal ӹӹ Watch for your pet’s warning signs of discomfort Control. Less than ӹӹ Never stage a video. Your pet a year old, he was a isn’t a stunt animal trained for street dog who had movies been attacked by ӹӹ Make your photo shoots fun for your pets other dogs and was ӹӹ Learn to edit your videos. PC listed as a “medical magazine recommends the case” (which usually following translates into »» Adobe Premier Pro euthanasia due to »» Corel Video Studio Ultimate X 10 »» CyberLink Power Director costs) when the group »» Apple Final Cut Pro X pulled him. The SCD »» Apple iMax (for Mac OS X) foster took him to the vet where his chest ӹӹ Note there is also free editing software available. Google will give and front legs were you sources to research shaved to tend the ӹӹ Be patient, practice, and have puncture wounds. FUN! The rescue covered all his medical costs and nursed him back to health. Remy started to learn basic commands and more importantly, to trust people and accept love. He discovered regular mealtimes, a warm bed and what toys were for. Once healthy, Remy found his “real family” in Washington. His forever home had worlds of patience and tons of love for this scared boy and he blossomed. Remy today: Go to tpg.pet/remy to see the video Remy’s Dad uploaded to youtube for TPG readers. There are videos from the Dodo: tpg.pet/vet - The video is about a veteran with PTSD and adopted cat and dog - who became his service dog. 76,432 views and increasing tpg.pet/mom - The video is about an amazing service dog with his human mom. 2,353,894 views and increasing tpg.pet/rescue - A rescue finds a home, then her pup seven years later … and a family infant who gave the dog a reason to live. Will you become one of ever increasing 12 million (!!!) viewers? My final thoughts – these viral videos tell real stories of pets and their people. That is what makes them so extraordinary. TPG

@thepetgazettemagazine • 17


The Pet Gazette #pets Wanna-Be-A-Celebrity Contest One day at The Pet Gazette HQ, our Publisher Jason mentioned how he wanted to create an Instagram account for his adorable dog, Jax, to capture all of the funny and memorable things he does so the world could see. Within no time, a friendly debate arose with a few other staffers about whose pet would go ‘more viral.’ We thought this could be a great, healthy competition, that we could also invite our readers to join in on.

Enter your pet into the our contest for a chance to win a entry-level GoPro Hero camera to master your pet filming skills. First pets to 5,000 followers on Instagram will be entered into a drawing for the grand prize!

How to Participate 1) Create a new Instagram account (everyone starts at 0) for your pet with a unique handle name 2) Message us @petgazette1998 with handle name to enter 3) Refer to featured articles for tips and tricks on How to Go Viral (see page 16 to 17) 4) Start posting! Include #pets for all posts/videos 5) We’ll keep you posted with weekly updates 6) Let us know when you get to 5,000 followers and you will be entered to win the entry-level GoPro Hero!

Name: Jax Instagram:@????? Follower: 0

GOT AN OLDER CAR, VAN OR SUV? Do the humane thing.

Donate it to the Humane Society. You’ll be supporting the nation’s largest and most effective animal protection organization, seeking a humane world for people and animals alike.

Call 1-844-558-7491 18 • The Pet Gazette

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1 JiffPOM

2 It’s Doug the Pug

@jiffpom (8.1m) The 8 year old Pomeranian dog who became an internet sensation overnight Did You Know? ӹӹ Three time guinness World Record holder for most instagram followers ӹӹ Set the record for both the fastest 10-meter run on hind legs and the fastest 5-meter run on front paws. ӹӹ Starred in Katy Perry’s “Dark Horse” Music video in 2014, with over 2 billion views

5 Harlow and Sage @harlowandsage (1.6m) Three dogs whose friendship goes beyond life itself Did You Know? ӹӹ Three dogs(two Miniature Dachshunds and a Weimaraner) who share an inseperable bond with each other ӹӹ Up until Sage’s passing in 2013, Harlow and Sage were a dynamic duo that did everything together ӹӹ Indiana Thunderbolt was selected over hundreds of other applicants to become Harlow’s new best friend

@itsdougthepug (3.2m) The 6 year old Pug who became the King of Pop Culture Did You Know? ӹӹ A New York Times Best Seller Author for “King of Pop Culture”, and youtube celebrity ӹӹ He is a photogenic model who can pull of any style ӹӹ Favorite show is “Real Housewives of New York”

3 The Dogist

4 Marutaro

@thedogist (3.1m)

@marutaro (2.6m)

Photographer Elias Friedman showcases pictures about the beauty and elegance of dogs worldwide Did You Know? ӹӹ The series has traveled to over 50 countries around the world ӹӹ Over 50,000 pictures of Dogs are included ӹӹ Went on to become a New York Times best seller in 2016

6 Loki the Wolfdog

7 This Wild Idea

@loki_the_wolfdog (1.7m)

@thiswildidea (1.2m)

The 5 year wolf dog that helps bridge the gap between Wolves and Dogs Did You Know? ӹӹ A husky/arctic wolf/ malamute mix who survived through a blizzard of 2012 ӹӹ Loki’s mission is to help both pets and their owners explore the world through photography ӹӹ Leader of the wolfdog pack community

facebook.com/ThePetGazette

The 10 year old Shiba Inu that has taken Japan by storm Did You Know? ӹӹ A paper mask model with a colorful personality ӹӹ Known as the “loveliest Shiba Inu Puppy in the world” ӹӹ Enjoys nature themed walks, strolls along the beach and being cozy in bed

8 Marnie the Dog @marniethedog (2.1m)

Theron Humphrey, photographer and owner of Maddie

The 16 year old Shih Tzu who overcame the hardship of being in a shelter

Did You Know? ӹӹ Maddie the Coonhound is traveling around all 50 states for the next 365 days ӹӹ She radiates both care and comfort in all her photos ӹӹ National Geographic – Traveler of the Year

Did You Know? ӹӹ A icon for older dogs who still have much to offer to their owners and the world ӹӹ Best known for her adorable smile which is mostly her tongue sticking out

@thepetgazettemagazine • 19


1 Princess Monster Truck @princessmonstertruck (295k)

2 Nala the Selfie Queen @nala_cat (3.5m)

The Felinine royalty that was adopted from the mean streets of New York City

The 7 year old Siamese & Tabby mix breed that has taken Instagram by storm!

Did You Know? ӹӹ Princess Monster Truck is an adopted cat with a jaw deformity but still has an amazing smile ӹӹ She hates going outside, and loves to window gaze ӹӹ True to her name, Princess carries herself with style and grace like true royalty

Did You Know? ӹӹ Adopted from a shelter at the young age of 5 months ӹӹ Naturally photogenic thanks to her crisp blue eyes ӹӹ All of her revenue goes to the benefits of animals in need

5 Tard @tardthegrumpycat (45k) Did You Know? ӹӹ We aren’t exactly sure about this grumpy cats breed; but she looks nothing like her mother or father ӹӹ She looks similar to a Ragdoll or Showshoe ӹӹ Her petite size and famous face is likely due to feline dwarfism and her rear end wobbles a bit when she walks due to this

20 • The Pet Gazette

6 Hamilton @hamilton_the_hipster_cat (804k) The Cat with the coolest mustache in America Did You Know? ӹӹ Affectionately known as the hipster cat for his trendy sense of style ӹӹ Has a unique white mustache that uplifts his iconic look of prestige ӹӹ Supporter of the movement #AdoptDontShop

3 Pudge @pudgethecat (666k) The two-toned exotic shorthair cat known worldwide for his poise and grace Did You Know? ӹӹ Has the perfect complexion blend between black and light brown ӹӹ One of the main attractions for the Castbury Convention in New Jersey ӹӹ Loves Football

4 Snoopybabe @snoopybabe (351k) The cutest exotic shorthair cat from Japan Did You Know? ӹӹ A fashion icon with a sense of style inspired by the 70’s,80s & 90s. ӹӹ Takes pride her in fluffy white appearance and tinted orange fur ӹӹ Prefers her hair short, allows her to remain exotic

7 Venus Two Face Cat

8 Waffles the Cat

@venustwofacecat (1.4m)

@waffles_the_cat (559k)

A feline with the perfect blend of light and dark Did You Know? ӹӹ Venus has two different strands of DNA in her body ӹӹ Known for her mysterious appearance that led many to believe she was a chimera or a fusion of different cats ӹӹ Also an avid supporter of #AdoptDontShop

A Scottish Fold Boy with the dreamiest eyes you will ever see Did You Know? ӹӹ Waffles story is a modern rendition of the ugly duckling ӹӹ His journey personal transformation helps to inspire many ot always believe in themselves even when no one else will. ӹӹ One of the best cosplay cats on the internet

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1 Super Pringle @super_pringle (18.2k) A unique bearded dragon with a golden smile Did You Know? ӹӹ A bearded dragon that has his own bicycle ӹӹ Game of thrones is his favorite book with Viserion being his favorite character ӹӹ Loves to do cosplay

5 He Kangaroo Sanctuary @hekangaroosanctuary (799k)

Did You Know? ӹӹ The Sanctuary’s is to educate and encourage people to rescue and care for kangaroos and other wildlife and animals. ӹӹ Their motto is Animals Come First. ӹӹ In 2013 The Sanctuary created a documentary called Kangaroo Dundee tha was made by BBC UK / National Geographic USA ӹӹ It follows the interesting lives of our mob of rescue kangaroos and other wildlife

2 Pumpkin the Raccoon @pumpkintheraccoon (1.5m) A rescued Bahamian raccoon who transitioned into the hearts of millions Did You Know? ӹӹ Pumpkin was one an abandoned raccoon who was able to become domesticated ӹӹ Has two canine siblings, Oreo and Toffee who co-exist together as a true family ӹӹ Also an author with her own book titled Pumpkin: The Raccoon Who Thought She Was a Dog

6 Black Jaguar White Tiger @ blackjaguarwhitetiger (6.5m) Did You Know? ӹӹ The Black Jaguar White Tiger Foundation’s mission is about changing people’s perception about all Animals ӹӹ The Foundation has rescued and cares for over 295 (And counting) Big Felines including: Lions, Jaguars, Tigers, Leopards, Lynxes, Pumas and Servals from a life of abuse in circuses, zoos and breeders, both legal and illegal ones ӹӹ It has also rescued more than 60 Dogs, mostly from the street ӹӹ Black Jaguar-White Tiger™ is rooted in the belief that education can start a revolution; a revolution about Love and Respect for all living beings

facebook.com/ThePetGazette

3 Wally and Molly

4 Prissy Pig

@wally_and_molly (325k)

@prissy_pig (689k)

The best tailored rabbits on the internet Did You Know? ӹӹ Wally was a trimmed adorable rabbit who passed away in May of 2017 ӹӹ His legacy is lived on through the delight of Molly, Otis and Suki ӹӹ All three enjoy wearing wacky hats

7 Mr. Pokee

Two adorable pigs unafraid to make the world their new playground Did You Know? ӹӹ Prissy and Pop are a pair of adorable pigs who love to go on adventures ӹӹ They like to dress up and celebrate national holidays such as Christmas and even St. Patrick Day

8 Juniper Foxx

@mr.pokee (434k)

@juniperfoxx (2.2m)

A hedgehog who loves to stay close to home Did You Know? ӹӹ Mr.Pokee is an African Pygmy Hedgehog who loves to travel ӹӹ A huge influence in changing the perception of Hedgehogs becoming household pets ӹӹ Very Photogenic

The happiest fox there is Did You Know? ӹӹ A popular domesticated Red Fox that loves to explore ӹӹ Very jubilant and playful ӹӹ Star of the book “Juniper The Happiest Fox”

@thepetgazettemagazine • 21


MORE POPULARPETS PETS TO MORE POPULAR TO CHECK CHECKOUT OUT

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@lacorgi/286.2k

@ifitwags/241.2k

k @deanthebasset/228

22 • The Pet Gazette

@norbertthedog/607.7k

@minapple/499k

@frank_the_funnyfrenchie/ 422.5k

@3bulldogges/274.4k

@hacth 42

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MOREPOPULAR POPULAR PETS OUT MORE PETSTO TOCHECK CHECK OUT

09.4k @nevillejacobs/2

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@lifewithleroy /92k

@thepetgazettemagazine • 23


MORE POPULARPETS PETS TO MORE POPULAR TOCHECK CHECKOUT OUT

oxer/73k @leila_the_bullb

@underpantsthedog/37k

98k

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@elfie_gimli /190

@choupettesdiary/110k

24 • The Pet Gazette

@muppetsrevenge /77k

@dogumantry/63k

@earlthegrump /32k

@albertbabycat /5 82

@macc ha

@instafrenchie/52 k

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cat /37

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k @shimejiwasabi/176

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thepetgazette.com


MOREPOPULAR POPULAR PETS OUT MORE PETSTO TOCHECK CHECK OUT

/71k @monkandbean

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@hamlet_the_pig gy

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Delivering Happiness! Combined, these pets have over 72 Million followers on Instagram!! Check them out today and see all the adorable and funny pictures and videos they post that are sure to put a smile on your face! facebook.com/ThePetGazette

@thepetgazettemagazine • 25


the label. It is normally organic as well. Limiting the ingredients makes this ideal for sensitive tummy and/or allergy prone dogs. The cost differential between dog food brands Premium and Limited Ingredient labels is close to negligible. As a side note, it’s usually around 3 years old when dogs seem to develop both food and environmental allergies.

PART I

by wendy crawford

Use keywords to navigate your search on google for more information: ӹӹSize, age, activity level, and breed of your buddy. Why breed? Some breeds are more active than others. A Great Dane is, by nature, less active than a herding dog. That’s one reason why they make terrific apartment dwellers.  ӹӹBenefits of Grain Free dog food. There are reams of info on grainfree pet food. Just for starters, did you know that almost all dogs are allergic to wheat? ӹӹImpact of wheat, corn, gluten, and rice on dogs – many scientific articles suggest that corn gluten (even in small quantities) may harm your dog’s organs and, to make matters worse, GMO corn is often used in pet food.

26 • The Pet Gazette

When it comes to feeding your pets, the more you know – the better. Making the internet work for you just makes sense. Just like dogs, dog food formulas come in endless sizes and shapes. There’s dry dog food, commonly called kibble; there’s canned dog food; there’s raw dog food found in the refrigerator section … and then there is “Mama’s Ala Carte Home Cooking” … Mama being you. From a cost perspective, dry food and home cooking are the least expensive. While pups like veggies and fruit for variety, they are carnivores – meat eaters – and genetically require the proteins a meat based diet offers. This is why dog food comes with the standard choices of beef, chicken, turkey, and fish. A few lines offer venison and/or kangaroo; both are excellent, although a bit pricey, options if your pup has negative reactions to the more normal fare. You’ve probably wandered the dog food aisles to discover the range of labeled pet food designations run the gamut from puppy food to senior diets; generic brands to name brands. Now add in the “Premium” versions of dog food and the recently introduced “Limited Ingredients” line of some premium brands. It can get a bit confusing. And reading labels can only get you so far … The Limited Ingredient designation is the ‘new kid on the block’ and means there is essentially nothing in the product beyond the 5 core ingredients listed on

WebMD has a dog food segment that explains exactly how to read and decipher dog food ingredient labels. https://www.tpg.pet/dogfood Your Doggie Food Checklist ӹӹ Read labels ӹӹ Buy organic ӹӹ Raw veggies and fruit are great for dogs ӹӹ Raw green leafy vegetables, such as broccoli, spinach and kale can be added to any meal for health and variety ӹӹ Sweet potatoes (cooked and cooled) make a great ‘pill-pocket’ for vitamins, etc ӹӹ Blackberries, sliced apples, pineapple, mango pieces, sliced cucumber (peel included) are all loaded with healthy properties ӹӹ Sliced strawberries and bananas make marvelous additions, but limit the amount, as both are high in sugar ӹӹ Baby carrots and dried apple or banana chips (no added sugar) are super snacks or treats when you are walking or training your pet. They have no odor and won’t stain your pockets While you’re web surfing, take a moment to check out what not to feed your dog. The more you know, the better you and your pup will feel. The Internet is great for finding dog-healthy recipes for everything from cookies to complete easy-to-make meals for daily use. Most of the full meal recipes are crock-pot “turn it on and go” and come with freezer instructions.

thepetgazette.com


Other Resources One of the most informative and current discussions on feeding your dog is from the RSPCA Australian knowledgebase. (http://www.tpg.pet/rspea). The side bar menu offers more detailed info on feeding companion animals. The site might have less color than what you are used to - but it is very informative. One of my favorite dog food sites is Dogs Naturally (http://www.tpg.pet/dogsnaturally) It is superbly informative with easy to digest information and some great tips. Lastly, when it comes to dog food, sign up for the Dog Food Advisor.com; it’s an invaluable tool. The site sends out alerts for any products being recalled. Equally important and more germane to finding the best food for your pet, the site has a comprehensive and scientific-based analysis of all dog food brands and their ratings that are updated consistently. Dog Food Advisor neither accepts nor allows paid advertising from pet food manufacturers. This ensures all their evaluative ratings are not skewed. An added bonus - they never email you except for alerts. Bon AppÊtit.

TPG


CATS DOMINATE THE INTERNET be no surprise that house cats all over the world It should over have purred and kneaded their way deep into the

heart of the internet. There is a wide acknowledgment that cats are the rulers of social media. Cat memes, cat photos, and cat websites are frequent fodder for anyone surfing the web. The history of cats online is preceded only by their history of dominating the household of their human slaves.

Tubcat

A site still in existence today, Tubcat.com celebrates the oftoccurring condition of cats who like too much tuna: obesity. Tubcat has spent more time eating snacks than learning to spell, as he uses the generally accepted internet cat language with phonetically expressed phrases, like “kittehs are kewl.”

Cats That Look Like Hitler

This website is self-explanatory, but the collection of cats with Hitler-type mustache markings are irreverently hilarious. The opening paragraph reads, “Does your cat look like Adolf Hitler? Do you wake up in a cold sweat every night wondering if he’s going to grow up and invade Poland? Does he keep putting his right paw in the air while making a noise that sounds suspiciously like ‘Sieg Miaow?’ If so, this is the website for you.” The site invites participation and presents kitty Hitler doppelgangers available for adoption

Simon’s Cat

British animator Simon Tofield, in trying to teach himself to use Adobe Flash, created a series of short films about his cat, Hugh. The cartoons are about a fat cat who goes to great lengths to get his owner, Simon, to feed him. By January 2009, the little films became so popular that Tofield was approached to publish a book based on the characters. In 2012, Disney Studios scooped up the animation rights, creating a new series of short films and then later partnering “Simon’s Cat” with “Sesame Street.” In 2017, “Simon’s Cat” became an internet game called “Crunch Time.” It is available on Facebook.

By Cedric Jackson Cat pawprints may be all over your keyboard, but if you were to go back in time to the early days of the internet, back when you had a dialup modem to get connected, you would find the presence of cats. Following is a timeline of how cats have purr-meated the internet since the inception of social media. 2002 2004

2006

A meme featuring a cat with a sculpted lime, the “Mystic Rind,” upon his head. Limecat is, according to legend, “The ultimate god of cats everywhere.” Interestingly, the “lime” itself that forms the helmet on the cat’s head is not an actual lime, but rather a carved pomelo, which suggests that the photo may have been concocted somewhere on the Chinese internet.

2007

I Can Has Cheezburger

2008

2009

Cat Bearding

2011

Grumpy Cat

2012

See Full Article on Page 6

Anti-Yoga Cat

The original Anti-Yoga Cat first appeared in a video when the cat photobombed the owner’s yoga pose. The cat smacks the camera and disrupts the video. The GIF that followed created a rush of anti-yoga cats who manage to interrupt and interfere with yoga in creative ways.

28 • The Pet Gazette

Beginning with a collection of memes called “lolcats,” the collection of photos with funny captions known as “I Can Has Cheezburger” remains one of the most popular sites on the web. This blog-format site features videos and macro images. I Can Has Cheezburger was created in 2007 by a Hawaiian, Eric Nakagawa, and his friend Kari Unebasami. During its peak in May 2007, the site received around 1.5 million hits per day. ICHC normalized the “lolspeak” language now commonly used on funny animal memes. Nakagawa converted the site to a monetized blog. He then sold it to a group of investors that September for $2 million.

Cat Massage

This YouTube video coins the phrase, “Major Whisker Watch Alert.” It is an instructional movie about how to massage your cat. It appears to have serious intent but offers a treasure trove in the comments section. It boasts of over 4 million views so far.

2010 On July 28, 2011, a photo uploaded by Tumblr user Catasters started a whole new craze on the internet. This came to be known as “cat bearding.” Thousands of users began imitating the initial post of holding the cat under the chin and touching noses with it. The effect gave the person the bottom half of a cat face. The lesson, according to Bored Panda, is simple: “Cats make everything go viral.”

Limecat

2017

2014

Pusheen

Artists Claire Belton and Andrew Duff first created Pusheen in May 2010 to appear on their website Everyday Cute for a comic strip they called, “Pusheen Things.” Pusheen was so popular that in 2011, the female grey tabby cat earned her own comic strip. Since that time, she has become a merchandising “cash cow.” Her image appears in products through Barnes & Noble, Petco, Hot Topic, and more. Pusheen has over 9 million followers on Facebook and has expanded to Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Max the Library Cat

The sign on the door says it all: “Please do not let in the cat. His name is Max. Max is nice. His owner does not want Max in the Library. We do not want Max in the Library. Max wants to be in the Library. Please do not let Max into the Library.” The sign appeared on Reddit and Twitter and thus blew up the internet. Max instantly accumulated fans worldwide, all asking for him to be allowed in the library. Due to an allergic employee, he was not. Max has a home, and he is currently under house arrest there. Meanwhile, he is the subject of a new book and a Facebook page, called “Let Max In.”

thepetgazette.com


Continued from page 28…

Cats Are Still Out There One theory about why cats are so popular is because they have never evolved in the same way dogs have. We can’t really control them, so they bring a little bit of nature into the home with us. For some computer geeks, this might be as close to the great outdoors as they ever get. But there is something hilarious in the assumed dignity of the typical cat when placed in unnatural situations. Whatever the cause, cats continue to provide us with an unending source of material. TPG To see Sources for all these historic cats, please visit: www.tpg.pet/cats

facebook.com/ThePetGazette

@thepetgazettemagazine • 29


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World Pet News Japan - A robot wolf with flashing red eyes and huge white fangs may soon be protecting crops across Japan after scaring away wild boars. It will cost farmers around $4,828 if they want to see it guarding their crops. The Japan Agricultural Cooperative said significantly fewer crops had been lost under the electronic wolf ’s protection. The device can cover more than 3,000 feet, suggesting it is more effective than an electric fence. Brazil - A pet dog has made a home for himself in front of the hospital where his owner died. The animal, who has no name, has been waiting in front of the Santa Casa de Novo Horizonte hospital in Brazil for four months, according to local media reports. The dog first arrived at the unit after chasing after the ambulance that was transporting his owner, a 59-year-old homeless man. It is not the first story of a dog showing unwavering loyalty to its owner.

Tracks For local events please visit www.tpg.pet/local or Scan the QR code using your iPhone camera or by downloading and using TPG app.

In Memoriam Dr. Samuel B. Ross, Jr. (“Rollo”)

Recovering from knee surgery while starting a new business (The Pet Gazette) is how I met Sam Ross. It was back in early 1998 and I was collecting business names and addresses from the phone book with a bag of ice on my knee. If you don’t know what a phone book is ask someone over 40. Kennels, vets, retailers and what’s this....Green Chimneys School for Little Folks in the “pets” section of that phone book? Well, in that moment I thought what the heck I’ll add them to the mailing list if they’re in this section but I had no idea what they were. Over the years as I learned the local market this place Green Chimneys would pop up in conversations. Being inquisitive and before web sites told you what you needed to know about everything, I visited unannounced. It was a school but in the country within a farm setting. A story was assigned to a writer regarding animal assisted therapy and Green Chimneys began appearing in the pages of The Pet Gazette. Everyone benefited including our readers and the school. One day my landline phone, (remember them?) rang and Sam and I started talking. He liked what we did in our issues. I felt as if I’d known Sam my whole life. I visited and I got to see magic made as Sam subliminally weaved his skills raising funds, taking phone calls, receiving visitors in his office...all so smooth and it was. But the beauty in Sam really showed when interaction with children occurred. Both parties lit up, smiles broke out and magic showed how it’s made, no technology required. Sam also passed a big test the day my mother in law a “real deal” farm girl from Nebraska made a visit to the school with me and was impressed. She and Sam connected on a farm level and that too was fun to watch. Anyway, Sam passed away recently and although sad, it is because he lived that the world is a better place today. People like Sam and his wife Myra make our world a better place because they choose to make a tangible difference. I along with many others will miss him but his legacy at Green Chimneys will live on and is worth our support. Visit sometime and see what happens to you. Have you lost a pet and want to celebrate their life with a posting in The Pet Gazette? Visit http://www.tpg.pet/inmemoriam/ and share their story.

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The Pet Gazette • 31


24 • The Pet Gazette

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