After
adopting three Mutts, Hayley, Grizz and Poppy from our
local Humane Society, we wanted to show how proud we were
of our spoiled pets. After an extensive search, we realized
there were only breed-specific pet products available
for families with Mixed-Breeds, All-Americans,
Heinz 57's or Mutts, as they are affectionately
known. We love all dogs but have a soft spot for Mutts
and wanted to help other Mutt lovers show that their pets
were not second-class or superior but truly special. We
designed a few items that would appeal to other pet companions,
ran them past our own four-legged inspirations,
Hayley Grizz and Poppy (who, by the way, each gave an
enthusiastic "two paws up") and MuttStuffTM
was off and running.
With
merchandise as unique as your very own Mutt, you'll
be sure to turn heads and give mixed-breeds and all
dogs the recognition they deserve when you strut your
MuttStuffTM. At the request of
Hayley, Grizz and Poppy a portion of the proceeds from
the sale of each item will be donated to their furry
friends at local and national animal shelters. Last
year 10% of our proceeds went to animal welfare groups
both locally and nationally.
Thank you... and be proud to Strut your Mutt!
Read
the "tails" of the Three Muttskateers below.
In Their Own Words...
I
can still remember the first day that I left the Humane
Society. It was a big deal for a Basset/Bearded Collie
mix like me or any former stray Mutt for that matter.
I was slinking really low to the ground sniffing every
square inch of my new home. After about two hours of
playing with my new Mom and Dad, investigating my new
home, and even barking at my reflection in the oven
door, I collapsed on the floor for a nap.
The next several months were very exciting, and I got
to experience lots of new things. It seemed like Mom
and Dad were always laughing at me. I realize that I
may be a little more demanding than your average Mutt,
but after a while, my routine was getting a little boring
to me. I really lived for those trips to the school
field to play Frisbee and going Rollerblading with Dad,
but it seemed like there was something lacking in my
life. Maybe it was that I was used to having so much
attention from my parents that I was bored and I would
complain just to get their attention. Mom and Dad kept
asking me if I wanted a brother or sister and if that
meant fighting for food and toys like in the shelter,
my answer was no!
Didn't they remember that I was the queen of the house?
Who else could alert them that the mail or garbage truck
was in the neighborhood the way I did? I just really
thought that we didn't need all of that hassle from
a young, messy, untrained dog. They had it so easy with
me, and they were about to start the feeding, training
and mayhem all over again. Were they nuts? Probably,
but I had a feeling that they had other ideas. I would
find out later that I was right.
Enter
the Grizz.....
I
remember this nice woman coming to see me and she had
this thing called a camera and kept flashing this light
at me. I tried over and over to give her my credentials.
"My name is Grizz. I like to give kisses. I like to
run. I like to play. I love to eat!" She left and over
the next few weeks lots of people came to see me and
I had lots of different roommates. I kept telling everyone,
"My name is Grizz. I like to give kisses. I like to
run ....." but I didn't think they were listening. It
seemed like a lot of the other dogs were leaving with
their new families and I knew that eventually my turn
would come. One day this man and woman came in to see
me and played with me. They brought me treats, scratched
my ears and rubbed my little potbelly. I loved that.
They asked me about some girl named Hayley and then
went to talk to the nice shelter people.
Later that man and woman came back and I got to go outside
with them. There was this other dog out there and I
was a little afraid of her. Her name was Hayley and
she kept sniffing me and looking down at me. Eventually
we went to my new home and my Mom and Dad wanted to
play! At my new home I had to learn how to go up and
down these things called steps and after awhile I just
ran up and down because it was fun. I get to go to this
big field and chase after Hayley. We eat and lie around
together and we always have lots of fun, but sometimes
Hayley doesn't want to play with me. I'll just keep
running around her and barking until she gives in and
wrestles around with me. Yippee, Mommy and Daddy were
moving to a new house with a big yard and I think they
were talking about some young, new girl moving in.
And then came Poppy......
I was getting used to the Animal
shelter. I had been there once and went home with a
family who brought me back. I don't know why because
I was always really excited to see them. Another family
came to pick me up but they decided to buy a puppy dog
from a breeder. Time was passing quickly and I was getting
very anxious to find a home. This man and woman brought
up some other dogs and we went out in the fenced yard
to play a little. The one boy named Grizz was kinda
cute and fun, but the other girl Hayley was really bossy
with me. I was young and fast and she would have to
catch me first! I got to ride home with my new family
and I was asleep in the back of the jeep before I knew
it. I woke up and got to run around the big yard until
I wore myself out.
A young girl like me has a lot of energy and I love
to run around our yard really fast and one time I even
almost caught up to a squirrel. I am really good at
stalking and then scaring the birds away and barking
at the cows in the pasture next door. Sometimes Hayley,
Grizzly and I play frizbee and when I get it I don't
like to give it up. My Daddy says I'm the fastest of
any dog he's ever seen and I always run and jump around
to show off. Some mornings I like to catch some rays
on the deck that Daddy calls a picnic table. Me and
Grizzy have a good ol' time and Hayley even is nice
to me sometimes even though she likes to act like the
boss of me. I think I'll keep my family!
A
word from the "parents"......
Hayley,
Grizz and Poppy make a pretty good team. Grizz and Poppy
are happy to have full-time playmates, and Hayley is
content with always having someone to boss around. All
three of our Mutts have totally distinct personalities.
We can always count on Hayley for high drama, mood swings
and her crazy demands. Grizz always displays that incredible,
positive, fun-loving spirit and sweetness that kept
him alive in the shelter for the 2 months before we
adopted him. Poppy was a wild firecracker who breathed
new life and excitement into our house, but has developed
nicely into a sweet, lovable, but energetic girl. We
feel lucky and grateful to have found such an incredible
and rewarding pack of Mutts! Do
yourself a favor and grow your own pack today by rescuing
a dog (or 2) from your local shelter.
- Kellie & Carl
