The Theatre of the Brand
Retail Customer Experience
Smart companies are implementing ways to take the in-store experience beyond the lease line to extend brand affinity, drive consumer behavior and provide relevant lifestyle content to the consumer. All these advancements aim to enhance the shopping experience, lifting it to more than just a trip to a store, but rather a theatrical experience where purchasing merchandise is only part of the journey.More

Set Your Company's Message Free
Entrepreneur
Let go of the idea that you need complete control over your message. Very few companies are able to maintain control and still create buzz. Apple comes to mind, but think about how much the company must spend - all the time and resources necessary to maintain such a tight-lipped atmosphere. For most of us, it's better to throw the message out there and then let it do its work.More

CDOC Helps Trigger Defeat of Mandatory Spay/Neuter Bill SB250 in State Senate
PR Newswire via Reuters
Due in part to the legislative advocacy efforts of Concerned Dog Owners of California (CDOC) and partner groups, the State Assembly voted 28-42 to reject SB250 which would require mandatory spaying and neutering of California's pet dogs and roaming pet cats and add millions to local government costs. More

Look What Cesar's Stepping Into Now
ohmidog!
TV's "Dog Whisperer" has sniffed out some new turf: He's launching a magazine that will hit newstands next week. The magazine - dubbed Cesar's Way - will be a joint venture between Cesar Millan and the New York sports management and entertainment firm IMG, the Wall Street Journal reports.More

Opinion: A Dog Breed Ban Doesn't Increase Public Safety
The Denver Post
The American Humane Association, headquartered in Denver, strongly opposes the current dog-breed bans in Denver and Aurora. American Humane believes no breed automatically poses a high risk of attack, and that it is unjust to punish loving, responsible dog owners merely because of a breed's reputation.More

New Government Consumer Website Includes Pet Food Recall Info
Pet Product news
The United States Department of Agriculture and the United States Department of Health & Human Services launched a food safety consumer website that will include pet food recall information. "We want to protect pets and animals so we will include information as it comes up," said Vicki Rivas-Vazquez, a spokeswoman for HHS.More

Schools Fight Families Over Autism Service Dogs
NBC
Like seeing-eye dogs for the blind, trained dogs are now being used to help autistic children deal with their disabilities. But some schools want to keep the animals out, and families are fighting back. Two autistic elementary school students recently won court orders in Illinois allowing their dogs to accompany them to school. Their lawsuits follow others in California and Pennsylvania over schools' refusal to allow dogs that parents say calm their children, ease transitions and even keep the kids from running into traffic.More

Sweater Weather
Pet Style News
In just a few weeks, we'll be feeling that familiar nip in the air. Kids will return to school, beach days will grow less and less common, and the warm colors of autumn will begin to emerge on the foliage. There's something about this time of year that makes a sweater feel so good. And that offers retailer the perfect opportunity to get customers thinking about fall fashion for their pets.More