Tupperware parties but for pets: It’s ‘Pupperware’ time!

First there was Tupperware parties. Now there’s the “pupperware” party.

The concept is pretty much the same as Tupperware or almost any other product sold at home parties. Someone hosts a party and invites his or her friends and family to check out a product line. Only with these parties, the guest list doesn’t have to be limited to humans. Canine companions welcome!

The Pet Party is being offered by Shure Pets, a national pet product company based in Chicago.

Spending money on our household animals is at an all-time high. We may be in a recession, but we’re not cutting back on pampering our pets, according to figures from the American Pet Products Association. The group’s most recent statistics show that consumers in the United States spent $43.2 billion on their pets in 2008, up from $41.2 billion in 2007.

Laura Macklin, sales and training director for the Pet Party, recently held a pupperware party at her west suburban home.

“We even had a 10-week-old puppy come to visit, and we gave her a spa treatment. We put spritzer on her, brushed her all out, put paw balm on her paws and made her look really pretty,” Macklin said.

Guests at Macklin’s Pet Party were shown Shure Pets’ lineup of products including Paramount Paw Balm, the Ulti-Mutt Candy Bar, Devine Canine and Feline Breath Mints. There also were a variety of collars and leashes to choose from, as well as beds for cats and dogs. Other products being touted include organic catnip, a variety of shampoos and conditioners and dog treats.

Read more: Tupperware parties but for pets: It’s ‘Pupperware’ time!

The world’s smallest dog

He is a third of the size of an average guinea pig, and weighs in at just a few ounces – but this tiny puppy could be a big deal when it comes to world records.

The miniscule chihuahua-Jack Russell cross – appropriately named Tom Thumb by its owners – is a serious contender for the title of being the smallest dog on the planet.

Little Tom was born just three weeks ago as part of a surprise litter to mum Spice, a chihuahua.

And he is unlikely to get much bigger – with some previous experience of rearing puppies through their early weeks, the couple are convinced that Tom is almost fully grown now.

With his tan-and-black markings, Tom Thumb measures less than four inches from the tip of his nose to the end of his tail and only weighs about three ounces.

Read more and see more pictures: The adventures of Tom Thumb: The tiny puppy set to be the world’s smallest dog

Woman spends $23,000 to find lost dog [Video]

Ginny Davis went to extreme measures to find her lost dog, a $23,000 investment that she said paid off.

When Davis lost her 2-year-old shih tzu, Sam, money was no object.

With six furry friends, Davis considers her dogs family. When Sam wiggled out of his collar on the way to the groomer, Davis was devastated.

“He was just in panic mode at that point and so he just kept running,” she said.

As quickly as Sam made his escape, Davis drew up a game plan to find him. She hired search and rescue teams from Oklahoma and Ohio to trace his scent and plastered thousands of signs all over Indianapolis and Greenwood.

With every phone call she got, Davis had a little more hope that Sam would be found safe and sound.

One day last week, Davis got a phone call she had waited months for. A postal worker saw Sam sleeping in a nearby field. When Davis called Sam’s name, the dog came running to her.

“I thought, ‘My God, it is him,’ and I just sat down and cried,” Davis said.

Philip Borst, who has a veterinary practice near Davis’ home, said he was shocked when he heard that a pet owner spent $23,000 to find her dog.

“I’ve had stories over my 35 years of dogs that have been lost for 100 miles away and they found them … in another city or state,” Borst said. “The lengths that she went, that showed that she sure did love that little pooch.”

“I’m not a wealthy person. It’s just that I feel when you get an animal, you make a commitment,” Davis said.

Sam was extremely dirty and full of ticks when he was found, but after a good grooming and examination, he’s the same dog Davis loves.

Read more and watch this story: Woman Spends $23,000 To Find Lost Dog

Shelter puppy has “Mickey Mouse” spot

Look at this little guy! Perhaps he was trying to find his way to Disney World! This little puppy has a black spot, and it looks just like the Mickey Mouse ears. They couldn’t be better, even if they were drawn by Walt Disney himself.

 

See more pictures and find out how to adopt this little guy: Puppy found in St. Pete has “Mickey” Spot!