Some of you know that I traveled to Nashville on Wednesday along with several other Bloggers to attend a Canine Nutrition Summit sponsored by Mars Petcare. I really learned a lot about all the research that has gone into our pets (they do work with cats as well) food. Research not only used by the Brands owned by Mars but by foods across the globe to help ensure our pets receive optimal nutrition no matter what our budget.I am going to split up the information across several blog posts. I figured that since this is the Blog Hop and it is all about creating community and networking that I would share our 2 hour shuttle ride to get about 6 miles. Yes 2 hours for 6 miles due to snow!
Dog of the week. She wanted to personally give us the tour.
Since we the invited Bloggers where flying in from all over the country to be there Mars Petcare decided that those of us who arrived in time would benefit from visiting the Nashville Humane Association not so that we would fall in love with all the furry little faces there that we got to visit with but because of all of the innovative programs that they have created in order to raise awareness about pet overpopulation and the programs they have taken on in order to help animals not only in their community but nationally in case of disaster. We got to meet with the head of the shelter to learn about how they are reaching out to their community to drastically reduce the number of unwanted puppies and kittens in their area. They know it will take time and they are willing to put in the time to make a difference. Honestly if every shelter looked like theirs inviting, friendly, clean, and hospitable more people would probably adopt their next pet.
No I don't think adoption is for everyone but a majority of people are just looking for a sweet, happy, healthy, playful new family member. Just like not everyone is looking to bring a new shoe string eating puppy into the family some people are looking for an older calmer dog (there was one there that will not last the weekend before it is adopted). This dog had so such personality and the look of a tv or print ad star. That's not to say that 2 Bloggers weren't seriously considering bringing home new family members a Tennessee Yellow Retriever (yes that is a fancy name for a mix) was on the verge of finding a new home in Texas and cute little puppy almost had a new home in New Jersey.
So back to the shuttle that took 2 hours because of the "Blizzard Conditions" the Blizzard part was a joke but basically the entire city of Nashville panicked and decided to all leave work early to avoid the snow during rush hour and created absolute gridlock. In a city with only 6 snow plows the streets weren't getting clean because the plows were stuck int he same traffic we were and the temperature just kept on dropping so the roads became very slick. Even though we were stuck in traffic for 2 hours we didn't have to drive we just got to sit back network and have fun. Ok so none of us would have chosen to spend two hours stuck in traffic but we made the best of it trying to learn from each other and bouncing ideas off of one another. We all already knew each other from past events so we could just spend the time bonding and really getting to know each other. Our camp director (all he needed was a whistle) was a bit frazzled that things weren't going the way they had planned but except for being a little tired and having to change our dinner plans and some people not being able to join us for dinner I think things went pretty well. Thank you so much to our hosts for taking such good care of us and for letting us get to know your company on a much more personal basis.
I hope you are all having fun this week in New York wish we could be there when they name the new Westminster Best in Show Winner. I know that the real winners of your time there will be all the dogs that will be helped by the Pedigree Foundation in the coming year.
Love is in the air #Pawpawty February 12 - 13th! to RSVP http://twtup.com/febpawpawty
Its another edition of Saturday Pet Bloggers Blog Hop brought to you by Two Little Cavaliers, Life with Dogs, and Confessions of the Plume! Welcome to all of you joining us for the first time we are so excited to have you!
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