Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from Happy Tails Dog Packs!



Telegraph Ave Holiday Street Fair, Dec. 17

There's nothing like Christmas shopping on Telegraph Avenue. We'll be in Berkeley on Saturday for the Telegraph Avenue Holiday Street Fair. Pretty good chance we'll sell our Tie Dye Pack. http://www.telegraphfair.com/

 

Wingz to Fly Military Holiday Craft Fair, Dec. 10

 

Looking forward to Wingz to Fly Military Holiday Craft Fair at Antioch's Somersville Towne Center Mall, 9:30-4:30 Saturday. The event is a fundraiser for the East County Veterans. Come out, and support our troops.

1st Awkward Meeting

Our mascot, Oscar, met Santa for the first time last weekend. Oscar was so stunned, he could barely move :)

Heritage Holiday Craft & Gift Fair, Dec. 2-3

We'll be in Watsonville on Friday and Saturday for the Heritage Holiday Craft & Gift Fair. Should be very festive. If you're in Santa Cruz County, stop on by and spread some holiday cheer. View more information.

Small Business of the Day!

Big news! We were selected as Small Business of the Day for Thursday, Nov. 10, by the Fox Small Business Center! Check it out (Thursday only) at http://smallbusiness.foxbusiness.com/

Here's what they wrote about us (http://smallbusiness.foxbusiness.com/entrepreneurs/2011/11/10/small-business-day-happy-tails-dog-packs/):

We’re highlighting small businesses from around the country as nominated by you, our readers. If your favorite small business is using Twitter to communicate with customers, let us know about it @fbsmallbiz with the hashtag #mysbc, and it may be featured as an upcoming Small Business of the Day.

Small Business of the Day: Happy Tails Dog Packs

Who: Janet Vigallon, 47,@htdogpacks

What: Backpacks for dogs to wear when walking

When: January 2011

How: Vigallon was inspired to make her own pack for her family's rescue dog to wear when going for walks. She wanted a pack that allowed her dog Daisy to carry water vertically and still have for other toys and bags.

"I didn't like what I saw online or in stores," she said.

So, she took some fabric and created her own dog pack. After receiving compliments from people in the community, Vigallon, who also works as a physical therapist, decided to try her hand at selling them locally and online.

Where: Pleasanton, Calif.

In her own words: "I had her wearing it every day on her walk and got so many comments from the community and friends requesting I make them some. After using it regularly for a year, we decided to go for it."

Sammy

Check out Sammy, sporting a Camo Pack. Lookin' good!

Harvest Moon Classic Cluster

Join us at the Harvest Moon Classic Cluster dog show today through Oct. 24 at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton. The event is presented by the Del Valle Dog Club of Livermore and Skyline Dog Fanciers of San Mateo County. View more information.

Stella

Say hello to Stella from Lexington, KY. She looks stunning in her new pink dog pack!





The K9 Cancer Walk last week in Los Gatos raised over $81,000 to fund canine cancer research. It was an honor and pleasure to be there.

Here's Champ looking like...well, a champ in his hot pink pack purchased Oct. 1 at the Livermore Air Show.

Scooby Doobie Doo III

Scooby Doobie Doo III figured a dog pack was better than a Scooby snack, and we couldn't agree more. SDD III's pack was purchased at the Paws in the Park event Oct. 2 in Pleasanton.

K9 Cancer Walk, Oct. 9

Hope to see you Sunday at the K9 Cancer Walk in Los Gatos. The event begins at 10 a.m. at Vasona Lake Park and is part of the Canine Cancer Campaign to help scientists prevent, treat and, ultimately, cure cancer in dogs. View more information.

Paws in the Park, Oct. 2

On Sunday, we'll be at the Paws in the Park event, a fundraiser for the Valley Human Society. If you're near Pleasanton, bring your dog, and participate in a good cause. The event runs from 1-4 p.m., with registration for the dog walk at noon. More info.

Livermore Air Show, Oct. 1

We're looking forward to attending the Annual Livermore Air Show on Saturday at the Livermore Airport. If you're looking for something fun to do, come join us.
View more information.

Happy Henry

Say hello to Henry, whose owner Trina bought her this royal blue dog pack at the Bark in the Park event Sept. 17. Is Henry happy with his new pack? His grin says it all.

New, lower prices online!

Just wanted to let everyone know that we lowered our online prices.

Tiny $19.99
Petite $24.99
Small $29.99
Medium $34.99
Large $39.99
Extra Large $44.99

September events

Here are some pictures from the 3 events we've participated in this month.

Bay Area Pet Fair & Adoptathon

Bark in the Park

Pooches on the Patio

Pooches on the Patio, Sept. 18

For all you wine and dog lovers, here's an event for you. The Pooches on the Patio wine-tasting event will occur Sunday, Sept. 18, at The Steven Kent Winery in Livermore. The event runs from 12-4:30 p.m. Bring your dog, and enjoy some wine. Stop by our booth, and say hello.

Bark in the Park, Sept. 17

Don't miss out on one of the most-anticipated dog events of the year Saturday, Bark in the Park. The event, which runs from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at San Jose's William Street Park, is billed as the Largest Dog Festival in the U.S. Over 3,800 dogs and 15,500 humans are expected to attend, and Happy Tails Dog Packs will be there, too. View more information.

Bay Area Pet Fair & Adoptathon this weekend

The Marin Center Exhibit Hall and Fairgrounds in San Rafael should be a fun place Sept. 10 and 11 when it hosts the Bay Area Pet Fair & Adoptathon. We'll be there among 200 local vendors. Also present will be Tillman the world-famous skateboarding bulldog, along with a variety of other fun events. Visit the web site for more info.

Dog Days of Summer

On Sunday, Aug. 28, we spent a fun-filled day at AT&T Park in San Francisco participating in the Giants' annual Dog Days of Summer game. Prior to the game, there was a costume contest for the dogs and a parade around the field. Here a few pictures from the event.

 

  

Cruisin' with Cruz

Cruz, sporting its new Beach Pack, took a moment at a recent outing to pose with Teri Ann.

We'll be in San Jose this weekend

If you're in the South Bay this weekend, come on out to the California Home, Garden & Design show at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds. We'll be there selling our dog packs Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Check out the show's web site.

Comments About Our Product

Since we began selling dog packs a few months ago, it has been pretty evident that most people -- including many dog owners -- had never heard of dog packs. Because of this, we've heard some pretty interesting comments. Here's a sampling of comments overheard last weekend when visitors stopped by our booth or noticed Oscar (pictured above) in front of our booth at the Fremont Festival of the Arts:

Compliments:

"That dog's really man's best friend."

"That's what Rosco needs."
"Wow! That would be perfect. She can carry everything."
"That's very cool!"
"Cute!"
"Oh my god!"
"Let's make Jackie carry her own stuff."
"The dog carries its own poop. Great idea!"
"He can carry my water bottles."
"That dog carries a Chuck-It Stick. We have to get it."
"My dog can carry my cell phone. Yes!"
"We can have Patty's name put on it."

Interpreted by us as compliments:

"Dogs like to be put to work."

"That's tight!"
"That's sick!"
"Mommy, Mommy, can we get one?"
"Can the dog carry beer bottles?"

Not what we wanted to hear:

"I'd freak out if my dog was wearing one."

"My dog would have that off in 2 seconds."
"I bet Sadie would just sit there and not move."
"My dog's not a pack mule."

We're still trying to figure these out:

"Do you make any that will fit me?"

"Am I supposed to drape that over the side of the couch to put my remote control in?"
"Can I put my tools in these?"
"I'm supposed to hang these on the wall inside my house, right?"

Photos from recent fundraisers and festivals

PAW-A-THON, July 30:

Bay to Barkers, July 31:

Pooch Parade, Aug. 3:

Fremont Festival of the Arts, Aug. 6-7:

We'll be in Fremont this weekend

If you're looking for something fun to do this weekend, come to the Fremont Festival of the Arts. We'll be there selling our unique dog packs.

Introducing the Tie Dye Pack

           

For that retro 60's look, we have turned back the clock to offer the Tie Dye Pack. Perfect for a walk on the wild side. Who knew your dog could look like a hippie?

Pooch Parade Aug. 3

Coming to the Pooch Parade on Wednesday, Aug. 3 in Pleasanton? If so, stop by our booth, and say hello. The Pooch Parade, which runs in conjunction with the 1st Wednesday Street Party, begins at 7 p.m., and all proceeds from it will benefit the Tri-Valley Guide Dog Puppy Raisers.