Sign In
Free Newsletter
Lance Reyniers Did It Right
The industry suffered a great loss when Lance Reyniers, a lifelong aquarist who founded Python Products in 1984, passed away on April 1 with his family by his side. Of the many personalities in the pet industry, Reyniers was one that I simply describe as “stubborn,” but it was an admirable quality that caused me […]
Pets Are Family
For many of us, pets are family. That makes it so difficult to say goodbye to them when they pass away. Losing a beloved pet is something that I was forced to endure recently, and it was as painful and excruciating as I had remembered from past experiences. I have written in the past about […]
Great Achievements
The start to 2019 has been a tumultuous one, highlighted by a Hill’s Pet Nutrition recall of select canned dog food due to potentially elevated levels of vitamin D that could lead to serious health issues, including renal dysfunction. The company points to a “supplier error” as the cause of the elevated levels in the […]
Proud to Deliver the News to You
Since joining Pet Age more than two years ago, I’ve witnessed several landmark events—including acquisitions, recalls and retirements—that have helped shape the pet industry. And although Pet Age will be observing its 48th anniversary in a few months, I have much to celebrate this month. As we put the February issue to bed, I am […]
New Beginning
I have long admired the music of David Bowie, and my respect for the man is even greater. A legendary singer-songwriter and actor who was one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, Bowie died from liver cancer in January 2016. It was in the early 1990s, during his “greatest hits” tour, that […]
Reflecting on 2018
In the blink of an eye, the year has come and gone. As the brisk autumnal chill of November gives way to what we hope is a winter wonderland, there’s a buzz in the air. Not only does December engage all of our senses in the high spirit of the holidays, but Pet Age is […]
My First Thanksgiving Column
Our modern Thanksgiving holiday was first declared by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863 in the hope of bringing unity between the northern and southern states, who were fighting a very uncivil war. It was 1941 when President Franklin Delano Roosevelt decreed the last Thursday of November to officially be Thanksgiving Day. In truth, Thanksgiving shouldn’t be […]
Keeping You Up-To-Date
What started as a warning by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in July on a possible link between dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs and a diet rich in legumes and/or potatoes has—thanks to a few outspoken social media personalities—turned into something of a witch hunt implicating all grain-free dog foods. The FDA alert, […]
The Numbers Don’t Lie
It’s turning out to be a great year for the pet industry. And thanks to John Gibbons, president of A GPS For Pet Businesses, we have the numbers to show that last year also was extremely successful. His most recent report, “Pet Products Spending by Generation: Mid-Year 2017 Update,” revealed that U.S. consumers spent $45.87 […]
Keeping It Plentiful and Diverse
Las Vegas is known as the Entertainment Capital of the World, but for three days last month, the biggest city in Nevada was transformed into the Pet Capital of the World. Presented by the World Pet Association, SuperZoo was held June 26-28 at Mandalay Bay Convention Center. The Pet Age team converged on Las Vegas […]
Life is Better with Pets
As someone who has always had pets, it’s difficult to imagine life without them. It’s a mystery to me how a person can refrain from greeting a dog or cat as it strolls by with its owner. Who doesn’t like pets? I recently asked myself that question when I attended both Jackson Galaxy’s Cat Ca[...]
Living the Latest Trends
I’m a native New Yorker who was born in Brooklyn, and I guess you can say I’m sort of following in the footsteps of my Italian grandfather. However, whereas he raised pigeons, I’m the proud owner of four khaki ducks. I purchased them when they were a week old from a local farm/pet supply store, […]
