Share your Howling Good Times and Purrfect Memories

Providence, RI. August 7, 2003 - Whether its Bowsers birthday, Spots graduation from obedience school, or just an excuse to get together with your dog and cat loving friends-and their four-legged pals-we want to hear how you have fun celebrating the pets in your life.

Smiling Dog, manufacturer of party supplies, gifts and pet-friendly baking mixes for cats and dogs, has launched a national search for ideas on creating a tail-wagging pet celebration. Anecdotes about successful events, along with how-to suggestions for implementing, are sought in the following categories:

Birthday
Bar/Bat Mitzvah
Graduation
Christmas
Chanukah
Valentines Day
Easter
Halloween
St. Patricks Day
Independence Day
Thanksgiving

Winning submissions in each category will be published in an upcoming book, along with the pets name and photograph. (His or her person will be featured too.)

Party on, Pooch!

If you party with Fido or your feline pal, youre not alone. Every year, 10 million people celebrate their dogs --and 13 million, their cats-birthday, according to the American Pet Association. Some 700,000 throw parties and invite other pets. Many more would celebrate (a recent survey revealed that 35% of human companions consider pets their children) but dont know where to begin. After all, its not quite as simple as stopping by the local grocery store for a cake mix and can of frosting. But, says Smiling Dog founder Patricia Griecci, it doesnt have to be difficult either. And a pet party can be even more fun than a people party, she adds.

Known as the Pet Party Hostess, Griecci wrote the Pooch Party" section of Pads for Pets, published in 2003 by Chronicle Books. She has created complete party packages-from hats and favors for furry guests to pet-friendly cake mixes-available through Smiling Dog. Now, Griecci says, shed like to share the ideas of dog and cat lovers nationwide in her upcoming book. Low cost and high creativity are key, Griecci says. Unlike people, pets arent label conscious!"

A portion of the books proceeds will be donated to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kantab, Utah,

Tell Us About Your Party
Please submit your pet party anecdotes and how-tos, along with photos (identifying you and/or your pet), to samantha@smilingdog.net. Or mail to Smiling Dog, 24 North Bow Street, Milford, MA 01757. Please include your name, pets name, mailing and email addresses, and day and evening phone numbers.

All submissions must be received by November 15, 2003 and will become the property of Smiling Dog; we retain complete editorial control over published material. Please send a self-addressed stamped envelope if youd like your photographs returned.

About Smiling Dog: Since 1996, Smiling Dog has provided natural gourmet treats, crafts, party packages and gifts for thousands of lucky dogs worldwide. Pet Age magazine voted Smiling Dogs party mixes and baking molds-bones, hydrants and cat shapes-among the best new pet product lines of 2001.

Smiling Dog products may be purchased online or in retail outlets throughout the United States. For more information or to locate a store near you, visit our website at www.smilingdog.net.