Sunday's Super Pet Expo, Dulles, Virginia

Sunday is a Super Day for the Super Pet Expo (Dulles Expo Center)

Here are some of the unique and fascinating events to see and new, creative items for you and Fido.

Education

So Many Toys! Jen Cao,

vice-president of Zippy Paws, gives an excellent presentation on how to select the best toys for your dog (squeakies, stuffies, etc. – for chewers, for cuddlers, etc.)

One of her new toys are the Floaterz and their catalog and webpages are a fun work of art!

Zippy Paws also has leashes, cooling vests for K9s, and the newly popular subscription boxes.

Toy Chests Galore

A Pennsylvania company, R&B Crafts, has delightful toy boxes. I have drooled over them for years – simply elegant and now they also make signs of all sorts.

Walk Your Dog?

Who doesn’t walk their dogs? Then you need the Waly Wag bag to hold keys, phone, poop bags and wear around your waist, or, like I do, over the shoulder. This company is based in Annapolis.

Want Everyone to Know Your Dog Belongs to You?

You can dress like your dog if you have a little dog. Or, if you have any size dog, why not a matching collar (for Fido) and a belt (for you). Get yours at C4 Dog Collars and Belts.

“Choose Your Color – Choose Your Cause.” Would you believe they are waterproof, comfortable, antimicrobial, odorless, eco friendly and easy to clean plus you can personalize yours! What more can you ask for?

Everyone Loves a Clean Dog

Groom is a new natural cleaning, conditioning shampoo-alternative that is easy to use – just place one tablet in the showerhead (or connect to the garden hose) and turn on the faucet.

Or, drop a tablet in a basin and soak those canine paws – wonderful for treating all four puppy paws that experience ice- and snow- and salt-buildup during the long cold northern winter months. This product is brought to you in the US by a family of Labrador retrievers so it has been lab-tested and approved!

Take Fido on Vacation to the Poconos

Talk to the good folks at Good Dog! Vacations and they’ll tell you about their chalets with the in-ground dog pools and fenced-in backyards for all their chalets with access to a trout stream and nature trails. Good Dog Vacations at Big Valley Resort has been in business for 37 years so you know they really know their stuff.

New Pup? No Problem!

Stop at the Chill Pups booth and solve all your problems with a Chill Pups Training Kit:

clicker, a treat toy, a leash, a food and water bowl, harnesses to grow into and training information. Oh, and treats and a treat bag, too, and probably more that I forgot! The website has beautiful photos and great blogs, too.

Need a Break?

Stop at one of the Lure Coursing demo areas and tire your pup out.

We all know a tired dog is a good dog, right. Then, tonight, find out more about this new canine sport starting with Luring101.com - I don’t know who enjoys Lure Coursing more – dogs or their humans! (Watch a video on the website.) It’s a blast and will keep you laughing in stitches. Dogs seem to be naturals at this. Shown is the attractive outside of a luring course at the Super Pet Expo.

We love the final rule posted: “We may ask you to chase the lure with him [your dog]. This will not help much but everyone watching will love it.”

Need a Hug? Not Here. How ‘Bout a Kiss?

Visit one of the Kissing Booths like the one pictured (Key to Lion’s Heart Rescue based in Maryland). What is better than a puppy kiss? This puppy kissing booth is sponsored by a dog rescue.

No Bones About It

It’s true: a dog can never a bone that’s too big. Why not try an ostrich femur, a leg bone (the birds are raised at Roaming Acres)

or a bison bone? Your dog will love it and love you for it.

More “Puppie Love”

The vendor with the most unique business cards simply has to be a Baltimore company, Puppie Love (Save, Rescue, Love),

with the bestest t-shirts and hoodies and jewelry and drinkware and decals and adorable designs of a generic lab puppy - like the new sport of Stand Up Paddling (SupPup).

I bought three T’s to go with the one I purchased at the World of Pets (Maryland state fairgrounds in January) but two are gifts. This family-owned company puts the designs on sea island colors like watermelon and butter and island reef (aqua) and blue jean. “Tie Dye” is the best-seller. How about the one below for Mother's Day?

And What About Puppy Paws to Wear?

Puppy Paws specializes in paw-shaped jewelry such as Mother’s Paws with crystals to commemorate the birthstones of your important pets and Memory Paws to remember the pets who have gone over the bridge but Puppy Paws can also help guests wipe their hands.

As you can see, there is so much at the Super Pet Expo to experience. You’ll love it!