Posted on 09/03/2003 2:40:38 PM PDT by chance33_98
Bottled Water For Pets
By Fisher News
SEATTLE, WA - While nearly half of Americans drink bottled water every day, that habit may start catching on for your pets too.
It was all Bill Fels' dog Jason's idea. He wouldn't drink a drop of water.
"Wasn't drinking water period -- out of the toilet, anywhere," said Fels.
But when Bill Fels took Jason camping, Jason loved the stream water.
"I took him to the vet, figuring there was something wrong, the vet said he just doesn't like the taste and flavor of city water," Fels said.
So, Bill started purifying mountain water for Jason and his friend's dogs. And, "Pet Refresh" was born.
Fels now drives to the Carbon River near Mt. Rainer to fill up. He filters out the natural bugs and bacteria before adding his special flavors.
"Beef and chicken," he said. "Right now, I'm working on a chlorophyll for nervous dogs with nervous stomachs, bad breath."
And Fels says Pet Refresh is not just marketed for dogs, but for cats, birds and rodents too.
But do your pets really need bottled water?
Veterinarian Ann Brudvik says tap water is safe, but knows people often hate the taste.
"There are some pets that find it that way too, but when you are talking about dogs, they will generally eat or drink just about anything," Brudvik said.
So, who would pay about 2 bucks a bottle for dog water?
"For all the other things we get our 13 pound little Schitzu, bottled water wouldn't be out to the question," said Emmett Garbett.
"Ha ha, I would think it's ridiculous, really ridiculous," said Sandy Hill.
"They're part of the family," Fels said. "I don't believe you skimp on your family. Is it a luxury item? Perhaps."
So, go ahead... laugh all you want. But Bill and Jason will keep working on new products.
If they do, I am buying some and taking off the label. Will leave it in fridge at work...heh heh heh
If you'd told me 30 years ago that people would be paying a buck or more for a bottle of Aquafina/Naive (er, I mean, Evian)/Poland Springs/whatever water, ...
Great, we're paying for the stuff I grew up on. Water which grows strong bones -- in the tub, sink, pipes and anywhere else you let it evaporate.
$2.00/bottle!
Absolutely amazing how much is charged for water and people cheerfully and snobbishly pay for it no matter what. And all it carries is a state sales tax.
Gasoline is now $2.00/gallon with about 30% (more in some states) of its price as state and federal tax that consumers never see and people bitch and moan about the "evil big oil" companies.
Perhaps we should get a "big water" company to drill in ANWR for "pure, fresh, spring water."
Oops! Well, I'll be danged! We hit oil!
If the alternative is water that stinks and is full of nitrates, I can fully understand the market for drinking water -- even hard drinking water -- especially in 5-gallon jugs.
It's the personal-size bottle that makes me laugh long and hard. I mean, as I see it, buying a bottle of Naive for the same price as a bottle of Pepsi is too much like buying a gallon of crude oil for $1.75, or a sack of potatoes for the price of potato chips.
If you want on the new list, FReepmail me. This IS a high-volume PING list...
Of course, $10,000 in kitty medical bills over the past 18 years might have something to do with my dementia.
--Boris
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