Midwest recently made available for purchase separately, the plush chenille bed that comes with the model 130 cat playpen. One is included with the playpen and now you can purchase additional beds for the other two shelves. You can find the beds now listed on the page with the cat playpens. The beds are camel chenille and include a non-skid backing as well as velco straps to attach easily to the shelves.
Add comment November 7th, 2006
I recently became aware of the fact that both 48″ drop-pin dog crates ship oversize 3 due to box size. Models affected are Better Buy 1048 and Starter Series 1148. The same crates in fold & carry versions (models 1248 & 1648) ship oversize 2. The difference in shipping charges between the two is substantial - usually in the $50.00 range. So unless you are dead set on the drop-pin style, the fold and carry crates are by far the better buy when shipping cost is considered.
I suppose this will teach me to read the fine print. Fedex ground regulations indicate that any package over 130″ length/girth will ship oversize 3. The package for the models in question measure a total of 129.75″ length/girth so I had the website setup to calculate these as oversize 2. Noting that I was being charged more by fedex for the shipments than the website was calculating, I questioned why. What is not clearly noted in the regulations but in the fine print under fedex’s terms and conditions is the fact that fedex rounds measurements that are a fraction of an inch. The result is they bill a 129.75″ package as a 131″ package. I think it would be easy for them to indicate this on their size requirements page but they do not. I had to search long and hard to find the reference to the fact that measurements are rounded. Considering the fact that shipping cost differences between the two are significant ($30 upcharge for os 3 and billable weight goes to 90 lbs), I really think it inexcusable that a company this large does not make this information clear or readily available.
There - I’ll get off the soap box and will probably hear from my fedex rep. now 
Add comment October 23rd, 2006
Purchase any Casual Cratewear or Canine Cabana dog crate cover and save 10%. Use coupon code CRATECOVER during checkout to save. Hurry - coupon expires Oct 6th.
Add comment September 27th, 2006
Midwest replacement floor grids for puppy playpens have been added to the
puppy playpens page. Now if you have a need for both 1/2″ and 1″ grids you can simply purchase an extra grid to trade out in your playpen. Breeders of multiple breeds will find this useful as it eliminates the need to purchase an entire playpen just to get the different size grid.
Add comment September 19th, 2006
I notice orders tend to slow down towards the end of the month. I suppose all the salaried, monthly pay folks have run short of funds by this time. To hopefully boost the slowdown a bit, I am offering a $5.00 savings coupon for any product purchase over $25.00. Just purchase your $25.00 or greater item and use coupon code blogdeal0806 during checkout to save $5.00.
August 25th, 2006
We just got word that the manufacturer of Canine Cooler Pet Beds is moving their company headquarters and no product will be shipped between 8/18 and 9/6. Order now to avoid delay later. It’s hot and your pets will really appreciate it.
August 4th, 2006
I found this little story to be inspiring and thought I’d share it via the blog.
Subject: Two Choices
What would you do? You make the choice! Don’t look for a punch line; There isn’t one! Read it anyway. My question to all of you is: Would you have made the same choice?
At a fundraising dinner for a school that serves learning disabled children,the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question:
“When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does is done with perfection. Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do. Where is the natural order of things in my son?”
The audience was stilled by the query.
The father continued. “I believe,that when a child like Shay, physically and mentally handicapped comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes, in the way other people treat that child.”Then he told the following story:
Shay and his father had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked,”Do you think they’ll let me play?” Shay’s father knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but the father also understood that if his son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps.
Shay’s father approached one of the boys on the field and asked if Shay could play, not expecting much. The boy looked around for guidance and said, “We’re losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we’ll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning.”
Shay struggled over to the team’s bench put on a team shirt with a broad smile and his Father had a small tear in his eye and warmth in his heart. The boys saw the father’s joy at his son being accepted. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay’s team scored a few runs but was still behind by three. In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as his father waved to him from the stands. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay’s team scored again. Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat.
At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game? Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible ’cause Shay didn’t even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball.
However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing the other team putting winning aside for this moment in Shay’s life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least be able to make contact. The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay. As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher.
The game would now be over, but the pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game.
Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the head of the first baseman, out of reach of all team mates. Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, “Shay, run to first! Run to first!” Never in his life had Shay ever ran that far but made it to first base. He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled.
Everyone yelled, “Run to second, run to second!”
Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to second base. By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball, the smallest guy on their team, who had a chance to be the hero for his team for the first time. He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher’s intentions and he too intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman’s head. Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home.
All were screaming, “Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way Shay”
Shay reached third base, the opposing shortstop ran to help him and turned him in the direction of third base, and shouted, “Run to third! Shay, run to third” As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams and those watching were on their feet were screaming, “Shay, run home! Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the “grand slam” and won the game for his team.
That day, said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world.
Shay didn’t make it to another summer and died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making his Father so happy and coming home and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!
AND, NOW A LITTLE FOOTNOTE TO THIS STORY: We all send thousands of jokes through the e-mail without a second thought, but when it comes to sending messages about life choices, people think twice about sharing. The crude, vulgar, and often obscene pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion about decency is too often suppressed in our schools and workplaces.
If you’re thinking about forwarding this message,chances are that you’re probably sorting out the people on your address list that aren’t the “appropriate” ones to receive this type of message. Well, the person who sent you this believes that we all can make a difference. We all have thousands of opportunities every single day to help realize the “natural order of things.” So many seemingly trivial interactions between two people present us with a choice: Do we pass along a little spark of love and humanity or do we pass up that opportunity to brighten the day of those with us the least able, and leave the world a little bit colder in the process?
A wise man once said every society is judged by how it treats it’s least fortunate amongst them.
May your day, be a Shay Day
August 1st, 2006
I recently added new Ferret Nation Ferret Cages to the website. If you have ferrets you should have a look a the great features of these cages. Midwest spent a lot of time and effort to design a ferret habitat that provides the best environment for your ferret and is also very user friendly for you.
Until June 30th blog readers can save 5% off the purchase price of a ferret cage. Add the cage to your basket and enter coupon code bfn05 in the appropriate field during checkout to save.
Add comment June 21st, 2006
Reading this blog can payoff! Use coupon code SAVE5 during checkout today and tomorrow and save 5% on any purchase.
Add comment June 8th, 2006
I’ve gotten lots of great feedback on the Canine Cabana Sunscreen Dog Crate Covers from happy customers. This cover is unique in the marketplace as it’s focus is to provide shade and comfort for pets while crated. The manufacturer of this product is a small business owner and show dog enthusiast. Seeking to provide for the comfort of his pets while at shows, he developed a unique product that gets the job done. Now, Canine Cabana sunscreen dog crate covers are available to all pet owners who are interested in maintaining the comfort of their pets while on the road or at home.
If you work with show dogs, do agility training or spend time traveling with your pet on a regular basis, you should consider adding a Canine Cabana to your travel gear. You’ll be pleased with the quality of the product and the prompt delivery. Your pet will appreciate the added comfort while away from home.
The manufacturer is now offering this great dog crate cover in your choice of two mesh colors. Custom sizes are also available so if you have a need for something other than a standard size, contact me for an obligation free quote. And don’t miss the May Savings Event and the 10% off coupon special that Canine Cabana has been generous enough to offer for the sale.
As a small business owner I appreciate the opportunity to do business with other small business owners. You just don’t get better service than when you are dealing with the owner of the business. Thanks to all of my customers who have given me the chance to succeed online. I appreciate their confidence in dealing with a small business such as mine.
Thanks for your continued patronage!
Lori
Add comment May 23rd, 2006