Meet Mark Pagaduan-Iha, Writer

Mark Pagaduan-Iha is a pet health and longevity blogger. He currently writes articles that offer tips and suggestions on ways that pet parents can not only keep their dogs healthy, but also increase both their healthspan and lifespan. Mark is currently at work on a book about dogs. Check out his website at http://dogadvertiser.com/.

1. How did your own experience as someone who loves pets inspire you to start your website?

I've always been a pet lover and especially fond of dogs, but I don't think I realized how much they really meant to me until my own pup became afflicted with heart disease. The whole ordeal was difficult to process, and even presently I find myself getting quite emotional about it.

My husband and I found very little answers from our primary vet and cardiologist regarding our fur baby's heart disease. Essentially, we were told that we would have to take a "wait and see" approach. Which I understood completely because they were trained in a certain school of thought, but at the same time it infuriated me. I've never been someone who doesn't take action. Listen, we're talking about my baby here, and I wanted to do anything and everything to help him.

After reaching out to other professionals, reading scientific studies, and scouring the internet for answers, I realized that there are other pet parents in the same exact predicament. They were either not given concrete answers regarding their pets' health or they were just given some medication and told to go on their merry way. In either case, their dogs weren't being helped. These pet parents, like myself, wanted more holistic or natural alternatives to help with the ailments that our fur children were facing. But many of us didn't know where to turn.

So a light bulb sort of went off in my head that maybe I should start a website dishing out my findings on natural and holistic methods to other pet parents. Here's something I learned as well: all pet parents want their fur kids to live as long as healthily possible. That in itself is powerful stuff.

2. What is the significance of the site's name, The Dog Advertiser?

To be honest when I first started the site, I wanted to be very inclusive of "all things dog." I felt the name The Dog Advertiser was very cute but also conveyed the feeling of a general dog news publication. However, I quickly realized two things. The first is that you can't be all things to all people; the task became overwhelming when trying to source every type of interesting story that came up. The second thing I realized is that my true passion is dealing with the health, wellness, and longevity of our pets.

So I decided to shift the focus of the site, but still retained the name. Plus, our two kids are in the logo, so how could we ever change it? ;-)

3. How do you decide what content to feature on your site?

I wish I could say that there's a real process behind it, but there really isn't. Well, I take that back. I keep track of pet health news, and if there's something I feel people should know, I'll post it. So for example if there is a new drug that might be coming out, I'll research it and write something regarding it. Something like that came up recently with a drug called Sileo, which is supposed to keep dogs calm and quell anxiety. It came out right before the 4th of July holiday, and the drug company was doing some press and media for it. I took issue with the fact that no one had written about the adverse effects of Sileo, so I went to task and wrote a piece about it, cited my resources, and outlined all the nasty things that could happen if your pup took it.

However, most of the time the posts come from identifying what's really going on within the pet community and what's going on in our own lives. Health in general is very broad, but we are writing about things that can help heal your pet and also little tips and tricks that you can use to help increase their longevity. Also, when it comes to longevity, the content regarding it is endless. Especially because our dogs' chemistry is so similar to ours.

4. Would you tell us a little bit about the book you're currently writing?

Which one? Haha. Actually, I have several books that I'm in the process of writing. But the one you're referring to is actually somewhat of a general guide to help pet parents navigate through the basics, such as diet, choosing a vet, a run down of some of the major pet ailments and of course various holistic/natural remedies that they can utilize. There will be much more inside of it, but that's the overall theme. The book is getting so big that some are referring to it as a "bible for natural pet health." I needed to cut a lot out, because I didn't want people to refer to it as that.

The book really is a starting off point to help people navigate through the sometimes complex world of pet health. The problem I often see (and I'm guilty of doing this in my posts sometimes) is that experts talk in their own complicated language. It's too hard for many newbies to understand and frequently intimidating. So much so that a lot of pet parents call it quits and just defer to their conventional vet. They end up back at square one. It's quite a big turn off, so I'm trying to take the opposite approach and lay the foundation, speaking in simple terms all the while giving them a ton of information that they can easily understand and implement.

5. What else would you like readers to know about you and your work?

I would like your readers and really everyone to know that I'm in the trenches with them. They are not alone in this. I have a pup who has had severe skin/coat allergies and was diagnosed with heart disease. He wasn't feeling well for a long time. But along the way I learned some natural and healthy ways to manage it. As a result, he's not only feeling better, but our primary vet and cardiologist are very surprised and pleased with how he's doing. In addition, his skin issues have been completely resolved. After nearly 9 years of trying everything under the sun to cure his skin allergies with conventional medicine, he finally responded to a more natural approach.

So essentially, I know how they are feeling, what they might be going through, and the daily struggle that goes along when caring for a pet that might not have ideal or optimum health.

But beyond that I would like to convey that traditional medicine doesn't always have the answers. While I do believe it's important to consider both conventional and holistic treatments and therapies, it's crucial that pet parents see that there is hope with alternative medicine and remedies. Primarily, yes, I will often seek out the advice of my holistic vet, but I will also consult my primary one as well. It's important to get BOTH sides of the story and BOTH views.

That's what The Dog Advertiser is about. We want to help you with the health, wellness, and longevity of your pet using alternative and natural methods. But we also do our best to lay out both sides of the coin. It doesn't behoove anyone if you are one-sided, and at the end of the day it's not about us; it's about our beloved fur babies. It's our job to protect them, love them, and most importantly give them the best chance at having a fulfilling and healthy life.

Thank you so much for this interview; I appreciate it and hope to see you and your readers on The Dog Advertiser soon! :-)

Thanks, Mark!

Meet Mildred Potash, Author

Mildred Potash was born in Brooklyn, New York. She has always been an animal lover. Her very first pets were two rats, and they inspired her to write a children's book called Millie and Cupcake, which is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

1. When did you first start keeping rats as pets, and why did you choose rats for your pets?

I have had gerbils, dogs, cats, ferrets, hamsters, and guinea pigs. I was 18 years old when my friend told me about rats. He told me how smart his pet rat was. He told me how his rat would be waiting for him and climb up on his shoulder. He also told me how loving, smart, clean and playful she was. At first, I thought it was weird, but then I decided to adopt two rats for myself. I named them Cookie and Bella. I have been in love with rats ever since. Unlike hamsters and gerbils, rats love to play and be held. They love attention. I like hamsters and gerbils, but they do tend to nip and do not like to be held as much as rats do, and they sleep all day. I love rats because they all have their own personalities. They love to give kisses, sit on their owners' shoulders, play with their owners, and have little tug of wars--and they are easy to handle. Rats are really clean, cute, and funny, and they are really social animals.

2. What inspired you to write a children's book based on your experience having pet rats?

Honestly, I never thought I would write a children's book. I used to receive tons of emails about writing books, and I would just delete them. I had this pet rat named Cupcake; she was a sweetheart. We had such a strong bond, and after she passed away, I was so heartbroken. It took me awhile to get over her loss. After she passed away, I had a few ideas that popped up in my head, so I decided to write them all down. It did not occur to me right away, to write a story. I just started to write, and then I had a dream of the characters and the rest of the story. I wanted to honor my Cupcake and use her as the pet in my story. That's when I put it all together to create Millie and Cupcake.

3. What would you say to parents who feel hesitation around their kids having rodents as pets?

Based on my experience with hamsters, pets, rabbits, mice, and gerbils, I would compare them all to pet rats. I would explain to parents how wonderful rats are. I would explain to them that it's not true about rats being 'dirty." They are really clean, social, smart, funny, cute, and easy to take care of and handle. My pet rats make me laugh: after I handle my them, they always clean themselves. Rats love attention, and they do not sleep all day like hamsters and gerbils. Rats are also affectionate; they give kisses and love to sit on their owners' shoulders.

4. In writing a book based on your own experience, did you find it difficult to distill real life events down to a short enough story for a children’s book?

It wasn't really difficult. The only difficult part was making sure the story was clear and worded correctly. Part of my story is an expression of me. The little girl is shy and she loves animals.

5. Would you tell us a bit about the importance of animals and animal rights to you today?

I really love animals; I've always loved them since I was a little girl. They mean the world to me. It really hurts me when I hear those stories about people abusing or abandoning their pets. I just feel that people should speak up for and defend animals since they cannot speak for themselves. I adopt all of my animals. I do not understand why people use animals to make money like puppy mills. Why can't they treat them like animals instead of garbage? I would love to travel the world and save those poor helpless animals that no one wants.

Thanks, Mildred!

Meet Stephen Ebbett of Protect Your Bubble

Stephen Ebbett is President of Protect Your Bubble, a new kind of insurance brand that understands that 21st century lives are busy and complicated and offers an online service that makes insurance simple and uncomplicated. Stephen also leads Protect Your Bubble UK, which combined with US operations, has sold more than one million policies.

Protect Your Bubble offers coverage for mobile gadgets such as smartphones (Android or iPhone), tablets, and cell phones. The company also offers extended warranties for small and large electronics, including televisions, cameras and laptops. Protect Your Bubble also offers affordable pet insurance, an important option for consumers who want to be prepared financially when their pets need veterinary care. Travel insurance and rental car coverage from Protect Your Bubble can help vacationers or those on business trips deal with the unexpected--including damage to a rental car--at rates much lower than are typically offered by rental car or travel agencies. The company also provides identity theft protection services, as well as renters insurance.

Stephen's past experience includes a role as the Head of Channel and Product Development at Assurant Solutions, which is Protect Your Bubble's parent company, as well as a position as Insurance Product Manager at John Lewis Partnership. Prior to that, he served as Channel Marketing Manager of AXA Insurance.

Stephen has more than 10 years of experience spearheading innovative product and communication initiatives for corporations looking to gain a competitive edge when entering a new market. Stephen attended Durham University and holds an undergraduate degree in philosophy and theology, as well as a postgraduate degree in marketing. Outside of his work with Protect Your Bubble, Stephen enjoys rugby, climbing, film, and photography.

1. How did you select the three main areas of coverage (gadgets, pets, and travel) for Protect Your Bubble?

At Protect Your Bubble, our mission is to offer a new kind of insurance to cover the items in customers' homes, the pets that enrich their lives, the technology they use on a daily basis, and much more. It's the things consumers don't always think to insure, but are very important to them.

2. Your starting rates are very affordable--how do you keep costs down for consumers, and what level of protection are consumers getting for relatively small premiums?

When creating the products, the #1 focus was to create great coverage but at an affordable price. In addition, we offer flexible deductibles to ensure that consumers' monthly payments work within their budget. We realize that consumers want comprehensive coverage at a great rate, so we work hard to develop our products around this philosophy.

3. What's the benefit in insuring an item like an appliance or smartphone rather than using a manufacturer or store warranty?

It happens all the time; we drop our phone and crack the screen, we jump in the pool forgetting that our iPhone is in our pocket, and sadly our phone becomes misplaced or even stolen. Unfortunately, the later is becoming more common. In fact, 113 smartphones are lost or stolen every minute in the U.S. Replacing an uninsured smartphone leaves many consumers in sticker shock. Carriers heavily subsidize the price of the latest smartphones, so customers who replace the mobile device outside of the subsidy will end up paying up to three times the original purchase price. This is why many consumers invest in insurance, to avoid forking over the big chunk of cash to replace it.

It's important that consumers make sure they fully understand their coverage options. I urge consumers to consider comprehensive coverage for their mobile device through insurance, rather than a warranty. For instance, some extended warranties cover accidental damage under limited circumstances but leave consumers unprotected in the event of a loss or theft.

When it comes to extended warranties for home gadgets and appliances, consumers should do their research and learn about the additional level of coverage they can get with a third party, like Protect Your Bubble. For example, we provide things like tech support for computers, food replacement for fridges/freezers, and surge protection. Plus, battery replacement and accidental damage coverage are also available during the manufacturer's warranty. Protect Your Bubble pays for all shipping charges to and from its repair facilities. These are all things that can make a big difference when in a bind.

4. What strategies do you recommend for someone who wants to assess his/her (and his/her family's) insurance needs?

Many big-ticket items we buy and plans we make (such as a business trip or vacation) are insurable. The problem is that many people assume they already have coverage or expect that they'll receive replacement items quickly when that's not necessarily the case. That's why I recommend taking stock of your stuff and evaluating available coverage options. Here are some tips when deciding whether or not you should insure your stuff:

Evaluate deductibles and coverage you already have: Know what your homeowner's insurance covers. For example, many homeowners have deductibles that exceed the value of the appliance, so in effect, the appliance or gadget is unprotected. Perhaps you rent your home and think your landlord will take care of damage to the contents you own in case of a mishap that isn't your fault. Chances are, your stuff isn't covered.

Know the true value of your smartphone: The replacement cost of your smartphone is up to three times the price you paid with the carrier's subsidy. If your smartphone or tablet is lost, stolen or damaged and you don't have insurance on it, you may be required to pay upwards of $600+.

Self-insurance can be costly: Some people assume it's better to just pay out-of-pocket to replace lost, stolen, or damaged items rather than insure them. But that depends on many factors. What you need to consider is: Will you have enough cash on hand to replace items you use every day if you need to?

Know your options: Thanks to the internet, there are more insurance options now than ever before, which makes it simple to compare rates and find the right policy. For example, you don't have to take whatever the car rental company is offering. Shop around and then make a decision--you can usually save a lot of money.

5. As an entrepreneur, how is blogging important in connecting with your (new and existing) customers, and what are some of the topics you cover in your posts?

Blogging is important for me because I want to stay connected with customers. It's a great way for me to share tips and become a resource for readers. I encounter a lot of claims data and hear from customers all the time, so it's important for me to share what I learn. Not to mention, I enjoy blogging. Typically, I try to write articles that help consumers plan ahead, avoid gadget hiccups, and not become a victim of theft, plus travel-related topics. I write about what I think can impact consumers' lives and how to protect the little things in life that matter a great deal.

Thanks, Stephen!

Note: Follow Stephen's blog posts on Protect Your Bubble as well as Google Plus. To learn more about Protect Your Bubble, check out the video below.

Meet Elizabeth Dodwell, Author and Speaker

Elizabeth Dodwell is an author, speaker and champion of the under-dog. Inspired by the need of her own rescued pets for healthy treats, she has created a selection of dogtail and pupcake recipes that are delicious, nutritious and served liberally with humor.

For more information about The BARKtender's Guide to Dogtails and Pupcakes, see Elizabeth Dodwell's website, as well as her Facebook page.

1. What motivated you to write a book of nutritious recipes for dogs?

Over the years I've had a number of rescued dogs with digestive issues. Currently, two of my pets have problems, in particular, Angel, who had a brutal start in life and was nearly starved to death. Although she's now a very healthy and happy seven-year-old, two bouts of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas that prevents the digestion of fat and can be deadly) and allergy problems require that she maintains a strict diet regimen, which translates to "boring." The vast majority of commercial pet foods and treats contain gluten (a protein found in wheat, barley and rye) and tend to be high in fat, so a large percentage of my dogs' diet has always been homemade. The idea for "Dogtails and Pupcakes" sprang from the Cocktail and Cupcake enthusiasm for people. It occurred to me that I could create nutritious and delicious doggy versions that would also be easy and fun, and it worked.

2. How did you come up with the recipes, and how did you test them?

Creating the recipes was tons of fun. I spent a lot of time researching "safe" foods for dogs and then matched ingredients that I thought would work well together. Mixing the drinks is as easy as shaking up or blending a cocktail for yourself. The pupcakes took a little more effort to perfect because some of the ingredients--meat, for instance--are not the sort of thing you'd normally use in a cupcake.

Anyway, my "kids" (Angel, Vinny and Coco) along with several of their pooch pals had a wonderful time as taste-testers. Their number one dogtail pick was the Angel's Kiss--yogurt, peanut butter, carob and vanilla--and there were several favorite pupcakes including Droolin' On a Sunday Afternoon and You Can't Lick It, made with cheddar cheese, beef, and carrot.

I should mention here that some of the pupcake recipes in The BARKtender's Guide... are made with wheat. However, if your pup is gluten free, the flour can simply be substituted.

3. Why don't more people cook for their pets, rather than relying on store-bought foods?

Many of us don't even cook for ourselves, let alone our pets. We lead busy, sometimes hectic lives and the fast food mentality has become part of our culture. Sadly, I must say. Because it takes only a little time and effort to prepare simple foods that are much healthier and tastier than any pre-packaged items you buy off the shelf, and meal preparation is a great time for ALL the family (people and pets) to bond. When I make pupcakes, somehow the dogs just know it's for them, and they line up in the kitchen to "oversee" operations. And when I pull the first batch from the oven, they are beside themselves with joy and anticipation. It makes me laugh every time.

4. As an author, how do you strike a balance between sharing (how-to) information and offering humor to your readers?

Hmm. I've never thought in those terms. I simply love to laugh, and I like to share the humor. And people are far more likely to pay attention to something that gives them a chuckle or two than to read through a boring tome or listen to a dull speech. I actually give talks on lessons you can learn from your dog with subjects like "How to take the ball and run with it" and "How to sniff out the possibilities," and humor is a big part of that.

5. Have you utilized The BARKtender's Guide... to help support pet rescue?

Yes! A portion of all sales is donated to pet rescue. I have a couple of "pet" (ha ha) charities; however, I am always willing to consider partnering with pet-affiliated groups and companies to help them raise awareness or funds for their business or cause.

Thanks, Elizabeth!