Local man hopes holidays sales
of his pet toys are frisky
By ANITA MILLER - News Editor
Posted: Friday, Dec 12, 2003 - 12:00:00 am CST
Every dog owner who has to leave home for work or school
each day has seen it -- the big droopy eyes and maybe
a half-hearted wag of the tail that signals it's going
to be a long lonely time before you walk back in the door.
Those folks also know what to expect once the door is
open, because all too often dogs and especially puppies
left inside homes or apartments, or back yards for that
matter, get board and anxious and to make up for it, chew
up anything they can get hold of.
Cat owners know the drill too. As playful as "Frisky"
is each morning, it's not likely she'll settle down on
her own. Your draperies, upholstery and knick-knacks will
soon draw her attention -- so will the stuff on your coffee
table and kitchen counters.
Anyone in that situation has no doubt wondered if there
wasn't a solution out there somewhere. Something that
could be designed to keep a pet busy. Something tough.
Something interesting. Something new.
Well, wonder no more. Somebody else already hit on the
idea, and that somebody lives right here in San Marcos.
In fact, local inventor James Windham's brainchild is
a whole line of pet toys, all designed to stimulate play
when owners are away. Not only that, his "Puppy Pull,"
"Yard Dog," and "Kitty Tug" toys have
interchangeable parts so the basic toy can be modified
from time to time. And to top it off, they are available
locally and affordably priced.
All three appear similar and operate on the same principle.
At the top, the indoor versions of the toy hook to door
frames, while the outdoors variety can be looped over
a beam or branch. Braided cord descends to the toy at
the end, with a bungee-type cord providing the playing
action. Kitty Tug toys have sturdy mop-like toys with
a catnip stuffed mouse hidden inside; Puppy Pull and Yard
Dog models feature miniature toys, tennis ball, knotted
rope and even dried cow hooves.
Lower portions of the cord are protected by a safety shield,
and a safety cap provides further protection for the pet.
Sliding the safety cap up the cord allows different toys
to be put into use.
A confirmed dog lover, James Windham used to run a construction
business, but found himself facing months of down time
after injuring his back in a basketball game. It was then
that he found the inspiration, and the time, to seriously
pursue the pet toy idea that first occurred to him as
a freshman in college.
Living in a duplex with his Staffordshire terrier, he
found himself improvising for something to keep the puppy
busy. "I was basically broke. I didn't have the means
to buy a bunch of toys, so I hung a piece of string from
an AC vent and tied a T-shirt to it."
The makeshift toy was a big hit with the pup. "I
automatically assumed there was something like that on
the market," he continued, though he's never seen
anything similar in any pet store.
After the injury, Windham decided to pay for a patent
search and after that, applied for and got a design patent.
"We've been marketing for approximately eight months,"
he said, at dog shows, trade shows, and pet and pet supply
shops (they are available locally at Amkon Feeds). About
a month ago, Puppy Pull, Ltd. launched its own web site
(www.puppypull.com).
Word spread fast, because the toys have already won two
major awards, being named 2003 Editor's Choice winners
by both Pet Product News and Dog Fancy magazine.
"This product fills a niche that is missing in the
pet industry," he said. "It's a category one
product that has no competition. It serves the purpose
of entertaining a puppy or dog without anyone having to
throw a ball all the time."
All that, and no big surprises when you open the front
door at the end of a long day.
For more information, visit the web site or call Windham
at 805-7855.
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©2004
Puppy Pull, Ltd., All rights reserved., U.S.
PATENT NO. D477,694 S