Notes from the Editors

Janice Brown,
Founder/Editorial Director

There is a popular story I think about often. It begins with a person walking on the beach, picking up starfish who have been cast ashore and throwing them back into the water. A stranger sees this and asks, “Why are you even bothering to throw them back? Look how many there are. You will never be able to make a difference.” And the person looks at the starfish in his hand, then tosses him gently back into the water, and replies “I made a difference for that one.”

It is easy to get overwhelmed that we are not doing enough. I freak out if I see anyone in our office throw away GOOS (good on one side) paper. I feel guilty that we don’t have nationwide composting programs (let alone recycling in some places). I turn off the water while I’m brushing my teeth, and teach my kids to do the same. But sometimes I find that my attempts to be environmentally responsible are overtaken with thoughts that it doesn’t really matter.

But the truth is, it does. Every little bit helps, and there is strength in numbers. Sixty-three percent of U.S. households have pets. If we all took just a few minutes to learn more about the products we’re buying and the services we’re using, we would be more apt to make choices that are good for our communities, our planet, and of course, our animals.

In this issue, we have included many ways to connect with our four-legged companions, have fun with them, and improve their
quality of life, all while being kind to our environment.

Summer is definitely a time to kick back and relax, and enjoy the long days ahead. But with so many cool products and services at our fingertips, it’s even easier than ever for you and your four-legged friends to go green.

Wishing you sand in your toes, alfresco dinners, and no mosquito bites—


Jason A. Heidemann,
Managing Editor

Let’s take a minute and play a word-association game. Take out a pen and paper and as fast as you can, write down anything that comes to mind when you hear the word green. Do it now!
Here are my answers: Earth, M&M’s, eco-friendly, Kermit the Frog, Al Gore, envy, the Jolly Green Giant, and anything minty.

I wrote all of those words down as fast as I could think of them. What’s interesting to me is that three of my eight answers— earth, Gore, and eco-friendly—have all become buzz words for the environment. What about you? Did you have similar answers?

I think it’s official: The color green has become synonymous with how we interact with our planet, and I think that’s a good thing. That’s why we decided to devote an issue of the magazine to living wholly and consciously within the world that we inhabit. And I think we should look to our pets as our instructors.

Animals are naturally in harmony with Earth, and I think they can teach us about living greener lives. Have you ever seen your guinea pig throw trash out the car window? I doubt it. And can you really accuse your iguana of not using environmentally sound light bulbs? I’m guessing the answer is no.

I think it’s cool that animals do what comes naturally, and we humans would be wise to follow their lead. Perhaps Gore should do a documentary focusing on our nation’s pets.

This issue is full of great ways to go green with your pets, and we hope it inspires you to be more mindful of the world around you. It has certainly helped us.