Dog Days of Summer ~ Funky Mutt Review & Giveaway

How did Funky Mutt Begin?

A rather simple question that I am often asked, and I always smile as a preface to the answer: "With a GREAT cause"... 200 collars were made by Funky Mutt to donate for a local 'no kill' animal shelter in desperate need of a new location. The rescue needed to be rescued. Their current location was very unsuitable, as it often flooded, became infested with every know insect to man, and was in a terrible location. The volunteers were able to raise over $20,000 dollars in one day for the cause, and needless to say, they (the shelter organization) found their new home! With that said, Funky Mutt (having sold all 200+ collars) began it's operation. The orders were pouring in. Three sewing machines later, an addition for a studio, and countless hours of research/development, Funky Mutt was on it's way! 

It's funny, because people often ask me, "do you ever get bored with such a monotonous job when making large volumes of collars?" How could I? Knowing that these items will be adorned on family pets who are so loved and well taken care of, never abandoned, abused or neglected! We've become a part of thousands of families over the years, and each time one is sent out, I know that it will be received with love and gratitude...because it is made with the same!

We still donate, rescue, and find ways to help local shelters. It's an ongoing labor of love... but one heck of a way to feel good about changing the world!

I love hearing how companies get started and I love the story behind this one!  Of course, there's no denying that I have a major soft spot in my heart for our furry friends, too.

Funky Mutt sent me one of their collars AND a surprise, which was a matching key chain!  The quality of the items we received is top notch.  It's obvious that they were made with love and pride.  

Olive sporting the Sock Monkey Collar from Funky Mutt

Have you ever gone collar shopping and found that the collars on the shelves are stiff?  Not something I'd want to wear on a regular basis, couldn't imagine my dog would want to!  In fact, we've gotten collars before that Olive, our dog, clearly HATED because she did nothing but scratch at it any time she had it on.  Not only was the collar stiff but it had very plastic-like thread holding it together.  The sewing was not smooth at all, causing hard/sharpish notches that I believe caused her to be so uncomfortable.  Anyway, my point is that the Funky Mutt collar is soft yet strong enough to hold its shape and hold up to an 80lb dog pulling on it while attached to a leash.

Speaking of the strength of the collar, we've had experiences in the past where Olive was able to break free from the collar because the buckle didn't hold.  There is no concern with this one.  When we put the Funky Mutt collar on Olive we heard and felt a nice strong CLICK.

Strong clasp

Olive looking beautiful in her Funky Mutt Sock Monkey collar!
While keeping an eagle eye on her "babies" (the kids.)

Funky Mutt was wonderful to work with.  They have supreme customer service and are super friendly.  Olive and I are very grateful for Funk Mutt's participation in the Dog Days of Summer event.

Thank You Funky Mutt!

I almost forgot to add that Olive has been wearing her new collar for a few weeks now and has gotten numerous compliments about it.  Everyone wants to know where we got it because it's not like the collars you find in stores - it's BETTER!
GIVEAWAY

Funky Mutt is generously offering one lucky reader a collar of choice!  How awesome is that?  I was given the choice of collar as well and let me tell you, I couldn't pick just one!  I told Funky Mutt which were my favorites and let them decide which collar to send me!  Seriously.  And since then they've added a TON more!

MAIN ENTRY:  Visit Funky Mutt and let me know what kind of dog you have (because I'm nosey and love dogs) and which collar you'd pick if you won.

BONUS ENTRIES:

1 Entry Each:  Add Funky Mutt to your Etsy Favorites, Like Funky Mutt on Facebook , Comment on Funky Mutt's Facebook page letting them know you're there from this giveaway!

For even more entries you can follow me via any social media (Twitter, Facebook, Networked Blogs, e-mail subscribe, GFC, RSS...) all 1 entry each. (Leave me a comment on Facebook and give yourself an extra entry!)

For daily entries you can VOTE for my blog (your click is your vote) and Tweet.

I want to WIN a Funky Mutt Dog Collar @BlackOlive03 #GIVEAWAY ends 8/20 #DogDaysofSummer http://tiny.cc/30hms  

1 entry for each non-giveaway comment you make on my blog. The more comments you make, the more entries you get!

For 2 entries you can grab any of my buttons and let me know where to find them.

Excited about the Dog Days of Summer event and love my blog? Write a review and get 10 super bonus entries! A glowing review not required but is always appreciated :-)

REMINDER: If you qualify for multiple entries, you must leave a separate comment for each entry in order for all of them to count!!

Giveaway ends August 20, 2010 at 11:59pm. A winner will be chosen using random.org and will be notified via e-mail. Winner will have 48 hours from the e-mail time stamp to claim their prize. In the event that the prize isn't claimed within those 48 hours, another winner will be chosen.

I received a product sample to facilitate this review. No other compensation was received. All opinions posted are my own and are 100% honest. If you have specific questions about Funky Mutt or their products, please contact their customer service dept. directly.

AS they say, "It's all about the paw"