Pekingese Pride

Blue Smoky Pekingese

2007-04-19T15:28:00.000-05:00

I often see artwork of pekingese and love to collect it. This smoky blue pekingese
piece is one of the most unusual and unique that I've seen in my search;)

Scott Heiferman, the CEO/Founder of the MeetUP Groups, came to our Pekingese Meetup on March 22, with Forbes reporter and photographer

2007-04-17T13:38:00.000-05:00

Forbes
Nice to Meet You Chana R. Schoenberger 04.23.07
Meetup's Scott Heiferman

Meetup.com helps people with common hobbies and quirks find real-world pals. Now it wants to introduce them to marketers.
A group of 110 scuba divers met in a Manhattan bar at 7 p.m. on a recent Thursday. The divers, part of a group of 684 scuba lovers in and near New York City who congregate intermittently, swapped stories about diving trips and looked at pictures of sea horses taken by nature photographer Amos Nachoum. That same evening, across town in Google (nasdaq: GOOG - news - people )'s office, seven techies sat around a conference table and yukked it up over tales of using Linux open-source software to do cool things like creating a homemade TV recorder.
These groups were only 2 of as many as 400 gatherings that evening in Manhattan that were facilitated by Meetup.com. The company helps kindred spirits--Scrabble buffs, atheists, origami lovers--around the world connect online and plan real-world restaurant meals, bike rides and such. It has 3 million registered members who belong to one or more of its 24,000 groups, some with as few as three members, others with several thousand. "We're in the support-group business," says Scott Heiferman, cofounder and chief executive of the privately held New York firm.
Now Meetup is looking for some assistance. The five-year-old company, which became known after Howard Dean used its site to mobilize Democrats and raise money for his 2004 presidential campaign, is starting to court marketers interested in paying to sponsor certain Meetup groups. After snubbing marketers for two years, Meetup last month began approaching car companies, financial services firms and packaged-goods makers about sponsoring groups that might be interested in the products these companies sell. Meetup plans to talk to marketers with brands that already have a fan base on Meetup in groups such as the Linux lovers, Toronto's Toyota (nyse: TM - news - people ) Prius & Hybrid Meetup Group and Mayfair Games' board game Settlers of Catan, with fans in several cities. It also plans to offer marketers access, with the organizer's approval, to hobby groups like the Houston Cruiser Bike Meetup Group (67 members) and New York Beer Pong (41 members).
Meetup is even taking the next step toward commercialism by offering to help companies with popular products find passionate fans by setting up brand-focused Meetup groups. Douglas Atkin, a former ad guy who joined Meetup as chief marketing officer last January, cites General Motors (nyse: GM - news - people )' Saturn as one likely candidate for a company-created Meetup. "Brands can insert themselves when it's most relevant," says Atkin, who in 2004 wrote a book called The Culting of Brands. "If you're a dog-food brand, it's good to go to those people while they are talking about and playing with dogs."
Marketers like the idea of face-to-face access to potential customers. Already, Intuit (nasdaq: INTU - news - people ) offers free downloadable tips for 20,000 small-business Meetup members in 375 groups. Hearst's Redbook magazine sponsors 20 walking-related events through Meetup. Investor's Business Daily hosts 300 groups for investors. Heiferman, 34, won't say what he's charging: "We want to make it affordable enough for the local dog walker, but we want big marketers to spend millions of dollars annually on this if it proves out."
This year the company plans to introduce software to help potential sponsors find groups that want patronage, much the way Google links advertisers to relevant sites. In 2006 ads from Google's AdSense network started appearing on Meetup pages so that, for example, vegans get a link to someone selling animal-free marshmallows. Those ads will represent 10% of Meetup's revenue this year.
For years marketers have approached Heiferman about buying access to his powwows, which members organize on its Web site using message boards and other online tools. Until recently Heiferman was so squeamish about accepting page advertising--much less giving marketers access to the groups--that many Meetup members believe it is a nonprofit enterprise.
The company, whose investors include Sen. Bill Bradley and Ebay founder Pierre M. Omidyar, pulled in $5.5 million last year, but it didn't make any money. Heiferman says it almost broke even in the first quarter of this year. Hiring a bunch of employees in part to help it woo marketers will keep it from turning a profit this year, he says. The pressure is on: Since it started, competitors, including Zanby and Eventful, have come on the scene. Last year six investors, including Ebay and Allen & Co., paid Meetup a reported $5 million for a 10% stake.
In a test Heiferman agreed a year ago to let Clorox sponsor 15 stay-at-home mom Meetups around the country. The company gave the moms a gift bag filled with Clorox products. He says he was surprised by their enthusiasm. "We said 'Do you want this package of free stuff?' The Meetups said to us 'Hell, yeah!'"
Initially, the company tried to collect fees from restaurants and other venues that hosted groups. That backfired when group organizers complained about limited meeting times and spaces, and restaurants griped that those who gathered were more interested in gabbing than spending money. In 2003 Heiferman tried to make money selling annual memberships for $36. That also bombed. Two years ago the company started charging $19 a month to groups who use the Web site to organize meetings . At the time it was reported that these fees would help Meetup make money by the end of 2005. That didn't happen.
This latest move may rile some Meetup members. It's unlikely that a group of "freegans," consumption haters who meet to retrieve usable items from dumpsters in New York, will embrace Meetup's new plan. Groups that don't want exposure to marketing won't get it, Heiferman says.
Other members say they welcome corporate patrons. Debra Shields, a 33-year-old Boeing (nyse: BA - news - people ) account executive in Denver who belongs to three Meetup groups for folks who are interested in Brazil, says she hopes support from marketers could help her group support causes, like conservation in the Amazon (nasdaq: AMZN - news - people ). "Sponsorship that could ensure better events--that would be great," says she.
By the Numbers
Meeting Up
Because technology cuts down on face time, many people crave real-world connections.
4,386 Number of people in New York's largest Meetup group, Lower Manhattan Democracy for America.
20 Number of Meetup groups for Harley-Davidson (nyse: HOG - news - people ) enthusiasts.
15 Percentage of Meetup gatherings held at a Starbucks (nasdaq: SBUX - news - people ).

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DOGGIE CROP CIRCLE;)

2007-04-10T15:18:00.000-05:00

Even though they are not
pekingese, they are so
adorable I just had to
share.

SNOW, SLEET & HAIL IN NYC AREA - be careful!

2007-03-17T18:19:00.000-05:00

Well, it's almost the end of March, and instead of spring gentle showers, we had a big snowfall with freezing winds and icy raindrops falling.

This is Monty, a handsome Peke owned by Kim taking a walk in the snow. He has the fluffiest tail and the sweetest, most playful personality.

For those who live in the city, just a few reminders about being safe when playing outside in the snow.

Make sure you clean the peke's paws after the walk because the salt on the sidewalks is strong and can sting if they have a tiny cut on their paw. Also, dogs lick their paws and licking that salt can make them sick. They have special pre-wipes to wipe paws at the dog stores, or any
pre-wipe from the drug store is easy to use.

As much fun as snow can be in the city, especially in Central Park, walking around on the sidewalks and streets covered with snow and slush can be dangerous. As a note of caution, please be aware that accidents can happen, due to the dangerous electrical currents hidden
beneath the snow. Be careful to watch where you walk if you are in New York City because several accidents and deaths have occured in the last few years. Unfortunately, as the dogs walk over manhole covers, (which are covered by snow and not really visible), there are live electrical current which injure or kill the dogs.

IMPORTANT HEALTH BOOK FOR PEKINGESE

2007-03-08T13:11:00.000-05:00

COMMON MEDICAL DISORDERS
OF THE PEKINGESE

COMMON MEDICAL DISORDERS OF THE PEKINGESE
By Thomas K. Graves, D.V.M., D.A.C.V.I.M., PH D
This book contains each of the 20 most common medical conditions of the Pekingese. Dr. Graves presents a clear description of each disorder, as well as concise and readable information on clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment, and inheritance. Proceeds from the sale of this 46-page high-quality paperback booklet will benefit the Pekingese Charitable Foundation Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to veterinary research, Pekingese rescue, and education. COMMON MEDICAL DISORDERS OF THE PEKINGESE is the most comprehensive resource available on Pekingese health and is a necessary addition to the library of any breeder or owner of Pekingese dogs. Order your copy today.
ORDER FORM
COMMON MEDICAL DISORDERS OF THE PEKINGESE
NAME: ____________________________
ADDRESS: __________________________
CITY, STATE, ZIP: ___________________
TELEPHONE: _______________________
__________COPIES @ $18.00 mailed in the United States
Overseas & Canada orders: $22.50
Please enclose check or money order made out to:
The Pekingese Charitable Foundation, Inc.
Mail or email form to: Susan Farrer Shephard 938 Feather Drive, Deltona, FL 32725-2715
386/532-2296 dejavupekes@hotmail.com

PICTURE PERFECT POOCH EVENT

2007-03-07T17:39:00.000-05:00

Sexy Beast trunk show at Henri Bendel
Join Sexy Beast and Henri Bendel for a
PICTURE PERFECT POOCH EVENT
Friday, March 23rd - Sunday, March 25th, 2007

Bring your dog in for a complimentary styling session with the
SB grooming team and celebrity dog stylist Jorge Bendersky.
www.henribendel.com
712 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10019
between 55th and 56th Streets
Session will include customized styling tips for your dog's
grooming needs, a complete SexyBeast finishing lesson, a dry
fluffing/styling and polaroid of you and your picture perfect
pooch! http://www.sexybeaststyle.com/

Professional dog stylist to the stars Jorge Bendersky, has been
styling pooches in NYC for over 13 years. Most recently Jorge
was featured on the VH1 Hottest Pets Series and is the go-to
groomer for Hollywood's A-list celebrity dogs.

To reserve an appointment for your complimentary styling
session call: 1.800.887.5950

COME TO OUR MARCH MEETUP - SUNDAY - March 25th, 2:00pm to 4:00pm

2007-03-07T03:15:00.000-05:00

Come to the March Pekingese MeetUp!
March comes in like a LION & out like a LAMB

Whoooose the March winds are coming, and our little LION dogs can't wait to come out and play with their little Pekingese buddies. We look forward to seeing our old friends & meeting new ones.
SUNDAY - March 25th - 2:00pm to 4:00pm
(yes we moved meetups to Sunday, we received some requests for Sunday, as it was easier to accommdate schedules)
Sunday, March 25st at 2:00pm till 4:00pm
Happy Paws www.happypawsinc.com

316 Lafayette Street (at Houston)
212-431-6898

EVERYONE IS INVITED TO BRING A LITTLE SOMETHING EDIBLE TO SHARE WITH THE OTHER HUMANS
WE WILL PROVIDE SODA & WATER