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Doggy Solutions™ in the News Doggy Solutions Often, when a new idea is born, it is the result of something we love that inspires us. So is the case for Kerry Graf and KC Hill, owners of the business Doggy Solutions? and the Pet Patio Potty? product. Kerry and KC are proud pet owners of two frisky dogs, Stella and Guinness, who are undoubtedly a large and important part of Kerry and KC's lives. Stella and Guinness, along with Kerry's parents' dog, Maggie, were the inspiration for the ingenious idea to create a convenient and practical solution for the inevitable "dog doo." It all began when Kerry's parents, Isabelle and Homer Graf moved downtown to a loft in Riverfront Park with their dog Maggie. Kerry and KC were concerned about Homer walking the dog outside downtown late at night or in bad weather. Becaues many downtown properties do not have backyards, Kerry and KC identified a need for downtown Denver pet lovers that would provide an alternative and convenient solution to getting out of bed late at night or early in the morning to take the dog outside to do his/her business. KC and Kerry both thought they needed to create something to solve this dilemma. And so a prototype of the Pet Patio Potty? was developed. Basically, it was just a wood box with heavy trays used as dog litter boxes. From the original prototype, KC began coming up with ways to refine and improve the Pet Patio Potty?. The goal was that, along with being functional, the Pet Patio Potty? would also be attractive and fit well into the streamlined, modern look of many loft buildings. "Looks were very important to us because this was going to be a product people would have sitting on their loft balcony or in their backyard if they lived outside of downtown. We wanted it to look attractive," said KC. Once the design was developed, Maggie the dog tested it. The results were encouraging. Maggie used it right away without any coaxing or training! People need to understand that this is not a substitute for walking your dog and not all dogs will automatically use it without proper training and patience from their owner. Some dogs will immediately use the Pet Patio Potty?, and others will need more time and training to catch on. We're all guilty of thinking that our dogs should just know what they are supposed to do or what we want them to do, when really it's the owner's responsibility to teach them. Training takes patience and perseverance," stated KC. Still, KC and Kerry were very encouraged at how easily Maggie accepted the Pet Patio Potty?, and they were eager to test it on other dogs. They continued to test the design on other dogs and receive feedback from the dogs' owners. Although Purina also makes a similar version of the Pet Patio Potty?, it is more like a kitty litter box and make for smaller dogs. The Pet Patio Potty? concept is that it can be used for small and large dogs, puppies, and older dogs. The Pet Patio Potty? can be designed specifically to suit each dog's needs and the dog owner's wants. The Pet Patio Potty? comes in four standard sizes, two different models, and three different cover colors. It is glass encased with a removable canvas cover that can be placed in the washing machine for convenient cleaning. The bottom of the Pet Patio Potty? can be covered in sod, gravel or even synthetic grass according to the dog's preference. It can be plced on balconies, in garages, outdoors, or even inside. Although the Pet Patio Potty? is not retailed in stores, it can be purchased here in Denver locally by contacting Doggy Solutions? and Doggy Solutions? will also ship out of state or sell by local, direct mailing. Kerry and KC enjoy making house visits and will be more than happy to meet with the dog and the dog's owner to help set up the Pet Patio Potty? and explain how it works. They will also do home evaluations for no charge in which they will evaluate the environment, the dog's size and habits, and recommend a Pet Patio Potty? design based on that evaluation. The will personally deliver and set each Pet Patio Potty? and will leave a packet containing information and samples about dog products and services they support. "I love working locally and meeting the dogs and their owners to help them with our product and find out how it will work best for them," said Kerry. You can also view the Pet Patio Potty? at local pet exhibitions like the Lucky Mutt Strutt put on by Maxfund. Through continued testing of the Pet Patio Potty?, KC and Kerry realized that although many dogs adjusted to it with as much ease as Maggie, some needed a few hours, or even weeks of training before getting used to the concept. The Pet Patio Potty? is a fairly new product, developed in 2002 and selling for the last year or so now with its permanent design. Doggy Solutions? plans to sell other problem-solving dog products in the future. These future products will be ones they design and develop or other existing, unique products that have been designed to solve other problems related to dog ownership or to living comfortably with your pooch in the city. Doggy Solutions? is excited about how the Internet will help expand their business and increase awareness of the Pet Patio Potty?. KC and Kerry love their dogs, their business, and sharing their quality product with other doggy owners whom will appreciate the flexibility that the Pet Patio Potty? offers. "It's especially great for older people or people who aren't physically able to walk their dogs. It provides people who didn't think they could have a dog with the option to be a pet owner and that makes us feel great because we know the benefits of having a dog in your life," KC said. Kerry agreed, "We are always meeting new people and discovering new ways that this product works for people. It's the little discoveries each day that make it so rewarding." |
