Latest news with #petlovers
The Drive
4 days ago
- Automotive
- The Drive
This Dog Trainer Has an Incredible Fleet of Dog Vehicles
The latest car news, reviews, and features. Dogs are a big part of my family life. Only one lives in my house, but between my nearby in-laws, as many as nine canines are running around my yard on any given day. So when I stumbled on the WooFDriver YouTube channel, I was like, hell yeah. I've found my people. This guy has figured out how to exercise a pack of high-energy animals with delightful and wacky vehicles that they pull around roads and trails. I love it. The concept here is pretty simple: Man loves dogs, man is creative, cute adventures ensue. Basically, Bill Helman (the self-described 'WooFDriver') modifies pedal-power vehicles, mobility-assistance vehicles, and even some unusual ATVs to either walk multiple dogs simultaneously or use the dogs themselves as propulsion. It's like dogsledding but with bike wheels instead of skids. Many of the vehicles showcased have some kind of hybrid power, in that they use an electric boost or pedals to supplement the dogs' muscles. His website is loaded with an unbelievably wide range of designs and ideas. Seriously—you should check it out, it's a fun slice of old-school internet in the best kind of way. Screenshots of some of WooFDriver's videos, showcasing different dog-vehicle designs. WooFDriver/YouTube All the dogs in my family love being together and love running. My sisters-in-law and I have figured out how to get them to look the same way to pose for photos in our dog-testing car reviews, now we'll just need to teach them to run the same way. A lot of the videos on this channel are outside the template of what you see on YouTube. I found Helman myself through a BBC article about 'the hidden world beneath the shadows of YouTube's algorithm.' There are songs, completely silent videos, and long single-shot sled-cam clips that most people probably won't be inclined to sit through. However, the series on the WooFDriver's 'Dog MotoSports' should be particularly interesting and enjoyable to any of you who appreciate shadetree mechanic'ing and industrial creativity. And, of course, cute canines. Here's another interesting one from a 'Dog Roading' video—the UTV makes it easy to walk four huskies at once! And finally, when the dogs need to cover more ground than their paws can take them, there's Helman's 'Dog Limousine,' a six-door Ford Excursion with special seats for animals. Seen any other dog-powered cars we should talk about? Drop the author a note at
Associated Press
23-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Southlake Paws Launches May 23, 2025 — A Premium Online Department Store for Pets and Pet Parents, with a Hometown Heart
Premium online pet store Southlake Paws launches May 23, offering luxury products with small-town warmth for pets and their people. 'Where Luxury Lives for Pets & Their People'— Ryan Millsaps KELLER, TX, UNITED STATES, May 23, 2025 / / -- Southlake Paws, a refined and thoughtfully curated online department store for pets and pet parents, is proud to announce its official grand opening on Friday, May 23, 2025. Designed to bring luxury, convenience, and trust to modern pet care, Southlake Paws offers a distinctive shopping experience rooted in quality, community, and a deep love of animals. Discover the collection at Founded by a lifelong dog enthusiast and respected American Boxer breeder/exhibitor, Southlake Paws is more than a store—it's a destination for pet lovers who expect excellence in every product they bring into their home. With headquarters in Keller, Texas, the company blends elevated product offerings with small-town warmth and personalized service. 'We created Southlake Paws to reflect the way we care for our own pets—with intention, love, and uncompromising standards,' says the founder. 'Our customers can trust that every product has been selected with purpose and backed by years of hands-on experience.' 🐾 What Sets Southlake Paws Apart 1. Elevated Essentials for Pets and Their People Southlake Paws offers a handpicked selection of premium pet goods and pet-inspired lifestyle products. From tailored grooming tools and stylish walking gear to breed-specific collections and pet-parent home accents, the catalog reflects both function and refinement. 2. Rooted in Real Experience As an active American Boxer breeder and exhibitor, the founder brings decades of practical, first-hand knowledge to the company. This perspective ensures that everything offered—whether it's for puppies, senior dogs, cats, or their humans—has been vetted for quality, safety, and performance. 3. Community-Driven, Pet-Focused At Southlake Paws, building trust is everything. Customers enjoy a streamlined shopping experience and the confidence that comes from supporting a brand founded by a fellow pet lover, not a faceless corporation. Future offerings will include customer education, pet lifestyle tips, and membership benefits for loyal shoppers. 🌟 Trending Now at - 'Pupfluencer Picks' – Eye-catching collars, harnesses & accessories perfect for social media moments - Breed-Specific Collections – Tailored products celebrating the unique needs and personalities of different breeds - Luxury Pet Bedding & Carriers – Where comfort meets style - Pet Parent Favorites – Coordinated home décor, stylish apparel, and pet-safe cleaning solutions 🎉 Grand Opening – Friday, May 23, 2025 Southlake Paws invites pet families nationwide to explore the launch collection online beginning Friday, May 23. Shoppers are encouraged to join the Southlake Paws mailing list for updates, exclusive content, and upcoming product launches. Follow us on social media @SouthlakePaws for daily inspiration, pet features, and the latest arrivals. About Southlake Paws: Headquartered in Keller, Texas, Southlake Paws is a luxury online department store dedicated to enhancing the lives of pets and pet parents. With a curated product range, small-town values, and a foundation built by a seasoned dog breeder and exhibitor, Southlake Paws is redefining how modern pet families shop. Every product is selected with care because at Southlake Paws, pets are family. Media Contact: [email protected] Robert Millsaps Southlake Paws + +1 214-308-1733 email us here Visit us on social media: Instagram Facebook X Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
The Independent
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Independent
Car makers have a surprising new target demographic
If proof were ever needed that the Duke of Richmond loves his dogs, it's said that the palatial kennels complex at his historic Goodwood estate had central heating long before Goodwood House ever got it. The Duke is hardly an outlier when it comes to canine appreciation – the UK is a nation of dog lovers. We have over 12 million of our four-legged friends living with us and spend an average of £2,000 on our pets every year, according to Battersea Dogs Home. Dogs are clearly big business, and lately they've been giving car makers paws for thought. The Goodwood estate is better known for the car-themed Festival of Speed and Revival weekends, both huge money-spinners for the Duke, but his Grace is evidently as huge a fan of dogs as he is a petrolhead and a businessman. Last weekend the estate hosted its fourth annual festival for our furry friends. Called Goodwoof (naturally) the pooch-centric festival includes live music, dog-related businesses selling their wares and a smattering of celebrities and influencers wandering around, from Clare Balding and James Middleton to Love Islanders and Strictly dancers. And in a world where crossover cars are as popular as mixed-breed dogs, a collaboration between the car world and the dog world makes commercial sense. Land Rover obviously agrees. This year it became the official automotive partner of Goodwoof, choosing the event to unveil not one, but two new Discovery models. Gemini and Tempest sound as much like new cars as they do a pair of fox red Labradors. Land Rover has done the market research before deciding to court Britain's dog owners. Around half of all Discovery owners have one, and 61 per cent of them say that their dog influences their car-buying decisions. That's enough for some car companies to start paying attention to the needs of their hairiest passengers. I must agree. I'm a dog lover and choose the cars that I buy with my goldendoodle Sky in mind. A car that's comfortable with good space, easy to get into and with a good view out is essential for Sky, and that's what we got with the Discovery we drove down to Goodwood, with Sky acting like lady muck in the back. It's not surprising really. Land Rover – like Goodwoof – has a host of doggy accessories for you to spend your cash on. Sky got into the car via Land Rover's official dog ramp, sat on the official Land Rover quilted boot liner, was kept in place by the official Land Rover safety guard and had a slurp from the official Land Rover no-spill dog bowl. Should she have needed one, she could have taken a shower with the official Land Rover dog wash. Sky turned her nose up at the portable dog crate Land Rover sent us, though. It was way too small for a lady of her stature. Land Rover owners and their dogs even got special access at this year's Goodwoof, with dedicated parking areas, hospitality and complimentary treats for both doggies and their owners. Discovery-branded doggy hydration stations were dotted around the whole festival site, while the Goodwoof Adventure Trail was sponsored by the company. There was also a Discovery Stick Library, which Sky got stuck into and didn't seem bothered by any late return fees. The Discovery Gemini and Tempest models were there on mini-motor show stands, with dog-friendly Land Rover staff on hand with more treats and the softest of sells. Having spent time in the latest model, now built better than ever at JLR's latest factory in Slovakia, I wasn't surprised to see a willing queue of well-heeled dog owners lining up to look at the new Discovery models. Even longer was the queue to have a Land Rover-sponsored caricature of your dog drawn by a couple of dog-friendly artists. By late on day two, their fixed smiles suggested some truth to the old showbiz mantra of never working with animals or children. Land Rover's interest in all things canine appears to be more than just a passing fascination. According to one seasoned car industry exec I caught wandering across the lawns with his own two dogs, Land Rover's investment in Goodwoof could have topped the million-pound mark. So why does Land Rover do it? According to Amy Gibson, the UK brand director for Discovery, 'Goodwoof is a brilliant celebration of life with dogs – and a natural fit for the Discovery brand. Designed to enhance everyday journeys with versatility, comfort and capability, we're delighted to bring these qualities to one of the most iconic events for dog owners. We look forward to creating unforgettable memories for all attendees at this year's Goodwoof." Land Rover isn't alone in targeting dog owners. Skoda has been doing it for years with its sponsorship of Crufts and other doggy events. Kirsten Stagg, head of marketing at Skoda UK told me 'at Skoda, we understand that dogs are more than just pets, they're family. 'Our involvement with dog-related initiatives reflects our commitment to making every journey comfortable, safe, and enjoyable for all passengers, whether they walk on two legs or four. As a brand known for supporting families and making life easier, it's only natural that we stand behind the millions of UK drivers who travel with their canine companions." Dogs, it seems, sell plenty of things aside from cars. Other partners at this year's Goodwoof festival included Cotswold Outdoor and Mars Petcare (prompting an interesting discussion with one of their representatives around how healthy its Pedigree Dentastix dog treats are, given they're from the same company that brings us Skittles and Mars bars). HSBC, Tesco, health insurer Vitality and even Le Shuttle were also among the event partners keen to associate their brand with our beloved pets. The feel-good factor around Goodwoof was palpable. And feeling good rubs off on sponsors. Smiles sell cars, and so do dogs. Smart move, Land Rover.
