puppies

Dog Venture Capitalist Makes First Investment

Mopsi, a Berlin-based pug and investor, has just announced on his blog that he has made his first capital investment in a local startup called KnochenBox. The online subscription service delivers bones and other dog treats to puppies all over Germany.

Mopsi participated in KnochenBox’s €2 million Series A round, which the company will use to expand the service across Europe.

“Eventually, they plan to move across the pond and take on U.S. incumbents like BarkBox,” predicted European startup analyst Max Blumenfelder. 

Mopsi was awarded a spot on the KnochenBox board, which Blumenfelder thinks was a wise move for the startup. “He’ll be able to open a lot of doors for them,” he said. “At least the ones with doggie flaps installed.”

Via mopsworld.

Puppy Caught Napping Under Desk

5% of businesses in the US allow pets at work according to the Society of Human Resources Management’s yearly benefits survey (PDF), and until last week, Baloo the dog was lucky enough to be employed at one.

But on Friday, he was caught by a supervisor napping on the job and immediately dismissed. 

“This was the third time we’ve caught him sleeping under his desk,” said VP of Human Resources Todd Barett. “I don’t care how adorable he is. This is place of business and we expect people to actually work here.”

While co-workers were sad to see Baloo go, they’ve already begun jockeying for his office.

“He had amazing views,” said one employee. “And the office is really close to the snack machine.”

Via Erin Patterson.

Area Dog Treats Herself for Being a “Good Girl”

Following a full day of impeccable behavior, a local dog named Lola decided to sign up for pet products home delivery service BarkBox as a thank you… to herself.

It was a lot of work to avoid chewing on corner of the couch, knocking over any plants or eating anything really gross while on walks, said friends. But Lola did it, and she felt she deserved a treat.

“I thought for sure when the FedEx guy came that she was going to jump up on him and ruin a whole day of top notch doggie manners,” said Marla Sherris, a close friend. “But give Lola credit. She kept her excitement in check and just signed for the package without incident.”

Via sookton.

Doggie 5K Competitors Size Up the Competition

Competitors at the annual Puppy Fun Run 5K were invited to a pre-race event in order to meet the media and each other. The racers gathered at the local dog park this morning and spent the first half of the event running around, chasing balls, and generally sizing up the competition while showing off from media in attendance.

That was followed by a press conference, during which the most popular pup was Busy, a Kelly Blue Terrier who is the favorite to win the mid-size dog group.

Said trainer Tom Scott, “The other dogs are clearly afraid of Busy. If you’ll notice, his butt got the most sniffs. He’s the one to beat, and they know it.”

The race will be run tomorrow at 2pm.

Via katsusj.

REPORT: ‘Wet Dog’ Cologne Sales Sluggish

In a subscriber-only report today, fashion industry analyst Allen Sacks said that sales of the new CK Woof cologne have been far lower than expected. The scent, released under clothing company Phillips-Van Heusen’s Calvin Klein brand, has moved only 200,000 units in 2013, according to Sacks, and will cost the corporation money.

“I estimate they will take a $45 million write down on this,” said Sacks. “They put a lot into the launch and marketing, not to mention R&D, but sales just haven’t been there.”

The scent was designed to emulate the smell of a damp canine after returning from the beach. According to PVH spokesperson Leyla Chirac, there are over 43 million households in the United States with a pet dog. The cologne was intended to capture that sizable market.

“They thought CK Woof would resonate with those dog owners,” Sacks said. “They were wrong. Most people found it offensive and off-putting.”

Via Wind Sand and Star.