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Dog Breed Profile: German Shepherds

Alexa Highsmith — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 18:56:37 +0000

All About German Shepherds

Contrary to their stereotypes, German Shepherds are incredibly loving, loyal, and caring. Because the dogs are so agile, strong, and muscular, many people assign them the stereotype of being aggressive and dangerous. However, many people who know German Shepherds well will tell you that their defining characteristics are actually their loyalty, courage, and confidence (AKC). They are protective, yet gentle. Strong, yet soft. German Shepherds are a complex and lovable breed, and while they aren’t for everyone, they are one of the most loyal and steadfast dog breeds.

Movies about German Shepherds:

I Am Legend (starring Will Smith, Alice Braga, and Dash Mihok)
K-9 (Jim Belushi, Mel Harris, and Kevin Tighe)
Beverly Hills Chihuahua (Andy Garcia)
A Dog’s Purpose (Britt Robertson, KJ Apa, and John Ortiz)
My Dog Tulip (Christopher Plummer, Lynn Redgrave, and Isabella Rosalinni)

From the Lilly Brush Community

To get the inside scoop on what it’s like being a German Shepherd owner, we asked our followers a few questions about life with these loyal, loving dogs!

Are German Shepherds well-behaved, or mischievous?

cliff_thebigbrowndog: I believe any animal can be very well behaved, as long as you put the time into training them! I’ve personally only had a really good association with very well behaved German Shepherds.

kaida.thegsd: In my experience German Shepherds are very well behaved! I know many are different but I’ve owned a few breeds and German Shepherds have amazing temperament but they definitely aren’t for everyone.

bestboybenson: German Shepherds can be well-behaved and mischievous! Many German Shepherds are very well-behaved and almost all of them have some sort of mischievous side too, whether that is begging for food at the dinner table, refusing to take a bath, or stealing your socks.

What should someone know before adopting a German Shepherd?

cliff_thebigbrowndog: Just be prepared for a lot of work. They definitely aren’t the easiest dogs and they have a lot of energy. They need to be taken out and have a job or they can get into things ????

kaida.thegsd: German Shepherds are very smart so I do recommend researching the breed and making sure they’re suitable for you ! They’re very high energy dogs .

bestboybenson: Training is so important! It is especially important to socialize your German Shepherd from a young age to avoid any behavioral type problems. German Shepherds also shed a ton, so be prepared for that. They are worth every penny though!

What can German Shepherd owners do to be the best dog parent possible?

cliff_thebigbrowndog: TRAIN TRAIN TRAIN. Continuously working on training no matter how old they are. And setting boundaries.

kaida.thegsd: Future German shepherd owners , Training is an absolute must for these dogs ! I highly recommend training right when you get you’re new gsd puppy .

bestboybenson: Be patient with your German Shepherd. They are extremely smart dogs and will find ways to test your patience at times. Provide them with love and care and you will develop a bond that can never be broken.

What makes German Shepherds unique from other dogs?

cliff_thebigbrowndog: German shepherds are very loyal dogs and always want to work for you. They’re always trying to find a way to provide and be the best they can for you. And I think it’s just something really unique about them.

kaida.thegsd: I believe all dogs are unique in their own way but German Shepherds are amazing , they catch on extremely quick and would do anything for their owner(s) ! ❤️

bestboybenson: Their personality! German Shepherds are known for being goofy, energetic, loyal, and intelligent. You’ll never find another breed like a German Shepherd and that is why they are the third-most registered breed by the American Kennel Club in 2020.

Is there anything else you think people should know about German Shepherds?

cliff_thebigbrowndog: The only thing I would say is don’t listen to stereotypes. A lot of negative things TECO around about German shepherds and most/not all German Shepherd‘s are bad. They not easy dogs and not for everyone. But they’re so worth it!

kaida.thegsd: German Shepherds are amazing and truly a beautiful breed , once you own one of these amazing dogs you won’t regret it ! I advise anyone who wants one to please do research before getting one as they aren’t for everyone.

bestboybenson: I think people need to know that most German Shepherds are not aggressive and scary. There are so many sweet German Shepherds out there in the world who love all dogs and people more than anything.

Writing Specialist at Lilly Brush Co.

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Lilly Brush: An Alternative to Disposable Lint Rollers

Alexa Highsmith — Thu, 21 Oct 2021 18:27:22 +0000

Lilly Brush vs. the lint roller: an epic battle beginning in 2010, when Lilly Brush founder Elsie Hamilton adopted her Australian Shepherd, Lilly. When Elsie went to the pet store to find a pet hair remover, she found only sticky/lint rollers. She was not impressed, and has since invented eight different products that are more efficient at removing pet hair than lint rollers.

Why Lilly Brush?

Here at Lilly Brush, we are transparent about our products. We don’t give in to the idea that a product should have to be replaced and re-purchased every two years. We believe in products that last.

Since the industrial revolution, corporations worldwide have operated with varying degrees of disregard for the environment and the consumer. Single-use plastics have dominated the world market for too long. Lilly Brush products were created to be safe and reliable alternatives to single-use plastics.

With Lilly Brush, you never have to buy a refill, and each product is designed to last for years of daily use. If a product doesn’t work for an individual, they can send it back with ease, and the product then becomes available to be donated to a shelter.

Lilly Brush strives for excellence. We hold two things at the center of our mission: we care about the planet, and we love our customers.

Why are lint rollers bad for the environment?

Lint roller handles are single-use plastics that fill up landfills day after day, month after month, year after year. They are easily disposable, and aren’t crafted to last for years. In a world where people are too quick to simply throw things away, the Lilly Brush remains steadfast.

In a past blog post, “No Mess. No Waste. No Refills.,” we found that according to CBS News, consumers spend upwards of $100 MILLION on lint rollers every year. Since the pandemic, when many more pets were adopted, that figure has likely grown exponentially.

Why Lilly Brush is the eco-friendly, sustainable alternative

Lilly Brush products are the safe, reusable, and long-lasting alternative to lint rollers! Its durability makes it a resilient tool that lasts for years and years– helping both the environment, and your bank account!

Let’s look at it this way: a single lint roller could cost you up to $6, and maybe last 3 months. On the other hand, our $12 Mini Pet Hair Detailer or Be Forever Furless Mini will keep you pet hair free for years.

By supporting Lilly Brush, you are supporting the earth, and you’re supporting a new generation of long-lasting, ethically made goods created by ethically-minded people.

And, while you’re at it, you’re getting rid of all that pesky pet hair!

Writing Specialist at Lilly Brush Co.

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Auto Detailer Spotlight: Chris Nichols

Alexa Highsmith — Fri, 14 May 2021 21:12:26 +0000

Here at Lilly Brush, we value community and relationship with our supporters!

Our dear friends in the auto detailing business are some of the most loyal followers and supporters we’ve ever seen- they repost and share our products because they genuinely love our products and our company, and support us out of the kindness of their hearts. Our friendliest and most loyal customers come from all across the country, and we get the pleasure of interacting with them on a daily basis! From partnering with auto detailers, to doing giveaways, to running “Most Satisfying Video” contests, the Lilly Brush team loves interacting with our followers and building long-lasting friendships.

Each month, Lilly Brush hosts a “Most Satsifying Video” contest for Auto Detailers– and this month’s winner is Chris Nichols of Nifty Nichols Detailing from Atlanta, Georgia! We asked Chris to share a bit about his life and career as a detailer, featured below, and what auto detailing means to him.

Our Interview with Chris Nichols

Is detailing your full-time job? If so, when did it become full-time?

So yes, detailing is my full time job. It became full time at the beginning of April 2018, so luckily i’ve been able to stay in this industry full time for the last three years– loving every bit of it!

What detailer did you look up to/who taught you how to detail?

My dad actually taught me how to detail at 15 years old. I was always neat and organized, overall “OCD” like most detailers, and I caught on rather quickly and just fell in love with it.

My great buddy Max Heisy out of Florida had a business called Maximum Detailing; he was always somebody that I always looked up to. Anytime I had any questions or concerns as to how to go about something, I could shoot him over a call or a text and he would always answer my messages.

Do you mentor other detailers?

Yes, I do. One in particular, his name is Jacob, owner of JDubs Mobile Services back home in Crestview, Florida. So Jacob is 16 years old, and I’ve known him for a while; his dad is a guy that I’ve been friends with for multiple years. When Jacob saw that I dropped everything in Florida to move up here to Georgia, to pursue my dreams, he found that very inspiring and figured he’d give it a shot.

Who are a few other detailers that you follow or admire?

So, I follow and admire tons of detailers in the local Atlanta area, overseas or here in the U.S., and I would say the top three are: Jason from Chicago Auto Pros out of Chicago, David from Finishing Touch– he’s in Tennessee– and then Stefan with Authentic Detail out of California.

Writing Specialist at Lilly Brush Co.

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5 Ways to Spoil Your Cat

Alexa Highsmith — Wed, 14 Apr 2021 19:34:27 +0000

Let’s face it: cats are fabulous, and don’t get the credit they deserve!

In honor of our feline friends, here are 5 ways to spoil your cat.

Buy or make new cat toys

What do cats love more than new toys? A lot of things, probably, but new toys are no doubt a crowd-pleaser. The simplest toys are often the best– you can even make your own for no cost at all!

Scratching posts are great for your cat’s playtime and health, so if you choose to not go the toy route, this is a great alternative. Check out this video to see the benefits of scratching posts:

And sometimes, all your cat wants is a new box.

Conduct a photo shoot

Let your cat channel their inner Vogue model– we all know it’s there already. Captured photos of your cat become representative of treasured memories. After the photo shoot, you can always choose to keep the photos to yourself, frame them, edit, or put them on anything ranging from pillows to mugs! The best websites for this are Shutterfly and Snapfish.

Here’s how to get the best shots:

Use your angles! Photographing from different angles will enhance the quality of your results, and lends to more creative and artistic photos.
Don’t shy away from drama– in fact, seek out the drama in each photo you take. Play with different perspectives to capture your cat’s personality, from sweetness to sassiness, and everything in between.
Shoot photos in semi-automatic mode– this will capture movement more precisely, and is ideal if you’re all about those action shots.
Zoom in on the eyes! Cats’ eyes are one of their most stunning qualities– if you can capture the uniqueness of your cat’s eyes, you’ve won the cat photography prize. This is also one of the most dramatic shots you can get.

Build a cat patio

Remember when we asked what cats love more than new toys? Aside from “alone time,” the answer is “being outdoors!” Cats are naturally drawn to the world outside your home, and sometimes this world is a dangerous place. If your cat isn’t equipped to handle the outdoors on his or her own (i.e. is declawed, has been raised indoors their whole life, etc.), then one of the best things for them is a cat patio!

It’s easy to build your own cat patio (or “catio”)– there are many online guides for how to build your own. All you need is adequate space and the proper materials, all of which can be found here or here. Be sure to follow a guide if you have minimal experience building large enclosures.

If you’re not quite as handy with tools, or don’t have time to build your own, you can also purchase one! The downside to this is that you can’t construct it yourself with the features or size you want. Although buying one won’t save you money, it will save you time.

Treat your cat to a spa day

Cats need pampering too! Setting up a spa day for your cat looks a lot different than a human spa day, however. Be sure to heavily research whichever “spa day” methods you choose before proceeding to ensure your cat’s safety and well-being.

Here are our favorite cat spa day activities:

Set up a scratching post station.
Trim your cat’s nails (be very careful with this one– and if you’ve never done it yourself before, consult a professional beforehand or take your kitty to the groomer).
Brush your cat.
Bathe/wash your cat. This is entirely dependent on your cat’s personality– some cats love getting bathed, but most hate it! Since cats are self-cleaning animals, this is usually not necessary.

Buy your cat a Lilly Brush

Let’s be honest– buying a Lilly Brush is more of a treat for you than for your cat. Our brushes tackle pet hair like you’ve never seen before, and work for short-haired cats, long-haired cats, or anything in between! Here are our top picks:

Mini Pet Hair Detailer: Perfect for short-haired cats! This brush works great on carpets and rugs and tackles deeply-embedded fur.

Fluffy Pets Brush: Designed for the home, this brush works like magic for any long-haired cats, and tackles home furniture with ease! It also works on natural fiber clothing.

Save Our Sweaters Brush: Perfect for all your styling needs. We know that pet hair (cat hair especially!) tends to end up on everything you own, and lint rollers don’t always get the job done! This brush works on all-natural fiber materials.

Writing Specialist at Lilly Brush Co.

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A Pet Lover’s Home Gift Guide

Alexa Highsmith — Tue, 15 Dec 2020 20:22:14 +0000

We’re back with another holiday gift guide! Give these top-tier gifts to your loved ones this season to put a smile on their face (and their pet’s!).

Courtesy of Furbo

1. Furbo Dog Camera

If you have pet-related separation anxiety, fear no more! This home pet camera is a savvy way to keep tabs on your pet (and your house) while you’re away from home. All you have to do is connect your phone to the Furbo Dog Camera via wifi, and you’re all set! Furbo also connects with Amazon Alexa, so you can give Alexa commands to give to Furbo!

Courtesy of PetSmart

2. Stress Snuggle Toy

This toy is the perfect snuggle pal for any pet with an anxious disposition. Its soft, cuddly build puts your pet at ease while producing warmth and a subtle heartbeat-like pulse. On top of that, it’s simply adorable! The toy is easy to clean and comes with a set of batteries.

Chewy.com

3. Cat Window Seat

There’s nothing cats love more than curling up in the sun as it streams through the nearest window. This cozy seat doesn’t take up any room in your home– it simply sticks to the window! You can even stack these seats on your window so your cat can leap from one to another, enjoying every last minute of sunlight.

4. Lilly Brush Mighty Pet Hair Detailer

It’s not called “mighty” for nothing– this pet hair sweep is the ultimate cleaning tool for any place in your home! With its sturdy frame and double-layered rubber blades, it tackles rugs and carpets with ease. Customers claim that as far as pet hair goes, this tool is even more effective than a vacuum, since it pulls up all the embedded furs from deep within your carpet’s crevices.

Snoozer Pet Products

5. Luxury Dog Seat

With this car seat, you can make your pup feel like the royalty they are! It comes in three different sizes and six different colors, so you’ll have many options to choose from. This seat lives up to its luxurious title: it’s lined with faux lamb’s wool and a luxury microsuede cover. Not only is this great for car rides– it would make your dog or cat equally happy as an in-home cuddle couch.

Petlab Co.

6. Dental Formula

To best care for your pup’s teeth, a safe dental formula is the way to go. It supports dental and gum health, along with better breath! Scroll down their product page to get a full description of all their all-natural ingredients.

Chewy.com

7. AquaPaw Pet Bathing Tool

We all know how much dogs love baths– almost as much as cats do! Make bath time stress-free and more fun (for you AND your dog) with AquaPaw! According to chewy.com, it’s the world’s “first wearable combination sprayer-scrubber,” which allows you to wash your dog at the same time you’re calming him down and preventing him from jumping out of the bathtub!

Chewy.com

8. FURminator Brush

This is the dog brush of all dog brushes. It works on all coat types: curly, long, and medium. Equipped with an antimicrobial and ergonomic handle, this brush is easy to use. You and your dog will both love it!

Writing Specialist at Lilly Brush Co.

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5 Items To Bring While Walking Your Dogs

Elsie Hamilton — Thu, 07 Nov 2019 22:42:29 +0000

One of the most important things you can do for your dog is to take them on frequent walks. The exercise helps them maintain a healthy weight, keeps them happy, and helps them stay acquainted with their neighborhood! Many families with multiple dogs find that it can be tough when walking them all at once. When you don’t have time to take your dogs for separate walks, here are a few things to make your life a little bit easier when you take your pack for a walk.

1. AUDWUD Silicone Treat Pouch

Bring this AUDWUD Silicone treat pouch full of treats to reward them for being great listeners or in case they want food. As we all know, the easiest way to keep your dogs attention is a little snack!

2. Safety-Sport Dog Horn

We know all dogs go to heaven, but that doesn’t mean some of them don’t have a mean streak hidden away somewhere. This one may seem over the top, and hopefully you’ll never have to use it. The reality is you will likely come across an aggressive dog or two in your lifetime. By keeping this dog horn with you on walks, you can stop an aggressive dog in its tracks with a quick blast of the horn. One of our team members unfortunately had to use one of these just last week to scare off a charging dog. DON’T WORRY: This horn won’t hurt any dogs, it’ll just scare them off.

3. N-Gage Running Leash

Whether you are walking your dog or going on a run, this leash is great to keep them under control. This leash attaches to your waist, keeping your hands free and your dog secure. Having multiple dogs attached to your waist makes it so you won’t have two dogs pulling each arm in opposite directions.

P.S. Be careful with larger dogs. If you dog is stronger than you, be sure that you are able to control them to avoid being dragged across your neighbor’s lawn.

4. N-Gage Harness

Having your dog’s leash attached to a harness is another great way to keep them under control. The harness surrounds your dog’s entire torso rather than keeping all of the pressure around their neck. This is especially helpful with larger, stronger dogs, but is a great tool for all dogs! When your dog decides they want to chase a squirrel, or run after the neighbor’s dog, their harness allows you to yank them back into place without hurting or choking them.

5. Wild One Poop Bag Carrier

It Happens! – It’s bound to happen when you are on a walk with your dogs. Snag one of these poop bag dispensers that clip onto your leash. Easy to carry and you won’t forget to grab a bag ever again!

Walking your dogs can seem like a hassle at times, but its often the highlight of their day. When walking multiple dogs at once the hassle increases astronomically. Being able to control, care for, and clean up after two or more dogs at the same time is no easy task. Having the right tools to keep the chaos at bay can make all the difference in the world, making the experience much more enjoyable for all parties involved!

Sincerely,

The Lilly Brush Team

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10 Best Halloween Costume Ideas For Your Pet

Elsie Hamilton — Thu, 10 Oct 2019 20:11:23 +0000

Halloween is just around the corner! It may still be a few weeks away, but costume shopping has to start ASAP! Don’t let your pet miss out on the fun of dressing up. Here’s our list of the 10 best costume ideas of 2019 for your pets!

UPS Driver

Nothing screams dedication like the boys in brown showing up every day to deliver packages all across the world. Who else deserves such an honor other than the most dedicated member of your family, your dog.

Beanie Baby (Easy DIY!)

Beanie Babies were a huge part of many of our lives growing up. Then we got older and decided to get a living version of the plush toys we grew up loving. Throw this Ty Beanie Baby tag on your dog for a simple, cute, and nostalgic costume!

DIY: All you need is felt, construction paper, or any material that can match these colors! Simply cut out a big red heart, and glue on the letters “ty” in white. Attach your masterpiece to your dog’s collar and voila, you’re a DIY dog costume expert!

Aladdin Abu

This one is a guaranteed laugh. Whether you’re at a Halloween party, or handing out candy, seeing this little monkey waddle up to you will put an instant smile on anyone’s face. If they’re an Aladdin fan, well then you just might have to be wary of a dognapping!

Werewolf

We’ve all seen the fierce fire that lies deep within our dogs when they’re protecting their bone, or defending the house from the perpetual army of mailmen. They all have a little werewolf in them, even the sweetest of pups. This Halloween let them be the beast within and scare your neighbors with a werewolf patrolling your front yard.

Bowtie & Cuff Set

If you’re hosting a halloween dinner party, this is the costume for your dog. Sure Halloween parties don’t tend to be black-tie, but there’s nothing wrong with a little class. Make sure your dog is the sharpest dressed in the bunch by throwing on a bow tie and some cuffs!

Lion

What better fit for your cat than the King of the Jungle? Our cats already patrol the house thinking they are the most dangerous hunter on the planet. This year for Halloween throw a mane around those killer jaws and let them dress the part!

Spider

This one is sure to make a few people jump. There is no reaction more natural than jumping out of your seat when you see a 20 pound spider run across the room. If you’re a fan of those spooky Halloween vibes, throw a few extra legs on your cat and grab some popcorn!

Sailor

Aye Aye, Captain! Set sail on this costume if you want your pet to seem like the most responsible pet at the party. Hopefully they don’t have the mouth of a sailor to go along with it.

Deadly Playtime Doll Pet Costume

This costume has been all over social media for the past few weeks. It is, by far, one of the hottest trending costumes for your pet to wear this season. Hopefully they won’t scare any of the other pets at the party.

It’s Happy Hour! Costume

Is your pet a party animal?! If so, this is the perfect fit for them. With their companion carrying behind, they will make sure you don’t attend the party empty handed. Don’t let them drive home!

Your pet will feel left out if they aren’t as dressed up as you are on the one day that you can get decked out in crazy attire. We guarantee that your pet can pull off the best costume award at any party with these costume ideas! If you end up taking any photos, please feel free to send them to us and we will be happy to post them!

Sincerely,

The Lilly Brush Team

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What To Do With Your Pet During A Natural Disaster

Elsie Hamilton — Wed, 04 Sep 2019 14:05:24 +0000

Every year natural disasters wreak havoc across the globe. As people scramble to evacuate their homes, some pets get lost along the way. Depending on the urgency of the evacuation, owners are often told to leave their pets behind to create more space for people to speed up the evacuation process. If you live in a disaster prone area, here’s a quick guide to keeping your pets safe and accounted for throughout the chaos!

The PETS Act

Ever since Hurricane Katrina, the government has put an emphasis on protecting animals, and families with animals during natural disasters. The PETS act was introduced in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina when a survey discovered that of the families that did not evacuate their homes, 44% of them did so because of their beloved pets. The statistics regarding the number of pets lost throughout the entire process of Hurricane Katrina are heartbreaking. (We’ll spare you the heartache, but you can find them HERE) The PETS act allows for state and local governments to be funded, as well as reimbursed for the money they spend on rescuing and caring for animals during natural disasters.

A few things you can do to help keep your pet safe during these chaotic times

Make a Plan and Stick to It
- A major key to navigating chaos is to have a plan. Already knowing where to go and what to bring before disaster strikes makes things much easier when your entire city is in a frenzy. Stick to your plan, things can get confusing and stressful if you decide to change it up last minute.
Emergency Kit (Pet Included)
- Have enough water for you and your pet to survive for (at least) 3 days! Keep a stock of non-perishable foods, a litter box (or puppy pads), and a photo of you and your pet in case the worst scenario occurs.
- FLASHLIGHTS ARE KEY. Power outages are very common during a disaster and battery powered flashlights can be a lifesaver.
ID Your Pet!
- Make sure your dog or cat has a collar with up-to-date information to reunite them with you if you ever get separated.
- Making sure your pet’s microchip is up to date is another major step. The average citizen can’t scan the chip, but if they are returned to an animal shelter the chance of being reunited with your pet increases dramatically.
Evacuate Early!
- As the evacuation becomes more urgent, families are often told to leave their pets behind to create space for more people. The sooner you evacuate, the better chance you have of bringing your pet with you.
Find a Safe Place Ahead of Time
- Not all emergency shelters allow pets. Research ahead of time and find out the ideal place to bring your pets during an evacuation.
- To find pet friendly places to stay, follow these links!
- To find out more about Pet Friendly Hotels, check out our blog!
Make a deal with a friend/neighbor in case you’re not home
- Should the worst happen while you’re away from home, make a deal with a friend or neighbor to take care of your pet until you can be reunited with them. Offer to do the same with their animals if they’re the ones away from home when disaster strikes. Having a network of people working together is always a positive.

We cannot prevent natural disasters, but we can take steps to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe when these events do occur. Being prepared and having a plan is the best defense we can have. We hope this was helpful and informative! Please share with your friends in disaster prone areas so that they can be prepared when disaster strikes.

Sincerely,

The Lilly Brush Team

The post What To Do With Your Pet During A Natural Disaster appeared first on Lilly Brush.

Keys to Properly Using Rideshare Apps With Your Pets!

Elsie Hamilton — Thu, 29 Aug 2019 19:45:33 +0000

Have you ever wondered if you can bring your dog in an Uber or Lyft? The answer is…sometimes. Rideshare drivers operate out of their own personal vehicles rather than a company fleet. Because of this, apps like Uber and Lyft are unable to impose a blanket policy regarding pets being allowed (or disallowed) to tag along for the ride.

Just because Uber and Lyft cannot implement an overarching pet policy for their drivers does not mean you can’t bring your pup or cat along for the ride. As drivers are contracted out by these companies, it is the driver’s decision whether they allow pets. For many of these drivers, their car is their livelihood. They may not want to risk the quality of their car’s interior, as their tips and driver ratings largely decide their monthly income.

How do I respectfully ride in a ridesharing vehicle with my pet?

Drivers suggest to reach out to them when booking a ride to ensure that they are okay with you bringing your pet along for the ride.

Bring a blanket!!! Nobody likes a car full of pet hair. (That’s why we invented the Mini Pet Hair Detailer!) If your pet sheds, you may get charged with a cleaning fee. If your pet decides to use the bathroom or gets sick, you will DEFINITELY be charged with a cleaning fee, and a hefty one at that.

Make sure you have ordered the correct vehicle. If you have a smaller pet, an UberX will be fine. However, if you have a larger pet, go the Uber XL route.

Put yourself in the shoes of your driver. Some people may find it to be a nuisance having to drive around someone else’s pet. Be sure to tip your driver for their services. They are going above and beyond to accommodate you and your furry friend.

Side note: Service Animals ARE allowed at all times

What other pet friendly rideshares are out there?

In 2017, Uber launched its’ newest branch of rides, UberPet. This ride option started its’ trial run in Singapore, but has since disbanded. Grab, which has taken over as the staple rideshare option in Singapore, has recently added GrabPet. GrabPet has drivers and cars that are specifically trained and equipped to care for your pet during your commute.

SpotOn is a ridesharing service that is specifically available for pets and pet owners. SpotOn is currently only operating in New York City, which is home to 25% of the rideshare market in the United States. They are hoping to grow in the next few years, and expand across the country into other rideshare-heavy cities. Don’t worry about bringing a blanket or a harness for your pet, each car has one! They will also pair you up with a car specific to your pet’s size. Keep an eye out, they might be coming to a city near you soon!

Sincerely,

The Lilly Brush Team

The post Keys to Properly Using Rideshare Apps With Your Pets! appeared first on Lilly Brush.

True Grit

Elsie Hamilton — Thu, 22 Aug 2019 21:37:27 +0000

I am swimming. There is no turning back, and there is no land in sight, not behind me, or in front of me.

This month marks seven years since I founded Lilly Brush. In that time, I’ve invented six new products with a seventh launching this fall. Every single day since has been plump with work, and seemingly endless amounts of interaction with my incredible team and of all kinds of wonderful people, but when I happen to run into my old friends, they almost invariably ask me about my previous career as if I were still alone at my easel each day turning out landscapes and still life paintings. What I’ve come to understand is that outside of my own family and a handful of very close friends, none of the people I spent decades sitting next to on soccer bleachers, at school plays and on charitable boards has any idea of what I’ve been up to these last seven years. It’s as if, at 50, I took off swimming straight out into the blue ocean and disappeared over the horizon.

The Food That Built America…

There’s been a series on the History Channel lately called The Food That Built America. I recommend it highly, but whenever I do, people throw their hands up to block the thought and say, “No, no, nooo, I want to eat; I don’t want to knoooow!” So, fear not, this will not put you off your hotdogs like Upton Sinclair’s 1906 expose of the meatpacking industry, The Jungle. This instead follows the not-so-charmed lives of the men and women who created the food brands we know and love today, among them, Kelloggs, Post, Birdseye, and Heinz. It is by no means a three part version of the dry, but endlessly entertaining, How It’s Made. No, here among the often grimy founders of our current multi-billion dollar American food empires, we find enough human intrigue and drama to forever enhance our previously bland trips down the cereal or frozen food aisles. Ahh, C.W. Post, you were a sly devil!

Oddly enough, the most extraordinary part about the series is how unremarkable each of the founders was. None of them seemed to be particularly brilliant, wealthy or educated, but that is where the seductive appeal of each of their stories lies. To see reenactments of the awful trials and tribulations of these sweaty, beaten down, nearly, but not quite defeated inventors who somehow made it all happen, well, that’s the stuff small business owners like me eat up with a ladle, because that, in essence, is the American Dream.

Heartbreak and Hardship

After watching the final episode of the series, and imagining with some horror the future squabbling of generations of entitled heirs, I lay in bed wondering what exactly the secret ingredient was that these guys had over everyone else? Yes, they had the recipe for Coca-Cola, or savory catsup, but multitudes of small companies with similarly great products have failed to thrive. Why did these food-centric American titans of industry, despite having teetered on the brink of failure at least a half dozen times, survive? More specifically, what made them keep going towards a goal that they could not see despite the obstacles of heartbreak and hardship and the implicit understanding that there was absolutely no guarantee of a good outcome at the end of their journey?

Angela Duckworth will tell you, it’s grit. Yep, grit makes perfect sense. Given the unremarkable status of many founders, their level of grit would very likely be the defining predictive element of success or failure, whether or not they possess inordinate talent, or extreme intellectual giftedness. Certainly, those are nice assets, but if intellectual facility has made the road through a person’s life a reliably rewarding jaunt from their first constellation of shiny gold stars achieved in kindergarten to the schwag stole of the Summa Cum Laude society at graduation, it may actually become something of a liability. In fact, if you’re used to that kind of tidy success, and then suddenly encounter the constant barrage of random destruction that is entirely outside of your control and perpetually happening to start-ups, believe me, you will be rattled out of your mind.

Land Will Come

I won’t go on much more about a subject that I am only just beginning to come to understand, but if you’re as curious as I was after you finish The Food That Built America series, look up Angela Duckworth. You might even take the Grit Scale Quiz to see if you have an aptitude for the founder’s way. I scored high. Of course that doesn’t predict whether or not Lilly Brush will flourish in its next seven years, but if I had to place a bet, I’d tell you that I’m strong enough to swim until it does. Land will come.

Sincerely,

Elsie Hamilton, Founder and CEO

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Be Careful About Letting Your Pet Go For A Swim!

Elsie Hamilton — Thu, 15 Aug 2019 20:35:43 +0000

If you haven’t heard, there is a new craze shaking up the pet industry, and it is NOT GOOD. A “blue-green” algae, also called Cyanobacteria, has reportedly been popping up around the country, killing many dogs that come in contact with it. Reports began circulating in the last few weeks, and the numbers unfortunately keep growing. Dogs have been visiting their favorite swimming holes to cool off in the summer heat, and just an hour or so after coming in contact with this algae, their bodies begin to break down with an often fatal outcome. Many counties all across the country, from the Pacific Northwest to New Jersey, have begun to take action, imposing swimming bans in what have traditionally been public lakes and ponds.

This toxic algae can be hard to spot, but not impossible.

The algae will often float on the surface of the water, looking like foam, scum or mats. The algae is commonly a blue-ish color or a vibrant green, but some toxic algae can appear brown or red as well. This algae commonly produces an unpleasant odor as well, but that doesn’t stop dogs from checking it out. Many dogs are even attracted to the new smell and taste.

Don’t Wait!

If your dog is acting strange after a swim, TAKE THEM TO THE VET! Not all of these encounters with the toxic algae have been fatal. Each survival story has one thing in common, the dogs were immediately rushed to their vet. Dogs will very commonly lick themselves after a swim in an attempt to groom their fur. Just a few seconds in the water will lead to the deadly toxins becoming stuck in the animal’s fur, which is quickly transferred into their bodies as they lick themselves clean.

Locations where this toxic algae has been spotted:

North Georgia, North Carolina, Texas, New Jersey, Colorado, and the Florida and Mississippi Coasts

Sincerely,

The Lilly Brush Team

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Is It Too Hot To Be Outside With Your Pet?

Elsie Hamilton — Thu, 08 Aug 2019 20:18:52 +0000

This summer has been riddled with record highs, scorching hot asphalt, and plenty of hot sunny afternoons. Your dog can’t always express how they’re feeling in these extreme temperatures, so it’s very important to keep an eye on them and take necessary precautions. Asphalt becomes extremely hot, and cars quickly turn into a dangerous place to be. Some dog breeds are more susceptible to the heat than others, so be sure to take note of your dog’s tolerance. Typically, short-nosed dogs are the most vulnerable to extreme temperatures. This includes, but isn’t limited to, bulldogs, boxers, pugs, terriers, and all other short-nosed breeds. Older and more obese dogs are also more at risk in the heat. Take care of your dog all summer long by following these easy tips!

One of the most easily overlooked aspects of a hot day is how extreme the temperature of the ground can be on your dog’s paws. When the temperature outside is just 77ºF, the asphalt on a sunny day can reach up to 125ºF!

You can fry an egg at 131ºF…

Just imagine how your dog feels walking on a frying pan! One quick way to determine if it’s too hot for your dog is to press your hand firmly on the ground. If you can’t comfortably hold your skin to the ground for more than 11 seconds, then don’t force your dog to do so. Another way to prevent your pet’s paws from burning up is to purchase Musher’s Secret. This 100% wax-based cream acts as paw protection from hot pavement, sand, ice and salt. Otherwise, try to avoid paved areas on hot days, and walk your dog in the grass as often as possible. Farmers markets, festivals, and block parties in the hot summer sun seem fun and harmless, but your dog may not feel the same way.

Don’t Just Crack The Windows

A very common mistake that people make is leaving their pets in the car while they run into the store. This seems harmless, to crack the windows and run a quick errand, but it’s actually very dangerous for your pets. On an 85ºF day, a car parked in the sun can reach 102ºF in just 10 minutes! 30 minutes, the inside of the car can reach 120ºF. A quick errand for you can feel like an eternity for a dog in the car. Sadly, since 2018, 103 dogs have been reportedly found dead in a hot car. Those are just the public numbers, with the true total estimated to be much higher. The best way to avoid this? DON’T LEAVE YOUR DOG IN THE CAR.

“We’re usually called two or three times per week for a dog in a car.”
Colorado Police Office, Dave Kornowski

8 states have good samaritan laws that allow any person to break into a car to save a pet. These states include: California, Colorado, Indiana, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Florida, Ohio, and Tennessee.

Please, take extra caution with your dogs in the summer heat. Listen to their body language, be wary of the weather, and make sure they have plenty of water. A hydrated dog is a happy dog in the scorching summer heat.

Sincerely,

The Lilly Brush Team

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How To Help Your Pet In This Stinky Situation

Elsie Hamilton — Thu, 18 Jul 2019 20:13:21 +0000

Our Mini Aussie, Lilly, recently met her first skunk. Sadly, she didn’t realize that her new friend’s adorable little foot-stamping routine meant that she was about to get a face full of super stinky spray, and sadly, we did not have a chance to block the doggie door before she could sprint through it and bring that little gift home.

Thus, our first word to the wise: as soon as you realize that your pet has been sprayed by a skunk, keep the smell out of your home by IMMEDIATELY CLOSING ALL DOORS AND WINDOWS…don’t forget the garage! It’s tempting to approach your pet to sniff twice or thrice to see how badly they got hit, but believe me, a quick shake on their part will make you regret that. It’s far better to direct your pet to a safe grassy place where they can do what they naturally need to do which is to rub as much of the scent off as they can. This will also give you a moment to regroup and plan your attack.

Hmmm, what to wear, what to wear!

As some skunks have been found to carry rabies, it’s always advisable to use rubber gloves, glasses and a mask or bandana to cover your mouth while you wash your pet. If you have a swim or shower cap to keep the smell out of your hair, wear it. Choose clothes you won’t mind throwing out…that T-shirt your ex gave you…yeah, wear that. For best protection, add a couple of kitchen trash bags taped on for boots and cut head and armholes in a contractor size trash bag for a tunic. To complete your look, add a duct tape belt.

Rumors Debunked

Tomato Juice: Turns out this age old trick doesn’t quite work like they say! There are better options available, don’t go straight to the vine!
Hose them down: Skunk spray is an oily substance, by hosing down your dog you are likely just spreading it throughout their fur!
Let it settle: TAKE ACTION IMMEDIATELY. The smell will not go away with time, waiting a day to take action could keep that skunk smell in your house for an extra week!

To clean a medium to large sized dog, mix:

1 quart 3% hydrogen peroxide solution

¼ cup baking soda

1 teaspoon Dawn dishwashing liquid*

*DO NOT store this mixture in a closed container as it will explode.

Work the mixture into your pet’s coat. Although you should make every effort to avoid the eye area, mistakes can happen. Rinse quickly with water if your pet gets this in their eyes. Once you have given your pet a good soapy scrub (with lots of loving reassurance) thoroughly rinse the mixture off and follow with a soothing pet shampoo and rinse. Your pet should then smell considerably better.

Keep in mind that the skunk who sprayed your pet was protecting its home territory. If that happens to be under the garden shed in your backyard, chances are you will have a repeat performance of this unpleasantness sometime in the near future. To avoid this, consider leashing your pets for evening walks and speak to your local wildlife officer for advice on how to encourage the skunk to find a new home.

Sincerely,

The Lilly Brush Team

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Keep Your Pets Safe This 4th of July

Elsie Hamilton — Wed, 03 Jul 2019 20:04:47 +0000

It’s no secret that fireworks and loud noises can really spook your pets. In fact, more pets run away on the 4th of July than any other day. This is something we need to avoid AT ALL COSTS. Due to the acute hearing of cats and dogs, loud noises like fireworks are very alarming. We humans know that the 4th of July is a day of celebration, but our pets do not. With different sounds and lights every few seconds, it is hard to predict when they will happen and can come off as a threat.

Fireworks lead to a fight-or-flight reaction where it increases anxiety and leads to either barking or hiding. It will make the dog feel trapped and they will try to run even though they can’t get away from the sound. We’ve put together a few frightening stats to encourage you to take caution with your pets this 4th of July.

To avoid becoming one the thousands of heartbroken families every 4th of July, we have a few tips on how to ensure your pet and others’ pets are safe during the celebration of our independence. Here is a list of things you can do to help your pet during this confusing time for them :

Start playing firework noises a few days before, maybe even a week to get the pets used to the sounds

Fill their water bowl with water as they will be more thirsty after anxiously panting

Block dog or cat doors

Close curtains to block out bright flashes of light

Keep pets inside, play background noises like a TV or white noise to help mask the sounds.

If home, stay close by. Pets run to their owners as you are a safe haven for them.

Tire them out early in the day – go for a run or walk to make sure they are exhausted later in the night

Keep them distracted – stuff a toy with treats and feed them a few treats throughout the duration of the festivities

Purchase an anxiety vest– gentle pressure around their waist reduces anxiety

We hope this helps! Please take these steps into consideration for your pets sake this 4th of July so we can avoid the heartbreak of losing some of our best friends.

Sincerely,

The Lilly Brush Team

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Top 5 Tricks to Teach Your Dog

Elsie Hamilton — Thu, 20 Jun 2019 19:59:31 +0000

All dogs are cute, but there’s something extra cute about a really well trained pup. A pet who enjoys a close relationship with their best friend usually also enjoys the challenge and fun of learning a few small jobs and tricks as well. Wouldn’t you love for your dog to high-five on command? Or clean up a messy play area? Some are even happy to bring you slippers and an ice cold beer after a long day at work! All it takes is a few things: A lovely furry companion, a patient and fun owner, space to train, and most importantly, treats, treats, and more treats!

It’s no secret that some dogs are smarter than others. We’ve listed a few breeds that might have an easier time learning these fun little stunts! Among the most trainable pups, we have the following breeds: Poodles, Australian Shepherds (just like our Lilly!), Golden Retrievers, Labradors, Collies, German Shepherds, and Corgis. Of course, all dogs are capable of learning tricks and being trained, these breeds just seem to pick it up a little bit quicker! Below is a list of five common tricks to teach your dog. Check out the “How-To” videos for whichever skill you’d like to learn together.

Lilly’s Little Brother, Buck

We would love to see some of the tricks you and your pets have put together! Feel free to submit videos of them to our Instagram (@lillybrushco) or via email (sales@lillybrush.com) for a chance to be featured on our social media outlets!

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No Mess. No Waste. No Refills.

Elsie Hamilton — Fri, 03 May 2019 19:35:39 +0000

As landfills grow into mountains, and single use plastics swirl in our oceans and waterways many of us feel how urgently we must strive to be eco-conscious. At Lilly Brush, we understand how important it is to make choices about everyday consumables with an eye towards how these items will impact our planet, so we have designed our pet hair solutions with that foremost in mind. According to CBS News, consumers spend upwards of $100 MILLION on lint rollers every year. Not only are people wasting their money buying replacement rolls every few weeks, but they are exhausting our planet’s precious resources. This creates thousands of pounds of waste along the way. Not to mention, pet hair is actually compostable, but not when it’s attached to a sticky strip! Those strips become more waste.

Our dedication to sustainability has not made us attractive to retailers whose desire it is to sell products that must be repurchased or refilled often, but frankly, we aren’t too concerned about that. Rather, you can find us in companies such as Duluth Trading Co. who seek to provide the products that will best benefit the consumer. They also have an outstanding reputation for being environmentally friendly. Lilly Brush products are designed and built to last for years of daily use. We are constantly turned away from the big box pet and houseware stores because our model will not provide them with recurring customers. We’re okay with that. At the end of the day, providing a high quality product that supports an important cause is our game.

For homes with fluffy, long haired pets who shed all year long, our washable and reusable Be Forever Furless brushes can clean a whole room in less time than it takes to peel and use one sheet of sticky roller paper! Yes, that fast, and there’s no paper waste to throw away! Just pluck the collected fur from the brush surface and throw it away, or our bird loving enthusiasts tell us that putting collected fur outside in bushes near nest sites makes for cozier baby birds in early spring!

To see just how wasteful a lint roller was, we decided to do our own little test against our reusable Be Forever Furless Brush. Both products were used on a 5 ft. couch full of fluffy pet hair.

Lint Roller:

4 Sticky Strips Used

3 Minutes to Clean

Be Forever Furless Brush:

Zero Sticky Strips Needed

16 Seconds to Clean

Lilly Brush products last a lifetime, leaving our customers satisfied for years to come. If you have any questions about which Lilly Brush product is right for you, we are here to help! Just contact us here at help@lillybrush.com.

Sincerely,

The Lilly Brush Team

The post No Mess. No Waste. No Refills. appeared first on Lilly Brush.

Save Your Sweaters!

Elsie Hamilton — Thu, 25 Apr 2019 20:57:11 +0000

It’s that time of the year! Finally, spring is here and it’s starting to warm up (depending on where you live of course!). With the winter quickly coming to an end, that necessary spring cleaning is looming over our heads. Skis are placed in the attic, snow pants and jackets buried deep in the basement, and our sweaters need to be stored away for the summer. Some things can be stuffed into bins worry free, but we need to Save Our Sweaters!

Moths and carpet beetles love to chew through sweaters that contain bacteria and sweat remains. Storing these items for long periods of time make them more prone to these nasty little creatures. Keeping your sweaters safe all summer long requires some time and care, but it’s really not that hard! We’ve broken down what it takes to keep your sweaters looking brand new year after year.

Photo Courtesy of Today Show

For sweaters with 100% Natural Fibers

HAND WASH
Put your sweater in a bowl of water, cool but not too cold, with liquid detergent (hair shampoo is preferred) and hand wash
- Lay flat on a towel, roll in the towel and pat out excess water. DO NOT RING DRY!
- Transfer to a second dry towel, let sit until dry

Alternative to Washing

Place sweater in freezer or an extremely hot car for 24-48 hours
- This will kill any larvae that have been deposited on the sweater and will then be ready to store for the summer

What Next?

Brush the sweater to remove pills and any other items trapped in the material
If your sweater is knitted from all natural fibers, our Save Our Sweaters Brush can come into play!
- This brush does not work on man made fibers only 100% natural fibers
- Cashmere, silk, cotton, merino
This brush is too gentle to attack pills on materials like polyester and nylon
Place in a cotton bag, or a sweater box with cedar balls

We get it, this is all time consuming. But do you really want to have one of your best golf sweaters or hand knitted Christmas gifts ruined because you didn’t take the time to put it away properly? Nobody loves celebrating the arrival of warm weather by cleaning their house, but a deep spring clean is always necessary. Once next winter comes around, we promise you’ll be ecstatic to find your clean sweaters don’t have any holes or pills and come out looking like new!

Sincerely,

The Lilly Brush Team

The post Save Your Sweaters! appeared first on Lilly Brush.

Postcards From The Amazon Jungle

Elsie Hamilton — Thu, 11 Apr 2019 20:59:47 +0000

Sometime around Christmas last year, I got a call from my mother. “Have you seen this new fur remover on TV. A friend of mine has it and says it’s wonderful. I think they’ve stolen your idea.” As a mom, I can tell you exactly where the panic button is on each one of my kids. My mom had just located mine and romped on it. A copycat product? On TV? Crap! Okay, I have lawyers and a legal fund set up for this. “Mom, what’s the name of this brush you’ve seen?” “Oh, well…I can ask my friend, but I think it’s something with Merlin in it…and fur?” Huh, seriously? Like what, Furlin Merlin?” “Yes, that’s it!”

As it turns out, my mom was talking about a lint brush called the Fur Wizard. You’ve seen a thousand like them before, and fifty thousand since. You swipe the brush one way, and it picks up a bit of lint or fur, then you wipe it off in its container. Inadvertently changing directions while you swipe results in the collected lint offloading back onto your clothes. As it’s really nothing like any of my products, I was not overly concerned.

Then, a few months later, on the Lilly Brush Amazon page, under the heading, “Customers who viewed this item also viewed:” my eye stopped dead on a spin-off Furlin Merlin Alibaba product with the name “Lilly” stamped on it. There it was…a problem. My heart turned frosty and I called my lawyer. “This should be easy;” he said, “just get their name and address and we’ll start with a simple cease and desist.”

Ahhh, damn! In my eight years of dealing with Amazon, I’ve learned that contacting sellers who infringe on trademarks or patents is, in almost every case, a lot like trying to catch a cockroach in the kitchen. As soon as you snap the lights on, they scuttle to some unknown dark place where you’ll never find them. They wait there, watching beady-eyed while you bumble around looking in all the wrong places, and then get right back down to chewing on your business when you’ve gone.

In the case of sellers who use Fulfillment by Amazon, ordering a product doesn’t even provide you with a warehouse return address to send Cease and Desist letters to, and, of course, messages sent through Amazon are steadfastly ignored, or worse, flagged as inappropriate, which rockets you into a whole new circle of Amazon hell.

Even googling seller names often points you towards companies with the same name who know nothing about their name being used on Amazon. (Note to self: Do not unleash the hell-dogs on innocent parties again.) Thus, hidden in every way behind Amazon’s Fulfillment By Amazon cloak, rogue MAP and IP infringers go about their nefarious ways uninterrupted while you implore someone, anyone, at Amazon to hear and act upon your case via the most cumbersome reporting system I have ever endured.

Photo Courtesy of Adventure.com

So, with no other option, I wrote Amazon about the “Lilly” fur remover. It was a clear infringement. Amazon wrote back to say: “Amazon respects a manufacturer’s right to enter into exclusive distribution agreements for its products. However, violations of such agreements do not constitute intellectual property rights infringement. As the enforcement of these agreements is a matter between the manufacturer and the retailers, it would not be appropriate for Amazon to assist in enforcement activities.”

Ugh! They thought I was having a disagreement with one of my own distributors? Wrong answer, Amazon-bot. I sent another message to clarify that this, in fact, was not a distributor disgruntlement, but a non-Lilly Brush fur remover infringing on the “Lilly” name. This apparently worked as the seller was then notified that their product was in violation of Amazon’s Seller Central policy, and the listing was taken down. I was happy. The system had worked. Then I got an email from the seller, and suddenly I began to suspect that instead of taking out a cockroach, I had in effect stomped on a kitten.

Essentially, the email politely explained that it had never been the seller’s intention to infringe on my trademark, and could I please write Amazon to retract my complaint so they could continue selling through their inventory?

Photo Courtesy of Jeanne Williams

Because the seller signed her full name, I was able to get bits and pieces of an online business profile showing a kind-looking woman in Texas. She was married, with grown children, and grand-children, and as I zoomed down out of the sky using the big eye of Google Earth, I found myself standing in the yard of a well-kept little house outside of town. I stood there looking at the garden that the seller had lovingly coaxed up from the hot Texas clay, and thought about what to do next.

I did not get into this business to hurt people. I started the Lilly Brush Company nine years ago, and there have been many times since that we have taken the long way around to do the “right” thing when a less honorable shortcut would have cost less time or money. There is only one thing I draw a hard line on and that is adherence to the rules of the road regarding our intellectual property and brand recognition. We can do the right thing and have the best reputation in the world, but if the lines around who we are blur or break down, all that can dissolve quickly.

I wrote back to say that I could not retract the complaint. The next day I received an email explaining that the seller wanted to apologize for any inconvenience caused by the matter, but that she and her husband were small business owners who had only ever sold a few books on Amazon. Having a product like this lint brush was for them a fairly new endeavor. They hadn’t meant to infringe, but had chosen to use their surname Lilly out of family pride. Now, upon reflection they could see how it might cause some confusion between our brands, thus they would remove the Lilly name from the listing.

At this point, I understood that even if I were to issue a retraction to Amazon, Seller Central would not accept their product with the name Lilly still stamped on each item, and actually, I couldn’t either. It also troubled me to see that their email was signed with “Lilly USA”.

I answered that evening.

Dear Mrs. XXXXXX

Thank you for your email.

I understand your predicament, but I am still concerned that you have not fully considered US patent and trademark laws as you have signed your email with Lilly USA. I hope you understand that by continuing to use the name Lilly for a lint and fur removal product or company it is a very clear infringement on my company’s trademark. I do not take this lightly as I have worked very hard for many years to build a company and reputation upon that trademark.

To fully understand this, please take a moment to read this explanation of these principles: https://www.trademarknow.com/blog/7-factors-for-identifying-trademark-likelihood-of-confusion

All this said, your problem reminds me of many I have weathered as the owner of a small business, so I have searched my mind for viable solutions that I might be able to recommend to you. I know you must have inventory that needs to be sold.

One possible solution is for you to quickly, but carefully, choose another name for your business. Read this before proceeding: https://www.sos.state.tx.us/corp/tradefaqs.shtml

Once you have settled on a name, go to godaddy.com and check for the appropriate dot.com name. Get it, if you can. Find out why you can’t if you can’t.

Once you have a name, create a simple circular logo and have it made into the appropriate sized stickers (I recommend these guys for price and quality) https://www.stickergiant.com/ (Make sure to ask them to send a few samples first so you know if they will stay on) Slap those over the Lilly printed on your products each time you fulfill an order for Amazon, or ebay, or wherever, and you are back in business. It’s not easy, but it’s really the only legal way to get through your currently branded inventory. Note: You must change your Amazon, ebay, etc. listings to reflect your new name.

Please understand that I cannot allow you to sell fur and lint removers under the Lilly name. Doing so could set a legal precedent that might severely impact my company and brand in future if larger, more predatory companies attempted the same.

Regards,

Elsie

In response to my email, the seller wrote that they were grateful for the advice, and also believed that this would be their best course of action. When they stated that they would have to commission new photography for their listing and website, I was troubled. It would cost a great deal for them to do so. I wrote back.

Hello-

One thought…given how expensive photographers are, I might recommend that you consult a freelance layout artist who can use Photoshop to simply change the name on the logo in all of your product photos. This person would also be able to generate an image for your stickers.

If you need the name of a someone who is very reasonably priced and quick, I would be happy to share one of my favorites with you.

To show you what I mean, I have attached an image of a screenshot that I modified as described. It took 3 minutes…very inexpensive alternative to photography.

Best of luck in all your pursuits. Let me know if you need the name of my freelance layout person.

Kind regards,

Elsie

The seller wrote back that she would very much appreciate the name of a reliable layout person. From that point on, we began to work together to get her products back online.

It has been a year since the seller and I first exchanged emails, and I am happy to report that we remain friends to this day, writing back and forth with ideas and advice and commiserations over the difficulty of navigating the Amazon jungle. We share our best resources and favorite musicians, and songs, and stories about our families, and wish each other well on holidays. When I last checked, the seller’s rebranded product was back on Amazon. I suppose you could say we are once again in competition for the same customers, but this time our seller souls are in sync, and with new understanding in our hearts, we are sincerely rooting for each other’s success.

Sincerely,

Founder, Elsie Hamilton