Thursday, 18 March 2004
Wabbits, Weptiles and Winston The Poo: The Pet Expo - PERSPECTIVES - THE COMMENTARY
By Michael Kwan
“Hi, I should be on the media list. Last name: Kwan.”
“Media list?”
“Yeah, or there should be tickets placed aside for me?”
“Hmm, I don’t know. What’s your name again?”
“Last name Kwan; first name Michael.”
“Nope, I don’t see anything here for you. You said you’re on a media list? What’s a media list?”
“Oh geez, there’s nothing there for me? I was sent by my editor, Joseph Planta, to come and cover this show and he said there’d be tickets for me.”
“Sorry, I don’t see anything, um…..”
“Okay, I’ll give Joseph a call”
*ring* *ring*
*no answer*
*A manager of some sort walks over and speaks to the girl selling the admission tickets*
“He says he’s on a media list?”
“Yeah, here’s a copy of the email I received”
*She reads it*
“Hmm, yeah, it’s from Cathy. Yeah, that’s fine. Go ahead.”
“It’s fine?”
“Yes.”
First impressions are of utmost importance when it comes to love, job-hunting, friendship, business, and every other aspect of one’s life. This also includes the first impression a customer/client has when approaching an establishment (here an exhibition) for the first time. Needless to say, I was not impressed with the initial treatment I received as I attempted to enter the First Annual Vancouver Pet Expo last Saturday, March 13th. Perhaps that initial experience will colour this review of the Expo; perhaps not. In either case, that is my caveat to this piece.
I wasn’t sure what to expect as I entered the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre at Canada Place. As I entered through the double doors, I wasn’t sure if I was entering a trade show/flea market type set-up or a high school science fair. Someone tried to sell me soap specially designed for dogs. There was a seminar theatre, educating a small audience on Chihuahuas. Maybe I’ve seen too many Taco Bell commercials, but I was immediately reminded of a rat-on-crack trying to sell me on gorditas and chalupas. As I continued down that track, I was made immediately aware of the different clubs that available to dog owners in BC – breed specific at that. There was a club for Akita owners, Chihuahua enthusiasts, and rescuers of ex-racing Greyhounds. “Greyhound Pets, Inc.: Ex-Racing Greyhound Adoption Program” was actually quite charming. They have about a half dozen ex-racing greyhounds of varying ages, very happily resting on their doggie pillows. Scrawny little things, none were averse to receiving some passing attention from each passer-by.
At 12:30 pm, I was drawn to the agility demonstration put on by “Paws Ahead: K-9 Sports Centre / Daycare and Agility Training.” At first, it was a completely haphazard collection of canines of all shapes and sizes running through a haphazardly designed course. This was immediately reminiscent of my childhood days watching the Techni-Cal (now Eukanuba) Superdogs at the PNE each summer. I immediately discovered the difference: these dogs were amateurs and rookies with handlers to match. That’s not to say the show wasn’t entertaining, but what it does show is that these dogs were just normal pets having a good time and not “superdogs,” as it were. Across from this Main Stage was the Cinemazoo petting zoo, with rabbits, pigs, goats, and even a cow. There was a tiny baby bunny in particular with endless energy. Absolutely fearless, he’d hop into the hopper where the other animals were trying to have a meal.
As I continued along, I came across a booth that couldn’t help but draw my attention. “Urine-off” « http://www.urine-off.ca » is a product that eliminates the ghastly odour of pet (and human, for that manner) urine. Having a pair of rabbits of my own, one of which is not opposed to have his fair share of accidents and pungent aftermath, I enquired further. “Enzymes begin the process. Fresh stains are removed quickly while older stains usually require 2-3 daily applications. Urine odour and stains can be effectively removed from both porous and non-porous surfaces such as carpeting, tiles and grout.” I was told that the enzymes do not mask the smell, but rather convert the urine into simply water and carbon dioxide. What you are left with is a more pleasant smell and no stain. Michael Boschitsch, President of Misam Canada Distribution Inc (distributors of Urine-Off), was happy to give me a free sample to try, with absolutely no pressure to buy that day. That’s quite atypical of what one normally finds in other trade shows and markets, and for that, I commend him.
As I continued along, I came across Vancouver Rabbit Rescue and Advocacy « http://www.vrra.org », which, upon hearing about our two furry friends back home, very quickly handed us a stack of pamphlets describing proper care, feeding and whatnot. Across from the VRRA was Wrappin’ About Reptiles « http://www.wrappinaboutreptiles.com ». They had quite a collection of the non-furry persuasion. Everything from box turtles to boas; this was certainly one of the more interesting booths at the show and certainly the one with the most live animals on display. There was Mortimer, an African Spurred tortoise, who was larger than the average backpack. There was a collection of over 30 smaller snakes housed in Petri-dish like containers. One of the handlers removed an albino boa from his terrarium, and I gave it a stroke. This was my first time touching a live snake, and let me tell you, I was pleasantly surprised. He (?) was warm and quite soft to the touch. The common myth of a slimy or rough snake is far from the truth. That was the nicest leather I’ve ever touched, that’s for sure.
At 1:15 pm, Cinemazoo, a 16-year old company, presented a number of exotic pets. Their emphasis for this particular presentation was showing animals that are the objects of a number of people’s phobias. Cinemazoo provides animals for videos, movies, television shows, and even music videos. But because they can’t possibly care for every possible animal that a television studio or movie producer may request, Cinemazoo also acts as an agent (including providing acting lessons) for your pets. The host proudly exclaimed that their animals have been featured in videos by Britney Spears, Men in Black, 101 Dalmatians, Sesame Street, and even Fear Factor. Yes, Fear Factor and to demonstrate this, for the next 15-20 minutes or so, they paraded out a line of animals one after another. First up was a pair of tarantulas, hairy little buggers they were. They then proceeded to show us an African Bullfrog. With their two dagger-like teeth and affinity to bite and not let go, the host proclaimed the bullfrog to be a great security frog, digesting half-grown rats. We were also treated to Ball Pythons, Boa Constrictors, and Burmese Pythons, the last of which can and will grow in excess of 200 pounds and 27 feet. But we’ve already seen all of these on television or movies before. What was most interesting was the last animal: the Dumbo-eared hairless rat, which does not exist in the wild. Yes, hairless – it looked like a miniature sphinx with huge ears. Used primarily for laboratory work, these marvels have the same intelligence as the average two-year-old child.
This show was pretty disappointing, if you ask me. Housed in such a small space, there simply wasn’t that much to be offered. Either the booth was trying to sell you their latest product or service, or the booth was for a club of owners of a particular breed. Sure, it was interesting to see the Bull Terrier club and the Akita club, but to a non-dog owner, they were of little interest. However, that being said, I was drawn to one particular booth in the far corner, far away from the centre of attention and action. The Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue, as its name implies, rescues orphaned kittens and raises them until they can be adopted and properly taken care of in a loving home. I was introduced to seven-day old Winston the Poo, son of Feral. (Wow, it’s almost as if I’m in a Lord of the Rings film or something). The tiny little white kitten with the most darling pair of black stripes running over the top of his head was absolutely adorable. He wasn’t much bigger than an overgrown hamster. Prone to infection, show-goers were not invited to pet the little blind cat, but he may be put up for adoption, like the rest of the kittens raised by this organization, when he reaches the age of about eight or nine weeks.
My full album of photographs taken during the Pet Expo can be found here: « http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4287438043 »
Imagestation membership is free, so if you don’t have a membership, sign up. :)
Visit The Commentary's Senior Contributing Writer Michael Kwan's own website, Now That's Entertainment. . .