Another online retailer in trouble is Petopia.com. That company is laying off 60% of its workforce, or about 120 employees. It, too, had been seeking additional financing, to no avail. PETCO owns 26% of Petopia.

And, in still more dotcom news, PETsMART has bought a controlling interest in PETsMART.com. Part of the deal is to merge PETsMART's catalog subsidiary (including RC Steele) in with the online group. It looks like they'll be the only big survivor.

In June, Petstore.com closed and sold out to Pets.com.

There's more bad news in the pet industry. Thompson Nutritional Technology, maker of Thompson's Pet Pasta and various treats and nutraceuticals, has closed its factory and is filing for bankruptcy. The company has been for sale since June.

Thompson's, of Kansas City, had one of the most modern factories in the petfood business. The company made most of its money in recent years producing foods for other companies. It made the Authority line for PETsMART, as well as pet food for a major Northwest health food chain.

The company did $29 million in sales last year.

No word yet on where Authority production will move.

Holistic is one of those catch-phrases which seem to take on new meaning when the marketers get it. Its original meaning, though, is about looking after the well-being of the whole individual, not just the individual parts.

Our friends at Eagle Pack® recognize the need to help the entire dog. For years, all of their formulas have been made with ingredients to help along digestion, reduce odors, and keep the dog healthy.

Now Eagle is taking the holistic nutrition concept to the next level with the introduction of Eagle Pack Super Premium Holistic Select™ formula for puppies and adult dogs.

Holistic Select, is made with certified organically-grown chicken, plus the following wholesome ingredients: amaranth and human-edible oatmeal, human-grade brown rice (99% digestible), whole ground barley, naturally grown fruits and vegetables, alfalfa, garlic, beta carotene, glucosamine, and chicory root extract.

Like all Eagle Pack formulas, Holistic Select is naturally preserved and contains Eagle's Wellness for Life nutritional supplements, including their PRE-PRO™ Fiber System, balanced Omega 6:3 fatty acids, plus higher digestibility than any other holistic brand.

Eagle's Holistic Select formula is available exclusively at independent pet product retailers.

For more information about Eagle Pack Super Premium Holistic Select™ or any of Eagle's other quality formulas, call Eagle's Customer Service department at 1-800-255-5959.

New Purina Celebrity Calendar Ready

It's calendar time, and Purina is again sponsoring a Celebrity/Charity dog calendar. This year's cover celebs are Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker, and their dog, Sally.

"We love Sally because she not only speaks perfect English, but also French and Italian. And when we go out of town and she has a party with all her friends, she always cleans up the whole house by the time we return. We just simply love her," said Parker.

Other featured stars include popular band 'NSYNC, teen country star Lee Ann Rimes, mega-model Claudia Schiffer, and a variety of sports figures, all sporting their dogs, along with a quote from the owners.

Ralston Purina's 2001 Incredible Dogs Calendar is part of Purina's effort to support Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF). The company will contribute nearly a quarter of a million dollars to ARF on behalf of the celebrities who appear in the 2001 calendar.

You can get a calendar by making a donation of $5.00 or more to ARF. Send a check or money order to: Incredible Calendar Offer, ARF, P.O. Box 30215, Walnut Creek, CA 94598.

Since its creation in 1990 by St. Louis Cardinals' manager, Tony La Russa, and his wife, Elaine, ARF has helped place thousands of homeless dogs and cats. Currently, ARF supports numerous programs that safeguard animals and create positive relationships between animals and people in disadvantaged circumstances. A complete description of ARF's programs and services can be obtained by visiting the foundation's website at www.tlr-arf.org.

Sometimes things just don't work out the way you want them to. Steve's Real Food for Dogs Freeze-Dried version had some packaging problems last spring that cut the shelf-life of the food. Once Steve Brown figured out what was going on, he began to develop a new stay-fresh-longer package. Production of the freeze-dried food in the new package was scheduled for January. Then Steve got word that the freeze-drying plant is tied up doing Cup-a-Soups until March. That means no freeze-dried Steve's dog food until April.

When the food returns, there will be three varieties, Beef, Turkey, and original Chicken. All varieties will have vegetables and fruit. And a cat food will be made, too.

In the meantime, Steve's Real Food frozen version will still be available at pet stores in various parts of the country. For details, see Steve's website, http://www.realdogfood.com.

Sales are down, profits are up at Ralston Purina. But Wall St. pressures mean it's time to raise prices. Purina products will go up about 5% on all its North American dog and cat food products, effective January 8, 2001. It's the first such price increase in four years.

Nestle USA Inc.'s Friskies PetCare Division will also raise the price of its U.S. dry and canned dog and cat foods, plus treats, by an average 4%, effective January 2. This is to offset increasing commodity prices and distribution costs. ALPO, Come 'N Get It® and Friskies brands are among those included.

For more pet food industry news, visit our sister publication, Dog Industry Newsletter, online at http://www.petfoodnews.com for a sample issue.