Molly is a 7 year old Golden-Border Collie mix. She was rescued by the Viegut family from the Green Bay Humane Society when she was 6 months old. In retrospect…we’re not really sure who rescued who. Just 5 months prior, Nicki, a Malamute-Terrier mix had succumbed to kidney failure at the age of 13. The family was devastated, the mood in the house was melancholy and over the next several months it became clear that something…someone was missing. That’s when the Viegut family took a drive to the Green Bay Humane Society to “just take a look”. You can probably predict what happened next…that’s right…they came home with one extra passenger…an adorable, clumsy puppy…who was looking for a loving family. The rest is history. Molly loves chasing bunnies and squirrels in her back yard, riding on the boat (which turns into napping on the boat) and playing with the kids. So…who rescued who? Back to top

My boys Moe and Charlie are truly like kids to me. Sassy is my other cat, but she would never be caught dead snuggling with her brother or making a photo op with them so she is not pictured. When I speak in terms of furry kids they are just extensions of my family. I always tell people I have four kids Moe, Sassy, Charlie and my little Lucy. Each one of my kids has a very different personality about them. Sassy is a keep to herself kind of kid. Only wants attention on her terms. Charlie can’t stand to be alone and finds nothing more amusing then to torment Sassy every day. Moe is the middle child he gets along with both Sassy and Charlie, however, he can’t help himself when he sees Charlie picking on Sassy to join in.  At the end of each night Moe and Charlie snuggle together in one of the beds just showing how truly caring of animals they are. The Olsen Family needs them as much as they need us. Back to top

Ceasar, now 4 years old, was a rescue pit bull we got when he was only a few weeks old. Like his breed is often described, he is high strong, energetic, and loyal. But don’t let stereotypes fool you, this guy has enough affection to go around. He is very friendly and loves to show off his toys to anyone who comes over. Ceasar keeps us active by always being at our side looking for some attention and excitement.

Ivy was the last of her litter-a boxer/American bulldog mix-that a family member picked up. We took her in at about 5 months old. Now nearing 5 years old, Ivy has proven to be a rare gem. She is naturally a calm-mannered dog and is very patient. Not to be confused with lazy, she watches everything around her and is a quick learner. She loves being outside, especially swimming, and will be-friend any person or animal she gets close to. Back to top

"He who learns fast, gets fewer treats" is my Chihuahua Kitas motto. I got Kita when she was eight weeks old and today at eleven years old, she has just as much spunk and energy (when she wants) as if she is still that tiny puppy.  Kita is a very loyal pet and loves to stick by my side whenever I am around.  Her favorite things are car rides and treats, I think she loves my job here at Vital Essentials more than I do! Every night I come home from work, it’s her first priority to sniff my pockets in hopes that a treat or two will fall out.     

As for my Chihuahua Tito, he wasn't in my plan. On my birthday, I decided that I would take an innocent walk around the Green Bay Humane Society only to look but at the very last cage, there was Tito. As I walked up, a volunteer was putting up the "Now Available for Adoption" sign and I took that as a sign that Tito should be a birthday gift to myself. Although they couldn't pin point an exact age, they estimated him to be six months old and when I got him home, it was very clear he had some puppy years left in him. Two couches and a chair later, I think he is finally over the chewing apart cushions phase...or at least I hope!

Astro, our mini-pinscher, is the puppy in the pack and has two modes: lightning and sleeping. There is no middle ground for this little guy! His favorite past time is ripping the ‘guts’ out of any stuffed animals he can get his paws on to.  He keeps the other dogs young by constantly urging them to join along in his bouncing outbursts around the house.  Each one of them have a special place in our hearts and home and without them, life wouldn’t be the same. 

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Thanks for wanting to get to know more about me. I am excited to share with you a little bit about myself and my kids o… I mean pets. I have loved animals from the day I can remember whether it be domestic or wild. My perfect day would be visiting a zoo or taking my dogs for a walk on the beach.  My passion for photography also has helped me make a lot of new friends in the dog world. I make weekly visits to the dog park to meet new people and their pets and offer free photos.

My life would not be complete without my two Chihuahua’s Frosty and Nugget. They have been in my life now for 8 years and brighten each day after work with their wiggly butts and wagging tails. I have now found my third passion in life and it is working for Vital Essentials. I am the customer service and graphic design girl and I love my job. I can meet even more pet lovers across the United States every day and spread the word about the benefits Vital Essentials provides and make many more dogs wag their tails in happiness. That alone makes everyday a great day. Thank you for checking me out and please enjoy the rest of our site we have a lot of new and exciting things being added weekly. Back to top

Molly isn’t a pet I own, she is my third child, sometimes the only child that listens to me. Molly is my daily reminder to find joy in life’s little blessings, take time to smell the flowers (or in her case the mailboxes, fire hydrants, etc.), and to always enjoy my walk no matter what the weather. Back to top

My entire life has revolved around animals, primarily dogs and horses. I am the proud Mom of 4 fur kids, 3 of whom are adopted. Milo is my 11 year old talkative and very silly Black Lab, whose favorite pastime is playing fetch, preferably in a lake.  Gus and Max are my tenacious 9 year old Mastiff mixes who love to cuddle and get belly rubs. Lucy is my 13 year old Lab mix who rules the roost and keeps the boys on their best behavior.  It is a gift to have such remarkable companions in my life; their unconditional love and devotion makes every day brighter. Back to top

I strive to be the kind of person my dog thinks I am. A lofty goal for sure! Growing up with dogs, cats, rabbits, and three brothers, you come to appreciate the unconditional love offered by our companion animals! I am still awed by Honcho's reaction when I come home. Whether gone a week visiting some of the coolest retailers in the pet industry, or gone for ten minutes at a neighbor's, my return makes his day. Reality is, his reaction makes mine. I started selling dog food in 1984, helping pet parents, retailers, and wholesale distributors feel that wag of unconditional love. And a healthier pet eating a healthier diet, will wag or purr longer. What I do is much more than a vocation - it's an avocation. So if you see a car with Maryland tags that say "DOGFOOD", be sure to say hi. Back to top

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I am the very proud owner of three very funny and sweet canine companions. Sammy the Pit bull is quite the breed ambassador and also a true social butterfly. He has never met a stranger and everyone he does meet falls in love with his big ole smile and charming personality. He knows that he is quite handsome and likes to say his celebrity look alike is Petey from The Little Rascals. He is a master of the ‘high five’ and will do several of those tricks each day to get his paws on some tripe nibblets. Skylar is a pit mix with huge ears and a goofy tongue she never quite grew into. She is the originator of the ‘puppy dog eyes’ and mom’s little beauty queen. She too is a social butterfly with a spunky personality and what I like to call ‘selective hearing’ at times. She is usually the most popular kid at the dog park and likes to say her celebrity look alikes are Spuds McKenzie or the Target mascot. Her hobbies are tap dancing, Frisbee, cuddling, swimming, taking long rides in the car, and a good raw marrow bone. Dobie is a shepherd/ greyhound mix and probably the goofiest of the bunch. He is known for his singing voice, helicopter tail and his signature hugs. He is the youngest of the pack with an exceptional amount of energy so he enjoys running long distances and a good game of tug-o-war. He is unsure of his size which always makes for a good laugh when he plays with smaller dogs or tries to sit in your lap. He is certainly my little comedian and will do whatever it takes to get his paws on a beef spare rib. My three kiddos each have their unique personalities and make me laugh each day. They all love brushing their teeth with a “B-O-N-E” (yes, I have to spell it) or going on a “W-A-L-K” (yes, I have to spell that one too). They have been eating a raw diet for several years and in witnessing the benefits, I have developed a strong passion for their nutritional needs. I have loved watching my little carnivores thrive on the raw diet just as mother nature intended. I am now lucky enough to have turned my passion of raw feeding into a rewarding career and share it with the world! Let food by thy medicine and long live pets! Back to top

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