I spend a lot of time talking about pet health, and with good reason.  Every decision that’s made at Oxbow is ultimately made to benefit the health of pets all over the world.  Every new product, every quality measure, every new store we place our products in – all of these things have a strong impact on countless pets. 

In the process of spending so much time thinking of pets, it’s sometimes possible to overlook the benefits pets have on the individuals responsible for making healthy, responsible decisions on their behalf.  I like to think of pet parents as ambassadors for their pets.  Just as pets benefit from healthy foods and enriching products, their ambassadors benefit from having animals in their lives.

Much has been written about the positive effects pets have on the lives of those who take care of them.  Pets can improve mental and physical health in many ways.  Pets have been shown to help lower anxiety, stress, blood pressure, and to help with depression.  Children who grow up in a household with pets can develop less allergies than those who don’t.  The list goes on and on.

At the end of the day, pets give us so much more than we could ever imagine.  In exchange for making sure their basic needs are met, pets improve our quality of life in countless ways, always offering their unconditional love.  As pet ambassadors, we provide pets the opportunity to bring their joy and offer their many selfless gifts. 

To pets and pet ambassadors alike, thank you.

“Competition is not only the basis of protection to the consumer, but is the incentive to progress.” – Herbert Hoover

I have a confession to make; I want to win.  Whether it’s a board game with family or a real life business application, I’m driven by the same internal desire to be the best.  While this might get a little annoying during holiday games of Monopoly, I consider it an asset otherwise.      

In any line of work, competition is a healthy measure for all involved.  When you strive to be the best, your competitors have no choice but to do the same.  Pushing your competition is healthy and is a sign of respect toward your industry and customers.  The end result of this process is a better product, a stronger company, and a stronger industry.  In my line of work, this means higher quality nutrition and safer, healthier products for millions of pets all around the world.   

While the concept of competition can be made to sound as corporate and technical as you want it to, I believe it all comes down to that singular, internal drive to want to win.  Every great company is made up of individuals who approach their work with the attitude of wanting to be the best not just for themselves, but as a symbol of respect for the gift of their time on Earth.  To stick with the Monopoly metaphor, these individuals are driven to “put hotels on Park Place,” no matter the task. 

I'm proud to say that my company is made up of a wonderful group of people who share my competitive drive.  Together, we do our part to contribute to healthy growth and progress throughout the industry.  Just don’t ask us to play Monopoly. 
 

As was the case for many folks throughout the country, spring arrived early at Oxbow. One look around outside throughout March showed signs everywhere – buds on the trees, grass turning green overnight, the general feeling of an early rebirth. Spring is breathtaking enough when it’s on schedule. As it turns out, an unexpected, early spring is even more awe inspiring.

Spring is especially meaningful when your livelihood is defined by nature. Everything we do at Oxbow centers around a pure product of nature - hay. While men may be responsible for farming hay, it’s Mother Nature who guides it along the way.

An early spring means that the hay fields around Oxbow have sprung to life earlier this year - already they’re growing, thriving, working to be their best. If you ask me, it’s hard not to feel inspired to do the same.