The Pet Futon: Furniture for your Favourite Fuzzy Friend We all know them, those crazy pet lovers who let their pets sleep on their beds, lounge on their furniture and take over their lives. Well it seems this phenomena is only getting stronger, as 52% of Canadian households are home to companion animals. It is estimated that Canada is home to more than three million dogs and four million cats - a total of more than seven million companion animals coast-to-coast, not including other pets such as gerbils, hamsters and fish. Dion and Diane Widrich are part of this trend. They own two cats and a dog, which they cater to hand and foot. With feline companions Ruffles and Simba and canine companion Roxie making every comfy place in the house theirs, it was time to take action. As most pet owners know, all animals love to have a cushion or blanket to call their own. Of course, they still love our furniture, but by giving them their own cushy place, you can alleviate both the pet fur on your couch and the embarrassment of asking your guests to sit on the floor. Well-exercised dogs and most cats love to lounge around most of the day. If they are sleeping on the same cushion, bed or blanket, the wear and tear means having to replace them frequently. With the oils in their fur and whatever else they bring in from outdoors, that very cute bed needs washing or it will look filthy. "After a few months, the pet beds looked horrible. I am quite handy and I thought I'd construct something myself," says Dion. And voila! The Pet Futon was born. It not only fits in with your décor, but it is washable and it also lasts.

"After producing a few on my own, I worked with manufacturers who made some recommendations and improvements on my design," explains Dion. The result, a well-made, simple to assemble and maintain Pet Futon that is taking the nation by storm. The bed is elevated off of the floor. This gives your pets the illusion of actually being on the couch. It is all the comfort of a real couch, and the Pet Futon is designed for pets in mind. The Pet Futon comes in several colours and sizes, with the biggest one being the King-size, which can support a 150-pound Newfoundland with ease. Each of the beds is shipped unassembled, but tools and screws are provided to ensure that each bolt is properly tightened. Dogs in particular are prone to stress-related injuries especially from lying on the cold hard floor. The Pet Futon is elevated from the floor. A heavy-duty canvas base sits on natural pine supports, while a separate, washable cushion is added for comfort. The casings for the cushions are removable and washable, and the interior, also encased, is filled with cedar chips to repel fleas, absorb odor and moisture. That means, not only is your pet bed great to look at, it will also remain virtually unscented. Just like changing your own sheets, simply take the case off, and throw in the washer, then hang the case to dry. Décor is as much an issue as functionality. With many patterns and colors to choose from, it is easy to find a Pet Futon to fit in with your living room, bedroom or sunroom. Designed by pet owners, for pets, Dion and Diane Widrich are dedicated to providing a high-quality, attractive product for the market.