Are Aluminum Dog Tags Safe?

I love my red collar with it's shiny dog tags.  Mom says they are made of stainless steel.  She says she pays a bit more for them, but I'm worth it.  In fact all five of us wear stainless steel tags.  Mom even bought one for the rat!

My friend Snickers doesn't have a shiny tag like mine.  His dad says Snickers' tags are made of something called aluminum.  Mom and I like Snickers and his dad, so Mom explained to him why my tags are a better buy.

When you buy a dog tag for your dog, it's because you want to be returned to us safely if you get lost, right?  It's not a necklace or some sort of decoration.  It has a purpose.  If I lose Mom, I want someone to know how to find her again.  That's why I wear my name and Mom's name, address and phone number on my tag.  I've had my tag for a long time - almost as long as I can remember.  At least as long as we have lived in the country house.  Mom says it still looks as good as when she first bought it. 

Stainless steel doesn't rust.  And I can't chew it up (even if I could reach it.  I have a CollarTag™ so that's almost impossible!).  But Mom says aluminum is soft - one of the softest metals available.  She told Snickers' dad to think about how easy it is to crush an aluminum can.  Mom says aluminum tags wear out very quickly.  She says the writing gets harder to read the longer the tag is worn - and most people don't think to change their dogs' tags regularly.  Pretty soon you can't even read what's there.  So when you lose your mom or dad, no one will be able to help you find them because they can't read where your mom or dad are. 

Mom says she gets lots of questions asking if aluminum dog tags are safe.  The problem is not safety of the tags.  It's the fact that they are so cheaply made and wear out so quickly that it's not safe to wear them because you don't know if anyone can read what it says.  Aluminum is okay.  It's not being able to find your mom or dad that isn't safe!

What tag should you buy?  One like mine if you can.  CollarTags™ from Boomerang Tags.  Mom says they are the best dog tag available.  But if you can't get the CollarTags™, please check out their selection of plastic, stainless steel, or brass tags.  Anything but aluminum!    

Boomerang Tags "For Pets That Come Back"

We are getting the car packed to head for Orlando in the morning. I'm excited! I haven't been to Florida in a while. I'll be sure to tell you all about it.

Mom and Ms. PopArt had a long phone call the other day. Mom said Ms. PopArt suggested I start setting up other sites of my own like a MySpace page and some YouTube videos. I don't know what all of that is but I'm all for anything that lets me show everyone how smart I am about traveling with Mom so they can learn too. I think we'll get started on these when we get back from Orlando.

Mom has my packing list out and she is putting all my stuff in my little travel bag - my collar, my leash. She packed the collar with my dog tags on it even though I have a microchip. She says it's an extra layer of protection.

I like my dog tag. It doesn't hang down and get in my way or get caught on things like other dogs' that I have seen. It's a collar tag. And it doesn't clink when I walk which helps a lot when I'm stalking cats or squirrels! If you aren't sure what a collar tag is, I have a picture so you can see what it looks like. This isn't my collar. Mine's already packed and I'm not letting Mom dig it out to take a picture! I love my Mom but she forgets things when we travel. That's why she has a list. But sometimes even that doesn't help. I could tell you stories..... But back to the tags. This is a picture off the Boomerang website. That's where mom buys my tags. It looks just like my red collar so you will still be able to see just how cool it is. Mine looks like the top one.

Mom said she first checked Boomerang out because she just liked their advertising: Boomerang Tags "For Pets That Come Back". Then she read more about them and she says they are the best dog tags on the market. She says they may not be "cute" but when it comes to keeping me safe she'd rather have functional than cute. And besides I'm cute enough already! And I think they look great - I'm a manly dog and I don't want anything "cute". Aspen, Pixel and Zeena can wear "cute"!

Mom says Boomerang tags are more durable (that means they last a long time) than those cheap aluminum tags. I've had mine for 6 years now. That's how long they last!

You don't have to get a tag like mine. Boomerang also makes those "hangy" tags if you really want one. You can get a metal one like mine or you can get a plastic one. They are both guaranteed, just like mine.

Mom says she buys my tag to keep me safe so if she gets lost, someone will know how to help me find her again. She says since that's what it's for she wants me to have one that will stay on my collar. She wants the people helping me find her to be able to read my name so they know who I am, and my address and phone number so they know where I live and how to reach Mom. Mom has never been lost, but it makes me feel safer knowing that she has done things to help me find her again.

If you want to find out more about Boomerang tags, check out their website at www.boomerangtags.com. And tell them Travelin' Bob sent you. I don't get anything if you do, but I want them to know how much Mom and I like their tags.

Heading for Orlando in the morning! I'll keep you posted on my trip!