from the publisher’s desk
Ginnie Roeglin
WHEN THE CONNECTION issued a call asking mem-
bers to tell us about their businesses and organizations
related to pets, little did we anticipate the number of
people who would respond—or the overwhelming
passion they have for their pets. We received hundreds
of letters, e-mails and faxes from pet lovers, all of whom
have managed to do exciting and innovative things with
animals. We profile some of them in our cover story
this month (and more in our Online Edition).
Why did we choose this topic? For starters, as I, the
owner of three lovely dogs, can attest, pets are a signifi-
cant part of our lives. As reporter Stephanie Ponder points out, more than 63 percent
of U.S. households own a pet. They offer us comfort, companionship, security—and, in
particularly inspiring cases, direct help in everyday chores. In short, they enrich our lives.
From the standpoint of your pocketbook, we chose this story because Costco offers a
wide variety of pet products in the warehouses and online at costco.com. Our mission is
to offer great value on the everyday expenditures in life, whether it’s laundry detergent or
car insurance. Or pet supplies.
Winter was long and hard in many parts of the country this year, including the
Pacific Northwest, where Costco is headquartered. We had floods, windstorms and snow,
on top of the normal steady flow of rain. That’s why I’m particularly excited to see our
“Buying Smart” feature on outdoor furniture in this issue. The arrival of this attractive,
durable furniture in the warehouses and costco.com is a sure sign that spring is just
around the corner. This year, we are pleased to offer our own Kirkland Signature™
collection, as well as exciting pieces by leading manufacturers.
In the warehouses and at costco.com, we wrap up our annual Wallet of Savings
coupon-book program this month with great deals on electronics, food and housewares.
We’ll also help you prepare for spring with savings on a variety of outdoor items, includ-
ing lawn mowers, swing sets, spas, barbecue grills, patio sets, awnings, tents and more. If
you don’t have a Wallet, pick one up in your local warehouse.
Enjoy your pets—and the arrival of spring. C
Ginnie Roeglin is Senior Vice
President, E-Commerce and
Publishing, and Publisher of
The Costco Connection.
from the editor’s desk
David W. Fuller
REGULAR READERS of this column know that I don’t
usually write the tried-and-true front-of-the-book
teaser tour of the month’s issue.
But it’s time for a change.
That’s because I noticed that this month’s issue is full
of winners. Not that winning is everything, but it would be
David W. Fuller is Assistant foolish to believe we can’t learn a few things from winners.
Vice President, Publishing, and For starters, we have the talented winners of the
Editor of The Costco Connection. 2006 Costco International Photo Contest. You can
see 10 of their winning entries, beginning on page 24,
and all winning photos in our Online Edition (go to costco.com, click on “Costco
Connection Magazine”). These folks rose to the top out of a field of more than 30,000
entries after rigorous rounds of electronic and hands-on scrutiny by our blue-ribbon
panel of judges. Congratulations to all winners.
Then we have the three members who won our Backyard Make-over Contest (see
page 32). These members really had to get down and dirty to take honors in a competition demonstrating their transformation of rocky plots into pleasant oases. More kudos.
And how about all of the pet-loving entrepreneurs featured in our cover story (page
18) These are people who have found sustainable ways of making a living by working
with the animals (and people) they love. If that’s not winning, I don’t know what is.
We’ve got plenty of other winners in this issue, from columnists Paul and Sarah
Edwards, Suze Orman and David Horowitz, to member/poet Brian Nomi (page 64), to
singer/songwriter Norah Jones (page 37). But there is one more winner of whom I want
to take special note: author Richard Carlson, who passed away late last year (see page
41). His books inspired millions and his gentle life inspired those who knew him personally. We mourn the loss of a true winner. C
