The Pet Games Video Contest Winner Is Jesse

SOURCE: BISSELL Homecare, Inc.


Oct 06, 2008 08:00 ET
BISSELL® Selects Winner of the Pet Games Video Contest

Congratulations to Jesse, the Handstanding Jack Russell Terrier!



GRAND RAPIDS, MI--(Marketwire - October 6, 2008) - Jesse, a Jack Russell terrier from Litchfield Park, Ariz., has been selected as the winner of BISSELL Homecare, Inc.'s Pet Games Video Contest. Jesse will be featured nationally on the Lift-Off® Revolution® Pet Vacuum packaging and BISSELL will make a $10,000 donation on behalf of his owner, Heather Brook, to the pet cause of her choice. On October 7, Jesse will be in Phoenix for his photo shoot for the Lift-Off packaging, and Brook will present the $10,000 donation check to the AZ Jack Russell Rescue, Inc.


"The Pet Games Video Contest was a creative way to engage pet lovers across the country and increase awareness about BISSELL's commitment to providing pet owners with the best cleaning tools to care for their pets," says Jim Krzeminski, BISSELL's executive vice president of product development, sales and marketing. "Jesse is a talented dog who is great fun to watch. We are delighted to feature him on the Lift-Off vacuum and also support a great pet charity."


The contest gave pet owners the opportunity to share videos of their pets performing tricks, playing games or demonstrating a unique talent. Jesse outshone the competition with his flashy tricks that included performing walking handstands and jumping rope. Jesse has received many accolades for his talents: he recently jumped rope on the "Rachael Ray" show, was a finalist in a talent search contest with PETCO and won a nomination for the Worldwide FIDO competition.


In addition, Jesse passed the American Kennel Club's 10-Step Canine Good Citizen Program, which stresses responsible pet ownership for owners and basic good manners for dogs. The 10 steps included walking on a loose leash, accepting a friendly stranger and obeying certain commands. Brook maintains a special Web site for Jesse to post videos and photos and share updates -- Jesse has an extensive and growing fan base!


The recipient of the $10,000 donation is AZ Jack Russell Rescue, Inc., a non-profit corporation in Phoenix that is dedicated to helping displaced and abandoned Jack Russell terriers throughout the state. A portion of the donation will be used to finish remodeling the barn where Jack Russell terriers live while waiting for their new forever families to find them.


BISSELL is a supporter of charities across the country, with emphasis on
pet adoption. For more information about the contest and BISSELL's complete line of pet-care products, visit http://www.bissell.com/Pet_Lovers__Products.aspx.


About BISSELL Homecare, Inc.


A 132-year-old company, Grand Rapids-based BISSELL Homecare, Inc. is a floor-care innovator and international manufacturer of home-cleaning products, including sweepers, vacuums, deep-cleaning machines and cleaning formulas sold at retail locations worldwide. The company, in its fourth generation of family leadership, is the seventh-oldest privately held manufacturing company in the United States.

CONTACT:
Beth Jester (616) 791-1572
Lisa Mabe (336) 774-9434
Kathleen Moriarty(336) 774-9215