When Linda Braun got her first dog about five years ago, she was very excited. She loved taking her pooch out for long walks. She especially enjoyed meeting and chatting with other dog owners about things they liked to do with their dogs and places they could go to enjoy special times with their pets.

But, inevitably, she would lose contact with most of those other dog owners. Braun wanted to find a way to recreate the interaction and exchange of information with others who are just as passionate about their canine friends as she is. Tapping her business and marketing background, Braun came up with an idea to build a unique website called WisconsinWags.com.

“We provide information about everything that’s going on in the local dog community including events, opinion pieces, local safety issues, and anything that has to do with the Wisconsin dog,” said Braun who makes her home in Brookfield.

“This website is a social connecting point for people," she said. "I have created a small community that is very strong and loyal because — as someone who grew up in Wauwatosa and has worked nationally for most of my career before coming back to this area — I understand the loyalty and the value of a market like Milwaukee.”

The site also has discussion forums where visitors can read what other dog owners are saying or join in the conversation and get information from other site users.

WisconsinWags.com is 100 percent supported by advertisers such as dog day care centers, dog walking companies and carpet cleaning companies, as well as businesses that are just trying to reach homeowners. The reason, says Braun, is simple: most people who own a dog also own a home.

Dog lovers will find a treasure trove of information on the site, including places where they can enjoy a leisurely evening out and take their dog with them.

“So many people will do almost any kind of activity that is available for them to bring their dog, too," Braun said. "Vino 100, a wine spot in Wauwatosa has an outdoor patio and on Saturday evenings, they have dog friendly evenings where you can sit and have wine and bring your dog. They’ll have treats for your dog and water bowls for your dog and people love that.”

Braun believes the more information people have about things they can do with their dogs and better ways to take care of them, the more likely owners will have a happy life with their dogs.

“I want people to have healthy, happy dogs in their home throughout the entire life of the dog so that dog doesn’t end up in a shelter,” she said. “My offering this information to the community is one way for me to attain that goal.”

The website also keeps dog owners informed about key issues like the recent Wisconsin legislation which went into effect June 1^st to help prevent ‘puppy mill’ dogs from landing in dog and pet stores. While Wisconsin has many excellent dog breeders, there are other breeders who provide less than ideal surroundings for the animals.

Often these puppies aren’t properly fed or exercised and many never see the light of day before being sold to a pet store. Braun wants to educate her readers so that they don’t end up buying a puppy mill dog from a pet store and instead, consider rescuing a dog from a local shelter.

“There are many responsible breeders where people can get dogs in Wisconsin,” Braun said. “The site gives this information. I advise people to ask pet store owners to see pictures of where the puppies came from. Learn about the puppy’s parents. If they can’t provide this information, don’t buy a puppy there.”

Since she launched her website in April 2010, Braun says the response has been excellent with many visitors returning again and again. The site also has a Facebook page.

For more information, visit www.wisconsinwags.com.