CityDog Blog

Get ready! Poochapalooza is almost here!

2009-07-08T15:47:00.000-07:00

The 4th Annual Marysville Poochapalooza Outdoor Dog Event is like a county fair for dogs! Highlights: Flyball exhibitions, 2009 Hyperflite Skyhoundz Flying Disc Championship, Emerald City K-9 Freestyle Dancing Dog demonstrations, pet vendor booths, and more. Enter your dog in fun “Best in Show” contests like “best kisser,” “wackiest pet trick,” “best voice,” “best costume" and much, much more!

When: Sat. July 11, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Where:
Totem Middle School
Asbery Field
1605 7th St.
Marysville, Wash.

Admission: FREE, but donations greatly appreciated.

For more information or to pre-register for contests: poochapalooza.org or call Leslie Buell: (360) 651-0633.

Photos from the third annual CityDog Summer Muttmixer are now online!

2009-07-06T13:39:00.000-07:00

Check them out here!

Super Pet Adopt-a-Thon this Saturday!

2009-07-06T13:35:00.000-07:00

Meet hundreds of adoptable cats and dogs from across Washington State, all at the Kent Animal Shelter on Saturday, July 11!

Pet microchipping, pet licensing and pet product vendors will be on site as well as animal trainers and a raffle to benefit the Animal Angel Fund. If you are searching for a new furry friend, don't miss this event!

More info here: http://tinyurl.com/ljogxe

Pabst wins world's ugliest dog contest

2009-06-29T13:07:00.001-07:00

PETALUMA, Calif. — A prominent under-bite, scrunched face and floppy ears are the hallmarks of a winner.

The winner of the World's Ugliest Dog contest, that is.

Pabst, a boxer-mix rescued from a shelter by Miles Egstad of Citrus Heights, Calif., won the annual contest on Friday at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Northern California.

It was an upset victory for Pabst, who beat former champion Rascal, a pedigree Chinese Crested.

Pabst's owner took home $1,600 in prize money, pet supplies and a modeling contract with House of Dog.

Miss Ellie, a blind 15-year-old Chinese Crested Hairless, won the pedigree category.

Check out more photos from the contest here. (Hilarious!)

(AP Photo/Noah Berger)

Contest entry all the way from Switzerland!

2009-06-29T12:42:00.000-07:00

Loki is an Alaskan malamute. He came into my life in 1999 as a rescue dog, from the PAWS shelter in Lynnwood, Washington.

He came to me malnourished -- he'd been a stray in the woods outside of Seattle for so long hiscoat and skin were mildewed from the rain. In the past ten years, Loki has been with me through a divorce, 5 moves, 3 round-trip cross-country (USA) drives, helped me care for my mother while she was ill with esophageal cancer, and now lives with me in Geneva Switzerland.

He would sit on the porch with Mom, and have sandwiches with her, when I lived there in her last months. She'd tell him all kinds of good stories about growing up with rabbits and chickens and he'd listen, his head at her feet, awaiting the next bit of sandwich.

When I got the chance to move to Geneva, I knew he'd like the snow in winter better than the Seattle rain, and the freedom to come to restaurants and to work with me. As he is my best friend, hiking buddy, snowshoe pal, and my favorite listener, he's changed my life by giving me an insight into patience and unconditional love.

Thanks,
Lynn and Loki

If you would like to enter for the chance to win one flavor each of Wellness WellBars, simply email us a photo of your dog(s) and in 100 words or less, tell us how they've changed your life.

Woof!

CityDog Muttmixer and Emma

2009-06-26T12:48:00.000-07:00

Last Wednesday, CityDog Magazine celebrated its fourth anniversary with a Summer Muttmixer at Seattle's Rock Bottom Brewery. I have to say, it was a huge success, with hundreds of pooches and their peeps turning out to mix and mingle, sip cocktails and swap doggie tales. Thanks to everyone who attended!

However, one particular four-legged guest caught my attention and my heart: Emma, a gorgeous pitbull mix who has been looking for her forever home for over a year now. Currently, she resides at the Seattle Animal Shelter, but her volunteer handler thought it important to get Emma out of the shelter to show off her sweet and social personality. She definitely won me over!

If you would like to learn more about Emma on Petfinder.com, please click here.

Photos by Emily Rieman, BestFriend Photography.

You are invited to CityDog's Summer Muttmixer!

2009-06-16T11:45:00.000-07:00

To view our invitation online, click here.

Seattle Animal Shelter's Furry 5k this Sunday!

2009-06-04T09:38:00.000-07:00

10th Annual Furry 5k Fun Run and Walk

SUNDAY, JUNE 7th in SEWARD PARK. RACE STARTS at 10 A.M.

The annual Furry 5k Fun Run and Walk is a fabulous event, raising money for the shelter's Help the Animals Fund, which provides veterinary care and supplies for sick, injured or abused orphaned animals. The Seattle Animal Shelter takes in nearly 8,000 animals annually. Of those, many receive the lifesaving care they need thanks to the generous donations of individuals and companies like you! With annual veterinary expenses of approximately $100,000, every dollar raised counts! So, join the fun with your furry, four-legged friends and help raise money for animals!

For more information, visit: www.furry5k.com.

Strut Your Mutt on Sunday!

2009-05-29T10:45:00.000-07:00

This weekend is Seattle's Pike Place Market Street Festival! Kicking off Sunday, May 31 at 10 a.m., is the Strut Your Mutt contest and parade! Dog lovers will have an opportunity to show off their mutt and vie for prizes! And, be sure to pick up a FREE copy of CityDog Magazine at the Downtown Dog Lounge vendor booth!

Woof!
CityDog Magazine

2009-05-20T17:28:00.000-07:00

Seriously? Michael Vick now working with the Humane Society of the United States? This article seems to make a good point: http://shar.es/12L6.

CityDog readers, what do you think?

HSUS' Dogs of Valor Winners!

2009-05-18T11:10:00.000-07:00

The Humane Society of the United States is pleased to announce the winners of the 2009 Dogs of Valor Awards. The awards celebrate the human-animal bond by honoring dogs who have exhibited an extraordinary sense of courage or resolve by heroically helping a person in need.

Valor Dog of the Year

· Baby C. (Albuquerque, N.M.) – After their SUV plummeted 20 feet off a mountain road and wedged upside down between two trees, Baby nestled close to her owner, Elwood Cardon, who was injured and trapped by the steering column. The Great Dane also crawled out of a shattered window several times to seek help. After 10 hours, Baby finally got the attention of one of the area’s few residents and led her to the wreckage.

Runners Up

· Boo (renamed “Hero”) (Jim Thorpe, Penn.) – While walking Boo in an isolated area, the German Shepherd mix’s owner, Dennis Redline, slipped on ice, hit his head, and lost consciousness. Immediately, Boo began running through the area, barking. Neighbors called police, and when they arrived several hours later, Boo led them to Dennis who was still unconscious. He remained in a coma for 6 days.

· Charley (Loganville, Ga.) – Charley barked and paced until he got the attention of his owner, Frances Gippert. Finally giving in to his persistence, she took the West Highland terrier outside, and they started to walk along their normal path. It was then that Charley pulled Frances the opposite way, leading her down the street to a semi-conscious man who was lying next to a house in the shrubs. Frances called for help and discovered the man had a brain hemorrhage, a collapsed lung and a cracked rib.

· Jake (Omaha, Neb.) – When Jake’s owner, Tony Bailey, was swept away by strong currents in the Platte River, he called for help as he gasped for air. Although his cries were muffled to his family on the shore, the Labrador retriever recognized the boy’s distress, leapt into the river, and swam to Tony. Tony wrapped his arms around Jake’s neck who swam the boy back upstream to safety.

People’s Hero

· D-boy (Oklahoma City, Okla.) – After an armed man burst through their home’s front door and yelled for D-boy’s owner, Roberta Trawick, and her family to get on the ground, the pit bull entered from another room and charged towards the assailant. Before reaching him, the man shot D-boy in the head. D-boy continued, but the man shot him twice more. The man then fled the home. The family called 911, and D-boy was treated at a local emergency veterinary center.

Photo Credits: Baby, Elwood Cardon; Boo, James Svehla; Charley, Frances Gippert; Jake, Tony Bailey; D-boy, News9.com.

Silent, but deadly!

2009-05-15T18:29:00.000-07:00

Aw, they look so innocent -- those sweet faces! But, sometimes a not-so-innocent odor emits from their adorable, little bodies. You know what I'm talking about, fellow dog lovers! As any dog owner can relate, sometimes our little darlings are capable of clearing a room in one fell swoop by a silent, but deadly...yes, I'll say it...fart!

Dr. Hamilton, an oncology resident at Michigan State's Animal Cancer Care Clinic and regular contributor to Amazon.com's Wag Reflex, explains this Fido phenomenon with finesse! Click here to read more!

Contest Winner! Rose and Rascal

2009-05-15T09:18:00.000-07:00

We asked for them and you sent them -- inspiring stories about how your dog has changed your life! It's a way for us to give back to readers with cool prizes plus share your tails (er, tales) with fellow readers! Here's our most recent winner's entry:

"Two years ago -- and three weeks after my only sister died from a brain tumor -- a little ball of fuzz joined me and changed my life. After Ellen died I found baby Rascal (my first-ever dog!) at a rescue, and my life has never been the same.

Baby Rascal gave me a reason to get up every morning (potty-training!), get outside in the fresh air, and gave me something other than my grief to focus on. He also provided me with a whole new community of doggy friends!

During one of the darkest chapters of my life this new soul appeared and brought with him joy, responsibility, and connection. He has filled my heart in a way I did not know was possible," -- Rose Bigham (and Rascal)

Rose and Rascal have won one flavor each of Etta Says! doggone tasty treats!

CityDog Living: Here Comes the Dog

2009-05-09T17:05:00.000-07:00

More and more couples say "I do" to including their dog in their wedding. Read the full story here.

Photo by Amelia Soper, Dane + Dane Studios

Doggie Dash: Record Turnout Expected

2009-05-05T09:07:00.000-07:00

The Oregon Humane Society is predicting a record turnout for the 22nd Annual OHS Doggie Dash, Portland’s largest block-party for pets and people!

The festivities begin Saturday morning, May 9th, with a new bridge-to-bridge run for people and dogs through downtown Portland. For those less athletically inclined, organizers offer a relaxing 1.5 mile stroll for pet owners and their dogs along Naito Parkway and Waterfront Park.

Last year, Doggie Dash raised $220,000 for animals, with all proceeds benefiting the Oregon Humane Society. For 2009, OHS is expecting 3,000 runners/walkers, 4,000 onlookers, and 3,000 dogs--about 1/3 more than last year.

“If you love dogs, this is the place to be on Saturday. You’ll not only have a great time, you’ll be helping a great cause,” said Sharon Harmon, OHS executive director.

The day's festivities include a free wellness exam for your pooch, a canine talent contest, pre-Dash yoga lesson for you and your dog, a post-Dash massage clinic for dogs, a tasty pancake breakfast before the Dash, and live music by Portland’s Lost Creek bluegrass band.

Early registration for the Dash ($25) closes at midnight, May 7. The public can register online or onsite registration opens at 7:30 am, May 9th at Waterfront Park. Look for the registration tent near intersection of Naito Parkway and SW Pine St.

CityDog visits sunny Seabrook!

2009-05-04T13:19:00.000-07:00

If you thought you had to go all the way to Cannon Beach to find an up-scale seaside getaway in the Northwest, think again. Filling a niche for finely appointed, pet friendly, seaside lodging less than a three hour drive from Seattle or Portland, Seabrook is quickly making a name for the long forgotten Pacific Beach.

Read the full story here.

Photo by J. Nichole Smith, Dane + Dane Studios

Ben Stein says get a dog and your life will be better! We couldn't agree more!

2009-05-01T12:27:00.001-07:00

Don't forget! Mother's Day is May 10!

2009-04-30T13:15:00.000-07:00

We have the perfect Mother's Day gift idea for all those dog loving moms out there... a gift subscription to CityDog Magazine! If you're a dog mom, treat yourself (it's a little tough for Fido to purchase one for you) or give the gift that has tails wagging all year long! Simply click here!

Extra! Extra! Read all about it! CityDog visits the newly dog-friendly Salish Lodge!

2009-04-27T13:56:00.000-07:00

Hope springs eternal and eternity is what it felt like, as we hoped and waited for Salish Lodge to someday be dog friendly. Thankfully, the wait is over and the lodge now invites you and your four legged friend to enjoy everything this Northwest icon has to offer. Read the full story here.

Photo by J. Nichole Smith, Dane + Dane Studios

Upcoming Event Not to be Missed: Pugmania!

2009-04-24T17:27:00.000-07:00

May 9 • Seattle, Wash. 11 a.m.–4 p.m. in airplane hanger #30 at Magnuson Park, 7400 Sandpoint Way. Seattle Pug Rescue's 14th annual pug gala. Pugs and their people come from all over for this event. Activities include the parade of rescue pugs, pug races, pug costume contests, pug talent show, an agility ring, pug kissing contest, a silent auction and raffle, and a variety of vendors supplying all things Pug.

For more info, call Cathy 425.827.7155 or Sherry 425.643.1418. Please note that for insurance purposes, only pugs and pug-mix dogs are allowed inside the Seattle Pug Gala.

Another Contest Entry to Share With You

2009-04-21T12:23:00.000-07:00

"I refer to my dogs as the 4Bs. They are Bailey, Baxter, Brody, & Benson. They have changed my life because they are my life. Before them, I was alone. Now I am like a soccer mom, only in my case it’s a dog-, park-, tennis-, ball-mom. I groom them, I walk them, I take them to the dog park to play, we have birthday parties for them, and we go on vacation together. I even bought a house, or more appropriately, a yard, for them. It’s just a small house at 1058 square feet, but sits on ¼ acre which makes for a nice back yard for my boys to play." -- Peg Ponack & the 4Bs

Keep the entries coming! To enter, simply email us a photo of your dog(s) and in 100 words or less, tell us how they've changed your life.

Woof!

CityDog Magazine

Another Contest Entry to Share With You

2009-04-21T12:16:00.000-07:00

"Squirt ran out in front of my car one day on my way to a meeting. He wormed his way into my heart and subsequently my home!

We began competing in agility and have a blast! My social life started to revolve around dog events…Dog parks, doggie dine-arounds, agility classes, ‘Yappy Hours’ and trips to Dog Beach. I now find myself looking for restaurants that have a patio and are ‘dog friendly’! He’s my constant companion and Best Friend!" -- Barb Del'Ve

Breaking News: Bill to Curb Puppy Mills Goes to Governor Gregoire for Signature

2009-04-20T15:46:00.000-07:00

CityDog Magazine, the Humane Society of the United States, and dog lovers throughout Washington State, urge Gov. Christine Gregoire to sign a bill that strengthens protections for dogs at mass production facilities known as puppy mills. The legislation (S.B. 5651), led by Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, D-36, passed its final vote in the Senate today by a bipartisan vote of 43-4.

“As we have seen in Washington, abusive puppy mills produce dogs with no concern for their welfare,” said Daniel Paul, HSUS Washington state director. “Washington state lawmakers have taken a measurable step forward for man’s best friend, and we urge Governor Gregoire to sign this important animal welfare and consumer protection legislation.”

The bill prohibits a commercial puppy producer from possessing more than 50 unaltered dogs more than 6 months old at any time. It also establishes basic care standards for producers with more than 10 unaltered dogs older than 6 months that are kept in enclosures for the majority of the day. The basic care standards include providing clean food and water, allowing dogs to leave their cages for at least an hour daily, providing adequate veterinary care and having clean, safe housing.

“This is a consumer protection issue for individuals and families who obtain puppies from commercial breeders. Puppies from puppy mills are likely to have serious health problems which can translate to a health risk for individuals and families who purchase them. But I also introduced the bill for protection of the animals who really should have clean facilities, be able to move around, be able to get fresh air, and not be kept in horrible conditions and expected to just simply breed,” said Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles.

Washington State currently has no statewide law to regulate puppy mills. Puppy mills are mass dog producing facilities that keep animals in cages or kennels, often in squalid conditions with little or no exercise, socialization or human interaction. The puppies churned out at these facilities are sold to pet stores, online and directly to consumers with little to no regard for the dog’s health or genetic history.

The legislation exempts retail pet stores and some other entities. The legislation cracks down on the worst abuses at large-scale puppy mills, and will not affect responsible breeders who already raise dogs humanely.

To learn more about puppy mills, visit www.humanesociety.org/puppymills.

The Odd Couple: Elephant + Dog = Best Friends

2009-04-20T14:47:00.000-07:00

CityDog Contest Kick-Off!

2009-04-20T12:14:00.001-07:00

We've asked for them and you've sent them -- inspiring stories about how your dog has changed your life! It's a way for us to give back to readers with cool prizes plus share your tails (er, tales) with fellow readers! Here's the first in a series:

"My dog Brook has changed my life by continually reminding me of the simple principles: Worry less, play more. Whine less, smile more. Run often, sleep often, love unconditionally. Give affection daily. Show remorse when you get into garbage. Enjoy the outdoors as much as possible. Use all your senses to enjoy the world around you. For these reasons I love Brook, and she has made my life immeasurably better." -- Randi Phelps

To enter, simply email us a photo of your dog(s) and in 100 words or less, tell us how they've changed your life.

Woof!
CityDog Magazine