Monday, March 31, 2008

CityDog Loves...

these buttons!The race is on for the White House and now your pooch can support his/her favorite politico—or democracy in general—by sporting one of these nifty buttons on their favorite campaign tee. Of course, you can wear one, too. Heck, at just $4 bones each, wear 'em all!

The creative minds at CityDog came up with a few slogans of our own... How about: Pugs 4 No More Dirty Politics, Collies 4 Campaign Finance Reform, Terriers 4 Tax Rebates, Bassets 4 a Balanced Budget? Okay, maybe not. For more information go to http://www.alfieandrex.etsy.com/.

These cool products and more are featured in the Spring issue of CityDog Magazine, arriving hot-off-the-press from the printer tomorrow, April Fool's Day (no joke)!

Woof!

CityDog on Facebook!


CityDog Magazine has joined the social networking revolution and is now on Facebook! If you're a member, be sure to visit our page and become a "Fan," add your own city dog's photos, connect with fellow dog lovers, post a comment, or simply keep up on the latest news and events. And, be sure to add yourself to the "CityDog Social Club" group we've created for upcoming CityDog-hosted parties, events and excursions. We have some pretty fantastic events in the works for this spring and summer (including CityDog's birthday bash and the MuttMazing Race), so stay tuned!

Friday, March 28, 2008

Event Not to be Missed: Seattle Humane Society's Tuxes & Tails

Ay, Matey! It's time to set sail for Tuxes & Tails, the Seattle Humane Society’s annual auction and celebrity and pet fashion show. Join your fellow buckaneers at one of Seattle's most "barked about" charity events of the year, featuring a Celebrity and Pet Fashion Show and a bounty of treasures in live and silent auctions.

Enjoy a memorable evening as 40 local personalities walk the plank (well, okay it's really a runway) with their own pet, or with one of the Humane Society's shelter guests available for adoption. Other delights will include a delicious four-course dinner, silent auction, and live auction featuring 50 amazing items including tickets to the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York, VIP seats for the Seahawks and Mariners, tickets to the Rachel Ray show, exclusive wine packages, and a 7-day African Photo Safari! For Mariners' fans, there will be a one-of-a-kind black and white, autographed portrait of Ichiro, painted by Northwest artist Michael Reagan.

Money raised will go toward saving more animals' lives and providing more spay/neuter surgeries. So, join the Seattle Humane Society for a jolly good night of entertainment and treasures delight!

When : Saturday, April 26, 2008
Where: Sheraton Seattle Hotel ~ Grand Ballroom
4:00 pm VIP Party begins
5:00 pm Silent Auctions begin
6:45 pm Dinner and Live Auction
Followed by: Celebrity and Pet Fashion Show

For more information and photos from last year, visit the Tuxes & Tails website here.

Thursday, March 27, 2008


At the CityDog Magazine Puppy Love MuttMixer – which took place at the swanky W Hotel Seattle this last February in celebration of Valentine's Day – there was much fun to be had by all, two- and four-legged alike! See for yourself from this airing on Seattle's Q13 Fox News (there are two separate clips).

And stay tuned for CityDog's next MuttMixer coming soon!

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Dogs Unleashed at First Thursday Art Walk in Seattle's Pioneer Square

"Dogs Unleashed," by artists (and identical twins) Raya and Heidel Bethel, is a fun and witty series that plays on today's culture and our fascination with dogs. Humorous yet sophisticated, these paintings capture our attention by placing dogs in human situations, incorporating the activities of popular culture and human emotion. The paintings' bold, graphic imagery and rich colors depict narratives of both life and the imagination.

If you love art and dogs, be sure to check out this exhibit:

Private Reception: Wednesday, April 2, 6-8 PM

First Thursday Reception: April 3, 6-8 PM

Meet the Artists: Saturday, April 19, 3:30-5 PM

Marni Muir Gallery, 112 S. Washington St., Seattle, Washington

Get Ready...Here it Comes!



The spring issue of CityDog Magazine will be hot-off-the-press and available April Fools Day... no joke! And, it's packed with places to go, things to do and adventures to be had with your dog throughout the West.

Features in this issue include:
  • Run Spot Run: Top 10 fun runs in the West with your dog


  • CityDog's five favorite dog blogs to bark about

  • Here Comes the Dog: Couples say "I do" to including dogs in weddings

  • Doggone getaway to seaside Astoria, Oregon

  • Dog's Eye View: Your dog will be treated like royalty in Seattle's Queen Anne neighborhood

  • Road Trip to Breckenridge, Colorado

  • Dog-friendly Deluxe Digs: Seattle's Sorrento Hotel and Portland's Hotel Lucia

  • Follow up to the Michael Vick story: How some of the dogs rescued from the dog fighting ring are doing now at Best Friends Animal Society

  • Your favorite CityDog columns: Ask Dog Lady, Red Dog Diaries and more!

If you're not already a subscriber, what are you waiting for? Click here to subscribe to the only magazine solely dedicated to life and living with dogs in the West – Seattle, Portland, San Francisco and everywhere in between!

If you ARE a subscriber...thank you...be sure to watch for your copy to arrive the first week of April!

Woof! CityDog Magazine

CityDog Loves...

...Dog Park Wisdom by Lisa Wogan.

Hot-off-the-press is the holy grail for wagging tails! Dog Park Wisdom: Real-World Advice on Choosing, Caring For, and Understanding Your Canine Companion (Skipstone, $18.95) is written by Seattle author and pet blogger Lisa Wogan and features photography by renowned Seattle dog photographer Bev Sparks.

Broken into manageable sections, Dog Park Wisdom explores bringing home a new pooch, getting the digs ready, introducing them to a routine, socializing at parks and trails, and traveling with furry baggage. From breaking bad habits to understanding canine emotions, Wogan covers everything from potty training tips to grooming, proper playtime and off-leash etiquette.

You might even recognize a dog or two from past CityDog covers photographed by Bev (shepherd-mix Zephyr from the winter '06 issue; the crazy Jack Russell terriers, Dodger, Sunny and Milo from fall '05; and beagles Peggy Sue and Maggie from fall '06).

This book and a few of our other favorites are featured in the spring issue of CityDog Magazine, available April Fools Day (no joke)! To subscribe, click here.

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

CityDog Loves...

...these collars!






Your sassie Lassie will be the bark of the dog park in a Daisy Daze collar from Dublin Dog. Pet products purveyor, Katie Rockwell of Seattle's Urban Beast, gave CityDog the 411 on these super cool collars. S, M, L; starting at $22. To purchase, pop-in to Urban Beast at 217 Yale Avenue N or visit dublindog.com.

And be sure to check out the spring issue of CityDog (coming soon!) for more cool collar collections to suit your dog's every mood. Also, stay tuned for more "CityDog Loves..." We're going to have some fun with this...!

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Take a Bite out of Tax Day

Does tax day make your hackles stand on end? If the answer is yes and you live in the San Francisco area, drop off your tax returns at the Rincon Center Post Office, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on April 15th. Why? Dogs and cats from San Francisco's SPCA Adoption Outreach program will be visiting the Rincon Center Post Office on Tuesday, April 15th to help soothe last-minute taxpayers suffering from tax day blues. Harried tax filers racing to mail their returns can experience some welcome stress relief by patting a pooch or kissing a kitty. Best of all, these animal therapists will be available for adoption! Unwind from tax day, and any other day, with relaxation therapy, “animal style.”

For more upcoming events, be sure to subscribe to CityDog Magazine! The spring issue is due to arrive soon and it's loaded with fun events for you and your pooch!
A disturbing report in the Seattle Times and on this evening's news raises concerns about King County animal shelters. Aside from what's reported (link to the Seattle Times article here and King 5 News' coverage here), is the number of animals ending up in shelters. "Last year, 11,801 animals entered the county's two shelters in Bellevue and Kent," (as reported in the Seattle Times article). The burden placed on shelters is overwhelming and if you do the math:

"...the euthanasia rate — a prime concern of the County Council — fell to an all-time low of 18 percent in January and February." Even at the "all-time low," that means, 12,000 times .18 equals 2,160 animals euthanized each year in King County shelters.

I don't have the answers, but that is a serious problem and one we need to contemplate. The county council is encouraging the public to voice their concerns at a public town hall meeting on April 14 at the Highline Performing Arts Center in Burien. I'll be there and I hope you will too.

Brandie Ahlgren, editor
CityDog Magazine

Friday, March 14, 2008

Upcoming Event Not to be Missed: PAWS' Wildnight Gala

At this elegant and inspiring event, more than 450 compassionate community leaders will gather to celebrate PAWS and raise funds to fulfill the organization’s life-saving mission. Enjoy heart-warming tales of lives saved and lives transformed through PAWS’ work—work that is made possible with your support. Bid on fabulous live and silent auction items—including the 2009 PAWS calendar featuring photography by Bev Sparks—all to help animals in need.

Tickets are $150 per person, or $1250 for a table of 10. All proceeds benefit the animals at PAWS. Learn more and register.

When: Saturday, April 5, 2008, starting at 5:30 p.m.

Where: Sheraton Seattle Hotel, 1400 6th Avenue, Downtown

We hope to see you there!

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

More photos from the CityDog Art Show!

When you host an event featuring photographers, of course you're going to get some great snapshots! In addition to the below link to Cowbelly Photography's images from the CityDog Art Show, check out these ones snapped by J. Nichole Smith with Dane + Dane Photography.

MuttMazing Race Video

This is kind've fun... It's a short clip from Seattle's KING 5 News featuring the kick off to last year's CityDog MuttMazing Race.

Be sure to join us at this year's MuttMazing Race, Friday, August 8th at the South Lake Union Block Party! The planning is in progress and it's going to be even bigger and better, with more vendor booths, more doggie challenges and even a special, off-leash area. All of the race proceeds will once again go to the Seattle Animal Shelter's Help the Animals Fund.

Check out the pictures from last year's MuttMazing Race here.

And, for more information, visit us at the MuttMazing Race website. We'll post more details as they come in, so stay tuned!

If you are interested in being a sponsor, please contact Brandie Ahlgren or Lisa Smith at 206.762.0643.

Saturday, March 08, 2008

Here's a nice summary of the art show on the Decopaw blog, featuring more of Jamie's images (and unlike me, she actually took the time to write captions): http://www.decopaw.com/dogblog.html

Wow! That's what I have to say about the CityDog Art Show on Thursday...Wow!

The gallery looked amazing and the turnout was incredible... approximately 350 people -- with their furry, four-legged art lovers in-tow -- braved rush hour traffic, the rain and parking to venture down to Pioneer Square for the first-ever CityDog art exhibit, showcasing the 80+ paintings and photographs by some of Seattle's finest dog photographers and artists.

Jamie Pflughoeft with Cowbelly Pet Photography was kind enough to snap some pictures of the big event, which you can view by clicking here.

And, a BIG thank you to each of the artists and photographers for participating...as well as to Dry Soda for providing the delicious, gourmet sodas (rhubarb is my fave, although the lavender is pretty tasty too)! And, thank you to the Pioneer Square Community Association for their help with the venue and working with us on what turned out to be a hugely successful event.

Thanks too to Evening Magazine, the Seattle Times, NW Source and 96.5 Jack FM for helping us get the word out!

And lastly, thank you to Seattle city councilwoman Jan Drago for stopping by the art show. Your support of the dog loving community is greatly appreciated.

Stay tuned for the next CityDog Art Show coming this summer! And, if you'd like to receive priority invitations to CityDog events, be sure to subscribe!

Woof!
Brandie Ahlgren, founder

Thursday, March 06, 2008

CityDog Art Walk in the Seattle Times

Click here to read more.

CityDog Art Walk on NWSource.com

Check it out here.

Tuesday, March 04, 2008

Things Are Gearing Up!

Things are gearing up for the first-ever CityDog Art Exhibit featuring Seattle's finest dog photographers and artists. The art is almost completely hung (it looks amazing) and even the crew from Evening Magazine stopped by to shoot a promo for tomorrow night's show, airing at 7 p.m. on channel 5. Be sure to tune in to see all of the highlights!

Monday, March 03, 2008

Another Sneak Peak

Renowned Seattle photographer, Bev Sparks, B Sparks Photography

That's right, Seattle's Pioneer Square is going to the dogs this Thursday, March 6th, 2008!

Each day leading up to the CityDog Art Exhibit, we are featuring the artists and photographers whose work will be on display, so you can get a sneak peak and because we think they're pretty fabulous! We hope you can join us with your four-legged friend (yes, it's dog friendly) between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. at the first-ever CityDog Art Exhibit at 109 S. Washington Street. For more details, click here.

Sunday, March 02, 2008

Another Sneak Peak

"Lucky Dog" by Seattle artist Shai Steiner

The countdown is officially here...Only four days until the first-ever CityDog Art Exhibit! Here is another sneak peak at one of the eight artists and photographers on display at the upcoming art show. We hope you will join us at this groundbreaking event, showcasing some of Seattle's finest artists and photographers, this Thursday, March 6th, 2008, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. as part of the First Thursday Art Walk in Seattle's historic Pioneer Square.

For more details, click here.

Another Sneak Peak


Seattle photographer Jenifer Flynn, Four Legs Photography

Here is a sneak peak at another one of the eight artists and photographers featured at the upcoming CityDog Art Exhibit on Thursday, March 6th, 2008, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. as part of the First Thursday Art Walk in Seattle's historic Pioneer Square neighborhood.

We'll feature an artist or photographer every day on our blog up until the art show, so check back. And, we hope you will join us at this groundbreaking event, showcasing some of Seattle's finest artists and photographers. For more details, please see below.

Saturday, March 01, 2008

West Seattle dog owners on the lookout for coyotes

"Residents in the city's West Seattle neighborhood are on the lookout for a possible pack of coyotes after area pets began disappearing..."

Read more at the KOMO News website by clicking here.

A Sneak Peak

"Touva," by artist Jennifer Sellers
Here is a sneak peak at one of the eight artists and photographers featured at the upcoming CityDog Art Exhibit, Thursday, March 6th, 2008, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. as part of the First Thursday Art Walk in Seattle's historic Pioneer Square neighborhood.

We'll feature an artist or photographer every day on our blog up until the art show, so check back. And, we hope you will join us at this groundbreaking event, showcasing some of Seattle's finest artists and photographers. For details, please see below.