Fun Ways to Help Animals Part Three

Root for Air Supply this fall on an episode of "Rock & A Hard Place."

One would've thought Air Supply was all out of love, but it seems the world-renowned soft rockers have a soft spot for animals and the work of Best Friends Animal Society.

According to Best Friends, the band has proposed making the Kanab, Utah-based animal sanctuary its charity of choice for an appearance on the television show “Rock & A Hard Place,” which airs on DirecTV channel 101. Apparently, it's a game show where some of the hottest music acts of the past and present test their knowledge on everything from music history to current events trivia to strange-but-true factoids.

Each team of contestants plays for its chosen charity, with all the proceeds from the night’s winnings going to that organization. The new season starts this fall so stay tuned!

In the meantime, here is a blast from the past for your viewing and listening pleasure!

Fun Ways to Help Animals Part Two

Join the Dog Lover's Wine Club and California winery, Caravintas, will donate 10% to the animal welfare organization of your choice. Each wine shipment features a new dog label and comes with information about the wine and the artist on the label. You can even create your own custom label featuring your furry friend.

Caravintas sources the majority of their wines from Santa Barbara County, partnering with some of the best established and up-and-coming winemakers in California such as Bedford Thompson Winery, Ethan Wines, East Valley Vineyards, and Balletto Vineyards (nine times Winery of the Year winner).

For more information, visit the DogLoversWineClub.com.

Mark your calendar for the second annual CityDog Muttmazing Race at the South Lake Union Block Party!

When: August 8th, noon to 6 p.m.

Where: Seattle's South Lake Union neighborhood

Why: For some fun in the sun with your four-legged pal and to raise money for the Seattle Animal Shelter's Help the Animals Fund. You and your pooch can participate in fun challenges for the chance to win great prizes!

For more information, visit muttmazingrace.com.

Seattle Humane Society Raises $730,000 at Tuxes & Tails

Animal lovers raised more than $730,000 for the Seattle Humane Society at Saturday's 19th annual Tuxes & Tails celebrity and pet fashion show and auction! For event pictures, click here.

If you would like to carry on the good works of Seattle area animal lovers, CityDog will post a blog each day this week on fun ways to help animals.

First...Do yoga (or "doga," as it's officially called). In other words, bring your dog with you to yoga class on May 11, 2008 at the Seattle Humane Society. This class, taught by local yogi and fellow dog lover Brenda Bryan, is a fun way to explore yoga, massage, stretching, and relaxation techniques for both you and your dog PLUS raise money for the Seattle Humane Society. For more information, visit seattlehumane.org.

If you are one of the millions, like me, who received and signed a petition regarding the "art exhibit" resulting in a dog being starved to death, you might be interested to read this post on Dogster.com. Apparently, the artist, Guillermo Habacuc Vargas, claims the whole thing was a hoax as a way to point to our hypocrisy.

While I want to believe that over the alternative, who really knows? Why didn't he keep the dog and care for it, instead of "releasing" it back to the streets? Not only as proof the exhibit was a stunt, but also as the right thing to do. And he calls us hypocrites?!

I love this analysis on the Huffington Post by Dr. Belisa Vranich: "At the very least Vargas has traits of antisocial personality disorder, grandiose and narcissistic personality disorder, and a peppering of delusions. The line between chronicling cruelty and staging is clear to most. Treating the dog as an object, for 'art's' sake shows pathological malevolence."

She goes on to say, "Fact is the Humane Society is backed by 10 million Americans, PETA has 1.8 million members, and the ASPCA has 680,000. Are there rules that need to be changed and lives that need to be saved all over the world? Yes. Absolutely. But he doesn't strike me as part of the solution, in any way."

If anything, he is the biggest hypocrite of all.

Brandie Ahlgren, editor
CityDog Magazine

CityDog's Five Favorite Dog Blogs (besides our own, of course!)

1. The Pet Dish at NWSource.com Hungry for news about the Seattle pet scene? NWSource's resident pet blogger Lisa Wogan serves up advice, shopping tips and local events for you and your furry friends.



2. Itchmo.com Seattle-based Itchmo News for Dogs and Cats offers the essential news, humor and product reviews for cats, dogs and pet owners.



3. Dogblog at Dogster.com The Dogster.com Dog Blog is your source for dog happenings around the U.S. and beyond.



4. Pets Blog at OregonLive.com The Oregonian's "Pet Talk" columnist Deborah Wood dishes about dogs (and cats, too).



5. DailyKibble.com "The inside poop on the latest, greatest, hottest, and coolest everything...for pets." Be sure to sign up for their daily newsletter!

If you have a favorite dog blog, we'd love to hear about it!

Did You Know?

A "Blue Dog Democrat" refers to a fiscally-conservative, socially-moderate Democrat?

Leading up to the 1994 election, the term "Blue Dog Democrat" was playfully coined by southern Democrats who said that conservative members have been "choked blue" by those extreme Yellow Dog Democrats on the left.

Blue Dog, Yellow Dog, Red Dog...This election year, get your dog in on the race with a party-approved "Democrat" or "Republican" bandana from FunStuffForDogs.com! Our only question...Why no bandanas for Green Dogs? Nader would be proud.

Happy Earth Day Part Six!

Psych!

Happy Earth Day Part Five! Recycle a Pet.

In the spirit of Earth Day and all things green, why not recycle a pet? In other words, adopt...don't buy. There are millions of "used" pets just waiting for the chance to go home with a new family, so start recycling today and check out Petfinder.com! Then, say it loud and proud with Read My Paws' 100% organic cotton, "Recycle. Adopt A Dog" tee.

Once you have that new four-legged addition to your family, start off on the right paw by stocking up on all earth-friendly products. It's one-stop shopping at Paw Luxury, a website specializing in products that are stylish, durable, all-natural, organic, holistic, sustainable, biodegradable, fair trade and made in the USA. Their motto is "healthy dog, healthy earth, happier life." Here, here.

Happy Earth Day Part Four! Dog Au Naturale.

With the Eco-Me 100% Natural Dog Kit, you can make your own natural flea and bug spray, clean wipes, dry powder shampoo and dog biscuits. Your dog will thank you for the natural fragrance of the Eco-Me Dog Blend, a 100%-natural, essential oil mixed with Citronella, Lavender and Lemongrass. Fight bugs, odor and calm itchy skin all in one special mix!

Kit includes:

• 1 Bottle with Sprayer to mix Eco-Me Dog Flea & Bug Spray


• 1 Jar & Lid to mix Eco-Me Dog Clean Wipes; 25 recyclable cloths included


• 1 Jar & Lid to mix Eco-Me Dog Dry Powder Shampoo


• 1 Jar & Lid to store Eco-Me Dog Treats with three recipes


• 1 Bottle of Eco-Me Dog blend essential oil mix


• 1 Mixer


• 1 Scooper


• 1 Dog Bone shaped Biscuit Cookie Cutter

Simply add your own water, vinegar, baking soda and biscuit recipe ingredients...and presto! You have a 100% natural, chemical-free, eco-friendly dog kit that includes flea and bug spray, clean wipes, shampoo and biscuits.

In addition to the Eco-Me 100% Natural Dog Kit, you'll find everything you need to keep your home, body, family and other pets healthy and happy at the Eco-Me website including:

Home Kits with the tools you need to start making your own chemical-free cleaning products for a safe and natural home.

Body Kits to make your own natural body products for soft skin without the chemicals.

Baby Kits so you can start making your own healthy & safe products for your baby and home.

Cat Kits with all the tools you need to make your own chemical-free cat products.

Happy Earth Day Part Three! Too Hemp to Be Cool.

The Good Dog Company makes these 55% hemp and 45% certified organic cotton corduroy collars and leashes plus a new corduroy harness. Not only are they super soft and come in a variety of cool colors, but they are also durable, naturally hypo-allergenic, anti-bacterial and odor absorbent!

But, we didn't just feature these collars and leashes because they are eco-friendly. We also wanted to highlight the company itself. Central to the mission of The Good Dog Company is the belief that they have a responsibility to promote awareness of sustainable products and practices, meeting the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations. How do they do this? By...

• Manufacturing goods using hemp and other natural fibers.
• Employing a local workforce in Colorado, emphasizing American craftsmanship and sweatshop-free labor.
• Reducing manufacturing waste through careful consumption and recycling.
• Donating a portion of their profits to environmental and social causes. Recipients include Leave No Trace, Environment Colorado, The Denver Dumb Friends League, The Humane Society and the Developmentally Disabled Resource Center.

Now that's a good, um dog, company!

Happy Earth Day Part Two! Saving the Planet One Dog at a Time.

This ultimate, eco-friendly dog collar from Planet Dog is made from naturally dyed pure hemp. Why is hemp so great? In addition to being the source for one of nature's strongest fabrics, hemp requires little to no pesticides, replenishes soil with nutrients and nitrogen, controls erosion of the topsoil, and produces lots of oxygen. Now there's a dog collar that is good for the environment. Planet Dog also makes a “cozy” version, which has a fleece lining to ensure optimal comfort for your best-friend. It's what you would wear if you were a dog. $13.95 - $15.95 at planetdog.com.

For more hemp products including health and beauty, notebooks and paper, and more pet products, visit The Hemp.com Eco Store.

Happy Earth Day! Give a Dog a Bone!

Tomorrow is Earth Day, so in honor of this important day, CityDog will post an eco- and dog-friendly idea or item each day this week.

We're kicking it off with West Paw's plush Eco Bones. Every dog loves a bone and the environment loves them too, because these special "bones" are comprised of recycled plastic soda bottles. The fabric is made up of 85% re-engineered recycled IntelliLoft™ fibers surrounding a squeaker, for an eco friendly, high quality dog toy. $9.50 - $13.00 at westpawdesign.com.

Ever wondered how much "nature" your lifestyle requires? The Ecological Footprint Quiz estimates how much productive land and water you need to support what you use and what you discard. After answering 15 easy questions at myfootprint.org, you'll be able to compare your ecological footprint.

CityDog Loves...AmazonFresh.com!

So, I hate grocery shopping...always have. But, when I received an email out of the blue from Seattle-based AmazonFresh.com announcing they now delivered to my neighborhood, I had to try it out. So, I went online, ordered my groceries and the next morning they were delivered to my front door! Love it! So much so, that I was trying to figure out a way to share it with CityDog Blog readers, but "Hey everybody, there's an awesome grocery delivery service" didn't quite work for a dog blog. However, today I received yet another email announcing that they now carry pet products! Voila! They carry organic pet foods like Castor + Pollux plus toys, treats and supplements for both cats and dogs, and even products for birds, bunnies and other critters.

Check it out at AmazonFresh.com.

Woof!
Brandie Ahlgren, editor
CityDog Magazine

Event Not to Be Missed!

Join Homeward Pet Adoption Center (HPAC) on May 10th for an evening of fun, food and spirits in honor of our companion animals and the many homeless animals who need our help and compassion. The festivities take place at Bell Harbor, located at Pier 66 on the Seattle waterfront. Begin the evening with a champagne reception followed later in the evening with a gourmet, three course dinner and wine service, while the live auction gets underway!

You might be wondering why we included a cover image of CityDog Magazine with this post. That's because we are donating a cover of CityDog to Homeward to auction off to the highest bidder at the live auction! That's right! Your dog can be on the cover of CityDog, while raising money for a great cause! Simply attend the event and let the bidding begin! If you win the bid, your dog will be photographed by renowned Seattle dog photographer Bev Sparks to grace the cover of CityDog Magazine. For more information about HPAC's 10th annual benefit dinner and auction, click here.

Note: The above cover from Fall 2005 raised thousands for HPAC! We feel it is our privilege to be able to contribute to such a worthy organization.

CityDog Loves...

the Seattle Mariners!Baseball season is here and the M's are looking good. Now your dog can look good too sporting a Seattle Mariners bandana. Click here for more info. Good luck Mariners at tonight's game!

UPDATE 4/13: The M's won their game lastnight against the Angels...one more game to go today! Go Mariners!

Rally for the Animals on Monday

As you may be aware, a series of disturbing reports have pointed to serious deficiencies in the care provided to animals at King County Animal Care and Control (KCACC). A citizens’ advisory committee called shelter conditions “deplorable,” finding the animals in the county-run shelters suffered from high levels of disease and stress and lacked basic comforts, and that outreach efforts to place them in loving homes were “paltry at best.”

These findings were further confirmed when shelter consultant Nathan Winograd released a report finding that despite claims of reform, the KCACC shelters were still failing to consistently provide even the most rudimentary level of humane care.

Yesterday, county executive Ron Sims joined with council members Julia Patterson and Dow Constantine in calling for fundamental change, announcing that $1 million has been earmarked for immediate improvements at KCACC.

On Monday, the King County Council is hosting a town hall meeting to discuss issues related to implementing dramatic and lasting improvements in its county-run shelters.

Here's a chance to make your voice heard on behalf of animals:

WHAT
Best Friends’ Rally for the Animals

WHO
The Rally for the Animals will feature Gregory Castle, one of the founders of Best Friends Animal Society, and King County council members Julia Patterson and Dow Constantine.

WHERE
Highline Performing Arts Center
401 South 152nd St., Burien, Wash.

WHEN
Monday, April 14, 2008.
Rally starts at 6:00 p.m.
Town Hall Meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. (public is invited to attend)
Adoption fair will also be held on site starting at 5:30 p.m.

WHY
Show that as a concerned citizen, you care about the treatment of animals in our shelters, and support efforts to implement a model animal care program.

For more information: nokillkingcounty.org.

Finally! Your photos are uploaded.

We asked for them and you sent them...Close to 200 photos of your furry, four-legged friends! Well, it's about time, but we finally got them uploaded into a gallery for you to check out. Having a bad day? Simply click here and it will all be washed away with pure, doggie love! I recommend viewing them as a slideshow to get the full effect.

Thank you CityDog readers for sending us photos of your pooches! And keep 'em coming...email your favorite photo to info@citydogmagazine.com and be sure to include your dog's name (even better if the file name is saved as your dog's name!).

Woof!
Brandie Ahlgren, founder & editor
CityDog Magazine

You can have your cake and eat it too!

In the spring issue of CityDog Magazine, we feature an article titled: "Here Comes the Dog: Couples say 'I do' to dogs in their weddings." Written by Seattle writer Cathy Herholdt, it's a fun article loaded with ideas and tips for including your four-legged friend in one of the most important days of your life – your wedding. In it, there's a photo taken by La Vie Photography (see above) featuring a wedding cake, a fire engine and two dogs, and it left us wondering, "Is it all cake?" Indeed it is! Leave it to Seattle's own Mike's Amazing Cakes to amaze us!

CityDog Reader Survey Results

A few months back, we conducted an online reader survey and the results were so interesting, we thought we'd share a few of them here:

• 56% of you live with one dog
  
  
• 27% of you live with two dogs
  
  
• 8% of you live with three dogs
  
  
• 5% of you live with four dogs
  
  
• 4% of you live with 5+ dogs (wow!)
  
  
• 46% of you live with other pets in addition to dogs. "Cat" was the obvious "other" pet, but many of you also responded with fish, turtles, geckos, rabbits and even goats! Goes to show...dog lovers are animal lovers!
  
  
• And a whopping 70% of you responded "yes" to the question, "Does your dog(s) sleep on the bed with you?"
  

When asked, "What do you like best about CityDog Magazine?" here's what a few of you had to say:

• "Everything! The professional look, the photographs, the product recommendations, the neighborhood highlights (love those!), and all of the little snippets of information I don't see anywhere else."
  
  
• "That it's local! It talks about where I live and places I could go with my dog(s)."
  
  
• "Local information and cool new products. Really speaks to a 'dog lifestyle' that we like since we want to include and patronize places where we can include our dog."
  
  
• "Variety. My dog is not a small breed, so I like that you have things geared toward larger breeds. Also, my dog is a pit bull so I like to see a magazine that not only does not discriminate, but also celebrates ALL breeds, including pits."
  
  
• "It's about MY AREA! It offers things to do and places to go with my best furriend!"
  
  
• "I love the local content. I am always interested in vacation spots around Seattle/Portland where I can bring my dog - especially those where there are great dog activities to do nearby."
  
  
• "The local articles and all the great tips and product listings. Everything. And that I can look back at an old issue and still get great info."
  
  
• "Everything. CityDog is my #1 choice of magazine."
  
  

Okay, so maybe that last one we included to brag a little, but CityDog is for you, the reader, and comments like that mean we are delivering on our promise to bring you a magazine that "celebrates life and living with dogs in the West."

If you would like to take the survey, simply click here. By taking the survey, you will automatically be entered into our exclusive drawing to win all sorts of cool road trip gear from our friends at Ruff Wear!

Woof!
Brandie Ahlgren, founder & editor
CityDog Magazine

CityDog Loves...

...these collars!

These very cool, hand-tooled, custom leather dog collars are created by Los Angeles-based Sun Rising Leather. Each collar is 1" wide and as wee as you need for the little ones, or up to to 21" in length for the big boys. You pick the design, color and font to match your dog's personality. $42.00 plus shipping. Click here for more information.

It's Here! The Much-Anticipated Spring Issue of CityDog Magazine!

The spring issue of CityDog Magazine has arrived and is in the mail to subscribers! It's also available at your nearest pet store and newsstand. For a list of where to buy a copy, click here or subscribe today!

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!

We hope you enjoy the latest issue of CityDog Magazine, the magazine about life and living with dogs in the West!

Spring Barrel Tasting in the Yakima Valley: Stop by Sleeping Dog Wines!

If you're heading to the much-anticipated Yakima Valley Spring Barrel Tasting, April 25 - 27, be sure to stop by Sleeping Dog Wines. While not "officially" participating in the Yakima Valley Spring Barrel Tasting, their doors will be open to you and your four-legged friend that weekend if you want to swing by for a taste of their award-winning wines. Bring your canine companion for a walk in the vineyards, say "hi" to resident dog Aurora, then relax and enjoy their awesome view!

For more information, visit Sleeping Dog Wines.

For more information about the Yakima Valley Spring Barrel Tasting, click here.