I was so touched by this post on Seattle pet photographer Jamie Pflughoeft's blog, I had to share it with you. It's about a special dog she met at the Belltown off-leash park named Angel. If you are looking for a new dog to welcome into your home, then please check out Jamie's blog.

CityDog's upcoming Muttmazing Race is featured on NWSource.com! Read all about it here plus a whole bunch of other fun events this summer to benefit animals.

Third Annual Cover Dog Model Search

Buddha, our 2007 model contest winner!

Find your dog's inner super model at the third annual CityDog Cover Dog Model Search.

That's right, we're looking for our next dog to grace the cover of CityDog Magazine and raising money for animals while we're at it! Big dogs, little dogs...ALL dogs are welcome to walk the catwalk and compete for the chance to be a CityDog cover dog model.

All in the spirit of fun and to raise money for a good cause, the winning pooch will be privy to a professional photo shoot with photographer J. Nichole Smith of Dane + Dane Studios to grace the cover of the Winter 2008-'09 issue of CityDog Magazine.

Click HERE to register for one of three model searches this summer!

Woof!

Brandie Ahlgren, founder

CityDog Magazine

P.S. Not only will the winning dog be on the cover, but also every single cover dog contestant will be featured in the Winter 2008-'09 issue!

To subscribe to CityDog, the magazine about life and living with dogs in the West – Seattle, Portland, San Francisco and everywhere in between – please click here.

Hands to Paws Massage

What dog doesn't love a good belly rub? Heck, if Fido can get a full massage out of the deal -- even better! Certified small animal massage practitioner, Jenni Streit, is hosting a class to teach just that -- massage techniques to enhance your pet's physical and psychological well being.

WHO
Jenni Streit, LMP, Reiki Master
Hands to Paws Massage

WHAT
In this experiential class, you will learn three massage techniques to relax your dog and/or cat (practice will be on stuffed animals).

WHERE
East West Bookshop
6500 Roosevelt Way NE
Seattle, Wash. 98115

WHEN
Monday, June 2, 2008, 7 PM - 8:30 PM

COST: $7; to register, call 206.523.3726

Three Dog Spa Night

Seattle's own Three Dog Bakery (1418 1st Avenue) is hosting a spa night to benefit the Seattle Animal Shelter, Wednesday, May 21st, from 6PM to 8PM.

Pampered pooches can enjoy a 10 minute therapeutic massage in the cozy "Spa Corner" from certified canine masseuse Karen Parkey plus a bag of goodies and gifts!

Just $10 with all proceeds benefitting the Seattle Animal Shelter.

For more information and to register, click here. FYI, space is limited.

CityDog FYI

On an 85-degree day, a car's interior temperature can climb to 120 degrees in 20 minutes, even with the windows slightly open.

DoveLewis Tails & Ales Dog Wash

Have a cold one at this cool event!

WHEN
Saturday, May 17, 2008, 11:00AM—5:00PM

WHERE
Lucky Labrador Beer Hall
1945 NW Quimby, Portland (right behind DoveLewis!)

WHY
Help DoveLewis celebrate its 35th birthday at this super fun dog wash at the Lucky Lab! Bring your dirty dogs to the Lucky Labrador Beer Hall and DoveLewis promises to send them home squeaky clean! (Minimum suggested donation of $5 per dog.)

Want your dog washed by Portland's 2008 Rose Festival Court? Come by from 3:00PM - 5:00PM.

Want to dance with your dirty dog? Check out Off the Record from 3:00PM - 5:00PM. They'll make sure everyone's having a great time with their fun, danceable rock & pop tunes, sure to rock your socks off.

And this year, you and your dog can help save lives! The American Red Cross will have their Bloodmobile on site. Humans -- make an appointment and donate blood between 10:00AM and 3:00PM -- please call 503.528.5608 to get on the list.

And, dog owners -- make a blood-typing appointment for your dog to see if he or she can become a DoveLewis Superhero! If your best friend meets the criteria to become a blood donor, sign up from 11:00AM to 5:00PM at the event.

The Northwest is about to have record temperatures, so everyone be safe (no dogs in hot cars) and be sure to cool off at this super cool event!

44 Days Out of Kandahar

CityDog contributor Ranny Green will be reviewing 44 Days Out of Kandahar in our upcoming summer issue! In the meantime, check out this heartwarming video of Cinnamon's long journey home.

Tattoo You

I'm a big fan of the show Miami Ink, and of course my favorite is when they feature a client getting a tattoo of their dog. Very cool and I must admit, a little tempting. If you are considering getting a tattoo of your four-legged friend, here's an option a little closer to home that doubles as a way to raise money for a good cause!

DoveLewis Emergency Animal Hospital is hosting “Tats for Cats….and Dogs,” during the month of May. Tattoo artists from all over Portland, Oregon are donating 10% of the fees generated in May by animal-inspired tattoos to the DoveLewis Stray Animal and Wildlife Fund. 100% of that money goes to pay for emergency medical care for injured stray and wild animals brought to DoveLewis.

So, if you're thinking ink, click here for more information and a list of participating tattoo artists!

Pugmania!

It was a sea of pugs last Saturday at the 13th annual Spring Pug Gala hosted by Seattle Pug Rescue! All shapes, sizes and mixes were there in all their pug glory. I know you're dying to see photos and guess what, you're in luck! Photographer Jamie Pflughoeft with Cowbelly Pet Photography was on-hand, snapping pictures like crazy and she's graciously posted some on her blog for all to see. Click here and enjoy!

Friday Laughs: ihasahotdog.com

In a previous blog, we mentioned Itchmo.com as one of our favorite blogs, but then they went bye, bye. However, the creators have resurfaced with ihasahotdog.com and I highly recommend you check it out if "ur" in need of a Friday funny! This one in particular struck my funny bone...

Subscribe to CityDog Today and Get a FREE Dog Is Good Bumper Sticker!

During the month of May, subscribe to CityDog Magazine and receive a FREE Dog Is Good bumper sticker!

In the Spring Issue Over 50 ways to have fun with your four-legged friend are packed into this issue...places to go, things to do and adventures to be had in the West including a seaside weekend getaway to beautiful Astoria, Oregon, exploring Seattle's lovely Queen Anne neighborhood, a road trip to Breckenridge, Colorado plus reader favorites such as Red Dog Diaries and Ask Dog Lady.

In the Upcoming Summer Issue It's all about fun in the sun with Fido...CityDog's top 10 favorite beaches, a weekend getaway to the San Juan Islands, exploring beautiful Carmel, California, summer reading recommendations, and much more!

Simply click here to subscribe to CityDog today and receive a FREE Dog Is Good bumper sticker! Please type "Dog Is Good" in the "How did you hear about CityDog Magazine?" section, right above the Submit Order button.

Woof!
CityDog Magazine

The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, the dog days of summer are here…Well, maybe not quite, but we've come up with some great ways to get things started!

UPCOMING MUST-DO EVENTS

05.10.08 Where can you see 1,000 pugs all in one place? Why, at “Pugmania,” of course! Hosted by Seattle Pug Rescue, the 13th Annual Spring Pug Gala at Magnuson Park is $10.00 per person (pugs and kids under 12 are free), with pug races, pug agility, the Parade of Rescued Pugs, a silent auction and raffle, a variety of vendors (including CityDog Magazine) and celebrity guest Pat Cashman. Pugs only, please.

05.18.08 Dogs rock! Especially at this fundraiser hosted by Ginger's Pet Rescue to help Death Row Dogs at Fuel Sports Bar in Seattle's Pioneer Square, with musical performances by Bruce Detore, Rewind, Universal Measure and Tripnine.

06.08.08 Join the fun as thousands of people run and walk, with friends, families, kids and of course their dogs, at the 9th Annual Furry 5K Fun Run and Walk at Seattle's Seward Park to raise money for injured and abused orphaned animals.

07.20.08 Find your dog's inner super model at the third annual CityDog Cover Dog Model Search at Kirkland Uncorked. That's right, we're looking for our next dog to grace the cover of CityDog Magazine and raising money for Pasado's Safe Haven while we're at it!

08.08.08 Get ready, because CityDog's second annual Muttmazing Race is coming! Compete with your furry, four-legged friend in a series of fun challenges to raise money for the Seattle Animal Shelter's Help the Animals Fund, then kick back in the beer garden, enjoy food tastings, listen to live music and watch an outdoor movie, all at the rockin' South Lake Union Block Party.

For complete listing of upcoming events, click here. Be sure to check back often, because we update it regularly to keep you in the know on dog happenings around the West.

An Engineer's Guide to Cats

Fun Ways to Help Animals Part Five

Throw a party...

...and make it a gift drive to benefit the thousands of orphaned, injured and sick baby animals at PAWS. Simply invite them to shop the PAWS wish list, which includes items such as heat lamps to keep orphaned wildlife babies warm, plastic kiddy pools for wading and cooling off, Vicks liquid vapo-steam to help sick kitties breathe better while they recover, and of course, food, toys and treats! To learn more about hosting a gift/donation drive, click here.

Go above and beyond and make it a tail wagging celebration with stylish and personalized dog and cat party themed accessories from Tail Waggin' Celebrations. From dog cakes and treats to cat balloons and party hats, this website has it all for an animal-themed "pawty."

True Story!

I'd heard a rumor of this happening in Alaska, but thought it was an urban legend...

Just yesterday, a friend was hanging out at a beach near Port Townsend with her Yorkie when a bald eagle swooped down, grabbed the dog and tried to fly off! Fortunately, Peanut, who is barely a year old, was wearing a leash. Once the eagle realized Peanut was tethered, it dropped her and flew off. She's going to be okay after spending the night at the vet, but she has a punctured lung and is afraid to go outside. I don't blame her!

Fun Ways to Help Animals Part Four

Drink coffee...

Warren Sly, founder and self-proclaimed chief do-gooder of Seattle-based Specialty Coffee Roast, donates $2 to the organization of your choice for every pound of coffee you purchase.

For die-hard java drinkers, there's even a coffee club. And, you can create your own custom label. Simply select your coffee, create your label, set the delivery frequency and relax, knowing that your habit is helping animals!