Another CityDog Top 10!

Dog friendly ski resorts...there's still time! Check out our top 10 favorite dog friendly ski resorts here.

Top 10 Ultimutt Wineries in the West

With spring right around the corner, it's time to start planning some road trips with your pooch. If exploring the Washington, Oregon and/or California wine country is at the top of your list, we've come up with our top 10 favorite wineries to help you on your way!

And, speaking of road trips, CityDog Magazine is compiling all of our Top 10's, weekend getaways, travel tips, deluxe digs and more into a guide book for dog lovers called CityDog Destinations Northwest. Essentially, it's a best of the Northwest for traveling with your dog. Look for it this summer!

In the meantime, subscribe to CityDog Magazine today!

Woof!
Brandie Ahlgren, founder & editor
CityDog Magazine

P.S. Become a fan of CityDog on Facebook and be sure to follow us on Twitter at citydogmagazine!

We're adding new content to the CityDog website!

Over the next couple of weeks, we are adding tons of new content to the website! For a sneak peek, check out CityDog Magazine's Top 10 Bow-wow Worthy Beaches here!

Citizen Lobbyists Rally at Capitol Urging Lawmakers to Pass Slate of Animal Protection Laws

Dozens of citizens from across the Evergreen State will descend on the state capitol in Olympia and meet with their lawmakers today to urge them to pass a series of animal protections bills before them this session. The citizen lobbyists are participating in Humane Lobby Day, which is organized by The Humane Society of the United States, with participation from local shelters, rescues, and animal groups from across Washington state.

The animal protection bills before the legislature in 2009 are:

• SB 5651/HB 1936 would crack down on the worst abuses at “puppy mills” by barring the possession of more than 25 breeding dogs at one time. It also establishes minimum care standards for dogs at breeding facilities.
• SB 5329/HB 1406 establishes a spay/neuter assistance program for feral cats as well as dogs and cats of low income individuals.
• SB 5402/HB 1968 prevents people convicted of animal cruelty, in cases where the animal died or endured substantial pain or undue suffering, from owning similar animals in the future.

The HSUS is also working to defeat legislation that would essentially repeal the state’s ban on steel-jawed leghold traps that was overwhelmingly passed by Washington voters. HB 1115/SB 5389 would overturn I-713, the citizen’s initiative approved in 2000 by a 10-point margin, which protects Washington’s pets and wildlife from cruel and indiscriminate trapping for recreation and commerce in fur.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for citizens who care about animal protection to make their voices heard, and a great way for them to participate in the lawmaking process,” said Dan Paul, Washington state director for The Humane Society of the United States. “The support of local advocates is crucial to our efforts to improve the lives of animals in Washington, and prevent lawmakers from rolling back the will of the people.”

Last year, state legislatures across the country passed 93 new laws for animals. The HSUS works with animal advocates and state legislators across the country to enact laws protecting animals from cruelty, combating animal fighting, halting wildlife abuse, and more.

Click here to find your legislator and let them know how you would like them to vote on the above legislation.

We Rocked the House!

It was a full house at the third annual CityDog Puppy Love MuttMixer! The W Hotel was packed with hundreds of pooches and their peeps...plus The Travel Channel was there to film the festivities including our first ever "mutt-rimony" (er, doggie wedding). Q13 Fox News even showed up! We'll have pictures posted soon, or if you have snapshots from the party you'd like to share, feel free to email them to us at info@citydogmagazine.com!

And, thank you to everyone for your donations to the Everett Animal Shelter. Your generosity will go toward helping the hundreds of dogs rescued from puppy mills.

Woof!
CityDog Magazine

CityDog Magazine's 21st Birthday Pawty!

It was quite the mutt mixer at CityDog's 21st (in dog years, that is) birthday party at the W Hotel Seattle! Check out this little video from Crescent Moon Studio and see for yourself!

Vote Yes!

Public survey: Should continuous dog chaining be restricted in King County? Responses will be presented to council with report findings

King County residents are invited to share their opinions about a proposed dog tethering ordinance by taking a King County Animal Care and Control survey. The survey will be accessible for one week in the right sidebar at www.kingcounty.gov/pets, until February 13, 2009. Responses will be given to the King County Council as part of a feasibility study of a potential ordinance restricting continuous dog chaining in King County.

King County’s animal cruelty investigations program has increased the number of cases sent to prosecutors by more then 300 percent in the last two years. The County is building a model animal care and control program that focuses on saving lives through proactive licensing education and enforcement, enhanced pet adoption programs, and a stronger veterinary medical program.

For more information about King County Animal Care and Control’s services or to learn about volunteer opportunities at the shelter, call 206-296-PETS (7387) or visit www.kingcounty.gov/pets.

West Seattle Art Walk is Going to the Dogs

The Kenney is going to the dogs as part of the West Seattle Art Walk. You and your well-behaved canine are invited to visit this West Seattle landmark to view works by renowned Seattle pet photographer Bev Sparks, West Seattle pet photographer Jenifer Flynn, and Kenney resident artist Ann Bowden.

WHERE
The Kenney, 7125 Fauntleroy Way SW, West Seattle

WHEN
Thursday, February 12, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

WHY
Kick off your pre-Valentine's Day festivities with great art, great food and great wine -- and the four-legged love of your life!

Above photo by Seattle pet photographer Bev Sparks.

3rd Annual CityDog Puppy Love MuttMixer!

WHO

CityDog Magazine, you and the furry, four-legged love of your life.

WHAT

Join CityDog Magazine and fellow dog lovers at the swanky W Hotel Seattle to mix and mingle, sip cocktails and swap doggy tails. Are you single? Even better! Puppy love will be in the air, so who knows...you might just meet that special two-legged someone to add to your pack.

We have a doggie wedding planned, pawdicures and special guests from The Travel Channel who will be there to film the festivities for an upcoming show!

Photographer extraordinaire J. Nichole Smith of Dane + Dane Studios will also be on hand to snap portraits of your furry friend (available for purchase).

WHEN

Wednesday, February 11, 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM

WHERE

W Seattle, Living Room

1112 4th Avenue

Seattle, WA 98101

Click here for directions

WHY

Why for the love of dog, of course! The event is free, but we will be taking donations for the Everett Animal Shelter. Last month, the shelter took in 150 of the nearly 600 dogs rescued from Washington puppy mills, with several in need of serious medical attention.

RSVP

Please RSVP with the number of humans and number of canines attending to info@citydogmagazine.com. Thank you!

Party Animal Rules: Dogs must remain on-leash and be under your control at all times. Dogs (and people for that matter) must also play well with others. Thank you for your understanding!

Above photo by J. Nichole Smith, Dane + Dane Studios