Strut Your Mutt on Sunday!

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

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!

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!

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

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

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

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!

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!