Boxers for Obama

About a week ago, a package arrived at my office and lo' and behold, it contained an "Obama for President" dog collar. I dug around to see if there was also a "McCain for President" collar inside, but to no avail. Guess that makes me part of the "liberal media."

I was curious though...so I went to the website www.muzzle-tov.com to see if they only sell Obama collars or if you can also buy a McCain collar. And yes, they sell collars for McCain mutts as well. In fact, they've sold 703 McCain collars to date. But hold on...they've also sold 1,915 Obama collars. Hmmmm...wonder if that's any indication of how this election will turn out?

Final cover dog model search of the year a success!

This past weekend we held our final cover dog model search of the year at FidoFEST. It was a blustery, rainy day, but dogs still turned out in droves making it one of our biggest model searches ever. Thank you to all of the contestants...you helped raise $1,000 for the Seattle Humane Society. To check out all of the canine contestants from FidoFEST, click here.

Pictured above is Finnigan, the winning dog from FidoFEST. Soon, we will be asking CityDog readers to vote for one dog to grace the cover of CityDog Magazine! Stay tuned!

Here are some more pictures from the event...

A contestant waits to hear the results (I love the terrier in the background..."who me?")

Braving the wind and rain at this year's FidoFEST.

A dog yoga...or "doga" demonstration. That's Rascal on the left...a cover dog contestant.

The wind-blown judges: Brandie Ahlgren, founder and editor of CityDog Magazine; Nicki Walters, co-owner of Pooper Trooper; and, Elise Vincentini, owner of Downtown Dog Lounge.

It was a family affair with kids and puppies...oh my!

Photography by J.Nichole Smith, Dane + Dane Studios, who managed to take some awesome shots while trying not to be blown away by the wind.

October is National Adopt-a-Shelter-Dog month

Today in the mail, I received a letter from PAWS and in it they mention that just in the past month, the number of dogs and cats brought to their shelter has significantly increased because families are no longer able to afford to care for them. In several cases, these guardians have lost their homes due to foreclosure and are moving into rental properties that do not allow animals.

If you are considering adopting a pet, there is no time like the present! October is National Adopt-a-Shelter-Dog month (and heck, let's make it adopt-a-shelter-cat month too), so celebrate your love for animals with a new addition to your family.

Woof!
Brandie Ahlgren, founder & editor
CityDog Magazine

We're looking for favorite treat recipes from CityDog readers!

CityDog is working feverishly on our holiday issue and it's not only going to be packed with unique gift ideas for pooches and their people, but also great winter getaways, downtown shopping tips, and more. We're also compiling some favorite treat recipes and need your help!

If you have a treat recipe you'd like to share with fellow CityDog readers, please email it to brandie@citydogmagazine.com. Whoknows...we might just feature it in the holiday issue of CityDog Magazine and send you a treat of your own!

Woof!
Brandie Ahlgren, founder & editor
CityDog Magazine

Cover dog model search at Fremont Oktoberfest raises close to $1,000

It was another successful CityDog cover dog model search! Dogs of all shapes and sizes turned out at Fremont Oktoberfest to strut their stuff on the catwalk for the coveted cover of Seattle's own CityDog Magazine. Thank you to all of the contestants who helped raise close to $1,000 for a great organization, Reading With Rover.

Alas, there can only be one winner and that dog is Django, pictured here! We have one more model search to go this weekend at FidoFEST then we'll take the winners from each event held in and around Seattle this summer and ask you to vote for the winning dog to be on the cover of CityDog Magazine. It's very exciting!

And, ALL of the dogs -- every single one entered in a model search -- will be featured in the Winter 2008-'09 issue as well as in our NEW 2009 "CityDogs" Calendar!

To check out all of the canine contestants from the Oktoberfest cover dog model search, click here. Be sure to view it as a slideshow to get the full effect!

To register your dog for the CityDog Cover Dog Model Search at FidoFEST this Saturday, click here. This is the last chance for your pooch to be in the 2009 "CityDogs" Calendar. To pre-order your calendar, click here.

Pre-order your 2009 "CityDogs" calendar online!

We're live...! Simply click here to pre-order your 2009 "CityDogs" Calendar online today!

Pre-order your "CityDogs" Calendar today!

The NEW 2009 "CityDogs" Calendar featuring the gorgeous photography of J. Nichole Smith will be here soon! For the past three years, Nichole has photographed for CityDog close to 1,000 dogs in and around Seattle, so in addition to a beauty shot for each month, each day features a dog's smiling face -- all 365 days and then some! These are your dogs. These are your neighbors' dogs. These are your friends' dogs. These are your fellow dog park dogs. These are your CityDogs!

To pre-order your calendar, please click HERE. Calendars are just $19.99 plus tax/S&H. And, there is no limit to your order if you want to order some as gifts! Simply include a list of names and addresses plus a short greeting and we'll take care of the rest in time for the holidays!

Last chance to be on the cover of CityDog Magazine and in the 2009 "CityDogs" Calendar!

This Saturday, October 4th is our final cover dog model search of the year. Over the course of the summer, we've hosted model searches all over the city, taking hundreds of photos of Seattle area dogs and raising thousands for local animal welfare groups. This weekend, we will wrap things up at FidoFEST, a fun-filled, dog-friendly event taking place at University Village to benefit the Seattle Humane Society.

Here's the exciting part...

Not only will every dog ever entered in a CityDog model search be featured in the winter issue of CityDog Magazine...they will also be included in the NEW 2009 "CityDogs" Calendar. Each month features the gorgeous photography of J. Nichole Smith and each day features a dog's smiling face -- all 365 days and then some! Because we have way more dogs than days of the year, we'll include bonus pages to fit them all in! These are your dogs. These are your neighbors' dogs. These are your fellow dog park dogs. These are your CityDogs!

If you haven't entered your dog in a CityDog Cover Dog Model Search, this is your last chance! Not only will your dog strut its stuff for a chance to be on the cover of CityDog, but its picture will be in our winter issue AND in our 2009 "CityDogs" Calendar! To pre-register for Saturday's event, click here.

And, be sure to pre-order your 2009 "CityDogs" Calendar at FidoFEST or online soon. Available October 25th, quantities will be limited.

Woof to all you CityDogs!

Watch an interview with Jon Katz, author of the new book Izzy & Lenore

Read our full review of Izzy & Lenore in the current issue of CityDog Magazine.

Subscribe today!

Woof!

Brandie Ahlgren, editor

CityDog Magazine

Seattle Seahawks score a touchdown for animals

The Seattle Seahawks and Pasado's Safe Haven Pro Compassion 2009 Calendars are here...! Be sure to order yours today at pasadosafehaven.org! Here is a peek inside:

Lofa Tatupu with Indy (August)
Lofa and Indy bonded instantly, as you can see! Pasado rescued 1200 animals in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina. Indy was one of the lucky survivors. Pasado rescuers were canvassing a devastated neighborhood when Indy heard the rescue truck. He seemed to know that it was his last hope and he came running for help. He had lived for three weeks with no food and little water in near 100-degree heat. Pasado’s Safe Haven's Disaster Responders help animals in every state in the U.S., so all animals have the chance for a happy ending, like Indy.

Matt Hasselbeck with Chomper (December)
Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck chose to pose with Chomper for the Seattle Seahawks-Pasado's Safe Haven "Pro-Compassion" Calendar, and who could blame him? Pasado's Safe Haven met this handsome, husky-mix on the day he was to be put to sleep at an animal shelter. He was rescued in the knick of time. Pasado's thought all was well until sanctuary veterinarians found Chomper had a fatal heart problem and he was given one year to live. Eight years later, Chomper is still going strong and in fact, has earned a second name familiar to football fans: “Bronco Nigursky,” after a famous Green Bay Packers full-back known for pushing through anything! Go Chomps!

And, it didn't rain! We had an awesome turnout for the CityDog cover dog model search today at Fremont Oktoberfest! Thank you to everyone who participated and helped raise money for Reading With Rover. Stay tuned...we'll have all of the photos loaded soon!

Rain or shine...the show must go on!

Rain or shine (unfortunately, it looks like rain), the CityDog cover dog model search will be the highlight of Dog Day at Fremont Oktoberfest tomorrow! We'll kick things off at 3pm and even if you've pre-registered your dog, I suggest you arrive at least a half hour early to check-in at the CityDog booth. We look forward to seeing you and your canine super models at our biggest cover dog model search ever!

Woof!
Brandie Ahlgren
CityDog Magazine

Sunday could be the day your pooch is on it's way to becoming America's next dog model. Well, maybe not quite that dramatic (I've been hooked on the latest season of America's Next Top Model)! However, your dog could certainly be on its way to becoming CityDog's next cover model.

Sunday, September 21 is Dog Day at Seattle's Fremont Oktoberfest and it's also the third annual CityDog Cover Dog Model Search. Last year, over 200 dogs vied to be on the cover of CityDog Magazine, raising over $2,000 to benefit animals in our community.

If you would like to register your dog for this Sunday's cover dog model search, click here.

And, read more about Dog Day at Oktoberfest at my blog on NWsource.com.

PAWSwalk cover dog contestants are online

This is why I love my job...I get to look at photos of smiling dogs' faces and share them for the world to see! Need a little pick-me-up this afternoon? Then, check out the latest CityDog cover dog model contestants here. Their smiles are sure to make you smile.

Woof!
Brandie Ahlgren, founder
CityDog Magazine

Get ready! Dog Day at Fremont Oktoberfest is almost here!

This year's Dog Day at Fremont Oktoberfest promises to be bigger than ever! Of course, there is our own CityDog Cover Dog Model Search, which is a hoot -- but the folks at Oktoberfest also have a special treat for you! If you bring your four-legged friend to Oktoberfest on Sunday, September 21, you get two free tastings in the beer garden! Pretty cool, eh?

But, be sure to enter your pooch in the CityDog Cover Dog Model Search...it's a whole lotta fun and a chance for your dog to grace the cover of our upcoming winter issue. And, it's all for a great cause -- the $10 per dog donation goes directly to Reading With Rover!

To pre-register for the CityDog Cover Dog Model Search, click here. ALL dogs are welcome to try out -- and because we think every single one is worthy of the cover, we'll feature each dog's photo in the winter issue!

To buy tickets to Fremont Oktoberfest and save $5, click here.

Buddha, our 2007 cover dog winner!

Subscribe to CityDog Magazine today!

West Seattle dogs rock!

West Seattle dog lovers, you rock! You helped raise close to $500 for the Doney Memorial Clinic at the CityDog cover dog model search at the Thriftway in West Seattle. Stay tuned...we'll announce a winner soon! Pictured here is Rupert. Check out all of the contestants by clicking here.

Photos by J. Nichole Smith of Dane + Dane Studios

Adoptable mutts strut their stuff this Friday at Seattle's Hotel Monaco

Fur is in at this fashion show! That's because it's the sixth annual Fido Fashions, featuring adoptable pups strutting their stuff in the latest canine couture.

To raise awareness about pet adoption, adoptable dogs from the Seattle Humane Society will walk the catwalk in fashionable doggy duds from Railey's Leash & Treat and be available for adoption immediately following the event.

When: Friday Sept. 5, 2008, 11 AM

Where:

Hotel Monaco

1101 Fourth Ave. (corner of 4th and Spring St.)

Seattle, Wash.

Cost: Free! Dog lovers and their canine companions are welcome to attend, and will receive complimentary "doggy bags" from Three Dog Bakery.

Fall Issue of CityDog Arrives Next Tuesday!

Meet Sunny, our handsome model gracing the fall cover! Sunny's mom won the highest bid for Sunny to be on the cover, helping to raise money for a great cause at this year's Homeward Pet Adoption Center's annual auction! Seattle pet photographer Bev Sparks donated her time and talent to the shoot, which took place on a beautiful "sunny" day at Luther Burbank Park on the shores of Lake Washington.

Be sure to pick up a copy of the fall issue, arriving next week! We've packed it full with fun things for you to do with your dog in the West. Or, click here to subscribe today!

They're here! Photos from the CityDog Cover Dog Model Search at Kirkland Uncorked!

They're here...the gorgeous mugs of all of the cover dog contestants from Kirkland Uncorked! Click here to check them out. All of the dogs will be featured in the winter issue of CityDog Magazine, but only one will grace the cover! As always, I highly recommend viewing them as a slideshow to get the full effect!

Photos shot by the very talented J. Nichole Smith of Dane + Dane Studios.

Doggone Good Photos from the Muttmazing Race and South Lake Union Block Party!

I told you there'd be more activity on the CityDog Blog now that the fall issue is off to the printer! Click here to check out "doggie" photos from this month's Muttmazing Race and South Lake Union Block Party!