7th Annual Harbor Hounds this Saturday! Be there or be square!

Charity dog walk to raise money for the Prison Pet Partnership Program, Coalition: HUMAnE (formerly Peninsula Spay/Neuter Project), and the Gig Harbor Mid-day Rotary.

A fun, leisurely 2.0 mile walk along the waterfront in the beautiful historic fishing village of Gig Harbor. There will be a variety of entertainment, contests, demonstrations, expert advice, pet information, vendors, food, and loads of tail-wagging fun.

The 2009 Harbor Hounds will be held Saturday, September 26th, 10:00am–3:00pm!

The event takes place between Donkey Creek Park at the North end of Harborview and Skansie Brothers Park, (next to Jerisich Park). Participants will walk in between the two parks, along the waterfront. Event Directions

Awesome photos from yesterday's cover dog model search at Fremont Oktoberfest!

Well, we did it! Another fantastic cover dog model search -- this one at yesterday's Fremont Oktoberfest -- and here some pictures to prove it! Check out the contestants in all their super model glory here!

We have only one cover dog model search left -- Sunday, September 27 at FidoFEST. For more details and to pre-register your dog, click here. Woof!

This makes it all worth it...

Dear Brandie,

The West Seattle Food Bank would like to thank you for your donation of 205 pounds of dog food to our organization in August. Your donation will help the West Seattle Food Bank provide nutritious food to over 700 families and their pets every week.

So far this year the Food Bank has responded to a family in need 17,175 times. This is a 21% increase over the same period last year. Despite this dramatic increase in the number of families that turn to us for help, it is inspiring to see individuals and organizations in our community reaching out to provide a helping hand to neighbors experiencing difficult times.

Your donation will ensure that everyone in this community has access to the basic right of healthy food. This in turn will help these individuals and families lead healthier and more fulfilling lives.

Thank you for your generosity and dedication to community and support of the West Seattle Food Bank mission to eliminate hunger in our community.

Sincerely,
Fran Yeatts
Executive Director

Note: The credit goes to everyone who brought pet food donations to the CityDog cover dog model search at West Seattle Thriftway last month -- THANK YOU!!! To learn more about the West Seattle Food Bank go to www.westseattlefoodbank.org.

Trying to keep up

Between our Facebook page, Twitter, the CityDog Blog, our Fall issue going to press, dog events every weekend, updating the Web site and simply trying to keep up...something inevitably falls through the cracks. And, that thing would be our September e-newsletter announcing the next CityDog cover dog model search! It's THIS Sunday at 3 p.m. at Fremont Oktoberfest! I'll be sending an e-newsletter tomorrow, but wanted to get the info on our blog ASAP!

Here's the 4-1-1:

CityDog Cover Dog Model Search at Fremont Oktoberfest, Sunday, September 20, 2009, 3:00 p.m. in the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle. $10.00 per dog; benefits Reading With Rover.

In conjunction with this CityDog Cover Dog Model Search, you can enter your dog in The Simpson’s 20th Anniversary Santa’s Little Helper Look-Alike Contest (no extra charge to enter). The winner will appear on Q13 Fox's morning news! Cool, huh?!

To register your dog for this event, please click HERE.

All for a good cause and to have fun, we hope to see you there! Woof!

Renton’s New Dog Park Opens: Community celebrates with leash-cutting ceremony and furry-friendly activities

Good news!

The City of Renton and Renton's Unleashed Furry Friends (RUFF) will be celebrating the Grand Opening and Dedication of the Cedar River Off-Leash Dog Park Saturday, September 19, 2009. In attendance will be Renton’s Mayor, Denis Law, as well as other representatives from the City of Renton.

Following the 10 a.m. Leash-Cutting Ceremony, there will be a number of fun activities for dogs and owners alike including “Chuck-It” competitions and contests for the smallest dog, largest dog, best bark, and best look-a-like to Lassie, Rin-Tin-Tin and Marley. Throughout the event, RUFF will also be collecting pet food donations for low-income seniors with pets.

Renton’s new off-leash dog park is the result of community effort that involved numerous donations of time, money, materials and equipment by local volunteers and community members. In the midst of a deep recession, RUFF was able to move the dog park from conception to completion within a four-month period thanks to the more than $45,000 in cash, materials and services that were donated.

For more information on the Cedar River Off-Leash Dog Park or the Grand Opening Dedication, please visit www.rentonoffleash.org.

When: Saturday, September 19, 2009
Time: 10:00 a.m. – noon

Who: This event is open to the public and free of charge. Dogs and dog-owners are welcome to attend.

Location: Cedar River Off-Leash Dog Park located along the Cedar River Trail, just south of the Renton Community Center. Public parking is available on the west side of the Renton Community Center.

Celebrate Labra Day Weekend at the Oregon Humane Society

1/2 off adoption prices for all Labrador and Labrador mixes over the Labor Day Weekend!

What better way to celebrate the Labor Day weekend than with your new best friend – from the Oregon Humane Society! Adopt a Labrador or a Labrador mix dog from OHS this Labor Day weekend and receive a 50% adoption discount. On a typical day, OHS has nearly 80 adorable and adoptable dogs you can visit with, including nearly 20 Labradors and Lab mixes. Last year 1,722 people visited OHS over the Labor Day Weekend and 130 animals were adopted. Bravo!

WHEN: Friday, Sept. 4 – Sunday, Sept. 6, 2009 – Note: OHS is closed on Labor Day

WHAT: 50% off adoption fees for Labrador and Labrador mixed dogs available for adoption

WHY: OHS is seeing an unusually high number of Labrador and Lab mixes at the shelter for adoption. Taz (pictured above) has been at the shelter since mid June.

WHERE: Oregon Humane Society
1067 NE Columbia Blvd., Portland, OR 97211

CALL: (503) 285-7722, for directions and adoption information

VISIT: www.oregonhumane.org for information on how to adopt and to see an updated photo list of all the pets available for adoption, including these lucky Labrador dogs!

Pictured above and available for adoption (from left to right):
Taz (#77447), Kumar (#77620), Moose (#39183) and Hemi (#76032)

Frogs & Dogs Festival

On September 19th and 20th, two-legged and four-legged animals and humans will leap, run, ride and hop to the FIRST ANNUAL FROGS & DOGS FESTIVAL. Frogs and Dogs Festival is an outdoor gathering of everything in food or beer that involves either frogs or dogs.

Located just east of the Mecca of Frog Beer (Issaquah Brewhouse), there will be doggie dancing, doggie musical chairs, celebrity dog look alike contests, a free dog wash, frogger video tournament and of course a leap frog competition.

This dog-friendly festival will feature a prime selection of Microbrews, famous dog beers and Issaquah Brewhouse's series of Frog beers. The line-up includes:

. Laughing Buddha . Boundary Bay . Georgetown . Mac & Jacks . Snoqualmie . Hair of the Dog . Flying Dog . Laughing Dog . Sea Dog . Dogfish Head . White Frog Ale . Ménage a Frog

There will be fun stuff for the kids, including a frog and dog coloring contest and games. Entry to this event is $10 and includes five taster tokens (kids, dogs and frogs get in free when accompanied by an adult).

Proceeds from the festival will benefit "Reach for the Sky July", a three week all scholarship summer arts day camp for Issaquah and the Snoqualmie Valley's underserved youths ages eight through twelve.

FROGS AND DOGS: September 19-20, 2009

HOURS:
Noon to 10 p.m. (Saturday)
Noon to 6 p.m. (Sunday)
LOCATION: 35 W. Sunset Way / Issaquah, WA 98027 (425) 557-1911

Volunteers Needed: Get in free, get a shirt and join the Issaquah Brewhouse family.

For more information visit www.rogue.com or contact Brett Joyce at (503) 241-3800 or email brett@rogue.com.

From a subscriber...

I love your magazine and recommend it to people all the time!

Anne (CityDog subscriber)

CityDog Furry 500: A race to raise money for animals

Help us raise money for the Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) by subscribing today to Seattle’s own CityDog Magazine.

Our goal is 500 subscriptions, which equals $500 or more to go to help the homeless animals at PAWS.

In other words, for every subscription we sell from now until September 30, we will donate $1.00 for a one-year subscription and $2.00 for a two-year subscription, with the goal of reaching 500 subscriptions and $500 for PAWS!

So, help us reach the finish line by subscribing TODAY to CityDog, the definitive dog lover’s magazine about life and living with dogs in the West!

Cover Dog Contestant Photos from Kirkland Uncorked now online for your viewing pleasure!

Drumroll please...Here are our cover dog model contestants from the kick off to our fourth annual CityDog Cover Dog Model Search! Big dogs, little dogs...pirate dogs (you'll see)...all kinds of dogs took to the catwalk at this year's model search at Kirkland Uncorked. Thanks to all the pooches and their peeps who helped us pull off another successful event!

Click here to see all of the furry faces!

We have three cover dog model searches remaining. Click here for dates, locations and to pre-register your pooch!

Woof!

Bring dog & cat food to the CityDog cover dog model search on Sunday at West Seattle Thriftway!

It's recently come to our attention that many of the "customers" visiting the West Seattle Food Bank live with pets, so not only are they struggling to feed themselves, but also their furry, four-legged loved ones. That gave us an idea!

This Sunday, August 16, CityDog Magazine will be at West Seattle Thriftway from noon to 3 p.m. hosting our cover dog model search (more details below). If you would like to bring cat and/or dog food by our booth, we are happy to deliver it to the West Seattle Food Bank.

Or, if you would like to donate pet food directly to the West Seattle Food Bank, they are located at the corner of 35th Avenue SW and Morgan Street.

The West Seattle Food Bank works to eliminate hunger in West Seattle so that no one in our community will go to bed hungry. Let's make sure that includes pets as well!

CityDog Cover Dog Model Search this Sunday at West Seattle Thriftway!

Find your dog's inner super model at the fourth 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 compete for the chance to be a CityDog cover dog model.

Our next model search is this Sunday, August 16 at West Seattle Thriftway from noon to 3 P.M. All in the name of fun and to raise money for a good cause, the $10.00 per dog donation fee will go to help the Doney Memorial Animal Clinic.For more information and to pre-register your dog for the CityDog Cover Dog Model Search, click here!

For more information about the West Seattle Thriftway Dog Days of Summer, click here.

Thank you to our presenting sponsors:

Art for Animals' Sake gallery opening & silent auction this Friday!

Love animals? Love art? If so, then this is the event for you! Please join CityDog and friends, this Friday, August 14 at Art for Animals' Sake, an exhibition of sculptures, paintings and photographs, inspired by the theme of animals, featuring works of over 40 renowned Northwest artists, including such notables as Art Chantry, Edwin Fotheringham, Victoria Haven, Lance Mercer, Annie Marie Musselman, Charles Peterson, Emily Rieman, Whiting Tennis and David Walega. For a full list of artists and a sample gallery, click here. All of the proceeds from art sold will go to benefit N.O.A.H. (Northwest Organization for Animal Help).

Gallery opening and silent auction takes place from 6-9 P.M. on Friday, August 14; art will be available for viewing through Saturday, August 15.

This event is sponsored by: Best Friend Photography (Emily Rieman), Pet Portraits by David (David Walega) and Scraps Dog Bakery with the generous support of Jones Soda Co., Vulcan Real Estate and CityDog Magazine.

Location: 2200 Westlake Avenue, retail plaza level; above Whole Foods, Seattle.

For more information about Art for Animals' Sake, visit artforanimalssake.com.

Woofstock '09 Sunday, August 09!

Woofstock '09: The Summer's Pet Adoption Music Festival

When: Sunday, August 9, 2009 10:00 am - 4:30 pm

Where: Todd Field at the University of Puget Sound, 1500 N. Warner St., Tacoma, Wash.

Rescue and adoption groups, from all around Washington will be ready to fix you up with the latest addition to your family. Woofstock '09 is for all adoptable companion animals, from dogs and cats to bunnies and ferrets and money raised will benefit area rescue, spay and neuter programs.

All this and the added enjoyment of live music! Bring a picnic lunch (don't forget the dog food), pull up some lawn and enjoy the day. It promises to be filled with fun activities and information for the whole family, including your pets!

Informational booths will be setup along the way discussing the many ways you can help our companion animals through non-profit animal welfare groups.

Local animal communicator Penelope Jensen will also be available for a reading with your companion animal; they need not be present to have a session.

Cost: Admission to Woofstock '09 is free! Donations appreciated.

Dress: Casual summertime attire, shoes and shirt are required. Dogs must be leashed and under control at all times.

Woofstock '09 presented by Dugan Foundation an all-volunteer 501(c)3 charitable organization committed to making life better for all animals and ending the euthanasia of adoptable pets.

For more information about Woofstock '09, click here.

CityDog Extreme Muttmixer!

CityDog, the magazine about life and living with dogs in the West, knows how to throw a Puppy Love party to the extreme! The Travel Channel's Extreme Parties is there to capture this cool canine bash in all of its furry fun!

Sorry about the timer along the bottom -- we couldn't figure out how to remove it!

Dog-friendly Oregon Indie Beer Fest!

On August 29th from 11:00am to 9:00pm, the city of Portland will close down SE 9th Street between SE Belmont and SE Yamhill for the 1st Annual Oregon Indie Beer Fest. The event will feature 30+ small, independent Oregon-based brewers that brew no-more-than 1000 barrels per year, providing festival goers with exciting, hard-to-find beers.

To prepare us for this unique gathering, Green Dragon will be tapping some of these independent brews each day of the week (August 24-28) leading up to the festival. Attendees will have the opportunity to taste 60+ hard-to-find craft beers and meet their makers during the Indie Beer Fest, and will be able to take their favorites home with them in bottles, growlers and kegs to go. And if the beer is not enough to keep cool, tours of the Green Dragon's 1,040 square foot, glow-in-the-dark cooler will be held hourly.

Other activities at Indie Beer Fest include:
12:00 to 5:00 - Dog Wash
12:00 to 4:00 - Washers Tournament
11:00 to 9:00 - Free Pinball
11:00 to 9:00 - Free Shuffleboard

Indie Beer Fest is 100% dog-friendly and owners are encouraged to bring their companions with them. A portion of the proceeds from the Indie Beer Festival will benefit the Portland-based Pixie Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing animal adoption in a nurturing environment and affording access to spay and neuter services for everyone.

With a $10.00 paid admission, each attendee will receive 5 taster tickets. Additional tickets will be sold for $1.00 each.

Or, create your own "cooling center..."

Moose beats the heat with his own, personal cooling center! Photo kindly emailed to us by Moose's mom, Sarah. Stay cool lil' doggies!

Keep those hot dogs cool at OHS' cooling center!

Oregon Humane Society Opens Cooling Center

People and pets can beat the heat by coming to the Oregon Humane Society. OHS is now offering its lobby as a cooling center for individuals and their animals who are suffering from Portland's record-breaking heat wave.

The OHS cooling center will be open today through Sunday, Aug 2., during normal shelter hours: Wed. 10 am - 7pm; Thurs. though Sat, 10 am - 9 pm; Sun. 10 am - 7 pm.

Pets must be accompanied by their owners at all times -- no pet drop offs are allowed.

"There are few, if any, cooling centers where people can bring their pets," said OHS Executive Director Sharon Harmon. Adults, children and well-behaved pets are invited to the cooling center, located in the OHS Animal Medical Learning Center (AMLC) lobby, which is located a few feet east of the main OHS shelter lobby entrance. The public is encouraged to bring crates for animals accustomed to using them.

OHS is located at 1067 NE Columbia Blvd, Portland, OR, (503) 285-7722; http://www.oregonhumane.org/

Art for Animals' Sake

Join Northwest pet photographers and artists for Art for Animals' Sake, a fundraiser to help support the homeless animals at NOAH. CityDog will be there...will you?

When: Friday, August 14, 2009, 6pm to 9pm

Where: 2200 Retail Plaza, South Lake Union, Seattle, Wash.

For more information, visit: artforanimalssake.com.

U.S. Justice Department honors Best Friends Animal Society for rehabilitative work with Michael Vick’s fighting dogs

WASHINGTON, D.C. ─ Best Friends Animal Society today received a 2009 Asset Forfeiture National Award for its “outstanding work with the dogs on the Bad Newz Kennels case (the Michael Vick case).”

This award to Best Friends is in conjunction with 2009 National Leadership Conference for the U.S. Justice Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and the Asset Forfeiture Program. The conference focused on the essential role the OCDETF and Asset Forfeiture Programs play in disrupting and dismantling illegal enterprises, depriving criminals of the proceeds of illegal activity, deterring crime, and restoring property to victims of crime.

For the last 19 months, Best Friends has been in the national spotlight for its care of nearly half the animals seized from Michael Vick’s dog fighting operation. Considered the most challenging cases, these dogs would have been destroyed if Best Friends had not accepted them at their 3,700-acre sanctuary in southern Utah. During that time, the dogs have made steady progress, with one dog being recently adopted and another in foster care, the first step toward adoption.

Best Friends launched "Pit Bulls: Saving America's Dogs" a campaign to save the pit bull breed’s reputation, which in recent years has been sullied by dogfighting. Best Friends work with the Vick dogs has been chronicled on the National Geographic Channel series, ”DogTown.” Co-managers of DogTown, Michelle Beshmehn and John Garcia, who are featured on the show, accepted the award on behalf of Best Friends.

Statement on Michael Vick From the American Humane Association

Here is a statement from Marie Belew Wheatley, president and CEO of the American Humane Association, relative to the issue of Michael Vick completing his sentence and whether he will be reinstated by the National Football League:

"Whether or not Michael Vick is reinstated with the NFL, it is the American Humane Association’s sincere hope that he will make good on his reported intention to be a visible spokesperson against dogfighting and animal cruelty, and that he will use his continuing celebrity and notoriety to become a positive role model for compassion and empathy to both people and animals.

As for his reinstatement, that will be the NFL commissioner’s decision. American Humane is neither lobbying for nor against it. Since Vick’s indictment, American Humane has communicated with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s office on several occasions, as well as separately with the judge who sentenced Vick. Our original concern was that Vick, if and when found guilty, should receive a sentence appropriate to his crimes and his inhumane treatment of animals. The judicial process ran its course. Now it is up to others — such as Goodell, the public and Vick himself — as to what the future holds for Vick."

What do you think? Should Michael Vick be a spokesperson against dogfighting and animal cruelty? Should he be reinstated into the NFL?

The Travel Channel to feature CityDog!

Be sure to watch Extreme Wild Parties tomorrow at 8 p.m. on the Travel Channel featuring CityDog's Puppy Love Muttmixer!

For a preview, click here.

Woof woof!
CityDog Magazine

Get ready! Poochapalooza is almost here!

The 4th Annual Marysville Poochapalooza Outdoor Dog Event is like a county fair for dogs! Highlights: Flyball exhibitions, 2009 Hyperflite Skyhoundz Flying Disc Championship, Emerald City K-9 Freestyle Dancing Dog demonstrations, pet vendor booths, and more. Enter your dog in fun “Best in Show” contests like “best kisser,” “wackiest pet trick,” “best voice,” “best costume" and much, much more!

When: Sat. July 11, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Where:
Totem Middle School
Asbery Field
1605 7th St.
Marysville, Wash.



Admission: FREE, but donations greatly appreciated.

For more information or to pre-register for contests: poochapalooza.org or call Leslie Buell: (360) 651-0633.

Photos from the third annual CityDog Summer Muttmixer are now online!

Check them out here!

Super Pet Adopt-a-Thon this Saturday!

Meet hundreds of adoptable cats and dogs from across Washington State, all at the Kent Animal Shelter on Saturday, July 11!

Pet microchipping, pet licensing and pet product vendors will be on site as well as animal trainers and a raffle to benefit the Animal Angel Fund. If you are searching for a new furry friend, don't miss this event!

More info here: http://tinyurl.com/ljogxe

Pabst wins world's ugliest dog contest

PETALUMA, Calif. — A prominent under-bite, scrunched face and floppy ears are the hallmarks of a winner.

The winner of the World's Ugliest Dog contest, that is.

Pabst, a boxer-mix rescued from a shelter by Miles Egstad of Citrus Heights, Calif., won the annual contest on Friday at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Northern California.

It was an upset victory for Pabst, who beat former champion Rascal, a pedigree Chinese Crested.

Pabst's owner took home $1,600 in prize money, pet supplies and a modeling contract with House of Dog.

Miss Ellie, a blind 15-year-old Chinese Crested Hairless, won the pedigree category.

Check out more photos from the contest here. (Hilarious!)

(AP Photo/Noah Berger)

Contest entry all the way from Switzerland!

Loki is an Alaskan malamute. He came into my life in 1999 as a rescue dog, from the PAWS shelter in Lynnwood, Washington.

He came to me malnourished -- he'd been a stray in the woods outside of Seattle for so long hiscoat and skin were mildewed from the rain. In the past ten years, Loki has been with me through a divorce, 5 moves, 3 round-trip cross-country (USA) drives, helped me care for my mother while she was ill with esophageal cancer, and now lives with me in Geneva Switzerland.

He would sit on the porch with Mom, and have sandwiches with her, when I lived there in her last months. She'd tell him all kinds of good stories about growing up with rabbits and chickens and he'd listen, his head at her feet, awaiting the next bit of sandwich.


When I got the chance to move to Geneva, I knew he'd like the snow in winter better than the Seattle rain, and the freedom to come to restaurants and to work with me. As he is my best friend, hiking buddy, snowshoe pal, and my favorite listener, he's changed my life by giving me an insight into patience and unconditional love.

Thanks,
Lynn and Loki


If you would like to enter for the chance to win one flavor each of Wellness WellBars, simply email us a photo of your dog(s) and in 100 words or less, tell us how they've changed your life.

Woof!

CityDog Muttmixer and Emma

Last Wednesday, CityDog Magazine celebrated its fourth anniversary with a Summer Muttmixer at Seattle's Rock Bottom Brewery. I have to say, it was a huge success, with hundreds of pooches and their peeps turning out to mix and mingle, sip cocktails and swap doggie tales. Thanks to everyone who attended!

However, one particular four-legged guest caught my attention and my heart: Emma, a gorgeous pitbull mix who has been looking for her forever home for over a year now. Currently, she resides at the Seattle Animal Shelter, but her volunteer handler thought it important to get Emma out of the shelter to show off her sweet and social personality. She definitely won me over!

If you would like to learn more about Emma on Petfinder.com, please click here.

Photos by Emily Rieman, BestFriend Photography.

You are invited to CityDog's Summer Muttmixer!

To view our invitation online, click here.

Seattle Animal Shelter's Furry 5k this Sunday!

10th Annual Furry 5k Fun Run and Walk

SUNDAY, JUNE 7th in SEWARD PARK. RACE STARTS at 10 A.M.

The annual Furry 5k Fun Run and Walk is a fabulous event, raising money for the shelter's Help the Animals Fund, which provides veterinary care and supplies for sick, injured or abused orphaned animals. The Seattle Animal Shelter takes in nearly 8,000 animals annually. Of those, many receive the lifesaving care they need thanks to the generous donations of individuals and companies like you! With annual veterinary expenses of approximately $100,000, every dollar raised counts! So, join the fun with your furry, four-legged friends and help raise money for animals!

For more information, visit: www.furry5k.com.

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!

Don't forget! Mother's Day is May 10!

We have the perfect Mother's Day gift idea for all those dog loving moms out there... a gift subscription to CityDog Magazine! If you're a dog mom, treat yourself (it's a little tough for Fido to purchase one for you) or give the gift that has tails wagging all year long! Simply click here!

Extra! Extra! Read all about it! CityDog visits the newly dog-friendly Salish Lodge!

Hope springs eternal and eternity is what it felt like, as we hoped and waited for Salish Lodge to someday be dog friendly. Thankfully, the wait is over and the lodge now invites you and your four legged friend to enjoy everything this Northwest icon has to offer. Read the full story here.

Photo by J. Nichole Smith, Dane + Dane Studios

Upcoming Event Not to be Missed: Pugmania!

May 9 • Seattle, Wash. 11 a.m.–4 p.m. in airplane hanger #30 at Magnuson Park, 7400 Sandpoint Way. Seattle Pug Rescue's 14th annual pug gala. Pugs and their people come from all over for this event. Activities include the parade of rescue pugs, pug races, pug costume contests, pug talent show, an agility ring, pug kissing contest, a silent auction and raffle, and a variety of vendors supplying all things Pug.

For more info, call Cathy 425.827.7155 or Sherry 425.643.1418. Please note that for insurance purposes, only pugs and pug-mix dogs are allowed inside the Seattle Pug Gala.

Another Contest Entry to Share With You

"I refer to my dogs as the 4Bs. They are Bailey, Baxter, Brody, & Benson. They have changed my life because they are my life. Before them, I was alone. Now I am like a soccer mom, only in my case it’s a dog-, park-, tennis-, ball-mom. I groom them, I walk them, I take them to the dog park to play, we have birthday parties for them, and we go on vacation together. I even bought a house, or more appropriately, a yard, for them. It’s just a small house at 1058 square feet, but sits on ¼ acre which makes for a nice back yard for my boys to play." -- Peg Ponack & the 4Bs

Keep the entries coming! To enter, simply email us a photo of your dog(s) and in 100 words or less, tell us how they've changed your life.

Woof!

CityDog Magazine

Another Contest Entry to Share With You

"Squirt ran out in front of my car one day on my way to a meeting. He wormed his way into my heart and subsequently my home!

We began competing in agility and have a blast! My social life started to revolve around dog events…Dog parks, doggie dine-arounds, agility classes, ‘Yappy Hours’ and trips to Dog Beach. I now find myself looking for restaurants that have a patio and are ‘dog friendly’! He’s my constant companion and Best Friend!" -- Barb Del'Ve

Breaking News: Bill to Curb Puppy Mills Goes to Governor Gregoire for Signature

CityDog Magazine, the Humane Society of the United States, and dog lovers throughout Washington State, urge Gov. Christine Gregoire to sign a bill that strengthens protections for dogs at mass production facilities known as puppy mills. The legislation (S.B. 5651), led by Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, D-36, passed its final vote in the Senate today by a bipartisan vote of 43-4.

“As we have seen in Washington, abusive puppy mills produce dogs with no concern for their welfare,” said Daniel Paul, HSUS Washington state director. “Washington state lawmakers have taken a measurable step forward for man’s best friend, and we urge Governor Gregoire to sign this important animal welfare and consumer protection legislation.”

The bill prohibits a commercial puppy producer from possessing more than 50 unaltered dogs more than 6 months old at any time. It also establishes basic care standards for producers with more than 10 unaltered dogs older than 6 months that are kept in enclosures for the majority of the day. The basic care standards include providing clean food and water, allowing dogs to leave their cages for at least an hour daily, providing adequate veterinary care and having clean, safe housing.

“This is a consumer protection issue for individuals and families who obtain puppies from commercial breeders. Puppies from puppy mills are likely to have serious health problems which can translate to a health risk for individuals and families who purchase them. But I also introduced the bill for protection of the animals who really should have clean facilities, be able to move around, be able to get fresh air, and not be kept in horrible conditions and expected to just simply breed,” said Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles.

Washington State currently has no statewide law to regulate puppy mills. Puppy mills are mass dog producing facilities that keep animals in cages or kennels, often in squalid conditions with little or no exercise, socialization or human interaction. The puppies churned out at these facilities are sold to pet stores, online and directly to consumers with little to no regard for the dog’s health or genetic history.

The legislation exempts retail pet stores and some other entities. The legislation cracks down on the worst abuses at large-scale puppy mills, and will not affect responsible breeders who already raise dogs humanely.

To learn more about puppy mills, visit www.humanesociety.org/puppymills.

The Odd Couple: Elephant + Dog = Best Friends

CityDog Contest Kick-Off!

We've asked for them and you've 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 the first in a series:

"My dog Brook has changed my life by continually reminding me of the simple principles: Worry less, play more. Whine less, smile more. Run often, sleep often, love unconditionally. Give affection daily. Show remorse when you get into garbage. Enjoy the outdoors as much as possible. Use all your senses to enjoy the world around you. For these reasons I love Brook, and she has made my life immeasurably better." -- Randi Phelps

To enter, simply email us a photo of your dog(s) and in 100 words or less, tell us how they've changed your life.

Woof!
CityDog Magazine

Single Copy & Back Issues Now Available!

Single copies of the current issue and back issues through Summer 2007 are now available for purchase on the CityDog website. Want the current issue? Save a trip to the newsstand and have it mailed right to your door! Miss a back issue? Simply click on the Buy Now button for the issue you're looking for and we'll handle the rest!

To get started, click here!

Woof!

CityDog Magazine

A Few of Our Favorite Things: Part One

Want a day to simply hang out in bed and watch old movies? Grab your dog a fashionable duvet from Molly Mutt and he might be persuaded to forgo his daily walk to join you in the relaxation. The duvets are durable, washable, 100 percent cotton and fully zipped. Use it to add décor to an old dog bed or stuff it with blankets or old, recycled sweaters and tees (your dog will love that it smells like you) to start fresh. Sizes are available from small to large. $20-$40 at mollymutt.com.

This, and many more cool products are featured in the Spring 2009 issue of CityDog Magazine. To subscribe, simply click here.

This Dog Has Good Taste!

This was shared with us by a CityDog reader! Apparently, Captain loves his CityDog Magazine so much he ate it! Woof!

The Obamas Join the Ranks of Dog Lovers!

The internet is abuzz with news of Bo, the Obama family's newest member! Congratulations to the First Family on joining the ranks of millions of dog lovers! It's a special group to be in and we are thrilled to have you!

To read more about the First Pooch, click here.

Happy Easter!

My girl Scout at the newly dog-friendly Salish Lodge in Snoqualmie, Washington.

Happy Easter everyone, two- and four-legged alike!

Brandie Ahlgren, founder
CityDog Magazine

Photo by J. Nichole Smith, Dane + Dane Studios.

The Spring 2009 issue of CityDog Magazine is hot-off-the-press! It's your one-stop-shop for all there is to know about life and living with dogs in the West, with articles on everything from dog-friendly weekend getaways, to behavior and health, to regional events and adventures to be had with your four-legged friend.

For a sneak peek at the current issue simply click on the image above. We've packed it with things to do and places to go this spring with your pooch including a feature travel story about Northwest icon and newly dog-friendly Salish Lodge, overlooking the spectacular Snoqualmie Falls!

And, if you enjoy what you see, a one-year subscription to CityDog is just $18 or save even more with a two-year subscription for $30. That's 40% off the newsstand price. Enjoy the convenience of CityDog Magazine delivered directly to your door! CityDog is also sold in over 400 locations including independent pet stores and newsstands as well as major bookstores such as Barnes & Noble and Borders.

Woof!
Brandie Ahlgren, founder & editor
CityDog Magazine
Seattle, Wash.

Event Not to Be Missed!

Easter b'Egg Hunt
April 11 • Duvall, Wash. 11 a.m.–2 p.m. at Camp Charlie, 124th St. Bring your canine (s) to Camp Charlie’s for the annual Homeward Pet Adoption Center Easter b’Egg Hunt! This is such a fun event and the dogs really do enjoy the hunt for the eggs. For more information, visit homewardpet.org or call 425.488.4444 x404.

For more upcoming events visit our online calendar.

Good News!

Good news—Washington Senate Bill 5651, the bill that will help dogs in our state’s puppy mills, has passed the senate! It is now being considered in the Washington House of Representatives, which could vote on it as soon as next week.

SB 5651 will set a cap on the number of intact, adult dogs commercial breeders may keep, as well as establish basic standards of humane care for these dogs—including minimum requirements for cage size and exercise.

The next few days are a critical period for SB 5651. Please let your representative know that you want this bill to pass.

The spring issue of CityDog Magazine is hot-off-the-press and in it we delve into the recent puppy mill raids as told by the people on the front lines. For a sneak peek, click here.

To subscribe to CityDog Magazine, click here.

Update on Dog Tethering from King County Councilmember Larry Phillips

I wanted to share the below letter from King County Councilmember Larry Phillips regarding recommendations for banning dog tethering. This is good news!
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Dear Ms. Ahlgren,

Thank you for your interest in animal care in King County, and specifically in the practice of chaining dogs. I am pleased to announce that on March 30, 2009 the Metropolitan King County Council unanimously accepted a report recommending a partial ban on the continuous chaining or tethering of dogs. I was glad to sponsor this legislation.

Last year I wrote with the good news that the Council unanimously voted to ask the County Executive to study the costs and challenges of implementing such a ban in both the unincorporated areas of King County and in the 34 suburban cities that contract with King County for animal services. This week's legislation, Motion 2009-0159, accepts the Executive's response.

In short, the Executive recommends an outright ban on tethering dogs in certain situations, including no tethering:

• Of puppies under 6 months old
• Of sick or injured dogs
• Using training chains, choke chains, or pinch chains
• During periods of extreme weather (heat, cold, windstorms)
• If there is no access to water, shelter, and dry ground

In addition, the Executive recommends a ban on any night-time tethering of all dogs (for example, no tethering between 9 pm-5 am). These bans would be in effect in unincorporated King County, as well as in any cities that contract with King County for animal care and control services that wish to be included in the ban. You can read the full report online at the following link: http://www.kingcounty.gov/council.aspx

The Council will be taking a close look at the findings and recommendations of the report, as well as the associated costs of implementing a ban. Citizen input has been and will continue to be very important in considering moving forward with a ban, so I appreciate knowing your views on this matter.

There is significant evidence that continuous chaining of dogs is inhumane and may result in increased vicious and aggressive behavior toward other animals and humans. Thus, banning the continuous chaining of dogs may help keep both people and animals safer; certainly, more education and early intervention around the root causes of aggressive behavior in dogs can lead to happier, better behaved dogs, and can help prevent attacks on innocent victims.

Thank you again for your interest in animal care and safety.

Sincerely,

Larry Phillips, Councilmember
Metropolitan King County Council, District Four
King County Courthouse
516 Third Avenue, Room 1200
Seattle, WA 98104-3272
206.296.1004
larry.phillips@kingcounty.gov

For more information: http://www.kingcounty.gov/phillips

Sneak Peek at the Spring Issue! Arrives April 7!

Here is a sneak peek at the Spring 2009 issue of CityDog Magazine, arriving from the printer on April 7. Some exciting features include: a weekend getaway to the newly dog friendly Salish Lodge, eco- and animal-friendly spring cleaning tips, top 10 canine-friendly campgrounds in the West, an expose on the recent puppy mill raids in Washington, and much more! This might just be our favorite issue yet!

CityDog subscribers, watch for it to arrive in the mail soon!

If you don't yet subscribe, click here to subscribe today!

Follow CityDog on Twitter!

CityDog Magazine is on Twitter! Be sure to follow us @citydogmagazine!

Seattle Dog Show this weekend!

Come one! Come all! This weekend is the Seattle Kennel Club Dog Show! Come and be a part of one of the Northwest's greatest traditions. The Seattle Kennel Club Dog Show is in its 71st year with over 2,000 dogs competing for Best in Show. Join over 13,000 canine enthusiasts and root for your favorite dog over the two day event. And, come visit CityDog Magazine at booth #112.

Where: Qwest Field Event Center, next to Safeco Field
When: March 7 & 8, 2009, 7am (ouch) to 6pm

For more details, visit seattledogshow.org.

A Message from the ASPCA

Washington State Senate Bill 5651 is humane legislation that will help dogs in local puppy mills by setting a cap on the number of intact dogs over the age of six months who may be kept by commercial dog breeders.

Because this important bill acknowledges that current Washington state laws are inadequate regarding the care and husbandry of dogs in large-scale breeding facilities, it will also establish basic standards of humane care for these dogs—including minimum requirements for cage size and exercise. If SB 5651 is passed, it will be difficult for Washington’s worst puppy mills to stay in business.

What You Can Do
Please visit the ASPCA Advocacy Center online to personalize and send a letter to your state senator, urging him or her to support SB 5651.

Read about the recent Washington puppy mill raids (with close to 600 dogs rescued) in the upcoming spring issue of CityDog Magazine!

Subscribe today!