Musings about dog life, canine couture, and dog-friendly events.

Thursday, March 29, 2007

Funny Video: Charles has a licking problem


My brother sent me this video from YouTube. It's pretty funny and the Pug is adorable. I wonder why Charles is licking so much. Is he eating peanut butter or is this a medical condition? Take a look...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lBQWUR3u7U

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Warning: Pet Food Recall

A major manufacturer of dog and cat food sold under Wal-Mart, Safeway, Kroger and other store brands recalled 60 million containers of wet pet food Friday after reports of kidney failure and deaths.

An unknown number of cats and dogs suffered kidney failure and about 10 died after eating the affected pet food, Menu Foods said in announcing the North American recall. Product testing has not revealed a link explaining the reported cases of illness and death, the company said.

"At this juncture, we're not 100 percent sure what's happened," said Paul Henderson, the company's president and chief executive officer. However, the recalled products were made using wheat gluten purchased from a new supplier, since dropped for another source, spokeswoman Sarah Tuite said. Wheat gluten is a source of protein.

The recall covers the company's "cuts and gravy" style food, which consists of chunks of meat in gravy, sold in cans and small foil pouches between Dec. 3 and March 6 throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

The pet food was sold by stores operated by the Kroger Company, Safeway Inc., Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and PetSmart Inc., among others, Henderson said.

Menu Foods said a full list of brand names and lot numbers covered by the recall would be posted on its Web site - www.menufoods.com/recall. You may also call this hotline for recall information 1-866-895-2708.

News source: AP (3/16/07)

Here's a list of some of the brands in the recall:
* popular NYC brands are bolded

1. Americas Choice, Preferred Pets
2. Authority
3. Award
4. Best Choice
5. Big Bet
6. Big Red
7. Bloom
8. Wegmans Bruiser
9. Cadillac
10. Companion
11. Demoulas Market Basket
12. Eukanuba
13. Food Lion
14. Giant Companion
15. Great Choice
16. Hannaford
17. Hill Country Fare
18. Hy-Vee
19. Iams
20. Laura Lynn
21. Loving Meals
22. Meijers Main Choice
23. Mighty Dog Pouch
24. Mixables
25. Nutriplan
26. Nutro Max
27. Nutro Natural Choice
28. Nutro Ultra
29. Nutro
30. Ol'Roy Canada
31. Ol'Roy US
32. Paws
33. Pet Essentials
34. Pet Pride - Good n Meaty
35. Presidents Choice
36. Price Chopper
37. Priority Canada
38. Priority US
39. Publix
40. Roche Brothers
41. Save-A-Lot
42. Schnucks
43. Shep Dog
44. Springsfield Prize
45. Sprout
46. Stater Brothers
47. Weis Total Pet
48. Western Family US
49. White Rose
50. Winn Dixie
51. Your Pet

The list keeps growing, so please keep checking the Menu Foods Web site for more details on recalled pet foods.

Monday, March 19, 2007

Attention Small Dogs!

Hey dog lovers,

It's come to my attention that there's a big campaign to make sure there's a small dog run on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. I'm reposting this information in the hopes of informing others about the issue.

Please read and tell your furry friends...


Do you want an EAST SIDE SMALL DOG RUN?

A 5000 sq. ft. dog run is being built at East 63rd St. Signs
were supposed to be posted throughout the neighborhood alerting
the public to meetings regarding the use of this space;
however, the signs were only posted at the 60th St Dog Run.

Those of us who own small dogs and do not frequent the dog run
were therefore unaware & more importantly, not represented at the meetings.
Not only was the topic to have a separate space for small dogs
raised, the architects original plan showed a separate area for
large & small dogs.

Those at the meeting adamantly opposed it feeling it was unnecessary to
divide the space, one reason being it would be hazardous to
confine their large dogs to a smaller area. THIS IS A 5000 SQ
FT AREA!!!! Clearly, the safety of small dogs was not their
concern.

WE want & need a small dog area in this park. We need to act NOW as construction has already begun.

We have been in conversation with Congresswoman Jessica Lappin?
s office and Community Board 8 & there may be enough time but we
need to act now & act together!

Please e-mail or forward this back to smalldogpeople@aol.com so we
can get a sense of how many supporters we have. There will be
strength in numbers! Also, please forward this to everyone you
know with a small dog!!!!

We are drafting a letter for you to fwd to City Council Member
Jessica Lappin, Jonathan Moody, Dir of Constituent Services,
Elizabeth McKee @ Community Board 8, the Parks Dept & all groups
involved in the decision making of this dog run. Once we have
gathered a list of supporters, we will e-mail it with their
respective addresses. We will only prevail if we overwhelm them
with e-mail!

Our only chance of making this happen is to gather as many
supporters as we can & act quickly!

We need your help! Please e-mail now!!!!

Thank you!

Friday, March 16, 2007

Roxie loves to sail!


A friend recently made a keen observation of my new blog. She said, "it looks great, but I didn't see any pictures of Roxie."

I can't believe I forgot to give my precious pup some shine!

So without further ado ...

The photo above is Roxie on our Schnauzers Set Sail event. We had 25 guests and their dogs board the historic schooner Pioneer at the South Street Seaport in lower Manhattan for an afternoon sail around the harbor. This sail was the first of its kind for New York City. And our event has since spawned other cool dog-friendly sails and a cruise.

We had a lovely day on the water and plan to do it again soon.

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Pawty with a Purpose!


Calling all Pug fans! Lin Randolph and her pugnacious Pug named Lenny are throwing a pawty you won't want to miss!

It's called Lenny the Pug's Annual Birthday Benefit for Animal Haven. AH is a wonderful no-kill animal shelter and pet sanctuary in New York City. Please help support this worthy cause by attending with your furry one and having lots of fun. All dog breeds are welcome.

At Lenny's pawty, you'll enjoy food provided by Chipotle Mexican Grill, canine snacks, fun raffles for doggy products and services, games of chance, and a goody bag prize station.

Tickets are being sold in advance for $25. Go to Lenny's Web site for more details: www.lennythepug.com

Saturday, March 10, 2007

Sporty Pups


In honor of the Super Bowl, I got my pup Roxie her first football jersey. Aww! It's really cute. My father-in-law is a Jets fan, so I purchased the Jets jersey to make him laugh. It worked!

Well, those adorable jerseys are on sale at Affordable Petable and they are now offering some spiffy baseball jerseys just in time for spring training. Be sure to check out their Yankee and Mets collection for dogs. LOL

If you make a purchase during the month of March, you'll get a free portable CD player (yes, they still make 'em) with your purchase of $100 or more at AffordablePetable.com. Enter the code CD01 to claim your "vintage" musical device. Righteous dude!

Watch Roxie sport her Jets jersey at the Super Dog Bowl.

Tuesday, March 6, 2007

You Sexy Beast!

Sexy Beast, a unique doggie cologne and pet care line, is having a trunk show at Henri Bendel in late March!

Here's more details on the event:

Henri Bendel, the trend-setting Fifth Avenue specialty store, famous for it's stunning makeovers on people and innovative retailing, is raising the bar once again by presenting The SEXY BEAST Picture Perfect Pooch Event on Friday, March 23rd - Sunday, March 25th, 2007.

For the first time ever, canines (and their owners) are invited into the store, to book a styling session with brand founder, RenĂ©e Ryan, and the fabulous SEXY BEAST™ glamour team. Sessions will include customized styling tips for your dog's grooming needs, a complete SEXY BEAST™ finishing lesson and a dry fluffing/styling.

Professional photographs of guests and their picture perfect pooch will be taken and can be retrieved free of charge from the Sexy Beast™ website

Don't miss the fun as Henri Bendel hosts this one of a kind, landmark event!

712 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10019
between 55th and 56th Streets

To reserve an appointment for your styling session call: 1.800.887.5950

All reservations will require a $25 holding fee which is completely redeemable towards your purchase of any Sexy Beast styling product.

All attendees with pre-booked appointments will receive complimentary stainless steel dog tag and chain ($25.00 value)

Monday, March 5, 2007

Cocktails Anyone?

When I get home from work, there's nothing I like better than a glass of Sprite and a shot of Appleton Rum to take my cares away. Ahhh joy!!

The other day, I wasn't paying attention and my pup Roxie managed to stick her nose in my drink and she sneaked at least one slurp before I grabbed it from her! Yuck!

While I don't ever want to share a cocktail with my dog again, I was recently invited to a unique party that allows you to mingle and drink with your canine in tow.

It's called the Canine Cocktail Pawty and will be hosted by Jenna & Snickers of The NYC Shiba Inus. Please join them for an evening of people socializing and canine off-leash carousing! What a charming idea!

Proceeds from this event go to benefit Animal Haven, a no-kill animal shelter and pet sanctuary in New York City. Everyone is invited regardless of pedigree.

To RSVP, kindly e-mail Jenna: dogs@nycgadgetgirl.com by March 12th. Tickets must be purchased in advance. For more details, visit: http://shibainu.meetup.com/101/

Cheers!

Thursday, March 1, 2007

Martha, Martha, Martha!



I looove Martha Stewart. My friend once told me, "You pray at the altar of all things Martha." And, I do!

I was devastated when she got into trouble for using a "stock tip" and had to go to Camp Cupcake. My friends and family called me all day to ask how I'm handling the news. I know that seems very weird...

Yes! Yes! Yes! I adore Martha! My family calls me Black Martha whenever I get the urge to be crafty and make homemade beauty products or when I take something that's bland and do it up fancy -- "marthastyle." LOL

Well, I adore Martha Stewart because she is a shrewd businesswoman and creative force to be reckoned with. Plus, she's a dog lover and has three beautiful dogs named Paw Paw, Sharky and Francesca. Sooo adorable! I love when she dedicates space in her magazines or show to dogs.

A few weeks ago, Martha invited a fellow crafty lady named Laurie Marie on her show Martha to demonstrate how to make a handmade picture of Martha's dog Sharky, a French bulldog. Laurie Marie's company is called Pretty Little Things and her crafts are awesome! Check out her Web site.

Me and Ro

Me and Ro
Roxie and I attend the 2007 Canine Cocktail Pawty hosted by Jenna Gates

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