New Pet Magazine Coming to NYC!

Hey dog lovers!

Sorry I've been away for so long. As you know, life can take some twists and turns when you least expect it and my life is twisting and turning!

Well, I recently found out some great news and I just had to share it with you.

A pet magazine called City Tails is going to debut in New York City in December! I'm excited about this news because I was so disappointed after a very popular pet magazine ceased operations several months ago. Where was I going to get my regular dose of doggie fashion, entertainment and animal welfare news? It looks like City Tails is ready to give New Yorkers something to read and talk about!

Here's more information about the City Tails launch:

Janice Brown, founder of the Tails Pet Media Group, Inc., a Chicago-based publisher of local area pet magazines dedicated to animal rescue and adoption, announced the launching of City Tails.

Debuting in December, the magazine will offer practical, interesting, and entertaining local and national pet news and related features. It will also provide complete and up-to-date shelter listings, breed-rescue organization information, and emergency contacts. “New York City is one of the country’s best metropolitan areas for pets—it has a very active and passionate pet community—an ideal audience for our magazine,” said Ms. Brown. The Tails Pet Media Group, Inc. publishes award-winning magazines in 14 markets nationwide, with more on the way.

The American Humane Society estimates that six to eight million dogs and cats are euthanized in animal shelters annually across the US, costing local governments an estimated two billion dollars and according to the most recent available data, more than 40,000 animals were euthanized in New York City in 2005.

"We want to make people aware of the fact that they can adopt healthy and playful animals—even purebreds—and save that animal’s life," said Lorraine Sakli, City Tails Regional Publisher. "I consider this a great opportunity to bring valuable information and insight to pet guardians, and look forward to the challenge of building this magazine and making it available to everyone who has a pet they cherish."

City Tails will be distributed each month in street boxes strategically placed throughout NYC, as well as at pet product retailers, veterinarian offices, grocery stores, book stores, coffee houses, and many other mainstream and pet-friendly locations on a free basis. Content and resources will also be available online at www.CityTails.org.

Dog Saves Family From Fire Blamed on Cat

GREENVILLE, Maine - Thumper, a black Labrador retriever, is getting credit for saving a Greenville man when a fire swept through his home.

Roland Cote said his wife and their 7-year-old grandson were away when the blaze started early Sunday in a converted two-story garage. He said Thumper grabbed him by the arm to wake him, leaving just enough time for him to dial 911 before fleeing the fast-moving fire.

While the dog is the hero, a cat is the bad guy in this story.

Cote said the fire marshal investigator believes the blaze was started when Princess, the family cat, tipped over a kerosene lantern. Cote says he and his pets escaped safely, but he says Princess did get her tail singed by the flames.

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Information from: Bangor Daily News, http://www.bangornews.com

DockDogs Event Recap

Hey gang,

amNY has a great story on the DockDogs event I mentioned in an earlier post. Check out their report and photos.

Jumping dogs stop NYers in their tracks

New Yorkers who watched a dozen competitive canines perform acrobatic leaps into a giant pool in Bryant Park on Tuesday were surprised to learn that they were watching one of the fastest growing sports in America.

"Shut up, you're kidding," said one young woman who stopped to watch what she said she couldn't believe was even a sport.

But the DockDogs National Championship Series is no joke, said Grant Reeves, CEO of DockDogs, the sanctioning body for regional, national and international dog dock jumping.

"In 2002, there were 240 dogs competing," Reeves said. "Now there are 8,400."

The sport even has coverage on a cable network. The Outdoor Channel plans to broadcast both the Big Air event, which measures distance, and the Extreme Vertical event, which measures height, as a seven-part original series beginning Oct. 4.

Though many New Yorkers came and went throughout the day, there were always at least 200 people oohing and aahing as the dogs ran down a 40-foot dock and splashed into four feet of water.

Read the full article.

View the photo gallery.

Rich Bitch: Leona Helmsley's dog inherits $12 million

This story is awesome on soooo many levels.

You can read the official document by clicking here.

Helmsley leaves dog $12M, grandkids zilch

Leona Helmsley's dog will continue to live an opulent life, and then be buried alongside her in a mausoleum. But two of Helmsley's grandchildren got nothing from the late luxury hotelier and real estate billionaire's estate.

Helmsley left her beloved white Maltese, named Trouble, a $12 million trust fund, according to her will, which was made public Tuesday in surrogate court.

She also left millions for her brother, Alvin Rosenthal, who was named to care for Trouble in her absence, as well as two of four grandchildren from her late son Jay Panzirer -- so long as they visit their father's grave site once each calendar year.

Otherwise, she wrote, neither will get a penny of the $5 million she left for each.

Helmsley left nothing to two of Jay Panzirer's other children -- Craig and Meegan Panzirer -- for "reasons that are known to them," she wrote.

But no one made out better than Trouble, who once appeared in ads for the Helmsley Hotels, and lived up to its name by biting a housekeeper.

"I direct that when my dog, Trouble, dies, her remains shall be buried next to my remains in the Helmsley mausoleum," Helmsley wrote in her will.

The mausoleum, she ordered, must be "washed or steam-cleaned at least once a year." She left behind $3 million for the upkeep of her final resting place in Westchester County, where she is buried with her husband, Harry Helmsley, and where the pair have a view of the New York skyline.

She also left her chauffeur, Nicholas Celea, $100,000.

Everything else, including cash from sales of the Helmsley's residences and belongings, reported to be worth billions, she ordered sold and the proceeds given to the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust.

Her longtime spokesman, Howard Rubenstein, had no comment.

Helmsley died earlier this month at her Connecticut home. She became known as a symbol of 1980s greed and earned the nickname "the Queen of Mean" after her 1988 indictment and subsequent conviction for tax evasion. One employee had quoted her as snarling, "Only the little people pay taxes."

A vet's goal: Gas masks for animals

Newsday.com loves the dogs...check out this article on a Long Island vet's mission to equip all the fire departments in Nassau county with specialized oxygen masks for animals.

Read the full article here.

Love-ly Pup

My pal Jennifer sent me this adorable bit of news:



How much is that doggie in the window?
I do hope that doggie's for sale."

A Chihuahua puppy born in Japan with a natural heart shaped pattern on his coat has captured the hearts of animal lovers around the world.

Heart-kun, as he has been named by owner Emiko Sakurada, was born on May 18, 2007, one of a litter of puppies at the Pucchin Dogs shop.

His natural heart-shaped markings on his fur have made him an instant star in Japan. And it was a case of puppy love across the world as the tiny dog made television appearances worldwide.



Shop owner Ms Sakurada got the surprise of her life when she saw the birthmark heart markings in the fur of her tiny pooch.

She said it was the first time a puppy with these marks had been born out of the 1,000 animals that she has bred.

Since Heart-kun was born, he has brought a lot of luck, according to Ms Sakurada. He sister got lucky on the lottery and won a concert ticket.

Heart-kun's owner has been inundated with requests from people wanting to purchase the unique puppy. But they can keep their paws off him, she says, for her little four-legged friend ain't going nowhere!

Make your dog a TV star!!

Hey dog lovers!

I just found out ABC News is seeking dogs for a new television show. Details are below.

Also, we have some cool events coming up for you and your pup! Please check out the NYC Schnauzers playgroup today to sign up and learn more.

Warmest woofs!
Corris & Roxie pup



ABC NEWS SEEKS DOGS FOR NEW SHOW

My name is Michelle Smawley and I am a producer at ABC News. I am working on a segment for a new newsmagazine which will debut in August.

I am looking for folks who have footage of their dogs exhibiting particularly interesting or quirky or annoying behavior. For example, refrigerator opening, anxious outbursts while the owners are not at home, something noteworthy along those lines.

The perspective should be behavior exhibited while no one is looking or at night while most of the family is asleep. I'm also keen to find folks who might be open to allowing us to film. So, if you have a story please do not hesitate to reach me at the number below or e-mail me at Michelle.Smawley@abc.com.