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.

Event: Writers and their Dogs

There are two things that are close to my heart -- writers and dogs. As early as 7 years old, I knew I wanted to write and despite severe allergies, I've always dreamed of having a dog. Now I have a adorable little pooch and I get to write this blog for my fellow pet lovers! Hurrah!

Recently, I was tipped off to a cool event happening at Symphony Space in Manhattan. It's called Writer's and their Dogs. I highly encourage you to attend and support writers and dog lovers!

Here's more details:

Symphony Space Presents ...Writers and their Dogs
Wednesday, October 24th, 2007
Symphonyspace.org
212.864.5400
2537 Broadway at 95th Street

Merrill Markoe, the creator of Late Night with David Letterman 's "Stupid Pet Tricks," joins Amy Hempel and Abigail Thomas for a night of funny and poignant short stories about their canine muses, read by (Boston Terrier owner) Joan Allen, (Labrador owner) Patricia Kalember and Rochelle Oliver.

Dogs appear alongside the writers and actors!

Audience members receive a free issue and free subscription to The Bark Magazine, called " The New Yorker for dog lovers" (Time). The Bark's new story anthology, Howl, hits bookstores the day of this event.

Despite plea, agency to keep Ellen's dog

Ellen DeGeneres' doggy drama intensified after her tearful plea led to death threats against the group that took her dog, a spokesman said.

Read all about it on Newsday, click here.

What do you think? Should Ellen use her show as a platform for personal reasons? Should she be allowed to give her adopted dog to a friend?

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

Into the Box: It's Ruff in NYC

Hi all!

I was recently tipped off to a great NYC real estate Web site called Into the Box. This week's video in on a dog's life in New York City, which is right up Roxie's alley!

Watch this video and if you like it, please do consider subscribing to Into the Box. Enjoy!

New dog park video!

Newsday has a new dog park video. It shows the dogs frolicking at Cedar Creek and Wantagh dog parks. It's too cute!

Click here to view it. And while you're at it, check out Newsday's dog park page full of dog-friendly parks and beaches on Long Island.

Woofs!

SchnauzerTube: Let's Wrestle

For your enjoyment, a little taste of what I get to see on a regular basis...Schnauzers playing and having fun! Come to a Schnauzer Meetup and get in on the fun! Go to www.Meetup.com and find doggie playdates in your area!

Pooches at Planting Fields

From Newsday.com

Everyone loves a puppy, but it takes more than love to be a responsible dog owner. You can see purebred dogs, learn which pooches are the best fit for your family and how to best care for your longtime companion at the Long Island Cluster AKC All-Breed Dog Shows, Friday and through Sunday, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. at Planting Fields Arboretum in Oyster Bay. On Saturday and Sunday, the event hosts Suffolk and Nassau dog obedience trials; agility, lure-coursing and dog carting demonstrations; seeing-eye puppies in training and more.

Admission is $7 per carload Friday; Saturday and Sunday it's $6, $4 seniors and kids 11-16 and kids under 10 attend free. Bring chairs, but please leave your pet at home. 631-724-0871.

Dogs, Handlers Learn to Boogie and Disco

EAST TROY, Wis. - Ricky the Dalmatian spun across the floor with his 68-year-old handler, the high-stepping Mary Ann Coutley. The two were one of 23 pairs of handlers and pets participating in a three-day dog dancing class that ended Sunday at the Army Lake Camp and Retreat Center.

The handlers paid $275 each for a room, meals and lessons on everything from costumes to music and training tactics.

They learned twists, passes, cha-cha steps and other movements, slinking across the floor with their furry friends.

While "Dancers with Woofs K9 Freestyle Dance Camp" purported to be the first in the region, enthusiasts have been dancing with dogs since the 1980s. They formed the World Canine Freestyle Organization in 1999.

In freestyle dancing, the handlers and dogs work to be artistic and creative. Many also do Heelwork-to-Music, which combines obedience and dance.

"There's Olympic-style scoring up to 10," said instructor Linda Blanchard, 59, of Pontiac, Mich. "The goal for this sport is to become an Olympic sport."

The dogs are trained to follow verbal or hand commands. In freestyle, pretty much anything goes.

"You have to pick out music that goes with your dog," Blanchard says. "The dogs can do figure eights around your legs. They spin, and we spin. Sometimes they're on their hind legs. They can wave, do marching things, jump over things."

Coutley used to dance with a 12-year-old Dalmatian named Wynona, who died in April. She is grooming Ricky to be her new partner with daily workouts that include six miles on a treadmill.

"He's a chow hound," Coutley said, feeding 1-year-old Ricky some turkey hot dogs. "He'll work for anything."

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Information from: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, http://www.jsonline.com