Watering holes for you and your dog

There’s nothing better than enjoying a cold beer with a few good friends, but what if your friends are among the four-legged set?

New York is brimming with dog lovers and booze hounds alike. Several bars are taking notice too! So go ahead, BYOD – bring your own dog -- and check out a few great spots for party animals.


MANHATTAN

Revival

Have a martini with your mutt inside this hidden gem located just a few blocks away from Union Square’s dog park and Irving Plaza. This quiet, casual bar plays an eclectic mix of rock and some hip hop, but on Thursdays they mix it up with “iPod night” where you set the atmosphere with queued-up tunes from your iPod. While you’re there, plop down on one of their comfy velveteen couches with a glass of chardonnay on the upper level or enjoy a pint with your pooch in their lush outdoor terrace. 129 E. 15th St., New York, NY 10003 nr. Irving Pl. 212-253-8061


Shake Shack

Hold a glass of wine in one hand and your dog’s leash in the other at this “roadside” food stand nestled in Madison Square Park and just a stone’s throw from James’ Run, a newly renovated dog park. The Shake Shack serves up casual fare, such as hot dogs, burgers, delicious frozen custards and for your furry friend -- a pooch-ini. 212-889-6600, www.shakeshacknyc.com, Southeast corner of Madison Square Park, near Madison Ave. and E.23rd St.


Bailey’s Corner Pub

This dog-friendly Irish pub boasts a dozen TVs that are strategically placed to keep sports fans from craning their neck, and it’s so cozy too. The owner is a dog lover and is known to play host to several dogs and their owners in search of a stiff drink after an afternoon romp at the nearby Carl Shurz dog run. 1607 York Ave, 212-650-1341


BROOKLYN

Moonshine

On every third Sunday, the owners of Moonshine encourage you to bring a bull dog and have a beer at their spot in Red Hook. What makes this local hangout stand out from the rest is the BBQ pit in their “beer garden” complete with two gas grills and smoker. You can get your grill on and use their condiments for free, but call ahead before showing up with your own meat or veggies to avoid a traffic jam. Come out for the jukebox filled with classic rock, arcade games from the 80’s and, of course, the wide variety of beers and whiskey too. 317 Columbia Street, between Woodhull and Rapele Streets, off of BQE, www.brooklynmoonshine.com

DRINK AND DO GOOD

A dog-friendly pawty with a purpose:

Canine Cocktail Pawty
Mix plenty of cocktails and several do-gooders together and you have a "pawty" for a good cause. Jenna Gates, organizer of a doggie playgroup for her favorite dog breed – Shiba Inus – concocted the Canine Cocktail Pawty as a way to amuse her playgroup members and raise money for canine charities. There will be another cocktail pawty in November 2007. Stay tuned! (For more information: www.caninecocktailpawty.com)

Canine Cruise is Sold Out!

Hey gang!

I hope you got your tickets to the 2nd Annual Canine Cruise hosted by Rece Reid and Tasasha Chavis. This dynamic duo has already sold out of tickets for this special event. And they are ready to sail and fun events to boot!

One of the events is the fashion show. Check out video of doggies strutting the dogwalk at last year's fashion show on the Canine Cruise.



To see their 2007 event program, visit www.caninecruise.com

Summer Pet Care Tips

When the lazy days of barbecues and swimming pools roll around, you can make them even better by sharing them with your favorite pet. By following a few summer pet safety tips, you can keep your animal friends healthy and enjoy the months of sun and fun.

* Never leave your pet in the car. Though it may seem cool outside, the sun can raise the temperature inside your car to 120 degrees Fahrenheit in a matter of minutes, even with the windows rolled down. If you need to run some errands, leave the furry ones at home.

* As you're outside enjoying the warm weather, keep your pet leashed. It will keep her from getting lost, fighting other animals, and eating and drinking things that could make her sick. This tip isn't just for dogs--even cats can learn to walk on a leash if you train them.

* Water, water everywhere. Whether you're indoors or out, both you and your pet need access to lots of fresh water during the summer, so check her water bowl several times a day to be sure it's full. If you and your furry friend venture forth for the afternoon, bring plenty of water for both of you.

* Pets need sunscreen too. Though all that fur helps protect her, your pet can get sunburned, particularly if she has light skin and hair. Sunburn in animals can cause problems similar to those it can cause in people, including pain, peeling, and skin cancer. So keep your pet out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and when you do go out, rub a bit of sunblock on unprotected areas like the tips of her ears, the skin around her lips, and the tip of her nose.

* Say no to tangles. Keeping your pet well groomed will help her hair do what it was designed to do: protect her from the sun and insulate her from the heat. If she has extremely thick hair or a lot of mats and tangles, her fur may trap too much heat, so you may want to clip her.

* Watch out for antifreeze. Hot weather may tempt your pet to drink from puddles in the street, which can contain antifreeze and other chemicals. Antifreeze has a sweet taste that animals like, but it's extremely toxic. When you're walking your pet, make sure she doesn't sneak a drink from the street.

* Be cautious on humid days. Humidity interferes with animals' ability to rid themselves of excess body heat. When we overheat we sweat, and when the sweat dries it takes excess heat with it. Our four-legged friends only perspire around their paws, which is not enough to cool the body. To rid themselves of excess heat, animals pant. Air moves through the nasal passages, which picks up excess heat from the body. As it is expelled through the mouth, the extra heat leaves along with it. Although this is a very efficient way to control body heat, it is severely limited in areas of high humidity or when the animal is in close quarters.

* Make sure your pet doesn't overexert herself. Though exercise is an important part of keeping your dog or cat at a healthy weight, which helps her body stay cool, overdoing it can cause her to overheat. Keep the walks to a gentle pace and make sure she has plenty of water. If she's panting a lot or seems exhausted, it's time to stop.

* Take it easy on pets that can't deal with the heat. Elderly, very young, and ill animals have a hard time regulating their body temperature, so make sure they stay cool and out of the sun on steamy summer days. Dogs with snub noses, such as Pekingese, pugs, and bulldogs, have a hard time staying cool because they can't pant efficiently, so they also need to stay out of the heat. Overweight dogs are also more prone to overheating, because their extra layers of fat act as insulation, which traps heat in their bodies and restricts their breathing capabilities.

* Bring them inside. Animals shouldn't be left outside unsupervised on long, hot days, even in the shade. Shade can move throughout the afternoon, and pets can become ill quickly if they overheat, so keep them inside as much as possible. If you must leave your pet in the backyard, keep a close eye on her and bring her in when you can.

* Keep an eye out for heatstroke. Heatstroke is a medical emergency. If you suspect your pet has heatstroke, you must act quickly and calmly. Have someone call a veterinarian immediately. In the meantime, lower the animal's body temperature by applying towels soaked in cool water to the hairless areas of the body. Often the pet will respond after only a few minutes of cooling, only to falter again with his temperature soaring back up or falling to well below what is normal. With this in mind, remember that it is imperative to get the animal to a veterinarian immediately. Once your pet is in the veterinarian's care, treatment may include further cooling techniques, intravenous fluid therapy to counter shock, or medication to prevent or reverse brain damage.

Even with emergency treatment, heatstroke can be fatal. The best cure is prevention, and Fido and Fluffy are relying on you to keep them out of harm's way. Summer does not have to be fraught with peril--with ample precaution, both you and your furry friends can enjoy those long, hot dog-days of summer.

Signs of Heatstroke

* Panting
* Staring
* Anxious expression
* Refusal to obey commands
* Warm, dry skin
* High fever
* Rapid heartbeat
* Vomiting
* Collapse

Content provided by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). Visit the AAHA pet owner Web site at www.healthypet.com for more pet care advice and to find an AAHA-accredited veterinary hospital near you.