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NewsHound 005
December 1, 2006 |
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Dear urbanhounders,
With the Holidays bounding in on all four paws, we figure it's about time for Urbanhound's Annual Gift Guide.
The entire urbanhound team worked on this one, gathering from around the country the absolute best gifts for dogs (and their humans). Above all, we wanted our Gift Guide to be quintessentially urbanhound: idiosyncratic and artisanal, but also practical and, well, urban.
Read on for our Top Ten Picks below, then visit us online for the full Guide. If you prefer shopping in-person rather than online, don't miss urbanhound's Best Hound Shops, a list of our absolute favorite spots to shop in town.
After all, when it comes to Santa's list, all dogs are in the Nice column; not a Naughty one in the bunch.
Happy gifting, and best holiday wishes to you and your hounds,
Yours,
Laura Cavaluzzo (your San Francisco editor), Nadia Zonis (your New York editor), and Aaron Baar (your Chicago editor)
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» We don't like to boast, but here it goes: our new Guide to Pet Portraitists is awesome. Reviewing dozens of portfolios, we set out to help you find the perfect painter or photographer to immortalize your hounds. Enjoy.
» We frown on dogs who beg, especially during holiday gatherings. If your dog whimpers for table scraps, be sure to consult trainer Andrea Arden's tips on how to break him of the habit.
» If your dog is taking a car trip with you this holiday season, you'll want to read urbanhound vet Dr. Betsy Brevitz's practical advice on preventing car sickness.
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Scrumptious Pup-Cakes
Some of the tastiest dog nibbles come from Buttercup's Paw-Tisserie. From their storefront in Park Slope, Brooklyn, they bake all-natural, human-grade goodies for dogs, including their famous peanut butter pup-cakes ($6.95 for six). There's no added sugar, salt, or preservatives in anything. And yes, Paw-Tisserie ships anywhere in the nation.
ID Tags With Style
We love these hand-etched tags by Sally Harrell, a metalsmith and jewelry designer in San Diego. Choose one of six fonts, from Old English to the basic Bell, in one of three sizes ($37 - $40).
Hound Art From The New Yorker
Any urbanhounder would adore a gift of a dog-themed New Yorker cartoon or cover. The dozens of prints in their searchable database can be ordered simply matted or fully framed ($125 - $350).
Sunny Gear for Gray Days
Mod dogs everywhere will strut proudly in this fabulous orange-and-pink polka dot rain coat lined with bright pink fleece ($60 to $80). To take the '70s retro theme to the max, accessorize with a flower-bedecked vintage patent-leather dog collar from Canine Styles ($45).
Toast of the Hound
Mutt Lynch winery's official motto is: "Apply Dog Logic to Life: Eat Well, Be Loved, Get Petted, Sleep a Lot, Dream of a Leash-Free World." We'll raise a glass to that. The dog-themed Mutt Lynch Trio wine gift set ($55) includes one bottle each of Unleashed Chardonnay, Merlot Over and Play Dead, and Portrait of a Mutt Zinfadel/Carignane, plus a stash of gourmet dog bones.
The Ultimate Puppy Pram
Chuckle if you must, but an all-terrain doggy stroller is a real boon for new pups finishing up their shots, dogs with back issues, and older hounds with a bit less pep in their step. It features a rain and wind cover, 11" wheels, and rear-wheel shocks. And a cup holder. Seriously ($172.99).
A Good Book for a Great Cause
By turns joyful, sweet, moving, and funny, the words and photos in Tails of Devotion celebrate the bond between people and their pets. Bay Area resident Emily Scott Pottruck, the mind and heart behind the book, donates all proceeds to animal welfare organizations across the country ($29.95).
Dog Bed With Urban Style
Check out the bright and bean-bag-cush Doggy Boy from Fat Boy. The wipe-clean nylon fabric comes in a range of hip hues, including lime green, camouflage and a very urbanhound orange ($99 - $139).
Dr. Spock for Dogs
The AKC Gazette calls it "The Bible of dog care." Elle magazine says its "Dr. Spock for dogs." We can't help but agree that the 480-page "Hound Health Handbook: The Definitive Guide to Keeping Your Dog Happy, Healthy & Active" (Workman, 2004), by urbanhound.com's own Dr. Betsy Brevitz, is indispensable ($12.37). For more literary gift ideas, consult our special edition of Newshound devoted to dog books.
The Gift That Keeps on Giving
For the new puppy (or the old dog who needs to learn some new tricks), we recommend the gift of a training class. To find one, start by searching our Directory of Dog Trainers.
Want more ideas? Check out urbanhound's complete Annual Holiday Gift Guide for many more of our editors' favorite picks for 2006.
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Hope Comes in Small Packages - Click to discover.
The very touching, amazing, and true rescue story of Jay Kopelman, a tough, U.S. Marine in Iraq who falls in love with a tiny puppy named Lava, and just had to 'bring him home'.
You will laugh, smile, cry and want to keep turning the page to hear about Lava's exploits in harm's way and his journey to safety.
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Pup 'n' Pony Meet 'n' Greet
Saturday, December 2, 10 AM to 11 AM
11500 Skyline Blvd Oakland
Dog walkers share the trails with equestrians in many parts of the Bay Area. This free monthly event (weather permitting) will allow you to familiarize your dog with horses in a safe, controlled environment and learn how to handle encounters safely on the trails. Sponsored by O'Dog, the Oakland Dog Owner's Group.
Adoption Event
Saturday, December 2, Noon to 3 PM
Pet Food Express, 1975 Market St., San Francisco
Give a dog a home for the holidays and beyond. This adoption event features hounds from Grateful Dogs Rescue and San Francisco's Animal Care & Control shelter. ACC will be back with more furry friends on December 16th.
Adopt-a-Pet
Saturday, December 2, 12:30 PM to 4:30 PM
George, 1844 4th St., Berkeley
Home At Last Animal Rescue will be at George with a passel of adoptable dogs and cats, all spayed/neutered and finished with their shots.
Pictures with Santa or the Grinch
Saturday, December 2, 1 PM to 4 PM
Pet Food Express, 1101 University Ave., Berkeley
Dogs (and cats, and lizards and what have you) can choose to pose with Santa or the Grinch at this benefit event for Hopalong Animal Rescue. A tax-deductible donation of $15 will get you a digital color photo and a treat for your pup. The event will be held at other Pet Food Express stores throughout the month.
Rabies Vaccine Clinic
Sunday, December 3, 10 AM to 1 PM
1200 15th St., San Francisco
Co-sponsored by Animal Care & Control and the San Francisco Veterinary Medical Association, this clinic offers vaccinations for $5 (cash only). Dogs must be 4 months or older, leashed or in a carrier.
Santa Paws
Sunday, December 3, 11 AM to 3:30 PM
5523 College Ave, Oakland
RedHound is hosting a holiday photo shoot to benefit the Berkeley East Bay Humane Society.
Lunchtime Adoptions at City Center
Monday, December 4, 11 AM to 2:30 PM
City Center, 12th & Broadway, Oakland
How about a hot dog with the works? The East Bay SPCA sets up shop at City Center on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays all year to find homes for pets.
Training Small Dogs
Tuesday, December 5, 6 PM to 7:30PM
12 Airport Blvd., San Mateo
At the Peninsula Humane Society, this class covers clicker training for small dogs and info on Canine Musical Freestyle. Limited to 12 students; advance registration required.
Monthly Low-Cost Vaccination & Microchipping Clinic
Wednesday, December 6, 6 PM to 8 PM
12 Airport Blvd., San Mateo
The Peninsula Humane Society offers vaccination for rabies, distemper and DHPP ($10 each), plus microchipping ($20). For residents of Belmont, San Mateo, East Palo Alto and the unincorporated areas of the county, microchipping is just $12.
Project Homeless Connect/Vet SOS
Thursday, December 7, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, 99 Grove St., San Francisco
Volunteers with the Veterinary Street Outreach Service will provide care for the pets of homeless San Franciscans at the 14th Project Homeless Connect. Vet SOS is always looking for skilled volunteers to help handle the animals on site and is in need of donations of recently expired veterinary medications, reusable pet supply items and, of course, money.
Pictures with Mrs. Claus
Saturday, December 9, Noon to 5 PM
Best in Show, 545 Castro St., San Francisco
Best in Show invites you to have your dog's picture taken "with the real brains of the operation." Photos by Michael Tedesco will benefit Positive Resource Center.
Monthly Vaccination & Microchipping Clinic
Sunday, December 10, 10 AM to noon
171 Bel Marin Keys Blvd, Novato
Vaccinations for $5 each, microchipping for $20, courtesy of the Marin Humane Society.
SFDOG Holiday Party
Sunday, December 10, 2PM to 5PM
Perfect Paws, 251 6th St. (btwn. Folsom & Howard)
The San Francisco Dog Owners Group is ringing in the holidays with an afternoon event for dogs and their people, both SFDOG members and non. Held at Perfect Paws' dog training facility, the event will feature agility equipment, a silent auction and raffle, great food, and a complimentary photo of your hound in holiday attire provided by SFDOG. Bring a present for needy dogs to be donated to Vet SOS. Suggested donation $10. RSVP is requested: 415-339-7461.
Book Signing
Thursday, December 14, 6 PM to 8 PM (Rain date: Sunday, November 5th)
549 Castro St., San Francisco
Under One Roof hosts a book signing for "Tails of Devotion", a collection of essays about people and their pets, by Emily Scott Pottruck. We hear Emily may have a celebrity guest with her at the event. We can't tell you who it will be, and even if we could, we wouldn't; wondering and guessing is so much more fun.
If there's an event you'd like us to mention in the next NewsHound, please email us.
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Copyright (c) 2006 urbanhound, LLC.
All rights reserved.
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