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NewsHound 014
August 9, 2007
IN THIS ISSUE:
• Take action against dog fighting • Avoiding heatstroke • Mutt Strut + other Events • News
Dear Urbanhounders,

So much for it being a light and breezy summer. The recent indictment of Michael Vick on charges of running a dog fighting ring has brought the issue to national attention. We at Urbanhound felt we couldn't ignore it.

Not surprisingly, we think the "sport" of dog fighting is despicable. That's why we encourage you to sign petitions protesting the practice and send letters to your representatives in Washington supporting legislation that would mandate tougher penalties for those convicted of participating in it. (Laws vary by state.) You may also want to join in the protest of Amazon.com for selling dog fighting videos.

If you suspect organized dog fighting may be happening in your neighborhood, read this Humane Society publication about what clues to look for and what to do about it. The ASPCA also has a very good FAQ on dog fighting, if you want to know more about its origins, federal and state laws against it, and what ordinary citizens can do to prevent it.

Maybe if we all do our part, we can put an end to this deplorable practice sooner rather than later.

Best to you and your hounds,

Laura Cavaluzzo,
Editor, urbanhound San Francisco


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Hound Events

The Emotional Lives of Animals -- Workshop
Saturday, August 11, 10 AM to 3 PM
171 Bel Marin Keys Blvd., Novato
Animal behaviorist, author and Guggenheim Fellow Dr. Marc Bekoff shares his perspective on emotion, social interaction and morality among animals and discusses how science and ethical treatment of animals can be compatible. The day-long workshop at the Marin Humane Society will be followed by a reception and presentation (see below). Registration for the workshop is $50 ($75, including the evening reception and presentation). A vegetarian lunch can be requested for $10. To register, download a form or call 415-883-4621, ext. 363.

Berkeley Adoption Event
Saturday, August 11, 11 AM to 3 PM
Solano Ave. at Evelyn Ave., Berkeley
The Berkeley-East Bay Humane Society brings adoptable animals to Solano Avenue. For more adoption dates and locations, check out the Society's online calendar.

East Bay Adoption Event
Saturday, August 11, 12:30 PM to 4:30 PM
George, 1829 Fourth Street, Berkeley
Home At Last Rescue will be on hand with dogs and cats galore, every Saturday. For other dates and locations, visit their Mobile Adoption Event page.

Dr. Marc Bekoff Reception, Presentation & Book Signing
Saturday, August 11, 6 PM
11250 Highway 1, Point Reyes Station
Welcome Dr. Marc Bekoff, author of 18 books on animal emotion, behavior and other topics (see workshop listing, above). Following a reception, Dr. Bekoff will speak and sign books. The event, co- sponsored by the Marin Humane Society and Point Reyes Books, will be held at Toby's Feed Barn in Point Reyes Station. Proceeds will benefit the Society and Planned Feralhood. Admission to the reception plus presentation is is $40; presentation alone is $15 - $25 (sliding scale). ($75, including the evening reception and presentation). To register, download a form or call 415-883-4621, ext. 363.

PAWS 20th Anniversary Celebration at AT&T Park
Saturday, August 11, 4 PM to 6 PM
Seal Plaza, AT&T Park, San Francisco
Come early to the Dog Day game (see below) and celebrate the 20th Anniversary of PAWS, an organization that helps chronically ill and low income people take care of their companion animals. This free event will feature cake and a chance to sign the massive anniversary card.

Dog Day at AT&T Park
Saturday, August 11, 6 PM
AT&T Park, San Francisco
Watch the Giants take on the Pirates, and share a hot dog with your hound at this annual dog-friendly night at the ballpark. This year, the event is presented by Wag Hotels and Del Monte. Tickets are available online, from $14 to $70. Free "Joe Cool" Snoopy bobbleheads for the first 10,000 fans!

San Francisco Adoption Event
Sunday, August 12, Noon to 3 PM
Bernal Beast, 509 Cortland Ave., San Francisco
Muttville brings a bevy of sweet, mellow, wise and wiggly senior pups to Bernal Beast.

North Bay Adoption Event
Wednesday, August 15, Noon to 3 PM
Town Center, Corte Madera
Marin Humane Society will bring adorable, adoptable animals to Corte Madera. For info on all the Society's North Bay adoption events in August, check out their events calendar.

Small Dog Beach Walks
Thursday, August 16, 1:30 PM
Ocean Beach, San Francisco
Got a diminutive dog? A petite pooch? A micro-mutt? Meet up with other owners of small dogs on Ocean Beach, across from the Beach Chalet, to stroll the sand together. This active group gathers every Thursday and Saturday on Ocean Beach and Tuesdays at Crissy Field.

Mutt Strut Walk-a-thon
Saturday, August 18, 9 AM to 1 PM
Coyote Point Park, 1701 Coyote Point Dr., San Mateo
This is lucky 13 for the annual Mutt Strut, a fundraiser for the Peninsula Humane Society. The fun includes demonstrations, vendor booths, and contests for Best Kisser and Most Talented. But the main events of the day are two walks (1k and 3k) to raise much-needed funds for the organization. Registration costs $28 (each additional family member is $17). Register online, or contact Dawn Kelsey Fanara at 650-340-7022.

Pet Scrapbooking Workshop
Saturday, August 18, 1 PM to 3 PM
171 Bel Marin Keys Blvd., Novato
Capture memories of your pet or create a wonderful gift for someone else through the art of scrapbooking. This workshop, sponsored by the Marin Humane Society, will introduce you to the tools, supplies and techniques you'll need, plus get you started on the first pages of your scrapbook. There's a materials fee of $25, and space in the class is limited. To register, email or call 414-506-6256.

San Francisco Drag King Contest
Saturday, August 18, 8 PM
SomArts, 934 Brannan St., San Francisco
Spokesmodel Peanut the Wonder Dog invites you to this gender-bending event, billed as The Biggest Drag King Competition in the World………a mash-up of the Miss America Pageant, American Idol, Halloween and a Monster Truck Show." Cost is $20 in advance, $25 at the door, and a percentage of proceeds benefits PAWS.

Adolescent Manners
Sunday, August 19, 3:15 PM to 4:15 PM
2500 16th Street, San Francisco
Miss out on puppy training? Got a troubled teen on your hands? This six-week class at the SF/SPCA is geared toward dogs 5 to 10 months old who need help with basic skills such as sitting and recall, and typical adolescent issues like housetraining, chewing and jumping. Fee is $180; owners of dogs adopted from the SF/SPCA or ACC within the past six months pay $100. Register online or call 415-522-3502. It's just one of the many innovative classes the SF/SPCA offers.

The Dominance Dilemma
Wednesday, August 22, 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
2700 9th St., Berkeley
Part of the Community Lecture Series at the Berkeley East Bay Humane Society, this talk by trainer Nancy Frensley explores the current thinking on dominance theory and its place in dog training. To register, email the Society's training department or call 510-845-7735, ext. 22. A $10 donation at the door is requested.

Skyhoundz Hyperflite Frisbee Dog Competition
Sunday, August 26, 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM
Westborough Park, 2398 Galway Dr., South San Francisco
Disc Dogs of the Golden Gate brings high-flying hounds together for a day of fun and competition. All levels are encouraged to join in, and spectators are welcome, too. Registration begins at 10:00 AM.

Preparing Your Dog for Your New Baby
Sunday, August 26, 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
2700 9th St., Berkeley
Featured on NBC's Today Show, this seminar by Berkeley East Bay Humane Society trainer Nancy Frensley will help you prepare your hound to meet his new (non-fur-bearing) sibling. Cost is $25 and pre-registration is required. For more info, email the Society or call 510-845-7735.

Pet Loss Support Group
Tuesday, September 4, 7:30 PM to 9 PM
243 Alabama Street, San Francisco
Grief counselor Dr. Betty Carmack moderates this free monthly group at the SF/SPCA. No pre-registration is necessary. For more info, call 415-554-3050.

People 'n' Pets Massage
Wednesday, September 5, 5 PM to 7 PM
Spa Solé, 2500 Clay Street, San Francisco
Lull your hound (and yourself) into blissful relaxation. Happy Hounds Massage offers People 'n' Pets Mini Massages, for $1 per minute, every first Wednesday of the month to benefit Pets Unlimited. Call Spa Solé at 415-929-6886 to make an appointment, or just stop by.

Bay Area Pet Fair
Saturday and Sunday, September 8 and 9, 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Marin Center, 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael
The Fair is back for its second year, with an adoptathon featuring dozens of agencies and rescue groups, a dog show open to all breeds (including mutts), a kids' pavilion, a performance ring and a full schedule of talks and demos. The event (and the parking) is free.

Pick of the Litter Donation Day
Friday, September 14, 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
12 Airport Blvd., San Mateo
Clear out your closets, garage and basement, and help the Peninsula Humane Society raise money to help needy animals. Drop off your gently used furniture, clothing, housewares, CDs, books and more to be sold at the Society's Ebay store. Pick-ups of entire estates or large lots of furniture can be arranged; call 650-344-1662 for info.

If there's an event you'd like us to mention in the next NewsHound, please email us.

Hound News

Our Choice for Best Beach Read. Rex and the City: A Memoir of a Woman, a Man, and a Dysfunctional Dog, by Bark magazine's Lee Harrington, is out in paperback.

Dogs Against Romney. You may have heard that Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney took family vacations with his Irish Setter, Seamus, strapped to the top of the car in a crate. Some are taking this transgression very seriously indeed.

What's On. On Saturday, Aug. 18, National Geographic Channel's Explorer series takes a look at the Science of Dogs, showing how people have manipulated their appearance, talents and temperaments. The program airs at 7 PM Eastern time, with a rebroadcast on the 22nd.

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