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NewsHound 051
November 30, 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,
Nadia Zonis (your New York editor),
Laura Cavaluzzo (your San Francisco 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).
Sweatshirt for a Good Cause
The cozy Mayor's Woof Hoodie from Trixie + Peanut has got plenty of urban attitude. It's made of soft washed cotton in chocolate brown, with the word "Woof" stenciled in bright orange across the back. All proceeds go to help keep the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals transport vans running ($30).
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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Home for the Holidays
Friday, December 1, 7 PM to 10 PM
Home, 532 W. 27th St. btwn. 10th and 11th Aves., Manhattan
The annual benefit for Stray From the Heart, a rescue group that has found homes for more than 1,000 dogs since it was founded in 2000. There will be hors d'oeuvres, live music, an open bar, and a raffle. Tickets are $30 in advance or $40 at the door. Groups of four or more pay $25 for each person.
Coffee Bark
Saturday, December 2, 7 AM to 9 AM
Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Held in rain or in shine, in the park's Long Meadow, behind the Picnic House (enter at Prospect Park West and 4th Street, then go left around Picnic House), the monthly Coffee Bark includes muffins for humans and dog biscuits for hounds. This long-standing social is sponsored by Brooklyn's FIDO, officially known as the Fellowship In the Interest of Dogs and Their Owners.
Volunteer Orientation: Animal Care and Control, Brooklyn
Saturday, December 2, 11 AM
2336 Linden Blvd., Brooklyn
Learn all about volunteer opportunities, including dog walking and cat cuddling, at the Brooklyn branch of the city shelter. Kids and seniors welcome. For more information call 212-788-4000 or email Volunteer@nycacc.org.
Benefit for Art for Animals
Wednesday, December 6, 6 PM to 8 PM
New York Design Center, 200 Lexington Ave. btwn. 31st and 32nd Sts., Manhattan
The New York Design Center and Architectural Digest are the co-hosts of this benefit known in full as the Second Annual "Arf" Exhibition and Sale Celebrating Designers' Best Friends. Works by such artists as Sylvia Plachy, Bruce Weber, and Valerie Schaff (featured in urbanhound's Best Hound Portraitists) will be on sale to benefit Art for Animals, a group (with an out-dated website) that gives grants to humane and rescue organizations. $20 is the suggested donation. Call 212-286-6122 for more information.
Gingerbread Homes for Animals Exhibit
Friday, December 8 through Sunday, December 17, 10 AM to 7 PM
Chelsea Market, 75 Ninth Ave. btwn. 15th and 16th Sts., Manhattan
Pastry chefs from the French Culinary Institute, davidburke & donatella, the Water Club and elsewhere will turn their talents to building fantasy homes for pets for this exhibit, which has become an NYC holiday tradition. The gingerbread creations will be auctioned off, with funds going to the Picasso Veterinary Fund and Rational Animal.
Kizzy the Reading Assistance Dog Visits the Strand
Saturday, December 9, 11 AM
The Strand Bookstore, 825 Broadway at 12th St., Manhattan
Reading assistance dogs are a new twist on the concept of therapy dogs. According to Reading Education Assistance Dogs, children who are learning to read find it helpful to have an attentive dog to read to. Bishon Kizzy, an expert reading assistance dog, has been profiled in the book One Incredible Dog! Kizzy by Chris Williams, and will be on hand to meet his fans at this reading.
Waggytail Rescue Bingo Benefit
Tuesday, December 12, 8 PM to 11 PM
The Slipper Room, 167 Orchard St. at Stanton, Manhattan
Bingo and a silent auction to benefit Waggytail Rescue a group that fosters and finds homes for small dogs. The $5 cover will get you a bingo card to use for the entire event. More information here.
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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