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NewsHound 054
February 8, 2007 |
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Dear urbanhounders,
Is it wrong to have a canine Valentine? Of course not. Your hound is there, all wide eyes and wagging tail, whenever you need adoration. It's only right that you lavish him with the same.
Perhaps a rawhide greeting card will express your affection best. Or maybe a portrait cake in drool-inducing flavors like peanut butter and carob fudge.
Better yet, we encourage you to celebrate your puppy love this Valentine's Day by giving from the heart to a rescue group, animal welfare agency or another worthy dog-centric organization. Whether you'd care to donate time, money, or that crate your hound never has gotten around to using, there's a group out there who will put it to good use. Below are some of our favorites. We hope you'll share some of your own favorites with us and with other urbanhounders too.
Love and kisses,
Nadia Zonis,
Editor, urbanhound New York
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» Thinking of volunteering but don't know
where to start? We have a list of shelters and
rescue groups that can always use a hand.
» Cold weather, icy sidewalks, and rock salt can mean problems for your dog's pads. Urbanhound vet Dr. Betsy Brevitz explains the signs of serious paw trouble, and suggests prevention strategies.
» A little chicken soup is one of the remedies Dr. Brevitz suggests for helping your dog feel better when he has a cold. |
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| - Sponsor - |
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| Hound-Helping Organizations We Love |
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Best Friends Animal Society
What began as a sanctuary for "unadoptable" animals today shelters 1500 dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, and other critters, three quarters of whom are adopted out to new, loving homes. Best Friends is now spawning Best Friends Brigades to help shelters and rescue organizations across the country. Perfect for Valentine's day, the organization's Gifts of Life & Love program lets you donate by sponsoring a specific animal, whose picture and bio you can then download and pin to the fridge.
No Kill Advocacy Center
Before founding the No Kill Advocacy Center, former corporate lawyer Nathan Winograd crusaded for the cause at the San Francisco SPCA and in Tompkins County, NY (which, thanks to his efforts is the country's first no-kill county). Through the No Kill Advocacy Center, which maintains an online resource library, publishes a magazine, and sponsors seminars, workshops and a conference, Winograd dreams of turning the tide nationwide and making the United States into a no-kill country.
Guardian Angels for Soldier's Pet
When soldiers are called up for service, among the loved ones left behind are pets. Guardian Angel for Soldier's Pet (GASP) has built a network of foster homes and caregivers to ensure that those animals are cared for until their owners return. Headquartered in Arkansas, with affiliate chapters in Minnesota and Mississippi, the organization is hoping to expand its reach to other states with the help of volunteers and donations.
Military Mascots
On the other side of the coin from GASP, Military Mascots exists to help soldiers rescue dogs and cats they've befriended overseas. When contacted by a soldier, they will send a care package of pet food, treats, toys, flea products, and more, plus connect the soldier with a vet in their deployment area for vaccinations and health certificates. Then, when it's time for the soldier to return to the States, Military Mascots will help with all the logistics (assisting with finances or fundraising where possible), to ensure that the soldier's best friend makes it home, safe and sound, too.
Bear Search & Rescue Foundation
Named for Bear, the intrepid 11-year-old golden retriever who found many victims of the 9/11attacks, Bear Search & Rescue has a multi-pronged mission: to train and equip search and rescue teams, provide free air transport to missions and trainings when possible, and to provide health care to all the dogs who worked at Ground Zero and the Pentagon. We say, skip the roses and gift your Valentine with "Bear: Heart of a Hero," the book that tells the story, instead.
National Greyhound Adoption Program
Many states in the US have banned dog racing, and we hope the others will follow suit soon. Meanwhile, there are still droves of "retired" greyhounds in need of rescue. The National Greyhound Adoption Program maintains a kennel and a state-of-the-art surgery facility to get these hounds healthy and happily situated in loving homes.
NYSAVE
Among our favorite local heroes, NYSAVE offers funding for emergency veterinary care for the pets of low-income New Yorkers. Founded by a group of vets, with a start-up grant from the Veterinary Medical Association of New York City, NYSAVE relies solely upon donations and volunteers to continue its mission.
Puppies Behind Bars
Sometimes humans help dogs, but more often it's the other way around. Puppies Behind Bars places dogs at seven correctional facilities in New York state, matching the pups to inmates who prepare the dogs for careers guiding the blind, assisting the disabled, and helping law enforcement locate bombs. Along the way, as they learn to help others, the dogs are already changing the lives of their handlers in myriad deep and lasting ways. In addition to welcoming donations, Puppies Behind Bars needs volunteer weekend dog sitters, to expose the pups to car rides, door bells and other things they don't experience in prison.
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Super Pet Expo
Friday, February 9, 4 PM to 9 PM; Saturday February 10, 10 AM to 8 PM; Sunday, February 11, 10 AM to 5 PM
New Jersey Convention Center, Edison
With over 200 pet products exhibitors and the Divisional Finals of the Ultimate Air Dogs,
this event should be a fun outing for any dog person. (In case you didn't know, Ultimate Air Dogs is a distance jumping competition. Competitors will jump from a 20-foot-long dock into a 30-foot-long pool.) Dogs are welcome to attend the Expo, as spectators or competitors.
Bow Wow Pow Wow
Saturday, February 10, 11 AM to 1 PM (Rain date: Sunday, February 11)
Leroy Street Dog Run, northeast corner of Pier 40, Manhattan
Coffee, hot chocolate, donuts, and doggie biscuits will be on offer.
Barkfest at Bonhams
Sunday, February 11, 10 AM to Noon
Bonhams & Butterfields, 595 Madison Ave. at 57th St., 6th fl., Manhattan
This charity brunch, hosted by fine art auction house Bonhams & Butterfields, is organized by the American Kennel Club to coincide with the Westminster Dog Show (see below). The brunch, which is going head to head with Doyle's charity art brunch (see next event), includes a special preview of lots from The Dog Sale, to be held at Bonhams on February 13 (see below). Admission is $50. All proceeds benefit DOGNY, a fund that supports volunteer canine search and rescue teams. To r.s.v.p., call the AKC at 212-696-8277.
Dogs in Art Brunch
Sunday, February 11, 10 AM to Noon
Doyle New York, 175 E. 87th St., Manhattan
Doyle New York is once again holding its annual series of canine-related events tied to its Dogs In Art auction on February 13 (see below). This charity brunch, co-hosted by Doyle and the Westminster Kennel Club, benefits the Angel On A Leash therapy dog program of Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital. Dogs and humans are invited, at a cost of $50 per (human) head in advance, $60 at the door. The event includes a private viewing of the Dogs in Art lots, free auction catalogues, and take-home "doggie bags" for the canines in attendance. For more information, or for tickets to the brunch, call 212-427-4141, x600.
Westminster Dog Show
Monday, February 12 and Tuesday, February 13, 8:30 AM to 6 PM
Madison Square Garden, 7th Ave. and 32nd St., Manhattan
Unless you're serious about dog shows, it's easier to just tune in to USA Network (at 8 PM on February 12 and 13) than to actually make an appearance at Westminster. Still, we always have a good time wandering around backstage at this grand show, where anyone with a general admittance ticket can check out hundreds of dogs (and their handlers) as they anxiously await their turn in the ring. Hanging out backstage offers a completely different perspective than hanging on your sofa watching USA Network: depending on when you show up backstage, breeders and handlers will answer questions about their breeds, let you watch while they primp and preen their dogs, and generally offer a rare view of life on the often-stressful show-dog circuit. Word of warning: Westminster gets more and more crowded every year, so try to arrive first-thing Monday before the participants get cranky and the crowds overwhelming. For more information, including details on tickets and which breeds will be in the ring when, visit the Westminster website.
The Dog Sale Auction at Bonhams
Tuesday, February 13, 10 AM
595 Madison Ave. at 57th St., Manhattan
This auction of dog art, held by Bonhams & Butterfields, includes 234 lots, most prominently Setters, an oil on canvas by Thomas Blinks with an estimated value of $100,000 to $150,000. There are, however, many lovely lots with estimates below $500. Advance viewings, which are open to the public, are on Saturday, February 10 (10 AM to 5 PM); Sunday, February 11 (noon to 5 PM); and Monday, February 12 (10 AM to 6 PM). See below for information about the competing Doyle's auction, which is scheduled so you can rush straight from one auction to the next without missing a beat (or a lot).
9th Annual Dogs In Art Auction at Doyle
Tuesday, February 13, 1 PM
Doyle New York, 175 E. 87th St., Manhattan
Doyle New York's Dogs In Art auction covers four centuries of canine paintings and sculpture. Advance viewings, which are open to all, are on Saturday, February 10 (10 AM to 5 PM); Sunday, February 11 (noon to 5 PM); and Monday, February 12 (10 AM to 6 PM). Admission is free. For more information, visit Doyle New York's website or call 212-427-4141, x237.
Valentine Cocktail Party
Tuesday, February 13, 7 PM to 9:30 PM
Crash Mansion, 199 Bowery at Spring St., Manhattan
Join Leashes and Lovers for this fete which will feature cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and music by Blue Jupiter and Maria Christensen. Well-behaved dogs are welcome, but not required. There will be a raffle to benefit the ASPCA.
Coffee Bark
Saturday, March 3, 7 AM to 9 AM
Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Held rain or 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.
If there's an event you'd like us to mention in the next NewsHound, please email us.
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Watch Out for Stray Voltage We've heard about one incident of a dog getting a mild shock this winter -- in Park Slope -- and no doubt there will be more. If you notice that a lamppost in your neighborhood has loose wires or otherwise looks in need of repair, report it to the city's 311 hotline. Same thing if you or your dog get a shock. If the worst happens and you believe your dog has received a major shock (she may freeze in one spot and shake violently, or suddenly collapse), don't touch her. East Villager Jodie Lane was killed in just such an incident in 2004. Call 911.
The Fight for Offleash Hours Continues The Parks Department has announced plans to formalize the policy of allowing dogs to go leashless in many city parks between the hours of 9 PM and 9 AM. On February 22 they will hold a public hearing on the issue. To show your support for the proposal, you can sign this petition, send an email to the Parks Commissioner, or volunteer to speak at the hearing. There's more information at NYC Offleash.
Brooklyn Rescues Exhibit Artist K.C. Bailey has created a series of inventive diorama portraits of formerly homeless dogs who have joined Brooklyn households. They will be on display at Willie's, a new gourmet hotdog shop that is opening on Valentine's Day. Willie's, at 351 5th Ave. between 4th and 5th Sts., was named for the owners' beloved black lab.
I Love NYC Pets February is I Love NYC Pets Month, and local rescue groups are holding special adoption events all over the city to celebrate. If you or someone you know is looking to add a dog (or cat) to the family, check out the listing of events.
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Copyright (c) 2007 urbanhound, LLC.
All rights reserved.
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