Calling all DC/northern Virginia dogs: #Barktoberfest is this Saturday!

Are you a dog? Do you have a dog? Do you like dogs? How about cats? Do you live in the DC/northern Virginia area? Do you enjoy seeing dogs in costume? Do you like fun? If your answer to any of those questions is yes, then I’ve got an event for you…

(As an aside, if your answer to my first question is yes… I’m intrigued. How did you end up on my website? Obviously, you have learned to use a computer, so maybe you can also write emails? If so, let’s chat. I have much to ask you, dog genius.)

Anyway… if you’re in the DC/northern Virginia area, get out your calendar and pencil in plans for Saturday. Friends of Homeless Animals (FOHA) is hosting its annual fall festival – Barktoberfest – this Saturday, September 28! Join FOHA at the Loudoun County Fairgrounds in Leesburg from 10am to 5pm. Continue reading

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Barking about books: The Dieting with My Dog Guide to Weight Loss and Maintenance

dwmd guide cover small sept 13

Click to order!

Today, I have a special treat for you. My friend Peggy Frezon, the author of Dieting with My Dog, is back with a new book. Today, this blog is the next stop on her virtual book tour. Welcome to the Fun & Furry, Fit & Healthy Blog Tour!

I had the chance to ask Peggy a few questions about her new book. While composing the questions, I was engaged in a bout of stress eating (unrelated to that activity). I guess that’s somewhat appropriate. (Seriously folks… if stress eating is ever made into an Olympic event, I will win all the medals. In both the singles and team events. Sad but true.)

Perhaps Peggy – along with her dogs Kelly and Ike – can help me put down the cookies and pick up a leash or a dog toy instead!

Anyway… to the interview! Continue reading

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Your dog agrees: you cannot be replaced

This week is National Suicide Prevention Week. With that in mind, I just want to share a simple message here today:

WSPD2013ShirtDesign

I mean it. You cannot be replaced. If you don’t believe me, just ask your dog. Chances are, that furry face would be lost without you. In fact, I’m sure there are a host of reasons why you are simply irreplaceable.

I won’t say much more here today, but I did want to share a few links/resources.

A heavy post, I realize. I’ll bring the funny tomorrow.

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Dogs of future (and Futurama) past

This week, I said goodbye to one of my favorite shows (for the third time). That’s right, today’s link roundup is inspired by Futurama.

  1. First up, your punny pet names: Turanga Fleala, Phillip J. Fly, Bender Codriguez, Hermes Conrat, Professor Mewbert Farnsworth, Amy Pawng, and Dr. Zoidbird.
  2. In addition to being one of my favorite shows, Futurama also delivered one of my favorite television episodes ever. (Seriously – I’m obsessed.) It’s titled “Jurassic Bark” – and I consider it mandatory viewing for anyone with a dog (or a heart). (Why did I let myself watch the ending again? Why? So many tears.)
  3. The canine star of “Jurassic Bark” is named Seymour. His full name is a pun. I love him unapologetically. (“His name was Seymour. He was once intimate with the leg of a wandering saxophonist. He had wet dog smell, even when dry. And he was not above chasing the Number 29 bus.”)
  4. I just want to hug him (and kiss him).

    via giphy.com

  5. Seymour popped up in some of the direct-to-DVD movies, and recently reappeared in an episode during the final season of Futurama. (By the way, if someone could provide me with a pocket-sized Seymour of my own, I’d be on cloud K9. See what I did there?)
  6. Dogs and space. We’ve talked about it before. What we haven’t talked about, however, is the similarities between dogs and Darth Vader.
  7. Anyway, enough about Seymour and space dogs (for now). Enjoy the cast of Futurama in sloth form.
  8. I wonder if these punny robots will be made by MomCorp.
  9. This dollhouse is amazing. Can someone make a similar one for Planet Express?

I guess the dog in today’s video is not a Star Trek fan. Maybe he would have enjoyed the Futurama theme song instead. It always makes me smile. (Jennifer Aniston gets it.)

When I was a kid, our Chihuahua Kandi would sometimes howl when I sang. As Randy Jackson might say… I guess I was pitchy, dawg.

In case you missed it, here’s what we were up to on the blog this week:

That’s all for today, friends. Commence two hour yipping session (but don’t mistreat your Robo Puppies or I’ll have to track you down).

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Hold on to August a little longer with these 14 blog posts…

It’s time for another monthly roundup, so set aside some time to catch up on your reading. Here are a few posts that made me smile in the month of August: Continue reading

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How can taking a photo save a life?

I happened to see that Seth Casteel, the photographer behind Underwater Dogs and the founder of Second Chance Photos, was featured on Buzzfeed last month.  Through Second Chance Photos, Seth works with shelters and rescue groups to improve the quality of their photos in order to help more animals get adopted.

The cult of personality: I Still Want More Puppies

Just a goofy, lovable “shelter dog” (now adopted)

I’ve been a big fan of Seth’s work since 2011, when I had the chance to attend one of Seth’s workshops and to interview him for this blog. Since I last featured Seth on the blog, some big things have happened. In addition to Underwater Dogs being featured everywhere (it seems), Seth has partnered with Greater Good, The Animal Rescue Site, The Petfinder Foundation and John Paul Pet to inspire others to save lives through grooming and photography. Check out the campaign at One Picture Saves a Life.

Finally, I thought I’d share a few of my favorite quotes from my interview with Seth:

There is a great picture for every dog – you just have to find a way to figure out what that picture is.

If you try to force a photo shoot on a fearful dog, the photos are going to be negative. Try to understand what the fear is – the camera? you? the world? At some point, you may just have to put on a long lens and hide in the bushes.

The work you do will save lives. It may not always be easy, but shelter pets need your help. Be patient. Be dedicated. Shelter pets do not have a voice, but you can give them one.

If you’d like to read my full interview with Seth, check out Part I and Part II. If you’re interested in finding out what I learned when I attended Seth’s workshop, click here.

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