Now here's a fine idea, worthy of consideration by those who sponsor outdoor movie nights in Baltimore -- a “take your dog to the movie night” featuring a dog movie.

They're doing just that in Kansas City's Penn Valley Park, where an off-leash dog park is located.

The evening starts with a dog fashion show, followed by a dog talent contest, followed by a free outdoor screening of the film “Best in Show.”

By charging a few bucks, this might be a good fundraising idea, as well, for shelters, rescue groups and dog parks.

The event is sponsored by the Kansas City Parks and Recreation Department, the Friends of Penn Valley Park and the Dogpark Improvement Group.

Posted by John Woestendiek at 8:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
                    

The Humane Society of Baltimore County held its "Black Tie & Tails" fundraising gala this past weekend, and Ace and I were there, along with our video camera.

The formal sit-down dinner -- along with silent auction, dancing, costume contest and more -- has been one of the society's chief fund-raising events. This year, though, it's adding a new one -- DogFest, to be held Saturday, Oct. 4 at Shawan Downs.

Watch this space for details.

Posted by John Woestendiek at 8:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
                    

Not being big on formalities, I consider it an achievement to have gotten through nearly 55 years of life only having to wear a tuxedo four times.

Half of those times were to get married. All of those times, they were rentals. (The tuxedos, I mean).

Now, though, another tuxedo occasion is coming up -- the Baltimore County Humane Society's Black Tie and Tails Gala, Saturday, June 7.

It is pretty much the social event of the season for the doggie crowd, and proceeds from it go to care for the animals at the Humane Society. I really should go.

But I dread the idea of going to the tuxedo place -- something about all that fussing and measuring, not to mention the thought of spending lots of money for rental clothing.

So if you have a tuxedo, and you're definitely not going, and your waist is a good 36 inches, and your height about 5 foot 9, and the only six-packs you've ever looked down and seen have been in your refrigerator, and you don't mind a relatively clean, drug and disease free stranger wearing your clothes, drop me an email.

Since it's a dog-friendly event, the tux will probably accumulate some dog hairs, but otherwise I promise to treat it well, to give it a good home for a few days, and to try and appear dashing in it, though I know I will never be as handsome as my dog. 

The Humane Society of Baltimore County's Black Tie and Tails Gala will be held at The Grand Lodge in Hunt Valley from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tickets are $150 each. It features a gourmet dinner, open bar, live music, silent auction, best-dressed pet contest and more. To purchase tickets online, visit the HSBC website: www.baltimorehumane.org.

Posted by John Woestendiek at 8:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
                    

Only a month remains to submit a photo of your pet for inclusion in the Maryland SPCA's 2009 Pet Calendar.

The 9- by 12- inch wall calendar features pictures of area dogs, cats and other animals submitted by animal lovers.

For $35, your pet will appear in the calendar, you will receive a calendar, and -- while all entries get pictured -- your pet's photo will be entered in a contest and could be chosen for the calendar cover or each month's pet-of-the-month spread.

Photos must contain only animals, no people, and must be color prints, 4 by 6 inches or larger, or high-resolution (300 dpi) digital photos. Entries must be submitted by June 2, 2008, and are not returned.

For more details and an entry form, visit the SPCA's calendar webpage or call Carrie Price at 410-235-8826, ext. 133.

Posted by John Woestendiek at 8:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
                    

The 2008 Maryland SPCA March for the Animals raked in $375,000 -- $7,693.15 of it raised by Tracy Santos and her pack of walkers known as the "Baltimore Bark Brigade."

Santos, a breast cancer patient who organized her friends and made raising $10,000 for the dogs her personal goal, was among those who walked for miles -- many of them in the rain -- this past Sunday.

SPCA director Aileen Gabbey said that the total amount raised was a record for the march, which is the organization's chief fundraising effort of the year. The SPCA receives no government funding.

Neither, really, does Tracy Santos, who works at a local animal hospital and has a husband in the military.

Here's an update from Tracy:

Continue reading "Tracy Santos: Wait 'til next year" »

Posted by John Woestendiek at 7:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

Loews Annapolis Hotel and Paws Pet Boutique will host “Canines and Cocktails for a Cause,” a summer-long series of fund-raisers in Annapolis to benefit area animal shelters and other causes.

Each dog-friendly Friday night event will have its own theme (not to mention "cocktails, appetizers, mocktails and Snoopy snacks.") and will run from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the hotel's Weather Rail's patio.

Loews is famous both for its dog-friendliness and its friendly dog (Luke, a Labrador Retriever who was adopted from the SPCA of Anne Arundel County). Paws Pet Boutique, which opened in 1999, raised over $13,000 in 2007 for pet-related causes.

Here's the lineup, so that you may mark your calendars:

Continue reading "Canines and cocktails in Annapolis" »

Posted by John Woestendiek at 11:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
                    

Dates with 10 "steaming hot Hopkins undergrads," and their canine wards from Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS), will be auctioned off to the highest bidders Saturday night at a fund-raiser on the Baltimore campus.

"Hopkins' first ever Doggy Date Auction" is being put on by the Hopkins Pet and Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), an organization formed last year to improve the quality of life of unwanted animals in Baltimore through volunteer work at local shelters.

An afternoon date with the participating students (who include Lauren Jones, left and Alvaro Donoso, right), and their canine escorts (on loan from BARCS) isn't all the winning bidders get. They'll also receive a gourmet picnic basket to share with their human-hound combo at a mutually agreed upon time and place.

The auction takes place Saturday from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at the Glass Pavilion on the Johns Hopkins University campus. Tickets are $4 at the door. Shelter dogs won't be at the auction, but guests are welcome to bring dogs

Hopkins student and PAWS founder Ashley Kennedy describes the event as "an evening of beautiful people, lovable puppies, free food and good laughs" (courtesy of performers from the Buttered Niblets). "PAWS is offering 10 steaming hot Hopkins undergrads, along with their canine sidekicks, as the merchandise for Hopkins’ first ever Doggy Date Auction."

Facebook members can learn more about the event, and see more photos of the humans and dogs up for bids, by going to Facebook.com, and searching "doggy date auction."

The duos to be auctioned fall into eight classes: toys, terriers, working, sporting, non-sporting, miscellaneous, hounds and herders. The person-pup duo that commands the highest price will also be awarded “Best in Show” for the event.

PAWS describes its mission as helping to raise funds for the care and medical treatment of homeless animals, and drawing public attention to animal neglect and abuse.

I'm guessing that -- like Pin-Ups for Pit Bulls -- they're going to accomplish at least that last part.

(Photos courtesy of Hopkins PAWS) 

Posted by John Woestendiek at 2:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

Hannah came through.

Shortly after 1 p.m., Montana time, the old girl -- a 9-year-old terrier mix who has put in two months with no takers at the Western Montana Humane Society -- delivered Valentine's Day wishes to my girlfriend.

Chaperoned by Peter Bensen, society director, Hannah spent about 10 minutes at the Missoulian newspaper, exchanged some cuddles with Tamara Granger (she's the one in the red shirt, lest there be any confusion), then continued her assigned rounds, joining the other dogs who were spreading Valentine's Day cheer across the fair city of Missoula.

The deliveries were part of a program in which, in exchange for sponsoring a shelter dog, the society delivered Valentine's Day greetings and a gift package to the person of your choice, in many cases with the sponsored dog going along.

In the case of my doggie Valentine, at least, it went over well. Tamara, who can't have a dog where she's living, appreciated the visit from Hannah, who was the featured dog in a humane society advertisement she helped put together a couple of weeks ago.

In fact, there's only one way the ending could be happier -- and that's if somebody, perhaps smitten by those wise and piercing eyes she has (Hannah's, I mean) were to show up and take her home.

(The photo to the right was taken by Krista Miller, a student at the University of Montana School of Journalism who is serving an internship as a staff photographer at the Missoulian.)

Posted by John Woestendiek at 10:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

You can say it with flowers. You can say it with candy. You can say it with jewelry. But this Valentine’s Day, I’m saying it, long distance, with a dog.

Some time today, if all goes according to plan, a mutt named Hannah, a suspected terrier mix currently housed at the Humane Society of Western Montana, will stroll into a newspaper office in Missoula, go to the advertising department on the first floor, and wish my honey a Happy Valentine’s Day.

Said honey, one hopes, will get a kick out of it, and it will mean far more, one also hopes, than the flowers, candy and jewelry that she isn’t receiving.

Hannah, meanwhile, will get a rare outing, and a few days room and board at the shelter through the $50 donation I made for the gift, which in addition to a visit from Hannah, includes a stuffed dog, a personalized card and a big pink balloon.

The card will bear Hannah’s picture and read, “I thought this dog was very cute; I hope you’ll be mine on this and every Valentine’s Day.”

By now, gentlemen, you probably see the beauty of this. (A.) I have remembered the day. (B.) I have shown I am sensitive and an animal lover. (C.) I have given something far better than some expensive and superficial piece of jewelry – I have given the gift of life.

Continue reading "I love you dog" »

Posted by John Woestendiek at 7:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
                    

Baltimore Animal Rescue & Care Shelter (BARCS) will hold its third annual BARCStoberfest this weekend.

The event, sponsored by Baltimore City Mayor Sheila Dixon, will be held from 11a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday (it's being rescheduled from Saturday due to rain) in Patterson Park (corner of Eastern and Linwood).

“This is a festival specifically geared to you and your pet, with lots of activities, entertainment and information,” said Jennifer Mead-Brause, BARCS’ executive director. The event will feature a low-cost microchip clinic, a scavenger hunt, a Silly Agility Course, children activities, a silent auction, a raffle and several pet contests.

Local vendors of pet-related products and services will be on hand, as well as experts in animal health and wellness.

The popular Pet Costume Contest is back, just in time for Halloween. Other featured contests include Best Trick and Owner/Pet Look-a-Like.

Thousands of people and their pets attended BARCStoberfest over the past two years, raising $26,000 for BARCS’ efforts to protect animals through adoption, education and the promotion of responsible pet ownership.

Mead-Brause anticipates the turnout to be even stronger this year. For those looking for a pet, plenty of adoptable animals will be available on-site, including animals from BARCS, as well as pure-breeds from area rescue groups. All proceeds from this event benefit the animals of BARCS.

Pets on leashes are welcome.

Entrance is free but some activities require donations to participate.Due to rain, the event has been rescheduled for Sunday. BARCS is a non-profit organization created in 2005 that works in conjunction with the Baltimore City Bureau of Animal Control.

For more information visit BARCS website at www.baltimoreanimalshelter.org

Posted by John Woestendiek at 7:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

Ace is at it again.

My dog is a bit of a philanthropist, you see. And though neither he, nor his keeper, has any money, he still likes to try and make the world a better place.

So now the movie about the search for Ace’s roots – “Hey, Mister, What Kind of Dog is That?” – is (with his permission) available for rent at Missoula's Crystal Video.

And the proceeds from those rentals will be going to Rolling Dog Ranch, the sanctuary for disabled animals featured in the Mutts blog all last week.

Of course, people can still watch the serialized version of the movie online here. And I’ve already offered to send free copies to teachers and humane societies in the Baltimore area who want to use the movie in classes or fund-raising efforts. (But people in Missoula don’t know those things and Ace is betting that, even if they did – as dog crazy as they are -- they’d still fork over some cash to rent the movie, knowing that money is going to a good cause.)

What the movie raises in Missoula – like the $800 that advanced screenings raised in Baltimore for the shelter Ace was adopted from (Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter, or BARCS) -- may just be a drop in the bucket, but enough drops in enough buckets can add up.

The DVD version of “Hey, Mister …” is a tad shorter and slightly less glitch-filled than the original online version, thanks to Terri Cierny, who worked some magic on it. And it's packaged in a snazzy case, featuring an image designed by the Sun's Peter Yuill, thanks to Rob Emenecker at Hairy Dog Digital in Linthicum, which burned the DVDs for us.

It’s still about as far away from “hi-def” as you can get it, but it does have that very cool Wilco song “What Light” on it.

So, for the folks back home in Baltimore, the offer remains -- while supplies last, of course -- free copies to teachers, humane societies, and anyone else who is either a loyal Mutts reader or defender of the dog (Just send your address to mutts@baltsun.com)

To the people of Missoula, you can check out Ace's display and rent the movie at Crystal Video on Higgins Street, thanks to the gracious cooperation of owner Tim Huffman.

And to the owners of Rolling Dog Ranch, Steve Smith and Alayne Marker, thanks for doing what you do.

Posted by John Woestendiek at 7:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

Vernon Ford and Lloyd, a Great Dane, were among the guests on Little Ben's Big Fundraiser Cruise Friday night.

"We are pleased to have beat the donation we made last year ... by over $1,000 and are able to donate almost $7,000 to a special cause that means so much to me," said Michelle Kownacki, Ben's foster mom.

Michelle and her husband Larry own Paws pet boutique in Annapolis, and have been caring for Ben, a Jack Russell Terrier (see entry below) since he was removed, along with more than 300 other dogs, from a North Carolina home after a lawsuit was filed by the Animal Legal Defense Fund.

The ALDF will receive proceeds from the cruise, which left Annapolis City Dock with 150 people and more than 80 well-mannered canines aboard.

"This cruise fundraiser is a way to give back to the this organization that does so much to protect animals in the legal system -- in addition to having a blast in Annapolis with your dog," Kownacki said.

As for Ben, Kownacki reports "he had the time of his life this year."

***

Pets on Wheels will host the second annual Dog-a-thon at Oregon Ridge Park from 10 am to 3 pm. this Saturday, an event that will feature an “almost a mile” fun walk, an agility course, a demonstration by the Baltimore County Police K9 Unit, a pet trick contest, a pet costume contest, and a doggie kissing contest.

Pets on Wheels is a non-profit volunteer organization that provides friendly pet visits from volunteers and their pets to those requiring the support of an institutional setting. Visits are most often to nursing homes; however, assisted living communities and facilities for the physically and mentally challenged are also visited.

Vendors at the Dog-a-thon will be offering -- for a fee -- services including pet micro-chipping and nail clipping. Canned pet food will be collected in support of the Fallston Animal Rescue Movement, Inc., a non-profit organization that works with local shelters to save the lives of pets that have run out of time by placing them in foster homes.

The event, co-sponsored by Upper Chesapeake Health, will benefit the Baltimore Metro/Harford County Pets On Wheels program. For more information, please contact Vicki@PetsOnWheels.org .

Posted by John Woestendiek at 10:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
                    

This is Ben, a Jack Russell Terrier who was among about 300 dogs a judge ordered removed from the squalor of a home in North Carolina two years ago.

Tomorrow -- Friday -- Ben and two other survivors will be hosting a cruise in Annapolis, designed to help raise funds for the organization that freed them, the Animal Legal Defense Fund.

Ben is the foster dog of Michelle Kownacki, owner of the Paws Pet Boutique in Annapolis. The Kownackis were among the volunteers who stepped forward during the North Carolina court case to provide foster care for the 300 abused and neglected dogs.

Kownacki didn't stop there. Last September she organized the first "Little Ben's Big Fundraiser Cruise," which was attended by 80 dogs and 165 humans and raised $5,400 for ALDF.

"Someone made the comment that it looked just like Noah's Ark," Kownacki said yesterday. At least 60 dogs are expected to board tonight.

The cruise aboard Watermark's Harbor Queen departs at 7 p.m. tomorrow from the Annapolis City Dock. Tickets are $44, and some are still available (call 410-263-8683).

Ben, and two miniature Pinschers who will also be aboard, Franklin and Georgia, were among 300 diseased, neglected and abused dogs removed from the home of a Sanford, N.C. couple after a judge's order in April 2005.

ALDF was granted custody of the animals, and the dog "hoarders" were found guilty of animal cruelty charges. All the dogs are in foster care through ALDF because the case is being appealed.

Robert and Barbara Woodley, both in their 60s, had been breeding and selling dogs for more than two decades in the small town 30 miles southwest of Raleigh.

According to the attorney who handled the case for ALDF, Mrs. Woodley had “hoarding disease" -- a psychological disorder in which a person compulsively collects vast quantities of junk, in her case, dogs. ALDF estimates up to a quarter million animals a year are victims of hoarders, and research has shown nearly three-fourths of hoarders are women, most commonly hoarding cats.

Hoarders often start out with good intentions, but their animals reach such high numbers that they often end up living in squalid conditions and suffering from ailments that include malnutrition, untreated medical conditions, dental and eyes diseases, psychological stress.

The ALDF got involved in the case after neighbors tried to get the local animal control department to take action against the Woodleys, but were unsuccessful. The Woodleys had 450 dogs when the ALDF first sought the injunction to remove the dogs but had given away 150 by the time it was granted.

Posted by John Woestendiek at 2:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

Canton Dog Park's 5th year anniversary party will be held Saturday, from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.

The city's only official dog park -- the only public place where you can legally let your dog off its leash in Baltimore -- is at the intersection of South Bouldin and Toone Streets, just north of Boston Street in Canton.

The park is run by Canton Community Association, a non-profit organization, and all contributions to it are tax-deductible. It costs about $2,500 a year to maintain the park, the association says, and the anniversary party is one way they help raise that money.

The city Department of Recreation and Parks established rules for dog parks two years ago. Those require that community groups bear the expense of building and maintaining them. Since then, despite interest among neighbors of Patterson and Riverside parks to turn sections of those parks into dog parks, neither has been approved.

Canton Dog Park's anniversary party will feature a barbecue, dog treats from Dogma, prize raffles, and a "pool party," said Gina Schwind, president of Friends of Canton Dog Park.

Posted by John Woestendiek at 3:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)