Posted by: twodogtales | March 9, 2014

Review: Maryland DogFest

Even with a significant drop in temperature and lots more wind than yesterday, the Maryland DogFest drew a good crowd on Sunday, March 9. Held at the Charles County Fairgrounds, the demonstrations and acts were outdoors and the booths were inside non-heated buildings, so attendees pretty much had to stay bundled up.

This sweet little guy, up for adoption from Sleepy’s Dream Pit Bull Rescue, kept warm and caught some shut-eye while guarding the booth’s stock of t-shirts at the same time!IMG_3875

Other pups kept warm wrapped in their owner’s coats while their owner shivered in short sleeves.

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There were about 20 different rescue groups in the adoption zone. Chatham donned a special vest, keeping warm and collecting donations for GRREAT.

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Many of the adoption booths had puppies needing forever homes, which were very popular with the kids.

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The acts were entertaining, especially Mutts Gone Nuts, who performed a vaudeville-style comedy act with about a half dozen dogs, all of whom were rescues. And the Jersey Disc Devils ranged in age from a two-year-old in training to a 10-year-old veteran.

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It took about an hour to drive out there from D.C., but the event was well worth it. And as usually happens when you venture into unknown territory, I discovered an awesome barbeque place on the drive home, Texas BBQ & Ribs. It’s on Route 301 just south of La Plata, and the ribs were fall-off-the-bone, the corn bread was fresh and sweet and I don’t know what they did to the mac & cheese, but it worked!

Here’s one more unforgettable face from Sleepy’s Pit Bull Rescue:

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Posted by: twodogtales | March 8, 2014

Maryland DogFest March 8-9

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Take advantage of the warm temperatures this weekend and drive out to the Maryland DogFest this weekend in La Plata. The event is Saturday, March 8, and Sunday, March 9, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Charles County Fairgrounds.

Leashed dogs and their owners are welcome at this family-friendly event with demonstrations, products for sale, and more. Highlights include the Mutts Gone Nuts comedy dog act, Jersey Disc Devils High Flying K9 act, and more.

There will also be lots of rescue groups, including GRREAT (Golden Retriever Rescue, Education and Training), where Sundae, Chatham and I will be on Sunday!

Check out the Jersey Disc Devils:

Posted by: twodogtales | February 26, 2014

Dog-friendly day trip: Manassas Battlefield

Looking for some wide-open spaces and miles of hiking trails to explore with your dog? Look no further than the Manassas National Battlefield Park, about an hour’s drive from downtown D.C. The park is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. every day of the year except Thanksgiving and Christmas, and dogs on leashes are allowed in all outdoor areas and trails in the park.

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There are plenty of well-marked trails of varying distances, including the Henry Hill Loop Trail (1.1 mile), the First Manassas Loop Trail (5.4 miles) and the Second Manassas Loop Trail (6.2 miles).

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You can even join a guided tour given by a Park Ranger, since you stay outdoors for the entire tour.

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Points of interest along the trails are described with signs and pictures, if you prefer to explore on your own.

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At the end of the day, even though they can’t run free, the new sights and smells will leave you with a tired, and happy, pooch. Enjoy!

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Posted by: twodogtales | February 23, 2014

St. Patrick’s Parade and fun dog show, March 1

ImageSpring is in the air, or, at least we hope it will be back in the air next weekend, when Old Town Alexandria celebrates St. Patrick’s Day! The parade hosted by the Ballyshaners begins at 12:15 p.m., but before that, there is a fun dog show in Market Square where your pup can show off their Celtic spirit.

Dogs begin to gather at 10:30, after the Farmers Market, then judging begins at 11:00.

Dr. Katy Nelson, the host of The Pet Show with Dr. Katy, will serve as the judge and master of ceremonies, and Lucky Dog Animal Rescue is once again the primary beneficiary of the event.

Here are some pictures from last year, when Sundae and I did a little wearin’ o’ the green, along with a lot of other Irish-for-the-day dogs and their owners!

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Check out more photos from last year’s dog show, car show and parade here.

Posted by: twodogtales | January 26, 2014

‘The Lucky Ones’ screening is tonight–watch the trailer!

Watch this trailer from the movie about Lucky Dog Animal Rescue, “The Lucky Ones,” screening tonight with two showings at Arlington’s Cinema and Drafthouse!

Tickets are still available for the 10:00 p.m. showing, buy them here.

ImageOn Sunday, Jan. 26, come show your support for homeless dogs by attending a special screening of “The Lucky Ones,” a film about Lucky Dog Animal Rescue and the organization’s vast network of volunteers and partner facilities.

Filmed over six months in 2013, the movie follows the long journey that many homeless animals take to find their forever homes, beginning in shelters and streets and ending when the dogs find their forever homes.

Lucky Dog rescues animals from “high kill” shelters located in areas where adoption rates are low and spay/neuter rates are even lower, who are forced to euthanize to create space.

Tickets are just $10, and all box office proceeds will go to Lucky Dog Animal Rescue. The 7:30 showing is sold out, but a 10:00 pm showing has just been added.

Don’t be a wimp! Ten o’clock is NOT too late. And there are tons of great restaurants nearby so you can go out for a nice dinner, like Maruko Sushi right next door to the theater. Or, just about a quarter mile east on Columbia Pike there’s Taqueria el Poblano, William Jeffries Tavern and Eamonn’s a Dublin Chipper, among others.

Buy tickets now.

 

 

 

 

Posted by: twodogtales | December 19, 2013

Boot camp with your dog, Arlington or Potomac

ImageI know we’re still a few weeks away from New Years, so the last thing you want to hear about it the resolution everyone makes—to get in shape—right?

But just in case you are thinking ahead, there’s a Living Social deal for something I thought sounded pretty cool. It’s a deal for an obedience session and either two or four boot camp sessions—with your dog!

The deal is with Thank Dog! Boot Camp and there are sessions held in Arlington and Potomac. According to the description, you get to you train and bond with your pooch while you work out with certified fitness trainers and dog experts.

Dogs of any temperament are welcome, but you must have the obedience evaluation appointment first.

$60 gets you two boot camp sessions and the evaluation, $80 gets you four sessions and an evaluation.

If you’re in Maryland, you might want to contact Thank Dog! before buying, the Living Social deal says there are classes in Potomac, but the Thank Dog! website only lists Arlington classes. There are weekday morning and evening and Saturday morning classes.

Don’t dilly-dally if you’re interested, the Living Social site tells you how many people have bought the deal, but not when it will disappear from the site.

Posted by: twodogtales | December 10, 2013

Pet photos with Santa in Shirlington Dec. 11

PAWS-180x180[1]On Wednesday, Dec. 11, come to Dogma Bakery in Shirlington Village to get your pet’s photo taken with Santa Claus, and benefit a dog rescue at the same time. From 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. you and your pet can pose with the big guy himself for a fun holiday memento.

Professional pet photographer Jeanne Taylor will be taking the pics, and you’ll receive one high-resolution image via email within one week of the event to use any way you want.

Cost is $25 per photo session, and $20 of each sitting fee goes to benefit Oldies But Goodies Cocker Spaniel Rescue.

Don’t dally, only the first 75 people in line can get their picture taken with Santa!

Posted by: twodogtales | December 5, 2013

Santa Paws at Sugarloaf Dec. 7

santapaws2Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard is hosting a very special guest this Saturday–Santa Paws! Get a photo taken with you, your pet and Santa Paws and a free wine tasting for just $10.

Each color photo will be set in a festive holiday frame, and all proceeds will go to All Shepherd Rescue. The rescue group will also receive 10% of all wine bottles sold during the event.

What better way to stock up on good wine for the holidays, get a cute photo to remember the holiday by, and help an organization that helps dogs at the same time?

Posted by: twodogtales | November 27, 2013

Wordless wednesday: day before turkey day

Chatham says a little taste of the bird during Thanksgiving tomorrow would be welcomed by our four-legged friends, as long as it’s in moderation…right? *wink wink*

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