Posted by: twodogtales | October 11, 2010

Jon Katz book signing Wed. in Falls Church

Author Jon Katz will be reading and signing copies of his new book “Rose in a Storm” this Wednesday, Oct. 13 at 7:30 p.m. at the Baileys Crossroads Borders at 5871 Crossroads Center Way, Baileys Crossroads, VA 22041.

“Rose in a Storm” is inspired by Katz’s life on Bedlam Farm in Upstate New York, and is written from the dog’s point of view. You can download a PDF of the book’s first chapter on his website.  

Eight of Katz’s books chronicle his life with dogs, beginning with “A DOG YEAR: Twelve Months, Four Dogs, and Me” which tells of his adventures adopting a Border Collie after many calm, comfortable years with a pair of mellow Labradors.  

Rose is a current resident of the farm, and according to Katz, she has a “ferocious work ethic, courage, gift for problem solving, and firm ideas how things ought to be run.” She is the dog on the cover of his 2004 book “THE DOGS OF BEDLAM FARM: An Adventure with Sixteen Sheep, Three Dogs, Two Donkeys, and Me.” Katz posted a beautiful portrait of her on his blog last night.

I read “A DOG YEAR” and “A GOOD DOG: The Story of Orson, Who Changed My Life” a few years ago and thoroughly enjoyed them. But now that I have Sundae in my life, who I suspect is not a Golden Retriever/Lab mix like the shelter told me but a Golden/Border Collie mix, I’m going to read them again to see if I can gain any insight into the Border Collie psyche…

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Posted by: twodogtales | October 10, 2010

Healing goes both ways with war dog and bereaved family

I read this wonderful story on the front page of the Wall Street Journal last week about a bomb-sniffing dog who found a new home with the family of a fallen Marine. And it’s not just a story of how the unconditional love of a dog is helping a mother and father through the grief of losing their 22-year-old son in Iraq.

“Shell-Shocked Dog of War Finds a Home With the Family of a Fallen Hero” tells how Gunner–a yellow lab who’d been declared “excess” and mustered out of the Marines for failing to perform his duties–came to live with Deb and Dan Dunham, whose son gave his own life to save his comrades in an insurgent ambush. You usually hear stories of how dogs have helped heal hurting humans, or of people who have saved and rehabilitated a traumatized pup, but rarely are both sides so desperately in need of saving.

The article includes a video and slideshow. Read about PETS2VETS, a local organization that places shelter dogs with war veterans suffering from post traumatic stress disorder, in my Aug. 21 and 25 posts.    





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Posted by: twodogtales | October 7, 2010

Weekend events Oct. 9-10

Walk for PAWS

Help the Animal Advocates of Howard County save lives one step at a time at their 10th annual Walk for PAWS from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9 at the Board of Education in Ellicott City, Md. Here’s a video with pictures of the fun at last year’s walk:

There will be contests, games, raffles, caricaturists, an animal communicator, low-cost microchipping, demonstrations by Mid Atlantic Search and Rescue and more. Pre-registration is closed, but walkers bringing a minimum of $30 in pledges or registration fee can get an event t-shirt and bandana as long as supplies last. The Board of Education is at 10910 Route 108, Ellicott City, Md.

Taste of Georgetown

Blocks of Wisconsin Ave. will be car-free from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday Oct. 9 as the street fills with people tasting the best fare Georgetown has to offer at the Taste of Georgetown. Lucky Dog Animal Rescue will have a table with information about adopting, fostering or volunteer, along with dogs available to adopt into loving new homes. Like last weekend’s Oktoberfest in Shirlington, this is one of those events that is not for any but the most well-adjusted, crowd-comfortable dogs, so you may want to leave your pup at home. Or, if your home needs a pooch to smooch, Lucky Dog may have a dog for you!

Bark in the Park

Head out to Turkey Hill Park in La Plata, Md., for the Humane Society of Charles County’s Bark in the Park from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 10. There will be dog games, contests, police dog, bloodhound and Calvert K9 Search and Rescue demonstrations and more. Halloween is just around the corner, so get creative and enter the dog costume contest, or enter your pooch in the hot dog eating, musical sit, or doggie bowling contests.

Turkey Hill Park is at 9430 Turkey Hill Road, La Plata, MD 20646.

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Posted by: twodogtales | October 5, 2010

Cesar…stay, please!

About 150 people came out to see Cesar Millan at National Geographic headquarters tonight, and he is just as funny, humble and engaging in person as he is on his show “The Dog Whisperer.” The event began with a preview of a show from his seventh season, which premieres Friday at 8 p.m. and features Cesar working with comedian and host of the television game show “Deal or No Deal” Howie Mandel.

Cesar and me

Cesar graciously signed four books...an early start to holiday shopping!

Everyone knows celebrities can be eccentric, but Mandel takes it to new heights, running from the room in terror when his wife’s tiny Chihuahua growls at him. Lola, who weighs all of 2 pounds, rules the roost until Cesar arrives on the scene. With Cesar’s help, Mandel was eventually able to peacefully coexist with and even hold Lola, albeit wearing thick leather gloves.  

After the preview, Cesar came onstage. He may be small in stature, but his dynamic personality fills a room. His anecodotes and jokes had the audience laughing immediately, and the first audience question was, “Will you come to the East Coast?”  

Cesar takes an audience question.

An Iraq war wounded veteran undergoing treatment at Walter Reed asked Cesar how to handle his pit bull’s aggression towards other dogs. Cesar took the opportunity to stress that the breed is not the problem, the owner and training (or lack thereof) is. Keep an eye out for a show featuring the soldier, the audience encouraged Cesar to help him in a future show, and he brought his producer onstage to meet the family.   

 When a woman asked him how to deal with fence aggression between her shepherd mix and the neighbor’s dogs, he brought her onstage and had her demonstrate how she addressed the situation–with Cesar very enthusiastically playing the part of the dog. 

This is before Cesar imitated an aggressive dog and charged at the woman growling...

Cesar was heading to New York City next, to appear on The Today Show with Hoda Kotbe and Kathie Lee Gifford tomorrow morning. His new book, “Cesar’s Rules: Your Way to Train a Well-Behaved Dog” goes on sale Tuesday Oct. 5. Since the audience got to buy the book tonight, I’m already ahead on my Christmas gifts for a few of the dog-lovers in my life!

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Posted by: twodogtales | October 4, 2010

Cesar Millan in DC tonight!

Late-breaking news, Dog Whisperer Cesar Millan is appearing at National Geographic downtown tonight. Free to the public, tickets distributed at 5:30, event begins at 6:30. More information on the WTOP website I’m in the ticket line right now and it’s not bad, about 50 people. He’ll be signing copies of his new book releasing tomorow, they have them on sale here.

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Posted by: twodogtales | October 2, 2010

Shirlington news

I’m not planning to write about events that aren’t dog-centric, but if you want to do something today that isn’t all about dogs, Shirlington Village’s annual Oktoberfest is today from noon to 7 p.m. Tastings tickets are $25, and there will be plenty of food and beer vendors. Dogs are allowed, but unless you have a dog that deals with crowds very, very well I wouldn’t recommend it, especially as it gets later in the afternoon. The street tends to fill with long lines and very drunk 20-somethings, and a timid pup can easily be overwhelmed. Dogma Bakery will have a booth, though, and will be selling Bowser Beer, beer pretzels and turkey sausages.

To keep up on all upcoming Shirlington Village news and events, check out the Shirlington Village blog.

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Posted by: twodogtales | September 30, 2010

Three more events on Sunday

If you and your dog aren’t exhausted after Saturday’s activities, here are a couple things you can do on Sunday this weekend:

HART 5th Annual Dogwalk and Homecoming

Homeless Animal Rescue Team (HART) is celebrating its 20th birthday on Oct. 3 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Bull Run Regional Park Special Events Area at 7700 Bull Run Drive in Centreville, Va. There will be prizes for the top pledge-raisers, agility demonstrations, a Halloween costume contest, local vendors and goody bags for the first 200 registrants.

Walking teams can register online. A $25 minimum pledge gets you a Dogwalk t-shirt and a special birthday goody bag.  

Paws for a Cause 3K Walk

Fairfax Pets on Wheels is hosting its 15th annual Paws for a Cause walk at noon at Weber’s Pet Supermarket in Fairfax, Va. I’ve done this walk a couple times before, it’s an easy stroll through a residential neighborhood and local trails, with treat stations for humans and dogs scattered throughout.

Registration is $20, and all participants get a Paws for a Cause t-shirt. You can register online or onsite. Weber’s is located at 11021 Lee Highway.

FPOW is a 501(c)(3) sponsored by the Fairfax Area Agency on Aging that provides pet visitation to Fairfax County nursing homes and assisted-living facilities.

3rd Annual Dog Days of Downtown Silver Spring

Reality celebrity Mary Amons of Bravo’s “The Real Housewives of DC,” along with her daughter Lolly and dog Kona are the hosts of Silver Spring’s Dog Days celebration from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Activities include dog adoptions, performances, contests and more on the Plaza at Ellsworth Drive (directions).

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Posted by: twodogtales | September 28, 2010

K-9 Karnival and Dogtober Day Oct. 2

This Saturday, Oct. 2, there are dog events near and far to enjoy:

Dogtober Day & Barkers Bash

Arlington’s Lacey Woods Park at 1200 N. George Mason Drive is the site of the Dogtober Day & Barkers Bash from 1  to 3 p.m. There will be contests such as Best Kisser, Cutest Costume, Best Tail Wagger and more. Play games for you and your dog at the Barkers Bash including You & Me Agility and Scoopy the Poopy. I have to say I play poopy scoopy at least two or three times every day so I’d probably skip that one, but the rest sound like fun! It’s $6 to enter per category, $25 for unlimited entries.

View the flyer for more information. (google map)

K-9  Karnival Sat. Oct. 2

If you feel like taking a drive, head out to 3 Dog Farm in Purcellville, Va. for the 4th Annual K-9 Karnival from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be contests, vendors, demonstrations, a hurdle course, and what sounded like the best option to make sure you take home a tired pup–a fully-fenced off-leash play area with a 5-acre pond.

The event benefits Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation. You can pre-register through Sept. 30 online for $20 per dog or onsite for $25. (google map)

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Posted by: twodogtales | September 21, 2010

Two walks and a bagel benefit this weekend

Walk for the Animals

The Washington Humane Society is holding its Walk for the Animals Saturday, Sept. 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Marie Reed Learning Center in Washington, D.C. The WHS was established in 1870 and is the only Congressionally-chartered animal welfare agency in the United States. You can register, join or form a team, or donate to a participant here. The Marie Reed Learning Center is located at 2200 Champlain St NW, Washington, DC 20009.

Olde Towne Dogge Walke

Take part in the fourth annual Olde Towne Dogge Walke on Sunday, Sept. 26 from 9 to 11 a.m. Presented by Capitol Heel, the 1 1/2 miles course winds through historic Old Town Alexandria, starting and finishing at Market Square on King St. The walk benefits the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria.

Bagels benefit barkers Sunday

There aren’t any calories in food you buy for a good cause, right? Well–wrong–but it makes you feel better about it! Buy a bagel and a schmear, or anything at Bruegger’s at 660 King St. on Sept. 26 and they’ll donate 15 percent of your purchase to the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria. You must download and present this flyer.

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Posted by: twodogtales | September 20, 2010

Dogs change our world

I know Chatham and Sundae have changed my world, but there are many dogs out there that serve as more than adoring companions, bed hogs and bottomless pits of kibble-consumption. For the next couple of days WETA public television is showing part two of “Dogs That Changed the World: Dogs by Design” a show about why different breeds were developed. Check out the schedule and set your DVR for an entertaining hour that explains the purpose behind the bulldog and Pekinese breeds among others, and concludes with a profile of a German Shepherd who senses oncoming diabetic seizures in her teenage owner.

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