Posted by: twodogtales | September 18, 2010

National Sheepdog Finals come to Va.

For the next two weeks, Sept. 17-26, you can see the nation’s best sheepdogs compete at the National Sheepdog Finals in Middletown, Va. It’s a great chance to see some high-energy, highly intelligent sheepdogs compete with their handlers for the national championship. The competition is at the Belle Grove Plantation, 336 Belle Grove Road, Middletown, VA 22645 (Google map).

To get a feel for the sport, watch this video from the U.S. Border Collie Handlers Association:

If you like sheep dogs, or just good dog stories, go to author Jon Katz’s website and check out his books about life with dogs at his Bedlam Farm including “A Good Dog: The Story of Orson Who Changed My Life,” and “A Dog Year: Twelve Months, Four Dogs and Me.” His writing is funny, poignant, and will definitely touch any dog lover’s heart.

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Posted by: twodogtales | September 9, 2010

Lots of dog swims Saturday in No. Va.

The Northern Virginia Regional Parks Authority pools have closed for the summer–for everyone except dogs! This Saturday is “Dog Days Dog Swim” at many of the outdoor NVRPA pools, including Atlantis Water Park in Centreville, Downpour Water Park at Algonkian Regional Park in Sterling, Great Waves at Cameron Run Regional Park in Alexandria, Pirate’s Cove at Pohick Bay Regional Park in Lorton and Upton Hill Regional Park in Arlington.

Sundae proved she is part retriever at the Old Town Pool Tuesday

For just $5 per dog, your pup can ride the waves for four hours, from noon to 4:00 p.m. Be sure your dog is up-to-date on vaccinations, and has the tags to prove it.

Crowds of canines enjoy the Old Town kiddie pool

The best thing about the pools that are wave parks, like Great Waves in Alexandria, is that your dog doesn’t have to jump in over its head. The wave pools feature a large “beach” where the dogs can just step a couple inches down, and then wade out as deep as they are comfortable with. 

Sundae didn't need to use the pool stairs

 Of course, stepping in and out surprisingly was not an issue for my little super-mutt. While I have to show Chatham where the stairs are when we get to a pool–and she uses them–Sundae was able to climb out of the pool anywhere she wanted to. Talk about upper body strength! Scary.  

Wear clothing you don't mind will get soaked

Tuesday’s dog swim at the Old Town Pool was a great success, and likely neared the 100-dog limit. Local dog businesses including Dogtopia and Your Dog’s Best Friends dog day care providers set up tables and distributed brochures and treats, and $5 per dog was collected for the Alexandria Animal Welfare League.

Chatham faces a not-so-tough choice

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Posted by: twodogtales | September 4, 2010

Dog swim season is here!

As the outdoor pools around the area begin to close after the summer, many have a day where dogs can come swim. One of the first is the Annual Doggie Day Swim this Tuesday, Sept. 7 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Old Town Pool in Alexandria.

Chatham loves diving for a water Wubba

 Considering the hazards of letting your dog swim in some of the natural waterways around here–bacteria in the creeks, undertows in the Potomac, not to mention leash laws–this is a great way to get your pooch some aqua-exercise, safely. It’s also fun to see how all the dogs react to the water, some dive right in, others want nothing to do with it.

This poodle prefers his boogie-board

For the Old Town swim, there is a fee that benefits the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, and all dogs must wear or show proof of vaccinations. Call 703-746-5553 for more information.

Keep checking back for news of more area dog swims!

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Posted by: twodogtales | September 1, 2010

Dog-alicious ice cream recipe

Chatham and Sundae are big fans of doggie ice cream, so for an end-of-summer treat I did some online searching and found a great recipe on CollarGirl.com. It has just four ingredients, and all you need is a blender, some cups and a freezer!

Ingredients:

  • 32 oz. plain yogurt
  • 1 mashed banana
  • 1 tablespoon peanut butter
  • 1 tablespoon honey

Combine all in a blender, pour into cups, then freeze.

I used organic yogurt, it has healthy cultures that are good for digestion. These small condiment cups that I bought at a kitchen supply store were the perfect size, and they didn’t tip over when the girls enjoyed their treats. The final test was the taste test–and no suprise, the ice cream was a big hit!

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Posted by: twodogtales | August 25, 2010

Great night for PETS2VETS

Chatham, Sundae and I went to Shirlington Village last night for the Busboys & Poets Nonprofit Tuesdays to benefit PETS2VETS. The group had big signs out front of the restaurant as well as inside, which drew a lot of attention.

Chatham posing in front of the sign

Dogs weren’t allowed in the restaurant, but we enjoyed a delicious crab cake sandwich at an outdoor table. One special dog was greeting diners inside, though. Cheyenne, a 9-year old pit bull rescue was there with her owner P2V founder and Air Force Security Forces veteran Dave Sharpe. Cheyenne is the inspiration for the nonprofit, see the Aug. 21 post. Dave chatted with customers and looked on proudly as Cheyenne made friends with both children and adults.

Rebecca with P2V said that while many diners didn’t know about the event, a lot had asked about the organization, donated money and signed up to receive their newsletter.  

Cheyenne, Dave and other P2V representatives will be at Fort Belvoir’s Pooch Plunge this Saturday.

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Posted by: twodogtales | August 25, 2010

Wags, whiskers & wet dogs this weekend

There’s a bunch of fun events for dogs all over Northern Virginia this weekend, but unfortunately they’re all on Saturday, Aug. 28, so you can’t go to them all!

  • Dog Wash and Photos to Benefit GRREAT (Golden Retriever Rescue, Education and Training) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Bark ‘N Bubbles, 795 Center Street, Herndon, VA 20170. 703-437-WASH. Then since your pup probably won’t stay clean long, make a memory with a photo taken right after the bath from Paws ‘N Claws, who will donate a portion of the photography proceeds to GRREAT.  

 

 

  • Fort Belvoir Pooch Plunge from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the South Post Pool #1. Enter your pup in a Frosty Paws eating, best trick or best costume contest. The fee is $3 per dog. This flyer has more information. Call 703-805-4382 with questions.

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Posted by: twodogtales | August 21, 2010

County blocks doggie day care

Wag More Dogs, the new doggie day care next to the Shirlington dog park that has been under construction for many months STILL can’t open, thanks to the Arlington County Zoning Office. They have decided that the colorful mural that hundreds of Arlington County residents and dog park visitors have enjoyed watching being painted over the months constitutes advertising, not art, because there are cartoon dogs on it. Watch the ABC News 7 story:

Here’s a picture of what the mural looks like, now hidden behind trashy-looking blue tarps:

As the recession forces small businesses to close their doors every day, it’s a shame that a business that is trying to open is being blocked for artwork that is so much more attractive than a gray cinderblock wall. One of the reasons many dog owners move to Arlington County–and become taxpayers–is the Shirlington dog park and dog-friendly businesses we have here.

If you want to express your opinion about this issue, call the Arlington County Zoning Administration Office at 703-228-3883.

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Posted by: twodogtales | August 21, 2010

More Washington Nats dog tickets released

If you can’t make this Sunday’s Bark in the Park at the Potomac Nationals minor league game, or you’re a raging Washington Nationals fan, the Nats just released a limited number of additional dog tickets to their Pups in the Park promotion on Sunday, Aug. 29. The game is at 1:35 p.m. against the St. Louis Cardinals. The seats are in the Outfield Gallery and cost $20 per person, $5 per dog. 100 percent of the dog ticket is donated to the Washington Humane Society. The initial tickets released for both games sold out fast, so don’t wait to snap them up! You can buy dog and human tickets online as long as they last here.

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Posted by: twodogtales | August 21, 2010

PETS2VETS benefit at Busboys & Poets Aug. 24

Busboys & Poets’ Shirlington location is featuring PETS2VETS (P2V) for their Non-profit Tuesday on Aug. 24 at 4:00 p.m. According to their website, P2V helps to partner shelter animals in need of a home with military veterans and emergency first responders recovering from the stress and trauma of service. P2V is an Arlington-based registered 501c3 nonprofit that was founded by an Air Force veteran who suffered from Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome and felt his adopted rescue pit bull helped him recover from the symptoms. Read Dave’s story.

During Non-Profit Tuesdays,  Busboys and Poets gives non-profits a space to display information and donates 5 percent of the evening’s revenue to the hosting organization.

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Posted by: twodogtales | August 18, 2010

Potomac Nationals Bark in the Park Sunday

The Potomac Nationals minor league baseball team (formerly the Prince William Cannons) are holding Bark in the Park Sunday, Aug. 21. Bring your dog to enjoy an afternoon of baseball and ballpark food as the Nationals take on the Winston-Salem Dash at 1:05 p.m.

I’m guessing the hot dogs and brats will prove more popular with your pooch than the pitching, but how often do you get to bring your dog to a professional (okay, semi-pro) sporting event? This is a great deal because:

1. There’s no limit on the number of dogs that can attend. If you try to go to the Washington Nationals’ Pups in the Park, there are only a set number of tickets in a single mezzanine section, and those “dog tickets” sold out right away for both games (the next one is Aug. 28). 

2. Potomac Nationals game tickets are cheap. They range from $8 to $14, and parking is $4 a car. A ticket to the Nationals dog-friendly game would have cost you $25, parking is scarce and expensive, and you can’t take your dog on Metro.

The game is at G. Richard Pfitzner Stadium at 7 County Complex Court, Woodbridge, VA 22192. The onsite ticket window opens at 10:00 a.m. Sunday.

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