A guest at last year's Sushi With Your Poochie enjoys the festivities. Photo by Sarah Beth Photography.

Hold onto your hats, dear Sidewalk Dog readers. Something big is coming. Something that’s new, improved, better than ever and—we’ll give you a hint—involves raw fish.

That’s right—we got such a good response from the inaugural Sushi With Your Poochie shindig that we threw last year at the incomparable Tiger Sushi 2 in Uptown that we’re throwing another next month—and you’re invited! (Nuff said? Click here to purchase tickets.)

And while last year’s event was a great success considering it was the first doggie/sushi party the Twin Cities has ever seen, this year, we’ve worked out the kinks to make sure everything runs like a well-oiled fun machine. Here are some highlights to look forward to:

• The sushi artists at Tiger Sushi 2 have offered to hand roll special dog-friendly maki sushi for our four-legged friends!
• A very insightful “paw reader” will be on hand to inform you what lies ahead in your pet’s future.
• You’ve got two chances to attend—the event will be held on both Tuesday, July 20th and Wednesday, July 21st. So if one night conflicts with your golf game, don’t sweat it. Plus, each night will be less crowded and more fully staffed than last year.
• In addition to being able to order off Tiger Sushi’s amazing happy hour menu, which the restaurant is offering for the entire event, you can purchase ready-to-eat boxed sushi from a table on TS2’s beautiful patio.
• A small portion of the ticket sales will go to our fabulous beneficiary, Minnesota Spay Neuter Assistance Program (MNSNAP), which provides low-cost spay and neuter services in a mobile surgical unit. MNSNAP will also receive part of the proceeds from all paw readings and $1 from each of Tiger Sushi’s fabulous martinis (Ninja Jinga or or Pomegranate Empress, anyone?) sold that night. All the proceeds from raffle ticket sales will go to MNSNAP, and on-site donations are also encouraged.
• We’d love to see you, with or without your pup!

The lovely patio at Tiger Sushi 2. Photo by Sarah Beth Photography.

You’re already salivating for a spicy tuna roll, right? Here’s what you need to know:

The Deets

What: Sushi With Your Poochie: Part Deux, an on-leash social event presented by Sidewalk Dog and Tiger Sushi 2

Date: Tuesday, July 20th and Wednesday, July 21st

Time: 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Location: Tiger Sushi 2’s gorgeous patio at 2841 Lyndale Ave. in Uptown Minneapolis. (Free parking is available after 4 p.m. in the Egg & I parking lot across the street.)

Cost: $15/person in advance; $18 at door if not sold out ahead of time

Tickets: Tickets are available for either night. Choose whichever date works best for you! Click here to purchase tickets and put yourself and Fido on the guest list for fun.

Sponsored by: Bark Busters Home Dog Training, Bone Adventure, Pampered Pooch Playground, Pet Crossing Animal Hospital & Dental Clinic, Sarah Beth Photography, ScoopyPoo and Stunt Puppy

Beneficiary: Minnesota Spay Neuter Assistance Program (MNSNAP). Click here to donate.

You heard it here first: Sidewalk Dog is reinventing its beloved Sushi With Your Poochie event on July 20 and 21. Save the date and look for all the info you’ll need right here on our blog this Monday.

By Meredeth Barzen

One of the team's custom doggie storage centers

If you’re an avid Sidewalk Dog reader, you should be convinced by now of the increasing role our pets are playing in our everyday lives. We’ve already organized our meals, our walks, our work schedules and our leisure time around our pooches—and now, we’re organizing our closets around them.

Jessica Hein is a locally based sales and design consultant at California Closets who helped develop a complete pet storage system for the store. The idea to organize the hodgepodge of supplies that our four-legged friends require came to her after a casual conversation with Kay Grobel—business development for California Closets—and Brenda Higgins, owner of Kitchen Comfort in St. Paul. “Clients more and more want to incorporate their pets into their daily lives and make sure there is a space for them too. When Brenda is working with a client on a new or remodeled kitchen space, the issue of ‘Where does the dog food go?’ or ‘We can’t change this because the cat likes to sleep there’ often comes up. So [Brenda and Kay] thought, ‘Why not create a custom storage space for pets?’ That’s where I came in—to meet with Brenda and discuss how we can create a doggy center that will house all pet needs,” Jessica says.

This doggie storage design was accessorized with products from local pet boutique Bone Adventure. You can check it out up close at Kitchen Comfort's St. Paul showroom.

The team brainstormed the things that follow dogs into our houses—food, treats, toys, medicines, bath products, leashes, clothes—”and, of course, a place for doggy to hang out,” Jessica says. In a design created for Brenda’s granddog Penelope, they allowed for a small space at the bottom of the unit for the dog to lay down or for dog kennel storage. On the side of Penelope’s unit is an elevated surface for her food and water dishes, with dog dish-sized holes cut into the top. There are drawers for toys and collars, open space behind doors for food and bath products, and space for Penelope’s extensive wardrobe.

“When you have the opportunity to remodel, build new, or add on to a space, a lot more thought goes into it because you are thinking about how you and your family, and yes, your pets, are going to be using the space on a daily basis,” Jessica says. “You get to design it for the way you live in it.” For instance, “A great solution for larger dogs is to have a pull-out basket near the bottom of the system for toys that the dog can slide out on its own to get the toys out,” she says. “However, [getting the dog to] put them away is another story.”

And the designs are cute as well as functional: “We have used hooks that look like dog butts for leashes, or drawer pulls that look like bones. This is a great way to personalize the space and add some humor,” Jessica says.

If you’d like to check out a custom doggie storage space, stop by Kitchen Comfort’s showroom in St. Paul. You might even run into Penelope, the most organized dog on the planet.

A trip to Wonderment toy store gives kids and dogs alike something to look forward to.

Business: Wonderment toy store

Neighborhood: Linden Hills in Southwest Minneapolis

For you (and your little ones): Beautiful handmade, natural, creative toys. We’re talking carved wooden figurines, dolls made from cotton and wool, science kits and art supplies. No plastic cartoon characters here.

For dogs: A jar full of treats and a scratch behind the ear inside; a bowl of water outside when the weather’s warm.

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By Meredeth Barzen

When we tuned in to watch “Through A Dog’s Eyes,” a PBS documentary that follows service dogs in the Canine Assistants program of Milton, Georgia, we were moved at its nuanced depiction of the volunteers, parents, kids and animals involved in the process of training and placing a service dog. In addition to depicting how a service dog is placed with its person, the film explores the human/dog bond and explains how dogs evolved to serve and please their humans—it will make you see your own dog in a new light. In case you missed it, you can watch the entire film here.

A couple of days and at least one box of Kleenex later, we learned the documentary was produced by the folks at TPT, PBS’ Minnesota affiliate. According to Gerry Richman, executive in charge for the film and vice president for national production at TPT, the idea came about after Jennifer Arnold, Canine Assistants’ founder, wrote a book on her work with service dogs.

“I’m a ‘dog civilian’—I don’t own a dog, but I learned so much about dogs [while making the film],” Gerry says. “Naomi Boak, the film’s executive producer [and a fellow Minnesotan], is a real lover of dogs and she’s been involved with dogs her whole life. She’s been the guiding light of the show, and her knowledge both helped and informed the show.”

Canine Assistants Founder Jennifer Arnold

As a relative dog novice, Gerry was surprised to see the unique way these dogs bond with their people. He mentions a section in the show when a little boy’s service dog doesn’t bond properly to him, and he has to try another as a key moment. “The first few weeks a service dog spends with their recipient are really hard. And the film shows that it doesn’t always work; it’s a very unique relationship that needs time to work out.”

The film has gotten a passionate responses both nationally and locally, Gerry says.”People were thrilled to see the story. Most people have a great affection for dogs, and Jennifer Arnold specifically—she’s really the real deal and a terrific human being.”

“This film was an exhilarating experience for everybody involved, because to be around these dogs is a joy and a gift, and to appreciate what the dogs do and how they do it is truly uplifting,” Gerry says. “The deep relationships between the recipients and the dogs that evolved—it’s great human drama and great human emotion. I will never look at a dog in the same way.”

If you’d like to learn more about service dogs, you can contact one of many local service dog organizations, including Can Do Canines, Helping Paws and PawPADs.

Walter the Shar Pei does his best sit at Barbette in Uptown. He'll grow into those wrinkles, right?

Sighting: Walter the Shar Pei

Location: Barbette in Uptown Minneapolis

Human Buddy: Robert

Fun Fact: Walter is only 3 months old, and sports the Shar Pei’s unique bluish-blackish-purplish tongue!

By Meredeth Barzen

Realtor/foster program founder Chris Hansen with one of his rescue dogs.

When Chris Hansen got into the real estate business, he knew he’d be helping people make transitions in their lives. What he didn’t know was that he’d be helping his clients’ dogs transition from one living situation to the next as well.

Together with former NFL player Corbin Lacina, Chris runs the Lacina Team, a RE/MAX realty group that specializes in “short sales“—situations where homeowners need to sell, but owe more on their homes than they’re worth. Suffice it to say that Chris works with a lot of people who are between a rock and a hard place, and may not be able to take their dogs with them when they move. That’s why he and Corbin started a foster program.

“I have four rescue dogs with my girlfriend, Kim Kallestad, Corbin has a rescue dog, and we started running into a lot of people who were going through this short sale process who had dogs and didn’t know what they were going to do with their dogs when they moved if they couldn’t find new housing that accepted dogs,” Chris says of the idea’s origins. “We helped one home owner with a foster situation for their dog and the idea took off from there. It just happened more or less because there is a need for it.”

Since Chris and Corbin work with people who are trying to sell their homes because they can’t afford them or because some unexpected circumstance has come up, Chris says the Lacina Team helps them determine what options are available, then gets them the right information so they can make the best decision for themselves and their family. “We want to keep the family and the dogs together. If that can’t happen, we want to let the home owner know that we have this program to help them if they need it,” Chris says.

In situations where the owner can’t take care of the dog for a temporary period, the team will help out until the owner gets set up somewhere new. “It helps relieve the stress for the home owner and the dog for that time period,” Chris says. In more permanent situations, they’ll place the dog in a foster home and try to find them a forever home. There is no cost to the home owner, they fund everything themselves and Chris says they are not looking for donations. “We are trying to be a buffer between the homeowner and humane societies and other rescue organizations. Everyone knows those places are too full; we are just trying to alleviate some of the burden,” he adds.

Stories like those of Chris and Corbin’s clients are becoming more common these days. Chris says that financial troubles due to the recession are the No. 3 reason people surrender their pets, and that there’s little hope on the horizon: There will be $4 trillion in foreclosures this year, he points out. “This is just the tip of the iceberg for the problem we are all in. Everyone knows someone in this situation, or has heard of someone that might need help.”

Luckily, Minnesota is home to other organizations that help pet owners in financial trouble. The Pet Project collects food for families having trouble keeping Fido’s kibble bowl full, and MN SNAP provides low-cost spay and neuter services.

“If we can help someone stay in their home and keep their family intact and their dog safe and happy like they deserve, we have done our job. Sometimes there isn’t a paycheck at the end of the day, but there is a home owner that got the right info and possibly will refer someone else to us,” Chris says.

And why would he and his partner go out of their way to help these families and their four-legged family members? “It’s our turn to step up and help,” Chris says. “We want people to see that we have their best interests and the dogs’ best interests before our own.”

Amos the boxer holds court in front of the walk-in cooler at Petersen Flowers in South Minneapolis.

By Meredeth Barzen

Visitors who stop by Petersen Flowers in South Minneapolis for a bouquet or an addition to their garden will likely encounter an elephant in the room—or, rather, an elephant-sized boxer named Amos, Petersen Flowers’ official shop dog. Three days after he entered the family as a puppy, Amos joined his owner, Vicki Luedtke, at the flower shop and took the post he maintains to this day.

And at nearly 12 years old, that’s a long time to reign as king of the flowers. “He has been a big part of the business and a big draw to the shop,” Vicki says. “There are many customers who only stop by to see him and have literally watched him grow up.”

Most people react positively to Amos, often parked in his spot in front of the great walk-in cooler full of blooms. A few get nervous in his presence, but Vicki says, “I would like to think Amos’ calm demeanor and patience may help ease some fears. One can only hope.” For the most part, she says, having such a distinctive shop dog is a good talking point, a way to connect fellow dog lovers. “I do believe that having a pet at a place of business is a great thing. It has some sort of sweetness to it,” Vicki says. “I’ve always been drawn to the resident animal anywhere I have been. I hope Amos provides some sort of happiness to the people who visit.”

Like any old man, Amos’ reaction to other people and dogs in his territory depends on his mood. “He is partial to girls and smaller dogs,” Vicki says, “and very tolerant of kids and the attention they give him.”

For now, Vicki is thankful that she gets to spend her work day with such a dog: “I  consider myself very lucky to have him,” she says. “He is a calm, patient boy who has been a wonderful companion.”

Elizabeth Ries and her Westie, Henry. Photo by Sarah Beth Photography.

By Meredeth Barzen

Savvy Minnesotans will recognize Elizabeth Ries‘ smiling face from “Twin Cities Live,” the Minnesota-centric show she hosts weekdays at 3 p.m. on Channel 5 with John Hanson. They might even recognize her voice from myTalk 107.1, where she dishes the latest celebrity news and gossip on “The Dirt Alert,” weekdays at 8:20 a.m. and 5:20 p.m.; hosts “The Waiting Room,” a health show, from 10 to 11 a.m. on Sunday mornings; and fills in for the occasional missing host.

But dedicated viewers of Twin Cities Live will also recognize Elizabeth’s TV-ready Westie, Henry, who helps out from time to time with his own series, “The Adventures of Henry.” The little pup recently visited Minnesota Oncology’s Maplewood Cancer Clinic to get the skinny on pet therapy for cancer patients (click here to watch the story). When they’re not working on their tag-team reporting skills, Elizabeth and Henry can be found hanging out at their favorite local dog-friendly haunts. Here’s the full story:

Henry hangs out at Cupcake in St. Paul. Photo by Sarah Beth Photography.

Dog’s name: Henry
Dog’s nicknames: Bug, Buggy, Baby Bear
Breed: West Highland White Terrier (Westie)
Age: 6
Favorite toy: Anything with a squeaker
Favorite treats: Cheese and peanut butter
Favorite place to hang out: On the back of the sofa
Favorite dog park: Alimagnet Dog Park in Burnsville
Favorite dog-friendly restaurant: Birchwood Cafe
Favorite dog-friendly coffee shop: Cupcake in St. Paul
Favorite pet store: Stone Mountain Pet Lodge in Blaine
Favorite dog-friendly vacation: Any cabin up north
Best trick: He will kiss on demand.
Dog’s best friend: Gwendolyn, my 7-year-old neighbor
Dog’s nemesis: Squirrels and rabbits!
Favorite way to get attention/treats: He stares me down and makes a little “haarruummph” noise.
Favorite naughty behavior/bad habit: Rolling in dead things. Seriously. It’s so gross.
Sleeps: On my bed, of course. But if he’s rolled in something dead, he definitely gets a bath first.
Be honest: Do you ever use baby talk when speaking to your dog? Absolutely. It’s mortifying, but I can’t stop.
Is your dog friends with any other celebrity dogs? No dogs, but he’s pals with [KSTP reporter] Rusty Gatenby’s children. Does that count?
What are you working on over at Twin Cities Live? At TCL we highlight the people and places of the Twin Cities. It’s an awesome unique local show! Coming up in June we’re working on a “Mommy Moneymakers” series where we meet moms in the Twin Cities who are raking in the cash in unique ways. We also have a live studio audience every Friday and we’d love to see you there! Check out www.twincitieslive.com for details on free tickets!