By Meredeth Barzen

“The Hiiiills are aliiiive …  with the sound of doooogieeeees.”

Yep, that’s right—Linden Hills Woofstock is right around the corner—Saturday Sept. 11th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., to be exact. And first things first: Sidewalk Dog is going to be there with bells on.

In fact, Sidewalk Dog, Pampered Pooch Playground and K9 Connection will be be providing a warm water dog wash in the Sebastian Joe’s parking lot from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The shampoo is being provided by Topline Canine Care (a local company, natch), and all money raised will go directly to The Pet Project, which which helps people keep their pets by providing pet food and basic supplies to those who are struggling and provides connections to basic veterinary care and information on finding pet-friendly housing (you might also recognize them as the fabulous beneficiary of last week’s Sushi With Your Poochie: Part Deux—Continued ). If it’s too cold for sudsies, we’ll be playing fun doggie games in the parking lot all day long. There might even be some yummy coffee and treats from Sebastian Joe’s.

But now that we’ve dispensed with the business, let’s talk about the event, which doubled in attendance from 2008 to 2009 according to Lauren Crandall of Pixie Song Events, which produces Woofstock. Last year, “it seemed like EVERYONE had a dog, so the numbers really were astounding,” Lauren says. “As a result, we’ve closed off more real estate this year for more dog events. Bob Bayers of Bayers Hardware is closing off his lot, which is giving us a huge amount of space for more events and safe, car-free mingling.”

All your favorites will be back, including C&E Dog Training with an agility demonstration and a Pint-Sized Play session from Fresh Air Training so smaller dogs can get in on the fun. “We’ll have live music again this year, and dog trick shows for ‘amazing’ dogs, as well as a trick event for ‘average dogs! New stuff we like includes Zen Pooch Doga (yoga with your dog) sponsored by K9 Connection, and a dog/owner photo booth sponsored by Pampered Pooch Playground. And we love that Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.) are setting up tents in the Dunn Bros parking lot and having their trained therapy dogs read along with any children that would like time to cozy up with a friendly fido and a good book,” Lauren says.

And don’t forget to stop by that dog wash—we’ll see you there!

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By Meredeth Barzen

You know that old saying that comes up every year around State Fair season? “At the Fair, you can find anything imaginable on a stick.” Well, thanks to The Dog Perk’s Tony Waara, that saying has applied to treats for both people and dogs for three years now. Tony’s the creator of Dog Biscuit on-a-stick, which he sells out of his Dog Perk booth located inside the Fair’s Pet Center (located on the northeast corner of Underwood and Murphy in the south center aisle). Type “The Dog Perk” into the State Fair website’s “Merch Search” for more info.

Like all brilliant ideas, Dog Biscuit on-a-stick has one heck of an origin story, which Tony was kind enough to share with us:

“Three years ago, we started our company [The Dog Perk's primary purpose is to sell T-shirts, bandanas and other products for dog lovers] and applied to be in the State Fair. Like all Minnesotans, we figured it would be years [until we were approved]. The Fair called two weeks later and two weeks before the start of [that year's] Fair. We were excited and overwhelmed, considering we had just started our company.

So, naturally, you think ’something on a stick.’ We first thought ’shirt on-a-stick’ and then it popped into my head—dog biscuit on-a-stick! So with a leap of faith, we placed a huge T-shirt order and prayed people would like our shirts.

The first year at the Fair, we maybe sold a hundred biscuits. The second year, we put a coupon in the Blue Ribbon Bargain Book. With nothing to reference, we figured [we'd sell] maybe 100 or in our wildest dreams 150 a day. The first day I brought 50—my wife Amy was coming later with more. I walked in and in the first 15 minutes, all 50 were gone and I was on the phone to Amy screaming ‘Bring everything! There are people everywhere with coupons!’

Amy had to fight through the crowd to get to our booth where there were people waiting and waving coupons. We ran out of biscuits the first two days, so she and a neighbor began baking non-stop for nine days—the treats are made by hand, no mixer. Their hands were numb for the next month. We ended up selling 750 a day and total of 10,000 that year. We are planning on selling 15,000 this year along with our bandanas and T-shirts.”

The Dog Perk has another Blue Ribbon coupon this year, so you know the demand will be high again. So get down to The Dog Perk’s booth early to treat your furry friend to the hottest biscuit ever to grace a (rawhide) stick!

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By Meredeth Barzen

Looking for a fun evening out with your pooch next week? Here’s something you don’t get to do everyday: On Thursday, July 29th, Pet Project Rescue is holding a screening of the new movie “Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore” INSIDE the fabulous Riverview Theater in South Minneapolis. Oh, and it’s free!

Pet Project is a volunteer-run, foster-based organization that rescues local animals from animal control, owner surrenders and puppy mills. They also work with a South Dakota reservation and two partner rescues in Mexico—Rescate Malix in Cancun and Isla Animals in Isla Mujeres—to take in and adopt strays and street dogs. Throughout the year, Pet Project works with these Mexican rescues to put on large spay and neuter clinics, spaying and neutering an average of 500 homeless street dogs and cats and pets from low-income homes per week at these clinics. The animals are both homeless street dogs and cats, and pets from low-income homes.

“We’ve seen a huge change in the number of homeless animal on Isla Mujeres, and are working hard to make this change in Cancun as well,” says Pet Project’s Katie Stroup. “We know spay/neuter clinics can make a huge difference for homeless animals which is why we are now working to raise money to put on a spay/neuter clinic on the reservation we work with in South Dakota. Our main goal with this upcoming fundraiser is to start raising funds for this cause so that we can help locally and internationally.”

That’s where you come in: Pet Project is working with the local Warner Bros. agency to host next week’s event, where families can see the movie before it opens (yay!), and they can bring the cat or dog to what we’re assuming is their first experience in a movie theater (double yay!). Tickets are free while supplies last, but the rescue is suggesting a donation of $5 per person, with all proceeds going to the animals. “Since Pet Project rescue works with both cats and dogs, we felt it was a great tie-in and opportunity to spread the word about the rescue, let families enjoy a night out with their pets and raise some much-needed money so that we can continue to help rescue and save lives of those animals in need,” Stroup says.

And since Sidewalk Dog readers are such a special group of people, Pet Project has set aside 100 tickets just for us! Just click here and enter the code “SIDDOG24WB” to download up to four tickets.

So next week, bring your pet to the movies for a good cause. But you might want to get them their own bag of popcorn. Sharing could get messy.

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Sighting: Izzy the yellow lab

Location: Lake Harriet Bandshell in Southwest Minneapolis, showing live music every night this summer

Human Buddy: Teresa

Fun Fact: Izzy was adopted from Pet Haven.

Editor’s note: If you spot a Sidewalk Dog hanging out at a local dog-friendly restaurant, store or event, snap a pic and we might feature it in a future Sidewalk Dog Sighting! Send your photo (just dogs; no people, please) to info@sidewalkdog.com, and be sure to include the dog’s name, breed, location, human buddy and a fun fact.

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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.”

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By Meredeth Barzen

One of the questions we get asked the most at Sidewalk Dog is “Where can I go when I want to get out of town with my dog?” That’s what prompted our recent Northwoods Getaways post, which offers six lovely local (as in Minnesota’s great Northwoods) spots to spend vacation time with your pooch. One of those resorts, Bluefin Bay, offered us the chance to take a closer look at Lake Superior living, with two nights on the house.** And since there’s nothing Sadie the Wonderdoodle (or her mom) likes better than fresh air, trees, and water, we didn’t exactly hesitate to say yes. Bluefin Bay is extremely dog-friendly, and we found a lot of ways to incorporate fun for Sadie into other aspects of our trip to make this weekend an official Dog-Friendly Northwoods Fun Bonanza. Here’s how it went down:

After a bit of a struggle to get the Wonderdoodle into the car (as animal communicator Ilga Cimbulis once said, carsickness is Sadie’s burden to bear in life), we set out from South Minneapolis for the nearly five-hour drive to Tofte, Minn., treat bags loaded for both dogs and humans. Travel tip: Those fold-up water bowls are great for long car rides—gotta stay hydrated. Those first three hours from the Twin Cities to Duluth are a little on the dull side, so be sure to break it up with a stop in Hinkley at Tobie’s for a killer caramel roll. (Killer is not a euphemism. If you have heart problems, this might do you in—but what a way to go.) We also picked up some considerably healthier 7-grain oatmeal to cook up for breakfast one morning—Bluefin sent a blueprint of our room ahead of time, so we knew we had a full kitchen to work with.

Everyone in the car needed to stretch their legs by the time Great Gichigami was in sight (that’s Lake Superior in common parlance), so we ditched the car at Canal Park in Duluth and took a stroll along the shore. Lunch was a smoked salmon and cream cheese bagel from Northern Waters Smokehaus (oh, what Sadie would have given for some of that smoked salmon, but alas, it was too good to share), after which we continued onward and upward—or, um, Northeast-ward.

From there, it was an hour drive along the beautiful North Shore Scenic Drive to Gooseberry Falls State Park. Sadie felt a lot better once she was able to get some of that good old rust-red Iron Range mud between her toes, but that good feeling dropped off once we got back on the road and her car-queasiness got the best of her. No matter—Scenic 61 has plenty of turnoffs overlooking the big lake where we could stop, clean up, get some fresh air and admire the view.

Just a hop-skip to Split Rock Lighthouse from there—another breathtaking view—and shortly after, we arrived at Bluefin Bay.

Marie at the front desk welcomed us with hiking and cross-country skiing recommendations, a special treat for Sadie and plenty of info on Bluefin’s extremely considerate pet policies. Special plastic mitts for poop disposal are strategically placed all over the property. Also, while many dog-friendly resorts don’t let you leave your dog alone in the room, Bluefin allows it, provided the dog is kenneled (the resort has kennels on-hand if you forget yours or don’t have one.) And, when you duck out for breakfast at the Coho Café or a short trip to Grand Marais, you can leave your cell phone number with the front desk, so if little Fifi or Fido gets nervous in your absence and starts barking or crying, they can give you a ring.

We were directed to a lovely room right on the lake—floor-to-ceiling windows, wood-burning fireplace, a deck, a full kitchen (as promised), a Jacuzzi tub and a hook in the front hallway for hanging up coats and leashes (hey, it’s the little details that count.) Yep, this’ll do just fine. We made a fire, Sadie took her Norman-Rockwell-esque place in front of it, and we relaxed after a long drive. A note for guests whose dogs have a territorial streak: While picturesque, those giant windows offer a clear view of other guests walking along the shore, right past your room. If your dog doesn’t like seeing others near its home—even a temporary one—Bluefin has some upper-level pet-friendly rooms that keep the lake views but shield Rufus from what he perceives as trespassers.

The next morning, with sunlight streaming in those big windows, we set out for a hike. Marie had suggested the Gitchi-Gami State Trail, which stretches all along the North Shore of Lake Superior, and functions as a safe alternative to Highway 61 for bikes. While the Gitchi-Gami wasn’t quite as cool as its name promised—it was totally paved, which is great for cyclists, but not so exciting for tree-huggers like ourselves—it ran past an entrance to the Superior Hiking Trail, a system that weaves 235 miles from Two Harbors to the Canadian border. No one in our small party—Wonderdoodle included—expected the incredible hike ahead through the Temperance River State Park. We paralleled the still-frozen river as it churned its way to the shore, rushing under broken ice in spots and dropping off waterfalls that got more dramatic as it approached Superior. Toward the end of the hike, we teetered along a great gorge and nervously peered down at glacial potholes that the river had gouged out millions of years ago. As an amateur geology geek, I was in heaven. Sadie—leashed the whole time, as much for our peace of mind as for the sake of following the rules—was a happy camper as well.

While walking the grounds of Bluefin Bay, we met a couple of other pooches taking advantage of the ample room to romp. Yoshi, the Shih Tzu/poodle mix enjoyed a long morning walk with his precocious young owner. Dude, the golden retriever, has been bringing his parents to Bluefin Bay for eight years—that must explain why he walked the smooth pebble beach like he owned the place.

But all good things come to an end, and so Sadie resignedly hopped back into the car and we made our way toward the cities on Sunday morning. A lunch stop at the Amazing Grace Bakery and Café in Duluth was invaluable, as it introduced us to The Best Sandwich in the World—thick, hand-sliced, house-baked bread, bright, lively vegetables, and solid construction—and a nice, long stroll along the city’s Lakewalk prepped us all for the remainder of the drive, which we’re happy to report was free of carsickness this time.

So, if you and your pup are into fresh air, sweeping vistas and, yes, truly awesome geology (or even if that last one isn’t really your thing), we’re happy to recommend a dog-friendly trip up to our fair state’s North Shore. For an in-state take on summer vacation, it can’t be beat.

**Editor’s Note: Though the accommodations were gratis, based on the good time we were shown and the number of happy dogs (and owners) we met in our short time there, we’d have nothing but nice things to say about Bluefin Bay regardless.

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By Meredeth Barzen

It’s that time of the year when Twin Citians start getting the itch to get the heck out of Dodge. The dog moms at Sidewalk Dog are no exception, and since we can’t all escape to some tropical paradise, we’ve been thinking about taking a weekend up north—warmth provided not by proximity to the equator, but by the company of our four-legged best friends. And so, we provide to you some ideas for dog-friendly lodging when you decide to load the Weimaraner into the station wagon and soak in some new, snowy scenery. And, since we’re having a hard time relinquishing the whole “tropical vacation” idea, a recipe that will transport you in spirit to a warmer clime. And remember to pack the blender.

Gunflint Lodge, Grand Marais:

The folks at Gunflint Lodge sure aren’t shy about broadcasting their doggie devotion: Five special dog lovers’ weekends throughout the year take care of that. The next one, March 18-21, will include will include dog massages, a dog photographer, a dog Olympics, dog socials, a skijoring demonstration and anything else your canine’s heart could desire. And even if you don’t stay over an officially dog-themed weekend, dogs are always welcomed with water bowls, treats and an extra throw sheet in each cabin before you arrive. Says owner Bruce Kerfoot, Gunflint’s doggie guests are “sometimes easier to host than people.”

Bluefin Bay, Tofte:

Not only does Bluefin Bay have dog-friendly rooms, but some of them even include Jacuzzis and/or fireplaces. You and your pup will be welcomed enthusiastically at this shore-side getaway with treats at the front desk and affection for all four-legged guests. Bluefin has been pet-friendly since it began 25 years ago, and its new sister resort, Surfside on Lake Superior, has kept up the tradition with pet-friendly units of its own. Plus, there are plenty of places for Fido to roam on the North Shore, like Tofte Park (conveniently located right next to Bluefin), where dogs can actually take a dip in the lake—in the summer, that is. Check out Sidewalk Dog next month for more on Bluefin.

Superior Shores, Two Harbors: Stop by for a treat at the front desk on your way back to your rented condo at this lakeside retreat. Though many guests don’t realize dogs are allowed in certain rentals, owner Darrin Young often brings his border collie and golden retriever to work with him. Says Sidewalk Dog reader Jenn Reed Moses, “Superior Shores is awesome. My dog, who is scared of strangers, actually started putting her paws on the front desk to ask for treats—I was mortified, but the staff loved her and were great about it.”

Caribou Highlands Lodge, Lutsen:

This Lutsen getaway offers a number of dog-friendly rooms, and in the unlikely event that you get bored, can suggest lots of fun activities for you and your pups, like hiking up to the Poplar River, exploring the nearby state parks or skijoring. Caribou’s Martin Pettersson recommends “being proactive and making your reservations early, since the pet-friendly units are very popular and tend to fill up very fast.”

Sea Villa Townhomes at Lutsen Resort, Lutsen:

These one- or two-story townhomes near Lake Superior’s shore tempt people with wood-burning stoves and a beautiful pool/whirlpool/sauna complex. Doggies are drawn to the walking trails and abundance of squirrels. This dog-friendliness was a crucial factor when Carol Taylor, who owns one of the Sea Villas, was shopping around. “Basically, if I couldn’t bring my dog [Stanley, a Bernese Mountain Dog], I wouldn’t want to own,” she says, adding, “Judging from the notes in my guest book, I can tell that being able to bring dogs to the villas is greatly appreciated.”

Sweetgrass Cove Guesthouse & Bodywork Studio, Grand Portage:

Secluded on a lovely Lake Superior bay, this guesthouse welcomes well-behaved and “well-groomed” dogs—so it wouldn’t hurt to give Günther the Great Dane a bath before showing up. Though owner Rick Anderson’s beloved Irish terrier Lucy passed away recently, “Now more than ever,” he says, “I welcome my guests with dogs to remind me just how beautiful that relationship can be.” Great hiking trails and the very dog-friendly nearby town of Grand Marais make for a fun doggie visit, and ready access to a massage table makes your stay extra-relaxing.

Now where did you pack that blender?

Piña Coladas, SidewalkDog.com Style:

½ c. white rum

½ c. coconut cream

2 c. pineapple juice

4 c. ice

Blend until smooth, pour yourself a glass, and throw your dog a bone. Why should people get all the treats?

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By Meredeth Barzen

Rock ‘n’ roll is alive and well in the suburbs (we don’t mean the band), and it just so happens to be dog-friendly. For almost 10 years, American Guitar & Band in Maple Grove has been a second home to owners Cory and Stephanie Lake’s dogs, which share the space with customers, music students and other visiting pups. Sidewalk Dog chatted with Cory, a guitar enthusiast and recording engineer, and his wife Stephanie, a design historian and museum curator, about keeping their store friendly to both dogs and rock stars.

Tell us about your dogs.

Cory: Two of our three dogs are at the shop every weekday. Suki, a black pug and the first store dog is now 11, retired from her post, and cruising around in a wheelchair at home. Truffle, our 4-year-old black pug, and Mae, our 4-year-old Bug (Boston terrier/pug) “work” at AG&B.

For years, we talked about getting Suki a friend. During brunch one morning we decided to get a dog—that day. Stephanie and I drove hundreds of miles all over the state, playing with puppies until something clicked. We knew the moment we saw Truffle that she was the one.

Mae arrived from Los Angeles late last year. Stephanie was visiting her sister who had just taken on a huge new job and felt enormously guilty about not spending enough time with her dog. Mae had had a string of bad luck, too, losing a toe to a coyote, an eye to a car accident, and a broken tail somewhere along the way, all of which only made her that much more endearing.  Stephanie adored her and so she asked her sister if she could take her back to the Twin Cities. When she called on her way to the airport, she told me she would be flying home with “one-eyed Mae.” The next day she was snapped into her seatbelt and on her way to work with Truffle.

How do Truffle and Mae react to other dogs in the store?

Stephanie: We love to see other dogs in the shop and our dogs love it, too—lots of running and chasing, and the occasional crush develops with the regulars. There are a few dogs that they are absolutely crazy about.

How do they feel about customers? How do the customers feel about them?

Stephanie: They are both incredibly sweet and happy to meet everyone. Sometimes they have a lot to say, sometimes just tails wagging. Mae is a superb greeter and we have to admit that Truffle is a bit more jaded. Everyone knows to look for her on Cory’s desk chair. For our music students, getting Truffle’s attention becomes a goal—they bring in treats and toys to win her over. There is a great sense of accomplishment when she gives her approval. The customers love seeing the dogs, and most accept that if they sit down in our coffee lounge they will have one in their lap. We rarely see anyone with a fear of dogs, but if someone is uncomfortable we just pick them up and keep them at bay.

What do you like about having a shop dog? Are there any frustrating moments?

Cory: One of the best things is that they instantly put people at ease and in a better mood.  How can you not laugh when these two little dogs come bounding over? They look ridiculous and it just cracks people up. It also makes it much easier to avoid stilted retail introductions and forced conversations. There is a lot of attitude in music retail, but ours is a fun, friendly shop, and the dogs instantly set the tone.

The most frustrating thing is that they will eat anything—Mae developed a rock-salt-eating habit, and Truffle likes packing peanuts. It is a bit harder to keep them safe in a public space, but they also have a lot of people that watch out for them.

Do you think having a shop dog draws people to patronize your store?

Cory: Without question. If they are at home, I get asked about them all day. It definitely gives people another reason to look forward to stopping in. They also are a huge draw for our music lesson program. We teach hundreds of elementary and junior-high school students, and seeing the dogs each week provides extra incentive to get to their lessons. It is a perk for parents, too, who can bring in their younger kids to play with the dogs and stay entertained.

We love our dogs; they are our family, and we want to have them around us as much as possible. We are incredibly lucky to own a business where they have roles and where they have fun.

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By Meredeth Barzen

If dogs are man’s best friends, then by the transitive property of celebrity canines, dogs of famous people are famous best friends … or famous best friends are dogs? Hmm, we’ll have to make a flow chart to figure that one out, but in the meantime, we at Sidewalk Dog love to hear your dog stories … favorite parks, best squirrel-chasing grounds, yummiest treats, etc … So thought we’d ask some of the Twin Cities’ best-known dog moms and dads about their best friends. Below are their deepest, darkest dog secrets.

Mary Lucia (Host, 89.3 The Current, Minnesota Public Radio)

Dog’s name: Smudge

Dog’s nicknames: Ladies and gentleman for one night only the incredible Smudgestone!

Breed: Pug/88 year old man

Age: 5

Favorite toy: Anything meant for my cats

Favorite treats: Anything that falls on the floor

Groomer: Keira at Petco in Richfield

Dog’s favorite place to hang out: Two inches from my left arm

Favorite dog park: Not a “throw the stick and run” kinda dog

Favorite dog-friendly coffee shop: Gigi’s Café in South Minneapolis

Favorite pet store: Calhoun Pet Supply in South Minneapolis

Childhood dog: Enzo

Dog’s best trick: Somehow convinced my cat Muse to groom her

Dog’s best friend: Anyone who stops to pet her

Dog’s nemesis: Smudge loves everyone.

Sleeps on: Her own bed in my bedroom closet. I now sleep with earplugs as she snores louder than any human being I have ever heard.

Be honest: Do you ever use baby talk when speaking to your dog? My voice is too husky to talk baby talk but sometimes I find myself using an English accent when I speak to her: “Good day, Smudgely.”

Pat Neshek (Minnesota Twins pitcher) and wife Stephanee

Dogs’ names: Juicy & Kirby

Breeds: Juicy is a dachshund mix and Kirby is a chocolate piebald dachshund

Ages: Juicy, 4; Kirby, 2

Favorite toy: Juicy likes any stuffed animal that she can rip open, shred apart, and pull the stuffing out of. Kirby LOVES mini tennis balls with squeakers.

Favorite treats: Juicy likes those chewy doggie pizza treats (but she doesn’t get them much because they are terrible for her!) Kirby loves bananas! He goes crazy and can smell them a mile away … he’s even gotten into the back of the car while we were driving and eaten a whole peel with the banana!

Favorite place to hang out: Bike trails by the Coon Rapids Dam—they love walks!

Favorite dog park: Elm Creek dog park

Favorite dog-friendly restaurant: Eastside Food Co-op

Favorite dog-friendly store: Eastside Food Co-op

Favorite pet store: Petco

Favorite dog-friendly vacation: Dog beach in Fort Myers, Florida

Childhood dog: Stephanee’s family had a golden retriever named Brandy. Growing up, Pat had a cocker spaniel named Tuffy. When Tuffy passed away, the Nesheks adopted Dodger, a Lab/shepherd mix. After 14 great years, Dodger died in his sleep of old age last August.

Best trick: Kirby will roll over for treats—and loves getting treats so much, she will keep rolling over in continuous circles!  Juicy can dance—she can even ”raise the roof” when she gets excited! Both dogs will sit up in a “prairie dog” position, but it isn’t really a trick. They do it whenever they want something.

Dog’s best friend: Kirby and Juicy are best friends. Other than Kirby, Juicy’s best friend is Stephanee’s sister’s Chihuahua Ozzie. They grew up together in Florida. Kirby says his best friend is his daddy.

Sleeps on: Both dogs sleep in the bed with us—under the covers—every night.

Be honest: Do you ever use baby talk when speaking to your dog? All the time … they are our babies.

Cheryl Kaye (Morning show co-host, 102.9 Lite FM)

Dogs’ names: Ursula and Elwood

Nicknames: Ursie (Ursula) and Smelly (Elwood)

Breeds: Dobermans, both adopted from rescue organizations

Age: Ursula is 14 and Elwood is 8

Favorite toy: Anything fuzzy with stuffing inside—they like to rip them apart. I suspect they pretend they are squirrels!

Favorite treats: Anything remotely edible.

Groomer: Uh, I guess that would be me?

Dogs’ favorite place to hang out: My bed.

Favorite dog park: Ursula is a diva around other dogs, so we don’t do the dog park. But they love to go for leashed walks at Central Park in Roseville.

Favorite dog-friendly store: Chuck & Don’s Pet Food Outlet

Favorite pet store: Chuck & Don’s

Favorite dog-friendly vacation: The Gunflint Lodge on the Gunflint trail.

Childhood dog: Ringo, a beagle

Dogs’ best trick: Sleeping

Dogs’ best friend: Elwood adores Ursula. Ursula puts up with Elwood. Typical woman!

Dog’s nemesis: The rabbits in the neighbor’s yard

Sleeps on: Mostly the bed. But they love a good sun nap in the backyard.

Be honest: Do you ever use baby talk when speaking to your dog? Every second of every day: “Ursie bursee, boosie, tootie wootsie.”  “Elwood smellwood, pooper dooper.”  Wow, I can’t go out in public anymore after that admission.

Frank Vascellaro and Ameila Santaniello (Husband-and-wife TV news anchors, WCCO)

Dog’s name: Cleopatra

Dog’s nickname: Cleo

Breed: Hound/boxer mix

Age: 16 and still doing OK

Favorite toy: Too mature for toys, but loves being around our three kids

Favorite treats: Cleo has been exposed to a wide variety of foods and eats darn near everything. About the only thing we found she doesn’t like are beets.

Groomer: Hurray for short hair. All she needs is a little nail clip at home every now and then, but Amelia points out that she sheds.

Dog’s favorite place to hang out: These days, she just wants to be around us at home with a special emphasis on the kitchen.

Favorite dog park: The unofficial dog park bordering Minneapolis, Edina, and St. Louis Park near 40^th St. and France Ave.

Favorite dog-friendly coffee shop: Java Jack’s Coffee Cafe

Favorite dog-friendly store: Settergren Ace Hardware on Penn Ave. and 54^th St. Great people, and the dogs always get a treat.

Favorite pet store: Cleo has never had a bad experience cruising the aisles of Petsmart.

Favorite dog-friendly vacation: We take Cleo with us Up North every weekend.

Childhood dog: Frank had Mickey and Gino and Amelia had Chibi and Poco.

Dog’s best trick: Cleo is super smart. She’s 16 and is too mature to be tricked into performing, but she’s still very aware.

Dog’s best friend: Frank

Dog’s nemesis: Thunder and lightning

Sleeps on: In younger days, she would sleep in our bed and could jump up there. These days, I need to carry her up and down the stairs because she’s old. We bought her a dog bed for the floor about two years ago.

M.A. Rosko (Morning news reporter, FOX 9)

Dogs’ names: Munter and Red

Nicknames: Munter, aka “Private Pinkerton” when she’s on squirrel watch duty, and “Princess Muntavia von Licktenstein” when she’s being a willful, yet beautiful Teutonic princess. Red also goes by “Ass Man,” as he charges at other dogs in a terrifying manner, only to gleefully grab a tantalizing sniff of nether regions.

Breeds: Munter is a silver dappled miniature dachshund; Red, to the best of our knowledge, is a Lab.

Ages: Munter is 9, Red’s about 5.

Favorite toys: Munter loves her threadbare, barely stuffed but still humpable Koala bear. Red goes ape for a peanut butter-stuffed Kong.

Favorite treats: Red eats anything; he’s a Lab. Lately he’s obsessed with picking up mulberries that have fallen off the tree in the backyard. Munter likes “people food,” which I should call “other people food” as other people feed it to her, I do not.

Dogs’ favorite place to hang out: Munter likes to go to live shot story locations with me and bask in attention. Red enjoys the backyard.

Favorite dog park: Airport or Minnehaha Falls

Favorite dog-friendly restaurant: Café Barbette and Galaxy Drive-In (the newly remodeled “Wagner’s” drive-in, in St. Louis Park—gives free kiddie cones to all dogs.)

Favorite dog-friendly coffee shop: Butter, on 36^th and Grand Ave., bakes its own biscuits

Favorite dog-friendly store: Diamond Lake Hardware

Favorite pet store: Urbanimal

Favorite dog-friendly vacation: I can’t wait for this one! October 8-11, the Gunflint Lodge is hosting “Waggalot,” a dog-friendly celebration. There will be hikes, photography, seminars on training and nutrition, canine massage and more. Join Red, Munter and me up north this fall!

Your childhood dog: My first dog was a terrier named Governor, whom I called Govvy Gee-Gee. As an infant, I ate his dog biscuits out of his Christmas stocking, and whacked him on the head with a (soft) xylophone mallet. God bless that dog.

Best tricks: Red makes bananas disappear. As in, I swear I left some bananas on the counter, now all I can find is a bit of stem on the floor.

Dogs’ best friends: Munter’s best friend is my boyfriend’s yellow Lab Samantha. Red has recently become BFFs with my Fox9 Morning News co-worker Alix Kendall’s new adopted dog, Pax.

Dogs’ nemesis: Munter has a prejudice against big fluffy dogs like Huskies. Red wants a piece of my mailman, who happens to be the nicest man in the world.

Sleeps on: Munter likes to change position several times each night, and burrowing under covers is necessary. She has two dog beds (she’s taken over Red’s large bed as well as her own) but  a pile of clothing on the floor will do. Red sleeps wherever Munter has chosen not to.

Be honest: Do you ever use baby talk when speaking to your dog? All the time. Even on the air.

Lisa Goodman, Minneapolis City Council Member and key player in getting last year’s doggie dining ordinance passed

Dog’s name: Sadie Rose

Dog’s nickname: Miss Sadie

Breed: Goldendoodle

Age: 4

Favorite toy: Anything soft and stuffed animal-like

Favorite treats: Homemade snicker doodles by Senator Linda Higgins

Groomer: Royal Pet

Dog’s favorite place to hang out: Loring Park dog park or any beach

Favorite dog park: Loring Park

Favorite dog-friendly restaurant: Nick and Eddie or Toast Wine Bar and Cafe

Favorite dog-friendly coffee shop: Cafe Espresso Royale

Favorite dog-friendly store: Corazon

Favorite pet store: Urbanimal

Favorite dog-friendly vacation: Lake Michigan dog beach on Montrose in Chicago

Dog’s best trick: Shaking hands

Dog’s best friend: Our cat Coco

Dog’s nemesis: University of St. Thomas–Minneapolis Campus plaza and fountain where she has been told not to play in the water.

Sleeps on: Couch

Be honest: Do you ever use baby talk when speaking to your dog? Of course!

Al Franken (Recently seated Senator whose first piece of legislation was the Service Dogs for Veterans Act, which will pair service dogs with veterans who have physical or mental wounds, including PTSD. His dog, Kirby, recently passed away.)

Name: Kirby

Breed: Black Lab

Age: 8

Favorite toy: His favorite game was tug of war, so anything that helped him play that was his favorite toy. Until, of course, it ripped.

Favorite treats: He was a Lab, and Labs eat anything. He didn’t get people food or table scraps (unless he stole them). He got the same kibble every single day—Eukanuba—and every day he ate as if it were the first time he’d ever had it. He absolutely destroyed it.

Favorite dog park: Lake of the Isles Dog Park—right by the soccer field

Favorite pet store: Urbanimal

Childhood dog: There were two—Brownie was a mutt, and Gunther was a dachshund named after Gunther Toody from “Car 54, Where Are You?”

Best trick: He wasn’t a service dog. His best trick was running around in circles chasing his tail whenever I came home. It wasn’t much of a trick, but I liked it.

Dog’s best friend: Me, the kids, Franni, my wife, anyone else

Dog’s nemesis: Franni, only while cooking food he wasn’t going to get to eat

Sleeps: On a chair. It was “his” chair.

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