The Dog Perk's booth at the 2009 Minnesota State Fair.

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 famed Dog Biscuit on-a-stick.

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!

Bone Adventure served up some special sushi squeaky toys and treats. Photo by Sarah Beth Photography.

Well, folks, we’ve done it again. It was touch-and-go for a bit with rain in the forecast, but our friend and fellow dog lover Jonathan Yuhas (KARE 11 weather guru) called in a favor and held off the rain for the evening. We’re proud to report that Sushi With Your Poochie: Part Deux—Continued was a smash success. During Wednesday’s festivities, close to $1,000 was raised for our fabulous beneficiary, The Pet Project. Click here if you missed the party but would still like to donate to this noble cause.

Big thanks to our co-host, the lovely Tiger Sushi 2 in Uptown (and may we take this opportunity to remind you that their expansive patio is always dog-friendly), and to our sponsors as well: Bark Busters Home Dog Training, Bone Adventure, Pampered Pooch Playground, Pet Crossing Animal Hospital & Dental Clinic, Sarah Beth Photography, ScoopyPoo and Stunt Puppy.

Make no mistake—serious fun was had by all. And if you weren’t able to make it and need further proof, Sarah Beth Photography snapped some great photos. See for yourself!

Photo by Sarah Beth Photography.

Bug Duds' Dorothy Grinolds shares a roll with gal pal Ladybug. Photo by Sarah Beth Photography.

Sidewalk Dog editor Meredeth Barzen strikes a pose with a tray of hand-rolled dog-friendly maki sushi. Photo by Sarah Beth Photography.

This little one was particulary well-dressed for the occasion. Photo by Sarah Beth Photography.

Photo by Sarah Beth Photography.

Jack slipped into a pleasant food coma after feasting on some doggie sushi and ice cream. Photo by Sarah Beth Photography.

Paw Reader and professional actress Peggy Kelly informs a human about her hound's future. Photo by Sarah Beth Photography.

Photo by Sarah Beth Photography.

Photo by Sarah Beth Photography.

Back by popular demand, Sidewalk Dog and Tiger Sushi 2 in Uptown are hosting a yet another installment of the Sushi With Your Poochie shindig that we threw last month—and you’re invited!

During last month’s Sushi With Your Poochie: Part Deux parties, more than 150 dogs and 200 owners were treated to fresh sushi, fresh air and fun. For a complete overview of the event, click here to read Sidewalk Dog’s blog post on it. For photographic evidence, check out the complete gallery of photos that Sarah Beth Photography took at the event. If you attended last month’s event and Sarah caught you and your pooch in action, you can purchase the photo three ways: as a $5 low-resolution download ($1 goes to our beneficiary for the night, Minnesota Spay Neuter Assistance Program); a $20 print up to 5×7 ($3 goes to MNSNAP) or as a $35 print up to 8×12 ($5 goes to MNSNAP).

Anyway, the event was such a hit that we’re holding it again! On Wednesday, August 18th, we’re throwing Sushi With Your Poochie: Part Deux—Continued! Same time, same place. All your favorite parts of Part Deux are back, including the doggie sushi, the lovely Paw Reader Peggy Kelley and Tiger Sushi 2’s amazing human happy hour treats. This time around, we’ll have doggie ice cream from Pumphouse Creamery to help our four-legged friends beat the August heat, and our beneficiary will be The Pet Project, 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. Click here for ticket info.

Since we worked out the kinks for our July event and, as promised, turned it into “a well-oiled fun machine,” we’re giving you another opportunity to see what all the buzz is about. Here are some highlights to look forward to:

• The sushi artists at Tiger Sushi 2 are once again hand-rolling special dog-friendly maki sushi for our four-legged friends! And, for the first time, doggie ice cream will also be available to help Spot beat the August heat.
• Paw Reader and professional actress Peggy Kelly is back to inform you what lies ahead in your pet’s future.
• 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.
• Bone Adventure will have special rawhide sushi treats, chew toys and other whimsical products for sale.
• A small portion of ticket proceeds will go to our fabulous beneficiary, The Pet Project, 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. The Pet Project 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. Please note The Pet Project requests that you NOT bring a food donation to this particular event. You can donate at the event, or support them by purchasing raffle tickets, paw readings and those yummy martinis.
• We’d love to see you, with or without your pup!

The Deets

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

Date: Wednesday, August 18th.

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.

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: The Pet Project

By Meredeth Barzen

A pup gobbles up a sweet treat at 2008's Paws on Grand event.

As if this summer weren’t full enough with events celebrating great neighborhoods and their four-legged friends, we’ve got another one to tell you about: This Sunday from noon to 4 p.m., St. Paul’s Grand Avenue will be packed with pups for the Paws on Grand event.

For the fifth year, the Grand Avenue Business Association is turning the popular shopping and dining district into a Fido fest, with free pet clinics behind the Grand Avenue Veterinary Center (1 p.m. First Aid presented by Own Your Pets Life, 2 p.m. Animal Communication presented by Pure Spirit and 3 p.m. Clicker Training presented by On Cue Training & Behavior), pet food collection for The Pet Project and a “Pet Picks” contest (submit your pet’s photo and he could be featured in Minneapolis Picks, named Poster Pet for 2011 Paws on Grand and receive a gift bag of goodies).

Many of Grand Ave.’s businesses are holding specials, deals and activities for the event: At Dog Days, trainer Linda Schindler will be answering questions and you can get your dog’s nails trimmed for $5. At Frattallone’s Ace Hardware, visit some adoptable pups from Homeward Bound Rescue—and if one catches your eye and goes home with you, you’ll get a $50 gift card to the store. The Bibelot Shop is offering 20 percent off all pet-related items, and the list goes on!

It’s a be-there-or-be-square kind of event, and as Sidewalk Dog is anything but square, you can be sure we’re choosing the first option and showing up with bells on. So stop by and say hi!

By Meredeth Barzen

Proud dog moms and dog dads parade their pups during last year's event.

Northeast Minneapolis, long known as a hub for hipsters, artists and creative types of all stripes, would like to add another cultural subgroup to its resume of residents: dog lovers. The neighborhood is a welcoming enclave for dog owners and dog-friendly businesses—and this facet of the community will be put on display this Friday, July 30, with the fourth annual Northeast Dog Parade.

The festivities start at 5 p.m., when you and your  pooch (owners are encouraged to dress their dogs up in fun costumes or outfits) can picnic in Chute Square. At 6:15 p.m., the Minneapolis Police Department will escort the parade from Chute Square through the Northeast Business District to a final destination near the Red Stag Supperclub. But don’t disperse quite yet: There’s a special “Dogtail” happy hour and flea market where you can socialize and shop with fellow dog lovers.

Bone Adventure's Brian Fulmer passes out some neighborhood-branded goodies.

Northeast’s growing core of dog-friendly and pet-related businesses started the parade four years ago, says Brian Fulmer, owner of one such business—Bone Adventure pet boutique. He adds that last year’s parade drew more than 300 dogs, and with the way Northeast’s dog population is growing, organizers are anticipating more than 500 dogs this year.

But you don’t have to be a Northeaster to join in the fun. Dog owners from all neighborhoods are welcome.

And while you’re there, stop by the Red Stag parking lot where Sarah Beth Photography will be snapping some photos, then hop over to Bone Adventure to get a last look at her “Style Hounds” display before it closes.

By Meredeth Barzen

Photo by Sarah Beth Photography.

The doggie sushi has been distributed, the Paw Reader tent has been dismantled and the verdict is in—Sushi With Your Poochie: Part Deux was a smash success. Sidewalk Dog is happy to report that during Tuesday and Wednesday’s festivities, more than $1,000 was raised for our fabulous beneficiary, Minnesota Spay Neuter Assistance Program (MNSNAP). Click here if you missed the party but would still like to donate to this noble cause.

Big thanks to our co-host, the lovely Tiger Sushi 2 in Uptown (and may we take this opportunity to remind you that their expansive patio is always dog-friendly), and to our sponsors as well: Bark Busters Home Dog Training, Bone Adventure, Pampered Pooch Playground, Pet Crossing Animal Hospital & Dental Clinic, Sarah Beth Photography, ScoopyPoo and Stunt Puppy.

Make no mistake—serious fun was had by all. And if you weren’t able to make it and need further proof, Sarah Beth Photography snapped some great photos. See for yourself!

Tiger Sushi 2 owner Lisa Edevold serves up doggie sushi handmade especially for the event. Photo by Sarah Beth Photography.

Yes, he uses utensils to eat his treats. He's a dog, not a barbarian! Photo by Sarah Beth Photography.

Münter, doggie guest of Fox 9 News' M.A. Rosko, eyes a cold one. Photo by Sarah Beth Photography.

Eloise (a.k.a. "Weezie") the mini Aussie shepherd greeted guests Wednesday night. Photo by Sarah Beth Photography.

A potential puppy pile? Photo by Sarah Beth Photography.

Stunt Puppy's Ken Goldman pauses to give his dog Bauer some love. Photo by Sarah Beth Photography.

Stella the mystery mix gets her paw read by improv actress Peggy Kelley. Photo by Sarah Beth Photography.

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.

By Meredeth Barzen

A R.E.A.D. team in action.

“The streeeeets are aliiiiive with the sound of reeeading!” Or they will be August 14 and 15, when the Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.) conference comes to Minneapolis.

Our fair city is the perfect place to host the first R.E.A.D conference held outside the organization’s home of Salt Lake City says Nancy Brooks, a Minnesota R.E.A.D. instructor. “It is often difficult for people to travel, so we wanted provide an opportunity to as many R.E.A.D. teams as possible to participate in a conference,” she says. “Minnesota also has one of the largest populations of R.E.A.D. volunteers.  And, since I volunteered to host the conference here, that makes it much easier for R.E.A.D. headquarters to coordinate a conference!”

Though the conference will be comprised mostly of existing R.E.A.D. teams, anyone interested in therapy dog teams and reading can attend, Nancy says. Conference-goers will learn more about R.E.A.D. and the program’s impact, hear ideas and insights from experts in reading and animals, share their own “R.E.A.D.ing” experiences and meet other R.E.A.D. teams from around the nation.

“Here in the Twin Cities, we have a very active presence of R.E.A.D. teams in schools, libraries and special events,” Nancy says. “For example, the North Star Therapy Animals have R.E.A.D. teams in at least one of the Hennepin County Libraries pretty much ever weekend. There are reading with dogs programs in all seven metro counties as well as through out the state.”

So if you see an influx of literary labs or bookish boxers in town this August, you’ll know where they came from!

Despite what it might look like, Izzy actually is enjoying the music of the Zurah Shrine Band.

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.

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.