By Meredeth Barzen

Photos by Sarah Beth Photography

Melinda Jacobs taking in some quality cuddle time with Crosby.

Growing up as daughter of billionaire businessman Irwin Jacobs, entertainment reporter/radio personality/blogger Melinda Jacobs wasted no time ingraining herself in the local pop-culture consciousness. She’s been referred to as “the Twin Cities’ only real socialite” by Mpls.St.Paul Magazine, and though she and husband Howard Grodnick have been married nearly 20 years (“yes, I got married when I was 12,” she says with tongue in cheek in her blog) and have two teenage children, Jacobs—a.k.a. “Melly J.”—certainly hasn’t settled down. The committed dog mom is working on “The Adventures of Melinda Jacobs,” “a satirical look at many of my silly and hopefully funny experiences I’ve encountered through my years in the media world,” and keeps loyal fans updated via her blog. And judging from the videos of her dogs she posts on YouTube (see below), her home life is just as silly and funny as her time out on the town. As part of our locally acclaimed series “Almost Famous Dogs,” here’s a glimpse inside The Adventures of Melinda, Crosby and Ernie Jacobs.

Dogs’ names: Crosby and Ernie

Dogs’ nicknames: “Monkey Man” and “Baby Boy” for Crosby, and we call Ernie “Ernsky” and “Big Man”

Breeds: Crosby: Brussels griffon; Ernie: schnauzer (we think!)

Ages: Crosby: 1½; Ernie: 14

Favorite toy: Toy key ring

Dogs’ favorite place to hang out: Kitchen

Favorite dog park: Off-leash area at Bryant Lake Regional Park

Favorite dog-friendly restaurant: Lucia’s

Favorite pet store: Bone Adventure

Favorite dog-friendly vacation: Cabin up north

Dogs’ best tricks: Crosby sits on Ernie to take away his bone. Also, the dogs like to snuggle up on top of the couch and chew on my cashmere blankets.

Ernie and his younger brother/best friend, the snaggletoothed Crosby.

Dogs’ best friend: Ernie’s best friend is his brother.

Dogs’ nemesis: For Crosby, it’s feet with socks on.

Favorite naughty behavior or bad habit: If you raise your voice or yell at Crosby, he barks back at you.

Favorite way to get attention/treats: Crosby takes things out of my purse and wants me to chase him to get it back.

Sleep on bed, couch, dog bed, floor, or outside: They sleep in a big bed with each other.

Be honest: Do you ever use baby talk when speaking to your dogs? All the time

Are your dogs friends with any other celebrity dogs? We meet new friends at the dog park all the time, and many of the dogs should be celebrities if they are not already.

Do you support any local animal causes? My family loves animals and nature. We’re big fans of the Animal Humane Society and Top Dog Foundation.

Anything else we should know about your dogs? We are not completely convinced that Brussels griffons are entirely canine—we think they are actually part monkey and cat as well.  Also, Crosby likes to run around with a bottle of water in his mouth, and Ernie only has seven teeth, but can eat like a horse.

Presenting Crosby Jacobs in “Brussels Griffon and the Thong”:

The Pohlads' girls, left to right: Hannah, Tasha and Luca

By Meredeth Barzen

When Minnesotans hear the name Pohlad, they think of baseball. After all, that’s where local businessman and Minnesota Twins owner Carl Pohlad has made a name for himself. But look a little closer at the prominent family’s favorite causes and you’ll start to associate the name with another great American pastime: dogs.

The Pohlad Family Foundation has supported local pet groups like Helping Paws, says Rebecca Pohlad, who has emerged as the most visibly dog-oriented member of the family. She and husband Robert (one of Carl’s three sons) are Dog Mom and Dog Dad to three of the luckiest German shepherds on the planet—9-year-old Luca, 8-year-old Tasha, and 1-year-old Hannah roam where they will on the couple’s 25-acre property in Washington’s San Juan Islands near Seattle. Hannah likes to chase deer, Pohlad says (“I think she will pass out if she ever catches one!”), and adds that the pup also loves to take a dip in the pool, then shake water all over innocent bystanders.

“Luca loves to be the center of attention,” Rebecca says, “Tasha is aloof, but when she is alone with you, she is a love. Hannah is just plain funny—can’t explain it, but she makes me laugh all the time. She loves to snuggle.”

Though Robert never had dogs growing up, he took his marriage to Rebecca as an excuse to add a canine member to the family. “We got our first cocker spaniel a week after being married and after she died, we have had shepherds ever since—six total in our 32 years of marriage,” Rebecca says. “Our [three] sons loved having what I call ‘the girls,’—they are my female companions.”

And while the Pohlad dogs are living the good life on the West coast, Rebecca and Robert keep local animals close to their hearts as well. Rebecca is a big fan of The Pet Project—so much so that she donated to the group in her dog-loving friends’ names as Christmas gifts last year. “I want people in these troubled times to be able to keep their pets. Families are losing their homes and sometimes do not have enough money for food. What an even worse blow to a family than also having to give up their pet,” she says. “That is why The Pet Project means so much to me.”

Rebecca also counts the Animal Humane Society as a group she believes in. “Animals cannot speak for themselves; they cannot express the hurt of being beaten or being hungry, so we must be there for them,” she says. “The Animal Humane Society of Golden Valley does so much good and they deserve support from all of us that can help. My goal is to not have to see the commercials on TV about animals that are in need; and that all animals will be cared for with kindness and have homes with love and food.” Rebecca adds that she’s just heard about MN SNAP, and will be following their progress as well.

When they’re in town, Rebecca somehow summons up the energy to take three full-grown German shepherds out for a social day. “Our favorite place is Lucia’s,” she says. “They have a lovely water bar for dogs and Lucia also loves dogs and has two of her own.”

And though she finds it hard to explain her love for her dogs, Rebecca offers a mantra that she and her family live by: “Be thankful for what you have. Be aware of what is around you. Use you time, talents or financial support to help those less fortunate.”

• Some very cool nonprofits were born, including: The Pet Project, keeping people and their pets together in hard times; MN SNAP, providing low-cost spaying and neutering; MnPAW, working to reduce euthanasia of adoptable animals; Start Seeing Black Dogs, shedding light on Black Dog Syndrome.
• We love it when dog-friendly businesses and nonprofits team up to benefit each other à la Frattallone’s Ace Hardware’s Dog Days of Summer event. For every person who brought their pup into the store during the month of August, Frattallone’s donated $1 to Homeward Bound Dog Rescue. Find out how much was raised.
• More and more restaurants allowed (dare we say welcomed?) dogs on their patios. Check our map of dog-friendly patios, read about a few of our favorites and think spring!
• We got to know some famous Minnesotans and the four-leggeds that make them say “Who’s my fruffy wittle fuzzy bear?” in Almost Famous Dogs and Almost Famous Dogs: Part Deux.
• Minnesota got its first indoor dog park with the arrival of Dog City Dog Park in New Hope. (For outdoor options, check out our dog park map and read about a few of our urban and suburban faves.)
• The Sidewalk Dog Directory grew big time in 2009. From trainers to daycares to pet supply stores to animal communicators to poop scoopers, we’ve got you covered.
• Even we were surprised, delighted and a bit overwhelmed by all the dog-friendly happenings of 2009. Did you take your dog to the Saints game on Mother’s Day? Walk your dog in the Doggone Early Dog Walk at Mall of America? Dine with your dog at Sushi with Your Poochie at Tiger Sushi 2? Party with your dog at the Animal Humane Society’s Whisker Whirl? Drink with your dog at K9-Connection’s Beer with Your Buddy? Practice yoga with your dog at Zen Pooch Doga? Pose with your dog at Tails Up: The Pet Project’s First Annual Holiday Pet Food Drive? Celebrate National Pit Bull Awareness Day with your dog at All-American Dog Fest? Stroll with your dog at Woofstock? Run with your dog in the Monster Dash 5K-9? (Okay, we’ll stop now.)
• We learned firsthand that just like in people, dental disease in dogs can lead to heart, lung and kidney problems. In other words, dogs with healthy mouths live longer.
• We love shop dogs. After all, they can turn ordinary stores into living, breathing members of the community. South Lyndale Liquors’ St. Bernard Abbey was the quintessential shop dog—respectful, sweet, a treat for customers and a friend for employees.
• We were introduced to some particularly amazing dogs, including: Jerry, the “House Dog” at the Ronald McDonald House; Hector, a former Michael Vick dog who recently appeared at a St. Paul elementary school as part of a lesson on empathy and compassion; Sunny, assistant and best friend to autistic siblings Ellie and Ben.

Whoa, right?! And that’s just for starters!

Have a comment to make or something to add to the list? Please do so here.

Happy New Year!

There’s a heck of a lot going on in the pet industry, perhaps most especially right here in the Twin Cities. (Just check all the activity on our Facebook Page!) This makes us here at Sidewalk Dog very happy, since we’re all about connections: connecting you, our dear readers, with pet-related and dog-friendly businesses and nonprofits, connecting those same businesses and nonprofits with each other, and so on.

Another way local pet-related businesses and nonprofits specifically are connecting is through a networking group called PetPAC (a.k.a. “Pet Professionals and Companies”). The following is a little Q and A with PetPAC founding member Lynne Willeke of Bark Busters:

When did PetPAC start?
PetPAC was founded in 2007.

Who started PetPAC and why?
Sonja Tengdin of ScoopyPoo, Jay Cowan of Fetch Delivers and I started meeting one-on-one to talk about ways we could partner to market our businesses through joint projects. It quickly became apparent we could do even more if the three of us met together. Soon after we were joined by Cathy Menard of The Urban Dog and Amy Rosenthal (formerly) of the Animal Humane Society. The five of us then founded PetPAC.

What is PetPAC’s mission?
Our mission is to grow our individual businesses through networking, to promote and support other member businesses, to promote and support responsible pet ownership and to provide the public with useful information.

What are some of PetPAC’s goals?
Our short-term goals include demonstrating professionalism and leadership within the pet industry and supporting and promoting member businesses through networking. Longer term, we plan to share knowledge with the public and to become the go-to professional association for anything pet-related.

How has PetPAC changed since it started?
Originally, someone that owned or operated a pet-related business needed to submit an application and get approval from the PetPAC membership committee prior to attending a PetPAC meeting. Now PetPAC welcomes guests at our meetings without any prior approval. There remains an application form and a reviewal process for those who wish to become PetPAC members, but anyone is welcome to attend indefinitely as a guest.

If someone wants to join PetPAC, who should they contact?
They can contact me at minneapolisnorth@barkbusters.com or at 763.228.3649.

Anything else you’d like to add?
I’d just like to reiterate that anyone who owns or operates a pet-related business is welcome to attend any PetPAC meeting as a guest. Our next meeting is from 8:30-10 a.m. on January 21, 2010 at Minnesota Grille in Byerly’s St. Louis Park.

Thanks, Lynne! Now, if you still need to pick up a holiday gift for the dog lover in your life, we encourage you to take advantage of the following special offers from PetPAC members:

Bark Busters: $50 off a customized in-home training package (includes all levels). Valid in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area.  Limit one $50 offer per customer. More info.

Forever Lawn: $30 off a K9 Potty, a self-enclosed dog potty featuring antimicrobial K9Grass. Perfect for apartments, condominiums, balconies, boats, etc. More info.

Pure Spirit (training, behavior, animal communication): 10% off a 5-session private, in-home training package or $10 off an animal communication consultation. More info.

Talk2theAnimals (animal communication): Talk2theAnimals is running specials on calendars, photo books and more. Visit their Web site for more details, but hurry! Discount codes expire 12/24/09. More info.

We’ve always known the folks at Pampered Pooch Playground (PPP) are webcam-happy. After all, they’ve got eleven webcams working overtime to document all the crazy fun happening in their three play areas (two inside, one outside).

PPP client Chloe cheered for the Vikings in last week's game against the Packers. The SidewalkDog.com Webcam Blimp made its debut that day.

Until recently, we at Sidewalk Dog had no reason to pick a favorite PPP webcam and loved them all equally. But last week that all changed when a twelfth webcam appeared, and we can’t help but to think it’s the best one yet. Not only does this special webcam fly* (that’s right!) around over the indoor play areas, but PPP gave it a very cool name—the SidewalkDog.com Blimp Webcam!

Thank you, Pampered Pooch Playground! We have no idea what we did to deserve such an honor, but we are grateful.

And now we would like to call attention to some of the cool things about you, PPP:

• You were the first doggy daycare in the country to have an iPhone app for viewing webcams. Visit the iTunes App Store and search for “Pooch Vision.” (Don’t despair, Blackberry users! PPP will soon have an app for you, too.)
• You do a fabulous job of using social media (your blog, your Facebook Page and Twitter) to keep dog parents connected to their fur babies.
• You support local rescue efforts. In fact, you are a foster facility for Pet Haven. You also support the Animal Humane Society, Hearing and Service Dogs of Minnesota and various other groups.
• You support local artists. Your walls are adorned with work by Stray Dog Arts, Sarah Beth Photography, Modern Life Photo and Mod-Dog.

Thanks again, guys!

*If you must know, the webcam blimp is really a just a camera hanging from a fan. But we don’t care.

By Meredeth Barzen

There’s something about a rescue dog. Make no mistake, our dogs are loved wherever they come from, but with a rescue dog, you know that in addition to enriching your family with another member, you’re taking an animal out of the adoption cycle and giving it a permanent place in your home. And for all that our dogs do for us throughout their lives, it’s nice to start out the relationship by doing something for them.

Sunny and Ben get in some quality cuddle time.

Sunny, a lab/bully mix (and cousin to Luc, the Original Sidewalk Dog), had that something when Kiersten Osborne saw him at the Animal Humane Society last fall. He was just the right size, the right age and the right temperament to become a therapy dog for Kiersten’s two autistic children, Ellie and Ben—now 11 and 9, respectively.

“We were looking for a therapy dog or a service dog for the kids,” says Kiersten, “and some of the agencies that provided them were expensive, and the ones that provided them for free had long waiting lists. With the kids being older, we didn’t want to wait three or four years, so we went to AHS and looked at a number of dogs.” Sunny caught their eye. “He’s very calm, he’s soft, he’s loving, he has a gentle demeanor,” Kiersten says. The dog bonded with the family as he worked on basic obedience and acclimated to his new home—especially to Ben, whose hugs show Herculean strength. But Sunny didn’t mind. “He’s wonderful with both kids, very gentle and tolerant. It’s almost like Ben’s a litter-mate,” Kiersten says.

After learning the basics, Sunny went to Neuman K-9 Academy to get some professional training, then came back home and passed the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen test and was certified as a therapy dog by Therapy Dogs International. Now, his real work could begin. “In the spring, we started bringing him into Ellie’s classroom so the kids could read with him, and we’re working on training him to walk with Ben,” Kiersten says. “We have Ben hold onto his leash when we’re out, and that makes it easier for people to approach us and ask us questions about Sunny. And it was good for Ellie’s self-esteem to bring him into her classroom—it gave her sense of worth. If Ben doesn’t want to go to bed in the evening, he can lie down with Sunny and pet him, and if Ellie doesn’t want to do her reading, she can read to Sunny.”

Ellie and Sunny curl up with a good book.

Though Sunny doesn’t perform some of the more complex functions that many other service dogs do, Kiersten’s training with him is ongoing, and the family is considering training him to learn search and rescue so that he could find one of the kids using only their scent.

Sunny is part of a growing number of dogs that are being used to assist autistic people. Julianne Larsen, director of training for Hearing and Service Dogs of Minnesota, began the organization’s Autism Assist Dog program in 2007. “We had so many requests from parents of children with autism who had heard about dogs being trained to help them, that we felt there was a large need in our state for this type of service,” she says.

The program trains dogs and places them with children ages 10 and under. Julianne says that the majority of the program’s Autism Assist Dogs are placed with children who tend to run away, or “bolt,” and that to prevent this, the dogs wear a special cape, which is tethered to the child’s belt. The dogs are always handled by an adult, and are trained to stop and hold their positions on command to prevent the child from bolting.

There is currently a two- to three-year wait for an Autism Assist Dog from Hearing and Service Dogs of Minnesota—and rather than breeding all of their own dogs like many other service dog organizations do, Hearing and Service Dogs of Minnesota gets about half of their dogs from rescues and shelters like the Animal Humane Society.

“While our focus remains for dogs to assist the parents in keeping the children safe, we are hearing from parents that children [who use autism assist dogs] are gaining in social skills also,” says Shelly Hiemer, marketing and communications specialist for Hearing and Service Dogs of Minnesota. ”The dogs take the focus away from the child and create a common ground for conversation with others. They create a bridge for the families into the community.”

Which is exactly what Sunny does for Ben and Ellie—so well, in fact, that he’s being honored* at the Animal Humane Society’s annual Whisker Whirl fundraiser this Saturday, September 26. Sunny’s unique story will be told as part of the AHS’s fourth installment of its formal (and dog-friendly!) evening of dinner and dancing, featuring master bread and dog biscuit baker Klecko (author of K-9 Nation Biscuit Book: Baking for Your Best Friend), Channel 45 News Anchor Megan Newquist, and food catered by The Saint Paul Hotel.

Plenty of great dogs like Sunny are waiting at the AHS, looking for new homes and humans to hug. Kiersten says that rescue dogs make great companions for autistic kids: “If you can find a pet around age 1, you know what their temperament is like, and you often miss the crazy puppy stage, but you still have a lot of life to enjoy with them,” she says. “Now that we have Sunny, we’ll always be getting rescue dogs. It’s a wonderful way to give a dog a home that would be homeless—there’s no reason to go any other route, in my opinion.”

*Editor’s Note: On September 26, Sunny was honored at AHS’s annual Whisker Whirl fundraiser. If you want to be touched beyond words, watch this short video of Sunny in action.

By Meredeth Barzen

If you came to Sidewalk Dog and Tiger Sushi’s “Sushi with your Poochie” event last week, you may have heard a lot about MnPAW. You may have even bought a sake bomb to chip in your part of nearly $1,000 that the event raised for the organization. But given that MnPAW has only been around for a few months, you may not know much about this truly groundbreaking group.

Janelle Dixon, president and CEO of the Animal Humane Society, sums it up thusly: “MnPAW (Minnesota Partnership for Animal Welfare) is a coalition of animal welfare organizations of all shapes and sizes throughout Minnesota who are working together to ensure placement of all healthy and treatable animals in our communities.” Think of it as a super group—the Justice League of the animal welfare world.

Dixon co-chairs MnPAW’s coalition council with Pet Haven president Marilou Chanrasmi. Historically, the Humane Society and groups like Pet Haven have had some differences of opinion on animal rescue policies. But the two groups (and many more) have found common ground in MnPAW.  Says Chanrasmi: “MnPAW has enabled us to starting building trust between animal welfare groups and focusing on common goals.” And Dixon explains, “AHS had been working on developing relationships with a wide array of groups locally and throughout Minnesota for a couple of years. The coalition has fostered our ability and the ability of the other members to better understand how each group operates. In general, we have all found that we share a common interest that far outweighs any differences.”

MnPAW hopes to reduce both the euthanasia of adoptable animals and the number of animals that come into shelters, animal control and rescues in the first place.

Now that you know where your sake bomb money went, don’t you wish you would’ve gotten another?