By Meredeth Barzen

“THIS JUST IN: Tens of thousands around the Twin Cities metro area were reduced to uncontrollable fits of hugging after the Internet release of the Twin Cities Puppy Bowl’s full-length footage.”

Don’t be surprised if you see that headline flit across the Star Tribune’s front page this week—the Twin Cities Puppy Bowl is coming, and trust us: It’s going to be huge. Hugely endearing, that is.

Clarence of Red Lake Rosie's Rescue takes a time out.

It all started when Lisa Weikle, general manager of Fetch Delivers, was struck with inspiration—to team up with Sidewalk Dog, Sarah Beth Photography and Pampered Pooch Playground, creating a Fantastic Four-style super-squad with only one purpose: put a bunch of puppies in a room and film the inevitable explosion of cuteness that ensues. “I wanted to bring these four groups together, since I know we share the same passion for animal rescue,” Lisa said.

Okay, so we copied Animal Planet’s idea.

But what makes the Twin Cities Puppy Bowl different is that the star players are from local rescue groups like Safe Hands Rescue, Red Lake Rosie’s Rescue, Secondhand Hounds, All Dog Rescue, Minnesota Boxer Rescue, Pet Project Rescue, Rice County Humane Society and Minnesota Pit Bull Rescue.

“It’s great exposure for a new rescue like Secondhand Hounds,” said the group’s founder, Rachel Mairose. “It shows that there’s a need for adoptive parents out there, and there are always puppies available for adoption.” She added, “Who doesn’t like cute puppies?” Answer: no one we want to associate with, that’s for sure.

Check out each pup's personal trading card, designed by Sarah Beth Photography.

“We all have a vested interest in making sure these guys get placed with good families,” said Suzanne Grindle of Safe Hands, a 3-year-old rescue that gets many of its puppies from the high-kill Harlan County Animal Shelter in Kentucky. Some TC Puppy Bowl players came from as far away as Mexico, like Pete from Pet Project Rescue, which works with a Mexican shelter to place puppies and encourage spay/neuter initiatives.

And so, last Saturday, Pampered Pooch Playground was filled to the gills with adorable rescue puppies, pouncing and frolicking and donning adorable, hastily-knitted (but unfortunately, not prescient) Vikings sweaters.

Molly Feeney of Just Paws Puppy Training (shown here with Aldo—not a TC Puppy Bowl player, but a football fan nonetheless) played ref.

Molly Feeney of Just Paws Puppy Training put on her referee shirt to make some tough calls, Clyde’s K9 Cuisine (formerly Well Pet Foods) whipped up some special football treats to re-energize the noble athletes, and The Dog Perk outfitted players in jersey bandanas. Stunt Puppy, Topline Canine, ScoopyPoo and DoodyCalls also helped the day go off without a hitch, and the pups (and people) went home tired and happy.

Pete runs the controversial somersault play.

The result debuts this week on TC Puppy Bowl’s Web site and Facebook page, complete with insightful commentary from Tom Scott and George Scot McKelvey. You can also catch it on Super Bowl Sunday before the big game at “the official veterinary clinic of the Twin Cities Puppy Bowl”—Pet Crossing Animal Hospital & Dental Clinic, which is throwing a big dog-friendly fundraising shindig complete with food, activities, a silent auction, and a screening of Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl VI. Proceeds from the bash benefit the clinic’s Pet Protection Program for Cornerstone Women’s Shelter, and Sidewalk Dog readers get $5 off if they RSVP by Feb. 4th.

When you watch it for the first time, you may want to don protective headgear—you’ll be hit square in the face with fuzziness, after all. Until then, here’s a teaser to tide you over until the big day!

Photo by Joy Green

By Meredeth Barzen

During the dog days of winter, it’s tempting to hibernate with your pooch, laying around on the couch all day and nodding off now and again to episodes of Animal Planet’s “Pet Star.”

NO! BAD DOG OWNER! Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean you have license to turn into a slug. You owe it to yourself and your pet to get out into the world and take in some fun, some exercise and some fresh air, and one of the best ways to do that in a Minnesota winter is skijoring—or, as Kristine Zellmer of local group Skijor Now puts it, “dog-assisted cross country skiing.”

Zellmer points out that skijoring has actually been around for more than 100 years. “It started when some Norwegians went to Alaska during the gold rush,” she says. “They saw dog sledding and brought the idea home to Norway and adapted what they saw to skiing behind horses and reindeer. The actual term means ‘ski-driving.’ With time, dogs started to be used.”

To skijor, you’ll need a dog that’s at least 30 pounds and loves to run. For equipment, you’ll need a harness for the dog, a belt for you, and lines to connect you to your dog. Ultra Paws sells this gear as a package for $115.95. Then, you’ll need somewhere to go and someone to show you how to do it—you can find these in the resources listed below.

If you’d like to get a jump on your skijor training before you get out on skis, Zellmer recommends leash-training your dog to respond to the main commands one at a time. They are:

‘Whoa’ = Stop

‘Hike’ or ‘Let’s go’ = Go

‘Gee’ = Turn right

‘Haw’ = Turn left

‘On-By’ = “Keep going—do not stop to smell the tree, chase the rabbit or examine the passing dog.” When you think your dog is going to be distracted from the trail, say the command. When she passes the object by, praise her.

And remember: You don’t have to be a speedy, big-shot racer to enjoy skijoring. By working with their dog, anyone can enjoy the sport as a casual, fun wintertime activity.

Photo by Joy Green

Skijoring Resources:

Clubs:

—Skijor Now

—Midwest Skijorer’s Club

Information:

—”Ski Spot Run” by Matt Haakenstat and John Thompson

—Midwest Skijorer’s Club Instructional Power Point

Places to Get Gear:

—Ultra Paws

—Skijor Now

—Midwest Mountaineering

Events:

—Sat., February 6: Chuck & Don’s Skijoring Loppet. Uptown Minneapolis starting at 1 p.m. The world’s largest skijor race—last year there were 107 teams and more than 2000 spectators.

—Sat., February 13: Midwest Skijorer’s Club 10th annual winter skijor event, sponsored by Ultra Paws. Starting at 9 a.m. at Ham Lake Park, with clinics for beginner, intermediate and advanced skijorers, plus pro sport and novice classes.

Places to Skijor:

—Midwest Skijorer’s Club Trail Guide