We’re calling it “Mon Ami: Celebrating Our Community of Dog Lovers,” and it’s going to be a truly unique evening. Jessie’s lovely art will provide the backdrop for mingling, live music, wine, cheesecake from Muddy Paws and prize drawings—plus steals and deals for attendees from yours truly, Sidewalk Dog.
Jessie’s exhibition, “Dogs of Edina,” will be displayed from May 6th (don’t miss her opening reception from 5-7 p.m.) through May 31st at the Galleria. The third in a series of neighborhood dog projects, “Dogs of Edina” displays Jessie’s stylish and modern interpretation of more than 30 community pooches.
“Preparing for a solo exhibition is a long and intensive process. For me, it is also rewarding beyond words,” Jessie says. “As an artist, I am fascinated by the way dogs of particular neighborhoods reflect the people who live in them. I am also interested in the way dogs bring people together and create a common ground between those who might otherwise remain strangers. These layers of culture and community that are built around dogs and their people interest me greatly.”
“Dogs of Edina” will host a number of rock-your-socks-off events during the month of May, including:
May 6: ”Dogs of Edina” Opening Reception—featuring wine, snacks, art and more!
May 9: ArtBARK!—contest for kids and raffle in support of The Pet Project and hosted by Bone Adventure. Kids can turn in their best dog art on the back of an ArtBARK postcard by May 6th and have a chance to win a chance to have their submissions framed and hung in the “Dogs of Edina” gallery during the ArtBARK! event.Top winners in each age group will receive a $25 gift certificate to Bone Adventure as well as a pack of 10 greeting cards custom designed by Stray Dog Arts—featuring the winner’s artwork.Runners-up in each age group will receive a $10 gift certificate to Bone Adventure as well as art supplies from Stray Dog Arts.
May 13:Paws4Pets—Fundraising event for Red Lake Rosie’s Rescue hosted by Talk2theAnimals, featuring a book signing by Angel Animal authors Linda and Allen Anderson and a raffle with exciting prizes from The Galleria, Stray Dog Arts, Chuck & Don’s Pet Food Outlet, The Westin Galleria Edina, and more! Remember to bring a donation for Red Lake Rosie’s Rescue, a very special cause indeed.
May 20: Diamonds, Dazzle and Dogs: Girls’ Night Out!—An evening of art, shopping, style tips, music, pampering, wine and delicious treats to benefit Top Dog Foundation, hosted by Top Dog Country Club and DNA2Diamonds. You’ll find shopping from StyledLife, Origins, ATAZ and Top Dog Country Club, wine and hors d’ oeuvres from Good Earth, informal modeling and fashion and raffles from The Westin Hotel and Top Dog Country Club.
StyledLife, Origins, Ataz, & Top Dog Country Club
with wine and hors d’ oeuvres from The Good Earth
Informal modeling and fashion
and an evening filled with pampering, from nose to paw!
Incredible Dog-Loving Raffle, including:
The Westin Hotel ~ Hotel Stay & Doggy Package
Top Dog Country Club ~ Vacation & Spa Package
Oh, and did we mention Mon Ami is free? No special invite needed, just a love for dogs and great art. Hope to see you there!
Mon Ami: The Deets
Date: Friday, May 14th
Time: 5-8 p.m.
Cost: Free!
Location: The Galleria, Edina: 69th St. and France Ave. Exhibition space between Louis Vuitton & Big Bowl in the center’s West end.
Fun: Lovely local dog art, groovy live music, wine, cheesecake, prizes, drawings, deals and the chance to hobnob with local pet luminaries.
Grete getting some TLC at Westgate from Hannah Evans, CVT.
By Meredeth Barzen
Grete (pronounced “Greta”) the black lab was hanging out in her usual spot on a pillow in the back hall on a perfectly normal Tuesday in February. Mom was at work, Dad was in Europe on a business trip, and the two girls were at school and Grandma’s house. Like so many retrievers, Grete can be rambunctious and sweet, lively and calm, depending on the moment. “We’ve consistently said she’s 9 years old going on 9 months,” says Grete’s owner, Matt Augustson. When she’s calm, Grete likes to strategically place herself precisely in the center of the family’s activities for a nap. During her livelier moments, Grete likes to show off her tennis-ball-chasing skills in the big yard behind Matt and Jen Augustson’s Edina home. And when someone comes to the door, “Look out,” Matt says. “Barking, jumping … all of the bad habits that dog owners struggle with, and we are no exception. But it’s just who she is. It’s never violent, aggressive or scary—just her way of saying ’hello.’”
But Grete’s mostly a mellow dog, so 2:40 in the afternoon was probably right in the middle of nap time for her that Tuesday, as her family went about their daily business out in the world.
Then, BOOM.
“As far as we can tell from the Edina Fire Chief, a gas leak caused by a utility contractor laying cable in the neighborhood caused natural gas to leak into our house via the sewer line,” Matt says. “From there, it found an ignition source—most likely the water heater or furnace—and caused an explosion.” Grete was the only one at home. She must have been launched out of the house by the force of the explosion, most likely straight up.” The house was a total loss. Grete was the only thing that remained intact.
A person Matt describes as a “Good Samaritan” followed the shaken dog across 50th Street and through the neighborhoods for a half-mile, then loaded her into her car at 44th Street and Wooddale Avenue and brought Grete to Westgate Pet Clinic, where Dr. Ben Porter treated her injuries—which were miraculously minor, considering she had just survived a massive gas explosion. “Grete was very nervous immediately after the explosion,” Dr. Porter says. “I suspect that she was not able to hear anything. Since the Augustsons were already clients, we were able to quickly contact them so they knew her location and that she had survived. [Grete] walked into the clinic, and was not afraid or nervous at that time. She allowed our staff to examine her thoroughly, finding surprisingly no broken bones, no lacerations. Many dogs would be fearful after such a terrifying event—her gentle personality and ability to roll with the punches is probably very typical for a Labrador Retriever.”
But even though she escaped major injuries, Grete was a little worse for wear. Dr. Porter says her hair was singed “and she smelled like a campfire times 10. Burns were immediately evident on the pads of her feet, and over the next four days, burns because evident around her nose, muzzle and chin … Her eyelids were damaged from the explosion and have been red and uncomfortable and slow to improve.” Luckily, Grete’s burns were superficial, and most responded to topical treatment and improved over the next five days.
Dr. Porter says the only likely long-term damage to the resilient lab is to her tear glands—she’ll need eye medication for a while—and a couple of burn scars will mean she’ll need to wear sunscreen on the bridge of her nose when she’s out in the sun.
When the Augustsons first saw Grete after the accident, though, Matt describes her appearance as “shocking.” “She looked like a chocolate lab instead of a black lab,” he says. “Her fur was singed around her head and shoulders. She had open sores on three of four paws and her ear. She limped and wobbled along. Her eyes were red and cloudy. The Augustsons’ two daughters, ages five and two, were happy to see their dog, “but it was hard for them because she didn’t look the same,” Jen says.
But things are looking up for Grete and her family. As of last Monday, she no longer needs daily treatments at Westgate. The family is moving into a town house this week; “We can’t wait to get settled again,” Jen says. And members of the Twin Cities pet community are helping out on that front, with an outpouring of support and donations. Sarah Beth Photography, Bone Adventure and Pampered Pooch Playground all gave the Augustsons gift certificates to their businesses. Pampered Pooch also set the family up with a dog bed and some toys and treats to replace what the Augustsons lost in the explosion. Fetch Delivers donated a travel crate, treats and bones; Solid Gold gave a bag of food and Tracie Jacobson of Animal Humane Society sent over a gift certificate to Chuck & Don’s Pet Food Outlet. And to help Matt and Jen let go of some stress, Omni Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork is donating massages.
“I cannot believe the amount of support and generosity [shown by] our family, friends and the community,” Matt said. “This is stunning. We cannot express enough how much Grete means to us or how the community has rallied around her and us.” And to his “thank you” list doesn’t stop there. “We can’t thank that Good Samaritan enough. We can’t thank the great vets, techs and staff at Westgate enough—they have adopted Grete as their special canine, and have reached out with concern for our family as well. Dr Porter has been especially thoughtful. It has been amazing watching the care Grete has received and the compassion we have been shown.”
At the end of the day, the fact that the Augustson family—Mom, Dad, kids and dog—are all safe and sound is all anyone could ask for. Grete’s miraculous survival will remain a mystery. “We’ll never really know for sure how she got out of the house, debris, and fire alive,” Matt says. But that doesn’t matter. “She’s our wonder dog!” Jen says. “We’re thinking about getting her a red cape.”
***Editor’s note: If you’d like to help Grete and the Augustsons out yourself, donations can be made to the Auguston Fund in care of North American Banking Company, 4999 France Ave., Suite 120, Minneapolis, MN 55410. Please write “Auguston Fund” in the memo line of the check.
“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.
“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!
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.
Most of us would do anything to keep our pets’ bellies full and their medical needs met. For some Minnesotans affected by the economy, the only “anything” available in their situations is to give up their best friends because they can’t afford food and vet care. This grim reality is what drove Kim Carrier to start The Pet Project last July. (See “Keeping Families Together, One Bag of Food at a Time …“)
Here are a couple fun ways to help this wonderful organization feed hungry hounds (cats, too) this holiday season:
Tails Up: The Pet Project's 1st Annual Holiday Pet Food Drive, presented by The Pet Project, FetchDelivers.com and Pampered Pooch Playground
Muddy Paws Cheesecake's 17th Annual Toy Drive & Cheesecake Sampling
Ben, a Home for Life dog who was blinded by abuse but now lives happily at the sanctuary.
By Meredeth Barzen
At 7 a.m. on Sunday, November 22, before shopping hours commence, the Mall of America will be taken over by hounds and their humans at the first annual Doggone Early Dog Walk, benefiting Home for Life Animal Sanctuary. Dog owners will be able to walk ’til they drop (or at least until they get to the refreshments table) to support the animals that Home for Life cares for and the community outreach programs it organizes.
Sponsored by yours truly and a host of other big names* in the Twin Cities dog world, the walk kicks off “The Art of the Dog,” Home for Life’s holiday display of dog statues and doghouses designed and adorned by local artists. For example, Jessie Marianiello of Stray Dog Arts will be creating a MoMDA—Museum of Modern Dog Art—doghouse, which will feature painted portraits of Marni Hughes’s and Keith Marler’s dogs from FOX 9 News. “This is a house for dogs with a refined sense of taste and an appreciation for art,” Marianiello says.
A decorated Art of the Dog statue from holidays past.
If you see a work of art that tickles your fancy, proceeds from the sale will benefit Home for Life. And given the talent that’s working on these pieces, chances are you will.
But back to the main event—walkers will be able to get Fido’s photo taken with Santa; enter contests for oldest, youngest, smallest, biggest, best-dressed and most owner-resembling dog and meet some of the Home for Life pooches and FOX 9 Morning News’ M.A. Rosko, the Grand Marshal of the dog walk.
M.A. Rosko with Munter, one of her two dogs.
Registration is $25 per four-legged accompanied by up to two two-leggeds. Each additional human is $25 and kids walk for free. Don’t miss this historic opportunity—this is the first-ever large-scale indoor dog walk—to support Home for Life, a truly compassionate organization that provides lifetime care to dogs and cats who have special needs and can’t find a traditional home.
You can build your own Doggone Early Dog Walk fundraising page here to e-mail others about the event and collect money for Home for Life. Or, if you’re just not an early bird and need to sleep in that Sunday, you can still support Home for Life by making a general donation here.
Attendees really got into the "spirit" of the event at last year's Monster Dash 5K-9.
By Meredeth Barzen
Looking for a fun way to celebrate Halloween with your dog? Team Ortho is holding its annual “Monster Dash” 5K-9 on the spookiest day of the year—this Saturday, October 31.
The 5K-9 is the dog- and costume-friendly (for people and their pets!) portion of the Monster Dash race, which also includes a half-marathon, a 10-mile race and a regular 5K race—more than 7,000 runners are expected to participate this year. The 5K-9 will take place around Lake Harriet, and for your noble exercising efforts, you’ll receive a long-sleeved tech shirt and a collar or leash from the event’s sponsor, Stunt Puppy. Sidewalk Dog will be enjoying the festivities from Stunt Puppy’s tent. Plus, Fetch Delivers will be there to refuel your dog with treats and free one-pound sample bags of Go! Natural Grain Free Endurance dog food (great for active dogs) and to hand out coupons for any food in the the Now!/Go! lines, which can be redeemed at any retailer. ScoopyPoo will take care of anything your dog—ahem—leaves behind, Bits of Love Pet Massage will be providing mini-massages for your four-legged athletes and Pampered Pooch Playground will be on hand to simply love up all the pups.
Registration is $47 for one adult and one dog. If you haven’t pre-registered, registration for the 5K-9 opens at 8:45 a.m. Saturday morning, and the race starts at 10:35 at the Lake Harriet Bandshell.
There will be three water/trick-or-treat stops along the way, and remember: There’s no shame in walking if you get tired—you can always blame it on your dog.
Here’s some important info from the pooch lovin’ people behind the race:
1. Race Guide: The entire guide can now be downloaded at www.teamortho.us. In the guide, you will find detailed schedules and start locations for runners, information on parking, great suggestions for spectators and where you can pick up awards for running and costumes. We encourage you to read this document.
2. Packet Pickup is Friday, October 30 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Please note that packet pickup has moved from Marathon Sports to the Minneapolis Convention Center. Time for packet pickup: 10 a.m.- 8 p.m. in Ballroom B. Please bring a valid ID and your confirmation card. If you didn’t receive a confirmation card yet, never fear; come to packet pickup with your photo ID and we’ll get your bib number for you. Note: There will be no packet pickup on race day for the Half Marathon and the 10 Mile.
3. Registration is still open for the 5K-9: Online registration (highly encouraged!) shuts down Wednesday night. You can register at packet pickup on Friday or on race day; registration fee will be $47.
Stunt Puppy™. If you don’t think canine gear can be both functional and fashionable, then you haven’t seen Stunt Puppy’s collars, leashes, and accessories. Stunt Puppy website(use coupon code DISH for free shipping through December 31st),Urbanimal, BoneAdventure, Corazon, and Marathon Sports.
Dugen Clip. This is the leash that lets you go anywhere. Take your dog out on the town on all your errands knowing that you can secure them safely to anything from a tree to a street pole if they can’t come inside with you. Easily adjust the size. Where to buy: Dugen Clip website and 45 Degrees, Urbanimal, KBO Doggie Duds.
Bark-n-Biscuit has the best designer collars and leashes for dogs of all sizes. FREE SHIPPING AVAILABLE. Matching sets or mix-n-match in great colors. Retail for $28 and up. Where to buy: Bark-n-Biscuit website.
TREATS
Hound Street™
Looking for a unique gift for a hard-to-shop-for hound? Quit sniffing around and enroll the fastidious Fido in the Hound Street Treat-of-the-Month Club. Aptly named by size, The Jack Russell (for petite pooches), The Boxer (for medium mutts), and The Labrador (for biggish beasts) packages were created to put an end to what owner Lynn Johnson calls “treat boredom” by delighting furry members with a different treat package each month for an entire year. Where to buy: Hound Street website(15% off when you spend $20 or more through December 18th),Pet Chef Express, Andover Animal Hospital, and Armstrong Ranch Kennels.
Sojos has not only the high quality treats that are corn and wheat free, but also the loveliest packaging that requires little to no wrapping. The Kung Fu Fido brand is a box of fortune cookie treats for dogs with a real fortune in each one. And, Good Dog Treats in the cutest little boxes with handles. (Indie loves Blueberry Cobbler and Chicken Pot Pie the best.) Where to buy: Linden Hills Coop, Fetch Delivers, BoneAdventure, Whole Foods, Chuck and Don’s in Calhoun Village.
FASHION
WAHSSIE™. Fortunately for furry fashionistas everywhere there is new canine courtier in town: Winnie Tan Musser, owner of WAHSSIE™ Knine Fashion. Named after a pet name for her toy poodle Wah Wah (Chinese for “doll’), WAHSSIE offers everything from basic tees and spaghetti-strapped tanks to fleece hoodies and puffy vests. The versatile designer’s most unique collection, however, is composed of traditional Asian-style clothing including silk coats, Japanese kimonos and Chinese Cheongsam and Qi Pao dresses. Where to buy: WAHSSIE website and 4 Paws Boutique.
Also, don’t miss Lulu and Luigi in St. Louis Park where their to die for dog sweaters are made of luxurious cashmere, tween and Italian
wool.
MONOGRAMMING/PERSONALIZATION
PillowGram™. PillowGram™ is the brainchild of Nancy Sundeen, dog mom to three Bernese Mountain Dogs who has a soft spot in her heart for pets. PillowGram allows you to personal a travel-sized pillow with custom embroidery. You can also chose from hundreds of themed fabrics. Great for a pet who is recovering from surgery, away at a pet sitters or just plain likes to put her head on a pillow.
Where to buy: PillowGram website.
Also check out Momento Inc. in St. Paul for artist Robin Getsug Taple’s gorgeous handmade pillows that can be personalized with photos of you and our pet, and InBeaute Photography in St. Paul where Wendy Blomseth has created a new line of photo totes and purses that can give you a lovely and practical way to “carry” your pet with you wherever you go.
CREATURE CARE
Stacy Lewis/Dancing Porcupine™. Is your best friend (or someone else’s) feeling particularly out of balance these days? Has it been a “ruff” year? Consider the gift of Stacy Lewis, “creature teacher,” author of the heartwarming book JAVA: The True Story of a Shelter Dog who Rescued a Woman and gifted practitioner of Tellington TTouch™, Shamanic Healing, and Animal Communication. Where to buy/book: Dancing Porcupine website.
Also check out Janet Roper, just back from the American Music Awards, Janet is also an animal communicator as well as a violinist who can sooth your pet with 30 minutes or more of her heartwarming music.
For Dog Lovers
For dog lovers, there are so many great gift ideas that can make any pet parent’s life easier. Some of those interests include: gardening, shopping, vacationing, crafts, reading, shopping, dining out, sports and outdoor activities, renting movies.
Here are a few ideas:
House Cleaning. Give your friends a family a break from the fur and get them a gift certificate for house cleaning. Check out Nook and Cranny who specialize in pet homes and can care for your pet.
Outdoor Gear - Socks, face warmers, hand warmers and anything to keep dog lovers warm during the extra time spent walking outside with their dogs. Check out 45 Degrees and Jake’s on St. Croix Life is Good Store, both in Stillwater (and both carry dog items, too).
“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 
