By Meredeth Barzen

‘Tis the season for swimming, walking and general frolicking in and around our state’s festive lakes, and to celebrate, Lintu Art’s popular Dogs Around the Lakes series is back for the third year in a row. Artist Sarah Thornton gave Sidewalk Dog the inside scoop on this fun, whimsical project:

Last year's Dogs of Lake Harriet print

What is Dogs Around the Lakes? How did you get the idea?

Dogs Around the Lakes is a print series (not a calendar as a few people assume, but that is a good idea for a future development) created after a group of photo shoots and group walks at the lakes to celebrate the summer weather, our beautiful walking areas and our dog friends. Dogs Around the Lakes developed during the summer of 2008 when I would walk Lake Harriet’s loop with my dog Marilyn. We would see people and dogs at the lake socializing, smiling and soaking in the summer. I wanted to capture that experience with my artwork and also find an excuse to meet all these awesome dogs!

How did it go last year?

Last year’s experience was awesome and I’ve met so many new friends both human and dog. I was able to have events at Lakes Harriet, Calhoun, Isles and Nokomis in 2009 with more than 100 dogs participating as candidates for the prints. I was also fortunate to catch up with a few 2008 participants. I love hearing back from people about how they and their dogs are doing. They become my neighbors with this project no matter how far they live from me.

Henry, a 2009 Dog Around a Lake

Do you have a favorite piece from last year?

Favorites are always too difficult to choose. Everyone has a unique story and experience to share, but there are a few memories that stick out from 2009. At Lake Nokomis I was fortunate to have a family with two Borzois with really solid Russian names: Pushkin and Talisker. This was my first experience meeting this breed and they were so tall and graceful. What made it even better is that my next photo shoot was with a Shih Tzu. When they crossed paths, the Borzoi looked even taller!

Where will it be taking place?

This year, Lake Harriet will be May 22nd and open to dogs of all sizes, shapes and colors. The group walk will be at noon, with photo sessions available in the morning and afternoon. For Lake Calhoun on June 20th, I will be partnering with Heather Rosenwald of Start Seeing Black Dogs and we’re inviting black or mostly black dogs to come out to help spread the word about the low adoption rate among mixed breed black dogs in shelters. New additions to 2010 include Dogs Along the River for both downtown Minneapolis and my college town, Northfield (August 29th and August 14^th, respectively). For the downtown Minneapolis addition, Toast Wine Bar will be hosting the after party for humans and dogs. In Northfield, we will be supporting Prairie’s Edge Humane Society (formerly Rice County Humane Society). The city of North Oaks has also invited me to create a print for The Dogs of North Oaks similar to the Dogs Around the Lakes print.

Last year's print is unveiled at Lake Harriet.

Tell us about your work with A Rotta Love Plus.

A Rotta Love Plus is very close to my heart. My new addition, George, came through their program and my life wouldn’t be the same without him! I curate an art show each year called Deviant Art: Dispelling Myths. This show is to benefit and spread awareness about ARLP. In April, more than 25 talented artists participated and drew almost 500 guests. We’ve already had artists calling from across the country to participate in the 2011 show.

Don’t miss Lintu Art at this weekend’s Art-A-Whirl festival, when Sarah’s studio (390) in the Northrup King Building will be open and hosting a few guest artists including Jezroc Metal Works (as seen at Deviant Art).

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!