Happy Howl-a-ween

This pug got canned at yesterday's annual Tompkins Sq. Park Dog Parade in NYC. All dressed in rags, Herbie and owner Todd Welch, got festive as city sanitation workers with a Sesame Street twist. Among the other attendees were retrievers in Siamese suits, a weimaraner in a tiger get-up, and three animal amigos rocking cowboy couture. Now the Village is preparing for tonight's human (well, sort of) Halloween parade. We'll keep you posted.

Check out all the pics from the event here.

Have a safe and fun Howl-a-ween, and send us pics of your canine in costume and we'll post them to the blog.

Dog Cat Communication

How well do you know your pet? The question is begged by Purina's new mini-site designed to decipher doggy lingo. The site offers insights on your pup's vernacular as well as a pet IQ test, "Purr/Woof Mail" (allows the user to send personalized barking emails to friends), health and wellness tips, and a photo gallery. We're not quite sure that Purina has perfected the puppy/person language barrier, but hey, it's a step in the right direction.

Woof grrrrr yip woof bow wow (Visit www.talkingpets.ca to get the full experience)

Another World Record Made

A day in the life of a mutt

Today at an elementry school in Dunedin, one dog and 457 helpful humans broke the world record for "longest human tunnel a dog has ever ran through." What, you didn't know that was a category? Oh, it's serious... the last dog runs through human tunnel record was set earlier this year at a whopping 394 participants. The students of Anderson's Bay School blew that number out of the water by building a tunnel 15% longer.
The star of the show, a Border Collie named Aidee, trained for the event along side her owner, Lyn van Beers. When Aidee is not whizzing through 914 legs, she can be found frolicking around the Otago Canine Training Club of New Zealand.

Doggy Dinner Party

Small dogs living the big life

In the life of small dogs, life keeps getting bigger and better. They're petite, playful, have loads of personality, and can still fit into a purse...does it get any better? It does, because Alan Dunn, LA caterer and socialite, has been making big predictions for little pups.

Alan predicts doggie dinner parties to be the fastest growing trend in the canine craze. Why? Dogs are thought of more as a fixture of the family rather than just a pet, and incorporating them into our daily routines has become essential. A survey conducted shows that 60% of owners prefer to dine at the same time as their dogs and 68% say they would rather treat their dog to something than themselves.

What does this mean for us? Lots of puppy parties in the future. Not sure how to get started? Check out this do-it-yourself guide to hosting a howling doggy dinner party.

Learn how to throw together your own doggy dinner party here!

Howl If You're Happy

Animal expert, Kim Odgen, has compiled a 12 song CD of tunes that are apparently pleasing to the K-9 ear. In her research, Odgen tested several genres of music and lyrics on 214 dogs to fine tune the canine compilation. According to one report, her researched showed that, "dogs love sambas, they hate Johnny Cash, and ninety-three percent of them wanted to hear a song about having a dog bed."

The new CD includes the following doggy driven numbers:
Scratch My Back
Hap, Hap, Happy!
I Love Food!
Cookies
My Bed, and more...

Get the details here.

Listen to a sample of "Scratch My Back" Here.

Howl-A-Ween, Hound Style

Don't let your canine feel left out, let him in on this weekends upcoming festivites. Want to dress your dog on a thin dime? Check out this website for fun make-it-yourself canine costume ideas and helpful hints for ensuring a safe and enjoyable Halloween.
Canine Costume Ideas.

Now don't get caught all dressed up with no where to go, check out these four-legged friendly events in your area.
Halloween Party for Pups--Arizona
Canine Costume Party--Itaca
Pet Costume Party--Pennsylvania

And just incase you're wondering what the other neighborhood pups will be sporting to the party, according to Yahoo! searhes, the most popular pooch costume is Yoda, the Jedi gnome of Star Wars.

Do you have a great costume idea and want to share it? Send us pictures of your dressed up doggy and we'll post them to the blog!

This Weekend in Doggy Dress-Up

Dog Day Masquerade

Times Square had a good scare yesterday as over 50 canines in costumes came down to compete in the annual Dog Day Masquerade, a tradition that celebrates and rewards the art of creative dress. This Sunday, characters ranging from pumpkins to pirates to princesses were seen flooding the area surrounding 42nd street.
The Times Square Top Dog prize, awarded for best representation of Times Square's past and present, was given to Indy, a 5-month old mini Dachshund sporting a TKTS booth costume.
Two pups won the hearts of the judges for the Best in Show Prize; Pepe the ghost and Oliver the sheriff went home with joint honors and tied for first place.

Sheridan Says Yes to Dogs, No to Dog Food

The Full Scoop on Dining with Doggy Day

Earlier in the week an LA based publicity stunt promised to deliver Desperate Housewife, Nicolette Sheridan eating a proper portion of puppy chow. "Dine with Doggy Day", what began as a Californian phenomenon has spread nationwide to New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Nebraska and West Virginia to be recognized this Saturday, October 21st.
Kicking it off two nights early, festivities began last night at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza and didn't deliver the full effect promised. Houswives star Nicolette Sheridan took one look at the bowl in front of her and decided to pass on the pooch food, stating, "This is not Fear Factor."
Despite Sheridan turning down dog chow, the night was still a success boasting a best dressed Bow-Wow contest and a pet psychic paw reader.

Get the details here.

Uncanny Canine Resemblance

After several years of cohabitation, canines resemble their caretakers. We've all heard the myth...but is there any truth to it?

With pictures like the one displayed in the upper left, it's hard to ignore the fable entirely. The photo is just one of many submissions to a pet-owner look alike contest. Click here to view all the finalists photos.

A more academic approach brings us to a study conducted at the University of California San Diego suggesting that people actually choose pets that resemble themselves. Click here to read all the findings.

Quite impressive, right? And now that you've been educated on the theory of pet and parent look alike, challenge your knowledge with this matching game featuring British political leaders and their respective pups.

Do you and your canine have an uncanny resemblance? We want to see, send your pics to Signafur@Signafur.com

The Dogs Down Under, a documentation of sorts

Australian artists Yvone Doherty and Justin Spiers have constructed a creative project to document a country's relationship with their animals. By setting up amusement park style photo booths and catching candid moments of canines and their families, the artists are beginning to piece together the varied connections that people form with their pets. Joint creator of the project, Doherty, observes, "Some people treat their animals like objects, and you get these loving, doting people who treat their pets like children...I think for some people animals are more important than humans."
The duo have plans to conquer the entire country of Australia visiting all walks of life, from aristocrats to aborigines, young and old alike to document the relationships with dogs down under.
As part of Pet Project, the Australian Centre for Photography is holding a Pet Idol exhibition. Want to get involved? Email your pet photos to curator@acp.au.com.

Stars Dine with Dogs

So, Hollywood's gone to the dogs...but celebs dining on doggy food, has it gone too far? Granted there are a few people who wouldn't mind seeing some big names nosh on a plate of puppy chow; well, get ready, because it's happening this Thursday in Los Angeles.
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has declared Saturday to be a statewide "Dine with Your Dog Day", and in accordance with that, Nicolette Sheridan of Desperate Housewives will be kicking off the festivities by eating a bowl of canine cuisine compliments of Natural Balance Dog Food Co. Natural Balance hopes to show the public that dog food can be tasty too. Proceeds from the event benefit local animal charities. We can't wait to get the full scoop on Dine with Doggy Day... so stay tuned.

In other excited news, Signafur.com is noted as today's "Cool Site of the Day" on Dogmark.net. Browse their site and check out the great listings of dog friendly resources. Thanks Dogmark.net, we are honored!

Dressed to Kilt, Dogs in Skirts

A teacup Chihuahua delicately trots down the runway to welcome in L.A.'s first annual "Dressed to Kilt" event which kicked off the Los Angeles Fashion Week. Sporting grey cowl neck knit and traditional print kilt, this puppy is ready to ring in the festivities that have been an industry standard in New York for years. Since 2003, "Dressed to Kilt" has been exposing New Yorkers to the Scottish textile industry and dishing out the prettiest in plaid. This year, Scottish textile designers are hoping to establish a niche in the lucrative West Coast market and have taken a few crowd pleasing four-legged friends on board to help.

I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for...

Doggy Ice Cream? You guessed it! Now you can enjoy your favorite sweets with a four-legged friend. The two largest names in their respective industries, Pedigree and Good Humor, have joined forces to create the first real ice cream sandwich marketed to a puppy's palette. This new item in canine cuisine is designed with a dog's strict diet in mind; although the scrumptious snack looks and tastes like authentic ice cream, it is 99% lactose free and is loaded with added protein and vitamins. Researchers from the two brands report, "pawsitive feedback from pet owners." So where can you find these new doggie desserts? Expect to see them in your local frozen food isle.

Bark in the Park, Central Park

How does a little get together in the park with 6,000 of your fellow city-dwelling canine contemporaries sound? If you're ready to party with the puppies, trot up to 72nd and Central Park on October 14th for a day of doggy indulgence including games, prizes, and shows. Central Park Paws is proud to present the 5th annual My Dog Loves Central Park County Fair. Last year's turn out exceeded numbers of 6,000 and event coordinators are expecting an even bigger bash in 2006.
Pictured in the upper left, the Pup-Peroni mobile made an appearance at last years festivities and carted willing canines on joy rides around the environs of the city.
Check out the details and get involved here.

Doggy DNA

You know that your pooch is one of a kind--now show the world. DNA Artistry, an innovative science-based creative company, is offering a very unconventional portrait of your puppy--displaying his unique DNA sequence in acrylic on canvas. Really, what's more fun than doing a little CSI on your canine?

Here's how it works: The painless procedure uses a cotton swab to extract cells from the inner cheek which are then processed and used to map out your pet's genetic makeup. Once processed, bowzer's blue-print can be transferred as a multi-colored image on canvas or etched in crystal. The service is available on hounds as well as humans.

Visit the website for more information.

Luxury Living Goes to the Dogs

Doesn't every mutt deserve a mansion? Doggiemansions.com thinks so and offers a wide array of luxury housing options for pups with tastes ranging from conservative, country, Maplewood, to modern. These high-end hound homes are fully outfitted with air conditioning, flat screen television, DVD collection and even features a hand brushed suede couch for getting cozy. If your pup is in the mood for entertaining, he'll have no problem accommodating his guests in this 6 x 8 ft. animal abode. So what's the bill to build one of these canine castles? Somewhere in the neighborhood of $10,000 dollars.

Can't believe it? See the homes for yourself on www.doggiemansions.com

New Trends in Pet Care: Doggy Dentistry

What's the latest trend emerging in pet health and wellbeing? Doggy dentistry of course. After all, a canine's got to keep her fangs looking fabulous. Dr. Tsugawa of Los Angeles performs routine route canals, caps, crowns, bridges, and braces all in an average days work; but the clientele consists of pugs and poodles not people. There are over 100 dentists worldwide specializing in the field of canine dentistry; a field that continues to grow as animal owners become more conscientious of their pets specific needs. This year in the U.S. annual spending on pets is expected to reach 38.4 billion with 10 percent allotted to veterinary care-an 8 percent raise from last year.

For more information on pet dental health practices, click here.

Click here to see an array of products that promote healthy teeth and gums.

A Film Fest for Fido

Finally a film festival focused on man's best friend! Save the date; the first annual Canine Film Festival takes place October 7th and 8th at the Castro Theatre in San Francisco. The event promises to get your tail wagging with special guest appearances, giveaway goodie bags, raffles, and of course your favorite doggy films. Get ready to laugh, cry, holler, hoot, and howl; the lineup includes Old Yeller, Wallace & Gromit, Laurel & Hardy, and more. All profits from the event benefit PAWS (Pets are wonderful support) in their efforts to provide training and funding to companion animals serving low income individuals living with HIV/AIDS.

Come and take part in this Grrrrrrrrreat event. We hope to see you there!

Signafur's got the Scoop

Searching for upcoming events to flaunt your pup's fashion sense? Look no further, Signafur's got the scoop on the scene from traditional runway shows to edgy canine couture events.
Whether you're on the West Coast, East Coast, or Abroad, the month of October promises a dog-gone good time.
Start the month by hopping over to Harrods in London to attend the Pet a Porter Harrods Fashion Show.
Then cruise over to the Top Dog Fashion Show in Newport, CA for the owner look-alike and Hound Halloween Costume Contest.
Make it down to Madison Square Garden in late October for the Original New York Pet Show, then finish the month by living it up in Los Angeles with SkyBark as they celebrate their Howl-a-Ween V.I.Pooch Party.

Know of fun events in your area? Let us know and we'll post them to the blog.

Ahoy! The Second Annual Canine Cruise

Fleet Week? Forget about it...this fall New York's harbors were swollen with petite pups of all breeds partaking in the cities second annual Canine Cruise. The Ship set sail on a three hour carouse up and down the Hudson carrying 422 humans and 250 canines. The guests dressed appropriately sporting pirate inspired attire and sailor's whites, prepared to party, and set sail. Activities ranged from a runway show, vendor give-away goodies, pooch portraits and paintings, to a special performance by a canine magician. The night was a success; people mingled, puppy's played, the waters weren't too "Rufff", and the ship returned safely to shore.

Among the shenanigans, was a poker-playing puppy. Check out the video footage
here!

Doggy in Diamonds

As the saying goes, "Diamonds are a grrrrrrrrls best friend." Bark Avenue Jewelers knows this all too well and has launched a new line of designer doggy jewelry suitable for pooch or person. Bark Avenue was founded on the philosophy that your furry friends deserve the finer things in life, and they have stayed committed to that notion; all pieces include dog inspired motifs accented with dazzling diamonds and gold settings. Indulge in a diamond embellished paw print name tag or a solid gold fire hydrant charm. The entire line will be on display at the 40th annual Pet Industry Trade Show and Educational Conference of Chicago taking place on October 6th-8th.
To learn more about Bark Avenue Jewelers click here.

Pet Adoption Month

Kick off October with the American Humane Association as they celebrate their annual pet adoption month. The month was established to acknowledge the millions of cats and dogs without loving homes who are euthanized annually. With the help of "Clifford the Big Red Dog," the American Humane's official spokesperson, adoption and pet care events will be held nationwide throughout the month to create awareness and instigate change.

Click here to download Clifford's new American Humane Adopt-A-Dog Month coloring sheet for kids.
Take a look at the American Humane's calendar to find an event in your area.