Walk Bowzer, Chase Away the Blues

A new study conducted in the UK is encouraging pet owners to put down the pint and pick up the leash. The research, headed by the University of Portsmouth concludes that walking a dog can actually curb loneliness and depression.
"How," you ask? The study states that dog owners are more likely to stick to a regular exercise routine despite their own mood, for the benefit of their pet. In addition, "the exercise gave them a better overall sense of well-being as they often met like-minded people, leaving them feeling happier." A similar study by Natural England found that being outside can help to boost physical fitness and prevent diseases such as diabetes, obesity, cancer, and heart disease.
Thanks hounds!!!

Picture courtesy of The Evening Standard

Making the List, Checking it Twice

Think you can still get away with just giving a dog a bone this holiday season? Think again. According to the Association of Pet Product Manufacturers, 37% of cat owners and 55% of dog owners will be buying legit presents for their furry friends. A growing figure and one that retailers are not ignoring; Neiman Marcus has released their Christmas 2006 catalog complete with a $5,000 custom doggy house making the gift list.
So what are pet parents doing to prepare this year? Well, you can start by hanging an extra stalking on the mantle. From there you might want to consider this winter's hottest hound trends; bling embellished leashes, Swarovski adorned tees, and everything cashmere.

Small Dogs Storm the UK

What's the latest trend to traverse the Atlantic? No, it's not a boy band. It's not designer jeans either...It's a 5 pound furry fashionista; the Chihuahua. Believe it or not, Brits are barmy for these petite canines. With the advent of so many celebrity Chihuahua sightings such as Paris Hilton with companion, Tinkerbell, and Madonna with Chiquita, small dog sales have skyrocketed in the UK.

Reports indicate the cost of buying a Chihuahua in Britain has tripled over the past 12 months. Even major department stores are getting on the bandwagon; one of these couture Mexican canines can be purchased at Harrods for a mere 3,000 GBP (roughly $5,715.00) There are no qualms about this recent craze, a billboard in Hammersmith pictures a lone Chihuahua and simply states, "Today's must have accessory."

Photo courtesy of The Telegraph

Meet the Real Party Animals

SkyBark is at it again with a November event that will leave you and your pup howling for more. Skybark, an LA based pooch party promoter, was born from the age old philosophical question, "Why can't I bring my dog to the bar?" This puppy party co. has stayed true to their core values by continuously providing a fun multi-species environment where owners can mingle and mutts can sip on doggy martinis into the wee hours of the morning. At the November 11th event expect to see loads of canine couture on the catwalk in Skybark's pet/people runway show along with a pet psychic, dog behaviorist, music, and your fellow dog enthusiasts.

Click here for more information.

Virtual Mutt Matchmaking

Welcome to the world of doggy dating

Play dates; a phenomenon that has surpassed people and moved onto pooches. Whether you are looking to set your Schnauzer up with the Shih Tzu next door, arrange a puppy birthday party, or hope to find love at the dog park, there are a few new online services ready to help your plight.
Petster.com, similar to the biped version, friendster, offers a forum for making connections with other canines in your area. Like minded websites like meetup.com and craigslist.org also offer mutt matchmaking forums. Now how about you... are you tired of dating dudes/dudettes who don't dig your dog? Try datemypet.com, a human dating service that gets the pet compatibility question out of the way off the bat by introducing you alongside your furry friend.

Photo thanks to New York Times

New Trends in Tradition

Choosing to tie the knot with Spot

The big day is set. You remembered the caterer, the cake, the photographer and the fizz; now what about a tux for your furry friend? Certainly Bowzer will be included in the wedding, right?
If you are like a growing number of Americans the answer is yes. Many couples are choosing to include canines in the ceremony to mark the special occasion with all family members present. Newlywed Kelly Knaus from Missouri reflects on her own wedding and offers, "Precious and Digger walked down the aisle right before my dad walked me down the aisle...The day wouldn't have seemed right without them."

What's your take on dogs going down the aisle? Offer up your thoughts here!


Photo thanks to Reuters

Healthcare Goes to the Dogs

Literally,

It's time again to review and submit healthcare options to your employer. But look closely this time; a small but expanding number of progressive companies are offering coverage for our furry friends as well. As the role of pets in the family is increasingly reinforced, the consumer industry has had to adapt to our changing needs; healthcare included. A growing number of employers are recognizing the importance of health insurance for the whole family; that means spot and sparky as well. The Society for Human Resource Management expects the likeliness of these benefits to increase by 10 to 15 percent in the next two to three years.

Read more about hound healthcare here.

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.

From Lebanon with Love

Over 300 displaced dogs and cats were rescued from the rubble in the aftermath of the Lebanon war this week in an operation coined Paws for Peace. The hundreds of stray animals were carefully loaded onto cargo planes and delivered to an American animal shelter near Kanab, Utah. At the shelter, the animals will be nursed back to health while they await adoption. The effort, costing in excess of $250,000 dollars was funded for the most part through individual donations.
Displayed in the left hand corner is Safa Hojeij, founder of Beirut for the Ethical Treatment of Animals; an instrumental organization in the rescue effort. Safa is pictured petting Ringo, on of the many abandoned animals, and escorting him to his new home at the Kanab animal shelter.

Trendy in Tel Aviv

Signafur scouts abroad spotted this pet fashion boutique amidst the bazaar of Shuk HaCarmel (Carmel Market) this weekend in Tel Aviv. Hanging from the balances of the booth are funky jewel embellished collars, leads, and even a Geisha inspired canine coat.

Shuk HaCarmel is known for it's succulent produce, unique trinkets, artisan crafts, and now canine apparel. It may seem like an unconventional location to house a pet style store, amidst rows of delicatessen meats, barrels of olives, spices, and homemade cheeses, but the boutique meshes surprisingly well with the eclectic surroundings. Now you can find mangos, mezuzahs, and canine couture all in one stop. Thanks Shuk HaCarmel!

Bark at the Park

Prepare to get your paws dirty with the upcoming events at Lancaster City Park in California. On October 7th, the park will host it's annual "Bark at the Park" day of doggy fun to benefit the Lancaster Animal Society. Expect to be wowed with the array of activities including a pet costume contest, a human-pet look alike contest, CaninEnstein doggy IQ testing, splash doggy diving demonstration, and even a singing (or should we say barking) competition. The day will be filled with food, vendors, special guest appearances, games, and prizes. Last years event was a howling success raising $1500 for animal charities.
Check out pictures from Bark at the Park's gone by here.

Admission is free, visit the website for more details at www.lancasterbarkatthepark.org.

Sit, Stay, Speak...Good Boy!

Celebrate this month's Responsible Dog Ownership Day by reviewing the best pet owner practices and making sure that your pooch is up to date with grooming, vet visits, exercise, and training. Pictured above, four well-mannered dogs display their discipline in the face of a feast of juicy T-bone steaks. The event, held at Frank's Restaurant in NYC, was sponsored by the AKC to celebrate responsible dog ownership and put the spotlight on canine needs. Celebrate with the AKC and take this time to establish and encourage a lifetime of good habits and behavior.
Remember to protect your pooch from the elements with Doggles and Hound Hikers.

Barkitechture for your Best Friend

Every mutt needs a mansion, so this year make the upgrade from dog house to pooch palace with the "do it yourself" guide from DIY Network. "Doggie Homes: Barkitechture for your Best Friend" provides step by step instructions to build your own canine castle. The book retails for $14.95 and includes plans for constructing your choice of the traditional "Home Sweet Home," lavish "Pagoda Palace," or a "Doggie Schoolhouse" for studious Schnauzers. Read more about doggy homes here.

Does your pampered pup have his own luxurious living quarters? Send us pictures and we will post them to the blog!

Dining with Doggy

Searching for a scrumptious establishment where you and Fido can dine together? Look no further; Pantheon, a Greek diner in Nebraska, is extending a warm welcome to pooches and parents alike to partake in a taste bud tickling experience. Pantheon recently opened a large outdoor patio where pups can mingle and delight in homemade dog delicacies such as Grrrrreek Spanielkopita, Swedish Muttballs, or an Apple Great Danish. To date the diner has proved to be a success in an ever growing market of canine enthusiasts. Outdoor Doggy Dining at the Pantheon runs until October 3rd, where the event will close the year with a "Final Beast Feast." For more information on Doggy Dining click here.

The Nose Knows

Canine's acute sense of smell has for years aided officials to apprehend suspects, drugs, and missing persons. Their scrumptious little snouts can spot even the smallest scent from a distance—but get this, British hounds are now being trained to detect the smell of mobile phones. Apparently mobile handsets have a distinct smell recognizable to our furry friends. Cell phones pose a major security risk in prisons and can lead to serious organized crimes. By using cell phone sniffing canines to uncover the hidden devices, police in England are hoping to severely cut down on mobile phone usage in prison. We tip our hats to all the scent savvy snouts making the world a safer place!

Designer Dalmation Owns Runway

Move over models, the catwalk is for canines! Lately we've been seeing a lot of fashion forward pups featured on the runway, and this weekend was no exception. Seen strutting her stuff down the aisle in Spain on September 18th is this beautiful Dalmatian baby. The show featured designs by Antonio Pernas displayed during the Spring/Summer 06-07 Pasarela Cibeles Fashion Show in Madrid. One couldn't help but notice the complimentary accents of plaid and polka-dots as the ensemble made their way down the runway. Once again, it's confirmed, fashion has truly gone to the dogs!

Small Dogs, Big Hearts

Nearly 40 percent of all registered dogs in the U.S. fall into the "small dog" category, according to the American Kennel Association…so it's no wonder why they are getting so much attention these days. Really, who else packs that much personality and still fits into a purse? "Small Dogs, Big Hearts," A new book by Darlene Arden, narrates how to care for your precious pup and gives historical antidotes on the cultural significance of small dogs throughout the ages. For example, did you know that at one time, small dogs were bred specifically to warm the laps and feet of Europe's upper crust? Arden also dives into concepts for caring for your pet in a size specific way, arguing that tiny breeds interact with the world entirely differently than do large breeds. Check out more details on Darlene Arden's new book here.

Hidden Hound Talents

Hidden hound talents surfaced this weekend in Rockford, IL with the Pet Star competition at Sunday's Canine Classic. The event displayed pooches in action; running, jumping, fetching, rolling, and the usual dog show fare. However, an unexpected category emerged that blew the patrons away: hidden talent. Furry friends were flaunting a fantastic array of skills from playing patty-cake, to playing dead, speaking to solving math equations. That's right, a dog who loves digits! Skeeter, the canine calculator, performs simple addition and paws out the answers. "He does the square root of 64 too!" His owner commented.

What talents are hiding in your hound? Tell us and we will feature them on the blog.

A Loo for Lassy

New inventions keep springing up in the world of canine convenience making pleasing your pup easier than ever. Those of us living in cramped city apartments know we're lucky enough to have a fire escape to call a balcony, let alone a backyard. Urban dwelling can make difficult the work of raising a dog, but thanks to the Pet Loo, our living conditions just got a little bit better.
Pet Loo is a simulated portable patch of grass (think litter box for bowzer) designed to bring the outdoors inside. The "backyard in a box" features synthetic odor-reducing grass, drainage system, collection tray, and all washable components. The Pet Loo has taken off in it's native Australia and is expected to catch on in metropolitan centers around the globe.
Say goodbye to early morning canine treks to the curb. Thanks Pet Loo! Check out all the specs and stats here.

America's Cutest Puppy

A California-based competition has commenced sweeping the nation in the hopes of finding America's Cutest Puppy. It all began in Pasadena, CA on September 9th and will push it's way east hitting 10 major US cities along the way and finally making full circle to Los Angeles to announce the winner.
Puppies are judged in 3 categories: Overall appearance, playfulness, and interpersonal interactions. After the grueling 10 city elimination process, the semi-finalists will be brought back to California for an hour long show down and the crowning of America's Cutest Puppy on November 18th.
Think your pup can make the final cut? Download the contestant application here.

Do you think you've got the cutest pooch? Send us pictures and we'll post them to the blog.

Denim Down Under

This Jack Russell Terrier is stylie in Sydney sporting over $250 dollars of designer doggy denim. Fang, the fierce fashionista, is doing his best to stay abreast on the latest designs in a country of tremendously trendy canines. People are pampering their pets worldwide, and Australians are no exception; Aussies spend in excess of $5 billion annually on apparel and accessories for their furry friends.

It's no secret that the canine fashion industry is exploding; prediction for the future point to even more lavish and luxurious pet products and services. So how much does it cost to stay chic in Sydney these days? A pair of Bowzer's blue jeans will run you up to $140 bones--now that's something to bark about!

Bride and Grrrrrrrrrroom

Puppy love loomed large in London this weekend as Muffin and Timmy, two courting canines, made their feelings official by tying the knot. The May-December relationship all started with a chance encounter at Harrods while the two were having outfits tailored. All involved agree, it was love at first sight. The couple is hitting it off well despite the age difference; Bride 8 months old and Groom two and a half (a 14 year split in dog years.)
The ceremony was an extravagant event that began with the Bride pulling up Cinderella-style in a horse drawn carriage sporting a white frock and veil. It was a company first in bow wow weddings, but many more are expected to follow.
Planning a commitment ceremony for puppy? Harrods offers their nuptial services for a mere 2,500 GBP a luxury event and 3,500 GBP for the premium package.

On the Streets, Philadelphia

Signafur scouts spotted this bombshell of a Bichon Frise in the old city of Philadelphia, PA this weekend. Bentley, the fuzzy buddy, rolled up in a silver SUV accompanied by a small entourage of two-legged friends busting "More Than a Woman." The party took a seat on the umbrella covered patio and proceeded to celebrate Bentley's birthday. Rocking his bright purple Mohawk and stylish attire, Bentley owned the attention of all the passerby's and greeted his fans with grace and charm. Signafur would like to send out a very happy birthday and applaud this creative canine for pushing the fashion envelope!

Is your furry friend a fashionista? We want to know!

Dream Doggy Getaway

Planning a vacation for the whole family--including Fido? No problem, the days of dog discrimination are long gone. Lately, more establishments are accommodating furry friends with a pet pleasing attitude.
Signafur stumbled across this great website while searching for dog friendly destinations; Petfriendlytravel.com offers a comprehensive list of national restaurants, hotels, parks, and establishments that cater to canines. The list even includes bars featuring hound happy hours when pups and people can mingle freely amongst the patrons. Other features of the site include travel tips for parents with pets and a brief run down of dog etiquette.

If you are getting ready to pack up and head out, don't forget the staples...Reach your destination in style with the Sling Pet Tote or the Cate Canine Carrier

Bon Voyage and have a great weekend!

And the Award Goes To...

Emmy's, VMA's, move over! There's a new awards show in town. This year marks the first annual Canine Hero Awards sponsored by the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Marion County. The event was part of the weekend-long "Paws Rock" festival which drew crowds of over 1000 all the way from Oklahoma to Florida. The recognition ceremony included categories such as Professional Service, Individual Service, and Lifetime Achievement Awards.

Taking home the Individual Service Award was Simon, a spunky Jack Russell terrier with impeccable interpersonal skills. For years Simon has served faithfully as a companion dog to persons living with chronic diseases. Simon's owner, David Reynolds, recalls finding new reasons to enjoy life after adopting the furry friend.

Signafur is pleased and excited to commend these amazing canines for their work in public service. Do you have an exceptional pooch with a story to tell? Let us know and we'll recognize them on the blog.

Puppy Pool Party is Big Splash

Forget about the backstroke and the butterfly, because this weekend, the doggie paddle ruled. This Labor Day, in several cities around the nation, pets and people said goodbye to summer with a splash. Per tradition in towns such as Suffern, Sioux City, and Ann Arbor, canines took over the parks and pools in the area for an annual Doggy Dip.
This Schnauzer splash in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio caught our attention with an outstanding attendance of 230 hounds and 500 of their Homosapien friends. Swimmers were separated into two catagories: Heavy weights over 40 lbs designated to one pool and featherweights under 40 lbs in another. This is the third year Water Works Pool of Ohio has sponsored the end of season Dog Swim; the park is scheduled to re-open Memorial Day weekend.


Was there a Puppy Pool Party in your neighborhood? We want to hear about it!

Best Bark Parks, Spotlight on Portland

Trying to find a nice place to settle down and raise a litter? Look no further --Portland, Oregon has recently been named the nation's dog-friendliest city by Dog Fancy Magazine. The award comes as no shock considering the city's geography, pet-friendly businesses, and over 20 exclusively off-leash parks in the area. Adding to Portland's canine catering reputation, a new member's only dog park has been opened in the city. Glenhaven Off Leash Park, "the Disneyland of dog parks", features one and a half acres of sprawling greens, key card access, doggy pool and fountain, custom canine wash station, and four separate enclosed areas.
The park is free but requires that all dogs be documented, with current shots, and be of good social standing.

Glenhaven Off Leash Park is located at 82nd Ave and Tilamook

To find dog parks in your area, click here

Weekend Wrap-up

Signafur has scoured the web and found a few incredible canines to include in the labor day weekend wrap-up. Among our list of noteworthy pooches is Freddie, the Jack Russell Jockey, from Gloucestershire. Nicknamed the Flaxey Flyer, Freddie is famous for his equestrian skills on the farm. Since a young age, this playful pup has hopped on Daisy, a 37 inch tall white horse and fearlessly ridden the environs of the farm.

In other news, we found Ringo, a black Russian Terrier skilled in the art of self defense. This rambunctious round-houser was recently featured on Japanese television displaying his kickboxing skills. Ringo's owner, also a martial arts enthusiast, taught his pet pup to kick and punch and pounce. Check out the kickboxing canine here.

Think that's impressive? Get a load of Tiger, America's Fastest Chihuahua, a ten pound powerhouse hailing from Bakersfield, California. Tiger proved his superior speed this weekend by sprinting down a 35-foot long track and taking home first place at the 2006 National Chihuahua Race at Petco Park.

What has your hound been up to this long weekend? Let us know, and we'll note it on the blog.

Blog Exclusive

To thank our regular readers, Signafur is offering free shipping on all merchandise purchased on the site between now and 12a.m. ET tonight. Happy shopping!

Doggy Howzer, M.D.

It seems there are never enough hours in the day to accomplish all we set out to--and maintaining an exercise routine often takes a back seat to our busy lives. A new innovation has recently revolutionized the regular exercise routine and made it possible to squeeze in Woofer's walks without leaving the house. Pawwws, a creative pet care company, has released a fully functional canine treadmill specified to a dog's specific needs. Constructed of a high strength aluminum frame, the treadmill features an adjustable 3 position incline, a multi-LCD display, and a speed range of .5 to 6 miles per hour.
Regular cardiovascular activity coupled with a healthy diet reduces your dog’s risk of certain diseases and obesity. While we still recommend joining your pup for a jaunt in the park, or a game of Frisbee in the backyard, the Pawwws pet treadmill is a great way to encourage healthy habits.