PETS IN THE NEWS - Dog and Sheep Unlikely Pair

They say opposites attract! This unlikely duo have been hitting headlines all around town and I just can't get enough.

Maggie the dog and Daisy the sheep took their relationship on the road and were spotted wandering near a freeway off-ramp in Granada Hills CA where a kindhearted passer by stopped and gave them a lift. The twosome have now been reunited with their owners and their heart warming tale has touched the hearts of animal lovers everywhere. Hey Animal Planet, how about a Maggie and Daisy reality series??




To check out more about this unlikely duo, check out the Dailynews.com

Tennis Ball Diaries

Check out Vixen in her first performance ever on film!

Before becoming a blogger, I dabbled in a little bit of film making. Thus, Tennis Ball Diaries was born as a final project for college.

I will admit this film is silly and hopefully a little funny. So I thought I would share it with everyone. Hope you enjoy!

TENNIS BALL DIARIES

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Halloween Hounds

Just a few more weeks until the witches and ghosts emerge into the streets this Halloween.

For all the pups that love this time of year, Polka Dot Pup has spooked up some of the cutest costumes and Halloween toys and treats the web has to offer!

Happy Halloweenie!

See more of my Halloween Hounds list at ThisNext.

2nd Annual Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon

Trying to find some fun filled activities for you and your pet this summer? Why not hit the beach for the 2nd Annual Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon?

The Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon is a great event for surfers and animal lovers alike. The event will be held at North Beach in Del Mar California on September 9, 2007 from 8:30am-1:00pm. Help sponsor a surfer and the funds raised will be used to support all the programs at Helen Woodward Animal Center.

Event Details:

Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon is a non competitive event that raises funds for orphaned animals at the Helen Woodward Animal Center.

Here is how it works, surfers pledge to catch a set number of waves (in a one hour time frame) then solicit friends and neighbors for financial support of their efforts.

In addition, they will also be hosting fun animal-friendly contests including a surf competition for our four-legged surfing buddies and a Beach bum bikini babe canine costume contest!

Swamis surf association will also hold a contest for longest ride and best trick. Vendors from the surf and pet industries will host booths sampling great products for attendees. Local radio and television stations will be involved in the promotion of this event, with expected attendance in the thousands.



And just in case your pup is in the mood to hit the waves, check out the Dog Surfing Clinics being held on Saturday August 4th & 11th from 11am to 1pm. For only $10 you and your pup can hang ten and enjoy the day.

For more information on the Dog Surfing Clinic, send an email to Juliew@animalcenter.org.

For more details on the Dog Surf-A-Thon, check out Surf Dog Surf A Thon

Ode To Our Dogs

They are always happy, bring a smile to our faces no matter what the situation and love us unconditionally. No wonder they are known as man's (and woman's) best friend!

Take a peak at some special words about our beloved furry friends in the new segment us here at Polka Dot Pup like to call "Ode To Our Dogs":


Dogs Live Here

If you don't want to be greeted with paws and wiggly rears,
Don't come inside, because DOGS LIVE HERE.

If you don't like the feel of a cold nose or wet tongue,
Don't come inside, because DOGS LIVE HERE.

If you don't want to step over scattered toys,
Don't come inside, because DOGS LIVE HERE.

If you think a home ought to smell like perfume,
Don't come inside, because DOGS LIVE HERE.

But if you don't mind all this,
you'll be instantly loved when you do come inside,
Because DOGS LIVE HERE!

- Author Unknown



My Dog's Tail

What put the wiggle in a little dog's tail
I'd like to know!
That gay little wiggle, that glad little waggle - How did it grow?

It starts in his mind and it runs out behind
To the tip of his tail, and then
That glad little waggle, that gay little wiggle
Begins all over again.

The day may be sunny or dark with rain,
The wiggle is there just the same;
It needs just a whistle to set it a-wiggle
Or the sound of his favorite name.

No doubt I shall never, in any way ever
Find out how that wiggle got there,
But I'm very sure, while tails shall endure,
That tail will wig-wag in the air!

- Arthur Wallace Peach / All the Best Dog Poems



The Bed Puppy

Now I lay me down to sleep,
The king-size bed is soft and deep..
I sleep right in the center groove
My human cannot hardly move!

I've trapped her legs, she's tucked in tight
And here is where I pass the night
No one disturbs me or dares intrude
Till morning comes and "I want food!"

I sneak up slowly to begin
my nibbles on my human's chin.
She wakes up quickly,
I have sharp teeth -

I'm a puppy, don't you see?
For the mornings here
and it's time to play
always seem to get my way.

So thank you Lord for giving me
This human person that I see.
The one who hugs me and holds me tight
And sacrifices her bed at night!

-Author Unknown



Ode to a Dog

You are one in a million & special to me.
Affectionate, loyal, such good company.

You're there when I'm lonely & life seems a bore.
You cheer me & offer a comforting paw.

The look in your eyes says you quite understand
as you thrust a bewhiskered wet nose in my hand.

You never desert me wherever I go.
You're a far better friend than some people I know.

To thank you I give you this short monologue
My Faithful, Devoted Companion - My Dog!

- Unknown

Polka Dot Pup - Water Pups Photo Contest

Calling all Water Dogs!!!

We want to see your pups in action this summer. Send us your favorite water dog moments and we will feature them in our new Polka Dot Pup - Water Pups segment running through the end of August.

Check out Vixen, one of our favorite pups. She loves hitting the beach and playing in the water and sand!



And than there is Abby, our bathing beauty who loves to lay on the beach and soak up the sun.




Surfs Up!

Polka Dot Pup

Pet Net Invasion - Check out the new social website for your pets

Do you ever wish you could live vicariously through your pet? Well, this might just be the next best thing.

Check out Unitedogs.com and Unitedcats.com, the new "Myspace" specifically created to focus on your pets. That's right, you can create your pets own blog, upload up to 50 pictures and chat with other pet lovers around the world.

Check it out and let Polka Dot Pup know what you think. Is it Bow Wow or Growl?

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Hot-or-not for dogs launches

A bit more than a week ago, an Estonia-based United Dogs and Cats Ltd launched two social networking sites - one for dogs and other for cats. The sites are focused on pet websites with photos.

"We think there is just way too many social networking websites for humans out there. Think of MySpace, Facebook, orkut, hi5 and all the others — there's just so many of them!" the company says about their newborn sites Unitedogs.com and Unitedcats.com.

All dog and cat owners can upload up to 50 photos to their pet's profile and all pets can have their own blog set up, too. All for free, of course. And users can comment everything what they see.

"We offer the pet owners community what they fully deserve - a handy, easy-to-use site with a push-button publishing functionality and a beautiful design on top of it," their lead designer speaks. Their CEO, Mr Ragnar Sass, also adds that dogs and cats should have their websites set up as easily as setting up a blog at Blogger. I think we've done it, and we will be doing a lot more." That's right. They both confirm there are lot of new things to follow soon, which are currently being crafted by their busy paws in the company's labs.

Even if you don't have a dog or cat, it may just be fun to browse the cute photos of puppies and doggies one by one, or rate them in hot-or-not way.

To see all the features it's easiest to head down to http://www.uniteddogs.com and check them all out :) Woof-woof!

Related sites:
Uniteddogs - http://www.uniteddogs.com
Unitedcats - http://www.unitedcats.com
Company's blog - http://www.uniteddogsandcats.com
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When Moms Away, the Dogs Will Play....

You may have noticed that Polka Dot Pup has been dragging it's paws lately with our updates, but work has been keeping our pound pups super busy!

So we realized, pet lovers all around us have busy lives too. How can we make sure our pups don't get too lonely when our lives get busy?

We all know there is no better solution then to spend quality time with our pets but when we are unable to give them all of our time due to unavoidable, everyday schedules there is a little thing called Doggie Daycare. Becoming increasingly popular in the animal world, daycare isn't just for kids anymore. In fact, a large number of pet owners are dropping their four legged friends off for a day full of play while they head off to work.

I ran across this article on MSN's Dog Central that gives you the low down on what Doggie Day Care is all about:

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Doggy Daycare
By Sandy Robins

Is your dog a “latch key pup” – that is, a dog that sits home alone, waiting to hear the key turn in the door on your return from a long day at the office? If your pal has taken to chewing your favorite pair of shoes or gnawing at the furniture while you’re out, it could simply mean she’s lonely and is craving some mental and physical stimulation. Signing her up for doggy daycare could very well be the answer.

These days, most cities offer a choice of facilities where your pal can have fun exercising and socializing with other dogs while you slave away at your desk to pay for it! Finding the right care center for your dog is similar to researching a playschool for a child. If you are unable to get a personal recommendation, make a list of all the places in your area and visit each one to compare them.

What You Need to Know About Daycare
Ideally, the daycare center’s business hours should extend beyond the start and the end of your normal workday so you have time to drop her off and fetch her without rushing. It’s a good idea to inquire whether they charge a late fee when you arrive after the standard closing time. Some centers do run a canine taxi service which can be a great time-saver if you have a hectic schedule.

When you tour the facility, check to see how the staff reacts to all the dogs around them and whether all the dogs play together. Your pal may prefer a center where larger breeds are separated from the smaller ones. Make a note of how many water stations there are and ask how often they are refreshed. Most establishments require owners to pack their own doggy lunches to avoid any special dietary issues. Before she joins, your dog will have to pass a behavior assessment test to ensure that she’s well socialized and also provide proof that she’s had all her shots.

Most places don’t offer specialized walks because the dogs get enough exercise running around with one another. However, it’s important to ensure that there is both a spacious indoor and outdoor play area as well as a comfy, well ventilated nap corner.

Canine Enrichment
Many daycare facilities now call themselves “canine enrichment centers” and offer a variety of other services, such as obedience training, grooming, and massage therapy. Some even have a pond for supervised swimming, nature trails for the very energetic, and a recreation room with giant TV screens playing dog-orientated cartoons like “The Lady and the Tramp” where pups can retreat for some quiet time. Pet parents can also sign up for optional activities like doga (the doggy version of yoga) and paw painting classes.

What It Costs
Naturally, you get what you pay for and all this canine enrichment doesn’t come cheap! Be sure to ask about any discounts offered if you purchase for a fixed number of days a month or reductions if you have more than one dog.

If all this is beyond your financial reach, consider employing a dog walker for a daily outing. It should cost less. On this score, whether you rely on a professional walker or a neighbor, it has to be someone you not only trust with your dog but also feel secure giving access to your home.

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Below are a few resources on how to find a Doggie Daycare in your area:

Findpetcare.com - A great online guide to locating pet daycare or boarding across the US.
Petcarechannel.com - Pet Day Care Services Directory
Wherepetsstay.com

For other helpful tips on how to find a Doggy Day Care perfect for your pup, visit eHow.com - How to Find Doggy Day Care


If you know of a great Doggy Day Care that you would like to share with fellow Polka Dot Pup readers, let us know about them!

Date Me, Date My Dog

It's a ruff world out there for a single dog and their owner. Sure, there are a number of ways to find your potential soul mate....blind dates, hanging out at the bar and online dating sites but we all know how most of those can end up (Woof).

Pet lovers are really one of a kind, so what better way to meet great people than through other fellow pet owners?? With online dating sites becoming increasing popular, many pet friendly "niche" sites are popping up on the web making pet compatible members just a bark away.

So if your on the hunt of your future mate, take a look at some of the sites I dug up. Good luck getting your leashes tangled!


Date My Pet - Where dog lovers unite!

Love Me Love My Pets - A dating site that will help you meet other singles like you, whether you're interested in making friends, finding a new love, or just having fun with someone who shares your love of animals.

Dog Zone - A place to connect and share with others who like you do more for their dogs.

Animal People Personals - Pets bring people closer...

Pet Passions - Dating and Social Networking for Pet Lover...did I mention it's FREE?


Love a good read? Check out The Dog Lover's Guide to Dating: Using Cold Noses to Find Warm Hearts.

POLKA DOT PRODUCT PICK - AKC Plush Toys

Do you have a pup or adult dog that is just plain hard on their toys? If so, I have to recommend AKC's Plush Toys to all the Polka Dot Pup readers.


My two year old Labrador loves to tear things apart and her toys are no exception. When I discovered these AKC toys, I could not believe how durable they were. My pup just loves the different animal shapes (must be her inner hound!). The toys come in many different shapes and sizes. Vixen's favorite by far is the squeaky squirrel!

AKC recently came out with their AKC Puppy Series. These toys are so darn cute, with adorable shapes and colors they are perfect for any new addition to the family!


Check out AKCstore.org to learn more about these great toys. You can also find them at Petco and Target stores.

SHOPPING GONE TO THE DOGS - Should dogs be allowed in malls?

Over the weekend I took a trip to the mall to search out a cute outfit for a spring wedding. I was window browsing when out of the corner of my eye I spotted a lady and her Maltese entering a retail store. Then while eating lunch, there sat another little dog dining with it's owners at a table nearby. Both pets where not service dogs but just family pets going for a shopping trip with their owners.

I am a huge pet lover and I love to take my dog everywhere with me BUT when did it become popular to have your pup tag along on a trip to the mall?


Really....why take your dog or any pet to the mall? Malls are always crowded with people which could upset your animal, not many retail stores allow pets inside and unless their is a pet boutique featuring tons of yummy yummy treats, is your pet really going to have a good time?

I can understand having your pet with you when you stop by a coffee shop, if you are traveling and need to stop somewhere or if you want to bring your pet to the pet store with you but the mall? This may be stretching the line a little bit.

Could you imagine gliding into a retail store ready to try on tons of pretty things when you step in a little accident that someones pet has left behind (because we all know not all pet owners really pick up after their pets). I think some places should just remain dog free.



This is all my own personal opinion SO please let me know how you feel about this topic. Should pets be allowed in malls?


(This topic is not regarding service dogs)