Grand Opening: Camp Bow Wow

Camp Bow Wow has been up and running for a few weeks now, but is preparing to celebrate its official Grand Opening with a party on Saturday, October 25, from 12:00 - 4:00 pm. All are invited!

CBW, located at 7165 Oakland Mills Road in Columbia, offers doggy day care and overnight camp. A nice feature of this camp is the "indoor/outdoor" play yards. Pooches can step out of the indoor play area for some fresh air (or a bathroom break) into a very well-protected outdoor play area--with more toys and equipment. Plus, you can spy on your pooch right from your computer with the live "Camper Cam". Before attending camp, your dog will first need to go through a "meet-n-greet" process. The meet-n-greets are scheduled Monday - Friday from 7:00am - 12:00pm.

CBW has a number of activities planned for the October 25th party, including a camper/parent look-alike contest (oh-oh!), bobbing for hot dogs, and meetings with local vendors of pet-related services.

Check the Camp Bow Wow website to learn of the latest details on the party, see photos of the facility and staff, and find out about all of the camp's features, hours and pricing.

Dogs! Get out and vote!

I saw an article today about a New Zealand company, Masterpet, that is gauging the public's pre-election mood by offering doggie chew toys with likenesses of the two politicians vying to run the country after their November election. Their pitch: "Which political leader would you like to see fed to the dogs?" So far, they say, the Masterpet poll is mirroring actual opinion polls.

Why can't we think of stuff like that here?

Hey, wait a minute. We did!

You can buy an 11-inch Obama or McCain doll made of "durable 100% cotton canvas, 100% polyester stuffing and a squeaker" for $19.95 from Headline Pet Toys. (I didn't see a Palin or Biden doll yet.)

If you don't relish the image of a beloved candidate covered in slobber and drool, your dog can show more subtle support with a Democrat or Republican collar from Hot Dog Collars. This company also offers doggie t-shirts for Obama, McCain, and . . . . Hilary (for those dogs who just can't give her up).

Dogs who would like to chew thoughtfully on the issues can order organic Political Dog Biscuits (donkeys or elephants) from the Only Natural Pet Store.

A while ago, without political intent, I color-coded my dogs red and blue to keep their collars and harnesses straight. Interestingly, they seem to have taken on some characteristics of their respective parties. Cody (blue) always walks on the left, while Riley (red) stays on the right. Cody, the community guy, enjoys volunteering for Pets on Wheels. Riley insists that he didn't evolve from a monkey. Both like a good roll in the mud.

October 4: Basket Bingo!

The Animal Welfare Society of Howard County is having its 2nd annual Basket Bingo fundraising event on October 4, 2008! The event features "games, specials and raffles, with lots of chances to win great prizes." Plus, you get to support this great non-profit resuce facility that also offers slow-cost sterilizations and vaccinations to help reduce pet overpopulation and the incidence of disease.

Tickets are $15 in advance or $18 at the door.

The event takes place at:

The Lodge
2832 Frederick Road at Nine Mile Hill
Catonsville, MD (outside of historic Ellicott City)

Doors open at 5:30 pm and games start at 6:30 pm.

October 11: Walk for Paws

It's time once again for the annual Walk for Paws at Lake Elkhorn! I always try to go to this. There's always a lot of fun dog things to do, vendors to meet, and . . . it raises money for the Animal Advocates, an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing the suffering of animals in our area. I always come away knowing something more about the local dog community than I did before. Plus it's just so much fun to see all the different breeds hanging out.

This year, Walk for Paws takes place on Saturday, October 11, from 10 am to 3 pm. The Animal Advocates website has a downloable flyer, plus offers online registration.

Going, going . . . gone! SPCA Auction

OK, ebay junkies. Here's something to get your fix AND help animals at the same time. Check out the Maryland SPCA's Shop-a-Paw-Looza online auction, held this year from October 3-28.

I looked at the preview and found cool things like dessert parties, wine-tasting parties, beach house rentals, acupuncture for pets, and jewelry. Proceeds will benefit the cats and dogs at The Maryland SPCA.

You can also donate items. As of today, the MDSPCA is still collecting donations of sports memorabilia, tickets to sporting events and vacation home rentals. Contact 410-235-8826, ext. 133 or email cprice@mdspca.org.

Top Local Blog

Columbia Dog Talk just received a "Top Blog Award" from Search Maryland, a local directory of businesses, tourist attractions, and professional organizations for the state of Maryland. We're proud to be named "one of the state's top blogs for 2008"!

Riley, the Artist's Model

© 2008 Catharine Love

Riley was one of the subjects of a series of pen-and-ink dog drawings done by my daughter Catharine this summer. Catharine's an art student at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore (and a graduate of Hammond High). I asked her if she would do some dog drawings that I could use on my blog, website, or . . . that book I'm thinking about writing.

I just love this one! I think I'll experiment with making some note cards.

Blessing of the Animals

OK. I'm not a religious person, but I thought this sounded interesting.

The Shrine of St. Anthony is offering a special liturgical event on Sunday, October 5, 2 pm, to bless pets in honor of St. Francis, the patron saint of animals.

The shrine is located at the St. Joseph Cupertino Friary, which is in a very pretty setting in Howard County ("on 310 acres of rolling hills and woodland"), so it's definitely worth checking out. It's that interesting looking monastery that you might have seen and, like me, wondered about while driving along Folly Quarter Road. What do they do there? Do they make bread? Wine? Fruit cakes? Would I be allowed in? Could I get a closer look?

So here's a perfect chance to satisfy your curiosity and visit on an early fall day. Plus get to see all those cute pets out there waiting for their blessing. And it's free. I just might do it. My guys could use a blessing (though maybe an exorcism would be more in order for Cody . . . ?)

12290 Folly Quarter Road
Ellicott City, MD 21042

There are more details on the shrine's calendar.

P.S. Rubina from our Dogs-on-the-Go group posted a photo of her "lil hell raiser" Parker getting his blessing last year:

Here are directions to the shrine, if you're coming from Lake Centennial.

Tonight: Saving the Vick Dogs

The National Geographic Channel is airing the Season 2 premiere of "Dog Town". This episode follows the work of staff members who are rehabilitating four severely traumatized pit bulls that were rescued from Michael Vick's illegal dogfighting.

Tonight at 9:00 pm

Duration: 120 Mins.

Rated: TVPG

Outdoors, Documentary

I wrote an earlier blog about one of the Vick dogs, Sweet Pea, who is in a foster home in Howard County and joined us on a group dog walk.

The National Geographic Channel is channel 101 on Verizon FIOS in Howard County.