Photos with Santa at the Columbia Mall

During the holiday season, the Mall in Columbia invites dogs to come in on Monday evenings and have their pictures taken with Santa! Heather, one of our Columbia Dogs-on-the-Go members, discovered this little gem (one of Columbia's best kept secrets?) Here's the scoop - it's only on Monday evenings from 6-9 pm, November 24, December 1, 8, and 15.

Here's the pricing info:
$13.95 for 1 5X7
$13.95 for 2 3X5s
$13.95 for 4 wallets
$7.95 for additional prints
25% off 5 prints or more[/center]

Since the mall is open and normally does not allow pets, you MUST enter through the entrance near the Pumpkin Patch store on the lower level (where the old Bun Penney coffee shop was located). Here's a link for the Mall with a map. If you click on the left mall map it shows the lower level. Enter through the little red arrow on the right side of Lord and Taylor. Then make a right and then another right because Santa is located right in front of Lord and Taylor. Your best bet would be to park in the Lord and Taylor parking garage - it's the closest to the entrance.

The First Puppy

Barack Obama is not only America's first African-American president-elect, but probably the first to promise to put a puppy (!) in the White House . . . only minutes into his victory speech. Yes! The Power of Puppy to heal the country! Another reason to celebrate!

"I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the White House," Obama told his daughters Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, while acknowledging his family's contributions to his campaign.

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.