Following Atticus

I really enjoyed reading Following Atticus. Tom Ryan wrote a book about his relationship with his friend, Atticus. Atticus is a Miniature Schnauzer of "distinctive character and strong will and great spirit". Mr. Ryan never refers to Atticus as "his dog". He's his "friend". This subtle change in words shows the respect Tom has for Atticus. He is not a "possession". 

Atticus changed every aspect of Mr. Ryan's life.  He opened the door for Mr. Ryan to develop stronger friendships with people, have a less cynical view of the world and by following Atticus up the many peaks of the White Mountains- including the magnificent Presidential Range- he got in much better physical shape and became much healthier.

Together they hiked the White Mountains raising money for various charities including the Jimmy Fund and Angell Animal Medical Center. They were later inducted into the Massachsetts Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Hall of Fame for their efforts. While raising money they attempted to be the first person and dog to hike the forty eight 4,000 foot peaks twice during the winter months. The narrative describing the adventures of the two of them hiking these peaks in the cold of winter (often in the dark) is worth purchasing the book for. But my favorite subplot of Following Atticus wasn't  the hiking, fund raising or even their relationship. It was the relationship between Mr. Ryan and his father.

19th Annual April Stools Day Event In Portland, ME Saturday April 9

With the arrival of April and spring comes the annual "clean up" event: April Stools Day. April Stools Day is celebrated in different parts of the country on different days. In fact, Bangor, Maine had their Stools Day yesterday, Sunday April 3rd.  2011. April Stools Day is being recognized in both Portland, Maine and Belfast, Maine this Saturday, April 9th.

Belfast is celebrating their 5th Annual Stools Day. Friends of Belfast Parks invites local dog owners and other interested citizens to gather at the Steamboat Landing gazebo at 9 a.m. on Saturday and “team up to pick up".

For the 19th year, people will gather Saturday, April 9 from 9-11am at Portland, Maine's East End to help clean up a winter’s worth of un-scooped poop and prepare the Promenade for spring. East End locations include: top of Cutter Street along the Prom; entrance to East End Beach; the Eastern Prom Trail; and Fort Sumner Park on North Street. *Additional Portland locations include Evergreen Cemetery and Reiche School on the West End.

Need assistance with  cleaning up? We have the eco-friendly and very popular Harry Barker No.2 Biodegradable Waste Bags and Dispensers (use promocode: spring12 to save 12%). Local Portland customers select "local retail store pick-up" for shipping options and you won't be charged shipping. You can just stop by and pick them up at our office. 

Keep it clean..

-Gray

Woofstock 2011 Will Be Saturday, September 10th in Damariscotta, Maine

Woofstock 2011, co-hosted by our Friends, Dan & Aubrey at The Animal House in Damariscotta and the Rotary Club will be September 10, 2011. Woofstock will take place at the beautiful Round Top Farm in Damariscotta. There will be a Family Fun Dog Show, seminars and demonstrations, pet games and services, pet-related vendors, food, raffles...all to benefit New England shelters and rescues.

NEW FOR 2011 there is a  kids' tent, food court (with healthy food!), and even a Mr. and Mrs. Maine Dog Contest!! And of course, there will be an evening wear and swimsuit competition! OH MY!....:)

Admission cost to attend is : "Pay what you can". Proceeds going to numerous New England Shelters and Rescues. Become a fan of Woofstock on facebook to keep up to date with any updates and new events.

Damariscotta is a charming little town off of Route 1 in the beautiful scenic Mid Coast region of Maine. For more information please check out the website for the Damariscotta Region Chamber of Commerce. If you visit the Damaricsotta area and/or you are able to attend Woofstock be sure to visit one of Woofstock's sponsors for a delicious meal: Newcastle Publick House!!

Wishing I could go the The Publick House today for their famous Sunday Brunch!

Gray

Hickory a Scottish Deerhound Wins Westminster 2011

The 5 year old Scottish Deerhound named "Hickory" won Westminster last night! I think it is safe to say everyone was surprised! The Scottish Deerhound has never won Westminster before. I have only met a few Scottish Deerhounds. There was one in our neighborhood for a couple of years. About once a week we would cross paths when I was walking our Cairn Terrier, Gilkey.

The Deerhound always fascinated me. Whenever I saw it I made a point to say hi and pet him....yes I  was that dog guy...Don't think you're gonna get by me with that dog. The truth is that it seemed I was more interested in the Deerhound than he was interested in me. He was definitely not interested in Gilkey...nor I must say Gilkey in him...I remember the owner telling me what a sweet dog he was and that he loved attention and would actually get up on the couch with her at her house. He tended to be more animated when in the confines of his own house. For some reason I kind of wanted to go to their house and just sit on the couch with that Deerhound. It was like I wanted to check off a list of "things I must do in my life"...even though, I must admit, it wasn't on the list prior to meeting the Deerhound.

Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show Starts Tonight!

The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden in New York City begins tonight, Monday, Febriary 14th. Live coverage gets going at 8:00pm EST. As usual TV coverage can be a little challenging to follow between CNBC and The USA Network.

Here it is:

Tonight (Monday), February 14

8-9 p.m. (ET) live on USA Network

9-11 p.m. (ET) live on CNBC

Participating Breeds:

Hound, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding Groups

 

NIGHT 2:
Tuesday, February 15

Participating Breeds:

Sporting, Working and Terrier Groups, Best In Show
8-11 p.m. (ET) live on USA Network

Woofstock in Damariscotta, Maine

This Saturday September11, 2010 is Woofstock 2010 in Damariscotta, Maine. The location this year is at Round Top Farm at the Damariscotta River Association.

Woofstock 2010 is an event in which all proceeds are donated to the shelters/rescues in attendance, and Rotary charities. New this year, Maine Search and Rescue joins the festivities to become another beneficiary. Woofstock is a completely non-profit event.

Woofstock features pet-related vendors from all over the region, seminars and demonstrations from area pet professionals, pet services and games, the Family Fun Dog Show, free samples, food, raffles and silent auction…and the best part, animal shelters and rescue from all over the state.

Here is the schedule of events:

9:30am-3pm- Woofstock Yard Sale
10am- Demo: Search and Rescue: MESARD
10:30am- Demo: Agility: AC-ME
11am Patriotic Parade of Breeds: advance registration required
11:30am- Demo: Rally Obedience: Casco Bay Dog Training Club
12pm- Pet Fashion Show: advance registration required
12:30pm- Seminar: Dog Safety: SOME Pit!
1pm- Family Fun Dog Show

Other ongoing activities: Canine Good Citizen Testing ($10, all day, no sign-up required), Microchipping, 50/50 Raffle, Silent Auction, Photo Pet ID tags, Face Painting, Doggie Massage, Pet Photos, Carnival Games, etc.

How the Money is Generated:

*Pay-What-You-Can Admission

*Silent Auction/50-50 Raffle/Tee-Shirt Sales (silent auction and raffle items are donated by our pet manufacturers and vendors)

*Dog Show Entry Fees

*Vendor Table Fees (for-profits) Vendor Registration Form

*Pet Services: Rescues/shelters each have a service or game at their table to help generate money for their individual rescue (for example, microchipping, nail clipping, etc.). They get to keep whatever funds they generate from their table, plus each rescue gets a cut from the Woofstock total).

Last year there were over 1500 people in attendance and raised over $7000.

They have raised over $30,000 in the past 6 years from this event.

Like Woofstock Maine on facebook, follow Woofstock Maine on Twitter.

Gray

Greyhound Racing is Over in New England

We are happy to announce that Greyhound Racing has ended in New England. Gov. Don Carcieri of Rhode Island on Friday signed legislation that allows gambling parlor Twin River to stop offering dog racing, which had been required by law. Massachusetts, Vermont and Maine have laws outlawing Greyhound racing and Connecticut has not had a Greyhound race since 2006.

If you are interested in learning more about Greyhounds or adopting a Greyhound visit our friends at Maine Greyhound Placement.

Greyhound racing has an ugly history. We are happy to see this come to an end here in New England.

Gray

Ruby The "Bionic Dog" was on the Today Show

This past weekend our friend Vanessa Gillespie and her (now) "Bionic Dog", Ruby were guests on the Today Show. The Today Show invited them on to discuss the miraculous recovery Ruby had made after numerous surgeries due to being hit by  a car.

It took more than 40 medical personal over eight weeks and two major operations to put Ruby, an English hunting dog, back together again after a car accident left her severally injured.  

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

It was thrilling to see Vanessa and Ruby on the Today Show and to witness the miraculous recovery that Ruby has made since the crash.

Gray & Persephone

The 2010 Greater Portland, Maine Multiple Sclerosis Walk is April 24th

Scarborough High School is the location this year for the Greater Portland, Maine Multiple Sclerosis Walk. The date is Saturday April 24, 2010.

Participation means you will be helping to support programs, services, and research sponsored by the Maine Chapter, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and that makes a huge difference to the people who live with MS.The Maine Chapter, National Multiple Sclerosis Society is dedicated to mobilizing people and resources to drive research for a cure and to address the challenges of everyone affected by Multiple Sclerosis.

Winston Gets to Go Home after Biting Bumper off Chattanooga Police Car

Did you hear about Winston? He attacked a Chattanooga Police car and ripped the bumper off and attacked the tires. He spent a week in the Animal Shelter and was labeled a "potential dangerous dog". But because he was such a "good dog" while being held at the Shelter for a week his owners were able to negotiate a deal for Winston to be released.

This past week the Judge ruled Winston will have to go to obedience classes and he needs a new (stronger) collar and lead...the nylon isn't doing the job. It should be noted that the police office driving the cruiser that was attacked showed good judgment and discipline to not have shot or injured Winston.

Gray