Attention Brooklyn and NYC animal lovers! A 4-month old puppy called “Choco,” who was rescued from “Dead Dog Beach” in Puerto Rico, needs a new home… maybe yours?
He’s currently 10 pounds and has already had his first round of shots. Choco was transported from Puerto Rico with the help of Hands for Paws and Dog Addiction in Williamsburg (where he’ll be staying until he’s adopted). There’s a small adoption fee of $95 to cover his medical expenses, but an additional donation to Hands for Paws is certainly welcome! Please contact Priti at priti@dogaddiction.com if you’re interested.
In the meantime, I’ll try to get a hold of more pics.
Eres mi madre?
If you’re unaware of Dead Dog Beach, it’s a spot where people abandon unwanted pets to fend for themselves. It’s a terrible situation, as you can probably imagine. There are a few organizations trying to improve the situation, largely without government assistance. For more information, please visit:
My new colleague Sarah brought her pup Mario (love the name!) into the office today. He was a little shy, since it’s his first time going to work, but nothing a few treats couldn’t fix! Doesn’t he have a sweet face?
That’s right Brooklyn… you heard it here first (or, more likely, third or fourth)! According to the Hipster Puppies Tumblr, they’ve placed their nascent book draft in their editors’ bourgeois hands, and they will be returning to what can only be seen as their true calling…
Yesterday, TripAdvisor released the results of their survey of 1,200 U.S. travelers about their pet friendly travel habits. Some of the survey’s findings:
61% of pet-owners traveled with their pets in 2009
33% say they often bring their pets on trips
5% percent say they always bring their pets on trips (lucky pets!)
26% think of their pet as “an inseparable part of the family that goes everywhere (including vacation) with them”
14% believe that bringing their dog along is cheaper than using a kennel
44% of survey respondents who travel with their pets consider green space for walking pets as the most important characteristic of a pet-friendly hotel
The TripAdvisor team also released a list of the top ten pet friendly hotels in the U.S. based on travelers’ ratings. The #1 ranked hotel, the Hermitage in Nashville, TN, apparently won a “TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice” award and boasts a “Pampering Pet program, featuring treats upon check-in, cozy beds, and a menu of delicacies to satisfy animals’ appetites.” They also offer dog walking services, and can arrange for massage and hair styling, I mean grooming. The Hermitage has a $50 per night pet surcharge. I’ll try to keep that in mind next time I’m traveling through Tennessee….
Cancel my meetings, I'm getting a massage
As for New York City dog friendly hotels, the Affinia Dumont in midtown makes an appearance at #3 on the list. Their Jet Set Pets program includes the usual services (walking, grooming, etc.) plus “gourmet cakes and cookies for special occasions” and a pet psychic. Hmmmm…
TripAdvisor makes a point of noting that the Affinia Dumont’s restaurant is called the Barking Dog – cute yes, pet friendly, no.
The Affinia Dumont has a $25 pet surcharge per stay. Be sure to check out the other hotels on the Top Ten list!
Who wants to hit some dog friendly bars this weekend? I’m thinking Mission Dolores, The Gate, and … where else? Tweet, comment, or email me at alison [at] dogfriendlybrooklyn [dot] com if you’re game for a Saturday late afternoon jaunt. Dogs optional, but recommended.
Seriously though, the event, which takes place August 16-22, is an effort to raise awareness of the importance of regular vet visits for cats. They don’t always show the signs of injury or pain outwardly, so regular checkups are key to maintaining your kitty’s health!
Back in March, a man living at 100 Jay St. in DUMBO made a splash when he listed his beautiful 800-square-foot apartment for $679,000. Nothing unusual about that, except that this apartment also served as playground to his two cherished roommates, Oliver and Dodger, domestic shorthair cats.
Though the apartment is no longer on the market (I haven’t been able to locate a selling price yet), it serves as an example pet lovers everywhere can aspire to. The apartment’s owner designed it himself over time, fusing human aesthetic considerations with the natural instincts of playful felines. Check out the video:
You like my bling?
Carpet-covered “staircase” bookshelves, a floor-to-ceiling sisal-covered pipe, and a modified bench for the litter box are a few of the key features. It got me thinking about pet friendly interior design – something which you’d think would be more widespread by now, given our culture’s obsession with pets. We clothe and accessorize our pets til you’d think they were rap stars, so why aren’t Crate & Barrel and Pottery Barn selling more pet friendly, design-conscious furniture?
I did find a few resources if you’re ready to move beyond the run-of-the-mill scratching posts, litter boxes, and dog beds:
