January has been a busy month for Brooklyn dogs in the headlines. Here’s a round-up of recent stories to keep you up to speed on local dog news.
The Brooklyn Paper covers news of Pink Dogs Unite, an effort led by Tyra Bombetto to replace the pink gravel in the Pier Six Dog run with a non-staining surface.
Our condolences go to Andrea and the team at Rocco and Jezebel for Pets as they mourn the loss of Rocco. The beloved shop dog recently lost his battle with bone cancer. Read about his under dog to wonder dog story in the Brooklyn Heights Blog.
Filed under Dog Headlines
Dedicated: The Importance of Dog Insurance
Start the new year on the right paw by focusing on a few resolutions to benefit both you and Fido. Take more walks, sign up for an obedience class and most importantly, protect your pet from unexpected illness. If you’ve been thinking about pet health insurance, now is the perfect time to do some homework and obtain coverage for your pooch. Below is advice from our friends, Pets at Home in the UK on the importance of dog insurance and how to select the best policy.
When you first get your puppy or dog there will be many things on your mind. What is the best diet to feed your new pet? How often should you take them for a walk? When will they finally be house trained? However, one of the first things you should take care of is securing a comprehensive dog insurance policy.
Having dog insurance is extremely important. Should your dog be injured or fall ill and require treatment, you could be faced with a large vet bill to pay. Unfortunately, vet prices continue to rise, often placing pet owners under financial duress when their pet needs treatment.
In today’s economic climate any unsuspected extra expenses can cause difficulties. While dog insurance doesn’t cover routine visits to the vet for checks and jabs, it will cover more substantial treatment needed for injuries or illnesses.
When you’re comparing policies, make sure you choose one that provides adequate financial coverage for short term and long term courses of treatment. One of the best ways to compare policy details and prices is to use online comparison sites. Using the services of these internet sites can help you find cheap dog insurance quotes and ensure the policy you purchase provides the coverage you require.
What else can dog insurance provide? If your dog causes damage to someone’s property you may be held liable for any costs involved. It’s wise to ensure liability insurance is included within your policy to make sure you’re covered for any expenses resulting from accidents involving your dog.
Nobody likes to think about the possibility of their pet being stolen, lost or passing away, but sadly this can happen. When shopping for dog insurance you may also want to consider a policy that will assist you with replacing your pet should you experience their loss.
You should also ensure that boarding fees for your dog will be covered in case you need to be away from home unexpectedly and can’t find someone to care for your pet. This particularly applies to people who live alone with their dog.
Invest time and effort into finding the right dog insurance policy that provides comprehensive coverage. After all, it’s the best way to protect you and your dog.
This post was provided by Pets at Home
Filed under Dog Health
Happy New Year!
We hope 2012 is filled with doggie kisses, treats, pack walks and love!
Filed under Dog Photos
Shake Shack Brooklyn Dog Menu
After much anticipation, Shake Shack in Downtown Brooklyn is finally open. During our visit we were elated to spot a section for dogs on the menu. The next time you give into in a burger craving, make sure to pick up a treat for your pooch. The menu features the Pooch-ini, a custard treat for canines and Bag O’ Bones dog biscuits.
Laly was even allowed to enter burger nirvana by an employee who assumed the place was dog friendly since they served dog treats. We thought it was weird but went along with it until we were told to wait outside by another staff member. Once home, Laly only had eyes for her Pooch-ini and actually let us eat our food in peace. I’m also happy to report that a big serving of custard didn’t make her sick. Tonight’s dinner was a win-win for all.
Filed under Dining with Your Dog
Laly’s Holiday Gift Guide
In case you find yourself scrambling to finish holiday shopping this week, here are a few of our favorite things for the furry friends on your list.
Nothing says cute like matching dog and baby outfits from Babawowo. Laly and Penny are proud owners of the Big Sister,Little Sister and Team Stinky ensembles. Stay tuned for pictures.
If your dog loves to eat grass (I know Laly does) you can now grow organic barley grass at home. We discovered the Dog Grass Bowl at A&G Merch, the Brooklyn home furnishing store that’s one-stop shopping for dog and design lovers.
Get your dog their very own six pack of Bowser Beer. This non-alcoholic malt barley brew comes in chicken and beef flavor and is safe for dogs. The best part is you can design your own label.
When you’re ready to wrap all your gifts, check out dog-themed paper and gift cards from Papergirl Designs.
Filed under Dogs and Babies, Hooch With My Pooch, Retail Therapy
Love at First Bark Reading at Brooklyn Public Library
In need of a good book? Visit the Brooklyn Public Library this evening for inspiration as they host a reading with Julie Klam, on her new canine-inspired chronicles Love at First Bark: How Saving a Dog Can Sometimes Help You Save Yourself. Klam is the best selling author of You Had Me at Woof, and her new book offers more doggie tales with profound insights why humans need the companionship of our four-legged friends.
Brooklyn Public Library’s Dweck Center
10 Grand Army Plaza
Wednesday, December 7 at 7pm
Dogs Love Dekalb Market
Dogs love Dekalb Market and you will too. We can’t get enough of this dog friendly, shopping and food oasis in Fort Greene. The space is made up of colorful shipping containers converted into shops that feature jewelry, crafts, housewares and lots more. You’ll even stumble upon an urban garden and art installations as you explore.
PetSmart Grand Opening
PetSmart on Atlantic Avenue officially opened this week and is celebrating its grand opening on Saturday, November 12. The first 50 people to visit the store starting at 9:00am will receive gift cards containing mystery amounts. You can also enter your dog in the “Hottest Dog” contest sponsored by the on-site Banfield Pet Hospital. Joey Chesnut will serve as a contest judge and hot dogs are on the house. The winning pooch will receive a year’s worth of vet care at Banfield.
Curious to see what PetSmart had in store, we took a field trip to the retail giant. Just before noon on a weekday, the store had a decent number of human and canine customers. I was surprised by the number of people making grooming appointments. It made sense after learning their prices, which are considerably less than the going rate in the neighborhood. PetSmart even has a “Look Great Guarantee” providing free grooming if you’re not happy with their service.
Pet Smart also features an adoption center that was made up of all cats from what we could tell and a training center. The location boasts a Banfield Pet Hospital that bases care around health plans starting at $299 a year and include routine vaccines and unlimited office visits. Going to a chain store for training, grooming, and veterinary care seems rather impersonal to us. I worry we’d run the risk of a revolving door of personnel making it difficult to develop relationships and become a regular. When I brought this up to a technician at Banfield, she assured me the hospital had two permanent vets on staff. We weren’t able to learn if this was the case for training and grooming.
As for the shopping experience, it’s all about convenience and some savings. PetSmart carries most brands and allows you to save money by signing up for their rewards card. That said, it’s a rather bland retail experience. The location lacked quirky and innovative pet gear. The closest we came to this was the line of Martha Stewart pet products and Rock n Retro doggie tees.
PetSmart
238 Atlantic Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11201
718-852-2519
Store Hours
Monday-Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 9:00p.m.
Sunday: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Filed under Dog Services, Dog Training, Events, Retail Therapy
Wag Your Tail For Wag Club
Wag your tail for Wag Club, the new doggie boutique and day care located across from the Pier 6 Dog Run in Brooklyn Bridge Park. Wag Club fills a void for dog services in this part of the neighborhood offering day care, grooming, training, play groups, and overnight stays. Founded by John Squires and his Jack Russell Terrier, Lucy, Wag Club strives to be a home away from home for Brooklyn dogs and a place where their humans can interact.
We recently scoped out the spot during their open house and liked what we saw. Upon walking into Wag Club expect to be greeted by friendly staff at the storefront which carries gear and specialty items such as Isle of Dog toiletries and fashionable Harry Barker pooch wear. Behind the retail space is the play/day care area outfitted with non porous rubber flooring that’s easy on the paws. The loft like area felt big enough for small to medium sized breeds to have adequate play. The space also houses a grooming station and kennels for boarding.
Here’s a few things we like about Wag Club:
They offer a walking pick-up and drop-off service in Brooklyn Heights and Cobble Hill to and from their location. For an extra $3-$5, this is a nice perk. Taxi service is coming soon according to their website.
They host events ranging from a weekly puppy playgroups to workshops on doggie dinner etiquette and leash aggression led by DogBoy Robert Haussmann.
They foster a sense of community by supporting animal charities such as Best Friends and Waggy Tail Rescue. Stay tuned for a charity calendar featuring local dogs.
We’ll let you know about Laly’s upcoming spa day at Wag Club for grooming. In the meantime feel free to share your Wag Club experience in the comments section.
Filed under Dog Services, Dog Training, Retail Therapy
