PetSugar

The Scoop: Dog Survives Rattlesnake Bite in Bronx

PetSugar — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 14:00:48 -0700

Imagine taking your dog for a daily walk . . . and encountering a rattler!

If they'd been strolling in Florida, I'd be less surprised – I'm glad I've never seen a snake on the streets of NYC!

(Thanks CoralAmber for sharing this news with us!)

What's Your Take: Did JFK Cats Receive a Death Sentence?

PetSugar — Wed, 28 May 2008 16:00:50 -0700

I remember the story of the "JFK cats" from last year: back in October, the Port Authority announced that they were rounding up the feral cats surrounding the New York airport and sending them to shelters. That, of course, caused an outcry as shelters cannot really handle any more animals . . . especially the virtually un-adoptable feral cats. Animal advocates called for a more humane trap, neuter, and return process to save the animals' lives and allow them to remain in their habitats. However, the authority recently decided to halt that program and focus on rounding up the cats instead.

"They are telling folks that they are trying to adopt these animals out, but that is patently not true," said Patrick Kwan, New York state director of the Humane Society of the United States. "These animals cannot be adopted out. This is an extermination program that sentences them to death."

The authority originally said that the cats pose a threat to aircraft operation and that the 5,000-acre airport is no place for these feral felines. While I can understand the dangers of – and to – the cats if they remain, I have to agree that gathering them up and placing them in shelters does not seem to be a final solution with a happy ending. How do you feel? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Out and About: New York's Le Parker Meridian

PetSugar — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 14:00:46 -0800

For an extravagant weekend away for your entire (furry) family, visit Le Parker Meridian to spend your days roaming the city streets, and your nights tucked away at a swank hotel. This midtown gem features a Feed the Party Animal–room service menu including steak tartare for the carnivores and a minced meat/fruit concoction for the omnivores, a flexible no size, weight, or breed restriction pet policy . . . and is home to Norma’s, the best breakfast-all-day restaurant for you if your pets aren't in the sharing mood with their own snacks.

Much like their dog-run info, NYC provides a comprehensive list of pet-friendly accommodations to choose from. Other standouts include the Ritz-Carlton with Burberry raincoats on loan for the furry fashionistas to North's fave pet-friendly chain, the W, which should stand for their very welcoming dog programs. If you're feeling forlorn for pets back home, or thinking of adding another one to your traveling brood, check out the also pet-happy SoHo Grand where you can even take a goldfish home with you when you leave.

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Out and About: New York's Buttercup's PAW-tisserie

PetSugar — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 03:00:23 -0800

Buttercup's PAW-tisserie is often featured in my pet snack or people snack quizzes because they stock (and bake) some of the cutest animal yums around! This gourmutt dog bakery specializes in freshly baked, all natural and healthy treats with no added sugar, salt, or preservatives. They use only the highest quality, human-grade ingredients like fresh meat, roasted peanuts, organic carrots, fresh spinach, and carob and all biscuits are handmade, rolled, cut and then slow baked to perfection. Furthermore, the snacks are soy and corn free and are lab analyzed for protein, fat, fiber, and moisture content helping pup keep that boyish (or girlish) figure. Located in Park Slope, in addition to their special occasion pupcakes and truffles, stock up on great everyday treats here as well – perhaps after a stop by nearby Prospect Park, too!

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Out and About: New York's The Dog Run NYC

PetSugar — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 10:00:19 -0800

Ten feet wide, 15 feet long, 4.5 deep . . . and 87 degrees of chlorinated heaven! Treat your visiting (or local) pet to Open Swim at The Dog Run NYC for just $20. Held from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays year-round, water-loving animals can take a group dip in the pool during this special time or you can shell out $50 to hop in with him for splashy fun playing keep-away or catch with the provided balls and frisbees or private pool time. Swimming is one of the best forms of exercise for pets because there is no pressure on the joins from impact with the ground and the warm water relaxes stiff and sore muscles – hydrotherapy specialists can help work with dogs in need of special therapy to help build muscles and resistance. If you're not sure how your pup will fare in the water, there are doggie life jackets available for that trial dip.

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Out and About: New York's Prospect Park

PetSugar — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 11:00:36 -0800

Brooklyn’s Prospect Park is just one of the many parks in New York that's open to dogs, but it also features an especially cohesive community of pet lovers. They've joined to form local organization, FIDO (Fellowship in the Interest of Dogs and their Owners), and welcome off-leashed dogs on the first Sunday of every month for coffee, goodies, and good, ol’ fun for the pooches to help spread the word about animal-related news, rules, and other events. The park itself features many wide-open, roaming spaces with off-leash hours (in the evenings and early mornings), and even has a Dog Beach for those Summer nights.

Typically, there are four types of rules established in NYC parks - no dogs allowed; leashed dogs allowed, off-leashed dogs permitted (usually during certain hours only), and off-leashed dogs allowed in separate, fenced-in dog runs within the park. The Parks Department keeps a location list of the dog runs and their rules for all five boroughs to let pet people stay up to date. That way, when it's time to play, you'll both know where to go!

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Out and About: New York's Z Spot

PetSugar — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 08:00:17 -0800

If you have a pampered pal, you must make a stop at Z Spot! This store stocks nearly any and every extravagant item you can imagine for your pets. Part of Zitomer (which also includes the huge Zittles toy floor and Z Next Door for chic accessories), Z Spot is located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. I made a special trip here on North's first birthday – it's a great wishful thinking wonderland and celebration destination when the animal in your life is celebrating a special occasion. Unfortunately they don't have an online store that does their selection justice at this point but, if you're in New York, make your way over there to ooh and ahh over the baubles, bones, and beds for the furry ones.

Do you have suggestions for PetSugar? Click here to share your own tips with our Out and About travel group – and stay tuned as our week of New York continues!

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It's Never Too Early For Fall Fashion: Idawg Bomber Jackets

PetSugar — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:30:28 -0700

I'm a true believer in planning ahead when it comes to fashion. My theory is it's never too early in August to check out autumn goodies, especially since New York Pet Fashion Week is right around the corner. As you can tell, I'm excited to get into the swing of things a little early. So when I saw Idawg's hot Fall line of bomber jackets, I instantly fell in love.

North would totally rock this Idawg Fader in Navy, keeping him warm and toasty on those misty San Francisco nights. And since Idawg is based up in rainy Washington state, I'm guessing they are quite the authority on wet-weather gear!

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Are You Excited for NY Pet Fashion Week?

PetSugar — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 03:00:46 -0700

I know my pal FabSugar is all a-buzz, since NY Fashion Week is quickly approaching! Like the Super Bowl of fashion, the best of the best in the design world will be out in force to show off their work – but are you as excited for this year's NY Pet Fashion Week?

Kicking off Saturday, this event is specifically tailored to the four-legged fashionistas in our lives. With great designers from the states, as well as high fashion couture designers from across the pond taking to the catwalk (and not to mention the hundreds of others that will be showing off their goods in the expo halls), I can't help but get excited for this weekend! Are you as stoked as I am, or are you just a little "meh" about the whole event?

Farewell, Shooka, and Nala: Gosselins' Dogs Go Back to Breeder!

PetSugar — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:20:57 -0700

Added to the family less than a year ago, Jon Gosselin already came under fire for past remarks about the sextuplets treatment of their pups . . . and now they're reportedly returned to the breeder. First off, it's sad to lose (or give up) any pet, but even sadder that the kids are losing two furry family members along with so many other changes in their lives right now.

I understand that dog ownership is hard work (boy, do I ever), but it seems that another solution could have been found - a caretaker for the pups perhaps, or a larger place in NY where the big dogs would be welcome? Oh well, here's hoping that the German Shepherds find a forever home soon enough.

Jon spent a final day playing with the dogs before the duo was loaded up into a crate in the back of a truck - see Shooka and Nala's last day when you read more.

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