PetSugar

Do Tell: Do Falling Temperatures Change Your Routine?

PetSugar — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:45:39 -0700

Since we're rather temperate out in SF, North still enjoys his trips to Baker Beach . . . but stays far away from the now-chilly water save a few sniffs. When the temperatures drop in your neck of the woods, how do you alter your pup's fitness routine, be it shorter trips outdoors or active indoor alternatives?

March of the Magellanic Penguins at the San Francisco Zoo!

PetSugar — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:20:28 -0700

All eyes were on some other Magellanic penguins at the San Francisco Zoo a couple weeks back- remember the love triangle of Harry, Pepper, and Linda? To recap that ~~soap opera~~ story, male Pepper got a new home when Harry took up with a female penguin.

Anyway, same species but different birds, these penguin chicks forge their way to a new home on Penguin Island in the annual March of the Penguins event. Yeah, they didn't have quite as dramatic a tale as the Emperor penguins featured in the movie of the same name, but these birds surely had to endure more (human) crowds as they traveled down some pavement to the new watery habitat.

See more pictures from the world's largest Magellanic penguin colony in captivity when you read more.

View 8 Photos ›

The Scoop: Harry and Pepper Break Up!

PetSugar — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 13:15:50 -0700

Sad news to come out of San Francisco: Harry and Pepper have officially broken up . . . and Harry's moved on. The SF Zoo's famous same-sex penguin couple hit a rough patch when the single Linda befriended Harry after her long-time (male) companion, Fig, passed away.

This caused a fight between the original couple and the threesome was then separated. It's all water under the bridge as Pepper just returned to the penguin exhibit from a bachelor pad at the Avian Conservation Center and they were reintroduced in their enclosure on Friday.

Harry and Linda successfully nested this year but Harry and Pepper famously hatched an egg (from a different mama) together in 2008 acting as "the best parents that year." I guess he'll just be Uncle Pepper now?

This zoo has the largest Magellanic penguins colony in captivity in the world (nearly 60 birds!) - if you're local and want to check out these two, their left wing band numbers are 201 (Harry) and 207 (Pepper). See the classic video describing the birds and chicks, read more.

Source: Cindy Chew/The Examiner

Join Us For Dog Day on the Bay!

PetSugar — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:40:39 -0700

I'm counting down the hours to Dog Day on the Bay! That's right, next Sunday we're boarding a big boat on a pet-friendly cruise around San Francisco. North's been all over the country, but he's only been on a ferry, never a swanky trip with a bow-wow buffet and "poop deck." Color him excited! Hopefully, he (and his pal, Samson) will be on their best behavior as the trip also includes people food and champagne . . . not the time for him to give unwanted kisses or try to sneaky snack!

The May 3 event benefits the San Francisco SPCA so, if it sounds like something your Bay Area pooches would enjoy, tickets are still available and you can join us on board!

Source

What's Your Take: Should Dog Walkers Be Licensed?

PetSugar — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 12:40:10 -0800

Sadly, a pup can't tattle if there were too many other dogs on his walk or if it was 20 minutes shorter than you were paying for, but it's hard for me to understand how licensing dog walkers would help regulate this industry. Despite also popping up in 2007, the news in SF is that considering a required license is back on the table.The idea is that San Francisco's Recreation and Park Department is facing some serious budgetary cuts and hope that forcing dog walkers to pay for a license would help the city recoup some of that money to fix the parks and other public spaces the dogs are using. On one hand, I would like more accountability for anyone I was entrusting with my lil guy but, in a city very limited in pet-friendly areas (compared to NYC), I'd want to see quite a few more dog runs open up before totally backing funds going towards this organization. With both those considerations in mind, how do you feel on the licensing issue?

Source

Pampered Pals: Show Your SF Love With Gwen Gear!

PetSugar — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 13:00:03 -0700

I know I'm biased here, but I love the product names for Gwen Gear. Based here in San Francisco, the company's collars and leashes are named after streets and neighborhoods in the city by the bay. The company began when the owners got a cutie patootie English Bulldog named – you guessed it – Gwen and were inspired to create this line for their beloved pooch and their beloved city. Check out some of my fave designs below.

Shop Spotlight: North's at Pet Camp!

PetSugar — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 11:10:33 -0700

I've alluded to my fave home-away-from-home for my lil guy in other posts, but I've never taken the time to explain why I love it so much. First off, North's practically a celebripup at Pet Camp – I think his hyperactivity must be pretty impossible to forget! I always feel comfortable dropping him off there and I know he's having a blast.What's he doing you ask? He's scampering on artificial turf with a playground that rivals many parks for two-legged kids with slides, tunnels, and other equipment for him to explore. There's both a group and individual yards for friendly or friendless days on over 6,000 square feet of outdoor fun!

To find out what special treats they offer read more.

Once dogs get back inside, there are plenty of add-ons for your most pampered pal – VIP playtime, swimming sessions, Yappy Hour (cold doggie beer served in a frosted bowl with a bully stick), and Bizzie Bones (PB frozen Kong). North's favorite is something called a pupsicle – it's a homemade recipe similar to this one except theirs has bananas, too. Mmmm.

While I'm spending the weekend celebrating a friend's birthday in Portland, I know North is off having a great time, too! They'll be composting his poop to generate electricity, treating him well, and snapping his photo – I hope to see his next Camper Cameos when I get back!

Shop Spotlight: Babies SF

PetSugar — Mon, 12 May 2008 08:00:12 -0700

One of Santa's little helpers at this year's Petchitecture event was Michael Cunningham, owner of one of my fave pet shops here in the city, Babies. He donated tons of tasty treats to please the furry guests, and buckets of goodies for the silent auction that brought in much needed funds for the Pets are Wonderful Support (PAWS), a volunteer-based organization that provides for the comprehensive needs of companion animals for low-income persons with HIV/AIDS, other disabling illnesses, and senior citizens. Since I dig his store (and his big heart), I thought I would give you a tour at Babies' brand new location at Laguna and Linden in the hip Hayes Valley area of San Francisco.

While I was there, I picked Michael's brain about some of the hottest trends of the upcoming summer season, his dog food of choice, and his fave celeb pets. To find out what he had to say, and to take a photo tour of the shop, just read more.

PS: What are the top three pet trends for the upcoming Summer season?
MC: For sure, anything "green" is popular, as well as sports themed products like shirts, collars and leashes, and toys. And pet parties are a big hit for the summer as well.

PS: In your opinion, what dog food can you buy that gives you the most bang for your buck, as well as being good for your pet?
MC: I would choose Canidae, since it's good for all life stages and, if you were going raw, I would choose Primal.

PS: Speaking of raw diets, how do you feel about them?
MC: It's a great idea for most pets, and I have seen it have miraculous results. But you do have to be a bit more organized and structured for it to work right!

PS: Do you have any favorite celebrity pets?
MC: We've actually helped out a number of celebrity pets in our store. My favorites include Finoula and Sabrina, Katie Lee and Billy Joel's pups. I also love Jane Fonda's pup Tulea, Hilary Swank's Karu and Salma Hayek's dog Diva, as well as Sophie, Oprah's dog. Chris Isaak, Sarah McLachlan, Tracy Chapman, Keith Richards and Amanda Brown's pets are so cute too. I guess all the pets that come in are my favorite!

You can find Michael at Babies, with his own two dachshund babies every day of the week at 534 Laguna Street in San Francisco.

View 15 Photos ›

This Giraffe Cutie Is Only Two Days Old!

PetSugar — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 15:00:13 -0800

It's a baby girl! San Francisco Zoo resident giraffe, Gezi, gave birth to this lil one on Monday morning. The new arrival provided quite a shock to zookeepers who found her when they arrived at 8 a.m., but predict her actual birth fell between 3 and 6 a.m.

I learned I wasn't the only one who loves the world's tallest land animal, and I can't wait to stop by and check her out in person. At last update, the unnamed lass can be seen outside during the sunny days we've been having lately. She's being monitored to make sure she starts nursing, if not, they'll have to resort to bottle feeding. I can't wait 'til the 150-pound calf gets a cute name - any suggestions?

Source

San Francisco Loves Smushed Faces!

PetSugar — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 14:00:53 -0800

As interesting as I find the most-popular breed list, I know the types of dogs we see in cities around the country can vary . . . a lot. IMO, the bigger the city, the smaller the dog - housing is tight in cities like NYC and SF and many leasing companies have size restrictions. As if they were reading my mind, this year the AKC released lists of the top registered purebreds in the 50 largest US cities. Of course, I clicked on San Francisco right off the bat . . . and hooray! Boston Terriers hit the list in one very special city, none other than Fog City! Now I can't take credit as North is registered in NYC, but I'm happy to know that he has lots of smushed-face pals in playgroup. On our top 10, nearly all of those breeds were represented as Bulldogs, Pugs, French Bulldogs, and Boston Terriers made the list! If you want to learn more and see all the results, just read more.

Nationwide, the Bulldog was the biggest shocker entering the country's top 10 list for the first time in 75 years and even Boxers moved up a spot to number six. However, the statistic that jumped out at me was the 404 percent increase in the popularity of the French Bulldog over the past decade - way to go Annabelle!

San Francisco's Top Dogs

Labrador Retriever
Yorkshire Terrier
Poodle
Golden Retriever (tied with Poodle)
Bulldog
Dachshund
Pug
French Bulldog
Maltese
Boston Terrier

What dogs are most common in your backyards, I'd love to hear from you!

Source