Get Ready for Strut Your Mutt + the #9000Steps Challenge!

Stepping into the real life role of an animal advocate, movie star Amanda Seyfried and her dog Finn are shining a spotlight on a fundraising event that will make great strides in the creation of a better tomorrow for our four-legged friends in need.

Already a celebrity supporter of Best Friends Animal Society, the actress and her canine co-star in life have been cast as national spokesperson and spokesdog for the renowned charitable organization's annual Strut Your Mutt events.

Presented by BOBS from Skechers, the promenades for a paws cause will take place in 14 cities across the country:

• Portland, Oregon on September 10th


• Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota on September 11th


• Austin, Texas and Kanab, Utah on September 17th


• San Francisco, California on September 18th


• Atlanta, Georgia and Jacksonville, Florida on September 24th


• New York City, New York and D.C. Metro on October 1st


• St. Louis, Missouri on October 8th


• Houston, Texas and Phoenix, Arizona on October 15h


• Los Angeles, California and Salt Lake City, Utah on October 22nd

Devotees of dogs and fans of felines who are unable to attend one of the fundraising walks can still take steps toward putting adoptable companion animals on the road to a bright future by signing up for Best Friends' #9000Steps Challenge. Named in loving memory of the estimated 9,000 dogs and cats who lose their lives each day in the U.S. shelter system simply because they do not have a home, on the 9th day of each month participants can report their #9000Steps accomplishment for the chance to win prizes.

The challenge's 'top dog' will receive a BOBS from Skechers shopping spree and a photoshoot with their barking buddy or purring pal to be featured in an ad in Best Friends Magazine.

“There are 9,000 dogs and cats killed every day in America's shelters due to not having a home– that's an estimated 4 million per year,” the Mamma Mia! star stated. “Best Friends is working around the country with local rescue groups and shelters to bring that number down to zero. Let's each take 9,000 steps in the right direction to save them all!”

Best Friends' Strut Your Mutt events have raised over $7.2 million for the organization's animal welfare partners since the first walks in 2010. This year's national goal is $3 million.

If you want to put your best foot forward for Best Friends Animal Society, start your own fundraising page or make a monetary contribution to an existing team, visit StrutYourMutt.org.

Photo Credit: Best Friends Animal Society

Win Innovet Pet Products Including Great Summer Ear Care Products!

Our dogs LOVE to swim during the summer months…and, in Texas, that spans about half the year. All that swimming means wet ears, however. Recently we reviewed two ear care products from California-based Innovet Pet Products : the PurOtics Natural Deep Ear Cleaner and Natural Ear Dryer. We've used the products and been extremely happy with them even with our dogs' swimming at the lake and beach.

Each of these products is alcohol- and sulfate-free, using essential oils to naturally keep your dog's ears clean and healthy.

Now a lucky member of the DogTipper community will win an Innovet prize pack ($70 value) with a selection of the company's dog products including these ear care products! The prize pack includes:

• PurOtic Value Pack (includes a 4-ounce PurOtic Extra Strength for dogs and a 4-ounce PurOtic Ear Dryer for dogs)


• Purbreath® No Brush Oral Care to removes plaque and tartar using all-natural ingredients
  
  


• STAT! Syringe to induce vomiting in your dog, an important addition to your pet first aid kit


• Eco Friendly Biodegradable Poop Bags


• BioPel Spray to kill and prevent fleas, flies, ants and mosquitoes

Special Offer

Can't wait to see if you win? Save 20% on your Innovet purchases right now by using DOGTIPPER20 at checkout on www.innovetpet.com. All products include a 30-day money back guarantee from Innovet.

How to Enter

You'll enter in the widget below; as always, you may return to the widget any time during the giveaway period for more entries. Good luck!

Entry-Form

Innovet is a DogTipper sponsor. As always, we only share products that we use in our home with our pets. All statements and opinions are entirely our own.

Comedian Drew Lynch Tells us What NOT to Do Around a Service Dog Who's Working

Warning! Some of the language in this video is not family friendly, but the man gets the point across quite well.
Read more

Win a Memory Foam Pet Bed from Buddy Beds! ($339 – $359 value!)

Why Does Your Dog Crawl in Bed with You? Because You Have a Better Mattress.

“Voted Best Pet Bed,” Buddy Beds provides the ultimate in comfort and support, designed to take away your dog's pain. The unique patented memory foam dog beds eliminates all painful pressure points which is especially beneficial for dogs with arthritis, hip, bone or joint problems. Expertly constructed, and ruggedly stylish, these Memory Foam Dog Beds give your dog the ultimate in comfort and orthopedic support. Buddy Beds has created this dog bed for dog lovers, and it is the top of the line in every way.

Although they offer several styles of pet beds, Buddy Beds is now hosting a great giveaway featuring their top of the line Premium Buddy Bed. This memory foam bed features five-pound memory foam – the finest memory foam available today! Certified non-toxic memory foam is free from formaldehyde, Phthalates, PVC, and BPA.

The Premium Buddy Bed retails for $339 – $359, and the winner will have his or her choice of nine cover choices (including the upgraded covers).

Look for these special features in Buddy Beds:

• Patented Sleep System combines a layer of quality 5lb memory foam, with a layer of supporting foam, a protective waterproof/breathable liner, and a durable, washable, outer cover. 5lb memory foam is the highest quality memory foam available!


• Supporting foam prevents “bottoming out” which creates painful pressure points


• Protective liner prevents liquids, stains and odors – the reasons most dog beds are discarded


• Protective liner keeps bed: antibacterial, anti-dust mite, anti-static, and hypoallergenic


• Durable, washable quilted covers made of a furniture quality cozy, comfortable suede microfiber


• The Buddy Bed was voted “Best Pet Bed.” Not simply for 'orthopedic' pet beds – but for ALL pet beds.


• Buddy Beds carries the prestigious Animal Wellness Seal of Approval.


• Vet recommended


• Stop buying dog bed after dog bed. Buddy Beds beds last for years!


• Love your dog. . . give the best.

Now one lucky DogTipper reader will have a chance to win a Buddy Beds Premium bed! The prize is a Buddy Beds Premium Memory Foam Dog Bed (Large: 40” X 33” X 5”). The patented Sleep System includes:

1. Quality memory foam


2. Supporting foam to prevent “bottoming out”


3. Protective liner


4. Washable outer fabric cover

Special Offer: $100 off your dog's bed!

Even if you are not the giveaway winner. . .you can still be a winner! Buddy Beds is offering $100 off their Premium Buddy Bed for DogTipper readers. Check it out at BuddyBeds.com.

Use coupon DOGTIPPER upon checkout to save $100!

Gift for You

We love our dogs. . .but just like kids they can get into things they should not eat. First and most importantly everything you feed your dog should be in moderation; yet, these are food items that you should not give your dog.

Buddy Beds has a great downloadable booklet covering 40 foods you should not feed your dog. . . and why! Everyone who signs up for this giveaway will receive a FREE copy of 40 Foods You Should Never, Ever Feed Your Dog!

How to Enter

As always, you'll enter through the widget below; you may return to the widget at any time during the giveaway period for more entries. Due to the weight of this prize, it is limited to mailing addresses with the 48 contiguous U.S. states. Good luck!

Entry-Form

This giveaway is sponsored by Buddy Beds. As always, we only share products that we know our readers will love!

Broadway Barks Spotlights Adoptables

Waiting in the wings for that one big break, dogs and cats who dream of landing the coveted role of a forever pet parent's furry family member will step into the spotlight during the 18th annual Broadway Barks adoption event.

Taking place on July 30th in Shubert Alley, Broadway Barks co-founder/multi-Tony Award winner Bernadette Peters and music legend Gloria Estefan will act as co-hosts of this year's celebrity-packed adoption event. Happily taking on supporting roles for the paws cause, the following stars are scheduled to help adorable adoptables take center stage during a presentation of shelter and rescue pets:

• Bill Berloni (humane animal trainer and founder of Sandy's Fund)


• Reed Birney (2016 Tony Award winner for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in Play for The Humans)


• Sierra Boggess (School of Rock- The Musical)


• Sophia Anne Caruso (Lazarus/Runaways)


• Allison Case (Matilda the Musical)


• Michael Cerveris (2016 Tony Award winner for Best Actor in a Musical for his role in Fun Home)


• Leanne Cope (2016 Tony Award nominee for her role in An American in Paris)


• Alma E. Cuervo (On Your Feet!)


• Drew Gehling (Waitress)


• Rick Holmes (Matilda the Musical)


• Jayne Houdyshell (2016 Tony Award winner for Best Featured Actress in a Play for her role in The Humans)


• Judy Kaye (Wicked)


• Beth Malone (Fun Home)


• Willow McCarthy (Matilda the Musical)


• Judy McLane (Mamma Mia)


• Brian Stokes Mitchell (Shuffle Along; 2000 Tony Award winner for Best Actor in a Musical for his role in Kiss Me, Kate)


• Bebe Neuwirth (The Addams Family; TV star and Tony Award winner for her roles in Sweet Charity and Chicago)


• Brad Oscar (Something Rotten!)


• Jill Paice (An American in Paris)


• Gabriella Pizzolo (Fun Home)


• Emily Skeggs (2015 Tony Award nominee for her role in Fun Home)


• Peter Scolari (Wicked)


• Carrie St. Louis (Wicked)


• Max von Essen (2015 Tony Award nominee for his role in An American in Paris)


• Aviva Winick (Matilda the Musical)


• Amra-Faye Wright (Chicago)


• Jessica Keenan Wynn (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical)

Illustrator and theatrical poster designer James McMullan, whose works have graced the pages of Sports Illustrated, Esquire and New York magazine, is designing the 2016 Broadway Barks promotional Playbill. Past animal-loving artists who have drawn attention to the event include famous clothing designer Bob Mackie and Hilary Knight, who gained fame for bringing Eloise to life in the pages of the classic children's book.

Produced by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Broadway Barks was established in 1999 by Bernadette Peters and TV icon Mary Tyler Moore. Open to the public, the free event starts at 3 p.m., when potential pet parents can 'audition' for the role of a pet parent to a dog, cat, puppy or kitten from one of 27 participating rescue groups. The stars come out at 5 p.m. for a 90-minute celebrity presentation of adoptable pets.

When: July 30, 2016 from 3 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Where: Shubert Alley, between 44th and 45th Streets, between Broadway and Eighth Avenues)

For more information:

• visit www.broadwaybarks.com

Have You Taken the #LickMyFace Challenge for Shelter Animals?

The truth is out there…actor David Duchovny is devoted to animals in need, and now the star is stepping into his real life role as an Advisory Committee member of Target Zero to help lick the problem of needless euthanasia in animal shelters across the country by taking part in the Lick My Face campaign.

Appearing in a video alongside Brick Duchovny, the rescue dog who takes center stage in his life, Duchovny challenges both fans and fellow famous friends of Fidos– such as his X-Files co-star Gillian Anderson and ex-wife Tea Leoni– to follow his lead by donating at least one dollar to the paws cause for every lick their receive from their buddies who bark or pals who purr.

Here's how YOU can participate in the lick-off:

1. Participants can take part simply by having a smartphone or video camera and a four-legged friend who wants to show affection to help animals in need!


2. Slathering your own face with natural peanut butter, just like David Duchovny, will help you obtain the maximum smooches from your own pooches!


3. Participants can post their video on the social media channel of their choice: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc., using the hashtag #lickmyface.


4. Urge others to participate for the sake of shelter animals!


5. Participants will make a donation of at least one dollar at www.lickmyface.org for every lick received.

Established in 2013, Target Zero is a non-profit organization which educates animal welfare leaders and shelter staff about practices which have proven to aid in the achievement of zero kill (otherwise known as no-kill) within a time frame of three years or less. Since its start Target Zero has succeeded in making two US cities 'zero kill': Waco, Texas and Huntsville, Alabama. Also making great strides toward achieving the no-kill goal is Brevard County, Florida, which has set its sights on becoming no kill by October 2016. Target Zero is presently working with 10 Fellow Cities.

The definition of “no-kill” is the rescue or adoption of 90 percent or more of the companion animals in a city shelter. Ten percent or less is accounted for by dogs or cats who lose their lives due to illness regardless of medical treatment and/or large dog with non-rehabilitative aggression issues.

Speaking out about the work of the non-profit organization, Duchovny states: “Target Zero is showing a clear path to end the euthanasia of adoptable shelter animals through its proven-to-work mentorship model. We're currently in 10 Fellow Cities, but I'd like us to be in 20, 30, 40 more as quickly as possible to keep saving more and more lives. My hope is this campaign will get the word out far and wide that we're here to help.”

#TravelTuesday: St. Martin

Today we're kicking off a new #TravelTuesday feature in our PawZaar blog highlighting destinations we've covered in our guidebooks that are also home to pet rescues where you can volunteer (or even adopt) during your vacation.

First up: the Caribbean island of St. Martin, shared by French St. Martin and Dutch Sint Maarten. Not only will you find rescues here but many travelers also bring their pets along for a tropical vacation. Please check out our blog post for info and photos: www.pawzaar.com/blogs/news/shopping-in-st-martin

Feature Your Dog as Paw of the Day - and Win a $50 Shopping Spree!

We're excited to announce our new Paw of the Day feature on PawZaar!

Every week day, we're going to feature a pet on PawZaar.com–and on our social media pages including DogTipper's Facebook and Twitter accounts!

We'd like to feature YOUR dog! It only takes a moment to share your dog's photo and details on our easy form. Please visit our Paw of the Day form, upload a photo or two, and share a bit about your dog. That's it! We'll email you if your dog is scheduled to be an upcoming Paw of the Day!

AND every month, one lucky entrant will win a special prize pack. This month, the winner will receive a $50 PawZaar shopping spree! We'll draw the winner on July 15!

We can't wait to see photos of your dog. Here's the entry page:

http://www.pawzaar.com/pages/paw-of-the-day

Boy Suffering from Traumatic Brain Injury Makes Full Recovery with the Help of a Dog

Caleb went from what some would have described as a "lifeless state," to a full recovery, and it's all thanks to a dog called Colonel.
Read more

Washington Dog Lovers: Get Ready for the #DogFilmFestivalSEATTLE

Consistently ranked as one of the nation's most dog-friendly cities, on June 26th film fans will flock to Seattle for the Dog Film Festival - a family- AND Fido-friendly big-screen celebration of our buddies who bark that helps a paws cause in the process.

Tickets can be purchased for one or both of the 90-minute programs. Certain to charm canine-loving children, the first screening features more than 10 light-hearted narrative and animated shorts, among them photographer William Wegman's 30-minute comical clip “The Hardly Boys in Hardly Gold,” which shines a spotlight on the acting chops of his own costume-clad Weimaraners.

Other Spot-centric cinematic offerings include “The Lewis Lectures,” an animated presentation that provides answers to the public's canine-themed questions; “Beta,” a tale that answers questions about canines; and “Useful Dog Tricks,” a tongue-in-cheek look at the ways a dog can help around the house.

For more sophisticated pup-themed programs, the second screening features a series of 14 short documentaries, narratives and subtitled short films.  Attendees will watch “Second Chances,” a PBS film which highlights the work of incarcerated women who train former shelter dogs to become service dogs; “New York Dog Concierge,” in which the camera chronicles a dog walker who picks up more than 20 dogs from city apartments; and “La Vie d'un Chien,” a sci-fi flick about a scientist who transforms himself into a dog.

A happening with a lot of heart, 50 percent of the net proceeds from The Seattle Dog Film Festival will benefit Seattle Humane, a non-profit organization which saves the lives of more than 7,000 companion animals each year. Hoping to land a starring role in the live of a loving pet parent, some of Seattle Humane's adorable adoptables will be attending the festival.

Tickets: $20 for each showing

When: Sunday, June 26, 2016 at 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Where: The SIFF Theater Uptown 1 at 511 Queen Anne Avenue North in Seattle, Washington

For more information:

• visit dogfilmfestival.com for a list of upcoming destinations


• visit dogfilmfestival.com/destinations/seattle-wa to purchase tickets to the Seattle event

DogTipper is proud to be a media sponsor of the Dog Film Festival.

Don't Miss This Weekend's Free Friendship Bracelets!

We've got several announcements for our PawZaar store this weekend!

• Don't miss our free friendship bracelets–two with every order, through Sunday! Their bright colors are a great way to celebrate summer as well as the friendship of our four-legged family members.


• Check out our new dog breed cookie cutter collections! You'll find them all in our Home section on PawZaar: look for I Heart Collies, I Heart Black Labs, I Heart Dachshunds and many more!


• Save 20% this weekend on everything in our Guatemala Collection: dog walker bags, puppet sets, water bottle totes, and more! Use coupon code FRIENDSHIP at checkout to save between now and Sunday night.

Happy shopping!

Fido + Fluffy's #FreebieFriday Prepares for the Heat

Well, summer is suddenly upon us. After weeks (and weeks) of rain, we finally have the heat which we knew would arrive. The only thing surprising is just how quickly we can move from flooding rain to nearly 100 degree heat.

With the sudden heat, Tiki's received a home haircut and is now much happier; I can really tell that she's more comfortable, even on these hot and very humid days.

Hot days mean a great chance to hang out indoors and to enjoy entering some giveaways! This week's Fido + Fluffy's Freebie Friday blog hop which we co-host with To Dog With Love and CatTipper offers a rundown of the many pet-themed giveaways underway right now across the web.

If you're a blogger with a pet-related giveaway, be sure to link up! Please link directly to your giveaway, not to your home page. (PLEASE don't link to non-giveaway posts.) We post a new blog hop every Thursday afternoon at 4pm ET.

Disclaimer: Each giveaway has its own entry rules. CatTipper, To Dog With Love, and DogTipper assume no responsibility for the legality of the rules governing the listings on other sites and giveaways that are posted here. We simply provide this forum as a gathering place for pet product giveaways to be offered. Fulfillment of each giveaway is done by the blog conducting the giveaway, not by the hosts of this giveaway hop; please contact the giveaway host with any questions regarding a giveaway or giveaway prize.

Animal Haven Celebrates Star-Studded Facility Opening

Since opening its doors in 1967, the New York City-based Animal Haven has offered homeless dogs and cats in the Tri-State area a new start in life. Recently the renowned non-profit celebrated its impending new start in a different location with a VIP party for a paws cause.

Animal Haven lost its lease at its previous location in late 2015, but soon adorable adoptables can meet potential pet parents at the shelter's new state-of-the-art facility in downtown Manhattan at 200 Centre Street (two blocks away from Animal Haven's first venue.)

To mark the new chapter in the history of Animal Haven, fans of Fidos and felines gathered at NOMO Soho on June 8th for the “Pet Me: Shelter Opening Celebration.” The swank soiree included a silent auction, tasty treats for attendees, and food for the soul thanks to the cuddly, adoptable canines in the “Pet Me” lounge.

Several celebrities used their star wattage to shine a spotlight on Animal Haven's efforts to raise funds for the shelter's remaining costs, including:

Nicky Hilton Rothschild

Embed from Getty Images

Men's wear designer/pet clothing designer John Bartlett (who is also the founder of the Tiny Tim Rescue Fund, named in loving memory of Barlett's late three-legged Pit Bull)

Embed from Getty Images

Georgina Bloomberg

Embed from Getty Images

and red carpet Rovers Marnie the Dog

Embed from Getty Images

…and Chloe Kardoggian

Embed from Getty Images

Designed to save the lives of even more companion animals who are facing their fate in kill shelters, the new 6,500 square foot, two level facility will include two large cat rooms , 22 rooms for dogs, multiple dog runs, rooms where potential pet parents can get to know a dog or cat in a tranquil setting, veterinarian technician stations, examinations rooms, and much more.

The following video from The Wall Street Journal offers a look at the celebration:

Today Show's Wrangler Named 2016 Guide Dog of the Year

He won the hearts of millions of television viewers by raising the public's awareness of the vital work of service dogs during his 14-month stint on the NBC daytime show Today. Now Wrangler the Labrador Retriever has won the honor of being named 2016 Guide Dog of the Year.

A 19-month-old guide dog-in-training, Wrangler is a national ambassador for Guiding Eyes for the Blind. The non-profit organization, which launched in 1954,  provides guide dogs for those who are visually impaired and service dogs for children with autism.

A diligent student, Wrangler will soon complete his final, formal training and will be paired with a person who is blind or is facing the challenges of vision loss. He will bond with his new person as they both spend three weeks training together at Guiding Eyes for the Blind's Yorktown facility.

Wrangler received his accolade (a trophy and a basket filled with toys and treats) during a presentation which followed the June 13th Guiding Eyes Golf Classic, which was hosted by two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning.

The 2016 Guide Dog of the Year Award was presented by Canine Company President and CEO Jennifer Hill, who stated that Wrangler's “…happy confident personality helped us all understand more about the important work these amazing dogs do, and we are proud to celebrate him with with the 2016 Dog of the Year Award.”

For more information regarding Wrangler's journey on the road to becoming a guide dog:

• visit https://www.guidingeyes.org/wranglers-blog

Photos courtesy of Canine Company

#PawPromise Adoptable Dog of The Week: Rocket

Hi! My name is Rocket, and I'm ready to zoom right into the heart of a forever pet parent!

Like my name implies, I'm always ready to blast off on a new adventure, so if you want to go for a run around the block or go exploring in the park, I'm your guy! I need a human who will encourage my athletic aspirations and will want to join in on the fun! I also like to play with other pups, if they aren't too rowdy, and I would love to have a new brofur or sisfur!

I'm also as smart as I am sweet. I've been brushing up on my manners with help from a trainer, and you'll be impressed by my calm demeanor when I dine or go for walkies on a leash.

Approximately 18 months old, Rocket is an American Eskimo Dog/Finnish Spitz. He has been neutered, is up to date on his vaccinations, and has been fecal and heartworm tested.

Rocket is just one of the many dogs who have received a new lease on life thanks to Fido's Companion Rescue. Located in Avon, Ohio, the small volunteer-operated non-profit organization saves dogs who are facing their fate in area animal shelters, educates the public about pet overpopulation and helps to fund the spay/neuter procedures for homeless companion animals for veterinary clinics and independent rescuers.

Help the Adoptable of the Week with Your PawZaar Purchases!

Ten percent of the week's proceeds from purchases in our PawZaar store will be donated to help the adoptable dog and cat of the week. Help with your purchases of our pet-friendly jewelry, bags, cookie cutters, and more!

Photo Credit: Findo's Companion Rescue/ PetFinder.com

Who's Walking Who?

Whether it's babies walking dogs or dogs walking babies, either way, it is adorable.
Read more

Grieving Mom Faces Eviction for Keeping Late 9-Year-Old Son's Dog

Her son recently lost a battle with brain cancer. Now, Monique James is planning a court battle to keep the little dog who stayed by his side until the end.
Read more

Is the #DogFilmFestival Coming to a City Near You?

We are excited to announce that PawZaar is the media sponsor for The Dog Film Festival. Watch DogTipper for news of each city stop on this one-of-a-kind film tour and follow The Dog Film Festival Facebook page and @DogFilmFestival on Twitter for details as the tour travels to a city near you!

The Dog Film Festival™ has unleashed a 12-city tour that combines flicks, Fidos and philanthropy. After the first annual event was held in New York City last year, The Dog Film Festival, with a grant from the Petco Foundation, is now taking its show on the road. In loving memory, Tracie Hotchner - founder of the Radio Pet Lady Network and the Dog Film Festival - is dedicating the Dog Film Festival tour to her godmother, Joan Rivers.

“We are thrilled to help bring the Dog Film Festival to cities across the country,” said Susanne Kogut, executive director of the Petco Foundation. “This series of films visually relay the Petco Foundation's core mission to create a better world for animals and the people who love them. We are excited to celebrate with all dog lovers during this fun-filled festival and showcase these wonderful films that demonstrate the positive impact dogs have on people's lives.” 

The festival features two 90-minute programs, each with family-friendly flicks. The first screening features a medley of over 10 light-hearted, animated and narrative shorts. Renowned photographer William Wegman's 30-minute film, “The Hardly Boys in Hardly Gold,” starring four of his own Weimaraners in costume, will be highlighted at the first screening. Other fun and uplifting feature films include “The Lewis Lectures,” a hilarious depiction of what dogs are actually thinking; “Beta,” a delightful tale that answers many questions we've all had about dogs; and “Useful Dog Tricks,” an inspirational short about the myriad ways a dog can help around the house.

The second screening features a more sophisticated program that includes a series of 14 short documentaries, narratives and subtitled narrative films.  This screening is also appropriate for all ages however subtitles may challenge younger viewers. Films in this screening include “New York Dog Concierge,” a witty documentary that follows a dog walker picking up more than 20 dogs from their city apartments;  “Second Chances,” a PBS film about dogs who are paired with incarcerated women, who train them to become service dogs; and “La Vie D'un Chien,” a sci-fi film about a scientist who transforms himself into a dog.

In each city, a local humane society or shelter has been named beneficiary and will receive 50% of ticket sales and Halo, Purely for Pets, in conjunction with Freekibble.com, will donate 10,000 bowls of food to homeless pets in each community.

The Dog Film Festival Calendar

Following its launch in Los Angeles earlier this month, The Dog Film Festival will sit and stay in each of these cities:

• Seattle, Washington: June 26, 2016


• Rochester, New York: July 17, 2016


• East Hampton, New York: August 2, 2016


• Great Barrington, Massachusetts: August 14, 2016


• Chicago, Illinois: September 11, 2016


• San Diego, California: September 25, 2016


• New York City: October 15, 2016


• Sacramento, California: October 30, 2016


• San Antonio, Texas: November 13, 2016


• Santa Fe, New Mexico: March 5, 2017


• Kansas City, Missouri: April 2, 2017

The Los Angeles Launch

A party for a paws cause, the Los Angeles launch raised funds to aid the ongoing efforts of The Lange Foundation. Since its start in 1993, the non-profit organization has saved the lives of more than 25,000 dogs, cats and horses who were facing their fate in L.A. animal shelters.

Helping dogs and cats who long to be cast in the coveted role of the furry family member of a forever pet parent, famous fans of our four-legged friends (and the canine companions who star in their lives) recently gathered at the VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital to mark the start of The Dog Film Festival tour with an Afternoon Tea Pooch Party.

Among the stars who showed their support were:

Melissa Rivers, who continues to honor her late mother's commitment to help dogs in need:

Golden Globe-winning actress Andie MacDowell (with her barking buddy, Ava Gardner), who often uses her star wattage to shine a spotlight on animal welfare issues:

Actor/Kids Against Animal Cruelty founder Lou Wegner, who enjoyed the event alongside his rescued Rover, Joey:

Dance Moms and Raising Asia star Asia Monet is waltzing away with the hearts of dog lovers for helping animals in need:

Watch DogTipper as we bring you details about each city's special events and how you can purchase tickets to see these unique films!

Photo Credit: Bill Watson

Win 2 Special Dog Toys from Something Special Pet Supplies!

Are you looking for some special toys to entertain your dog this summer? We've got a great giveaway from Something Special Pet Supplies to share with you for TWO special prizes that one lucky dog is going to love!

Something Special Pet Supplies was created by Sharon Conger with the goal of providing an online shop that caters to people who feel strongly that their pets are truly companion animals, living in our homes with us and who are cared for just like any member of the family. Sharon has volunteered and held board seats for two dog adoption organizations over the last ten years and has seen the full spectrum of human-animal interaction. When “rescue fatigue” set in, she decided to turn her energy to promoting the ideal of animal care and welfare – by promoting animal companionship and education about proper care of those we call “best friend”.

While there are many places to shop for pet supplies, SSPS aims to provide only high quality products that promote the mental and physical well-being of our pets. According to SSPS, “We also strive to provide the highest level of customer service. We love to get product inquiries from customers and do our best to find sources for products that we don't currently carry but that do fit in our vision.”

For this giveaway, SSPS is featuring items from two of their very favorite product lines: the Mighty Dog toys and Nina Ottosson puzzle toys:

The Mighty Dog toys are hard-stuffed dog toys designed to be super-durable and hard to destroy. Dogs can chew them, throw them around, and play tug with them for quite a while before they tear. They come in a huge variety of shapes that appeal to both dogs and their humans: ocean creatures, farm animals, forest animals, safari animals, dragons and more! According to SSPS, “Many pet stores carry them, but we offer the largest variety available from the manufacturer. We love the Mighty Dog toys and their enormous variety so much that we're testing customer interest in the idea of offering a “Mighty Dog Toy of the Month” program! Why not leave a comment here if you'd be interested in something like this?”

We also adore the Nina Ottosson puzzle toys because they are designed to foster learning and interaction between you and your pet. While most are marketed as dog toys, we occasionally encounter photos or videos of cats and ferrets playing with them! Any animal with a high intellect can enjoy them. Each one is designed to provide several layers of challenge, from simple to advanced. This helps you guide your pet in the learning process, prevents him from becoming frustrated, and provides years of enjoyment. They're constructed from durable hard plastic, with no sharp or swallowable pieces. They are dishwasher safe. Some puzzles have a fairly simple “highest” challenge, like the Tornado and Dog Brick. Others are pretty advanced (like the Twister) and require the dog to learn to pull out pegs in order to “unlock” the drawers containing the treats. If you have a dog that requires child-proof locks on your cabinets, then the advanced Nina Ottosson puzzles are ideal!

Thank you for participating in our giveaway! We hope that you'll browse our store, enjoy shopping, and don't hesitate to contact Something Special Pet Supplies with any questions or product suggestions!

How to Enter

As always, you'll enter in the widget below. You may return to the widget any time during the giveaway period for more entries. Good luck!

Entry-Form

This giveaway is sponsored by and fulfilled by Something Special Pet Supplies.

Visiting the Highland Lakes After the Texas Floods

The month of May was a soggy, soggy one in Texas–so we've been homebound for the past several weeks. Along with Irie and Tiki, we were getting cabin fever so, with this week's sunshine, we decided to hit the road for a quick day trip to explore the Highland Lakes chain.

The Highland Lakes are a stairstep series of lakes that wind through the Hill Country, designed to prevent flooding and, in the process, providing electricity and recreation on the dog-friendly lakes. The chain begins with Lake Buchanan, the largest of the Highland Lakes, then continues through the constant level Inks Lake, Lake LBJ, and Lake Marble Falls before reaching the varying level Lake Travis, closest to us. From there, the chain winds on into Austin, creating Lake Austin and downtown's Lady Bird Lake.

Since the floods, boating has been prohibited on lakes south of Lake Buchanan but the lakes and parks themselves are open so we headed out to have a look. Our first stop was Inks Lake State Park, one of our favorite dog getaways. Even though this is a constant level lake, the water levels were very high…

Irie and Tiki insisted on going to our usual picnic spots, though…

Well, if you can't picnic, you might as well swim!

The park had many campers and swimmers but was extremely quiet since there were no boaters (which was just fine with Irie and Tiki!)

The fishing dock was submerged, so John tried casting…and literally fishing in the parking lot!

We had a great visit, though, and enjoyed walking around and seeing the wildflowers which have really hung on a lot longer this year than usual.

From Inks Lake, we headed on up to Lake Buchanan. Stopping wasn't permitted on the bridge overlooking the spillway but you can see from this online drone video how much water is being released:

Lake Buchanan was very muddy but we wanted to take the chance to see Canyon of the Eagles, a park and resort where we hosted a book signing for Texas with Dogs a couple of years ago. We remember that weekend stay very well–it was 112 degrees and the signing was outdoors–but this week's visit was much more pleasant!

Tiki and Irie had a great time walking around and meeting some guests, and, I think, they remembered their visit!