NOVADog Blog

Pups in the Park in NatsTown!

Enjoy these late summer and early fall dog-friendly events:

Puppy Party at Shirlington Community Canine Area (CCA) Puppy Area August 28

Join us for frisky fun at these playful and informational puppy parties.  Designed to allow young dogs to start socializing your puppy from early on, they also give owners a chance to ask experts about the dog’s behavior and meet area dog owners.  Puppies under 1 year are welcome to join in the fun.  Occurring each Saturday from 10AM-NOON through September, and brought to you by Arlington Dogs.
Where: Shirlington Community Canine Area (CCA) Puppy Area
More:  http://arlingtondogs.wordpress.com/puppy-parties/

Wag ‘N’ Whiskers August 28

Wags ‘N’ Whiskers is a community-oriented event for animal loving shoppers of all ages to spend an afternoon at The Village at Shirlington with their pet. The event will feature pet contests, demonstrations, exhibitions, pet portrait photos, childrens activities such as face painting, balloon art, live music and more along with The Village at Shirlington merchant specials and free giveaways.
When: Saturday, August 28th, 11am-4pm
Where: The Village at Shirlington

Have a Doggone Good Time at Nationals Park! August 29

Washington Nationals is hosting another Pups in the Park game this year and NOVADog is excited to be a part of it. You can bring your pooch to the ball park for a fun afternoon of baseball and support the Washington Humane Society.  At the entrance gate be sure to pick-up your copy of NOVADog.  We are having a Ticket Pack giveaway on Facebook—Watch the NOVADog Facebook page to enter to win!
Event Details:
What: Washington Nationals Pups In The Park Days
When: Sunday, August 29, at 1:35 p.m. vs. St. Louis Cardinals
Where: Nationals Park 1500 South Capitol St., SE, DC

Tickets: Seating is limited so advance purchase is suggested www.nationals.com/pups
Please review the website closely as special entrance gates and waivers are required for entry to the park with your dog.

2010 CAPITOL BICHON BASH: The Bichon Frise Event of the Year! September 12

When: Sunday, Sept 12, 2010, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Where: Bull Run Regional Park, 7700 Bull Run Drive, Centreville, VA
Event Details: Pre-Registration & Pre-Payment Required www.bichonbash.com for details
Hosted by: Maryland Bichon Frise Rescue, Inc.
There will be presentations, Ask the Vet Q&A, appointments with the incredible animal communicator Diane Roadcap, pet photography by the amazingly talented Jim Poor, a huge Bichon Rescue Boutique and more! Bring a picnic lunch … we will provide free homemade desserts and there will be water and sodas available for sale. There will also be free homemade treats for all the bichons. Every registrant gets a goody bag with personalized bandanas for your dog(s), a special homemade fused glass gift, dog biscuits and more!

Red Dog Spa Spring Fling, May 22
Join in the fun at the Red Dog Spa Spring Fling, which brings together a variety of artists, vendors and local rescue groups. Dogs are invited to this event, and they’ll have delicious snacks for your favorite four-legged friends.
Event Details:
Where: 12158 Fairfax Towne Center - Fairfax, VA
On the Green in front of the store
When: Saturday, May 22nd from 11 am - 2 pm
More: www.reddogspa.com

Dog Agility Demo, May 23
See dogs of all shapes and sizes show off their agility skills on a full competition level course! Learn what this fast-growing sport is all about and how you and your dog can get started. See the dogs in action and learn about the many dog classes that the Fairfax County Park Authority offers. Please note: Dogs are not invited to this event. It’s spectator only.
Event Details:
Where: Frying Pan Park, 2709 West Ox Road, Herndon, VA 20171
The agility yard is on the east side of the large gravel parking lot
When: Sunday, May 23nd at 10 AM
More: Call 703.437.9101 for more information

Herndon K-9 2K Dog Walk and Doggie Expo June 5
NOVADog Magazine is proud to be the Media Sponsor of this fun and exciting event supporting the Herndon Chandon Dog Park.  Bark ‘N Bubbles and All Friends Pet Care are also sponsors of the K-9 2K & Doggie Expo, which is part of the Herndon Festival ‘10.  Dogs are invited to this event, and the first 100 registrants will receive a goodie bag and special gift.  After the walk, your dog can splash around in the Pool Splash Zone and you can spend some time visiting our Doggie Expo, featuring many pet-themed vendors.
Event Details:
When: Saturday, June 5: Walk begins at 9 a.m.;  Doggie Expo runs from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Where: Bready Park, 814 Ferndale Avenue next to the Herndon Community Center
More: www.herndonfestival.net

Springfield Days PawFest and Pets on Parade June 5
Occurring during the 4 day community celebration of Springfield Days – this fun event is always a winner.  The PetFest features animal vendors of all varieties, contests prizes and a fun animal parade, so bring along your dog to join in the fun.  The entire festival is family friendly and includes a carnival, entertainment, fireworks, art show and more.
Event Details:
When: June 5, 2010
Where: Springfield Mall, VA
More: www.springfielddays.com/index.html

Got an event you’d like to submit? E-mail Janelle Welch at janelle@2houndsproductions.com.

We are excited to be giving away FOUR human tickets and FOUR dog tickets to the sold-out Pups in the Park event at the Washington Nationals stadium! For those of you who have never heard of the event….you get to enjoy the baseball game WITH your dog!

The event is May 8, at 1:35PM against the St. Louis Cardinals. Tickets are $20 (owner) and $5 (dog). With each dog ticket sold, the Nats will donate the entire amount to the Washington Humane Society.  Tickets for the August 29th Pups in the Park game are still available–see the link below for more information.

Enter to win!
Just send an e-mail with your name address and phone number to this link:
win-it@novadogmagazine.com. We’ll be drawing the winner on May 3, so pass this on to your all your friends and share it with your Facebook friends, using the “share” link below.

For more information and to buy tickets for the August event, visit www.washingtonnationals.com/pups.

Photos by Cascades Photography

Get Your Green on! It’s time for the annual FUN DOG SHOW.

March 6th marks the 29th annual Ballyshaners Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in Old Town Alexandria. The parade festivities always began with the Fun Dog Show, which is held in Market Square, and is co-sponsored again this year by Barkley Square Gourmet Dog Bakery and Karing by Kristina, Pet Care Professionals. Northern Virginia Dog Magazine is proud to be a sponsor of the Fun Dog Show event that draws dogs and their owners in record numbers.

Be sure to bring your pup! You can enter your dog in categories ranging from Best Tail Wag to Best Irish Costume. Proceeds from the event are donated to the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA).

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
10:00 a.m.
Invitational Classic Car Show.  North Pitt Street between King St. & Cameron St.

10:30 a.m.
Fun Dog Show.  Market Square

12:30 p.m.
Parade Division 1 steps off to begin the parade

More info: http://www.ballyshaners.org/content.aspx?page=91&section=1

There are TWO big dog wash events to benefit TWO great organizations:

TO BENEFIT VIRGINIA GERMAN SHEPHERD RESCUE:
Saturday December 5
11:00-3:00
Bark N Bubbles Herndon Location (795 Center Street, Herndon, VA, 703-437-9274)
Volunteers on had to wash your dog. Donations start at $25 and benefit VA German Shepherd Rescue. Some German Shepherd dogs available for adoption

TO BENEFIT FRIENDS OF HOMELESS ANIMALS:
Sponsored and organized by the Northern Virginia Professional Pet Sitters Network
Saturday December 12
11:00-3:00
Bark N Bubbles Fairfax Location (11725 Lee Highway, #A-17A)
NOVA Pet Sitter volunteers on had to wash your dog. Donations start at $25 and benefit Friends of Homeless Animals

I know we are all about the DOGS here at NOVADog Magazine, but let’s spread some good cheer in the direction of our feline friends this holiday season.

December 12 and December 19: Caroling with Cats. On these two special Saturday evenings, Animal Welfare League of Alexandria staff, volunteers and residents invite everyone to join us for songs, snacks and “arfs and crafts!” The shelter will be open until midnight, so feel free to stop by for a late night snuggle with our shelter residents or a cup of cocoa and a sweet treat. If you’re not feeling very tuneful, our hounds can sing a tune for you!

More info: http://www.alexandriaanimals.org/~awla/special_events.cfm

“Bark For Life” – American Cancer Society, Canine Relay for Life of Fauquier

The leaves are changing color, the air is cool and refreshing, what better a time to leash up your pup and head out to the countryside for a walk! Enjoy the beautiful fall weather and colors, get some exercise with your pup, all while supporting a very worthy cause, what could be better?

This Saturday, October 31st, the American Cancer Society is hosting the first annual Canine Relay for Life of Fauquier. The event will be held at the American Legion in Warrenton, VA. For more details, to pre-register or to donate visit: “Bark For Life”

Registration is from 8-9AM, then the fun begins (barks, kisses, wags, walks and sniffing), and runs until 12 PM when the closing ceremony is held. Pull together a group of friends (even the dog-less ones) and head out for some fun! The Fauquier SPCA will have shelter dogs available to walk if you don’t have your own four legged friend.

Last night I had the pleasure of meeting Luke Robinson. He is walking from Austin to Boston with his 2 Great Pyrenees dogs, Hudson & Murphy. Why? Because he has dedicated his life to understanding why his first dog, Malcolm, died of bone cancer at age 6.

Luke’s year and a half journey has brought him to DC for the first ever Canine Cancer Caucus in Washington, DC. He is also planning a number of other events to help raise funds for research and awareness of the growing numbers of dogs and their humans that are affected by this disease. Everyone has been touched by cancer in some way, shape or form. Let’s pledge to help find the cause and the cure.

Here’s a listing of events to participate in:

Friday, September 18: Canine Cancer Caucus and March on Washington
After assembling at Lady Bird Johnson Park, join participants from all over the country to march across the Arlington Memorial Bridge and stop at the Reflecting Pool on the National Mall for a brief memorial service for those dogs lost to cancer. The march will then continue to the Old Folklife Festival Site, where Robinson will be joined by other speakers to discuss the canine cancer epidemic.
Price: FREE! Bring your dogs!
Time: 10:00 am-4:00 pm
Place: Assembling at Lady Bird Johnson Park at 10 AM
More info: http://2dogs2000miles.blogspot.com/2009/08/more-on-dc.html

Friday, September 12: Charity Dog Wash
Time: 11:00 am-3:00 pm
Place: Bark N Bubbles, 20604 Gordon Park Sq, Ashburn, VA
More info: http://www.barknbubblesdogwash.com/

Saturday, September 12 and Sunday, September 13
2K Arlington Walk 4 the Cure
Bring your furry friends! Register on site for the 2K Arlington Walk 4 the Cure ANYTIME Saturday between 9:30AM and 6:30PM and/or Sunday between 10:30AM and 5:30PM.
Follow the “Wag ‘N Awareness Map “, walk & learn facts about K9 cancer, win prizes, celebrate Hudson’s Birthday Pawty & enter your dog in the “Wagger” Contest.
Each registered human walker will receive 2 “Wag ‘N Walker Raffle” tickets.
Prizes Announced Sunday at 5:45PM (you don’t need to be there 2 win).
Luke will autograph pictures; professional photographer will be there to take pictures of you with his pack.
Place: Dogma Bakery, 2445 N Harrison St, Arlington, V A
More info: www.novadogmagazine.com/WAGN4cure.pdf

Visit Luke’s site to become a fan on facebook and follow his journey on twitter! www.2dogs2000miles.org

Here’s a fun event you and your dog won’t want to miss!

Exciting events include: Pet portraits–go home with a complimentary photo! Also face painting and balloon art. Strut your mutt fashion show at 12:50 pm, Trick-for-a-treat, best trick contest, store promotions and give aways.
Event Details:
What: Wags ‘N Whisters
When: Saturday, Aug 29
Where: The Village at Shirlington, in Arlington, VA (corner of S. Randolph St. and Campbell Ave.)
Why: A doggone puur-fect way to spend the day!
More: www.villageatshirlington.com

TELL US WHY YOUR DOG RULZ! Participate in this cool new NOVADog contest and if your entry wins it will be published in the Summer issue, along with a photo of your pooch. PLUS If we choose your entry, you will get a cool “My dog rulz” T-shirt for yourself and one of our groovy red bandannas for your pup! (modeled by head NOVADogs in charge Jake and Chance)

To enter, go to:
http://www.novadogmagazine.com/dogrulz.html

Please include your name and e-mail address so we can contact you, and don’t forget to share this contest with all of your dog-loving friends!