Let’s go surfing now!
Surfing on the set of GMA
It’s National Volunteer Week – Ideas for dog lovers | thepupdiary.com
23 AprWe love to volunteer! It’s a great way to meet new people, learn new things, and of course, give back to the community. With volunteer week upon us, we thought we would share a few ideas where doggy lovers may want to make an impact. And remember, you don’t have to make a huge time commitment! Whether you have a free hour every day, every week, or every month, there is something for everyone! There is even an “It’s My Park Day” where you can volunteer in your fave doggy park!
Yorkie Rescue Volunteers
WORKING WITH KIDS
Animal Haven Shelter hosts a Caring Kids program on Friday afternoons from 4:00 to 5:0 pm. The program introduces children and teens to basic animal care and informs them about existing issues in animal welfare.
A Fair Shake For Youth uses certified therapy dogs to teach at-risk youth dog-handling skills. The basic hands-on work is complemented by guest speakers, field trips, and videos, all of which serve to demonstrate the exceptional capabilities of dogs, the power of the animal-human bond, and help the youth develop prosocial skills and behaviors.
Unleashed is an after-school program that transforms the lives of middle school girls by involving them in all aspects of puppy rescue.
WORKING WITH YOUR THERAPY DOG
Although many therapy dogs do visit hospitals and nursing homes (Cubby does and she loves it!) there are so many other facilities and opportunities for you and your trained therapy dog. There are reading programs, children’s programs, support groups, and so much more!
The Good Dog Foundation promotes the use of animal-assisted therapy. Good Dog’s mission is to elevate the stature and promote society’s understanding of the therapeutic value of the human-animal bond.
The ASPCA is the East Coast Affiliate of Pet Partners, a national organization that aims to improve human health through the assistance of service and therapy animals.
Also check out Angel on a Leash.
HANDS ON WITH ADOPTABLE DOGS
The Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals offers many great volunteer opportunities. Their website includes information and links to the Alliance Participating Organizations. We love Animal Haven Shelter where we adopted Cubby.
Animal Care & Control has simplified their training with new online courses.
Best Friends Animal Society hosts several events in the New York area every year including a huge Super Adoption event. This is a great opportunity to work directly with animals and many rescue groups and shelters. http://network.bestfriends.org/golocal/newyork/default.aspx
If you have a favorite dog breed, see if there is a breed rescue group in your area. We love Yorkie 911 Rescue and Maryland Westie Rescue. The Mayor’s Alliance does list many breed rescue groups.
OTHER PROGRAMS
Volunteer with PAWS NY to help keep people with their pets in times of need. PAWS NY helps individuals care for their pets when physical or financial barriers prevent them from doing so on their own.
Volunteer to help the Humane Society with their Pets for Life hotline. The Pets for Life NYC Program is an animal surrender prevention program dedicated to helping people resolve problems that could otherwise lead them to surrender their pets to the city’s animal shelter system. http://www.humanesociety.org/community/volunteers/volunteer_petsforlife_nyc.html
ROAD TRIPS
Volunteering away from the city can seem like a vacation! Check out:
Hike with an Adoptable Dog with Discover Outdoors.
VOLUNTEER DATABASES
Check volunteer databases for opportunities. VolunteerMatch is a great place to start.
Duck Tape pop-up in Midtown | thepupdiary.com
22 AprWe can find just about everything in New York City! Including a very cool temporary Duck Tape pop-up shop at 1411 Broadway that will remain open until April 28. Cool duct tape products – dresses, shoes, purses, flowers – are displayed inside the colorful store. But noticeably missing are doggy-themed tapes and Duck Tape constructed doggy gowns! Have no fear, the “paw print” line is coming soon and should be on sale within the next few months.
Duck Tape Pop-Up in Midtown
A standard roll of tape (think bright colors and cool patterns) will set you back about $6. Mini rolls are available for half that amount. Guest artist, Chance Foreman, created a pretty New York skyline out of the Duck Tape. Project Runway contestant designs were in window displays. We have some ideas of our own for a doggy gown! What a fun shop! Very friendly staff, too!
A portion of the proceeds of sales are donated to Autism Speaks Light it Up Blue campaign.
The shop, located on Broadway between 39th and 40th Streets, is open through Sunday, April 28. Monday to Friday from 11 to 7, Saturday from 10 to 6 and Sunday from 10 to 5.
-
- Duck Tape Pop-Up Shop
Bark in the Park with the Mets at Citi Field | thepupdiary.com
21 AprHow lucky are we to attend a Major League baseball game?! The Mets organization teams with animal charities to host dog-friendly Bark in the Park events two times each season. The spring game took place this weekend at Citi Field and benefitted North Shore Animal League America. Hundreds of doggies took part in a field-level doggy parade and then watched the game from the Pepsi Porch. The first 500 pups received cute Mets-themed bandanas.
BARK in the Park
We yipped and yapped at all of the dogs and were truly astonished at the different breeds represented. It was a “meet the breeds” at the ballpark– from Dobermans to Saint Bernards to Yorkies, Westies, Huskies, and everything in between! The next dog-friendly game will be held on Saturday, September 14. Purchase your tickets as soon as they become available because this sells out every year. AND, many other Major League teams host events throughout the season! If you are traveling this summer, check the local team to see what they have planned. Play ball!!
-
- Bark in the Park at Citi Field
Dogs of New York – Tasha Bella the Manhattan Morkie | thepupdiary.com
19 AprWe are excited to interview and profile Dogs of New York! Our first post featured New York’s Adoptable Dogs. Today we would like to interview our doggy friend and television star, Tasha Bella the Manhattan Morkie! She is on Twitter @ManhattanMorkie and she also has a Facebook page. Tasha and her mom, Susan, star on the debut episode of Nat Geo Wild’s Spoiled Rotten Pets with Beth Stern this Saturday, April 20 at 9 pm.
Introducing Tasha Bella!!
Tasha Bella
Photo Credit: Susan Godwin
Q. How did you get your name?
A. My real name is Natasha but my friends call me Tasha, for short. I am named after one of my Mom’s favorite actresses, Natalie Wood – whose real name is Natasha Gurdin.
What neighborhood do you call home?
I live in Hell’s Kitchen, a neighborhood of Manhattan – that actually makes me neighbors with Cubby and Ginger!!
Favorite dog-friendly NYC spot?
My favorite dog-friendly NYC spot is definitely Shake Shack!! They have yummy hamburgers that Mom shares with me – and we have a lot of Pup Scout meetings there, so it’s always a fun time! Tribeca Grand Lounge is a very chic place to go, too.
Favorite day trip from NYC?
I actually haven’t been out of NY that much, unless it’s far away, I’ve been on lots of planes – but a day trip, hmmmm, does Brooklyn count? I love Coney Island – they have the best hot dogs!
Do you have any pet peeves?
Oh yes – my pet peeve is being forced to ride in a car!! I hate cars! I pant and shake the entire ride! But what Mom thinks is funny is that I love the subway and buses! BOL I guess I’m just a city girl at heart!
Human peeves?
When humans use that vacuum thing – that’s the only time you’ll hear me bark! I hate vacuums!!
What do you like to eat?
I eat Artemis dry food and Stella & Chewy’s and Natural Balance – but I REALLY like to eat turkey and vanilla ice cream!!!!!!
If you could break bread with any doggy (past or present) who would that be?
I would love to break bread with Freeway, from “Hart to Hart” – Mom watches the DVDs of that show and Freeway is one cool dude!
Any famous humans you would like to meet?
I’ve been pretty lucky with meeting some great actresses, because my Mom is in the business. She’s introduced me to dog loving, Broadway legends Chita Rivera and Bernadette Peters and wonderful actress, Valerie Harper – who is the person who told Mom, years ago, that she should get a dog, so she got me!
Tasha is a Pup Scout
Photo Credit: Susan Godwin
Birthday suit or dressed to the K-nines?
Dressed to the K-nines of course!! I wouldn’t feel right walking around naked! BOL
Designer duds or off the rack?
Designer Duds!! I started with off the rack, as a puppy – but once you start with designer duds, there’s no going back!
Favorite doggy charity?
I love Yorkie 911 Rescue, not just because I’m half Yorkie, they help lots of doggies besides Yorkies.
I also like Celebrity Catwalk and Broadway Barks! Too hard to pick just one Favorite doggy charity.
What is one thing other pups probably don’t know about you?
That I’m engaged!! BOL Just kidding – everyone knows that already! BOL
But maybe they didn’t know that my real name is Natasha. Or that I have a stroller that I’ve never used! (Maybe this will shame Mom into using it!)
Upcoming summer plans?
OMD, so many plans! After Blog Paws, we have ZZ and Pebbles Disco Party, then Yorkie 911 Fundraiser, then Dexter and Zoes wedding in CT – then I want to visit Gramma & Grampa in NH – I am going to be one busy doggie this summer!
Any new doggy products you can recommend?
We just found Dawn Diesler’s new line of dog carriers, Bespoke Canine!! They are so lightweight and pretty – and the best part is the inter-changeable handles, to match ALL our outfits! So cool!
Thank you so much, Tasha, for being a great doggy to interview!! We will watch you on Spoiled Rotten Pets this Saturday, April 20 at 9 pm!!
Follow Us on Social Media
the pup diary 