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December 2014
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February 2015

Feb 6th Haute Dog SF Doggy Runway Fashion Show Benefits Senior Dogs

Haute Dog SF, the most posh canine runway fashion show in San Francisco returns Friday, February 6 at the San Francisco Design Center. Last year’s sold out event attracted more than 600 dog, design and fashion fans and raised more than $25,000 for charity.

Special runway guests are Jane Wiedlin & Gina Schock from The Go-Go’s and Ronn Owens of KGO Radio!

Gina Schock
Photo credit: Jane Goldman
Jane Wiedlin
Photo credit: Jane Goldman

 


Jane & Gina will be on the runway with Flora, a senior dog from Muttville, dressed by designer Shiree Hanson Segerstrom.

Haute Dog SF 4 features fabulous dogs strutting the runway in outfits designed specifically for them by some of the Bay Area’s most prominent interior designers with fabrics provided by showrooms at the San Francisco Design Center (SFDC), a sponsor of the event, along with The Luxury Marketing Council of San Francisco, and San Francisco Magazine. Hosted by local fashion icon and clothier Mr. Wilkes Bashford, Haute Dog SF 4 also offers drinks, bites and raffles from Bay Area hospitality sponsors, as well as Posh Pup Lane, a shopping emporium of doggie delights featuring unique pet products, services, specialties and gifts. 

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Resetting your course: How a dog's memory is helping me navigate

Pet loss isn't unique. How we manage it is. Losing my beloved dog hit me hard. It has thrown my writing life for a curve. She was my primary inspiration for topics, and motivation for striking up conversations. More than three months have passed and it's been a challenge without my canine compass.

There is a feeling of lethargy that is foreign to me. Moving through the day sometimes feels awkward, like wearing an ill-fitting sweater or jacket with too tight sleeves that ride up your wrists. Our dog had my full attention for years and guided much of my writing for the past five.

image from www.grouchypuppy.com

How do you reset your course when it feels like the captain is missing?

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Just because she's pretty doesn't mean this dog wants your attention

It may come as a surprise to you but some dogs aren't interested in being the center of attention. Reactive dogs like Teddy need their space. When she's ready, she'll seek you out.

image from www.grouchypuppy.com

 

For a dog lover, it can be hard on your feelings when you're turned down by a pretty dog, but since spending time with Teddy here, when she decides you're okay by her, and you are allowed to give her a scratch or two on the butt -- it felt like winning a prize! Being allowed to give Teddy some affectionate attention was a wonderful sensation the first time, and many years later, the excitement hasn't diminished.

Have you ever had a reactive dog offer you their affection, or the chance to make physical contact with them? How did it feel?  

 

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San Francisco loves murals featuring dogs!

From quiet parklets, to beautiful landscaped hillsides, whether you have a dog and you're out on a walk, or you're daydreaming about one, you'll come across wonderful murals like this one.

www.grouchypuppy.com

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You too can find inspiration from strangers dogs

My canine muse is no longer under foot or snoring down the hall, but that doesn't mean she isn't working her magic by way of other people's dogs. 

image from www.grouchypuppy.com

Her presence is missed more than ever because now that the immediate grief is passing, we are talking about our memories of her.

We recently laughed and pointed down at some deep scratches on the floor saying, "Remember when Cleo would fly down the hall when you came home, then hit the couch and end up dancing around your legs?"

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Who's Better than Siri or Garmin?

Dog lovers know the answer! Every kid out there who has every yelled "shotgun!" while racing their older brothers to the car knows the answer. Every college student who drove home for the holidays knows the answer.

Who is Better than Siri

If you are looking for a buddy, a navigator or a keeper of secrets, adopt a dog from your local shelter, rescue or humane society. And, if you really want a traveling companion with a sense of direction, adopt an older dog. They have experience and patience, perfect skills for going on adventures together.

Find your roadie and best buddy here:

Muttville Senior Dog Rescue -- www.muttville.org

Petfinder (Nationwide) -- www.petfinder.com

San Francisco SPCA -- www.sfspca.org

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2014 Highlights Include #DogsWeLove

Dogs show us there is joy to be had from living in the moment. Your day, and whole life, can include uncertainty but find a sunny patch on the city sidewalk, and you might find yourself enjoying a moment. Something as simple as a sweet look between man and dog can lift your mood. Senior dogs in particular can make great teachers. When I look back over the past year, my old dog influenced me in many positive, and meaningful ways.

 

image from www.grouchypuppy.com
Grouchy Puppy Founder Sharon Castellanos, and Cleo, her muse

I've compiled some of the best stories from 2014 that show us how dogs are like gardens, why dogs are perfect for introverts, and what my experience was like letting my beautiful dog pass on ahead of me [...] 

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