Artie the Beagle and I have a pact: We don’t tell each other what to wear. That being said, I am bummed that there is no dog in costume running around the house this Halloween. But Artie chooses nakedness over costume every single time.

Halloween is my favorite. The holiday happens just as the Phoenix weather has chilled somewhat. It involves no gift giving and it provides a chance to let your secret self shine through, whether you are a closet gore-master or wanna-be fairy princess. It’s just your chance to be someone completely different for at least a night.

Maybe we get Halloween costumes for our dogs’ so we can see their other personalities come out to play. Costume stores say their sales of dog costumes are doubling every year. Hmmm, which came first – the incredibly cute costumes or the demand for incredibly cute dog costumes – hard to say. But there are some great ones out there:

I especially love this one. It’s a nice take on Artie’s relationship with the neighborhood’s UPS driver.

Halloween Dog Costume Contests/Events

And where to go once you have selected the perfect costume. The metro Phoenix weather is perfect now for nighttime events. Here’s a list of terrific Halloween spots for you and the dog that offer canines costume contests and prizes for their humans:

• Oct. 21 – Halloween Spooktacular & Car Show The Shops at Nortierra , 2460 W. Happy Valley Road, Phoenix 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

• Oct. 22 — Beagles, Brews and Boo Spokes on Southern, 1470 E. Southern, Tempe, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Oct. 26 – Howl-o-ween at W, 7277 E. Camleback, Scottsdale, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Oct. 26 – Howl-o-ween at Omni Montelucia 4949 E. Lincoln Drive, Scottsdale 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

• Oct. 26 — Scottsdale Fall Festival: 2311 N. Miller Road, Canine costume at 8:35 p.m.
• Oct. 29 — Howl-o-ween K9 Costume Contest,  1035 N. Idaho Road,  Apache Junction, 7 p.m.
• Oct. 29 — Yappy Hour Halloween Costume Party: Desoto Market, 915 N. Central, Phoenix 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Oct. 30 — Halloweenie, Short Leash Hot Dogs, 110 E. Roosevelt, Phoenix, Noon to 2 p.m.
• Oct. 30 – Bark-o-ween, Arcadia O.H.S.O. Eatery + Nano-Brewery, 4900 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Oct. 30 — Howl-o-wee Bash Smelly Dog, 5033 N. 7th Ave., Phoenix, 3 p.m.
• Oct. 31 Halloween in the Hills Avenue of the Fountains, Fountain Hills, Contest begins at 5:45 p.m.

t-shirt available here

Can a dog help you deal with this year’s beyond-insane election?

This weekend I reached an end point with politics. Of course, I will vote. I picked my presidential candidate  awhile ago and shared my decision with anyone who asked. My friends, family and colleagues have already decided as well. And there’s no budging them either way.

So instead of watching last night’s “presidential” Town Hall, I walked the dog. I recommend it heartily. It provided the mental-health break I needed and it gave me a chance to avoid any more political discussions.

Don’t have a dog? Or have one that is not that jazzed about a stroll? How about volunteering to walk one?

It may be a little naïve, but what would happen if instead of reading one more political (and perhaps totally inaccurate) Facebook posting or listening to one more infuriating video clip, we all just did something for someone else. Helping a dog seems like a good starting point. So, instead of reading the Town Hall reviews, I just went ahead and saved you the time of Googling to find out which animal shelters need volunteers.

Here’s a lovely list of metro Phoenix shelters in need of someone to walk a dog or socialize with animals:

• Arizona Animal Welfare League
• Arizona Humane Society
• Arizona Small Dog Rescue
• Foothills Animal Rescue
• Halo Animal Rescue
• Home Fur Good
• Lucky Dog Rescue
• Maricopa County Animal Care and Control

Election three weeks away

I’m not advocating burying your head in the sand and ignoring all election-related news. What I am suggesting is that if you are feeling overwrought about it all, just take an hour out of your day and step away from the computers and phones. The news will be waiting for you when you get back and in the meantime, you have made a puppy pretty happy.

The dog, by the way, seconds the motion.

We all know bad things can happen fast.

Phoenix is far away from Tornado Alley but we aren’t immune from floods, fires and other emergencies. Electric outage anyone?

September is the month dedicated for Emergency Preparedness and it is a good time to figure out what to do with your dog in an emergency. Here’s some tips:

Get a rescue alert sticker

This easy-to-use sticker will let firefighters, paramedics know that pets are inside your home. Get your stickers here. Or here. (Or the next time you see me, ask. I have some!)

Figure out your dog’s safe haven before an emergency

Everyday emergencies — medical crises — happen, too. Before anything happens, figure out who you can trust with your housekey and your dog. Make sure this person knows your dog’s feeding and medication times and habits incase you aren’t able to make it home. Other dog emergency-preparedness tips:

• If you use a pet-sitting service, find out if they can help in case of an emergency.
• Contact hotels and motels outside your area to find out if they accept dogs. Ask about any restrictions on number or size and if they would change policies in case of an emergency. This is a really handy list to have if the power or the AC goes out.
• Ask friends or relatives outside your neighborhood if they would shelter you and your pets—or just your pets—if necessary.
• Call ahead to see if emergency shelters will take your dog. The American Red Cross, for example, doesn’t take pets, except for service animals.

Prepare dog emergency supplies and traveling kits

• Keep your dog’s essential supplies in sturdy containers that can be carried (a duffle bag or covered trash containers, for example). Checklist of pet emergency-preparedness kit.
•  Make sure all pets wear collars and tags with up-to-date identification information. Your dog’s ID tag should contain her name, telephone number and any urgent medical needs. Be sure to also write your pet’s name, your name and contact information on your pet’s carrier.
• Get your dog microchipped.

If you evacuate, take the dog.

Rule number one: If it isn’t safe for you, it isn’t safe for your pets. You have no way of knowing how long you’ll be kept out of the area, and you may not be able—or allowed—to go back for your pets. Dogs left behind in a disaster can easily be injured, lost or killed.

Stay safe everyone!

The sign at Phoenix’s North Mountain Visitor Center says it all: It’s bee season and with reports of dogs being stung to death in Scottsdale, it’s a good time to review how to prevent your dog from getting stung and what to do it Fido meets up with a bee.

Right now, bee-removal services say they are getting 30 to 60 calls a day for people with swarms and hive problems. Typically, bee season in Arizona runs from mid-March through late October, but it often depends on the weather.

The bad news for people with pets is that there is really no way to prevent your dog from coming in contact with a bee, short of house arrest. By their very endearing curious natures, dogs are going to investigate small flying insects zipping around in the air. In fact, dogs are at greater risk from bee stings than people. They are likely to get stung in the mouth or on the nose, face, or feet.

The good news is that dogs’ throats don’t swell up like humans. In most cases, dogs will have mild swelling and tenderness.

If you know that your dog has been stung, try to remove the stinger as quickly as possible to stop the venom from spreading. Use your credit card or fingernail to gently scrape it out.Use Be careful because you may rupture the venom sac, potentially causing more damage. And sometimes, the stinger can’t be found.

To be safe, contact your vet who will most likely advise you to give your pet Benadryl, an over-the-counter antihistamine, which dogs usually respond well to. Your vet can tell you the correct dosage based on your dog’s weight. You can also run a washcloth under some cool tap water and and press it onto the sting to help with swelling. Don’t use an ice pack as that can cause frost bite.

It’s time to see the vet immediately if your dog is vomiting, has difficulty breathing, trembling diarrhea, pale gums, weakness or unconsciousness. If any of these symptoms occur, take her to the vet ASAP. Your vet may have to administer antihistimines, steroids or other medications to help reverse the problem.

Another good practice: Have your vet’s number programmed into your speed dial and cell phone. You never know when the bees will show up!

Dear Girl Scouts of America:

Well, Girl Scout cookie time has rolled around and once again, us dogs are being left out.

Oh sure, we can snag a box from a countertop and snarf some down but we all know that is going to lead to a lot of midnight hurling and expensive vet bills. Thin Mints, they are delicious but that chocolate can play havoc on our stomachs. As can all the sugar in the Savannahs. And Samoas, (Samoas? We don’t mind if we do) but sugar and chocolate…woo boy! Express Train to Tummy Trouble.

So, why not do us all a favor and make some dog cookies in your next big batch? “Scouts for Scout’’? Or “Campers’ Canine Cookies’’? “Spot’s Sunshines’’? “Bowser Brownies’’? We’re dogs. Not marketing geniuses. Come up with your own names.

From what we understand, you have had less-than-successful cookie attempts in the past. The Kookaburras, a cross between a Rice Krispies treat and a candy bar. Or the Ole Oles, which were –reduced fat and a complete bust. We aren’t so sure people want nutritious cookies from you. Let us know how sales for those Rah-Rah Raisins go over –and raisins, BTW, bad for dogs!

We are all behind your mission to support the development of girls but we think you are missing out on a huge, huge opportunity. With our endless appetites for cookies and your cute-as-a button mercenary sales force, the sky is the limit.

Signed,

Your Loving Dogs

When is your dog not a Dog?

When we are talking about the Chinese New Year, which we are doing a lot this week because the world has just embarked on the Year of the Monkey.

You’re a Dog if you were born in the years 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006… And your dog is a Dog, if she was born in those years as well. Otherwise she is Tiger, Pig, Ox, etc. Got it?

According to the Chinese zodiac, those born in the Year of the Dog are loyal and honest, amiable and kind, cautious and prudent. They will do everything for the person who they think is most important. Hmmm, sound familiar?

It is also believed that Dogs are not good at communication, thus giving them a bad rep of stubbornness. Wow, really familiar.

Dogs, it turns out, just need a quiet life and a good family. Fair enough – all the Dogs I know, human and canine could benefit from that.

The upcoming Monkey year for Dogs is not going to be a walk in the park. Apparently, it is going to take a strong focus and tough skin for this to be a successful year for all the Dogs out there. Also, they need to be patient.

What about for the rest of us? What does Year of the Monkey bring for all signs of the Chinese zodiac? The theory is that since monkeys are playful and quick, this is going to be a lively year. It’s a good time for fresh starts and new chances and lot of energy.

Good luck for this Monkey year.
猴年吉祥 (Hóunián jíxiáng)

HoneyBun, inspiration of Happy Dog Phoenix, passed away Sunday. She was 16 and had been in declining health. Here are just some of the lessons I learned from this wonderful dog:

1. There are some things worth getting up for at 4 a.m.
2. It doesn’t hurt to ask.
3. Eating a bag of dry Soba noodles and drinking a lot of water will give you the physique of a Sumo wrestler.
4. Don’t spend time on things that don’t matter. Just walk away.
5. Naps. Naps. Naps.
6. Investigate every crack, crevice, shopping bag and shrub. Something good is bound to be there.
7. Get excited to see your pals.
8. Just go for it.
9. You say it’s cat poop. I say it is delicious. It pays to think for yourself.
10. Grow old gracefully and enjoy every last morsel.

Hmmm, temperature in Phoenix for Thursday: 111; temperature in San Diego: 70.

Seems like it is time to pack up the dog and hit the road. Perhaps you already have!

Your dog, of course, will love going to San Diego since not only does it have such incredibly fine weather, it is also perennially named as one of the most dog-friendly cities in the country.

The beaches are a big part of why San Diego gets such glowing reviews.

There are four dog beaches in the metro area. (Our book Happy Dog Phoenix has the list) And when we say dog beaches, we mean it. People are just as likely to pack up their dog to go to the beach as they are to get the cooler ready. Dogs are everywhere. In July, there’s a surf-dog competition; there are some surfing classes for your dog and near every dog-friendly beach is a dog wash where you can lather them up and hose them down.

Our favorite dog wash is Dog Beach Dog Wash (also known as OB Dog Wash). It’s the classic, opened in 1993, and known for very friendly employees and a fun laid-back atmosphere. That’s important because when you are washing a Rottweiler, it’s good to be mellow.

Another San Diego dog classic is: The Original Paw Pleasers. It offers fresh-baked treats and but my dog, like me, loves the ice cream.

One more San Diego classic is the historic Hotel del Coronado, which now welcomes small pets, and for those with bigger dogs, check out the Loews Coronado Bay Resort. Looking for budget friendly as well as dog friendly? Head over to the Holiday Inn near Horton Plaza or there’s always La Quinta.

Ahhh, San Diego: five hours away and 40 degrees cooler. Can’t beat it.

On Sunday, you get to take your dog to a ballgame in downtown Phoenix to see the Arizona Diamondback whip up on the Giants.

What dog doesn’t live baseball? Will the D-backs continue making a comeback of sorts? Will there be plunking? Can you catch a foul ball and watch your dog at the same time?

Ah, the drama…. and the hot dogs!

Want to make a day of it? Cooperstown and Phoenix Public Market welcome dogs on the patio, incase you and the pooch want to make a pit stop before the game. Or there’s always Short Leash Hot Dogs incase you didn’t get enough at the game.

For the other kind of  pit stops, there’s a grassy area located outside Chase Field’s Gate K (northeast entry) that is designated as an animal-relief area.

The accountants (photographed above) have spoken: We’re able to send a check to Phoenix Animal Care Coalition 911 for another $1,000.

This is all because of caring people like you who have bought and supported Happy Dog Phoenix.

All in all, we have raised more than $2,500 for animal rescue. Way to go everyone!

Recently our neighborhood had two dogs wandering through who had obviously been dumped by their previous humans. They were well-fed, well-behaved, collar-wearing and tagless dogs who seemed bewildered that they had lost their homes.

I am lucky to living in a caring neighborhood and temporary homes were found for the dogs. But while this was being done, many of us, myself included, were just wringing our hands as we tried to figure out what to do.

By supporting organizations like PAC911 that hold large adopt-a-thons where all rescue groups can participate, you are helping dogs like those who were abandoned on our neighborhood streets.

Thanks again for your support! And now onto the next $1,000.