Pawcurious: With Veterinarian and Author Dr. V

Celebrating the truth that pets make people better.

Dr. V

AKC/Eukanuba Part Two: World Challenge

by

I've been sitting fretfully at the computer all this week wondering how the heck a non-dog show person can do a big dog show like the AKC Eukanuba National Championship justice. I've toyed with a "Dog Shows for Dummies" primer, a summary of the process, discussion of the paucity of dog show haute couture, and a straight up journalistic approach before coming to this conclusion: I still don't really know what I'm talking about. Don't get me wrong, I know a heck of a lot more than I did last ... Read more »

On breed and health and what we love best

by

I'll finish recapping the AKC Eukanuba experience this week (in between building my gingerbread houses and working on the 12 Days and all the other things that manage to pile on this time of year), but I wanted to deviate for one moment into this large cloud that looms over any sort of dog discussion, and that is the vast and gaping chasm separating two equally passionate groups of pet enthusiasts. I had some very interesting conversations with some of my fellow bloggers at the conference ... Read more »

Dr V Goes to Long Beach

by

The day before I headed to the AKC Eukanuba National Championships, I was talking to my sister on the phone. "I'm heading to a dog show," I told her. "The AKC Eukanuba show?" she squealed. "I LOVE that show!" So it was from my sister, a legal professional with no ties to the animal community whatsoever, that I learned that this show was a Really Big Deal. It's actually better that I really didn't know what was in store for me, since I might have been too intimidated to focus by the level ... Read more »

Hope Telethon

by

First things first: At 1 am I went to random.org and determined the winner of the Joy Pet Products Original Goose Down Coat: Summer Thomas and her pittie Joy! Congratulations! For everyone who did not win, Patti over at Joy Pet Products wanted to give you a special discount so that even if you didn't win, you could still score on a coat if you were one of the many little pups that I now imagine shivering out in the cold. They are offering 25% off an original Goose Down coat from now until ... Read more »

Pawcurean Literary and Hairball Society ebook is here!

by

Winner! Carla and Tino! Happy Friday! As we speak there are 22 of you out there busily working on your 12 Days of Petmas posts that will be starting in a week, which is pretty much my favorite thing ever. In the meantime, I have the last of the Gift Guide items, as well as a couple of gifts for you. My Pick: The 2011 Pawcurious Calendar is here! 'Words to Live By' Volume 2 is chock full of Brody and Koa. Like last year, all proceeds will be donated. What I decided to do this ... Read more »

Grooming Giveaway!

by

Winners: Wipes go to Jeanie and the Furminator to our very last entry, Tina! Congratulations! With the holidays coming up, the last thing you want is a stinky pet cuddling up to Santa and scaring him off with her delightful doggie odor before he gets a chance to leave the goodies under the tree. To that effect, I have declared today the Pawcurious Day of Beauty with some super pampering giveaway items to keep everyone squeaky clean! Giveaway Number One: Wipe that Frown Upside Down with John ... Read more »

Howliday Gift Guide: Haute Dogture

by

Being an animal lover comes with its share of stigmas and stereotypes. Perhaps there is some truth to the idea that we are more likely than our un-petted counterparts to have some stray cat hair on our clothes, for example, but to assume said clothes are more schlumpy than those of your average person is just not right. I prefer to think of it as fashion-forward: cruelty free fur. It's a revolution, actually. I would say my time in the frumpy world of yoga tracksuits had more to do with two ... Read more »

Got Recipes?

by

OK, so I got a bee in my bonnet to collect recipes for dog and cat treats. Why not? It will be fun. Then we can do an old-fashioned recipe exchange, kind of like those cookbooks we used to do when we were in elementary school and it would be "Mrs. Jones' Famous Peach Cobbler" featuring canned peaches, marshmallows and graham crackers. I think my mother still has a couple of those cookbooks falling apart in the pantry. If you have a treat, cookie or dish recipe you'd like to include, you can ... Read more »

Howliday Week: Joy Pet Products Goose Down Coat Giveaway!

by

Think of this as the furry version of Oprah's Favorite Things, except with you all in your living room instead of in the studio, and me only giving away a few things instead of one to every reader. And we haven't all had our hair and makeup done. And we're not in Chicago. OK, it's not anything like Oprah's Favorite Things but it's still going to be a fun, fun week because I LOVE THE HOLIDAYS and therefore I dedicate the next month to merriment, festivities and gifts! This week is the ... Read more »