Dogtipper.com's Dog News

We recently told you about the new eco-friendly dog jackets from Earth's Best Friend, a San Francisco-based company. Now you can win your own dog jacket!

The beautiful green and beige dog jacket (size Large, value $40) in our photo will be awarded to one winner. It's super easy to put on your dog with Velcro fasteners at the chest and belly. Best of all, it's all earth-friendly, made from cotton and hemp with sustainably-harvested buttons and even a plantable tag!

To enter, just subscribe to our free weekly DogTipper e-newsletter--the form is in the top right corner of this page. To make sure we know you'd like to be entered in the contest, drop us a quick note with your contact info, only to be used if you win.

Rules: Deadline for entries is 11:59PM Dec. 31, 2008; the winner will be announced on DogTipper on Jan. 1, 2009. One entry per email address. Open to readers everywhere. Winner must be a subscriber of the DogTipper newsletter at time of award; subscription can be dropped at any time later.

To Enter:

1. Subscribe to newsletter at top right of this page
2. Send an email with your name, the email address you used to subscribe to the newsletter, and your mailing address. You may email editors@dogtipper.com or use our online contact form.

Are you looking for a jacket for your dog--one that's as earth friendly as it is dog friendly? We may have just found the answer: Earth's Best Friend. This San Francisco-based pet product company specializes in eco-friendly, sustainable pet clothing and has just released two new products--dog jackets and dog kimonos--for dog lovers who have an eye on the environment.

Earth's Best Friend's flagship dog jackets feature:

• soft, reversible fabrics sourced in Colorado

• sustainably-harvested buttons from a New York manufacturer

• plantable hangtags that grow wildflowers when placed in a layer of soil

Or how about Asian-inspired attire for your pooch? The kimono jackets are each one-of-a-kind, individually made in San Francisco from recycled, repurposed kimonos straight from Japan! The company offers several different patterns and styles to fit your pooch's preference.

For More Information:
• visit Earth's Best Friend, www.earthsbestfriend.com

Here's a great way to give to shelter animals: search the web. Dogpile.com is hoping to raise $1 million over the next year by contributing part of their revenues in a new "Search & Rescue" program to raise money for the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®).

Along with money raised from your searches, you can also download the Search & Rescue toolbar. It's a way to give to shelters without spending any of your own money, more important than ever in these tough economic times when shelter donations are down--and shelter populations are up.

Dogpile.com has also raised funds for the Humane Society of the United States and is a Petfinder.com partner.

For more information:
• visit www.dogpile.com/rescue

In the coming weeks, keep an eye out for a new Marley & Me PSA campaign, a partnership of the American Kennel Club(R), Twentieth Century Fox and John Grogan. The TV spots remind dog lovers of the big commitment of dog ownership.

Grogan is the author of the best-selling book which recounts his life with Marley, a Labrador Retriever, who quickly grew from an cute puppy to 97-pound steamroller.

In Grogan's words from the PSA:

"Puppies... they're so cute. Until they're not. Then they become 100 pounds of thundering, hairy, yelping, jumping, drooling, go-exactly-where-you-don't-want-them-to-go... commitment. In a word: Marley. I'm John Grogan. I was Marley's very patient and loving owner for over 12 years. I know there is nothing like the joys and rewards of pet ownership but... someone's got to be the responsible one... most likely you. "

The Marley & Me movie, which stars Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston, opens in theaters December 25.

If you miss the ads, check out www.akc.org/marley .

Actor and dog lover John O'Hurley will be emcee for The National Dog Show Presented by Purina, airing Thanksgiving Day at 12:00 Noon (in all US time zones), broadcast on NBC following the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade! With close to 20 million viewers (and 15,000 at the live event alone), the annual dog show is further proof of the popularity of dogs.

This year's National Dog Show will feature a guest appearance by Uno, who last February became the first beagle ever to win Best in Show at Westminster. Uno has been busy since his win; traveling with National Dog Show TV host and Westminster Communications Director, David Frei, he has visited with President and Mrs. Bush at the White House, met Snoopy the cartoon beagle in California, and threw out the first "fetch" before Major League Baseball games in Milwaukee and St. Louis.

Visiting the Show In Person: Although it is shown on Thanksgiving Day, the National Dog Show is taped this weekend at The Greater Reading Expo Center in Reading, Pennsylvania. The events start at 8 a.m. each day, continuing into the late afternoon and culminating in Best in Show judging around 6 p.m.

On Saturday, Nov. 22, Uno will sign pawtographs and pose for photos In exchange for a $5 donation to Angels on a Leash. Uno's appearance times on Saturday are 9:30-11:30 a.m. and noon-1 p.m. at the Purina Pro Plan booth.

Tickets for the Live Show: Tickets for both Saturday and Sunday are available by calling Ticketmaster at 215-336-2000 or 717- 260-2000 and by visiting www.ticketmaster.com and searching National Dog Show. Ticket prices are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 years of age and under.

For More Information:
• visit www.nationaldogshow.com
• visit www.purina.com/resources/nds/viewersguide/index.html

Photo courtesy The National Dog Show Presented by Purina