Dog's Dying in Japan

It seems like with all the current news stories taking the for front in everyone's mind the tragedy in Japan has fallen to the back.  But unfortunately, that tragedy is far from over especially for the pets that had to be left behind in the the 20-km exclusion zone near the Fukushima nuclear power plant.  On April 22nd the Japanese government  cut off people going back into the No-Go Zone with little to no warning.  Many people that were living in the evacuation centers (where pets are not allowed) continued to return to their homes to feed and care for their pets, but for the past weeks those pets have been left to fend for themselves.

According to Japan Animal Earthquake Rescue and Support (JEARS), there are 5,000 to 10,000 domestic animals in the exclusion zone.  The conditions are continuing to get worse and some animals are dying of starvation.  Please watch this short video to see a first hand account of what is happening.

These brave rescuers are going into the No-Go Zone despite the ban to try to save these pets.  It is a huge battle they have on their hands. 

For information on how to help, bark on the link:  Bark!

Devoted Guide Dog

When I read this story for the first time, it touched my heart in a such a big way.  I have such a soft spot for working dogs, but service or guide dogs especially.  Partly because of the absolute devotion and this story is a perfect example of this devotion.

In 2008 in South Wales Sarah Craig-Hancock said she heard her 5-year-old Labrador retriever and guide dog, Piper, yelp during an off-leash break in a park.  The owner of the other dog said Piper was not hurt. Not realizing anything was wrong, Craig-Hancock put Piper’s harness back on and he guided her home. It was only after she got home that she realized he had injuries that included a flap of skin hanging down one of his legs.  

Piper needed stitches, but was back to work in two weeks.

Do to the bravery Piper displayed, he earned the UK certificate for animal bravery. He’s the first animal in Wales to win the PDSA (People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals) certificate for bravery. Only a dozen UK animals have received this award since its inception in 2002.

Unfortunately, Piper's bad luck did not stop at the dog attack.  Since the park incident, Piper’s tail has been run over by a mobility scooter, he’s been knocked down by a car, and he’s now hearing impaired because of suffering two perforated eardrums.

But despite his unlucky charm Craig-Hancock says “I am very proud that he wants to carry on working no matter what happens to him.  He is a phenomenal dog.”

Piper sounds like a phenomenal dog indeed.

For more about Piper's story, bark on the link:  Bark!

Don't Forget Mother's Day

If you are like me and your mom lives thousands of miles away from you, your card and/or present is in the mail, the flowers are ordered and all you have to do is remember to call your mom this Sunday, May 8th on her special day.  But if you are lucky enough to live near your mom (or grandma, aunt,God mother, etc.) there are some great brunches to be had to celebrate the special woman in your life.

Here are a list of the deals, just click on the link to see all the details.  There are so many to choose from so just figure out what view of the city you would like, roof-top or ground level, outside or in and of course, which cuisine!  No matter what your preference, they all look so yummy!

1. Blue Ribbon Garden
2. Border Grill
3. Café Pinot
4. Chaya Downtown
5. First & Hope
6. Fleming's Prime Steakhouse
7. Grand Café at the Omni
8. J Restaurant
9. Kendall's Brasserie
10. Kyoto Grand – Azalea
11. McCormick & Schmick's
12. Millennium Biltmore Hotel
13. Restaurant at The Standard
14. WP24 by Wolfgang Puck

Don't forget to do something special for the pet mommies out there too.  Have a great weekend and Happy Mother's Day to all the mother's of human and animal children.

 

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Today is Cinco de Mayo and there are all kinds of ways to celebrate.  The most notable is to drink way too much tequila, but the day can be much more than that.  Thank you to Richard Guzman of the Downtown News for putting together such an amazing list of things to do today to celebrate and also giving us a little history lesson for those of us they may not understand what Cinco de Mayo is really all about.

Many people think the holiday is Mexico’s Independence Day. It’s not. Rather, it commemorates the unlikely Mexican victory against the French army at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. In that fight, 4,000 Mexican soldiers defeated a better-armed, 8,000-strong French army.

If you didn’t know the reason behind the holiday, there are several ways to learn a little more about the culture in Downtown Los Angeles. Below is a list of things to do and places to visit on and around Thursday, May 5. There are plenty of opportunities to get a cultural education and eat some good food. Of course, the area also has a few places to grab a shot of tequila.

Cultured Party: One of the best places to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Southern California is the place where Los Angeles was born. El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument is producing two Cinco de Mayo events this year. On May 5, from noon-8 p.m., the plaza at the top of Olvera Street, just off Main Street, will host a party with live music from Mexican regional bands and traditional folklorico dancers. Then on Sunday, May 8, from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. you’ll get to experience the Battle of Puebla without any of the dangers of an actual war, with re-enactments taking place in the monument’s South Plaza. There will also be mariachi music, folklorico dancers, food booths and artisans on hand for the free celebration. While there, be sure to stroll down Olvera Street, which houses more than 70 merchants who sell Mexican-themed souvenirs. There are also museums at the site, among them the Sepulveda House, built in 1887, and the Avila Adobe, the city’s oldest building, erected in 1818.

At 125 Paseo del la Plaza, (213) 485-8372 or elpueblo.lacity.org.

Party for the People: It’s being billed as the largest Cinco de Mayo celebration in the world: Hundreds of thousands of people (yes, hundreds of thousands) are expected to pack a 12-block area on and around Broadway from Fifth to Temple streets for Fiesta Broadway on Sunday, May 8. The gathering has been going on for 22 years, and while it regularly rankles areas businesses and residents (forget about driving anywhere near the event that day), there are plenty of cultural opportunities: This year’s line-up features L.A. favorites Ozomatli, the lauded and original Mexican Institute of Sound and traditional regional artists Diana Reyes and Carmen Jara. The 11 a.m.-6 p.m. event is free and includes traditional dancers, food and vendor booths. The street is usually packed shoulder to shoulder with people, so get there early.

On Broadway between Temple and Fifth streets, fiestabroadway.la.

Cinco Is a-Live: Since it opened a few years ago, L.A. Live has gotten into the holiday spirit, with a gigantic metal Christmas tree and a large St. Patrick’s Day concert and celebration. Now, the South Park space programmed by Anschutz Entertainment Group gets in on the Cinco de Mayo action, with a free May 5 fiesta that is open to the public. The festivities start on Nokia Plaza at 5:30 p.m. and feature salsa dancers, live music, a beer and margarita garden and, best of all, a battle of the mariachi bands. Later in the evening, the action moves to the Conga Room, where Maria Daniela performs.

At 800 W. Olympic Blvd., lalive.com.

Center for Cinco: The city’s newest cultural center is all about the contributions Mexicans and Mexican Americans have made to Los Angeles. So it makes sense to spend at least part of Cinco de Mayo by learning a little bit more about the culture at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes. Inside the 2.2-acre facility you’ll see exhibits about the founding of the city, as well as displays on more contemporary subjects. A highlight of the $27 million attraction is a re-creation of Main Street in the 1920s, complete with some serious old-school shops. Of course, the facility adjacent to El Pueblo offers information about the contributions of Mexican Americans such as Cesar Chavez, Lalo Guerrero and Anthony Quinn.

At 501 N. Main St., (888) 488-8033 or lapca.org.

Find the Pearl: Why not take an extended lunch hour on Thursday and have a few drinks at Las Perlas. The tequila and mescal bar in the Historic Core is not just offering fine liquor for Cinco de Mayo, it is also throwing in some cold brews, mixed drinks and Southern Mexican cuisine. The Sixth Street spot is offering drink specials from noon-8 p.m. on May 5. They include $3 Tecates, $5 Herradura shots and $5 margaritas. They will also offer Oaxacan food, a region in Southern Mexico known for excellent cuisine. DJs will be spinning tunes all day.

At 107 E. Sixth St., (213) 988-8355 or lasperlas.la.

Mas Bueno: Located in a cavernous 1920s space that once housed a jewelry store, Mas Malo, Downtown’s newest Mexican restaurant, opened in January with an emphasis on East L.A. food. Since Cinco de Mayo is a bigger holiday here than it is in Mexico, this is a fitting spot in which to mark the occasion. Try the Ensenada bacon-wrapped shrimp or the hard shell ground beef and pickle taco for a unique twist on Mexican food. Of course, if you want to celebrate properly, you’ll sample the vast drink menu that includes tequila, mescal and house mixes like the Rooster, with Gusano Mezcal, bourbon and lime juice, and the Backyard Wedding, with Corralejo Blanco, Kahlua and horchata. Then again, you won’t go wrong with a simple house margarita.

At 515 W. Seventh St., (213) 985-4332 or masmalorestaurant.com.

Cinco de Mayan: In this corner, the most authentic Mexican wrestling in town! In the other corner, Ciiiiiiiiiiinco de Mayooooooooooo! Watch what happens when Lucha VaVoom, the Mexican masked wrestling/burlesque/comedy extravaganza takes on the party-friendly holiday at this year’s celebration, appropriately dubbed Cinco de Mayan. The action overwhelms the gorgeous Mayan Theatre on, you guessed it, May 5. Wrestlers will tear each other up in dramatic acrobatic battles, and there will be roaming mariachis, Aztec dancers, tamale and tequila specials. Best of all, the $45 event features a donkey photo booth where you can get your picture with a donkey. Everyone loves donkeys!

At 1038 S. Hill St. or luchavavoom.com.

Margarita Party: You can get a little taste of Mexico with a few margaritas at El Cholo for Cinco de Mayo. The South Park restaurant is the latest in the small family-owned chain to open; it arrived Downtown last June in the old Liberty Grill spot. Yeah, the place can be a bit gimmicky, with the waitresses in colorful Mexican outfits and the waiters clad in traditional guayaberas, but the margaritas are nothing to laugh at. If you want to make it a high-end celebration try the 24 karat margarita. There’s no actual gold in it, but it does have upscale ingredients and is priced like gold, at $24 a glass. Or go a more traditional route and celebrate with the Julio’s Cosmopolitan for $9.95.

At 1037 S. Flower St., (213) 746-7750 or elcholo.com.

Villains Party: Outlaws always have more fun, and on Cinco de Mayo, Downtown’s best known villains will get into an even more celebratory mood. Villains Tavern in the Arts District will offer some tequila-based cocktail specials for the occasion. Look for adult beverages such as the Tijuana Trick, La Barbie and Iñigo Montoya. Cans of Tecate go for $2 on May 5.

At 1356 Palmetto St., (213) 613-0766 or villainstavern.com

 In addition to all the celebrations listed above, many local bars and restaurants have specials for today or just a celebratory vibe... don't be afraid to check out your favorite local hang out.

Training

I get calls all the time inquiring about how to bond with a new dog or how to correct a specific behavior and I think the one thing I tell people that always seems to take them by surprise is to go back to the basics.  If you have never gone through a basic training class with me, let me explain why this would be my suggestion.

In my basic obedience class I focus on building a relationship between you and your dog, the first step to this is feeding your dog by hand and their food becomes the rewards they will work for.  The commands you learn are sit, down, stay, recall and loose leash walking.  Again, all the basics, but if your dog can focus on you for all of these, they will be able to focus on you for so much more.  

Basic obedience is important to have basic control of your dog, it also allows you to communicate effectively with your dog and have special one on one work time together.  I tell all my clients that they should look at training time as their quality time with their dog.  This doesn't have to be work, it should be fun and your dog should have fun too.

If you are interested in enrolling in my next basic obedience class that starts Saturday, May 14th @ 11am, bark on the link:  Bark!

What's Up Downtown May!

For me, when I think of the month of May, two things come to mind... Mother's Day and Memorial Day!  But there is so much more, especially in Downtown.  Yes, it is that time again, DowntownLA.com has released their What's Up Downtown in May.

There is a lot to check out in May, starting with Mother's Day.  Moms & Mimosas: Mother's Day Brunch is making another return with great brunch specials at some of the most fabulous restaurants in Downtown.  It really just comes to what you want to spend and what view of the city do you want because all restaurants involved will have great food.  Check out all the details by barking on the link:  Bark!

The Motorexpo will return to Bank of America Plaza within the heart of LA’s business district for their 2nd annual event from Monday, May 9 to Friday, May 13.  For more details, bark on the link:  Bark!

In the area of entertainment there is a lot going on in May, wonderful theatre, exhibits, concerts and more.  Some events not to miss are (bark on the link to get more information) God of Carnage and Rent, the Bob Marley exhibit at the Grammy Museum, Ricky Martin at the Nokia, the City of Angel's Wine Fest and let's not forget the annual Red Bull Box Car Race!

While you are out and about, don't forget to try some of the places that are new in town:  Cafe Ducle 134 Japanese Village Plaza, Chipotle Mexican Grill 601 W. 7th St., Eco-Asian 521 W. 7th St., LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes  501 N. Main St., Night Toast Café  653 S. Spring St.

For more the full What's Up Downtown, bark on the link:  Bark!

Dogs Using Their Noses

I have been involved with a sport called Fun Nosework for about 3 + years now.  I fell in love with it from the first time I saw how it worked.  Watching a dog use their nose in the way that only they can is a pretty amazing thing.  As I have told you all before, the sport really encourages shy or fearful dogs to come out of their shell and aggressive dogs to focus and be able to deal with the trigger that provokes the aggression.  It is a wonderful sport.  But the principals of the sport and how to teach it were based on bomb detection dogs.  So, knowing this, every time I see a working dog doing their thing, in an airport or on the subway, I tend to watch in awe.

A friend of mine that knows this fascination and shares it, sent me this video.  I think it is amazing to  see the dedication of not just the dogs but the men and women that work with these amazing 4-legged soldiers. This video is specifically about our military working dogs and work they do.  Enjoy.

Behind the Scenes: Military Dog Training: MyFoxDC.com

For more information about Bark & Clark, bark on the link:  Bark!