Memorial Day is this weekend, marking the beginning of summer and fun filled outside activities!  The 11th Annual SPCA Doggie Dash Dog Walk and Family Fest is definitely one that you want to mark down on your calendar.  This event will be Saturday, June 8th, at the SPCA Cincinnati Sharonville Humane Center (11900 Conrey Road in Sharonville.) The Doggie Dash Dog Walk will kick off at 9:30 AM, with two one-mile courses for you and your dingo to choose from.  Can’t decide?  Then do both!  At 10:30 AM, following the Dash, is the Family Fest with booths, food, drinks, and music.  Local 12 anchor Tiffany Wilson will chair the day’s events, accompanied by emcees from WGRR, Chris O’Brien and Janeen …

Next week, May 19th to the 25th, marks National Dog Bite Prevention Week.  According to the Center for Disease Control, about 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year and approximately 885,000 of those bites require medical attention.  Dog Bite Prevention Week is a public safety campaign to focus on safety tips and emphasize the need for increased pet owner responsibility in the prevention of dog bites. Children are the number one victims of dog bites.  Shockingly, the ASPCA reports that 50 percent of children in the United States will be bitten by a dog before their 12th birthday.  Here are some tips to keep your child from being included in that statistic. Before bringing a dog into your …

No plans for the weekend?  Take the kids downtown for some entertainment at Petopolis 2013! This pet extravaganza will be held Saturday, May 11th, from 10 AM to 7 PM and Sunday, May 12th, from 10 AM to 5 PM at the Duke Energy Convention Center. Petopolis is so much more than a pet show! This is a family oriented, pet friendly event packed with local retailers, stage performances, demonstrations, contests, and more.  Petopolis Kid Zone will feature inflatable horse racing at pony downs, an inflatable obstacle course, and free face painting.  For the adults, you don’t want to miss Paint by the Glass at the show with the opportunity to Paint Your Own Pet and/or Paint-A-Pair of Wine Glasses. For more information …

It’s that time of year when people are cleaning out their closets and garages in preparation for a yard sale.  I particularly looking forward to making someone else’s trash my treasure!  This year, Paws and Claws Animal Rescue is joining in on the yard sale action as they will be making an appearance at the Boone County Community Yard Sale. On Saturday, May 11th, Paws and Claws will be selling items at the Boone County Administration Building parking lot to help pay for their medical bills. If you have items you would like to donate to this sale, please contact them at pawsandclawsanimalrescue@gmail.com.  If you would like to volunteer for this event, please contact them as well.  Most of all, …

Don’t you just love getting packages in the mail?  I bet your furry family member would as well!  BarkBox gives you the opportunity to treat your dog with a box of goodies delivered each month! For as little as $19 a month delivered, you can spoil and surprise your pup with a box of 4 to 6 full-sized products that have been hand selected by the BarkBox curation team. The box could include anything from a selection of toys,  bones, all-natural treats, hygiene products, and innovative new gadgets! The goodies are also selected specifically for your dog size.  All of the products are boutique toys and all-natural treats that are made in the USA or Canada, according to rigid guidelines, and …

Unfortunately, most of us know someone who has had their life changed by cancer – maybe it was your own. So many of us have known and loved someone who has lost their battle with this terrible disease.  And so many of us know someone who has bravely and successfully fought their battle against cancer.  According to the American Cancer Society, more than one million people in the United States get cancer each year. This Saturday, you are given an opportunity to honors cancer survivors, remembers loved ones lost to cancer, and celebrate the caring qualities of our canine companions. The First Annual Bark for Life of Hyde Park-Oakley will be held on April 20th at Lunken Airport Playfield. The …

It’s going to be a tough decision, but this Saturday, April 13th, you can choose between two events to support two amazing causes –  the 4th Annual Hoe Down for the Greyhounds to support the Homeward Bound Greyhound Association or the 11th Annual SPCA Fur Ball to support the SPCA Cincinnati! The Hoe Down for the Greyhounds will be held from 6 PM to 10 PM at Niederman Family Farm in Liberty Township.  A $20 ticket will get you a fun-filled night of food, beverages, dancing, raffles, and a silent auction. This is the major annual fundraiser for Homeward Bound Greyhound Association to raise funds so that they can continue to build knowledge, appreciation, and care of the greyhound breed. HBGA finds homes …

Opening Day is less than a week away!  Don’t miss your chance to take your favorite pooch to enjoy a game with you! Again this year, the Cincinnati Reds will be holding two Bark in the Park events. For these games only, a special seating area is reserved for dog owners and their pets.  The Fan Zone is turned into the Dog Zone, with product samples and activities for both you and your dingo! The first Bark in the Park game, April 16th, is already sold out!  But you can still click here to reserve your tickets for the second game, which takes place at 7:10 PM on Monday, September 23, as the Redlegs take on the NY Mets. Admission for one …

If your canine companion isn’t too busy chasing bunnies in the backyard, maybe he would like a photo shoot with one!  On Saturday, March 30th, Paws and Claws Animal Rescue is giving you the opportunity to have your lovable pooch photographed with the Easter Bunny himself! Pictures will be from 11 AM to 2 PM at Joseph-Beth in Crestview Hills, KY (2785 Dixie Highway.) For just $10, you will receive your spring photo, with all proceeds going to benefit the rescue! Help Paws and Claws continue in its mission to give as many dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens a chance at the best furever life they can have! Keep Your Pets Safe This Easter! Easter is right around the corner with …

With the weather still on the chilly side, I have been digging deep for new and fun ideas to get the kids out of the house! One great option is to combine your child’s love of dogs with a little reading time…  You can still make the last March date for Dog Days at Half Price Books in Fairfield Township! At these Dog Days events, your child is given the chance to read a book to Potter, the Bearded Collie, from 1 PM to 2 PM on Sunday, March 24th. This event is presented in partnership with Therapy Dogs International. TDI is a is a volunteer organization dedicated to regulating, testing and registration of therapy dogs and their volunteer handlers for the purpose …