Beauty Is Only Fur Deep!

In my eyes, all dogs are beautiful... both inside and out. That's why I was particularly taken aback when I opened my newspaper this morning to read and see that there is actually an annual World's Ugliest Dog contest held at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Northern California... and hoards of pet owners bring their offbeat looking canines to compete for that dubious title.

I personally would never subject my furbabies to such indignity. But then again, they are far from viable candidates! Now if there's ever a World's Most Irresistable Fur Face contest, I've got the winner, first and second runners up laying at my feet even as I type!

Well, a contest's a contest, and that means the winners have been named. Let's put our paws together for this year's World's Ugliest Mixed Breed, four year old BoxerX Pabst who's rather prominent underbite and distinctively scrunched up face was a real judge pleaser. Miss Ellie, a blind geriatric Chinese Crested Hairless earned top honors in the pedigree category.

Think YOUR dog deserves first place in a contest of any kind? Send me a picture and the title he or she should have and I'll see what I can do!

TODAY'S THE DAY: TAKE YOUR DOG TO WORK!

Lots of fun today when The Top Dog and Phoenix FOX10's Corey McCloskey visited one of the Phoenix companies celebrating "Take Your Dog To Work" Day! Really gave the phrase 'working your tail off' a whole new meaning!

Andrea Norman, president of marketing company Mind The Gap, had her 2-legged team members bring their 4-legged friends Lacey, Chalupa, Angel and Tracey. She acknowledged that having the furry ones at the office created a more congenial and creative environment (ideal for a marketing company... or ANY company for that matter!).

Just a reminder that one of the main reasons that Petsitters International created "Take Your Dog To Work" Day was to encourage pet adoptions. Please considering opening your heart and home to an animal (or two or three!) who needs a "woof" over its head through one of the rescue organizations in your community. There are over a hundred such groups in the Phoenix area alone; visit PACC911 for a listing of their purebred and mixed breed welfare partners. For those of you outside this area, Google the terms

• 'adoption' or 'rescue'
• 'dog' or 'Golden Retriever', 'Jack Russell', 'Poodle', etc.
• and your city

Petfinder is another great online resource, as is a trip to your local shelter.

Okay, closing thought... you don't have to wait until next June's "Take Your Dog To Work" Day to enjoy all the benefits that this annual event brings. Get the tennis ball rolling by planting the seeds now for quarterly, monthly, or even weekly opportunities to spread the word about the joys of pet ownership throughout your company!

Business Goes To The Dogs... WOO HOO!

As discussed on today's Pat McMahon Show on AZ-TV Channel 13, Friday marks the nation's 11th Annual "Take Your Dog To Work" Day. For pet lovers who are chomping at the bit to participate (that would be all of you!), here are Top Dog's Top Tips to making it the funnest... and certainly furriest... work day of the year for you, your co-workers AND your canine cubicle-mate!

1. Check with your company big dogs and pack members for pre-approval, and to see if anyone is allergic, afraid of, or opposed to you bringing your dog to work for this one special day.
2. Pet-proof your work space: hide electrical cords & wires and secure toxic items such as correction fluid, permanent markers, etc.
3. Dress to impress: bathe and groom your dog before its office debut.
   (In Phoenix, Villa La PAWS is offering a special deal just for this occassion; call them at 602-442-7833 or 602-588-7833)
4. Bright eyed and bushy tailed: Be sure your dog's shots are up-to-date. If he or she appears under the weather, it's time for one of those handy dandy sick days! (Hmmm... maybe you want to follow suit?!)
5. Canine Cumbaya: Dogs that are aggressive or overly shy should not accompany you to work. Instead, consider bringing a favorite picture of your pooch.
6. Pack a doggie bag: include food, treats, bowls, toys, leash, paper towels, clean-up bags and pet-safe disinfectant (just in case). A portable kennel will provide your dog with privacy, comfort and your peace of mind.
7. Is it lunch time yet? Plan your pet’s feeding times carefully.
8. Third bush to the left: be sure to choose an appropriate area for your dog to relieve himself afterward.
9. No K-9 kidding... not everybody flips for fur! Don't force co-workers to interact with your dog.
10. Bye-bye bow-wow... have an early exit strategy just in case things don't work out as planned.

For additional information about "Take Your Dog To Work" Day, visit the official website http://www.takeyourdog.com/ or shoot me an e-mail. And I'd love to hear from those two leggeds AND four leggeds across the country who do participate.

Take Your Dog To Work... REALLY!

For any of you who have ever used the "my dog ate my report" excuse with your boss... it's time to bring the canine culprit in to face the music! Friday June 26 marks the nation's 11th Annual "Take Your Dog To Work" Day.

This beloved, non-Hallmark national howliday was created by Petsitters International in 1999 to celebrate the fabulous companions that dogs make for us two leggeds... and to encourage adoption from local animal rescue & welfare organizations. It's a once-a-year excuse to stop working like a dog, but rather to work along side one!

Of course, before you place your pooch in the passenger seat and cruise to work in the HOV lane, you'll need to get permission from your HR department. And when they shoot back a "you gotta be kidding me" stare to your sincere request, clue them in to results of the most recent APPMA survey which definitively shows that Americans believe having pets in the workplace:

• leads to a more productive & creative environment
• decreases absenteeism
• helps co-workers get along better
• improves the relationship between managers and their employees

And, something that will really get their tails waggin'...employees who bring their pets to the workplace are known to watch the clock less and work longer hours

TOMORROW: "Take Your Dog To Work" Day Etiquette

Mother's Day... Doggy Style

I just got back from my annual Mother's Day visit with Mom in Florida which, as always, separates me from my own K-9 Kids (they are so sweet... thanks to Hallmark, they sent me an e-card to remind me of how much they love me!).

And speaking of Mother's Day, I just saw a video that clearly shows a fur baby's devotion to his four legged Mom that I feel compelled to share with you... and as the commentator, Anderson Cooper, says toward the end of the piece: "How cool are dogs... dogs truly are the best!".

Anderson, I may not always agree with what you say, but this time you're preaching to the choir! Happy viewing! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7SXw-epixU

BE KIND TO ANIMALS WEEK 5/3 - 5/9/09

Four Simple Steps for Being KIND To Animals:

K = Karmic:
what goes around comes around, what you give is what you'll get... studies show that those who treat animals inhumanely are more likely to ultimately abuse people!

I = Interactive:
find and pursue activities that bond and delight both you and your pets... it doesn't have to be strenuous, just fun and consistent! And remember, if your pet is overweight, YOU'RE not getting enough exercise!

N = Nutrition:
there is no one "right" food... take your pet's breed, age, and health conditions into account at all times... keep in mind that all of the above are subject to change, so keep your eyes open

D = Devotion:
pets are a lifelong commitment, they are NOT disposable! Take the time to determine what species, breed, age, and activity levels you can realistically handle (both now and in the future). And when you've got it narrowed down, remember that adoption is the best option!

BE KIND TO ANIMALS WEEK 5/3 - 5/9/09

Monday, 5/4

What a blast this morning on FOX10 with Corey McCloskey was! An animal lover and pet partent himself, Corey definitely had as much fun with the four-leggeds as they had with him! I tried to cram a lot of different Be Kind To Animals topics in our three brief segments but to do them justice, each should be covered in more depth. And that's just what I'll be doing through TheTopDogsBlog over the course of this week! So be sure to visit daily!

I've already had LOTS of contacts from FOX10 viewers about the fabulous summer safety products I showed & told in this morning's last segment. All of them... and a whole lot of others... are available at Travel Hounds USA at 3375 E. Shea Blvd. in Phoenix. Be sure to stop in between May 4 - May 9 for their week long Be Kind To Animals event which features lots of different fun & fur-filled activites and products. PLUS every day, a percentage of all proceeds will be donated to a different animal welfare organization!