Meet Your 2012 Top Dogs!

Jennifer with ArtYou voted, and here they are.  This year’s Top Dog votes were a blast to tally, as the fields shook up big-time all across the boards.

You and your fellow Spot readers voted for “the Best in the [pet] Biz” in 31 categories last summer, from attorney to groomer, veterinarian to trainer, and “everything pet” in between.  

Once again you’ve made it a blowout, bringing many new professionals and businesses into the Top Dog spotlight.  I love this process, as it can really boost pet professionals doing great work.  Case in point:  a note from a reader last year said, “Thanks a lot for naming my groomer Top Dog . . . now I can’t get the dogs in for 2-3 weeks!”

And that’s exactly why we do this — it’s good for everyone!  You, the reader, end up with a directory of the best in the biz by popular vote — making the listings much like a referral from a friend.  Pros and businesses doing great work are recognized and showcased in a way they’re at your fingertips when you need services and products in the year ahead.

After you’ve read your regular Spot content in the outside 16 pages, just tear those off and keep the Directory handy for reference throughout the coming months.  You’ll notice the Directory has a heavier cover, so it pulls out with ease.  And, if you misplace your Directory (or need to give it to a friend), copies will be available at pet events and venues all year long.

I hope you’ll scan the entire Directory now — in addition to the listings there are stories highlighting those who warrant a special little something for noteworthy achievements and successes.  This is a great chance to acquaint yourself with them, and ALL of our wonderful NW merchants and practitioners. 

We’re blessed here in the Northwest to have such a deep, rich field of talent in the animal “arts,” “sciences,” and welfare arenas, and the more you know who/what’s out there, the better equipped you’ll be if/when you have a specific need this year. 

Thanks again for voting this year, and many thanks to all the wonderful businesses and professionals who participated, who support Spot, and who do so much to uplift, enrich and educate our pet-loving community.  A great big round of applause to you, winners all!

Yours in everything pet,

Huge Thanks this issue for their outstanding contribution, heroic effort and exquisite humor and spirit — Vonnie Harris, Nikki Jardin, Tay Juncker, Meryl Lipman, Megan Mahan, Marnie McCammon, Kennedy Morgan, and all our wonderful partners in the pet biz — thank you!  You rock! 

2012's gonna be swell!

Jennifer and Jenny at the Ducks' latest stompin'Such exciting times!  I can't wait for you to see the latest from the work we've been doing in recent months, and you don't have long to wait.

Spot's website is in redesign as I write, and I hope you'll check in around midmonth and join the fun —  and I do mean fun!  Soon this will be a place where us pet lovers can connect with each other and share ideas, stories and photos, plus meet and learn from pet experts, and much more...like shopping!  Yep, Spot's Boutique will be in business, and we look forward to seeing our friends sporting the fine, fun, and ever-changing gear and apparel the boutique has to offer.

Another new attraction is the addition of video.  Watch for fun, educational and funny bits — on the website, Spot's Facebook page, Twitter and other outlets.  You'll even see them frequently as companions to feature stories in the magazine itself.  In fact, the fun starts now: this month our feline guru, Kathy Covey, presents tips on bathing kitty, complete with a video that's not only helpful, it'll make you smile.

Stay close and join us in exploting all things pets in ever greater (and more fun!) ways.  In closing I want to share a note about this issue, which is packed with the beauties who participated in our Cover Model Search - Portland this fall.  Please note that all of the photos — including the gorgeous shot on the cover —are the work of the award-winning David Childs of David Childs Photography, the same rockstar who every month in Spot and at OHS teaches his craft, helping people hone their own shutterbug skills.

David is an exquisite artist, smart as a whip, and a huge friend of and contributor to animals and their welfare.  I'm proud and so pleased that we're blessed to work with him.  In showcasing his work from our 2011 Cover Model Search, this edition naturally kind of became "David's issue" and for that I'm glad.  I think you'll be too!

Yours in all things pet,

PS: If you're wondering what became of the pretty homeless girl I recently fell so deeply in love with, meet me at Spot's House (www.spotmagazine.net), go to "Blog Spot" and click on "Behind the scenes with us"...and find out what happened next!

Give. Thanks.

Jennifer (R) with Angie, Punkin and Jessie at Fido's Indoor Dog ParkI’ve lived in my neighborhood for nearly 20 years, so I’m a regular . . . at the grocery, the gas station, the post office.  It’s this last locale where I met a pretty little girl recently, tethered to a pole. 

I’d seen her a couple times before, trekking along with a red-faced, 30-40-year-old man pushing a cart.  Tied to the rig, she trotted prettily alongside.  I’ve seen them from the comfort of my car — one day here, another day there — on routine runarounds. 

So this last cold, rainy Saturday, I pulled into the PO, and there she was:  tied to a post.  I saw her man standing inside, in line to do business with the USPS. 

I collected my mail and headed out.  The little girl lay just outside, so as I pushed out the door I walked right into the eyes of love.  They’d actually gazed into mine as I went in, and I’d breezed by, dodging contact and the risk of falling in love.  Coming out, I resisted again.  For 15 seconds at least!  But she had me.  I approached slowly, speaking softly, watching her body language to see if she wanted a pat. 

She did, drawing near in a shuffling, submissive approach that said, “Please love me.” 

I did, and she rolled onto her back, languishing in gentle touches and soft words. 

For several minutes I loved on her with words and caresses; clearly she would happily do this all day.   

I couldn’t though — I had to go.  It took a few minutes to leave her, this beautiful, obviously young/healthy female, 40 or so lbs., maybe a Keeshond or mix.  I crossed the lot, got in my car, and flipped through the mail.  Waited to see if the man would emerge.  Waited a few minutes more.  Struggled knowing I needed to hit it . . . and waited a minute more.  Saw him through the windows and considered going inside but thought he might not welcome my advance, especially in front of others.  I waited another minute.  Still he didn’t come out.

Finally I made a decision.  As it happened I was going to the symphony in a few hours, and in a flash I realized that if I didn’t do something to reach out I wouldn’t be able to fully enjoy the evening ahead.

I raced home, some 5-7 minutes away.  Grabbed half the kibble from my dogs’ supply, some gift certificates for food, my cans and bottles bagged for return, and raced back, watching for them on the sidewalks along the way.

When I got there they were gone.  I’d looked all the way there and all the way back. 

While I didn’t find them that day, I hoped that since I’d seen them several times in recent weeks I would again.  Now my car is (and will remain) equipped with the items noted above, plus an umbrella and a gently-used sleeping bag. 

I was able to enjoy my evening.  I’d done my best at that moment, and that was enough.  And next time I see them I’ll be ready. 

This holiday season I wish you and yours great blessing — of comfort, love and . . . enough.  And I wish for all of us to be mindful of the abundance we’re blessed with, even in these mean and sometimes too lean times.  Share what you can, take care of you and yours, and revel in the gifts we do have . . . they are so many.

Of course us animal lovers are blessed from the get-go, just getting to share life with these precious beings. 

Yours in gratitude this season, 

Come, let’s take a peek behind the scenes

Jennifer with Jack

If you’ve ever set out to write about something that really fascinated you then you know firsthand what an organic thing writing tends to be, often taking on a life of its own while the writer simply serves as the conduit.  The same holds true with a magazine:  it has a life — a living, breathing, growing spirit — of its own.

That’s one of many things I really love about my job.  My nature is such that what “feeds” me most is being a part of growing things . . . facilitating, participating and guiding . . . just enough to help the object of my stewardship — be it a project, person, or magazine — get traction and thrive on its own steam, moving and growing in time to its own life force and vision.  While these words may be a little flowery, that’s surely because, in addition to being a force of its own, for me Spot is also very much a work of heart.

Spot’s organic nature is illustrated nicely this issue — through tales by our friends in the biz, shared in ways that take us behind the scenes and allow us to experience extraordinary things through them that we might not otherwise ever get to.

Big thank-yous for these experiences — to Rubi Sullivan, who shares her recent experiences during a stint at Best Friends Sanctuary in Utah; to Dr. Lori Gibson, who shares her wisdom and insight into the natural yet never easy experiences that surround end of life situations; and to Meryl Lipman, who delivers a quirky tale about a kitty in her life who proved that yes:  “medical” marijuana can be helpful.

The Northwest pet community is populated with extraordinary creatures, human and otherwise, and it’s my privilege and pleasure to help connect the dots — bringing together those in the business, nonprofit and private sectors — allowing us all to know each other, celebrate the blessings, face the hard things, and work to grow and do purposeful work and enjoy our best lives . . . with our beloved companions. 

Yours in everything pet,

win Win WIN!!!

Jennifer with Jack

When it comes to contests and fun ways to connect and play, Spot’s got it goin on.  This month the biggie is Spot’s annual Cover Model Search – Portland, happening at Doggie Palooza Sunday Oct. 16 at the World Forestry Center. 

Come out and play!  Dress ‘em up or bring them au naturale.  You’ll get a sweet commemorative photo of your sweetpea by renowned photographer David Childs, plus he/she will be entered to win a professional photo shoot and a turn on the cover of Spot.  Entry is $15 and proceeds benefit Oregon Dog Rescue. 

Also, Spot has begun hosting contests on Facebook.  It all started when we came into some gorgeous plush pet beds to give away, courtesy of our friends at Bi-Mart.  Show Dogs Grooming joined the fray, and we invited friends to post photos of their “Sleeping Beauties.”  The photo with the most likes (take a peek at the winner) — won complimentary beauty treatments from Show Dogs, and went home with their beautiful new bed.

At this writing we’re wrapping the latest contest, this one in the spirit of the recent Dogtoberfest celebration, which is Portland’s biggest dogwash of the year.  This time we asked folks to submit their “dirty little stories” or photos about their pet(s) all-time dirtiest adventure.  The winner gets a Conair “Yellow Dog” pet drier, and a complimentary groom from the award-winning pros at The Muttley Crew. 

The reason I mention the contests that have already wrapped is two-fold:  to give you a taste of what’s shakin and will be ongoing, and also in hopes that you’ll take a peek at the photos and stories from these contests — smiles guaranteed.

Bring your star for the Cover Model Search, and come out and play!  And check out Spot on Facebook, join the fun, and enter to WIN! 

Yours in everything pet,