Smile Like a Dog » Events

Pookie Redux

Mark — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 21:44:21 +0000

Photo of the Day

I love repeat performances so today I present you with a cute little guy graced this blog last year and has only gained in star power. I present My Mutt superstar, Pookie, who’s Dad got him a second poster this year to help honor Muttville. All the other senior dogs thank you, Pookie! Sidenote: Pookie’s dad calls his fur-style “troll hair”. I just love that!

Pookie

Bonus Shot

Pookie makes that rug look good!

Dogtoberfest: Pups in Costume

Mark — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 05:27:58 +0000

October in San Francisco means one of my favorite annual events: Dogtoberfest. Every year, the good folks of Friends of Upper Douglass Dog Park hold a big party at a local pup haunt. The highlight is a pet costume contest and, as you can see, the dogs don’t skimp when it comes to Halloween.

Nothing but a hound dog...

Bee for Effort

I Think MJ would have appreciated this one

Call Me Cleo

Who needs a costume when you have props

I think I'd rather split

Anyone seen Lois?

Off to the Pig Races

Mark — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:15:38 +0000

Here in California we’re hip deep in county fair season. You can see Ferris Wheels and Funnel Cake signs just about everywhere. I hit my first fair of the summer up in Marin over the July 4th weekend and along with the requisite fried food, 4-H contests (check out the veggie sculptures below) and petting zoo I hit the fair’s jewel-in-the-crown event: the pig races. Yep, the Hambone Express is back in town. Don’t worry, folks. The pigs race for oreos, live in a trailer with AC and are not harmed even after their racing days are done.

Marin County Fair: Flags & Ferris Wheels

Go Green was the Theme but the Mascot was Creepy

Kind of Like a Mime...but Lime

5 minutes 'til racetime

Arnold Schwarzenhammer takes the lead

SwynonnaJudd out in front

Race #2 out of the gate

I'll Race One Day

And Llamas, too

What Fair Would Be Complete without Veggie Art

Fido Factor Launch Party

Mark — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 01:25:58 +0000

Last Friday I was invited to the launch lunch for a new dog-centric website called Fido Factor held at at the San Francisco SPCA, who happens to be their partner. Fido Factor’s twist on the whole pet social networking thing is as a review site for all things dog friendly in San Francisco. Plus, for each review or new listing made for a pet-friendly place, Fido Factor will make a donation to the SFSPCA.

As with most social networking sites dependent on user-generated content the quality and validity of the reviews is dependent on participation by an enthusiastic user base so please check out Fido Factor and add new businesses, parks and other pet-oriented places you know about but don’t see listed or add your two cents to listings that are already there.

Dogs were allowed to bring their owners

SF SPCA President Jan McHugh Smith & Fido Factor founder Justin O'Neill

Zoe the Bouncer keeps out the riffraff

The Demo's About to Start

Fido Factor Founder Justin O'Neill

Can I substitute a burrito for the popcorn?

Hollywood Smile...Silicon Valley Moment

Fido Factor Founders Justin O'Neill and Ketu Patel

I wonder if Justin knows his shoelace is untied?

I've heard of captive audiences but never with a leash involved

It's over! Yay! I mean...can you rewind?

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Scenes from Petchitecture 14

Mark — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 20:00:24 +0000

Anyone familiar with the pet-related non-profit scene here in San Francisco knows about PAWS (Pets are Wonderful Support) and their big annual Petchitecture fundraiser. For those of you not in the know PAWS is a volunteer-based organization that provides for the comprehensive needs of companion animals for low-income persons with HIV/AIDS and other disabling illnesses. They do awesome work and have touched countless lives.

Petchitecture is pretty much THE pet event of the year here in SF. This year close to 800 people and about the same number of dogs (and some cats and bunnies) decended upon the venerable Fairmont Hotel atop Nob Hill for the gala featuring high-end, pet-friendly furniture and habitats by the Bay Area’s top Petitechts along with emcee Jan Wahl, performances by Donna Sachet & Connie Champagne, and a live auction.

A bunch of local pet photographers participated. This year I drew lobby duty and grabbed shots of folks with their pets as they entered the hotel. However, I did manage to get downstairs to the grand ballroom and catch a few of the performers as well as the keynote address and the live auction. Enjoy, and if you’re in town next April be sure to go to this event. You won’t regret it.

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Fairmont Hotel

Anabel the Bulldog

Teddy & Dad

Tuscan (left) with PAWS volunteer. Tuscan is up for adoption

Moyer and his two dads

Shelah Barr from Happy Hounds Massage & Sherri Franklin from Muttville (and Fluffy & Chloe)

Some of the PAWS gang and Pudding

Emcee Jan Wahl

The inimitable Donna Sachet

So inimitable we show Donna twice

Singer Connie Champagne wows the crowd

Connie Champagne hits a high note

The Auctioneer Revs up the crowd

Dogtoberfest 2008 – Upper Douglass Dogpark

Mark — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 02:14:30 +0000

Pups were aplenty at Upper Douglass Dogpark last Saturday for the annual Dogtoberfest celebration and raffle. This year the proceeds are to go toward completely fencing off the park which is enclosed on three of four sides. Judging from the enthusiastic crowd I have a feeling the financial goals were met.

I set up shop there to ostensibly take holiday card photos but this largely ended up being more of a Halloween-themed affair. For folks and their pups who posed for me I have a sneak peak to tide you over through the weekend when I hope to post all the shots for you. For now, thanks for your patience and enjoy.

Upcoming Pet Photography Event in San Francisco on May 31st, 2008

Mark — Tue, 20 May 2008 19:06:06 +0000

Very exciting news. On Saturday May 31st I’m going to be at Under One Roof in the Castro photographing dogs, cats, kids and any combination of the three. They just opened this new store and the space is incredible — literally 3X the size of the old one across the street. For those of you who don’t know, UOR is an amazing organization who’s mission is to raise funds for agencies providing HIV/AIDS education and support services.

This event is a unique father’s day gift opportunity so those of you in the city who haven’t figured out what to get pet-lover dad should definitely come on by between 11AM – 2PM to

Under One Roof
518A Castro Street
San Francisco 94114
415-503-2300

Cost is $65 for a 15-minute sitting with a portion benefitting Under One Roof. You can choose between a CD with high resolution files of all proofs that you can use to make your own prints or two 5×7 prints of your choice.

You can call Under One Roof at 415-503-2300 to schedule a session in advance.