Locals-You're Invited: Sushi with your Poochie

What: "Sushi with Your Poochie," an on-leash event presented by Sidewalk Dog & Tiger Sushi 2
When: Thursday, July 16th from 6:00PM to 8:30PM (Rain date: July 22nd)
Where: Tiger Sushi 2's huge, lovely, breezy and well-shaded patio. (FREE parking is available after 4:00PM in the Egg & I parking lot across the street.)
Beneficiary: Minnesota Partnership for Animal Welfare (MnPAW)*
Tickets: $15 online ($4/ticket will go to MnPAW*). If event doesn't sell out online, tickets will be available for $18 at the door.
Food/Beverages: Tiger Sushi 2's awesome Happy Hour menu will be available throughout the entire event!

Here's the lineup so far (in alphabetical order).
Bark Busters will be on hand to make sure all the doggies are getting along. They'll also take your dog to go potty if you'd like (provided your dog is game).

Pampered Pooch Playground will be offering a special doggy menu of tableside services, including personal water bowl, serving of treats (homemade by Tiger Sushi 2!), personal doggy bed, 3-minute massage, pawdicure, etc.

Sarah Beth Photography will be capturing all the fun with her camera.
ScoopyPoo will be scooping poo down on the Greenway and serving BlackDog Whinery's (first vintage!) Doggy Cabaret, PeeNo Su Casa, ZinFanDog to pooches on the patio.

Stunt Puppy will lend you one of their hands-free leashes for use during the event (if you'd like).
Tiger Sushi 2 will be serving oh-so-fun sake bombs to benefit MnPAW.*

UrbAnimal will send you off with a seriously awesome doggy bag filled with treats, food samples, a toy, a poop bag dispenser, other product samples and special offers from local pet-related and dog-friendly businesses.

Prizes!
Your ticket comes with a chance to win fabulous prizes from the sponsors and other pet-related and dog-friendly businesses. Plus, you'll get to find out if you won upon check-in!

**Info on this event comes from SidewalkDog

Take Your Dog to Work Day - June 26 2009

"First celebrated in 1999, Take Your Dog To Work Day was created to celebrate the great companions dogs make and to encourage their adoption from humane societies, animal shelters and breed rescue clubs.

On June 26, 2009, businesses, animal shelters and pet-care professionals from around the world will work together to better the lives of shelter dogs everywhere. Thousands of businesses will open their doors to employees’ pets on this day in celebration of the great companions dogs make."

-TakeYourDog.com

If you have a great employer that allows you to celebrate this day with your dog make sure you have all of the pet products you need including: Disposable baggies, chewies, quiet toys and a dog blanket or pillow. Also, be sure that you take frequent breaks to let your pooch do their thing and relax. Sometimes a new place can create a slight anxiety where they may need to go out and visit the great outdoors more often.

Lovebarklee Showcase Showdown

Etsy recently opened up a Pets Showcase of featured items. I decided that it was time that I try it out for myself, so on Tuesday June 23rd I'll be participating and showing off my goods :). On Thursday, I'll also be bringing a bunch of my dog products to a Boutique in Lakeville Minnesota called The Pink Door Boutique. I'm so excited to have my Pet ID Tags, Collars, Dog Bed Pillows, Dog Bed Blankets and Leash Holders in her amazing store!

Etsy Heart: Lydia & Pugs

I had the privilege of having one of my dog bed pillows featured on the Lydia and Pugs blog last week. When I found out about the feature I had no idea that I'd be seeing some of the cutest pug stationary and other pug goodies in their Etsy store!

Here are a few of my favorites:

Featured on IdeaCafe Blog

Recently I applied for a small business grant contest so that I could help fund additional product line ideas that I have for LoveBarklee. I believe there were a thousand applicants in the beginning and now it's been narrowed down to fifty. I'm lucky enough to be a finalist! I was interviewed a few weeks ago and they have added a section about me to their blog. The questions were pretty interesting and I have to say that I enjoyed answering. Head over and check out my answers to the IdeaCafe Blog!

While you're there, if you're a small business I suggest that you sign up for their next grant contest, and vote for me as well ;)

The voting page is located at http://www.businessownersideacafe.com/small_business_grants/grant_vote.php (free registration required).

Grand Opening Etsy Sale!

When: Wednesday June 10th-Sunday June 14th
Where: lovebarklee.etsy.com
What: 10% off & free shipping! AND - if something has sold out just send me a message. I'll create what you are looking for and post a listing just for you :)

This weekend I was hard at work creating a bunch of new Etsy creations. I hope to get them all posted by Tuesday night this week in time for the LoveBarklee Grand Opening that I'm timing with the Etsy Yart Sale.

If you are unfamiliar with the Etsy Yart sale, it's simply Etsy's version of a Yard/Art Sale :) You'll find tons of items marked down, special offers and much more from Etsy sellers.

I'll be adding dog pillows and dog blankets that add a special customization to your dog's bed, along with two new ID tag styles and recycled dog collars made from old belts. I also hope to add more bone/leash holders - I hoping my supply shipment comes in time! Fingers crossed.....

Trend: New Pet ID Tags on Etsy

For many years I've used the auto ID Tag machine at Petco or Petsmart. Lately I've been really tired of the blue bone, red heart and black circle for your options.

Here is the newest take on ID Tags. With Etsy you'll see many takes on new pet tags that are hand-made by pet lovers. Many sellers are local and will even let you design your own piece by adding charms or beads and create it for you within only a few days. The photo to the right is of a hand hammered piece with a hand punched name enhanced with an oil-based paint.

Time to give your dog a unique look that no one else will have at the dog park. Check out these hand-made ID Tags.