I'm wondering if anyone knows any good beaches, ponds, or other swimming spots nearby that are dog-friendly? I love Walden but "no dogs allowed". I haven't been able to find any public ocean-side beaches in Massachusetts that allow dogs during the day in the Summer (some, like Crane, allow dogs in the off-season).

From the head of Callahan Dog Owners' Group on May 29:

My neighbor friend's coworker is looking for new home for 2 Bernese Mountain Dogs together. They are 6 years old female and very well trained siblings. Unfortunately, their owner, who was a founder of Bernese Mountain Dog Association in MA, past away 6 month ago and her husband past away 6 weeks ago. Is someone seriously interested in? Please let me know.

Did you know that poodles have been trained to sniff out truffles since the 1700s? Or that the best truffle dog in the world right now is a Lagotto Romagnolo, an Italian water dog, named Civetta?

Read this fascinating piece about the history of truffles (including the dogs who sniff them out) in 3quarksdaily. The author, Elatia Harris, is a Cambridge-based personal chef and cooking instructor.

Planet Dog, one of our favorite dog toy manufacturers, has decided to stop producing dog toys in China in favor of bringing production much closer to home. They'll be using manufacturers in Maine and Massachusetts, according to this October 30 article in the Morning Sentinel.

CNN.com posted a story today about 10 dogs that changed the course of history, including the first dog in space (a Russian stray who, tragically, did not survive the trip, but who pushed the US to accelerate our space program), the Newfoundland who saved Napoleon's life, and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who had final say on all of Wagner's operatic compositions.

From Richard Gardner:

A book of photos and short stories about 200+ dogs that walk around the reservoir at Fresh Pond Reservation in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Richard Gardner is the author.

Two versions of the book are available. For $49.95 you can see all dogs in full color on glossy high quality paper.

Here's an article from, of all places, the Boston Volkswagen newsletter, dated Sept. 11:

Tuesday, September 11, 2007 VOLUME 3 ISSUE 4

Want a tee shirt for your dog that says "I Love Cambridge"? Just found this on Cafepress- who knew?

What do you think of this story in the Boston Globe about a company offering dog rentals? Read what other locals think on the

CNN reports that TripAdvisor has made a list of the top ten pet-friendly accomodations in the US based on the votes of over 1,100 of its members worldwide.

3 of the winners are in our backyard, including number 3, the Gazebo Inn in Ogunquit, Maine, number 4, the Spruce Moose Lodge and Cottages in North Conway, New Hampshire, and number 7, Cambridge's very own Hotel Marlowe!

From the July 6th edition of the Boston Herald:

BUY: Business Bags

OK, it’s hard to love anything made to transport dog doo. But we’re willing to make an exception for Business Bags. Made from corn, these doggy bags biodegrade in 45 days, which means less plastic in landfills and an environmentally clean conscience for your pet - and you. Business Bags are available in boxes of 40 for $4.75 at the hip new green store, Greenward, in Porter Square, Cambridge.

From the MSPCA webite:

Nominate YOUR hero for the MSPCA-Angell Animal Hall of Fame

The Animal Hero Award is presented to an animal who has saved the life of one or more humans or animals, or demonstrated remarkable bravery or loyalty.

The Boston Globe reported on July 1 that the Minuteman Trail is so crowded that it has led to "bikeway rage", according to the Arlington Police Chief. Apparently Arlington does not have the funding to widen the path, so for the time being, users will need to coexist as we do elsewhere.

The Boston Globe recently featured an article about a Doggie Ice Cream vendor who drives Boston's streets selling from his truck. See the full article.

From Cosi's owner, Perry, who's given these out to the local pooches for special occasions (and had many requests for the recipe due to their popularity with the canine set):

LIVER BROWNIES
(for your doggie)

If you're still looking, I may be able to help. Contact me offline at jgilb134@comcast.net.

The Boston Globe announced today that a doggie DNA test had been unveiled at the Biotech Convention yesterday. Apparently, for $65, you can get a cheek swab test which will return results specifying the breed(s) of your dog(s).

Hey,

I recently did the apt search myself and a great reference for dog friendly apts in Cambridge is craigslist cause you can sort by dog-friendly listing. A really great brand new building is located very close to the Kendall T stop is called Watermark Residences - it is very dog friendly, allowing dogs up to 45 lbs! I really recommend it. Hope this helped a bit!

I will be moving back to Cambridge this June, and am looking for an apartment somewhere on the T in Cambridge--preferably Central Square--that will accept a small (15 lb.), friendly and well-behaved dog.

Hey,

I was wondering if anyone knows any good places to bring your dog that aren't too far from Kendall Square!

Thanks!

Shelly

Anyone have a photo of Sam and his dogs so that we can post it in memorium? I still look for them on that bench in Haskell St. park.
Anita

I'm looking for agility training for my dog as well (fun, not competition). I asked Laundro-Mutt if they knew of anyone who does this. They gave me the name of Vera Wilkinson www.petneedscompany.com (Brookline).

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to let you all know about a new dog walking, sitting and training business that just opened.

Gone with the Dogs is based in Medford. The owner has more than 3 years of experience working with dogs, over 20 years of experience training and working with horses and fabulous references.

They have indoor agility at Canine University in Malden

We took an into agility class at BARK in Newton (on the Mount Ida College campus, near their veterinary school). It was great but it's outside, so they only offer classes in the late Spring/Summer/early Fall.

I am looking for a way to get my super active pup into some dog sports. Flyball, agility, or frisbee would all be great for her. We aren't really interested in competing, just learning and going to a class to keep her active. Does anyone know of places in or around Cambridge that teach dog sports or have dog sports groups/clubs?

My dog, Harvey, goes to Crate Escape in Belmont (right over the Cambridge line, next to Fresh Pond Animal Hospital). They pick up and drop off, and he loves them. He comes home wiped out and is only there for 2-3 hours each day for play group! They're also right next to a vet, they have a dog trainer who offers classes there (Gordon Fontaine of Zen Dog, trained at the San Francisco SPCA, Jean Donaldson's program- I've heard he's awesome but haven't worked with him personally) and I completely trust them with Harvey. It's a huge, air-conditioned (and heated) facility with a doggie door to an outside area and multiple enclosures inside so that dogs can be separated by play style, or if they're not getting along, etc. I couldn't recommend them more highly.

I send my dog to Doggy Day in Boston for daycare when we need it. I have a few problems with Doggy Day, but the biggest is that she doesn't come home tired. The dogs hang out in a room together, but don't get time to run and play.

Has anyone read this book? It's called, "If Only They Could Speak; Stories about Pets and Their People" by veterinary behaviorist, Nicholas H. Dodman.

Here's a blurb from the publisher's website.

It's not a Somerville Ordinance, its the Federal Food Code. Some establishments "fly under the radar."