Carolina Mountain Dog

ReTail Scene: Spring's Here! Get a T-Shirt!

We've all been anxiously awaiting Spring... and now it's here. What better way to usher in warmer weather (thank goodness!) than with your very own doggie t-shirt. Choose from t-shirts with photos of doggies in the mountains... or the Carolina Mountain Dog masthead... or the slogan, "Save a Dog's Life. OPT TO ADOPT!"

You can even get a cool t-shirt for your doggie with the OPT TO ADOPT! slogan. Check out all the cool stuff -- hats, mugs, and more -- at our store: www.cafepress.com/cmdog.

A portion of all sales from this store will be donated to shelters and animal welfare organizations in the Carolina mountains.

ReTail Scene: Create Your Own Custom Dog ID Tag

Our friends at Dog Tag Art offer hundreds of cool original designs produced on high-quality personalized dog tags. (These tags are so good they're guaranteed for life.) Now they've come up with a way for you to take your own favorite photo or any artwork and put it on your doggie's tag.

It's easy to make your own tag -- just click here or click on the Dog Tag Art button under "Good Buys" on the right. That will take you to the Dog Tag Art home page. Go to the "Create a Custom ID Tag" tab at the top of the page and follow the simple instructions for uploading and personalizing your tag.  In seconds you'll create your very own one-of-a-kind ID tag and it will be sent to you within 24 hours of your order. How cool is that!

ReTail Scene: Blaze-N-Skyy Boutique, Asheville, NC

 
When you're in and around Asheville, check out Blaze-N-Skyy Boutique and Wellness Center, located at 30 Battery Park Avenue (about a block away from the Grove Arcade). This unique store has quality dog apparel, accessories, earth-friendly shampoos, organic and specialty pet foods and treats, and more. Owner Adelaine Lockwood is a dog lover through and through. She is a friend and foster parent for Asheville Humane Society and does a lot to support the local animal welfare community. Call (828) 253-2850 for information and hours.

If you can't make it in, visit Blaze-N-Skyy's online store: www.blazenskyy.com.

ReTail Scene: Cold Weather Gear for Outdoor Dogs

We recently posted an article about Dogs and Cold Weather. Carolina Mountain Dog does not endorse dogs living outside. We feel, as do animal experts, that dogs need to bond with their human families and be part of a pack. Dogs are susceptible to dangers living outdoors, including changes in climate and potential attacks from other dogs or animals who live in the wild.

We recognize, however, that there are owners who choose to have their pets live outdoors. The recent cold weather is extremely dangerous for outside dogs, so we urge anyone who keeps their dog outside to take special precautions. Two products that are especially useful for cold weather conditions are:

1. Lectro Kennel Heated Pad - This pad can be used on the ground or attached to the wall of a dog house and it is designed for outdoor use. It is made of rugged plastic and a steel wrapped cord and comes in three sizes (small, medium, and large). Available from our partner, Cherrybrook.

  2. Heated Water Bowl - A water bowl designed to keep water from freezing even if temperatures reach minus 20 degrees F. All electrical elements are safely sealed in the steel cord. Available from our partner, Cherrybrook.

A Good Time to Visit a Dog Bakery

The holiday season is a good time to visit a dog bakery. The concept was pioneered in 1989 by Three Dog Bakery. Today, dog bakeries are common in major cities and dog-friendly towns. Baked goods for dogs can also be found at specialty pet stores.

Around the holidays, dog bakeries are even more fun for you and your dog because of all of the exceptional treats available. Holiday cookies and cakes prepared for dogs look good enough for humans to eat. Often you can sample these treats, since many baked goods for dogs are made with all-natural, healthy ingredients. But you probably won't like the taste -- recipes are slanted towards canine tastes, which means much less sweetener and a limited amounts of other seasonings.

These are the local dog bakeries or stores with specialty baked goods for dogs worth barking about:

Asheville, NC
Something to Bark About
811 Tunnel Road, Suite E

Three Dog Bakery (the only Three Dog Bakery in NC)
21 Battery Park

Waggers Dog Depot
1020 Merrimon Avenue

Black Mountain, NC
Bone-a-Fide Bakery and Boutique
118-A Cherry Street

Candler, NC
MoonDoggies Natural Pet Foods
1263 Smoky Park Highway

Charleston, SC
Three Dog Bakery (the only Three Dog Bakery in SC)

Dillsboro, NC
Smoky Mountain Dog Bakery
429 Haywood Road

Greenville, SC

The Barkery Bistro
118 North Main Street

Paws and Claws
1803 Augusta Street

Hendersonville, NC
Pet Source - Big Kahuna's Barkery
1927 Spartanburg Highway

York, SC
Dogma & Fetch
45 N. Congress Street

If you can't make it to a dog bakery any time soon, click on the Three Dog Bakery button to the right under "Good Buys" and order some doggie treats online!

Great Holiday Gift Ideas for Local Dog Lovers

Still searching for that special holiday gift for a dog lover... or a favorite pup? Here are some of our perfect pet picks for this holiday season.

Books
Inside of a Dog - Alexandra Horowitz
Now you can understand the world from a dog's perspective. For example, Horowitz explains how a particular odor conveys a message to a dog. More than that, Horowitz says, a dog's sense of smell is the means by which he categorizes and identifies things. There are many other interesting insights here. Going "Inside of a Dog" is fascinating stuff. Purchase online: Inside of a Dog.
Dogtown: Tales of Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Redemption - Stefan Bechtel
Read the inspiring true stories, accompanied by photos, of dogs considered unadoptable by other shelters. These wonderful canines inhabit Dogtown at Best Friends, the nation's largest companion animal sanctuary. Inspired by the National Geographic Channel's hit television show, "Dogtown." Purchase online: Dogtown.
Asheville Doggie Guide, 2010 Edition - Barry Silverstein
This handy pocket-size guide includes adoption organizations, animal services, dog bakeries and boutiques, boarding facilities, doggie daycare, dog parks, grooming services, hiking trails that are good for dogs, and much more. Hundreds of listings in Asheville, Black Mountain and Hendersonville. Available at Three Dog Bakery, 21 Battery Park Avenue in Asheville, NC, or through this special online offer: Asheville Doggie Guide.

People Gifts
Dog Art by Angela Alexander
Alexander C. Alexander is an Asheville artist whose contemporary dog art is known both locally and nationally. Her whimsical illustrations carry a unique trademark -- all of the animals wear spectacles. Angela is the featured artist at Woolworth Walk, 25 Haywood Street, Asheville from December 1-31. Her work is available at Woolworth Walk and Three Dog Bakery in Asheville, or online at www.angelacalexander.com.   
Custom Dog Pillow by Boni
Boni from Asheville, North Carolina takes any photo of one or more dogs sent to her via email and turns it into a remarkable likeness against a color background of your choice. These quality pillows are handmade to order. Allow at least two weeks for your order to be completed, especially at holiday time. For complete information, visit the "Handmade by Boni" website at either www.mybonnie.artfire.com, or www.mybonnie.etsy.com.
Personalized Tile from Asheville Humane Society
Honor or memorialize any pet on a color photo tile. This fitting tribute will be placed in the Asheville Humane Society's new Adoption and Education Center, which will open in the summer of 2010. For more information, go to http://www.ashevillehumane.org/bricks-and-tiles.

Dog Gifts
Holiday Treats from Three Dog Bakery
Your dogs will love the variety of scrumptious holiday treats crafted especially for them by Three Dog Bakery -- and you will too, because the treats are made with all-natural, healthy ingredients. Visit North Carolina's only Three Dog Bakery at 21 Battery Park, Asheville, NC (two blocks from the Grove Arcade) and South Carolina's only Three Dog Bakery at 430 King Street in Charleston, SC. Or if you can't make the trip, click on the Three Dog Bakery button to the right and order online. Use the coupon code Ginger2009 and get 20% off holiday treats through December 17.
OPT TO ADOPT Doggie T-shirt
Any canine will be proud to wear this quality t-shirt and show off the message: "Save a Dog's Life. OPT TO ADOPT! Available in all sizes to fit your doggie just right, and made in the USA. This is just one of many cool items for dogs and people, like t-shirts, calendars, mugs and more at the Carolina Mountain Dog online store.
Designer Dog Tag
Choose from hundreds of cool designs and get a high quality dog tag with any information you want on the back. Dog Tag Art is an online company based in Asheville, NC. All dog tag designs are original creations and tags are guaranteed for life. Your doggie deserves one of these! To order, just click on the Dog Tag Art button on the right.

 

Angela Alexander Featured at Woolworth Walk, Asheville, NC

Alexander C. Alexander, whose contemporary dog art is known both locally and nationally, is an Asheville artist and dog lover who often donates her time and talent to local animal welfare organizations. Her whimsical illustrations carry a unique trademark -- all of the animals wear spectacles. Angela will be the featured artist at Woolworth Walk, 25 Haywood Street, Asheville, NC from December 1-31.

The public is invited to an opening reception that will be held at Woolworth Walk on Friday, December 4 from 5 - 7 pm. From Dec. 4 to Dec. 6, Angela will donate 10 percent of the proceeds to Asheville Humane Society.

For more information about Angela and her work, visit www.angelacalexander.com.

Your Dog on a Pillow

If you're looking for a unique gift item for yourself or a fellow dog lover, you might consider a "custom pet portrait pillow." These quality pillows are handmade by Boni in Asheville, North Carolina. She takes any photo of one or more dogs sent to her via email and turns it into a remarkable likeness against a color background of your choice.

The pillow shown here was made for us from a photo of our Westie, Laddie, who is no longer with us. It's a wonderful remembrance of the little guy and it looks just like him, right down to the twinkle in his eye.

Allow at least two weeks for your order to be completed, especially at holiday time. For complete information, visit the "Handmade by Boni" website at either www.mybonnie.artfire.com, or www.mybonnie.etsy.com, or send an email to: handmadebyboni@yahoo.com.

Introducing the CM Dog Online Store!

Just in time for the holiday season, we're launching the Carolina Mountain Dog online store.

Here you'll find a variety of quality items, including shirts, hats, mugs, calendars, dog accessories, and more. Choose from items with great photos of dogs against a breathtaking mountain background, our signature Carolina Mountain Dog masthead, or the "Opt to Adopt!" slogan to show your commitment to saving dogs' lives. A portion of all sales from this store will be donated to shelters and animal welfare organizations in the Carolina mountains. So not only will you be getting some cool stuff, you'll be helping animals too!

See what's in store for you at: www.cafepress.com/cmdog

Animal Rescue Thrift Shops

Shelters and animal rescue organizations are always in need of cash donations. Many of them also need contributions such as blankets, towels, cleaning supplies and other items to help defray the costs of caring for animals. As the weather gets colder and the holiday season approaches, this is a good time of year to reach out and help your local shelter or animal rescue group. Please refer to the Adopting page to find the shelter or organization nearest to you.

Some of these organizations operate thrift shops or stores that help raise money. Please patronize them. A list of the stores in our area is included here. You should contact each store for hours of operation.

Asheville

Animal Haven Thrift Shop

65 Lower Grassy Branch Road

East Asheville

828-299-1635

www.animalhaven.org

Brother Wolf Animal Rescue Thrift and Gift Shop

Located at Pet Soup Services

31 Glendale Ave.

East Asheville

828-458-7778

www.bwar.org

Pet Harmony

Animal Compassion Network’s Store for Rescued Pets

803 Fairview Street

Asheville

828-258-4820 x 7

www.animalcompassionnetwork.org

Wags to Riches Thrift Shop

66 Long Shoals Road

Asheville

828-651-0335

 

Boone

Bare Bones Humane Society Thrift Shop

153 Don Hayes Road

Boone

828-264-7339

www.wataugahumanesociety.org

Hendersonville

Blue Ridge Humane Society Thrift Shop

1501 Greenville Highway

Hendersonville

828-692-3503

www.the-aarc.com

Newland

Paws N Claws Resale Store

Avery County Humane Society

New Vale Road (right behind Ingles)

Newland

828-733-0025

www.averyhumane.org

 

Spartanburg

Save-A-Pet Store

Spartanburg Humane Society

150 Dexter Road

Spartanburg
864-583-4805

www.spartanburghumane.org

 

ReTail Scene: The All Important Walk

Taking your dog for a brisk walk is a great way for both of you to get exercise. Regular walks keep dogs balanced, happy, and calm. A walk can turn stressful, however, if your dog is constantly pulling. We've tried just about every kind of technique, collar and leash to reduce our large dogs from their natural desire to forge ahead. The best device we've found is the Gentle Leader Easy Walk Harness. Since the leash attaches to a martingale loop on the chest, the dog is not pulling at the neck. It is cleverly designed with a different color-coordinated belly strap so you can easily identify the right way to put it on. This harness almost instantly made walking our two big dogs a more enjoyable experience. The harness is available in various sizes and colors from Cherrybrook.

ReTail Scene: How to Take a Hike with Your Small Dog

We wanted to take our older small dog on a hike with our two big dogs, but we knew he couldn't handle the extended time on a trail. Luckily, we found this cool backpack made by Outward Hound. It accommodates dogs up to twenty pounds. They sit comfortably on the padded bottom and get a nice ride. The straps distribute the weight to make carrying your dog easy. This brings a whole new meaning to "walking the dog." The Outward Hound Backpack Pet Carrier is hard to find in stores, but it is available via the Internet from PetSmart. Use this link to learn more about it or to order.

ReTail Scene: Smart Toys for Smart Dogs

Seems like there are a whole lot of very smart dogs in WNC and the Upstate. No doubt yours is one of them! So how do you keep ol' smarty pants motivated? Try smart toys -- toys that are specially designed to stimulate, interest, and challenge your dog.

Here's one that's pretty cool: a Dog Agility Starter Kit. You can set up an agility course in your own backyard with weave poles, a high jump, an open tunnel, and more. Agility combines exercise with mental stimulation and most active dogs love it. If you can't find the agility starter kit at your local pet store, buy it right here from PetSmart.

If agility's not your dog's thing, there are other smart toys you might want to consider. For example, a variety of Kong toys are available to encourage your dog to think about how to get at the treats inside the Kong. Use the PetSmart shopping button on the right side of this page to look for a complete selection of Kongs and other smart toys.