Pages

Showing posts with label Dogs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dogs. Show all posts

August 22, 2011

Notes From: Wedding No. 1

And what a wedding it was! These two love birds are the kindest and most humble couple you'll meet, completely unaware of the amount of talent they both possess. A Jack House wedding fit for a photo shoot, it was homespun and refined, a 1920's picnic-meets-modern fete with details like a croquet set, handmade flags, handpainted tapestries and a hand-built wooden pallet bar holding tart margaritas and jars of sweet tea. Congrats to the now proper Vita Navarro-Boyes (pictured with her dad) on the nuptials of her parents!

Weddingno1

July 22, 2011

Swell Sip: Summer Salty Dog

Being that we are well into the dog days of summer, Jenna has stirred up a deliciously refreshing SWELL SIP. With Fizzy Lizzy Grapefuit bubbles and a perfect rim of salt, it is sure to pucker you up and cool you down. And speaking of dogs, stay tuned for my must-have canine travel gear full of perfect ideas for your wayfaring pooch. We're taking the pups to Palm Springs for a little R&R and while we sip our Summer Salty Dogs, they'll be happily acting like lazy dogs in the breeze of the AC. Happy weekend!
SummerSaltyDog

July 11, 2011

Notes From: Mignon

I'm happy to report that Mignon, the darling wine and cheese bar next to Babycakes NYC, turned one this weekend and what a festive occasion it was! In truth, perhaps too much of a good time. For $20 they gave you all the wine, cheese and cornichons you could possibly hope for—yikes. But I do recommend going on a weekday evening, when the sun has gone down and you're looking to cozy up next to someone over a croque monsieur, a bottle of French wine and honey mascarpone with berries and creme. (I woke up Sunday to Midge, my eldest dogger (dog + daughter), staring at me as if to say, "You had your fun. . .now feed me.")

Mignon

July 5, 2011

Notes From: Paella Party

Nothing says summer like a patio hangout with compatriots over a refreshing sangria and a seafood paella. Houdini agrees. How was your weekend?

Paella

June 27, 2011

Notes From: Malibu Wines

Riding down the PCH this weekend with the azure pacific ocean peppered with surfers to our left and the hills to our right, I couldn't think of one reason why I'd ever leave this sunny place. Cut to an afternoon sipping Arnold Palmers at the Malibu Country Mart and an evening with cheese (what would life be without it?) and Semler Rose at Malibu Wines, and I didn't feel it fair that I still had Sunday left to explore the Huntington Botanical Gardens. Summer in Southern California is pretty unbeatable, don't you think? (Lucy thinks so, too). 

MalibuWInes

June 13, 2011

Notes From: Bottega Louie

Good company and good food these past days! Another one for the books and a few tips learned. One, go to Bottega Louie early in the day as the light streams beautifully through the windows and your ears can rest. (Mr. Louie and I aren't OK for dinner as he happens to be quite loud after the sun goes down. We may be neighbors, but no). Also, after spending time at Malibu Wines again, I can't say how much I suggest you pack your picnic, roll your windows down and drive down Highway 1 to visit! Lastly, always keep open to the chance to meet fantastic people in this fine city, for they are out there. We ended Sunday in the company of SF-expats Junia Isabel and her other half Andres. Welcome to Los Angeles, new friends. (Oh, and that's our rescue pup Colette being as cute as ever. What a long way she's come).
 
Bottega-Louie

June 8, 2011

Blog Find: Miles to Style

Dogs + style? Two of my favorite subjects. Luckily, Ms. Christine, creator of the swoon-worthy LAMA blog/designs (trust me—you'll never want to visit South America more than when you read her archives), feels the same way! So, she created Miles to Style, a chic blog dedicated to her dapper miki and to all things dog. With features like Icons & Dogs and Miles & Me, she'll have you and your pooch looking posh in no time. You can also find her at Dog Milk.

NEWS: Being the kindred loves-dogs-and-style-and-South America spirits that we are, I'm happy to announce that Christine will soon grace us with her savvy eye right here on Monkey in LA. Stay tuned!

MilestoStyle

June 6, 2011

Notes From: The Hollywood Farmer's Market

The sky may be gloomy (it never fails in June, does it?), but the Hollywood Farmer's Market was nothing less than vibrantly fresh with a side of cute named Bella. What a doll! And no, I have never met a dog I didn't like. While I checked out the carrots, Adam from Viva LA Foodies scanned the fruit and filled his bag for our mad scientist weekend. It was a true farm-to-table excursion. OK, let's be honest—more like a farm-to-mouth-and-some-to-table excursion. In short, it was a delicious Sunday, indeed.

FarmersMarket

May 23, 2011

Notes From: Gjelina

Oh, and what a weekend it was! From watching ice cream carts and wooden barrels fly down the hill at the Soap Box Race to taking a lazy 37-mile bike ride from Downtown to Venice and back, it was two days of fodder and libations, good company and good sights. In my new NOTES FROM, I'll share my snaps of these (epicurean) adventures. Here are a few from our feast at Gjelina—mushroom and truffle oil pizza, a strawberry rhubarb tart and a tall lemonade—and of two canine buddies behind the wheel of an old Ford for a day out and about on Abbot Kinney. Don't worry, I'll still dish out an earful if I find pups in a car, but in this case, it was a cool 60° out and their people friends were nearby. 

AbbottKinney


*Photos property of Eva Goicochea

September 15, 2010

Strut Your Mutt

participant_1889rotation1

I have many loves, but animals, well, they occupy at least half of my heart. The truth is, I have yet to meet a creature that I am not fond of (including the cow that tried to run me over) especially the ones that need help in some way. As fate would have it, I was introduced to Colette, a very abused shih tzu who desperately needed a loving family, through a local canine rescue Lhasa Happy Homes. A year and a half later, she's a jolly member of my household. And so, to thank Lhasa Happy Homes and to help other dogs, I am participating in Strut Your Mutt LA 2010 this Sunday on the Santa Monica Pier. Hosted by the Best Friends Animal Society, the walk takes place along the Pacific Coast with donations going to the rescue of your choice via sites like this one. If you're up for the challenge, you can also partake or simply help the efforts via donation. Festivities at the after-walk dog PAWty on the pier include the Downward Dog "Dogi" area, a boutique filled with goodies for your companion and the Canine Cafe. A Sunday morning stroll on the beach with my chum, Colette, to help animals in need followed by a soiree? Yes, please. For information click here.

February 4, 2010

Goodbye Buddy

4198484195_5b8f555bbc_o

May you find green grass, many biscuits and plenty of
warm naps in the sun wherever you go.
Until we meet again sir!

All the love in the world...

November 17, 2009

3 Dogs and a Baby

Sorry I haven't been writing too much. It seems that between getting hitched and starting a new job, my monkey life has taken a backseat. But I'm working on it. Which brings me to this: After you get married people ask about the babies. When? Soon? How many? Aren't you just dying to stay home and make organic mushed carrot baby food? Doesn't that sound delightful? Um, not now. Not soon. Not many. Absolutely not. No way.

Let's be clear, I already have babies! Three dogs (and two cats plus a little brother and nieces and nephews). So what gives? I don't need to add to my circus. I already feel like the days are filled. But that all being said, I love being a pet parent. I look forward to finding them new sweaters, giving them baths and hugging them until they wiggle away--just like the real thing!

You too? I figured. I know I'm not the only one with a Shih Tzu who has the closet of a 2-year-old. Since it's been chilly (for Los Angeles. . .) and the holidays are near, I found some organic and fun holiday must-haves for your spoiled "child".

Harry Barker Eco Eton Collars, West Paw Fridge Toy, Grandma Lucy's Organic Pumpkin Biscuits, West Paw Holiday Tuckered Out Bed, West Paw Ruff-N-Tuff & Tiny Tuff Reindeer, Harry Barker Biodegradable No Two Bags, Wet Noses Pumpkin Biscuits, Ruff Wear Sun Shower Raincoat, Planet Dog Orbee-Tuff Bulbs, Wagatha's Cranberry Cheddar Biscuits, West Paw Eco Merry Bones, Simply Fido Pumpkin Shirt, Planet Dog Squeaky Gingerbread Buddy, A Dog's Life Apple Pie Biscuits, West Paw Reknitz Sweaters, Ma Snax Double Carob Chip and Wintermint Biscuits

or you can find these products at local stores:

564 S Main St
Los Angeles, CA 90013
213-438-0900

7515 Beverly Blvd
Los Angeles
323-933-2100

1014 North Highland Avenue
Los Angeles
323-461-5151

534 N. La Cienega
Los Angeles
310-275-2820

Maxwell Dog
12336 Ventura Blvd
Studio City
818-505-8411

My Pet Naturally
12001 W Pico Blvd
Los Angeles
310-477-3030

1110 Wilshire Blvd.
Santa Monica
310-458-2004

September 25, 2009

Gone to the Dogs

We're off to play with Ezzie, Beatty, George and Snoopy. Happy weekend!
(And don't forget the $5 parking lot sale at DNA in Venice).

September 1, 2009

Hot Dogs!



I really wanted to call this post some people are idiots, but that title is wide open for a variety of asinine behaviors. The truth is, many people are idiots and I have a specific bone to pick with them. Especially the six (two today) dog owners I've encountered in the past month. To you, ignorant fools who leave your dogs in the car, it's time to educate yourself as to why it is absolutely unacceptable to leave pets in your oven on wheels.

Good reason #1: It's illegal. Good one, right? In 2006, the Governor signed CA Senate Bill 1806 (Figueroa) into a law that makes leaving your dog in the car under certain conditions a crime. The conditions? Heat, cold, lack of adequate ventilation, or lack of food or water, or other circumstances that could reasonably be expected to cause suffering or death.

Good reason #2: Since it is illegal, there are penalties. This means, leave your dog at home or face penalties of $100 for the first incident, $500 or six months in jail if your dog becomes sick or injured, and if you get hit with a felony charge? Count them: $20,000. Oh, and one more thing--a peace officer or animal control officer can bust your windows and take your dog to the shelter to sit on death row. Plus, you look like a jerk.

Good reason #3: The temperature outside doesn't matter. Just because you think that it's cool enough for your dog to sit in your car, doesn't mean it is. Even when it's a (human) comfortable 72º outside, the inside of the car can quickly rise to 100º within minutes. If your dog's body temperature rises even a few degrees, he can suffer heatstroke, brain damage and death.

Good reason #4: Pets are stolen from cars. You know your cute, flat-faced pug? The one who can't breath normally anyway, but is now wheezing on the hot seat? Well, someone can easily break or force open the window and take him. It happens. End of story.

Good reason #5: Los Angeles is pet-friendly. This one is for you, couple at Samy's Camera who decided to leave their giant pitbull in the car on a 90º day: Your dog can go inside with you. Novel, I know.

So, if you are reading this and you see a dog in a car or know people who leave their dog in the car, do something. Save them a vet bill, heartache, a fine or a broken window. Better yet, help them become a little bit smarter. They need it.

A great resource for the canine owner is: My Dog is Cool. You can find information, a weather gauge and even fliers to print out and leave on cars in case you see this. I know it is hard to step up to strangers, but enough already.

May 20, 2009

The Truth About Cats & Dogs

2009 seems to be a year already defined by a bevy of terms: financial crisis, the fallout, the economic downturn, the recession. Familiar companies, jobs, even things that make life good (goodbye dear Domino magazine) are falling into the ever-growing swamp of oblivion. Unfortunately, so are pets. Once the best sidekick a person could ask for, is now another number at the local shelter abandoned for the monthly price tag of food and vet bills. In Los Angeles County alone, around 20,000 (!) animals were euthanized last year. See the LA Animal Services 2008 Report. All over the nation and world, it seems every city pound and rescue group has become impacted with an influx of orphaned creatures:


Though I have a few rescued pets myself, the reports of animals being dumped made me want to help more. It started out with a search of local rescue groups and turned into a Sunday ritual of waking up early, heading to the Brentwood Farmer's Market and helping with Lhasa Happy Homes (LHH) dog rescue (or fondly, as we call it in my house, Sunday's visit to the "House of Dog"). While I am partial to squished-face shih tzus and lhasa apsos, on a volunteer mission with LHH at the Best Friends Animal Society's Spring Adoption Festival, I got to meet and see that Los Angeles has a rescue for every type of dog, mutt, cat and feral living in this town.

While you may not be ready to turn your garage into a rescue, donating time is a free way to help. While at first waking up early on a Sunday seems difficult, once you see that first mangy and abused dog come in hopeless and go out healed and happy to a new loving home, you'll get over it. If you're allergic? Why not contact a local group to assist with filing or updating a website, outreach to foster homes or in recruiting other volunteers? If you happen to have a few extra pennies, but no time to spare, why not send in a donation or some pet food? This economic downturn has not only lead to animals being abandoned, but also to the city shelters, humane societies and rescue groups being in great need of funding.

In the Los Angeles area, there are hundreds of organizations waiting for and desperately needing help. Here are some groups:

CATS & DOGS

DOGS

CATS

A complete guide of all the Los Angeles rescues including many more cat rescue groups can be found at: Los Angeles Rescue Guide or At-LA Pet Rescue Guide.