Connie's Blog

Can you believe it? We're almost 10!

Malcolm Perry of the Vancouver Sun, snaps a photo of me (left), Jennifer Nosek (center) and Faith Wilson (left), at the launch party for Modern Dog's premiere issue, Fall 2002 (photograph taken by Robert Kwong).

Can you believe it? We're almost 10!

With the summer  issue wrapped, we're already busily working on Modern Dog's fall issue, a very special edition for me as its release will mark Modern Dog’s10th anniversary (!!).

The years since Modern Dog’s inception have literally flown by and when I think back to the launch of the first issue in 2002, which, with the help of my daughter Jennifer, was published out of a tiny office in the loft of my house, it seems unbelievable just how far we've come. We went from a regional to a national publication by our second issue, then to an international publication with the third issue’s release. Modern Dog's holistic approach to a canine-inclusive lifestyle appealed to the largely underserved devoted dog lovers and we soon had a dedicated following. It took a lot of work, though, (and then some), plus a 24/7 commitment to see us through those first issues. The first few years of publishing were the scariest I've ever experienced doing anything prior to that... it felt like the first day on the job for at least two years! There was so much to know about publishing, but with no prior experience in this field we simply forged ahead, creating our own path to success. And here we are, 10 years later! Today Modern Dog can be found on newsstands all across North America and beyond. If you haven’t already, sign up for our free newsletter, download our digital app from the iTunes store (Android coming soon), search our tremendous back catalogue of content here on moderndogmagazine.com, and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest!

Along the way there were many, many exciting milestone moments. We'll be publishing the most memorable of those in the 10th anniversary edition, but I'll give you a bit of a preview of a couple of my best moments here....

 

As a fan of both mutts and Regis and Kelly, a big moment for me personally was when we were chosen to help the Regis & Kelly show promote their Mutt America Contest. Not only did the talented winning mutt appear with Regis & Kelly on Modern Dog’s cover (a coup for mutts everywhere), the issue also marked the launch of the new Modern Cat section in Modern Dog and the promise of Modern Cat magazine to follow down the road. Well, I’m very excited to report that the promised launch of Modern Cat will take place this fall, marked by a cover cat competition!

 

Another beyond thrilling moment was our photo shoot with Ellen Degeneres for our Spring 09 cover shoot.  Gracious and super funny and in possession of an absolutely gorgeous home, Ellen was all that and more. Her mom and Portia and their dogs were all there, too. Check out Ellen with her Modern Dog cover on the Ellen show!

Anyway, suffice to say we have all kinds of celebrations, fun features and promotions to mark the occasion of our 10th anniversary of Modern Dog and the launch of Modern Cat, so stay tuned!!

Brilliant Ideas For Summer Bliss

 

I’m thrilled to announce that our summer issue is now on its way to subscribers and newsstands. Earlier this year, at the Westminster Dog Show, I got to chat with Martha Stewart for a few minutes after her dog, Genghis Khan, won Best of Breed (see previous blog for photo) which led to the two of them being on our summer cover--ahhh the sweet synchronicity of life!

I do believe that this summer issue is our best yet, full of DIY projects, crafts and recipes, making it all the more apropos to have Martha, an icon of DIY, on our cover. June 1^st the issue will be on newsstands and also available for download through our app, so be sure to pick up a copy and check out the exclusive interview with Martha, invaluable training advice, book reviews, health and nutrition advice, staff product picks, the amazing photo contest dogs and loads more (you’ll love our Wet Dogs photoshoot… my Penny girl was in it – see her photo below!! Photographed by Hans Sipma).

 

We’re already busily working on the fall issue which incredibly marks our 10^th anniversary (!) which I’ll tell you more about  in my next posting.

Flowers, Balloons and Dogs

Flowers, Sunday brunch, heart-shaped balloons and dogs bearing gifts... what could be better?!

I knew Mother's Day weekend was starting off right when I received a special Mother’s Day e-card compliments of my dog Penny (see previous blog). Then leaving work early on Friday (see it’s already getting even better!), my sisters, my dog Penny and I flew to visit my mom for the weekend where we celebrated Mother’s Day with loads of great food (not to mention loads of good wine), then we wrapped up our fun-filled weekend with a fabulous Sunday brunch. Upon my return home, my own daughters had a special surprise for me… a gorgeous bouquet of Peony roses and two heart-shaped balloons brought to me by two very sweet grand-dogs. What could be better?!

Aren't they darling?! Rose and Esther bearing heart-shaped balloons for me (In case you're wondering, Esther is wearing a BooBooLoon pet recovery collar as a result of lumpectomy surgery). 

 

Peony flowers, a favourite, grace my desk and cheer up my office.

Penny flies with us to Kelowna and rolls conveniently and effortlessly along in her Sherpa travel bag. It fits under the seat so she can ride in-cabin. If you're planning to fly with your own pet be sure you check your air carrier's rules and regulations prior to getting out to the airport. For instance, we flew with West Jet and they allow a very limited number of pets per flight (I believe four) and there's a $50 (each way) surcharge. On our flight back to Vancouver there was another dog right across the aisle from us and also a cat! Each was tucked into a comfortable ventilated travel bag.

 

My Dog Sent Me A Mother's Day Card!

I didn't know my dog was so talented... not only was she able to use a computer to send me an e-card for Mother's Day, she's also an aspiring poet. Check it out above, then send your own e-card to a dog-mom you know. It's free (and fun!).

Click here to see Modern Dog's e-card library.

The Voting's Begun!!

Between April 1^st and June 30^th you can vote to select the finalists in the 2012 American Hero Dog Awards. You’re allowed to vote once a day up until June 30th for dogs in each of these categories: Law Enforcement/Arson Dogs; Service Dogs; Therapy Dogs; Hearing Dogs; Emerging Hero Dogs; Military Dogs; Guide Dogs; Search and Rescue Dogs (you can see all the nominees by clicking here ). The dogs with the most votes in each of the above categories will be chosen to walk the red carpet at the Hero Dog Awards weekend, October 5-6, in Beverly Hills, California. All finalists will also have a chance to be chosen as the Grand Prize winner (the “American Hero Dog”). For more info and official rules, click here.

Browse the nominees and place your vote today!

Must-See TV For Animal Lovers!

 

If you missed the 26th Genesis Awards back in March, fear not! Tune in to Animal Planet on Saturday May 5th and help to recognize the important role media plays in animal welfare. Do it up celebrity style and throw your own red carpet party. The HSUS has put together a fun Genesis Awards party pack to get you started: humanesociety.org

Penny In The Box

A big box arrived in the mail today and my curious girl Penny jumped in to see what it was all about (and probably to claim it as her own)… it was a West Paw bed, a favourite among the dogs in the office!  I hadn’t had a chance to remove the labels though and soon Penny was busy trying to get the label off, scratching and pouncing on it, to no avail. It was hilarious to watch and gave me a much-needed distraction from my work. After a bit, she just gave up and sat there looking at me.

Taking pity on her, I removed the bed from the box, took off the label and soon she was stretched out comfortably enjoying her new digs. This super-soft and cushy bed’s fiber fill is made from 100% recycled soda pop bottles (Penny’s bed, a size small, is stuffed with fill made from over 28 plastic bottles!)… eco-conscious manufacturing strategies such as this really helps lessen the impact we make on our environment…just one more reason to love West Paw! To read more about West Paw’s creator, Spencer Williams click here.

 

Snack Attack

 

Every day numerous parcels and boxes arrive via mail or courier; however, not all incoming packages attract the attention of our office dogs, but should there be food in any of them, the dogs just seem to know and they're all excited, prancing about, tails a-wagging as they vye for a close-up position so they can be first in line for any offerings. My dog Penny was particularly interested in a box that was dropped off on my desk. Upon opening it, I understood why... it contained a cookie jar from Purina, filled with an assortment of colourful and interestingly shaped dog biscuits called Beneful Baked Delights (some even had soft centers) and they looked very much like home-baked cookies! When I opened the lid, a bacony aroma wafted out (what dog doesn't love bacon?) and soon not only did I have the attention of Penny, but also the editor's dog Esther.

Here's a photo that I took looking down into the cookie jar (I love the little duckie!). The dogs love them and for pint-sized dogs like Esther and Penny I was able to break them into smaller pieces so I could share one biscuit between them thereby keeping an eye on portion control and their weight.

Here's my dog Penny who asked to be picked up... I thought she wanted a cuddle, but no, she simply wanted to get up on my lap, using me as a stepping stone to get up on my desk and walk over to self-serve a biscuit. 

 

I'll be immersed in work and then I'll hear an rrrrrrrrr kind of sound, upon looking around to see what's up, I then hear a  swoosh, swoosh, swoosh sound... it's Esther, sitting beneath my chair, tail swooshing against the carpet, telling me in her own sweet little way that she's having a snack attack. When I pick her up, she, too, heads up onto my desk hopeful that it's treat-time.