Christmas Cookies for your Dog at Bark Avenue

We grew up decorating Christmas cookies and it was always a fun time to share with everyone. So you can imagine our delight when we opened the box full of Squeaky Christmas Cookie toys!

All the old favorites are there - Snowman, Star, Tree and of course Santa!
Embroidered "icing" detail really finishes them off - and a squeak of course.
Now the problem is which one to pick?
Maybe all four?

Also if you want to make dog friendly Christmas cookies we found a great recipe -

Ginger Bread Bones!

Serving: 2 to 3 dozens Ginger Bread Bones

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of all purpose flour
• 1 cup of whole wheat flour
• ½ cup of molasses
• ½ cup of water
• A quarter cup of canola oil
• 2 tablespoons of ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon of ground cloves

Methods:

1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Mix all the ingredients thoroughly in a large bowl.
3. Roll out dough on floured baking board to about 5mm thick.
4. Using a dog bone shape cookie cutter to cut as many shapes until the dough is all used up.
5. Place cut dough on ungreased foiled baking sheets.
6. Bake the cookies for 30 minutes.
7. Allow it to cool for at least 2 hours before serving.

Special Notes:

• For added benefit, punch holes on both ends of the cookie bone with thick (bubble tea) straw before baking. Once they’re baked, put a thin slice of raw carrot through each hole. They way, your dog will have some fiber in his diet.
• If these ginger bread bones are eaten as snacks, it should last you about a week in an air-tight jar. Remember to discount some portion from his daily meal intake so that he won’t be overfed.

Be sure to share your baking pictures with us on facebook!

Santa Paws at Bark Avenue Brighton THIS Sunday 5th of December

Santa Paws is on the way for photos with your pooch this Sunday from 12 to 4pm. If you haven't booked please come along after 3pm. If you want to make a booking give us a call on 8377 4973.

Also if you print this voucher out and bring it along you get $5 to spend on any Christmas item in store. With toys and treats starting at $3 you're sure to find something!

A gift from Santa Paws to you!


Cannot be combined with any other voucher. Valid 5/12/2010 only with any Santa Photo Package purchase.

Puzzle toys for dogs at Bark Avenue Brighton

Got a clever dog?

Keep them busy this Christmas with the Gingerbread puzzle house.Gingerbread House, will help develop your dog's intelligence and puzzle solving skills. Works in reverse to a human puzzle, your dog will take the toy apart, then you put it back together again for them. Dogs learn to think in order to complete the task. Perfect gift for clever dogs!
Three squeaky gingerbread "cookies" included inside the house.

We also have the ever popular Hide a Squirrel and Hide a Bee in stock for Christmas gift giving.

These tactile, plush toys will keep your dog occupied, help to eliminate boredom, and also develop their intelligence and puzzle solving skills. Simply hide the soft plush animals inside the plush log or hive for your dog to remove over and over again.Our best value puzzle toy! Hydrant puzzle is a Innovative plush hydrants with removable plush ring. Rings offer lots of options for games and challenge. Indoor fetch? Hide and seek? Each hydrant also has a squeaker inside for extra fun!


Bring your dog in store today at 69 Jetty Road, Brighton to pick something out.

Or shop online 24/7 and have it delivered to your door - www.barkavenue.com.au

Festive Dog Dress ups at Bark Avenue Brighton

Need to get your pooch in the holiday spirit? Bark Avenue have got you covered.
Get your dog in on the Christmas action by putting them on Chimney watch! Wonderfully detailed hat sure to be a hit for years to come. Perfect for photos with Santa Paws!


Adorable holiday bandanas that are sized just right for small dogs and puppies. Each bandana is embroidered with a cute holiday saying. Red says - "Santa's Little Yelper" - Green says - "Dear Santa, Define Naughty". Great for holiday photos and dogs that won't wear hats.The all time Bark Avenue favourite - Plush Santa hats. Made of luxury faux fur with embroidered paw print detail these hats are not your average Santa hat. Three sizes starting at $5.95. Secure elastic under chin - great for Christmas day!

Don't forget - Santa Paws will be in store on Sunday the 5th of December. All of these items would look fantastic on your dog in their very own Santa photo!

Book now by calling 8377 4973, or shoot us an email - shop@barkavenue.com.au.

All items available in store or online - www.barkavenue.com.au.

Two Christmas toys for $10 at Bark Avenue

We love you guys, and we want all our furry friends to have a special toy this Christmas. So we are selling our TOP three Christmas toys for $5.95 or 2 for $10.

That's right - two of our most popular Christmas toys for $10. BARGAIN!

Pick from Christmas friends - Reindeer, Santa, Elf or Snowman.
Holiday mints in green or red.
Or Santa Dogs in blue, pink or red.
Mix and Match a super fun squeaky Christmas for your dog!

Loads more in store at 69 Jetty Road, Brighton. Or order online and have it delivered to your door!

Christmas time for Cats at Bark Avenue

We haven't forgotten about our kitty cat friends at Bark Avenue this year with a great selection of fun things to keep them happy this Christmas.

Our absolute top pick - Santa Pants.

Santa Pants are the most unique cat crinkle tunnels we’ve ever offered. Made to look just like Santa’s pants, these fun holiday toys for cats are sure to be a hit! Cats will have a fantastic good time romping around in this crinkle tunnel.

Second pick is the Trembling Santa mouse!

Cute mouse toy has a tiny santa hat for festive cheer. Pull his tail and he trembles and moves across smooth surfaces. Great for supervised play with inquisitive cats and small dogs.

Third pick - The Laser mouse!

Catss can’t resist chasing the Laser Beam Mouse! Sleek, sliver mouse shaped laser toy projects a powerful beam up to 40 metres for hours of playtime and pursuit. Small, handheld laser can be hidden in the palm of your hand to add intrigue for an even more challenging game of chase.

Loads more to choose from instore too. Drop by and check us out soon - 69 Jetty Road, Brighton.

And don't forget - Santa Paws likes cats too!

Santa Paws 5th Annual visit to Bark Avenue Brighton

Santa is SUPER excited for the 5th Annual Photo shoot at Bark Avenue! He will be arriving at 69 Jetty Road Brighton on Sunday the 5th of December at 12pm and will stick around until 4pm. Plenty of time for lots of cuddles and photos!

Bring all your pack along - ones without fur welcome too.

Booked out last year - so give us a call on 8377 4973 or email at shop@barkavenue.com.au to make sure your pet gets photographed on Santa's lap this year.

There are three packages available for Santa photos. The first is $20 - this includes 1 x 5x7" print & 4 x wallet prints.

The next package is $25 - Which is for 10 x Flat Christmas Cards and envelopes.

The last and BEST value is $35 and gives you all of the above at a $10 saving - so you get 1 x 5x7" print, 4 x wallet prints & 10 x Flat Christmas Cards with envelopes.

Loads of fun gifts for your special furry someone in store too.

Santa & the team at Bark Avenue can't wait to see you!

For more information and a secret Santa surprise come fan us on facebook.

Howl-o-ween at Bark Avenue Brighton

It's that time of year again when all our furry friends get costumed up for Howl-o-ween!

What will your dog be? Superdog? Spiderdog? A hot dog? So many choices!
Bring your dog in store to try things on today.
Loads of fun costumes just arrived in store. Check out a small selection online and a HUGE selection in store!

Bark Avenue Sponsorship

Bark Avenue is proud to sponsor the Can Do Caper which is an amazing race style event run in and around the Adelaide CBD to raise funds for Can Do for Kids & Deaf Can Do.

If you're going to the awards dinner make sure to get your paws on one of our vouchers.

Best of luck to all the teams. Hope the winners love their doggy prize packs from Bark Avenue!

$5 off Puppia Soft Harnesses at Bark Avenue

We LOVE the Puppia Harness - and we know your dog will love it too. We want every dog to own one of these great harnesses, so we're giving everyone $5 off our most popular item.

Just print out this voucher and bring it in store to get $5 off your very own Puppia Harness! Dogs are welcome in store too so we can fit it to them perfectly. No more rubbing and chafing - the Puppia Harness is super soft and comfortable. It's washable too so you can even swim in it. You can even convert it into a car harness - ask us how when you come down.

But hurry, it's only valid until Friday the 10th of September, or until stocks run out.

Interactive fun toys at Bark Avenue Brighton

Bag 'O Balls is a great toy for clever dogs. A colourful plush circle containing eight fun size plush balls - four with squeak and four without.

Play interactively with your dog by letting them remove the balls from the bag in search of the squeaky ones and then reloading them inside to let the fun begin again. Hours of bonding fun for you and your dog.

The Bag-O-Balls contains eight plush balls, approximately 6cm in diameter, in four different colors.

Bark Avenue thinks every pet should be Microchipped

We loved this news article about Timothy the cat being reunited with his owners after traveling 1000km cross country thanks to his microchip.

Staff at Townsville's RSPCA are at a loss to explain how a two-year-old cat made its way from Brisbane to the north Queensland city, more than 1,000 kilometres away.

Nine months ago, the cat's owners reported 'Timothy' the cat missing from their Brisbane home but yesterday he was picked up as a stray in Townsville.

RSPCA spokeswoman Caroline Shemwell says his microchip let her know where he had come from.

"We get three stray cats in and one of them had a microchip - we looked it up," she said.

"Sure enough it was Timothy - we looked up the owners, called the owners and surprisingly they're in Brisbane.

"He's nice and clean and healthy, he's got a nice weight on him so he's quite calm and relaxed and in good spirits, good nick."

Ms Shemwell says she is not sure if the feline hitched a lift or walked the whole way to Townsville.

"It is a good place after all - I'd want to come back here too," she said.

Timothy will be flown back to his owners in Brisbane in the next couple of days.
The average cost for a microchip is around $45 - it's the best security you can buy for your pet. It's cheaper if you get it done at the same time your pet is desexed. Even if their collar comes off, their microchip can still be scanned. Most vets, council and animal welfare groups have scanners, so the chances of your pet coming back to you are fantastic with a microchip.

If you are looking to get a pet the Animal Welfare League and the RSPCA get all their pets desexed and microchipped before you buy them.

A reminder to treat your dogs right

Another great dog story forwarded to our inbox. Gypsy the pooch pound rescued her elderly neighbour. Made us all feel warm and fuzzy.

A dog that was itself rescued from the pound is being hailed a hero after coming to the aid of an elderly woman on the New South Wales north coast.

The Kyogle woman, known only as Meg, had broken her hip after falling and was lying helpless outside her home.

Gypsy, the staffie-cattle dog cross, went to investigate and took home one of Meg's slippers.

Her owner, Roger, discovered the situation when he went to return the slipper.

"You don't give animals credit - they obviously don't think like we do - but she worked this one out, that somebody needed help and this was the only way she could tell us how, by pinching a fluffy slipper," Roger said.

Meg was rushed to hospital and had to undergo surgery.

She spent the next seven weeks recovering in hospital and it was only this week she could finally say thank you to Gypsy.

"I had some lamb shanks and I said I'd wrap them up in a big bow and when we all got together again, which we did last Friday... and Roger gave her one of the shanks, she didn't eat it, she just took off to take it home to show Marian and waited for Roger to come and away they went, and I'm in tears by that stage," Meg said.

"I suppose it was such a happiness for me to know that she found me and it was just good to see her again.

"We all hope for those sorts of things to happen but there's a lesson there, to be kind to your neighbours' dog and to treat them right and to treat your own dogs correctly."

What great words of wisdom.

Original story from here.

Dogs feel like dancing!

Move over Doga - the new doggie trend is dancing!

Via our inbox - thanks for sending over the new article Oscar!

A group of Tasmanian dog-lovers is taking its first tentative steps in the art of dog dancing.

Official dog dancing competitions began in Australia last year, combining tricks and movement choreographed to music.

An interstate instructor has just finished the state's first dance classes at the Glenorchy showgrounds, in Hobart's northern suburbs.

Sue Cordwell says the discipline incorporates rhythm, teamwork and fun.

"Probably the basics of freestyle dog dancing is the leg weaving, the left-hand spin, the right-hand spin, the backing up," Ms Cordwell said.

Tasmanian dog lovers say the sport is growing in popularity.

Barb Duke from the Border Collie Club of Tasmania says the discipline is terrific for busy, intelligent - and hungry - dogs like border collies.

"The people love the music, and we truly believe that the dogs actually can feel the rhythm as well.

"They like the fact that the humans are relaxed and working with the rhythm, and they just love doings lots of tricks, and of course they get rewarded very well for doing it," she said.

Ms Duke says competing dogs are not allowed to wear costumes; fancy scarves or collars are the limit.

"Yeah, a bit of bling is good," she said, "but not too over the top, because there has to still be dignity for the dog."

Read the rest of the article here.

Fun Dog Pictures

We're a bit in love with this website. Some of the dog photos with captions are hilarious! If you've got a funny photo of your dog upload it to our facebook page - or shoot it over to us on email - shop@barkavenue.com.au - and we'll put it up for all to see!

Boredom Buster Dog Toys at Bark Avenue

Dog bored inside the house when it's too cold to go out?

You need something to keep them busy and their mind active.
The Hide a bee plush toy will keep your dog occupied, help to eliminate boredom, and also develop their intelligence and puzzle solving skills. Simply hide the soft plush bees inside the plush hive for your dog to remove over and over again.Great bonding fun for you and your dog!


Treats that take a while to eat are another good way to keep dogs busy. Something like a pigs ear or our most popular treat the meaty twist. At only $2 it's a great way to keep your dog out of mischief and clean their teeth at the same time.Drop past the store to check out all the fun things on offer to keep your dog busy in this cold weather!

Dog Rain Coats at Bark Avenue Brighton now in Pink!

Our ever popular dog rain coats have been a hit for the past few years. Polar fleece lined, water proof outer, velcro adjustable straps and a reflective safety strap. They come in red, blue and now Pink! Stop by the store to have your dog fitted for free. Or check them out online here and use the size chart to make sure you get a snug fit.

Dogs do feel the cold. Especially older dogs - being warm makes conditions like arthritis feel much better. Make sure you're dog has somewhere warm and dry to sleep at night and shelter during the day from the wind and rain.

Check out the winter store online for more toasty ideas!

Paris Hiltons Mini Dog Mansion

We've seen some pretty over the top pet parents in our time, but Paris Hilton still blows our mind! Although I know our dogs would sure love a dog house like this!

The heiress uploaded photos of her “Mini Doggie Mansion” on her Twitter page . The luxurious canine accommodation — which is home to her dogs — is a replica of the heiress’ own Beverly Hills home and sports a price tag of $350,000.

The two-story luxury pad is air-conditioned and features a spiral staircase, overlooks the socialite’s swimming pool

. Paris has even furnished the dog mansion with a closet for the animals’ designer outfits and a chandelier.

“I have to admit, I may have spoiled them a little too much,” Paris wrote in a Tweet. “But how can I not? Just look at those sweet lil’ faces, they deserve to be treated like my lil’ prince and princesses :) I love my babies.”

They look like some happy little dogs!

Music for the dogs

Did you know that dogs can hear things that humans can't? In Sydney this month there will be a special concert that only dogs can hear.

WILL they play Bach? Or Offenbach? What about something by the Pet Shop Boys?

New Yorkers Laurie Anderson and Lou Reed will outdo Spencer Tunick's naked photo shoot by staging one of the strangest events to be seen at the Opera House as part of their Vivid Live festival next month.

Music for Dogs - a high-frequency concert that aims to captivate canines while being inaudible to their owners - takes over the northern boardwalk on June 5.

How will humans know if anything is being played? "You can just about hear it sometimes," Anderson said. "And you look at it on the meters and you see what it's doing. And your dog's ears will be twitching."

Wonder if we'll get one in Adelaide?

Read more of the original article here.

Fuzzyard Beds at Bark Avenue Brighton

We are all so in LOVE with the new designs from Fuzzyard beds! Designed in Australia, all machine washable, so soft to touch and three sizes to choose from.

The only problem is which one to pick?Willow?
Fashionable and practical. Willow is a fusion of lime green organic patterns and dusty chocolate plush. Finished with dark chocolate trim, it’s an incredibly comfortable style-statement.
Eskimo?

Eskimo is perfectly practical, comfortable and sure to keep your four-legged family member warm on the coldest night. Made entirely from our softest plush yet, it features a lift-out cushion with removable cover and securely bagged feather-soft filling.
Carnival?
Carnival is the perfect balance of fun and practicality. Our combination of velvety caramel-coloured plush and durable printed canvas is perfect for any home and any dog.
Adventurer?
A dog with a nose for adventure needs a bed to match. Adventurer is constructed of robust, chocolatey corduroy and our softest plush yet. It's the perfect place to take a nap after a long day of digging. Bonzai?
Asian-inspired Bonzai combines a crisp black and white print on a durable grey canvas backdrop. Combined with jet black plush and trim, this bed is a calm and comfortable resting place for any dog.

Can't decide? Bring your dog down to pick one out in store!
Bark Avenue, 69 Jetty Road, Brighton - Open 7 days!

Bark Avenue Brighton Proud stockists of BARF Diet Dog food

Bark Avenue is proud to stock this completely natural, All Australian pet food! The BARF RAW Food Diet as formulated by Dr Ian Billinghurst Biologically Appropriate Raw Food Restoring Animal Wellness Dr Ian Billinghurst wrote the highly influential book "Give your dog a bone", and BARF is his own line of ready prepared food which complies with the principles set out in his book. Help your pets to grow and develop every part of their body to the peak of genetic perfection. Aid breeding animals to produce supremely healthy off spring that become long lived, healthy, well adjusted and trouble free adults. Ensure that active dogs perform to the maximum of their genetic potential. See sick pets become well, aged pets ‘become young again’ and watch most pets experience BRILLIANT health! This means our pets should be healthy, happy, active, bright, alert and free of problems, and stay that way for all their very long lives. This Product is always available in our Brighton store, but as it is Frozen, we do not offer a delivery service for it,

Aim for optimum wellness!
Optimum diet = Optimum health.

The title BARF RAW is an acronym for Biologically Appropriate Raw Food, Restoring Animal Wellness.
Every living animal on earth requires a natural and healthy, biologically appropriate diet.
And if you think about it, not one animal on earth, no animal is adapted by evolution to eat a cooked food diet.

A large percentage of our business is built around improving the health and well being of animals that have been fed a diet that is biologically inappropriate for the species. Each day, we see the dramatic health generating results of converting dogs and cats to a more appropriate, evolutionary type diet.

What's so magical about BARF?
Simple! For any machine to work properly it must be supplied with the manufacturers recommended fuel, lubricants, and spare parts. Anything less will cause that machine to malfunction over time. Our pets’ bodies work on the same principle.

A biologically appropriate raw diet is the only diet that will maximize health and longevity.
Most pet foods contain a long list of additives, preservatives and grain products. The BARF DIET looks only to the freshest whole raw food sources rich in vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids derived mostly from human edible ingredients. Our BARF DIET was developed following decades of research in the field of evolutionary animal nutrition.

The BARF DIET™
Quite possibly … the worlds perfect food for your pet!

Do you believe that pouring dry kibble into a bowl day after day is the best way to feed your pet? Did you ever wonder how a bag of dry kibble could stay open for weeks without showing evidence of spoiling? Exposure to air is most problematic for grain-based kibbles, which are coated with fat in order to increase palatability. Would you love to start feeding your pet a healthier diet? Would you like to feed your pet a diet based on whole raw foods eather than grain? Look no further!

The BARF DIET™ does not contain grain products.
Grains are not biologically appropriate for our pets.
Ingestion of grain and other starchy foods contribute to most, if not all, of the degenerative diseases.
Domestic pets should be getting their carbohydrate in a similar manner to their wild ancestors. Natural Fresh fruits and vegetables, in the BARF DIET, provide a natural source of carbohydrates in a more digestible format.
Current trends of improving the diets, exercise, health and well being of humans have influenced the way we have improved the feeding regimen for pets.

Give Your Pet The Best
To maximize your pets’ health, he/she requires protein from sources like their wild ancestors.
BARF DIET provides first-class proteins, including chicken, beef and lamb.
These are the same fresh human edible meats you would buy for yourself with one important exception....it's Biologically Appropriate Raw Food!

Our pets’ wild ancestors derived their fats, and more particularly their essential fatty acids, from raw carcasses of animals and also from pre-digested raw vegetable material. To optimize your pets’ health, we supply fats from similar sources to those consumed in an evolutionary diet.

Minerals - Bones Make it Simple
A full spectrum of minerals must be supplied in your pet's diet in correct balance and sufficient amounts if he is going to remain healthy into advanced old age. Bones are the storehouse of almost all the minerals your pet requires in perfect balance for optimal absorption. In addition, excellent levels of minerals are found in the other components of the BARF DIET™.

Essentials For Your Pet's Optimal Health
Without vitamins, bodily functions do not proceed, and neither eventually does life.
All of the food components in the diets are fresh, whole and raw making it full of healthy vitamins for your pet.
All living tissue contains enzymes in abundance; however, cooking and processing foods reduces the enzymatic activity.
BARF's natural and healthy diets retain top enzymatic activity along with nutraceuticals, phytochemicals, antioxidants, bacteria and other anti-aging factors.
Your pet's long-term health depends upon these factors which are present almost exclusively in whole raw foods for normal healthy functioning.

• No Fillers
• No Chemicals
• No Colouring
• No Preservatives
* No Heat processing
• No Grains

---

Dr. Billinghurst's Genuine Aussie R.A.W. foods contain fresh raw foods, including muscle meat, organ meat, bones, vegetables, fruit, eggs and pro-biotic-rich yoghurt.
Dr. B's Genuine Aussie RAW BARF Diet consists of Bones and Raw Foods conveniently packaged in a box containing 12 individally sealed frozen portions.
Each portion weighs 227 grams (approx) and a box of 12 patties weighs 2.72kg.

These healthy foods are rich in essential fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, natural photochemicals and anti-oxidants to build your dog's strength, health and immune system.

Ingredients of Dr. B's Genuine Aussie RAW BARF Diet

BEEF BARF	Beef, finely ground beef bone, beef liver, whole egg, cultured kefir, seasonal vegetables selected from broccoli, celery, spinach, carrot, ground flax seed, bok choy, dried alfalfa leaf powder, beef kidney, beef heart, unbleached beef tripe, seasonal fruit selected from apple, pear, grapefruit, orange, dried kelp powder, garlic, capsicum.
CHICKEN BARF	Chicken, finely ground chicken bone, beef liver, whole egg, cultured kefir, seasonal vegetables selected from broccoli, celery, spinach, carrot, ground flax seed, bok choy, dried alfalfa leaf powder, beef kidney, beef heart, unbleached beef tripe, seasonal fruit selected from apple, pear, grapefruit, orange, dried kelp powder, garlic, capsicum.
COMBINATION BARF	Beef, lamb, pork, chicken, finely ground beef, lamb, pork, and chicken bones, beef liver, whole egg, cultured kefir, seasonal vegetables selected from broccoli, celery, spinach, carrot, ground flax seed, bok choy, dried alfalfa leaf powder, beef kidney, beef heart, unbleached beef tripe, seasonal fruit selected from apple, pear, grapefruit, orange, dried kelp powder, garlic, capsicum.
KANGAROO BARF	Kangaroo Meat, Finely ground Kangaroo bone, beef liver, whole egg, cultured kefir, seasonal vegetables selected from broccoli, celery, spinach, carrot, ground flax seed, bok choy, dried alfalfa leaf powder, beef kidney, beef heart, unbleached beef tripe, seasonal fruit selected from apple, pear, grapefruit, orange, dried kelp powder, garlic, capsicum
LAMB BARF	Lamb, finely ground lamb bone, beef liver, whole egg, cultured kefir, seasonal vegetables selected from broccoli, celery, spinach, carrot, ground flax seed, bok choy, dried alfalfa leaf powder, beef kidney, beef heart, unbleached beef tripe, seasonal fruit selected from apple, pear, grapefruit, orange, dried kelp powder, garlic, capsicum.
PORK BARF	Pork, finely ground pork bone, beef liver, whole egg, cultured kefir, seasonal vegetables selected from broccoli, celery, spinach, carrot, ground flax seed, bok choy, dried alfalfa leaf powder, beef kidney, beef heart, unbleached beef tripe, seasonal fruit selected from apple, pear, grapefruit, orange, dried kelp powder, garlic, capsicum.
RABBIT BARF	Rabbit, finely ground chicken bone, beef liver, whole egg, cultured kefir, seasonal vegetables selected from broccoli, celery, spinach, carrot, ground flax seed, bok choy, dried alfalfa leaf powder, beef kidney, beef heart, unbleached beef tripe, seasonal fruit selected from apple, pear, grapefruit, orange, dried kelp powder, garlic, capsicum.

First Year as First Dog

Loved this little story in the Washington post about Bo (US President Obama's dog).

The most adorable non-school-age member of the Obama family -- first dog Bo -- celebrated his first year in office on Wednesday with little fanfare, not even a mention on the White House Web site. But then, the Portuguese water dog may not realize he's internationally famous.

A gift from the late Ted Kennedy, Bo was born in October 2008 (pedigree name: Amigo's New Hope) and briefly lived with another family before making his formal White House debut last spring. Since then his major job has been to look increasingly cute in photos (Bo racing on the South Lawn, giving Oprah a high-five, barking at Santa, frolicking in his first snow). He has also made the first family even more all-American: The first lady walks him in the morning, the president at night.

Read the full story by clicking here.

Garfield Love

If you've got a funny photo of your pet shoot it over to us on email shop@barkavenue.com.au and we'll put it up on our blog!

Or you can paste it onto the Bark Avenue Facebook page wall for all to see!

The secret diary of pets

Got this in our inbox yesterday and thought it was too cute not to share!

Dog safe Easter treats at Bark Avenue Brighton

Like most pet owners, you probably know by now that chocolate is toxic to dogs.

Theobromine is the toxic chemical in chocolate that causes the problem and the amount varies according to the type and quality of chocolate. Even a small amount of high quality dark chocolate eaten by a dog can cause clinical signs such as restlessness, vomiting, tremors and convulsions. Dogs love the taste of chocolate, so this Easter remember not too let your dog near your chocolate Easter goodies. Even a small piece of chocolate will give your pet a taste for chocolate, and would make a serious accident in the future all the more likely.

However your dog can still be part of the Easter celebrations with carob Easter treats. Carob is similar to chocolate, but without the sugar, and the ingredients that are bad for pets.

We have lots of packs to choose from - the most popular being the Carob Donuts.

Bark Avenue is open all Easter long weekend, so feel free to drop by and pick up a little something for your pet to nibble on!


*If you think your dog may have found and eaten a harmful amount of chocolate, call your veterinarian or take your dog to an emergency animal hospital immediately! Symptoms will usually begin within two hours but sometimes it could also take as long as 24 hours. Delaying treatment could be a fatal mistake. Symptoms include restlessness, hyperactivity, vomiting and diarrhea, excessive thirst, increased urination, a rapid heart rate and excessive panting, more advanced symptoms can include muscle tremors, stiffness, seizures, Cardiac arrhythmia and coma. It is always better to be safe than sorry.