With warmer weather in the air, the American Kennel Association has released a check-list of helpful tips for getting back outdoors with your dog. In particular, it’s important to keep your dog’s coat and paws clean and dry , especially in those parts of the nation prone to April showers and the unofficial 5th season known as “mud season.”

http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/03/26/2714431/get-dogs-ready-for-the-spring.html

And hit the road for a great getaway. More hotels and resorts are offering pet-friendly quarters and packages, so you can bring your pup with you and skip the kennel. Just don’t forget to pack your Microdry memory foam crate mat, bone mat or bed, plus microfiber blanket to assure that your dog is as comfortable on the road as it is in your home. Check the link out below to get the details about five dog-friendly destinations.

http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/21/travel/dog-friendly-travel-destinations/index.html

The warmer temperatures across the nation this winter have been a boon for dog owners and dogs that like long walks through their neighborhoods. Unfortunately, ticks have also been more active this winter too. Please protect yourselves and your pets.

The news story:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/19/us/a-mild-winter-means-a-longer-tick-season.html

Helpful tips on protecting your pets (and the source for the image above):

http://www.dogsandticks.com/index.php

For the first time in Iditarod history, a 25 year-old has won the race. Young Dallas Seavey finished well ahead of the pack, which included his father and grandfather, both of whom have run the race before, but never won.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/dallas-seavey-leading-aliy-zirkle-by-more-than-an-hour-as-teams-prepare-for-sprint-to-nome/2012/03/13/gIQAXzvf9R_story.html

Once upon a time, a small boy asked famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright to design a house for his dog. Wright complied, sending plans for a complicated triangular structure. The boy and his father eventually put the house together after several years, but when their pet passed away, the house was scrapped. Now 68 years old, Jim Berger has built his boyhood Frank Lloyd Wright dog house again for use in a documentary about the architect and hopefully for final installation in a museum.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/homegarden/2017734446_doghouse13.html

While there are distinct breeds of human who fall into being either cat or dog people, some folks simply love both.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/dog-people-cat-people-pet-preference/story?id=15883844#.T1pZMZfLzNo

Portraits of pups are taking the art world by storm, some paintings selling for millions! While paintings from the 19th century are the most coveted at the moment, some modern artists are selling pieces that the ordinary mortal can afford. Nearly every breed has been immortalized in paint, but the Cavalier King Charles spaniel has been featured the most.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i3KUvCuLHtzS8SQaHopvqOayQdiQ?docId=9bfde004e7f24c81829d8af02715b278

A beautiful series of photographs capturing the ceremonial start of the 40th running of the famed dog-sled race.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/the-40th-iditarod-trail-sled-dog-race/2012/03/05/gIQAeF3tsR_gallery.html#photo=1

When the famed Iditarod launches tomorrow, one of the sled teams will be driven by an aspiring rapper who weaves tales from the trail into his musical mixes. A sample lyric:

“Now I’m twisting, dipping, winding, turning through the trees

Now I got my headlight off because I’m creeping on a team

Full moon reflected off the snow so I can see

He shut his headlight off because I think that he heard ME.”

Now that’s not something you’ll hear on a Snoop Dogg album.

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/03/01/2049034/rapping-iditarod-racers-feature.html

Presidential pup, Bo, does his best turn as a rabbit in the Whitehouse promo for its annual Easter Egg hunt. Even the official egg boasts Bo on its seal.