Welcome to Bay Woof, December 2021

Dearest Pack,

This month Bay Woof is howling through the holidays with news from local dog trainers, shelters, and rescue organizations, reminding us that time with our dogs and other loved ones is the best gift of all. 

Kicking it off is Cydni True’s festive list of local women-owned pet businesses that’ll help you ring the bells of your favorite dog lover with the perfect canine-themed present. Of course, the holiday season is also a time to think of others, including the many local nonprofits doing direct client work to ease suffering in our community. Please visit our Holiday Giving Guide for links to contribute directly to a few of these wonderful organizations.

Looking for other ways to give back? Read about the Full Belly Bus annual Pet Coat Drive for the animal companions of people experiencing homelessness. Your donation of warmth could make a real difference for pets who spend much of their lives on our chilly winter streets.

Are you traveling, maybe for the first time since the pandemic began, with your furry friend in tow? Check out tips shared by Muttville for the best chance of smooth sailing to your destination. But even if you’re staying home and avoiding the masses, you’ll want to keep your furry family members safe from seasonal decor and food mishaps. Ask Dr. Dog offers holiday safety tips to get you and yours to 2022 without an emergency vet visit  - it’s definitely read-and-take-notes material.

This month’s pack of columns continues the holiday reads. Sara Scott fills the Monthly Woof column with festive ways to let your dog show you the path to simple joy – and who doesn't need more of that? Shelter Zone brings you news from the Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter, Nose for News offers the best dog headlines from near and far, and this month’s Good Dog! column features Alisha Ardiana with more tips on how to holiday-proof your pets. Elsewhere in the issue, Jane Tobin shares the latest from the SF Animal Commission, Red and Howling charms us with her latest December comic, and, of course, Mr. Smarty Pants is on hand with a few juicy tidbits for you to share at your next holiday Zoom party.

 And if you’re feeling flush at the end of 2021, please remember Bay Woof and our mission to connect and educate a community of dog lovers. The nonprofit Bay Woof Foundation provides an invaluable resource for responsible dog ownership and advocacy, and it remains free to all readers. Your tax deductible donation will help ensure this critical information remains available to everyone who needs it. There are many other ways to support Bay Woof - visit this page to find a method that works best for you.

As 2021 draws to a close, we send special thanks to you, dear reader, for supporting Bay Woof and each other during these challenging times. May your 2022 be filled with good health, more wags than you can handle, and plenty of peace and joy to light the coming nights!

M Rocket
Publisher