Homeless pets. The thought just breaks the heart, especially during the winter holiday season. Unfortunately, this year help is needed more than ever due to the fallout from hard economic times. The good people at In Our Hands Rescue based in Brooklyn have some news to pass along in their recent newsletter:

In recent weeks, IOHR has experienced an explosion of support by friends and strangers alike. We would like to thank you with every ounce of sleep-deprived, overly caffeinated strength we have within us. It is because of you that we were able to save so many.

But so many more still up for adoption. And if that’s not enough to make you crazy, look how cute:

Piper	Fiona
Lil Momma	Jenn

Go check out more dogs and cats or just give IOHR a call to find out more: 718-836-4023.

Also, happening from now until January 5th, the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals is running an initiative to find permanent homes for 1 million cats and dogs this holiday season. Check out HolidayPetAdoptNYC.org and their Brooklyn event schedule for the rest of the year as well as other resources (like this informative video about adopting).

Artisan Market in Ft. Greene welcomes — formerly from Texas, now Brooklynites — Australian Scent in person at Artisan Market every Saturday through June 28th.

Not only do they produce really wonderful soaps and lotions for people; they also have two great products for your “best friend”.

Natural and eco-friendly products for your pets:

Pet Soap
Designed to condition and clean our beloved animals, whilst aiding in the treatment of flea infestations. Contains an intricate blend of 8 essential oils; all haled for their flea and mosquito repellent attributes. With an olive oil and cocoa butter base, our animals will be sure to relish the spa like treatment their skin deserves.

Bugger-Off
With a water resistant grape seed oil base this product has the same essential oil blend as pet soap. A spray, this is the kindest and most powerful natural repellent product you’re likely to find on the market.

Check out their website: www.australianscent.com, which has some super info on green products including the Totes eco brella.

This week at Artisan Market (Saturday, June 14) check out some swingin’ live music: The Harlem Blues & Jazz Band! These “greats” played with Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, Count Basie, Louis Armstrong, and Billie Holiday just to name a few. So put on yer dancin’ shoes, yer Saturday finest, and come on down.

Since the wildflower seed giveaway last month got rained on — it’s supposed to rain after the seeds are planted, not before, doh! — they’re having a repeat of the Wildflower Seed Give-Away on Saturday, June 21!

Read the full post after the jump by clicking the link below……………

Hard not to love that face, right?

Anyway, if there is anyone out there who still needs to buy a gift for a dog-lover, you are in luck. This calendar is not only cute, but the proceeds go to the Cooper Park Dog Run in Williamsburg — as seen in the photo of Mira above (more pix in the photo pool).

It is with GREAT enthusiasm that we announce the sale of “Dogs of Cooper Bark” 2008 calendar! This 8.5 X 11 color calendar features dogs of Cooper Bark, and was put together completely with our volunteer energy. Cost of the calendar is $15, and we can mail anywhere for another $5.

There’s a limited run of 200 calendars being printed, so make sure to order your’s today! We are expecting the calendars will be for sale by 12/21/07, but you can pre-order now!

All proceeds from this calendar go directly towards upkeep of the Cooper Park Dog Run, so dig deep and order a few (they make EXCELLENT Christmas/Hannukah presents)!

More:

• Cooper Bark blog
• Cooper Bark Yahoo Group
• Cooper Bark Flickr Photo Pool
• NYCDOG

Hey, pets are Brooklynites too! How many times have you seen a British Bulldog on the streets of Park Slope or Williamsburg and you could’ve sworn it said, “Fuhgeddaboutit!”

Well, we barely know what comes in our human food these days (*ahem* Taco Bell), so one can only imagine what they are trying to pass off as pet food.

I happened to stop into my local pet store today, V.C. Pet on 9th Street (I have two cats), and encountered for the first time Robbie Dawg’s organic dog biscuits. Great stuff. Proudly made from all organic ingredients in a new 2700 square-foot loft right here in Red Hook, Brooklyn. Robbie Dawg is also a member of the Organic Trade Association.

After speaking with my buddy Mike at VC Pet, a licensed veterinary nutrition expert, I hope to be able to report more and have Mike share ideas on green and sustainable products for our furry friends. Look for more in the Sustainable Pets category.

Oh, and why not, it’s Christmas/Hannukah. Style your little buddy out!