Lucky Dog Bark and Brew

Whoever thought of combining a dog park with a bar is brilliant. Straight-up brilliant.

Here we are, on our way:

Sadly, Rex plays as well with other dogs as Brad plays with other people. I guess socially awkward runs in the family? But the whole dog bar thing really is an excellent concept that caters to *most* people. Those people being people like my friends: Christy, Shawn, and Rachel.

In Cornelious, NC (near Christy's house) there is the Lucky Dog Bark and Brew. Because North Carolina doesn't have a 51/49 rule, bars in NC don't have to serve food, which means, they can expand their clientele to the four-legged canine kind. AWESOME, right?? I think so.

I mean, I love dogs. And I love beer. Plus, what kind of cranky customer is going to bring their dog to play with other dogs? NONE, so you get a bar full of happy, laid-back dog people and their equally fun dogs. I met a Great Dane, a Boxer, and a Chihuahua-mix I was particularly fond of.

I am a firm believer that dogs are people on the inside...

Rex is the weird one that doesn't get invited anywhere.

My friend Rachel, has a dog named Avery. Avery is the independent female leader of a doggy gang, the confident, happening bitch that other lady dogs want to be. Think Dalia in Suburgatory but with a much better personality.

Avery's sister, Charlie, is the pretty blonde that always gets hit on.

And their friend, Ron--Christy's dog--is the tiny badass with little-man-syndrome that talks a lot and rode into town with his Harley Davidson chain collar.

That exercise may have been a little over the top, but that's okay.

Last thing...if you don't believe that dogs have personalities, just read Marley and Me or The Art of Racing in the Rain. You'll definitely believe me after that. Yes, I may have gotten a little off topic with those book plugs, but back to the point.

Beer is good.

Intellectual, stimulating conversation after drinking a few beers is great.

And my dog is crazy...

All in all...The Lucky Dog Bark and Brew is a cool place with a great business concept. At a place like that, all things are PAWS-ible. ;) Corny, right? But I bet you smiled!

Music with Mosby

On Sunday, October 28th, I attended the Music with Mosby event at Barren Ridge Vineyards in Fishersville, VA.

The wine was delicious, but the cause was better: creating better lives for our four-legged canine friends.

The event, complete with great music, great food, great wine, and great costumes (for dogs), was a fundraiser for The Mosby Foundation. 

Though I loved the wine, the costume contest was my favorite. If you look real hard, you can see a witch, a pumpkin, a banana, and a Milkbone. There was also a prisoner, a cowboy, a gargoyle, and more. 

Warning, these photos aren't my best because SURPRISE! dogs tend to move a lot when you try to take their picture. 

Check out that cute little devil!

And this good witch!

I mean, it's all fun and games until somebody puts a pug in a bikini top and a tu-tu...

All jokes aside, The Mosby Foundation arose from a most awful tragedy--the senseless shooting of a family pet: Mosby. In honor of Mosby, Mosby's human mom started an organization that raises funds to help in the care of sick, abused, and neglected dogs.

I worked with Mosby's human dad at the JMU Math Department when I was an undergrad, and hearing his family's story broke my heart. As a bleeding heart animal-loving tree-hugger, I can't imagine why anyone would senselessly murder such a sweet animal. But those type of people do exist. 

That same type of person bound a malnourished four-week old puppy to a hotel balcony in the middle of the winter--Rex. Brad and I are so lucky to have been able to bring Rex into our little family. But there are many Rex's in this world that we cannot help, which is why The Mosby Foundation is such a great organization. 

Thank you, Mosby Foundation, for all that you do! Readers, if you're interested in donating, check out their website.