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          Up Coming Events!   
            
          Speed Alley at DogBoy's  - View More Details!   
          Sunday, March 26, Noon - 3 pm  
            
          Mighty Texas Dog Walk  
          Saturday, April 8 th , Tony Berger Center  
          http://www.servicedogs.org/news/dogwalk2006.htm   
            
          Choose Austin First 3 rd Annual .2k   
          Sunday, April 9 th , 2 - 6 pm  
          Austin Farmer's Market on Burnet Road (Dogs Welcome!) http://www.chooseaustinfirst.com/event/103/Point_2K.htm   
            
          Roadies (Responsible Owners of Dogs) Fundraiser   
          Saturday, April 22nd   
          Joe's Coffee Shop, Time TBA Educational topics on aggression and responsible pet ownership as well as GREAT live music! A portion of funds raised will go to set up a scholarship fund at DogBoy's for rescue groups to get needed training for otherwise adoptable dogs. Join us!  
            
             
          Speed Alley at DogBoy's  
            
           Here's your chance to see if your non-sighthound is interested in lure coursing. Greyhound Pets of America-Central Texas is bringing its popular Speed Alley to DogBoy's Dog Ranch in Pflugerville on Sunday, March 26 from noon-3 pm.  
            
          Speed Alley is a "canine 40-yard dash," conducted in a fenced straightaway with a drag lure, and is open to all dog breeds. For a small donation ($5), your dog will be timed on the short course with a hand-held radar gun and given a certificate of participation noting his top speed! There will be drinks, snacks and a few doggie items for sale at reasonable prices, too.  
            
          If you want to see if your dog enjoys chasing a lure, here's your chance to let him loose for a trial run in a friendly, non-competitive environment.  
            
          Proceeds from Speed Alley will be used to fulfill GPA-CT's mission of finding responsible loving homes for retired racing greyhounds. GPA-CT will also be making a small donation to SNIP (Spay Neuter Incentive Program) from the proceeds.  
            
          For more questions about Speed Alley, please feel free to email gpact@gpacentraltexas.org.  
            
          Greyhound Pets of America-Central Texas  
            
          SNIP (Spay Neuter Incentive Program)  
            
             
         Raising Funds for Good Paws:   
        A new pro bono campaign has been created for the Austin Humane Society by Austin ad agency Door Number 3 . The goal of the campaign is to raise awareness of the many, many area pets who still need a home. The Austin Humane Society is soliciting donations to buy print ads, posters and outdoor billboards. With your help, we can save even more pets' lives. Just click here to view the campaign and contribute.  Many thanks! 
          
         
                   
            
             DogBoy's Gives Group Tours!   
        This month, Courtney and Bart gave a group tour to 16 four and five year olds from a local pre-school.  We talked about how to approach a dog you don't know, how to take care of your dogs at home, and then showed the kids how we take care of dogs when families like theirs are away from home.  We played on the agility field, saw the cows and horses, and walked the entire 15 acres.  We finished off the morning with DogBoy's tattoos for everyone - what a fun day!   
           
        If you'd like to schedule a tour for your child's school (or even your own work group!) contact Courtney .   
         
           
          
        Top Dogs of 2006 
        One of the perks of being self-employed is getting to know other local business owners. Since we are such big supporters of local business, we thought it would be fun to share some of our favorite local businesses with you. There were more than we could fit into one article, so look for more favorites in our next newsletter. So, without further adieu, here are our Top Dogs of 2006   
        Best Place for Burgers and Cream:  
        Phil's Ice House and Amy's Ice Cream, 5624 Burnet Road, Austin  
        Owners of Amy's Ice Creams, Amy and Steve Simmons have opened a new concept next door to their newest Amy's on Burnet Road. Phil's Ice House  and Amy's share a renovated old gas station, which is now home to some of the best burgers in town. Nosh on the 78704 burger, sweet potato fries or DogBoy's favorite onion rings, and while your kids play on their great fenced-in playground, you can relax on the patio (with your dog, of course!) eating the best ice cream on dog's green earth.  It's sheer heaven.
        Best Family Workout: 
Palacios ATA Blackbelt Academy 
Annette Palacios, Owner of Palacios ATA takes her job very seriously, but by some crazy miracle (I mean hard work and total dedication), kids learn discipline and have tons of fun at the same time.   Our whole family is involved, and it has been a great experience for us all around. Palacios teaches life skills like leadership, integrity, loyalty, courtesy and self-discipline, while at the same time boosting self-esteem and giving all involved a real workout. Come by the school to learn more, or contact Ms. Palacios at 512-294-3385.   
        Best Place to Buy Good Quality Pet Food and More:   
        Tomlinson's Pet Supplies 
        Family owned since 1946, Tomlinson's offers top quality pet foods and just about everything else your pet could need. They also have a wide array of other little critters (reptiles, birds and fish) for sale, and are happy to educate owners on the benefits of feeding your pet a healthy diet. Owner, Scott Click has been running the place since 1986, and his employees always give great service with a smile. Visit one of their four locations or shop online.  
         
         
        Best Place to Eat Pizza with your Dog:   
        Mangia Pizza 
        Owners Jeff Sayers and Mark Negro love their dogs and know their pizza.  Mangia was recently awarded Pizza of the Year , and we couldn't agree more.  Whether you eat the perfectly cooked thin crust or super stuffed Chicago-style deep dish, their pizza will leave you rolling out of there, and dogs on the patio are welcome!  Visit their newest location at Gracy Farms and Mopac.
        Favorite Web Designer:  
          ekMEDIA - 512-912-1111  
          Forget the fact that we adore her big yellow lab, Zeke - Melissa Ek (think eek like squeak), owner of ekMEDIA in Austin takes great care of our website, and is known for her artistic and high-tech prowess in the online world.  Melissa has designed sites for Austin's Park and Pizza, Pok-e-Jo's Barbeque, and the Save Our Springs Alliance, just to name a few.  A true professional and great to work with, we're proud to call her our web designer!   
        Favorite Mechanic:  
        Riethmeyer's Auto Repair -  
        12172 N Mo Pac Expy, Austin TX 78758, 512-836-6615 
        Ever wished you knew a truly HONEST Mechanic?  Well look no further.  Former race car driver Keith Riethmeyer and his sister Sandy Schiller pride themselves on doing auto repair with integrity and for a fair price.  Family owned since 1959, Keith started so young (first grade), that he had to use a step stool to wash the windshields of his dad's customers' cars.  Riethmeyer's services all makes and models, and they are conveniently located just south of Mopac and Parmer.  Clients are served on a first-come-first-serve basis, so get there early for same-day service.
        Best Place for a Sandwich and a Hard Time: 
        The Little Deli 
        Owners Jonathan & Lucretia Doyer are all about the personal touch.  They serve up sandwiches, soups and homemade specials in the heart of Crestview with a smile and a little sass to boot.   Lucretia never forgets a name, and isn't afraid to tell you to clean up after yourself either!  Get there early to avoid the lines, and be sure to try the daily special - always delicious.  Also, visit their new restaurant It's Italian! in Wells Branch for a classic Italian dinner in a friendly and casual atmosphere. http://www.itsitalian.net .  
          
         
        DogBoy's Helps to Improve Pflugerville Pound  
        Late last year, DogBoy's heard of the sad conditions at our local city animal pound.  
            
          Dogs and cats were being put to death with a gas chamber, and living conditions were outrageously poor.  After visiting the shelter herself, Courtney (DogGirl) knew something had to be done.  City officials initially refused help and input as DogBoy's didn't lie within the city limits of Pflugerville.   Luckily, that didn't stop us...after gathering a group of concerned animal lovers, and a with little help from just about every news station in town, we got the attention of the city council and improvements began in early February.  Dogs and cats are now humanely euthanized via injection, and a volunteer program is in the works.  Our thanks go out to Jacki Mulkey with Gold Ribbon Rescue  for joining our efforts to make a difference!  Lieutenant Laura Wilkes is also doing a fabulous job in helping get the improvements underway.  Now, we need your help.  To volunteer or adopt an animal from the Pflugerville Pound, call the Pflugerville Police Station at 251-4004.   
          
           
          Summer Reminders:  
         
          - Now is the time to start your pet on flea and tick preventatives. 
  
          - Don't leave your pets in the car on hot days, even for a minute. 
  
          - Make sure your pet has adequate water each day, preferably in the shade.   More than one water supply is ideal. 
  
          - Get your summer dates lined up soon - most summer weekends fill up weeks in advance.
  
          
        Happy Spring!  
            
        If you have any questions, please contact Courtney Emken at doggirl@dogboys.com 512-663-7980  
        For more information about SNIP or DogBoy’s Dog Ranch, please visit our websites at www.dogboys.com and www.dogboys.com/snip.  
          
        
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