This past weekend the Dog Files attended the Pet Adoptathon at the North Shore Animal League in Long Island. This is a huge adoption drive in its fifteenth year and over 2000 shelters across the world participated in this 36 hour marathon event.

And as an added bonus, this year’s spokesperson was Cesar Milan, of Dog Whisperer fame,  and we’ve got an exclusive interview with him. I have to say that Cesar is a great “human” and continues to give back with the Millan Foundation, a non-profit set up to give funding and support to shelters across the country.

The DogFiles would like to thank Devera and Dianne and everybody at the North Shore Animal League for inviting us to their incredible event!

Next up, we continue The Dog Files Hits The Heartland!

Stay calm and assertive!

Kenn Bell
Creator & Producer of The Dog Files

We would like to thank Rosey Quinn for letting us spending the day chronicling all the great work they do for all animals, big and small!

Next Episode: Pitt Proud!

The Dog Files turn the tables on the pitbull myth by showcasing a pitbull named Hector, formally owned by dog villian, Michael Vick.

Back in October 2008, The Dog Files had the pleasure to travel to Minnesota and South Dakota and get a first hand look at the Dog Shelter/Adoption situation in America’s great Midwest. We came away with the knowledge that so many caring, loving individuals are giving their all to help man’s best friend in the heartland and we can’t wait for you to see our four, very special episodes.

So check out the “Heartland Trailer” and stay tuned to our website this Spring to hit America’s Heartland with The Dog Files! It’s gonna be a great ride!

Pup-arazzi Photo Tips

1. Patience: Dogs have a short attention span. Use squeaky toys and treats to keep their attention. It’s also very useful to have a friend help.

2. Enviroment: Be aware of busy backgrounds. Hang an old sheet or blanket for a classic portrait look.

3. Eye Level: Get down on your hands & knees to take pictures from your dog’s eye level. Change your perspective and enter your dog’s world.

4. Close-Ups: Get in closer or zoom in. Try different framing (place head at top or lower left, etc.) Try using the Macro Mode on your camera for extreme close-ups.

5. Candid: Shoot pictures of your dog in their element, being themselves.

6. Turn Off Flash: A flash takes away passion and emotion. It’s artificial and makes artificial photos. If you need more light, go near a window or door and use the sun (the best light source there is.)

7. Shoot, Shoot, Shoot: Take as many photos as you can and throw away the bad ones. Pro’s take hundreds of photos and then edit them done to the ten or twenty best ones.

The Dog Files would like to thank Darren Tietsworth and the whole staff at Just4Pooches for inviting us to celebrate Halloween with them. Also, a big thanks to all the great dog lovers who spent weeks putting together such great costumes for their hounds.

Just4Pooches is located at 8 North Union Avenue, Cranford, NJ 07016. For more info call:1.908.709.4364 Feel free to check out the store and tell ‘em The Dog Files sent ya!

If you don’t live in the New Jersey area you can still shop online at Just4Pooches.com.

The Dog Files would like to thank Vivian Kiggins and the Liberty Humane Society for letting us spend the day with them celebrating shelter dogs. Also, a big thanks to Kim Levin of Bark and Smile Photography , Ellen Ganopolous with Greyhound Friends of New Jersey and Sue Grundfest with our favorite, Coco the Love Dog! A special shout out to the people of Jersey City and their unbridled love of all things canine!

Liberty Humane’s latest Bark In The Park is scheduled for Sunday September 21st, from 11:00am to 3:00 pm, at Liberty State Park, Jersey City, NJ. They raised $30,000 in 2007 for their shelter dogs. Let’s help them beat that this year! And you might just spot Max and I.

Well, that’s what our new Ask The Vet segment is all about! It may not be flashy as some of our other episodes, but I think it’s just as important.

One of The Dog Files main missions, other than to entertain, is to inform. And the Ask The Vet segment is our first attempt at hitting this straight on.

But we can’t do it without you! We want to know what questions about your dog’s health need answering. So go to our CONTACT page, send us all your questions, and you just might see it in a future episode!

When we arrived at the parking lot that Saturday morning at about 4:00 AM we weren’t sure what to expect. We knew some people were meeting to pick up dogs coming from the south. That’s about it.

Then we met Ingela. I can say with confidence that I have never met someone with such passion and zeal for her job. It was clear from the moment I met her, how much she was committed to helping and saving dogs. That day she was an inspiration to us all.

What else can I say about Kyle Peterson and P.E.T.S.? Every week they gather up shelter dogs from throughout the south and drive up north to introduce them to their new family’s. They’ve literally helped thousands of dogs find new homes and saved them from being euthanized.

I’d also like to thank the other women at Rawhide Rescue… Caroline Gordon, Laura Paxson and Janet McKim. We all know it takes a team to make great things happen. I’ve witnessed these lady’s at work and can truly say they have the biggest hearts I’ve ever seen.

It took a thousand miles of driving, the combined effort of two dedicated teams and an unbelievable amount of work. And it was all done so that dogs like Sonny Boy can lead a happy life with a loving family. I’m sure right now, his family is watching and laughing as Sonny Boy rolls around in the grass of his backyard. All of them, completely unaware of all the work it really took so they could have this moment.

And that’s just the way it should be.

Kenn Bell
Creator of The Dog Files

Rawhide Rescue is a volunteer rescue group in Central New Jersey. They operate without a shelter and survive on donations from people who care and appreciate what they are doing. If you would like to donate, just go to their web site and click the donation button.

Rawhide Rescue
P.E.T.S.