KittyPalooza Party, Austin Java Photo Contest, and Zoom Room Opening

The sun may be sweltering, but the fun with animals doesn't stop in Austin.  We've got three fun parties for the dog and cat lover in you.  First up is Kitty Palooza.
  
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Thursday, June 24, 2010 at The Mean-Eyed Cat Bar, 1621 West 5th Street, from 5pm 'til 8pm

Come on down and help us kick-off the four day intense cat adoption event that is KittyPalooza!

This party is dedicated to the memory of Miss Kitty, the official greeter and feral cat who lived at The Mean-Eyed Cat Bar for at least 14 years - we hope to make her proud by helping 100 cats and kittens find new homes during KittyPalooza.  Stay after the party to enjoy Ray Cashman of Nashville (click here to visit his site) at The Mean-Eyed Cat Bar.  No charge for the party and no cover for Ray Cashman.  Guests will have the opportunity to sponsor a KittyKit - the bag of cat care products sent home with each new adopter. 

KittyPalooza is Town Lake Animal Center's four-day intense adoption event with the goal of getting 100 cats and kittens to new homes.  It's a high point in the summer push by TLAC and the Austin Humane Society to focus on cat adoptions.

Plenty of free parking!  Watch a slide show of all the available fabulous felines - there may be a few kittens in a crate for you to pet but they'll be outside- if you're allergic, you can still come to the party!  (since this is a bar, we must ask that all guests be at least 21 and have ID)

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Austin Java's Dog Days of Summer Photo Contest

Lets celebrate summer and our dog-friendly establishment plus get some competitive spirit brewing, no pun intended!

To enter the contest, simply send us a picture of you and your dog or just your
pooch solo hanging out at any of our three Austin Java locations – be sure to
specify the location when you submit your photo(s). We will then choose the best
picture from each location and the winners will receive $30 in Austin Java money!
Submit your photos by at-replying us on Twitter (@AustinJava) or uploading
it as a fan photo to our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/AustinJava).
Happy summer – get creative, cute or spunky with your pup; let the picture wars
begin!

Austin Java’s three locations are located at 1206 Parkway (12th and Lamar),
1608 Barton Springs Road and 301 West Second Street. The contest will end on
July 12.

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Zoom Room comes to Austin!  

Zoom Room's training facility, indoor dog park, and agility course is opening it's doors in Austin!  Come enjoy their grand opening on July 10th (details pending)!  

7739 Northcross Drive, Suite H

Austin, TX 78757

Phone/Fax: (877) 425-ZOOM

Contact the Austin Zoom Room

Want to really spoil your pet (and yourself)?! Two words: Four Seasons.

Photo courtesy of Kerri at the Four Seasons

It is no secret that I love Trio at the Four Seasons (@FSAustin on Twitter). It would not be inaccurate to say that I broadcast my love for them freely. They are the second business in the "Inside Austin Businesses" series. I have posts reviews about them, here, and update here, and here. If you love food and want to feel like royalty, read my posts, find Susie behind the bar and Mark holding a bottle of wine during Happy Hour, and get ready for the time of your life. Here are some pictures from Trio, just because I like posting food pictures.

Cheese Plate


To die for Chocolate Flourless Cake

Beef Sashimi

One of the things that I love about Trio is that they are psychic. Yes, I said it. They are like the Miss Cleo of service. They know what you want, before you know it. Trio's staff is literally 5 steps ahead of you. If you need more wine in 5 minutes, Mark already has a selection of different wines at the table based on your preferences before you can ask. This hasn't happened yet, but I'm guessing that if you're going to propose to your beloved at Trio, you probably just need to call Kerri, and they'll have something fabulous planned and the perfect ring sitting at the bottom of a glass of wine. Based on what I've seen Kerri do, that's my guess if you pop the question at Trio. Men, do you hear me? Don't screw up your proposal. Let Trio take care of it. They are masters at orchestrating the perfect evening.

Now onto the dog friendly part. The Four Seasons is dog friendly. The only down side in this for me is that I live in Austin, so I'll probably never find an excuse to stay in a room at the Four Seasons with my puppies. But for those of you out of town folks who are tired of Motel 6 or La Quinta (most economical choice on the dog show circuits), try the Four Seasons. Not only do they have a doggie menu, their staff has also been known to save some treats for my Mouse and Beez. We've gone home with a gigantic sized pork chop that was going to get thrown out. :o)

Photo courtesy of Kerri at the Four Seasons

A few administrative points though:

*While the hotel is dog friendly, no dogs in Trio (restaurant) or on the terrace outside. No dogs are allowed where food is prepared or being served, per health codes. You can order off the doggie menu from your room or from the large grassy lawn just outside the hotel. Let me tell ya, it's a perfect place for a picnic. No puppies in the spa or pool area. We need those places to be mostly hair free. No hair in my cucumber water please.
*Only pets the size of a beagle or smaller (in general, smaller than 16 inches and fewer than 25 pounds) are allowed.
*While in the hotel, pets must be kept on a leash when not in the guest's room.
*Pets may not be left in guest rooms unattended and must be well-trained.
*With advance notice, pet sitting services may be arranged through the Concierge at 512-685-8130.
*Owners are responsible for any property damage and personal injury their pet may cause while in the Hotel.

If you hadn't noticed, there are two picture on this post of how your puppy or kitty will be greeted. Oh yes. We're talking about being pampered. Imagine being you being spoiled after a dog show. Ah....now that's talking. Don't forget about your manners when stay at a hotel with your pet. Read them here: www.austindogfriendly.com. Pick up after your pet, and make sure your dogs aren't doing too much talking or singing. Enjoy your stay!

LovePuppies Brownies and Puppy Breakfast at Austin Java City Hall and Lofty Dog

LovePuppies Brownies gets the proud honor of being the first business featured on Keep Austin Dog Friendly's "Inside Austin Businesses" series. I'm pretty happy to announce that as a food blogger and avid baker, LovePuppies brownies are amazingly awesome. I should know. I just ate 4 of them in the last 2 days. My favorite so far is the "You Mocha Me Crazy" which is rich dark chocolate with ground espresso beans. It is sinfully delicious with the scent of coffee and a little crunch. I'll also add that I am not a coffee drinker. I personally find plain coffee to be disgusting, but I love the smell.

Also, I wish I had pictures of the brownies to post. But I ate them all. Oops. My bad.

LovePuppies Brownies, owned by Chef Joel Haro, is a branch of his catering business. As a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY, Chef Haro began a catering company that included these brownies. Since 2007, the demand for these brownies led to increased flavors, website, and a business plan just for the brownies. In 2009, La Dee Dah Treat at the South Austin Trailer Park (next to Shuggies and Torchys- LOVE Torchy's BTW - and dog friendly) began to carry the brownies.

LovePuppies currently carries six flavors: Make Mine a Double Chocolate, Peanut Butter Nutcase, You Mocha Me Crazy, Hunka Hunka Burning Love, Forget about Dinner Mint, and Trailer Park Chic. They also develop signature flavors or house brand flavors for a business or event. You can order them via their website or by phone. Give them a try. They might Mocha you crazy! www.lovepuppiesbrownies.com 512-507-9526 Did I mention that Joel Haro loves his puppies?

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Also, Austin Java at City Hall at 301 W 2nd St has some new specials. Every Saturday morning from 8-11, they're having "puppy breakfast" where you get 10% off if you bring your dog or a Lofty Dog receipt. They will have treats and water bowls available all the time. On July 18th, the puppy breakfast will be "breakfast is going to the dogs", and Lofty Dog at 403 W. 2nd Street will have goodie bags with coupons and treats in them as well.