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WE SAW YOU: HollyWoof Gala Takes a Bow (Wow!)

I’ve covered many debut fundraising-galas.

But not just because of the event name or the fact live dogs were among the guests, HollyWoof was one of the best premier galas I’ve been to.

HollyWoof, a benefit for New Beginnings Animal Rescue based in Olive Branch, Mississippi and Friends of Horn Lake Animal Shelter, was July 22nd at Theatre Memphis. Hollywood, of course, was the theme. Tables were set with little gold canine-sized Oscars.

Hollywood Feed and Theatre Memphis were two of the main sponsors.

“We’ve had auctions before, but this was our first gala,” says Rene Crider, who, along with Rachel Phillips, is a dog intake coordinator at New Beginnings. “We hope it’s an annual thing.”

The silent auction was stupendous. A total of 224 items were included, Phillips says.

 Items included a $300 gift certificate to Folk’s Folly and, from Roadshow BMW,  the opportunity to drive a BMW from Thursday until the following Tuesday.

Other items included spa nights, spa treatments, hair products, dog baskets, and camping equipment, Crider says.

Silent auction items at HollyWoof (Credit: Michael Donahue)
HollyWoof (Credit: Michael Donahue)

April and Mara Nelson, cat coordinators for New Beginnings, were responsible for the mystery bags and collecting auction items.

The event also included a wine pull. “We got rid of all our wine, so that was good,” Crider says.

The dinner was fantastic. John Wheeler and his son, John Dalton Wheeler, catered the meal, which included pork loin, green beans, and the best glazed carrots I’ve ever eaten.

John Wheeler and John Dalton Wheeler at HollyWoof (Credit: Michael Donahue)

The excellent desserts were by Melissa Walker and Shannons Sweet Confections. Shannons did the paw print cookies.

HollyWoof (Credit: Michael Donahue)
HollyWoof (Credit: Michael Donahue)

HollyWoof also included a live auction, but there was only one item to bid on — a cake. But what a cake.

Keisha Jackson of Tasty Pastry in Cordova, Tennessee made the cake, says Deborah Sharp. “I met her on NextDoor,” Sharp says. “I live in Cordova. All the cakes are unbelievable that she does. I asked her for a donation. She donated three different sizes and costs of cakes, which was unbelievable, for the silent auction.

“Then we thought, ‘Maybe we could do a live auction with one of her cakes.’ So, I contacted her and sent her some pictures of cakes I found online, Hollywood and such.”

Sharp asked Jackson to decorate it with “Hollywood glamor and accents of dogs and cats.”

The cake, which Sharp described as “just wonderful,” was “a two-layer cake with fondant. It’s got the red carpet and Hollywood decorations.”

The cake, which included three dog figurines on top — with one on the red carpet — went for $250.

Keshia Jackson created the Hollywood cake for HollyWoof (Credit: Deborah Sharp)

Sharp brought her two dogs — Cheddar and Nugget — to the party. “I was gone all day. I can’t leave the girls. And they’re so good.”

They were all dog tired when they got home after midnight, Sharp says. “I thought I was tired, but these girls… Socializing is tiring.”

A dogged party goer with Nugget at HollyWoof (Credit: Brian Patterson)

Valerie Calhoun, who attended with her husband, John Elkington, was an emcee along with Brian Patterson. Patterson’s wife, Stacey Patterson, did the centerpieces.

Brian Patterson and Valerie Calhoun at HollyWoof (Credit: Michael Donahue)

HollyWoof, apparently, was a successful fundraiser. As for the exact figure, Lisa Hayes with Friends of Horn Lake Animal Shelter, says, “We’re still trying to figure that out, but it looks like it’s going to be close to $20,000.”

Julie Clark and Rachel Phillips at HollyWoof (Credit: Michael Donahue)
Chris Frazier, Lisa Hayes, Sandy Williams, Gail Johnson at HollyWoof (Credit: Michael Donahue)
Fred Smith with his dog, Sweet Pickle at HollyWoof (Credit: Michael Donahue)
Carrie and John Russell at HollyWoof (Credit: Michael Donahue)
John Wheeler, John Elkington, Brian Patterson at HollyWoof (Credit: Michael Donahue)
Allen and Kay Iskiwitz at HollyWoof (Credit: Michael Donahue)
Bruce Thompson at HollyWoof (Credit: Michael Donahue)
Jude Knight, Debbie Litch, Michael Donahue, Gary Beard at HollyWoof (Credit: Michael Donahue)
Marlon and Ashlan Guzman at HollyWoof (Credit: Michael Donahue)
Joe Lackie and Gary Beard at HollyWoof (Credit: Michael Donahue)
Jeremy Stephenson at HollyWoof (Credit: Michael Donahue)
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Shop Local: Downtown

This holiday season, we’re asking readers to support local and consider these and others for their gift-giving needs.

The Broom Closet

For your giftee’s metaphysical needs — gemstones, candles, tarot readings, sage and smudging supplies, and more — visit The Broom Closet. The shop also offers unique trinkets and home decor. We especially love this Astrology Box ($28). Available in-store at 525 S. Main and online at thebroomclosetmemphis.com.

Orpheum Theatre

With a return to live performances, audiences are eager to experience the magic that the Orpheum’s event lineup has to offer. Hamilton, Memphis Jookin’ featuring Lil Buck, and comedian Bert Kreischer are among those gracing the stage this season, and tickets make great gifts! And this 2021 ornament ($25), designed by local artist AnnaMade Designs, would look nice on the holiday tree. Available at orpheum-memphis.com or 225 S. Main.

Hollywood Feed

Don’t forget the furry family members! Hollywood Feed offers more than just quality pet food. Handmade treats from their bakery, toys, cutesy clothes, and more are available for your four-legged friends. Keep them warm with a festive sweater ($11.99)! Available at 2015 Union, other store locations, or hollywoodfeed.com.

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We Saw You

We Saw You: This Party Went to the Dogs

Sir Meatball was the guest of honor at a birthday party. He was naked — except for a hat — during the party. And he spent a lot of time walking in and out of a plastic swimming pool with other guests, who also were in the nude.

Meatball is an English bulldog. The other guests were dogs of various breeds, who attended his birthday party on June 27th at Loflin Yard.

This isn’t just any old English bulldog. Meatball, who belongs to Mary Lauren and Michael Stewart, is a celebrity.

“He’s very popular on Instagram,”  Mary Lauren says. “He has over 15,000 followers.”

Meatball doesn’t always just wear his birthday suit. “I got Meatball my last year of law school. And I just kind of, for fun, started dressing him up and taking pictures. I realized I could dress him up in whatever and put a wig on him and anything I could and he’d just sit there for the picture. And the Instagrams kind of took off from there.”

Michael and Mary Lauren Stewart with Sir Meatball and Milkshake. (Credit: Michael Donahue)

 The Stewarts hold a party for Sir Meatball, who they bought from a breeder in Bolivar, Tennessee, every year.

About 30 dogs attended this year’s event. “We usually just invite our friends and their dogs. But this time we kind of talked with Loflin about having dogs off leash in the backyard. And we kind of opened it up to anyone who wanted to come.”

Sir Meatball’s birthday party. (Credit: Michael Donahue)
Sir Meatball’s birthday party. (Credit: Michael Donahue)
Sir Meatball’s birthday party. (Credit: Michael Donahue)
Sir Meatball’s birthday party Credit: Michael Donahue
Sir Meatball’s birthday party. (Credit: Michael Donahue)

Dog birthday cakes graced the table. “We had three cakes from Hollywood Feed. They have the Hollywood Feed Fresh Bakery in Memphis. And I’ve really become friends with the bakery manager. I’ll send her what I’m thinking and she’s able to make my cake dream come true.”

One of the cakes was shaped like a beer mug. “It was his third birthday. He’s 21 in dog years.”

They also served dog beer, Mary Lauren says. “One of them was a Busch dog beer. The other brand was Good Boy dog beer. They’re made from bone broths. But it’s like a beer.”

A lavish spread for Sir Meatball. (Credit: Michael Donahue)

Activities included “tennis balls and stuff for the dogs to play with. And we had the kiddie pools and bubbles going. A bubble machine.”

Sir Meatball’s birthday party. (Credit: Michael Donahue)
Sir Meatball’s birthday party. (Credit: Michael Donahue)

The Stewarts also own another English bull dog, Milkshake, who attended the party. “He is a year and a half younger than Meatball. He had his first birthday in December and we had it at Loflin Yard.”

Milkshake is a “wild child,” so they had a wild child-themed party.  “He’s very spunky and has a lot of energy. They share the Instagram. I post pictures of both of them. They do a lot of shenanigans together. but they love to snuggle with each other and have fun.”

Any fights between unruly guests during the party? “There were a few agitators, but, for the most part, it was a fun, friendly event.”

Sir Meatball’s birthday party. (Credit: Michael Donahue)

As a special treat, Sir Meatball and Milkshake spent the night at The Peabody. They shared a room with the Stewarts.

Chilling at The Peabody. (Credit: Mary Lauren Stewart)
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Show and Tail: Take Part in the Humane Society Adopt-a-Thon

It’s a ruff life. According to the Humane Society of Memphis and Shelby County (HSMSC), owner surrender intake is up over 150 percent from last year. Stray animal intake is also up almost 40 percent. The Memphis Flyer and HSMSC are working doggedly to help these unfortunate creatures who have fallen on hard times through no fault of their own.

It’s not all bad mews. Cat adoptions are up 25 percent and 4,038 pounds of food have been donated to people who cannot afford food and to those who rescue.

“We’re looking forward to our first-ever adopt-a-thon,” says Ashley Haeger, controller at Contemporary Media and organizer of the event. “We hope participants will tune in to find their next fur-baby as we shine a light on the great work that Hollywood Feed and the Humane Society are doing.”

Meet your new pup at the Virtual Pet Adopt-A-Thon.

Paws on Thursday and join us online to meet some of the sweet cats and dogs currently residing at HSMSC. You’ll be shown the amazing work that staff and volunteers are doing day in and day out at the facility. There will even be a Q&A with an on-site trainer at HSMSC.

You can fetch the link to register for the free webinar on the Memphis Flyer website.

Virtual Pet Adopt-A-Thon, join online from memphisflyer.com, Thursday, Nov. 12, 2-3:30 p.m., free.

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We Recommend We Recommend

Dogs on Parade: Mardi Growl at Overton Park Saturday

Overton Park Conservancy and one of its partners, Hollywood Feed, hosts its inaugural Mardi Growl event this Saturday, featuring a Mardi Gras-themed dog costume contest, a crawfish boil with Local Gastropub, and a dog parade through the woods.

Melissa McMasters, director of communications for Overton Park, says the event was inspired in part by the conservancy’s Halloween dog costume event in October and that she hopes to see creative costumes like she saw at that event, such as two “hot dogs” in a hot dog cart accompanied by humans dressed up as ketchup and mustard bottles.

“The costume contests always seem to attract a lot of extremely creative people,” says McMasters. “So they’re really fun.”

Melissa Mcmasters

The canine krewe’s bacchus ball heads to Overton Park for Mardi Growl.

The conservancy will bring on three celebrity judges (Markova Reed, former WREG anchor; David Scott of Dave’s Bagels; and Lucy Furr, graphic designer for Hollywood Feed) to determine the winners, who will receive prize packs from Hollywood Feed and a gift card from Second Line.

McMasters says that the members of the park are looking forward to thanking Hollywood Feed, who sponsored the construction of Overton Bark in 2012, and the dog lovers who enjoy the dog play area every day.

“We really want to engage the community that uses Overton Bark and give them something fun and a thank you for being such great supporters — and also to bring in some new folks who may not have visited before,” says McMasters. “And it’s also a great opportunity for us to work with Hollywood Feed. We always enjoy hanging out with them.”

Mardi Growl, The Greensward at Overton Park, Saturday, March 7th, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., free.

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Gift Memphis: Think Local this Season — Here Are Some Ideas

Do you really want to fight Black Friday crowds and support big-box retailers when we’ve got tons of cool, affordable, locally made and sold gifts available throughout the city? We didn’t think so. To help you tick some items off your shopping list, we’ve compiled a few hyper-local options for you — for an Alternative Black Friday, if you will — with favorite shops, items, makers, and more, to cover even the hardest-to-buy-for folks.

COOPER-YOUNG HAUL

Before you hit that “place your order” button, remember Amazon paid no federal taxes last year, its billionaire founder had the gall to cut health-care benefits for some employees this year, and — most importantly — Amazon is not Memphis AF (like, at all).

Cooper-Young is, in fact, Memphis AF. The neighborhood’s mix of restaurants and shops makes for a perfect, big-city shopping experience. Gleam in the season’s glow as you hustle your holiday gift bags across Cooper-Young’s new rainbow-pride crosswalk.

Plan your shopping spree for Saturday, November 30th. That’s Small Business Saturday, and some C-Y businesses have teamed up for a day of giveaways, drawings, and special deals and discounts. Ten lucky winners will go home with gift boxes worth more than $100 each. Need some C-Y gift ideas? We did some scouting for you. — Toby Sells

Fox + Cat Vintage: Forget fast fashion. This fashion boutique offers a lovingly curated closet of styles and tastes from a 1920s-era flapper girl hat ($150) to an ’80s-style jean jacket with a collection of amazing patches ($112).

Toby Sells

Fox + Cat Vintage

Young Avenue Deli: Barbecue is Memphis’ civic dish. If it had one, the Deli’s french fries might be the culinary standard for Midtown. I took two orders to a holiday potluck once. Folks laughed, but nary a fry was left. And let’s not even talk about those cheese sticks. Walls of craft beer, one-of-a-kind sandwiches, wings … get a gift card for anyone on your list.

Grivet Outdoors: This new outdoor shop has what Memphis needs to run, hike, climb, hunt, fish, or just about anything else. Don’t have an outdoorsy type on your list this year? How about someone who has to go outside in the wet Memphis winter? Try the waterproof duck boots from Sorel (men’s, $155; women’s, $120).

901 Comics: Thanks to a zillion Marvel movies, we know one thing: We’re all comic book nerds. 901 Comics has walls full of superheroes you know, like Batman and Iron Man, and some you might not know, like Bloodshot and Count Crowley. But the store has more than books. Think action figures, figurines, posters, games, shirts, masks, and more. Also, check out the R2-D2 toaster ($34) or the Death Star cheese board ($45) for the food geek in your life.

Toby Sells

901 Comics

Buff City Soap: Give your morning routine a local upgrade: Buff City Soap opened in Cooper-Young last year. All of the products are made in-house. So when they offer a bar of soap called Midtown Phunk, they know what they’re talking about. But it ain’t all bath bombs and body butters. Get that unruly scruff under control with Ferocious Beast beard oil ($15) or Shave and a Haircut beard balm ($15).

Toby Sells

Buff City Soap

Cooper-Young Gallery & Gift Shop: It’s an art gallery. It’s a gift shop. It’s a creative workspace. Sometimes the owners call it the “Cute Shop.” It all makes sense when you walk inside. Want to paint Ruth Bader Ginsberg by numbers? The kit will set you back $22. Pick up some stocking-stuffers like 38104-ever magnets ($3) or mugs ($15). There’s way more to discover in this perfectly eclectic, satisfyingly tidy little shop.

Burke’s Books: The Burke’s holiday window is a C-Y tradition. Neighbors make annual treks just to see what yuletide treat awaits them there. Inside the store is a book-lover’s treat year ’round — new releases, photo books, kids books, and more. Burke’s specializes in rare and collectible books, like a nice leather-bound copy of Ernest Hemingway’s For Whom the Bell Tolls ($18).

VINTAGE FINDS

For 35 years, Flashback has been the vintage place to go. Shoppers can find oodles of kitschy, cheesy delights — items of perfect pop culture, things so bad they’re good (ugly Christmas sweaters), designs you’d never have in your house until you realize you have to have them. But mostly you’ll find wondrous objects of beauty and rarity. Some are new, and many wear their age remarkably well: lovely backlit lithophane porcelains, frequently tasteful glassware and dishes, jewelry, singular shoes and clothing, including rude socks. There are Danish mobiles and bookmarks made from filmstrips (The Wizard of Oz is very popular). Elvii are everywhere.

Jon W. Sparks

Flashback

Proprietor Millett Vance has an eye for items that are just right, for yourself or as gifts for your wide range of friends and family. And she knows the price point you’re looking for. “Everyone looks for presents for people, and they end up buying something for themselves.”

Flashback is at 2304 Central, with the seated mannequin and pink flamingos al fresco. 272-2304. flashbackmemphis.com.

— Jon W. Sparks

SILVER BELLS

In her days at Memphis College of Art, Tootsie Bell wasn’t particularly thinking about becoming a silversmith. She needed a job, and a friend at a jewelry store hooked her up. She loves woodworking and sculpture as well, particularly when it’s at a bigger scale than the usual silver projects she does daily. That got her some commissions for public art, which you can see around town. But go into her shop — she’s been at it for 24 years — and look at the work on display. You’ll see a wonderful attention to detail. If you really want to take it to the next level, have her make some jewelry for you.

Tootsie Bell Silversmith

“My work, whether it’s large or small, has a theme to it,” Bell says. “I like there to be a meaning or a narrative behind it. When I work with customers, I like to get a background, a story of either the person that I’m making the piece for or something like that.”

And if you have a hankering to create some of your own baubles, she can help with that, too. She offers classes on how to craft a piece of jewelry. At present, she teaches four students at a time. “I help them come up with what they want to make and assist when I need to,” Bell says. “You make it and take it home.” When the new year gets underway, she’ll have more classes to accommodate bigger projects. She also offers gift cards, so you can let the giftee choose how they want to take the classes.

Tootsie Bell Silversmith is at 4726 Poplar. 763-4049. quenchstudiomemphis.com. — JWS

BLACK LODGE AND CHILL

After the temperature drops and the hyper-social holiday season winds down, your loved ones are going to want to spend some time quality time in their living room this winter.

If you’re looking for gifts to help you chill, the first place to go is Black Lodge. The independent video store that graced Cooper-Young for 14 years has recently reopened in a new space in Crosstown — and not a moment too soon. The Netflix-led streaming video revolution that put video stores out of business in the last decade is rapidly becoming fragmented and expensive. With the launch of Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and Apple TV (to name a few), you have to subscribe to multiple services to get what you want. That’s where the Lodge comes in. Its selection of almost 30,000 titles dwarfs Netflix, and the knowledgeable staff will help you discover new movies and TV shows you may have overlooked. Gift recipients can use their Black Lodge gift cards to pay for the $10 per month membership or to snag something from the ever-expanding lineup of cool Lodge merch.

Justin Fox Burks

If reading is more your friend’s speed, Two Rivers Bookstore has a curated selection of science-fiction and fantasy books, such as Margaret Atwood’s The Testaments, the acclaimed sequel to the author’s dystopian classic, The Handmaid’s Tale. Two Rivers also carries local art and jewelry, and if your gift target is into tabletop role-playing games, you can get Dungeons & Dragons rulebooks and dice bags made in-store.

For the “chill” part, the place to go is Wizard’s. The Midtown smoke shop now carries six brands and 13 flavors of CBD flower for your stress-relief needs. To really take the edge off healthily, a Pax 3 or Firefly flower vaporizer will get you there without the cough and smell. Or you can go whole-hog and invest in the newest of the pioneering Volcano vaporizer line.

Wizard’s

Then again, maybe your loved one’s “chill” is more euphemistic. In that case, a visit to Coco & Lola’s lingerie shop is in order. They are the exclusive Memphis home to the Kilo Brava line of teddies, bustiers, and exquisite two- and three-piece lace bra and panty sets.

You won’t regret it when you see your loved one slip into a silk kimono, pop in a Blu-Ray, hit the vape, and let the magic happen. — Chris McCoy

WORK IT

My sister said she had a surprise for me. My only instructions: wear athletic clothes and show up to the provided address at a certain time. I pulled up to a small building on Flicker Street. It was Recess 901, a local gym that bills itself as providing a “diverse, curated fitness experience.” Inside, I was met by Nick Davis, one of the instructors. My surprise was a one-on-one, 30-minute boxing class with him. With his guidance, I hooked and jabbed my way through the session. Beginning in December, Davis will lead small-group boxing classes through a program called Go Boxing & Fitness. The eight-person sessions, featuring boxing training and bodyweight exercises, are designed to enhance one’s mental and physical state.

Justin Fox Burks

Recess 901

Davis believes the small-group format is optimal for boxing and brings out “healthy, natural competition. Go Boxing & Fitness not only changes your body,” he says. “It changes your mind, your attitude, and your mood.”

There are plenty of gifts like this one around town for the fitness junkies, as well as the outdoor lovers, in your life. For the runners, Fleet Feet has gear and accessories at all price points. From hoodies for cold days to reflective vests for night running to the best running shoe, it’s all there. Or help your loved ones reach new heights at Highpoint Rock Climbing and Fitness. The gym offers gift cards, so you can give the gift of bouldering and belaying. Finally, do you know anyone in need of a kayak, tent, or bike? Outdoors Inc. has everything for the outdoor adventurers on your list. — Maya Smith

UNUSUAL MERCH

For many musicians, the travails of touring can leave you in the lurch, unless you’re crafty with unorthodox merch. Music fans need only stroll over to the merchandise table. The expeditionary noise band Nonconnah, for example, can always make up for a low door take by selling jars of homemade jam or pickles. If they shared a bill with Neighborhood Texture Jam (NTJ), who’ve been known to shower the audience with Slim Jims, you could have a full meal. Then wash it down when seeing Seance Fiction, from Florence, Alabama, who have offered packets of powdered beverage mix in a Dixie cup sporting the words, “Drink the Kool Aid! Join the Cult!”

For all your romantic needs, merch of a more intimate nature can be had. The Rhythm Hounds, Fuck (the band), and NTJ have all offered underwear emblazoned with the group’s logo or name, though in the latter case, it was adult diapers. But Fuck, long hailed as kings of wacky merch, took intimate fandom to a new level by getting inside your eyelids: a camera flash, masked with a stencil of the band name, could be set off in your face, thus burning the word into your retina for a good 10 minutes. Oh, joy!

Some unorthodox merch actually honors the music. When the Lost Sounds were just another struggling combo in need of a deal, Alicja Trout would hand-paint CD-Rs of their albums, each one unique (and highly collectable now). And for those who love the lyrics of Cory Branan, he’ll write them out by hand on acid/lignin-free archival paper. One fan framed the words to his “Sour Mash” alongside two Prohibition-era prescriptions for bourbon.

Alicja Trout handpainted CD

So when you’re out at a show, be sure to peruse the merch table, perchance to discover that perfect gift for the music fan who has everything. — Alex Greene

PETS, ART, & ‘CUE

Personally, I love shopping for friends and family, so when they tell me they have everything they need, I take it as a challenge. It’s fun to defy your giftee’s expectations and give someone something nice that they wouldn’t normally get for themselves, doubly so when you’re supporting a local business with your purchasing power. So let’s get started.

Sure, the pet supply store Hollywood Feed has grown big enough to take a St. Bernard-sized bite out of the national market, but the first Hollywood Feed opened on Hollywood and Chelsea in Memphis in the ’50s, and the company still keeps its headquarters here. That’s local enough for me. And because even the most selfless or Spartan family members will at least pamper their pets, the store is a great place to shop for people who are, well, hard to shop for.

Justin Fox Burks

Hollywood Feed

What’s more, the friendly folks at Hollywood Feed are knowledgeable and understanding. A month ago, when, after adopting a kitten, I wandered inside in a daze, my head buzzing with questions about litter (clumping? non-clumping?) and food (grain-free or not?), the staff patiently walked me through the ins and outs of what I needed to keep my newly rescued furry friend safe and satisfied. Compared to that, shopping for my family’s fur-babies is a varitible romp in the puppy park. I just scoop up some dog toys and handmade treats from the animal-safe bakery, and I can mark a few folks off my list.

When it comes to local, Art Center knows what’s up. The full-service art supply store opened in 1974 and has plenty of experience helping Memphians with their custom framing, paints, charcoals, decoupage, and more. And since the owners require their employees to have a strong background in art, says general manager Jimmy Sanders, the staff is qualified to help even the most hapless of customers. Their prices span the spectrum, too, so you can stuff a stocking without unstuffing your wallet, or spoil your little Michelangelo in training to your heart’s content. Next!

My brother-in-law lives in Middle Tennessee, and he loves to cook. So I’ve been buying him barbecue sauce and dry seasoning every Christmas for seven years because, while you can get decent barbecue fixings out east, you can’t get Memphis barbecue sauce anywhere else.

Though I mix up which sauce I buy from year to year, The Bar-B-Q Shop on Madison has been winning awards for 32 years, with a 50-year-old sauce recipe that dates back to Brady & Lil’s Bar-B-Q Restaurant, making it a shoo-in for my brother-in-law’s stocking.

Justin Fox Burks

The Bar-B-Q Shop

For bonus points, round out your holiday haul with something seasonably sessionable to sip from one of the local breweries, some coffee from one of the Bluff City’s local roasters, a little something to nibble from The Peanut Shoppe at 24 S. Main, and some candles from Maggie’s Pharm.

Boom! You’ve got yourself a very Memphis holiday basket.

— Jesse Davis

TREASURE HUNT

I’ve always been a big fan of flea markets and arts festivals — you just never know what types of one-of-a-kind treasures you’ll find. The hunt is where the excitement lies, and it’s even more exciting when you’re directly supporting local creators.

This season, WinterArts brings a bit of that thrill with a showcase of functional and decorative work from nearly 50 of the region’s top artists, including several based right here in Memphis: Dorothy Northern (jeweler); Bryan Blankenship, Lisa Hudson, Becky Ziemer, and David James Johnson (ceramics); Felcitas Sloves, (fiber: weaving); Cheryl Hazelton (wood: marquetry); and others.

WinterArts

Treasure hunters will find handmade work crafted in glass, metal, wood, fiber, and clay. Think beautiful cuff bracelets, vases, wooden trinket boxes, ornaments, and more. Participating artists will have video at their booths, providing visitors virtual demonstrations of their creation process.

WinterArts

WinterArts is presented by ArtWorks Foundation, a nonprofit whose mission is to help artists grow and thrive. In its 11th year, WinterArts runs November 30th through December 24th at 888 White Station (between Poplar and Park, next to Bed Bath & Beyond). Browse the wares for unique gifts Mondays-Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Fridays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. — Shara Clark

ELVIS SOCKS

In “Santa Bring My Baby Back to Me,” Elvis sings, “Fill my sock with candy.” Now, you can fill Elvis socks with — your feet. Lansky Bros. at The Peabody sells socks with Elvis’ likeness on them. Elvis playing guitar. Elvis in his “Jailhouse Rock” pose. You even can get black, pink, and white socks — the argyle type Elvis wore in some of his 1950s photos. He probably bought those socks at Lanksy back in the day.

Justin Fox Burks

Lansky Bros.

The black socks with the gold lightning bolt on them are their biggest sellers, says owner Hal Lansky. They’re inscribed with “TCB.”

“If you’re an Elvis fan, you’ll know what it means,” Lansky says. “Even if you’re not, you will.”

The socks, which are very comfortable, sell for $25 and $27.50. They’re fit for a king. Or the King. “Elvis is still the King,” Lansky says. “You know that.”

After the lucky gift recipient wears these Elvis socks, he’ll probably decide to hang up all his other socks and stick with these. He might want a complete selection of Elvis socks. Then he can have a blue Christmas, a green Christmas, an orange Christmas, a red Christmas — you name it. These socks come in various colors.

— Michael Donahue

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Who’s a Good Dog? A Special Issue about our Canine Companions.

“Who’s a good dog?”

It’s the ultimate existential question for our canine friends. (See also, “Are you a good boy?” and “Who’s my good girl?”)

“Who’s a good dog?” we ask, day after day, while scratching Duke’s shaggy head. “Who’s a good pupper?”

They stare back into our eyes, seeking only to please us, their godlike masters. But, in truth, the question stays with them. “Am I a good dog?” they ponder, late at night, before falling into a doggy dream. “Surely, I am. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have gotten that smokey treat. Yeah, I’m a good dog.” (Dogs are good at self-affirmation.)

So, yes, he’s a good dog. They’re all good dogs. And that’s because dogs just want to make us happy. That’s it. That’s what they live for.

The bond between humans and dogs began 20,000 years ago or so, probably when the first wild canine — perhaps a coyote or dingo — timidly approached a human campfire, got tossed a bone, and began hanging around for more.

Humans soon discovered that dogs were useful — as guards and protectors, as hunters, as faithful home companions — and as tiny furry accessories that fit into a purse. Well, the latter came much later, of course, after centuries of breeding that brought us the hundreds of varieties of dog we recognize today — not to mention the millions of cross-bred mutts of every size and hue that populate our lives.

Dogs see their “owners” as pack leaders and look to us for guidance, sustenance, and affection. In return, they offer unlimited loyalty and love. And as humans and dogs alike have learned through the centuries, that’s a very good deal. — Bruce VanWyngarden

Justin Fox Burks

Tail Waggers

As any responsible dog owner will tell you, your dog needs a hat. And socks. The dog necklace, I will allow, may be excessive.

All can be had at PetSmart. They currently carry a sweet royal blue Stetson with a red-and-blue plaid band. For socks, there’s a selection, but I’d go for the camouflage and skull-and-crossbones combo. That the dog will hate both the hat and the socks is neither here nor there.

Your dog will look swell in a T-shirt that reads “Always Hungry.” Pair that with the “Player” bandana and you’ve got yourself a look. For more formal affairs, there’s the doggie tux and party dresses.

Susan Ellis

Hollywood Feed also peddles somes cool T-shirts. Will it be the “Pizza is my cardio” or “Everyday is Taco Tuesday”? Let’s make it both, shall we?

The real genius of Hollywood Feed, though, is all the people stuff. (I remember when that place sold food for your chicken; now they sell lamps.) I mean, how on earth will your pug know that you love him unless you’ve got the pug pillow for your couch? There are blankets made for snuggling and wine glasses etched with sayings like “All you need is love and a dog.”

Of course, you can’t leave your baby behind. Hollywood Feed knows this and carries the Kurgo line of various harnesses that hook into the seatbelt, booster seats so pooch gets a window view, and canine-carrying backpacks.

You can also find a lot of low-calorie treats to encourage puppy’s good behavior. Fromm’s food is cool because you can switch flavors without the specter of an upset tummy. You’ll really be stylish serving it in Hollywood Feed’s line of Fiesta Ware bowls.

Susan Ellis

Dogs need stimulation, so make a beeline for Hollywood Feed’s extensive selection of Kong toys, perhaps the most recommended toy for dogs. They’re sturdy, come in a vast variety sizes, and many can be stuffed with treats or kibble. Some of the stuffed toy selection comes without squeakers. I endorse this, as I’ve got a little monster who loves the squeak, squeak, SQUEAK. (Hush! Mommy’s trying to watch The Americans!) The Chuck It line of toys is for outdoor play and includes toys for the water. The Sport features a flinger for throwing the ball really far. An added bonus is not having to touch a gross, slobbery ball. — Susan Ellis

Justin Fox Burks

Tracey Cain

Tips From a Trainer

Tracey Cain, of Cain9 Positive Training, offers some solid tips for getting your dog to be better behaved and socialized.

What is positive reinenforcement training?

It’s based on building a bond of trust between you and your dog. Creating pain or anxiety damages that trust, so I don’t believe in that kind of training. I’m about starting at young age, if possible, and creating lots of positive experiences between you and your dog

What’s the best way to socialize your dog around people and other dogs?

There’s no one set way for training every dog. Each dog is different. You first build the trust. And I will say that having your dog on leash is really important. There’s nothing more scary than someone else’s dog running up to my dog and the owner’s saying, “He’s friendly.” He might be, but it could be stressing me and my dog.

Are some breeds naturally more aggressive?

Some would disagree with me, but I think that’s a myth. Aggression is not really breed-specific. Some breeds are more reserved, but it doesn’t mean that they are necessarily less social or more aggressive.

How do you stop bad habits — jumping up on people, for example?

You don’t reward that behavior. If a dog jumps up on me, I shun, turn, and say “Off!” It’s important that you not let others reward this behavior, like friends who say, “It’s okay. I love dogs.” If they pet the dog when he jumps up, they’ve rewarded that behavior. Just ask them to “shun.”

How about chewing up your stuff?

If your dog is chewing shoes, table legs, rugs, etc., the dog is bored. Get mentally stimulating toys to help spend that energy, but don’t put them all out at once. Rotate the toys to keep them interested. There are even toys that you can put a treat into and the dog has to work for the reward.

What about a dog that barks incessantly?

If they’re outside by themselves, they’re probably bored, as well. Give them a toy; go interact with them. As a rule, don’t leave your dog out in your yard all day. — BV
For more info on training, email Cain9tracey@gmail.com.

Justin Fox Burks

Jen Clay


Doggo Docs
Veterinarian Jen Clay founded Utopia Animal Hospital on Madison 10 years ago. She says the most common ailments she sees in her patients are vomiting and diarrhea. Usually, it’s nothing to worry about, just a furry friend eating something that didn’t agree with them. “You can’t really prevent that,” she says, “because you’ve got to let your dog go outside sometimes or they’ll go crazy.”

Usually, if the dog seems otherwise healthy, she’ll treat the symptom and call the next day to make sure the pet is feeling better. But if the dog seems otherwise unhealthy, she’ll order further tests. “There are about 20 things that can cause vomiting and diarrhea,” she says.

Lacey Rush, associate vet at McGehee Clinic For Animals, says Memphis’ mild, wet climate means that allergens are everywhere. “We see a lot of dogs with itchy skin, and secondary skin infections, and ear infections that are a lot of times connected with environmental allergies,” she says. “I can tell by the amount of pollen on my car in the morning how many of those dogs I’m going to see.”

If your dog is scratching frequently, Rush recommends making sure its flea prevention is up to date. “We do not have weather such that we have a flea season — it’s flea season year-round.”

These days, the most effective flea prevention is oral medication prescribed by a vet. Rush says if you want to use a flea collar, the only good ones are made by Seresto.

Rush says the most common injuries she sees are cruciate ruptures, which is like an ACL tear in humans. “With obesity on the rise, we see joint stress and tear as secondary to the metabolic disease. It’s pretty common. They come in holding up a back leg, and that’s one of the first things that comes to mind.”

Clay says she frequently hears owners concerned about obesity. “A lot of people ask if their dog is a healthy weight. If you pet them along their side, you should be able to feel their ribs easily without having to dig too much. But you don’t want them to be so skinny that their ribs are sticking out.”

Consult the label on your dog’s food to find out how much to put in their bowl every day. Don’t wing it. “A cup of food is a shockingly small amount,” Rush says. “I’ll never forget a case I had in North Carolina where this pet was gaining weight. The owner was like, ‘Doc I’m only feeding two cups a day!’ I said, ‘Bring me your cup.’ He brought in a Big Gulp from the gas station. The recommendations on the back of the package assume that’s all your pet is eating. It doesn’t account for treats. So if they’re getting a lot of treats, back off a little in the amount you’re offering.”

Controlling calories is only half the equation. “Getting sufficient exercise for energetic dogs is important. People will come in and tell me their dog is tearing up the house,” says Clay. “For a lot of behavior issues, if you can just increase their exercise, that will help a lot. And it’s good for us, too. Humans, I mean.”

Clay says if you’re thinking about getting a dog, “First, look at your lifestyle. Some people want a dog to be a running buddy, while some people want a dog who will hang out with them and watch Netflix. I know people who have paid $700 for a dog, then after the first weekend are like, oh my god, this dog requires a lot of attention. They didn’t realize what they were getting themselves into.”— Chris McCoy

Adopting a Dog

There are a few different places to adopt a canine companion in Memphis. One of them is Memphis Animal Services (MAS), the largest and only open-admission animal shelter in the city.

During the summer, MAS takes in more than 200 dogs a week, Katie Pemberton, community engagement specialist at the shelter, says. By adopting from MAS, you make room for another dog to come in and be fostered, she says.

Ten years ago, the city was euthanizing more than 80 percent of all pets that they took in. Now, that number is down to a little over 10 percent, Pemberton says. “Our goal is to never have to euthanize for space again, and we believe we can get there with the community’s support.”

One way to do that is to adopt adult dogs, she says. “Puppies fly out of here,” but adult dogs are often overlooked.

“Where we constantly struggle is large adult dogs, and that is the one category where we do still have to euthanize for space sometimes,” Pemberton says. “We know people want to help, and the biggest way they can do that is helping us get large adult dogs adopted or rescued.”

MAS is the only open-intake shelter in Memphis. This means MAS continues to accept stray dogs even after they’ve reached maximum capacity. Because sometimes this leads to euthanasia, Pemberton says adopting a dog might save its life.

“When you adopt from a shelter or rescue group, you’re saving two lives: the pet you adopted, and the next pet your adoption opened up a space for,” she says.

The adoption fee for dogs is usually $75, but until the end of August it’s been reduced to $30, which covers spaying/neutering, microchip, vaccinations, a heartworm test, and deworming treatment, as well as a collar, leash, and customized identification tag.

To adopt a dog, Pemberton says just visit the shelter on Appling City Cove any time during adoption hours, which vary by day. All you need to bring is your driver’s license and the adoption fee.

There isn’t a rigorous application process, Pemberton says. MAS practices an “Adopters Welcome” approach, recognizing that quality homes can be secured without “intensive scrutiny judgment.” Instead, the staff will ask a few questions to ensure the owner and the dog are a good match.

If you’re not quite ready to tie the knot with Lassie, MAS also lets you foster, visit, and volunteer with dogs. — Maya Smith

Kim Koehler

Foster family and foster puppy

Fostering a Dog

“It all started with a message on Nextdoor,” recalls Kim Koehler. “It said, ‘There’s a dog on the Greenline who’s crying in the rain and will not come to people.'”

“And she immediately thought, ‘That’s a job for me!'” interjects her husband, Jim Duckworth.

Once the dog was in their home, the young-at-heart newlyweds soon discovered that they had actually adopted eight dogs: The mutt they named Gracie was pregnant.

“I didn’t know what to do!” says Koehler. “Luckily the Streetdog Foundation got back to me and helped me out.” The local nonprofit offered advice and arranged meetings with potential “forever homes.” Koehler and Duckworth had stumbled into the world of canine foster families. And, they discovered how complex dog care can be.

Laura Helper-Ferris, who, as an “integrator” for Streetdog, helps to smooth the transition from foster families to permanent homes, notes that “foster families do more than just sheltering a dog while waiting for the forever homes. They often do a lot to get them through veterinary treatment. They socialize dogs, and even socialize them with other dogs sometimes. They’re evaluating them and seeing, are they good with kids? Who is this dog? The foster often knows that better than the rescue group, so they really are a key link in the whole thing.”

Helper-Ferris adds, “There’s two kinds of fostering. There’s one where you volunteer for the organization and they give you a dog to foster. In that case, the organization pays all the expenses and provides food and medical care and everything. And the other kind is when you find a dog, and you want to help but can’t keep it. An organization like Streetdog can help find a new home for them, but they need the finder to foster the dog in the meantime.”

Duckworth and Koehler ultimately started a fund-raising campaign to cover the costs of their new puppies’ veterinary care, relying on Streetdog to help vet potential adopters. That’s where Helper-Ferris comes in. “With Streetdog, there are fact-seekers calling the references and doing the home visits, so the families are already pre-chosen before I get there. What I’m looking for is, is there a yard? Is somebody gonna be around a lot? If the family already has dogs, I’m really looking at the dog behavior.”

Memphis journalist Fredric Koeppel, who has fostered at least 100 dogs in the past decade, notes that fostering is more than just a local issue. “Most of the dogs we fostered have gone to homes in New England. People in the South are not very good to dogs. They tend to abandon them or abuse them. In New England, they have very strict spay and neuter laws. So there’s actually a lack of dogs to go to homes up there.”

When choosing a rescue organization to work with, Koeppel notes that “you really want to make sure that any group you’re affiliated with is 501(c)(3), because then they have certain rules that they have to follow.”

Beyond that, it can be an emotional roller coaster. “When we first started bringing in dogs, and we’d take the dog, after three weeks or six months, to the transport to take the dog up to Massachusetts or wherever, we were just devastated. But you get more used to it, and you realize what a good service you’re doing, although there are a few dogs in our pack that we’ve kept, just because we absolutely fell in love with them.” — Alex Greene

Full House

How many pets is too many? You get one dog, then another. Then you’re thinking, Why not get them all? Before reason kicks in, you picture yourself the head of this herd, obviously leaving out the urine and poop, the fights and howling, the outrageous vet bills, and all that fur in your refrigerator. We asked Alexis Pugh, director of Memphis Animal Services, about the over-enthusiastic pet owner.

If you know someone has a lot of pets, will you refuse to adopt to them? Is there a general cut-off number? How do you judge how many is too many? Is it against the law to own too many pets?

We have a limit in our system that if someone has adopted four pets from us, a supervisor must be notified to review the record. We look at how long ago the adoptions were, see if those pets are still in the home, try and see if this person is really trying to function as a rescue (so we can have them become a part of our rescue program instead).

There is no limit on the number of pets you can have (as long as you are not functioning in a commercial capacity as a breeder; there are limits for that in the county unified code), but the law does require proper care and conditions, regardless of the number of animals you own.

What can happen to the animal if there are too many of them?

Too many animals can mean a lack of basic needs being met for the animals, because the owner is not able to sufficiently care for them and/or loses the ability to see the problems with clarity. If we receive a call and our officers discover a situation where the conditions do not meet the minimum requirements under the law, we either issue a warning, a summons to court, or we seize the pets, depending on the severity of the concerns.

My friend has five cats and one dog. Is that too many?

No. What matters is how the animals are kept. Someone could have 10 animals and do a better job providing for them than someone with one. It is more about what the pet has access to — food, water, shelter, medical care, and hopefully, love and enrichment. — SE

Toby Sells

Bree Fuller with Lilley and Max at Hollywood Feed

The Dogs Are In.

Hollywood Feed’s corporate headquarters were quiet until Kate Lancaster knocked oh-so-softly on a closed door. An unseen chorus of barks big and small boomed. Lancaster was unfazed; it was plain that barking dogs were a regular and accepted part of the office’s aural landscape. If you think about it, dogs at Hollywood Feed make all the sense in the world.

“I guess he’s not in right now,” says Lancaster. “For some of the dogs that really like to, uh, announce themselves, people have to shut their doors, or, they’d bark at everything that walks by.”

In a baby-gated cubicle, Bree Fuller researches, buys, and promotes dog food for Hollywood Feed. On the floor behind her, Max, a Jack Russell mix, steps in his water bowl and bird-dog Lilley growls at Buffy, the tiny, poofy dog under Lancaster’s arm.

“I would hate leaving them at home,” Fuller says. “Also, it’s just nice that while you’re looking at your computer all day, you get to scratch your dog while you’re doing it.”

While it makes sense that Hollywood Feed is dog friendly, more and more offices are allowing and encouraging canine companionship.

Google’s code of conduct states the company’s, “affection for our canine friends is an integral facet of our corporate culture.” A 2015 survey for the Society for Human Resource Management found that 8 percent of respondents reported that their workplaces permitted pets, an increase from 5 percent in 2013. Last year, the U.S. Department of Interior celebrated its first “Take Your Dog to Work Day.”

While hard numbers on dogs in Memphis offices don’t really exist, it’s easy to tell paws are padding into more workplaces here. Memphis ad agency Archer Malmo has long had a reputation for dog friendliness.

“I love to bring him because, as a dog mom, it’s nice to know he’s here with me and not sitting in a crate at home,” says Sarah Jones, an account coordinator. “Other people bring their dogs and they’ll all play. It’s a good way to make friends in the office, too.”

Jones says her dog, Brer, was a bad puppy with a penchant for chewing up remote controls. But bringing him into the office has helped him, and now he’s a “perfect office dog” that attends meetings.

Toby Sells

Katie Frasier with Elvis at Archer Malmo

One of Brer’s office buddies, mini goldendoodle Elvis, “kind of grew up in the office, says his owner Katie Frasier, the firm’s director of integrated communications strategy.

“We joke that he has all of his aunties and uncles here,” Frasier says. “In the afternoons, people will just come and sit on the couches in [a common work area], and Elvis will just hop up there and snuggle with them. It’s a nice way to end the day.” — Toby Sells