When asked by NYmag why he started Barkbox.com, Henrik Werdelin noted that there is a big difference between dog owners and dog parents. The latter love their dogs so much that they look for ways to delight and surprise their pooch on a regular basis. Dog parents love giving their pup treats, buying them things and treating them like members of the family. We're totally on board with this! Werdelin also noted that BarkBox is a service for these types of dog people. What is this BarkBox.com we speak of? 

Strolling by Columbus Circle anytime soon? It might be worth taking a trip there to see the latest advertisement. We know, advertisements are not usually worth visiting and in New York City, there are so many that we all just pass them by, but this one is different. Beneful, the well-known dog food brand, has created a virtual, interactive dog park on the walls of the Columbus Circle's subway station.

The internet has become one of the easiest places to meet people. Whether you are looking for others who want to get behind a common cause, people that share your interests, or a date, you can find websites created specifically for that purpose. It was only a matter of time until someone created the Match.com equivalent for our dogs. Though it's not a dating site exactly, Matchpuppy.com, is a network set up specifically for dogs to meet up with other dogs for play dates.

Have you heard of the Intergroom Conference? This is something we recently learned about and we're blown away! Here's a little background: The show was founded in 1981 by Shirlee Kalstone and is held in New Jersey. Since its very first conference, Intergroom has grown to feature 3,000 dogs, cats and their groomers from all over the world. While it's also a great place for groomers and salon managers to partake in some continuing education, the highlight of the event is, no doubt, the dog grooming competition. Groomers bring their necessarily very furry pups to the competition and create colorful, downright impressive sculptures within their dog's coat. Cats too, partake. They push the boundaries of grooming and, as you'll see in the below pictures, make incredibly creative and one-of-a-kind pieces of art using dyes and other grooming tools.

For dogs, collars are like functional accessories and some may argue, a pooch can never have too many. If you're in that camp or you simply need a new collar for your furry family member, we've compiled a list of amazing options that are fun, functional and that all help a particular cause. Some will help dog organizations and others, human ones, but the money you put toward any of these collars, will be helping improve the lives of all.

Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts are part of Americana. Many of us partook as a child or have kids who are earning badges, exploring life and doing new things. These organizations put a strong emphasis on doing good, while bettering yourself as a person and why not pass this on to dogs, right? Well Dog Scouts of America is a thing, and it exists in 22 states including New York. Founded by Lonnie Olson 13 years ago, the group members (dogs) work with their human counterparts to earn badges, have campouts, do cookie drives and give back to local organizations as well as national ones. In fact, the DSA makes $10,000 a year for the Salvation Army. Not too shabby.

It's almost April, and you know what they say about April: it brings showers. These showers supposedly bring May flowers, but they also bring wet doggies who shake off in your home, trample in mud and bring the rain indoors. In honor of this sure-to-be-rainy month, we compiled ten pieces of rain gear, some that are 100% functional and some that are just 100% fun, and maybe completely superfluous. Keep your pup dry or help entertain those that refuse to step foot into the rain.

This past weekend on March 24th and 25th, a very awesome event took place in Brooklyn. It was The Brooklyn Mutt Show, meant to celebrate beloved mixed breeds that are not allowed to enter the coveted dog shows we all know and love like Westminster. Malachy the Pekingese got so much recognition for his Best In Show ribbon this year – he even got to dine at a New York City restaurant -- so why shouldn't "mutts" get the same recognition? This particular show has a more comical, local and fun spin to it all and seems like roaring good time. So, without further ado here are the winners of the amazing and hilarious categories all leading up to "Best of the Beasts":

If you're looking for an intriguing dog-related book to pick up -- especially with the warm weather rolling in making reading a fabulous park pastime -- you may be interested in a lovely book of poems called Dogs of Brooklyn by Susie DeFord. Through Susie's poetry, you'll experience the borough of Brooklyn in a unique way that only the presence of dogs could bring to the surface. You'll love the light-hearted way she incorporates the whimsy of canine companions juxtaposed with the distinct feel of Brooklyn streets. 

It's getting warmer here in New York City with the temperatures expected to near 70 degrees this week! This means one thing, much to the delight of our dogs: more park time. While a stroll in Central Park, Prospect Park or another grassy knoll is nice, isn't it a lot more fun to bring toys? We know your pup is nodding his or her head in agreement right now. So, we have a list for you! Here are 10 awesomely fun, occasionally funny and definitely functional toys that you should not forget when packing for the park.