Monthly Archives: February 2012

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CityDog Magazine Editorial: Deluxe Digs: Heathman Hotel Portland

February 28, 2012 – 10:30 am

This article is re-posted with permission from CityDog Magazine, from a recent overnight Deluxe Digs we did in Portland Oregon with Scout the boxer. It’s a beautiful hotel and I look forward to returning with my own pooch!

Howls for the Heathman


With a plethora of pet friendly amenities, the Heathman is a hound’s home away from home, located in the heart of downtown Portland, Oregon.

Written by Brandie Ahlgren | Photography by Jamie Pflughoeft

The Heathman Hotel is a hound’s dream with its long-standing commitment to welcoming two- and four-legged guests. Built in 1927, the Heathman is the grand dame of luxury accommodations, combining the service and sophistication of a bygone era with modern day amenities and creature comforts. And, speaking of “creature” comforts, the hotel recently introduced its Pampered Pet Package, filled with everything a dog could want for a pleasant stay in the City of Roses.

Personal Concierge

The pampering begins as soon as you and your pooch walk through the lobby doors, with the Heathman’s highly personalized service called “The Personal Concierge.” Upon check-in, one staff person is assigned as your personal concierge, performing the tasks of front desk, bellman and concierge for the duration of your stay.

We arrive a little early before check-in, so while the staff prepares our room, we enjoy a beverage in the hotel’s lovely Tea Court, which serves a wide selection of teas and pastries created by pastry chef John Gayer. Every evening, Wednesday through Saturday, there is live jazz for your enjoyment. Sip tea (or a cocktail) by the marble fireplace, surrounded by comfy furnishings and artwork from the Vanderbilt Estate.

Art of Sleep | Bark of Sleep

Our room is ready and after the long drive from Seattle, we are ready to relax, which is easy with the Heathman’s Art of Sleep bed menu, offering three luxurious bed options including European Featherbed, European Pillow-Top and Tempur-Pedic. We chose the European Pillow-Top, a perfect blend of support and softness. But, wait. Scout has her choice of beds, too!

One of the many reasons the Heathman Hotel is the pick of the litter among four-legged travelers, is the Art of Sleep bed menu applies to pooches as well. Called the Bark of Sleep, the menu includes three doggy bed choices including memory foam, faux suede or bolster bed (for Scout, it’s memory foam). So, rest assured, you and your pooch will both enjoy a blissful night’s sleep in your beds of choice.

As we settle in for the evening, we are pleasantly surprised to find an array of services and amenities for both people and pooches. Our room is a 520 square foot Symphony Suite which is located on the entirely pet friendly third floor and features a seating area with a sleeper sofa and HD television and an adjacent bedroom with a king sized bed and HD television (pocket doors separate the seating area from the bedroom for privacy). There is nightly turndown service complete with bottled water, bathrobes and slippers, daily morning newspaper delivery, and 24-hour room service. In the room is a kettle and French press to prepare complimentary Peet’s coffee and herbal tea as well as other sleep-ease amenities including a sleep mask and ear plugs. Other in-room touches include L’Occitane bath amenities and complimentary high-speed wireless Internet access.

For your pooch, amenities include a variety of crunchy and chewy treats, a collapsible water bowl and poop bag dispenser with bags. For pet potty breaks, there is a park located just behind the hotel—take a left out of the front doors of the hotel and make an immediate left onto Salmon street and continue one block to South Park Blocks on the left. It’s a small park, but provides enough grassy area for your dog’s duties.

In addition to the Bark of Sleep bed menu, tasty treats and other doggy amenities, the Heathman has partnered with Banfield Pet Hospital to offer you peace of mind while on vacation with your pet, with a complimentary office visit and physical exam at any of Banfield’s 760 pet hospitals nationwide. Luckily, this trip does not require a visit to the hospital but we’ll keep the voucher for future travels. This isn’t the first time the Heathman and Banfield have partnered—earlier this year the hospital donated the bronze sculpture of Zelda, “author” of the book series Zelda Wisdom, to the hotel. The sculpture, complete with water bowl for thirsty pets, lives outside the entrance of the hotel and serves as the welcoming watchdog.

After a restful night’s sleep, we enjoy a light continental breakfast before venturing to the hotel’s highly acclaimed library. The Heathman library is a main feature of the hotel, with over 4,000 volumes in its impressive collection including signed editions by authors who have stayed at the hotel—Bill Clinton, Stephen King, Tom Wolfe, John Updike, Alice Walker, Clive Cussler, Garrison Keillor, David Sedaris and Anthony Bourdaine, to name a few. Guests are welcome to borrow a book, with arrangements made through the Front Desk, but also take advantage of the personal tour and wine tasting every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

As we near the end of our tour, I bring up a rumor I heard about the hotel being haunted. Director of sales and marketing Stephen Galvan does nothing to dispel the rumor, instead sharing stories of strange occurrences that are enough to give us goose bumps. But have no fear Stephen tells us the hotel brought in a medium at one point, who assured them the spirits are friendly.

Moving on, another unique feature of the Heathman is its art. The hotel’s eclectic art collection includes a light screen by Hap Tivey at the entrance and an early 19th-century Japanese screen above the reception desk. The Tea Court features 18th century canvases by French landscape artist Claude Gellée. In the Marble Bar, Art Deco mirrors originally from the Waldorf Astoria counterpoint a 200-year-old bas-relief from Kenya. The mezzanine displays acrylic sculptures by Gregg Renfrow, Richard Misrach’s photographic series of classical Greek ruins, and a sculpture by Stuart Lehrman. In the Heathman Restaurant are displayed perhaps some the most famous works in the collection, Andy Warhol’s 10-part Endangered Species silkscreens.

The Heathman is adjacent to the Portland Center for the Performing Arts and just steps away from the Portland Art Museum, the Oregon Historical Society Museum, Nordstrom, Niketown, Tiffany’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, Powell’s Books, Pioneer Place, and the fashionable and fun Pearl District. And best of all, the Heathman is just minutes away from Lucky Labrador Brewing Co.

Located on Hawthorne Blvd., the Lucky Labrador serves up simple, yet delicious pub fare (soups and sandwiches) and offers a large, covered patio area perfect for pooches and people to hang out and enjoy some of the tastiest brews in the Northwest.

For a bit more fancier fare, the award-winning Heathman Restaurant, whose executive chef, Phillipe Boulot, was honored as “Best Chef of the Northwest” by the prestigious James Beard Foundation, offers such delicacies as grilled moulard duck breast, with creamy polenta, dried fig and duck jus. The restaurant provides a lovely atmosphere and impeccable service, but if you prefer to have your pooch by your side, the hotel is happy to provide room service.

More Information

The Heathman Hotel

1001 SW Broadway

Portland, Oregon

Phone: 503.241.4100

Toll-free: 800.551.0011

heathmanhotel.com

Lucky Labrador Brewing Co.

915 Hawthorne Blvd.

Portland, Oregon

Phone: 503.236.3555

luckylab.com

The Pampered Pet Package includes:

• Deluxe accommodations for two people

• Complimentary continental breakfast

• $15 beverage credit in the Marble Bar

• Art of Sleep Luxury Bed Menu for you

• Bark of Sleep Pet Bed Menu for your pooch

• Four-legged friend goody bag at check-in

• Water bowl, pet waste dispenser and bags

• Complimentary office visit and exam at any Banfield Pet Hospital

• Complimentary area walking guide

• Portland dog-friendly restaurant guide

By Jamie 'Cowbelly' | Posted in editorial | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (1)

Workshop announcement: Cowbelly Summer 2012 Workshop: July 12th-15th in Seattle

February 15, 2012 – 1:24 pm

The dates are set, the hotel is booked, and very soon I will be ready to (virtually) meet the group who will be coming to Seattle to shoot, learn, grow, think and play with me! And then in July, we’ll meet in person and share an incredible experience in the beautiful summer Seattle weather!

WHO: Teacher Jamie Pflughoeft of Seattle-based Cowbelly Pet Photography

WHAT: Cowbelly Beginner’s Workshop. More information here: http://www.cowbellyworkshops.com/rates.html, FAQ: http://www.cowbellyworkshops.com/faq.html

WHEN: Thursday July 12th-Sunday July 15th, 2012. http://www.cowbellyworkshops.com/dates.html

WHERE: Downtown Seattle. Hotel Max. Shoots are at local parks.

WHY: Because you want to absorb 9 years of pet photography knowledge from an industry professional who has been working the business full time since 2005, and because you kinda need those contracts and forms and stuff, and you would love to visit Seattle and make some new friends, and most of all, have a blast photographing dogs!

HOW: Register by following the steps on the register page (http://www.cowbellyworkshops.com/register.html), anytime starting AT or AFTER 12 noon PST on February 21st. Registration will be open until May 4th, but the 15 spaces are expected to fill much earlier than that. (Registration emails won’t be accepted prior to February 21st at noon PST).

Hope to see some of you there! :-)

By Jamie 'Cowbelly' | Posted in Workshops | Tagged , , , , | Comments (0)

Happy Valentines Day!

February 14, 2012 – 3:12 pm

Fergie and I wish you a day filled with love, light, puppy kisses and joy!

Fergie Valentine 2012 by Cowbelly Pet Photography

Fergie Valentine 2012 by Cowbelly Pet Photography

Fergie Valentine 2012 by Cowbelly Pet Photography

Be sure to snuggle up to your pets tonight (and every night)! Their little lives are so short and you’ve gotta love them up every chance you get!

By Jamie 'Cowbelly' | Posted in Fergie, miscellaneous randomness | Tagged , , , | Comments (4)

CityDog Magazine Editorial: Deluxe Digs: Maxwell Hotel Seattle

February 10, 2012 – 10:30 am

This article is re-posted with permission from CityDog Magazine, from a recent overnight Deluxe Digs we did with Miss Ferguson herself, who thoroughly enjoyed her stay (as did her mama!). Enjoy!

Magic at the Maxwell


A giant mosaic pineapple is the first thing you see as you walk through the doors of The Maxwell Hotel. More than art, it is a symbol of hospitality, welcoming you and your four-legged friend to what promises to be a delightful stay.

Written by Brandie Ahlgren | Photography by Jamie Pflughoeft

Magic at the Maxwell

In fact, it says it right on the brochure, the Maxwell Hotel is “designed to delight the senses.” With pops of color throughout (chartreuse, turquoise and orange, to name a few) and a mix of patterns and textiles, one would think “designed for sensory overload.” But, Seattle interior decorator Karen Earl makes it work beautifully. Be sure to appreciate the mural in the hotel lobby, commissioned from painter Victor Ostrovsky to celebrate The Maxwell’s grand opening and to honor Seattle’s art scene. The hotel is filled with other fun, creative and unexpected touches as well, like colorful art tiles, handcrafted by local children, accenting the indoor swimming pool. Or, the bright yellow bumbershoots (er, umbrellas) in the lobby.

Located at the base of Queen Anne, just a few miles north of downtown Seattle, the locally- and family-owned Maxwell Hotel opened in March 2010 and has been dog friendly since day one. In fact, the Foreman family dogs, Kiska, Pierre and MeToo, are a few of the hotel’s first four-legged guests!

Sleep. Of the hotel’s 139 rooms, 18 are dog friendly and available in three categories: Aria Suite, Duet Suite and Prima Donna Suite. The Aria Suite features a king bed, walk-in shower and views of Queen Anne Hill or the Space Needle. The Duet Suite features two queen beds, a walk-in shower and views of Queen Anne Hill or the Space Needle. I’m staying in the Prima Donna Suite, which features two king beds, a seating area with sofa sleaper, spa tub, separate walk-in shower and a view of the Space Needle. All three categories feature a 42” flat screen TV, complimentary WiFi (bonus!), in-room safe, a refrigerator and microwave, a Keurig coffee maker plus an iPod docking station/alarm clock. Karen Earl’s design touch can be seen throughout the suites as well, with black and white floral bed linens, chartreuse ottomans, argyle-patterned chairs, and a turquoise couch (in the Prima Donna Suite). She is one designer who does not shy away from color!

As I mentioned earlier, the Maxwell Hotel is located in the Queen Anne neighborhood of Seattle, but what I didn’t mention, is that it also sits adjacent to Seattle Center, home to the world-famous Space Needle. Also within close promixity, is Intiman Theater, the Seattle Opera, Seattle Children’s Theatre, Experience Music Project and Teatro ZinZanni, a three-hour whirlwind of cirque, comedy and cabaret all served up with a five-course gourmet meal.

Eat. Speaking of gourmet, I’d heard rave reviews about Toulouse Petit, a newly opened restaurant within walking distance from the Maxwell. Before getting too settled in to our suites, photographer Jamie Pflughoeft and I decide to check it out…and, wow! It took us over half an hour to pour over the menu. Not including the extensive beer, wine and cocktail lists (pomegranate mojito anyone?), the menu features over 120 dishes—delicious sounding items like Jumbo Barbecued Shrimp New Orleans over Creamy Corn Grits, Halibut Wrapped with Proscuitto di Parma over a Poblano-Leek Chowder, or a classic New York Strip Loin, accompanied by a Stilton Bleu Cheese Quenelle (which I learned, is a dumpling).

My first choice was Cured Pork Cheeks Confit Hash, described on the menu like this: “This dish was featured on the fall season premier of the Food Network’s ‘The Best Thing I Ever Ate.’” With a description like that, who could resist? Sadly, I was told they were out of the hash, so I settled on the Buttermilk Fried Petit Half Chicken, with a Black Pepper Tasso Gravy (oh, darn). Jamie went with ‘Sinister’ Pan Seared Shrimp and a Frisee, Arugula and Bacon Lardons Salad.

I’ll definitely be heading back to try the hash, but Toulouse Petit also serves up a great happy hour, with 50 items priced at less than $5. Early happy hour is from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and late happy hour is from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. Or, if you have a hankering for breakfast, all of the items are just six bucks!

With leftovers in-hand, we head back to the Maxwell to rest our weary heads before a big day tomorrow exploring Queen Anne’s dog-friendly haunts.

Play. First stop, Myrtle Edwards Park. Myrtle Edwards features a 1.25-mile bike and pedestrian paths, with fantastic views of the Olympic Mountains, Mount Rainier and Puget Sound. It’s a great place to stroll with the pooch, or the Maxwell offers complimentary use of its bicycles if you wish to explore that way.

Next to Myrtle Edwards Park, also be sure to visit the Olympic Sculpture Park with your four-legged buddy. Once a nine-acre industrial site, the sculpture park is now an open and vibrant green space for displaying art. Located along Seattle’s waterfront, residents and visitors alike can experience a variety of sculptures in an outdoor setting, all year round and for free!

Seattle is very lucky to boast a large number of parks and green spaces and if you really want to get the heart pumping, head up the hill to Bhy Kracke Park, located at 1215 5th Avenue. This unusual park with an unusual name is perched on a steeply sloping hillside with great views of Seattle, Lake Union and Capitol Hill. (I am told by Jamie, who is a former resident of Queen Anne, that this was her favorite park to hang with Fergie.) Further up the hill, on Upper Queen Anne, is David Rodgers Park (known to residents as “Rodgers Park”), a peaceful nine-acre park with plenty of room to play.

Upper Queen Anne also boasts two pet stores: All the Best Pet Care and Mes Amis, so before or after your romp in the park, pick up some yummy treats for your pooch. If you happen to be strolling along upper Queen Anne Avenue, look for the “Dogs Welcome” sign at Oslo’s, a men’s high end clothing store. Maybe Oslo himself, the shop owner’s friendly golden retriever, will be there to greet you and your furry friend.

Eat some more. At the time of this writing, the Maxwell Hotel does not have a restaurant, but there is no shortage of food options nearby (we already raved about Toulouse Petit). However, if you prefer to hang out at the hotel with your hound, then pick up a bite at Metropolitan Market. They have an amazing deli, with chef-prepared entrees, hearty sandwiches, innovative soups and creative salads. Remember, the Maxwell’s suites include a refrigerator and microwave. Another option (and a favorite of mine) is Trader Joe’s. While they don’t have a full-service deli, they do carry a wide selection of ready made sandwiches.

All in all, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the Maxwell Hotel. Whether traveling on business, pleasure or both, it’s the perfect place for you and your pooch to rest your pretty heads.

More Information

The Maxwell Hotel

300 Roy Street

Seattle, Wash.

Hotel Direct: 206.286.0629

Toll Free: 1.877.298.9728

themaxwellhotel.com

Rates for dog-friendly rooms in three categories range from $159 for an Aria Suite, $179 for a Duet Suite and $239 for a Prima Donna Suite (rates are an estimate and may change depending on season and availability). The Aria Suite features a king bed, walk-in shower and views of Queen Anne Hill or the Space Needle. The Duet Suite features two queen beds, walk-in shower and views of Queen Anne Hill or the Space Needle. The Prima Donna Suite features two king beds, seating area with sofa sleaper, spa tub, separate walk-in shower and a view of the Space Needle.

All suites feature a 42” flat screen TV, complimentary WiFi, in-room safe, refrigerator, Keurig coffee maker and iPod docking station/alarm clock. $20 pet fee per day, per dog. Free parking.

Toulouse Petit

601 Queen Anne Ave N

Seattle, Wash.

Phone: 206.432.9069

toulousepetit.com

Trader Joe’s

112 W Galer Street

Seattle, Wash.

Phone: 206.378.5536

traderjoes.com

Metropolitan Market

1908 Queen Anne Ave N

Seattle, Wash.

Phone: 206.284.2530

metropolitan-market.com

All the Best

2127 Queen Anne Ave N

Seattle, Wash.

Phone: 206.283.3959

allthebestpetcare.com

Mes Amis

321 West Galer Street

Seattle, Wash.

Phone: 206.283.6064

shopmesamis.com

By Jamie 'Cowbelly' | Posted in editorial, Fergie, seattle dog photography | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (0)
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