Welcome to dog paradise

Hey, you would have done the same thing.

My friend Ron came home one rainy day to find an adorable little dog sitting on his front porch. The dog looked at Ron with his big brown eyes and said, “Please, nice man, please won’t you find me a home?”

Well, not really. But he might as well have.

Ron quickly launched an aggressive campaign to get me to adopt this furry nomad, an operation I staunchly resisted until I made the rookie mistake of meeting said dog.

I fell immediately and irretrievably in love. And I have been a ridiculous dog enthusiast ever since.

Not one shred of clothing I own is free of dog hair. There are half-chewed bones artfully strewn throughout my house. I have even been known to throw a slobbery toy called ISM (for “indeterminate stuffed mammal”) while I eat my dinner. It’s disgusting.

But I’m not alone. I know an accomplished professional woman, for instance, who watches her little guy on the doggie day care’s Web cam when she’s away on business. Another couple, busy with their dual careers and year-old son, still have time to take their troubled canine to his therapy sessions.

Wisely grasping the financial possibilities of all this rampant dog mania, Willows Lodge recently introduced the Willows Very Important Pet program.

The lodge, right smack in the Woodinville, Wash., wine country, offers a doggie room service menu with, among other things, rrrRRRibs, a $2 appetizer made of whole-wheat flour, tomatoes, garlic and molasses; a hungry mongrel turkey burger for $7; and boxer brownies made of whole wheat, applesauce, carob and honey yogurt frosting for $5.

That may sound yucky to you, but you’re not a dog.

Your canine companion also gets a welcome card from Preston, the house dog; an issue of Citydog magazine; and a map of good walks.

Sure, Willows Lodge has a garden walk; a collection of artwork displayed on its five-acre grounds bordering the Sammamish River; The Herbfarm Restaurant, named one of the country’s top 50 restaurants by Condé Nast; etc., etc., etc.

Did I mention the doggie bed turn-down service, complete with rawhide bone?

I told you. I’m ridiculous.

Your dog can get a reservation at www.willowslodge.com. Or you can help him or her dial (425) 424-3900.

Ring the buzzards

Now, I understand you may not be a big dog fan. Some of you prefer cats, or fish, or maybe buzzards.

And buzzard lovers, your day has come.

It’s June 10. Makoshika State Park, near Glendive, Mont., has designated that as Buzzard Day, and they’re welcoming the turkey vultures home for the spring with a pancake breakfast, nature walks, the 8K Buzzard Run, games and still more food.

Makoshika – Sioux for “bad earth” or “bad land” – is Montana’s largest state park. It’s home to fossil remains of dinosaurs like the tyrannosaurus and triceratops, sandstone formations, cacti, summer wildflowers, hiking trails and a visitor center with exhibits on the area’s geology and prehistoric life.

Learn more at www.midrivers.com/~chamber/mako.htm or (406) 377-6256.

Just plain folk

If you’re still looking for a Memorial Day weekend adventure, you can join about 250,000 of your closest friends at the 2006 Northwest Folklife Festival at the Seattle Center, Friday through May 29.

The jam-packed celebration is the largest folk, ethnic and traditional arts event in North America. More than 6,000 musicians, dancers, artists and others will participate in the festival’s music and dance performances, visual arts and folklore exhibits, workshops, films, craft and cooking demonstrations and more.

Here are a few highlights:

Friday’s musical offerings feature marimbas, steel drums, bluegrass, hip-hop, folk, Argentine tango, blues, flamenco, indie pop and more.

And remember, that’s just one day.

The weekend’s workshops cover everything from Basque music to juggling to spoon-playing to Arabian dance.

Each year, organizers choose a different community upon which to focus, and this year they’re showcasing “Arab Communities of the Pacific Northwest.”

More than 10,000 people of Arab descent live in the Seattle area, and a number of them will be on hand to share something of their culture with attendees. The Arab Dance Party leads things off Friday night, and on Sunday, Lebanese singer-guitarist May Nasr will perform with reed flautist Nadeem Klaikan and violinist-oud player Simon Shaheen.

Documentary films will depict Arab and Arab-American life, and panels and workshops will cover such subjects as Arab feminism, the history of Arab music, henna decoration, religions in the Arab world and Arabic food. Two art exhibits will display paintings, calligraphy, photographs, cultural articles and more.

Festival admission is free, although organizers suggest a $5 donation each day. The entire exuberant schedule is on the festival’s Web site at www.nwfolklife.org. Or call (206) 684-7300.

Regional events

• Maryhill Winery Anniversary Celebration, Saturday-May 29, Goldendale, Wash. The winery will toast its fifth year with live music, a barbecue, birthday cake and wine specials. (www.maryhillwinery.com/877-627-9445)

• Pike Place Market Street Festival, June 3-4, Seattle. Jazz and blues musicians will provide the soundtrack as you visit the beer garden, wine garden, artisans’ booths, cooking demonstrations and dog parade. Admission is free (www.pikeplacemarketstreetfestival.com)