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Snake Guru Saving all the Creepy, Crawly Critters in Arizona
We recently met Nicholas Massimo, 36, from Phoenix, Arizona, who is a herpetologist and owner of Snake Guru, LLC. A herpetologist is an expert in biology of reptiles and amphibians and follow careers in teaching, research, conservation and zoo-keeping which is the end goal for the Snake Guru. What happens if you find a rattlesnake during your midnight munchies? Nick also offers 24/7 professional reptile relocation and removal services in Phoenix, Arizona and surrounding cities. Let’s deep dive into this interesting world of Arizona’s own Crocodile Dundee with a question and answer session below! Q: How did you get into being a “Snake Guru”? A: I have over 15 years…
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Non-Profit Portraits for Good Inspires Pet Paintings With Proceeds to Charity
Photos by Alix Greenberg, story by Tiffany C. DuBois Explore friends, meet a remarkable lady named Alix Greenberg. She is the founder and president of Portraits for Good, a non-profit organization that allows people to pick a portrait that is already done, or commission a portrait and part of the proceeds benefits the charity of their choice. Below is my interview with Ms. Greenberg and I hope you enjoy it! Q: I know that you have a master in portraiture, do you occasionally mix your formal education with your painting? A: I have a Master of Arts in Modern Art, Connoisseurship, and the History of the Art Market – I received my…
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Tasty Wine, Tempting Cheeses, Music and Even Goat Yoga at 8th Annual Skippack Winetober Festival
Story, photos by Jill Beckel Explore Philly had a blast at Skippack’s 8th Annual Winetober Fest. The event took place on an October weekend and we chose to attend the Saturday daytime session. Skippack, PA is an adorable small town located in Montgomery County. With lots of little shops, restaurants and bars, the quaint town offers a lot of things to check out. We picked up our entrance passes, wine cup (attendees could upgrade to receive a wine glass with the VIP passes) and were off to sample all the wines! Some of the stand-out wines included a large sampling from A’Dello Vineyard & Winery. We love fruit-infused wines and they had several…
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Get Your First Walk Free with On-Demand Dog Walking App Wag!
Wag!, the first app to provide dog owners with instant access to quality dog walkers, is announcing its launch in 16 new cities nationwide after successful launches in major markets such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York. Its launch in Philadelphia is part of the company’s plan for continued growth across the nation. And whether it’s doing doggie yoga on the pier or playing a game of fetch at Schuylkill River Park, there is really no limit to the way owners in Philly can bond with their dogs. The City of Brotherly Love also loves pets which is why Wag! is a perfect fit for Philadelphians. In fact, Wag! is so…
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Get Licked at Ritz-Carlton’s Aqimero ‘Yappy Hour’ Benefit During Dog Days of Summer
Story, photos by Sharon Kozden Welcome to the dog days of summer. The Ritz-Carlton’s Aqimero Lounge hosted their inaugural Yappy Hour to benefit Hemlock Edge Rescue, a non-profit organization “dedicated to rescuing homeless, abandoned and abused animals”. As I made my way to the iconic hotel on one of the hottest days to date, I pondered the dog days of summer phrase. Its perception as we know it – one of listless and seemingly catatonic canines stilled by heat so sultry and oppressive – allowed me to feel at one with man’s best friend. I ascended the Ritz-Carlton’s steps, panting and tugging my dress loose from sticky skin as sweat rivulets collected…
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Letting the Dogs In: How to Tell a Service Animal from a Health Hazard
Story by Rebecca Lightle Hospitality establishments nationwide are seeing more patrons accompanied by furry friends. This trend presents special challenges for the food-service industry. Restaurants must generally follow local health rules that prohibit animals on the premises. But the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Title III, requires places of public accommodation – such as restaurants – to admit “service animals” who assist individuals with disabilities and who meet behavior standards, including in buffet lines or communal food-preparation areas. Only dogs are considered “service animals” under the ADA (although many of the law’s protections also apply to miniature horses). To qualify as a service animal, a dog must be individually trained to…
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Cats and Coffee Are the Purrfect Pair at Japanese Inspired Kawaii Cat Cafe
Photos, story by Jill Beckel Cats, freshly brewed coffee and sweet treats – what more could one want? The Kawaii Kitty Café is the perfect place to stop in for a quick cup of joe or relax and play with a cute cat. Located on 759 South 4th Street in Philadelphia, it just opened at the end of June. Explore Philly stopped in just a week after the opening and got to meet the proud owners, Kristin Eissler and her boyfriend, Joe Ronca. How did they come up with such a unique name? According to their website, “In Japanese, the adjective Kawaii translates to ‘Cute, Pretty, Charming, Dear, and Pet’…
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The Cat’s Out of the Bag: Le Cat Cafe Saves Cats for Loving Homes
Photos, story by Jill Beckel To say that the talent of Explore Philly are cat lovers is an extreme understatement. We love cats, sharing cat videos and memes, and pretty much anything cat-related. When we got a chance to check out Le Cat Café, we practically purred with joy. Le Cat Café opened March 9, 2016 on 2713 W. Girard Avenue, Philadelphia. The owner, Kathy Jordan, has been doing animal rescue work since 2002. She loves cats and has 12 of her own at home! Le Cat Cafe is a non-profit organization that hopes to find homes for lots of deserving cats in addition to offering a unique cafe experience to its cat-loving visitors. In…
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The Trestle Inn Gets Clean with Philadelphia Pet Hotel, PAWS at the Dog Wash
by Jean Donohue Beer, music, a 60s style go-go dancer, and… dogs? The Philadelphia Pet Hotel partnered with The Trestle Inn for an event that featured all of the above and more. Inspired by the 1970s blockbuster hit “Car Wash,” the partnership delivered a sidewalk party that was perfect for dog lovers. The event was a benefit for PAWS, Philadelphia’s largest no-kill animal shelter. For dog owners, $35 was worth a dog wash, a donation to PAWS, and two pints of Neshaminy Creek Croydon Cream Ale. For those without a dog in tow, a $20 donation to PAWS came with two pints of beer. Extras included a full bar inside The Trestle Inn…