Stevie the Wonder dog Extraordinary Dog!
Skyler the therapy dog Amazing Dog!
prayerS For kyra — #80 Bucket List
toWpath
(cover of a magazine)
Courageous Dog!
parkerpup Famous Dog! Fall 2012
DOG NETwORK.TV
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FALL 9 From Trash to
Treasure Apollo
12 Dogs in Love 16 Dog Proof Your Home 22 2012 Halloween Costume 24 28
Contest Winners
I Love My Old, Senior Dog!
Amazing Dog! Skyler the Therapy Dog
Extraordinary Dog! Stevie the Wonder Dog
30 32
Courageous Dog! Towpath
***Cover photo of TOWPATH by Photographer Kelly Craig
Why is KYRA ROOT on the cover of American Dog Magazine? Kyra Root is a little 8-year-old girl who is dying of cancer, and her mom says, "now that the end is near, we want to do as much as we can squeeze into her beautiful life." Kyra has a pretty long bucket list of things she would love to accomplish, and #80 was to have a photo of her in a magazine. Spartacusthe-Wonderbull posted an urgent plea on Facebook saying, "Does anyone know how or who we can get to put Kyra's face on the cover of a magazine?" I saw that posting and responded immediately saying that American Dog Magazine would step up and help fulfill this beautiful child's wish and add her photo with our other cover models for the fall 2012 issue. American Dog Magazine is honored and humbled to have been able to help make this wish come true and all our prayers go out to Krya and her family during this difficult time. Kyra has her bucket list posted on her Facebook page, so please take a look to see if there is anything you are able to help her with. Become a fan at: www.facebook.com/PrayersforKyra
4 Fall 2012 | American Dog Media
36 44
Famous Dogs on Facebook
46
Role Model: Devotion C.H.A.I.N.E.D. Inc.
Role Model: Compassion The Mia Foundation
Role Model: Dedication National Mill Dog Rescue
51
52
Role Model: True Grit Letters For Lucy
55 Explore
Las Vegas, NV
TABLE OF CONTENTS
2012
VOLUME 5, ISSUE 3
56 Fitness
Dog Agility
Training Methods: What Is Best For Your Dog?
Kale and Spinach
60
63 Health: 64
Dr’s Corner: Over 50% of Dogs in the U.S. are Obese!
66 Wellness
Rawhide Bones
Dog Theft
Featured Author Jennifer Skiff
Featured Author Ken Foster
69 Safety 70 72 74 76
78
Book Reviews Happily Ever After The Captain Man
Happily Ever After KOBE
80
82
Happily Ever After Miera the Bait Dog
Happily Ever After Peanut American Dog Media | Fall 2012 5
FOUNDER / PUBLISHER
JAMIE M DOWNEY
EDITOR IN CHIEF
JAMIE M DOWNEY
ART DIRECTOR CREATIVE DIRECTOR SENIOR EDITOR MANAGING EDITOR COPY EDITOR ADVERTISING DIRECTOR PRODUCTION COORDINATOR
KELLY MAYER MICHAEL ANTONE DAVID REVIERTER CASEY RODARBAL DEBORAH JOHNSON JAMIE M DOWNEY KIM THORNTON
SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR
JAMIE M DOWNEY
DISTRIBUTION MANAGER
JOHN HADDOCK
BUSINESS MANAGER SUBSCRIPTION MANAGER
ANN JAMISON EMMA BROWN
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Laura L. McKeever, DVM, Jann O'Leary, Ken Foster, Jennifer Skiff, Celene Wasserman, Will Stolzenburg, Doug and Elizabeth Simpson, Jen Milner, Gina Freemon, Laura Neesmith, Kristen Torchia, Lindsay Gamble, Sue Rogers, Rudi Taylor, Vanessa Petrosky CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: Brandon and Tracy Lopez, Jann O'Leary, Celene Wasserman, Will Stolzenburg, Jen Milner, Kelly Craig, Gina Freemon, Janaye Book, Janet Conley, Jessica Ramirez, Laura Neesmith, Kristen Torchia, Lindsay Gamble, Sue Rogers, |National Mill Dog Rescue, Flyin Fur Pet Photography, Vanessa Petrosky
How to reach us: The Dog Publishing, DBA: The American Dog 20269 E. Smoky Hill Rd. #B-136 Centennial, CO 80015 Phone: (303) 840-6111 (Colorado) info@theamericandogmag.com www.theamericandogmag.com For advertising Inquiries: Email to: advertise@theamericandogmag.com Letters to the editor/story ideas: Email to: editor@theamericandogmag.com Subscription rate is $20 per year within the United States and $50 per year for all foreign subscriptions. U.S. funds only. Subscriptions are non-refundable. Subscribe online: www.theamericandogmag.com
Subscribers: If the postal service alerts us that your magazine is undeliverable, we have no further obligation unless we receive a corrected address within one year. Email change of address to: subscribe@theamericandogmag.com Postmaster: Please forward change of address to: The Dog Publishing 20269 E. Smoky Hill Rd. #B-136 Centennial, CO 80015 Copyright 2012 No part of this publication may be reproduced without expressed written permission of the publisher. No part may be transmitted in any form by any means, including electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission from the publisher. Publisher accepts no liability for solicited or unsolicited materials that are damaged or lost. Views expressed by editorial contributors do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher.
6 Fall 2012 | American Dog Media
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FROm TRASH TO TREASURE
SLATED FOR EUTHANASIA TO LIVING LIFE ON THE FARM!
By Jann o’ leary (apollo’s neW mama)
This is Apollo. He was surrendered (dumped) by his family in January 2012 to a Pennsylvania animal shelter for euthanasia, because he was old. A local boxer rescue group stepped in to save him and we agreed to foster him for the rescue group. Apollo had a terrible skin rash, lumps and bumps everywhere, and arthritis. Since then, we also realized he has a thyroid issue. When he came to us, he was completely shut down. With lots of love, the right food, and some medical attention, Apollo is now trotting around our farm in Boyertown, PA. He goes to work every afternoon to supervise the horse
operation. He likes to lay in the barn with me when I am working so he doesn’t miss anything, and he enjoys checking on the resident barn cats. Apollo also has a buddy, his younger boxer brother, Moose, who loves to follow him around the farm. The chief farm dog is Peidles, a border collie, and they have mutual respect for each other. Obviously, Apollo is not leaving us. He will spend his last years on his farm with the people who love him. Sometimes, I really wish the people who threw him away could see him now; the younger, happier version that I feel privileged to love.
American Dog Media | Fall 2012
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DOGS IN LOVE
Foster Grant & Baron
Ghandi & Moxy
Prince & Manny Rosie & Chloe
Sparky & Abby Spot & Lilo 12
Fall 2012 | American Dog Media
DOGS IN LOVE
Greta & Jake
Jake & Spartacus
Kayla & Harlow
Milo & Lady Bug
Sylvester & Starla
Yoda & Nina American Dog Media | Fall 2012
13
DOGS IN LOVE
Bailey & Bentley Mya & Brutus
Raleigh & Maya Sookie & Roxy
Tucker & Shadow Bailey & Roscoe 14
Fall 2012 | American Dog Media
DOG PROOF YOUR HOUSE!
Responsible parents who have babies or young children in the house know they should “child-proof” their home, and the same rule applies when you have puppies or pets in your house. Here are some tips to keep your dogs safe and out of harm’s way.
CLEANING SUPPLIES
should be kept in a secure cabinet with a latch on the door or placed up on a shelf that your dog is not able to reach.
MEDICINES
such as aspirin, pills, and other pharmaceutical drugs that you keep in your bathroom should always be put away in the medicine cabinet and not left out on the counters or night stands.
TRASH CANS can be an open invitation for a dog to not only leave a big mess on the floor, but they could get an upset stomach from devouring the trash, or require an emergency trip to the vet. Make sure the lid is always secure and keep the trash can in a closet or place the dog can’t get into. 16 Fall 2012 | American Dog Media
DOG PROOF YOUR HOUSE!
DIRTY SOCKS
left lying on the floor can be awfully tasty to a dog, and if eaten, could cause blockage in their digestive system and require emergency surgery to remove, or even worse – death.
ELECTRICAL CORDS
can be considered a toy to chew on if you’re a dog, so all cords should be taped down or covered to protect your dog from getting shocked or electrocuted. This is a very common injury for dogs that result in burns when they chew on cords and get electrocuted.
TOXIC
FOODS
to dogs include chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, tomatoes, corn cobs, garlic, mushrooms, fruit with seeds in it, macadamia nuts, alcoholic beverages, coffee and tea, bread dough, and bones from chicken or fish. All foods should be put away in secure cabinets, the pantry, or in the refrigerator and never left out on the counter.
You should take a look around each room in your house and make sure that everything is out of reach and off the floor away from your dog’s paws or mouth. Keep closet doors closed, install childproof locks on cabinet doors, and make sure there are no small, loose objects lying around like strings, rubber bands, glue, or beads which can be dangerous if swallowed.
American Dog Media | Fall 2012 17
A PLACE to BARK
WE NEED YOUR HELP TO CONTINUE OUR MISSION TO SAVE ANIMALS LIVES!
Photo by Joseph FrazzPhotography A PLACE TO BARK RESCUE is a non-profit, no kill foster and adoption rescue located in Portland, TN, that is dedicated to the welfare of animals and was founded by Bernie Berlin. “Established in 2001, we mainly work with Animal Control Agencies, rescuing animals from high kill shelters and fostering them until they are healthy. This provides an ideal situation for the animals. They are then placed for adoption through Humane Societies in various parts of the country. We cover all costs for the medical care of the animals with no cost to the Humane Societies. We also handle some private adoptions after a strict screening process. We receive no government assistance and are solely funded through private donations.�
Please consider making a donation today to A Place To Bark Rescue A Place To Bark * PO Box 649 * Portland, TN 37148 * (615)681-2631
Website: www.aplacetobark.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/A-Place-To-Bark
2012 Halloween costume contest
AMERICAN DOG MAGAZINE Presents our
2nd annual Halloween Costume contest Congrats to the TOP 20 WINNERS
2012 Halloween Costume contest winners! Special thanks to our sponsors, Mulligan Stew Pet Food and Ohana Pet Organics
1
2
olivia
3
chloe
5
4
RUFIO
Lily Mae
6
Dixie Belle 22 Fall 2012 | American Dog Media
Sampson
7
Everst
8
BILLE VALENTINE
2012 Halloween costume contest
9
10
Rocco & Cricket
MAX
12
UNLUCKY VICTOR
13
RUBY ROO
DAISY
18
14
RAVEN ROCKSTAR
16
15
Oscar, Leila & Lando
11
BELLA & FINNY
17
OZZIE& KIWI
20
19
TITUS TWINKI GURL PARIS PENICK & HAILEY American Dog Media | Fall 2012 23
I LOVE mY OLD SENIOR DOG!
KIMBER 10 yrs old
Sunny
Sassy 10 yrs old
12 yrs old
Maia 9 yrs old
George
Moreno
12 yrs old
17 yrs old
Maui
11 yrs old
Youji
Tootsie 17 yrs old
12 yrs old
Franklin 12 yrs old
Bruin 12 yrs old 24
Fall 2012 | American Dog Media
Blazer 14 yrs old
I LOVE mY OLD SENIOR DOG!
OB E
Suz y
Oliver 14 yrs old
12 yrs old
Harley 13 yrs old
Nelle
Jimmy Dean 11 y rs ol d (RIP)
14 yrs old
L eo 11 yrs old
Nanny
Buster 11 y rs ol d
9 y rs ol d
Barkley 12 yrs old
Reilly
Missy
15 yrs old
12 yrs old American Dog Media | Fall 2012
25
I LOVE mY OLD SENIOR DOG!
Bandit 15 yrs old
Ralphie
Clutch 12 yrs old
13 yrs old (RIP)
Luke 12 yrs old
Lady
Belle 16 yrs old
13 yrs old
Bri e 12 yrs old
Ocean
Muffin 15 yrs old
10 yrs old
Tonka 10 yrs old
Nick
12 yrs old 26
Fall 2012 | American Dog Media
Rocky 10 yrs old
I LOVE mY OLD SENIOR DOG!
K ilo 11 yrs old
TALISKER
Winston
17 y rs ol d
10 yrs old
Petunia 17 y rs ol d
Emma
Ralphie 12 y rs ol d
12 yrs old
Granite 12 yrs old
Honey Bear
Bailey Rose 14 y rs ol d
13 y rs ol d
Franny 13 yrs old
Gracie 14 y rs ol d
Kymmie American Dog Media | Fall 2012
27
AMAZING DOG!
SKYLER THE THERAPY DOG Spreading love and happiness through positive Pit Bull awareness By Celene Wasserman (Skyler’s mama)
How did Skyler become part of your family? Skyler and her sister were left at a construction site when they were only puppies. A woman called the animal hospital and reported that a man had left the puppies there. She said the black and white puppy, now Skyler, had something very wrong with her eye and needed veterinary care. I told her to bring the puppies right in and I would find someone to take care of them and adopt them out. The vet took a look at Skyler’s eye and determined she had something called entropion and would need several surgeries to fully repair it. I took her home with me in the interim and was instantly in love. I decided shortly thereafter that she was officially part of my family. When did Skyler become a registered therapy dog? Shortly after Skyler joined the family it became obvious she was born to do therapy work. She was the most quiet, docile, loving puppy I had ever met. At 14 weeks I enrolled her in puppy kindergarten and I realized she was extremely smart and would do anything to please. We quickly progressed into intermediate and
28 Fall 2012 | American Dog Media
then advanced training. By the age of 10 months Skyler had her CGC, and as soon as she turned 1 we began our therapy observations and had our therapy license in no time. I knew Skyler had found her calling in the world. When we slip that vest on - her whole face lights up and she’s ready to work! escribe the D therapy work, educational events, and charity work Skyler does? Skyler’s first therapy visits began with Clay County Humane Society’s Therapy Dog program, visiting rehabilitation centers and assisted living facilities. Shortly after beginning therapy I also reached out to a local group, Pawisitve Pets, where Skyler and I became an official R.E.A.D. (Reading education assistance dog) team. We began going to a local elementary school one day a week for several hours and work one on one with children in the 3rd grade to help boost their reading skills.
AMAZING DOG!
photos by Celene Wasserman
Recently, Skyler and I have turned a lot of our focus on promoting positive pit bull awareness with Pit Sisters, a local pit bull rescue in Jacksonville, FL. Skyler participates in many events to help promote a very positive image for pit bulls. This year alone, Skyler has walked the red carpet at a Beyond the Myth screening, celebrated her 5th birthday with a fundraising event, and attended an event in Miami, FL to help during the recent election where an anti-BSL measure was on the ballot. Skyler has also recently been chosen by Stubbydog to be part of the Superhero program and is part of the top group of the “Super 8” Superheroes. Through this program we will be able to amplify our work and continue to education and raise awareness on both a local and national level. How much time do you and Skyler spend "working?" Skyler and I spend most weekends attending events for positive pit bull awareness and we do our therapy work during the week. Skyler has become very used to the suitcases coming out and traveling all over the US to spread the word about how amazing pit bulls can be and what amazing therapy dogs they can make. Skyler has been all the way across the country from Florida to Washington State
to Maine. She lets me know when she needs a break, and like most dogs, she likes to lounge around sometimes. Skyler suffers from an autoimmune disease which we have under pretty good control, but I watch her closely to know when she’s tired. She is always a trooper, pretty much ready for anything and always has a smile on. Favorite activities? Favorite toys? Favorite food? Skyler will do just about anything for food! Next to therapy work she lives to eat. Give her a snack and she’s your best friend for life! Skyler has never been too big on playing with toys, but she has one bunny that she has had since she was 10 weeks old and sleeps with it on most nights. Skyler is mostly known for her love of blankets. She has several of her very own blankets from a company called ‘my doggie blankee,’ and we can’t travel anywhere without bringing a couple with us. The minute you put her blankee on the bed or in the car, she curls up and goes right to sleep. Is there any person that Skyler helped changed their perception about Pit Bulls? Skyler has changed many minds and turned their perception of pit bulls
around. Our most memorable moment was in R.E.A.D at the elementary school. In our first group of children, one of the little girls we worked with was so terrified of dogs she didn’t even want to sit in the same room with Skyler, so we began with her sitting on the other side of a doorway. By the third week, the child was sitting about 5 feet from Skyler, and by the end of the 8 week session she was lying on Skyler using her as a pillow while she read. At the very last session, the little girl was begging to stay in the program for another 8 weeks! Another memorable moment of perception change was with a gentleman at our first Beyond the Myth screening. He came to the event with his family in hopes his perception could be changed. At first he just came up and spoke with me and petted Skyler on the head. Then, of course in her Skyler fashion, she rolled over at his feet and before we knew it, he was sitting on the ground with her and couldn’t get over how loving she was. He had no idea that pit bulls had such big hearts, but now he knows, and is forever changed and reeducated.
You can follow Skyler on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/pages/ Skyler-the-Therapy-DogPositivePit-Bull-Awareness
American Dog Media | Fall 2012 29
EXTRAORDINARY DOG!
STEVIE
THE WONDER DOG! A blind Pit Bull who clearly saw his calling and became a therapy dog By Jen Milner (Stevie’s mama!)
How did Stevie become part of your family? Stevie and his two sisters were dropped off at a shelter in Salt Lake when they were just five weeks old. All three puppies were blind, probably from inbreeding. They would have been put down, but a volunteer with the Utah Animal Advocacy Foundation saw them and pulled them from the shelter. UAAF took on all their medical costs
30 Fall 2012 | American Dog Media
and got them ready for adoptions. We foster through UAAF and met Stevie and his sister Ginger when we were dropping off two of our foster pups. My partner Brian fell in love and wanted to bring Stevie home immediately, but we had five older dogs at the time. I wasn't sure how they would do with a puppy and needed some time to think about it. The next weekend Brian brought Stevie home for a "trial," and he's been here ever since.
When did Stevie become a registered therapy dog? Stevie passed his evaluation with the Delta Society (now Pet Partners) in November of 2010, but it took a little extra time to get all his paperwork processed. Since he was blind and had several seizures when he was younger, we had to get some additional letters and information from our vet. We officially became a team in March of
EXTRAORDINARY DOG! PHOTOS BY JEN MILNER
2011, and we starting doing therapy visits regularly in May of 2011. Describe the therapy and charity work Stevie does? Stevie's regular therapy visits are at the Volunteers of America Adult Detox Center in Salt Lake. The detox center serves mostly low-income and homeless men. It can seem like a rough place to be at first, but it's amazing to watch the clients open up to Stevie. For him, it is just what he does, but for the residents, it’s a break in routine and a positive connection to the outside world. Some people hang back and want to watch him. Others climb on the floor with Stevie and let him cover them in kisses. We hear stories from people about their dogs; many have pit bulls at home. One young man told me that he had a bad experience with a pit bull and wanted Stevie to provide him with a good experience. By the end of the night, they were hugging and playing and having a blast together. How much time do you and Stevie spend "working?" We typically have two one-hour long visits at the detox center every month. Stevie wouldn't consider that work at all. l tell the clients that they are the highlight of his week, but he's not always excited about the baths that he has to take before each visit. Does Stevie attend any charity events? Obviously, we love the Utah Animal Advocacy Foundation for saving Stevie's
life, and we make sure to attend their Ruff House fundraiser every year. We're also big fans of Best Friends, in Southern Utah. They've worked with Salt Lake County Animal Services to implement some wonderful initiatives, including several programs to encourage adoption and responsible ownership of pit bulls. We've also been involved in events for Tooele Animal Outreach and Have Pittie: Pit Bull Rescue of Utah. There are so many great groups doing awesome things here in Salt Lake. We're really fortunate to live in this community, and we hope that other cities will see Salt Lake as an example of how you can use outreach and education to encourage responsible pet ownership. What is a typical weekend like for Stevie the Wonder Dog? Many weekends, we’ll go to the farmers market in downtown Salt Lake. We love to bike, so we take Stevie in our bike trailer. He doesn't love it, but he knows we're going somewhere fun. He loves the farmers market because he gets to "see" so many of his friends. The volunteers at the bike valet say hi first, and then we just start making the rounds. He gets lots of loves and attention. He's always ecstatic when people come over and say hello. If we have time, we'll spend a few minutes at the dog park nearby. After we get home, Stevie will need a few hours to nap, and then we might go for a hike or take a walk around Liberty Park with one or two of our other dogs. In the evening, we'll have some friends over for dinner, and he gets so excited to have people come over. He's very well behaved outside and at our therapy visits, but at home, he insists on cuddling up to guests on the couch and trying to get in their laps.
Does Stevie have any best friends that he likes to play with? Stevie lives with another pittie named Little Bee, a Jack Russell mix named Izzy, and three Chihuahuas named Amos, Olive, and Sweet Pea. Little Bee came to us as a very shy and nervous guy, but he warmed up to Stevie right away. They've learned to play together, and best of all, they are usually found curled up in a pile napping on our couch. Little Bee will probably always be shy, but it's fun to watch Stevie draw him out of his shell and teach him that the world isn't a scary place. Also, a couple weeks ago, we got to see Verrall May, the UAAF volunteer who rescued Stevie and fostered him from 5 weeks to 13 weeks when we adopted him. Stevie lights up whenever he hears Verrall's voice and nothing can keep him away from Verrall. Rescuing dogs can be hard and exhausting, but when you see how much Stevie appreciates what Verrall did over three years ago, you know it's all worth it.
Stevie was recently chosen by the organization Stubby Dog to be part of their Superhero Squad. The squad is made up of eight pit bulls who are also therapy dogs across the country. We're looking forward to working with Stubby Dog to improve the perception of pit bulls. You can follow Stevie on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/stevie.wonder.dog
American Dog Media | Fall 2012 31
COURAGEOUS DOG!
TOwPATH’S STORY: ONE BRAVE LITTLE SOUL
By Will stolzenBurG (toWpatH’s daddy!)
He was standing on the C&O towpath along the Potomac River when I came upon him during my morning run. He didn’t move as I approached; it was enough that he was still standing. He was a fawn-colored pit bull puppy, twenty-something pounds, with big crescent eyes, no collar, and a solid little body that had apparently been run through a meat grinder. His left
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Fall 2012 | American Dog Media
flank was streaked with swaths of missing hide, and his underside from chest to tail glistened of raw flesh. Yet for all the carnage, he stood licking my shin as I phoned home for a ride. He lay quietly cradled in my arms as we stumbled through a thicket of stinging nettle and fallen logs to reach the road. And as we waited on the shoulder for help, he rested his head on my lap. photo by Will StolZenburg
COURAGEOUS DOG! Doctors of medicine would explain this stoic behavior as a classic symptom of shock. But as everyone involved would soon learn, this puppy’s kindness stemmed from something far more noble than any physiological symptom of major trauma. Towpath—as my mate Kathy and I took to calling him—rode without complaint as we rushed him to the Shenandoah Veterinary Hospital in Martinsburg (WV) that afternoon, where doctors otherwise hardened to the goriest displays of bodily insult gasped at the sight, if not the smell. His flesh reeked of rotting meat, of creeping decay. Towpath smelled of death. By whatever torture he’d suffered—and we became increasingly convinced he’d been torched—he’d likely been wandering wounded for days. We were consulted on the possibility of skin grafts, long-term recoveries, and major medical expenses, at best. We were told he would be lucky to survive the night. Had we been triage surgeons relying on the cold logic of probability, our decision would have been easy and this story would have ended there. As it was, we checked Towpath in for the night, kissed him on the head, and told him we’d see him in the morning. And the next morning there he was, odds be damned, greeting us with those saucer eyes - alive and alert. So with a slew of antibiotics and painkillers, he came home with us to begin repairing the wreckage, the scale of which none of us could have then imagined. In the days to come, more patches of Towpath’s fur peeled away, exposing
new swaths of raw flesh. With the expanding wounds and exposed nerves came unprecedented agony. Nights became marathon ordeals of shaking and thrashing and heartrending wails. We took to lying beside Towpath, in our bed or on the floor, hoping to absorb some of his pain. In our moments of exhaustion and despair came temptations of surrender, when we muttered the unthinkable, of ending Towpath’s suffering by the only sure way we knew. Among all his injuries, Towpath’s tail had become most symbolic of the failing struggle, a charred red rope of necrotic flesh. We found a two-inch length of it lying on the floor, like some oddly misplaced fishing lure. The doctors decided to amputate. On the eve of his operation we started a Facebook page—Towpath.the-wonderpup—as both a tribute to Towpath’s spirit and a cathartic exercise of our own blind hope. Within minutes of his launch into cyberspace, Towpath had a burgeoning base of fans, a baffling majority of them strangers knowing nothing more of this battered little stray than a thumbnail portrait and a paragraph. He came home heavily sedated, bandaged, and bob-tailed, while his message board began ringing to a familiar chord, from an international web of thousands sending their love and offers of money to see that Towpath pulled through. But it was Towpath himself who buoyed us beyond words, with heroic little gestures of gigantic import. Like the first time he descended a flight of stairs,
gamely approaching the precipice through an eternity of false starts and nervous yelps, before finally shoving off with a leap of faith toward my waiting arms below. It has now been four months since Towpath was apparently torched and left for dead. In that time he has become the playful puppy we so often prayed for as we watched him lying in agony. To see Towpath now—a solid, tireless, fifty-pound force of stub-wagging love, smothering all comers in sloppy kisses, forever leaving us weary in his wake of joy—it is blessedly easy to forget what he has endured. But sometimes we catch ourselves, staring at his blackened torso like some bizarre form of body art, and we remember. We startle to the horrific thought of our little boy in that unspeakable moment, doused in fluid and set afire. And suddenly we find ourselves wishing the hottest corner in hell for his torturers. Which means we still have much to learn from our indomitable little spirit, in his unfathomable capacity for forgiveness, and in his passion for the moment. We have no doubts, were Towpath to meet his attackers today, that he would greet them as he does every living thing, with an explicit invitation to play. Because in Towpath’s worldview, every minute is an embraceable wonder, and there’s not a second to waste. Become a fan on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/ towpath.thewonderpup
photoS by Kelley CrAig photogrAphy
American Dog Media | Fall 2012
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"DAISY THE LITTLE ITTY BITTY PITTY PRINCESS"
"CH GIANNA"
"mELANIE TOP DOG mODEL"
"REGGIE THE DEAF PIT BULL"
"THE PATRICK mIRACLE"
"CHLOE THE BULL TERRIER"
Fall 2012 | American Dog Media
FAmOUS DOGS
"ROOSEVELT THE BORDER COLLIE"
"DOZER. PIBBLE.KING"
"mOOSE THE RESCUE SCHNAUZER"
"THORNE AKA wOOFERSTILSKIN"
"PEANUT THE PIT-mIXED"
"ACCORDING TO DOUGIE"
"BUSTER BOXER"
SQUIGGY 'THE SQUIGGmEISTER' PHILLIPS"
"CJ THE PITTIECATTLE-DOG mIX" American Dog Media | Fall 2012
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FAmOUS DOGS
WITH FRIENDS
38
"LUCY'S wORLD"
"PARKERPUP"
"RUFIO RICARDO FAN CLUB"
"wE LOVE DAISY"
"LADY BUG THE PIBBLE mIX"
"GRACIE THE PITTIE"
"SADIE wONDER PUP DANIELS"
"RAVEN D ROCKSTAR"
"DAmON THE NUTTER BUTTER RESCUE YORKIE"
Fall 2012 | American Dog Media
FAmOUS DOGS
ON FACEBOOK!
"POPI'S FAN CLUB"
"NINJA"
"mERLIN THE GREAT DANE"
"CHUBBS THE wAmPUG"
"AUSTIN mAmA'S BOO BOO BEAR"
"KIKO'S PLACE"
"THE LEGEND OF "KALO 7 wOLFE SHIH POO mODEL" THE BEAST (mR. BEASTLY)"
"THE DAILY KOYA" American Dog Media | Fall 2012
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FAmOUS DOGS
WITH FRIENDS
40
"BUTTA JOHNSON"
"RAFA THE BABY PIBBLE"
"mORGAN THE PIT BULL"
"DRACCO"
"ROCKET SPINONE"
"PRINCESS SAVANNAH"
"DANEA DAVINE"
"CASH mUHE"
"SPROCKET THE ROCKET"
Fall 2012 | American Dog Media
FAmOUS DOGS
ON FACEBOOK!
"mAYZIE'S DOG BLOG"
"BRADY THE mINI SCHNAUZER"
"TALLY TALBOT"
"SCULLY"
"mOAGLEY PIBBLES"
"ISIS, HEAD OF THE ITTY BITTY PITTIE COmmITTEE"
"JELLY POO - THE FUNNY SHITZU"
"wILSON & EBBY THE DOXIE DUO"
"mY DOG KIEFER" American Dog Media | Fall 2012
41
FAmOUS DOGS
WITH FRIENDS ON FACEBOOK!
42
"SAVING BOwSER"
"HAPPY PIT KELLER"
"THE wORLD ACCORDING TO ISIS & LUNA"
"DAPHE AND DOOGIE'S CHORKIE ADVENTURE"
"HARLOw wATSON"
"DAPHE AND DOOGIE'S CHORKIE ADVENTURE"
"ELIZABETH TAYLOR THE mALTESE"
"JAVA BEAN HUGHES"
"SOPHIE THE OLD ENGLISH SHEEPDOG"
Fall 2012 | American Dog Media
YOUR DOG DESERVES THE BEST DRY DOG FOOD SOLID GOLD SUNDANCER WITH CURCUMIN (TUMERIC)
• Protein-chicken and fish • Oriental, Arctic and dogs from England, Scotland, and Ireland were fed fish and sea vegetation (like our Sea Meal) for hundreds of years. • This means, all retrievers, spaniels and terriers must have a fish-based diet to support the DNA of the body. • It also supports the thyroid gland which controls allergies, such as chewing at the tail or licking feet. • Decreases tear-staining and ear infections. • SunDancer contains curcumin, (often referred to as Indian Solid Gold) • Curcumin is from the turmeric plant, is a widely used as an anti-oxidant. Specially sealed for freshness.
• No grains, no glutens. Quinoa is not a true grain. It is related to beets and spinach.
Curcumin is an anti-oxidant for a variety of problemsCancer, heart disease, asthma, arthritis, IBD, diarrhea, leukemia, liver/kidney, obesity, diabetes, epilepsy, cataracts, Crohn’s disease. The Cute Story A five year old was explaining the Bethlehem Christmas Story. Govenor Herod (he was never a king) forced the Holy Family to flee. All FOUR of them left. Four, you might ask? Remember, Solid Gold Holistic Animal Nutrition Center this is the logic of a five year old. Yes, Jesus, Mary, Joseph and 1331 N. Cuyamaca, El Cajon, CA 92020 the pilot who flew the plane for the Holy Family on their flight to Egypt. Guess she confused pilot with Pontius Pilate. Ask your local pet store for a free catalogue. If they don’t Sounds reasonable to me!!! have a SunDancer catalogue, call us at (619)258-7356, M-F, 10am to 5pm Pacific time. Or e-mail us at sarah@ We will soon have a similar dry cat food. The cats keep stealsolidgoldholisitc.com. You can also visit our website at ing the SunDancer from the dog’s bowl. Surprisingly, ferrets www.solidgoldholistic.com. like the SunDancer also.
ROLE MODEL: DEVOTION
C.H.A.I.N.E.D. Inc.
PHOTO by Janet Conley, Field Director CHAINED Inc.
Freeing dogs from the chain…. One dog at a time By Gina Freemon, Founder of C.H.A.I.N.E.D. Inc.
Why did you start your non-profit organization, C.H.A.I.N.E.D. Inc?
How many dogs have you helped so far?
While working as a community care registered nurse in the low-income neighborhoods of Southwest Detroit, I was shocked to see all of the chained dogs. I started asking the dog owners if I could bring their dogs some treats and began delivering weekly treat bags filled with various long-lasting chews, bones, and toys. Then I started researching ways to solve some of the reasons why the dogs were chained. I discovered that the majority were chained because they could jump or climb their short 4-ft fences, and some were just diggers. There were also some dog owners that just believed chaining a dog is what you are supposed to do - it is what they were taught. So with the owner’s permission, I recruited my husband and my father and we extended our very first 4-ft fence, setting free two very deserving dogs from a life on the chain! That feeling I felt as I watched the dogs immediately become “regular” dogs was so incredible and so rewarding that I knew I had to help more dogs and this is how C.H.A.I.N.E.D. Inc. began. Dogs are pack animals and deserve to be part of a family, loved and cared for, and treated with respect.
Thanks to the generous donations and the help of our volunteers, C.H.A.I.N.E.D. Inc. has accomplished the following:
44 Fall 2012 | American Dog Media
j 248 dogs helped j 136 Igloo and Barn style dog houses provided j 23 insulated wooden house provided j 78 dogs spayed/neutered/vaccinated j 16 fence projects and 2 fence repairs providing safe yards for 30 dogs j 45 dogs rescued (owner surrendered) and 41 have new families and forever homes Is there a favorite rescue or dog that really stands out that you helped? Oh, yes! There are many, but Hope, Sasha, Diamond, and Sarah really touched our hearts! HOPE: I spent 3-5 days per week after work sitting on a milk crate in an alley in Detroit trying to gain her trust. After 2 months she finally took treats
from my hand. I knew then that I could get her into my car and transport her to the spay clinic. After I talked the owner into spaying Hope, they had no use for her and surrendered her to our organization the very next day. She was in foster care for 8 months until she found her fur-ever home. She is a beautiful and wonderful dog that is spoiled and very happy now.
ROLE MODEL: DEVOTION SASHA: She was overbred, isolated, and had the worst flea dermatitis that I have ever seen. Most of her fur was gone, and she was so infested with fleas that you could see them crawling on her from quite a distance. We actually built her and her daughter a fence and set them free from living on a chain. We treated her skin issues, spayed and vaccinated her, and provided her owner with lots of education, food, etc. Her owner mentioned one time that he would like to find Sasha a new home and we had him sign the surrender release form on the spot. Sasha was fostered by our Detroit field representative, Jessica Ramirez, until Jessica and her husband Brian fell in love with her. She is now Sasha Anne Ramirez. DIAMOND: Our first dog and fence project. She was the most aggressive dog that I have ever come across. She is now my favorite and I visit her personally 1 to 2 times weekly after work, walking her, taking her to Burger King, or just sitting under her tarp rubbing her belly. Her owner is an 80-year-old woman who cannot do many of the care chores that Diamond requires. We keep her yard clean, her house filled with straw, her
pool clean all summer, give her all of her baths, nail trimmings, ear cleanings, and everything she needs! SARAH: She was completely isolated with very little human interaction (except for feeding). Sarah was so sad, it was just heartbreaking, but she still had hope. She would get excited every time we would visit bringing her fresh straw and treats. She was heartworm positive too. We got her spayed, vaccinated, and treated for heartworm disease. We built her a large 13'x30' kennel in the front/ side of the house so she could see other people, animals, cars, etc. Sarah gets regular visits now, including her daily morning treat by one of our volunteers. Do you feel you have helped change the minds of the people who are or were chaining their dogs? Absolutely! Many owners do NOT want their dogs chained. Many have asked us for fences, lighter tie-outs, some have brought their dogs inside to live, some walk them now, and some spend more time with them. We have also had owners do the kindest thing that they could do for their chained dog, which
is to owner surrender. Many of these people are just following what they have been taught since their grandpa chained his dog, and their dad chained the family dog, and we tell them, "It's time to break that chain!" I'm not sure how we do it sometimes, but we just do it. I believe that dog owners trust us, and we are very successful with our outreach and education because we focus on building relationships with these dog owners. We do not go in and bark orders, judge, criticize, or cause problems. We are very calm, openminded, respectful, informative, and actually work to "help" the dogs and their owners. We have adopted, "We are CHAINED Inc. . . All things are possible.
For more information or to make a donation: C.H.A.I.N.E.D. Inc. PO Box 2464 Riverview, MI 48193 Phone: (734) 789-7730 Website: www.chained2011.org Email: Chained2011@yahoo.com Become a Facebook fan at: www.facebook.com/chainedinc2011
American Dog Media | Fall 2012 45
ROLE mODEL: COmPASSION
THE MIA FOUNDATION
The Mia Foundation was developed to give animals with birth defects a fighting chance.
ia
M
By sue roGers, Founder oF tHe mia Foundation
My precious Mia was born with a cleft palate. Mia had several surgeries, all of which had failed. Although she was taken to the top universities and to the top veterinarians, she was given little hope of survival. I was told that euthanasia was best. I refused to give up on her and vowed to fight for her as long as she continued to fight. She was given a chance at life, and even though her life was short-lived, she lived it to the fullest. She had to face many medical obstacles on her journey here, but she never let it overpower her love for life. Mia has inspired over 11,000 people from all over the world and continues to create miracles every day.
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Fall 2012 | American Dog Media
Sadly, Mia passed away from pneumonia on April 11th, 2012, just two months shy of her 2nd birthday. Her legacy lives on through The Mia Foundation which was created in her honor.
us all to never give up, no matter what obstacles we may face. She taught us to be brave, to be strong, and to smile in the face of adversity. Most importantly, she taught us to love!
The Mia Foundation was developed to give animals born with birth defects a fighting chance. Mia was given a chance, and in return, gave so much love, hope, and inspiration to people all around the world. I have come to realize that Mia was sent here to help us all in whatever way possible. She was brought to this earth to show us courage and unconditional love. She was here to bring loving, caring people together from all over the world and to teach
Since her death, Mia's story has inspired people to adopt animals with birth defects that may have otherwise been overlooked or not given a chance at life and love. Mia has educated thousands of people from all walks of life on how to care for a special needs animal. Because of her strength, determination, love, and her will to live, she has enriched the lives of countless individuals. She had a zest for life unlike any I have ever seen. Her tiny paw left a huge
ROLE mODEL: COmPASSION
imprint on so very many hearts. Mia has shown us all that miracles really do exist. She changed the world with just one smile! One of our success stories is Little Max who was born with severe scoliosis. It was suggested that he be euthanized at birth. His breeder just couldn’t take his life after seeing how hard he fought, and so he came to live with us at The Mia Foundation. When Max arrived at 6 weeks old, he could barely walk, but we worked his little legs and tried straightening his back several times a day and within a week he was not only walking, but running! Although we continued his physical therapy, as Max grew, his spine was getting progressively worse. And then a new symptom occurred. We noticed that when people he didn’t know held him, he would have a panic attack. These attacks became so bad that he was rushed to the vet several times and had to be sedated and given oxygen. My vet told me that we would lose Max during one of these attacks and I should consider euthanizing him. I decided to get my own oxygen tank to treat him immediately when I saw an attack coming on. The oxygen did wonders for him and he came out of these attacks
x a
much sooner when I administered the oxygen at the first sign of an attack. We saw two specialists in Rochester that both informed me that Max’s condition was terminal. So, I brought him to Cornell University and they told me the same thing. They said that Max’s bones would eventually crush his internal organs. We started searching for other vets around the country to take on Max’s case because what I saw was a happy, healthy little puppy that just happened to have a curved spine, a puppy that deserved at least a chance. He could walk and run, wag his tail and play like any other puppy his age. Max has never shown any signs of pain. We found a vet in Philadelphia that specialized in birth defects and genetic disorders that wanted to see Max. I was so hopeful that we had finally found someone willing to help him. When they finally called us into a room, we were once again told that nothing could be done. They said it was the worst case of scoliosis they had ever seen and also said that he was terminal and that I should consider euthanasia. They also said that Max only had one functioning lung and his ribs were severely deformed as well as his spine.
We left there and I promised Max that I would never give up on him as long as he was happy and pain free. Max is 6 months old now. We never hold Max, for fear of pushing on his lung and causing a panic attack, but we have plenty of cuddle time on the floor and in bed. Max and his oxygen tank go everywhere with us. He must be monitored at all times so the oxygen can be administered if he needs it. The panic attacks are getting less frequent because we are more aware now as to what causes them. We have decided to just let Max finish growing and see what happens. He is a funny little dog with quite the personality. None of the vets thought he would live this long, yet he is still here and doing very well. I don’t know what the future holds for him, but I do know that we should not be so quick to euthanize these animals. If they are happy and not suffering then they deserve a chance at a happy life. They give back so much more than people realize. Max was the first animal taken in by The Mia Foundation and he has found his forever home right here with us. Another rescue is Marcy who was found on a "Free Ad" on Craigslist in Florida.
M
photo by flyin fur pet photogrAphy
The American Dog Magazine | Fall 2012
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ROLE mODEL: COmPASSION photoS by flyin fur pet photogrAphy
y c ar
M
We were told that she had a cleft palate and a cleft lip. The Mia Foundation sent a volunteer to go get her. She was tube fed and cared for by our volunteer until she was able to come to The Mia Foundation in New York. We knew she had a cleft lip, but we sent her to a specialist to determine if her palate was also affected. It turned out that she only had a cleft lip. She began eating on her own and was adopted in September 2012 and is living a happy, healthy life. Marcy is a perfect example of why cleft palate babies should be given a chance!!
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For more information or to contact: www.facebook.com/pages/ love-for-mia-cleft-palate-chihuahua www.facebook.com/themiafoundation www.themiafoundation.com
ROLE MODEL: DEDICATION
NATIONAL MILL DOG RESCUE
photos courtesy of National Mill Dog Rescue
Rescues, rehabilitates, and re-homes retired commercial breeding dogs From puppy mills and a chance to find happiness and comfort in a loving home! By Rudi Taylor
National Mill Dog Rescue started with a single sentence in an e-mail that Theresa Strader received that stated, “50 Italian Greyhounds in need.” A large-scale breeding operation, or ‘puppy mill’ was going out of business and all 561 dogs were going to auction. One of those dogs was a 7-year-old Italian Greyhound named Lily. The moment their eyes met through the wire of Lily’s tiny cage, Theresa knew her life had changed forever and that this new life would include Lily and a mission to bring about lasting change. In honor of Lily, National Mill Dog Rescue was established in February 2007 to give a voice to mill dogs across the country. Since then, NMDR has rescued almost 7,000 puppy mill survivors, all the while maintaining a strict no-kill policy. Every single dog that comes through the doors is spayed or neutered and given whatever addi-
tional medical care they need - without exception. They are groomed, many of them for the very first time. Years of filth and matted fur are removed, allowing the beautiful dog underneath to shine. Soon they learn about all the simple pleasures that they had never previously known – clean water, toys and treats, a soft bed, and most importantly, the love of a human companion. National Mill Dog Rescue is a Colorado Springs based 501(c)(3) organization that rescues, rehabilitates, and rehomes discarded commercial breeding dogs from puppy mills. NMDR relies on over fourteen hundred volunteers to care for the dogs, from the moment they are surrendered to the time they are adopted and beyond. We depend on the generosity of the public to provide the high level of care we do for our dogs and to continue to be able to save them.
For more information or to make a donation: Website: www.milldogrescue.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/nationalmilldogrescue
American Dog Media | Fall 2012 51
ROLE MODEL: True Grit
DISCRIMINATION
IS THE PITS!
MEET LUCY: by Kristen Torchia (Lucy’s mama!)
A Pit Bull, A Certified Therapy Dog, and Canine Good Citizen, who is not allowed in a local school district's Therapy Dog Program because of her breed – Pit Bull.
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I looked into Lucy’s eyes and saw the sweetest soul that day. She came running out from the kennel to meet me. One of so many like her, sitting, waiting in a shelter for someone to give her a home, for someone to give her a chance. She was this bouncy, happy girl, rolling onto her back for belly rubs, while kissing my hands and face. I knew I wasn’t leaving the shelter that day without her. She was so full of life and love, though I knew by looking at her she didn’t have much
of either of these before this day. It was easy to see she had been used for breeding over and over again in her two short years of life. Yet, when she came to meet me, with her ears cropped so short they barely were there, it was clear this little girl only wanted to be loved and to give love. During the car ride home it was as if Lucy knew her life was just beginning. The pain and neglect she had experienced was in the past and never would she be without love again.
ROLE MODEL: True Grit
photos courtesy of Kristen Torchia
Lucy blossomed in our home and she showed love to all those she had met. She adores her two brothers, a cat, and her 7-year-old human sister. A play date at our home not only benefits her sister, but Lucy makes sure she’s part of the fun too. With her love for people of all ages, it was only natural to have her become a Canine Good Citizen and a Certified Therapy Dog. With both tests passed, Lucy was able to start doing what she was meant to do. She shares her love and pittie kisses with those that need it the most. In September 2012, I offered to have Lucy be a part of a local School District’s therapy dog program (in Leesport, PA). I was told they would be “thrilled” to have her involvement. Lucy and I went to the school to meet with the administrative staff. While there, the Principal asked to have Lucy help a crying 7-yearold boy enter his classroom, to which Lucy was more than happy to do. After this successful visit, only hours later, we
were informed that due to Lucy’s breed she would no longer be allowed back into the school. The message was that “her behavior was great, the concern is because she’s a pit bull.” I now had to tell my daughter that her doggy couldn’t come to her school because of her breed. To my daughter, this is her family pet who sleeps with her and gives her kisses whenever she wants. She doesn’t know or care what breed she is, but now I had to share the sad truth of what was occurring in our own backyard. When I told her Lucy couldn’t come back to the school, she said one thing that rocked me to my core, “Mommy, why are they bullying our dog?” With this one statement, I knew I needed to do something. Having the top educators of a school system teaching the children to judge a book by its cover or to promote prejudice and discrimination was not acceptable. It was time to educate the educators and defend this breed. We
could not allow them to influence our children in such a negative way. Letters for Lucy was started on Facebook and in just under 4 weeks it reached over 4000 Facebook fans. We are a group of four women who believe in this breed and in Lucy’s cause and will continue to work diligently to advocate for them. We know Lucy came into our lives for a reason. She’s now given us a purpose and we are more determined than ever to be the voice for this incredibly loving and loyal breed. Special thanks to Lynn Hart for creating the fan page, and Jill Aicroth Mosser, Wendy Hix, and Missy Kulp for making Letters for Lucy the success it has been and moving forward with our cause.
For more information or to contact: Become a fan on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/LettersForLucy Email Lucy at: Lucy.Letters@yahoo.com
American Dog Media | Fall 2012 53
EXPLORE
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
LAKE MEAD:
Take your dog boating or swimming at Lake Mead Recreational Area which occupies over a million acres and has 820 miles of shoreline.
LAKE LAS VEGAS
Spend the weekend with your pooch at the Westin Lake Las Vegas Resort. Pets receive a pet tag, bowl, and a special treat to enjoy their stay.
MT CHARLESTON:
Enjoy the miles of hiking trails and afterwards you and your dog can grab some lunch on the pet-friendly outdoor patio at the Lodge where they have a Doggie Menu serving burgers.
RED ROCK CANYON
Take a road trip with your dog through the 13-mile scenic loop of Red Rock Canyon. There are many trails for hiking and it’s home to an abundance of wildlife.
American Dog Media | Fall 2012
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FITNESS
DOG AGILITY IS A
PLAYGROUND
for d og S! This is an athletic, competitive sport for all breeds of dogs which involves a dog maneuvering through a pre-set course of obstacles as fast and accurately as possible, while being guided by their handler! If your dog loves to work out,then this is a great sport to burn off a lot of energy and have loads of fun!
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Fall 2012 | American Dog Media
The holidays bring out the naughty and nice. We can take care of both. Visit our online store for unique gifts www.bedsnbiscuits.com
303.940.9188 email: info@bedsnbiscuits.com • www.bedsnbiscuits.com 4219 Xenon Street, Wheat Ridge, Colorado 80033 (I-70 & Ward Road) Open 7 days a week: Monday-Friday: 8am to 6pm Saturday: 8am to 4pm Sunday: 2pm to 5pm
SAVE A LIFE
ADOPT A PIT BULL! From Your Local Shelter or Rescue Group
MILLIONS of Pitties have been killed in shelters due to bad owners, backyard breeders, negative press, and shameful BSL laws that are enacted in over 500 cities nationwide. These Pitties deserve a chance and there are thousands waiting right now for a forever home. Please consider adopting a beautiful Pit Bull from your local shelter or rescue group. Like all dogs, they just want a family to love!
Pit Bulls Rock! • • • • •
Affectionate • Athletic • Courageous • Energetic Friendly • Humorous • Intelligent • Loyal Loving • Noble • Playful • Strong Please go to The American Dog Magazine (www.theamericandogmag.com) and click on the “Fight Breed Specific Legislation” tab for a list of Pit Bull rescue groups nationwide.
TRAINING
Training Methods: what is best for your dog? By Doug and Elizabeth Simpson, Owners of Tenderfoot Training
Ask 10 dog trainers about their methods and you will get 10 different answers, and the only thing they will agree on is that the others are wrong. Training methods run the gamut from constant treating, all the way to shocking your dog, and every step in between. Trainers will try to sell you on their system, but you must be an educated consumer. So how do you know what to do and what will be best for your dog? Tenderfoot Training prides itself on teaching people how to interact with their dog without the use of excessive treating or the use of devices. The learning happens very quickly because we are teaching people how to communicate in a way the dog already understands, and the dog can change in minutes, not weeks or months. A true relationship is a balance of love, trust, and respect. That should be why any dog or person behaves
60 Fall 2012 | American Dog Media
in a relationship. People are great at the lovey-dovey stuff, but not so good at the trust and respect, and these must be earned for the duration of the relationship. When confronted with difficulty in their dogs’ behavior, it is often human nature to control or avoid the situation, but neither actually teaches anything. When the human relies on anything: the leash, treats, choke chain, pinch collar, shock collar, squirt bottle, can of pennies etc., the dog is also relying on the device/treat as well. Many dogs that are constantly treated with food end up working for the treat and not for the person. The strategy is to wean the dog off of the food, which can be extremely difficult, especially when the squirrel has greater value than any treat. Ideally, you should not have used so many treats in the first place to have to wean away from them. Everything in balance, the occasional treat is just fine, but we
believe you are the treat (your touch, tones, and loving energy) - it should be about relationship, not bribery. Every year millions of dollars are spent on devices to control dogs’ behavior, yet millions of dogs are sent to shelters every year for bad behavior. So what is really going on? Most of the devices humans use to train a dog are designed to create pain in order to gain control, and if you create pain in any relationship, you lose trust. Choke collars create a choking sensation and pinch/ prong collars are designed to create pain (like mommas teeth bearing down on the dogs neck) to gain compliance. It goes without saying that the reality of a shock collar is to send a potentially painful electric shock into your dog to get him to behave. If these devices are working so well why aren’t the shelters empty of dogs with behavior issues? *Note: Many parts of Europe have banned choke chains because of the
TRAINING
significant difference in necropsies done on dogs who were trained on choke chains versus those who were not. Part of our philosophy is to ‘do as little as possible to get results,’ at the same time we have to do enough to get results, and ‘doing enough to get results’ should never include pain or harm. Truly ‘doing as little as possible’ means we have to be sensitive to read the dogs sensitivity and their reactions - physically, mentally and emotionally. There is a big difference in trying to control a dog with a device, and actually teaching him to choose the correct behavior. Humans are not aware that everything they are physically doing has meaning to the dog so they confuse their dogs on a regular basis. People must be more aware of what they are doing and what the dog is physically saying in order to communicate clearly. Everything from the blink of an eye, a lick of the lips, a yawn, to a heavy
sigh has meaning. When you become conscious of everything your dog does and you are aware of your own body language, then you can have a real conversation and you both gain confidence through understanding. Please investigate all methods before you pay hundreds of dollars and sign contracts that will not return your investment if you change your mind or are dissatisfied with the method. Arm yourself with knowledge so that you do not regret your decision; talk to your friends, local vets, watch classes, ask questions, read books, and go online. Make sure you can do what your dog trainer teaches, that you feel good about it, you see positive changes fairly quickly, it makes sense to you, and it is fair to your dog.
For more information or to contact: Doug and Elizabeth Simpson www.tenderfoottraining.com (303) 444-7780
American Dog Media | Fall 2012 61
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HEALTH
KALE Kale is one of the “super” foods for you and also a “super” food for your dog! Kale is a nutritional powerhouse that is loaded with antioxidants and essential vitamins and minerals that can help alleviate chronic joint stress and provide many health benefits for your dog.
SPINACH Spinach is also one of the “super” foods that is rich in vitamins and iron and your dog will reap the health benefits from this leafy, green vegetable. There are a number of ways to incorporate green veggies into your pet’s diet. You can steam, juice, chop, shred, bake, sauté, or leave it raw. American Dog Media | Fall 2012 63
DR'S CORNER
OVER 50% OF DOGS
IN THE U.S. ARE OBESE! By laura l. mCkeever, dvm, WHeat ridGe veterinary Hospital
According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), more than half of dogs in the United States are overweight or obese. As a general practice veterinarian at a busy Denver hospital, it is not unusual for me to see several obese patients in a single day; what is more surprising to me is that many pet owners are unaware that their pet is overweight and even if they recognize the problem, they don’t know how to change the situation. Generally, a dog’s body condition is assessed as part of a basic physical examination. Ideally the ribs should be easily located by running one’s hands along the thorax, the abdomen should appear tucked when viewed from the side, and the waist should be visible when viewed from above. This is true even for more “boxy” shaped dogs, such as bulldogs and pugs. It may be that we all have grown so accustomed to seeing more pudgy dogs that those body types have become the new “normal”. Unfortunately, much like their human counterparts, overweight dogs are at higher risk for various diseases and numerous health problems. Regular examinations by a veterinarian will often identify early signs of weight gain and provide the best recommendations for dietary adjustments or therapies. There may be underlying health conditions that contribute to excessive weight
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Fall 2012 | American Dog Media
gain and blood testing may be indicated before starting a weight loss program, but most of the time, the biggest factors are overfeeding and lack of exercise. Although there are guidelines for feeding on most dog food containers, there is a lot of variation between different dogs, and often the amount recommended on the food label is too high. It is important to measure and serve a specific portion at every meal. Estimating what a cup of dog food looks like in the bowl is often quite different than what is delivered by using an 8 oz measuring cup! There also can be wide variation in the calorie content of different food brands or formulations. Calorie counts in different types of kibble foods can vary from 270 - 480 calories per cup of food. I sometimes find that recent, unexpected weight gain can be attributed to an owner, unaware of these discrepancies, changing the brand of dog food but continuing to feed the same amount. While the calorie counts are often not found on the food container, they usually can be located in an online search. In recent years, there has been more promotion of grainfree or natural diets, which are often much higher in calories than the more traditional formulations. Often weight loss can be achieved with moderate adjustments in a dog’s current diet,
DR'S CORNER
Is your dog one of them? but in some cases the best option for an obese dog may be a prescription food that will best meet the dog’s nutritional needs while providing appropriate calorie restrictions for weight loss.
tute for more calorie dense treats, and canned, salt-free green beans are an affordable choice as both a reward and as a filler that can be mixed into the regular food.
Once I have established a plan for the dog’s meal feedings, I usually spend a good portion of time discussing treats and supplements. In my opinion, the majority of obese dogs I see in practice became overweight along the way due to loving, overindulgent owners who frequently reward the dog with extra food and treats. Visit the pet food section of any grocery store and you can find significant portions of the shelf space reserved for these sorts of goodies, ranging from more traditional biscuits, to rawhide, jerky treats, and even processed snacks with cute names and high calorie counts. Even the supplements that are marketed as dental bones or chews often provide unwanted extra calories. Many pet owners I see in practice are surprised to learn that even rawhide chews have calories, and sometimes the only adjustment needed to achieve weight loss is controlling the portions and types of treats available to the dog. Most treats can be broken or cut into small, bite-sized portions (about the size of a piece of dog kibble), and there is no reason for any reward to be larger than that. Carrots or green beans also make an excellent substi-
In addition to limiting calories, it is also important to provide your pet with adequate exercise and activity. Often dogs are given treats or table food when what they would enjoy more is a walk with their pack leader. Swimming is an excellent option for obese or arthritic dogs, and there is an increasing number of canine facilities that provide indoor swimming pools or underwater treadmills that allow additional options for exercise. Daily activity has additional benefits for maintaining muscle strength and tone and is critical for your pet’s mental health as well. As with many human weight loss programs, the most difficult task may be maintaining the initial commitment. Dogs cannot (usually) open the refrigerator or food tub on their own, but they have often figured out how to make it happen for them, as we are all suckers for the begging eyes of our beloved pets. I encourage my clients to make sure that everyone in the household is committed to following through with the recommendations, and I advise them to have their pet weighed every 3-4 weeks. This allows us to make adjustments as
necessary and also keeps the family motivated. Weight loss should be steady, but not dramatic, and often will not be appreciated visibly for the first couple of months, so rechecking weights on the scale often provides a boost of enthusiasm to stick with the program over the long haul. In many cases, just moderate dietary adjustments and life-style changes are all that is necessary to maintain a healthier and more weight appropriate dog.
Laura L. McKeever, DVM Dr. Laura McKeever was born in Washington D.C. and grew up outside of the city in McLean, Virginia. After graduating from the University of Virginia with a BS in Biology, Dr. McKeever taught outdoor education to 5th and 6th graders in southern California and then moved to St. Louis, where she taught 7th grade science and 9th grade biology for three years. She earned her veterinary medicine degree from Colorado State University in May 2001, and accepted an internship at Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital. At the conclusion of her internship program, she was hired to stay on as a general practitioner at the hospital.
For more information please visit: www.wheatridgeanimal.com
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WELLNESS
RAWHIDE BONES can be dangerous for your dog! ***When swallowed in chunks they do not digest in your dog’s body ***If they have sharp edges may cause tears on your dog’s stomach lining ***They can cause blockages and cause your dog to choke to death *** Can contain chemicals including formaldehyde (deadly chemical) and arsenic ***May be tainted with salmonella or other bacterial contaminants *** Will stain your carpet or furniture if there is a colored flavor coating on it ***Possibly cause vomiting, seizures, diarrhea, or stomach upsets *** Dogs cannot digest rawhide and there have been many pet deaths linked to blockages in their intestinal tracts or getting stuck in their throat and choking to death. Do your own research on the internet to check out the dangers of giving rawhide bones to your dog.
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DENVER’S MOST CELEBRATED PET DIRECTORY AND ONLINE MAGAZINE FOR DOG LOVER’S.
Where dog parents go to find the best! Website: www.denverdognetwork.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheDenverDog Twitter: www.twitter.com/DogDenver
L ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES L ANTIOXIDANT / SUPPLEMENTS L ARTISTS / PHOTOGRAPHERS L BLING BLING / FASHION L BOARDING / DAYCARE L DENTAL CARE / HYGIENE L DOG BONES / TREATS L DOG FOOD L DOG GROOMERS L DOG PARKS L PIT BULL FRIENDLY L PET SITTING L DOG TRAINERS L GIFTS FOR DOG LOVERS L PET BOUTIQUES L PET CAREER SCHOOLS L PET MEMORIALS / SERVICES L PET PRODUCTS L PET SERVICES L STAIN / WASTE REMOVAL L VETERINARIANS L PET-FRIENDLY HOTELS L CANINE AGILITY L DOG WALKING
SAFETY
DOG CRImES: DOG THEFT
AND DOG-NAPPING ARE ON THE RISE! Prevent your pets from being stolen and protect them at all times. Just recently, a couple in Beaumont, Texas, are offering a $50,000 reward (by selling their house to raise the money) for the safe return of their much beloved family pet, a Chocolate Lab named Sir, who disappeared from their backyard.
SAFETY TIPS NEVER LEAVE YOUR DOG TIED UP OUTSIDE A STORE OR COFFEE SHOP UNATTENDED NEVER LEAVE YOUR DOG UNATTENDED IN YOUR VEHICLE, EVEN IF IT’S LOCKED DON’T ALLOW YOUR DOG TO ROAM FREE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD BE CAREFUL WHEN OPENING DOORS SO YOUR DOG DOESN’T RUN OUT SECURE YOUR FENCED YARD AND MAKE SURE THERE ARE NO ESCAPE ROUTES SECURE THE YARD AND PUT A PADLOCK ON YOUR BACK GATE AND FRONT GATE MICROCHIP OR TATTOO YOUR DOG WITH YOUR CURRENT, UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ALWAYS MAKE SURE YOUR DOG HAS A COLLAR WITH ID TAG ON (CURRENT INFO) SPAY OR NEUTER YOUR DOG WILL HELP ELIMINATE BEING STOLEN FOR BREEDING American Dog Media | Fall 2012
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FEATURE AUTHOR
JeNNIFer sKIFF the Divinity of Dogs: true stories of miracles inspired by man’s best friend
What inspired you to write your book, The Divinity of Dogs? It wasn’t until I edited my first book, God Stories, and received thousands of stories about people’s connection with the Divine, that I realized my personal experience with dogs was shared with countless others. People wrote and told me about the private moments that changed their life. Their stories were profound and amazing – the type that warm your heart and make you cry out loud. They catapulted me into other people’s trials, leaving me with a sense of appreciation for all I have. I decided these were stories that needed to be told, to document the divinity of dogs and to give us a library of inspiring life lessons. What’s The Divinity of Dogs about? The Divinity of Dogs is about people’s moments of enlightenment with dogs. It encompasses stories where love, tolerance, comfort, compassion, loyalty,
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joyfulness, and even death have provided inspirational lessons about life from experiences with dogs. Is there any one true story that made an impact on you? Truly, every story I chose for this book had an impact on me. But one story seemed to say it all. (Permission to reprint) “I had no reason to live” by Scott Thornsley. It was Christmas morning, 1995. My wife had left me in August, and two weeks later I lost my job of 19 years. I was alone without anyone to turn to. Worst of all, no one needed me anymore; my workplace or the wife I loved. I’d just gotten my Ph.D. and was looking forward to enjoying the success that would come with it. Instead, the hunt for a new job was futile. Because of my new degree, I couldn’t get the most menial of jobs. Most people said I was overeducated. I felt like a total failure. I thought long and hard and came to the conclusion that my life was not worth living. I decided to commit
suicide. The moment came. I’d decided on a method and was committed to carrying it out. At that very moment, my four year-old Rottweiler, Emma, bounded into the study. Her leash was in her mouth, which was not unusual. What was unusual was what she did next. She literally grabbed my hand with her mouth and ferociously pulled me toward the front door, tugging and yanking me out of my chair. She had never done this before. There was a hard falling snow, which would make even the shortest of walks difficult. Her tugging continued. I decided to grant her one more walk. Once we were outside, she wouldn’t let me go home. She continued, just ahead, leading me through neighborhoods and school athletic fields. Emma wandered without direction, refusing to let me turn around. A couple of hours passed, and during that time my mind cleared and I realized my life was not over. I had much to be thankful for and someone really did need me - even if it was a female Rottweiler named Emma. There is no doubt in my mind that Emma saved my life that day. In the darkest of moments, a dog can make your life worth living.
FEATURED AUTHOR
What do you hope that people will learn from reading your book?
the Vice-President of the SPCAHC, my local shelter in Maine. I’ve very proud to be involved with all three organizations.
My dream is for The Divinity of Dogs to serve as an advocate for dogs. It will be confirming for those who already know the divinity of dogs, and it may cause some to have an epiphany – a realization of understanding. For those who see dogs differently than your readers, those people who use the phrase, “A dog is just a dog,” it may enlighten. The goal is for people to see all animals for the beautiful souls they are and to treat them with respect and kindness.
My focus now, in this second part of my life, is to work on legislation for animal welfare and sneuter (my new word for spay/neuter). While rescue is necessary, the cycle of rescue is endless and debilitating. Unless we legislate for change, the pain and suffering will continue forever.
How did you first get involved in animal welfare? I started working in the thrift store of my local SPCA when I was a teenager. As I grew older and moved from state to state working as a television reporter, I always found a home at the local animal shelter. I’ve been everything from a foster parent, a grant writer, a fundraiser, to a poop pickerupper. I’m still a poop picker-upper!
What non-profits/charities do you currently support and spend time with? I support many charities throughout the world. I am a Trustee of the Dogs’ Refuge Home (the largest dog shelter) in Australia, where I spend a lot of my time. I am on the board of directors of the U.S. national rescue organization, Pilots N Paws, and I’m
What pets do you currently have in your family and do they travel back and forth between the US and Australia with you?
For more information or to contact: Visit www.JenniferSkiff.com Become a fan on Facebook: www.facebook.com/The-Divinity-of-Dogs
Jennifer Skiff is an award-winning television producer, journalist, and author of the #1 Inspirational best seller, God Stories. An advocate for animals, she is a Trustee of the Dogs’ Refuge Home in Australia, and is a Director of the SPCAHC and Pilots N Paws in the U.S. With her favorite Aussie and beloved dogs, Jennifer spends her life in perpetual summer between Maine and Australia.
Sadly, my beloved CousCous and ChickPea passed away within two weeks of finishing this book. They were both Australians and flew around the world once to live here for three years. Taking them back was difficult. Australia doesn’t have rabies so their quarantine regulations are strict and costly. The quarantine process takes nine months. I’ll never do it again. I currently have a one-eyed, 10 yearold Maltese/Cavalier cross that came from the Dog’s Home last year. When I return to Australia after promoting The Divinity of Dogs, I’ll be adding another rescue to the family. My husband and I are so excited! If your readers would like to submit their own Divinity of Dogs story for a future book, they can do that at, www.JenniferSkiff.com.
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FEATURE AUTHOR
KEN FOSTER I’m A GOOD DOG: Pit Bulls, America’s Most Beautiful (and Misunderstood) Pet
What inspired you to write your current book, I'm a Good Dog? When my memoir The Dogs Who Found Me came out, so many people were moved to buy it because there was a pit bull on the cover--and that was their dog. They had never seen a dog like theirs on a book cover before. After hearing from all of these wonderful pit bull owners, I wanted to do a book that looked at the history and image of the pit bull. But no one would publish it. It didn't matter that The Dogs Who Found Me had sold so well with a pit bull on the cover. I even had one publisher tell me that members of their staff had threatened to quit if they published it. So I gave up on the idea, but a year ago, out of the blue, a book packager (Becker and Mayer) approached me about writing the text for a book they thought they could sell: an illustrated book about pit bulls. Then Penguin came on board as the publisher and we got to work. The process of getting the deal done took so long that I only had about ten weeks to get the first draft in.
dogs; then Annie from the Missouri case; Uba from the Vick case; Josh and Kady's two dogs; and the Grenda family's dog. That's ten at least, just off the top of my head. And, of course, I've spent time with hundreds of other pit bulls that aren't explicitly included in the book, but certainly helped to shape the content. Is there any one pit bull or rescue that really stands out? Just one? On a personal level, my "first pit bull" Sula, obviously changed my life. I even have a foundation named for her. Also, the dogs I've worked with from fighting and abuse cases always amaze me for their ability to learn to trust, even after being betrayed. Of the stories in the book, one of my favorites is of Cleetus, who had a human family form around him as he grew from puppy to adult. Another favorite is Foxy, whose tragic death brought a Hoboken community together. There's really no end to the inspiring stories I hear of pit bulls and their positive influence over the people in their lives.
How many of the dogs did you actually meet and spend time with?
What do you hope people will learn from reading your book?
That's a good question! I haven't counted. But there are my own five
Hopefully the book will serve two functions: one is to entertain and inspire the
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people who already know and love the breeds; the other is to educate people to open their minds about not just pit bulls, but all of the world around them. People tend to project a lot of myths and stereotypes about the dogs, but I think it is important to talk about dogs as individuals rather than types. And, of course, that also applies to how we look at other people.
How did you first get involved in animal welfare? Like most people, I got involved because of a dog. In The Dogs Who Found Me, I write about first falling in love with a dog in Costa Rica, and then adopting Brando when I returned to New York. Of course, I knew almost nothing about dogs or rescue work at the time, but having a dog in my life changed the way I looked at the world, and I started to see abandoned dogs where I hadn't noticed them before. At the time, I was moving around a bit, so with every dog I found I got to see how another organization worked – or didn't work, in some cases. And then, when I found a pit bull that no one would help me with, I realized there was a gap, even among animal welfare groups – they cared for animals, but not necessarily pit bulls.
FEATURED AUTHOR
What non-profits do you currently support and spend time with? With The Dogs Who Found Me, I did a lot of touring around the country doing events with pit-friendly organizations, so I was able to learn so much before I decided to start my own in New Orleans. I think one of the problems we all have is that there are so many dogs to save and people to educate that we risk burning ourselves (and our volunteers) out – without finishing the task. Some of the groups I always look to have very clear missions that focus on the work that they do. One important thing, I think, is to have education and outreach at the top of the list. Rescuing dogs inevitably comes along with that, but if all of an organization’s energy goes to the dogs, then the real problem of where the dogs are coming from is never solved. BAD RAP does a great job with this, so I've always looked to them for examples--and then altered
them to suite my own organization and our own audience. I also love A Rotta Love Plus, Saving Sunny (in Louisville), Game Dog Guardian, and so many others. Best Friends and Animal Farm Foundation are like the motherships – and in addition to the work they do on their own, they support projects by smaller, regional organizations. Locally, we work with our local shelters and animal control, in particular the Louisiana SPCA. And, of course, we love participating in collaborative events with the other organizations in the city.
For more information or to contact: visit www.kenfosterbooks.com visit www.sulafoundation.org facebook: www.facebook.com/ kenfosterwrites facebook: www.facebook.com/ Sulafoundation facebook: www.facebook.com/ im-a-good-Dog
Since 2001, I've published the anthology Dog Culture (2002), The Dogs Who Found Me (2006), Dogs I Have Met (2007) and I'm a Good Dog (2012). In 2008, I founded The Sula Foundation, which promotes responsible dog ownership among the pit bull population, and sponsors education and outreach in the New Orleans area. Ken lives in the historic Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans with his dogs.
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BEDTIME BOOKS All books reviewed by Nancy Allen
COMET’S TALE: How The Dog I Rescued Saved My Life By Steven D. Wolf with Lynette Padwa
This is an amazing, fascinating, honest, and marvelous book about Steven's life, and how Comet, the greyhound he rescued, gives all to Steven so that his life changes completely. Dogs, as we know, can totally change everything about our life, and this dog gives Steven abilities he did not think he had, even to save his marriage. Steven adopted Comet, but truly it was Comet that adopted Steven. Great book.
TWO SEEING EYE DOGS TAKE MANHATTAN! …a love story by Lloyd Burlingame
This is a wonderful book that gives you the total story of how these "miracle worker" seeing-eye dogs can "guide their visually-challenged partners safely to any destination." This book is a funny, interesting, and charming tale of 2 dogs who help to change the life of one man whose eyes left him, but two dogs joined him so that he can now say, "I've never been happier in my life." Great book to read and pass it on.
WHAT DOGS WANT: A Visual Guide to Understanding Your Dog’s Every Move by Arden Moore
There are 100 postures, expressions, sounds, and actions your dog might exhibit, both individually and in their later actions with other dogs and people, that Arden will interpret. This book should definitely help you straighten out any problem you have with your dog. It also tells you which dogs are more accessible to which problems. Another great book to read and pass it on.
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BEDTIME BOOKS
PIT STOPS 2: Adventures with Kara by Michelle Sathe
Homeless pets need a voice and Michelle sets out for an exciting cross-country adventure to give them one in this story of our connection to our canine buddies. You will "also meet incredible Americans that passionately fight for homeless pets on a daily basis." Great book to read and maybe it might help you to get involved in rescue.
WALLACE: The Underdog Who Conquered a Sport, Saved a Marriage, and Championed Pit Bulls–One Flying Disc at a Time by Jim Gorant
This is a heartwarming story. Wallace was probably just about to be euthanized because of too much high energy, his behavior, and being an unwanted stray pit bull. Roo and Clara saw Wallace differently. They took him home and Roo started training him to be a competitive frisbee dog. Pit Bulls are usually too big for this sport, but this book will tell you how this pair became world champions.
Daniel The Miracle Beagle by Joe Dwyer
This is a remarkable and fantastic story about Daniel, who at inconceivable odds, survived the gas chamber and being euthanized. Daniel and 18 other dogs were put in a gas chamber. When it was over, Daniel walked out, the other 18 dogs were dead. This book is Daniel's story--how media attention around the world focused on him--how a loving family adopted him---and now, how he is an inspiration to animal activists to change some of the ROTTEN laws we have regarding animals. Great book.
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HAPPILY EVER AFTER
A Trifecta of Thanks!
AN AMAZING ELDERBULL WHO IS A CANCER SURVIVOR, A TRI-PAWD, AND HAD A CRAZY SURGERY TO HIS ONE BACK LEG TO REPAIR A TORN ACL
tHe Captain man Wanted to tell His oWn story (in His oWn Words)!
My name is Captain. Now, I know what you are thinking, how does a handsome guy like me, find the time to write? It’s true, I’ll admit that my life is certainly busy. Between chewing on all the many toys I have, taking time for my many admirers, updating my Facebook page, tending to my little sister, looking in the mirror, and of course, my parents fawning over me, there is certainly a lot going on that keeps me busy. Being the debonair gentleman that I am, however, I must take the time to attend to my good manners and set an example for others. Part of that example is taking the time to express my gratitude – which is why I am writing today. I am grateful for many things. Heck – just being able to drink clean water every day puts me ahead of most people in this world. My parents adopted me when I was a wee pup;
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what I’ve learned about adoption – what makes us adopted fur kids extraspecial – is that our families chose us. We weren’t part of an unplanned litter; in my wise old age, a guy like me can appreciate the importance of family planning, you know. After all, my parents have experienced so much joy as a result of adopting me that they decided to adopt my little sister, Molly, too. What else am I grateful for, you ask? My favorite number, which is three! For starters, I am grateful for my three legs. Three, you ask? Now, don’t start feeling sorry for me, remember, you humans are only given two legs, so as far as I am concerned I’ve got a leg up on you all already – pun intended! Sure, I had four at one time, but one of them came down with something called cancer. My parents were pretty scared at the
idea of taking that leg away from me, but I assured them that it wouldn’t slow me down at all. If you’ve met me in person, you would see how right I am about that. Other things I am also grateful for? Doctors! Three, of course. I have three of the best. An oncologist, an ACL surgeon specialist, and an amputation specialist. A special guy like me deserves a lot of special doctors, right? I had to get this yucky stuff called chemotherapy for a while, but it wasn’t anything a few extra treats and toys wouldn’t fix. Cancer is a scary thing, sure – but these good doctors do so many great things for dogs like me. Those doctors never gave up on me, and I am here today writing this story in part because of them. They got rid of that cancer thing, and it hasn’t come back since.
HAPPILY EVER AFTER
and “The Captain Man” lived happily ever after!
photoS by brAnDon AnD trACy lopeZ (pArentS of the CAptAin mAn)
You probably got confused when I said “ACL surgeon,” right? Had you going, didn't I? Why would I need an ACL surgeon? You see, I am a medical phenomenon. Why? Because one of my three legs had an ACL tear. What can I say, I was feeling so good and getting around so well, I got a little carried away. The doctors said this sort of thing was unheard of, but, they assured my humans that they could perform a repair surgery and that they would make it work – that even though I only had one back leg, that they could fix me up just fine. And of course, they were right! I impressed those doctors so much, that they wrote about me in medical journals - something about my being a landmark case, and that other dogs would benefit from hearing about my victories.
My victories, yes - all three of them! I beat cancer, I beat amputation, and I even beat a torn ACL! There are so many things I’m grateful for, but let’s skip ahead to the really good part, shall we? What am I most grateful for? Having a family. That’s really the most important thing, you know. How many people are there in my family? Well, three, of course! Not all dogs out there have a family like I do, but if you ask me, they should. Thanks to my amazing parents, and all they do helping orphaned dogs, I know that someday, all dogs will get to be as lucky as me. If you ask my family, they will tell you they are the lucky ones. Humble as I am, I have to admit, it’s true – they are
lucky. One of my mommy’s favorite sayings goes like this, “those who think you cannot buy love, have never paid an adoption fee!” I don’t have to tell you why this is one of her favorite sayings, do I? I didn’t think so. If you adopt a dog, like they adopted me, you will be lucky, too. Besides – what better way to celebrate the season of gratitude, than by opening your home to those in need? Your own trifecta could be sitting in your local shelter right now, just waiting for you. Take a chance on a guy like me – it’ll be your lucky day. We really are the experts in showing our appreciation, you know.
Stay in touch with The Captain Man via his Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/theCaptainmanlopez
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HAPPILY EVER AFTER photos courtesy of Lindsay Gamble
The Story of
KOBE JOE GAMBLE By Lindsay Gamble (proud mom of Kobe Joe!)
In November 2011, a former coworker emailed my mother asking if we would be interested in fostering a Boston Terrier. She explained that her current coworker/friend is involved in a group called C.H.A.I.N.E.D. Inc. (Continuing Helping Animals In Need & Educating Dog Owners). C.H.A.I.N.E.D. volunteers were in a suburb of Detroit (Inkster, Michigan) where they
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observed a Boston Terrier on a heavy, cumbersome chain. He had nothing to keep him warm or dry other than a plywood box. We immediately agreed to foster him. C.H.A.I.N.E.D. had not yet obtained the owner’s permission to surrender the dog, however, Gina Freemon (founder of C.H.A.I.N.E.D., Inc.), was determined to get this Boston Terrier out of this situation.
On December 9th, 2011, my mother and I both lost our jobs from the same employer. We were devastated and uncertain to what our future held. Two days later, December 11th, C.H.A.I.N.E.D. called and informed us the owner finally surrendered the dog and they were going to rescue him immediately before the owner could change his mind. We debated if
HAPPILY EVER AFTER it was still possible for us to foster him financially, seeing as we had just lost our jobs. We decided since we already have 3 dogs (two Boston Terriers and a Chihuahua), how much more could one mouth cost? What a blessing in disguise this decision was. After 3 baths to wash the dirt and mud off him, we finally got to meet Kobe. He was very timid, skittish, and didn’t want to come out of his crate. When I made eye contact with Kobe, I knew he was special. Behind his fear and resistance I could see a sparkle in his eyes and I felt then and there he wasn’t just going to be a foster. Once at our house, Kobe preferred to sleep by the front door for the first two nights. Kobe seemed to be comforted by having someone sitting or lying on the floor with him. I spent many hours on the floor, reading, or watching TV. After a few nights, Kobe decided to sleep in my room. We became inseparable from that moment on. Kobe didn’t come without problems; he was 10 pounds underweight, extremely depressed, and was lacking that “spunk” Boston Terriers are known to have. He had demodectic mange on his face, tapeworms, and a luxating patella. He slowly started to adjust to his new life in our home and overtime it was obvious he wasn’t as depressed anymore. Everyday Kobe made progress in becoming the happy, goofy Boston Terrier he was supposed to be. The first time Kobe jumped on the couch to sit with the family my eyes were brimming with happy tears. I was filled with even more tears the day Kobe decided it was time for him and our youngest Boston Terrier, Gabby, to play. He would run into her room, grab a toy, and run into my room with the toy, always looking back in hopes that she was chasing him. This went on for a week when suddenly Gabby decided she was going to take her toys back. They have been best friends and do everything together since that day. The day Gabby and Kobe started playing, we decided to be foster failures. There was no discussion if we could
afford it. We would afford it one way or another because he was meant to be in this family. There were days when we were so depressed and sad about losing our jobs, but Kobe never would let us be sad for long. He is a born lover and will do anything in his power to make you smile and will sit by your side until you are smiling (just as I did with him when he first came to live with us).
We were asked by Gina, the founder of C.H.A.I.N.E.D., if we would take him to obedience training classes. He started the first class at the end of January and went on to graduate from basic obedience, intermediate obedience, and then obtained his CGC. In less than four months of Kobe being rescued from the chain, he had gone from unsocialized and skittish, to AKC Canine Good Citizenship certified, and loves visiting the Masonic Home in Alma, Michigan, where my grandmother currently resides. Kobe's next step is to obtain his Therapy Dog license. I would love for him to work with children with reading disabilities as well as visiting nursing homes and hospitals because of his calm demeanor, attentiveness, and love of children. He has also exhibited this calming demeanor around shy, aggressive dogs; there may be something
in his future for that type of therapy also. He simply loves every dog he meets and seems to have a way of being a calming presence with the most nervous-aggressive dogs. Kobe’s forever family includes 2 Boston Terriers, a Chihuahua, and two parrots. He greatly respects his Chihuahua sister by never looking her in the eyes (although he does sneak a few glances when she’s not looking). His elderly Boston brother gets the same respect, but without the rules the Chihuahua has laid down. Kobe turned out to be a very large Boston at 40 pounds, but thinks he’s no bigger than his Boston brother and sister. He shows no mercy to his 18 pound Boston sister, Gabby, when wrestling (which is their favorite playtime activity). I don’t know how I would have made it these past 10 months without him. He is so comical; sometimes without even trying, and so loving. Kobe is just a perfect dog. Kobe is the best thing to happen to me and he is the perfect example of what potential any dog can have. Kobe is actually our first rescue dog and he is so different from the other three. He seems so much more appreciative of the life he now has than any other dog we have owned. He has convinced me that any future dogs I have will always be a rescue. I fully intend to live by the words, “Don’t shop, adopt.” We never could have imagined in a million years just how much joy one fun-loving, face-licking, googly-eyed Boston could bring us and at such a low point in our lives no less. We often say he was heaven sent. Everyday I wake up to his face snoring just a few inches from mine, and I am reminded that there is always a reason to smile, no matter how much life gets you down.
For more information or to contact: Become a fan on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/pages/ Kobe-Break-the-Chains-Gamble Become a fan of C.H.A.I.N.E.D. Inc. at: www.facebook.com/chainedinc
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HAPPILY EVER AFTER
M I E R A THE BAIT DOG
photos courtesy of Sgt Hartman
aka “K–146”
T h i s i s M i e r a ’s s t o r y f r o m b a i t d o g t o b e a u t i f u l g i r l ! By Vanessa Petrosky (foster mama to Miera)
In Dec of 2011, the Cleveland police busted a dog-fighting ring where 27 pit bulls were found living outside and in the basement of a vacant home owned by Collin Rand Jr. These dogs were all being used as bait dogs and for breeding as part of his organized dog fighting world. Police confiscated a treadmill, steroids, and syringes. In the blood-stained basement they found the dog fighting ring and rows of dogs living in small crates who were laying in their own feces and urine. All 27 dogs were taken to the City of Cleveland Animal Control Kennel. This story was on every local news channel and the community was outraged. Volunteers gathered at the kennel daily to help care for these 27 dogs who had now become known as, “Hope for the 27.”
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Before the 27 dogs arrived, I was a regular volunteer at the kennel and always opened my home and heart to abused and neglected animals that needed long-term foster care. When the 27 were brought in, I spent the next two weeks of my vacation there everyday getting to know these precious souls. Their conditions ranged in severity, but they were all covered in bite marks, open sores, scarring, and were emaciated. Their nails were yellow, stained, and very long, most likely the result of malnutrition and living in their own urine/feces. Most of their spines were curved in an arc, and they were hunched over as they walked. It was as if they spent their entire lives in their cages where their bodies formed to the size of the cage.
As I walked the rows of the kennel, I was drawn to K-146; her lifeless body glued to the floor. She was cowering in the kennel, completely unresponsive to me as I knelt down in front of her cage. I opened the door and began to pet her, still no response. From that point on, I spent day after day with her until her health became at risk. I received permission from Chief Baird to bring her home. I took her into a local vet who determined she was severely anemic and feared she needed a blood transfusion. I rushed her to the Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital In Akron, Ohio, where she received emergency medical care and was hospitalized for 3 days in ICU. When she was stable enough to be released, I brought her to my home; she would no longer be just K-146, but now
HAPPILY EVER AFTER
gave up and eventually we all saw Miera transforming into a ‘beautiful’ dog who had so much love to give. She was gentle, sweet, and loved children. It’s been 6 months and we have formed a bond that I cannot even find the words to describe. How can I give her up? If I kept her I would no longer be able to foster, as I would have four dogs. I struggled immensely with this for weeks and we started on the journey of looking for Miera’s forever home.
she had a name, Miera, which means, “one who gives light.” Miera was nowhere near a normal dog; she did not even know how to be a dog. She’d cower in her corner, would not walk, would urinate/feces in her cage, and was terrified of a human touch. I had to carry her outside, and she would freeze to the ground. Thus began our journey! I have 3 of my own dogs and Miera grew extremely attached to my mastiff/mix rescue, Otis, who became Miera’s best buddy and helped teach Miera how to be a dog. For the first 2 months I was up 2 to 3 times a night changing the blankets and bedding in her crate as she would defecate /urinate in there since this is what she was used to. I would also carry her in/out for weeks in the dead of winter so she could learn where and how to go potty. After 3 weeks she peed outside for the first time! I continued to go outside and carry her out my slider down the 3 steps onto my patio for at least 3 months, all the while working with the leash which she was terrified of. Everything I did, I tried to make a ‘positive’ impact and used the clicker reward system where I would click/ treat, click/treat. It was much like the ‘firsts’ of raising a child. I started a Facebook page for Miera where I was able to share her journey.
Once she got more comfortable outside on the leash, I now faced the challenge of her going outside without me. She would only sit on the top step glued to the door and she wouldn’t move, nor would she pee without me. It broke my heart. I would watch her from the window and she would just shiver in fear, and I could only imagine the life this dog had led. This went on for weeks, and with the help of my Otis, one day she ventured off the step, froze, looked back at the door, looked at Otis out in the yard, and slowly took a few steps and ran back to the slider. I cried and opened the door and we had a huge reward party – boy, did we click/treat! Then it was about a month after when she took her first step off the patio and onto the grass. Eventually, she would slowly walk around and investigate/ smell the world around her, but anything loud such as a garbage truck or motorcycle would send her flying back to the door. I started taking her to some training facilities where we would just sit and watch and we made slow progress where she would learn that people were good, we could be trusted, and I promised her no one would ever hurt her again. Car rides were a challenge. Miera would curl up in the front seat and drool, and then eventually throw up. We never
I am happy to tell you that Miera has found her new forever home. She now lives with Neil and Amanda and has a new sister, Sadie, another rescued pit bull, whom she adores! She is now walking great on leash and goes for daily walks with her new family. She even sleeps in bed with her new sister and mom/dad! She makes great progress daily and is loving the life that she never had. I have stayed in contact with Neil and Amanda and we have all become friends, and just recently they brought Miera over for a play date with Otis! Miera’s treatment was made possible with the help of Friends of the Cleveland Kennel and Director Becca Britton, who took Miera into her rescue and also paid for all her medical care and paid for a dog trainer who was able to give me some direction and advice to help in the recovery of Miera.
Become a fan on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/Miera-aka-Cage-146
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HAPPILY EVER AFTER
PEANUT
Finally Gets Her Family! By laura neesmitH (peanut’s mama!)
Six years ago, I got a feeling and something told me to go to the animal shelter. I wasn't planning on getting a dog at the time, but something drew me to the shelter on that day. Upon arrival at the shelter, I noticed that there was a huge line of people. A shelter manager stated that they had raided a puppy mill and I saw all these beautiful puppies. But, there was Peanut, sitting all alone. Peanut had been the primary breeding dog for Teacup Chihuahuas. Everyone was falling in love with her puppies and began adopting them immediately. I asked about Peanut and the shelter manager said, "Oh, that dog will not live much longer, she’s 9-years-old and has too many health problems." I fell in love with her the moment I laid eyes on her, and I didn't care about her age. The shelter informed me they were going to euthanize Peanut due to
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her excessive health problems. I told them "no," and that I would continue to monitor her health problems by taking her to the vet. Peanut had cracked ribs from breeding, twisted knee joints, trachea collapse, enlarged heart, and congestive heart failure; which all are managed by medicine. The shelter stated that Peanut was 9-years-old at the time and wouldn't live much longer…….well, that was 7 years ago! Peanut is a spoiled lap dog and spends her days, mostly, being lazy. She has a huge stuffed pig that she enjoys snuggling with. Peanut doesn't have any teeth, so she gets her daily pumpkin treats that she loves very much. She has also made friends with my other fur kids, and is well loved by my Godchildren and myself! Right now her heart failure has progressed, but she is battling through like the fighter she is.
from life at a puppy mill - to the euthanasia list at a shelter – to a forever family!