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Paws for Thought Editor’s Letter
N
ot everyone has the opportunity to do something they’ve dreamed of. In that respect, I consider myself incredibly lucky. Growing up, I wanted to be a veterinarian. I also wanted to be an artist. Guess what? I’m not either. But, I did achieve two things that I’ve aspired to: I work with animals and I’ve also been a graphic designer. For years, I’ve tried to think of a way to combine both loves, pets and art. Well, I think I’ve finally figured a way. Welcome to ArkanPaws Magazine, the publication for pets and their people! I present Northwest Arkansas with its own pet magazine—a source of educational and entertaining articles and stories, combined with wonderful covers by local artists and photographers. For our first issue, nationally-known pet artist Linda Picken was kind enough to provide us our cover art. I’m so delighted with the adorable puppies and kittens that grace our cover! And, our pages are chock-full of excellent articles by local businesses and individuals. I’m learning that talent abounds in NWA! Check out our directories for pet businesses and organizations, and don’t forget to look at our event calendar—there are several pet events scheduled in the coming months, and you certainly wouldn’t want to miss them! Some of them are dog walks, so take your dogs out for a day of fun and sun. They need exercise and a change of scenery just as much as we do! We hope that you will enjoy this, our first issue, and we encourage you to patronize our advertisers. Without them, this magazine wouldn’t be possible. There are so many pet businesses in our area that I never even knew existed. With any luck, ArkanPaws will help to spotlight their products and services! If our readers have any stories, photos or suggestions to make, we welcome them. You can reach us by e-mail at arkanpawsmag@hotmail.com. Leslie K. Ray Editor-In-Chief 4
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ArkanPaws
™
PUBLISHER
Leslie Ray CIRCULATION DIRECTOR
ArkanPaws Magazine™ is published four times a year on a quarterly basis by Angel Pet Sitters, Inc., PO Box 6601, Springdale, AR 72766. ArkanPaws Magazine™ is distributed free to newstands and businesses throughout NWA. Mailed subscription rate is $12.00 per year in the United States. U.S. Postage paid at Springdale, AR. ArkanPaws Magazine™ is distributed freely to readers in Northwest Arkansas. Publisher is not liable for all content (including editorial and illustrations provided by advertisers) of advertisements published and does not accept responsibility for any claims made against the publisher. It is the advertiser’s or agency’s responsibility to obtain appropriate releases on any item or individuals pictured in an advertisement. Reproduction of this magazine in whole or in part is prohibited without prior written permission from the publisher. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to ArkanPaws Maga-
zine, PO Box 6601, Springdale, AR 72762 PRINTED IN THE USA
Edna Zemites SALES DIRECTOR
Leslie Ray MANAGING EDITOR
Leslie Ray ART DIRECTOR
Debbie Calhoun PRESIDENT
Leslie Ray ArkanPaws Magazine P.O. Box 6601 Springdale, AR 72762 Phone: 479.750.7171 arkanpawsmag@hotmail.com
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CONTENTS 8
Linda Picken Pet Artist Extraordinaire
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Directory NWA Pet-Related Organizations
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Business Spotlight Big Wag Gourmet Dog Bakery
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Breed Showcase Afta Shelties
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Spring Calendar of Pet Events
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Pet Tails Puppies by the Pound
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Non-Profit Spotlight Lulu is just one of the many pets that call Northwest Arkansas home.
For Pets’ Sake
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Ask Bitsy Column
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NWA Pet Gallery
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Pet Training Cat’s in the Cradle
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Pawsitive Play A Fun Page for Kids
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Business Directory Classifieds Ad Index
8 COVER ART PROVIDED BY LINDA PICKEN
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Linda Picken Pet Artist Extraordinaire BY LESLIE RAY
I
f you’re a pet lover, you’ve probably seen and admired art by Linda Picken. Linda’s beautiful work graces everything from greeting cards to puzzles and popcorn tins. Her work is very popular, and with good reason—it is stunning. Her paintings cover everything from domestic pets to wildlife, which are meticulously detailed proving that her subjects are rendered with love and an eye for perfection.
Because her work is so impressive, I was delighted and honored to be invited to visit Linda in her home. Visions of grandeur swirled in my cluttered mind. What would she be like, this artist who is literally worldrenown? Her work is so impeccable that I feared she might judge me the same way she scrutinizes her vivid masterpieces. Gulp. Linda answered the door wearing a brilliant turquoise sweater that accentuated her remarkably blue eyes and radiant smile. I was taken aback by her delightfully casual demeanor, and equally taken aback by the sheer volume of work that she has displayed in her home. Linda is nothing
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with tales of some of the other pets she’s had in her life, among them dogs and peacocks. She described some quail that used to visit her backyard, and a kestrel that she babysat for once upon a time. In case you didn’t deduce it from her paintings, Linda is an animal lover in every sense of the word. During the course of our enjoyably relaxing visit, I learned that Linda didn’t begin painting in earnest until she was 22 years of age. She painted a wide variety of subjects, but it wasn’t until she started painting dogs that she felt she had hit on something lucrative. People fell in love with her Labs, Goldens, Beagles, Poodles, and more. In short, the public couldn’t get enough of her pet art. Her husband, Neal, promoted Linda, and helped her atshort of a dynamo. I had no idea how prolific an artist she is! Oil paintings hung from every wall. Her work is displayed on furniture and even incorporated in the decor of her home. She is completely engrossed in her work, and it shows. While given the grand tour of her home, I was introduced to her kitties: Jessie, also known as “Bin Laden”, due to his curious habit of attacking your hand when you least expect it; Kiki, an elegant tuxedo kitty; and Topper, a grey tabby that I recognized from one of my favorite paintings by Linda, “Hobbs and Topper”. But, the menagerie didn’t end there. Linda regaled us
tend art shows across the country for 30 years until their retirement in 2003. That she was able to continue the pace for such a long time is certainly a testimonial to the unflagging love that Linda has for what she does. Linda said she is “three-quarters retired”, and then showed me her current project, a line of dog breed and puppy paintings for a national firm. I’m not sure Linda has quite grasped the meaning of the word “retired”! Linda’s work alone didn’t astound and impress me; it was her life stories that were icing on the cake. When her children were still
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young, Linda’s husband left his full-time job to help her pursue her dream. Together, they’ve built her talent into a phenomenal legacy and a profitable business. Along the way, the colorful couple gained some new interests and met some interesting (to say the least) people, some artists, some not. Linda’s devoted husband, Neal, is owner and fencing instructor of Arkansas Fencing Academy in Springdale. He has helped train some notable athletes. While Linda purports not to be a “sporty” type, Neal likes bicycling and has been an inspiration to his daughters, who both took up fencing at a young age. One of Linda’s daugh-
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ter’s still resides in NWA, while the other has made the east coast her home. Recently, Linda and Neal became proud grandparents to a bouncing baby boy. It was with genuine regret that I left Linda’s idyllic home, nestled in the Bentonville countryside. It has been a long time since I’ve been the guest of such a cheerful and generous host. I feel blessed to have made Linda’s acquaintance, and I’m proud to be able to display her work on the cover of this, our first issue of ArkanPaws Magazine. G
All Natural Holistic Human Grade Pet Foods Eagle Pack Holistic Select, Canidae, Wellness, Solid Gold, Flint River Ranch, Pinnacle and Nature’s Variety
Grooming • Agility Obedience Training Collars, Leashes, Toys, & More FAYETTEVILLE 479-582-3647
BENTONVILLE 479-464-9364
www.dogwatchonline.com
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NWA Pet-Related Organizatons Bella Vista Animal Shelter, 855-6020 petfinder.com/shelters/AR27.html Border Collie Rescue of the Ozarks, 236-5351 bcrozarks.com Centerton Animal Control, 795-0078 petfinder.com/shelters/AR143.html City of Gentry Animal Shelter, 736-8400 members.petfinder.com/~AR194/index.html City of Springdale Animal Services, 750-8166 petfinder.com/shelters/AR91.html
Lone Pine Ranch Animal Shelter lonepineshelter@yahoo.com petfinder.com/shelters/AR98.html Lost Love Animal Rescue, 283-8563 petfinder.com/shelters/AR177.html Northwest Arkansas Save Our Strays, 531-2255 petfinder.com/shelters/AR178.html Ozark Mountain Bassett Rescue, 263-3483 ombr.org
Fayetteville Animal Shelter, 444-3456 petfinder.com/shelters/AR47.html
Pug Rescue of NWA pugmomma72712@yahoo.com petfinder.com/shelters/AR67.html
For Pets Sake, 927-1809 for-pets-sake.org
Rogers Animal Shelter, 621-1197 petfinder.com/shelters/AR125.html
Good Shepherd Humane Society, 253-9188 petfinder.com/shelters/AR36.html
Siloam Springs Animal Services, 524-6530 petfinder.com/shelters/AR111.html
Humane Society for Animals, Inc., 636-3703 petfinder.com/shelters/AR50.html
Weimaraner Rescue of Arkansas, 530-0300 petfinder.com/shelters/AR199.html
Humane Society of the Ozarks, 444-7387 hsozarks.tripod.com
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pocket to have her new pet tested, vaccinated and spayed. Seniors who have used our program plan to use it again. FPS is having their first discount micro chip clinic for the public to I.D. pets. This is the third item on the FPS agenda. The micro chip clinic will be from 9am to 12 noon on Saturday April 26th at the Fayetteville Farmers’ Market, located downtown on the square. The discount micro chip fee is about half the going rate in this area. Each chip is encoded with a serial number and injected under the animal’s skin between the shoulders. The owner’s name and contact information are then registered with a national directory. Most vet clinics, shelters and rescues have the scanning equipment to detect the chip number, which allows them to obtain the owner’s contact info from the
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national registry. Bingo! Little lost dog goes home instead of going to the dog pound. For information regarding our upcoming microchip clinic, please call 927-1809, or e-mail forpetsake@hotmail.com. FPS offers high fashion dog collars for sale on their web site. These are cotton blend fabrics in bright colors and are comfortable for the dog. They’re machine washable, too! There’s even fabric collars for all you razorback fans. By next winter, FPS will be in the middle of their second art show at Arts Center of the Ozarks. This show will give cash prizes and FPS will host a wonderful reception for the opening. Check our web site (for-pets-sake.org) by summer to obtain details and entry forms. G Laurie Beckman is president of For Pets’ Sake.
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Dear Bitsy, I wish my dog, Jack, could communicate his needs. Sometimes I feel he wants something, but I can’t figure out what it is. He follows me around the house and when I’m in the kitchen, he sits and watches everything I do. When I sit down to watch TV, there he is. If I go to the bathroom, he wants to go in, too. If I don’t let him in, he sits outside and scratches on the door. Why does he do these things? — Amy H. Amy, Jack IS communicating his needs, but you’re not paying attention! Jack wants to be with you. He looks to you for companionship. Following you around is his way of saying, “Let’s hang out together!” Sometimes, we don’t need to be fed to be happy. A hug, a pat on the head, a neck massage, or just some kind words go a long way. Better yet, go outside and throw the ball for Jack. He would be SO happy to know you want to spend quality time with him! Dear Bitsy, My owner only feeds me dry food. I’m SO tired of dry food! What can I do to make her give me something special every now and then? —Rover
Rover, You’ve hit on an age-old question. Why do humans feel they have to feed us the same thing, day in and day out? Don’t they realize how boring it is? Yes, they do. But, the media has taught our owners that varying our diet is a no-no. I suppose that, to some degree, it’s true. But, it’s nice to get a treat now and then! I suggest doing something to get your owner’s attention. You might try dancing around on your hind feet, pretending you like to watch TV, or bringing them all of the socks they’ve “lost” in the last year. That should do it. If not, try to refrain from eating your owner’s favorite shoes in retaliation. I guarantee you won’t get any special treats for at least a year if you try that trick. G Send your letters or e-mails to Ask Bitsy, c/o ArkanPaws Magazine, P.O. Box 6601, Springdale, AR 72766 or arkanpawsmag@hotmail.com.
Animal Quotes "The purity of a person's heart can be quickly measured by how they regard animals." — Anonymous "An animal's eyes have the power to speak a great language." — Martin Buber "A cat is a puzzle for which there is no solution." — Hazel Nicholson "Who can believe that there is no soul behind those luminous eyes!" — Theophile Gautier ArkanPaws • Spring 2008
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will need a variety of sounds from a newborn. Having newborn sounds instead of ‘infant’ sounds is very important. It doesn’t take long for their voices to gain strength and begin to change. So, the first sounds your child makes are the types of sounds to which your cat should be introduced. Once you have the sounds, make sure you play them everywhere your newborn is likely to be. A portable CD player is great for this. There is also an iPod docking station designed for the crib rail, which is perfect for creating sounds right from the source. Remember volume, duration, location. Don’t just turn it on and walk away. No one wants to listen to a baby cry for 20 minutes, not you, not the cat. One final tip for creating harmony in your new family is the use of a pheromone plug-in diffuser. It’s similar to a plug-in air-freshener, except the scent it dispenses is an analogue of the cat’s facial pheromone. When your cat rubs her face on things, she is marking it
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as hers, and this gadget puts that scent right into the air. It might be the single best product ever invented for the comfort of kitties. You can’t smell it, it won’t wreak havoc with your asthma or allergies, and combined with other strategies, it will greatly reduce the amount of time she spends hiding or misbehaving when the new arrival arrives. G
For more information on preparing and introducing your pets to a newborn, visit www.LoveTrustTeach.com. My New Best Friend is available for purchase and download via Internet only, and includes 10 audio files recorded from real newborns, as well as a step-by-step guideline for use. Denise Holmes, a behavioral specialist, has been helping pets train people since 1978.
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Help Jack Find His Way Through the Maze!
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START
FINISH
Pet Riddles Q: What do you get if you cross a sheepdog with a rose? A: A collie-flower! Q: What’s the unluckiest type of cat to have? A: A catastrophe! Q: What kind of dog does Dracula have? A: A bloodhound! Q: What do you get if you cross a cat with a lemon? A: A sourpuss!
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Business Directory Artists
Pet Sitting/Grooming/Training A Cherished Dog Home Boarding 479.750.7171 or 479.871.9092 www.acherisheddog.com
479.283.0063 www.chobluestudios.com 479.273.9217 www.lindapicken.com Leslie Ray Digital Pet Portraits 479.750.7171 www.angelpetsitters.com/portraits.html
Food
Angel Pet Sitters 479.750.7171 www.angelpetsitters.com The Canine Connection 479.444.0300 www.canineconnection.info Dog Party USA 479.306-4660 www/DogPartyUSA.com
479.631.2924 www.bigwag.com
Non-Profits Dog Watch Doggie Day Care and Boarding Fayetteville 479.582-3647 , Bentonville 464-9364 www.dogwatchonline.com
479.927.1809 www.for-pets-sake.org Humane Society of the Ozarks 479.444.7387 http://hsozarks.tripod.com
League of Arkansas Professional Pet Sitters 479.750.7171 www.lappsonline.org
Classifieds Beautiful female golden retriever mix needs a good home! One year old, current on shots, spayed. Affectionate and smart! 479-927-1809.
Looking for love in all the wrong places? Look no more! Nikki is a sweet black lab mix longing for a family! She is only 6 months old, with current shots and spayed. 479-927-1809.
Check our directory for shelters, rescues, and animal welfare organizations offering adoptable pets!
Hand made fabric dog collars in a variety of colorful prints! Comfortable and machine washable! Great assortment of art prints by the artist Linda Picken! Visit our website to see and purchase: http://for-pets-sake.org/cart.php
Reach Over
10,000 Pet Owners! Place your classified ad here! Only $1 per word for standard text ad.
AD INDEX Advertiser
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A Cherished Dog .........................................................................................................................5 Angel Pet Sitters........................................................................................................................IFC Artist Linda Picken.....................................................................................................................BC Big Wag Gourmet Dog Bakery...............................................................................................IBC Canine Connection ..................................................................................................................22 ChoBlue Studios .......................................................................................................................IBC Dog Party USA ............................................................................................................................15 Dog Watch .................................................................................................................................10 For Pets Sake ..............................................................................................................................21 Humane Society of the Ozarks Dogwood Walk ......................................................................3 LAPPS .............................................................................................................................................7 Leslie Ray, Digital Artist ..............................................................................................................28 TrustLoveTeach / Denise Holmes..............................................................................................11
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