ArkanPaws Magazine, Summer 2008, Issue 2, Volume 1

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Need a Sitter? Send your pup to Camp. They’ll Socialize, Exercise, and have Fun! BOARDING & DAYCARE • All Day Play, Snooze The Night Away® • Five Large Indoor & Outdoor Play Areas • Spacious Cabins with Comfy Cots • Certified Camp Counselors® • High Speed Live WEB CAMS • Watch Online as your Dog Plays!

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Serving Northwest Arkansas pets and people since 1990

ACCREDITED PRACTICE

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Paws for Thought Editor’s Letter ur premiere issue of ArkanPaws Magazine™ was very well received, both by readers and advertisers! But, we’re not about to rest on our laurels. We hope to improve the magazine with every issue, to bring you informative and entertaining articles and lots of colorful photos and artwork!

In this issue, we’re featuring an awesome new artist, Jennifer Schell. I’m in love with her vibrant colors and kitschy-cool images, and I think you will be, too! Our breeder showcase features everyone’s favorite breed—Labrador Retrievers!

Barbara Kossieck has bred Labs for many years, and I’m impressed with her dedication and affection for the breed. We’re spotlighting a new business, Camp Bow Wow. Linda and Jeff Kosecki, the owners of this fabulous new franchise establishment, are determined to provide the very best care for dogs in NWA. Other items of interest include an educational article about heartworms (of special interest during the summer months), an inspired look at agility events by an agility hobbyist, and a reader’s personal experience in choosing a pet for her family.

We received quite a few requests for subscriptions to the magazine, fans sent pet photos for our Pet Gallery, and we even received an adorable poem that a reader wrote about her dog, Parker.

Because we’ve received so many wonderful e-mails and letters from readers and advertisers, we’re including a few excerpts for you to enjoy. Our advertisers are saying the magazine is bringing them new business; we’ve expanded our distribution area to include Huntsville and some other outlying areas; and we’ve heard from pet lovers in neighboring states, begging us to expand our magazine to their areas. (Sorry, but for now, ArkanPaws Magazine is strictly an Arkansas publication!)

Next issue we would like to feature an article and photos of an Arkansas “celebrity”. Who should it be? E-mail or call us with your suggestions!

Looking ahead to our January 2009 issue, we’re gearing up for a contest. We would like our cover to feature a student work of art! If you have a little (or a big) Picasso at home, send us their best, most colorful drawing (or painting) of their pet (dog, cat, fish, etc.). Art must be at least 8-1/2” x 11”, and will become the property of ArkanPaws Magazine.

In exchange for the use of the winning entry in our publication and any future promotions, we will award a $100 cash prize! There will also be second and third place winners, each will receive a gift certificate for pet products. (So they can deck their pet out in canine or kitty bling and feed them gourmet treats!)

Keep the letters, e-mails, and calls coming! We’re working to improve the magazine, and your input is needed! Let’s see some more of that NWA talent!!

O

Sincerely, Leslie K. Ray Editor-in-Chief

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ArkanPaws

™

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. The opinions and views of the articles in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of ArkanPaws Magazine™.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to ArkanPaws Magazine,

PO Box 6601, Springdale, AR 72762 PRINTED IN THE USA

ArkanPaws Magazine™ is in no way affiliated with any other businesses using the name “ArkanPaws”, and is therefore not to be associated with such.

PUBLISHER

Leslie Ray CIRCULATION DIRECTOR

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

Jennifer Schell

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Dog Agility

Unique Pet Portraits & Murals

A Great Sport for Active Dogs

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NWA Pet Calendar of Events

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Directory of 24 Non-Profit Organizations 26 Business Spotlight

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Pet Training The Importance of Early Socialization

Pet Gallery Avoiding Heartbreak A Veterinarian’s View of Heartworm Disease

Camp Bow Wow

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Breeder Showcase Aquadot Labrador Retrievers

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Pet Tails

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Ask Bitsy

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Pawsitive Play A Fun Page for Kids

Bonding with Bijoux

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Event Recap

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Business Directory Classifieds

Paws-n-Spas Dog Wash

What They’re Saying About ArkanPaws ...

Thank you so much for including us in the first issue of ArkanPaws Magazine! We really appreciate everything you do for the pet community.

— Chaddie P., Dog Party USA, Springdale I picked up the first issue of ArkanPaws from the Bentonville Library and enjoy it!

— Trina V., Reader, Bentonville I just recently picked up the premiere issue of ArkanPaws Magazine. What a great idea! ... we are so glad to see someone such as yourself marketing to the Pet Parents.

— Kendra W., Reader, Springdale I read the premiere issue of Arkansas Paws in the waiting room at WRMC while my mother was having surgery. What a pleasant way to pass the time. Well done!

— Lyn E., Reader, Fayetteville I would like to get 100 magazines for the library. I think it is a great magazine, I wish I would have thought of it!

— Shelly G., Siloam Springs Public Library COVER ART PROVIDED BY JENNIFER SCHELL

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Opt to Adopt!

Nikki Nikki is a 10-12 month old female lab mix. A funny little character, she makes noises as if she is trying to talk.

If her nap space is crowded she contorts her body like a small acrobat in order to fit herself into the space. Nikki is 100 % house trained, spayed and current on shots. In good weather she really likes to play outside. She is good with other dogs and is not destructive. If you have kids, Nikki will fit right in at your place! If you're interested in Nikki, please contact For Pets Sake at 479-927-1809, or forpetsake@hotmail.com.

Gauge Meet “Gauge”! Gauge is a wire-haired terrier mix that is black and tan in color. The shelter has already had him neutered, and he will make a great pet for an active household! Gauge weighs approximately 15 lbs and is about 2 years old. Adoption fee includes microchip with registration, vaccinations, deworming, and an adoption pack. Inquire about Gauge at Springdale Animal Services, 321 Randall Wobbe Lane or call us at (479) 750-8166.

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Cho Blu Studios Unique Pet Portraits & Murals

BY LESLIE RAY

J

ennifer Schell, is an artist as unique and fanciful as the magnificent Dane she painted to grace the cover of our summer issue! I first met Jennifer about a year ago, at a local dog event. She struck me as imaginative and cheerful, and her artwork was infused with her colorful personality.

Some of the work she has done is soulful, some whimsical, but all of the portraits capture the character of the pets she paints.

Relatively new to the art scene in NWA, Jennifer has been painting for almost four years now and doing commissioned work for the past two. Her career started soon after she did a painting of her dog, Chochie.

Some of her co-workers admired it and wanted their own pets immortalized on canvas. It was not long after, that Jennifer launched ChoBluStudios.com. She had just learned she was pregnant and was looking for a way to make money on a flexible schedule, without having to put her daughter in daycare. She focused solely on pet portraits at the time. Of late, Jennifer has been doing murals and the demand for her work is growing!

A recent Jennifer Schell mural inspired by Maurice Sendak’s “Where the Wild Things Are.”

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Acrylics are Jennifer’s preferred medium.

She has painted with oils in the past, but feels she has a better technique with acrylics. She likes the qualities of acrylics— the ease of use, the fast drying, the lack of odor, and the fact that they are non-toxic, making them safe to use around pets and children.

When Jennifer creates pet portraits, she is focused on bringing the pet’s personality to life in her paintings. She loves to meet her clients and the pets that she paints. She makes an effort to get to know them, whether in person, through letters, e-mails, or phone conversations. Jennifer is always amazed at

Jennifer Schell and friends how nice her clients are, and she finds it refreshing that they are eager to invite her into their lives. Seeing how unique each pet is and how much her clients love their pets is extremely rewarding to Jennifer.

When clients send her photos of their pets with the family, a favorite toy, or on their favorite chair, it gives Jennifer a clear idea of what the pet is like. It is important to Jennifer that she be able to capture the essence of each pet in her portraits, since she realizes she is painting a portrait of a family member. She is quick to point out that while she works from photos, she does not duplicate the photo in her paintings.

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Each painting is unique and appealing in its own way.

When I first met Jennifer, I was under the impression that she was originally from NWA, but she was actually born in New Haven, Connecticut. She moved to Arkansas when she was only twelve years old. She says she enjoys living in Northwest Arkansas, but she misses the east coast.

In October 2007, Jennifer, her husband Chris, and their son, Nodus, had a lovely baby girl join the family. Her name is Elia, and I’m told she looks like her Daddy, with light hair and blue eyes. I gather from Jennifer’s delightful stories of Elia’s antics, that she has a personality much like that of her enchanting mother!

It won’t be long before Elia joins her big brother in his favorite pastime, skateboarding!

Jennifer is a remarkable young artist, and I’m impressed with her work and her dedication. I think she has great things in store for her, and I am looking forward to seeing more of her remarkable work in the years to come! G

JENNIFER SCHELL

choblustudios@yahoo.com 479-283-0063

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NWA Pet Calendar of Events Saturday, June 28 — Grand Re-Opening of Fayetteville Shelter Wednesday, July 9 — 7 p.m., Northwest Arkansas Kennel Club meeting, Peterson Granite, Springdale Thursday, July 17 — 6 p.m., For Pets Sake meeting, Pontiac Coffee House, Springdale Saturday, July 26, — 12 noon, Big Wag Birthday Celebration, Big Wag Gourmet Dog Bakery, Rogers Saturday, August 2 — 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., GOURMET DOG BAKERY Camp Bow Wow Grand Opening, 1403 SW 14th St., Bentonville Wednesday, August 13 — 7 p.m., Northwest Arkansas Kennel Club meeting, Peterson Granite, Springdale Thursday, August 21 — 6 p.m., For Pets Sake meeting, Pontiac Coffee House, Springdale

To have your event listed free, please send event information to Leslie Ray at arkanpawsmag@hotmail.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 Fayetteville Animal Shelter, 444-3456 petfinder.com/shelters/AR47.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 Madison County Pet Shelter, 738-1505 petfinder.com/shelters/AR64.html Northwest Arkansas Save Our Strays, 531-2255 petfinder.com/shelters/AR178.html Ozark Mountain Bassett Rescue, 263-3483 ombr.org

For Pets Sake, 927-1809 for-pets-sake.org

Pug Rescue of NWA pugmomma72712@yahoo.com petfinder.com/shelters/AR67.html

Good Shepherd Humane Society, 253-9188 petfinder.com/shelters/AR36.html

Rogers Animal Shelter, 621-1197 petfinder.com/shelters/AR125.html

Humane Society for Animals, Inc., 636-3703 petfinder.com/shelters/AR50.html

Siloam Springs Animal Services, 524-6535 petfinder.com/shelters/AR111.html

Humane Society of the Ozarks, 444-7387 hsozarks.tripod.com

Weimaraner Rescue of Arkansas, 530-0300 petfinder.com/shelters/AR199.html

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BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Camp Bow Wow Doggie Day and Overnight Camp amp Bow Wow® Premier Doggy Day and Overnight Camps provide a fun, safe and upscale environment for dogs to play, romp and receive lots of love and attention! We provide doggy day camp for clients wishing to drop their dogs off in the morning and pick them up in the evening, as well as overnight boarding for travelers. Overnight boarders play in the day camp program during the day and have their own individual cabins at night. Overnight campers get a special “campfire” tasty treat each night before they are tucked into their own spacious and clean cabin. Each cabin includes a comfy cot to curl up on and a fleece blanket which is washed daily, along with their food, water, and special toys from home. Campers from the same family can sleep together. Since parents bring the campers’ own food, they can be assured that upset tummies are prevented. Treats and special needs/medicines are also administered at no charge.

Our camp staffers are trained in dog behavior, safety and health management and are there to ensure your pup has a great time!

When Heidi Flammang opened the first Camp Bow Wow in Denver in 2000, giving back to the pups was always part of the

C

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plan. As the company grew, and began franchising in 2003, Heidi encouraged franchisees to get involved in the community, charities and be active in foster programs.

CBW in Bentonville will participate in the Bow Wow Buddies Foundation program. The mission of The Bow Wow Buddies Foundation Inc. is to promote the health and welfare of dogs worldwide, focusing on homing, health issues and humane treatment. We further our mission in several ways, including promoting foster and adoption programs to help dogs find loving homes; partnering with other animal welfare organizations that share the foundation’s mission; fundraising for the foundation and the causes it supports; implementing education programs on animal welfare; providing volunteer and financial support in

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disaster relief areas; and providing volunteer and financial support internationally in areas where dogs are neglected and mistreated.

What are some of the foundation’s projects?

We are funding the Bow Wow Buddies Cancer Biology Scholar at Colorado State University’s Animal Cancer Center, at a cost of $50,000 annually for five years. To read about CSU’s amazing efforts, check out: http://www.csuanimalcancercenter.org/w bswebpage.cfm?pagetextid=Facility.

We have also partnered with Morris Animal Foundation’s Cure Canine Cancer Campaign. For more information, visit: http://www.curecaninecancer.org.

We are supporting animal welfare workers in parts of Greece where dogs are suffering. To date, we have brought home 17 dogs from Greece, finding them great forever families in the United States and putting a face on the fact that dogs are dogs throughout the world and have the same simple needs. We have also provided funding for several key projects in Greece, including a water well at the

shelter on the island of Samos and an animal welfare advertising campaign in Ioannina.

We plan to create and support educational programs on animal welfare; continue to fund efforts to fight canine cancer; support spaying and neutering clinics; host

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dog wellness days; and work to help our friends in Greece improve conditions in shelters there.

Foster/re-homing programs Camp Bow Wow currently has 200 franchisees and almost 70 open camps. Most of our camps are actively fostering pups in partnership with their local humane societies or rescue organizations. Since beginning these programs in 2003, our camps have found forever families for more than 2,000 dogs.

The foundation is supporting these vital efforts to help one dog at a time, through public relations efforts.

Additionally, we plan to initiate a small grant program that will help our franchisees raise awareness and ® funds for the pups and shelters they support.

Camp Bow Wow Bentonville looks forward to working closely with Stacie Kiggins at Homeward Bound Canine Rescue in Garfield, and the NWA humane societies and animal shelters to find great families for dogs.

The first Camp Bow Wow in the state of Arkansas is located at 1403 S.W. 14th Street (Hwy 102), Bentonville, AR 72712. Call 479-268-4120 to schedule your dog’s interview today and discover a dog gone great place for your furry friend! This new state of the art facility includes webcams so you can go online to watch your pups playing. Campers must be spayed or neutered, and current on Rabies, Distemper, and Bordetella. They also must socialize well with other campers and be in good health. G

— Contributed by Camp Bow Wow

www.campbowwow.com/bentonville

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BREEDER SPOTLIGHT

Aquadot Labrador Retrievers

BY BARBARA KOSSIECK

W

hether a puppy is destined to become a hunting dog, a show dog, competitor in any of the many competitions or simply a companion, it must first of all be considered a part of the family. A Labrador raised in this environment will always be content in any of these roles. As a result their new families will be happier with their choice.

Our family has always had dogs enriching our lives. Around 30 years ago, we realized just how much we loved Labradors. It took a few years to decide we should try to raise a healthier Lab than we were seeing at the time. Living with Labs, having them on my lap, at my feet or just walking with them

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brings me peace. I also love to show them.

For this reason we have only one litter about every 1 ½ years. We like to breed to produce the very best Lab we possibly can, which results in a few show potential dogs and some very nice pet quality puppies, which are available to the right homes.

In breeding Labradors, our first concern is for their health.

The hips and elbows of both the stud dog and the dam must be exrayed, cleared and registered. The eyes must be examined by a veterinary ophthalmologist yearly and certified to be clear of inheritable eye problems. We also do a DNA blood test to check for carriers of Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA). When someone purchases one of our puppies the registration application from AKC will have a notation after each of the parents’ names including the initials of the test,

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the dog’s age in months and the rating (For example: OFA24G for hips, OFEL24 for elbows and CERF 37 for eyes) certifying they have been tested and proven free and clear of any of these issues.

Puppies are also tested, to determine which will be eager hunters, energetic companions for a house full of children, or fire place cuddlers for an older couple. Potential homes have to be screened to be sure they have suitable facilities for a dog. They must have a secure, fenced yard, time in the house with their family and shade for those times for playing in the yard. We have always endeavored to raise our Labradors to be the best companions possible.

These puppies are destined to be life-long companions, and they deserve to be with families that will love and care for them properly.

The dogs we breed have personalities that make them eager to please and easy to live with. Of the conformation champions we’ve had, two are still with us. Some of our dogs are therapy dogs that we take into nursing homes, hospitals and schools.

Others have gone to homes where they were trained to be arson detection dogs, narcotics dogs, search and rescue dogs, and therapy dogs. We love to hunt with our dogs and have sold many to hunters who have competed in hunt trials. Many hunting professionals are firm believers that a good hunting dog is best trained by living in your home in order to form a bond between hunter and dog.

Some time ago, we sold a female puppy to some people who lived outside of Rogers and always had a garden. Every summer day, the husband would take Sable Belle out to the garden with him and each of them would eat a small cucumber.

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Sable never got into the garden without her beloved owner, until the day he was late getting out of the house and found Sable on the porch with a freshly picked cucumber thoroughly enjoying it. He was ready to read her the riot act when he happened to glance over by the sliding door and saw a freshly picked cucumber, unblemished by teeth, never been on the ground, waiting for him to enjoy his cucumber. She had waited and finally decided it was time for their cucumber eating and had chosen just the right one for him, lay it next to the door he always came out of and then went back out, chose hers and proceeded to eat it. We love hearing stories like this one, which strengthens our resolve to produce only the best Labradors we possibly can.

All of the puppies we place have had their first shots, been checked for worms, have been micro chipped and had their eyes checked by a veterinary ophthalmol-

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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ogist before they leave the house. Micro chipped dogs are registered by the new owners and we have them list us as for secondary notification, so if the owner cannot be reached, we will be contacted in case someone has found the puppy, and we can reunite the puppy with its owner.

A parting thought: We feel very strongly that puppy mills should be outlawed. We stringently screen our puppies’ new homes and we have requirements before we will place one of them. There is a written guarantee signed by both seller and buyer in which we agree the puppy will never fall into the hands of a puppy mill or pet shop.

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The contract also includes a spay/neuter agreement. A buyer who decides to compete with the puppy should get the health certifications. We will then agree to go over the puppy to ascertain if it is competition qualified. If the puppy is qualified we can lift the spay/neuter agreement. A lot of our puppies go to people that have had our dogs in the past. No puppy mill can make claim to all of these facts. G

aquadot@wildblue.net 479-925-4444

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PET TAILS

onding Bwith Bijoux

BY SHANNON MAGSAM

A

round the time my daughter turned 3, she began to beg and pine for a puppy. Actually, she had been pining for quite a while already, but I hadn’t been willing to take on a fluffy baby until the human one was a little more self-sufficient.

But after her third birthday, I felt like we could all enjoy a canine member of the family. Growing up in the country, most of my pets just wandered up and I’d fed them leftover pot roast or bacon strips from the refrigerator, so they happily stuck around. But I’d never been allowed to have any of my menagerie step one furry paw into my parent’s house.

Perhaps this was why I agonized over whether to have a dog live in my own house. It’s funny to me now, since Bijoux is a loyal, playful and protective member of our family, but I just couldn’t picture it three years ago. My husband passionately argued that a pet is not really part of the family if it stays in the backyard and isn’t able to interact with its “pack.” I finally agreed and we started our hunt for breeds that didn’t shed too much and got along well with kids. Poodles kept popping up, whether we looked in a book or typed our preferences into a website pet finder.

I considered the smaller poodles, miniatures and toys, but I kept hearing about how great those really big guys, the Standard Poodles, were. But I also knew how big they could really get and I didn’t want a Clifford-size dog in the house. As it happened, we were told about a breeder who had a Standard Poodle runt. The 3-month-old puppy was in great health, but judging from her current size, would theoretically have the easygoing disposition of a Standard, but grow into a much smaller version. We thought it sounded like a happy medium, so to speak, but still I wavered. Didn’t dogs roll in disgusting goo and then go hop onto your couch for a nap?

Then I met her. She had on a hot pink collar and looked like a little black lamb, all curly hair and long legs. The owner put her on a leash and my daughter walked her around the Fort Smith park where they were having the annual dog show. After a few turns (and a few hours, actually) it was unanimous: this was love. We paid our money and packed the kid and the puppy into our car. Then it was time for a celebratory trip to the ice cream drive-in (none for the puppy) and home.

We had bought all kinds of accessories for our new dog, just in case we decided she was “the one.” The first thing we pulled out was a tennis ball. We also grabbed the squeaky toy that she’d played with at her previous owner’s house and went out in the backyard for a little fun. I still love to look at the pictures we took that day: our daughter with her still-chubby cheeks, the little lamb puppy and me. Now I’m mama to both: one little blonde-headed girl and one little brunette pup! G

SHANNON MAGSAM writes regularly in her online blog for mothers, NWA

Motherlode (http://nwamotherlode.com).

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EVENT RECAP It was a perfect afternoon for the Paws-n-Spas Dog Wash held recently at Dog Days in Bentonville. Everyone showed up to have their pooches pampered. One by one, the dogs had their beauty baths, lined up for their “dos”, and then had their nails done!

They went from soggy doggies to cool canines and everyone enjoyed the sun, fun, and camaraderie!

DOG WASH

Some dogs loved every minute of their spa treatment.

... Some not so much.

Some dogs were way cool ...

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Some needed a little special attention ...

Some garnered a little attention of their own.

All photos courtesy of Jackie and Chad Collie of Pets Rock, 479.750.2059, www.petsrockphoto.com, jackie@petsrock.net.

Some were just adorable.

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Dog Agility A Great Sport for Active Dogs

BY KAREN VALLE

F

ifteen years ago, I decided to take my children to a dog show sponsored by the local kennel club. I had intended to broaden their horizons by introducing them to the several different breeds that would be there. Little did I know that this decision would broaden my own horizons, in a way I never could have imagined.

We saw a demonstration with dogs playing on all kinds of crazy equipment I had never seen before. There were various obstacles, including jumps, a tire, two types of tunnels, a see-saw, an A-frame, a long board about four feet off the ground, connected to other long boards used by the dogs as on and off ramps, and twelve poles standing on end that the dogs slalomed through. It was a new sport called dog agility.

What I found most amazing is that all these dogs were off-leash, and seemed to play just for the fun of it! Their tails were wagging, and some yipped happily as they raced over the obstacles. Dogs and handlers were having a great time, and what could be better than that? I was enthralled by all this, and vowed that my next dog was going to learn how to do this.

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Leap ahead eighteen months, and Kayla, my young mixed breed dog had just finished her first six weeks of beginner classes, and was about to start intermediate classes. I was taking her to agility trials for socialization. She socialized with other dogs, and I soaked up as much information as I possibly could on things like the rules of the different games being played, and various jobs that could be done by volunteer workers at a trial. We were still brand-new members of the agility club, and I had a lot to learn!

That weekend, my instructor told me that Kayla and I were good enough to run in our first competition, a month away. It would not be an understatement to say that you could have knocked me over with a feather. I mean, by the time of the trial, we would be only two weeks into intermediate classes! He encouraged me to fill out an entry form, and with his help, I managed to do it correctly.

I couldn’t believe it, but we did great! We came home from our first trial with two second place and a third place ribbon. I

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was hooked! I never would have dreamed that this little dog would qualify for, and attend, the Nationals three years in a row.

Needless to say, this sport has become my passion. We have travelled all over the country, going to places I never would have seen if I had not been competing.

Dog agility is a sport that was developed as spectator entertainment at Crufts, England’s version of the Westminster Dog Show in 1979. Since then, the sport has steadily grown in popularity to become an activity

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enjoyed around much of the world. Courses are designed by a judge, who notes faults such as going off-course or knocked bars. A Standard Course Time (SCT) is determined by the yardage of the course.

Why does this sport appeal to pet dog owners?

• In shy or insecure dogs, like mine, rewards and praise given by the handler increase the dog’s confidence as it learns to do each obstacle successfully. As their confidence increases, dogs learn to enjoy the

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sport for its own sake, and playing the game becomes a reward in itself. Confidence gained by learning agility affects every other aspect of their lives.

• In very active dogs, agility provides an outlet for all their energy, both physical and mental. The sport becomes a job to them. Many things a dog would normally do are incorporated, like jumping, climbing, and tunneling.

• Agility increases the bond between dog and handler by spending time doing an activity together. Dogs love interactive play with their handlers.

• Agility is fun for both dogs and handlers.

Dogs learn to socialize with other dogs and people, and what could be more fun to a dog than meeting his buddies at a playground built just for them? Handlers meet with other dog-minded people, discussing training techniques, and talk about their progress.

Obstacles that make up an agility course show off dogs’ natural abilities.

The A-Frame, see-saw and dogwalk are called contact obstacles. At either end of each obstacle is a yellow “contact zone”.

Dogs must touch each contact zone in order to receive credit for doing the obstacle correctly. The contact zones are in place as a safety issue.

The sport is open to all dogs; purebred or

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mixed-breed, and there are many organizations that welcome them in competition.

Canine Performance Events (CPE) is a great way to introduce a dog into competition. There are six levels of competition, and the first level has agility equipment that challenges the dog’s talent at the most basic level. Based in Michigan, CPE is one of the newest venues to offer competitions.

The United States Dog Agility Association, or more commonly known as USDAA, is based in Texas.

In 1986, USDAA was the first organization to introduce this new dog sport to the United States.

Rules and regulations were basically the same as what had been developed in England, which made agility an international sport. USDAA now hosts an international competition every year, welcoming dog and handler teams from 15 countries on five continents.

So why am I telling you all this stuff about dog agility? I’m telling you because there is a new dog agility club forming right here in Northwest Arkansas! It will be open to all dogs, purebreds and mixed-breeds alike. If you have an active dog that needs a job, or you just want to have FUN with your dog, come check us out! G

dogsports12001@yahoo.com 479-387-7661

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PET TRAINING

The Importance of Early Socialization

BY CHADDIE KUMPE-PLATT

U

ntil recently, most people didn’t think much about socializing their dogs at a young age. They didn’t have to.

There were no dog parks, dog walks, doggie daycares, or group play facilities. This is a relatively new phenomenon in most of America. When done correctly and at a young age, socializing your dog can not only be extremely beneficial to your dog, it also can be a lot of fun for you!

According to most pet behavior experts, the risks of early socialization are far outweighed by the benefits. The main risk has always been exposure to disease. However, most pets that you find at dog parks and doggie daycare facilities these days have been vaccinated, and as long as you make sure you are up to date on your puppy’s series of shots, you should not have to worry.

What most people don’t realize is that dogs have a language all their own, and if your dog is isolated for too long, he or she won’t learn how to “speak dog.” Actually, you could almost say that individual breeds speak their own language. For example, when a Shepherd meets a Boxer for the first time, it may seem like one dog is speaking German while the other dog is speaking English! They have distinctly different play styles that can be misinterpreted as to their

intent. While a Boxer will come at you enthusiastically with both front paws in the air and try to put his paws on your back and push you down, a Shepherd will be showing that he really likes you when he chases you down and nips you on the back.

Some safe ways to socialize your dog from a young age are: enrolling them in puppy classes at a doggie daycare, arranging play dates with friends or pet sitters who have dogs, and taking your dog places—i.e. dog parks, the farmer’s market, pet stores, and other pet-friendly events.

The more you socialize your dogs, the better they’ll behave.

Just like humans, it is easier for dogs to learn all the different dog “languages” while they are young. If exposed to different size dogs and breeds at a young age, a dog will learn to adapt to each individual play style. It will widen their acquaintance, so to speak, and make them a well-rounded dog—the kind of dog that you can take anywhere – and doesn’t that sound good? Now we just have to work on reforming public laws so we can take our dogs everywhere! G

CHADDIE KUMPE-PLATT and her mother, PRISCILLA KUMPE, are co-owners of Dog

Party USA, a dog day care and boarding facility in Springdale. www.dogpartyusa.com 479-306-4660

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NWA PET GALLERY Here’s just a few friendly faces that call Northwest Arkansas home. If you would like to have your pet published in ArkanPaws Magazine™, send photos with a brief note giving us permission to feature your pet in our magazine.

Digital photos should be 300 dpi jpegs. Email them to arkanpawsmag@hotmail.com, or mail high quality prints that are at least 4x6 to Pet Gallery, c/o ArkanPaws Magazine, P.O. Box 6601, Springdale, AR 72762. Photos cannot be returned.

A vixen in pajamas

Lacey Nellie

Phoebe

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Blanca

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A circle of love

Sicily Tex Andy

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Avoiding Heartbreak A Veterinarian’s View of Canine Heartworm Disease

BY WAYNE WOLFENKOEHLER, DVM

D

og owners who have never had to deal with a pet infected with heartworms may wonder what the big deal is. After all, don’t dogs get worms all the time? You give them a de-wormer and everything is fine again. Except with heartworms, everything is often not fine again.

Heartworms are the most deadly of canine parasitic worms because they reside in the dog’s heart and pulmonary arteries, potentially causing heart failure and eventually death.

The good news is that the medicine available by prescription through your veterinarian is highly effective in protecting

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your dog against heartworms. Compared to the cost of treating an infected dog, the cost of a monthly pill that will protect your dog from this debilitating condition is well worth the money.

How do dogs get heartworms?

Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes carrying heartworm larvae. When an infected mosquito bites a dog, it passes heartworm larvae to the dog which then migrate inside the dog until they reach their final destination – the heart. Here they grow to maturity and start to produce larvae (microfilariae). Heartworms can sur-

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vive 5 - 7 years in a dog’s bloodstream.

Most veterinarians in northwest Arkansas recommend year-round heartworm preventative since mosquitoes are present in all but the coldest months. In fact, the Companion Animal Parasite Council (capcvet.org) recommends dogs remain on year-round heartworm preventative regardless of where the pet lives.

What is heartworm disease?

Over time, the presence of adult worms in heart and pulmonary arteries causes inflammation and thickening of the walls of the blood vessels. This leads to increased blood pressure as the heart pushes blood through these clogged vessels, leading to congestive heart failure and eventually death.

What are the symptoms of heartworm disease?

Clinical symptoms usually appear only when the disease has reached a very severe stage and the dog is experiencing coughing, lethargy, difficulty breathing, and sometimes, collapse after exertion.

Why must I get my dog tested for heartworms every year?

The lengthy progression of the disease itself means a dog can be severely compromised before anyone even knows about it and by that time, it’s often too late to prevent death. Another reason for annual

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testing is that the monthly preventative, if given to an infected dog, can produce serious and potentially deadly side effects.

Do you need a prescription for heartworm medication?

By federal law, heartworm medications require a prescription. A doctor-patient relationship must be established before a prescription can be written. Your veterinarian should assess the heartworm status of your dog before prescribing these medications.

If my dog is on preventative yearround, does she still need to be tested annually?

Yes. The American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Heartworm Society, and the American Animal Hospital Association, all recommend annual testing for dogs.

While the prescription medications used today are highly effective, nothing can be considered 100% - and occasionally dogs given their monthly heartworm dose still test positive. Why? Sometimes people forget a month, and sometimes the dog goes under the bed and spits out the pill. Heartworm disease is so serious that no veterinarian wants to risk infection in anyone’s beloved pet. G

WAYNE WOLFENKOEHLER, DVM, is founder of All Pets Animal Hospital in Bentonville.

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Dear Luger’s Owner, CUT IT OUT! That is SO annoying! Do you think we have no intelligence whatsoever? If you keep this up, Luger is NOT going to want to play with you. He may be a bit dense (sorry, Luger), but eventually he’s not going to want to play, if he knows you’re just going to pretend and not actually throw the ball. Give the poor guy a break! 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.

Dear Bitsy, I’ve heard of something new, called a microchip. I understand it is used to help identify pets if they are lost. I’d like to have my dog micro-chipped, but I’m afraid it will hurt her. Is it really worth it?

— Timid in Tontitown Dear Timid, The answer to both of your questions is yes.

However, the pain your dog will feel is only temporary, and really no worse than being vaccinated. I’ve had it done, and it wasn’t too bad at all. Especially since my mom gave me a tasty treat right afterwards! And, the benefit of being micro-chipped is that if you ever dig your way out from under your fence and then regret it, you’ll have a better chance of making it back home. Besides, it’s bound to hurt less than being tattooed!

Dear Bitsy, Okay, so here’s the problem. My owner seems to think that it’s really funny to pretend to throw the ball and watch me run after thin air. I’m REALLY tired of this game! I mean, come on, how funny can it be after doing it ten times in a row? I want to play, but it’s not fair for me to be treated this way. Would you please tell my owner to QUIT IT? — Luger (a black lab)

Parker Plays Little bitty Parker Jo Loved his master ever so.

He followed her all through the house And sat with her on the couch.

Even when she would take a bath Parker would wait for her on the mat.

She loved him too so very much Because he’s sweet and soft to touch.

But one day his master fell Because she tripped on his tail.

Parker had tried to chase her feet And down she plopped on her seat.

She cried at first and was sad And Parker felt really bad.

Parker figured out that day Sometimes ya gotta wait to play!

— Trina VerSteeg ArkanPaws • Summer 2008

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Find the words below in the puzzle.

Color the Pooch!

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Classifieds EntreMANURE K-9 Waste Removal (479) 381-POOP(7667) www.poopfreelawns.com

Check our directory for shelters, rescues, and animal welfare organizations offering adoptable pets!

Looking for love in all the wrong places? Look no more! Nikki is a sweet black lab mix longing for a family! She is less than a year old, with current shots and spayed. 479-927-1809.

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.

Business Directory Advertiser

Page

Advertiser

Page

Artists Cho Blu Studios 479.283.0063 www.chobluestudios.com .....................................7 Linda Picken Art Studio 479.273.9217 www.lindapicken.com ..........NA Leslie Ray, Digital Pet Portraits 479.750.7171 www.angelpetsitters.com/portraits.html .................................................................................11

Blogs NWA Motherlode www.nwamotherlode.com...........22

Non-Profits For Pets Sake 479.927.1809 www.for-pets-sake.org.....................21

Other Services Custom Maid Housekeeping 479.225.6388 custommaid@live.com.....................22 EntreManure™ K-9 Waste Removal 479.381.POOP (7667) www.poopfreelawns.com...................NA

Pet Products

Angel Pet Sitters 479.750.7171 www.angelpetsitters.com ...................BC Camp Bow Wow Doggie Day and Overnight Camp 479.268.4120 www.campbowwow.com ...........IFC, IBC Canine Connection 479.444.0300 www.canineconnection.info .............7 Dog Party USA 479.306-4660 www.dogpartyusa.com ..........................16 Dog Watch Day Care & Boarding Fayetteville 479.582-3647, Bentonville 464-9364 www.dogwatchonline.com ................................15 Faithful Friends Dog Trainers Judy 479.443.9951, Vickie 479.925.3536 ...................................16 Karen Valle Dog Training (Cell) 479.387.7661, (Phone) 479.927.9579 dogsports12001@yahoo.com..............................21

Veterinary Big Wag Gourmet Dog Bakery 479.631.2924 www.bigwag.com.............IBC

Pet Services A Cherished Dog Home Boarding 479.750.7171, 479.871.9092 www.acherisheddog.com ...............................5

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American K•9 Academy 479-AMERICA (263-7422) ...........................3

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All Pets Animal Hospital 479.273.9299 www.allpets.vetsuite.com .........................3

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• Food, Fun, Games, Prizes • Dog Obstacle Course • Dog & Owner Look-a-like Contest • Shade Tents and Misting Fans • Tour our New State-of-the-art Facility • Come out and Join the Fun!

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