Atlanta Pet Life Summer 2019

Summer 2019 Issue 13

FREE

Atlanta’s Pet Lifestyle Magazine

ROADIE IS THE ‘ULTIMUTT’ WORKPLACE

+ BullsEye RESCUES LOCAL PIT BULLS

PET RESORTS

Even Fluffy and Fido deserve to be pampered

Dogs have two acres to roam at Serenity Dog Retreat

pet care as unique as your pet.

as comforting as your couch. structured play care so your pet has the right amount of energy to love you back. oh, and he will. this is nurturing. this is enrichment. this is coming to Atlanta.

l u c k y a n d l a d y. c o m

N FIND US O

EDIA! SOCIAL M

REAT DOG RET SERENITY

CATERING TO THE PAMPERED POOCH USED TO THE FINER THINGS IN LIFE THE FINEST LODGING & INDIVIDUALIZED DAYCARE SET IN THE TRANQUILITY OF NATURE

SERENITYDOGRETREAT.COM

CONTENTS On the Cover Area pet resorts pamper pooches

22 Pet Life Movers & Shakers

8 10 12 14

Social Influence

Pug Hugs

Rescue Hero

BullsEye aims to help pit bulls Pets at Work

Roadie is ‘ultimutt’ workplace Pets at Work

Marsden Marketing makes sure there is time for play

18

Pet Life Entertainment

16

18 20

22

Philomena charms fans with sass

Pet Friendly Places

Where Ryan Roams Follow an Atlanta Humane Society rescue on her adventures through pet-friendly ATL Spotlight Dog Park

Newtown Dream Dog Park Posh park is like a Six Flags for dogs Summer Calendar of Pet Events

Support animal welfare with everything from fun runs to tennis and golf tournaments

atlantapetlife.com

Feature

Area pet resorts offer more than just boarding for Fido and Fluffy

Pet Life Experts

30 32 34

32

Catology 101

Myths about Dogs and Cats Tips to get furry friends to get along

Charitable

36

Veterinary Profile

Dr. Thomas J. Noone Vet has worked on animals large and small

38

38

PaWty Animals

Somepawty to Love, National Love Your Pet, Rescue Dog Games Socialites Lucy and Holly recap some of last season’s exciting events Event Spotlight

Angels Among Us Gala

Animal Law

Ending the Puppy Pipeline Local and state laws can help curtail puppy mills

Summer 2019 | Atlanta Pet Life 5

Recommended:

Wiki Wags brand Disposable Male Dog Wraps

Atlanta’s Pet Lifestyle Magazine Summer 2019 | Issue 13

No brand can match our technology.

No brand can match our experience.

Today, with breakthrough technologies like Boundary Plus® containment, sophisticated training methods like Perfect Start™ Plus Training, and the resources we’ve invested into pet welfare and research, Invisible Fence® Brand is the only choice for pet owners who want the best for their furry family members. Put our experience to the test.

Schedule your free in-home consultation today and Save $150 on an Invisible Fence Outdoor Solution.

Accident proof your home TODAY!

P.O. Box 11633, Atlanta, GA 30355 atlantapetlife.com For Advertising Rates Call 404-538-9895

Publisher Joanne Hayes

Editor Lisa R. Schoolcraft

Creative Director Andi Counts

Account Executives Bill Garst

Website Development Management BHG Digital

Director of Audience Development Lia Picard

Four great sizes Dual Tabs Comfortable

Contributing Writers

“...bringing harmony back into the home!”

Cherese Cobb Nicole Letts Sparrow Marcioni Laura J. Moss Kathi Welch Claudine Wilkins

Copy Editor H.M. Cauley

Photography Amber Corbi

June–August 2019, Vol. 4, No. 13 Atlanta Pet Life

Invisible Fencing by Peachtree 12916 Hwy 92 | Woodstock, GA 770-766-3871 | 800-578-3647 InvisibleFence.com *Limited time offer valid on professionally installed outdoor solution. Offer may not be combined with other discounts, promotions, coupons or previous purchases. Valid only at participating Authorized Dealers. Offer expires June 30, 2019.

The Best Buy Seal and other licensed materials are registered certification marks and trademarks of Consumers Digest Communications, LLC, used under license. For awards information, visit ConsumersDigest.com. ©2019 Radio Systems Corp. All Rights Reserved.

6 Summer 2019 | Atlanta Pet Life

PH: 888.945.4924 E: info@wikiwags.com

wikiwags.com

Send your comments, questions or concerns to editor@atlantapetlife.com.

Submissions chosen for publication may be edited for length or clarity.

Copyright ©2019 Atlanta Pet Life Reproduction in whole or in part is not allowed without written permission from the publisher.

Printed in the U.S.A. by Walton Press, Inc.

atlantapetlife.com

editor’s letter

Because Your Pet is a Member of the Family

Preferred by Georgia's Veterinarians

Dedicated to Serving Your Family and Honoring Your Loved Ones

Same Day Cremation Services Pet Cemeteries & Family Cremation Garden PetSecure Tracking Staff Counselors On-site Free Monthly Pet Loss Support Group 24-Hour Phone Support

S

ummertime, and the living is easy. We’re out and about with our four-legged friends, meeting on restaurant patios or at dog parks, or getting ready to set off on a well-deserved vacation.

Well, don’t our pets deserve a little vacation too? Or at least a little pampering.

In the summer issue, Atlanta Pet Life looks at area pet resorts that go well beyond a typical boarding facility. Serenity Dog Retreat in Newnan offers dogs two acres to roam and romp.

Rex and Roxy’s in Decatur has bone-shaped kiddie pools for its canine clients, while Fido Fido Dog Daycare and Boarding in Sandy Springs has luxury suites with full-sized beds, floor rugs and TVs. We also offer some fun places you can relax with your future feline rescue. Check out Java Cats Café Cat Yoga in Marietta on May 18. Or put your running or walking shoes on and participate in the Turtle Trot 5K at the Georgia Aquarium on June 1. Proceeds from the 5K race benefit the aquarium’s research and conservation programs that benefit aquatic species, including sea turtles.

Maybe later you’ll want to head over to Publico Kitchen & Tap in Midtown where dogs have their own menu.

If you are thinking of introducing a new puppy or kitty into a household that already has older pets, contributor Sparrow Marcioni offers some tips on how to make the transition go smoothly. Claudia Wilkins, attorney and founder of Atlanta Law Source, takes a look at the very real problem of puppy mills.

While now is the time for summer fun, these are also the dog days of summer, when maybe we want to relax, too. As you can see, my Naughty Scotty takes his relaxing seriously. I can’t quite understand how that is comfortable, though!

Lisa R. Schoolcraft Editor Atlanta Pet Life

atlantapetlife.com

Georgia's ONLY Accredited & State Certified Pet Crematory

by Deceased Pet Care

Owned &Operated by the Shugart Family Since 1972 www.DeceasedPetCare.com 770-457-7659

www.troncallisubaru.com It’s o.k. for your pet to sit still Or stay put Or rollover Once you sit in a Subaru, you’ll stay.

(678) 244-4100 820 Atlanta Hwy. , Cumming, GA 30040 Summer 2019 | Atlanta Pet Life 7

PET LIFE MOVERS & SHAKERS | Social Influence

Pug Hugs

Philomenia at Seven Magic Mountains in her My Pet Brace.

Philomena the Pug charms her fans with costumes, sass

By Cherese Cobb and Lisa R. Schoolcraft

P

hilomena the Pug might be seen out and about in metro Atlanta sporting her ballerina outfit, nurse’s costume or even unicorn hat.

Those outside the city can follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or YouTube.

She’s built quite a following, including fans who follow her recovery journey after a spinal injury left her partially paralyzed.

But for owners Stefan and Nina Glazer of Alpharetta, Philomena, or Phil as they call her, is their “super sassy” girl.

Here’s a little more about Philomena: Q: Where did you get Philomena from?

How did she get her name?

A: Stefan: We got Philomena from Penwood Pugs in Pennsylvania. How we gave her the name Philomena is a cute story. When Nina had a surgery, and she was recovering, I had bought her a stuffed pug animal. We had always loved pugs but could never have dogs where we lived. Nina 8 Summer 2019 | Atlanta Pet Life

named the stuffed pug, Phil and vowed to name our first pug Phil. Well, we saw that our little sassy pug was a little girl. So, we had to figure out a feminine name that we could still call her Phil. So we named her Philomena and call her Phil for short.

Q: What originally attracted you to her?

A: The very first image we saw of her, she had this super sassy “head over shoulder looking back” look toward the camera. We instantly fell in love with her.

Q: What’s Philomena’s personality like?

What’s the last thing she did that made you laugh?

A: Philomena is literally the sassiest dog, let alone pug, that we know. She loves people, other dogs, everything, but her personality comes out and she does diva-esque things all the time. She loves to lay in the sun and will ring her potty bell to go outside if it’s sunny. If she wants to be in your lap, she lets you know until you invite her up to lay with you. We are never short of instances

of her making us laugh; even when we are being stern and teaching her new obedience tricks and training, it’s hard not to laugh. This morning was a great example.

She is used to her routine of getting to “brush her teeth” in the morning with a dental chew. So when she doesn’t get one, she gets grumbly and will try to get your attention. If that doesn’t work, she seeks you out, leads you to the cabinet where the treat is, sits (because she knows to sit to get what she wants) and will wait patiently for you to give her the treat. Now, if you walk away, she will get mad and grumble and do tiny little barks to get your attention again, then come back and re-lead you back to the cabinet. All throughout the day she does things that make us laugh.

Q: Philomena is seen on her website in lots of costumes. What’s her favorite outfit?

A: Phil loves wearing clothes and her signature pearls. She has so many outfits that we love. I would say our favorite outfits are atlantapetlife.com

Q: What’s her favorite snack?

A: If it begins with an “F” and ends in “ood,” it’s her favorite. But she loves her veggies, greens like spinach and kale. Her big favorite is cabbage! She loves both red and green. She also goes crazy for any of the Stella and Chewys raw treats.

Design Co. are inspired by Philomena. We have a few Phil-based pins, cute little cards and such. But we are looking to do even more this year!

Learn more about Philomena at her website, philomenathepug.com, or follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @philomenathepug

Q: You were at the Atlanta Pet Expo in April. What other events have you attended with Philomena?

Philomenia wears a tutu outside

her rainbow tutu or any of her personalized Treat Lord jackets. She has so many outfits and clothes, it’s hard to choose one.

Q: Philomena suffered a spinal injury.

How did she respond to her hydro and physical therapy sessions?

A: It has helped her come a long way. She will literally do anything we need her to do for treats. She is highly food motivated, so physical therapy, training, obedience or even learning simple tricks are all learned quickly and dutifully with treats.

A: We have been to the Mid-Tennessee Pug Festival and The Pet Expo in Edison, New Jersey. The Las Vegas Pug Party this year was a big one. Also, any event that our Etsy shop, SNG Design Co., is a vendor at, Philomena will be there with us. People love seeing her and meeting her wherever we go.

Q: You have a calendar that came out this year. Do you plan to release any more Philomena merchandise this year?

A: We plan on doing another calendar, and we do have plans for other Philomena merchandise. A lot of our designs at SNG

The powder white sands of Destin and Sandestin await you with a wide range of affordable pet accommodations.

For pet-welcoming memories!

Book your rental now and we will make a donation to a local pet shelter or rescue group.

atlantapetlife.com

Summer 2019 | Atlanta Pet Life 9

PET LIFE MOVERS & SHAKERS | Rescue Hero

Hitting the Mark

Nellie

BullsEye rescues local pit bulls and creates its own community

By Laura J. Moss

W

hen Carla Anderson went to adopt her canine companion, Foo, from Clayton County Animal Control in 2012, she was told the puppy had been labeled a “pit mix,” so only a rescue agency could pull him from the shelter.

But Anderson refused to leave without the dog, so the shelter employee made a few calls and changed the dog’s breed to “American Bulldog.” Foo had his forever home.

“We walked out of the shelter 30 minutes prior to the vet arriving [to perform] euthanasia that day,” Anderson said. “I was in awe at the close call and how devastating it would’ve been for him to die that day when there was an adopter standing in lobby, just 50 feet away from him. I decided that night I had to do something more, and the seeds of BullsEye had been sown.”

10 Summer 2019 | Atlanta Pet Life

Today, 7-year-old Foo is happy and healthy, and Anderson is executive director of BullsEye Rescue Inc., a rescue that pulls dogs labeled as pit bulls or pit mixes from shelters, trains them and finds them permanent homes.

“We require all of our dogs to be crate trained, house trained, well-mannered on leash and well past their foundational training before they’re available for adoption,” Anderson says. “Because this takes time and, more importantly, qualified, knowledgeable fosters, we remain very small.”

BullsEye’s adult dogs average six to 12 months in foster homes, and once a dog is adopted, the organization continues to hold free monthly training classes for adopters.

“We believe in equipping humans to better help dogs,” atlantapetlife.com

Fannie

Anderson says.

“Dogs, regardless of breed, arrive in shelters for a host of behavioral reasons, 99 percent of which are completely correctable if the human were trained how to lead a dog. We hope to break the cycle by training the humans.”

BullsEye not only

rescues dogs that would face euthanasia in shelters, but also helps change attitudes about pit bulls.

“Pits and pit mixes need special attention because society and the press give them special attention,” Anderson says. “We rarely know if one of our dogs has any of the group of pit breeds in their lineage, but we always say that Jeanne because society labels a dog a pit, we must protect them as such.”

Myths about the breed abound: that they’re more aggressive than others and that their bites are more fatal. But studies have found that these are myths. When the American Veterinarian Medical Association reviewed nine years of fatal dog bites in the United States in 2013, it concluded that breed was not a determining factor in the attacks.

Additionally, a 2008 University of Pennsylvania study that looked at aggression in 33 dog breeds, including pit bulls, concluded that “the highest rates of human-directed aggression were found in smaller breeds.”

Given the amount of time and training BullsEye invests in its dogs, as well as the stigma the organization is trying to combat, it’s key that the organization consider potential adopters carefully.

“We have huge expectations for our adopters, such as participation in our private group, participation in ongoing training classes and regular updates with photos,” Anderson says. “We are a community, and we find that adopters often become fosters and friends.”

For more information, contact bullseyerescue.com atlantapetlife.com

Summer 2019 | Atlanta Pet Life 11

PET LIFE MOVERS & SHAKERS | Pets at Work

Doggy Delivery

From poodles to pit bulls, Buckhead-based Roadie Inc.’s office dogs deliver fun

Roadie is the ‘ultimutt’ workplace

By Laura J. Moss | Photos by Alex Ryan and Anna Mitchell

R

oadie Inc., a company that uses an app to connect goods in need of delivery with drivers heading in the right direction, is changing the way people transport items from one location to another. The team behind the app works out of an Atlanta office that has truly gone to the dogs.

On any day of the week, visitors may encounter a variety of pups, including Henry, a 5-year-old Great Pyrenees who’s one of Roadie’s most beloved employees.

“Henry has been a working pup since 2016,” says Will Walker, an enterprise marketing manager who adopted the dog from the Madison Oglethorpe Animal Shelter four years ago. “His office hours have varied over time, being as frequent as every day, but right now he comes in once or twice a week.”

When he’s on the job, Henry can often be found lounging along well-trafficked paths where he stares down fellow co-workers until they stop to pet him. “He’s very adamant that everyone who passes 12 Summer 2019 | Atlanta Pet Life

gives him a pat, and he’ll hop up to follow anyone who doesn’t until they give him proper attention,” Walker says.

If he’s not begging for pets or napping under a desk, odds are good Henry is participating in an important meeting.

“Henry is the dog of the people here,” Roadie Content Manager Anna Mitchell says. “He’s hilariously unattached to his owner. It’ll be 3 o’clock in the afternoon, and someone will pipe up asking where Henry is. Thirty minutes later, a conference room door opens and out comes Henry along with the group of folks who were just in there.”

But Henry isn’t the only four-legged employee who’s helping things run smoothly. From poodles to pit bulls, at least one pup is around to offer head scratches, accompany workers on a pleasant stroll around the courtyard or bring a bit of joy to the day-to-day office activities, especially around the holidays.

“The most memorable moment with Mullins in the office was when I let her

open her Christmas BarkBox in the office while all of us watched,” says Roadie Account Manager Kate Babington, whose 6-month-old pit bull/boxer mix is a regular at the office on Fridays. “It’s always such a fun time when Mullins opens the box at home, so I was happy to be able to share that with everyone. She loved ripping the atlantapetlife.com

The Last Decision You Mak Pet is Just as Important a

The Last You Make for Your TheDecision Last Decision You Mak PetThe is Just as Important asfor theYour First Last Decision You Make

Pet is JustYou as Make Important The Last Decision for Youra Pet is Just as Important as the First Pet is Just as Important as the First

The Last Decision You Mak Pet is Just as Important a

“Family” “Family” “Family” Owned & Operated Owned &Owned Operated& Operated 404.370.6000 404.370.6000 404.370.6000 PawsWhiskersandWags.com

Same day service.

PawsWhiskersandWags.com

PawsWhiskersandWags “Family” “Family” &your Operated No waiting.

You canday take service. pet’s ashes home Same day service. Same Our individual cremation means that each pet tonight.

404.370.6000 Owned &your Operated is cremated ALONE . You Our exclusive PetTracker 360 pet’s ash No can Nowaiting. waiting.

You cantake take System ensures that you receive your pet's ashes tonight.

PawsWhiskersandWags.com your ashesmeans home Our individual cremation that each pet 404.370.6000 every time. pet’s is cremated ALONE . Our exclusive PetTracker 360 tonight. State-of-the-Art facility where your families can ashes plan, Same day service.

System ensures that you receive pet's PawsWhiskersandWags Our individual cremation means th grieve, and commemorate theirpet’s pets. ashes home No waiting.

You can take your No waiting. You can take your pet’s ashes home

tonight. Same day service.

Owned

every time.

is cremated ALONE . Our exclusive Pe tonight.  Our individual Mainservice.

Location Same day State-of-the-Art facility families can plan,your System ensures you receive 2800 E. Ponce de Leonwhere •that Decatur, GA 30030

p

No waiting.

You can take your pet’s cremation means that grieve, and commemorate their pets. Our individual cremation means that each pet ash 404.370.6000 every time. tonight. each pet. is cremated is cremated ALONE Our exclusive PetTracker 360 Faithful Friends Campus Main 1591that Access Rd. •Location Covington, GA 30016 System ensures you receive your pet's ashes ALONE. Our exclusive State-of-the-Art facility where famil 2800 E. Ponce 770-385-0222 de Leon • Decatur, GA 30030 every time. Our individual cremation means th box open and finding the toys and treats inside, and I think everyone in the office loved it even more.”

While the human employees enjoy the 9-to-5 canine companionship, the office dogs also benefit from Roadie’s dog-friendly policy.

“I am just really grateful that I can bring Mullins into the office,” Babington says. “She is a rescue pup and has pretty severe separation anxiety, so it’s nice to not leave her at home all of the time.

It has also been so great to let her socialize with everyone. She has really gained a lot of confidence from coming to the office.” atlantapetlife.com

“Family” Owned Operated PetTracker 360 System & their 404.370.6000 grieve, and commemorate pets. is cremated ALONE . Our exclusive Pe ensures that you receive Faithful Friends Campus 404.370.6000 State-of-the-Art facility where families can plan, System ensures that you receive your p 1591 Access • Covington, GA 30016 grieve, and commemorate their pets. your pet’sRd.ashes every time.

Main Location every time.

PawsWhiskersandWags 770-385-0222

APL PWW.indd 1

APL PWW.indd 1

2/17/2017 8:19:15 PM

2800 E. Ponce de Leon • Decatur, G Main Location State-of-the-Art facility  Same service. State-of-the-Art facility where famil 404.370.6000 2800 E. Ponce day de Leon • Decatur, GA 30030 No waiting.

You can take your ash where families can plan, grieve, and commemorate their pets.

404.370.6000 2/17/2017 8:19:15 Faithful Friendspet’s Camp tonight. grieve, and commemorate Faithful Friends 1591 AccessCampus Rd. • Covington, GA

their pets.

1591 Access Rd. • Covington, GALocation 30016 Main

770-385-0222 Our individual cremation 770-385-0222 2800 E. Ponce de Leon • means Decatur,thG is cremated ALONE . Our exclusive Pe 404.370.6000 System ensures that you receive your p every time. Faithful Friends Camp APL PWW.indd 1 PWW.indd 1 2/17/2017 8 APL 1591 Location Access Rd. • Covington, GA Main State-of-the-Art facility where famil 2800 E. Ponce de Leon • Decatur, GA 30030 770-385-0222 404.370.6000 grieve, and commemorate their pets.

Faithful Friends Campus 1591 Access Rd. • Covington, GA 30016

Main 770-385-0222

APL PWW.indd 1

Location

2800 E. Ponce de Leon • Decatur, G

404.370.6000 Faithful Friends Camp Summer 2019 | Atlanta Pet Life 13

1591 Access Rd. • Covington, GA

PET LIFE MOVERS & SHAKERS | Pets at Work

Work hard, play harder Marsden Marketing’s non-traditional staff makes sure there is A lot of time for play

Henry, Chief Treats Officer

By Cherese Cobb and Lisa R. Schoolcraft

W

orking in a creative field, meeting with clients and facing deadlines can be stressful.

But Marsden Marketing in Buckhead has some non-traditional “employees” that make sure everyone has a good laugh once in a while.

“We have a core group of dogs that come into the office two to four times a week — Popeye, Hemingway, Louis and Ozzy,” says Nadine Melo, content marketing specialist at Marsden Marketing.

“Then we have the group that comes every now and then — Tango, Stella, Murphy and Gypsy. We have one cat, Coco, who also comes to the office every now and then.

That brings us up to nine animals. We used to have a Great Pyrenees, Henry, who used to come every day, but he and his dad recently got a job at Roadie, and now he’s becoming a rising star at that office. I have to admit I miss my dear Henry terribly.”

All the office pets have their own personalities, she says. “For example, Henry, my beloved white fluff, was quiet, friendly and the best door greater ever.

14 Summer 2019 | Atlanta Pet Life

Hemingway acts tough, but he’s really afraid of everything. He immediately hides under my desk whenever the A/C turns on.

Louis is super energetic and affectionate.

He also loves eating water, if you can picture that for a moment.”

Ozzy, the black doodle, is “head of security because he’s always alerting us of any stranger that may be lurking about,” Melo says. “It’s hilarious because he has a loud bark but doesn’t really do much after that. And then there’s Coco; she runs the place. Not only is she an independent boss kitty, but she also makes sure that the dogs know not to mess with her.”

Marsden is an open concept office, so there aren’t any animal-specific zones, she says. But the office does have some doggie beds so their furry friends have places to rest when they get tired of playing and having fun.

Melo says there is no screening process for the office dogs or cats, “but we encourage our employees to select certain days, either Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday. Otherwise, it can get

pretty crazy.”

And since Marsden is a B2B marketing firm, “it’s easy to get wrapped up with keeping up with client demands and projects that we forget to take time and enjoy the simpler things in life,” Melo says. “Like a dog chasing its tail for a good two minutes or watching one of the dogs make funny noises and faces as they sleep. Having our four-legged friends around helps with that.

They make the day twice as fun and work much less stressful.”

And there can be some laugh out loud moments, she says.

Recently, Popeye, Hemingway and Louis were running in circles in the conference room, Melo says. “Talk about hilarious! Or how the other day, Louis wanted to play so bad with this rope toy, and he ended up pulling me on my office chair throughout the office. We ended up laughing for a few minutes.”

The office pets also help break the ice with clients, “especially when we are onboarding a new client,” she says. “They are usually the first ones at the door to atlantapetlife.com

greet them, and we’ve only ever had positive feedback from our clients when they do come in.”

Marsden certainly doesn’t require employees to be pet owners.

In fact, Melo doesn’t have one — “although I do plan on getting a furry little friend in the near future,” she says. “However, you do have to like and get along with the animals if you plan on working at Marsden Marketing as they are in the office every day. What we look for in a future Marsden Marketing employee is that they must have a solid understanding of digital marketing best practices and principles along with a friendly and curious disposition.”

Marsden employees also gather donations for the Atlanta Human Society since Amanda Foushee, a demand generation specialist at Marsden, is a foster there.

Melo can’t imagine her job without pets.

“As an individual, I find that having the animals in the office is essential to creating a casual, friendly and engaging environment where people don’t feel like they are always pressed for time,” she says. “The reality is that agency work is fast-paced, but having the animals in the office helps mitigate the stress that comes with the territory. As an agency, we definitely do follow the ‘work hard, play hard’ ideology, and the dogs/cats play into this as well. They help us take time away from the day-to-day and provide spontaneous moments where we can bond and build friendships with our coworkers and clients alike. In corporate environments, you have to do team-building events to get people together and build camaraderie, but with pets in the office, this happens naturally.”

Clockwise from Top left: Hemingway, Risk Management, Coco claims her owner’s desk, Popeye, Lead Chaser, and Nadine and Henry plan activities for the Marsden Marketing team.

Marsden Marketing | 1440 Dutch Valley Place | Suite 1100 | Atlanta 30324 | marsdenmarketing.com | Facebook and Instagram: @marsdenmarketing | Twitter: @marsdenmktg

.com

$89. EA

Enter code “SUMMER305” on checkout page

$119. EA

Special Prices

2 way audio

Plug n Play

INDOOR

INDOOR Motion

Detection

$99. EA

OUTDOOR

INDOOR

Low light mode

SEE, HEAR & TALK To your pets RIGHT NOW

atlantapetlife.com

OUTDOOR To Purchase

Go to: PET-PEEPS.COM Always free USA tech support

Summer 2019 | Atlanta Pet Life 15

PET LIFE ENTERTAINMENT | Pet Friendly Places

Where Ryan Roams Summer 2019 Follow Ryan, an Atlanta Humane Society rescue, on her adventures throughout pet friendly ATL. Written by Nicole Letts | Photos by Amber Martin Smith

T

here is no better way to embrace the dog days of summer than with a local staycation, and Midtown Atlanta offers some of the best spots to make it happen. With a variety of pooch-filled patios, several pet-friendly accommodations and more than enough official (and unofficial) dog parks to go around, our city has an abundance of getaway and dayaway options. Here, we dish on the best Midtown has to offer, so you can plan a relaxing vacay without the stress of leaving town. Pack your overnight bags and head down Peachtree for a summer staycation with your pup.

Renaissance Atlanta Midtown Treat yourself and your four-legged BFF to a night away at one of the neighborhood’s 16 Summer 2019 | Atlanta Pet Life

Above: To support a great cause and enjoy an incredible meal, head to Publico. Their VIP menu proceeds benefit the Atlanta Humane Society. Below: Atlanta’s Federal Reserve Building is the city’s best-kept unofficial dog park secret.

pet-friendly hotels. Midtown hotels such as the Loews Atlanta Hotel and the Moxy Hotel Atlanta Midtown offer canine guests first-rate service. Providing perhaps the most extravagant experience of their fellow pet-friendly hotel peers is the Renaissance Atlanta Midtown. Upon arrival, dogs are given special treats, including water and homemade biscuits, but the real five-star treatment comes when your pup is presented with a complimentary personalized dog tag. Up the ante and book a pet massage for your pooch. No request is too much for the hotel that does everything it can to make all guests — including those with fur — feel like family.

Ryan says: The hotel’s prime location means access to some of Atlanta’s best parks, such as the 3-acre dog run at nearby Piedmont Park.

atlantapetlife.com

Pet friendly hotels, such as the Renaissance in Midtown, are kicking it up a notch with their luxurious dog accommodations and amenities.

Renaissance Atlanta Midtown 866 W. Peachtree Street N.W. | Atlanta 30308 marriott.com/hotels/travel/atlbd-renaissance-atlanta-midtownhotel | 678.412.2400

The Fed Meet Atlanta’s most unlikely unofficial dog park: the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Known by locals as simply “The Fed,” the goings-on within include providing bills to banks, overseeing electronic money transfers and clearing checks. But it’s the expansive grassy area outside that piques Ryan’s interest. With generous shade and oodles of benches, you could easily spend hours under the shadow of the White Cherokee marble structure.

The Fed has embraced puppy pals without question, too. The bank regularly features dogs through its #DogsOfTheFed Instagram hashtag. We scoped out the Fed’s greenspaces and have to say, this shade-filled plaza gets four paws way up.

Ryan says: There were so many friends at The Fed and ample shady spots for greeting each other.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta 1000 Peachtree Street N.E. | Atlanta 30309 Frbatlanta.org | 404.498.8500

Publico Kitchen & Tap Within walking distance of the other two spots, Publico Kitchen & Tap is a casual, Latin-Asian fusion restaurant with a pet perfect patio. Dogs can sniff out a prime spot on the turf while their parents select snacks from the VIP (very important puppy) menu that donates proceeds to the Howell Mill location of the Atlanta atlantapetlife.com

Humane Society. Ryan devoured three bone-shaped, peanut butter bacon biscuits without a moment’s hesitation and polished off a bowl of ice-cold water, while the humans snacked on freshly fried chicharrones. Undoubtedly, Ryan’s favorite part was giving an avalanche of kisses to the adoring, attentive staff.

Ryan says: As a Howell Mill rescue myself, I am always happy to support anything that benefits our local Humane Society.

Publico Kitchen & Tap 1104 Crescent Avenue N.E. | Atlanta 30309 publicotapandkitchenatl.com | 678-745-5230 Summer 2019 | Atlanta Pet Life 17

PET LIFE ENTERTAINMENT | Spotlight Dog Park

Newtown Dream Dog Park

It’s like Six Flags over Georgia for dogs.

Written by Cherese Cobb Photos courtesy of the City of Johns Creek

W

hile some dogs might daydream about nabbing slices of pepperoni pizza or stuffing five tennis balls into their mouths, others are dreaming about the Newtown Dream Dog Park in the north Atlanta suburb of Johns Creek.

Opened on June 8, 2011, after local graphic designer Pat McNeely and his Siberian Husky, Koda, won the first Beneful Dream Dog Park contest, the $500,000 puppy playground, located at 3150 Old Alabama Rd. in Johns Creek. is mostly covered with AstroTurf and has winding rubber mulch paths and faux boulders.

“We come here a lot, and with the wet grass and the dirt, your dogs get a little dirty,” McNeely says.

Nestled between mature pine and maples trees, the fencedin, one-acre space is split into two small, off-leash sections. The area designated for dogs more than 30 pounds has a full agility course with log steppers, hoop jumps and running tunnels. It also features a milk-white, bone-shaped bridge with hollow log crawls running underneath it.

“That was my son’s [Walker’s] idea,” McNeely says. “All of our family threw out ideas.”

The area designated for larger breeds has a red, fire hydrantshaped water fountain; a paw-shaped splash pad; kiddie pools and doggie-level drinking fountains that run year-round.

Dogs under 30 pounds can have their fair share of fun catching tennis balls from owner-supplied pitching machines, dashing through logs that look like fallen trees or splashing in a bone-shaped pool that uses an energy-saving, recirculating spray systems. Biodegradable poop bags and waste receptacles also are available onsite.

18 Summer 2019 | Atlanta Pet Life

Top: Resident designer Pat McNeely and his Siberian Husky Koda.

Above: Cosmo gives the ‘tire’ a test run.

Play among the dogs is usually spirited, but rumbles are rare “even if there’s a new dog,” says Martie Berkowitz, one of the regulars. “My dogs love going up to new people as much as they love meeting new dog friends, so it makes me happy when I see them receive pets from everyone they go up to.”

The people are a pack, just like the dogs. Residents gather atlantapetlife.com

8th Annual Gala and Auction

SAVE THE DATE OCTOBER 24, 2019

Lisa Rayner Catherall, Tom Abrams and Ginny Millner

Tom Abrams and Lisa Rayner Catherall

Famed Movie and Broadway Critic Rex Reed

Event Chairs

Celebrity Guest

www.fixgeorgiapets.org

Contact Caroline Hunter for sponsorship and tickets caroline@fixgeorgiapets.org ABOUT FGP: FIX GEORGIA PETS FOCUSES ON ASSISTING UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES WITH SPAY/NEUTER PROGRAMS TO REDUCE DOG AND CAT OVERPOPULATION, THEREBY REDUCING THE NUMBER OF PETS THAT ENTER OUR STATE’S SHELTERS.

Glenn plays by a giant bone-shaped ramp with tunnels.

AN ALL INCLUSIVE PET HOTEL

BOARDING Pup-A-Palooza at the Mark Burkhalter Amphitheater in Newtown Park. under the picnic shelters to discuss doggie play dates, dog walking services and other local events such as Pup-a-Palooza. They curl up on 6-foot benches with paw-print cutouts and read books to their two- and four-legged children.

“We average around 400 visitors per week based on dog bag usage,” says Parks Division Manager Robby Newton. “The dog park is never empty.”

The dog park is open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays through Tuesdays and Thursdays throughSaturdays; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesdays. Free. johnscreekga.gov. atlantapetlife.com

$10

F F O COMPLETE GROOM

*Offer expires 8.31.19

ONE DAY OF DOGGY DAYCARE

DAYCARE

FREE *Offer expires 8.31.19

COME PLAY WITH US! WWW.THEARKSPA.COM

GROOMING 6485 PEACHTREE INDUSTRIAL BLVD 770-696-1897

Summer 2019 | Atlanta Pet Life 19

PET LIFE ENTERTAINMENT | Pet Events

Summer Calendar Java Cats Cafe Cat Yoga May 18 85 Atlanta Street SE, Marietta Enjoy a 60-minute yoga class in Java Cats Cafe’s spacious cat lounge in Marietta, followed by coffee or tea afterwards all for $20. The 9 a.m. session is for the beginner or advanced alike. Kathy from Steel Power Yoga will lead the class. javacatsmarietta.com

Matches for Mutts/Putts for Mutts

Bourbon, BBQ & Best of Breed

May 20 Brookstone Country Club, Acworth The inaugural Matches for Mutts tennis fundraiser will include Round Robin Doubles No-Ad Match Play. Registration, which is $50 per individual player, includes refreshments during play, a tennis gift bag, five raffle tickets and lunch. A silent auction will also be held. Not into tennis? The second annual Putts for Mutts will be held the same day and place. Individual registration is $150 and includes lunch. mostlymutts.org/events/ events-calendar

Turtle Trot 5K June 1 Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta Georgia Aquarium’s annual Turtle Trot 5K is back for its second year. Whether your motivation is to get in shape or make an impact on aquatic animal conservation, join fellow enthusiasts on June 1 to run, jog and walk for the one world ocean.

The Turtle Trot takes place in downtown Atlanta and is perfect for beginners and seasoned runners alike. Registration includes a collectible T-shirt, a finisher’s medal, runner’s hospitality and a sponsor fair at the end of the race. All proceeds go towards Georgia Aquarium’s research and conservation programs that directly benefit aquatic species, including sea turtles. georgiaaquarium.org/events/event/ turtle-trot-5k/ 20 Summer 2019 | Atlanta Pet Life

Turtle Trot 5K Putts for Mutts

Bourbon, BBQ & Best of Breed

PAWS Atlanta PALS Summer Camp Various weeks June 3-July 26 PAWS Atlanta, 5287 Covington Highway, Decatur PAWS Atlanta PALS provides young animal lovers with behind-the-scenes, hands-on experiences to learn all about PAWS Atlanta, including a special look at shelter operations, safe animal interactions and how to be an ambassador for four-legged friends. The camp teaches caring and responsibility for pets. Registration is $250 and is best suited for children ages 8 to 13. pawsatlanta.org/resources/summer-camps

Angels Among Us Pet Adoptions June 21, July 19 and Aug. 16 Hollywood Feed Alpharetta, 3000 Old Alabama Road Angels Among Us will offer pet adoptions from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hollywood Feed Alpharetta. Come meet your new best friend!

June 22 The Donaldson-Bannister Farm, Dunwoody Atlanta Lab Rescue’s 2nd Annual “Bourbon, BBQ & Best of Breed” will be held June 22 from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Donaldson-Bannister Farm in Dunwoody. Join an evening of food and fun to celebrate the heritage and beauty of the Labrador Retriever Southern style!

Atlantalabrescue.com

Dog Days 5K June 22 Newtown Park, 3150 Old Alabama Road, Alpharetta This fast and flat 5K benefits Atlanta Rescue Dog Cafe, an educational nonprofit whose mission is to contribute to the well-being of Atlanta’s pets and its people to improve human-animal interactions, reduce the incidence of animal cruelty and relieve the strain on local animal shelters. fivestarntp.com/dog-days.html atlantapetlife.com

sponsors. Prizes by Rosati’s Sports Pub on Roswell Road will be awarded. atlantahumane.org/kingswoodfunrun

Pet P.A.L.S. Summer Camp Various weeks from June 24-July 26 845 West Ridge Road, Gainesville Children ages 7 to 12 can spend a week this summer helping the Humane Society of North Georgia and have fun, too.

Camp activities include animal interaction and training, guest speakers, crafts and entertainment. The $185 registration fee includes all camp activities, a T-shirt and keepsake craft. Space is limited. humanesocietyofnortheastgeorgia. org/petpals-summercamp/

Kingswood Fun Run Aug. 10

Howl-O-Weenie Oct. 5 Fowler Park, 4110 Carolene Way, Cumming It’s DREAM Dachshund Rescue’s most magical dachshund day of the year. This annual fundraising, weenie-dog celebration marks its 17th year with activities that include a photo booth loaded with props and the popular costume contest.

Organizers hope to have a trainer on hand to offer quick tips and tutorials throughout

the day. The Neiman Barkus Auction will also be held with a variety of vendors and a new “Just DREAMing” booth. dreamrescue. org/events/

German Shepherd Rescue of Georgia monthly event Third Saturday of every month Top Dogs Pet Boutique, 900 Mansell Road, Roswell Join German Shepherd Rescue of Georgia on the third Saturday of every month at Top Dog Pet Boutique to meet the rescue group’s ambassadors and volunteers. The event takes place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. gashepherd.org/fundraising-events.html

Haddon Hall and Castlegate Drive, Atlanta The Kingswood Fun Run was started in 2009 by then 9-year-old Haley Hooper. Since then, it has raised more than $82,000 for the Atlanta Humane Society. Helping homeless animals is Haley’s passion. Each year she sets a goal to raise funds from community

shop for a cause! save money. save a pet’s life.

donate. shop. volunteer.

Clothing, furniture, housewares & more!

Two upscale thrift stores benefiting homeless pets 1 N. & 89 N. Clarendon Ave.

Avondale Estates | Closed Mondays 1/2 mile from Dekalb Farmers Market

Our Chief Smile Officer atlantapetlife.com

secondlifeatlanta.org

Over $1 Million donated to animal rescues!

Summer 2019 | Atlanta Pet Life 21

Feature

Say Ahhh

Metro Atlanta pets find more than just boarding services at some blissful doggy daycares

22 Summer 2019 | Atlanta Pet Life

atlantapetlife.com

By H.M. Cauley

For so many people, summer means getaways and vacation trips that take them to new and exciting destinations. While those escapes are great for recharging and relaxing, they can also be the most stressful days for a pet who can’t tag along.

I

f an excursion away from home means having to find a place to board the family’s dog or cat, the choice can be a tough one. Experts at WebMD suggest asking a veterinarian for references, visiting locations to see how the animals interact and are treated, and interviewing boarders about what services they’ll provide in your absence.

At these four Atlanta area doggy daycare locations, those services and facilities can make a pet’s staycation as memorable as the owner’s trip. It’s not just about boarding; the focus at these sites is going the extra mile to make your pet forget you’ve left town.

Arlene Sinanian, owner of Pupcakes Playcare, is certain that’s the thought on the minds of the pets who come to her 2,500-square-foot Buckhead facility, even if just for a day.

Pets can get a vacation of their own at Serenity Dog Retreat, left. Lucky & Lady’s Ryan Deal on Bichon Adoption Day, right. atlantapetlife.com

Summer 2019 | Atlanta Pet Life 23

“Some of my clients can’t use the word ‘Pupcakes’ or their dogs go crazy,” she says. “Some start howling as soon as they turn down Pharr Road. They’re excited and know where they’re going.”

For nine years, Sinanian has catered to the daycare, boarding and grooming needs of small dogs up to 35 pounds. “We have dogs that weigh as little as 3 pounds,” she says. “I’m partial to small dogs myself — I’ve had Malteses my whole life — and I realized they need their own place to be. So many times, small dogs can be an after-thought.”

Instead, the critters in her care enjoy a low-volume, calm, cage-free environment where there’s no danger of meeting up with another dog twice their size. “So many small dogs are afraid of large dogs,” she says. “Here, they have an open environment where they can be themselves.”

Sinanian also keeps the daily population low, taking in only about 40 dogs. They have freedom to roam the giant play space, the lobby, where it’s quiet and conducive for less active dogs and the always-available outdoor area where artificial grass, paver stones, swings, glider and several tables and chairs with umbrellas are set up.

“Sometimes I’ll go out there, and there are dogs on the chairs, dogs on the glider — there’s no place for people,” she says with a laugh. “We also have dog beds and mats everywhere so they can make their own little nests.”

Area pet resorts offer a lot more than just boarding. Some pet resorts offer private suites, top right, or places to lounge in the shade, bottom.

24 Summer 2019 | Atlanta Pet Life

atlantapetlife.com

atlantapetlife.com

Summer 2019 | Atlanta Pet Life 25

Feature

Fido Fido’s rooms give dogs their own space, while Serenity Dog Retreat, below, allows dogs to roam on 2 acres of owner Beth Ramsey’s 20-acre property.

26 Summer 2019 | Atlanta Pet Life

atlantapetlife.com

Pups can catch up on their favorite shows at some pet resorts.

Pups can catch up on their favorite cartoons or animal shows at some pet resorts or relax poolside.

The pooches can also get some pampering. The blueberry facials whiten and brighten coats while making them soft and sweet-smelling. Specialty shampoos, gentle paw scrubs and plenty of sugar cookies are also part of the special treatment.

Guests of Rex and Roxy’s in Decatur can spend their summer vacation romping in bone-shaped kiddie pools, chasing after bacon-flavored bubbles and going on hikes before enjoying a bath and a nail trim. But dogs that want to chill are free to sit out the activities.

“We do have luxury suites, so when dogs come to stay, they can have a whole room to themselves,” says General Manager Aja Hatfield. “Owners can fill the suites with whatever they want — beds, toys, bowls from home, for instance. We supply the beds, blankets and towels.”

For 20 years, Rex and Roxy’s has catered to large dogs from 25 pounds and up while limiting the number in the facility to about 100.

“Sometimes it can be harder for large dogs to adapt,” says Hatfield. “It all depends on temperament. We always do a test before they can come here. But we can work with a couch potato-y dog, who doesn’t want to move around a lot, to super-hyper, excitable dogs, who run around the whole time. We love to let dogs be dogs.”

The facility has a spacious play area where dogs can frolic for about 12 hours, with naps and meals in between. “They get a lot of exercise,” says Hatfield. “The

playroom is indoor/outdoor, so they can go where they please. And during the summer, we’ll take them for hikes to Arabia or Stone Mountain as another way to get them out and exercised.”

A home away from home is the concept behind Fido Fido Dog Daycare and Boarding. Since 2006, Marea White has been making dogs of all sizes feel like the Sandy Springs facility is as cozy as their owners’ abodes. The two-level space includes luxury suites as well as lounge areas with full-sized beds, floor rugs and TVs where “Animal Planet” or cartoons are often playing.

“They can hop on the bed and curl up just like they’re at home,” says White. “It’s very comfortable.”

An outdoor play area provides fresh air and sunshine. Owners can also sign up for some one-on-one caretaker time that may include strolls around the city center.

During the summer, dogs enjoy frozen ice cream socials, chasing bubbles, pool time and “pupcorn” treats.

“We have a calendar of engaging opportunities,” says White. “On the Fourth of July, we have turkey burgers and frozen ice cream made for dogs. We offer red, white and blueberry bath specials, too. We usually have seasonal spa specials that give the dogs the full treatment — bath, nails, teeth, scent and a fresh bandana.”

White also has a soft spot for older dogs. “We’ve found a niche working with them,” she says. “Dogs are living longer these days as we take better care of them, but they have different needs — more

atlantapetlife.com

one-on-one, more management of medication, more sleep, even a different type of bedding for old bones. They might have issues with sight and hearing. We customize care for each of our dogs.”

Fido Fido will soon offer the same amenities in the Alpharetta-Roswell area.

“We’ll be in a larger neighborhood in a park setting, and we’ve purposefully designed it to create less stress for dogs who have to be away from their owners,” says White.

Dogs who stay with Beth Ramsey at her Serenity Dog Retreat can get a workout roaming the facility’s bucolic site in Newnan. Opened last year, the 20-acre estate features 2 acres dedicated to dogs and represents the fulfillment of Ramsey’s second-career dream after working in the corporate world of The Coca-Cola Co. for 25 years.

“I wanted to open an extremely nice, exclusive dog boarding place,” she says.

“But I didn’t want to do a boarding facility in a warehouse or industrial park. So I bought 20 acres and made it my home.”

Ramsey, the owner of two Great Pyrenees and two terriers, transformed a three-car garage into walk-in suites for just 12 canine guests, who are also welcome to check out the pool, sunroom and reception area. Owners can sign up their pets for spa services such as mud or hot oil treatments.

“There are dog beds everywhere, so you’ll see them either hanging inside with us or outside playing,” she says. “They’re only in their suites for feeding and sleeping.

It’s very much a home environment.”

Summer 2019 | Atlanta Pet Life 27

Beth Ramsey opened Serenity Dog Retreat in Newnan as a secondcareer dream and can accommodate 12 canine guests.

As an additional convenience for owners, Ramsey offers transportation to Atlanta and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. “We’re about 20 minutes south of the airport and very close to Serenbe,” she says. “It’s a breathtaking setting — exactly what I wanted it to be.”

Pet owners closer to the city of Atlanta will soon have a new upscale dog daycare and boarding facility to pamper their pets.

Lucky &Lady is set to open at the end of summer in a new building off Memorial Drive.

Partners Ryan Deal and Ryan Lepicier worked to create a space to cater to dogs and allows owners to use technology to schedule appointments and sign up for services. The idea grew from Deal’s own experiences of having to find accommodations for his elderly dog when he was traveling with his government job.

“I always yearned for something more like home, more human-interactive,” he says. “I also found myself with a two-hour commute every morning and evening, which left no quality time with my dogs — two Bichon Frises and one we call our ‘lhasa shih tzu poo,’ a rescue mix. One day it hit me that I needed to open my own facility.”

The partners spent more than two years finding a place they 28 Summer 2019 | Atlanta Pet Life

could build and cementing the concept. The new site features an advanced HVAC system with a biological air filtration that will run 24/7. Deal also plans on welcoming a few cats, but they’ll be in a separate area with its own circulated air.

The all-indoors play area is padded with rubber floors that are easier on paws and arthritic joints. A self-wash area with an ergonomically designed tub, shampoos, towels and blow dryers will be available to owners. The pets will enjoy structured periods of rest, play and one-on-one interaction that begins when the owners arrive.

“Our pet valet allows pet parents to remain in the car; we’ll come out and get their pet and return him to the car in the evening,” said Deal. “This allows our team to create barriers and gives the dog time to calm down before going through the door.

Nothing is more frightening than to introduce a dog into an already established group.”

The staff will also update owners with videos and texts about their pets, and owners can manage accounts and communicate with the staff online. And a portion of the business’s sales will go to pet charities and rescue groups.

“We’re trying to create Dog Care 2.0,” says Deal. “Everything is designed for the animals; we’re guided by wanting to create the best environment. We’re big into technology and employing that to create an environment that reduces stress — whether that’s auditory, visual or olfactory that might excite or upset them. We think that will also mean we won’t have one thing: You won’t hear a lot of barking.”

Lucky & Lady | 975 Memorial Drive 30316 | Luckyandlady.com Pupcakes Playcare | 2989 N. Fulton Drive 30305 | 404.237.7440 pupcakesplaycare.com Rex and Roxy’s | 142 New Street, Decatur 30030 | 404.377.9699 rexandroxys.com Fido Fido | 275 Mt. Vernon Highway | Sandy Springs 30328 404.250.3920 | fidofido.com Serenity Dog Retreat | 3049 US-29 | Newnan 30265 678.857.3277 | serenitydogretreat.com atlantapetlife.com

APL2019

PET LIFE EXPERTS | Catology 101

Myths About Cats and Dogs

Here are a few myths about dogs and cats living together Myth: Cats are born to hate dogs Reality: Only cats that have had a bad experience with a dog will have any information on which to base a judgment. If they are somewhat close in size, the cat may even be curious and approach the dog for a sniff. Scent will be the telling factor initially as long as the dog remains calm and non-threatening.

Myth: Dogs are born to chase cats Reality: For the most part, dogs will chase anything that runs, so make sure the cat knows it’s safe no matter what the dog does and start out with the dog leashed or kenneled. As long as the cat doesn’t run, the dog has no motive to chase.

Myth: Dogs are aggressive to cats

Written by Sparrow Marcioni

T

he war between cats and dogs is a topic of debate from Hollywood to hometowns.

But beyond dogs chasing cats, there are examples of cats snuggling with their canine companions or both species respectfully ignoring each other. They don’t have to “fight like cats and dogs,” but their communication styles are very different, which leads to many misunderstandings. A dog will wag his tail to show happiness and eagerness to play, while a cat does the same to indicate displeasure or anger.

In a study, researchers explored the relationships between cats and dogs that shared the same homes. They found that while cats might be the more nervous of the species, they appeared to have little trouble with asserting themselves.

The online survey of 748 homeowners found that more than 80 percent felt their pets were comfortable with one another, with only 3 percent declaring that their cats and dogs could not stand one another. While 57 percent of owners said their cats occasionally hissed, spat and swatted at the dogs, and 18 percent said their dogs threatened the cats, less than 10 percent of cats and only 1 percent of dogs ever harmed the other animal.

So how do you introduce a new cat or dog to the family with the least amount of stress and highest success rate with no vet bills?

For successful introductions, taking it slow is always best. Make sure both parties feel safe and don’t charge or growl in the initial meeting. This may mean kenneling the dog and letting the cat approach or putting the cat in a hard-sided carrier for the dog to sniff. Always make sure both have plenty of food and safe places to retreat to, if they wish to be away from the new potential friend.

If growling does occur, be observant. Is the growling defensive or aggressive? If you’re not sure, consult an animal behaviorist and don’t take any chances. The first introductions are the most critical for establishing a lifelong relationship 30 Summer 2019 | Atlanta Pet Life

Reality: Some breeds do tend to be aggressive towards cats.

These are primarily breeds trained for hunting or dogs that are taught to be aggressive. The bad news is that while a cat may get in a few good bites or scratches, if a dog truly chooses to attack a cat, there may be only seconds to save the cat.

Slow, careful introductions will allow you to notice any signs of aggression from either side.

Myth: Size matters Realty: Well, maybe. It is best to match your pets and not to intimidate one another by size differences if possible, but some of the most aggressive and hyperactive dogs are the smaller breeds, and the largest breeds of domestic cats are frequently the most “laid back.” However, the larger the dog, the more dangerous it may be if it does show aggressive behavior. Learning about which breeds are most likely to accept a cat friend and vice versa is more important than size.

A young kitten with no previous dog experience will have little fear, even if the dog is a danger to it. Some dog breeds are just so large, they can sit on a small kitten and hurt it without meaning to. Supervision is required in all these situations during the socialization period.

Myth: Younger kittens are best Reality: Senior cats will be much less tolerant of a new dog (or cat) coming into the household, but a cat of any age can tolerate or befriend a dog if neither has had a negative experience in the past. Senior dogs tend to ignore a new cat and rarely feel threatened, but younger dogs can feel threatened and jealous of a new cat in the house. A non-intimidating, harmless kitten sitting on mom’s shoulder may be more easily accepted, but so would a kitty that grew up or was fostered with a dog if the two learned how to communicate.

Sparrow Marcioni is the chief animal behaviorist at La Maison du Chat, a Reiki practitioner and co-founder of CatRangers Rescue. Contact her at sparrow@catrangers.org or 770-831-5513. atlantapetlife.com

PET EXPERTS | Veterinary Profile

Dr. Thomas J. Noone

Vet has worked on animals large and small

By Kathi Welch

G

rowing up on a small farm in rural upstate New York, Dr. Thomas J. Noone spent much of his teenage years around a close family friend who was the hometown veterinarian.

The friend allowed Noone to follow him around to visit and treat cows at the local dairies and to help at the small veterinary clinic.

“I initially wanted to go to vet school and specialize in dairy medicine and production but became involved with exotic animals and spent five years working in the zoo field before entering vet school,” says Noone, who worked at Trevor Zoo at Millbrook School in Millbrook, New York. “Throughout vet school I worked in the exotic animal department as a lab and research assistant with the hope of eventually becoming zoo veterinarian.”

That changed, however with a surgery at vet school, his first exposure to orthopedic surgery. “In my third year of vet school, I had the opportunity to assist in a surgery to repair a fracture in a white tailed deer,” he says. That surgery

32 Summer 2019 | Atlanta Pet Life

created his interest in orthopedics. “It was career-changing experience, and the rest is history.”

Noone is a board-certified smallanimal surgeon and has been a part of the Veterinary Referral Surgery Practice in Roswell since 2001. He attended the University of Vermont and received his bachelor’s degree in animal science in 1988. He continued his education at the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine where he was a member of the Phi Zeta Honor Society. He was awarded his doctorate of veterinary medicine in 1997 and then completed an internship at Rowley Memorial Animal Hospital in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1998 and a residency at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine in 2001.

In 2001, he was named a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. A member of the Veterinary Orthopedic Society, the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Georgia Veterinary Medical Association, Noone has also been published in the American Journal of Veterinary Research.

Dr. Thomas J. Noone and his rat terrier, Touille.

Noone, who has a rat terrier named Touille, started working at Veterinary Referral Surgery Practice directly out of residency in 2001 and has not left, which is unusual in his field. But he says one of the most rewarding aspects of his job is to see a pet patient 10 years after a major surgery and recovery being active, painfree and happy.

“The most fulfilling aspect of my job is restoring the quality of life of my patients by addressing their debilitating conditions and guiding their recovery with the hope of regaining as much function as possible,” he says. “Guiding my clients and patients through circumstances that have terminal and tragic outcomes is obviously the most difficult aspect of my work. It is during those difficult times I continually find myself relying on my training as a surgical specialist to treat my patient in ways that result in the best outcome possible.”

For more information, visit veterinaryreferralsurgery.com. atlantapetlife.com

PET LIFE EXPERTS | Animal Law

Ending the Puppy Pipeline How much is that puppy in the window?

Written by Claudine Wilkins, founder of Animal Law Source

S

pringtime in Georgia means flowers and trees are blooming again, warm breezes are beginning to blow, and hundreds, perhaps thousands, of helpless dogs are living in filth and squalor in so-called “puppy mills.”

The innocent refrain of “How much is that doggy in the window” has become “How much can be made from the breeding and selling of dogs?”

What can be done to end the practice?

How can the pipeline of puppies be stopped at the front end, not just the back end?

First, it helps to know exactly how serious the problem is in Georgia. This year started off with a bang. In the first two months of 2019, more than 1,000 dogs and puppies were saved from several puppy mill operations.

One case involved more than 265 German Shepherds living in deplorable conditions (allegedly, the breeder had approximately 392 dogs in the summer of 2018). Another case found more than 750 small breed dogs in cages that were so cramped that the dogs had to sleep standing up. While recuperating in an animal rescuer’s home, one such pup was filmed sleeping in the middle of the room “standing up.” The video went viral. When word of a puppy mill becomes known,

34 Summer 2019 | Atlanta Pet Life

Claudine Wilkins, founder of Animal Law Source, and a mascot attended Georgia First Lady Marty Kemp’s shelter pet adoption event at the Governor’s Mansion. Events like this help foster rescue adoptions over purchases of dogs from puppy mills. actions to address the operations often happen with incredible speed.

Prior to that trigger point, puppy mills can exist for years and produce thousands of animals with little or no oversight or restraint. The numbers of personnel whose job descriptions include finding and closing these operations are woefully inadequate to address the magnitude of the problem in Georgia.

Legislation and local ordinances can help curtail these behaviors. Georgia amended its animal cruelty law in 2014 (O.C.G.A. 16-12-4), and it applies to anyone, including breeders, who are abusing or neglecting an animal.

There are other factors to consider, such as the bandwidth and resources needed to handle a crime scene with many

animals, which often includes the transporting, impounding, vetting, housing and rehoming of each animal.

States, including Georgia, also need to provide those who enforce animal cruelty laws and ordinances with the education and resources to effectively prosecute the perpetrators. It is not enough to have good laws if those laws are not enforced. There are solutions, and Georgia is working on making changes. But that addresses the “back end” of the puppy pipeline problem.

On the front end is what perpetuates the existence of puppy mills. These conditions must be addressed, or the pipeline will continue to fill with frequently abused animals. The demand for purebred or designer puppies must be examined, as well as the “impulse buying” that atlantapetlife.com

constitutes much of the demand for the puppies.

Georgia designated “an adoptable dog” as the official state dog in 2016. Other states, including California, Colorado and Tennessee, also recognize rescued pets as state symbols. According to the Georgia General Assembly, “adoptable dog” means any dog in the custody of any

Prior to that trigger point, puppy mills can exist for years and produce thousands of animals with little or no oversight or restraint. animal shelter, humane society or public or private animal refuge and is available for adoption by the public.

For the first time in Georgia’s history, First Lady Marty Kemp began her official duties by having a huge “shelter-animal” adoption on the front lawn of the Governor’s Mansion on March 30.

If buyers insist on going to a breeder, research into these breeders becomes imperative. Internet buying sight unseen is extremely problematic because it has made it harder to determine the source of the puppies being sold.

Many pet stores and online breeders do not reveal where they source their puppies. In 2017, The U.S. Department of Agriculture removed animal welfare data — including inspection records for commercial breeders — from its website.

It removed inspection reports, regulatory correspondence, research facility annual reports and enforcement records that have not received final adjudication, making it very difficult to find out where animals are located, what kind of treatment they have received and whether any violations of laws, regulations or practices have occurred.

Nearly eight million abandoned pets live in animal shelters in the United States, and three to four million are euthanized every year.

For more information, go to Animallawsource.org or attend the 21st Annual Animal Protection Expo at the Hotel Avalon, Alpharetta, on October 18, 19 and 20. Info@animallawsource.org.

Copyrighted by Claudine Wilkins, Founder Animal Law Source (2014), Past Chair of the Animal Law Section to the Georgia Bar, cwilkins@animallawsource.org, 770-356-9770, www.animallawsource.org. Special thanks to Cassidy Brook for her contribution.

Visit AnimalLawSource.org for a sample petition and order.

䠀伀圀 䌀䄀一 圀䔀 匀䤀䴀倀䰀䤀䘀夀 夀伀唀刀 䰀䤀䘀䔀㼀 倀攀琀 䌀愀爀攀 匀攀爀瘀椀挀攀猀 猀椀渀挀攀 ㈀ 㘀

㌀ ㌀ 㔀 㔀 䰀 䔀 一 伀堀 刀 䐀 一 䔀 Ⰰ 匀 吀 䔀 㜀 㔀 簀 䄀吀 䰀䄀 一 吀䄀 Ⰰ 䜀 䄀 ㌀ ㌀ ㈀ 㘀 簀 㐀 㐀 ⴀ 㐀 ㌀ ㈀ ⴀ ㄀ ㄀ 㤀 ㈀ 簀 䈀 唀 䌀 䬀 䠀 䔀 䄀 䐀 倀䄀圀 匀 ⸀ 䌀伀 䴀

atlantapetlife.com

Summer 2019 | Atlanta Pet Life 35

Charitable

PaWty Animals

by Atlanta GirlZ Club®

Somepawdy to Love

National Love your Pet Day

Rescue Dog Games

Angels Among Us

on hand. Everyone enjoyed mingling and visiting the doggie kissing booth with proceeds benefiting Georgia English Bulldog Rescue.

The Grand Hyatt Atlanta is known for its large pool deck and tranquil Japanese Zen garden, favorite spots for a bit of relaxation for Lucy and Holly. The hotel is also pet-friendly, welcoming traveling canines under 50 pounds with hypoallergenic pet beds, pet bowls, welcome treats and an in-room dining doggie menu.

Information: grandhyattatlanta. com; georgiaenglishbulldogrescue.org; pawprintsdogco.com

Somepawdy to Love Atlanta, February 9

F

orget about crowded restaurants and movie theaters for Valentine’s Day. At the Somepawdy to Love event, many people found the loves of their lives at Best Friends in Atlanta pet matchmaking event. Guests of the adoption center enjoyed complimentary drinks and snacks, while expert cupids helped them find the pet of their dreams. Plus, for one night only, falling in love was free: All adoption fees were waived.

Best Friends in Atlanta works with area shelters, animal welfare organizations and individuals to save the lives of shelter pets and to combat euthanasia practices.

Best Friends Animal Society is a national animal welfare organization with the same mission. It teams with more than 2,500 national animal welfare groups and operates one of the country’s largest no-kill shelter for companion pets. Information: bestfriends.org.

National Love Your Pet Day Celebration Atlanta, February 27

T

he Grand Hyatt Atlanta in Buckhead continued its Meet the Maker series by hosting a National Love Your Pet celebration for two- and four-legged

36 Summer 2019 | Atlanta Pet Life

Pet Adoption Day

Lucy & Holly doing doga in Grant Hyatt Atlanta’s Zen Garden

Rescue Dog Games Atlanta, March 10

R

escue Dog Games and Park Tavern co-hosted a dog festival and party in Piedmont Park to shine a light on the importance of pet adoption. Rescue Dog Games also focuses on playing.

Scott Snipes, General Manager, Grand Hyatt Atlanta in Buckhead friends. Fur-friends, cocktails and specialty treats from Executive Chef Jesse McDannell and Pawprints Atlanta made for a memorable evening. Hotel guests and Atlanta locals, including pet influencers Lucy and Holly and several of their furry pals, were

Rescue Dog Games atlantapetlife.com

and helped Atlanta spread the importance of pet adoption.

Atlanta Rescue Dog Games brings pet rescues and organizations together to raise awareness around the need to “to adopt, not shop.” Information: rescuedoggames.com.

Angels Among Us Fifth Annual Gala, Atlanta, March 23, 2019

Judges Lucy, Teddy and Holly Hundreds of people got out and played with their dogs for an interactive, fun-filled day of silly and competitive games for dogs and their humans. Rescue Dog Games celebrates rescue dogs and their forever families, and also encourages owners to spend quality time with their best fourlegged friends. Jill Waddell and her team of volunteers and supporters planned one of Atlanta’s top outdoor pet events.

Human/dog teams that pre-registered enjoyed dog play areas, vendors, pet rescues, music and festivities, including a dog costume contest and disc dog show.

For those pre-registered for the VIP (“Very Important Puppy”) area, a pet fashion show featured adoptable doggies with pet-influencer guest judges, socialites Lucy and Holly and their fur-friend ,Teddy Takes the City. Proceeds went to a variety of pet partners. The VIP area included music, beer, food, festivities for dogs and humans, dog interactive art projects, dog and human photo booths, adoptable dog cuteness corner, doggie relaxation stations, lure chases and lots of swag for all dogs.

Many people met their next best friend

A

tlanta Pet Life’s Bill Garst and contributing writer Kathi Welch were among the guests at Angels Among Us Fifth Annual Gala at the InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta for an evening of dinner, signature cocktails, dancing, live and silent auctions and more. Entertainment was provided by the Celebrity All Star Band, and the emcee was Russ Spencer of Fox 5 Atlanta.

Room, Kroger, Greens Beverages, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Hollywood Feed, , Belle Isle Moonshine, Simon D. Fine Jewelry and Paper Daisies Stationery.

Angels Among Us Pet Rescue is a nonprofit dedicated to saving dogs and cats from high-kill shelters in north Georgia. Information: angesresuce.org.

Pet Adoption Day at the Georgia Governor’s Mansion Atlanta, March 30, 2019

G

eorgia’s First Lady Marty Kemp proved she has a big heart for animals by hosting a public Pet Adoption Day at the Governor’s Mansion. Kemp partnered with humane societies, shelters and rescues from across the state to find forever homes for dogs and cats in need.

Atlanta Pet Life’s Kathi Welch was on hand with fellow animal advocates Ginny Millner, Claudine Wilkins and Victoria Stillwell, among many. Adoption fees were handled by the participating rescue groups and pet shelters. Many individuals and families took home a new addition.

Information: gov.georgia.gov/events/ pet-adoption-day-governors-mansion.

Emcee Russ Spencer of Fox 5 Atlanta

Pet Adoption Day

Kathi Welch with Event’s Theme Characters

Angels’ Founders and Team atlantapetlife.com

This year’s theme was Happily Ever After. The fundraising event celebrated the 10-year anniversary of the rescue.

The Happily Ever After Angels have given to more than 15,000 pets in need since 2009. This year’s For the Love of Paws event was sponsored by Atlanta Pet Life, Simply Buckhead magazine, BluePearl Veterinary Partners, Enhance Floors and More, VCA Animal Hospitals, Joey D’s Oak

L-R: Kathi Welch, Ginny Millner, Claudine Wilkins, Marty Kemp, Victoria Stillwell

Atlanta GirlZ Club | Lucy, Holly & Kathi Welch Follow us on Instagram: @lucyandholly_atlgirlzclub Summer 2019 | Atlanta Pet Life 37

Charitable

Event Spotlight

Angels Among Us Pet Rescue gala ensures ‘Happily Ever After’ for area animals

A

ngels Among Us Pet Rescue held its 5th annual gala March 23 at the InterContinental Buckhead.

The “For the Love of Paws” gala incorporated a fairytale theme, “Happily Ever After,” commemorating the rescue group’s 10-year anniversary.

The gala featured FOX 5 Atlanta Anchor Russ Spencer and featured music by the Celebrity All Star Band.

Some of Angels Rescue’s most noteworthy rescue dogs from 2018 were featured at the event. Celebrity pups included Pandorah, the pit bull, who was starved and left abandoned in an apartment complex, and Maddux, whose snout was tethered shut with a rubber band.

Both are now healthy and strutted their stuff to show how rescue not only saves, but transforms, lives.

During the gala, more than $41,600 was raised during a paddle raise that will be put toward a new vehicle to transport animals in need.

Sponsors of the event included BluePearl Veterinary Partners, Crush Event Design, Paper Daisies Stationery, Tito’s Vodka, Enhance Floors & More, VCA Hospitals, Joey D’s Oak Room, Kroger, Hollywood Feed, Simon D. Fine Jewelry, Simply Buckhead, Atlanta Pet Life and Green’s Beverages.

Proceeds from the event help fund efforts to further grow Angels Rescue with a future facility and the “Angel Wings” Transport Division, a program that will dramatically increase the number of dogs and cats saved from overcrowded shelters in Georgia, and continue the mission to “Rescue One Until There Are None.”

Established in 2009, Angels Among Us Pet Rescue is a 501c3 non-profit, volunteer-based organization dedicated to the rescue of dogs and cats from high-kill shelters in Georgia.

Operating through a network of foster homes in the metro Atlanta area, Angels has rescued over 15,000 lives from high-kill shelters across Georgia.

38 Summer 2019 | Atlanta Pet Life

From left, Karin Wallace, Tina Walden, Ellen Stanley, Pam Richard, Lisa Zambacca, Tiffany Powers and LuAnn Farrell enjoy the 5th annual For the Love of Paws gala. (all the other photos, with exception of the one listed below, are courtesy of Kelly Berry Photography.)

From left, Whitney Garrett Smith and Austin Smith with Yoda, formerly known as Maddux. (Photo courtesy of Mark Stanley)

atlantapetlife.com

Come play with us!

Fun, Safe Doggie Daycare, Boarding, and Grooming Small dogs can play and stay in our Buckhead loca�on, medium to large dogs will love our Decatur facility!

Playtime

5-Paw Service!

with Friends!

142 New Street Decatur, GA 30030 404-377-9699 www.rexandroxys.com

Holiday Parties!

Spa Services!

339 Buckhead Ave NE Atlanta, GA 30305 404-816-4100 www.rexandroxysbuckhead.com

Find a Hollywood Feed Near You: LOCATIONS.HOLLYWOODFEED.COM/GA