BellaDOG Magazine Spring - Summer 2010 by BellaDOG Magazine

BellaDOG MAGAZI NE

It’s A Dog-Gone Beautiful Life!

Summer in Nantucket

Steppin Out

Pin-Ups for Pit Bulls at The Don Vicente

Pesticides

& Preventatives

Are We Poisoning Our Pets!

DAGS House

Where disabled dogs get a second chance at life!

Summer’s Here! Get Your Gear! New HOT Products!

Compassion Fatigue! When caring too much hurts

BellaDOGmagazine.com $5.95 USA/$6.95 CANADA Vol I Issue 2 - 2010

Dog Friendly Cottages at Boat Basin

Ugly DOG Adventures!

A Rockin New Concept in Doggie Daycare!

put his pain to bed... Improve your pet’s life, naturally... •

With complete and balanced natural-organic foods, human grade USDA meats free of hormones and antibiotics, pesticide free fruits and vegetables.

Use Code: BellaDOG for 20% off any purchases made through 9/31/2010

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Promote an increased resistance to disease with herbal and homeopathic remedies and supplements.

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By feeding your pet a raw diet, optimum nutrition is received through living enzymes, unprocessed amino acids and necessary vitamins and minerals that are essential to a long, healthy life.

...with the Draper Therapeutic Dog Bed Our Plush Dog Bed delivers increased circulation and oxygenation to combat stiffness, soreness, and age related ailments, keeping him happy, healthy, and energetic. The removable, washable therapeutic cover has a heavy gauge nylon bottom for durability. The insert offers padding that can be rejuvenated with a few quick fluffs. It is available in charcoal gray. You can purchase this and see the entire line of therapeutic products at drapercaninetherapy.com or call toll free 1-800-808-7707 to place an order.

We have a great selection of food, toys, treats and lots more for dogs, cats, small animals and birds!

...he’ll also feel the benefits from our Dog Jacket!

Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00AM-7:00PM, Sat 9:00AM-5:00PM & Sun 10:00AM-4:00PM

941-723-1715

523 8th Avenue West

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Palmetto, FL 34221

www.PetsLifeNaturally.com

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visit us at drapercaninetherapy.com C

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2008 Draper Knitting Company, Inc. 28 Draper Lane Canton, MA 02021 (781) 828.0029 drapercaninetherapy.com Draper Canine Therapy TM is a trademark of Draper Knitting Company, Inc.

in this ISSUE

A DOG’s EYE View

Stuff We Need To Know! Pupcakes 2 Go!

Just Like Mom Used to make

Hygroma? Elbow Issues in Dogs

Pesticides - Are we poisoning our pets?

The Energetics of Food

Talkin Bout A Heat Wave! Warning Signs and CPR?

Woof Cottages at Boat Basin

Half Moon Bay

Rover Company Takes The Field Of Canine Comfort Into The 21st Century

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly The Unregulated World of Pet Cremation

Reducing Your Pets Carbon Pawprint

The Cape Cod Dog

agilityman

the coolest store on cape cod

Therapy Dogs Help Child Victims Cope With Court

52 54

How To Build A Dog Park In Your Community

Featuring Josh Schermer, owner of downtown pets in nyc!

Ugly Dog Adventures - A Rockin New Concept in Doggie Daycare! stacey thomas

Take Me Fishing But Keep Me Safe!

What to do if something goes wrong - Like a hook in the snout!

Half Moon Bay, CA Dogs of ALL Sizes Welcome!

Photographer Lisa Presnail of A Little Pet Project lets us peek at the pics from her recent photoshoot for “Pin Ups For Pit Bulls”!

DROOL Worthy YUMs

106

Frozen Treats For HOT Summer Days and Recipes from “Cooking The Three Dog Bakery Way”

Woo Hoo - Get Me This Stuff!

Invasion of the Little People. How To Train Your Dog To Love Children.

What About Staring Your Own Pet Service Business?

Nantucket Island, MA BellaDOG Magazine and Draper Canine Therapy take a trip to see what this little Dog Friendly island is all about!

SNEAK PEEK!

the BARKING Section

Angelica Steinker, M.Ed., P.D.B.C., C.D.B.C., CAP2, and NADOI endorsed

holly nash, dvm, ms

BellaDOG Magazine

A Tribute to The Dalmatian

Fido Friendly Travel!

Dr. jeannie thomason

Dominick tac SIMPLY SPOTTED PHOTO

The spotted dog

TRAVEL with HAIR

Tid Bits of Fun Information about DOGS!

herbsmith naturals chris bessent, dvm

FISH - Many Health Benefits

Jan rasmusen

Dogs and Their People Hang Out in Pet Friendly Locations!

Our Featured Dog Breed!

Sheri-lyn shepler

DOG Bites

Steppin OUT

stacey thomas

A BREED Apart

• Summer’s Hear, Get Your Gear! • Fab Feeders by Skate Dog Studios • Recycle This! • Hyper Dog -Play With Me! • Smart Dog - Smart Stuff! • It’s a Bling Sort of Thing • Bathtime the All Natural Way! • DOOG - The Walkie Belt • Bedtime for Furbaby with LazyBonezz

Doggie STYLE

Cool Designer Duds!

Bark N Wear - Doggie Attire in a Snap! Chicka-Bow-Wow - Hand Made Originals

PAW Prints

Pet Artists We Love!

STEPHEN HUNECK

NO BREEDS, NO CREEDS & NO DOGMAS ALLOWED

HUMANE Hearts

Great Articles About Passionate Rescue Efforts and Animal Issues In Need of Attention! 110

DAG’s House - Where Disabled Dogs Get A Second Chance At Life angela hill

114

Puppy Mill Series - Things to Know & Things to Do To STOP this Madness! hsus

122

5 Steps To Successfully Adopting a Shelter Dog

124

Compassion Fatique - When Caring Too Much Hurts

Diane laverdure

Colleen mihelich, founder of peternity.com

BellaDOG Magazine

MAGAZI NE

BellaDOG Publishers Scott R. Traylor & Sheri-lyn Shepler Editor In Chief & Art Director Sheri-lyn Shepler Advertising Cheryl Solomon - Director of Midwest South & Mountain Region Sales (312) 346-2950 Cheryl@BellaDOGmagazine.com Carin Glick - Director of Northeast & Pacific Region Sales (603) 627-6501 Carin@BellaDOGmagazine.com Contributors Cerissa Dillow Art Fyvolent Dr. Jeannie Thomason Sara Stauffer Angelica Steinker Stacey Thomas Photography Lisa Presnail - www.alittlepetproject.com Kim Butler - www.simplyspottedphoto.com Web Editor Benjamin Gordon Ben@BellaDOGmagazine.com Exclusively Distributed by Source Interlink Companies Cover Shot Sheri-lyn Shepler Brant Point Lighthouse on Nantucket Island with Cassie Rosano and Sherwood, the Mascot Lab of the Woof Cottages at Boat Basin. Inside Shot from the front: Katherine Wojtylak of Draper Canine Therapy, Cassie Rosano, Scott Traylor (BellaDOG), Rhino the Boxer & Kristen Draper of Draper Canine Therapy on the docks in Nantucket. Letters to the editor to: sheri@BellaDOGmagazine.com For Subscription inquiries: (941) 708-9500 Email: subscriptions@BellaDOGmagazine.com Purchase on the web: www.BellaDOGmagazine.com Dealer Inquiries BellaDOG Magazine is available at a discount for resale in retail shops and through various organizations. Call (941) 708-9500 BellaDOG Magazine P.O. Box 66406, St. Pete Beach, FL 33736 Phone: (941) 708-9500 Fax: (941) 621-2886 w w w. B e l l a D O G M a g a z i n e . c o m Copyright 2010 by BellaDOG Magazine. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, electronic or mechanical, including the internet without the written permission of the Publisher.

It’s A Dog-Gone Beautiful Life! 4

BellaDOG Magazine

Gold Continues Lead the Way, INSolid SEARCH OFtoCINNAMON While other dog foodTicks companies follow Against Fleas, Flies, and Mosquitos In 1975-1976, Solid Gold introduced the first natural organic dog food in the US. A year later, the FDA came to Solid Gold theasingredients go We intoinformed its products veryHund-n-Flocken carefully. us and declared that there wasresearches no such thing a natural dogthat food. them that (meaning dog food flakes in German) had been a top seller in Germany for about 20 years. Up untilSissy that time, dog food was maderecently from thewent left-overs from to other companies that herbs. produced a variety The owner, Harrington-McGill, to India study ayurvedic The biscuitof products. Rather than dumping left-over soybeans, wheat and corn, these dog food companies put them into dog treat, Solid Gold’s Cinnabone Biscuit for dogs, was of a special interest. Sissy has been breeding, food. But dogs are allergic to soybeans (asometimes called lecithin) wheat and corn. It makes them chew at the root andlick raising Great Danes 50 years. Her dogs are fed at 6am and at 6pm.constant We all go to ofshowing the tail and their feet. When thefor feetalmost are irritated or swollen, the saliva is soothing. However, licking bed at aroundirritation. 10pm. IfVet she forgets to give them night-time biscuit, around a very loud yawn causes bacterial bills are expensive, so it’s their best to prevent this problem in the2am, first place. is heard “I’m starving death. me mycausing biscuits.” Then, they go back to amaranth, sleep through Solidsaying, Gold dog foods containtonone of Feed these allergy grains. Hund-n-Flocken uses milletthe and barley – the non-allergic grains. We never use Their animal/poultry fat.well Thesetrained! are rancid fats which may cause cancer. night. people are From the Pittsburg Post Gazette, August 12, 2009 – the FDA said most likely fats in pet food contain euthanized dogs and the vestiges of the euthanizing drug ManySouth times, East the poisonous flea collars Of all theand fivecats biscuit recipes, Cinnabone Biscuit is thePentobarbital. all-time favorite. Asia is known for haven’t even been removed before the bodies are ground up as animal fat and put into dog food. its cinnamon. Nothing is too good for our fur kids. Cinnamon information first appeared in Chinese Solid Gold doesn’t use animal/poultry fat. They use canola oil or flaxseed oil but never sunflower oil which B.C. It wasfound givencaused to people forincrease a variety of ailments. It helped with kidney, liver, thewritings Swedisharound National2800 Cancer Institute a 69% in cancer. and heart problems. It was used to keep meat from spoiling and kept disease from spreading dueistoJust itsa Several years ago, Solid Gold introduced wild caught Alaskan salmon into its line. Our salmon line Wee Bit (pink bag) for the small mouth. Our salmon line for the larger dog is Wolf King and Wolf Cub. We combined anti-bacterial properties. salmon and free-range bison. Thefirst owner of Solid GoldPliny, flew to personally interview the fiwas shermen. The company thatgrams was chosen In the century A.D., theAlaska Elder,tothought that cinnamon so valuable that 350 of was very unique. They were “hook and line” fishermen. That means that if the salmon were small, they were thrown cinnamon were equal to 15 times the value of silver. back. Several years later, other dog food companies copied up and began to put salmon into their dog food. UnforMedieval physicians used it for suchupaseverything. coughing and sore throats. tunately, they didn’t care about preserving therespiratory future. Hugeproblems nets scooped Aboutdidn’t a year know ago, wehow received a notice fromfor thebacterial Fish and Game Department that knew we could get wild They effective it was infections. They just thatnoI longer worked. Alaskan salmon – the large nets had them all fished out. The Department said wetowould to use farmed Cinnamon was thought havehave an anti-aging use,salmon. since itNEVER!! slows down the deterioration of cells. A chemical company developed a pesticide called Starlink in which 98% of all corn is sprayed with. It is this poisonous corn that is fed to farmed salmon. Today,Itcinnamon is used weight control andsalmon. Type II diabetes. The the Bellville Center is doesn’t bother otherforcompanies to use this They still mislead public Nutrition and call it wild-caught under salmon. the auspices of the U.S. use Dept. of Agriculture. Their 2003salmon. study found thatfrozen cinnamon lowered Alaskan Solid Gold doesn’t deception! We now get Atlantic It is flash so we don’t have to use the chemical preservative, ethoxyquin – which is the rubber stabilizer for the tires on your car. Unfortunately, glucose, triglyceride, LDL cholesterol as well as improved diabetes problems. ethoxyquin is not listed in the ingredients on the labels. three years, we found negotiated buffalo which are free-range, noadditional chemicals and no hormones used. TheFor department also thatusing it helped with insect problems.with As an bonus, the department Now, I see that some other dog food company has recently announced that in a few months they will put buffalo in found their food.that even after the experiment was over, all the beneficial effects continued for 20 more days. Some other points – if you see an ingredient on some dog food bags listing chicken-by-products, it’s beak, feet and If of younutrition see “digest” listed, it is the manure the intestines and the School whole guts are used.Health Beet pulp A feathers. professor at the Public School of inside Nutrition at the Harvard of Public wasis sugar beet pulp. The word sugar isresults. left outDr. to fool the public that red beets are used.said, Red “Cinnamon beets have no amazed at the long lasting Anderson of into the thinking U.S. Dept. of Agriculture pulp. If you are feeding fat, it is rancid and may give the sulphur, dogs diarrhea. So, the sugar put in to firm makes cells moreanimal/poultry sensitive to insulin.” Cinnamon contains the seventh most isprevalent up the rotten fat. Of course, feeding sugar at every meal may result in the dog getting diabetes, epilepsy, allergies and substance in the human’s andtinge dog’s Dogs love cinnamon. Fleas, ticks,Bladder flies and mosquitoes heart or immunity problems. A red to abodies. dark coat may result in anemia from the sugar. stones or struvite hate sulphur. crystals may also occur. Solid Gold is unlike other dog food companies. We are committed to telling the truth about our ingredients and to the giveisland your dog cat the best possible foodsprinkled to help them live a healthy life.the island, it killed mosInwant 2004, of and Taiwan found that if they cinnamon around We feel we must answer to a higher power. quitoes larva more effectively than DEET, a common pesticide. On July 14, 2004 a recommendation

was made from the Agriculture and Food Chemistry Dept. in Taiwan to use cinnamon to repel insects. Now for our cute story. Did you know that the Ancient Chinese word for eclipse is shih, which means “to if thewas dogs found the cinnamon and atebeat it, itdrums wouldn’t hurt them. cinnamon. eat.” If Yet, an eclipse occurring, the people traditionally and banged pots toDogs scare love off the “heavenly dogs” believed to be devouring the sun. Solid Gold is the only dog food company that is a member of the Organic Trade Association, the American Nutraceutical Association, the Medicinal Food Association, Nutraceutical Foods Association and the Life Extension Association.

For a catalog or store near you call or email us at: (619) 258-7356 or (619) 258-1914 (M-F 10-5 PST) or E-mail us at sarah@solidgoldhealth.com or Proudwww.solidgoldhealth.com Platinum Sponsor of The GulfCoast DOG Magazine's Pet Extravaganza.

Visit us at Booth Platinum B

Solid Gold Health Products for Pets, the Holistic Animal Nutrition Center 1331 N. Cuyamaca El Cajon, CA 92020

BellaDOG Magazine

Contributors Letter from the Editor Scott & n y e h S ri-l Piper Cam

Bella

Caya

WOW! It has been a very exciting beginning for BellaDOG Magazine! We have been met with so much joy and happiness from our peers in the Dog World that it makes everyday working for the betterment of animals lives even more wonderful and rewarding. This last few months we have fostered 4 different dogs rescued from disheartening conditions and have successfully found them their forever homes with loving families! Woo Hoo! We have been doing our best to further educate the masses on the importance of proper pet treatment and have been actively involved with helping the non-profit organization Dogs Deserve Better on their quest to make this country a CHAIN-FREE nation! We have also teamed up with Let’s Lick This (.org) and will be campaigning nationally on a continued quest to end pet overpopulation and abuse while increasing awareness about the serious need to adopt and not shop for pets. This issue, our second to hit the stands in the US and now Canada is chock full of fun, educational information, incredible photography, a few tearful moments and a ton of “how to’s”.

Miss Molly

In the Dog’s Eye View of this issue we have touched on subjects such as the seriousness of our use of pesticides and the potential hazards our pets could face, the benefits of using fish oil in our pets diet, how to reduce your pets carbon pawprint, a look in to the unregulated world of pet cremation and how to build your very own dog park in your community...... just to name a few!

“Our Girls” The reason we always have a smile on our faces!!

Enjoy your Summer and please remember to keep your pets cool and hydrated at all times! Have Fun! It’s A Dog-Gone Beautiful Life! Enjoy It with your dogs!

BellaDOG Magazine

www.simplyspottedphoto.net

www.saltypaws.com

In his spare time, Art and his wife Lisa rescue Pit Bulls and support many animal welfare groups including the Humane Society, Hillsborough Co Animal Services, Pit Stop Bullys Rescue, Dogma Rescue & more. www.ideas4.com

Lisa is especially passionate about homeless pets, and has blended her love of pet photography with that of boudoir photography to create ‘Little Pet Project, Going All The Way For A Stray’, which features people and their pets, designed to raise interest and generate support for homeless pets. Boutique style photo sessions are custom tailored to her paying clients, while Lisa works tirelessly to provide “glamour” shoots free of charge of homeless dogs so that they might have an edge in an all too crowded marketplace. Lisa’s free time is spent fostering, fundraising and providing marketing material for animal rescues and shelters. www.alittlepetproject.com

Sara Stauffer

Angelica Steinker

Stacey Thomas

Jeannie Thomason, VND

Art has experience in all aspects of strategic and creative development across all print & web media and SEO. He creates and manages powerful marketing initiatives and processes; plans & conducts successful, top-level sales presentations; oversees websites,web marketing and e-commerce efforts. He is skilled at aggressively leveraging strategic partnerships to develop customer brand value propositions.

Lisa Presnail

For the animal rescue advocates; we know how heavy on the heart rescuing animals can be so we’ve featured a fabulous article called “Compassion Fatigue - When Caring Too Much Hurts”. This will help shed some light on the various emotions you undoubtedly experience through your work with these animals in need. I know it helped me.

Be sure to check out the BellaDOG Website too! We are constantly adding new articles that you won’t see in the magazine AND there are super fun contests for you to enter and win some great new products.

Art Fyvolent

Kim’s company, Simply Spotted Photography is named after her three spotty dogs who are her greatest inspiration.

Cerissa is passionate about 2 things animals and design and she strives to always be up on the latest trends for our furry friends. At 13 she became the first employee of Salty Paws, the Pet Boutique in Fishermen’s Village that she now owns. Cerissa cheerfully dubs, Salty Paws as “a pet paradise for dog and cat lovers.” Cerissa earned her degree in Studio Art from The University of South Florida and has extensive training in retail buying. She adds life to BellaDOG by being our Product Guru!

One of Kim’s greatest passions in life is dogs but Lucky for us, her other passion is photography. She’s been taking pictures both as a hobby and professionally for over 15 years. Her greatest talents lie in capturing the true essence of pets, allowing their personalities to shine, whether it’s a sparkle in their eyes or a big toothy grin.

In the Humane Heart section, we’re taking on the horrible life of the puppy mill dog and what you can do the help stop the cycle. We’ll teach you what to listen for should you happen to venture into a pet store to chat with a sales associate and we’ll give you key points of internet puppy sales and the racket surrounding the concept.

And for the shopoholics - there is a ton of very cool products to suite your dog’s fancy from one end of spectrum to the other inlcuding the ROVER PET BED! Check em out, our dogs LOVE them!.

Please Love Your Dogs!

Cerissa Dillow

Kim Butler

Sheri-lyn Shepler

Sara focuses on holistic and homeopathic methods of healing animals and loves To share her knowledge with others. As co-owner of a shop called Island Dog Outfitters, she is able to do just that. Sara believes that dogs are truly here to teach us. She is a life long lover of all animals, a big fan of the environment and is actively involved with coordinating fundraising events for local animal rescue groups. As an Indiana University School of Journalism alumni Sara lends her expertise to BellaDOG through her writing. www.IslandDogOutfitters.com

Angelica has over 15 years of dog training experience, and specializes in: Aggression, Agility, Rally Obedience, Learning and Behavior. She has a Master’s Degree in Educationand has written two books -Agility Success and Click and Play Agility, along with many published articles. She is endorsed by National Dog Obedience Instructors and the International Institute of Applied Companion Animal Behavior and is certified as a Dog Behavior Consultant through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants. www. angelasteinker.com

When she’s not studying in preparation for veterinary college, Stacey can typically be found several leashes deep in some sort of animal rescue scenario. In 2009, Stacey started an organization company called H.A.L.O. - The Planet’s Animal Ambulance that is sure to change the future of pet emergency situations. Her passion for animal welfare spills onto the pages when she writes and her stories are true to life and true to heart. Stacey is bound to make a difference in this world and we’re proud to follow her experiences through her incredible writings. www.HALOplanet.org

Dr. Thomason, is a doctor of veterinary naturopathy, certified in small animal nutrition & aromatherapy with 30 years of practical experience in animal health. She has a Doctorate in Veterinary Naturopathy from Kingdom College Of Natural Health where she is now an adjunct professor. Being qualified and adept at consulting and educating, Dr. Jeannie has written numerous peer reviewed articles and is currently writing her first book. www.thewholedog.org

BellaDOG Magazine

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Now You Can Calculate Your Carbon Pawprint!

B i t e s

Raise a Green Dog found this cool little carbon footprint calculator and wanted to share it with you!

Record your Pet’s own Personal Ringtone! Rock along to a completely unique ringtone created for your cell phone and inspired by your best friend - your pet!

With this tool you can calculate your carbon footprint (or in the case of us dogs, pawprint :) from transportation, housing, food, goods and services....everything you consume! Compare yourself to others in your city, region, or to households with similar size and income. And play around with it to see how reductions of your usage can effect the life of the environment.

The song that she creates just for you will be a 30 second ringtone, with lyrics based on your answers to the questions about your pet in the order form on their website. WANT TO INCLUDE YOUR PET’S BARK, MEOW OR MOO? Just record about 20 seconds and send it via email in MP3 or MP4 format, and they’ll incorporate it into your song! So - you simply answer the questions asked on their website and as soon as they receive your order, they’ll confirm your details and get started writing and recording your custom song. Once it is complete, you’ll receive a downloadable email with your personalized pet ring tone! It’s that easy! Each personalized ring tone is $29.95 www.petringtones.com

Outfit your dog in a Ruff Wear Swamp Cooler™ Vest so he can stay cool, happy and active in the hot summer weather! Dogs can beat the heat, staying cool while hiking and biking in the desert, playing on the beach, boating on open water under full sun, or waiting for their turn during outdoor agility trials in the heat. Just soak it in cold water, wring it out, and fasten around your dog. Evaporative cooling (like an actual swamp cooler) exchanges the dog’s heat with the coolness of the stored water in the coat to keep him comfortable and ready to run that extra mile. Auto-lock buckles on each side of the jacket provide easy on/off. $49.95 www.ruffwear.com

BellaDOG Magazine

If you have a dog and an iPhone, then you will definitely want to check out these totally cool iPhone apps that pertain to dogs.

Doggies Welcome ($1.99)

Dog Remote has 6 preset sounds which you can train your dog to respond to. Since the sounds can be set beyond the range of human hearing, it really is like a remote control for your dog! Once you have set the frequency, you can go on to train them to perform actions such as Sit, Stay, Come Here, Lie Down, Fetch, and Go To Bed. Many of the tones are based on traditional sheepdog whistle training.

DogiDuty ($.99)

This one allows you to send updates to anyone caring for your dog. You can send them updates about what duties have to be done for your dog -- like when to feed him, or walk him, or give him his medicine, for example.

www.raiseagreendog.com

Choose from 6 different song styles. The music and melody will remain the same but the lyrics will be custom written for you, and recorded by a talented singer/songwriter.

Best iPhone Apps For Dog Owners!

Shake & Bark (FREE)

A Great Quote I’d Like to Think Can include Us DEVOTED Animal activists! Who Cares What People Say, We’re Awesome! “Here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes... the ones who see things differently -- they’re not fond of rules... You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can’t do is ignore them because they change things... they push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do.” ~Steve Jobs

Want your iPhone to actually bark? Well this app makes that possible. All you have to do is take a picture of your dog with your iPhone, record his bark then enter your dog’s name. Then shake your phone and your phone will bark.

Dog Town Puppy Piano ($1.99)

This app is really cool because it assigns a dog bark to each musical note on a piano. So you can play all of your favorite songs on your iPhone to the tune of dog barks!

iPet Dogs (FREE)

This iPhone app is all about web 2.0 and social media. It allows you to connect with others who are using the iPet Dogs app all over the world. And you can adopt your own dog to feed, pet, and play with via the iPhone app. Likewise, others can feed, pet, and play with your dog via the iPhone app. Of course this is all done virtually, but it’s quite fun if you’re a dog lover!

In early 2010, BellaDOG Magazine began compiling and analyzing data to crown Top 10 Most Dog-Friendly Cities. We collected statistics from the most populated cities in the United States that would make the city "dog-friendly." We took into consideration a number of factors such as dog parks, outdoor dining areas, public parks, groomers, pet shops and much more. Florida had four cities make the Top 10 Most Dog-Friendly Cities (St. Petersburg, Miami, Tampa, and Jacksonville) but they fall short to a couple of western cities.

With 90 dog parks listed on DogParkUSA, tons of dog-friendly restaurants, and natural landscapes

Portland, Oregon is crowned the Most Dog-Friendly City of 2010! A resident of Portland, Oregon and the Portland Dogs Examiner, Christy Caplan not only agrees with the #1 ranking, but says it is a no-brainer. “I have three hounds and we love to hike. There are so many trails near Mt. Hood and in the Gorge. We also have dog-friendly restaurants everywhere!” A popular pooch hangout is the Lucky Labrador Brewing Company (better known to locals as the “Lucky Lab”) with four locations around town. “Portland has adopted our pubs as the places to hang out with their dogs, enjoy a pint, and eat some doggone good food,” says owner Gary Geist.

The First Dog ($.99)

Not only do we look for dog-friendly facilities in our #1 city, but also organizations that help the dog community. “Our animal rescue organizations (Oregon Humane Society, Indigo Rescue, Oregon Dog Rescue, Pixie Project) have tons of events year round to raise money and the entire city gets involved,” Caplan added.

iShake Dog ($.99)

Recommended Off-the-Leash Dog Park: Gabriel’s Summer Park Recommended Dog-Friendly Restaurant: Lucky Lab Recommended Portland Dog Resource: PortlandPooch.com and PDXDog.com

This iPhone app was initially created to benefit the Humane Society. Using this app, you can pet The First Dog, Bo on the White House lawn. You can also feed him, play Frisbee, and put him to bed. It’s a cute app. Give yourself a short break from hard work and relax watching the little dog shake his head to your iPhone movements or finger taps.

www.appshopper.com

D o g

To see who the 9 Runner Up cities are, visit www.BellaDOGmagazine.com BellaDOG Magazine

B i t e s

BellaDOG Magazine’s 2nd Annual

Pet Extravaganza Saturday, November 6th, 2010 9:00AM - 6:00PM

te! a D *New cation! Tampa Convention Center o L w 333 South Franklin Street, Tampa, FL 33602 • (813) 274-8511 *Ne Don’t Miss The ONLY Hybrid Trade Show Of It’s Kind! Over 200 Booths Open to Independent Retailers, Distributors, Non-Profit Organizations and All Pet Related Businesses World Wide

OPEN To The Public and the Doggies That Own Them!

$ GS&#A S Humane Society of Sarasota County

Hot

#ooL

Humanitarian of the Year

Murder Mystery GALA

By Bob Plunket, alias Sarasota Magazine’s Mr. Chatterbox and The Golden Apple’s world famous Robert Turoff

Featuring: Great NEW Products so You and Your Pets can Shop til you Drop, Gift Bags, Agility Course for You and Your Dogs to Experience, Flyball, Educational Speakers, Adorable Adoptables, Face Painters, Raffles, Tons of FREE Procuct Samples, Concessions with Full Bar, and So Much More! For Exhibitor & Sponsorship Information Call (941) 708-9500 or Visit Us Online at www.BellaDOGmagazine.com

TARGET

G R A P H I C S Perfor mance Pr inting

munity

TICKETS Ì>VÌÊ -- Ê>ÌÊ {£° xx°{£Î£]ÊiÝÌ°£Ó£ÊÊUÊÊSPONSORSHIP Contact Anne Chauvet at ChauvetA@aol.com or HSSC BellaDOG Magazine

A D O G S

The

E Y E

Microwavable Treat 4 Pets!

v i e w

Just like Mom used to make... Does ‘Princess’ only eat fresh treats at her favorite canine bakery? Well now your love muffin, with the discerning taste buds of Julia Child, can enjoy instant homemade goodness anytime.

hobby, quickly morphed into a full time job as friends and family began to order Melinda’s signature bone shaped Birthday Cake for pets. By the mid 90’s, operations and a fully staffed kitchen began to supply major markets across the U.S. with a variety of baked goods that were both scrumptious and healthy.

Lucky Paws proudly presents PupCakes 2 go, the first ever microwavable dog treats. Run by Melinda Kirk, this unique concept of a canine cupcake, has spread quickly throughout pet boutiques nationwide. PupCakes 2 go, made of all natural and organic ingredients, can be microwaved in less than 3 minutes creating a tasty and totally unique experience for families and their pets.

Flash forward to 2008 - Melinda still loved to bake but feeling time constrained, developed a product that was microwavable for her new best friend, Bella. Check out the caricature of Bella on all of the PupCakes 2 go boxes! What started as a product for her own enjoyment has now become the first ever microwavable dog treat for anyone to enjoy, even the baking impaired!

PupCakes 2 go achieved Best New Product of the Year 2010 at the Global Pet Expo. Featured in various magazines and publications as a top pick and chosen as one of the gifts in the coveted “Hollywoof” swag bag, PupCakes 2 go has quickly become the new “it” product.

Pick up a box and let the fun begin! There are all kinds of ways to make it your own PupCake. Meredith Hoard, Account Manager for Lucky Paws gives us her favorite recipe... Slice the PupCake in half legthwise and slather unsweetened applesauce and peanut butter on either half. Place the two parts together and you have a homemade PB&J PupCake.

Melinda Kirk, founder and CEO of Lucky Paws LLC, was born and raised in Springfield, OH. The mid-west native moved to Cincinnati where she graduated with an MBA from University of Cincinnati. Developing her passion for canine culinary arts, Melinda began to bake dog treats for her two love muffins, Roxy and Zeke. What began as a 12

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Send us your favorite creation and we’ll post it online. We love pictures too! To order PupCakes 2 go, visit us online at: www.luckypawsonline.com

2 Organic mixes 1 Re-Usable Microwave Pan

1-888-777-2065

www.luckypawsonline.com BellaDOG Magazine

Hygroma?

D O G S E Y E

~Holly Nash, DVM, MS

What is a hygroma? A hygroma is a false bursa, which is a nonpainful, fluidfilled swelling surrounded by a thick, fibrous capsule that develops under the skin. Hygromas most commonly develop

hygroma from further contact with anything hard. Simply bandaging the area is often not effective since there would still be pressure on the hygroma if the dog lies on that side. There are commerical products available for protecting the elbows and for dogs with hygromas. Try searching for “dog hygromas” on the web. Periodically aspirating (removing the fluid via needle and syringe) the hygroma is usually not effective and may introduce infection. Likewise, surgery is seldom performed unless the hygroma is infected. Generally, the area involved is so large that once the hygroma is removed, skin grafting or other techniques may be needed to close the incision. When the animal flexes and extends the leg, considerable

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tension is placed on the sutures and the incision is likely to open up. Some success has been seen by surgically inserting a drain (latex tubing) into the hygroma to allow for constant drainage. Then the area is bandaged, and the dressings are changed regularly. Another option is to fill a sock loosely with dry rice or small beans. Tie off the open end of the sock. Microwave the sock for one or two minutes. Hold the sock to your inner wrist for several moments to test the intensity of the heat. Wrap the sock in a towel, and place it under your dog’s elbow as he is lying down. The sock is safe in that the contents are edible, the heating unit isn’t electrical, and there’s no way the sock can get any hotter than what it starts out. The heat should feel good, so it probably won’t be hard to make your dog stay.

How can a hygroma be prevented? Hygromas can be prevented by providing soft bedding, especially beds made of orthopedic foam. Animals recovering from surgery should be turned from side to side multiple times during the day.

on the outside of the elbow. They can also occur on the hip and hock. Hygromas are initially small, soft, and fluctuant and do not pose a problem for the dog. They may be present for the dog’s life time. In some instances, they may become quite large, up to 2 inches in diameter, or very hard. Hygromas can become infected in which case they are painful, sometimes warm to the touch, and may develop draining tracts.

A D O G S

What causes a hygroma? A hygroma is caused by repeated trauma to an area over a bony prominence. The trauma most often occurs as a result of lying on hard surfaces, such as cement or hardwood floors. It is more common in larger breed dogs in which more weight is placed on the bony area having contact with the hard surface. Hygromas are also more common in dogs that are sedentary, such as those recovering from surgery or having other medical conditions that make them less active (e.g., hip dysplasia).

How is a hygroma treated? The first step in treatment is to prevent further trauma. This can be accomplished by providing a soft padded bed. The area involved can be bandaged using donutshaped padding over the elbow, placing the ‘hole’ of the donut over the hygroma. This will protect the 14

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There are several different elbow protectors on the market today and they cost usually between $60.00 $150.00 Here are 2 informative websites to research and hopefully find exactly what you’re looking for in elbow protection for your doggies. Good Luck! www.dogleggs.com and www.canineangelsinc.com

A Full Service Companion Animal Hospital With An Eastern - Western Approach

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Dr. Shawna Green, DVM Mon - Fri: 8:00am - 6:00pm Sat: 9:00am - 12:00pm

14995 Gulf Blvd, Ste J., Madeira Beach, FL, 33708

(727) 299-9029

www.medriveranimal.com BellaDOG Magazine

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Pesticides

and

D O G S

Preventatives

Are We Poisoning Our Pets?

E Y E

~Jan Rasmusen

yard of my favorite pet safety advocate (me!), both of my dogs were exposed to rat poison. I immediately induced vomiting as advised by ASPCA’s Poison Control Center, then rushed them to an emergency vet. They took weeks of Vitamin K -- the prescribed antidote. Now, 11 months later,my dog Jiggy (who suffers from life long liver disease) still shows worsened liver function. And my vet bills top $3000 with no end in sight. Even when we don’t realize it, pesticides, insecticides, herbicides and other poisons assault our dogs’ bodies in countless ways: We purposefully apply insecticides to kill fleas and ticks. Although none of us would rub poison between our children’s shoulder blades, or bathe them in poisons, when it comes to pets, we trustingly accept the “wisdom” of advertisers and sellers of flea-and-tick products.

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bait box. A raccoon trying to get at the bait banged the box on stones in my yard . My dogs found the scattered bait. Pets (and hunting birds, coyotes, etc.) eat poisoned animals (rats, groundhogs, etc.) and are poisoned themselves. This happens more than you might suspect.

So how do you keep your pet safe from poison? First, check all your home and garden products for child safety. If they’re not safe for kids, they’re not safe for dogs and cats, either. If you’re supposed to wash your hands after using a product, consider not using it. Second, don’t use products containing multiple pesticides. That is, don’t treat for ticks or heartworm when your dog just has fleas. And don’t treat year round when it isn’t necessary. Better yet, treat with non-toxic products and natural methods.

And don’t forget to check the products your groomer or Third, determine kennel owner uses. Even if a product is labeled “natural” or touted as “safe,” it may still be harmful to your pet’s long-term health. In 2008, Even when we don’t ASPCA toxicologists reported more than 31,000 calls related to insecticides, realize it, pesticides, often because of misuse of flea and tick insecticides, herbicides products.

and other poisons assault our dogs’ bodies in countless ways.

We administer insecticides orally to kill heartworms, even when sustained cool temps make contracting heartworms all but impossible (according to the University of Pennsylvania and other experts). Yet, advertisers warn us we must buy these products year round.

For years, environmentalists have been blowing the

warning whistle about the slow poisoning of humans and animals from pesticides, insecticides and other toxic chemicals. Many of these chemicals are proven to increase your dog’s odds of getting cancer, and now experts estimate that 46% of dogs and 39% of cats dying of disease are dying of cancer. It’s unlikely this is a coincidence. Veterinary waiting rooms continue to be filled with accidentally poisoned pets. Too many of these pets don’t 16

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survive. A University of Pennsylvania vet school study showed topical insecticides (aka preventatives) “significantly increased” bladder cancer risk, especially in overweight dogs. Other studies have shown cancer risks from herbicides (a substance used to kill unwanted plants). Some products meant for pets can even increase the chance you and your children will become ill. Snail, ant and rodent baits may also prove deadly, sometimes killing quickly, sometimes silently and slowly. Don’t think it can’t happen to your pet. In the “poison free”

AND - Pets unknowingly auto-apply pesticides, herbicides, and other toxins during walks with you. Even if your own yard is free of toxic chemicals, be aware that romps across golf courses, common areas and dog parks, with their unknown pesticide and herbicide treatment schedules, can prove deadly. Whatever gets on your pet’s feet is licked into their bodies, assaulting livers and increasing carcinogenic loads. Pets eat hidden pesticides in their food, especially cheap corn-laden grocery store kibble. Corn deemed unfit for human consumption -- sometimes because of excessive pesticide contamination -- too often ends up in pet food. Pets get into rodent, ant and snail poison even when you are careful. Some of these products (like rat poison) cause death by internal bleeding and you may not recognize symptoms until it’s too late. Just a tiny amount of some products (like snail bait) can kill. My dogs’ poisoning came

the chemical application schedules of your favorite park and stay clear when treatments are fresh. Fourth, wash (or at least wipe) your pet’s feet after walking on suspect areas. Clean paws, too, after walks on grimy streets and salted roads. If you wouldn’t lick a surface, don’t let your animal lick surface chemicals off his paws. Washing up takes just a moment and can save tears, wasted days and thousands of dollars at the vet’s office.

If your pet has been exposed to any poison, immediately contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Poison Control Center’s 24-hour hotline at (888) 426-4435.

D O G S

Find more information on pesticides at www.dogs4dogs.com

They are trying their best to warn us. In the first study of its kind, Environmental Working Group found that American pets are polluted with even higher levels of many of the same synthetic industrial chemicals that researchers have recently found in people, including newborns. The results show that America’s pets are serving as involuntary sentinels of the widespread chemical www.seniorpetproducts.com

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ingest pollutants in tap water, play on lawns with pesticide residues, or breathe in an array of indoor air contaminants, so do pets. But with their compressed life spans, developing and aging seven or more times faster than children, pets also develop health problems from exposures much more rapidly. The National Research Council has found that sickness and disease in pets can inform our understanding of our own health risks (NRC 1991). And for anyone who has lost a pet to cancer or another disease potentially linked to chemical exposures, this sentinel role played by pets becomes a devastating personal loss. In recognition of the unique roles that pets play in our lives, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) undertook a study to investigate the extent of exposures pets face to contaminants in our homes and outdoor environments. In a novel study representing the broadest biomonitoring investigation yet conducted in pets, what we found was surprising.

Dogs and cats were contaminated with

48 of 70 industrial chemicals tested, including 43 chemicals at levels higher than those typically found in people.

This is according to our study of plastics and food packaging chemicals, heavy metals, fire retardants, and stain-proofing chemicals in pooled samples of blood and urine from 20 dogs and 37 cats collected at a Virginia veterinary clinic. Average levels of many chemicals were substantially higher in pets than is typical for people, with 2.4 times higher levels of stain- and grease-proof coatings (perfluorochemicals) in dogs, 23 times more fire retardants (PBDEs) in cats, and more than 5 times the amounts of mercury, compared to average levels 5 times the amounts of mercury, compared to average levels in people found in national studies conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and EWG (Figure). This study is the most comprehensive investigation of the chemical body burden of companion animals conducted to date, with 23 chemicals reported in pets for the first time. The results reinforce findings from prior studies showing that pets’ unique behaviors may place them at risk for elevated exposures and health risks from chemicals pollutants in the home and outdoors, in air, water, food, soil, and consumer products for people and pets. Written by Jan Rasmusen, author of Scared Poopless: The Straight Scoop on Dog Care www.Dogs4Dogs.com

Recipes for Holistic Alternatives Bleach Get rid of bleach with chlorine. Chlorine has been implicated in major destruction to the water we drink, and, when released to the air, in the form of dioxins and PCB’s. Use hydrogen peroxide, borax, or perhaps, non-chlorine bleach from a reputable environmentally-conscious company, like Seventh Generation, or Earth Friendly. Carpets Most carpets are made of synthetic materials which include petrochemicals and formaldehyde and 120 different chemicals toxic to our system. Good enough reason to opt for organic cotton, wool, jute and sisal rugs. Disinfectant You need two spray bottles, one with apple cider vinegar or white vinegar, the other with hydrogen peroxide. Spray area 18

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with first one, then the other. Wipe down with water. For mopping Linoleum: Mix 1 cup white vinegar with 2 gallons water. Polish with club soda.

PET BOUTIQUE BARKERY SPAW GROOMING BISTRO

Mold and Mildew Cleaner Mix borax and water. Scrub. Botanic Gold works wonderfully to clear mold. (Botanic Gold Natural Soap is a silky golden non-toxic liquid soap) www.nontoxicsoap.com Weed Killer Kill weeds dead with a good shot of vinegar. For best results, don’t dilute with water and choose a time to spray weeds when there’s no sign of rain. Household vinegar is around 5% acetic acid concentration which will do the trick for baby weeds. If you can find a stronger vinegar (like pickling which is about 9%), that will give better results for more mature (and stubborn) weeds. Fleas & Ticks & other Gross Bugs Repel them with one or two drops of essential oil of lavender, clove, citrus or eucalyptus. Put on yourself, pets, furniture, or rugs either neat, diluted with a little jojoba or almond oil, or mixed in glass spray bottle with a little bit of distilled water. Another trick which works,-- ingesting garlic or brewer’s yeast. Our favorite remedy is a product called Flea Free. Flea Free is comprised of garlic, vinegar, citrus and herbs. Not only does it rid pets of all blood feeding insects (fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, biting flies), it also provides more than 200 vitamins and minerals that boost the immune system, and promote healthy skin and coat. www.fleafreeanimals.com Doggie Dry Skin Shampoo If you’re wary of the side effects related to the chemicals in some commercial dog shampoos, mix up a batch of your own! Boil 4 cups of water with 1 cup of oatmeal, once the oatmeal is cooked use a strainer to remove the oatmeal from the water, put the water into a large mixing bowl. Add 3 teaspoons of castile gentle liquid soap, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel, and 5 drops of carrot oil. Mix well and store in an airtight container. Shake well before use.

~Fashion Couture ~ Sizes xxs - xxl ~Elegant & Functional Leashes & Collars ~Organic, Holistic & All Natural Dog & Cat Food Healthy Treats & Nutritional Supplements ~Original Art & Jewelry of Your Beloved Fur Babies ~Breed Specific Accessories

DOG BARKERY Delight in healthy baked goodies from the Bistro JACUZZI SPAW GROOMING Ahhh, the experience in the five jet jacuzzi tub!

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PAWDICURES & FACIALS Indulge with a blueberry facial THURSDAY YAPPY HOUR! 5PM-8PM Pets & their people gather together every Thursday!

Stinky Dog Shampoo Keep your pup smelling fresh by using essential oils like lavender, sandalwood, rose, lemon, or orange, fresh herbs, or dried herbs. If you’ve opted for herbs you should steep the herbs in 2 cups of boiling water, you can either strain them or put the water/ herb mixture in the blender to puree the herbs. If you’re using essential oils, put 10-15 drops of essential oils into 2 cups of warm water. Add 1 cup of gentle liquid castile soap, one cup of glycerine, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Mix well and store in an airtight container.

E Y E 1425 4th Street North St. Petersburg, FL 33704 (727) 892-9303

www.PawsitivelyPoshPooch.com BellaDOG Magazine

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A D O G S

The Energetics of Food

E Y E We are what we eat v i e w

â&#x20AC;Ś there is so much truth to that statement. Food provides the foundation of life and the basic building blocks to our health. However, this is a factor that is often overlooked, especially in the pet industry. As a holistic veterinarian, I see a lot of animals that are on a variety of diets, and there is no denying that dogs who are on a great nutritional program are generally healthier than dogs who are fed a diet of low-end kibble. Food can be just as instrumental in maintaining wellness as supplements, medications, surgery, and regular veterinary care. Every food has properties and actions in terms of how they affect the balance of the body in Chinese theory. Dogs that have a tendency to be hot in nature should be fed cooling foods, and dogs that tend to be cold in nature should be fed warming foods. This is a similar concept to how we tend to eat certain foods according to the season. For example, we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t eat beef stew in the summer and watermelon in the winter. Let me explain.

all-natural pet treats

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For example, some great cooling fruits and vegetables are apples, bananas, oranges, pears, tomatoes, cucumber, lettuce and mushrooms.

The Cold Dog Alternatively, a dog that has cool tendencies should be fed warming foods. A â&#x20AC;&#x153;cold dogâ&#x20AC;? may show signs like general weakness, fatigue, exercise intolerance, poor appetite, shortness of breath, slow moving, and a preference to lay. They may also seek out warm places, have fecal or urinary incontinence, stiffness that gets worse with rest, joint pain that gets worse in the cold weather, or have coldness of their ears, back, and limbs. All of these symptoms of coldness can be aided by feeding warming foods like turkey, chicken, squash, sweet potatoes, cherries, or oats. Similarly, a dog that is affected by arthritis tends to be cold in nature. (This is why arthritis gets even worse during the winter months.) For this reason, a dog that needs added joint support would benefit most from a warm diet.

Neutral Foods

A dog that is hot will typically demonstrate it through a variety of signs. A hot dog will seek cool places, will often be hot to the touch, and may pant at inappropriate times (like at night time or while at rest). A dog that is hot may also have red eyes or red skin and may be very restless. Dogs that are affected by allergies or that are very high-arousal are characteristically very hot in nature.

You can never go wrong with neutral foods. Foods like beef or salmon are great for any dog. You can use neutral foods for dogs that are well balanced or to dampen the effects of hot or cold foods given as part of an animalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s diet. Other examples of neutral foods include tuna, milk, cheese, eggs, white or brown rice, potatoes, peas, carrots, or green beans.

Feeding a hot dog hot foods (like lamb or venison, which are considered the hottest proteins) is like throwing kerosene on the fire. Hot dogs should be fed cooling foods to dampen the negative effects of heat on their bodies. Proteins like duck, rabbit, or fish are considered cooling by Chinese theory, and are best for a dog that has allergies or is generally hot in nature. If a dog is on a raw or real food diet, you can explore other options like fruits, vegetables, and grains.

The food weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re feeding our dogs impacts their health, their mood, and their general wellbeing. A dramatic improvement can be made in so many animals just by changing the foods we feed them.

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see spot smile

~Chris Bessent, D.V.M.

The Hot Dog

Herbsmith

Please visit: www.herbsmithinc.com/foodcharts.asp for a comprehensive list of foods and their energetics.

Beef Treats

Neutral food energetics. Great for any dog! Ingredients: Freeze-dried beef with potatoes, carrots & celery

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Duck Treats

Cooling food energetics. Great for the allergic or anxious dog! Ingredients: Freeze-dried duck with oranges

Chicken Treats

Warming food energetics. Great for the dog that needs added joint support! Ingredients: Freeze-dried chicken with apples & spinach

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Herbsmith Treats are meat-based with balancing vegetables and fruits. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t add any grains to replicate a more natural diet!â&#x20AC;?

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Herbsmith treats are different.

D O G S

Made purely of meat and biologically complementing fruits and vegetables, Herbsmithâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s See Spot Smile treats help dogs live the way they are supposed to live.

E Y E

Locally sourced and proudly made in the USA!

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www.herbsmithinc.com

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many health benefits for dogs

Essential Fatty Acids and their derivatives serve a number of major vital functions in our dog’s body (as well as our cat’s and our own). They are required for the transport and metabolism of both cholesterol and triglycerides. They are required for normal brain development and brain function. They are required in visual function (retina), brain and nerve function (synapses), and adrenal function. They are required in the structure of the membranes that surround each cell in our body. They stimulate metabolism, increase metabolic rate, increase oxygen uptake, and increase energy production.

While many pet food and supplement manufacturers are adding Flax Seed or flax seed oil as their source of omega 3, I have found through research and study that the very best source of Omega 3s for our pets is in fish Oil. Not only is fish oil a more species appropriate food/supplement, but studies are giving sufficient evidence that oils such as flax, soy and canola, actually can be thyroid toxic. 22

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EPA (from fish oil) also converts to series 3 prostaglandins, which have many benefits such as: • Regulating inflammatory responses (Skin and Joint) • Regulating immune function (which can help in fighting disease more effectively) • Regulating platelet stickiness • Regulating arterial muscle tone (which involves blood pressure regulation)

~ Dr. Jeannie Thomason

Omega-3s inhibit the production of prostaglandin. Prostaglandins play important roles in the development and progression of chronic inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. Research has shown that supplementing with omega 3 fish oils can result in a significant reduction in joint inflammation, this reduces morning stiffness and lowers the number of painful joints in rheumatoid arthritis patients both animal and human. They help with lupus, inflammatory bowel disease and a variety of other inflammatory disorders including kidney disease. They even work to slow down growth of cancer cells!

the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA),which are precursors to eicosanoids that reduce inflammation throughout the body and because it is much more easily digested and assimilated then flax oil.

The lack of Omega 3 and the excessive amount of Omega 6 found in the modern processed pet foods ultimately create degenerative conditions. Processed Pet foods still do not supply an adequate amount of Omega 3 even after manufacturers add it; to “properly balance the ratio”. Active EFAs (EPA & DHA as found in Fish oil) can go straight to work in your pet’s body, whereas inactive EFAs such as found in Flax as mentioned above, are unable to carry out their vital roles without first being converted by your dog to the active form. This conversion can only be carried out by enzymes, which your dog may or may not produce. If your dog does not produce those enzymes for any reason, those inactive essential fatty acids are not able to carry out their vital functions. This will lead to ill health. Supplements which contain the activated omega 3 EFAs include Cod Liver oil and Fish body oils such as Salmon oil. Supplements which contain the inactive omega 3 EFAs include flaxseed oil and hemp seed oil. Why would critical activating enzymes be missing? The critical enzyme that converts inactive essential fatty acids into active essential fatty acids can be missing for

www.SalmonPaws.com one of several reasons. The first is heredity. The other more important reasons for the loss of this enzyme include aging, viral infections, any chronic disease state and by a diet rich in trans fatty acids (lipid materials derived from plants). Prevention is achieved by switching our dogs to the proper diet together with appropriate fatty acid supplementation as and when required and at the very least, supplementing with a good combination of digestive enzymes. Note: While the pet begins benefiting quickly, you may not notice a difference for 3-4 months. The pet’s body will change from the inside out—first the individual cells, then tissues, then organs. Gradually you’ll notice the coat and skin become more radiant. When you see this, you’ll know the internal organs, including the kidneys, liver, heart, and brain, are also experiencing more radiant health. Buyer Beware: Make sure you are using a fish oil that has been tested by an independent laboratory for concentration, purity and stability and avoid the ingestation of any toxic contaminants. It should state the information on the label.

A D O G S E Y E

Remember, every cell in the body has tiny structures called mitochondria. These mitochondria are the lungs of each cell. When we feed our carnivorous pets these highly processed oils, they actually clog the respiration of the cell. Blocking respiration equals suffocation. These oils are difficult to metabolize and find places to lodge with other fat and will stay immobile for years. (Not a good thing!)

Fish Oil vs. Flax Oil

I recommend fish oil for a healthy diet because it contains BellaDOG Magazine

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Talkin Bout a Heat Wave!

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~Stacey Thomas

Ahh summer… It’s finally here! After what seemed like an eternal winter, heat has finally prevailed. The clip clop of flip flops, the signature smell of banana boat, and the glaring reflections off of pasty white skin is once again in season. Whether you’re sporting your vampire-esque look in the Pacific Northwest or in the humid tropics of Florida, the dangers of heat injuries for your beloved summer pal is just the same.

Every year, hundreds of pets suffer heat related injuries or even die from the effects of over exposure. Heat stroke, and even sunburn can cause serious injuries to your dog…and in the worst cases, death. Dogs with short snouts (Pugs, Boxers, Shih-tzu’s, etc) as well as senior dogs are much more susceptible to heat stroke so be especially mindful if you’re a parent to one of these. Heat injuries don’t only occur out in the sunshine! Poorly ventilated crates can be death traps in the summer so if you must crate, do it responsibly with one that is well ventilated. Go the extra step and attach a battery operated fan to help keep them cool.

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your memory.

Normal body temp for a pooch is between 99. 5F and 102.5F. When body temperatures reach 106F and higher, failure of the kidneys, liver, lungs, heart, and brain will occur. At 107F, a condition called disseminated intravascular coagulation occurs…the blood clotting system fails and death will soon follow. These high body temperatures are not hard to come by if you’re not using proper precautions. Prevention is the number one way to avoid any of the nightmarish effects of heat injuries. Dusting off that corner of the brain reserved for common sense will keep you and Fido happy and healthy this summer, but just in case you’re a little rusty here are some tips to jog

Don’t go anywhere without adequate water for both of you. That doesn’t mean leave it in the car while you go hiking or for a jog. If the idea of carrying a water bottle is just too much to ask, then plan ahead and hide water bottles along your route. Choose your walks or jogs at the coolest times of the day, like early morning or at night.

Stay in the shade as much as possible. A dog’s only method of cooling themselves is by panting…they don’t sweat like we do. And don’t think that they can’t get sunburned…they can! DON’T DRESS YOUR DOG UP!!! Yea, that doggy t-shirt is cute but your dog doesn’t think so. You try wearing a fur coat AND a t-shirt over it during the summer!! If you must dress them in some way, wet a bandana with cool water and let them sport that for summer fashion. Save the t-shirts for the winter. Do I really need to tell you DON’T LEAVE YOUR DOG IN THE CAR!!!? PERIOD!! Even with the windows all the way down, the temperature inside a car can reach a sweltering 120F+ in a matter of minutes. Cracking the windows doesn’t cut it! Don’t believe me? Go sit in your car with the windows cracked on a hot day…see how long you last. Know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke AND what to do if they happen!! Signs and symptoms of heat stroke from mild to severe: • Excessive panting • Dry tacky gums, pale or brick red in color and a bright red or pale tongue (anything other than pink and moist spells trouble*) • Hot to the touch

• Stumbling, or drunken like behavior • Vomiting (often bloody) • Diarrhea (often bloody) • Bloody nose • Listless, weak, dizzy, unresponsive, agitated • Loss of consciousness

In regard to gum color…if your dog is one that has dark or black gums to begin with, you can check other mucus membrane areas such as the eyes to assess color. On your next vet visit ask your veterinarian to show you how to do this. So, now what!? Your ultimate goal is to get him or her to the vet IMMEDIATELY but you must provide immediate first aid or they might not survive the trip unless your less than 5 minutes away. If you’ve got someone with you, have them drive you to the veterinary hospital while you perform the following in the AIR CONDITIONED car… Call ahead to let them know that you are on your way! First don’t panic. It doesn’t help the situation at all. Get him or her out of the sun or heated area immediately. Preferably into an air conditioned environment. Offer him or her water to drink or better yet a re-hydration fluid like Gatorade or Pedialyte to help replace important BellaDOG Magazine

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electrolytes. DON’T FORCE THEM TO DRINK AND DON’T POUR IT DOWN THEIR THROAT IF THEY’RE UNCONSCIOUS. COOL THEM OFF SLOWLY! Knee jerk reaction is to dunk them in a cold tub or water source if it’s nearby. While this seems logical, it can actually send them into shock if their temp is dropped too quickly. Use a garden hose (that you’ve tested to make sure the water is cool), a cool shower or cool water bottles to begin lowering the temperature. Drape a t-shirt or towel over their body and slowly soak the fabric back and forth with the water. Don’t have either of those? No worries, just use the same technique directly on their body. If you have access to extra water bottles, bags of frozen vegetables, or icepacks, place them in between his or her back legs (groin) and under his or her armpits. If you’re super smart and brought along your pet first aid kit, take your pets temp every 3-5 minutes to monitor progress and put a bit of honey on their gums to help raise blood sugar levels. Don’t stop the cooling process until his or her temp reaches 103F (high end of normal). GET TO THE VET!! Even if your pet’s temp returns to normal and they seem fine, follow up with a veterinarian. Side effects of heat stroke can appear as late as 48 hours later in the form of neurological and organ damage. Once a pet has suffered from heat stroke they are much more susceptible to it happening again.

The Dog Days of Summer Everyone knows that the “dog days of summer” occur during the hottest and muggiest part of the season. Webster defines “dog days” as...

the period between early July and early September when the hot sultry weather of summer usually occurs in the northern hemisphere

a period of stagnation or inactivity

But where does the term come from? Why do we call the hot, sultry days of summer “dog days?” In ancient times, when the night sky was unobscured by artificial lights and smog, different groups of peoples in different parts of the world drew images in the sky by

Don’t know animal first aid and CPR?! Ask your vet to show you how or visit the H.A.L.O. Planet website at www.haloplanet.org and check out the FREE instructional videos to learn how to save your pal’s life. (coming soon!) You can also check out H.A.L.O. Planet’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/H.A.L.O.-The Planet’s Pet Ambulance.

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No w you can SH OP ON LIN E!

In the summer, however, Sirius, the “dog star,” rises and sets with the sun. During late July Sirius is in conjunction with the sun, and the ancients believed that its heat added to the heat of the sun, creating a stretch of hot and sultry weather. They named this period of time, from 20 days before the conjunction to 20 days after, “dog days” after the dog star. “connecting the dots” of stars. The images drawn were dependent upon the culture: The Chinese saw different images than the Native Americans, who saw different pictures than the Europeans. These star pictures are now called constellations, and the constellations that are now mapped out in the sky come from our European ancestors. They saw images of bears, (Ursa Major and Ursa Minor), twins, (Gemini), a bull, (Taurus), and others, including dogs, (Canis Major and Canis Minor).

Once You’ve Gone To The Dogs Why Go Anywhere Else!

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The brightest of the stars in Canis Major (the big dog) is Sirius, which also happens to be the brightest star in the night sky. In fact, it is so bright that the ancient Romans thought that the earth received heat from it. Look for it in the southern sky (viewed from northern latitudes) during January.

Shock is a huge factor in heat stroke or any traumatic injury. Shock can cause him or her to stop breathing. In this case, be prepared to perform CPR. Have your local emergency vet and your family veterinary office phone numbers stored in your phone and KNOW how to get there! Dialing 411 and asking for directions could mean precious minutes of your pets life.

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The conjunction of Sirius with the sun varies somewhat with latitude. And the “precession of the equinoxes” (a gradual drifting of the constellations over time) means that the constellations today are not in exactly the same place in the sky as they were in ancient Rome. Today, dog days occur during the period between July 3 and August 11. Although it is certainly the warmest period of the summer, the heat is not due to the added radiation from a far-away star, regardless of its brightness. No, the heat of summer is a direct result of the earth’s tilt.

In recent years, the phrase “Dog Days of Summer” has also found new meanings. The term has frequently been used in reference to the American stock market(s). Typically, summer is a very slow time for the stock market, and additionally, poorly performing stocks with little future potential are frequently known as “dogs.” A casual survey will usually find that many people believe the phrase is in reference to the conspicuous laziness of domesticated dogs during the hottest days of the summer. When speaking of “Dog Days” there seems to be a connotation of lying or “dogging” around, or being “dog tired” on these hot and humid days. Although these meanings have nothing to do with the original source of the phrase, they may have been attached to the phrase in recent years due to common usage or misunderstanding of the origin of the phrase. BellaDOG Magazine

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Rover Company

D O G S

Takes the field of canine comfort and safety into the 21st century!! Their Mission?

E Y E

Simply to be the “best” in providing pets with the highest quality and most uniquely designed canine enclosures, and pet hammocks available anywhere in the world.

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In the mid ‘80s, Rover (the dog) and Kali’s (the cat) devoted and loving owners had a difficult time finding pet items that met their expectations for comfort and safety. During their search, they decided to put some of their ideas to good use and take them to their shop to tinker on. For months, they toiled diligently until they perfected their ideas and created a fabulous line of products that their pets simply loved. Yours will too! Rover and Kali’s owners applied for and were granted patents on their new designs and in 1988, Rover Company was established. From that day forward, they have been providing their customers with the most comfortable, safe, and well designed dog beds, cat hammocks, cat houses, and pet enclosures the pet industry has to offer. They are 100% committed to providing all of their customers with an unsurpassed level of customer service and are working hard to be a green and eco-friendly company. They put a lot of effort in to recycling all of the packing materials they receive and all of the lighting at their facility is energy efficient compact fluorescent lamps (CFL), also known as a compact fluorescent light or energy saving light. Using CFL dramatically reduces the energy used as well as the quantity of bulbs they use throughout the year.

Raised Pet Beds Pet Gates Pet Enclosures

“We are very cognizant of our corporate responsibility to be a good partner with respect to our environment and everyone on the Rover Team is always thinking of new ways to achieve this goal,” Says John Picha, Co-Owner of Rover Company. Rover Company Pet Products are proudly made in the USA being caringly crafted from the finest materials available. Their durable Enclosures, Gates and OffGround Sleepers are made of a lightweight vinyl plastic to provide an unmatched resistance to corrosion, abrasion, rust, rot, or peeling. Your pet will never show signs of coat discoloration, hair loss or breakage, skin irritations or damage to teeth and nails. The best part about Pet Rover products is that they’re comfortable, attractive and fun for your pets.

These products, not found anywhere else, are proudly made in the USA and caringly crafted from the ﬁnest materials available.

The Off Ground Sleepers flex with your pet’s weight and larger size sleepers will hold up to 250 pounds. They also allow for 360 degree air circulation since they use Textilene® fabrics so no more coat matting or skin irritations, sustained fleas, disease, moisture, or odor. The entire unit can be easily cleaned with soap and water.

20 Kiji Dava, Sundog Industrial Park, Prescott, Arizona 86301 800-658-5925 • rover@roverpet.com Colors: Birch Forest, Forest Green, Autumn Fern, Sea Isle Blue, and Tan 28

BellaDOG Magazine

www.roverpet.com

D O G S E Y E

So, do your pets a happy deed and let them relax in comfort this Summer! Go Rover Company crazy and get an Off Ground Sleeper in every color!

Rover Company

ROVER COMPANY 800-658-5925

v i www.roverpet.com e BellaDOG Magazine 29 w

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

D O G S

The Unregulated World of Pet Cremation

- A remote corner of southwest Virginia, where 150 dog carcasses and remains were found dumped by the side of a rural road. The County health department inspector then found another two dozen carcasses inside the animal cremation facility waiting to be dumped, not cremated as promised to the pets families.

~Sheri-lyn Shepler

E Y E

- Kathy Bethea paid $125 for the cremation of her dog. She was supposed to receive the ashes, but never did, and is upset that her pet came to the end it did.

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“She was not my dog. She was my baby,” Bethea told her local newspaper.

- A family is distraught after their beloved pet’s body was found dumped in a field. Border Collie, Bournville was put down after he developed cancerous lumps on his head. His ashes were passed back to the family after cremation - but days later, his owner was told the body of his pet had been found in a field and identified by his microchip.

Unfortunately, the pet cremation and cemetery industry has attracted some unscrupulous outfits that give a bad name to the honest proprietors. One of the biggest scams is charging customers for what they think is a one-animal-at-a-time cremation, only to burn multiple carcasses together and indiscriminately divvy up the ashes to owners afterwards. Another unfortunate scam is paying customers receiving the ashes of their family friend and finding out the ashes are of some other burned item. Their pet? Left behind at the funeral home in a decomposed state as found recently at the R.D. Pyke Funeral Home in Henryville, Indiana. Such abuse could be avoided if there was a standardized vocabulary for the services offered by pet crematories. Now, shady operators and some veterinarians play semantic games by using misleading descriptions of the services they provide to fool customers. A cremation advertised as “private” may imply each pet is burned separately, but that is not necessarily the case, even though the owner is billed a premium rate. So what do you do? How can you be certain your pet or your family doesn’t fall prey to these disgustingly cruel thoughtless actions or lack there of? Easy. Use a reputable and proven memorial service facility like Pet Angel Memorial Centers where you’ll hear testimonials like this one time and time again: “It was from the 1st moment when the phone was answered – I felt I was understood in exactly how much I loved my dog. And I knew from the voice on the other end that she would be well taken care of and that they ALL really cared.” -- Deb Anderson

- It was a sickening moment when Rob Lauver realized that his beloved dogs, Brandy and Keasha, had been sent to a “glue factory” after a veterinarian had euthanized them. Calling himself “naive and trusting,” Lauver had assumed his Labrador Retriever and White German Shepherd - which had suffered from old age and cancer, respectively - had been cremated with the dignity befitting their status as Lauver family members. Instead, their remains were cooked down to be used as fertilizer or animal feed. The revulsion Lauver felt when he learned their actual fate propelled him on a 13-year crusade to warn consumers of the fraud that he says permeates the $3-billion, largely unregulated industry. “I was horrified to know that this was the final end for my loyal companions. The current state of the pet cremation and burial industry is ... wrought with misrepresentation of services and exploitation of grieving pet owners.” 30

BellaDOG Magazine

The great part about Pet Angel Memorial Centers is the fact that you can drop in at anytime and take a tour of the facilities as well as the actual equipment used in your pets cremation. You can even opt to witness your pets cremation in a private viewing room if you choose. There are a number of things that Pet Angel offers that differs and completely stands out from the competition...if you want to call it that. Let me give you some background on how I came to know and respect Pet Angel Memorial Centers. BelaDOG Magazine

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I remember my beloved dog, Seqouyah, a Timberwolf/White German Shepherd mix that was the absolute love of my life. He meant more to me than anything ever had at that point and saying goodbye to him was the hardest thing I ever had to do, but he was an old, sick doggie that could no longer walk on his own. Being a very large boy, I had to call the veterinarian to personally come to the house to perform the procedure that would physically take him from me. Needless to say, I was hysterical. Being ignorant to the whole process and too upset to ask any type of logical questions, I sat on the floor, next to my angel and cried over him, assuring him everything would be ok. I know now that it would not. Once his beautiful eyes that had gazed at me with so much love were closed for the last time, I was left with the emptiness the size of the Grand Canyon in my heart. I was a mess. “Now what?”, I thought. He was gone and this 140lb beast was lying lifeless in the middle of my living room. At that point, the vet asked me what my wishes were for his remains. I had no idea. “What were my options?”, I asked. He told me I had a choice of cremation, which at the time I could never have afforded, or burial in a very nice plot with other pets. He made it sound so appealing, let me tell you. As if he would be forever at play with other dogs like him. I chose that option, it seemed nice at the time. He then went out to his truck, brought in a black plastic bag and asked me to help him stuff my best friend into it, tie it up and carry

him out and drop him into the back of his truck full of equipment of some sort. I was sick and heartbroken. I wrote him a check and I said goodbye. I have been plagued for years as to the final resting place of my baby, but I will never know. I will always wonder and be sorry for the respect he never received after his years of 32

BellaDOG Magazine

Let them know love never leaves ®

Their last gift was a lifetime of memories your last gift can show them how much that means They’ve been there for you all along - their companionship filled your life with joy and love. Make the last gift to your beloved friend the compassionate care they deserve. Pet Angel Memorial Center® provides dignified, respectful choices in after-care services for your cherished pet, including:

be sorry for the respect he deserved but never received after his years of unconditional love and loyal companionship. Fast forward 12 years. My findings have become a very serious and brutal truth to take in. I now know where Sequoyah was placed...well, dumped. I’m sure he was thrown into a mass pit of dead animals - other peoples pets or possibly sold off to various companies to be used for various disgusting things. Regardless, it’s absolutely awful and I want everyone to know what I didn’t give myself the chance to discover years ago. I met with Pet Angel Memorial Center in Pinellas Park, Florida for a tour of the facility and to gain information about procedures for my future pet loss as I have 4 dogs at home, 1 being 16 years old. I was amazed, enlightened, surprised and impressed. I felt so at ease and strangely able to talk about my experience with Sequoyah’s death for the first time. I found myself weeping uncontrollably while absorbing the information now in front of me that I was so blindly kept from in the past. The incredible and caring staff took me through a charming and comfortable chapel where friends, family and pets can all gather together to grieve, laugh, love and say their final goodbyes to your furry loved one. But, that’s

• Pre-Planning Services • Cremation Services • Memorial Service Options • 24-Hour Assistance • Personalized Grief Support • Unique Remembrance Items Honor your pet for the life you shared - for more information, contact Pet Angel Memorial Center®.

727-548-1456

Memorial Center

www.petangelmemorialcenter.com not at all the end of the wonderful things Pet Angel offers to you and your family. Here are some of the things they offer. Celebration of Life Memorial Services can include: • Use of the facility for family time • A personalized service designed specifically for you, your friends, and the special relationship that you shared with your pet • Use of the Pet Angel Chapel or at a place special to you and your family • Service Folders for those in attendance • 20 Personalized Cards • A plentiful choice of urns, jewelry and photo keepsakes, art, books, figurines and so much more to choose from • Grief management tools for you and your family • Special information for the children in your pet’s life • An opportunity to share in special holiday programs throughout the year, in remembrance of your animal angel • A pet-friendly environment that welcomes all animals. • “Service after the service” - A member of the Pet Angel staff will follow up with you periodically to determine any other grief support that you might desire. • Outreach support for you and your circle of friends in seminars to guide your group on options available for a pet’s death and the grief process.

• Prearrangement programs available for advance preparation • Private pet pick-up from your home by a compassionate Pet Angel staff member and carefully wrapped in a blanket with dignity, for placement in a small casket during transport to the Memorial Center. Private Pet Cremation Services You may not be certain what you want to do with the body of your loved one. By choosing cremation services, you have several options when the time arrives, all of which Pet Angel will assist you with. • Keep them in an urn for remembrance • Scatter the ashes in a meaningful location • Lay them to rest in a cemetery plot Pet Angel’s cremation service features a unique Authenticated Memorial process that will ensure the private cremation of your beloved pet. The special Pet Angel Stainless Steel Tag accompanies your pet throughout the removal and cremation process, and ensures your pet receives the individualized and private service you desire and they deserve, and it all is done ON-SITE! (most facilities take your pet off-site to a place you’re not allowed to visit. Hmmmm!) Some of the Pet Angel families prefer to bury their pet’s body in a cemetery or another location. Regardless of where your pet’s final resting place may be, Pet Angel will happily assist you and guide you through the entire process. BellaDOG Magazine 33

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ou would never think to leave any deceased human Ymember of your family at the doctor’s office or hospital,

so take the time to provide decent after death care for the one member of the family that has given you unconditional love, “with no strings attached”. Here is a guide to assist pet owners in choosing after-death care options for their pets THE TWO MOST COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS INVOLVED IN THE AFTER-DEATH CARE OF PET ANIMALS ARE: 1. Why wasn’t I given other options besides clinic disposal; ie. animal control disposal, landfill, rendering? 2. How can I be sure I am getting my pet and only my pet’s cremains returned to me if I choose cremation?

The information provided here should be helpful in answering those questions and provide you with the peace of mind you deserve. In most states there are few, if any, regulations or laws covering the disposition of pet animal bodies. IT IS THE PET OWNER’S RESPONSIBILITY to arrange for after death care of their pets. Many veterinarians act as middlemen contracting animal body disposal service to companies such as; rendering, animal control or landfill operators. Many veterinarians are now using pet cemeteries cremation services for the removal of deceased animals from their clinics. It is up to YOU, THE PET OWNER, to decide if the service used by your vet is acceptable to YOU. If not, it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY AND RIGHT to take your pet, or have your pet handled by someone of your choosing. Find out who your veterinarian is using for cremation and for you and your pets sake, do your homework and ask the right questions. Don’t find out later that you made a mistake that will forever haunt you.

Below are 10 questions to ask the person who is offering you after death care for your pet. Do not accept vague answers! 1. Does your service provide full after death care including; full service cemetery, on site cremations, caskets, urns, and memorials? 2. May I inspect the facilities where my pet’s after care will be performed? 3. Can you guarantee that my pet will be cremated? 4. If I choose and pay for a private cremation, will my pet be the only one cremated during the cycle and will I receive a written guarantee that states such? 5. Can my pet’s cremains be returned to me within 72 hours or sooner? 6. May I be present before and during my pet’s private cremation? 7. If I choose a group cremation, can I be guaranteed my pet will not end up in a landfill or at a rendering or fertilizer plant? 8. If my pet is group cremated, what happens to the cremains? 9. If my pets cremains are scattered may I visit the location? 10. If the service you are using cannot guarantee in writing all or any service they offer, why should I trust my pet’s after care to you? Throughout the U.S. there are many Pet Cemeteries and Crematories offering their services to the general public. Use this guide to check them out and check them out thoroughly! Why not recommend Pet Angel Memorial Center to your vet and guarantee you and all the patients at his or her office receive the dignity and respect that all family members deserve. Ask your friends if they know what happens to their pets once they pass. If they don’t know, enlighten them. I wish someone had told me. Source: petrest.com

BellaDOG Magazine

Face It! You can’t resist that

look, that cold nose,

My Boy, Sequoyah

that wet tongue.

The loss of your family pet is, and will be, a traumatic experience. But it’s also one event in the long life of joy, compassion, and companionship you and your family shared with your pet over the years.

They say a pet bonds

with its owners

but it’s you that’s

bonded – permanently,

Me & “Quoy” back in the early days!

Specializing solely in pet death care, Pet Angel treats you and your pet with the compassion and respect any family should be given upon the death of a very special member of the family.

Love Never Leavessm

with your best friend.

We know the feeling. We’re

TheAnimalSuperstore.com and these lovely faces

are just a sampling

of the hand-painted

Pet Angel Corporate Offices Phone: 413.543.1144 2040 Boston Road, Suite 20 Wilbraham, MA 01095 Pet Angel - Indiana Phone: 317.791.1070 4202 S. Meridian St. Indianapolis, IN 46217 Pet Angel - Kansas Phone 316.729.7070 2260 N. Ridge Rd. Wichita, KS 67205 Pet Angel - Florida Phone: 727.548.1456 6225 72nd Ave N. Pinellas Park, FL 33781

giftware we offer.

The Animal Superstore

features 10,000 original designs, the largest breed and species

specific store in the

world and,

most importantly,

your best friend’s face

lovingly re-created.

TheAnimalSuperstore.com

The Animal Superstore I 339 Broad Street, Suite 2 | Fitchburg | MA | 01420

First Time Customers Use Code GCDOG at Checkout to Save 10% Off Your

www.petangelmemorialcenter.com

Entire Order!

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Are You Doing Your Part to Reduce Your Dogs Carbon Pawprint?

D O G S E Y E

What you do as a dog owner can have a significant

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impact on the environment. Now your first instinct may be that this is nothing more than political correctness or that the footprint that you and your dog have environmentally is very small. Nothing could be further from the truth. Pet owners look at what others use--for food, toys, blankets, crates and other pet issues. If you start using a hemp collar, others will ask you about it so you get to influence others and set an example. Additionally, may companies that produce ecofriendly products are small startups. Every piece of business makes a difference and if you can help that business stay in business. Finally, small steps magnified by the life of the product or the age of the dog make a difference. Take the issue of bio-degradable bags to collect a dog’s waste: over the typical lifetime of a labrador retriever, an owner will use an average of 9,100 bags--those can be plastic ones that go into a landfill and stay there for 500-1,000 years versus a biodegradable poop bag. Here are some ways to reduce the environmental impact your dog has.

1: Deal With Waste Responsibly

You might think that it’s okay to leave your dog’s poop unscooped out in the forest where it should biodegrade into nature. But most dogfood (and thus your dog’s waste) has additives and minerals that shouldn’t be introduced directly into nature. Additionally, the waste matter will usually run off into streams and thus larger bodies of water. The nutrients from the waste can help produce algae blooms that starve off plants on the bottoms of ponds or bays--plants critical for a range of different fresh and salt-water species. So always pickup after your pet. Additionally, look to use biodegradable bags when you scoop the poop. If you can’t use biodegradable bags, than at least find uses for other bags you might normally throw away (like that plastic bag the morning paper comes in). Over 2 million pounds of clay-based cat litter ends up in landfills every year. 34 36

BellaDOG Magazine Magazine BellaDOG

2: Use Healthier, Higher-Quality Dog Food Most humans buy dog food based on price and convenience. But a higher quality dog food with better and higher protein sources has environmental impacts. No fillers (like wheat, corn or other grains) and a higher percentage of protein means your dog eats less food, more of what she eats is consumed, and less is turned into animal waste. Invest in a high-quality pet food that lists a protein such as beef, lamb, chicken or fish as the first ingredient rather than a by-product or beef meal. This one change can make a major impact on your pet’s health while reducing the amount of poop left to scoop which is better for the environment.

3: Use Environmentally Friendly Products From toys to collars, there are plenty of “green” options to pick from that reduce the impact on the environment. Look for a hemp collar and leash--they are pesticide free and 100 biodegradable (while a nylon collar can sit in a landfill for up to 40 years). Look for hemp-based toys. You can find plenty of dog bed options made of fleece that comes from recycled plastic. If your dog goes for plastic squeaky toys, there are plenty out there that are now made of recycled waste. And look for items in your house you can use to make toys...that frayed rope that is now too short for your uses can be turned into a rope toy...a plastic bottle can be put into a sock and used as a tug toy...carpet can be cut up and turned into a mat or scratch post...large boxes can become obstacles in the backyard to climb up on or run around.

4: Use the Right Cleaners and Shampoo

Dogs require canine specific shampoo because of a different pH. Look for all-natural and organic shampoos that do not contain dyes, parabens or phosphates. If you need to clean up after a pet, use environmentally friendly cleaning products.

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5: Consider Snacks and Packaging

Buy items in bulk (to reduce packaging). Look for treats that come in ziplock bags (that you can re-use). Consider making your own treats (canned tuna, an egg, a little barley flour and some oil produces a treat that dogs will love).

6: Consider Composting

Traditionally, the advice has been to not put animal waste back into the ground and especially not into your compost pile. A raw diet or a very high quality food eliminates many of the additives and chemicals which would normally exclude using animal waste in a compost system. The key is to add a carbon source (like sawdust or shredded newspaper with non-toxic inks). It’s also critical that any dog waste going into this system be worm-free (no parasite infections).

7: Recycle the Pet

Never buy a dog from a petstore--they will almost always come from a puppy mill. Puppy mills only produce terrible animals (breeding without regard to dam/sire quality but also provide no socialization so their offspring are more skittish, more likely to bite and more likely to have health problems). But from an environmental standpoint, puppy mills are terrible, generating large amounts of animal waste that is usually just washed out of cages/crates and allowed to

ECO-DOG Contest! So, what are you doing as a pet parent to reduce your dogs carbon pawprint? We Want To Know! Write to BellaDOG Magazine and tell us how you and your dog are making the world a little greener! Share the simple ways you are incorporating eco-friendly habits into your life. Enter the online contest at

www.BellaDOGmagazine.com

from now until August 31st, 2010. The three winning ‘ECO-DOGs’ will be awarded great new eco-friendly doggie products to celebrate your positive choices and help you continue with your “green” lifestyle!

8: Ditch the plastic Stainless steel or ceramic food and water bowls remove the risk of exposing your pet to bisphenol-a or BPAs (hazardous organic compounds). They also last a lot longer. runoff. In fact, for areas that don’t have puppy mill-specific restrictions, the most effective way for those localities to shut down such operations has been through enforcement of environmental standards. Instead, start first by looking at animal shelters and rescues. There are plenty of well-trained, healthy, pure-bred dogs that end up in a shelter (because the previous owner developed cancer or the new apartment doesn’t allow pets or the family moved overseas and so on).

BellaDOG Magazine

What DogGys Would Eat If They Could Cook!

Those cans and plastic food bags don’t need to wind up in a landfill. Start by shopping for products with minimal packaging, and then recycle whenever possible.

ready to make some changes? Your pets may never realize the impact these changes are making, but Mother Nature will smile like a Cheshire cat. ~Agilityman

We specialize in cooking breed-specific, gourmet meal plans for dogs. Our diets are freshly prepared, using only the finest farm-fresh ingredients. All of our diets are prepared by hand, by Chef K9 and our staff.

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Pets and the Planet: A Practical Guide to Sustainable Pet Care by Carol Frischmann

This complete and thorough book gives you the information you need to understand sustainability in the context of pet ownership, and it arms you with the know-how to make the best choices for your pet, and the planet. Explaining environmental consequences of pet ownership and offering alternatives to the everyday choices any pet-owning family makes, from choosing pet food and buying pet equipment and toys, to disposing of pet waste and avoiding household toxins. Thoroughly researched and packed with realistic guidelines for putting ideas into practice, a virtual road map for sustainable pet parenthood. $16.99 www.mountaingreengoods.com

A D O G S E Y E

Eco Dog: Healthy Living for Your Pet

by Corbett Marshall, Thomas Mason, Jim Deskevich

A comprehensive guide to healthy, nontoxic and planet-friendly dog care, this book delivers detailed information on all natural alternatives to conventional pet food, grooming products, toys, and accessories. With fun and cheerful pictures, and clear concise writing, this book is packed with helpful shopping tips, home craft projects, and recipes. $16.99 www.mountaingreengoods.com BellaDOG Magazine

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THE CAPE COD DOG

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shelters, she organized a fabulous fundraiser for the “Animal Rescue Front” (ARF) www. animalrescuefront.org, an organization who has been transporting animals out if the Gulf region from high kill shelters since hurricane Katrina.. Her little dog Captain “Jack” Sparrow came from this organization so she continues to support their efforts with spay/ neuter initiatives, transport since they rely stictly on donations. It’s founder, Chris

3 Main St Unit 1 Main St Mercantile Eastham, MA, 02642 www.thecapecoddog.com

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Katrina M B oucher, Ow ner of the C Cod Dog an ape d Maggie M ay

In 2004, Katrina Boucher was fired from her career job and a life changing adventure began. Sometimes things that are gravely unexpected can put us on the path to a better future, one that we’ve always dreamed of - hence, The Cape Cod Dog. As an avid animal lover and a retail and customer service guru, it seemed only natural that Katrina would use her skills and passions to open her own shop, one that combined her love of animals and experience in the retail world. But how? She used the very little business funds she had and soon began selling items that are now considered “signature items” at a flea market in Wellfleet, Massachusets. The plan was to eventually have a store so tons of hard work was clearly ahead of her. Due to her amazing product and loyal customer base, a brand new shop was on the horizon. Katrina opened up a small shop just down the street from her flea market location on September 1, a mere 4 months later! Opening in the “off” season was a challenge, though. During that first winter she worked everyday, had absolutely no budget for advertising, little money for new inventory, and depended completely on word-of-mouth to ensure her success. Every dime she made went right back into more aquiring more product and her family pitched in to help (they still do). By the next summer, word was spreading like wildfire and there was a “buzz” in Cape Cod about this new little DOG store that was so very 40

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different from the others. Jump to 2010 and The Cape Cod Dog is not only in the news but has brought more joy and education to dog owners than you can shake a stick at. Katrina and The Cape Cod Dog won the Pet Product News “Entrepreneur of the year” award and if you know dog stuff, this is HUGE! The Cape Cod Dog was really coming into their own thanks to Katrina’s love of her customers and passion for animal wellness. By 2007, she was outgrowing the shop so with the help of the SBA and her local Credit Union, she was able to procure a loan and purchase what she calls her “forever home”. Don’t panic, the shop is still in Eastham, MA, right on route 6 and is now a “MUST” destination for all things dog and cat.

The product lines have expanded into a full line of holistic food with all of the top quality brands on the shelves along with four freezers of frozen raw food. She sports a six foot bakery case chock full of gourmet bakery treats and birthday cakes. But that’s not all, The Cape Cod Dog carries high quality toys, leashes, collars, beds gifts and the incredible signature treats that are packages especially for them, packed in an adorable chineses “to go” gift box. Great care goes into choosing quality products for the health of Katrina’s customer’s pets. She isn’t interested in merely “selling” you an item or food to make a sale. Katrina talks to you, finds out what your pets issues are, what breed they happen to be, what type of activity level they are, etc. before she accesses what products will suite the lifestyle. Basically, Katrina cares and her staff of educated animal people care too. Don’t think about walking into The Cape Cod Dog and not making some new friends. This is a place for family. A family with furry kids and The Cape Cod Dog will make them furry healthy and happy kids for certain.

McLaughlin, happens to be from Eastham, Mass so It was only natural that they found each other and continue to help the animals in need. If that wasn’t enough to make you want to hang out at The Cape Cod Dog, here’s more. As they continue to grow their personal line of branded merchandise with their super cool logo that actually has a tail shaped like Cape Cod!

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Katrina doesn’t stop here though, she is a serious advocate for animal rescue. She has two very loved rescued dogs and a funny little ferret that found her one night at a barbecue in town. Along with helping the local BellaDOG Magazine

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T-Shirts, hats, doggie clothes, bumper stickers, etc. can always be found and purchased at the store or on their website. Even if you’re not a Cape Cod resident, visitor or friend, The Cape Cod DOG has tons of cool stuff and the logo items are so cool that you’ll have to buy some for yourself......your friends will ask you about it, guaranteed. Sooooooo Cute!!!! One of the cool things about the shop is the coastal theme you’ll find in most of the items, most being anything with a Lobster or a Whale.

es stuff! -packag d n a h and dmade The han

“There is not a day that goes by that I don’t LOVE my job”, says Katrina, “Sometimes I can’t believe I get to do this for a living. I get to educate my customers and teach them how to have a better and longer life with their pets. I live for learning about what the right things are for the health of our pets and the trust I’ve gained with my customers is life-long; I know this is where I’m supposed to be.”

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Shop online or visit them on the Cape!

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September 25th - October 10th

So much more than just food! We are a department store for your pet!

Make it a destination! Come and see the largest independent pet store in St. Petersburg, FL!

Need a crate for your pup while you’re in town? Just give Katrina a buzz, she’ll hook you up and you’re pup will be safe and sound. Whatever you need for your fur babies, The Cape Cod Dog is who to call on the Cape!

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Draper Therapies will be hosting an educational symposium at their booth throughout WEG which will encompass autograph signings from Olympic athletes (Selena O’Hanlon), question and answer sessions from athletes, top equestrian professionals and a New York Times Best Selling author (Tami Hoag) to intimate seminars from respected veterinarians and farriers (Nationally acclaimed clinic, Palm Beach Equine). There will also be great items from supporting companies (West Paw Design, Three Stride Studios, BellaDOG Magazine) that will benefit Draper Therapies philanthropic endeavor “DRAPED in Health, Wellness, Life and Love” (http://drapertherapies.wordpress.com) w w w . D r a p e r T h e r a p y . c o m

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We donate 10% of your total order to the animal rescue organization of your choice!

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With a loyal year-round customer base and visitors in the Summer and Fall, The Cape Cod Dog is now open 7 days a week. AND If you’re a visitor on Cape Cod, pet food delivery can be arranged - no problem.

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The dogs forge connections with the kids that no human counselor could manage.

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“They have a best friend in the dog,’’ Chaney said, “and they also transition from victim mode, to caregiver mode.”

Holistic Tip #16

Adding a natural source of Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) to your pet’s diet goes way beyond the skin and coat.... Ask Us Why!

Also, for a child who has been through severe trauma, connecting with adults can sometimes be difficult. A therapy dog, with its unconditional patience, deep brown-eyed understanding and gentle manner can make a difference, Chaney said.

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“Handing the leash over empowers that child. The child is usually more articulate, empowered,” Chaney said. “A lot of court is waiting. A child is more open to waiting when they have a dog, and more open to talking.”

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Belinda Darcy, a fellow advocate and co-founder of the Pawsibilities program, said since the program was started in September, the results have been promising.

~Dominick Tao

Coleen Chaney deals with 300 cases a year. Most involve children facing the darkest moments of their lives. They’re victims of rapes, witnesses to murders, often abused by a friend or relative. A victim advocate with the Largo, FL Police Department, Chaney’s job is to comfort these casualties and to guide them through the often-terrifying process of courthouse justice.

On Friday, April 16th, 2010, Chaney, 43, was honored by the Pinellas County Victim Rights Coalition with its Outstanding Individual Award — both for her dedication to service and for an innovative program she and her colleagues have introduced into Pinellas courthouses. Called “Pawsibilities,” the program uses therapy dogs to comfort children, sometimes as young as 6, who must face their abusers on the witness stand.

“Coleen had a victim last week — one of our Great Pyrenees went with him. When the kid saw him, his face just lit up,” Darcy said. “I understand he did just a knockout job. He told them everything they needed to know to prosecute his perpetrator.” The dogs aren’t currently allowed to accompany kids into the courtroom, but the advocates are hopeful that the positive feedback from judges and prosecutors could lead to an eventual change in policy. The half-dozen or so dogs involved in the program are certified therapy animals, and their owners volunteer their time. For a program with such low cost, Darcy said the dogs’ contribution is invaluable at a time when victim advocate programs are being cut.

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or judges, Chaney’s job, says her boss, Largo police Chief Lester Aradi, is critically important — especially to those most vulnerable. But it’s also one of the most delicate in the department. “To do the job correctly, which she does, you leave part of your emotion behind,” Aradi said. “All of us have had a traumatic event in our lives, but she’s there next to each victim on a daily basis, living that trauma.” http://pcvrc.wordpress.com

“We had a court case a month ago where a little 8-yearold girl took the stand against the perpetrator. He got two life sentences (for capital sexual battery). It really kind of helps them to feel strong,” Darcy said.

The therapy dogs provide a bright spot in a job that can otherwise be taxing.

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Also in the works from Chaney and another advocate, Gwendolyn White, is an illustrated guide for young victims facing the intimidating facade of the criminal justice building. It features a small dog named Cricket who leads the children through what to expect inside, including introductions to who bailiffs and judges are, and what they do.

Susan Sabo Photography

Not as visible a part of the justice system as police officers BellaDOG Magazine

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August 20 st-22 nd, 2010

Atlanta, GA -Atlantic Station Calling all pet owners, pet businesses and pet lovers alike to the first-ever social media conference and expo created just for YOU and YOUR pet! Ever wonder why dogs are on Twitter and Facebook? Attend BarkWorld and find out!

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Over 25 speakers, including the HSUS, PETCO, Pawpawty.com and so much more! Visit an arrangement vendor booths, watch and participate in doggy demonstrations and agility tricks, sit in the front row of the Pet Charity Fashion Show featuring some of the coolest dog clothes for the fall, and enter to win several prizes!

@BarkWorldExpo

www.barkworldexpo.com Dress up a room with a Scentsy Warmer, add one of 80-plus fragrances, and enjoy!

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727-821-8181

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The Invasion of the Little People: How to Train Your Dog to Love Children ~ Angelica Steinker, CDBC, PDBC and Jen Shryock

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Imagine you are in an unfamiliar place and suddenly these alien short, noisy and active beings appear. They travel in clusters with the larger beings you are more familiar with and that makes these little new creatures stand out even more. Yikes…now what!? This is how some dogs view kids, as aliens who have invaded from another planet. It is no wonder that some dogs respond fearfully to a crying baby or to an awkwardly moving toddler. Some dogs will even attempt to leave the area if they see a child nearby. Not only is fear of babies and kids a dog training issue it is also potentially very dangerous. Many dog owners live in densely populated areas and many dogs are not raised with babies or children. This lack of socialization can be an issue for dogs. Some dogs raised with kids have unpleasant experiences or simply don’t like kids. This can further increase the risk for dog bites. 48

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According to Karen Overall, VDM, Ph.D. temperament can be influenced by genetics at two developmental periods: sexual maturity (around six months for most dogs) and social maturity (12 to 18 months for most dogs). Dogs that previously ignored or even liked kids may suddenly develop fears when reaching these developmental periods. Usually these fears are permanent without behavior modification. Don’t assume your dog is going to continue to like kids because he was good with kids as a puppy, adolescent dogs can go through personality changes that can lead to dog bites. While training works for most dogs, it won’t work for all dogs. Even with behavior modification if the fear is severe the dog may not respond ideally and need to be managed. Management might consist of not allowing this dog to interact with kids. Dogs that have nipped or bitten kids should not be allowed to interact with kids. All dogs need

to be supervised at all times when interacting with kids. No matter how friendly the dog, no parent can ever leave a dog and a child unsupervised. Fear is the enemy in training dogs to love kids. Fear does not cause the dog to be dominant, a frequently misused term that has lost relevance in professional dog training circles; it causes the dog to become defensive. A defensive dog and a child can be a dangerous combination. Some popular TV programs suggest forcing a fearful dog to interact with a child, this is an extremely dangerous idea. Forcing a dog to interact with a child that your dog fears will cause the dog’s fear to increase or will cause the dog to shut down making it appear as if the dog is “cured” but in reality no real training has occurred. A much better approach is one that gradually introduces the child to the dog in a fun and playful way. Fun and play are incompatible with fear. A dog can’t be having fun around a child and also be fearful in the same moment. Dogs can get used to a child that is a certain age or size, but when that kid reaches the next developmental phase, the dog may begin showing fear again. For example, a dog that had adjusted to a baby may show fear when that baby begins to crawl or walk. Or a dog that had been fine with a child may show fear once that child becomes adolescent. In any case it is important to identify what groups of kids your dog is fearful of so that you address it. This is essentially a two step process, identifying your dog’s signs of stress and then associating something fun with the child so the dog learns that your child is fun instead of scary.

is even a little stressed. Stress is the basis for aggression so if you can reduce or eliminate stress you can prevent dog bites. A straight spine is a sign of tension and stress, where as a curved spine is generally friendly, this is true even if the dog’s tail is wagging. The spine is more important than if the tail is wagging. Observe if the dog is moving toward humans or away from humans when the dog’s spine is curved. A dog with a curved spine moving away does not want to interact. A dog with a

Bella, a female/spayed, 2 year old Papillion has rolled over to expose her belly, this is how dog’s communicate they mean no harm, it can also be something dogs do when they are afraid

Identifying Fear and Stress and Preventing Dog Bites Observe your dog’s body language with attention to details. What is the position of the ears, tail and spine? Learn to really see what your dog is communicating with her body. This will enable you to read your dog. By reading your dog you can prevent dog bites because you will know when your dog

Tongue flicking can be a way for your dog to let you know she is uncomfortable.

wagging tail and curved spine moving toward you is probably being friendly. Many dogs tongue flick when stressed, this can be an important signal to notice to avoid a problem. If your dog tongue flicks, you can remove your dog from the source of stress prior to any sign of defensiveness. How a dog communicates stress is very individual so observe your dog and begin making a list of the things your dog does. Here are two sample lists to give you an idea with two different. I have placed an asterisk next to the signals that are early signs of stress. These are more useful because they BellaDOG Magazine

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spend their life coming unglued with joy every time they see a kid. The dog shows her joy by wiggling all over, gently licking the child and defaulting to slow and gentle movements when around the kid. By contrast some dogs respond with fear when seeing a child. Unfortunately for dogs, and kids, most dogs are fearful of the unpredictability of children to some degree.

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But you can help: • Observe every second your dog is around children reading your dog’s body language and ending interactions before your dog gets stressed. Zoomie, male/neutered, 5 year old Border Collie guarding his disc, the clues here are the head turn and the whale eye, the whites of his eyes speak volumes about his stress.

can be used to PREVENT any aggression. Shaking off as if wet*, Tongue flicking* , Whale eye – whites of eyes showing*, Tail tucked*, Abrupt head turning* , Straight spine*, Cowering* , Barking Lunging at end of leash toward feared being, Holding breath*, Prolonged eye contact*, Lowered head* Growling and Snapping Dogs enjoying the company of kids is to some degree genetically controlled. It can happen that dogs that were not socialized with children

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• Pair activities and food that your dog really likes with kids. Never let your dog play tug with a child (tug is a fun game but for adults and dogs only) or any game that requires a great deal of physical strength or coordination that a child will not be capable of.

Even if your dog is good with kids, it Pulled back ears can be a sign of stress. Know your dog so you can identify never hurts to link her signs of stress, and prevent a potentially dangerous situationdogs do when they are afraid. kids with good stuff in your dog’s mind. One way to help your dog to view kids as the source of all good, is to use Leslie McDevitt’s brilliant Control Unleashed program (www.Dogwise.com). This program makes use of many games all of which can be applied to dogs, babies and children.

Bella has abruptly turned her head, she is frightened by the human leaning over her. It is easy to teach most dogs to be comfortable with humans bending over, simply bend over your dog and toss some treats on the floor. Now your dog is learning that bending over means a treat is coming!

• Have every experience with children be a good one for your dog.

Teaching Your Dog that Your Kid is Fun Simply giving treats to a child and instructing the kid to feed your dog can be a recipe for disaster. Not to mention this won’t work for very young kids. Break things down by teaching your dog to look at what you point at. This is very easy to do. Point and look at the child that is causing the dog stress. Use your peripheral vision to watch your dog’s head and when the dog looks, click and treat your dog. When you treat your dog be sure to feed the treat so the dog is turning back to you. What you

are trying to create is a glance. Look, there is a kid! Dog glances. Treat the dog as she is turned back toward you. This game makes for a great combination in your dog’s mind. Glancing at this kid means food! Quickly your dog will begin having a happy attitude about the child. Once your dog has spent time glancing at your kid and she shows no signs of stress and she looks happy and her spine is soft (a straight or stiff spine is a sign of fear), you can feed the dog a treat for the child approaching. Continue to this game for the child approaching providing the dog continues to be stress free. Once the child has approached the dog within a few feet and all is well, and the dog looks happy you can have the child hand the dog a treat. Dogs that greet children should have been trained to sit and hold position and have the self control to ensure that they can be safely called away from the child if necessary. Eventually children that are old enough can also ask dogs to perform a sit or a down or a trick prior to petting them or feeding them a treat. Dogs prefer to be petted under their chins rather than on top of their heads, so teach your child to read the dog signs of stress but also to pet the dog gently and to reach under their chin instead of over their heads. Dogs and kids can be a wonderful combination if they are both properly trained and supervised. If you are a pregnant dog owner consider hiring a Dogs and Storks trainer to educate you on how to prepare your dog for the impending arrival. If you have already had the baby, you can do an after the stork consult. For more information see www.DogsandStorks.com. To find an outstanding dog trainer in your area consult www.IAABC.org. All photographs in this article by Kim Butler - Simply Spotted Photo. www.simplyspottedphoto.com Xcc eXkliXc n_\Xk# Zfie jfp ]i\\ [f^ ki\Xkj

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• Write a clear mission statement that details the need and purpose of the park, stressing the benefits to dog owners, their canine companions and the greater community.

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Example Statement: To establish a fenced in, off-leash dog park where well-behaved canine citizens can exercise in a clean, safe environment without endangering or annoying people, property or wildlife. To develop a beautiful, well-maintained space open to all dog lovers and friends who are willing to uphold the park’s rules and restrictions. To view this park as a community project, in partnership with the City of Redwood City, designed to satisfy the needs of dog-owners and non-dog owners alike.

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Here are some proven strategies for a successful campaign:

• Demonstrate need. Gather statistics on the dogs and their people in your community. How many dogs would use a dog park? What are the demographics of the people in your city? Who currently uses city parks -- and who doesn’t? Downplay the “dog factor” emphasizing people issues. Dogs don’t pay taxes or vote.

• Start with a core group of committed dog park activists. Talk with a half dozen other guardians who are concerned about the lack of off-leash spaces. These may be people you already know -- or put a notice in the local paper.

• Demonstrate support. In some areas, activists found that a simply worded request, circulated on a petition, helped convince city officials that there was indeed both a need and widespread public support for a responsibly run dog park. Place petition gatherers at supermarkets, pet supply stores and other high-traffic areas. Enlist the support of local veterinarians, groomers, dog walkers and others who have a real interest in having a community filled with healthy, well-socialized dogs. Involve them in gathering petitions, writing letters to the editor of local papers and generally spreading the word.

• Hold a public meeting. Once the core group is in accord, a larger community meeting will help you get the word out to supporters and solicit input and suggestions. Encourage people to write letters in support of a dog park to public officials and the media and to make presentations to community groups whose backing would be valuable. • Educate your fellow dog owners on the need to be responsible. The guardian who neglects to pick up after his dog, or who allows an aggressive or unsocialized dog to run loose can do a lot of damage to your cause and ultimate chances of success. 52

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• Create a budget. Determine how much it will cost to construct and maintain the park-- costs for grass, fences, garbage removal, lawn maintenance, drinking water, field drainage, lighting, benches and a sationary pooper scooper station. Some cities are willing and able to finance a dog park; others would rather share the cost with a group committed to maintaining the park and ensuring that park rules. • Solicit the input and seek the approval of significant organizations in your community. Talk with the proposed park’s neighbors before talking to city hall. If someone puts up a serious red flag, pay attention to it, Don’t ignore or fight it; try to come up with a solution. If it really is impossible to resolve, at least you’ll know what you are up against.

SIMPLY SPOTTE

• Be prepared to address a range of concerns, including the risk for dog fights, dog bites, noise level, parking and traffic needs, liability issues and maintenance. Explain why some of these are nonissues and have a plan to address those, like traffic and noise, that are legitimate. D PHO TO

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What About starting your own pet service business?

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• PHS/SPCA can help your efforts by writing a letter of support. Get to know local officials -- your city council members and the director of your department of parks and recreation. Attend meetings, join them at fundraisers. Find out what they need from you to move the dog park forward.

Use and Additional Rescource: So You Want to Build a Dog Park? A Comprehensive Guide for Municipalities and Private Entities. From Susyn Stecchi, DogParksUSA, www.dogparksusa.org

From dog walking to pet sitting, the industry is growing. Josh Schermer, owner of New York City’s Downtown Pets, recently wrote a guide called The Dog Walker and Pet Sitter Bible for animal lovers interested in starting their own pet service. The dogtipper recently caught up to Josh to learn more about his business, his book, and his love of animals. Can you tell us about your background and how you came to work with pets? I was born and raised in New York City and my connection with animals was formed at a very young age. When I was in 4th

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What can you tell us about Downtown Pets? Downtown Pets was loosely based on Starbucks in how they raised the status of the employee and made them their true product. I have always believed in having the very best and brightest dog walkers available and our hiring process is extensive. I have also tried to have Downtown Pets reflect my core values in life. The environment and animal welfare are extremely important to me and last year I made Downtown Pets a green dog walking company! What does that mean? We only use 100% biodegradable waste bags and all of the treats we use for promotions are organic and vegetarian. For our promotional materials we use a recycled card stock and soy based inks. In our office we have a desk made from sustainable wood and powder coated with zero voc paint. We use 100% recycled printing paper, our computer monitor is made from recycled plastic and uses very little energy and all of our furniture is animal free.

• When you’re ready, request a hearing with city government to discuss your proposal. Have two or three carefully selected, knowledgeable and a rticulate members of your group present your plan, clearly expressing its many benefits to the community and calmly addressing any concerns. • Be patient. Dealing with city government is rarely a quick deal. While you may find yourself running with Fido in the dog park of both your dreams within a year, it could just as easily take several.

grade I spent months trying to lure a stray cat out of an abandoned building in my neighborhood. Two days after I was able to get the stray out of the abandoned building some construction workers blew it up! From that point forth I have felt a role as a protector of animals. And the cat I saved? It lived eighteen wonderful years with my family.

Josh Schermer, Owner of Downtown Pets

You recently authored The Dog Walker & Pet Sitter Bible. Can you tell us about that book? Writing The Dog Walker & Pet Sitter Bible was a fascinating experience for me. Before I started Downtown Pets I was pretty lost in life and my self-esteem was at an all-time low. In creating my own business I was able to discover that I’d actually learned a lot in life and had talents that I could apply to my own business. I assume many people who read my book will be in that same place I was years ago. I hope my book helps motivate them to make a change in their life and to realize that they are much more talented and ready to start a business then they realize. “The Dog Walker & Pet Sitter Bible” truly represents the day-to-day operations of Downtown Pets. In writing this book I was able to share with readers both the things we do well and those things we need to improve upon.

Inject your personality and your core beliefs into the culture of your company. One of the great benefits of having your own company is the ability to control the environment, isn’t it? Create expectations for yourself and those who work for you, benchmarks, dated times tables for expected results. Treat your clients and employees with respect and expect the same from them. Put a large emphasis on your Internet ranking. Make sure you use and master a smart phone (Blackberry, Android, iPhone, etc.). Always keep the dog’s safety and happiness as your primary concern and you shouldn’t go wrong. What else would you like the readers of DogTipper.com to know about your work? 10% of the profits from The Dog Walker & Pet Sitter Bible will be donated to The Humane Society of America. $39.99 To order the book, visit www.petsitterbible.com

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NOT a Dog Walker!

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Do you have any tips for readers who are considering a career as a dog walker or pet sitter? BellaDOG Magazine

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Ugly Dog Adventures!

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A Rockin New Concept in “Doggie Day Care!”

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Four canines in particular to be exact. Jake, Bud, Baron, and Joey are ‘pawtrepeneurs’ wagging to a different beat. A beat that is turning the world of ’pet-sitting’ on its ears. And now that I know what I know about Ugly Dog Adventures, ‘pet sitting’ isn’t even nice to say. Pay close attention, because after your dogs get wind of what their cousins in OC are doing, you had better prepare yourself for four legged anarchy. 56

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Behold, Ugly Dog Adventures.

As the demand has grown, so has the menu of excitement and services. A streamlined website navigates you through the vast array of choices with trail head signs much like those found on a ski slope indicating the level of intensity. Adventures have been designed with consideration of the varied energy and capability levels of all breeds, age, size, and temperments.

~Stacey Thomas

Orange County. The OC. The very heart of Southern California, sun kissed with boundless beauty, heavenly temperatures, and a countryside that could satisfy the wanderlust of the most finicky explorers is a spring fed well of inspiration and invention. Its infamous beaches are at the heart of California dreamin’, its ‘choppers’ turned bikes into works of art, and now it’s canine citizens are reinventing the very essence of the phrase ‘it’s a dog’s life’.

inundated with requests from pet parents wanting their own dogs to experience a fun activity during the day.

Less than two years ago, Jennifer Crouch was struggling as a Real Estate Accountant in a market that has left all of us sea sick. However, the stress of instability and uncertainty never lasted long once she got home to the wagging smiles of her beloved dogs. Their unabashed enthusiasm at her return was often delivered with the understanding that it was ‘pack time’ with mom.

Absolutely no breeds are discriminated against and even dogs with handicaps are accommodated. Have a pup that really wouldn’t enjoy a long hike but would LOVE to go for a car ride? Or how about a special senior or handicapped friend that loves to be outside but is low

on energy or incapable of some activities…check out the Cart Rides or Metro Mutt adventures under the ‘low-impact’ Green Adventures. Closer inspection of the Blue Adventures reveals

activities deemed ‘medium impact’ such as fun at the beach, hikes, swimming, or going to the park. And finally for those hardcore athletic pups, the Black Adventures offer excitement such as CaniCross, Trike and Scooter Joring, and Urban Mushing! Want to introduce your dog to canine sports? Need to address their fitness (or lack there-of) and behavior issues due to boredom? Regardless of your dog’s style, each outing belongs only to them for personalized fun or they can team up with other “ugly” dogs on popular pack hikes and walks; whatever you choose they are guaranteed to be begging to come back for more!

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Home to parks such as Peter’s Canyon, Santiago Oaks, Irvine, and the Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve, Orange County isn’t lacking in natural landscape…and that’s barely scratching the surface. The unwinding ritual of going for a pack hike became a standard that everyone looked forward to. She was happy, her dogs were happy.

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Riding on a bit of hope and betting on intuition, Jennifer placed an ad on Craigslist offering other pet parents hikes and outings for their dogs as an active, healthy alternative to mere ‘pet sitting’. In no time at all Jennifer found herself BellaDOG Magazine

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Not sure what the heck Cani-Cross or Trike and Scooter Joring is? Don’t worry, I had no clue either. Lucky for us, the Ugly Dog Adventures website erases any confusion with fantastic pictures and clear explanations of each and every activity that you can choose from. Jennifer hasn’t left out those that might prefer a bit more of the traditional services or those that have ’kids’ that would prefer to stay in the comfort of their own home. Companion Care provides in home visits that cover everything your furry family member might need from meds, walks, play time or cuddle time and even baths. Did you say, “Pack Sleepovers? Yes, Ugly Dog Adventures offers complete overnight care for your pack too! And it get’s better… the adventures are customizable for all, all handlers are certified in pet first aid and cpr and they never go anywhere without a first aid kit, and emergency numbers such as yours and your vets. Your fur kids get their own personalized dog website and an adventure club card. You get text message status updates, and Twitter updates on your pets fun days out with the pack! Here’s the best part - Ugly Dog Adventures are

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RIDICULOUSLY AFFORDABLE!! I’m not kidding. Most of us probably spend more on overpriced coffee. Pretty soon you’ll wish you could join in… and guess what.. YOU CAN! Jen has designed the K9 and Human Cardio program for active people and their dogs that want a whole new experience in fitness with their best friend. For one hour, you, your pup and a fitness leader will experience an outdoor adventure workout that’s tailored to both of your fitness levels or you can go as a group with other dog lovers and their active K9’s. Incredible.

Tid Bits

Dawgs on the Go

I’m serious about the likelihood of a furry revolt in your home once this gets out. The only thing ugly about any of this will be the repercussions if Fido finds out you knew! Do yourself a favor. Go to www.uglydogadventures.com If you’re lucky enough to live in Orange County, CA, give your dog the best gift ever… an adventure with Jennifer and the pack! Make it daily, weekly, monthly…and join in the fun yourself!

www.uglydogadventures.com

ANSWERING THE CALL OF THE WILD!

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Jennifer of Ugly Dog Adventures is a rescue advocate too! She is the Foster Mom of Pinky (canine #5 as the shelter listed her) who was rescued by Barks of Love Animal Rescue on January 31st, 2010. www.barksoflove.org

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www.dawggiegopak.com

Pinky has now become the official Ugly Dog Adventure girl!

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You can follow Pinky the Pit Bull’s dog adventures on Facebook @ Pinky Uglydogadventures.

Cool Meet Up Group!

People and dogs are answering the call of the wild on the Ugly Dog Adventures Online Meetup Group! It’s A FREE meet-up group created for active dogs and their active owners. Join It and get in on the fun! http://www.meetup.com/uglydogadventures

A Natural Pet Market Where Dog & Cat Lovers Can Find Healthful, High Quality Pet Food, Fashion & Supplies!

Pet Grooming & Dog Wash Too!

Facebook

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Baron

Joey

The Ugly Dog Facebook fan page is loaded with news, announcements and fantastic pictures of all the fun and wagging tails. Check it out! Become a Fan! Have fun with the Pack!

53 Baymont Street, Clearwater Beach, FL

(727) 441-8512 www.IslandDogOutfitters.com BellaDOG Magazine

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bait. However, this bait may also entice your pet, and hot dogs, worms, squid, bait fish, etc. are quite tasty to dogs. Ick!

Shown: Scott Traylor (BellaDOG Magazine Publisher) and 2 of his Chocolate Labs, CJ and Caya spend the afternoon on Terra Ceia Bay in Florida catching fish and having fun! They are on a Flatstalker - a Unique American made Backwater Flats Craft. It’s great for fishing, bird watching, nature photography and plain fun to be on. You will find flexibility in paddling, poling and the ability to add a trolling motor. The adjustable console includes carrying handles, 3 rod holders, storage compartment, drink holder, paddle holder and a cool platform for your best friend that’s furry! Use the inside to hold a battery, dry goods, fish storage, dog treats or food or as an ice chest. Includes drain plug. $1395.00 (Comes with the Paddle - Woo Hoo!)

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Commercial lures also turn a fishhook into tempting playthings as they fly through the air or flicker through the water.

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If you think your dog happened to make friends with your bait and connect with the hook on your line, there are signs that will make it obvious this has occured. The most obvious is a Fishhook protruding from the skin or fishing line protruding from his mouth. He will show signs of a lost appetite, painful mouth or excessive drooling.

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During this time of year, you may want to grab your fishing gear and head for the peace and tranquility of nearby waters. Frequently, you may want to take your pet with you, but unfortunately, fishing and pets don’t always go hand in hand. If you like the company of your pet, take care to keep him safe, especially around the fishhooks. Fishhooks can be ingested, embedded in the lips and the face, as well as the legs and paws. There are two main types of fishhooks, the treble hook and single hook. Treble hooks have three hooks attached together, while a single hook is just what the name implies; just one hook. To entice the fish, the hook is adorned with

What You Should Do?

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DUH!

Get him to your veterinarian immediately. Removing fishhooks can be risky, especially if stuck in the intestinal tract. DO NOT pull the fishing line in an attempt to pull the hook out of the throat. The hook could grab onto a piece of the stomach or esophagus and become imbedded, so pulling it out would be an extremely big mistake, making surgery the only option for treatment. If the hook is embedded in the skin outside the body (and not in the mouth), some pets may allow you to remove it. BellaDOG Magazine

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simply pulling it in the reverse direction. The hook must be driven through the skin until the barb is exposed on the other side. With single hooks, the eye of the hook may need to be removed with a wire cutting pliers or scissors, and then the tip is driven through the skin until the barb is exposed. At this point, the tip of the hook, including the barb, can be removed with the wire cutters and the rest of the hook backed out. Or, the rest of the hook can be pulled through until the hook is removed.

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Discount tackle outlet

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The Dog Lovers Favorite Fishing Store! 3113 First Street East (US 41), Bradenton, FL (941) 746-6020 w w w. d i s c o un t ta c k l e on l i n e . c o m Try the following: • Push the hook through the exit wound until the barb is visible, and remove the barb with a wire cutter. Pull the hook out backwards, the same way it went in. • Place a clean dressing on the wound. • Take your pet to your veterinarian.

Veterinary Care & Diagnosis

Fishhooks can be seen readily without any tests. However, fishhooks that have been ingested require additional diagnostics. Your veterinarian will most likely take an x-ray of your pet to help determine the location of the hook and help decide on the best way to remove it. Because hooks are made of metal, they are readily visible on radiographs (x-rays).

Treatment

• Treble hooks - As mentioned, the treble hook has three separate hooks attached together. Initially, any hooks that are not embedded are cut off. Then, each hook embedded in the skin is removed as with single hooks. Treble hook removal is more likely to require sedation since it requires more time and effort than single hooks. • Hooks stuck in the gastrointestinal tract (esophagus, stomach, and intestines) - Removal of hooks in the gastrointestinal tract requires more extensive treatment. Fishhooks located in the esophagus and stomach can be removed by using an endoscope or may require surgery. The most difficult hook to remove is one lodged in the esophagus as a result of pulling on the fishing line in an attempt to remove it (Remember? We said NOT to do this). Fishhooks can also be found in the intestinal tract. In some situations, surgery is not performed immediately; the hook may even pass on its own. However, if your pet begins vomiting, not eating or seems to have abdominal pain, immediate surgery is recommended.

www.petstreetmall.com

NRS Dog Bowl has a No-spill lip and collapsible PVC body that makes this the best bowl for all of your dog’s travels - especially on a rocking boat! 10” in diameter with a depth of 5”. Green Only. $10.95

AGAIN - If your pet ingests a fishhook that is attached to a fishing line, DO NOT pull on it. Let the dog swallow the hook, then take your pet to the veterinarian. Gently hold the line to keep your pet from ingesting it. You can try tying the line to the collar unless your pet continues to chew.

www.nrsweb.com

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You can try to remove the hook at home if it is stuck in the skin (as illustrated above). If your pet is not cooperative, do not force restraint. Have your veterinarian remove the hook.

Preventative Care

Keep all fishing equipment safely stored away. Do not allow your pet free access to hooks and bait. Be very careful when walking your pet around lakes or ponds where fishing is allowed. SO, grabs your rods, your poles or your sticks depending on what part of the world you live in and get out there and have some fun on the water with your best friend but do it safely.

• Hooks stuck in the skin, paw, lip or face. Most fishhooks have a barb at the tip, and cannot be removed by

On the next page are a few fun items we found to help make your days out even better! Have Fun!

BellaDOG Magazine

Muttluks are the perfect solution for dogs that love the outdoors but endure harsh conditions or have sensitive paws. Muttluks dog boots and paw protectors come in 9 sizes, so whether you have a giant great dane or tiny teacup chihuahua, you can find Muttluks that fit to your dog. Muttluks paw protectors and dog boots are great for protecting your dogs feet from the underwater world he doesn’t know could harm him. More colors available. $39.99

Home Care

Depending on the tolerance of the pet, placement of the hook and type of hook, sedation may be required, since removal of the hook can be painful.

Cool Colors!

Guy Harvey is a unique blend of artist, scientist, diver, angler, conservationist and explorer, fiercely devoted to his family and his love of the sea. While you wear your favorite Guy Harvey shirt while fishing, your dog can wear his favorite Guy Harvey Collar.

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Shown: Clown Fish Dog Collar & Queen Triggerfish Green Dog Collar. More styles are available. $19.99 www.saltypaws.com

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The Spotted Dog

the USA have a Dalmatian, although now, they are more likely to been seen riding on the fire truck instead of along side it. The Dalmatian is an active, energetic dog that enjoys lots of exercise. Dalmatians are people-like and people oriented. They do best when given the opportunity to spend lots of time with and around their families. Dalmatians are rather sensitive, too - they can sulk when scolded, and “talk” up a storm when they’re happy or want your attention. If a Dal is what you crave, be prepared to make him a part of your life, both outdoors and indoors. Dals love to play ... and play ... especially as youngsters. Bred to run for hours under, or alongside the axle of a horse-drawn coach, most Dalmatians do not tire easily. However, they do poorly as full-time outdoor dogs. Their sensitive skin and short hair does not allow them to handle weather extremes well, and they will pick up fungi from moist soil and grass; not to mention fleas and ticks! Carefully bred, Dalmatians are “up” dogs, as bold as their unique spotting exemplifies! They are the clowns of Dogdom. But parents with small children (under 6 yr.) should be aware that Dals are very exuberant and will want to consider their potential reaction when the dog

Many people believe that the first established home of the Dalmatian is Dalmatia, a section of Yugoslavia that was once part of Austria. References have been made to the breed since the mid 18th century, but its roots almost certainly go back a long time before that.

The oldest activity that the Dalmatian is known for is coaching. Early engravings and drawings show spotted dogs accompanying Egyptian chariots. The size, stamina and guard dog abilities made them popular with the English aristocracy to accompany horse drawn carriages. Their size allowed them to fit under the rear axle of the coach, where they often ran. Their stamina allowed them to keep up with the horses and guard dog tendencies allowed the owners to leave the coach without worrying about their possessions. It was often said that a coach was better left in the care of the dogs than the coachman, who could easily be distracted by highway robbers.

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All Photographs in this article taken by Kim Butler of Simply Spotted Photo. In these pictures are Peyton, Indy and Pongo, her own Spotties that are always and a ton of fun to photograph!

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The Dalmatian is most famous for being the fire house dog. This probably started in London where they were first acquired as “ratters”, to kill vermin in London’s stables and firehouses. Soon they were running alongside the fire engine. To this day, many firehouses in Great Britain and BellaDOG Magazine

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accidentally knocks a child down. Mind you, small children must be taught not to poke at eyes or pull tails; both Dal and child need to learn proper behavior! Because of their intelligent and exuberant nature, early obedience training is *essential* for Dalmatians. Dalmatians usually get on well with other dogs and are great in multi pet households. It is desirable to socialize puppies with children, adults, and with other dogs from an early age. Dals can also get along splendidly with cats if introduced appropriately. A well-bred Dalmatian may be aloof with strangers, but never shy or aggressive. Once they get to know a stranger, that person may be treated to the full toothed smile or, “smarl” - a combination of a smile and a snarl that can be disarming to one unfamiliar with the ways of a Dal! Dals can also be very vocal. They coo and grunt and will give you a whistling yawn when attempting to avoid a scolding! As former guard dogs, Dalmatians make good watchdogs. Sensible and alert, they are usually not hysterical “yappers” but will bark only when necessary.

Are Dalmatians stupid? Definitely not. On the contrary, they are extremely intelligent and creative! They are often smart enough to recognize a situation where the owner is unable or unwilling to enforce a command. They ARE often headstrong. If you do not give them consistent, firm training and boundaries as puppies, you will wind up with an unmanageable adult. Dalmatians may also be easily bored. Males, in particular, may have an independent streak. For these reasons, Dalmatians often respond best to more positive training methods, as opposed to methods which rely primarily on scolding and telling the dog what NOT to do. defense and are good watchdogs. Half of the people who adopt a Dalmatian puppy do not keep them past the first year. Young Dalmatians are very energetic, and need a tremendous amount of leadership and exercise. If you give them what they instinctually need, daily walks where the 66

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dog is made to heel beside or behind the human, never in front of the person holding the lead, and very stern, but not harsh leadership they will make a wonderful pet and will calm down after a few years. People who keep them long enough to get past their active stage tend to be very pleased. If you are thinking about adopting a Dalmatian puppy be sure you have the time, are authority driven and have the energy for them. If you cannot provide this for them they will become very high strung, hard to manage and destructive. If you are a very active person who has the time, and knows what it means to be a pack leader then a Dalmatian may be right for you.

Beautiful Pongo passed on April 24th, 2010. He was Kim Butler’s, (Owner of Simply Sptotted Photo) best

friend and original Spotty. His life was a good one and

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the beautiful photographs taken by Kim will keep him alive forever. Rest easy boy!

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Nantucket has always been a very "dog-centric" place. People on Nantucket love their dogs (and your dogs too). It is practically impossible to walk down the cobbled Main Street of this historic whaling town without having every third person stop you to chat, pat, or nuzzle your pup. It is not to be understated; these islanders can be just giddy when it comes to their dogs, making it the perfect vacation destination for you to bring yours along. Woof Cottages at the Boat Basin is the place to stay for the best island experience. They are located in the heart of Nantucket Town, with waterfront or water view locations on the docks of Swain’s Wharf and Old South Wharf. The newly-refurbished WOOF Cottages feature dedicated one and two-bedroom accommodations with stunning views of the sea and the most darling decor imaginable.

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The view from The Cottages is a panorama of sun, sea and boats in Nantucket’s busy harbor; all enjoyed from outdoor patios or decks where guests can host outdoor picnics or clambakes.

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Guests will be delighted with the services and in room amenities offered at The Cottages & Lofts. Many of the cottages have private balconies or terraces and all offer a nautical ambiance with polished pine floors and striking colors of marine blue, white and classic Nantucket red. The stylishly casual furnishings and natural fabrics of these accommodations contribute to the feel of a private, seaside home. Bedrooms provide a cozy environment with pitched roof lines, dormer windows and the most comfortable and snuggly down comforters and pillows on the beds. The bathrooms have been remodeled with slate floors and white tiled bathtubs/showers.

The Pet Loyalty Program The Nantucket waterfront Cottages & Lofts at The Boat Basin is now offering rewards to returning pets staying at the 11 pet-friendly WOOF Cottages with the new “VIPets” program. Repeat dog and cat customers will receive a customized welcome card, just like their human counterparts, as well as a take-home toy and a photograph of themselves in front of their cottage. For pets that really enjoy the limelight, the picture can be posted on The Cottages Facebook page. And finally, all “VIPets” will be entered in a sweepstakes to win a three-night stay at the WOOF Cottages this fall, plus a special pet spa treatment. Pets in the past have appreciated all the comforts offered at the WOOF Cottages, as “almost 50% of pets are repeat customers,” says general manager Jim Storey. All pets (even first-timers) are treated extra-special; amenities include a welcome basket of pet treats and play toys, food and water bowls, personalized pet tags, Draper Canine Therapy dog beds (www.drapercaninetherapy. com) – dog walking services, a directory of veterinary clinics and pet supply stores even Doggie sunscreen (15 SPF). two-bedroom waterfront cottage rentals for guests traveling with pets. Dogs and cats are welcome with prior innkeeper approval. A non-refundable pet fee of $60 (1-3 nights); $75 (4+ nights) per stay is required. 10% of the pet fee will be donated to the Nantucket MSPCA Adoption Center on Nantucket.

There are also complimentary beach chairs, towels and daily shuttles to Surfside Beach. Skipper, the official beach bum, will advise on the best beaches to insure your perfect day at the beach. Shuttle available mid-June through Labor Day. Pets allowed on board. Not beachin it? There’s a bike rack on property with complimentary use of bicycles (first come, first served).

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The Cottages are just a short walk from historic downtown so it’s convenient for a stroll down the cobble-stoned streets and narrow lanes of this perfectly preserved whaling seaport, home to fascinating shops, museums and fine restaurants. Dog Rules: The pet-friendly Woof Cottages are specially designated one and ~Photo by Sheri-lyn Shepler 68

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~Photos by Sheri-lyn Shepler, Model - Cassie Rosano of Nantucket, MA

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The Cottages at Boat Basin

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Rhino the Boxer waits patiently for her buddy Sherwood to come for lunch!

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Cassie Rosano, Ryan Walsh, (Sales Associate with Vineyard Vines) and Vineyard Vine store mascot, Dasher. Cassie is wearing a Riviera Shell Dress by Vineyard Vines $195.00

Cassie and Sherwood hangin out on the deck at The Cottages. Sherwood is comfy on his Draper Bed!

Cassie and The Cottages Mascot, Sherwood take a stroll through the very quaint little island town called Siasconset

Katherine Wojtylak of Draper Canine Therapy enjoys the day on the docks while the dogs catch up on things!

Dog Day Afternoon!

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The Cottages Beach Bus will shuttle you to and from your favorite Nantucket beaches.

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Brandt Point Lighthouse

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T r Getting Around and Hangin Out! a Getting around on the island is easy since well behaved dogs travel for free on the Nantucket Regional Transit Authorv ity (NRTA) shuttles. e Nantucket has an abundance of wonderful walking trails. l Walking Nantucket, A Walkers Guide to Exploring Nanw i t h H A I R

tucket on Foot, by Peter B. Brace is a wonderful starting point for planning moderate to strenuous walks island-wide for you and your pet to enjoy together. Each Conservation Commission owned walking trail begins with a plastic baggie dispenser for your convenience to take along for easy clean ups and a basket of tennis balls for your pup’s enjoyment; it’s only asked that you return them to the basket for the next dog to enjoy.

The beaches are also a great place to let your dog romp and Nantucket is certainly not short of them with 80 miles of sandy fun. Your pet is always welcome on the beaches on-leash before 9PM or after 5PM in summer, or anytime in the off-season. Here is a nice list courtesy of BringFido.com Madaket Beach This beach is famous for its stunning sunsets. On beaches with lifeguards. Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge Enjoy the breathtaking scenery and white sand beach of this protected wildlife sanctuary, where your pet is welcome to join you as long as they remain on-leash.

Francis Street Beach Your pet is welcome to join you on-leash at this beautiful beach known for its calm waters and turtle climb. Kayak rentals available nearby. Surfside Beach This is a great beach for kites or picnicking, and your pet is welcome to join you. Children’s Beach There’s tons to do at this busy Nantucket beach with playgrounds, bandstands, and more. Diants Beach Stroll down the 3-mile bike path and explore the calm waters of this beach with your dog. Jetties Beach Bring your pet along with you on-leash for the fun at this popular Nantucket Beach. Pets welcome anytime on beaches without lifeguards. Cisco Beach Enjoy the gorgeous views from this quiet beach much loved by bikers and walkers. Siasconset Beach Pets will love to join you on this lovely beach with food and restrooms nearby. Brant Point Beach Your dog is welcome to join you at this beach but keep them away from the water as the current is strong. Miacomet Beach Bring your pet with you as you enjoy this famous Nantucket beach.

Get There! Being thirty miles out to sea, getting to Nantucket with your furry four-legged family member is easier than you might imagine. The two main options are to take a ferry or a plane and believe it or not, Fido travels for free with both ferry companies and for only $10.00 each way by plane.

Pet Friendly Home Away From Home!

Cape Air offers direct flights from Boston’s Logan International Airport and Providence, Rhode Islands T.F. Green. Your pet will need to be in a kennel if you are flying out of Boston or Providence. However, if you fly from Hyannis, MA a mere 15 minute flight, your dog can just walk up the three steps into the plane and enjoy the ride. He is not allowed to sit on the seats and usually there is only one dog per flight allowed, (unless of course you have two or more who live together).

Rolling Waves Beach Cottages 6351 Gulf of Mexico Drive Longboat Key, Fl 34228 (941) 383-1323 www.RollingWaves.com

By Ferry: Steamship Authority South Street Dock, Hyannis, MA Steamboat Wharf, Nantucket, MA reservations (508) 495-3278 www.steamshipauthority.com

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Hy-Line Cruises Ocean Street Dock, Hyannis, MA Straight Wharf, Nantucket, MA Reservations 800-492-8082 www.hylinecruises.com By Airline: From Boston & Providence: Cape Air (800) 352-0714 www.flycapeair.com From New York: US Airways Express – Colgan Air (800) 428-4322 From Hyannis: Island Air (800) 248-7779 www.islandair.net

Woof Cottages At Boat Basin 1 Old South Wharf Nantucket, MA 02554 (508) 325-1499 www.thecottagesnantucket.com 74 BellaDOG Magazine

Nantucket Airlines (800) 635-8787 www.nantucketairlines.com On Island Transportation: Nantucket Regional Transit Authority (NRTA) Shuttle Federal Street, Nantucket Schedule and rate information (508)-228-7025

Pet Specialty Shops: Cold Noses #1 Courtyard, Straight Wharf, Nantucket (508)-228-5477 www.coldnoses.com Geronimo’s, Ltd 119 Pleasant Street, Nantucket (800) 738-7297 www.geronimos.com BellaDOG Magazine 75

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Welcome to the Half Moon Bay Inn This magnificent, award-winning boutique inn was built in 1932 and recently renovated to preserve its Spanish Revival Architecture. The gorgeous and luxurious rooms have an old world charm, designed with your comfort in mind. Centrally located in the heart of downtown Half Moon Bay, you’re just a stroll away from some of the best restaurants and shops.

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Located directly below the Inn, the on-site restaurant, It’s Italia, offers California-Italian cuisine in a warm and welcoming environment with your four-legged furry friends. Guests enjoy rustic selections such as wood-fired pizzas and freshly made pastas, highlighting the bounty of the local farms and purveyors, along with a wine list of 120 wines from around the world. It’s Italia is a perfect spot for lunch or dinner and is only steps away from the comforts of your room.

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he was a big bones girl from South-

During your stay, explore the beautiful Northern California coastline, rich with state parks, beaches, farms and ern Alberta, you just couldn't call her rural hamlets tucked between the coastal range and the Pacific Ocean. This fantastical and luscious location is smALLLL! like a little bit of Europe in downtown Half Moon Bay. Dog Policy: $25.00 per stay, $100.00 refundable deposit. Dogs are not to be left in rooms unattended.

Area Attractions and Activities

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Half Moon Bay - a land of crisp springs, summertime fog, glorious Indian summers and mild winters. No matter which season, this coastal refuge has much to offer either for those seeking a relaxing coastside retreat or a bit more adventure. Meandering north or south on HWY 1, golden sand beaches dot the coastline. The abundance of state and regional parks highlight the treasure trove of preserved natural beauty. Hike for wild flowers, bird watch, get lost in a grove of giant redwoods or walk with Fido for miles on the Coastal Trail.

Dogs allsizes welcome! of

Half Moon Bay Inn

401 Main Street • Half Moon Bay, CA • 76 94019BellaDOG • (650)Magazine 726-1177

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When making reservations, mention you’re bringing your doggie and a fresh bed and some water and food bowls will be waiting upon your arrival! Looking for an Off Leash DOG Park to romp in? Coast Side Dog Park At Smith Field at the western end ofWavecrest Road Half Moon Bay. (650) 726-8297 www.half-moonbay.ca.us/parks-rec.html visit www.visithalfmoonbay.org for a current list of events and happenings on the coastside. Enjoy!

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the BARKING section!

A WITTY WOCK! by Adria is an expression of happiness, and adorableness. A work that is often noted for their unique style, humor, and technique. Adria has taken rock from the ground and painted them with Acrylic to create her WITTY WOCKS! A rock never knew it had a sense of humor! Although Adria loves to express her vision through her own WITTY WOCKS!, she is also adept to special requests of clientĂ¨le, their family and/or friends as well as their pets or favorite animal. Celebrities too! Adria can create the perfect piece for any purpose - all she needs is a picture of her subject and an original Witty Wock is born! $35.00 and up www.wittywocks.com

Original

Eye Poppin Stuff Worth Barking About !

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WITTYWOCKS

S e c t i o n picture

Grant A Wish & Bone Friendship Bracelets Grant A Wish Bracelet (Left) is a gold plate over sterling silver open bone bracelet in a hand-woven black satin adjustable cord. The Friendship Bracelet (above) comes with silver or gold bones and an adjustable cord. One size fits most. To keep your bracelet strong and beautiful, keep dry. A portion of all proceeds will benefit the ASPCA. $29.99 www.heartuback.com

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Summer's Here! Get Your Gear! B A R K I N G S e c t i o n

Doggles Monter Pulls Throw em. Catch em. Swing em. Tug em. Dogs love em! Multiple layers of denier nylon make these toys fun and durable. Four layers of ballistic nylon inner and a tough plush exterior with flat embroidered details. In addition to two tennis balls and five squeakers makes these toys one of the best on the market! Made with ecofriendly recycled fabrics. Not a chew toy.

Beach Towels & Flip Flops

Monster Pulls are not your typical monster. Your dogs wont be scared, they will be excited to play. Monster Pulls are fun interactive dog toys that are sure to full a dogs life with excitement. Approximately 24” Long. $19.95

Teddy The Dog has the hottest attitude on th beach and you will too with these matching beach towels and flip flops! A must have this Summer! Beach Towel: $15.00, Flip Flops: $15.00

www.doggles.com

www.teddythedog.com

Squishy Pet Bowls Their dog, Ella insisted that they make the Squishy Bowls especially for her. So, building on their award winning functionality, they designed a version that is perfect for pets on the move. Put a bowl in your pocket, and off you go, it will pop open for a quick drink or a bit of kibble on the trail. BPA and polycarbonate free! Comes in Lime, Tahoe Blue or Tangerine. Three sizes: “The Trail”- 24oz, “The Park” 36oz, or “The Base Camp” - 48oz. $10.95 – $19.95

Organic Pet Superfoods A line of whole-food supplements specifically formulated to help stimulate pets’ immune systems first, using natural and organic therpies as a first line of defense for our pets’ rather than harsh antibiotics and steroids. IMMUNITY - Safeguard against free-radical damage and immune system imbalances. JOINTS - Potent nutrition for your pets’ joint health. SKIN + COAT - For healthy skin and a glossy coat. DIGESTION - Efficient digestion and enhanced wellness for your pet. Certified Organic by Oregon Tilth www.petsuperfood.com

www.squishypetbowls.com

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Fab Feeders

by Skate Dog Studios! Cycle Dog Collars Leashes

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Collars & leashes mad from recycled bike tube! Over 60 million bike riders in the US means a lot of flat tires and old inner tubes. By repurposing these tubes into collars and leashes, Cycle Dog is keeping this waste out of our landfills.

The Seat-Belt Buckle Collar

This is one offers an ultra shiny nickel plated buckle and grommets with belt loop adjustability. With many colors to choose from, you can gaurantee your dog will look as good as you do. This seatbelt style steel buckle, combines the strength and security of metal with the ease and adjustability of single button quick-release.

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Skate Dog Feeders Artist & Pet Parent Meg Grogan, knew from the time her dogs, Ziggy and Tank were pups that she needed to find an elevated feeder to fit their size - So, Meg set out to create something unlike the traditional feeder to fit her and her pet’s diverse lifestyles. After much daydreaming, elevated Skate Pet Feeders were conceived and, in turn, Skate Dog Studios was born in the summer of 2009. These feeders have a modern and unique design that makes them functional, yet artistic, and they stand out in any household.

Made from a solid maple skateboard deck. Stands measure 4”/6”/8” tall, 8” wide, and 31” long. Dual stainless steel 24 oz. detachable dishwasher safe bowls for easy cleaning. Elevated dining to ease neck and joint stress while your pet eats. Aids in your pet’s digestion by not allowing excess air to get into your pet’s stomach. 4” 6” or 8” legs available to accommodate your pet’s size. $100.00 www.skatedogstudios.com

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Pup Top™ Bottle Opener Collar

Man’s Best Friend is always there for you. This patented dual function bottle opener leash attachment will be your dogs best new trick. This sport collar series for active dogs offers easy adjustability for a great fit. Quick drying and great for water dogs. Machine and dishwase safe for easy cleaning. Proudly made in Portland, Oregon! Patent Pending . Collars: $21.00 - $28.00. Leashes: $23.00 - $24.00 www.cycledog.com

Earth Friendly Dog Leash One of the core values at Mountain Dog is preserving the planet for future generations. They take this seriously, and their commitment to being environmentally responsible is evident in every aspect of their business.....All of their leashes are made from repurposed climbing rope. They are all made by hand, in the USA, so manufacturing at Mountain Dog involves no carbon intensive recycling process and produces almost no carbon footprint. These leashes are softer to the touch than leather or nylon and they’re round, so they fit perfectly in your hand. They’re made with elastic, so they absorb shock. Even if your dog is part bulldozer, this leash WILL NOT break! AND, if your dog eats it, you get a new one to replace it FREE! Tons of always changing colors! $24.95 www. mountaindogproducts.com

Recycle This!

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Hyper DOG! B A R K I N G S e c t i o n

Interactive Dog Bow Game

play with me!

Dogs need intellectual stimulation as well as physical activity. The Aïkiou (pronounced “IQ”) Interactive Bowl was developed to meet that need. It gives your dog a chance to solve problems in the form of an interactive game between you and your dog. But besides using the Aïkiou as an anytime educational and fun activity, you can also use it as a food dish for meals. Because your dog will have to “forage” for his dinner, he will be eating his more slowly. This is a great way to slow down dogs that inhale their food.

Go Dog Go Ball Launcher Go Dog Go ball launcher and thrower machine for dogs is a remotecontrolled automatic ball thrower that may soon become your dog’s new best friend. Simply load the machine with up to 17 balls, adjust the launch distance and set the launch interval. GoDogGo will launch balls automatically or by remote control. You can also train your dog to drop the ball back into the machine for continuous play on their own while you give your throwing arm a rest, get yard work done, or simply relax. * * * * * * * * * *

The Aïkiou bowl has four double compartments, each with a sliding door that moves back and forth, and six compartments with a large spinning door. You hide the food in the compartments and the dog accesses the hidden food by turning the wheel and opening the sliding doors. The spinning door comes off for ease of cleaning. $24.95

Launch adjustment from 15 feet to 30 feet Intermittent settings of 7 or 15 seconds 15 ball capacity for continuous activity Drop-bucket so dog can play independently Remote Control for setting launch distance and launch times 6 GoDogGo® tennis balls included Lightweight with easy-grab carrying handles Durable high-impact injection molded plastic Powered by AC Adapter or Battery Power (batteries-not included) This is NOT A CHILD’S TOY! $119.99

www.aikiou.com

Smart Stuff Dog Toys

www.godoggoinc.com

Going green is the theme with Grriggles® Smart Stuff Toys. Good for our Mother Earth, these “Smart Stuff” toys are filled with stuffing made from recycled plastic bottles. Made of natural burlap with a heart appliqué. Classic shapes and sturdy exteriors are excellent for chewing. From $1.99

CRAZYDOG Spinmeister

Sold on online stores and at most pet supply stores.

The spinmeister is a great flying disk for you and your pet to play with. It is safe and will last you a long time. This is a great non-toxic toy that will spin and your dog will go crazy for it. Durable Easy to Throw, Catch & Pick Up! Won’t Hurt Your Pet’s Teeth! Diameter: 9 1/2 inches SALE!: $4.99

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Tug A Jug This interactive dog toy is made of impact resistant plastic with a pliable nylon dog chew toy on the spout. Fill from the bottom with treats to keep your dog occupied for hours.

www.crazypetshop.com

Available in 2 sizes, small and medium/large

4-Ball Launcher Does a game of fetch tire you out more quickly than it does your pup? Give your dog the exercise and entertainment he craves without overexerting yourself. The Hyper Dog 4-Ball Launcher is a toy you’ll both appreciate. This slingshot comes with four tennis balls and can shoot them up to 220 feet away! The Hyper Dog 4-Ball Launcher is made of high-quality steel that’s both rust- and chip-resistant for years of use. Shoot the included tennis balls away for your dog, and when he fetches them, you’ll be able to pick them up with the ball launcher easily, so you’ll never need to touch a dirty, slimy tennis ball in order to play. $31.99 ww.k9tuff.com

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You always knew your dog was a genius and playing with this dog toy may just prove it. Sold online and at most pet supply stores. $11.99 - $21.99

Smart DOG! Smart Stuff! BellaDOG Magazine

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It's A Bling! B A R K I N G

Griz Bar Dog Soap

sort a thing!

This hand-made all-natural herbal bar is enriched with shea butter, castor oil, oatmeal, and lard to condition your pet’s coat and make it shine. Tea tree and eucalyptus essential oils fight staph infections, citronella wards off fleas, lavender’s a natural antibacterial, and lemongrass makes for a wonderful scent! Works best with warm water and elbow grease. $5.00

FabuLeash!

Made with first quality faceted crystal acrylic beads. Each FabuLeash contains a silky - smooth double and riveted nylon handle. FabuLeash may appear to be dainty as “Delilah”, but rest assured, they are as strong as “Samson” and withstands up to 100lbs of pull force! 20 beautiful colors available! Total length is 48”. $16.95

www.jarzandbarz.com

www.SaltyPaws.com

Olive Spa Gift Set

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Bling It On! Made with first quality faceted crystal acrylic beads. Each FabuLeash contains a silky - smooth double and riveted nylon handle. FabuLeash may appear to be dainty as “Delilah”, but rest assured, they are as strong as “Samson” and withstands up to 100lbs of pull force! 20 beautiful colors available! Total length is 48”. $16.95

Canine- Elements

The perfect gesture for your dog or as a unique gift for your dog-lovin’ pals. Olive all -natural, organic Spa Gift Set combines the rejuvenating experience of the spa with the practical benefit of all-natural flea control. Contents: 12 oz. botttle of Bubble + Squeak Shampoo, 2 oz. flea-repelling Soap Lump, 4 oz.spray bottle Fur Spritzer. Made in the USA. $29.99

All Natural White Tea & Ginger or Lavender & Oatmeal shampoo’s and finishing sprays. These earth friendly solutions are formulated with essential oil blends, they’re Hypoallergenic, Soap & detergent free and they are 100% biodegradeable. 8oz Spray -$8.99. 16oz shampoo - $9.99. www.shop.canine-elements.com

www.olivegreendog.com

www.FurBuddiesBlingItOn.com

Woof Wild Natural Dog Bar

Eco-friendly hand stamped natural dog shampoo bar is enriched with organic aloe and oats to soothe, pure essential oils to freshen, and bentonite clay for deep cleaning. The herbal essential oil blend helps repel fleas and ticks and leaves the coat soft, shiny, and deodorized. Great for dogs with even the most sensitive skin. 4 oz. round hand stamped bar with recycled kraft label on back. The Woof Wild gift set includes one 4 oz. Dog Shampoo Bar inside a glazed terra cotta soap dish for storing it in. The perfect little gift for every dog owner. Doggie tested. Doggie approved. ON SALE! Dog Bar: $7.00, Gift Set: $8.00 www.awildsoapbar.com

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Bathtime!

the all natural way! BellaDOG Magazine

B A R K I N G S e c t i o n

DOOG!

The Metropolitan Bunk Bed

Walkie Belt!

A unique & beautiful bunk-bed for single or multiple pets to sleep & play! Great for the city life, but also very functional and fun for any home. A set of three stairs, with a textured surface on each. Solid wood with a high-gloss finish. *Stainless Steel accents *Fabrics machine washable *Cushions very comfortable *Minimal assembly required *Holds up to 30 lbs on each level. *Coated bottoms to prevent scuffing *Non-toxic finish *Signature Lazybonezz plaque *Measurements: L 34” x W 17¾”; H 225/8” *Pad: L 22 “ x W 153/8”; H 2½” (Shown in Giraffe cushion - Espresso wood finish) $499.00

B A R K I N G

www.lazybonezz.com www.gracioushome.com

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Walkie Belt The DOOG Walkie Belt is an award winning, innovative new product for dog owners. It contains everything you need when out walking your dog, all in one handy, lightweight belt. The belt is designed to free up your hands and your pockets when taking your dog for a walk, hike, run, etc.. No longer will you need plastic bags stuffed in one hand and keys, money and dog lead in the other. And… no more bulky, laden filled pockets! Comes with an iPod clip, 20 x Tidy bags, 2 x pockets for holding house keys, phone, money and dog treats, 20 x antibacterial, scented Hand Wipes, Tennis Ball holder and a Carabineer for attaching dog lead/hanging belt to a hook by the door.

The Madison Bed Chic and elegant is the only way to describe this piece. Standing on four thick, stainless steel legs, this bed is an amazing addition to any home. Your pet will feel like royalty and you will love how this piece of furniture compliments your home. (shown in Zebra cushion with Ebony wood finish) $399.00

This is the coolest thing invented since sliced bread as far as we’re concerned! www.doog.com.au

s! r o l o C l oo Way C

www.lazybonezz.com www.gracioushome.com

The Modern Bed

Simple and attractive, this loft-bed can compete with the most stylish designer beds in the “human” market. Low to the ground, sleek lines and attractive accents, make this a piece of furniture that is fit for your own king or queen. (shown in Sand cushion with Espresso wood finish) $399.00 www.lazybonezz.com www.gracioushome.com

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Bedtime for Fur Baby!

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Chicka -Bow -Wow

Hand-Made Originals made from recycled fabrics! You can mix and match your detachable accessories too! $48.00 and up. Exclusively at Pawsitively Posh Pooch and Classy Cats Too! Each dress is a “One of a Kind “ so call for availability. (727) 892-9303 www.PawsitivelyPoshPooch.com

From a day at the park to a night on the town in a SNAP!

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See More Styles & Buy Online! Check out the new Chicka-Bow-Wow website at www.chicka-bow-wow.com

Yap’n Snap Harnesses can be worn alone or with the ever so fashionable Snap On Wraps! With every Yap’n Snap Harness you purchase you get a Yap’n Snap Starter Wrap for Free! Tons of great styles to SNAP on! $28.00 - $32.00

Blue Denim Harness

www.gonetothedogsboutique.com

Yellow Flowers & Plaid Dress Wrap

Yellow Plaid Boys Shirt Wrap

Blue Flamingo Dress Wrap Snapped on Fashion Pink Harness

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Fashion Pink Harness

Blue Retro Dot Wrap

Blue Bubbles Wrap

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In the world of struggling artists, Stephen Huneck’s success has been meteoric. He is a strong believer in fate, and perhaps that is part of the explanation. There is no doubt that his figures are whimsical, amusing and charming, but they also have the power to evoke an immediate emotional response in anyone who sees them. Therein lies their wide and ever-growing appeal.” ~ Roberta Vesley, Library Director, AKC. Stephen Huneck’s home and studio are in St. Johnsbury, Vermont which he shares with his wife, Gwen and his three dogs. Two Black Labs Artie and Sally and Molly a Golden Retriever. Stephen and Gwen have totally furnished their home with Stephen’s artwork. He works in his private studio attached to their house. Near their home is Dog Mountain where the Dog Chapel is located. You can often meet Stephen at his primary gallery in Woodstock, VT on Saturdays personalizing books and artwork. “I am a hand-carver, I love the texture you can only get by hand” seen here in his living room to the left. As a hand carver, Stephen finds himself carving almost everyday of the year, taking time off to walk with his dogs. A self-taught sculptor, Stephen started out as an antique furniture picker. “I learned so much about good design and how to build furniture that lasts forever.” Luckily he was discovered after doing his very first woodcarving, an angel. Stephen then began his life as an artist. In 1994 Stephen suffered from Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome after falling down a flight of stairs which left him in a coma for two months. The doctors were not hopeful but with the help of his wife, Gwen, Stephen had a full recovery. He had to relearn everything from how to walk to how to sign his name. Just before the accident, Stephen was inspired to do a series of woodcut prints based on his Black Lab, Sally . After this near death experience, Stephen had a vision to build a Dog Chapel, “A place where people can go and celebrate the spiritual bond they have with their dogs. It is the largest artwork of my life and my most personal.” Stephen has also written 7 books inspired by Sally. The classic My Dog’s Brain and a series of books for young (and young at heart) readers Sally Goes to the Beach , Sally Goes to the Mountains , Sally Goes to the Farm , Sally Goes to the Vet , The Dog Chapel , Sally’s Snow Adventure and the newly released Sally Get’s A Job illustrated with his vibrant woodcut prints. Stephen has carved out a niche in the art world as a sculptor with a playful twist. “At all Stephen Huneck Galleries dogs are welcome and there are always a good supply of treats on hand, a small gesture to thank dogs for all they give us”. ~Stephen Huneck 92 92 BellaDOG BellaDOGMagazine Magazine

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PP AA W W

A Dog Can Even Heal A Broken Heart

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A Dog Has The Soul Of A Philosopher ~Plato

A Dog Has The Soul Of An Artist ~Huneck

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All Photos by Sheri-lyn Shepler

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"I wanted to build a chapel, a place that celebrated the spiritual bond we have with our dogs, a place that would be open to all dogs and to people of any faith or belief system.” ~Stephen Huneck

Tragically, on Thursday January 8th, 2010, Stephen Hunech took his own life. Stephen had been despondent for some time and was being treated for depression. Like many Americans, he had been adversely affected by the economic downturn. Stephen feared losing Dog Mountain and his home. He got up early on that Thursday morning to go see his Doctor to discuss his emotions, he never made it to his appointment. Stephen drove to the doctor’s parking lot and while parked in his car, shot himself in the head. “I wished I could of reached him some how. Stephen gave so much love and joy to the world through his warmth and openness as a person and a great artist. I hope he will be remembered as that joyous soul.” ~Gwen Huneck

P A W p r i n t s

Visit Stephen’s website for more information and to enjoy his work and lifelong passion...DOGS! www.dogmt.com

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S S TT EE P P P P II N N

SNEAK PEEK!

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“Party Like A Pin Up at Roxy’s Gala” Because of a shared passion for humane education, a few women in the Tampa Bay area of Florida are underway to raise funds for Pit Bull rescue groups and raise the bar on high profile fundraisers. “Party Like A Pin Up at Roxy’s Gala” on August 28th, 2010 in Tampa, FL is the collaborative brainchild of nationally known pet photographer Lisa Presnail, Little Pet Project; Little Darling, founder of Pinups For Pitbulls (a national fundraising group that raises money for Pit Bulls and rescues in need and who’s Pin Up themed events it is modeled after), Tessa Shiver, Proprieter of the Historic Don Vicente Inn in Ybor City/ Tampa, Florida (and owner of two pit bulls, Roxy and Rufus); Ashlie Burke founder of Pit Stop Bully’s Rescue in Tampa, Florida and Spokesmodel for Little Pet Project, Heather Clem.

Heather Clem and Ashley Ternon are featured as pinups posing with two rescued Pit Bulls, Tiny Tim and Vixen (formerly known as “the skinnies”. They are an adorable pair of now healthy, rescued Pit Bulls that were found on the brink of death at only 16 pounds each. 98

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This group of women gathered recently to shoot some promotional photos for the event at the Historic Don Vicente Inn and BellaDOG Magazine got a sneak peek at the images. Here they are. BellaDOG Magazine

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Heather Clem and Tiny Tim, one of the rescued â&#x20AC;&#x153;skinniesâ&#x20AC;?) Tiny Tim is still looking for his forever home. Please contact www.pitstopbullys.com for adoption information.

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HISTORY: Tiny Tim and Vixen (formerly known as “the skinnies”), are a pair of previously discarded Pit Bulls who were rescued by Pit Stop Bullys in Tampa, FL when they were left for dead at just 16 lbs. They now have been restored to a normal, healthy weight of 50-60 lbs thanks to Pit stop Bullys’ Ashlie Burke and her dedication to homeless and abused Pit Bulls. The “Skinnies” are examples of Pit Bulls “thrown away” on a routine basis across this country. Vixen was adopted by one of the pin up models, Ashley Ternon. Tiny Tim is still looking for his forever home. Contact www.pitstopbullys.com for adoption information.

Ashley Ternon and Vixen, one of the rescued “skinnies” adopted by Ashley.

PARTY INFO: “Party Like a Pin Up at Roxy’s Gala” is scheduled for August 28th, at the Historic Don Vicente Inn in Ybor City/Tampa and will be a 40’s theme pin up party, with live music, a burlesque show, a silent auction and a costume contest. All guests will be encouraged to dress the part to make it a memorable evening for all. Celebrities, Little Darling (recently featured on Animal Planet) and Heather Clem will be popular draws for the event. Little Darling will be performing a Burlesque show, and Clem will be MC for the evening. The party is also providing a pre-event grand prize a trip for two to Tampa for the event, including a weekend stay at the Don Vicente, and a private photo shoot with Little Darling (provided by Lisa Presnail of Little Pet Project). Tickets are $65 and 100% of the proceeds will benefit Pin Ups For Pit Bulls and Pit Stop Bully’s Rescue. For more information about the event, to reserve tickets, or to inquire about sponsorships, visit www. roxygala.com. Models: Heather Clem, Tessa Shiver, Ashley Ternon. Dogs: Roxy, Tiny Tim (available for adoption from Pit Stop Bullys Rescue. and VixenHair-Makeup Styling by Mymakeuppro.com; wardrobe (Heather Clem and Ashley Ternon) by Buffalo Gal Vintage (St. Petersburg, FL); Tessa Shivers wardrobe by La France (Tampa, FL) and Jezebels (Tampa, FL). Photography: Lisa Presnail, Little Pet Project Photo Assistant (and dog wrangeling): Ashlie Burke Photography by www.littlepetproject.com To Benefit www.pinupsforpitbulls.com & www.pitstopbullys.com Party Info www.roxygala.com Party Location www.donvicenteinn.com Photo Shoot Wardrobe by www.buffalogalvintage.com Hair & Make Up by My Make Up Pro www.Mymakeuppro.com 102

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Tessa Shiver, hostess of “Party Like A Pin Up” at Roxy’s Gala and mom to the Guest of Honor and birthday girl Roxy (She’s turning 10!) Happy Birthday girl!

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Y U M Y U M S

Hairistocratic Scone Yappetizer There’s nothing like high tea at London’s famous Battersea Dogs’ Home—the pup and circumstance, the plummy accents (“I say, old boy, fetch me one of those rawhide sticks, would you? There’s a good chap…”)--and the mad-dog rush for the savory scones that makes American football look like a…well, like a tea party! Ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/4 cup olive oil 1 cup grated light cheddar cheese 1/2 cup diced cooked chicken 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons skim milk Preheat the oven to 400°F. Grease a baking sheet with nonstick vegetable spray. Stir together the flour and baking powder in a large bowl. Pour the olive oil into the flour mixture and stir until thoroughly blended. Stir in the cheese and chicken. Add 1/2 cup milk to make a soft dough. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently until smooth. With a rolling pin, roll the dough out to 3/4–inch thickness. Cut into 2–inch rounds with a cookie cutter or glass and place on the baking sheet. Brush each biscuit with the remaining milk and bake for 17 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese bits begin to bubble and lightly brown. Cool to room temperature before serving. Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days, or wrap well and freeze for up to 2 months. (Thaw before serving.)

Loafin’ Dog Mutt Loaf • Makes 8 mini mutt loaves They might be Chihuahua–size loaves, but they pack a Great Dane-size flavor. Versatile and tasty, use them as a protein–packed meal or snack–and no need to wash the plate…it’ll be licked clean. This will have your dog grinning from ear to ear. Ears to you, kid! Ingredients: 1 pound ground chicken 1 large egg 1 1/2 cups fresh bread crumbs 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon dried parsley 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a shallow baking pan with nonstick vegetable spray. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well with your hands. Shape the mixture into eight 2 x 30–inch mini loaves. Space the loaves evenly on the baking pan. Bake for 20 minutes, or until fully cooked (155°F on an instant-read thermometer.) Cool completely before serving. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Salivatin’ Serving Suggestion: Ground turkey may be substituted for the chicken

Little Eataly Meatballs Ingredients: 2 Cups of Quick rolled oats 2 Large eggs 2 Pounds ground turkey or chicken 1/2 Cup Grated parmesan cheese 1tsp Dried Oregano 1/2 tsp Garlic powder Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. Scoop out a tablespoon or two of the mixture and roll into a ball. Continue with the rest of the mixture until gone. Place on ungreased cookies sheet and cook for approximately 40 minutes. Cool to room temperature and store for up to three days in a covered, refrigerated container. Note: This recipe makes A LOT of meatballs. You can cut the recipe in half or freeze balls for up to two months.

Credit: These recipes were taken from:“Cooking the Three Dog Bakery Way” written by Mark Beckloff and Dan Dye. $12.78 www.barnesandnoble.com

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Frozen Treats

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Summer Days t o H Ice Pups by The Honest Kitchen Ice Pups by The Honest Kitchen are a unique make-at-home snowy snack for pooches. Simply add warm water, freeze in bite-sized portions and serve. Ice Pups are refreshing and cooling - great for sunny days and post-hike hydration. Ingredients: Dehydrated Chicken, Turkey, Whey, Dandelion, Asparagus, Watercress, Honey, and Parsley. Ice Pups contain no grains, by-products, salt, sugar, artificial flavors, preservatives or fillers. This products is designed for intermittent or supplemental use as a treat, not a complete meal replacement. Preparation: Combine 2 heaping tablespoons of Ice Pups Mix with 1 standard measuring cup of warm (not boiling) water. Stir thoroughly and freeze in ice cube trays, or serve the liquid when cooled as a delicious, refreshing beverage, or fed warm as a nourishing broth. Makes 30 trays of ice cubes or 1 gallon of broth. Enjoy some frosty thank-you kisses when complete! $15.50 www.thehonestkitchen.com

www.jeanettespetphotography.com/blog

The Fresh Taste Of Pineapple Meet the Dogzilla Deep Freeze This ingenious little invention is half rubber dumbbell and half “dogsicle”. The rubber half snaps to an ice tray and you fill it with water, broth or yogurt, stick it in the freezer and viola - you have a frozen dogsicle! I fill mine with diluted sodium-free chicken bouillon. The XL will hold a full 8oz of liquid. The liquid freezes to the protein infused rubber bone (which has wells in it) and gives the dog (and you) something other than ice to hold on to when licking it like Mom and Rufus, shown right. Review from blogsite: www.itsadogslife.com The Deep Freeze is designed to engage a dog’s five senses, Dogzilla® rubber is created with a revolutionary new process that infused PROTEIN in rubber. Dogzilla® has the right taste, color, smell and shape for your dog. $6.99 - $12.99 www.aspenpet.com 108

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We decided to give the Frozen Dog treat idea a try this past weekend and it was a huge hit with the doggies! We went with Pineapple Juice since it was easy to do and was on hand. In a measuring cup we took 1/2 cup of pineapple juice and 1/2 cup of water and poured the liquid into a silicone tray with dog bone shapes and waited about 5 hours for it to freeze. What I really love about it is that the ices were easy to pop out of the tray so we took a glass container with a lid and took the ices out of the tray and put them into the glass container then put them back in the freezer for later. We were able to get 8 ices with the 1cup of liquid done in two stages for the freezer that’s where the glass container with lid comes in handy as we save those for later and can make another batch so one icy a day gives you a week worth of treats.

Substitution: Mix together mashed banana, peanut butter, honey and yogurt and freeze Don’t have dog bone shaped trays? Go here, they’re $4.99 per tray www.gooddogexpress.com BellaDOG Magazine

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Dag’s House

be a fighter. Extremely aggressive, he had to be muzzled around her other dogs.

Where disabled dogs get a second chance at Life! ~Angela Hill

How that Dag survived is somewhat miraculous. But together they would survive Katrina, then a year later another crisis: Dag had three broken discs and was rushed into emergency surgery. Dudek was told he might never walk again and she should consider euthanasia.

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“Part of me was angry. Part of me was frustrated and part of me was like, ‘I need more information,’” Dudek said. It was the lack of information about alternatives that led to the creation of Dag’s House. Dudek had been a rehabilitation counselor for disabled children.

“Kim Dudek and Friends ” Sometimes you are born with a problem, like Tea, the puppy who has no ligaments in her back legs due to malnutrition of her mother during her pregnancy. Sometimes age takes its toll, like with Max, the Doberman who at age 13, has heart problems and can’t have the hanging tumors on his body removed. Or it could be an accident that changes your life, as is the case with Iko, a German Shepherd who was knocked into a wall by another dog, crushing his spine.

or limping along. Big, small, young, or old, they are enjoying themselves and each other. Some live here. Others visit during the week. But all of them are here because someone is committed to their quality of life. Someone didn’t give up on them. And that’s the story of Dag, short for Dagnabit, a Pit Bull found by a friend of Kim Dudek, Owner of Dag’s House.

Or it can be being hit by a car, as Cole, the Lab Mix was, losing one leg then chewing off his other foot when sensation returned.

These are all what could be perceived as a series of very sad stories. In reality, what’s happening at Dag’s House is a very happy story. Each of these dogs is having fun, whether in a wheelchair 110

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But it wasn’t until he got his wheelchair that Dag’s depression lifted.

“He went to Pontchartrain Beach. He would go swimming, he would go to the French Quarter in New Orleans, to a bar. He would go everywhere and anywhere,” she laughed.

“Dagnabit” His ears had been cut off with scissors and his neck showed signs of being hung. Dudek says he was being prepped to

Dudek says perhaps he heard those dogs cheering him or perhaps he knew he couldn’t fight anymore, but one day Dag just relaxed. And today he is no longer aggressive with other dogs. He has friends and he plays and today he can walk without his wheelchair.

So that’s what she did for Dag. She pulled together an acupuncturist, a holistic veterinarian, a canine massage therapist, and every day for several hours they worked as a team to build his strength, move his muscles, and let him know he was loved.

The light was back in his eyes and he went everywhere in his chair.

And for Teo, a Doberman from Gulf Coast Doberman Rescue, Inc. of New Orleans, LA who was shot by his owner making him a paraplegic. The bullet remains in his body.

would bark at him and root him on.”

“I would get speech therapists, occupational therapists, social workers, doctors, nurses, and we would all come to the table and we would put together these plans,” she said.

“When he saw that chair, he knew,” Dudek said. “We’d get him in the chair. He took off. I live on a dead end street, thank God, and he just, to be able to be vertical and moving.”

For Little Man, it was a bad spinal injury when his mother sat on him, cracking his back.

“Teo”

All of his therapy was done at a boarding facility which had many other dogs. “The dogs in those suites were like, ‘You go, Dag!’ They

looking for a home.

Dag’s House is a full fitness and rehabilitation center for disabled animals. Some, like Winnie, are

Others, like Forrest Gump, came straight from a shelter, born with deformed legs from a lack of nourishment from his mother. Stacy Chaisson, house manager and animal massage therapist at Dag’s House, says Forrest is building strength while he waits for braces. “When he first got here, he could not even do what he is doing now, he was so weak,” Chaisson said. And she has no doubt he will learn to walk. For dogs with spinal injuries or even arthritis, the underwater BellaDOG Magazine

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treadmill helps build muscles and strength. Dr. Catherine Reid said it is the kind of therapy that will benefit a dog like Piglet who has had surgery after being attacked by a wild boar. “They are supported by their weight. They are in a situation where they can actually put the weight on the leg and trust it again and build that confidence up again,” she said. Water therapy is among a long list of programs for all kinds of disabilities at Dag’s House. Reid feels, in many cases, it is an alternative to euthanasia for clients who want to commit to the time and expense. “That’s the most rewarding thing. Some of the clients come, they walk in here and leave crying because they are so happy to finally find a place where we respect their relationship with their animals and we are willing to do whatever we can to bring that quality of life back to their animal,” she said. For Dr. Georganna Ranglack, acupuncture has helped a dog who was shot by his owner. “His right leg is working very nicely even in his wheel chair,” she said. “And that means that he is…the message is getting from his brain to his leg that ‘I want to walk. I want to move forward,’” she explained. The left leg is still a work in progress. But, she says the dog loves his acupuncture sessions. Rex, a quadraplegic 13-year-old Doberman, was walking again at Christmas but had a setback. Stacy massages and stretches him daily, convinced that he still wants to live. “He’s happy. He gets along with all the dogs. He gets on the floor and plays with all of the puppies,” she said. “He isn’t ready to give up yet.” 112

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As the dogs come in for an afternoon nap, Kim Dudek knows Dag’s House has made a difference in these animals’ lives. “At the end, what they want is ‘I can’t use this anymore. Teach me a different way and I’ll do it.’ And that’s what we do here is we teach them another way,” she said. But Dudek will say it is the animals who have taught her so much. “They don’t hold on to any of that. You can cut my ears off, you can hang me by the neck, you can rupture three discs, you can slam me against the wall. You can do all this stuff and they just keep on going,” she said.

The Mission:

Dag’s House provides a place for dog owners to access information, education and services to ensure overall well-being, increase fitness and improve the quality of life of their dogs. Working closely with veterinarians and other pet healthcare professionals, New Orleans Canine Rehabilitation Group at Dag’s House requires a referral from your veterinarian. The services offered by Dag’s House are designed to complement the care of your veterinarian and are not a substitute for appropriate veterinary care. Dag’s House is a happy place. These dogs, regardless of their condition, are with other dogs, and surrounded by those who just want to help them move and feel better, make them feel alive again. Just like Dag, who has a wonderful life today, because no one gave up on him. Dag’s House has also helped find homes for over 30 dogs last year alone. Many of the animals they care for are up for adoption. They are trained, socialized and just waiting for a home.

Dag’s House 5316 August Avenue Marrero, LA 70072 504-218-7271

www.dagshouse.com

www.pawsforfriendshipinc.org

Paws For Friendship, Inc. is a non-profit, 501c3 tax-deductible organization of volunteers who provide pet therapy to area hospitals, nursing homes, and other facilities. We also work with children who have had emotional or physical trauma through Camp Easter Seals, school programs, health and awareness programs, as well as working directly in schools. Dedicated volunteers share the love of their Certified Therapy Pet with patients who benefi t from the pet’s visit.

Certified Therapy Pets improve both the physical and emotional health of patients by providing affection, warmth and positive energy. The presence of a therapy pet decreases anxiety,decreases heart rates and lowers blood pressure. Patients’ expressions change when they see a therapy cat or dog. Frowns becomes smiles, silence becomes laughter and tears dry. There is a spark back in the person’s eyes that wasn’t there before the therapy pet entered the room. Many times, patients are unresponsive to people but when they know a therapy pet is in the facility then anticipation fills the air! Each pet helps those in need - one paw at a time. We are celebrating our 16th year in 2009! Paws For Friendship, Inc. has opened Chapters around the World, visiting many people in many places. Currently, there are Paws For Friendship, Inc.Chapters in 21 states, in England , Germany , Montreal and Quebec .

Interested in Being a Volunteer?

To Join 1) Your pet must meet these requirements: • Be sociable with other pets • Obedient and calm mannered • Enjoys being around people of all ages • Be current on all vaccinations • Be able to pass our disposition training 2) You must meet these requirements: • Be willing to make at least one visit per month • Be willing to help with fundraisers, especially our annual events • Abide by our guidelines 3) Next Step, Download an application at www.pawsforfriendshipinc.org/Join.htm fill out and e-mail to Jan Schmidt at j en n i esmo m1@ tamp ab ay. rr. co m www.pawsforfriendshipinc.org

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Puppy Mill Peddlers H U M A ~HSUS N E What pet store staff might tell you

Pet Store Doublespeak and what it really means

h Despite what they may tell you, pet stores do sell puppy e mill puppies. Here’s a list of common claims by pet stores, and what they really mean. a r Pet stores say: t “Our puppies come from breeders, not puppy mills.” s The word breeder is not an exclusive term. Anyone who puts two dogs together and produces puppies is, technically, a breeder. Truly responsible breeders do not sell their puppies to pet stores, they want to meet their puppy buyers in person and do not sell their puppies to the first person who shows up with cash in hand. Most breed club’s Code of Ethics state that their breeders refuse to sell their dogs to pet dealers or any other commercial sources of distribution.

“All of our puppies come from USDAinspected facilities, so we know they are not from puppy mills.” Being USDA or government inspected does not mean that 114

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the business is not a puppy mill, any more than having a driver’s license guarantees that the holder is a good driver. Unfortunately, most USDA-licensed breeders house dozens or even hundreds of breeding dogs in small wire cages for their entire lives—and sadly, this is legal under current USDA regulations, which require only minimal standards of food, water and shelter. But many USDA facilities have been found in violation of even these minimal standards. It is extremely rare for the USDA to revoke a commercial breeder’s license or even fine a puppy mill that has repeated violations. There are hundreds of USDA-licensed puppy mills in operation that have long lists of violations and problems associated with them and yet regularly sell to pet stores.

“We know our breeders are not puppy mills because we only deal with breeders we know.”

“I look so innocent” “I’m very cute” “I love to play” “I have hip dysplasia”

I AM A PUPPY MILL DOG To learn more about puppy mills, visit humanesociety.org/stoppuppymills

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If a pet store manager tells you this, ask to see documentation that shows exactly where their suppliers are located. In most cases, you will find out that the breeders they “know” are in distant states. The store manager’s definition of “knowing” a breeder often just means they have been receiving shipments of puppies from the same place repeatedly. In most cases, the owner or manager has never visited the breeder’s facility or inspected their records. Our investigations have revealed that even when store staff claim they inspect their facilities or hand-pick their puppies, often it is not true.

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“We don’t sell puppies from local breeders because our state is not regulated, but (the state the puppies come from) is.” Commercial breeders in all states who sell wholesale to pet stores are required to be regulated by the USDA. Some states (such as Missouri and Pennsylvania) also require a state kennel license and state inspections. This does not mean that puppies from Missouri or Pennsylvania are healthier. In fact, these states have two of the worst concentrations of puppy mills in the United States.

“Our store’s puppies are healthy—they come with a health certificate from a licensed veterinarian.” A health certificate is not a bonus but is required for any puppy sold commercially across state lines. It only means that the puppy has had a very brief “wellness” check by a veterinarian. This examination does not include testing the puppy or his or her parents for genetic disorders, parasites, or testing for diseases such as Giardia and Brucellosis, both of which are contagious to humans and are frequently seen in puppy mill puppies.

“Our puppies come with a health guarantee.” Read health guarantees very carefully. They are often designed to protect the store’s interests more than yours. They can be full of exclusions and loopholes, and often require you to return a sick puppy to the store in order to get a refund. The store management will often use the puppy’s health certificate as proof that the animal was healthy when he or she left the store, leaving the buyer helpless if the puppy becomes sick just a few hours or days after purchase.

“Consumers know our puppies are from good After breeders because they are registered and come with papers.”

Purebred registration papers (from one of many kennel clubs or other dog registries) are only a record of a puppy’s parents (and sometimes earlier generations). Puppy mills routinely sell puppies with papers from prestigious sounding kennel clubs. Registration papers do nothing to ensure that an individual puppy (or his or her parents) is healthy or free of genetic defects, or that they were raised in a humane and clean environment.

“We know this is a good breeder. We’ve never had a problem with any of their puppies.” Keep in mind that even facilities with mostly healthy puppies and problem-free inspection reports may be keeping dozens or even hundreds of breeding dogs in cages for their entire lives. These parent dogs live behind bars from birth until death, without ever feeling grass under their feet, enjoying a treat or toy, or having loving human contact or proper veterinary care. They are bred repeatedly until they can no longer reproduce, and then they are destroyed or discarded. The real tragedy of puppy mills is that keeping breeding dogs in such a way is perfectly legal. Only the public can stop the cruel cycle of puppy mills, by refusing to buy the puppies that keep these kinds of breeders in business. BellaDOG Magazine 115

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The Internet The Puppy Mill's Best Friend!

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If Lisa Mullins knew more about puppy mills, she never would have purchased her English Bulldog online. Mullins didn’t know she was purchasing a sick puppy bred at a puppy mill when she bought her bulldog, Otis, from Bulldog Ravine. The Internet seller promised registration papers, “champion” bloodlines, and a health guarantee. It wasn’t until after Otis became seriously ill that Lisa learned that Bulldog Ravine was actually a Pennsylvania puppy importer accused of selling unhealthy bulldogs from overseas puppy mills. Sadly, after suffering from many health issues that cost his family thousands of dollars in vet bills, Otis died at only 8 months of age. If you buy a dog over the Internet, at a pet store or through a newspaper ad, your new pooch may very well be from a puppy mill. Puppy mill producers often have slick, professional websites that convincingly advertise their puppies as “home raised” or “family raised”. These claims are often false. A reputable breeder will never sell dogs through the internet or other outlets that would not allow them to personally meet and interview prospective buyers. Even when a site features pictures of adorable pups running through a meadow or curled up on a couch in someone’s living room, the truth can be much more harrowing. Bob Baker, Investigator for the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) emphasizes that the only way to be sure your new puppy isn’t a product of cruel and inhumane conditions is to see for yourself where he lives. Even if a breeder says all the right things online, some go to great lengths to ensure that the true nature of their business is not exposed. “One man in Philadelphia spent $40,000 on a fence to block the view to his operation. He’d rather spend the money there than invest in what it takes to breed and care for animals responsibly,” Baker says. Which raises the question: Does one guy breeding dogs in his backyard qualify as a puppy mill?

Puppy mills defined People tend to think of puppy mills as places where hundreds of puppies are born, kept in filthy conditions, and then shipped out to the first available buyer. And often, that’s the case. But whether a particular property is home to a few litters, or a few dozen litters, is a moot question. A puppy mill is any situation where the breeder cares more about the profit than the pup. “Most of the puppy mills that The HSUS has raided in recent months have been Internet sellers that posed online as small reputable breeders,” said Stephanie Shain, senior director of The HSUS’ puppy mills campaign. 116

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Reject puppies sold here

and providing care for all the animals.

The Internet also happens to make a great dumping ground for dogs. In fact when breeders are left with “reject” puppies that mass brokers or pet stores won’t buy, usually due to health or form problems, the dogs are sold online.

“Local shelters can barely cope logistically or financially when a few dozen, much less hundreds of breeding dogs and puppies, many of them sickly and all needing vet evaluation, arriving at once,” Lillington says.

Online puppies may come in slightly cheaper but buyers frequently end up with huge vet bills or paying in heartache when they end up with a sickly, poorly bred pup.

The bottom line is that if you’re purchasing online, it’s impossible to know whether you’re dealing with a reputable breeder. “The internet is a great resource if you’re looking for information about dogs, but it’s not a good place to order a dog,” says Baker. He recommends that anyone set on a particular breed first check their local shelter and then a local rescue.

While there are laws in place to govern the practice of buying and selling animals, they’re often not a high priority and can be difficult to enforce, especially when breeders are shipping across state lines. In most cities across the U.S., municipal resources are stretched thin, and busting a puppy mill can be very expensive, both in prosecuting the offender

Saving Gracie - a

DO NOT BUY A DOG ONLINE. It's Just That Simple!

must read!

The tiny Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy with the checkmark “swoosh” on her leg started life like any other puppy — blind, deaf, seeking the warmth and nourishment her mother offered. Like too many other puppies, though, she was born in a puppy mill and was chosen for the worst possible fate — rather than being sold to a puppy broker or a family, she was chosen to be a breeder. Gracie, as she eventually was named, spent about five years inside of a metal-grate cage, never feeling grass or even a regular floor. She was filthy, constantly hungry, and in pain from an eye problem that would plague her throughout her life. Author Carol Bradley, an award-winning journalist, weaves Gracie’s story into her thorough and informative tale of American puppy mills. Packed with information, Saving Gracie chronicles the 2006 raid on a large Pennsylvania puppy mill where Gracie was one of 337 dogs removed to new lives. Bradley describes other puppy mill raids, tells the stories of heroic individuals who made these raids possible, and describes the scope of the problem and some of the ways dog lovers in Pennsylvania and nationwide are fighting the large-scale breeders who commit almost unimaginable cruelty in their greedy exploitation of dogs and pet-loving Americans. Saving Gracie could be a difficult read; Bradley does not sugarcoat anything and the conditions that puppy mill dogs endure are as heart wrenching as they are stomach-turning. Yet, somehow, the book seems hopeful. Gracie finds a home with a loving and incredibly patient single mom, Linda. Once Gracie becomes indisputably Linda’s dog, the family adds two more retired breeding dogs. As awareness of puppy mills grows, the HSUS, ASPCA, and lawmakers in several states are beginning to take action. So much more is needed, but Bradley ends the book with a hopeful epilogue that lists some early successes. Through her telling of Gracie’s story, and glimpses into the lives of other puppy mill rescues, Bradley explains the problems of puppy mill dogs, which begin with health problems but include lack of socialization, mistrust of humans, difficulty housebreaking, and a slew of behavioral problems that stem from the neglect and abuse the dogs suffered. While young puppies that are removed from the puppy mill escape the worst conditions early in their lives, they, too, suffer from health problems due to the filthy environment and congenital defects due to irresponsible breeding, and they are often poorly socialized. Bradley does not paint all large-scale breeders as evil, carefully distinguishing between responsible breeders and puppy mills, and explaining the differences. She exposes other horrors, such as puppy auctions, that many readers might not know about. Without being pedantic or preachy, Bradley tells readers how to find puppies from responsible sources and what to look for in deciding where to purchase a dog. One by one, dog lovers can make a difference by refusing to buy puppy mill dogs and by supporting efforts to eradicate puppy mills. Saving Gracie is a heartwarming story of one dog’s rescue and a call to action for all readers. Pamela S. Hogle is a freelance journalist and a service dog trainer. She lives in St. Petersburg, FL with her Golden Retrievers Jana and Oriel, and Wylie, a German Shepherd. Additional work by Pamela can be found at www.pamhogle.com.

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Who can say no to puppy kisses? Those little puppies in the pet stores are darling and irresistible. To help you resist them put the picture in your head of their parents in a cage, out in the freezing cold, covered with filth, and profoundly dejected - like the examples shown. YOU MIGHT THINK YOU ARE SAVING A PUPPY BUT... IF YOU BUY A PUPPY FROM A PET STORE, YOU ARE SUPPORTING THE PUPPY MILLS AND ALLOWING THEM TO KEEP BREEDING AND SELLING! FOR EVERY PUPPY YOU BUY~ THOUSANDS PERISH!

Just say no to that puppy in the window. Carr/Swayne Kennel This is Carr/Swayne Kennel in Lancaster County Pennsylvania. The kennel was in two locations. The top locations was an old barn with broken windows. There was no heat or air-conditioning. There was filth all over the barn. The bulldog who is lying dog in the cage is dead. The bulldog shown below was blind from a treatable eye problem. Another bulldog died from kidney failure that could have been treated if she had received timely medical care. She had six months of freedom and a good home before she passed on. The second location was the end of this old barn. It was a stone garage. There was no heat or air-conditioning. The windows were boarded up so when the garage door was closed it would have been pitch black inside. 41 dogs were crammed inside 7 kennels. This kennel was raided by the Mt Joy County Police Department and the dogs were confiscated. When the garage door was opened by the police, the smell was so overwhelming it made people who were there ill. The owners Charles Carr and Virginia Swayne were convicted and gave up rights to the dogs who were adopted into good homes. This kennel was licensed by and inspected by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture 118 BellaDOG Magazine

NOTE: Dogs in puppymills are debarked often by ramming a steel rod down their throats to ruputure their vocal cords.

Prisoner of Horrors in Nebraska This Prison of Horrors was owned by Arthur and Starla Snider in McGrew, Nebraska. According to the court records, when the Sniders moved away they left dogs behind. There were Yorkies and Maltese. The only food they left was horse food for the tiny dogs. We are told that they took 24 dogs with them. The sheriff seized the dogs that were left behind and charged the Snider’s with abandonment. They signed over ownership of the dogs. There were cages stacked on top of each other in a trailer. The dogs are in terrible condition - some of the worst we have ever seen. They clearly suffered serious abuse. They have all be debarked. People at auctions in the Midwest have promoted bebarking at several auctions last year. The millers are told that the cheap and easy way to do it is ram a steel rod down the dogs’ throats to rupture the vocal cords. Many of these dogs have broken jaws that we assume occurred during the debarking process. The Snider were convicted by the court in Western Nebraska.

NOTE: Female dogs are usually bred the first time they come into heat and are bred every heat cycle. They are bred until their poor worn out bodies can’t reproduce any longer and then they are killed. Often they are killed by being bashed in the head with a rock or shot. Sometimes they are sold to laboratories or dumped. This is often by the time they reach five years old.

NOTE: If the people refused to buy a puppy in a pet store, the misery of puppy mills would end. Please tell everyone you know about the puppymill and petstore connection. BellaDOG Magazine 119

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Nine things you can do to help

stop

puppy mills

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direct to pet stores) must be licensed and inspected by the USDA. Commercial breeders who sell direct to the public (via the Internet and classified ads) do not need to be licensed or inspected unless their state, county or city requires it. Additionally, many states have “Lemon Laws” for the sale of pets; they aim to protect consumers from purchasing sick animals. For a comprehensive list of your state’s dog laws, including breeder license and lemon law information, go to Michigan State University’s Animal Legal & Historical Center website: www.animallaw.info

7. Support legislation that

regulates and reduces breeding of animals.

Several websites are available to help people stay updated on legislation for all animal issues, including breeding: Animal Legal Defense Fund: www.aldf.org Animal Welfare Institute: http://www.awionline.org/ legislation Humane Society of the United States: http:// www.hsus.org/legislation_laws International Institute for Animal Law: www. animallaw.com

8. Don’t give up: 1. Join the Puppies Aren’t Products Coalition:

It’s free, fast, and you will become part of Best Friends Animal Society’s campaign to stop puppy mills and increase pet adoptions. To join, go to network.bestfriends.org/truth.

2. Speak up to the public:

Write letters to the editor about puppy mills, breeders who keep their animals in unacceptable conditions. Note how many ads for dogs, puppies, kittens and other animals there are in the paper’s classified section, while shelters overflow with unwanted pets. The Doris Day Animal League has a good guide for what to write and how to submit letters here: http://www.ddal.org/puppymills/action

3. Decrease demand for puppies:

We understand you may have your heart set on a puppy, or a particular breed. Don’t encourage puppy mills puppy mills by buying pets in stores! We guarantee that your next perfect is waiting for you at one of the thousands of shelters 120

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or rescue groups across the country—and they’re not hard to find if you take the time to look responsibly. First, visit your local shelter. If you don’t find the right pet there, rescue from online at www.petfinder.com. One can also find a dog by contacting a local breed rescue organization by searching www.google.com. Enter a city or state, the breed you are looking for, and the word “rescue.”

4. Tired of pet stores in your community?

Let them (and potential customers) know: For information on how to hold a peaceful rally in front of a pet store, go to: network.bestfriends.org/truth

5. Wear your opinion on your shirt:

Do you agree that puppies aren’t products to be manufactured in America’s puppy mills and sold in stores like inventory? Say so!

6. Know the laws:

Commercial dog breeders who sell wholesale (usually

Individuals and organizations have been fighting against puppy mills and bad pet breeders for decades. Thing won’t change overnight, but each little change makes a big difference. Even just educating one person about puppy mills, encouraging them to adopt rather than buy pets, accomplishment.

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is a great

9. Donate to the Puppies Aren’t Products Campaign:

100% of your donation will be used to fight puppy mills, and to give former puppy mill dogs a chance to have what all dogs deserve: safety, good care, happiness, and love from a family of her own.

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Done With Puppy Mills? Adopt A Shelter DOG!

Five Keys to Successfully Adopting

~Diane Laverdure

Unconditional love. Loyalty. Admiration. A best friend. A constant companion.

who will be happy snuggling on the couch with you while you watch old movies.

If this If this sounds good to you, then you just might be an excellent candidate to adopt a shelter dog.

Give Your New Dog Time to Adjust

Every year, three to four million dogs and cats are euthanized – simply because they are unwanted. By adopting a shelter dog, you can fill your home with love – and save a life. But adopting in haste is not only unwise of you; it is unfair to the dog. Fido, who thinks he has finally found his forever home, will end up dumped right back off at the shelter. This is one of the most traumatizing events that can happen to a shelter dog. Adopting a shelter dog, if approached with consideration and thoughtfulness, is a definite win-win scenario. If you’re thinking of adopting a dog, consider the following to ensure that your story has a happy ending:

Evaluate Your Home Environment

As excited as you are to bring your new shelter dog home, he will likely be confused, apprehensive and even scared. After all, you are taking him from an environment that he is used to (the shelter) and dropping him in a strange new place with new people. If he came from a background of abuse, this will only add to his stress level.

Every year, three to four million dogs and cats are euthanized - simply because they are unwanted. By adopting a shelter dog, you can fill your home with love -and save a life.

Adding to the stress and confusion is that fact that, all of a sudden, the rules will have changed on him. What was expected of him at the shelter (and possibly in his previous home) will not be what you expect. During this adjustment period, it’s not uncommon if your new dog doesn’t eat for a few days. He might even go a few days without going potty. Remember, the stress he is feeling will likely disrupt his system. This is normal. Be patient, show him love, and by all means don’t scold him if he doesn’t “do his thing” when you take him outside. Even if he is housebroken, his stress and confusion will likely lead to

scolded or punished for going on the furniture, it will take him time to understand that it is now okay and that you are not going to yell at him if he joins you for a little TV watching on the sofa.

Never let children sit on your new dog, pull his tail, grab him or otherwise taunt him. Overbearing kids could be just the catalyst that turns your new dog’s fear and stress into biting.

The key is to let your new companion get to know you at his own pace. Forcing yourself on him will only overwhelm and frighten him. Soon enough he will become comfortable with both you and his new surroundings – and before you know it he’ll be hogging the bed!

It’s also important not to let children go near the dog’s food or try to take his toys away from him, since that could also provoke him to snap.

Kids and Dogs: A Delicate Combination Just as you don’t want to force yourself on your new shelter dog, you also don’t want to overwhelm him when it comes to meeting his two-legged siblings.

The best rule of thumb is to introduce your kids to your new dog slowly, and always while supervised. And remember that respect is a two-way street. Your children need to respect your dog’s needs and fears just as much as he needs to respect theirs. All too many sweet, loving dogs have been banished to shelters (or worse) because their owners did not understand

Do you live in an apartment with no yard, or a big home with a fenced-in yard? It’s not fair to adopt a dog that requires a lot of exercise if you have a small yard (or no yard), and then become frustrated when he tears around your house trying to burn off energy.

accidents.

Likewise, if you have children, don’t expect your new dog to immediately warm up to being poked, pulled and prodded – especially if he’s not used to kids. It’s best to ask the shelter staff which dogs they recommend for children. Animal shelter staff tend to know the personality of their dogs very well, and can point you in the right direction.

Don’t Force Yourself on Your Shelter Dog

Try to put yourself in your new dog’s shoes (or rather, paws). How would you feel if you’d endured stress and hardship (and possibly even abuse) before finding the security of a shelter - only to be ripped away and thrown into a strange environment?

As tempting as it is to want to instantly bond with your new dog, it’s important to consider his past and understand that this will take time. Especially if your dog is not a puppy, you are probably not his first owner, and you don’t know the rules under which he previously lived. You might want him to cuddle with you on the couch, but if he was previously

Dogs are very resilient and adaptable creatures, and with the proper show of love and patience, your new canine companion will learn to trust you. And when he does, it will have been worth all the time and effort. You will have the most loyal, loving friend you could have ever asked for – and you will have saved a life.

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Once your new pet understands that he is safe in his “forever home”, he will relax and quickly become a part of the family.

This is “Jack”, a 2 time shelter dog now loved by Linda Hewitson and her family!

Practice Patience and Love

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Compassion Fatigue

Emotional Burnout in the Animal Care Field

~Colleen Mihelich, Founder, Peternity.com

The “double-edged sword” phenomenon of working in the animal care industry – you’ve dedicated your life to making a positive difference for animals, but the emotional stress is draining, exhausting and taking a toll on you. You can’t imagine doing anything else with your life, but outside of your work, do you have a life? You work in the animal care industry, not necessarily because you’ve chosen to, but because it’s chosen you. You cannot exist without doing all that you can to care for and save animals. You love what you do, but the heartbreak and emotional strain on you is sometimes too much to bear. There is a term for all of this, it’s called Compassion Fatigue (further referenced as CF) and it is normal, and very real.

friends, a life that feels out of balance, rides on emotional rollercoasters, and anger towards people in general for the terrible ways in which they treat animals. According to Dr. Robert G. Roop, President of the Humane Society University and author of Compassion Fatigue in the

end-of-life situations though. Here are some interesting and very surprising facts about Compassion Fatique: 1) Females have only slightly higher CF scores 2) CF has nothing to do with the number of years you’ve been working in the animal care field 3) CF has no correlation to age 4) CF is only minimally related to euthanasia. Anyone in the animal care community can “get” CF, and Dr. Roop specifically uses the word “get” as a reminder that no one is born with CF. It is something that develops, and it can develop in anyone who is involved in a care giving relationship. CF is the “cost of caring for others in emotional pain”. The concept and study of CF developed out of the field of traumatology and falls under the category of Secondary Traumatic Stress Disorder (STSD). We’ve all heard the term Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), especially with the number of returning soldiers from the Middle East. With PTSD the symptoms are directly connected to the person who is suffering and experiencing the traumatic stress firsthand. The symptoms of STSD are pretty much identical to PTSD with the difference being that the “exposure to knowledge about a traumatizing event is experienced by a significant other.” PTSD is about the absorption of someone else’s pain and suffering. You are like a full sponge that cannot absorb any more pain and suffering.

Not only does CF dominate your professional life, but it always rears its head in your personal life – sleepless nights, exhaustion, acute sadness, depression, isolation from Animal-Care Community, CF is most prevalent in the animal care field than in any other field. Why is this? He believes that it is the sheer volume of animals, of beings, that animal care workers deal with on a daily basis. Unlike physicians for humans, or psychologists or counselors, people in the animal care field, specifically in shelters and rescues, can be caring for up to 500 animals a day in some cases. The number of lives and suffering that one is exposed to is much higher than in human care fields. This creates a burden on the heart and soul of the caregiver. Everyone responds differently to these stressors and everyone has different coping skills available to them. CF is not exclusive to those dealing with euthanasia and

So how do you balance the happy (Compassion Satisfaction - CS) and the sad (Compassion Fatigue)? The happy is the satisfaction and fulfillment that you get through working with animals, the reason why you got into the industry in the first place, right? But it comes with so much sadness, pain and often frustration. You need to start to pay closer attention to, and take better care of your own needs so that you can make more room in your life for the Compassion Satisfaction. As someone dedicated to a field where you’re caring for others in need, you naturally put the animals’ well being before your own.

What would you say the ratio of happy experiences is to sad experiences are in this field of work? Even if you’re more heavily weighted towards happier experiences, according to Stephen P. Robbins, author of Organizational Behavior, “people reflect and think about events inducing negative emotions 5 times as long as they do about events inducing strong positive emotions.” It is simply human nature. We replay negative and traumatizing events over and over in our minds. There is a debilitating and negative effect on our emotions and our stress levels when we reexperience the trauma in these replays in our minds. You love what you do (Compassion Satisfaction) but . . . . . . it hurts you (Compassion Fatigue) BellaDOG Magazine

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But as we all intuitively know, we don’t have much to give if we don’t keep the love and generosity that we have inside nurtured, enriched and replenished. In devoting ourselves to others, we can easily lose ourselves. CF is what we experience when we are out of balance from caring for others more than we care for ourselves. Here are some pointers to start to bring your caring and giving nature back to focus on yourself.

1. You are a hero doing some of the most difficult and most important work for animals. Honor yourself and feel proud of the difference you are making. Know and recognize that you are an active part of the solution. 2. Take a look at “why” you’re so dedicated to helping animals. Be sure that you’re not putting the animals’ welfare before your own. You need to take care of yourself first. If you don’t take care of yourself, you’ll have nothing left to give to the animals. 3.

Practice creating emotional boundaries. You need to protect yourself from the toxins of others’ emotional pain. When you take on others’ problems and pain as your own, you are much less able to help them with their pain and suffering, the very thing that originally set out to do!

Carve out the time in your life to relax and play. This may sound undoable, but it’s imperative to your well being. Do you have any hobbies? Cultivate activities and interests outside of your work, which have nothing to do with your work. You need to recharge your batteries and rejuvenate your soul.

We all have our own issues. Work on identifying yours and you’ll find your emotional attachment to your work begin to ease. Many of us are drawn to the 126

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animal care field out of our love for the animals, but also because we have also suffered abuse, abandonment or neglect in our own lives. It’s important to face our own pain and to be careful of not becoming addicted to helping heal others instead of ourselves. It’s okay to seek professional counseling if you needed.

6. You can handle strong emotions. You don’t need to avoid them, you need to process them. Sorrow, anguish, anger, rage, and guilt are going to be ever present in your feelings and they will be released – they will not overtake or destroy you. If you deny them they will fester and lead you to burnout. 7.

Accept both your reality and your own limitations. As much as you’d love to, you can’t save every animal. We can each make a difference one animal at a time, and you’re most probably doing an amazing job at that every day.

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Find out more information about Compassion Fatigue or to join The Compassion Fatigue Awareness Project Forum, visit www.compassionfatigue.org. Here, you can collaborate with other Project associates and stay connected to the CFAP community. If you think you may be a Compassion Fatigue sufferer, you can visit the Professional Quality of Life - Compassion Satisfaction, Compassion Fatigue and Secondary Traumatic Stress website and take the Compassion Fatigue Self-Test and be on your way to awareness and help for a better tomorrow. http://www.proqol.org/ProQol_Test.html

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