BellaDOG Magazine Premiere 2010 by BellaDOG Magazine

BellaDOG MAGAZI NE

It’s A Dog-Gone Beautiful Life!

Travel with Hair Does Your DOG Need A Psychiatrist?

Joint Care For the Arthritic Dog

Chef K9

What Doggy’s Would Eat if They Could Cook!

Dog Friendly Coasts and places to frolic

Euthanasia

May the TRUTH help set them free!

10 Pages of Cool Stuff Worth Barking About!

15 LEGS

Steppin Out

When all that stands between death and freedom is a ride!

Coconut Oil

The Newfoundland

with some dapper dogs & their people in Sunny FLA

The Newest Miracle in A Jar!

Premiere Issue BellaDOGmagazine.com

$5.95 USA/$6.95 CANADA Premiere 2010

“A Dog of the Sea”

PATROL Dogs

Dedicated to Avalanche Rescue and Education Featuring Photographer

Keoki Flagg

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: GULFDOG for 20% off any purchases made through 12/31/2009

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

•

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

•

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 80

A BREED Apart

Singing The Praises of Apple Cider Vinegar

Fido Friendly Travel!

Baby, It’s Cold Outside!

Winter Wonderland For Dogs

Antifreeze Poisoning In Our Pets

Travel Advice For You & Your Dog

Patrol Dogs - Dedicated to Avalanche Rescue and Education

36 40

Pups On Patrol

marnie mcarthur

The Doc Is In: Dogs Can Benefit From Seeing A Psychiatrist

angelica steinker, M.Ed., CDBC, PDBC, CAP2

Stop, Lock & Walk - The Dangers of The Retractable Leash sara stauffer

Releash Me

Tid Bits of Fun Information about DOGS!

Love My GPS

A DOG’s EYE View

A Little Shop That Love Built

Bubba Rose

Chef K9 - What Doggy’s Would Eat If They Could Cook!

DOG Bites 12

Stuff We Need To Know!

The Yin and Yang of Food

Joint Care for the Arthritic Dog

Dr. Tracy Lord, DVM

Jean Scherwenka HERBSMITH NATURALS

Coconut Oil - The Miracle in a Jar!

shannon cloversettle BellaDOG Magazine

walkeez harness

A New solution for pet safety

shannon cloversettle

SPREAD - Nouveau Comfort Food

106

Roxy’s Cookies

San Diego, CA

A Recipe for You To Make at Home

HUMANE Hearts

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

ANDASMALLDOG.COM

110

Move On? No Way! The Truth About Michael Vick

116

Chance - A Lost Dog Worth Saving!

118

Pedigree Dogs Exposed

122

Pet Rescue Transport

124

Euthanasia - May The Truth Set Them Free

christie keith

the BARKING Section

Woo Hoo - Get Me This Stuff!

L eather - Cool Collars & Leashes

Stuff We Like! You will too! HEMP Is Good - Get Some GREEN DOGS Green Earth

Doggie STYLE

Cool Designer Duds!

Lady Grey Couture Downtown Doggy Australian Design A Tail of Two Hand-Made Designer Jewelry

Stacey Thomas

Imperial college of london

Gary Borland

Norma Bennett Woolf

PAW Prints

Pet Artists We Love!

Lauren Smith

A Passionate Florida Artist

Doggie Biscuit company

stacey thomas

106

Fort Desoto Beach, St. Petersburg, FLA Lost Coast House, Petrolia, CA Singing Beach, Manchester-By-The-Sea

Marc Goldberg, CDT Michelle Masters

Story & photos by keoki flagg

“The Dog Of The Sea”

Dr. Jeannie Thomason, VND

ron hines, dvm, phd

Treats and Recipes For Your Four Legged Friends!

The Newfoundland

TRAVEL with HAIR

DROOL Worthy YUMs

Our Featured Dog Breed!

Food Ingredients To Avoid because they’re bad!

Steppin OUT

Dogs and Their People Hang Out in Pet Friendly Locations!

Florida Pet Parents and Their Dapper Dogs Celebrating Florida’s Gulf Coast

“Oliver” by Sheri-lyn Shepler

BellaDOG Magazine

BellaDOG MAGAZI NE

Publishers Scott R. Traylor & Sheri-lyn Shepler

Solid Gold Continues to Lead the Way, While other dog food companies follow

For Advertising inquiries call (813) 786-8855 For Subscription inquiries call (941) 708-9500 email: subscriptions@BellaDOGmagazine.com Purchase on the web: www.BellaDOGmagazine.com

In 1975-1976, Solid Gold introduced the first natural organic dog food in the US. A year later, the FDA came to us and declared that there was no such thing as a natural dog food. We informed them that Hund-n-Flocken (meaning dog food flakes in German) had been a top seller in Germany for about 20 years. Up until that time, dog food was made from the left-overs from other companies that produced a variety of products. Rather than dumping left-over soybeans, wheat and corn, these dog food companies put them into dog food. But dogs are allergic to soybeans (asometimes called lecithin) wheat and corn. It makes them chew at the root of the tail and lick their feet. When the feet are irritated or swollen, the saliva is soothing. However, constant licking causes bacterial irritation. Vet bills are expensive, so it’s best to prevent this problem in the first place. Solid Gold dog foods contain none of these allergy causing grains. Hund-n-Flocken uses amaranth, millet and barley – the non-allergic grains. We never use animal/poultry fat. These are rancid fats which may cause cancer. From the Pittsburg Post Gazette, August 12, 2009 – the FDA said most likely fats in pet food contain euthanized dogs and cats and the vestiges of the euthanizing drug Pentobarbital. Many times, the poisonous flea collars haven’t even been removed before the bodies are ground up as animal fat and put into dog food. Solid Gold doesn’t use animal/poultry fat. They use canola oil or flaxseed oil but never sunflower oil which the Swedish National Cancer Institute found caused a 69% increase in cancer. Several years ago, Solid Gold introduced wild caught Alaskan salmon into its line. Our salmon line is Just a Wee Bit (pink bag) for the small mouth. Our salmon line for the larger dog is Wolf King and Wolf Cub. We combined salmon and free-range bison. The owner of Solid Gold flew to Alaska to personally interview the fishermen. The company that was chosen was very unique. They were “hook and line” fishermen. That means that if the salmon were small, they were thrown back. Several years later, other dog food companies copied up and began to put salmon into their dog food. Unfortunately, they didn’t care about preserving the future. Huge nets scooped up everything. About a year ago, we received a notice from the Fish and Game Department that we could no longer get wild Alaskan salmon – the large nets had them all fished out. The Department said we would have to use farmed salmon. NEVER!! 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. It doesn’t bother other companies to use this salmon. They still mislead the public and call it wild-caught Alaskan salmon. Solid Gold doesn’t use deception! We now get Atlantic salmon. It is flash frozen so we don’t have to use the chemical preservative, ethoxyquin – which is the rubber stabilizer for the tires on your car. Unfortunately, ethoxyquin is not listed in the ingredients on the labels. For three years, we negotiated using buffalo which are free-range, with no chemicals and no hormones used. Now, I see that some other dog food company has recently announced that in a few months they will put buffalo in their food. Some other points – if you see an ingredient on some dog food bags listing chicken-by-products, it’s beak, feet and feathers. If you see “digest” listed, it is the manure inside the intestines and the whole guts are used. Beet pulp is sugar beet pulp. The word sugar is left out to fool the public into thinking that red beets are used. Red beets have no pulp. If you are feeding animal/poultry fat, it is rancid and may give the dogs diarrhea. So, the sugar is put in to firm up the rotten fat. Of course, feeding sugar at every meal may result in the dog getting diabetes, epilepsy, allergies and heart or immunity problems. A red tinge to a dark coat may result in anemia from the sugar. Bladder stones or struvite crystals may also occur. Solid Gold is unlike other dog food companies. We are committed to telling the truth about our ingredients and want to give your dog and cat the best possible food to help them live a healthy life. We feel we must answer to a higher power.

Dealer Inquiries BellaDOG Magazine is available at a discount for resale in retail shops and through various organizations. Call (941) 708-9500

Now for our cute story. Did you know that the Ancient Chinese word for eclipse is shih, which means “to eat.” If an eclipse was occurring, the people traditionally beat drums and banged pots to scare off the “heavenly dogs” believed to be devouring the sun.

Editor In Chief & Art Director Sheri-lyn Shepler Director of Marketing and Advertising Shannon Cloversettle shannon@BellaDOGmagazine.com (813) 786-8855 Volunteer Correspondent for Developing Nations Davide Ulivieri Contributors Angelica Steinker, Gary Borland, Cerissa Dillow Dr. Jeannie Thomason, Dr. Tiffany Rimar, Keoki Flagg Sara Stauffer, Stacey Thomas Photography Keoki Flagg www.gallerykeoki.com Simply Spotted Photo www.simplyspottedphoto.com WebMaster Benjamin Gordon - VIDI Capital Partners www.vidicapital.com Exclusively Distributed by Source Interlink Companies ““I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive.” ~ Gilda Radner Cover Shot “Rasco” by Keoki Flagg Rasco is an elite member of The Squaw Valley Ski Patrol Avalanche Rescue Dog Team. The team trained with and met the high standards of the Canadian Avalanche Rescue Dog Association. Rasco and 3 of his teammates represented Squaw in honor of the 50th anniversary of the 1960 Squaw Valley Winter Olympic Games - the only invitation to such a group from the United States. See more of Rasco and other rescue dogs photographed by award winning photographer, Keoki Flagg on page 36. Letters to the editor to: sheri@BellaDOGmagazine.com

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! 6

BellaDOG Magazine

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

Friday, June 15th

Somewhere In Your City!

Show Off your Pet Pride to benefit the Rescue Organizations in Your Neck of the Woods! Plan Your Own PET PRIDE PARADE, Hang with Friends, Eat, Drink and be Happy! Because It's "Prideâ&#x20AC;? and You'r Proud of Your Pets! Sponsored & Created by BellaDOG Magazine Call (941) 708-9500 for more information 8

BellaDOG Magazine

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

Bella

Caya

Two years have passed since the initial inception of The GulfCoast DOG Magazine here in Southwest Florida where I reside with my Fiance, Scott Traylor, three Chocolate Labs and a silly little Mutt. My undying and lifelong passion for DOGS, a background in photography, graphic design and years of animal rescue involvement all came together in a single moment and allowed an idea of an upscale DOG Magazine to blossom. Together, Scott and I have created a high quality, hip and informative resource for all of our fellow pooch enthusiasts. The GulfCoast DOG allowed us to step up on our soap box and teach pet parents to take a closer look at what they feed their dogs, how they are taken care of in the home as well as the vets office, how to get involved and take a stand for animals in need and how to enjoy every moment with their beloved four legged friends. We believe education is the key to solving many serious issues in our animal world so we dig for the truth and bring it to you on the pages of our magazine. We take great pride in featuring fantastic artists and cutting edge products new to the market and show them to you in a fun, whimsical fashion.

Miss Molly

The response to The GulfCoast DOG has been amazing. The readers have been barking up a storm and our subscription base has grown by leaps and bounds... which brings us to the point we are at today… the premiere issue of BellaDOG Magazine!

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

So turn the pages and immerse yourself in the spectacular photographs of avalanche rescue dogs by featured award winning photographer, Keoki Flagg. Learn about the wonders of coconut oil and how to balance the Yin and Yang in food. Keep your pup safe by brushing up on the dangers of anti-freeze and the hidden hazards of your retractable leash. Be inspired to take a compassionate stand against the horrors of euthanasia, the secret manipulations of pedigree canines, and the cruelty of dog fighting. These are just a sampling of the topics covered in this issue.

It’s A Dog-Gone Beautiful Life! Enjoy It with your dogs!

BellaDOG Magazine

Kim Butler

Cerissa Dillow

Jeannie Thomason, VND

www.imagesbyglb.com

www.simplyspottedphoto.net

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! www.saltypaws.com

Dr. Tiffany Rimar

Sara Stauffer

Angelica Steinker

Stacey Thomas

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.

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.tarponanimalhospital.com

www.IslandDogOutfitters.com

www. angelasteinker.com

www.HALOplanet.org

Gary has been a Doberman lover and owner for over 30 years and is very active with Doberman Rescue (GCDR) and other animal rescue organizations around the country. He also helps with pet transports whenever he can, helping shelter dogs get into foster care or new adoptive homes. He donates much of his time to creating and updating websites and marketing materials for various animal groups. He is a talented photographer as well as a published writer.

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

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

As a tribute to our roots, this edition will have plenty of Florida flavor. Our Steppin’ Out section includes several Florida natives out and about with their best furry pals at dog friendly boutiques, eateries, beaches hotels and vacation spots. We are always on the look out for new folks to photograph while hanging out with their canines so you’ll never know when we’ll show up in your neck of the woods!

I hope you will find the dynamic stories and enlightening articles as thought provoking as I do. It brings me great pleasure to have you as a reader on this exciting new journey of BellaDOG Magazine.

Please Love Your Dogs!

Gary Borland

Sheri-lyn Shepler

Tiffany is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and was awarded certification in 2005 by the Chi-Institute and the China National Society of TCVM. She was the first ever intern in TCVM in the U.S. at the University of Florida. Dr. Rimar teaches basic acupuncture principles and techniques as well as advanced techniques and labs at the Chi Institute. Dr Rimar is also an associate editor for the American Journal of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine and lectures TCVM principles and acupuncture techniques.

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.

BellaDOG Magazine

D o g B i t e s

Work With Animals

The pet industry now has its own job posting site www.AnimalJobHunter.com. The new, user-friendly website is designed to connect individuals searching for new pet-related career opportunities and employers looking for qualified candidates to fill open positions. “With more than 35 years of experience in the pet industry, we understand the importance of matching the needs of employers with qualified candidates while providing exciting career opportunities,” said the company in written statement. “... www.AnimalJobHunter.com is dedicated to becoming a leading resource in the very important, but often overlooked, pet industry.” Job opportunities will be posted in the following categories: Pet Supply - companies involved in the pet supply sector such as collars, leashes, beds, clothing, litter, etc. Pet Food - companies who manufacture and sell pet food and treats. Pet Service - pet retailers, veterinarians, groomers, kennels, dog walkers, etc., who provide a service to pet owners.

New iPhone Application

that benefits animal rescue organizations called Rescue Cleaner and it’s the only one of more than 100,000 apps on the Apple iTunes App Store that benefits animal rescue organizations. It features videos of six dogs, two cats and a ferret that are put to work inside your mobile device cleaning your screen with their tongues!

Our outreach programs refute violent methods of dog and cat population control, promoting spay and neuter instead as the only viable, long term solution to the tragedy of homeless pets.

Animals that star in Rescue Cleaner are rescue dogs and cats, none of which were harmed in any way during the making of the application. iPhone owners should take note that the animals are not actually touching the screen, so the drool used in production of the videos will not cause water damage to the device. :)

“Whether across town or across the border, if we can help, we have a moral obligation to do so...”

Price per download is only $1.99 from the iTunes App Store www.itunes.com

Adults who use pet therapy while recovering from total joint-replacement surgery require 50 percent less pain medication than those who do not. These findings were presented at the 18th Annual Conference of the International Society of Anthrozoology and the First Human Animal Interaction Conference (HAI) in Kansas City,

Don’t smile at any dog that you feel may be dangerous. To him, you would be baring your teeth as a sign of agression. BellaDOG Magazine

By pedaling with no support vehicles, we wish to duplicate the hardships that strays experience on a daily basis throughout their lives, educating the public about responsible pet ownership and the need to be compassionate towards unwanted animals.

For more information on the Draper Knitting Company, visit their website at www.draperknitting.com.

Pet Therapy

A non competitive fund raising event, Cycle 4 Strays is dedicated to advancing the rights of homeless companion animals in developing nations.

Dogs and cats at shelters in Massachusetts will be a little warmer this winter, thanks to the donation of warm fabric and the generosity of the Draper Knitting Company. The textile manufacturer has donated almost $25,000 worth of fabric to shelters, and the fabric is being used as blankets, dog coats, comforters and animal beds.

For more info, go to: www.AnimalJobHunter.com.

Who Are You Smiling At?

Mission Statement:

Draper Canine Gives Back

Most Popular DOG Name

The top name for female dogs in 2009 was Bella!

We will pedal for 5,000 kms from Utah to Costa Rica, stopping in every village and every shelter to bring a message of hope where it is needed the most: developing nations.

CAUTION!!!

The Great Pyrenees dogs are so sensitive to anesthesia that it can kill them. Great caution is required for any surgery for this breed.

Are we on or are we on!

A Pet In Your Life Keeps The Doctor Away

Lowers blood pressure, encourages exercise, improves psychological health - these may sound like the effects of a miracle drug, but they are actually among the benefits of owning a four-legged, furry pet.

Road! On The

Follow the ride on Twitter! http://twitter.com/ davide4animals

Please sponsor us! Your tax deductible donation will ensure that the McKee Foundation may continue with its population control strategy, promoting a proven and cost effective way to humanely lower the amount of dogs and cats living on the street. If you wish to donate to the C4S Fund for Haiti, go to the donation page (www.firstgiving.org/ cycle4strays) and earmark your donation “For the Furry Wanderers of Haiti” in the comment section. C4S will then route your funds to the outreach effort. Thank you for caring and for all your offers to help. BellaDOG Magazine

D o g B i t e s

BellaDOG Magazine’s 2nd Annual

The

Microwavable Treat 4 Pets!

Sarasota/Bradenton International Convention Center Sarasota, FL 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 For Exhibitor & Sponsorship Information Call (941) 708-9500 or Visit Us Online at www.BellaDOGmagazine.com

visit us @ Globa l Pet Expo Booth #371

SAVE THE DATE! Saturday, October 23rd, 2010

2 Organic mixes 1 Re-Usable Microwave Pan

1-888-777-2065

www.BellaDOGmagazine.com

www.mypupcakes2go.com visit u s @ Glob al Pe t Exp o Booth #371

visit us @ Global Pet Expo Booth #371

Pet Extravaganza

The Yin and Yang of food

D O G S

~ Dr. Tracy Lord D.V.M

E Y E

warming or hot foods will affect the entire body as well. Foods, like bodies, all have BOTH yin and yang properties, but some have more of one and some more of the other. Warming foods are often used to aid digestion. They can also improve circulation and may help ease the pain of arthritis if it is worse in cold weather. Cooling foods will calm the mind and cool the body. They can also be useful when inflammation is a problem. Neutral foods are the harmonizers of the diet and are often added to balance or temper the more extreme qualities of other foods. EXAMPLES OF WARMING FOODS: tuna, turkey, salmon, lamb, venison, chicken, chicken liver, shrimp, trout, oats, cabbage, squash, kale, quinoa, dried ginger, Sweet Potato

v i e w

EXAMPLES OF COOLING FOODS: clams, duck, egg, tofu, pork, millet, barley, wheat, whole wheat bread, lettuce, celery, broccoli, spinach, tomato, kelp, banana, Flax Seed Oil, Marjoram, Peppermint, Salt, Sesame Oil, Yogurt, Chicken Egg Whites EXAMPLES OF NEUTRAL FOODS: beef, beef liver, chicken gizzards, rabbit, sardine, string beans, aduki beans, kidney

One of the most important things that we can do for pets

is to feed them properly, and while it is not that difficult to achieve a balanced diet, it is a bit more complex when we use food to help achieve optimal health. In Traditional Chinese medicine, foods are looked at much like herbs. Foods can heal. Foods can balance or unbalance the body. All foods have energetic properties, and the foods you feed your pet will affect their constitution, their affect, and can help to alleviate or exasperate personality traits, disease symptoms, and behaviors. Hot natured pets will tend to do better with cooling or neutral foods as cold natured pets will do better with neutral to warming foods. Thus the question of what foods are best to feed my pet is not a “one size fits all” answer. The first thing you need to do is to determine whether your pet is hot or cold natured.

The yin and yang of pets Some characteristics of a hot natured, yang, animal …. These animals are often nervous and on edge. They may have a red tongue, pant excessivly and seek cool floors on which to lie. Often you will note that these animals have very poor energy in summer heat, and show signs of excessive thirst. They will avoid warm beds, couches 16

BellaDOG Magazine

or carpets. These animals tend to get more acute, sudden illnesses with intense symptoms which go as quickly as they came.

Some characteristics of a cold natured, yin, animal …… These animals will be cool, calm and collected. They may have a pale tongue which is often wet. They may prefer warm places to sleep, or wish to be covered or cuddled for warmth. These animals generally do not like to be out in the winter but will bake themselves in the sun or in front of the fire place until you fear they may combust. Cold natured animals tend to be more slow moving and sleepy and may catch colds frequently.

beans, yam, polenta, rice, corn, rye, potato, beet, turnip, carrot, eggs, cod, brown rice In addition to their thermal properties, foods can moisten or dry, clear excesses or stimulate in cases of deficiency. FOODS THAT MOISTEN: potato, sardines, tofu, wheat, pork, mussel, citrus, barley, string beans, sugar, yeast, wheat, saturated fats, dairy products, bread, bananas FOODS THAT DRY: (Signs of dampness include stiffness (worse in damp weather), obesity, weepy lesions without heat, and loose stool, phlegm include Stinky greasy dog coat, “Dog smell”, goopy eyes, ear discharges, hot spots, gooey cough) lettuce, turnip, asparagus, amaranth, Basil, Peppermint, Rosemary, Apple, Grapefruit Peel, Lemon Peel, Orange Peel rye, mackerel, celery, garlic, Clam, Crab, Lobster, Shrimp This is only the tip of the iceburg so far as the true qualities of foods go. Before choosing or changing a diet for your pet always consult with your veterinarian for recommendations and understand that each body is different. The simple question…what is the best diet for my pet?…. there may not be a simple answer.

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The temperature of foods Food also has tendencies toward yin or yang. The temperature or thermal nature of foods does not refer to the temperature at which the food is served, but the way the food makes the body feel once consumed. Cooling foods can cool both the body and the psyche. Conversely BellaDOG Magazine

v i e w

Joint Care for the Arthritic Dog

~ Jean Scherwenka

The two bone endings come together in a joint capsule filled with joint fluid. Ideally, the joint fluid is thick and viscous, on the order of karo syrup, and provides a nice cushion between the bones to prevent them from touching. The cartilage of the bone endings is filled with nerve fibers, so if those bones do touch, there is pain. When you see Spot run, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pushing off on his hind leg, and that pushing tends to bring those two bone endings in his joint capsule closer together. Â Â Â A joint inflamed with arthritis (where an obstruction of Qi has occurred), releases enzymes that decrease the thickness and viscosity of the joint fluid. Spotâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s thin and watery joint fluid can no longer provide that great protective cushion, so his bone endings may touch and rub and cause pain along with joint deterioration. Â Â Â How it develops can determine when it shows up. If itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a genetic issue, arthritis could show up as early as two or three years of age. If arthritis develops from an unresolved trauma, it would depend on when the animal suffered the injury. Dogs who lead really active lifestyles (such as herding, obedience, agility, sled or hunting dogs) will probably show signs by the time theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re seven, eight or nine. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â

D O G S E Y E v i e w

Chinese herbal formulas can relieve the symptoms of arthritis recognized by Western medicine, while also getting to the root of the problem from the Chinese perspective. Â Â Â Western herbs are usually used singly, but Chinese herbs are always used in combination, where several herbs work in synergy with one another. Each individual herb is not as strong as the sum of the parts, but together they can resolve problems without any negative side effects. Â Â Â If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re considering Chinese herbs for your companion, consult a veterinarian trained in Chinese medicine.Â Choose formulas containing only pure botanicals. When buying herbal products for your pet, select those made specifically for animals. Human formulas will work, but animal formulas work even better.

A D O G S E Y E v i e w

Lily was trained for agility work. â&#x20AC;&#x153;She was my performance pooch, and she also herded my sheep,â&#x20AC;? says certified pet dog trainer Jan Blue, â&#x20AC;&#x153;so she did a lot of fast stopping and starting.â&#x20AC;? When she was less than seven years old, the Australian shepherd started limping occasionally. Jan gave her oral MSM and glucosamine, along with liquid glucosamine injections, but the limp continued. The vet diagnosed arthritis in Lilyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s front limbs, curtailed her activities, and prescribed a Chinese herbal formula. Soon after starting the herbs, Lily stopped limping. Today, Lily takes her herbs and glucosamine every day. Though more than ten years old, sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s still catching Frisbees and balls and working the sheep. Â Â Â If you love an animal that suffers from arthritis, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got lots of company. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I would say 60-70% of the dogs in my practice have arthritis of some form,â&#x20AC;? says holistic veterinarian and Herbsmith Inc. founder Chris Bessent, DVM, who also uses Chinese herbs for these patients. Â Â Â The principles of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) focus on resolving the root of an animalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s problem, which then naturally relieves the symptoms. In addition to seeing the same symptoms recognized by Western 18

BellaDOG Magazine

medicine, TCVM sees arthritis or joint pain as a local obstruction in the flow of Qi (chi), the life energy that circulates throughout the body. When thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an obstruction of Qi flow through a joint, pain occurs. Â Â Â The life energy or Qi moves along meridians or pathways in the body, similar to power lines. These meridians form a network for Qi to travel along and direct blood and other bodily fluids that maintain the animalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life. A cat or dog has 12 meridians on each side of his body, with a liver meridian on the left and one on the right, both traveling up the insides of his hind legs and connecting deeply with the liver itself. Â Â Â The animal may experience an obstruction of Qi due to injury, overuse, or a genetic pre-disposition. This Qi stasis or blockage will always cause a health problem, and when the blockage is at a joint, the problem is arthritis. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A joint is the hinge-like meeting place between two bones that provides a smooth and lubricated surface for rotating or moving sideways, up or down,â&#x20AC;? writes holistic vet Dr. Cheryl Schwartz in her book Four Paws Five Directions. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Joints include bone, cartilage, ligaments and sometimes tendons.â&#x20AC;? Â Â Â

Dr. Chris Bessent is a practicing holistic veterinarian in Wisconsin. She is also the founder of Herbsmith Inc., a company that produces Chinese herbal blends for pets, including the formula given to the dog mentioned in this article: Herbsmith Soothe Joints. For more information call (800) 624-6429 or visit w w w.h erbsmit hinc.com

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Coconut Oil

D O G S

The key to receiving the full health benefits of coconut oil is to find the absolute best quality available.

The Newest Miracle in A Jar!

~Shannon Cloversettle

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There are many ways to produce coconut oil, and they’re not all the same. So buyer beware: make sure that the coconut oil is raw, organic and virgin. Also, make an effort to purchase coconut oil in a glass jar versus plastic or other packaging. Plastic chemicals can leak into the oil; oils can swell polyethylene, and therefore some of this substance may leak into the oil. With so many brands of coconut oil out there, how do you know which will deliver the full health benefits? Do your homework. There are many varieties of coconut oil, in a range of prices and quality. Be prepared to pay more for a higher-quality oil, but the cost is well worth it. One such brand is CocoTherapy Coconut Oil. Don’t be fooled. Although packaged for pets, this top-shelf oil is actually human-grade coconut oil. The pet labeling helps in providing dosing information specifically for animals.

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The founders of CocoTherapy, sisters Charisa Antigua and Carmina O’Connor, have been using coconut oil for years and know all too well the benefits of coconut oil.

I call it my miracle in a jar: coconut oil. Many people are under the impression coconut oil is unhealthy, when in fact; this underappreciated miracle in a jar offers a wealth of beneficial properties. As a medium-chain fatty acid, coconut oil is used immediately in the body as energy without circulating into the bloodstream as fat, and it contains no cholesterol. Okay, so what does this mean for Fido? For starters, coconut oil is great at fighting germs because it is chock full of lauric acid. Lauric acid is famous for its anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal properties. That’s right, coconut oil can kill harmful bacteria, viruses, yeast, fungi and parasites. It stimulates and strengthens the immune system, and acts as 20

BellaDOG Magazine

an anti-inflammatory. This miracle in a jar kills ear mites, supports a healthy intestinal system, and when mixed with honey can help cure tracheobronchitis. Simply put, coconut oil is an all-purpose infection fighter. Is your dog a little over weight? Add coconut oil to his food and it will help improve the thyroid function and naturally balance hormones, as well as promote healthy skin and coat. Do your dog’s paws smell like corn chips or are their ears inflamed and always dirty? Fido may be experiencing a common digestive system yeast infection (also called Candida). The anti-fungal properties of coconut oil will kill the Candida, and can be used regularly to promote and maintain a strong immune system. In The Coconut Oil Miracle, author Bruce Fife, ND, explains, “Taking coconut oil daily is like a daily inoculation. It will help prevent your dog from becoming infected.”

Maggie, Carmina’s dog, was diagnosed with “Borderline Hypothyroidism”. “In borderline cases, the conventional treatment is to provide the pet with a small thyroid supplement for 30 days just to see if he improves”, reported Carmina. However, there are risks in this approach. If thyroxine levels become too high, other body organs can be damaged. Not prepared to take this risk and with the advice of a holistic vet, Carmina added coconut oil to Maggie’s diet, as coconut oil is known to balance and regulate the thyroid. She then had Dr. Jean Dodds, the foremost authority on Canine Hypothyroidism at “Hemopet”, run her thyroid tests. Carmina is thrilled to report that Maggie’s result showed that she no longer had Borderline Hypothyroidism.” There are many other success stories from people who have witnessed the miracle of coconut oil through their pets. The CocoTherapy Facebook page, a medium where animal lovers go to learn and discuss everything related to coconuts is littered with coconut oil success stories from pet owners. One woman reported that her Cocker Spaniel was plagued with constant, recurring ear infections and had been on antibiotic drops for a long time. Following the advice of a natural pet store owner, she tried using coconut oil on her dog. With regular use, her ear condition cleared up and according to the owner, “smells sweet now”.

Another man reported that his since giving his dog coconut oil, his dog’s constant scratching and allergies have subsided. The man shared that he could see a difference in his dog, after giving coconut oil regularly. Another woman was ecstatic when the coconut oil helped to clear up her dog’s tear-stained eyes. Her white dog had terrible red tear stains that went beyond her cheeks. Hesitant to use eye products containing antibiotics, her vet recommended that she use CocoTherapy coconut oil, as it has anti-fungal, anti-bacteria, anti-virus and anti-yeast properties. Not only has the red stains on her eyes cleared up, the red stains on her paws, from her chewing them have cleared up as well. The recommended daily maintenance dose is 1 teaspoon of coconut oil per 10 pounds of body weight given in divided doses, or 1 tablespoon per thirty pounds. Always start with the smaller amount and increase gradually. If your dog has been exposed to an infection the dose can be doubled. Always provide extra fluids to help flush toxins from the body. To get the true miracle in a jar experience, be sure to select the best coconut oil money can buy. It is definitely worth the investment, and a small price to pay for the optimum health of your pet. EXTRA NOTE: Coconut oil is not the only coconut product good for pets. Fresh coconuts or raw dehydrated coconut provides the same health benefits. Not only does it contain lauric acid, the coconut meat is extremely high in fiber. Just be sure that the dehydrated coconut flakes are raw, and free from salt, preservatives or sugar. Dehydrated coconut flakes found in grocery aisles are not considered raw, as they are dried in high temperatures. They often contain preservatives, chemicals, or sugar. Raw, organic, dehydrated coconut flakes free from salt, sugar, and preservatives is not easy to find. CocoTherapy also makes a raw, organic, dehydrated coconut that is also available for pets, but is good enough for human consumption. Become a fan at: www.facebook.com/CocoTherapy Find out where to buy products at: www.cocotherapy.com Order the book: The Coconut Oil Miracle by author Bruce Fife, ND: www.coconutresearchcenter.org BellaDOG Magazine

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Singing The Praises Of Apple Cider Vinegar

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~Dr. Jeannie Thomason, VND

Apple cider is known around the world as Mother Nature’s miracle medicine, a powerful weapon in the war against aging and disease that is more effective than many highpriced prescription drugs. Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is golden liquid concentrated with the healthy goodness of apples. It contains more than 30 important nutrients, 12 minerals, over 6 vitamins, essential acids and several enzymes. Moreover, it has a large dose of pectin for a healthy heart, and thus, healthy as a whole. Many vitamins, minerals and other nutrients and substances are available in ACV to improve the health of your dog. ACV can provide them with enzymes and important minerals, such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, chlorine, phosphorus, iron, silicon and other trace minerals. The vitamins contained in ACV are bioflavonoids (vitamin P), beta-carotene (precursor to vitamin A), vitamin C, E, B1, B2, and B6. Tannins from the crushed cell walls of fresh apples as well as malic acid, tartaric acid, propionic acid, acetic acid and pectin (fiber) are also contained in ACV.

BellaDOG Magazine

Apple cider vinegar is a powerful detoxifying and purifying agent. It breaks down fatty, mucous and phlegm deposits within the body. By breaking down these substances it improves the health and function of the vital organs, such as the kidneys, bladder and liver, by preventing excessively alkaline urine. Put a tablespoon of ACV in your dog’s drinking water every day and you will no longer have those brown spots in your lawn from the dog’s urine.

Put a tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar in your dog’s drinking water every day and you will no longer have those brown spots in your lawn from the dog’s urine.

ACV is cheap, easy to use and it really benefits our health in numerous ways. ACV can benefit both people and their pets. It is antibacterial and anti-fungal and gives the immune system a good boost. As a high potassium electrolyte balancer, it remineralizes the body and helps normalize the blood’s alkaline acid balance. ACV is the natural king of skin remedies. It is wonderful for itching and scratching pets as well as a superb skin and hair conditioner. Good old apple cider vinegar either straight or diluted 50/50 with water can be applied directly to the affected area and allowed to dry. It will kill bacteria on hot spots, eliminate dandruff, rejuvenate hair, skin and help sweeten and balance the pH levels in the body. When giving your dog a bath, shampoo, rinse, then apply ACV either straight or diluted, followed by rinsing with water. Notice, any residue 22

shampoo will be washed out and you will feel and see an increased softness and sheen to the coat.

This powerful potion also promotes digestion, assimilation and elimination, all the while neutralizing any toxic substances that enter the body. Cider vinegar has been found to neutralize any harmful bacteria that may be found in certain foods. While dogs and cats do not have to worry too much about the bacteria in raw meat, if YOU are in doubt, you can pour a little Apple Cider Vinegar over thier raw meal.

Cider vinegar can also be beneficial for symptoms such as tooth decay and splitting of your dog’s toenails, which can be symptoms of potassium deficiency. Potassium is essential for the replacement of worn-out tissues within the body. This mineral is also important to soft tissue repair, as calcium is to the bones and teeth which makes it a wonderful supplement for senior dogs.

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727-548-1456 www.petangelmemorialcenter.com remove red tear stains from the inside out. It is also used by many to prevent fleas when used in a rinse for the dog’s coat. Recently, Dr. Louis Ducarre of Geneva, Switzerland, author of the fairly new book, Natural Cures, Natural Life states that when mixed with honey, apple cider becomes potent enough to cure cancer, heart disease and other deadly ailments .

Cider vinegar is also thought to be helpful when used to treat allergies, osteoporosis, cancer, candida, high cholesterol, constipation, muscle cramps, colitis, diabetes, diarrhea, depression, dizziness, ear discharge, eczema, fatigue, kidney stones, kidney and bladder problems, metabolism, and stiff joints.

Natural apple cider vinegar is found in health food stores. It should be a rich amber color with the “mother” quite visible as sentiment on the bottom. The strength of vinegar is important. All varieties of vinegar contain about 4 to 7 percent acetic acid, with 5 percent being the most common amount. Acetic acid is what gives vinegar its tart and sour taste.

The supplementation of ACV has been known to naturally

There is nothing beneficial about

Tests have proven that when potassium, in the form of cider vinegar is fed to livestock their appearance improves and their stamina increases.

Memorial Center ®

commercial distilled vinegars except for pickling, cleaning and disinfection — they have no health value so stear clear of this strain of vinegars.

Here’s a Tip: Go the organic route and

pick up some Bragg Certified Raw Apple Cider Vinegar.

D O G S

Certified Bragg Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar is unfiltered, unheated, unpasteurized and has 5% acidity. It Contains the amazing Mother of Vinegar which occurs naturally as strand-like enzymes of connected protein molecules. Information: Bragg Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar is made from delicious, healthy, organically grown apples. It is processed and bottled in accordance with USDA guidelines, it is Certified Organic by Organic Certifiers and Oregon Tilth; and is Kosher Certified. Bragg Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar is full of zesty Apple Cider Vinegar natural goodness. It is amazingly wholesome! Get Some! www.bragg.com BellaDOG Magazine

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S i mply Spot ted P hoto

ays of rain or bitter cold, usually mean we coop up the dogs with nothing to do. And that got me to thinking: What do we do with our dogs when they don’t want to be outside for more than a quick potty?

A PET BOUTIQUE BARKERY SPAW GROOMING BISTRO

The first thing we need to understand is that dogs are intelligent creatures, created to fulfill a function. In evolutionary terms, it is only in the last 80 or so years that dogs have been kept as pets, with no real responsibilities. It is no coincidence that the happiest dogs in the world are those who still find employment as service dogs, guiding the blind, herding sheep, in obedience competition, and so forth.

E Y E

Today, most dogs collect unemployment in the form of free room and board with a great health plan, zero deductible, and as much petting and cooing as they can swallow. It’s no wonder they get stir crazy on rainy weekends when they don’t even get to move their bodies and use their brains on that short daily walk.

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Imagine a healthy, intelligent 8 year old boy or girl cooped up in the house for days on end with no computer, no books, no television, no telephone and no exercise equipment. It’s a recipe for disaster. For sure, you’ll come home and find a fort built out of your best furniture, or a mosiac made out of pieces of the good china. Intelligence combined with energy and no outlet equals trouble. No wonder our dogs get harder to live with in bad weather. Dog trainers like Marc Goldberg, an IACP Certified Dog Trainer from ChicagoDogTrainer.com recommend you play productive indoor games with your dog to use up some of that brain and body power.

A D O G S E Y E v i e w

~Marc Goldberg, CDT

Baby, It’s Cold Outside! 26 The BellaDOG Magazine 24 GulfCoast DOG Magazine

Here’s Some Cool Indoor Activities For You and Your Dog Hide & Seek

The simplest things are often the best, one of my (and my dogs fave’s) a good ole fashioned game of hide & seek. You can get the human members of the household to hide while you keep the dog in one room, then release him off to find them, they can call him to give him a clue, especially if he’s never played this before, once he gets the hang of the game, try not calling him to make it harder. This is a fantastic game to play with the kids, everyone loves it and ends up falling around in giggles!! Remember, when the dog discovers you... have a big praise party, so he finds it fabulous fun to find the ‘prize’ you could reward him with a

D O G S

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A D O G S

yummy treat or favorite game. Alternatively you could hide your dogs favorite toy, then let him out and encourage him to find it, again if he’s never played the game he might need a bit of help to start with but he will quickly get the idea. As soon as he finds the toy, heap on the praise, and have a game with the toy he has found. If you have multiple dogs in the house, (like mine) this game then becomes a race too, who can find it first!! (I always make sure everyone wins an equal number of times, don’t want any tantrums!!)

E Y Fetch E The big fave with most dogs, but not all dogs naturally want v i e w

to fetch and need to be taught and encouraged to do so. Remember to try lots of different toys for this game if your dog is not a natural retriever. Some dogs prefer particular toys over others, for instance, when we play this indoors, my dog would much prefer to fetch a teddy than a ball. If your dog has never played this game, or seems reluctant to pick things up, most dogs will prefer something soft to start with. Clicker training can be highly effective for training a dog to hold things and fetch them.

friends and family. Start by choosing just one of your dog’s favorite toys, and as you show it to him, give it a name, teddy, Kong™, ball etc. Toss the toy a short distance away and ask him to ‘fetch teddy’. If he runs to grab it praise him and treat him, even if he doesn’t bring it back to start with. Repeat this many times until you are sure he understands, then toss teddy into a pile of other toys and practice it this way, he has to choose teddy over all the others. Once he can do this reliably, start teaching the names of other toys in the same way. This game can lead in nicely to...

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Tidy up your toys

Teach your dog to fetch his toys and put them in a box or basket to tidy them up. Again this is a great game for him to play, very stimulating, great fun and also useful!! Your dog will love being told how clever he is! Once you have taught your dog to tidy up his toys, you can then transfer this learning to other things that could be useful, tidy up the rubbish, tidy up the clothes etc. Once your dog is reliably returning to you with his named toy, have a basket or box in your hand as he brings it back and hold it out for him to drop the toy into, click and treat him for getting it right and he will quickly realise what you are asking him to do. Practice, practice until he is reliably bringing named toys and dropping in the box to get his reward! ~Michelle Masters

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Scent Discrimination 1. Hold a small treat or ball in one

closed fist and keep the other fist empty. Extend both arms out and ask your dog, “Which hand?” Let him sniff both. When he noses the fist with the toy or food, open your hand, show it, and praise. Repeat, randomly moving the toy or food into your left or right hand. Now you’re both ready for an audience!

2. Have your dog “find the keys.” Stash

If your dog is severely restricted in his movement (due to injury/illness) then this is maybe not such a great game until he is a bit more mobile, a good one for that in between convalescing period perhaps.

Name that Toy

This is a fun game to play, and also a cool trick to show 28

BellaDOG Magazine

your keys on the couch, under a chair, or in your dog’s bed. When he brings them to you, reward him with a treat. Then stash them in a new place and repeat the retrieve-and-get-a-treat steps. Quite a useful tool when you’re late for work and your car keys are no where in sight! There’s always fun to be had with your best friend, whether it’s indoors or outdoors. Make the time to bond and your dog with thank you for it with tons of love and affection.

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BellaDOG Magazine 29

uremia. These compounds also seriously damage the central nervous system. There is no treatment that will reverse this damage. It can be so severe as to be fatal in a matter of a few days.

D O G S

Symptoms In Your Pet:

Clinical signs depend on how long it has been since the animal drank the antifreeze as well as the amount they drank. Early symptoms are much like alcohol intoxication. Dogs and cats may vomit due to the irritating effects of ethylene glycol on the stomach. They drink and urinate excessively and may be depressed and wobbly. The increased thirst is due to stimulation of the thirst centers of the brain. Pets may seem on the road to recovery twelve hours later as the ethylene glycol is metabolized by the liver and kidneys. However, a day later in cats and two days later in dogs the patients can suddenly become much worse. They may become depressed, weak, and dehydrated. They may develop diarrhea, mouth ulcers, rapid breathing and seizures. Their kidneys are often painful and swollen.

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Diagnosis:

Still The Most Common Poisoning in the US! ~Ron Hines, DVM, PhD

Every year more than ten thousand dogs and cats are accidentally poisoned with automotive antifreeze. If not treated immediately, the consequences of the poisoning can include renal or cardiovascular failure, brain damage, and death. Although dogs and cats account for most cases, ethylene glycol is toxic to all creatures - including people. This is the most common cause of poisoning of dogs and cats in the United States. The toxic ingredient in the antifreeze is its major component, ethylene glycol. It makes up 95% of the product. It only takes a small sip of antifreeze to poison your pet. Cats are approximately four times as sensitive to the poison as dogs. One to two teaspoons full will poison a cat and three tablespoons-full is enough to kill a medium size dog. Antifreeze poisoning occurs even in warm climates because radiator coolant in all climates contains ethylene glycol. In the North, the incidence increases substantially in the fall when automotive cooling systems and radiators are being flushed and refilled. Ethylene glycol is sweet and quite tasty to pets. Some cases occur when discarded coolant is left where a pet can get to it. In others the pets lick the empty gallon containers or the puddle that forms below a leaky radiator system. Because it is tasty - dogs and cats will actively seek it out. Antifreeze fluid is a translucent greenish color. If you change your coolant, discard the old 30

BellaDOG Magazine

coolant properly. If your car has a coolant leak wash off the concrete slab under your car until you get the vehicle fixed. Ethylene glycol is also found in brake fluid, liquid rust inhibitors, hydraulic fluids and solar collectors. I know of one other source of antifreeze. I have read that it is or was an ingredient in the liquid placed inside of decorative “snow scene” glass globes which one inverts to see the flocculant snow fall.

How This Poison Affects Your Pet:

Ethylene glycol has an immediate and a long-term affect on the body. It is rapidly absorbed and metabolized once it has been consumed. Peak blood levels occur within three hours of ingestion. Within thirty minutes after drinking it, your pet will become ataxic or drunken in appearance. This phase continues for up to six hours. Eventually this tipsy behavior subsides and it appears that the problem is over. It is not however, because the ethylene glycol then enters the pet’s liver and kidneys where it is oxidized into toxic products that acidify the blood and destroy renal tubular cells in the pet’s kidneys. When the kidneys are damaged, they loose their ability to cleanse the body of waste. The transformation of antifreeze leads from glycoaldehyde to glyoxcylic acid, formic acid, and oxalate. It is the glycolic acid and oxalate that is most responsible for kidney damage and resulting

Dogs and cats can only be cured when the poisoning is detected before extensive kidney damage has occurred. Diagnosis is not difficult when an owner presents a pet that is staggering, and drunken in appearance and has seen the animal drink the poison. It is much more difficult when the ethylene glycol first reaches the liver because early in this stage the pet will appear healthy while later in this stage symptoms are multisystemic and nonspecific. We often confuse these signs with other diseases such as pancreatitis, acute gastroenteritis, diabetes or other forms of kidney disease. By the time ethylene glycol metabolites have attacked the kidneys it is too late for a cure. By this time the animal is very sick from uremia and acidic blood (acidosis). In unfortunate animals that die, it is the sixsided or Maltese-cross shaped crystals of calcium oxalate within kidney tubules that allow pathologists to make the diagnosis. Sometimes the urine of affected pets will glow when exposed to a woods or ultraviolet lamp.

How We Treat Pets That Drink Antifreeze:

important in determining the success of treatment. Animals do not respond favorably to any treatment when they have ingested too much. Treatment is based on decreasing the absorption of ethylene glycol from the stomach and intestine and increasing its excretion through the kidneys. Preventing metabolism of ethylene glycol to glycolic acid and calcium oxalate and correcting acidosis of the blood is also very important. The first step is to administer apomorphene or hydrogen peroxide solution to get the pet to vomit up any poison remaining in the stomach. I give the pet water between medications in order to wash out the stomach thoroughly (gastric lavage). Then I administer activated charcoal to bind with any poison that is left. While I am doing this I begin giving large amounts of intravenous fluids to increase urine production and excrete as much ethylene glycol as possible. Some time ago, in Boston, a group of teenagers consumed antifreeze by accident during a garage party. It was found that the teenagers who were the most drunk suffered the least side effects from the poison. We use that information today in treating pets. We give them ordinary drinking alcohol. The recommended dose is 2.5ml of twenty- percent (forty proof) ethanol per pound of body weight diluted in IV fluids. We give this as a slow drip over six hours for five treatments and then over eight hours for four more treatments. At the same time we give them sodium bicarbonate to reduce the acidity (metabolic acidosis) of the blood. We judge the amount of bicarbonate to give by monitoring the acidity of the urine. In dogs, but not in cats, a drug, 40MP (4-methylpyraxole) is marketed specifically for this condition and replaces alcohol. For obvious reasons, there’s been quite a bit of agitation for safer, less scrumptious antifreeze. One solution has been the development of antifreezes, including one called SIERRA, that replace ethylene glycol with propylene glycol, a liquid that’s nontoxic enough to be used as a sweetener in children’s cough syrup. But propylene glycol costs significantly more than ethylene glycol.

The amount of ethylene glycol the animal consumed is very important in determining the success of treatment. Animals do not respond favorably to any treatment when they have ingested too much. Treatment is based on decreasing the absorption of ethylene glycol from the stomach and intestine and increasing its excretion through the kidneys. Preventing metabolism of ethylene glycol to glycolic acid and calcium oxalate and correcting acidosis of the blood is also very important.

Lawmakers have also taken up the cause. Oregon and California both require that antifreeze manufacturers add a bittering agent to their products, in order to make them unpalatable. The city of Albuquerque, N.M., passed a similar measure, nicknamed “Scooby’s Law” after a local Golden Retriever who was maliciously poisoned with antifreeze. And Congress is currently considering a bill, the Antifreeze Safety Act, that would mandate the addition of yucky-tasting denatonium benzoate to all antifreeze products containing more than 10 percent ethylene glycol.

The first step is to administer apomorphene or hydrogen peroxide solution to get the pet to vomit up any poison remaining in the stomach. I give the pet water between

Until laws are passed, Please be aware of what’s leaking in your driveway or on your garage floor. BelaDOG Magazine

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pATROL d o g s Dedicated to Avalanche Rescue and Education

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~Keoki Flagg

There is no metaphor more appropriate than the mountain dog when it comes to defining why we live in the mountains. Life for them is quite simple. Live in the moment, immerse yourself in the natural environment, play with your friends – be happy. Sure they have their daily challenges, but it doesn’t matter. Living in the now is what our dogs do so well, so unconditionally - so naturally.

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Mother Nature in all her grand splendor is an everyday friend. From season to season, change is always knocking at the door. In winter, each new cycle of weather brings a new beginning. A beautiful white, fresh pristine playground to play in. Inevitably, for the patrol dog, the promise of a new tomorrow is always present.

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The weather patterns up here in Tahoe are powerfully unpredictable. A regular storm day starts very, very early for the ski patrol clan. While the human performs a quick shovel in the dark to clear off the car, the dog watches in anticipation with a clear understanding of the day to come. Initially, everything moves in slow motion. There is the proverbial drive to the mountain, the standard human safety briefings (which always feels like it takes forever – what could they be talking about for so long that is that important…) and then finally we are off. Whether it be by chairlift, snow cat, snow mobile, tram or on foot (skiis for the humans of course), we soon reach the top of an amazing mountain – free. When someone is buried in an avalanche he has only minutes to live. Life as a Ski Patroller is serious business. The dog patrol teams of both Alpine Meadows and Squaw Valley are some of the best rescue team in the worldthey are ready and eager to save the day. The canines and their human counterparts spend an enormous amount of time training to be ready for the call. Day in and day out they practice communication commands and searching. They devote their lives to keeping the slopes safe and love every moment of it and always give there all. As in the human world, it is all about attitude- the best dogs do it naturally.

aggressive weather patterns. Playing with dynamite, in avalanche prone conditions with low visibility and poor pay somehow doesn’t add up. And yet year in and year out they sign up for another season. The question is why? Could it simply be because they get to take their dog to work and play with him everyday? They learn first hand through the eyes of their dogs, how incredible it feels to live in the moment, exposed to the wonders of mother nature and the godly adrenaline rush of flying down the slopes on skiis? To truly gain insight into the hearts and minds of these joyous creatures; to understand how they can go through life with an effortless joy of zen acceptance, we must see and feel what the world looks like from their eyes. The canine reward is a rich life with a best friend. Not a worry of being left at home alone, waiting for the sound of someone at the door. Then again, what could be better then a daily dose of the pack on the slope with a seemingly endless stream of human visitors all doting over how beautiful and alive you are. The purity of their spirit is contagious.

altitude. If perspective is everything, than the world from a foot above the ground is what counts. It doesn’t look or feel like our human world. Perhaps if we spent more time at that altitude, we could learn to be more human. More time being present - Is there any doubt how good it feels. When you stop to think about it, the unconditionality by which they love should be a characteristic we all strive for.

I think it is safe to say that the patrol dogs live at a different

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Not too worry, it’s not always hard work. In the spring when it’s warm and the snow pack is stable, the days are beautiful and lazy. Sure, there is always time to dig a pit and test out the nose or perhaps sneak in a very delicious sunny nap on the deck, but mostly, it’s about the play. These dogs are the ambassadors of the slopes. They relish the visitor and welcome them all with an enthusiastic lick and a call to play - particularly the kids. Why not, at their eye levels it seems a lot easier for them to see what it is all about.

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From a man’s perspective, it’s a grueling daily regiment filled with physical strain and constant exposure to the elements. The hours are long and hard and sometimes extend on for weeks during the more BellaDOG Magazine 34

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~Marnie McArthur, tahoe.com

When disaster strikes, Tahoe’s real powderhounds come to the rescue at Lake Tahoe area ski resorts. Who are these Pups On Patrol four-legged heroes? And what does it take to make the cut?

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“A dog’s nose is 1000 times better at detecting scent than a humans’,” says Bill Foster, tenured ski patrol member of 21 years at Alpine Meadows where the Placer County Sheriff’s Search & Rescue Tahoe Dog Team recently held a day-long training.

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The all-volunteer Tahoe Dog Team has 25 members, including avalanche experts like Lel Tone who has worked avalanche control at Squaw Valley for 14 years and spends part of each year as a helicopter ski guide out of Beachwood Alaska. Matt Calcutt of the California Highway Patrol is co-founder and a board member of the Placer County Search and Rescue Tahoe Dog Team. He says they don’t accept just anyone who has a dog. “Handlers are mostly professional ski patrollers, highly qualified expert skiers who are able to enter and exit the back country in winter on their own, and have completed avalanche courses,” he said. An exception is Sacramento lawyer and former National Ski Patrolman Mike Bigelow. He and his Australian Sheppard, Gus, also belong to ‘Yo Dogs,’ a dog rescue team that conducts summer rescues in Yosemite National Park. Golden Retrievers, Australian Shepherds, German Shepherds, Labradors, and Border Collies are among the preferred breeds for search and rescue dogs. “Breeds mature at different rates,” says Bigelow. An Australian Shepherd can be mature at just over a year. German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers mature between 18 to 24 months. Labradors like Gambell, owned by Chris Gray of Squaw Valley, take the longest to grow up. “At three years, he’s still a handful but he loves his job more than anything,” says Gray. “The dog must show interest and a high drive,” says Eric Seelenfreund of Squaw Valley. Seelenfreund’s dog Murphy, 38

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a 14-month-old Golden Retriever, is one of eight in a line of related dogs at Squaw. “He’s still in training, but already shows great loyalty. He would rather be in the hole with a victim.” “Look for a working dog with a good head and a long nose,” says Bigelow. “Go for the middle of the pack. Not the Alpha dog but one that shows fire and zest.” Puppies are acclimated to the mountain right away. Ginger, a 6 ½ -year-old Golden Retriever rode in a backpack at four months with U.S. Forest Service Snow Ranger Hank Hennessy when he patrolled at Alpine Meadows. At 10 weeks, Gamble began riding inside the jacket of patrolman Gray at the top of Squaw Valley’s KT. Actual training starts at one year, using articles of clothing in games of search and find. Training drills continue two to three times a week throughout the dog’s career. They become certified rescue dogs at 2 years and have about 10 years in a working life.

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Dogs need to be exposed to every aspect of a ski area and trained for obedience, burials, and searching for scent. “We make it fun for the dogs and reward them with games of tug-of-war,” said Brian Slusser, assistant ski patrol director at Alpine Meadows.

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Dogs are trained to find lightly-scented articles buried 2 ½ feet deep, four or five articles in a 100 meter search, two articles within 20 minutes, and get to the pack as the final find. Time is critical. “After half an hour, the chance of a victim’s survival is 50/50,” said Slusser. Helicopters offer a special challenge for the dogs and their handlers. Andy Peak who works with Care Flight explained the need for extreme caution during ‘hot loads’ which allow the dog teams to be on a rescue scene in 15 to 20 minutes. “We fly in and pick up the team without shutting down,” BellaDOG Magazine BellaDOG Magazine 39 37

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he said. “The dog sits facing the handler who has his hand on the dog’s mouth. It’s loud and exciting and very tight quarters so absolute control is a must. Training flights determine which dogs can handle this.” The Tahoe Dog Team requires re-certification and validation every other year. “It’s all about education,” said Alpine patrolman Don Akers whose Golden Retriever Bridger, a seasoned rescue dog, performed a perfect find in the burial exercise. Casandra Drayler has worked for 14 years with El Dorado County Search and Rescue and CARDA, the California Rescue Dog Association which trains dogs for tracking, agility and rescue. “I’m still in amazement as to what dogs can do,” she said. In some states dogs are owned by the resorts and trained to work with multiple handlers. In California, the dogs are owned by their handlers. “Some dogs are trained to work with multiple handlers so that everyone works well 40

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as a team,” said Craig Noble of Squaw Valley, who was training for the day with Boon, a black German Sheppard owned by another Squaw patroller. “The Tahoe Dog Team trainings are good because team members get to now each other and that we’re all working on the same page,” he said. “Large amounts of snow in a short time create avalanche danger. We’ve already had five avalanches this year in the Lake Tahoe area,” said Slusser. For skiers venturing into the back country, the Sierra Avalanche Center puts out a daily forecast. “It’s important to remember when skiing off groomed slopes or in the back country to carry a beacon, compass and shovel and now how to use them,” he said. For more information: Squaw Valley Avalanche Rescue Dog & Education Fund PO BOX 3302, Olympic Valley, CA 96146 www.SquawDogs.com

Keoki Flagg has spent the past 16 years developing his unique photographic perspective. His work has been published in National Geographic Adventure, Men’s Journal, Audubon, Outside, Sports Illustrated for Women, Ski & Skiing Magazine, Powder Magazine and Warren Miller Entertainment. Keoki lives in Olympic Valley in the Tahoe Basin. His work place and playground is planet earth. To get a dog’s perspective of the Patrol Dogs world, Keoki developed a variety of unique camera techniques using skiis and exstension poles and set himself in motion to capture a slice of their perspective.

If you would like to see more of Keoki’s work please visit Gallery Keoki In The VIllage at Squaw Valley (530) 448-1500 www.gallerykeoki.com BellaDOG The GulfCoast DOG Magazine Magazine 41 39

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College of Veterinary Medicine, teaching veterinary behavior medicine. AS: What exactly does a Veterinary Behaviorist do?

The Doctor is in:

Dogs Can Benefit from Seeing a Psychiatrist

~ Angelica Steinker, M.Ed., CDBC, PDBC, CAP2

Dogs that show severe aggression or other emotional problems used to be condemned to a death sentence. Today a new specialty: Veterinary Behavior Medicine - offers hope. Similar to a human psychiatrist, Veterinary Behaviorists use medication to adjust brain chemistry to help enable learning and to decrease fear and anxiety. Is Medication Necessary? Some pet parents don’t want to give their dog behavioral medication. They’re not comfortable treating behavior issues with drugs and would rather resolve the problem through training and behavior modification. This reaction is understandable. However, some problems can be resolved more quickly and with less distress (for the dog and the pet parent) if behavior medication is added to the treatment plan.

dog’s behavior, by giving the dog an acceptable behavior to do in place of the problem behavior, or by a combination of these things. However, with many problem behaviors related to fear, medication is necessary to reduce the dog’s fear to a level that allows treatment to begin. Nationwide there are roughly 50 Veterinary Behaviorists who treat dogs for separation anxiety, thunder storm phobia, aggression, depression and anxiety. Many dogs treated have responded to medication so well that their lives were saved.

Dr. Juarbe-Diaz has the longest established behavior referral practice in the state of Florida. Known as Dr. JD, she In an ideal world, the received a B.S. and most effective approach to Suzy, a dog found literally thrown away behind a dumpster, has had her anxiety treating a behavior problem issues greatly reduced by the help positive reinforcement training & stress reducing her D.V.M. from Cornell medication administerd by a Veterinary Behavior Medicine Specialist. University. She finished is behavior change training. her residency in 1996 Behavior modification and received her board treatments designed by certification in 1997. She has been an adjunct professor at knowledgeable, qualified professionals treat the problem the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine behavior by either changing the dog’s perception of a and an Assistant Professor at the University of Tennessee’s situation or a thing, by changing the consequence of the 42

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Dr. JD: A Veterinary Behaviorist has training equivalent to that of a human psychiatrist and psychologist combined. When a board certified Veterinary Behaviorist looks at a problem, he or she looks at not just the problem, but the patient’s health, environment and family life. Interactions between these are taken into account. Treatment addresses behavior and environmental modification, along with medication, if necessary. Only Veterinary Behaviorists have the training and knowledge, and the privilege by law, to safely and correctly prescribe medication. Not all medications are right for every problem, and the pet’s medical conditions and any other medications taken must be considered before medication is prescribed. Veterinary Behaviorists are doctors of veterinary medicine that have undertaken several more years of specialized study in a residency program after graduating from vet school. The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (ACVB) sets strict guidelines for residency training. If you seek the help of a veterinary behaviorist, you will know, for sure, what that person’s minimum qualifications are. Many of our members have had training and experience beyond those minimum requirements and have interests in breed rescue, shelter and humane organization issues, agility or obedience dog competition, assistance and working dog training, zoo and exotic species or animal welfare. AS: What was the most difficult dog behavior case you have ever worked on? Dr. JD: The most difficult case so far, which I am still treating, is a case of interdog aggression (two dogs living in the same home fighting with each other) where the owners, following what they thought was the right advice given by a very reputable trainer, used a shock collar on the “aggressive” dog, any time that she even looked at the victim dog, even if the look was a normal gaze and perfectly non-threatening. The dog was much worse after she was shocked, and the owners cannot forgive themselves for doing something that, in their gut, they felt wasn’t right. I have no way of quantifying the effect of the shock collar and this dog’s initial level of anxiety, but in the owners’ words, the problem was “300% worse immediately after (shock).” AS: There is a lot of talk about negative reinforcement versus positive reinforcement training. What is negative

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A reinforcement and positive reinforcement? Where do you stand on this issue? Dr. JD: In learning theory, positive and negative do not stand for pleasant or unpleasant, but rather, for adding or subtracting something that the dog can perceive. Reinforcement increases the odds of the desired behavior

happening again.

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Let’s say you want your dog to drop a ball that they are holding. If using negative reinforcement, you would pinch one ear with your finger nail and continue pinching until the dog opens her mouth dropping the ball, then you stop the ear pinch. Positive reinforcement carries the least risk if the timing of the reinforcement is not accurate, it does not involve pain or fear that makes the student less likely to want to learn. If the behavior is not performed, the reinforcer is not given (at worst, there might be disappointment in not getting the reinforcer), but the student has a chance to try again, and the desire for the reinforcer (and therefore performing the desired behavior) is not diminished. Positive reinforcement, in my opinion, is the most logical AND the humane choice. AS: What are the three most important things for owners to keep in mind when it comes to behavior problems? Dr. JD: 1) Figure out the reason why (from your dog’s point of view) your dog is engaging in the undesired behavior: usually it is fear, confusing or inconsistent instructions or 44

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asking too much too fast. 2) Rule out medical problems; a painful or unhealthy pet will, by definition, show non-normal behaviors. 3) Would you like to be treated with patience, understanding and a genuine concern for making sure that you learn what someone wants you to do? Yes? So would your dog... (or cat, or horse...). AS: Which breed of dog do you consider more challenging to work with? Dr. JD: Smart dogs come in all breeds. The challenge comes when a dog doesn’t meet your life style or your life style doesn’t meet your dog’s emotional and/or activity needs. Dogs from working breeds need jobs that engage their minds and bodies. Hounds prefer jobs that involve scents. Breeds developed to be companions may, in general, be the best matches for novice dog owners because they were developed to keep humans company. Their temperament and exercise requirements are aligned to that job - to be with their people. AS: What are the most common behavior problems you see in your practice? Dr. JD: Because I am in Florida, and Florida has spectacular weather and storms, I see a lot of storm phobia cases. AS: How do owners find a good dog trainer - one they can trust with their best friend? Dr. JD: Don’t take anyone’s word or recommendation without checking out the trainer yourself. You should be able to drop in on any of a number of classes (ask the trainer which classes are open to observers). Look at the trainer to student ratio. Is everyone having fun? Are tails wagging and people smiling and laughing? How does the trainer respond to problems or dogs that don’t seem to be “getting it”? Does the trainer listen to the owners’ concerns and does she or he welcome questions? If your child was at the end of the leash, would you bring your child to the second class

after observing the first? My answer to this last question would be “NO” if anyone in the class has any kind or chain or painful gadget around the neck. AS: Recent TV has contributed to the misunderstanding of the word dominance. Do you use the word dominance when evaluating a dog?

use it, and why, you see their light bulb turn on.

Dr. JD: The term dominance is used in ethology (the scientific study of animal behavior) to describe social relationships and outcomes of interactions between individuals, sometimes dependent on outcomes that are repeatedly consistent. It was not ever meant to describe a trait in an individual. Take the hypothetical example of Mary, who is “friendly” towards Jane. Even if this is a repeated observation, does this mean that Mary has a “friendly” temperament? Does “friendly” define everything she does? If someone startles her to the point she fears bodily harm, will her “friendly” temperament dictate her response? Do you predict her to be “friendly” in all circumstances?

Dr. JD: No, unless you want to increase the odds of frightening dogs more than they already are and of pushing them to bite you, given that you are acting like a psychopath. The studies of wolf behavior from which alpha, alpha roll and scruffing concepts were “derived” from had, amongst other flaws, one very important feature. The wolves were not family groups studied in their natural environment but artificial packs collected for study and kept in confinement. While there are a lot of agonistic displays (staring, growling, ferocious looking snarling and the like) in natural wolf packs, the display conveys a message, and seldom leads to physical contact or injury. The exchange of signals will continue until one of the 2 yields (using appeasement gestures) sometimes very quickly, and the issue is resolved. One common appeasement gesture is to roll over and expose the belly. This happens so fast that the human eye misses the nuances and the fact that the rolling over is voluntary and not physically coerced. At that point all threats and signals cease, and it is over. Pinning a dog down forcibly does not induce submission, it induces fear and teaches a dog that our behavior is abnormal and that we cannot be trusted. Imagine yelling “Uncle!” but getting

You can see how using an incorrect label and generalizing could lead you to draw the wrong conclusions. Nowhere has this kind of mistake been more hurtful than when the term “dominance” is applied to dogs, and dog aggression in particular. The short answer to your question is “No, I do not.” I hear it from owners a lot, but after I explain to them why I do not

AS: Is it ever appropriate to alpha roll or scruff shake a dog? (Alpha roll means to take a dog and pin her to the ground forcibly holding her upside down. Scruff shake is when people grab a dog on either side of the face and shake the dog back and forth.)

Rumble, a Border Collie, was diagnosed with five different mental illnesses, today he lives a happy life thanks to his medication.

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pummeled anyway: think about what that tells you about the bully who just abused you physically and how your feelings toward that person would change. On top of that, there is now ample scientific evidence that wolves and domestic dogs have major differences in social behaviors, and in their relationships with humans. We can have rich, complex relationships with our dogs but we cut them off at the knees whenever we use fear, pain and intimidation to get a behavior that we want. Do these methods work? They deter behaviors, there is no question, but at the cost of stopping other behaviors that you may want (such as the dog wanting to try to learn further). And you still haven’t explained to your dog what you do want them to do... AS: What about yelling at or hitting a dog? Dr. JD: Considering how well dogs hear, yelling is overkill, unless you are at a great distance. I already mentioned that physical contact is avoided, and dogs behaving normally avoid physical aggression if they can, so hitting on our part is quite anomalous behavior. Hitting says more about the person doing the hitting than it does about the dog’s behavior. Sadly, hitting speaks of what the person saw and experienced as a child. Violence is learned (unless you have abnormal brain functioning.) Realizing this is sometimes necessary before you can stop defaulting to

aggression when you feel you loose control over someone else’s behavior. Since yelling usually is done in anger, and angry individuals may resort to violence, a smart dog will move away from any person that yells. If they have no escape route, they likely will try some appeasement gestures such as lowering their profile, lying down and exposing the belly, or dropping their gaze. If they wave a white flag, but it is ignored and they continue to be attacked, some dogs will respond by defending themselves - it amazes me that people are surprised that the dog snarls, snaps or lunges at this point. If someone threatens me, I have nowhere to escape, and my attempts at calming them down do not work, who would blame me for doing my best to defend myself? Yet here we sit, judging dogs... AS: Some people, as part of dog training, advocate stepping toward dogs standing tall and finger pointing while making startling noises. Why is intimidating a dog a bad idea? Dr. JD: Think about this. Fear means that you are uncertain about what will happen next, and that “next” may include bodily harm. When you are uncertain, you may stop trying (especially something new), because you do not know what will happen and you don’t want to risk a mistake that may cause you pain. You may learn a prescribed set of moves, and perform them very mechanically (meaning, with no change and no room for adjustment if conditions change). In some people’s mind, that kind of robotic behavior reflects “learning” - it is more like self-preservation! I see a lot of very smart but fearful dogs. Fear doesn’t let them show just how smart they are. There are also physiologic changes associated with the hormones and chemicals released in the “fight or flight” response that are hurtful to your health over time. The expression “stress kills” is not just a saying; it should be a health warning that we all take to heart. AS: What are the medical dangers of using choke chains or prong collars? Dr. JD: There is data that shows that pressure around the neck, even such as produced by a flat buckle collar worn by a dog pulling on its leash), occludes the jugular veins. The carotid arteries that supply blood to the head are deeper in the neck, thicker walled and not affected, so you have blood going in that has trouble coming out. Intraocular pressure (pressure inside the eyeball) goes up. Small breed dogs with prominent eyes may be at

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risk of, literally, pushing an eye out of the socket. One would assume that intracranial pressure goes up as well, but measuring that on live animals is not easily done. Damage to the cartilage rings of the trachea is also possible. Unfortunately, you may never see the evidence until you do a radiograph (XRay) of the neck, and this seldom occurs for most dogs.

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In some extreme cases, people have applied pressure to the neck with a chain (usually by lifting the dog in the air) when the trachea is closed off so Order online at www.thundershirt.com the dog cannot get sufficient oxygen: in Or call 866-892-2078 these cases the dog’s gums and tongue get a grayish/bluish color and the dog Enter code GCD15 for FREE shipping! may pass out. A video of a “trainer” popularized by the media showed such an event. The typical explanations for the dog’s sudden stillness and lack of struggling are those seems to the victim to be “unprovoked.” of “giving up,” “calming down” or “yielding dominance.” Anyone with medical training can see that more often, than In other cases, the dog has been sending signals left not, there is a loss of consciousness. Had one person done and right, patiently and consistently, and it still gets hurt. that to another, charges of assault would have been filed! Eventually, the dog stops signaling because the signals didn’t work! This dog now “bites without warning” when AS: What are the psychological dangers of using a choke it just was forced to change strategies: the humans may chain or prong collar? have missed all the previous body language, but they sure understood the bite! I see this commonly with dogs that Dr. JD: How would you react if someone resorted to have been manhandled for nail trims (often at veterinary strangling you in order to “teach you” something??? Think hospitals). Most nail trimmers crush the nail itself (even when of all your grade, junior and high school teachers. Think of not over the quick) and cause lots of pain. Some dogs have the ones you hated, and the ones you loved to learn from. high pain tolerance and don’t mind, but for most, it hurts. What was the difference in their approach? Who choked Holding down a panicky dog for a nail trim more often than you in school and what did you loose? I can quote you not turns a nice (but fearful) dog into a biter. A dog will study after study, but you already know, in your gut, the not die from long nails, but if he bites because he is afraid answer to this question. during a nail trim, that could cost him his life. There are other ways to give your dog a pedicure that do not involve AS: Is there such a thing as an unprovoked dog bite? giving your dog no way out but to “bite unprovoked.”

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Dr. JD: Just as there are humans with abnormal social behaviors that involve violent and over the top reactions, there are dogs that can have abnormal aggressive behaviors, but they are a minority. As a specialist in veterinary behavior, and with training that parallels that of a human psychiatrist and psychologist, I tend to see dogs like these, and they are still a small percentage of all the dogs (or cats) that I see. Most are dogs with severe anxiety that are put in a situation by a person (sometimes unwittingly) where they are given no choice but to bite. They may signal their intent to bite if pressed further, and the human doesn’t see or understand the signal, so when the bite occurs it

In a nutshell: If your dog suffers from fear, anxiety, behavior compulsions or any other behavior problem for which you’re considering behavioral medication, be certain to first consult with a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB or ACAAB) or a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behavior (Dip ACVB). These animal behavior experts can evaluate your dog’s behavior problem, help you develop a treatment plan, give you advice on suitable medications, and work with your veterinarian to maximize the success of your dog’s treatment program. All photos by Kim Butler, www.SimplySpottedPhoto.com BellaDOG Magazine

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Stop, Lock and Walk It’s as simple as snapping your finger...OFF!

refused. Ever taken a puppy training or obedience lessons with your pooch? If you are using a retractable, probably the answer is “No”. In conventional training it is instilled that when walking with your dog, heeling by your side, a loose lead is desired. A dog on a tight lead changes his posture and body language and in turn this changes overall attitude of the dog. This body language is read by other passerby dogs and interpreted as agitation or aggression. Dog trainers ban them from obedience classes, “it teaches the dog to pull.” The quarter inch nodule that locks the cord or belt in place is not always a sure thing on the first try. Dogs have been reported to run into streets when given free range on the retractable. A number of dogs have been hit by cars, some of them fatally. Liability and veterinary expenses come next.

~Sara Stauffer

That gadget made of hard plastic, with a not-soergonomic handle and a small little button on top which allows for a long string or flat cord to be dispensed like a fishing line and a metal clasp attached to the end clips onto the collar or harness of a dog. A brand, a color, a style, and a price point is available for every dog owner, the retractable leash. For a nominal investment, you too can be the next victim of an amputated limb, blindness or the proud owner of a dead dog! Of course it’s not the fault of the leash, it says so on the warning label…only competent humans should use the gadget and only after reading the instructions and a multitude of warnings. If you use a retractable leash, did you read those warnings? Really read them? If you haven’t, be sure that you do because the fate of everyone, including yourself and your beloved pet, is all in your hands, your hands holding the handle of the plastic, spring loaded apparatus that you have hooked onto the delicate neck of your pet. In America we are a nation that truly refuses to heed the warning of labels. We smoke cigarettes, consume fruits and vegetables laden with pesticides, dine on meats infused with antibiotics and growth hormones, ingest prescription medications with the mile long list of side effects, and we walk our dogs on retractable leashes. The warning labels are all there, paragraphs along with intentions that the liability be passed on to the error of the consumer. Are we really conscious of what could happen in a dangerous situation when we choose to purchase such an accessory to the family dog? What has happened to conventional obedience training and the classic, tried and 48

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Not a retractable leash!

true six foot leash? Our vocabulary no longer includes the voice command “Heel” when we take a stroll with our four legged companion. The question therein lies, “Who is walking who?” Dogs will be dogs and without proper training and socialization they can be unpredictable. Exposing a dog to the ever changing outdoor environment also adds to the unpredictability factor. Attach a string to a dog that provides freedom for him to be in control of his own circumstances rather than in the hands of his human is in pursuit of potential danger. Leash and Freedom in the same context doesn’t make much sense and use of these genre of leashes really do require some serious common sense and that is in the hands of the human – literally. Retractable, extending, it’s all the same – unless you are trying to reel in your furry friend when he is 25 feet away from you. 25 Feet of freedom for your pet! Freedom to run out into the street, approach other dogs, eat mysterious goodies in the bushes! Freedom! Oh Perceived Freedom! How often do you observe a dog on a retractable leash where the dog is close to the heels of his handler’s side? Rarely, would be a notable observation. The idea of giving the dog freedom is the selling point that cannot be

Faulty devices and failure have been reported. Recalls have been initiated, lawsuits have been filed. The cord or tape has been reported to snap off at the dog’s collar or harness when they are fully extended and have pulled too hard. This is when eye injury can occur with the snapping back of the metal clip attached to the dog. It’s all listed on the warning label. As you’re walking down the avenue, through the park or across the street from your home, retractable in hand, tethered to your pooch, you encounter a friend with their canine companion, also bound to a retractable apparatus. Then the greeting ceremonies commence. The leash dance is quite unique when two retractables meet. That’s when legs, both human and dog, become entwined, then, in come the hands, then the line or cord constricts on the legs, both dog and human. It looks like a cat’s cradle of string games that now require the some dismantling, the human spins around and steps over and out. With the assistance of the humans weaving their plastic retractable handle, down and around, weave in, up, down and around again, the dogs are finally detangled from the mess. When two retractable dogs meet and playtime is engaged the whole tangled dance is sped up to ten times faster, just imagine getting your fingers, hands and legs into that mess. Perhaps no imagination is needed if you have danced the tangle.

too many tragedies and near-misses befall dogs at the end of retractable leashes.

Dogs are hunters, it’s the way they would find food if we didn’t present them with a platter each day. Chasing squirrels, birds, cats, and the occasional car is innately rewarding to any dog. A retractable leash fails to provide adequate control of a dog darting after something they desire to chase. It is in the warning label. Dogs who are not under voice command control or disobedient dogs should be constrained with methods other that a retractable leash apparatus. It’s in the warning label and again, the liability falls on the consumer/dog owner.

On the warning label, the retractable apparatus labels site that a well trained dog is the right dog for a retractable leash. However, the concept of retractability which allows free roaming privileges to the attached animal companion goes completely against conventional dog training techniques. Once again, how do you get your dog to walk next to you when she’s on an apparatus that gives her fifteen - twenty five feet of freedom to pull you behind her? Does she return to your side when she’s hot on a scent or has sighted the neighbor’s cat, ahead of you? How will it feel when she goes after that cat and jolts your shoulder so hard that you have a stiff neck for the next week? Just some noted additional side effects of the retractable apparatus, not listed in the warning label.

With the abundance of dog friendly events, yappy hours and rescue group mingles more and more dogs are journeying out with their beloved humans and more and more retractable encounters will be made. Go ahead and peruse the blogs and testimonials both for and against the retracting pet leash. The few trainers that attest to positive uses of the mechanism are discussing just that, uses in training, not your casual walk through BellaDOG Magazine

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the neighbor hood or down the city sidewalk. When used for training purposes in a controlled and safe environment. The dog trodden streets are hardly safe or predictable.

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If your dog is walking in front of you, your dog is in control of the walk, leading your pack of two. It’s difficult to believe such proposed statements found in the advertising “this leash lets your pet wander up to 20 feet ahead while still under your control.” How does a dog owner, twenty feet away, pry the found BBQ chicken wing away from the hoover effect of the ever-inhaling hound? Some folks can’t even see that far away and others wonder why they have to take Buster to the ER at 4:00AM for an obstructed intestine or punctured esophagus or stomach lining from that mystery treat twenty feet away from the sidewalk.

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In the world of dog behavior, the leader is who is out in front. If you are set back any great distance from your dog on a mission, the true test is when you have to actually react to a situation where you need to get that dog back to your side for any number of situations. There are many different types of leashes as are many different types of dogs. Some dogs are like Velcro and love to be by the side of their human, other dogs have a high prey drive and love the thrill to chase whatever might go fleeting by at any given moment, a squirrel, a cat, a skateboarder, bicycle or car. Some dogs snip at people and dogs while others will lick the skin off of the face and ears of everyone he encounters. Some dogs like to play with other dogs, some dogs like to bully dogs. The retractable leash is not a one size fits all. You must know your dog and know your relationship with your dog and take a moment to read or even re-read those warnings. A dog trained to heel at side of his human has a much better survival rate and less of a liability to a responsible dog owner. Love your dog and have respect for your neighboring dogs and their owners.

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EZY DOG CUJO Leash

The Cujo 25” leashes are built a 6” Shock Absorbing Stretch. The tight, short stretch gives the owner the most Comfort and Control over the Medium to Large Dogs that Pull Hard! The Cujo 40” leashes are built with a 12” Shock Absorbing Stretch. Slightly-less tight and longer stretch gives the owner the most Comfort and Control over the hard pulling Small Dog or the Medium and Large Dogs that do not pull. Add a Standard 24” Extension for additional length, or add 2 extensions for dual tangle-free dog walking! $24.00 - $48.00

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SAF-T-LEASH ®

• Shock-absorbing twin Saf-T-Flex® units take the jolts when your dog pulls and tugs on the leash, and are adjustable for just the right amount of “give”. • Quik-Linx® connectors can be opened for replacement in the event of eventual wear and tear. • High-visibility reflectors for added safety • Rubberized handle. 5” long and 1” thick with a semi-soft vinyl finish, this handle is flexible, weather proof, and highly resistant to biting and abrasion. • Durable, 1” wide, bite-resistant nylon strap and Rug ged chrome slide bolt • “Quick-Clip” Feature. With Quik-Clip, you can shorten your Saf-T-Leash¨ instantly from 6’ to 4’ for added control. Three leashes in one! Train your dog not to pull with two Saf-T-Flex units back-to-back, you have three ways of using the leash depending on how much strength is required. $29.99 Plus $10.00 for S&H/taxes www.saf-t-petproducts.com

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EZ Step Leashes™

EZ Step™ featuring Mighty Max Super Rubber are the strongest, most comfortable shock absorbing dog walking leash products available. EZ Step™ walking system consists of Low Impact dog walking Leash™, Big Dog Control Leashes™, couplers, and hands free dog leashes and walking accessories. EZ Steps™ uses the latest cutting edge flex style and pressure sensitive fabrication manufacturing methods available today. Extra durable hydrogen bonded rubber combined with a patented ergonomic design significantly and remarkably reduce stress when walking your dogs. $29.99 - $34.99

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From individual dog walkers to veterinarians, pet stores, to pet related or friendly businesses such as hotels, restaurants, and pharmaceutical providers we are here to benefit all pet businesses. Will provide our members with job leads, marketing tips, educational seminars/webinars and more...

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“RELEASHME” Walkeez Harness

Walkeez – from The Simon Edwards Releashme Collection - is a new refreshing harness design that uses the calming principles of Tellington Touch which is a method based on circular movements of the fingers and hands all over the body. The intent of the TTouch is to activate the function of the cells and awaken cellular intelligence. This innovative approach focuses on working in partnership with the animal, using respect and understanding instead of dominance and control. to remove unpleasant pressure on the neck thus reducing stress and relaxing your pet to boost its sociability. The harness is handmade, top quality, easy to fit, adjustable and safe.

Designed and handmade in Canada, every part of the Walkeez Harness is covered in top-quality fleece - even the girth strap! The fleece padding makes the harness straps wide and comfortable for the dog to wear, and also distributes the dog’s weight over a wide area to prevent chaffing. Elastic strips on the outside of the girth strap prevent the adjustable sliders from moving once the harness has been fitted on the dog. The result is a superb, snug, and comfortable fit without restricting freedom of movement. Two clips allow you to put the Walkeez Harness on your dog without having to lift the dog’s legs.

“LOVE MY GPS”

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A New Solution for Pet Safety Has your pet ever wandered off or escaped from your backyard? Does your pet like to take excursions around the neighborhood and forget to come home? Are you prepared, in the event of a natural disaster, to reunite with your pet if you become dislocated from each other? The LovemypetsGPS Pet Safety Collar gives you the immediate ability to proactively locate and even track your pet’s position through state-of-the-art GPS technology and an online service. Additionally, the glow-in-the-dark and reflective elements of the collar will greatly enhance your pet’s safety at night. Within seconds, a GPS map will show your pet’s location, and you can even track the direction your pet is moving! Over the Phone: If you’re not close to a computer, you can still locate your pet quickly and easily. Simply call 1-888-LUV-R-PET (1-888-588-7738). Make sure you have your wallet identification card handy, since the consultant will need your login and password to match you up with your pet.

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The friendly pet consultants will take it from there, and after a brief conversation, you can learn your pet’s location and direction. There is a convenience charge of $4.99 for this phone service. Locates: Each time you track your pet’s location, you use a credit called a “locate.” Your initial package includes 100 locates to give you a generous head-start on any unfortunate separations. Just remember that each separate search for your pet counts as a locate. If you activate 60-Second Location during an Internet tracking session, each separate track will use one locate. Should you ever find yourself running low on locates, they sell additional units through their online store.

Approved by veterinarian, Dr. Chris Zink, Professor at John Hopkins University and voted #1 Veterinarian in the USA by her peers, the Walkeez harness wraps more comfortably around the torso than any other harness on the market today. The dog becomes more balanced since the leash is attached further down the dog’s body, making the center of gravity very different.

After receiving your LovemypetsGPS safety collar or Harness, you will need to go on line to complete the final activation and subscription process. There is a onetime charge of $19.95 for the activation and setup and a monthly subscription fee of $14.95 per month. The monthly subscription fee includes the use of the secure locating and tracking site, the use of the cellular network and 100 locates per year. Each year when the subscription renews, 100 hundred additional locates will be added to your account. If you still have locates left over from the prior year, they will rollover and will be added to your account.

With a lower center of gravity and a greater feeling of security, like a blanket, the dog’s body language is more natural allowing him to be calmer and more sociable around people and other dogs.

Other LovemypetsGPS products Safety Leash - A 5-foot leash makes night walking safe and easy. With its sturdy polyester webbing and bonded reflective strip, this water-resistant leash makes a great complement to your Pet Safety Collar. TIP: Since the glow-in-thedark strip needs to reenergize, you should hang it near daylight.

The Walkeez Harness comes in 8 sizes and fits all breeds. It is available in 8 colors and is fully adjustable and machine washable. (do not tumble dry). Prices range from $29.95 to $44.95 www.releashme.com

Safety Harness - If your pet prefers a harness to a collar, you will love this harness. It’s strong, water-resistant, and lightweight, with the same high-quality reflective strip you’ll find on the collar. 1-888-LUVRPET or (888) 588-7738 www.lovemypetsgps.com 52 BellaDOG Magazine

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Shannon and Jim not only own and run their store on their own but are successful philanthropists as well. ”We always do what we can to support animal shelters in our community through various fundraising events” Once a month, Happy Paws and Tails partners with The Green Iguana Bar and Grill and serves up the best Yappy Hour around with an average guest list topping over 150 people with dogs in tow...all to raise money for local rescue organizations. And the list to be recognized as the spotlight group is long. Business and marketing values aren’t new to Shannon and Jim. They lived the corporate life up until the day they decided to walk away. What is behind this whole life change? “It all started when we broght home our new member of the family - Trouper – our amazing Golden Retriever. As a puppy he was sick and just didn’t seem to be as upbeat as I thought a puppy should be. After many ear and eye infections...we did some homework and I questioned whether the food we were feeding him could actually be causing his problems. When you buy or adopt a dog, often times, you don’t recieve a manual on how to care or feed your new family member, you just go to the store and buy what you think is the best food. Luckily, food and nutrition have both evolved over the last 20 years. What I discovered was unbelievable. I became so passionate about nutrition for our pets that it is now my mission to help educate as many people as possible on how to properly feed there pets to achieve maximum health. I teach customers what to look for in their foods and what ingredients to stay away from. It’s not complicated and will add years to your pets health. What better platform to offer this information but to open up a pet supply store? So, Happy Paws and Tails was born and after almost 4 years of business, we have created a great food selection and a wide variety of toys, treats and gift items that creates the ultimate pet shop experience.” Enter Happy Paws and Tails and you will always be sure to find something you have not seen at other shops. There are many hand-made items by Pet Lovers for Pet Lovers. Shannon strive’s to bring the most unique pet

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The Little Shop That Love Built! Shannon and Jim Cloversettle of Happy Paws and Tails in Riverview Florida began it’s journey on April 1, 2006 in a tiny kiosk of only 33 square feet at The Brandon Town Center. Shannon and Jim Cloversettle focused their efforts on offering natural dog treats & ultimately unique toys. Three months after opening, they discovered the need for more space so they moved into a larger retail space of 250 square feet at Winthrop Town Cener in Riverview. The shop, they called “the incubator”, allowed them to grow at their own pace, taking baby steps in order to properly monitor their potential future in the business. Their goal (which has never changed) is to provide personal customer service and a wealth of knowledge regarding health and diet for your pet. In the new space they added natural foods and increased the selection of toys and handmade 54

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gift items, including work of many talented local artists and regional artists. Shannon and Jim enjoy giving back to their community and this is just one way of doing it. Well, Just fifteen months later, they noticed an exciting increase in interested customers and moved yet again into what is now the current storefront of 950 square feet at Winthrop Town Centre. “I like to say we grew as our family grew. In the new shop we have added many hand crafted and unique items that aren’t available in most shops, especially the larger franchise style stores. We are constantly introducing new items and strive to provide fresh and new products. We have to - we have customers that shop with us weekly. We are open seven days a week to serve our customers (our four legged friends, too), so it’s imperative to keep things exciting.”

items to the market place from the most extraordinary artists around the country. The artists they support craft their items and are not mass produced. They enjoy Trouper, Jim and Shannon’s Beloved Golden Retreiver working with people that give back to the community through donations to no-kill animal shelter programs. Some characteristics you will find at Happy Paws and Tails include but not limited to promoting recycled, green, hand created, hand painted, pet- inspired and eco –friendly … not from CHINA … Works of Art. The products and artists Happy Paws and Tails choses to feature are works of art that are inspired by the artist’s beloved pets. “As a pet owner and pet lover, I am truly inspired by the products we offer and the artists that fulfill the bond between the pet and his owner through their work” Says Shannon. Their unique gift line includes stationary and gift baskets that are joyously suitable for holidays, birthdays, or any special occasion. Fun, fashionable and trendy

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Bubba Rose Biscuit Company

bowls, jars and feeders to match any style are a sure find as well. Happy Paws and Tails also offers a variety of natural and organic food and gourmet treats for all pet life stages.

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And if that isnt enough they have an outstanding selection of treats that do not inlcude wheat, corn or soy. “ We offer a large assortment of packaged treats & baked treats. We also offer a mix and match organic bulf treat section that our customer get choose from a variety of flavor of treats. We offer treats such as snickerdoodles, muddy paws, peanut brittle and itza pizza just to name a few. They also offer a variety of food that inlcude cannned, dehydrated, raw and dry food with brands such as Primal, Stella & Chewys, Honest Kitchen, Innova, Evo, California Natural, Taste of the Wild, Natural Balance and Solid Gold. Stay posted for more brands to arrive in early in 2010.” And if that isnt enough they have an outstanding selection of treats that do not inlcude wheat, corn or soy. “ We offer a large assortment of packaged treats & baked treats. We also offer a mix and match organic bulf treat section that our customer get choose from a variety of flavor of treats. We offer treats such as snickerdoodles, muddy paws, peanut brittle and itza pizza just to name a few. They also offer a variety of food that inlcude cannned, dehydrated, raw and dry food with brands such as Primal, Stella & Chewys, Hon est Kitchen, Innova, Evo, California Natural, Taste of the Wild, Natural Balance and Solid Gold. Stay post ed for more brands to arrive soon.”

The Bubba Rose Biscuit Company was founded in 2006 out of a desire to provide healthy, preservative-free dog treats; made with organic and natural ingredients and free of wheat, corn and soy. All the treats at Bubba Rose are handmade in small batches in their bakery in Boonton, New Jersey using locally sourced humangrade ingredients from the U.S. All of the meats & eggs are free-range, grain and/or grass fed, hormone, antibiotic and nitrite free. Bubba Rose products are free of chemicals, sugar, salt, artificial flavors, colors and fillers. Just key ingredients for great tasting treats.

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In October of 2007 Bubba Rose decided to start selling their products wholesale as well as, so that they could have their goodies on the shelves in stores around the country for even more dogs to enjoy. Bubba Rose is now carried in over 175 locations. And the latest step for the Bubba Rose bakery has been to open their doors to their own retail location where they bake, pack and ship all of their wonderful products. In the area? Stop in to say hello and do some shopping for your four legged buddy! Bubba Rose also offers unique products that meet their philosophies including a one-of-a-kind selection of toys, collars, leashes, sweaters, custom-made dog statues, and so much more... Bubba Rose always supports rescue and adoption agencies and shelters nationwide by raising money and awareness, and donating treats in honor of their own pack of rescued pups. Give them a try, you’ll be proud you did! Bubba Rose Biscuit Company Owners: Jessica & Eric Talley www.BubbaRose.com

Happy Paws and Tails (813) 661-5138 6128 Winthrop Town Center Ave. Riverview, FL 33568 www.happypawsandtails.net

BellaDOG Magazine

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Pompano Beach, FL is home to the country’s only breed specific, 100% natural, high quality, human grade food for your pooch. Backed by veterinarians, researched by nutritionists…fine dining for your four legged children has never been so good. Founded six years ago by, Craig Zeleznik, Chef K9’s meals are quickly sweeping the nation simply by word of mouth, and they are quickly outgrowing their second store front. Their unrivaled, nutritionally packed meals have been turning dogs with chronic health issues, into happy, healthy family members since they began. Chef K9’s Bakery and Bistro was born out of Craig’s love for his own dogs. The desire for his four legged kid’s wellbeing naturally overflowed into the kitchen as he started educating himself on the proper diet for his dog’s breed. Soon, he began selling mouth watering, nutrition packed meals to friends and family and within no-time, he was cooking meals for 40 different breeds.

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What DogGys Would Eat If They Could Cook!

~Stacey Thomas

“Yes, I’ll have the Grilled, Ground New Zealand Lamb and Farm Raised Hormone Free Chicken with Russet Potatoes, slow Cooked Sweet Potatoes with Steamed Fresh Grated Carrots, Broccoli, and Squash over Toasted Whole-Wheat bread croutons with cheddar cheese, cottage cheese and garlic. Oh, and add a Doggie Cannoli with Carob Cream for dessert, please. Bailey just loves those!” No, that wasn’t an excerpt from some Hollywood Boulevard menu or a clip from a Disney doggy movie. That was pure and simple truth from Chef K9’s Bakery and Bistro. Welcome to chef-prepared, breed specific gourmet meals. For real. If you’re like most concerned pet parents, you’ve heard the horror stories of how commercial grade dog food is prepared and the not-so-great long term effects on your pet’s health. Some Kibble is cooked at such high temperatures, that NOTHING survives, including the so-called nutrition the bag claims to contain. To rectify this, many manufacturing 58

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companies spray the kibble with a greasy melody of vitamins, Chef K9, Craig Zeleznik minerals and in some cases supplements. Supplements that, if consumed on a regular basis and without warrant, will shut down the body’s own natural manufacturing of it…such as glucosamine. The vitamins and minerals are a gesture at best, but hollow when it comes to translatable nutrition. Have you ever read the ingredient label on most foods? If you have to break out a dictionary or google the name of the ingredients, chances are they probably shouldn’t be eating it. In most cases, these foods lead to chronic ailments such as itchy skin, hot spots, and food allergies. To the credit of many well intentioned pet parents, many still purchase grocery store or bulk kibble or wet food that guarantees nutrients and high quality ingredients on the pretty packaging. But…have you ever opened a bag of this type of “kibble” or a can of this type of “wet food” and been so impressed that you wanted to try a bite for yourself? Really?? Yea, I didn’t think so.

“I began cooking freshly prepared meals for my dog. I used ingredients that were indigenous to his particular breed’s country of origin. This way I learned and believed that each dog could properly assimilate all of the food he ate. I quickly learned to fine tune my recipes in the event of a weight control issue, be it too light or too heavy. In doing all of this, one thing became obvious: my dog was much healthier. Over a period of months, ailments like hot spots, eye infections, and digestive issues that had plagued my dog were now a thing of the past”, says Craig. Craig is no stranger to the kitchen…nor health, wellness or nutrition. As an experienced chef of more than ten years for the two legged variety, he pours his passion for fantastic food into every meal that he and his staff personally prepare for hundreds of dogs every week. His college education in nutrition, fitness, and culinary arts are his own fine ingredients that make his meals such a booming success among his clients and their masters. A visit to the Chef K9 website will make most do a double take as pictures of dishes surely found in high end restaurants grace the menu page. Absolutely NO chemicals, preservatives, by-products, artificial colors, or meat “meals” will ever be found in any of the food prepared in the Chef K9 kitchen. Every dish is completely suitable for anyone to dig in with an eager fork…although Fido might have an opinion or two on that. But, it’s not just the pretty appearance that keeps pets and their people coming back for more. In fact, the visual aesthetics are merely an added bonus. What’s truly significant about Chef K9’s meals, is the impact that they are having on the health of the consumers. A look at the testimonial page will reveal countless customer applause regarding the tangible change in their dog’s health. More energy, no more hot spots, healthy moist skin, no allergies or digestive problems, shiny coats, weight control, etc., etc., etc., The list of benefits could go on and on. This isn’t by

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Look at all the TRULY healthy, Nutrient Dense Ingredients. Can you see any of this in a commercial kibble?

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TRULY healthy, Nutrient Dense Ingredients.

Fresh Broccoli, Steamed and baked into these one of a kind cheesy treats. Cheddar & Cheddar....... What can Be Better?

Old English Sheepdog, Custom Dog Specific Diet. This client had urine crystals (struvites). Chef K9’s Fresh Formulation enabled his body to disolve the stones and has thus far keep them away too. Diet plays a factor in everything! BellaDOG Magazine

mere coincidence however. Each meal is methodically researched for each breed’s specific needs and based on factual research by the National Research Council (NRC) and their published Nutrient Requirements for Dogs.

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“Our diets have been formulated by actual professionals, specializing in the breed specific nutrient requirements of various breeds of dog. Information such as breed work-ups, breed origin, places of origin, native crop supplies, and native protein sources to countries of origin are used to prepare the ideal formulations for each dog”, says Craig.

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What DogGys Would Eat If They Could Cook!

All of the ingredients are from US based farms except for the New Zealand and Australian legs of lamb and all produce, provisions, and meats are inspected and approved by the USDA. No corners are cut to save a buck. Craig buys many of his ingredients from the same suppliers of fine dining restaurants across the country.

Don’t you wish you could smell this? cooked to perfection for various tastes, textures, and flavor.

With menu items like: ground shoulder of beef served over pearled barley and ovenroasted red potatoes, served with a sauté of fine ground corn, pan-wilted spinach, fresh kidney beans, zucchini,

Obesity Skin Issues Food Allergies Digestive Troubles Degenerative Diseases Chronic Eye/Ear Infections

954.270.CHEF w w w . C H E FK 9 . c o m

Left: Woofy Wafer w/ Carob Cream or Peanut Butter! Below: Doggy Pizza! Garlic, oregano, parsley, and wheat. Finished with Cheddar and Parmesan Cheeses. Yum!

green beans, and garlic. Finished with fresh shredded cheddar cheese and high oleic kosher safflower oil… there’s no doubt in the quality of the meal. And, you don’t have to be the parent of a pure breed canine to benefit from Chef K9’s culinary collaborations.

Vacuum Sealed in clear packaging, so you can SEE what you are getting. No kibble, no pellets, no added chemicals, colorings, by-products. 60

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EVERY natural ingredient is 100% suitable for human consumption

WE CAN HELP WITH:

Above: One of Chef K9’s Bakery Showcase’s

The Stainless Steal Kitchen! The Chefs Spend Countless Hours Cooking Breed Specific & Custom Dog Specific Diets. Make No Mistake, These ovens are HOT!!

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.

Have a mixed breed or hybrid? No problem! A phone consult with the Chef K9 kitchen will result in a diet specifically designed for your “kid” of diverse origins. Have a medical condition? No problem! Chef K9 can consult with your veterinarian if necessary and whip up a succulent, medically sound concoction that would make the Food Network jealous.

3 3 5 0 NW 22n d Te r ra ce # 40 0 Po mp a n o Be a ch, FL 3 3 0 6 9

But wait!! There’s more! In case you missed it the first time, Chef K9’s store front is called Bistro and BAKERY! Seriously, what “mutt” wouldn’t want to finish off his 5 star dish with a cannoli, or rosette cookie, or a woofy wafer?! Every treat and pastry is prepared just like the meals, using only the finest ingredients that will satisfy even the pickiest of pallets… AND IT’S GOOD FOR THEM! Did I mention the pizza, the pretzels, or the three layer birthday cake? Or, how about the holiday and seasonal treats? So, how can I get my paws on these fantastic feasts and delectable desserts, you might ask? Well, I’ll let the Chef fill you in… “Since our meal plans are 100% real food, containing no preservatives, they are perishable. Therefore, our meals must be stored in a refrigerator and/or freezer. All our meals come to you pre-portioned and vacuum-sealed for maximum freshness. If you purchase a one-month supply, you will receive four bags of food, each bag containing one week’s worth of food. Three bags will be put directly into your freezer, while the final bag is put into your refrigerator. When you are two days from running out, simply pull a bag from your freezer and put in your refrigerator to thaw naturally. That’s it!”

Actual photo of ChefK9’s Doggy Bistro & Bakery meal As if it couldn’t get any better…Chef K9 makes every effort possible to be eco-friendly and encourage you to do the same. If you fold up your insulated K9 meal shipping boxes and mail them back to “the kitchen”, they thank you by sending you free food on your next order! Kudos to that! Can’t seem to stop your dogs itching, or get rid of those hot spots, or overcome his digestive issues and you’re spending a month’s salary on repetitive, unsuccessful treatments. Chances are, the food you’re feeding your four legged friend could be the culprit and it could be getting overlooked. Just a thought, but why ponder any further, give Chef K9 a call for some insight and suggestions for your pooch. Understanding your dog’s take on certain ingredients is definitely something worth looking into. So the next time you open up that bag of dry, funny smelling, warehouse stored, nutrition deficient kibble or a can of unidentifiable cylindrical goop…take a bite. Mmmm. Yummy. Yea, I didn’t think so. Hmmm…Animal Planet… Pet Food Network…Yea, it’s coming for sure thanks to pioneers like Craig Zeleznik! Check it out. Do it for the dog. Your best friend is more than worth it. w w w.c hefk9.com BellaDOG Magazine

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food ingredients to avoid

Pet Vet

Vaccination Clinics

Because They’re BAD!

Go grab the dog food bag that you reach into every single day in order to feed the pet’s that you love....DO IT! Now, read the list of ingredients and find out what you’re really feeding them. If you see any of the following ingredients, look at this as a WAKE UP CALL and start feeding them properly. It’s your job as a pet parent to be educated - for their health’s sake.

So what’s in that big bad of dog food?

Shock, disgust, and horror are all words that come to mind when one looks at the label on a bag or can of many dog foods. Sadly, most consumers have no idea what is really in their dog’s food, because the companies often hide true definitions to their ingredients. A great example would be feet & feathers. Chicken’s feet and feathers may be used as a protein source, once melted down into a digestible form. So why can’t we find either ingredient listed on our labels? Probably because if we really knew the truth, we wouldn’t buy the food. Here’s a list of several popular ingredients used in dog food, along with brief explanations. Animal By-Product: The parts used can be obtained from any slaughtered fowl, so there is no control over the quality and consistency of individual batches. Poultry by-products are much less expensive and less digestible than chicken meat. The ingredients of each batch can vary drastically in ingredients (heads, feet, bones, organs etc.) as well as quality, thus the nutritional value is not consistent. Don’t forget that by-products consist of any parts of the animal OTHER than meat. If there is any use for any part of the animal that brings more profit than selling it as “by-product”, rest assured it will appear in such a product rather than in the “by-product” dumpster. Animal Digest: A cooked-down broth made from unspecified parts of unspecified animals. The animals used can be obtained from any source, so there is no control over quality or contamination. Any kind of animal can be included: “4-D animals” (dead, diseased, disabled, or dying prior to slaughter), goats, pigs, horses, rats, misc. roadkill, animals euthanized at shelters, restaurant and supermarket refuse and so on are immediately passed on to the dog food manufacturers. Meat Meals (Chicken, Beef, Lamb, Poultry, Fish, & Bone Meal): The animal parts used can be obtained from any source, so there is no control over quality or contamination. Any kind of animal can be included: “4-D animals” (dead, diseased, disabled, or dying prior to slaughter), goats, pigs, 62

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horses, rats, misc. roadkill, animals euthanized at shelters pus, cancerous tissue, and decomposed (spoiled) tissue. * While containing more meat then a by-product, there is still no measurable amount of usable meat, although it is again still considered a protein source. Bloody Sawdust: Used to soak up the blood on the slaughterhouse floor, it too may be in your dog’s food. Rancid Fats: While you won’t see it listed as rancid, many fats used in dog food are indeed bad. Often used fats are the cheap animal fats, rather then a canola, fish, or safflower oil which is rich in linoleic acids. Sucrose: SUGAR comes in all sorts of forms, such as high fructose corn syrup. Sugar or sweetener is an absolutely unnecessary ingredient in pet foods, added to make the product more attractive. Continuous intake can promote hypoglycemia, obesity, nervousness, cataracts, tooth decay, arthritis and allergies.

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BHA (Butylated Hydroxysanisole) & BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene): phenolic antioxidants used to preserve fats and oils, especially in foods. Banned from human use in many countries but still permitted in the US. A preservative very commonly found in dog food. It is thought to cause fetal abnormalities, liver damage and cancer.

Propylene Glycol: Used for texture, this chemical is known to cause severe illness in dogs.

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Ethoxyquin: Another common preservative, originally intended to be used as a stabilizer for the production of rubber. Ethoxyquin has been known to cause all sorts of health related issues with dogs, even autoimmune disease. Red 40 (artificial color): The color additive FD&C Red No. 40 is the most widely used food dye. The reason? To look like there’s quality meat in the food. It too has a possibility of causing cancer.

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Hungry for More????? You have to visit www.dogfoodproject.com and read until you understand the importance of label reading and feeding your dog the right ingredients. You’ll enjoy a longer life with your pets and you’ll decrease the vet bills in the long run. Do it for them. Once you understand the labels, you will buy smarter. Guaranteed! BellaDOG Magazine

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“I knew but one unchanged and here he lies.”

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Poet Lord Byron’s poem:

Inscri ption on the Monument of a

Newfoundland Dog “Near this spot Are deposited the Remains of one who possessed Beauty without Vanity, Strength without Insolence, Courage without Ferocity, And all the Virtues of Man without his Vices. This Praise, which would be unmeaning Flattery if inscribed over human ashes, Is but a just tribute to the Memory of BOATSWAIN, a Dog, Who was born at Newfoundland, May, 1803, And died at Newstead Abbey, Nov. 18, 1808.” BellaDOG Magazine

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sighted, the dog carried a line to land. A Newfoundland named Seaman accompanied the Lewis and Clark expedition, and Nana, the children’s “nurse” in the original Peter Pan, was a Newfoundland. The hallmark of the breed is his sweet and gentle temperament. This combined with his devotion and eagerness to please his owner make the Newfoundland the best of the giant breeds in the obedience category. A Newfy’s drop ears also keep out water, and very loose flews (droopy upper lips) allow him to breath while carrying something as he swims. While most Newfy’s are black, recessive colors like brown or bronze (the color of an Irish Setter) are possible. Black and brown combine a recessive dilution gene to produce gray and cream-colored dogs. Solid colors may have splashes of white on the chest, toes, and tail. Another color combination is the Landseer, named for artist Sir Edwin Landseer, who featured this striking white and black dog in many of his paintings. The Landseer Newfy is a white dog, with a black head, black on the rump extending onto the tail, and an evenly marked black saddle over the back. The Newfoundland has a stiff, water repellent oily outer coat of moderate length and a fleecy undercoat to adapt to the harsh climate of his home island. A Newfoundland can swim for hours, yet remain completely dry and warm at the skin. They are exceptinally well built with a muscled tail which is used as a rudder when in the water, webbed feet,

Although the inscription on the monument states the day of death as the 18th, Byron had written it on the 18th, he actually died on the 10th. He wrote to his friend, Francis Hodgson, on Nov. 18th, 1808: “. . .Boatswain is dead! he expired in a state of madness on the 10th, after suffering much, yet retaining all the gentleness of his nature to the last, never attempting to do the least injury to any one near him.” These are words similiarly common to those who have shared their lives with the Newfoundland Dog, a gentle giant among canines. The Newfy is a striking dog bound to elicit admiring comments wherever he accompanies his owner. A sweet, devoted companion, the Newfy will protect children, haul leaves and firewood, save drowning people, and compete successfully in obedience and track66 Bella DOG Magazine

ing trials. Born as a canine seaman, the Newfy was a standard piece of equipment on every fishing boat in Canada’s maritime province that gave the breed its name. Fishing has always been Newfoundland’s chief industry; the dogs hauled fishing nets out to sea and back to the boat and retrieved objects or people who fell into the sea. Equally at home in water or on land, the Newfoundland was large enough to pull in a drowning man or to break the ice as he dove into the frigid northern ocean. His lung capacity allowed him to swim great distances and fight ocean currents. At the end of a day’s fishing, the day’s catch was loaded into a cart, and the dog was hitched up to haul the load into town. Other Newfoundlands pulled wagons to deliver milk and mail throughout the island.

The origin of this working breed is disputed. Vikings and Basque fishermen visited Newfoundland as early as 1000 AD and wrote accounts of the natives working side by side with these retrieving dogs. The breed as we know it today was developed in England, while the island of Newfoundland nearly legislated the native breed to extinction in 1780. Then, shortly after World War I, a magnificent dog named Siki became not only the most famous show Newfy in history, but the most famous stud dog of the breed. Most Newfoundlands in the conformation ring today can trace their pedigrees to Siki. There are many legends of Newfoundlands saving drowning victims by carrying lifelines to sinking ships. The dogs were kept in the “dog walk” on early sailing ships. If the sea was too choppy when land was sighted, the dog carried a line to land. A Newfoundland named Seaman accompanied BellaDOG Magazine

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and on land.” The Newf is exceptionally well built for water work. He has a water resistant double coat, a muscled tail which is used as a rudder, webbed feet, ears that cling close to the head, and a strong swimming style resembling a breast stroke.

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Water Tests “Great Britain first sponsored formal water tests for Newfoundlands in the late 1800’s. The Newfoundland Club of America began its water tests in 1973, with the first test in this country being held by the Great Lakes Newfoundland Club in Michigan.

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“The Water Test offers the Newfoundland an opportunity to perform a series of exercises designed to show their natural life-saving instincts. The test is composed of Junior and Senior Divisions. Each contains six exercises with suggested time limits. A dog successfully completing the Junior exercises is awarded the NCA title of Water Dog (WD). Successful completion of the Senior exercises earns a Water Rescue Dog (WRD) title. ears that cling close to the head, and a strong swimming style resembling a breast stroke. Newfoundlands are used to help patrol the beaches in Britain, France, and Italy. During their annual water training demonstration at the Molveno Dog Show, the Italian School of Dog Training showcases circumstances in which Newfy’s and their handlers jump out of helicopters hovering 15 feet above the water’s surface. The French Coast Guard has determined that a well-conditioned Newf can tow an inflatable life raft with 20 people aboard two miles to shore with out being unduly stressed.

“The Newfoundland Club of America encourages its members to foster and maintain the working dog abilities that are such an important part of the history of the breed. To this end, the NCA sponsors Water Tests across the country. The Newfoundland Club of America Water Tests are a series of exercises designed to develop and demonstrate the water work abilities of purebred Newfoundland dogs.

Newfoundland Health Challenge This breed is not perfect. The Newfoundland is troubled with health problems, which vary from orthopedic problems and genetic disorders to life threatening diseases. New technology is creating an increased awareness of health problems and the need to address them in the entire fancy. The AKC has taken up the challenge by creating the Canine Health Foundation. And now Newfoundland owners can make a difference by taking up a challenge of their own. The Newfoundland Health Challenge - an aggressive fundraising campaign aimed at raising tens of thousands of dollars in the coming years to fund Newfoundland - related health research--was created to fight for better health within the breed. The creation of the Challenge was unanimously approved by the Newfoundland Club of America’s Board of Directors. During the coming years, Challenge funds may help scientists understand why dogs bloat, or discover a genetic marker for SAS (a common heart defect in Newfy’s), autoimmune disorders or epilepsy.

The Challenge is not a quick fix. It is a long-term commitment. It may take many years and many different studies and research projects to make a better world for the Newfoundlands. But the Challenge is the NCA’s next step in the right direction. Someday, it will make a difference. “The Challenge is about making every effort to give our beloved Newfoundlands long, healthy lives,” said Jan.“ In return, the Challenge is there when we need to be comforted. When one of our dogs dies, there is still something we can do for them. By making donations in their honor, a special dog is remembered and that donation just might make the difference for some Newfoundland in the future.”

“The Newfoundland is primarily a dog of the sea. Long ago they were the constant companions of fishermen, and boats would often not leave the shore without a Newfoundland on board. History is full of old tales recording heroic rescues made by these courageous animals. Today, the breed standard stresses that the dog should be “at home in the water BellaDOG Magazine

~Courtesy of The Colonial Newfoundland Club

The first question every Newfy owner has when they find out about the Challenge is, “Where can I send a check?” said Challenge CoChair Mary Jane Spackman. The second question is, “How else can I help?”

The water rescue instincts of the Newf are particularly evident when children or other family members are in the water. The Newf takes his life guarding responsibilities very seriously, quite often circling around and herding his “family” to shore. They have an uncanny ability to sense when someone in the water needs help, whether a family member or stranger, an will immediately swim out to assist. Some dogs circle around the “victim” until they feel the person grab onto them, then head to shore; others will take the person’s arm in their mouth and proceed to tow them to safety that way.

The Newfoundland has historically functioned as a working companion to his owner, and members of the breed have participated in many heroic rescues. Performance of these exercises is intended as a demonstration of skill developed through both natural ability and training. The emphasis in the Water Test is on teamwork between dog and handler in realistic work and rescue situations.

www.ncanewfs.org “Oliver” by Sheri-lyn Shepler. Oliver is fed gourmet food from Chef K9!

The Premier Direct Seller of Pet Products!

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“We offer toys, treats and gift items for the pet lover and we do all this through home pet parties!” Pamper your pet by hosting a party or to start your own business today. Call for more information.

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(941) 380-2918

w w w. p e t p a w t y U S A . c o m BellaDOG Magazine

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Winter Wonderland For Dogs Dog Friendly Coasts To Visit

Si mply Sp ot ted P hoto

Pristine Area Favorite Lauded as “Portrait of Tranquility”....

T r Fort Desoto Beach, St. a Petersburg, Florida! v Fort DeSoto Park, in St. Petersburg, Florida was named e America’s Top Beach for the second consecutive year by the world’s largest online travel community. l TripAdvisor, Citing a “spectacular combination of soft white sand, calm, w i t h H A I R

clear water and a laid-back atmosphere,” the popular online travel network put the park’s North Beach at the top of its annual best-of list, based on their popularity Index. This marks the second time in three years the pristine Pinellas County, Florida beach has received top honors on an annual “best-of” list. In 2005 Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, a.k.a. “Dr. Beach,” named Fort De Soto the nation’s #1 Beach. Fort DeSoto is the largest park in the Pinellas County, Florida Park system with 5 islands and of course so much to do! And the best part? This soft, white sandy beach is one of the best around for people and their pets. The dog beach 70

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there is a beautiful, unfenced 200-yard stretch of open beach where there are NO Leashes Required! The Fort Desoto Dog Park and Dog Beach is a quiet, secluded haven and a wonderland for dogs. It has a panoramic view of the water towards the North Beach area and Ft. Desoto and in the other direction, Tampa Bay and the Skyway Bridge. The water is always shallow, clean and comfortable and the waves are gentle. It is the best beach for sharing a day with your best friend. Dog owners can lay out on the beautiful, white sandy beach and let their dogs socialize with dozens of other animals. If your dog is hot and thirsty, there is a side-by-side, fencedin dog park for small and big dogs that has two water fountains, one for humans and one for dogs. The shell hunting is great too, wait for low tide to expose the best ones and pick them up at your leisure while your furry friends frolic through the water with their new buds. Children and adults love all the possible things to do at Ft. Desoto state park too! Close by you can also bicycle, rollerblade, trike, walk or jog on the paved trails running the length of this island. If you fish you can enjoy the fishing pier just left of the dog beach. If you are a history buff, Ft.

• If you plan to fish, a saltwater fishing license for its two fishing piers is required in Florida. • Camping reservations must be made in person no more than 30 days in advance. Call (727) 582-2267 for further information.

Beware of Hammerhead sharks during Tarpon fishing season. They come in to feed and the sharks like to eat them. The large tarpon show up in the mouth of Tampa Bay in March. They move throughout Tampa Bay all summer long, leaving sometime in October. Winter months are safe so you can plan your winter vacations with your pups with no worries!

• Once inside Ft. Desoto Park, turn right towards the North Beach and the Paw Playground, as it is called, is by the fishing pier on the left. For more information visit: www.fortdesoto.com/pawplayground.php To see a panorama of the Dog Beach look here: http://tour.tbo.com/tour/stops/fortdesotodogpark.htm S i mply Spot ted P hoto

The GulfCoast DOG Magazine BellaDOG Magazine

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Desoto, displays a historic landmark close by to examine. If you are inclined to walk a bit then take a journey and stretch your legs on a nature walk on the island for an interesting look at the flora and fauna of this area. If you camp or want to host a group picnic or forgot to bring some food then Ft. Desoto state park has the amenities for that also. And across this whole island, there is convenient parking and park rangers to assist you if needed. Fort Desoto State Park is open daily from 8:00AM to 9:00PM. Things To Remember: • All dogs must remain on a leash anywhere outside of the dog beach or dog park area.

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Lost Coast House “Sti ll Wi ld ” Petro l ia, Cal ifornia

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T r Peace, quiet and the a relaxation of nature v Looking for a place to get away? The Lost Coast Vacation e House is located 4 --5 hours north of San Francisco, CA on the banks of the Mattole River. Lost Coast House is situated l on its own private riverbank amongst redwoods and fruit w i t h H A I R

orchards, only 5 miles from the Lost Coast trailhead and deserted ocean beaches. Swim and sunbathe on your own private beach... watch the otters play and the herons fish only steps away from the house... relax in your private “grove” of hammocks... warm yourself in front of a roaring fire... pick your own fresh apples and plums... lounge on the window seats overlooking the river... watch the stars through the skylights at night... This is what weekends away with your four-legged friends were meant to be.

The property has four spacious bedrooms, including two upstairs suites with cathedral ceilings and skylights. There are views of the river from virtually every room in the house, and the entire home is sunny and warm, with lots of open space and hardwood floors throughout. The kitchen is well stocked with a formal dining table for six, and there is a Lopi woodstove for warm evenings and sliding glass doors leading to a deck and patio with river views.

The House is a family vacation home that is uniquely situated on 300+ feet of private river frontage on Northern California’s Lost Coast in Humboldt County. It is five miles from two gorgeous Lost Coast ocean beaches, the Lost Coast Trailhead/Campground, and is in a “banana belt” zone which remains fog free and sunny during the summer and fall. Completed in 1996 with extensive custom interior detailing, it has been furnished and maintained with the highest standards. It is available for rental all year round, including holidays and weekends.

BellaDOG Magazine

There are numerous organic fruit trees on the property, with cherries available in June and fresh plums and heirloom apples available from July to November. Uncrowded pristine beaches allow for private time to search for shells, watch sea lions and shore birds, or just relax and reconnect. You can also fish from your private river beach or just relax on the deck and watch the heron, egrets and river otters play. There are always opportunities for hiking, surfing, sea kayaking and beach camping within a 15 minute drive and if you bring your bikes, you can enjoy some of the best bicycling terrain in America.

This property is a paradise for dogs! It is fenced from the road, but left open on the riverside, so you can still see views of the river from throughout the

property. The river is shallow in the summer with a slow current, perfect for wading or exploring, with deeper swimming holes just upstream. The countryside offers dogs many opportunities not found in city parks: walking off-leash down the deserted country roads, hiking along the ocean beaches which are never crowded, and picking up scents and sightings of wild deer, squirrel, and rabbits. You can see countryside the way it was meant to be, with lots of open land and grazing cows and lambs. There is horseback-riding, a monthly farmer’s market and a community pancake breakfast. The area is very small and friendly, and everyone knows each other on a first name basis and a hand shake is how deals are still sealed. When you stay here, you’ll be convinced that you’ve traveled back decades ago to how things once were.

and all of the electrical needs. Because they tie into PG&E’s (Pacific Gas and Electric Company) grid, they are actually a net producer, and many of the lights and appliances are specifically geared to provide low energy impact. They have never used any pesticides anywhere on the property, including the fruit trees which is even better for the doggies. Check out the Lost Coast House by calling (541) 726-0371 or visit them onthe web at: www.lostcoasthouse.com

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Lost Coast House owners definitely try to respect the environment as much as possible. Many aspects of the house are salvaged or recycled, including old growth redwood stairs recovered from an old fishing cabin that was once on the site, enormous beams recycled from the Donner Pass railroad lines, and red fir floors in the upstairs master bedroom and bath. They put in solar panels that power the water pump, hot water heater BellaDOG Magazine

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The Singing Beach in Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts, is named for its unusual sand, which squeaks or “sings” beneath your feet. You won’t produce a tune by simply strolling along the sand (and it’s not very musical when wet), but if you shuffle and scuff your feet on the dry sand with a bit of authority, you will, indeed, produce a distinct squeaking sound.

Pet Friendly Home Away From Home

Musical sand isn’t the only thing that makes this a special beach. Its small parking lot, which is open to the public Monday through Thursday but reserved for Manchester-bythe-Sea residents only Friday through Sunday, makes this Boston North Shore beach rather exclusive.

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

A few hints: • Arrive early; the parking lot is usually full by 11:00AM even on weekdays.

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• Take the commuter rail from Boston to Manchester, and the Singing Beach is just under a half-mile walk from the station. • Head to the Singing Beach in the off-season: before Memorial Day or after Labor Day. As of 2009, admission to the Singing Beach is $5 for residents and non-residents; children under 12 are admitted free. Parking for non-residents Monday through Thursday is $25 per car including admission.

Merry Mutts

ch es te r- B y- T he S in gi ng B ea ch , M an

Dogs are permitted to be on Singing Beach from October 1st - April 30th.

-S ea

r meet ups at dog 07. They have regula 20 , 20 r be cto O on sa was created ester-by-the-Sea, Mas of the North Shore ng Beach in Manch gi Sin as ch Merry Mutts Meet Up su , ore ross the North Sh friendly locations ac 0.97 01960US Peabody, MA 42.53-7 bers Members: 312 Mem Meetups: 82 so far errymutts www.meetup.com/m

Manchester - by - the - Sea’s Name Change... The “by-the-Sea” extension of Manchester is actually part of the town’s name. Several years ago a movement started up by a group of residents who felt that every mention of Manchester was associated with the much larger New Hampshire city of the same name. So the group promoted a campaign to change the name of the town to Manchester-by-the-Sea - it was approved by a close margin in a town meeting vote. 76 BellaDOG Magazine

Some History of the Area...

Cape Ann is a rocky peninsula in northeastern Massachusetts on the Atlantic Ocean. It is a community of three towns (Rockport, Manchester and Essex) and a city (Gloucester) located about 30 miles northeast of Boston. Hundreds of thousands of visitors are attracted to this “other” Cape every year for its scenic beauty, beaches, history, art galleries, restaurants, whale watch cruises, antiques, and other attractions. An important factor to the Cape Ann visitor is that, not only is Cape Ann a beautiful, interesting place to spend a vacation, it’s close to two of New England’s other major destinations, Boston and Salem. Many visitors who plan to spend time in Boston and Salem choose to stay on Cape Ann for its seaside charm and homey lodgings, and spending some of their time here and some on day trips. However you divide your time, you’ll find a Cape Ann getaway or vacation to be unique, special, and memorable. Conversely, if you are spending time in Boston, one or two days on Cape Ann is a must, and it’s easily accessible from the Boston area.

See Gloucester

Gloucester is America’s original seaport, still active and lively, after more than 375 years. This remarkable small city offers its famous harbor and waterfront, restaurants, art, museums, whale watching cruises, historic walks and much more.

See Rockport

You hear the phrase “quaint seacoast village” so often that it becomes a cliché, but this description fits Rockport well. An enjoyable place to spend a day, weekend or vacation, Rockport welcomes tourists from around the world and day trippers from greater Boston for a variety of reasons.

See Essex

This scenic small town has retained much of the character and charm of its nineteenth century heritage, when it was the shipbuilding capital of America. Essex offers visitors cruises on its beautiful winding river, dozens of antique shops and famous seafood restaurants, quiet charm and beautiful scenery.

See Manchester - by - the - Sea

Manchester is a beautiful New England town with a nice downtown area, picturesque harbor and wonderful beach. The quietest of the Cape Ann communities welcomes visitors with a number of shops, restaurants, a local museum and scenic landscapes. Find out about all of the Dog Friendly Beaches in these areas by visiting www.bostoncentral.com. Most beaches have restrictions so make sure you know the rules before storming the beaches with your furry little helions! BellaDOG Magazine 77

T r a v e l w i t h H A I R

Benjamin, and their small dog, Bodie. They currently live in Central Florida. Leila is also a freelance pet travel article writer for sites such as Examiner.com. Visit AndASmallDog.com and start planning your pet-friendly vacation today!

Travel advice for you and your dog You know the look your dog gives you when he knows you’re leaving the house without you, right? Well, it’s obvious they want to be with you where ever you go and it’s always more fun with them tagging along. But planning a trip that includes animals as well as human travelers can be time-consuming and difficult. Unfortunately, many of the pet travel websites that exist today are largely outdated and provide inaccurate or incomplete information. It’s impossible to rely on a search engine or computers to give personalized advice about where you should (or shouldn’t) take your pet on vacation. Sadly, many pet owners give up trying to plan a vacation for the whole family (including their four-legged members) and end up leaving their pets behind while they roam the world alone.

AndASmallDog hopes to change that. They offer a

full service travel agency that specializes in pet travel. Leila Coe started out in the travel industry about ten years ago as a “regular” travel agent for humans. In 2006, she and her husband adopted Bodie, a Jack Russell mix, from an animal shelter in Amsterdam. Both wanted to continue traveling around Europe but didn’t want to leave Bodie behind especially since he suffers from separation anxiety. The only solution was to take Bodie with them, so Leila started planning their trips. She quickly noticed that there were very few resources that could give useful tips on where to stay and what to do with your pets during your travels, so just like that, AndASmallDog.com was created and the information gap for people/pet travels is now closing. What sets it apart from other pet travel websites is that there is an experienced travel agent behind the site that can offer you personalized up-to-date travel assistance and answer any questions that you have. Full trip-planning assistance is available including accommodation reservations, transportation arrangements, and details on what to do with your pet while at your destination. AndASmallDog.com also offers regularly updated travel advice for you and your dog including trip reports, reviews of hotels and other dog-friendly establishments, tips on traveling with your dog and much more - all for free! You can also follow

BellaDOG Magazine

www.AndASmallDog.com

all the AndASmallDog.com happenings on Twitter and Facebook a new Flickr AndASmallDog photo group has been established where others can share photos of their pets during their travels. Planning any trip can be stressful but now there is live help from a travel professional. You can now worry less since you can take your favorite friend along to most destinations. Pets are welcome in an increasing amount of hotels and other businesses, so you no longer have to sacrifice comfort for the sake of taking your pet with you. Getting from point A to B is also getting increasingly easier. By car is the most convenient way to travel, but sometimes its impossible as in the case of flying overseas. If your dog is around 15 pounds or less than they can usually fly under the seat in front of you. Larger dogs

T r a v e l w i t h H A I R

although there are airlines that have special pet-only areas such as KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. Leila’s dog has flown several times between U.S. and Europe without any incidents. “I can’t say its his favorite way to travel - that is definitely the car - but each time he gets more used to the idea. He has also been on many trains, including the high-speed Thalys train, on ferries in Croatia, and in a lot of busses and trams,” says Leila. Each country and city has their own rules about where pets are and aren’t allowed and it can take a lot of time to research and this is Leila’s specialty! “I will do all the research so you don’t have to waste your time doing so,” says Leila. Traveling with your pet is a rewarding and fun experience for all. “I can’t imagine going anywhere without Bodie,” says Leila. “having someone there to help plan your trip so you don’t have to spend hours upon hours researching the ins and outs of pet travel, to me, is priceless.” Leila Coe is a travel agent for World Class Travel and founder of AndASmallDog.com. She has been in the travel and hospitality industry for over ten years. She travels everywhere with her two trusty sidekicks - her husband, BellaDOG Magazine

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

Personalized Handpainted Ceramics

Handcrafted, personalized and microwavable Pet Pottery made in Woodlands, Texas by American designer Alyson Whitney. Each piece is hand-pained, with every color applied 3-4 times to achieve the strong, opaque colors which create the signature look. Treat Jars range from $74.95 to $84.95. Dog Bowls range from From $49.95 to $95.00 and Treat Jar/Bowl Comboes range from From $109.95 to $164.95.

Gone To The Dogs Boutique (727) 363-3200 www.gonetothedogsboutique.com

beat the winter blahs! f f u t s l o o c s i h t with ! t u o b a g n i k r a b worth 80 The BellaDOG Magazine 78 GulfCoast DOG Magazine

Photo by Sheri-lyn Shepler

DawggieGoPak

™

multi-pocket design is perfect for keys, treats, cell phone, and iPod™. There is even a special pocket that comes with a built-in grommet for dispensing bags. Included in the 4” x 7” (10cm x 17.8cm) design are a flap closure and back pocket with Velcro strips to keep items securely in place. We only use high quality, water resistant fabrics. Made in USA product designed by dog lovers for dog lovers, DawggieGoPak™ is the new functional way to keep everything you need for walks with your best friend. Gone To The Dogs Boutique (727) 363-3200 www.gonetothedogsboutique.com

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Leather! B A R K I N G

B A R K I N G

cool collars and Leashes!

5 outrageous designs!

The Xdog

Studs of all shapes and sizes cluster together to create an intricate visual masterpiece. Each stud is hand-placed in a random pattern according to the artisan crafting the piece, a process that takes several hours and ensures your collar is 100% unique and one-of-a-kind. Rhinestones are optional at no extra charge (just request them in the â&#x20AC;&#x153;notesâ&#x20AC;? section during check-out). $150.00 - $200.00

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www.pacocollars.com

Dosha Dog 100% Handcrafted. All Dosha Dog products are 100% handcrafted in their own production facility starting from the construction of the leather product to the intricate gemstone design work. They also custom cut each piece of gemstone to fit their unique designs. Lastly a detail inspection is made on each product before it leaves their facility to ensure the highest quality standards are made.

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Dosha Dog believe that pets deserve the very best so they only use genuine leather, gemstones, and brass or brass finished hardware on their products. Their products are tested to be nickel and lead safe. The lacquer used in the finishing touches is non-toxic and water resistant. They design each of our products with the fashionable pet owners in mind. In our San Francisco design studio, we incorporate inspirations from fashion trends and create a line of fine leather pet accessories that can be worn in all occasions. Check out the collections! www.DoshaDog.com

Dog Tack Shop Distinctly made like no other to reflect your life, your style, your dog. At The Dog Tack Shop, expert artisans take great pride in their work. Meticulously crafted in Canada using only the finest quality bridle leather and solid brass hardware. Each and every custom dog collar and lead is hand cut, hand crafted, and hand polished - like it has been for hundreds of years. What You Get: Variety in four luxury collections, personalized details that include style, size, color and engraving and individual neck measurements that ensure an exact fit. The leather is examined and selected for thickness, grain, quality and durability, solid Brass hardware and has permanently inscribed brass plaques and copper rivets that prevent rusting, all conditioned for a perfect finish. $50.00 - $180.00 www.thedogtackshop.com

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Stuff We Like! You Will Too! B A R K I N G

5 outrageous designs!

Robot Roomba 560 Vacuum Robot The Roomba 560 features the newest innovations in vacuum performance, room navigation, edge and corner cleaning, advanced anti-tangle technology and transitioning from carpets to hard floors. * * * *

Covers up to 4 rooms on a single battery charge On-board Scheduling Compact Self-charging Home Base ® 2 Auto Virtual Walls ®

Roomba picks up an amazing amount of dirt, dust, pet hair, dander, cat litter, crumbs, leaves and other debris as it autonomously navigates throughout your home. Roomba automatically adjusts from carpets to hard floors and cleans everywhere you want while avoiding off-limit areas. $349.99

“Dog on a Hog” $415.00

www.irobot.com

Pets with Personality

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“Fishing Dog” $155.00

“Happy Fluffy Puppy Dog” $120.00

“Electric Guitar Dog” $155.00

Yard Dogs

Cast in ceramistone which presents a rich and lively looking surface combined with a density that gives an appropriate weighty feel. The intensely glossy finish is achieved by a unique low temperature glaze giving each piece instant visual appeal. All come beautifully boxed, containing information on the artist, George Williams. Adored by both pet owners and collectors alike they make the perfect gift or collector’s piece. $59.00 - $69.00 www.chimpfeet.com

B A R K I N G

The first Yardbird was created in August of 1991 in Jamestown, Kentucky by Mr. Kolb, a man that spent most of his career making things from metal. The first bird came about from talking about and tinkering with scrap materials. People instantly loved them! Today, Yardbirds are handcrafted in Louisville, Kentucky by Richard Kolb (Mr. Kolb’s son). When people ask Richard about his creations, he smiles and says, “The things in life that bring us the most joy are those which are fun and unexpected, not the mere necessities. I believe we can all benefit from a little more whimsy in our lives! It is pretty simple: Yardbirds are really just about happiness.” Prices Vary. For prices and retailer information, visit www.yardbirds.info

Dog and Cat Salad Servers

"Know Dog, Know Joy, Know Love" Long Sleeved T

hand cast in solid lead-free pewter to fit your hands perfectly while tossing and serving salads and pasta. Dishwasher-safe. Each server is approximately 5” wide x 5 1/2” high. The unique design and whimsical detail make Spot and Puff a playful gift for the holidays. Handmade in Oregon. $65.00

This Long sleeve fitted tee expresses a sophisticated, sassy style. The black ultra-soft prima cotton tee features flashy silver foil accents plus silhouettes of dogs of all shapes and sizes. For this design, the creative team at Dog is Good wanted to create a shirt that truly encompasses the joy and love dogs and humans inspire in each other’s lives, and how essential it is. $26.99

www.uncommongoods.com

www.dogisgood.com

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HEMP is GOOD! B A R K I N G S e c t i o n

Get Some!

Nu Hemp Products “The NuHemp family of products provide your pet the natural

nutrients needed to support its health, vitality and longevity. Each and every product in the NuHemp line is specially formulated with this commitment in mind. Ensuring the health and well being of our pets and yours is our priority. We make it our business to help your animals stay healthy, happy and productive.”

Cozy Hemp Adjustable Collar

Planet Dog’s ultimate, eco-friendly dog collar is naturally dyed pure hemp - one of nature’s abundant crops that makes a super-strong fabric. These are made with a nylon-reinforced plastic quick-release buckle for extra durability. You’ll find this collar will stand up to the more rigorous salt-water swims, mud puddle baths, snowy romps and the occasional roll in the sand. Fleece lining to ensure optimal comfort for your best-friend. It’s what you would wear if you were a dog. Machine washable. Imported. $18.98 – $19.95 www.planetdog.com

Chomp Munchies™

NuHemp holistic gourmet 2-Chomp Munchies are nature’s tasty boost for your pet’s good health. A nutrition pow erhouse, they contain Omega 3, 6 & 9 essential fatty acids and natural anti-oxidants to maintain the immune system for a balanced metabolism. All of our delicious hand-cut munchies are oven baked in small batches to ensure optimum freshness and nutrient activity.

PAWZitive Therapy™

Daily Conditioning and Protection Balm. Applied daily, PAWZitive Therapy provides soothing and moisturizing relief to paw pads while acting as a protective barrier against ice, salt, sand and general wear & tear. Formulated with a synergistic blend of pure cold-pressed hemp seed, botanical & essential oils in a convenient, easy-to-apply stick.

Omega Zapp™ Hemp Stuffed Toys Earthdog’s 100% eco-friendly stuffed toys consist of a hemp canvas shell and are stuffed with recycled poly-cotton, making them an enjoyable chew toy for your pet. soft, yet firm, earthdog bones are perfect for tugging, throwing, chewing and snuggling. they are available in two sizes and a variety of colors. $9.00 – $13.00 www.earthdog.com

Strong Odor Removal Shampoo. A unique and natural conditioning shampoo that effectively eliminates all strong odours (including skunk!) leaving your pet’s coat smelling clean and fresh. Typically after just one application

Omega Sauce™

NuHemp Omega Sauce is a balanced, daily dietary supplement topping for our four-legged friends! It is a blend of pure, human-grade natural canola and hemp oils and the PLUS variety is fortified with a synergistic blend of nutraceuticals. Each of the five different varieties of Omega Sauce deliver an ideal combination of Essential Fatty Acids (EFA’s), necessary for beautiful skin and coat while promoting optimal digestive health. Adding Omega Sauce daily to the diet delivers much-needed nutrients in optimal amounts .

Omega Cleanse™

This Ear Wash is a gentle yet effective natural ear solution which has been formulated with natural ingredients to clean dog’s ears without potentially harmful steroids and alcohol.

For Retail ers N ear You, Visit w w w.NuH emp.com 86

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

Green Dogs! B A R K I N G

Green Earth!

Green Dog Pledge Card Ready to share your commitment to being Green? Here’s a fun and easy way to show off your ‘green-ness’ and be a part of Johann’s Green Dog Club!

Totally Green Dog Set Saving the Earth one carbon paw print at a time!

• Green Dog Bed-stylish, safe, ultra durable, machine washable, and earth-friendly. Made from recycled plastic bottles, a single bed will divert 21 bottles from a landfill! Available in Small, Medium, Large • Hemp collar and leash • Grooming gloves-made from sustainable hemp • Pick Up Pouch with bio-degradable poop bags • Exclusive Full Spectrum Living® Paw Wash with re-usable wipes in a metal container-naturally disinfecting • Hemp Pull Toy • Organic unscented dog shampoo

Just print out the “Green Dog” pledge (Adobe PDF), and sign your dog’s name to it. Then take a close-up picture of your dog(s) with the pledge, and email it to Johann. Soon you’ll be part of the Green Dog Gallery and everyone will know your Dog Is Green!

Small Dog Set - $90.00 plus S&H, Medium Dog Set - $95.00 plus S&H, Large Dog Set - $100.00 plus S&H

So what are you waiting for? Start telling the world how you are striving to live a happier, healthier life and help the environment at the same time!

www.giveagreenbag.com

You can also build your own Green Dog Bag on their website!!!

Check Out Johann’s Green Dog Gallery!

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www.raiseagreendog.com

West Paw Eco Bones Every dog loves a bone, but your dog (and you) can love this one even more as it is environmentally friendly. Strong fabric made from up tp 85% re-engineered recycled fibres surrounds a loud squeaker for an eco friendly, high quality dog toy that is sure to please. West Paw Design makes all their own products in America. They are recycled and recyclable and 100% guaranteed. Small orange (7”), Medium green (10”) $9.50 - $13.00 www.westpawdesign.com

Harry Barker’s Eco- Frienldy Polar Fleece Beds

These beds are generously stuffed with hypo-allergenic “green fiber” stuffing. These fiber-fill inserts are made from recycled post-consumer plastics and are channel quilted to keep fiber in place. Harry Barker’s removable & washable slipcovers with side zipper are also made from recycled post-consumer plastics and are prewashed & preshrunk. Embroidered with “Good Dog” Crown. Round Sizing: All have 5” gusset. Small Round 25”, Medium Round 35”, Large Round 45” Rectangle Sizing: All have a 5” gusset. Small 20”X26”X5”, Medium 29”X36”X5”, Large 36”X44”X5” Available in Red, Brown, Green, Tan & Blue with matching corduroy piping. $99.00 - $139.99 www.harrybarker.com

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The Good Karma Rope Toy ™

A toy that gives back. Designed by Jax and Bones. Available in 2 sizes and a variety of animal shapes and sizes for all breeds of dogs. 100% Eco Friendly and made from chemical-free natural dyed cotton thread. Hand-tied and naturally fray to act like doggie dental floss. Recommended for puppies who are teething or for dogs who like to CHEW, PLAY, TUG or FETCH. Machine Washable, Durable and Safe. TIP: Place the tips of the toys in H20 and Freeze! Happy Gums Forever! $14.00 - $16.00 A portion of each sale is donated to www.therescuetrain.org, a non-profit 501c3 organization dedicated to saving animal lives.

www.jaxandbones.com

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

D O G G I E

A Tail of Two

Lady Grey Canine Couture

Exclusively at Pawsitively Posh Pooch and Classy Cats Too! (727) 892-9303 www.PawsitivelyPoshPooch.com

Olivia

Left: The ultimate in vintage glamour, the Olivia dress with its chiffon of muted amethyst and lavender floral design is as perfectly at ease at a formal soiree as it would be at a luncheon with friends. Charmed by a stunning leopard print belt and buckle encircled with glistening rhinestones. Unforgettable. $64.98

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Fox Hunt

Above: An English classic to be sure! Soft nutmeg plaid creates a distinctive silhouette. The bubble skirt is layered between intricate pumpkin lace tiers. A regal scrunched velvet sash is accented by a delicat medallion of sparkling rhinestones. A ruffle of lace peeks beneath a sheer cinnamon bow of rich ribbon and a cluster of rhinestones to finish off the bodice in signature style. $46.98

Tiger Lilly

Right: Urban Chic - a chocolate and honey colored floral motif skips across this soft chiffon while tiger stripes amp up the drama. Cocoa polka dot chiffon forms the soft bubble skirt that is effortlessly supported by layers of matching cocoa tulle. The bodice is punctuated by a flower accent created from the two fabrics and studded with a dazzling rhinestone center. $64.88

Jennifer has recently created a new line of crafted sterling silver jewelry called Canine Karma. Pictured below are a few of the dog themed pieces. What a great gift for your dog loving friends and family!

Designer Dogwear from Australia www.downtowndoggy.com

Jezabelle Vintage Jacket Fabulous mix of checks ribbons, tulle and lots of distressing and overstitching.... Lined with gorgeous quilting. $145

Fabulous mix of checks ribbons, tulle and lots of distressing and overstitching.... Lined with gorgeous quilting. $153

BellaDOG Magazine

Peace Sign $72.00

Paws for Peace Plaque Bracelet $78.00

Photogra phy by Danette

Peace Sign with 22” Necklace $128.00

Peace, Love & Dogs Dog Tag $78.00 Tag with 16” necklace $112.00 With Sprinkles on Top Ring $78.00 With Sprinkles on Top Earrings $52.00

Canine Karma

Downtown Doggy

Bella Doggy Vintage Jacket

Jennifer Fernandez of Brandon, FL has an incredible devotion towards the enjoyment and celebration of life. Born and raised in Tampa, Florida, she has always been exposed to her two greatest loves: jewelry and pets. After graduating from the University of Florida, she soon realized her passion remained rooted in what she grew up cherishing most. This resulted in her making one of the biggest commitments in her life, when she started her own company, A Tail of Two. She was able to not only design stunning hand made sterling silver jewelry, but also incorporate her love of pets, both past and present.

Obsession Skulls Jacket Covered in skulls, ribbon and tulle. Very popular with the doggys. Lined with funky black faux fur. $133

“Pebble cast into a pond with good intentions causes ripples that spread in all directions, each one containing our thoughts, words and deeds.” ~Dorothy Day A portion of the proceeds from these charms will be donated to rescue groups nationwide. w w w.aTailofTwo.com BellaDOG Magazine

D O G G I E S t y l e

P A W p r i n t s

Tampa Bay’s Award Winning Artist, Lauren Smith captures the excitement and spontaneity of life in a variety of media and dimensions. Lauren’s painting style was heavily influenced by her years as an artist in Maui. Her exotic colors reflect the tropical climate and her approach is inspired by the capricious nature of the Hawaiian paradise. She studied art at the University of Colorado and the Rocky Mountain School of Art and continues her studies under renowned artists, as well as in numerous technical workshops. Lauren has a unique approach to her painting subjects and an eye for exciting and distinctive media. She may use anything from watercolor, ink, acrylic and house paint to digital tools and animation to create the perfect work of art. Her distinctive works have been shown in local galleries, as backdrops for chart topping musicians, at major theme parks and at theatrical, and corporate events. They have appeared many times on television, in top name international events, schools and even presidential campaigns. Lauren has twenty years of experience using art to produce specific effects on the viewer. “Whether I am creating a painting or a mural, I find it stimulating to influence the world around me in positive ways,” says Lauren. She is committed to using art to nurture education, and her transformed school cafeteria was recently in the spotlight on Good Morning America, CBS Evening News, and in Time Magazine. Words about Lauren: “L. Smith looks at the physical and emotional landscapes of a tropical life and sees the intangibles - lush, narrative, moody, whimsical- and weaves these observations into her designs. She is out to intrigue you, entertain and delight. And while she’s at it, she invites you into her experience through your own imagination.” “Smith’s worlds of saturated blues, reds, yellows and greens, have an intensity that often gives them a 3-D pop. Her surreal, Epigphany, is playful, dreamy and disconcerting, all at the same time. You can bring your own interpretation to the party of images. That’s part of its charm.” 90 92

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Lauren Smith Studio

LAUREN SMITH

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Her feast of styles is born out of a creative intelligence that loves to be challenged. She has taught herself the craft of designing and producing theatrical backdrops, illustrating video games, developing and executing concepts for theme parks and murals. Her portfolio reflects the breadth and depth of her experience as an artist. L. Smith’s art transforms environments from the banal to the unexpected; whether it’s a school cafeteria featured on Good Morning America, tour stages for stars such as Alan Jackson, Big & Rich and Sugarland—or a space in your home. Immerse yourself in L. Smith’s art and you too will be transformed.

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Rocco, a Red Dobermanwas rescued from a shelter in Tampa, FL by his new mom Vivianne DeRosa. He’s now livin the good life and is always sporting his best gear!

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All Photos by Sheri-lyn Shepler

While shopping with Mom in Hyde Park, Tampa, Rocco wears a Blue and Green Modern Dot collar ($21.00) with a matching leash by “Up Country” His hat is by Barking Baby in the style, by “Newsboy”. ($38.00)

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Dog Friendly Dunedin Hanging out Downtown Dunedin, Florida with Emmanuel Isaac, Nicole King and Bentley, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

o u t

Havin Fun at Fishermen’s Village!

Cerissa Dillow, Owner of Salty Paws, Inc., A Pet Boutique in Fishermen’s Village in Punta Gorda, FL takes the back seat to French Bulldog, Ribeye who is wearing a yellow Puppia Harness and a fashionable pair of Doggles protective eyewear. Puppia Harnesses are made of soft breathable mesh and prevent choking, rubbing on tender skin. They’re machine washable and they come in a ton of cool colors! ($22.99 - $23.99) Doggles goggles are shown in blue. These also come in a ton of cool colors. ($19.99) www.saltypaws.com (941) 575-7599 72

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With more than 100 privately owned shops, restaurants, bars and pubs, boutiques, art galleries, antiques stores, and more, Dunedin, FL is a quaint city of 35,000 has the charm of a small town and the amenities of larger city neighbors. A marina and several hotels and bed & breakfasts are also within easy walking distance of downtown, which hosts numerous arts and crafts festivals, parades, concerts, farmers markets, and other events every year. Thankfully, most of this happy stuff is Doggie Friendly! Dunedin’s nationally recognized beaches are just a short drive from downtown — or if you’re feeling athletic, you can walk, run, bicycle, or skate up the Pinellas Trail to the beaches. The 14-mile Pinellas Trail runs right through downtown and is a great way for athletes, families, and pet-owners to get outside. www.dunedingov.com BellaDOG Magazine

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Back Pack by Volcom $78, Surfboard by Kane $385, Clint’s sunglasses by Anarchy Dispatch $65. Available at Double Barrel Surf Shop Clearwater Bch, FL www.2xbarrel.com

(727) 467-0169

Clint Wilson, Owner of Island Dog Outfitters of Clearwater Beach, Florida Surfs and Beach Bums it on Dog Friendly Clearwater Beach with his Very Cool Golden Retriever, Cody. Cody’s eyewear by Doggles $24.97. His collar $21.99 and leash $24.99 are both by Rogz www.islanddogoutfitters.com

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(727) 441-8512

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Steppin Out at Vinoy Park Downtown St. Petersburg, FLA

o u t Torrie Tiernan, Amanda Leber and doggie friends stop to sip martini’s in the outdoor area of the Dog Friendly Parkshore Grill, 300 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg, Florida, 33701 (727) 896-WINE (9463) www.parkshoregrill.com “Plates emerge from the open kitchen as finely crafted American cuisine with a twist. Think beef Wellington, grilled lamb chops, lobster pasta, or pan-seared scallops, only this version sweet and tender, circling a mound of sautéed baby spinach with the rich smokiness of Southern greens.” St. Petersburg Times Editor’s Pick. BEST CONTEMPORARY CUISINE - Tampa Bay Magazine 6/09 Left: Torrie is wearing Gold Silk blouse by BCBG Maxaria $158.00 and a Brown Skirt by Walter $178.00 from Nicole Boutique Above: Torrie is wearing Blue Jean Joe’s Jean Skirt $139.00, Tank Top by Rena $29.00 & Pink Shirt by Rena $49.00 Amanda is wearing a White BCBG Maxazria Top $128.00 & Joe’s Jean Capri’s $159.00

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This Page: Torrie is wearing a Brown/White Jumper by Trina Turk $238.00 Amanda is wearing a Long Multi Color Trina Turk Dress $238.00 Doggie Wear from Best Buddies Dog Boutique 400 Beach Drive NE Suite 181, Downtown St. Petersburg, FL (727) 289-7156 www.bestbuddiesboutique.com Customized Bling Collars - Collars from $14.00, Letters: $2:00 each and Charms: $4.00 each, Harness: Dogo DG EasyGo Harness: $25.00 All clothing available at Nicole Boutique 2892 West Bay Drive, Belleair Bluffs, Fl 33770 (727) 585-1544 Headbands worn by Torrie are of her own collection: Rainbow Clovers Couture and range from $12.00 - $16.00 www.RainbowClovers.Etsy.com 100

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d n a y e n t r u o C , e v a D ” S K N r “CHU u o b r a H e p a C e k Ta Sunrise on St. Pete Beach with Joe, Greg and Max!

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Parents to be, Dave and Courtney Satkoski spend the afternoon strolling through The Marina at Cape Harbour in Cape Coral, FL with their cherished English Bulldog, “CHUNKS” and their baby on the way, “El”! Joe Borzoni and Greg Phillips, Owners of Gone To The Dogs Boutique in St.Pete Beach enjoy the sunrise with their boy Max. www.gonetothedogsboutique.com Joe and Greg are sitting on hand-made adirondack chairs exclusively available at The Art Expo Gallery. www.artexpogallery.com 102

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The Marina at Cape Harbour offers the only waterfront shopping destination in Southwest Florida with award-winning art galleries, a luxury spa and salon and extraordinary boutiques. www.capeharbour.com “CHUNKS” is wearing the new “TATTOO” Collar and Leash by Yellow Dog Design. www.yellowdog-design.com BellaDOG Magazine 103

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While in Cape Harbor EAT HERE!

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While in Cape Harbor SHOP HERE! Islands Tropically Inspired Boutique 5789 Cape Harbour Drive # Unit Cape Coral, FL 33914 (239) 542-6226 Banana Bay Tour Company 5781 Cape Harbour Drive # 103 Cape Coral, FL 33914 (239) 728-TOUR (8687)

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Cherie Clark Interiors 5785 Cape Harbour Drive #201 Cape Coral, FL 33914 239-541-4663 Divine Diva’s Boutique, Inc. 5793 Cape Harbour Drive # 113 Cape Coral, FL 33914 (239) 541-DIVA Doggie Style Dog Boutique 5781 Cape Harbour Drive # 110 Cape Coral, FL 33914 239-540-1114 Dolphin International Yacht Sales 5785 Cape Harbour Drive #201 Cape Coral, FL 33914 239-541-2644

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Paradigm Yacht Sales 5781 Cape Harbour Drive #108 Cape Coral, FL 33914 239-541-2004 The Bikini Company 5793 Cape Harbour Drive #117 Cape Coral, FL 33914 239-540-7040

Dave, Courtney and “Chunks” sip afternoon juice spritzer at “The Joint” in the Courtyard of Cape Harbour. 104

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Tropics and Paradise 5781 Cape Harbour Drive #102 Cape Coral, FL 33914 239-540-0460

“CHUNKS” is wearing a PEACE Sign Martingale Collar and Leash from Yellow Dog Design. www.yellowdog-design.com BellaDOG Magazine

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DogSpread Couture Collection High end couture dining for the most discerning canine companions. Throughout the centuries, we have used certain superfoods, herbs, and precious metals to heal ourselves. For the first time, these amazing ingredients are available for your best friends in the newest DogSpread Collection. Pamper your pooch - after all, they’d do it for you, too!

Made from the highest quality, organic ingredients, the DogSpread Collection serves up four delicious (and nutritious!) dishes in 4 oz. servings. Each spread is free of cholesterol & has been crafted under the guidance of dog experts, so that the products help protect your dog’s eyesight, nourish the coat, and add longevity & vitality to your dog’s life! The “Agave Lavender Bacon” dish contains pure agave, dried lavender and soy bacon, while “Puppyish n’ Peanut” is merely a concoction of roasted, unsalted peanuts and flax seeds (rich in Omega 3). “Peppermint n’ Carob” not only fills your pal up, but also freshens his/her breath. A bit more sumptuous, “23K Gold n’ Carob” combines the nutritious benefits of edible gold (contains anti-inflamatory and bacteria-fighting agents) with the healthful qualities of carob (low in fat and sodium, high in calcium and fiber). This dish is surely the gold standard in high-end, nutritious cuisine. $32.95 www.spreadtherestaurant.com

Y U M 2879 University Avenue San Diego, California 92104 (619) 543-0406

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A Chef Speaks!

Roxy’s Cook ies

Never in my life did I think I would be cooking, let alone baking, for a dog. That all changed when we adopted Roxy, our beloved boxer mix. Before then, I could never understand why some owners treated their pets like human children, buying them clothes or talking to them as if they could actually comprehend a full sentence. Now I understand. Roxy has so much personality that it’s hard to believe sometimes that she is still a dog. I find myself actually enjoying cooking foods for her on occasion: a simple piece of plain steamed chicken mixed into her kibble can go a long way. Afterall, I don’t want her to get bored with eating the same thing everyday! And, there’s nothing more satisfying than watching a boxer do a butt wiggle whilst sitting, excitedly waiting for breakfast. Roxy is very well-behaved and the sweetest thing ever. So sweet, in fact, that she made me wanna make these cookies for her! I basically took some of Roxy’s favorite foods and mixed them together. In my recipe there is no soy, corn or wheat, which are indigestible and high contributors to dog allergies. And of course, there are no ingredients which are harmful to dogs either, like onions, chocolate, grapes, raisins, etc. I always try to give my dog the best, whether it be kibble or something I’ve made. Roxy loves these cookies, they smell wonderful and are quite crunchy, which is great for her teeth. Bake them for your dogs - they’ll thank you for it! ~ Connie T

1 cup of ap ple, peeled,c ore

d and rough ly chopped (no seeds, st substitite unsw em or core), eetened app you can le sa uce if you w 2 C banana ish s, peeled an d roughly ch opped 1/4 cup of smooth pea nut butter 1 tablespoo 3/4 cup of n of honey chicken broth (should be a cl e a n broth made 18 oz organ with chicken ic rolled oats and plain w , ground fin ater) e in a food processor Preheat ove n to 325˚F. Combine ap ple, banana , peanut but Process these ter, honey a nd chicken b ingredients u roth in food ntil they bec processor. ome liquid. Pour the liqu id into a larg e mixing bo addition. Fo wl and add r the last ad the oats in 3 dition, the d parts, mixing but easy to o ug between ea h w ill be easier to handle. Co ch mix by hand ver the bow . The dough l with a tow el, and allow will be sticky , to rest for 15 At this point, m in ut e s. the dough c an be portio (this recipe m ned out, som akes a LOT e for baking of cookies). , the rest for one ball out I freezing p o rt io n e d out 5 part onto a flat su s and shape rface, about d Take the scra e 1 ach into a b /4” thick. ps, make a all. Roll Cut out roun ball and roll ds with a 1 out again. C 1 / 2 ” c o o kie cutter. ontinue maki ng more coo Place cookie kies with the s onto a ba scraps. king sheet w rack. Bake ith a silpat o for 30 -40 m r silicon mat a inutes, or un nd place in brown and til the edges oven on a m the center o st a iddle rt to f each cooki e hardens. and cool. S Remove tore in a co okie jar. Note: For convenience, an alternativ be to shape e method w each part in ould to a lo g a nd then free shape, cooki ze. In this e rounds ca n be easily once the do cut with a se ugh is defro rrated knife sted.

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Makes 10 -1 2 dozen

Roxy Visit Connie’s Blog at www.ouichefcook.com 108

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Move On? No WAY! ~ Christie Keith

When football player Michael Vick made his first postprison appearance in a Philadelphia Eagles uniform, he got a standing ovation from the hometown crowd. His recent reception in the Bay Area was far cooler - at a game between the Eagles and the Oakland Raiders, he was greeted with protestors, picket signs and a plane flying over the stadium with a banner reading “Dogfighter Go Home!” But even in the dogloving Bay Area, Vick had plenty of defenders. “Sooner or later you’re going to have to forgive the guy anyway,” Charles Wright, a 44-year-old Oakland tow truck driver, told protestors after the game. “You may as well get it out of your system.” Another fan yelled, “Come on, the dude paid his debt to society.” In other words, “move on.” But however many times dog lovers hear such advice, they’re not getting any closer to taking it. That’s because not only has Vick not served one minute in prison for animal cruelty, he was far more cruel to his dogs than most of his defenders seem to realize. Most people are aware that Michael Vick was “convicted of dog fighting.” They know he went to prison, and they’ve also probably seen the news stories, including a moving Sports Illustrated cover story, about the Vick dogs that were 110

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rescued and rehabilitated after being seized from his Bad Newz Kennels. But that’s only part of the story. “What Michael Vick did was not just dog fighting,” said Marthina McClay of Our Pack, a Pit Bull rescue group in Santa Clara, CA and the owner of one of the Vick dogs, Leo. “It went so far beyond that, and most people who defend him are uninformed. They don’t really realize what Michael Vick did.” If you’re one of the people McClay is talking about, let me invite you into Donna Reynolds’ nightmare. Reynolds is the co-founder of Bay Area Doglovers Responsible About Pit Bulls (BAD RAP), an East Bay CA organization with a national reputation for rescuing and rehabilitating Pit Bulls. They rehabbed and cared for many of the dogs seized from Vick’s Bad Newz Kennels after his arrest in April of 2007. She’s definitely not what you’d call a fragile flower, and she’s been working with ex-fighting Pits for longer than a lot of the people reading this have been out of kindergarten. It’s fair to say she’s seen the worst things that people can do to dogs, but there’s still a story she can’t get out of her mind.

It was a sweltering day in September of 2007, and Reynolds was in Virginia to evaluate the 49 Pit Bulls found alive on Vicks’ property. A federal agent who had been at the scene when the property was searched was driving her to the various facilities holding the dogs, and they got to talking about what the investigation had turned up.

beat and hung dogs to death. It’s like Ted Bundy saying, ‘I let someone murder this girl.’ He doesn’t take any responsibility for it.”

“The details that got to me then and stay with me today involve the swimming pool that was used to kill some of the dogs,” Reynolds wrote on her blog. “Jumper cables were clipped onto the ears of underperforming dogs, then, just like with a car, the cables were connected to the terminals of car batteries before lifting and tossing the shamed dogs into the water.”

“It worked out nicely for Vick that he never faced his animal abuse charges in court,” she told me. “That meant football fans were spared the most disturbing details of his tortures and could go back to their Sunday night ritual with barely a hiccup.”

She continued, “We don’t know how many suffered this premeditated murder, but the damage to the pool walls tells a story. It seems that while they were scrambling to escape, they scratched and clawed at the pool liner and bit at the dented aluminum sides like a hungry dog on a tin can.” “I wear some pretty thick skin during our work with dogs, but I can’t shake my minds-eye image of a little black dog splashing frantically in bloody water ... screaming in pain and terror ... brown eyes saucer wide and tiny black whitetoed feet clawing at anything, desperate to get a hold. This death did not come quickly. T he rescuer in me keeps trying to think of a way to go back in time and somehow stop this torture and pull the little dog to safety. I think I’ll be looking for ways to pull that dog out for the rest of my life.” Vick did all that and more to his dogs, and even threw family pets into the pit with fighters and laughed while they were mauled, according to a witness who testified to federal investigators.

Reynolds doesn’t think it’s an accident that most of Vick’s supporters are so in the dark about his crimes against dogs.

Those who weren’t spared those disturbing details, like Reynolds and McClay, aren’t finding it easy, or even possible, to move on. “I look at Leo’s big, fat head and wonderful, loving heart,” McClay said, “and wonder, how can you kill something like that? And now that’s okay because Vick did his time, and we should just move on? How do you move on from that?” Well, you might say, that’s our criminal justice system, and that’s professional sports. And you’d be right, as far as it goes. But before it goes too far - before you, too, become one of the people saying Vick’s done his time and deserves to get on with his life - consider something other than the heartwarming stories about ex-Vick dogs making visits to cancer wards and schools for troubled kids. Think about the ones who were buried in the dirt of Bad Newz Kennels, who aren’t getting much attention outside the dog world.

That’s what sends dog lovers out to football games with protest signs: knowing that Michael Vick tortured and killed innocent dogs. That he has never paid for that abuse or even apologized for it.

The horrific fate of those dogs is why Reynolds is actually glad about the continued debate between Vick’s defenders and pit bull advocates - it makes it harder for what he did to be buried along with the dogs he killed.

Because the nation’s most notorious dogfighter pled “not guilty” to animal cruelty charges - charges that were eventually dropped in a plea bargain - and he was convicted only of bankrolling a dogfighting conspiracy, for which he served 18 months in prison before being welcomed back to the public spotlight.

“Much of the public still sees Pit Bulls as willing gladiators rather than the victims that they are,” she told me. “We have a long way to go before open debate on the topic of animal abuse is welcome in most living rooms, so the outrage about Vick’s tortures is rightfully keeping the subject alive.”

Even worse, he’s shown no sign of understanding of, or regret over, the fate of his dogs.

I suppose that’s the silver lining. I just wish I could get the image of those frightened, drowning dogs out of my head. And I wish I believed they were haunting Michael Vick, too.

“Vick has never expressed one word of remorse for what he did to those dogs,” said McClay. “Not in any of his public statements, and not in his appearance on ‘60 Minutes.’ Vick said he ‘let it happen.’ He slammed and

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Chance

~Stacey Thomas

immediately. Chance. Back home, I picked up the phone and rolled the invaluable dice of networking. Help was on the way. And so it began in that very moment, the first day of Chance’s new life.

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I stared. He stared back. There was maybe thirty feet between us. Our posture remained still and poised as our eyes locked, measuring the integrity of each other’s intentions. From a distance, his tilted puppy head and floppy ears matched that of many other young strays that have crossed my path. Encounters with animals in need have become so commonplace in my everyday activities that I proceeded in much the same manner as I have done in the past and set into motion to help. His dark eyes danced with curiosity and fear as I slowly approached. His small black and white body crouched as if in preparation to run. With a soft, calm voice I shortened the gap between him and me and it was then that I saw the magnitude of his condition. His emaciated frame was nothing more than a hanger for his thin coat of patchy fur. His protruding skeleton revealed details that should only be found in anatomical textbooks. It was clear he had been starving for a very long time. His head, too big for his malnourished body, sat almost cartoon like on his neck and shoulders. He hugged the ground as I came closer, his eyes squinting as if preparing for an angry hand to strike him. I knelt in front of him, weighed down with a flood of emotions as I stared at this neglected little being. He rolled onto his tiny back in fearful submission as I reached out with the collar and leash in my hand. It slipped effortlessly over his head. It was far too big even though it shouldn’t have been. As I slowly stood up, he leapt to his feet. I feared he would retreat and slip right out of the collar that was merely acting as a formality at this point. He didn’t. We stared at each other again. Without words, I asked him to follow me. He did. I knew his name 112

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the frightened stray. Instead, the shelter turned him away…as did the many others along the way. All gave the same reason. Bouchy, as he came to be called, was labeled with a “bad” temperament and was said to be too wild for any of these rescues to handle. Left with no other choice, Page and Michael took Bouchy home along with a sense of bewilderment at the now, very apparent plight of others like him. What happens to the dogs that even the “rescues” won’t help? There needs to be a place…. Bouchy was showered with love and affection at Page and Michael’s home, and he eventually came around to be a wonderful companion for Satchel, their mahogany Irish Setter, as well as other dogs.

In Chance’s case, he was fighting two battles. First and foremost was the state of his health. Given his severe emaciation, a myriad of issues were a very real potential. The second “issue“ for this little guy…was the fact that he was a Pit Bull. Definitely a mix of some sort, but none the less, he was clearly a Pit Bull. For some, including myself, this is not an issue at all. However, when it comes to rescue and placement of dogs like Chance, not many are willing to take the risk due to, in my humble opinion, a misguided fear of the breed. I was determined to not let him fight either of these battles alone.

Unknowingly, Bouchy had paved the way for the creation of what is now known as Satchel’s Last Resort - a lifelong, safe haven of love and hope for those deemed unadoptable. Seeing the turnaround in Bouchy, has led Michael and Page on their path to do the same for others like him.

Chance weighed in at a mere 18 pounds, but should have weighed between 30 and 40. A local shelter provided a vet visit for Chance where he received medicine for a severe hook worm infestation. Other than the easy fix from the worms, he had a surprisingly, clean bill of health. Without hesitation, the hunt began for refuge and recovery for this young man. Given his emaciation, Chance showed understandable food aggression if he felt his food was in danger of being taken away. Even the veterinarian agreed that this would dissipate in time and as he healed, would grow to trust again. However, many were reluctant, unwilling, afraid, or simply incapable of providing him with the space and time he needed. Some even questioned whether our judgment was sound in wanting to give him an opportunity at all.

“We wanted to take unloved dogs and love them; to take throw away dogs and turn them into viable, productive members of society. Everything we’ve done since then has just evolved from that first experience. We have two dogs, originally strays that we are especially proud of. One is a service dog assisting a polio victim in Bradenton, FL. The other, Finn, is now a service dog for a man in Tampa, FL who suffers from Multiple Sclerosis,” said Page.

Then along came Satchel’s Last Resort located in a more rural area of Sarasota, Florida. Founders of Satchel’s, Michael Giblin and Page Knoebel’s odyssey began on the streets of Chicago, by accident, or fate if truth be told, with a wild goose chase led by a stray Chesapeake Bay Retriever. After hours of chasing him down, Michael and Page felt confident that the shelter that they were board members of would gladly offer refuge to

Satchel’s Last Resort is anything but your run of the mill shelter. It’s a healing place of residence, love, and hope for the throw-away’s, the misunderstood, the abused and abandoned, and those on whom all others have given up hope.

At Satchel’s there are no confining crates that the dogs are warehoused in. There are no piercing cries of desperation and heartbreak as you walk the grounds or visit the dogs and cats in their home-like spaces. There is a sense of ownership…not from Page or Michael, but from the dogs and cats who abide there. This is their home, whether permanent or merely a stop along their journey. The feeling of peace amongst them is tangible. The “residents” of Satchel’s Last Resort are those that will live out the rest of their lives under the care of Page and Michael, due to their inability or unwillingness to leave, while the “Guests”, are temporary residents who are adoptable and will always have the opportunity to find loving forever homes. It is a place where all dogs are treated as equals regardless of temperament, background, or breed. Page and Michael have followed their heart’s vision and in doing so, they have BellaDOGMagazine Magazine 113 113 BellaDOG

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healed many along the way.

It was overwhelmingly heartwarming instead of heartbreaking. I have never felt more confident and comfortable regarding the fate of one of our rescues as I have that day with Page at Satchel’s Last Resort.

Chance lay comfortably curled in the backseat of my car as I made the drive to Satchel’s in Sarasota. It was Friday morning, November 6th, 2009 - four days since he and I first met. His eyes still shifted with uncertainty and a sadness that I felt I would drown in. Like Bouchy, he had been labeled as a risk, a potential danger, and too much to handle. In my heart, I knew this wasn’t the case and I refused to swallow a verdict too hastily given by others. He deserved…a chance. The crunch and pop of the gravel piqued his attention as we slowly pulled down the driveway. His floppy ears that I had come to adore cocked both up and down as his tilted little head took in the view of the wide open fields. A resident tabby cat complacently observed our arrival and nonchalantly sauntered off, clearly to notify the others of our presence. I turned off the car and took a deep breath. It doesn’t matter whether I’m with an animal in need for 5 minutes or 5 days, the emotions still entangle me and I become devoted to their well being at every cost. I knew this had to work. I had to believe that Satchel’s was all that I had been told it was and more. I looked back at Chance to find his eyes wide with excitement. Perhaps there was something in the air that only the keen intuition of a dog can detect. As Chance sniffed every blade of grass within his reach, I made my own observations as we waited. A myriad of leashes hung from the gate; their variety of colors and sizes a rainbow of diversity as unique as each dog residing here. The fenced fields of grass and shade trees beckoned with promises of freedom, space to run for joy instead of fear, a place to make new friends, and soft places to nap in the sunshine. It’s like Doggy Eden.

Anxious to see the boy I had grown to love, I returned to Satchel’s, nine days after his initial rescue. I impatiently waited in the play field while Page fetched his leash. She returned with a pup I barely recognized. He weighed 24 pounds. His little skeleton was hidden under a shiny, black coat, and his head actually fit his body. The scabs on his ears were disappearing. The spring in his step was overshadowed only by the width of his grin…and mine. We embraced like long lost friends and I was immediately doused in kisses of gratitude and love. I challenge any who don’t believe in the intelligent capacity of ALL living creatures to understand, appreciate, and offer love and gratitude.

Our mesmerized stare was broken when a woman’s voice cut through the silence with a greeting of hello that felt warm and welcoming as though we were old friends. I knew instantly that she must be Page and as if in synchronized fashion, Chance and I breathed a heavy sigh of relief. Her wide spread grin and sparkling eyes cast a giant blanket of sincerity that engulfed us both before she and I even shook hands. He felt it too, judging by his jubilant offering of kisses as she plopped down on the grass to greet him. I knew in that very instant…that he was home. Within 15 minutes Iris Eastman, the Executive Director of Satchel’s, and Caroline Liljencrantz, Satchel’s Adoption Coordinator, arrived . Without any hesitation, they joined us on the ground to meet the skinny new arrival. All of us were covered in kisses…by the ferocious, risky, hard to handle, liability of an 18 pound starved and neglected Pit Bull.

His playful spirit bounced all over the green expanse of the field. His new friend Elsa, another “guest” at the resort, joined him. It was like witnessing a young child learning how to play for the first time. He followed Elsa’s every move. The sight was endearing, it was moving, and it was nothing short of magical as we watched her teach him how to be a dog. In nine days, he had not only begun to heal physically, but emotionally. The work of Satchel’s team is clearly visible in his progress. While he still has a journey of growth ahead of him, in time he too will learn to trust completely. Chance is surely a “guest” at Satchel’s Last Resort. Thanks to Page, Michael, and all who pour their soul into this mission, he will one day rest in the loving warmth of his forever home. He is living proof that faith, love, and patience can find treasure even in an outcast that otherwise would have been discarded.

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I have yet to meet an animal that hasn’t taught me how to be a better human being. Every animal that crosses my path, brings me back to the most basic but most important facets of life…back to the very root of all that we have the capacity to be. It might be me that holds their leash, but it is they who bring me home. For more information, please visit their website at www.satchelslastresort.com and help them continue their compassionate work of hope for those that have been cast aside. “At Satchel’s Last Resort, we believe that by harnessing the unconditional love that the dogs in our sanctuary put forth everyday, the world becomes a brighter place for animals and people. Each and everyday we try to give a little of their love back – back to the dogs and back to our community.” ~Page Knoebel

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Unchain My Heart

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Dogs Deserve Better Rescue Stories of Courage, Compassion, and Caring. You must love a book that combines dogs, courage, a willingness to fight abuse and a passion for going the extra mile! This is IT! Love Tamira Thayne’s rescue of Doogie, chained and unable to walk? Read more of the quest for justice, in the book’s pages. Love Rotties, Labs, Pitties, and Beagles? German Shepherds, Heinz 57’s, Chihuahuas, and Border Collies? All these breeds and more are tucked between the pages, winning the happy endings they deserve and the caring families they long for. Curl up with your favorite companion for a night of reading by the fire. Because dogs DO deserve better than life on a chain, and DDB reps are making sure they get it. $14.97

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A D O G S E Y E v i e w

Pedigree Dogs Exposed

In a controversial UK documentary that divided the British dog world, the practices and methods for breeding pedigree dogs are exposed with heartbreaking stories. Two years in the making, Pedigree Dogs Exposed lifts the lid on the true extent of health and welfare problems in pedigree dogs. This indepth investigation suggests they’re in serious trouble, plagued by genetic disease due to decades of inbreeding. Disturbing footage includes Cavalier King Charles Spaniels in terrible pain because they’ve been bred with heads so small that their brains outgrows their skulls.

Recessive genetic variants only have adverse health effects such as deafness when an individual carries two defective copies of the gene. If a popular sire carries just one defective copy, he will not show the problem himself and nor will his puppies. However, the defect may become common in later generations if his grandpuppies and great grandpuppies are mated with each other, rather than introducing new genetic traits by breeding outside their relatives. Although the problems associated with inbreeding have been known for many years, prior to the new study it had not been systematically measured. For this study, researchers from Imperial used mathematical modelling to analyse how dogs were related to one another within ten different dog breeds including the Boxer and Rough Collie.

Finally, the film offers up some options to dog lovers who want to safeguard the future health of their purebred dogs. Particular dog breeds are believed to be prone to particular health problems and birth defects. For example, Dalmation dogs are predisposed to deafness, many Boxer dogs have problems with heart disease, and disproportionate numbers of German Shepherd dogs have an abnormal developmentof the hip joints known as hip dysplasia. Inbreeding in pedigree dogs arises because certain dogs, prized for exhibiting the characteristics desirable for that breed, are used to father many litters of puppies. When dogs from these litters come to be mated, some will be paired with dogs having the same father from other litters. Over generations, more and more dogs across a particular pedigree are related to one another and the chances of relatives mating increase. 118 BellaDOG Magazine

They looked at the parentage of eight generations of dogs, using records collected from 1970 to the present day by the UK Kennel Club. The researchers’ analysis showed that, for example, Boxer dogs were so closely related to one another and had such little genetic variation between them that genetically, 20,000 dogs looked like a population of about 70. In the Rough Collie breed, 12,000 dogs looked in genetic terms like a population of about 50.

P hoto by S heri - lyn S hepl er

Such small effective population sizes mean that the chances of a dog breeding with a close relative, resulting in birth defects and genetically inherited health problems, are high. The researchers argue that those involved in breeding dogs should encourage breeding from a larger pool of potential

mates in order to create greater genetic variation and lessen dogs’ chances of inheriting genetic disorders. They suggest measures such as limiting how many times a popular dog can father litters; encouraging mating across national and continental boundaries; and relaxing breed rules to permit breeding outside the pedigree. Professor David Balding, the corresponding author of the research from the Division of Epidemiology, Public Health and Primary Care at Imperial College London, said: “The idea that inbreeding causes health problems in particular dog breeds is not a new one, but we believe ours is the first scientific study to explore this issue and analyse the extent of inbreeding in a systematic way, across many breeds. We hope that following our work, dog breeders will make it a high priority to increase the genetic diversity within different breeds. Otherwise, we will see growing numbers of dogs born with serious genetically inherited health problems.” The researchers carried out their analysis as part of an effort to explore how understanding disease in dogs can help inform research into human disease. The research was funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council. Further information about the research is provided in the study, which is published in the journal Genetics: “Population structure and inbreeding from pedigree analysis of purebred dogs,” Genetics, 179(1): 593–601, 2008. doi:10.1534/genetics.107.084954 Calboli FC , Sampson J, Fretwell N, Balding DJ

Provided by Imperial College London w w w.bbcam erica.com

1. Signs of Dog Inbreeding

There are several signs of dog inbreeding which may be a physical defect or a medical defect. The physical defects can be obvious when a litter of inbred puppies is born and it includes features such as asymmetrical ears, eyes or limbs. Smaller-than-normal-size litters with low birth weight puppies may point to an inbred litter. Adult or adolescent dogs may exhibit a compromised immune system leading to sickness or display heart defects and heart disease.

Inbred dogs may produce puppies with physical defects such as enlarged heads, kinked tails or missing tails at birth. This can be a result of the combination of the same gene in each parent that is closely related. A cleft palate on a puppy signifies a genetic birth defect. A smaller version of a cleft palate may be evident in an extreme over or under bite with protruding teeth. An inbred puppy may also display uneven characteristics as one larger and one smaller eye or his eyes may be misaligned. Ears may also be uneven with one larger than the other or one placed further back or down on the head than the other in a noticeable manner.

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2. Physical Defects 3. Birth Weight

When dogs inbreed the litter will generally have an overall decrease in birth weight. The puppies will be smaller for their type of breed and most often, there will be fewer puppies per litter than is expected for the type of breed. Lower fertility due to inbreeding will pass down as a trait to the litter and result in each litter having smaller litters of puppies themselves. Inbred puppies will grow slower than non-inbred puppies and will achieve a smaller adult size due to low birth weight and slow growth.

Heart Disease Inbred dogs have a higher occurrence than normal of heart defects and heart disease. Their genetics may combine so that the recessive genes in each of the parents combine and act as multipliers. This can result in respiratory failure, heart disease, tumors, cancer and many other medical complications in an inbred dog.

Immunity Puppies that are inbred may have compromised immune systems and will have a large occurrence of colds and sicknesses as an adult. Some of the puppies that are inbred will have no immunity to any germs and will die from an increased infant mortality rate before they are able to receive their first set of puppy vaccines at six weeks old. BellaDOG Magazine 119

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Pet Rescue Transports Go ing the Dista nc e fo r O u r Fo ur Le gge d Frie n d s . . . a p e rs o na l vi ew

Knowing I had an upcoming quick trip from Florida to North Carolina for a property owners meeting and that I’d be traveling alone, I joined the online network called Trucks N Paws Transport Group to see if any animal transports were needed along my route. Trucks N Paws is a transport list for animals in need, especially ex-puppy mill dogs needing to get to their forever homes. People sign up and as needed, they chose to drive various legs of various trips for various animals. It’s a great concept and is working beautifully. On the morning of July 24th, 2006, I ran across what looked like an interesting request to transport a Catahoula Hound to Harrodsburg, KY just hours after it was posted on the Trucks N Paws website. I was familiar with the breed since my wife and I had previously adopted a Catahoula Hound so it seemed like a perfect match for transport. Message posted Jul 24, 2006 5:16AM PERMISSION TO CROSSPOST!!!!! Legs and times are flexible. Pepper was dumped in the shelter because her owners were moving. They pulled up to the shelter in the moving van to drop her off. Pepper is very scared and depressed in the shelter and clearly does not understand what’s happening to her. Please help her get to a safe and loving foster home.

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If you think “doing what’s best” for unwanted animals still means something you’d rather not think about, then think again. Fifteen Legs, The Documentary, is the story of animals who have run out of time. It’s about the people who save them at the eleventh hour. It’s the story of where they go next, and how they get there... Gary and Kathy Borland have been involved with transporting pets from one location to another through a series of volunteer drivers around the country for many years. These “transports” consisted of volunteers offering to drive a “leg” (a specified route along a highway between one city and another) to get a particular animal or animals from one location to another. Although these legs sometimes take place between cities within a state, many times they are between cities in different states. Transports can include a few legs to many, often covering long distances and hundreds of miles. Fifteen Legs, recently broadcast on PBS, highlighted the volunteer movement behind pet transport and showed how people who have never met one another or their animal in transit, come together to help save the lives of many broken souls in need of shelter. After the transport to safety is complete, the volunteer driver and the angels on the mend will most likely never see each other again. The ride is sometimes long and the bond of love, however short-lived will serve as the rescue animals new lease on life that otherwise would most likely be impossible. This following story was Gary Borland’s introduction to the world of pet rescue transportation. 120

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Pepper was going to have to wait till morning. However, thanks to Condo management company called Carolina Mountain Vacations, I was able to find another place to stay on very short notice that was pet friendly. It was getting late and transports were still getting lined up, so I offered to run across the mountains (Great Smoky Mountain’s National Park). I’ve driven that road so many times, a night transport would not be a problem for me. Traffic through Pigeon Forge AND Gatlinburg, TN is fierce, especially on a Saturday night, so I suggested meeting the other transport driver on the Gatlinburg, TN side of the park. I wondered what could be so special about Pepper, this Catahoula Hound dog that made someone want to spring her from a shelter in Kentucky and transport her all the way down to Florida. The reply I got from the rescue group that was waiting for her was not surprising. Here’s what it said. “I want them all to live, of course, but sometimes there are certain ones that pull at your heart strings, a look in their eyes or a facial expression. I personally go for the older ones and the abused or very neglected ones, but in

Later that morning I checked to see where Harrodsburg, KY was in relation to where I would be staying. It was close, but still a number of hours from where I was going to be. I knew I could cover the bulk of the transport if they could get her to me in the short time I had available in North Carolina. I thought, what the heck, I’ll let them know where I’ll be and when, and see if they could get her down to me in time for my drive back to Florida. Almost immediately I heard from the transport coordinator and through numerous e-mails we discussed our options for connecting. The only time I could get to Pepper was after my meeting, which was late in the day, or in the morning before I headed out. Since the place I was staying at was not pet friendly, Pepper’s case it was the fact that I could picture her in the moving van with them and how happy she must have been, thinking that she was going for a ride or to a new place with her family and all of her stuff, only to be dropped off at a shelter, having to watch as they drove away.” I could relate to that. All of our pets are rescues and each have their own unique story of how they came to live with us. I met Marg and Marv, Peppers current transporters at the Sugarlands Visitor Center just outside of Gatlinburg, TN where we visited briefly. I spent a little time with Pepper, got her paperwork and then loaded her up and got ready for the next section of her odyssey. Pepper wasn’t quite ready to settle down on this new leg and about a half hour into the ride as we were approaching BellaDOG Magazine

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Newfound Gap, we saw something move on the side of the road. A black bear was trying to get up the hill and across the road to continue his trip up the mountain. We pulled over and watched as the coast cleared and he scampered up and over the guardrail, across the road and up the other side. The rest of the trip was uneventful, but we had a few nice views before darkness settled in as we headed down the mountain to Bryson City to spend the night.

Pepper, now Magi (short for Magnolia), is now living with her new and loving family in a big, beautiful home with five acres of smells for her to discover with her new playmate, Scarlet who just happens to be a 1 ½-year-old Catahoula. Diana, Magi’s new mom, sent us some pics and said the following: “It’s difficult to get Magi, as we call her, to sit still, she’s quite excitable.... she’s pictured with her sister Scarlet.. two

please visit the following sites - or simply type “volunteer animal transport” in your browser. www.bundergroundrailroad.org www.mainecoonrescue.net www.trucknpaws.com www.puppymillrescue.com http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OnTheRoadAgain www.pilotsnpaws.org www.animalrescueflights.org www.freedomtraintransports.com

Pepper enjoyed a big bone that evening in the cabin. Obviously used to getting up on the couch, Pepper gave me a goodnight kiss before heading to bed. Sunday morning we headed for Florida and left the mountains behind. Pepper, just like our Catahoula named Darla, enjoyed riding with her head between the seats where she could get a view out the front of my Jeep.

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/aussiecur

After almost 12 hours of driving, we made it to Clearwater, FL. Pepper had been a great traveler, very laid back until you stopped and opened the door. She was always right there waiting to hop on out to explore her newest surroundings. Every rest stop we came to, her little nose was right to the ground, checking out every little smell with her Hound-like precision.

Whether in your area or areas where you have friends, checking out the listings can often times result in filling in that last piece of the puzzle for a dog in need.

Monday afternoon her new foster mom, Melody, came and picked her up. Melody had a Catahoula named Skittles, so she and Pepper got along very well. Within days she received an application for adoption for her and she was

TransportCoordinators http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TransportCoordinators AnimalTransporters http://groups.yahoo.com.group/AnimalTransporters

southern belles!!! They play together all day.... Magi’s adapted really well...she thinks life is one tail wag after the other...... she follows my every move... she is really happy”

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Animals enrich our lives in so many ways. They give us joy, protection, companionship, and unconditional love. But they need our help too. Join us in confronting animal cruelty in all its forms. Visit humanesociety.org to find out what you can do.

I’m happy to be of help in getting these animals into a good foster situations where they have a chance at finding their forever home. In Pepper’s case, I know she found hers. ~Gary Borland

Drive a Leg of a Transport and Help Save an Animal’s Life! Almost all transports are handled by volunteers and arranged by what is known as a Transport Coordinator, who is also a volunteer. People from every walk of life come together over the internet to donate their time, gas and vehicles to help save these animals who otherwise would not have a chance. Of course, there are always people who will transport animals directly for a fee, but this article is about all of those who lend a hand and a vehicle out of the goodness of their hearts. If you’re willing to run a leg (usually about an hour long) for a transport that happens to be in your area, there are a couple of internet groups to join.

adopted by her forever family less than a week after making her trip to Florida.

Another way to help is to consider posting a “Transport available“ message. If you’re already planning on driving a long distance (such as Tampa to Atlanta) and have room available to take a dog or cat with you, sign up and help with a leg - you’ll be glad you did......and so will the animal you helped save.

even watchdogs need watchdogs

If you can spare even an hour of your time on a weekend, and you’d like to sign up to become a volunteer driver,

Fifteen Legs:

When all that stands between death and freedom is a ride “This notion of volunteers connecting in cyberspace on behalf of desperate, unwanted animals had stolen my heart. The thought of perfect strangers coming together and working as a team to shuttle society’s non-human cast-offs out of harm’s way was too wonderful a story to pass up. I had to tell it.” ~ Bonnie Silva Writer and Producer of Fifteen Legs

For PBS air times, visit www.fifteenlegs.com Get the companion book for $22.95

www.amazon.com

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H U M A N E

Euthanasia a horrifying peek into the world unspoken

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may the truth help set them free

The Witness Provo, Utah. A personal transformation took over one womans life, when she was a witness, through a small porthole window, of an animal shelter gas chamber doing its savage business. A comparison of Gas Chamber euthaniszation with euthanization by Injection was held and witnessed. Two of the employees of the shelter began pulling and tugging the larger dogs toward the chamber -- this, in itself, was savage. The eyes of the terrified dogs were full of fear as they were shoved into the large metal cylinder. They would meet their demise with six other dogs and five young puppies, not breed specific, just alive and unwanted. Noise. Yelling. Fighting. These dogs that were either someone’s lost pet or someone’s forgotten family member now shivered again and again, their eyes huge, their nostrils flaring, their hearts broken. They were completely bewildered. All the dogs and puppies were in an obvious desperate 124

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struggle, and the gassing had yet to begin. Then a button was pushed, and the two employees in charge walked away as the chamber machine began pumping out streams of carbon monoxide. The little puppies started to paw at the glass window. After one full minute they started to whine and then produced a piercing squeal. Then the larger dogs started a high, mournful wailing, then a deeper howl that rose in great desperation for 45 seconds. 45 seconds - think about that. That morning of her witness, the start of the journey through hell for these dogs and puppies, to the completion of their cries of desperation, was between two and six minutes. Tears from her heart overwhelmed her that tragic morning, and the final insult was having to load the bodies of those precious dogs and puppies into a pickup truck to haul them to the local garbage dump. As she watched the employees walk away, unaffected, her newfound purpose was to fight to somehow make a difference to end this unnecessary suffering for these undeserving

animals and make people see the truth of what goes on in the world of euthanasia for unwanted animals.

Wide Disparity

injections to the heart while conscious, a practice that even the lenient American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA ) guidelines condemns as inhumane. Animals were restrained (and sometimes lifted) with a “catch” or “control” pole (a long-handled pole with a coated wire noose at one end that is placed around the animal’s neck and tightened), allegedly to prevent injury to staff members.

Across the country, there is wide disparity among shelters and their methods and application of euthanasia. Problems However, the audit team concluded that it was more stemming from inadequate training, insufficient funding, likely due to lack of training, as well as an apparent lack indifference to animal suffering, and failure to recognize of concern for the comfort, anxiety, and needs of the the need to change and update procedures, are found animals being euthanized. The report states,”The HSUS everywhere, from small rural shelters to large city facilities. did not witness any instance where an animal was held or The urgent need for a consensus on humane euthanasia is comforted for a gentle death.” Worst of all, the HSUS team graphically illustrated by the following recent cases: found that seven animals were still alive (their hearts were Long Hill, NJ. A kennel owner admitted using an illegal beating) after they were placed in the freezer. drug to kill more than 600 animals using the powerful muscle-relaxing drug, succinylcholine chloride that was The Albuquerque shelters euthanize about 18,000 animals banned in 1988 for euthanasia in New Jersey. This drug annually -- 75% of the animals that come through their essentially paralyzes the animal, including the diaphragm doors. and breathing muscles, but has no effect on consciousness -- the terrified animal is Sacramento, CA. As it had in fully aware that he cannot breathe, and It is a sad fact that, when Albuquerque, word got out about the poor helplessly suffocates to death. Numerous conditions at the Sacramento City animal a human being chooses other violations were found by inspectors shelter. The HSUS was brought in to assess to create a relationship on several surprise visits, including failure the shelter and make recommendations. with another living to hold animals for the required length of Consultants found “most staff displaying being, then fails to live time before killing them, and neglecting a lack of concern for an animal’s anxiety to provide veterinary care to a dog with up to the responsibilities level, pain response, and overall wella broken leg. being,” as well as an obvious lack of that go with that training. Supervision was extremely poor relationship, we allow Additionally, more than 300 cats were in many areas. Shelter personnel never the human to walk away scanned animals for microchips before killed by injections directly into the heart -- which is not only stressful but acutely killing them, refused to use tranquilizers guilt-free - it is always painful. The kennel owner was fined for fractious animals (relying instead on the animal who pays $18,715. physical force to restrain them), killed 100% of the price for the brute dogs in full view of live dogs awaiting human’s errors. Vermilion Parish, LA. Animals are euthanasia, and committed many other still euthanized by a regular 6-cylinder violations of shelter policy. A chloroform gasoline engine that pumps acrid exhaust chamber used to kill small animals was gas into the small room where they are confined. Even used improperly. A live newborn kitten was put into the though the gas is pumped through water to cool it a little, chamber with six dead kittens who had been killed the day the fumes are still hot, irritating, and painful. Their skin before. The following day, a live pigeon was placed in and eyes burning, the animals die slowly and horribly. the chamber with the seven dead kittens. An HSUS team Animal protection groups have been trying since 1992 member finally asked a supervisor to check the chamber, at to get the shelter to change to a more humane method of which time they removed the dead animals -- four days after euthanasia,but in spite of lawsuits and letters, the parish the first six kittens died in it. remains resistant to voluntarily changing its ways. Unlike Albuquerque, however, Sacramento immediately began to remedy the deficits, and has made an effort to be Albuquerque, NM. An audit by the Humane Society of responsive to the report findings as well as to the concerned the United States (HSUS) found many serious problems citizens in the community. with the care of animals at the two city shelters. The audit team was so alarmed at the conditions that they issued a Not all the news is bad, of course. At least one community preliminary report blasting the treatment of animals. HSUS has had a major wake-up call. In Greensboro, NC, representatives found that dogs were killed by painful direct BellaDOG Magazine

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frustrated Sheriff BJ Barnes, upset at learning that more than 75% of the animals entering his shelter were being killed, decided to televise the euthanasia of a dog on his weekly show. Viewers were shocked, but they also got the message: animal overpopulation is everyone’s problem. Adoptions from the local shelter skyrocketed, and local veterinarians reported an increase in inquiries about spaying and neutering. And cities like San Francisco, where municipal animal control and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty To Animals (SPCA) are working together to make sure that every adoptable animal gets a good chance for a home, have set a wonderful example for other agencies As we can see below, many rural communities are trying to stop the stressful process of the gassing of animals whether in the best gas chambers that still force attendants to put up to 8 dogs on top of each other as they are wheeled around the shelter collecting them, and then wheeled into the gas chamber room. In recent years, 6-8 million lost and unwanted dogs and cats entered animal shelters throughout the US. Only half made it out alive: the other 3-4 million were euthanized. That’s nearly a quarter million animals a month, 405 every hour, one every nine seconds. In human terms, this is proportional to losing the entire human population of Los Angeles every year. More than 12 million cats and dogs enter U.S. shelters annually, an endless tide of incoming animals. Few of these animals will be reclaimed, and many shelters lack space to keep even most adoptable animals. Of lost cats that end up in shelters, only 2% will be returned to their homes. Dogs have it better, because they are more likely to be wearing rabies or identification tags, but even so, only 16% will be reclaimed. On average, only about 1/3 of animals put up for adoption at shelters will actually find homes. For the rest, euthanasia. “Euthanasia” literally means “good death,” and is usually interpreted to mean a quick, painless, and humane method of dying. It seems self-evident that death should also be in the best interests of the animal. The decision to euthanize a sick, dangerous, or otherwise unadoptable animal is relatively uncomplicated to make.

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However, millions of healthy, friendly animals also end up in shelters. They are adoptable -- but there are just not enough homes available for all of them. It is the task of shelters to select those who will be placed in the adoption kennels. Animals who have been in the adoption kennel too long, and all the rest who never had the chance, are taken to the euthanasia room.

Methods The euthanasia method of choice for use in animal shelters is the injection of an overdose of a barbiturate anesthetic called sodium pentobarbital. In API’s view, it is the only acceptable method of euthanizing shelter animals. When injected into a vein, this drug produces rapid unconsciousness and death without the pain and distress that accompany all other methods. For cats, kittens, puppies, and other small mammals, a direct injection into the abdominal cavity is also acceptable, though not as rapid or reliable as the intravenous route. This method is the most costeffective and overall least expensive of all euthanasia techniques (according to the Michigan Humane Society, the cost of lethal injection, materials and labor is $2.88 per animal). It does require adequate staff training, and because each animal is handled individually, it is somewhat more emotionally taxing to workers than mass euthanasia methods. The injection process allows shelter staff to provide personal comfort to each animal in its last moments, which may greatly offset the emotional stress. Five states (CA, FL, ME, OR, PA) specify lethal injection (usually of a barbiturate) as the only allowable method of euthanasia, and similar laws are currently being considered in Tennessee and Rhode Island. About 20 states specifically

allow lethal injection. Shelters employ a number of other “euthanasia” methods. One common method is the gas chamber. Either carbon monoxide (CO) or carbon dioxide (CO2) is generally used, though some still use nitrogen gas. California banned the use of CO gas chambers for euthanasia effective January 1,2001. Many injection givers initially resisted the change, because injection requires two workers and extended physical contact with the animal, but once they understood the process, they realized it is better for the animal, and actually less stressful for them. For some animals, the gentle touch of a shelter worker during the euthanasia process may be the only real affection they have ever had. Not that this makes things any better, but the lethal injection technique allows the worker to comfort the animal and experience closure of the death process. Three states (AZ, SC, TN) specifically allow nitrogen gas, and three (OK, SC, TN) allow carbon monoxide; all of these states also allow lethal injection, with gas as an alternate method. Gas chambers have many limitations which make the method less practical, slower, more dangerous to staff (a shelter worker died of CO poisoning just last year), and ultimately more expensive than lethal injection. Abuse of the chamber is common. While shelter policies commonly require physical separation in individual cages and close observation of the process, in many cases animals are simply shoved into the chamber, the door sealed, the button pushed, and the employee walks away. The sponsor of the bill in Tennessee that would mandate lethal injection said of the gas chamber that it “results in a slow, painful death.” Ronald R. Grier and Tom L.Colvin’s 1990 Euthanasia Guide for Animal Shelters recommends that all animals should be tranquilized before placement in the chamber -something that is virtually never done in practice.

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Three states (DE, OK, TN) allow chloroform for animals under 8 weeks of age (young animals up to 4 months old are resistant to gas euthanasia). Eleven states defer to a higher authority, such as the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the state veterinary board (OH), or BellaDOG Magazine

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the state veterinarian (VA), or provide standards for humane death (IA, NH, ND, RI, SC, WA). One state (SC) allows shooting (in emergencies). Only one state (AZ) allows the use of T-61, a drug that is considered unacceptable by AVMA because it immobilizes and suffocates the animal without causing unconsciousness, resulting in pain and distress. Twenty-five states have banned the use of “high altitude” decompression chambers, which were used extensively in the 1950s and 1960s, but were subsequently deemed to be cruel. The Report of the AVMA Panel on Euthanasia is used as a reference by hundreds of shelters around the country, and four states (GA, KS, MO, NY) mandate using only methods considered acceptable in this report. The report was revised in 2000; unfortunately, the updated version has significant problems, but nevertheless was passed and published by the AVMA, primarily through the force of will of a single individual who ramrodded it through -- over the reservations of the committee that produced it, as well as the unanimous disapproval of the organization’s main governing body. The report fails to address the inappropriateness of CO for animals under 16 weeks of age, and sick, pregnant, injured,

or old animals. In spite of the report’s own statement that CO2 “may be distressing” especially to cats, it is included as an acceptable method of feline euthanasia. Suffocating birds by pressing on their chests is referred to as “apparently painless.” Kill-traps, which rarely function properly even under controlled laboratory conditions and are indiscriminate killers of any animal that gets caught in them, are promoted as “practical and effective” for wildlife. And electrocution is considered “conditionally acceptable” for dogs.

The Last Stop The local shelter is too often the last stop for a dog or cat. Shelters have been put into this unenviable position by the irresponsible breeding of far too many animals. Puppy mills, pet stores, backyard breeders, “responsible” hobby and show breeders, people who simply won’t, don’t bother, or “forget” to have their animals spayed or neutered, pet food companies who subsidize breeders with free samples and discount coupons, and the cat and dog breed “clubs”

that encourage breeding - all contribute to this massive problem. It is a sad fact that, when a human being chooses to create a relationship with another living being, then fails to live up to the responsibilities that go with that relationship, we allow the human to walk away guilt-free it is always the animal who pays 100% of the price for the human’s errors. We often hear “responsible” breeders complain that the real problem is the irresponsible owners, backyard breeders, and puppy mills. And there’s no doubt that those are huge problems. Puppy mills around the country contribute thousands of puppies to pet overpopulation every year. But let’s take a closer look at those “responsible” breeders. They generally advertise in a few well-known national magazines, or on their own websites. In one issue of one dog magazine there are individual listings for about 700 breeders. If each of those breeders produces only three litters per year (an extremely conservative estimate), with an average of 6 per litter, those breeders are putting out more than 25,000 puppies and kittens per year. The American Kennel Club registered nearly 1,175,500 puppies in 2000 from active breeders. Whether they admit it or deny it, the truth is that each and every person who -- accidentally or purposely -- produces even one more puppy or kitten is part of the problem. We all have to work together to solve it -- nobody can be exempt. Until pet overpopulation is controlled, 8-10 million cats and dogs will be killed this year, and every year, in U.S. shelters. (And this shocking figure doesn’t include countless thousands of animals who never make it to the shelter, but are abandoned to live and die on the streets or in the country.)

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The good news is that pet overpopulation is on the decline. However, projections suggest it will be another twenty-five years before we end it; and that’s only possible with continued hard work, dedication, and public education. We are making progress, but this is in spite of people who continue to breed and industries that support breeding. If those who are creating the problem would take full responsibility, we could reach the ultimate goal -- to eliminate the 128

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euthanasia of healthy, adoptable animals -- much faster. A shelter should be there to care for animals, to relieve suffering -- not amplify or prolong it. An animal may have already suffered greatly prior to ending up at a shelter, and the unfamiliarity, confinement, and noise of the shelter environment is extremely stressful in and of itself. Therefore, we have an obligation to ensure that needless suffering is not that animal’s tragic end to life.

The Human Toll Shelter workers must daily confront the need to euthanize many healthy, friendly, adoptable animals. They must accept these animals from the public, listen to the flimsy excuses for relinquishment (“I’m moving,” “I got new furniture,” “My boyfriend doesn’t like him”), smile politely, and swallow the words that they must so often want to shout -- “This animal trusts you! This animal loves you! You have a responsibility here! How can you abandon him?” Having accepted these unwanted animals, shelter workers must feed, brush, walk, care for, and get to know them for three or five or seven days, and then, except for those few that have been adopted, they must take them into a small, barren room and kill them. www.animal-abusesite.info/euthanisia.html

A No Kill Nation? In the midst of agony over euthanasia of adoptable pets comes the national debate between no-kill shelters and so-called “kill” shelters. The success of the San Francisco SPCA’s no-kill program and the establishment of the Duffield Family Foundation project to extend that success to a “No-kill Nation” bring the discussion to the front burner. Unfortunately, people have taken sides based more on political perspectives than on whether such a goal is feasible or even possible. There are basically two schools of thought about shelter 130

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euthanasia: people tend to believe either that society is to blame for the deaths and therefore society must be punished with restrictive laws or they believe in education, compromise, and reason to bring about the desired goal. One perspective makes enemies of people, the other brings out the best. When the San Francisco SPCA dropped its contract as the city’s animal control agency and began its quest to save all adoptable cats an dogs in the city, it was criticized by some other California shelters that questioned its definition of “adoptable” and complained that no-kill facilities merely shift the burden of killing to other shelters. But the SPCA turned a deaf ear to the censure and plowed on. It soon became obvious that only the very old, very ill, severely injured, or aggressive dogs were to be euthanized at the SPCA and that no animals would die for lack of space or because they had treatable diseases or behavior problems.

No-Kill Shelters Most nonprofit no-kill shelters are privately run. They are not associated with any government, operate on donations and fund-raising projects, work closely with rescue organizations, and try a variety of innovative programs to reduce the numbers of stray animals in the community. They often spay or neuter every animal that leaves the premises, check for heartworm, treat dogs with minor illnesses or injuries, organize feral cat care colonies, conduct obedience training classes or work out training agreements with private instructors or membership clubs, and offer pet care education programs to schools. Some no-kill shelters work with service dog organizations to provide dogs for training as helpers for handicapped owners. Many offer spay-andneuter assistance and vaccination clinics for low-income and indigent pet owners. Volunteers often flock to private shelters because people are more likely to work with a dog if they know the end result is a chance at a good life, not euthanasia. No-kill shelters do euthanize some dogs – old, chronically ill, severely injured, and aggressive dogs that cannot safely be put in new homes do die to make room for more adoptable animals. They also keep waiting lists so that needy animals

can get in as soon as space is available and prospective dog owners can be referred to those who have a dog of a specific breed or type to give up.

Public Shelters Most states have laws regarding the incarceration of stray dogs, vicious dogs, and dogs that are impounded pending outcome of court cases. In many areas, these laws are carried out through contracts with private, nonprofit humane societies; since the contracts require that stray dogs be picked up and held for a minimum number of days, these societies are placed in the untenable position of killing some dogs to make room for others. Thus many healthy, adoptable dogs are euthanized. Many of these societies also accept dogs and cats surrendered by their owners. These animals are also likely to be euthanized to make room for others if they are not adopted quickly. Some public shelters are run by city or county governments. They are generally supported by tax dollars and dog licenses and their programs are limited by government budget allotments. Since space is a problem in public shelters, the dividing line between adoptable dogs and unadoptable dogs is easy to cross. A dog that rebels at a dose of intranasal kennel cough vaccine, one that develops kennel cough or has ear mites, one that comes into heat, cowers in the corner, or growls at the kennel attendant is likely to be euthanized to make way for the next truckload of strays or group of owner-surrendered pets.

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Public shelters also offer many of the same programs and services as private shelters. They work with rescue groups, offer some type of sterilization service, vaccinate adoptable animals, check for heartworm, and microchip outgoing dogs and cats. Some even provide counseling services for adopters and obedience classes for adoptees. All shelters – public and private – need volunteers and funds if they are to reduce euthanasia of adoptable dogs.

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7. Identification programs: Shelters are in good position to adopt identification programs as means to return dogs to their owners. Insertion of a microchip in every dog that leaves the shelter (adopted or reclaimed) along with an offer to chip all dogs in the community could go a long way towards ending euthanasia of stray dogs. Dog lovers concerned about euthanasia statistics have an unparalleled opportunity to make a difference by calling a local shelter – public or private – and offering their services to help with fund-raising, cleaning kennels, walking or grooming dogs, training dogs, fostering dogs, helping with education programs, etc. Shelters differ in their needs and programs, but most welcome assistance.

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Assist them. ~Norma Bennett Woolf

The opposing shelter philosophies often boil down not to a kill vs no-kill modus operandi, but to a competition between those who would drive people to responsibility and those who would bribe people to do the right thing. Despite the fact that euthanasia of dogs has declined dramatically in the past dozen years through voluntary efforts, the former group often blames breeders for producing too many puppies and proposes breeding restrictions and mandatory sterilization of pets to end the killing in shelters. The latter group foregoes legislative solutions in favor of education and services that increase adoptions, help people sterilize their pets, make good pet selections, and keep the pets they own. They, too, promote spay and neuter of pets, but as a voluntary means to reduce unwanted litters, not a matter of law.

an agreement with a private trainer or obedience club can work to keep these dogs in their homes or get them ready for new homes.

Some Programs That Work

5. Campaigns to Promote Older Dogs: In spite of much evidence to the contrary, people still hold on to the old adage that says “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” Nonsense. With a bit of extra care and commitment, older dogs can adapt to new circumstances and bring years of pleasure to families and individuals. Shelters can promote adoptions of older dogs through community campaigns that emphasize the advantages of a house-trained pet with good manners.

1. Landlord agreements: Since many dogs are given up when owners move into apartment, shelters can work with apartment managers to establish contracts for pet owners that require the dog to be obedience-trained, house-trained, and quiet. The contracts can require references from a veterinarian and from previous landlords. These agreements can broaden housing opportunities for pet owners, keeping some dogs from surrender to the shelter and allowing more adoptions to apartment-dwellers. 2. Behavior counselors or obedience instructors: Many dogs are surrendered because the owners are frustrated with behavior problems that may be nothing more than failure to train or lack of understanding of normal dog behavior. An on-staff behavior counselor or obedience instructor or 132

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3. Prison Programs: Allowing prisoners to foster and train shelter dogs has benefits for both – the dog learns manners and thus becomes more adoptable and the prisoner gets the opportunity to bond with the dog and learn responsibility.

Start Your Own Spay and Neuter Program Step 1: The first step in starting a spay neuter program is to decide if you will have your own location, such as a clinic, or if you can do the surgeries at a veterinarians office or other location. Using an existing facility, such as an animal shelter or humane society, will cost much less than buying or renting real estate space.

4. Puppy Transfers: People want puppies, but spay and neuter programs have been so successful in some areas of the country that puppies are in short supply. Some shelters therefore import puppies from areas in which they are plentiful.

6. Innovative Sentencing: Public shelters can champion innovative sentencing for dog owners who violate animal control laws. Instead of fining owners and waiting for the next time Rover gets loose (or is turned loose), they can work with the courts to require that owners attend a responsible dog ownership session or take Rover to obedience school. (In some areas, fines are so high that owners cannot afford to bail out their pet; programs that instill responsibility rather than simply costing money are more likely to result in a reclaimed dog.)

Step 2: Next, determine how your program will work. Is your goal to offer discount spay neuter services, or completely free services for low income pet owners? Will you pay veterinarians to help with spay neuter clinics, or will you want their services donated? Will you use a voucher system? Try to find a program that already exists that suits your needs and use that program as a prototype for your own. Step 3: For tax purposes, your spay neuter group will need to be registered as a 501(3)(c) non-profit organization. There are many articles about how to set up a 501(3)(c) on the web - this process really only involves filling out some paperwork that must be mailed to the IRS. Step 4: Once you are approved as a 501(3)(c), you will need to do some fund raising to raise money to pay for the program. The money will be used for paying veterinarians or clinics for their services, buying supplies, advertising, and administrative expenses like office supplies. You can also find all kinds of articles on the web about how to hold fundraisers. Step 5: Once you have a location, veterinarians, and you have raised some funds, you need to advertise your program. Leave business cards or flyers at veterinary offices, the animal shelter, pet stores, and any other public place that will allow you to. Check with the local newspaper and see if they will print an ad for free. “I always thought someone should do something about that, then I realized I was someone” ~Lilly Tomlin

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The Shelter Dog Series All of the Photographs in this article were taken by Photographer Andreas Holm who recently made a small collaboration called Shelter Dogs with The Toby Project in New York. The Toby Project’s mission is to end the killing of tens of thousands of adoptable dogs and cats each year in New York City’s municipal animal shelters by preventing the births of unwanted dogs and cats through spay & neuter services. To see more photos from the Shelter Dogs series visit: www.andreasholm.com/blog/category/shelter-dogs To find out more about The Toby Project visit: www.tobyproject.org BellaDOG Magazine

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The 10-Minutes Or 10-Bucks Animal Advocate How to Help Even When You Don’t Have the Time or Money

Report the Bad Stuff

Praise the Good Stuff

Under 2 minutes: In much the same way you’d handle things if you spotted a child who might be in trouble, keep your eyes and ears open to situations that appear to be harmful to an animal. Look for those chained or tied outside for hours, even days, at a time, inadequate shelter, food or water, collars that are too tight, matted hair, and excessive scratching from flea infestation or possibly mange. All of these prove abuse and neglect. Most important: trust your instincts. If it looks bad, it is.

Less than 2 minutes: Realize there are good things happening every day for animals in trouble -- why, for starters, you’re getting involved, despite not having much money or time to do so, aren’t you? And you’re beginning to find out even one person can help, one person with just a little can make a big difference.

Under 10 minutes: Report the situation by calling your local animal control agency as they are the ones that will investigate the matter. Yes, you can remain anonymous. A short journal of what you have noted and when will be helpful to the investigators. If you can do so safely, take a photo which is invaluable proof of what’s going on and the officer will add it to the file for any legal action which might come about later. Keep track of who you speak to and when and what they tell you they will do and when they say they’ll do it. As much as possible, speak in a logical, not emotional fashion, yet let them know you consider this a serious matter, one that deserves their immediate attention. 10 minutes: Within 24 hours after reporting the problem, follow up with the person to whom you gave the information, either in person or by phone. If you do not feel the matter is receiving sufficient or timely attention, look to other humane organizations for assistance. The ASPCA has a terrific data base, by state, of Humane Law Enforcement Agencies who can quickly point you in the right direction. Don’t stop until someone tells you they will take action and then does! Under 10 minutes: Be persistent. Like a dog with a bone, pun intended, keep following up with officials until the situation reaches a satisfactory conclusion. For those with children, or anyone concerned about children, please take note: Pets are abused in 88 percent of the families where children are abused, according to an article in Humane Education News. As with anything in life, the squeaky wheel gets the grease and an animal’s life, and perhaps a child’s too, may depend on you being that wheel.

Less than 10 minutes: Right now, within just a few miles of where you live, there are animal rescue groups working very hard to help the cast-offs, the abused, the starving. They do so strictly with volunteers and often with very limited resources. Why not contact your local newspaper and ask to speak to either the editor or the features reporter and suggest a “human interest story” be written about the group and its efforts? The exposure enjoyed by the group could very well net the group additional volunteers and financial backing. It could all happen because of your one phone call! $10 and 10 minutes: The next time you’re at the local pet supply store, take $10 (save that spare change in a little jar just for this purpose!) and buy some pee pads, paper towels, food, treats, even toys, and make up a little goodies basket to take to a rescue group - perhaps the one you found above. Trust us, every little bit helps and the love you send the animals is worth the little bit of time and money you’ll put into this project. Maybe get a few friends or the neighborhood children involved in pulling together their own little baskets. Maybe do it twice a year. Don’t stop. Have fun with it. You’re on a roll now! Less than 10 minutes: Whenever you read about something good happening in the animal world, i.e., new laws giving stiffer penalties to animal abusers, the city council approves a new dog park for the area, a long-time community supporter of humane causes is honored, etc., send a quick email or handwritten note of thanks to those involved. They’ll appreciate being appreciated. By doing so, you’re sending positive energy out to others, which will bring positive energy back in to you. Now, keep that circle of kindness going and your children and their children will add to it throughout the upcoming generations. And you’ve helped make that happen with just 10 minutes or $10...aren’t you just something! www.floridapets.net

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