CityDog Baltimore Spring 2017 Issue

LIFE AND LIVING WITH DOGS IN BALTIMORE + BEYOND

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{FROM THE EDITOR} LIFE AND LIVING WITH DOGS IN BALTIMORE + BEYOND

CityDog Cover photo by JB Shepard

SPRING 2017

Greetings and a warm welcome to the inaugural issue of CityDog Baltimore, featuring everything you need to know about life and living with dogs in Maryland—from the city of Baltimore to the Chesapeake Bay to the beaches of Ocean City— and everywhere in between!

I hope you are as excited about this new magazine as I am.

LIVE WELL hampden I am excited about the magazine SPECIAL PLAY WELL cool products for several reasons. First, there HEALTH WELLNESS ISSUE is currently no publication in SOUND ADVICE FOR A HOUND’S LIFE Baltimore or the surrounding area that caters to the Baltimore area dog community. CityDog Magazine Baltimore will reach dog owners who live and work in Baltimore, its neighborhoods, and its suburbs. Second, I am extremely proud to be working with writing interns from Loyola University who not only love dogs but anxiously want to write about them in the magazine.

These students are exceptional in their writing ability and now have a vehicle to showcase their talent.

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dog shelters, animal hospitals, a calendar of dog related events, health and wellness information, dog friendly getaways and other articles that are useful to readers in Baltimore. An online version of the magazine will also be available, as well as a website that is continuously updated with articles and a calendar of events.

But this magazine is also more than just a collection of articles.

There is so much to enjoy in Baltimore and the surrounding neighborhoods with your dog. So many dog friendly parks. So many pet friendly hotels. So many neighborhoods to explore. In this premier issue, we explore the beautiful dog friendly neighborhood of Hampden. In future issues, we will continue to explore other Baltimore neighborhoods that express their vitality through their love for dogs.

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CityDog Magazine Baltimore will be published quarterly and contain lifestyle type articles, as well as information about

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CityDog Baltimore is more than a magazine. It’s a community for dog lovers to come together; it’s a place to find the best the region has to offer you and your four-legged friend. This magazine is for you. I hope once you explore the articles in CityDog Baltimore, you share the magazine with your friends and fellow dog lovers, and subscribe to the magazine at citydogbaltimore.com.

Sincerely, Alan Bodenstein, Publisher CityDog Baltimore | citydogbaltimore.com

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8 BARK OF THE TOWN

21 ADOPT, DON’T SHOP

30 HELPING PAWS

10 COOL PRODUCTS

24 WINGS OF LOVE, KUWAIT

32 THE PERFECT DIET

16 DOG’S EYE VIEW: HAMPDEN

26 THE PIT BULL PLEA

34 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

18 LIVE WELL: PET+ER

28 PETS ON WHEELS

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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Steve Dale Caroline Ferree Julia Joseph Gina A. Kazimir Nick Manoff Amy Myers Rebecca Sanchez Jen Schiller

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Julie Clegg JB Shepard Traer Scott J.Nichole Smith Amelia Soper

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CityDog Magazine Baltimore Issue #1, Spring 2017. Published four times a year. Copyright 2017 CityDog Magazine Baltimore All rights reserved.

SUBSCRIPTIONS are $20.00 per year within the US. Subscribers: Please send change of address, with old address and new address to CityDog Baltimore, 4128 Trentham Drive, Pikesville, MD 21208 or email info to alan@citydogmagazine.com.

Join us for the hippest fashion show on four paws.

The 5th Annual Pawject Runway returns to the Royal Farms Arena in May 2017 featuring adoptable cats and dogs from BARCS wearing the latest in two-legged accessories from the Show Your Soft Side Campaign.

Co-Chairs: Frank Remesch & John Rallo For details and ticket info, visit BARCS at baltimoreanimalshelter.org

{BARK OF THE TOWN} THINGS TO CHEW ON

HERE COMES

THE DOG COUPLES SAY ‘I DO’ TO INCLUDING THEIR FOUR-LEGGED FRIEND IN THEIR WEDDING. PHOTOS BY AMELIA SOPER

As weddings are becoming more personal and individualized than ever before, and as dogs are increasingly integral members of their owners’ lives—traveling and tagging along to the office with many—it seems fitting that more couples are including their four-legged counterparts in their most memorable day.

“What I love most about having dogs included in wedding day, and in engagement photos for that matter, is how great they are at taking the focus off of the couple,” says local photographer Amelia Soper and owner of House of Wee (houseofwee.com). “Many people don’t love being the center of attention and can have a difficult time getting comfortable in front of the camera, but when they can have their dog there, they forget the awkwardness they feel and just settle in to having fun with their best friend.

Seattle wedding planner Lisa Chambers, owner of Chambers and Company, planned an unforgettable wedding at Rosario Resort on Orcas Island. The couple’s border collie, which Lisa considers “the best behaved dog ever,” wore a daisy collar all day, lined up with the wedding party, walked down the aisle by himself and sat patiently during the ceremony, then partied with the guests all night until the reception ended at 2 a.m. “He was a rock star,” she says.

Another couple, with a not so well trained standard poodle, hired a trainer six weeks before the wedding to help prepare their dog to walk down the aisle—which he did, and then proceeded to lay down and tear his floral collar apart. But luckily, even unexpected actions can lighten the mood.

With wedding season upon us, if you are planning your big day, here are some simple tips for including your pooch in matrimonial matters: Know your dog and its limitations—weddings can be stressful and overwhelming for a dog that does not adapt well to new environments or is uncomfortable around strangers—also, be sure to designate someone to be responsible for your dog, determine ahead of time where your dog will go after the wedding, plan for potty breaks (bags and all), and make sure a water dish is available, especially at an outdoor wedding.

“Having a pooch participate in a wedding is like magic; people become more relaxed and their expressions become much more genuine, which makes my job of capturing authentic moments so much easier,” adds Amy.

8 • CityDog Magazine

{BARK OF THE TOWN} THINGS TO CHEW ON WET DOG

BY SOPHIE GAMAND BOOKS WE LOVE Wet Dog is a series of dogs captured at the groomer during their least favorite activity: bath time. As every dog owner knows too well the fun and misery of bath time: the wriggles, the poignant looks, the playful splashes. Wet Dog, by photographer Sophie Gamand, is a stunning and touching capture of this intimate moment. Elevating dog photography to the status of art, these expressive portraits of our canine friends mirror our very own human emotions. Gamand masterfully captures these moments in Wet Dog, in the 2017 Wet Dog Calendar, and at her website at sophiegamand.com/wet-dog.

LITTLE KIDS AND THEIR BIG DOGS

BY ANDY SELIVERSTOFF BOOKS WE LOVE Photographer Andy Seliverstoff’s Little Kids and Their Big Dogs project has become a sensation on Facebook, where his images of huge dogs like St. Bernards and Newfoundlands being walked, hugged and adored by small children have been shared and liked thousands of times.

And now, these heart-warming photos have been gathered in a new hardcover book by the same name that celebrates the relationship between big dogs and the little kids who love them.

“The main goal of my photo shoots wasn’t just to create beautiful pictures, but to capture the interaction between the children and the animals,” says Seliverstoff, 58, of St. Petersburg, Russia, who never anticipated the impact his photographs would have: His photo site logged a half-million visits in one day, and his Instagram followers surged to more than 40,000. “This state of endless joy and mutual confidence has become the central idea of the Little Kids and Their Big Dogs book.”

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ABOUT THE COVER Our inaugural cover features Oia (pronounced EE-ah), a beautiful liver Dalmatian from Ellicott City, Maryland.

I was introduced to Oia by her owner DeeDee Lancelotta during the World of Pets Expo held in Timonium, Maryland in January. Oia posed for pet photographer J.B. Shepard at his Puptrait studio in Hampden, Maryland. When not posing for photos, Oia spends her days training at the Tecla K-9 Academy in Elkridge, Maryland for a future as a therapy dog.

You can learn more about Oia by visiting her Instagram (@romeo.santorini.oia) or Facebook (Santorini Romero Lancelotta).

ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER J.B. Shepard is a Baltimore, Maryland based dog photographer and advocate.

His images can be found in galleries, businesses and homes throughout the Mid Atlantic, and pet food stores across the country. He is an official photo partner of Bellas Bully Buddies, a non profit rescue and foster program, and founder of the Puptrait Studio, a photography company dedicated exclusively to working with dogs, specializing in canine portraiture and commercial pet product photography. The Puptrait Studio is available for private in-home sessions and studio shoots at their Hampden studio location. puptrait.com Spring 2017 • 9

{COOL PRODUCTS} WHAT’S COOL FOR HOT DOGS Photo Collage of Fido u Our new favorite find, Collage.com makes it super easy to turn your favorite photos of Fido into a completely customizable blanket, pillow, dog bed, iPhone case, dog bowl, and more.

Simply go to their website, choose from an array of products, upload your photos to the easy-to-use template, and voila... you’ve just created your own doggone design. collage.com

Toasty Dogs p No dog-loving home is complete without a toaster from Pangea Brands that toasts the silhouette of your favorite dog breed. Don’t have a favorite breed? Then, go with the “I Heart My Dog” model that toasts your bread with paw prints on one slice and a dog bone on the other. $34.99 at pangeabrands.com.

New Baby’s Big Brother p Don’t leave Rover out of the new baby announcement—let him wear it loud and proud with this Big Brother doggy raglan tee by Stockberry Apparel. 100% cotton; available in five sizes; $20 at etsy.com/shop/stockberryapparel.

t Close to My Heart Carry your beloved pet close to your heart with a sweet, handpainted heart-shaped locket. Working from a photo of your pooch, owner and designer Mónica Juncal will create a one-of-a-kind keepsake featuring the four-legged love of your life. Hand-made in Spain. $30-$35 at etsy.com/shop/biribis.

{COOL PRODUCTS} WHAT’S COOL FOR HOT DOGS Unconditional Love of Tees u Personalize your own tee shirt with your pooch’s name, breed and even your own personal message. Each super soft, 100% ring-spun cotton tee by Rare Occasions is printed to order. Custom options include your dog’s name, breed and personal message. $24.99 at etsy.com/shop/RareOccasions.

t Wondercide for Wonder Dogs An alternative to monthly, chemical treatments, the Wondercide Natural Pet Parent Pack includes everything you need for a naturally flea and tick free home. It comes with one 8 oz Skin Tonic Spray for Itch & Allergy, one Lemongrass 16 oz Flea & Tick Control for Pets + Home, and one Rosemary 4 oz Flea & Tick Control for Pets + Home. $39.99 at wondercide.com.

t Bucket of Balls for Bowzer The Good Dog gift bucket by Harry Barker is piled high with 15 heavy-duty felt tennis balls for durability and long-lasting play. You can even personalize the gift bucket with your dog’s name at no extra cost. $18 at harrybarker.com.

Charmed, I’m Sure u Show off your dog’s style with one of HOUND’s hand-cast, 10K goldplated charms in a variety of designs. Our favorite, the “Best Bitches” charm set, features two halves of one heart: one for you and one for your furry best friend. $28 at www.houndcollection.com.

Doggone Graphic Designs u Inspired by the quirky escapades of their own dogs, Eli, Nutmeg and Lily, the founders at Barkley & Wagz create whimsical designs capturing the unique personalities of different dog breeds with colorful illustrations, graphics and typography. One of our favorite designs is the the Linocut Graphic Dog Bed, featuring a fleece fabric front and cotton back. Choose from over 20 breeds in seven colors and three sizes; starting at $54 at barkleyandwagz.com.

t Lap It Up Fishs Eddy’s adorable bulldog mug and dachshund creamer are the perfect additions to any dog lover’s kitchen. $9 to $16 at fishseddy.com.

Expedition Pup u Harry Barker’s Pup Expedition Kit features everything your pup needs on his next adventure: a cotton rope toy made with recycled yarns, a penguin plush toy stuffed with eco fiberfill, a felt-covered natural rubber play ball, a cotton-canvas bag with drawstring closure to hold allnatural chicken jerky treats and a recycled metal tin of cheese biscuits for “Salty Dogs.” Treats are baked with love in the USA and handpackaged by the Hope Center of Charleston, SC. $80 at harrybarker.com.

t Flower Power for Pit Bulls Through her series Flower Power: Pit Bulls of the Revolution, photographer Sophie Gamand photographs the breed wearing flower crowns to infuse a softer energy into their image and challenge the way we look at pit bull-type dogs. Since starting the project, Gamand has photographed over 250 shelter dogs, culminating in an annual calendar, throw pillows, tote bags and more at sophiegamand.com.

12 • CityDog Magazine

Lie Down With Dogs u You can’t teach an old bed new tricks, but you can get new bedding.

Exclusively designed for the Land of Nod by artist Hanna Melin, the Bed’s Best Friend Bedding features several illustrated canines printed on comfy 100% organic cotton. $99 at landofnod.com.

t Put a Dog on It Portlandia fans and dog lovers alike will adore the Put a Dog on It hoodie by Barkley & Wagz. Made with a super thick and cozy 50/50 cotton-poly blend, it’s perfect for a springtime jaunt to the dog park. $28 at barkleyandwagz.com.

On Safari u Get ready for a wild time as dogs roar with excitement for this new fur-rocious toy set by P.L.A.Y. featuring wildlife creatures in the shape of a zebra (pictured here), lion, giraffe, elephant and crocodile. $14.90 each or as a gift set for $69.00 at PetPlay.com.

t Put a Bird on It Speaking of Portlandia fans, finish the look with a Put a Bird on It tee for your pooch

by Pretty Penny Prints.

The shop on Etsy features original graphic designs and typography art to adorn your dog, decorate your home and fancy up your day. $20 at etsy.com/ shop/PrettyPennyPrints.

April Showers Bring Wet Dogs No More u Whether going for a quick walk in a spring shower, or playing in the yard during a downpour, the Rain Coat by ThunderWorks provides sporty, lightweight protection from the elements. Combined with a Thundershirt, it provides extra protection for anxiety-prone dogs. Available in five sizes; $14.99 at thundershirt.com.

Spring 2017 • 13

t Dog Walker’s Delight It’s a familiar site in the city, dogs of all shapes and sizes on their daily walk and the Dog Walker ceramic mug by Fishs Eddy perfectly captures this scene. Match it with a 100% cotton dishtowel and it’s the perfect gift for the urban-dwelling dog lover. Mug, $15.95; dishtowel, $13.95; both available at fishseddy.com.

New Horizons u Inspired by nature’s deserts, woodlands, seacoasts and lakes, the new Horizon Collection by P.L.A.Y. celebrates your dog’s free spirit by transforming Mother Nature’s rich colors into a beautiful motif for your pup to lounge and recharge. Prices start at $69 at PetPlay.com.

t Safety First With the Dial-A-Distance retractable leash

by ThunderWorks, you can quickly and easily set the maximum length of the leash to what is safe for your environment. Walking on a crowded city sidewalk? Try two feet and keep your pup at your side. On a wide-open sidewalk?

Maybe try five feet for a little more freedom. Strolling in an open park? Give your dog the full 15-feet for maximum freedom. When your dog reaches the maximum distance that you select, Dial-A-Distance’s autobrake will engage and automatically stop your dog from going further. Available in May; $49.99 at thundershirt.com.

t No Dog Left Behind Bring your dog along wherever you go with a hands-free, vet-approved carrier by K9 Sport Sack. Easy to use and comfortable for both you and your little buddy, the K9 Sport Sack can carry any pup up to 23 inches long and under (or around) 30 pounds. The forward-facing dog backpack is simple to use and features adjustable straps for the perfect fit, whether on a long hike or simply running errands. Available in a variety of vibrant colors, starting at $59.95 at k9sportsack.com.

14 • CityDog Magazine

t New Design by NelliDesigns Cozy up by candlelight with NelliDesigns’ new Wag design featuring original artwork by WACSO of GoWACSO.com.

Each candle is poured with natural soy wax into recycleable glass with cotton wicks—good for your home and good for the environment. As an added bonus, each sale goes towards a donation to rescue groups to help ensure more dogs and cats find a home with more loving familes nationwide. $25 plus more designs at nellidesigns.com.

For the Pet Obsessed u Dog City & Co. creates unique products for the pet obsessed—pet pillows, pet tees, pet totes and more. We especially love the tees, totes and pillows featuring words specific to each breed like Labrador: Athletic, Gentle and Friendly. Pillows, $29; tees, $22 and totes, $16 with tons of breeds to choose from at etsy.com/shop/DogCityandCo.

t Tag, You’re It These custom ID tags by Critter Bling tell people exactly what to do in case your dog gets lost, “keep calm and call my mom” and “have your people call my people.” It doesn’t get much more direct than that. Each is one-inch in diameter and comes in a variety of metals including copper, bronze and nickel. $12 at etsy.com/shop/critterbling.

Front Range Harness u The Ruffwear Front Range Harness is easy to put on and comfortable for dogs to wear. The harness features two leash attachment points: an aluminum V-ring centered on the dog’s back for everyday walks, and reinforced webbing at the dog’s chest for training or additional pull control.

And, an ID pocket keeps dog tags quiet and easily accessible. Match it with a Front Range Leash for the complete set up. Available in five sizes and six colors; $39.95 at ruffwear.com.

{DOG’S EYE VIEW} FOR THE METROPOLITAN MUTT

HAMPDEN FOR HOUNDS IN A CITY KNOWN FOR ITS UNIQUE NEIGHBORHOODS, HAMPDEN IS ONE OF BALTIMORE’S MOST DISTINCTIVE—AND DOG FRIENDLY.

WRITTEN BY AMY MYERS

Meet Luna. This Australian shepherd puppy is an expert on pet-friendly places appropriate for fellow Baltimore dogs. Luna recently visited the popular local neighborhood, Hampden, where small businesses and restaurants border Roosevelt and Wyman parks. She led us down 36th Street, in the heart of it all, to the restaurants and shops equipped with patios and porches with outdoor seating to accommodate their furry customers. So which ones did Luna like best?

Howl. Inside this local pet store is an abundance of must-have natural and organic treats, toys and gear for an energetic city dog like Luna. Owned by the same Baltimore resident for thirteen years, Howl knows how to treat your dog!

The staff helped Luna pick out a new harness, Lamb Chop chew toy, water bowl and treats. Not only were they understanding of Luna’s curious nose, but they were also able to provide us with valuable nutritional information that even a dog owner pro can learn from. (Did you know that you should rotate your dog’s protein every few months to avoid food allergies?) Luna was especially grateful for the free treat samples.

Top left photo courtesy of Visit Baltimore

The Howl staff helped Luna fit into her new Freedom No Pull harness that is both effective and fashionable—of course the pup was offered an incentive: Vital Essentials freeze-dried wild salmon snacks. Yum!

Top from left: Hampden’s streets are lined with colorful and vibrant homes and businesses; the famous flamingo at Café Hon. Above: Luna tries out her new harness from Howl.

16 • CityDog Magazine

Café Hon. You’re not a true Bawlmer resident until you stop by this café, hon! The restaurant captures the spirit of Maryland diners in both food and décor. Café Hon knows the importance of crab, Old Bay, and Maryland colors is to proud Baltimore natives. The menu also includes many Café Hon original plates (we decided to try the Mexi Hon Salad). We sit outside beneath the famous, large pink flamingo at one of the two metal tables. The servers are more than happy to bring Luna a bowl of water and a plate of tortilla chips of her own. Luna may be one of their regular customers now. Next time, we’ll try their homemade desserts.

Luna stretches out in a food coma after munching on tortilla chips from the Mexi Hon Salad, but even though her belly is full, it’s time to scout out the rest of hound-friendly Hampden!

Photo by Richard and Tara Photography

Time for a history lesson! Did you know that in the 1960’s Baltimore’s population was over 70% Italian? Daniela Useli keeps Baltimore’s history alive in her restaurant, where she prepares fresh and authentic Italian dishes originally from her home in Sardinia, Italy. And of course, they offer outdoor seating!

Up the short staircase to the restaurant, you will find plenty of tables for all the Lady’s and Tramp’s that also enjoy a good pasta dish. The servers will of course bring your pup some water. And, maybe if you ask nicely the chef will serenade your pooch with a mandolin.

The outdoor seating features communal wooden picnic tables in a fenced-in patio, giving your pup a break from the sight of the streets. Blue Pit’s backyard even won “Best Outdoor Seating” in the 2015 issue of Baltimore City Magazine’s Best of Baltimore. And to top it off, they offer complementary treats and water.

But don’t worry… there are plenty of treats for the owners as well!

With over 100 American whiskies, wide selection of beer and cocktails, and mouth-watering barbeque, and even vegan-friendly items, Blue Pit can accommodate any customer—both two-legged and four-legged!

Blue Pit BBQ and Whiskey Bar

The Verdict

Warning: If you bring your dogs to this restaurant, you may never get them to leave!

Luna’s day in Hampden consisted of many treats, toys, and friends… Every puppy’s dream! Though Hampden is a small neighborhood, there are many places and activities where pets and owners are welcome and invited. Just remember to bring a leash, a doggy bag, and a camera.

Blue Pit has worked closely with the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Shelter, Inc. (BARC) in countless fundraisers and events.

During the winter, they have offered photo shoots with Santa Paws and holiday sweater photo contests. Year round, they place photos of adoptable BARC dogs near the bar.

If you’re lucky, you may spot their official mascot, Sakai the blue pit bull!

Top: Megan and Brad enjoy a stroll with their dog Marcy. Right: Café Hon captures the spirit of Maryland diners in both food and décor.

Photo by Amy Myers

Daniela Pasta and Pastries

More Information Howl 3531 Chestnut Ave, Baltimore, MD 410.235.2469; howlbaltimore.com Café Hon 1002 W 36th St, Baltimore, MD 410.243.1230; cafehon.com Daniela Pasta and Pastries 824 W 36th St, Baltimore, MD 443.759.9320; danielaristorante.com Blue Pit BBQ and Whiskey Bar 1601 Union Ave, Baltimore, MD 443.948.5590; bluepitbbq.com Spring 2017 • 17

{HEAL WELL} COMPASSIONATE CARE

PET+ER COMPASSIONATE AND COMPREHENSIVE CARE FOR YOUR CANINE COMPANION.

WRITTEN BY NICK MANOFF PHOTOS COURTESY OF PET+ER

For many of us, our pets become our children. Naughty or well-behaved, it doesn’t matter. We love them unconditionally, and we’d do just about anything to keep them happy and safe, so when little Fido or Sheba comes down with something, we seek out the best care we possibly can.

Pet + E.R. is an emergency and trauma facility stationed in Baltimore, Maryland. Previously known as the “Animal Emergency Center,” the hospital opened in 1986 when, according to its website, a group of veterinarians “identified a strong need for a pet hospital that was specifically focused on emergency and critical care, and that was open beyond normal business hours.” The hospital ultimately expanded into something larger, and in 2003, staff members transferred to a state-of-the-art domicile on Luskin’s Hill in Baltimore where they work to this day.

Presently, Pet + E.R. houses a team of eight doctors and a nursing force boasting an average of 15 years in pet care. The facility features an oxygen ward, an isolation ward, surgery suites, an intensive care unit, and inhouse laboratories to make your pets feel as comfortable as possible during their stays. Pet + E.R. has also partnered with several prominent animal organizations throughout the area such as the Baltimore County K9 Police Units, the Baltimore County Fire Department, the Maryland Guide Dog Users, and the Maryland SPCA Kitten and Puppy Foster Program.

Perhaps its biggest claim to fame is its status as a 24-hour hospital. Doctors work around the clock and are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to ensure your pets are always taken care of regardless of the day or time.

Top: Pet+ER staff with dachshund visitors.

Above: The view from inside Pet+ER. 18 • CityDog Magazine

“There are other 24-hour veterinary facilities locally,” explains Adriane Watson, the center’s director of marketing and outreach. “But Pet + E.R. is the only hospital in the area that is a certified emergency and critical care facility.

That means we are able to provide a higher, more specialized level of care for pets in all urgent situations, but especially those who require intensive care.”

Speaking with CityDog Magazine Baltimore, Watson states that the facility never closes. Owners can rush their fourlegged friends in for treatment no matter where the hour hand is pointing.

“We are open all day, all night, always,” she says assuredly. “Even on weekends and holidays.” In actuality, there has only been one closure in the hospital’s long history, which occurred during hurricane conditions that caused a massive power failure, making it unsafe for employees to perform their duties. Even in the harshest of situations, however, the facility has made it a point to remain open for business. During last year’s blizzard, technicians and doctors slept on hospital floors to make sure overnight patients received the quality care they deserved. If that doesn’t spell “dedication,” we don’t know what does, but Adriane insists that the staff doesn’t see themselves as heroes – simply people who love what they do.

“We have the kindest, most compassionate staff around,” she states with confidence.

“You have to be extremely passionate and just a little crazy to work at a 24-hour emergency hospital. Ask any human nurse you know, but everyone from the doctors to the facilities team truly cares about our patients and clients. Our vets are all experienced emergency clinicians, and we have two board-certified criticalists.

Our Medical Director, Dr. Tanya Tag, DACVECC, trains all of our doctors personally, so our standard of care is very specific and extremely high.”

Pet + E.R. doctors specialize in the emergency treatment and critical care of cats and dogs. When patients arrive, they are classified as level one, two or three, depending on the severity of their cases and the treatments they’ll require. Watson says the hospital operates very similarly to an emergency facility designed for humans.

“The conditions we treat run the gamut,” claims Watson. She explains that the majority of issues the team witnesses involve pets that have ingested harmful substances or items such as rodent poison, foreign objects and dangerous foods.

“We also see patients who have been hit by cars, cats with blocked urinary tracts, and

pets in respiratory distress or heart failure,” she added. “We share our hospital with a group of doctors who specialize in surgery, internal medicine, oncology, cardiology, neurology, dentistry and ophthalmology.”

Despite the gravity of a situation, the facility tries to ensure every visitor that whatever the problem is, someone will know what to do.

Yet while Pet + E.R. works hard to save every animal that comes through its doors, a positive outcome is not always possible, and a few dark days have emerged in the hospital’s past.

Top: A visiting pet sports a Pet+ER red bandanna. Above: Staff treating a patient at Pet+ER. Spring 2017 • 19

“We had a puppy from a local animal rescue come in several months ago whose front legs had been bound together,” Watson states with an air of melancholy.

“She was severely neglected and abused.

Our doctors and technicians dedicated themselves to her care around the block, but ultimately, her infections were too severe, and we were unable to save her. It was a terribly sad ending for the puppy’s life, and our staff was affected emotionally, but it brought us all together as a team, and served as an inspiring reminder to always give each patient your all, even when it turns out that we can’t save them.”

Despairing endings like these are scenarios Pet + E.R. regularly strives to avoid, and Watson says there are a number of preventative measures owners can take to make sure harm never befalls their animals.

“Owning a pet is not unlike having a child,” she explains. “It requires constant vigilance, preventative medical care, and lots of love. We can’t always prevent an illness or injury, but we can be prepared for one. Pet + E.R. offers a pre-registration program through our website where owners can register their pets in our system in advance. They may never need to come see us, but if they register in advance, we

20 • CityDog Magazine

will have their pets’ information on file so they can have one less thing to worry about when they come through the door.

Owners can learn about this program at RegisterAndRelax.com.”

As with any treatment facility, there are costs associated with both the hospital’s services and patients’ needs, and Pet + E.R. tries hard to invoke a fair pricing system for all. Watson says that while the organization doesn’t necessitate pet insurance, it can be extremely helpful in offsetting some of the major costs, and she encourages every customer to give it the utmost consideration.

Explaining how the facility’s pricing works, Watson states, “We have an emergency exam fee, then each step of the process has a cost associated, including procedures, hospitalization, surgery, diagnostics, medications, etc. We offer the owners an estimate for care, and ask for a deposit. The balance is updated daily and communicated to the owner(s) so we can avoid surprises.”

In the end, she concludes that while the doctors of Pet + E.R. are always there to lend a helping hand, it is also the owner’s responsibility to maintain communication, and keep a watchful eye over their furry companions to make sure they never get hurt.

“All of our owners are passionate about their pets’ well-being, and we always strive to deliver a premier client experience and the most advanced veterinary medical care,” she proclaims. “We always recommend that owners maintain a healthy and open relationship with their primary veterinarians for well visits and check-ups, and that they advocate for their pets by keeping recent copies of their medical records on file. When you come to see us at Pet + E.R., always err on the side of being over prepared. We love to have recent test results, x-rays and physical exam reports. Never allow your pets to ingest things like grapes, chocolates, foreign objects or household cleaners or rodent killers, and be sure that they are microchipped and always wearing a collar with a tag.”

More Information Pet+E.R. offers two convenient locations along the Baltimore-Washington corridor, both open 24/7.

Towson 1209 Cromwell Bridge Rd. Baltimore, MD 21286 410.252-8387; pet-er.net Columbia 10000 Old Columbia Road Columbia, MD 21046 410.441.3304; pet-er.net

{RESCUE + ADVOCACY} ADOPT, DON’T SHOP

ADOPT

DON’T SHOP

WRITTEN BY JEN SCHILLER PHOTOGRAPHY BY TRAER SCOTT

When it’s time to get a your first pet or add another one to your family, there should be no contest between adopting and buying. Eliminating purchase options, however, does not actually limit your options on where to get your pet. Your local pounds and shelters will have plenty of dogs to choose from. You can also check foster and rescue organizations, or websites like Petfinder and Shelter Pet Project. Rescuing a pet is always the better option over stores, mills, or breeders—and it actually gives you a wider variety of pets to choose from.

You may think buying is better for any number of reasons—you may want a specific breed or only be interested in a puppy. You may want to choose the gender of your pet. Perhaps you believe a shelter or rescue would limit these options when in fact the opposite is often true. On some websites you can even limit your choices by these and other filters. Further, there are certain rescues that cater to specific breeds or dog sizes, like Big Fluffy Dog Rescue or the French Bulldog Rescue Network.

Before diving in, you should certainly do your research on what kind of dog would fit your lifestyle best. Are you planning to spend a lot of time outside, being active with your pet? Do you live in a city, or is there a lot of space for your pet to wander around? Are there other pets in your home? Are there now, or will there soon be small children in your home? Adding a dog to your family is just that—the dog should be considered a family member, and they should match your lifestyle and household makeup.

Top: Gypsy, a purebred Siberian husky was adopted to into her forever home. Above: After 21 races, Cody was transferred to a shelter and fortunately adopted.

Choosing your new pet from a local shelter or rescue makes this process even easier, as you can go and meet prospective pups before deciding on one. There are plenty of people who head into a shelter or pound with an idea of the kind of dog they want, but they come out with a totally unexpected pup. Even though breeds have standards, every dog has a personality of their own, and some will take you entirely by surprise. The only way to truly know one dog from another is to meet them before welcoming them into your home. Here are some other reasons that a shelter or rescue is better than a breeder, store, or mill.

Spring 2017 • 21

CHOOSE YOUR AGE Many gravitate towards puppies because they are cute and small. Often people don’t consider that pups get bigger—and depending on the breed they sometimes get bigger very quickly. Some consider puppies to be manageable because of their size, but don’t take into account the high-energy and bad habits of a young pup.

Puppies need to be trained on many basic skills. They need to be house broken, and their sleeping schedule is very erratic.

They need to be walked every few hours and do not sleep through the night at first-much like a human baby who needs to be fed regularly through the night. Pups should be walked even more frequently to avoid accidents. While they’re inside, they need to be watched so that any soiling can be stopped short and they can be taken outside.

Not only do puppies have problems knowing when to “go”, they also have trouble knowing when to stop. Puppies often chew on everything from shoes to table legs to human hands and feet. Puppies are teething, learning to socialize, and testing the world around them with their mouths.

These habits are a very common reason why pups get dropped off at rescues or shelters; 22 • CityDog Magazine

unprepared owners are frustrated with the unexpected behavior issues, and instead of working through them, they give up and leave the dogs to fend for themselves.

Older dogs have either grown out of this phase or already had it trained out of them. The cliche that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks is also untrue—no matter the age of a dog they can usually be trained to follow simple commands with enough patience and practice from a dedicated owner. If you are looking for a reading companion, or a friend to keep you company in your home office, then an older dog is definitely for you. Once dogs grow out of their puppy phase, regardless of their breed, they will certainly settle down a bit.

CHOOSE YOUR TEMPERAMENT The older a dog gets, the less they need to roughhouse and run around in open spaces, and the more amenable they become to lazing about and quietly offering companionship. If your family is looking for a dog to play with and grow up with, a dog in the 1-5 year old range is still a great option. This age is still very easy to find at shelters or rescues, as puppies are often dropped off when they get “too big” or grow out of their adorable baby looks. Many

studies have been done on senior citizens and pet companionship, as well. Having a pet gets them moving a little when the dog needs to go on walks, and has been proven to improve quality of life overall. Senior dogs are the perfect fit for older pet owners, as they are a better match in energy level and training needed.

One major advantage that shelters and rescues have over breeders, stores and mills is that they almost always screen the dogs for temperament. These folks have seen a huge variety of dogs come and go.

As a result, they can tell you what a dog will and won’t put up with, they know if the dog will get along with other pets, and whether they’re good with small kids and strangers. Rescues with foster volunteers already know how the dog handles a home environment, how they act on neighborhood walks, and how much energy they have throughout the day and night.

Because the rescues want to find a great forever home for the dog, they will never lie or leave information out when telling you about a pet in which you are interested.

Above from left: Molly, a senior, found a loving home with people who adore her; the handsome and stoic Nanook, adopted to a wonderful home.

PRACTICAL CONCERNS

The volunteers and employees at shelters and rescues will also be able to tell you about the horrible effect that mills and stores have on dogs while they are small. Dogs at stores are often isolated into spaces too small for them and away from other dogs. As a result, they are not socialized or don’t know how to get along with other animals. They aren’t taken out and played with, so they don’t know how to act around humans, either.

Dogs from mills, and sometimes breeders as well, have similar development problems.

These dogs have trouble being alone, so they will often panic and destroy things around the house in response. To avoid this, they can be crated when you aren’t home, but if you are gone for 6-8 hours a day, then the dog can become depressed and sick from being crated so often.

The simplest reason to adopt rather than purchase is that you are saving money while saving a life.

Rescues and pounds, on the other hand, have adoption fees of a couple hundred at most. Once you have your dog from a store or breeder, you will still need to take it to the vet for shots, register it with the city, and possibly pay to get it spayed or neutered. Dogs coming from breeders can cost thousands of dollars, and puppy mills or stores are not much different. If you keep an eye out for adoption events in your area, you can sometimes get a dog with little to no adoption fee. When shelters or rescues can’t handle the volume of pets, they will often add things onto their typical adoption process, like a free rabies vaccine or bag of food. Sometimes they will waive the fee for a week or more in order to help clear out their cages.

FINDING HOME

Adoption fees often vary by age—the older the pet the less the fee—one more reason to consider an older dog when looking for a new pet.

Shelters and rescues will also frequently spay or neuter dogs before allowing them to be adopted out, in order to avoid overpopulation or poor breeding situations.

Paying for a spay or neuter is very expensive, and very important to your dog’s health.

An unaltered male dog will mark by peeing on things, and has a tendency to get frisky with human legs. They are far more likely to escape your home and get lost while searching for a mate.

An unaltered female goes into heat, which changes her personality, can lead to diseases, and makes a mess. Heat lasts for three weeks every six months. While a female dog is in heat, she releases a bloody discharge and a scent that attracts male dogs to her. This means you’ll have to be careful not to let her outside unattended. You should also drive her to an area away from your home to avoid male dogs in the neighborhood following her scent trail to your front door.

Finally, of course, the ultimate reason to adopt is the overpopulation of dogs all over the country. Dogs are in shelters, rescues and foster homes all America. These dogs come from a vast variety of backgrounds and are often put down just because the shelter becomes overcrowded or their breed is unpopular. Adopting a dog and spaying/ neutering your pets are the best ways to help alleviate this problem rather than becoming part of it. So pick out your shelter or rescue pet today, and find a friend for life.

Left: Flynn, a large, playful pit bull/Lab mix, was found as a stray and after a few months at the shelter, was adopted.

Photos by Traer Scott, published by Princeton Architectural Press 2015

By contrast, a breeder or a store will only have known the dog since it was born. Store employees are likely not experts in animal behavior or breeding.

Sometimes they will mis-label a dog either by accident or on purpose to sell it for a higher price. Breeders are selling the pups while they are still very small—as a result they will know little to nothing about each puppy’s personality.

They are also in the business of selling dogs, so they may withhold information about bad behaviors, or may not take the time to find out how the pup will react to other pets or small children.

shelter dogs and their stories

BOOKS WE LOVE Almost 10 years after her first book, Shelter Dogs, photographer Traer Scott introduces us once again to a new set of shelter dogs in Finding Home: Shelter Dogs and Their Stories. We meet Molly, a sweet and affectionate senior golden retriever. “It’s always particularly heartbreaking to see senior dogs in shelters; they seem so bewildered and lost. Fortunately, Molly was able to find a loving home.”

We meet Cody, a two-year-old greyhound who competed in 21 races, only to be transferred to a shelter just weeks after his retirement. We meet Gypsy, a beautiful Siberian husky, surrendered to the shelter because her family’s housing did not allow dogs. We meet Nanook, a stunning pitbull mix who was found as a stray, untrained and badly behaved. Shelter staff committed several months to training him and he was later adopted into a wonderful home. We meet many, many more—most, but not all, with happy endings. Finding Home is an eloquent plea for the adoption and welfare of animal companions, and is a remarkable tribute to dogs in all their individuality.

Spring 2017 • 23

{LIVE WELL} HELPING PAWS, HELPING PEOPLE

WINGS OF LOVE

KUWAIT

WRITTEN BY CAROLINE FERREE PHOTOS COURTESY OF WINGS OF LOVE, KUWAIT

In the KLM Airlines cargo hangar, three dogs rescued from the streets and desert of Kuwait peer out of their crates. Each has arrived with a story: Karlos, a Japanese Spitz mix, was found with wire so deeply embedded around his neck that it had to be surgically removed. Nymeria, a white Akita puppy, was rescued on a beach close to death after her owner threw her into the ocean to drown because she had tested positive for Parvovirus. Ethel, a Saluki, was left in the parking lot of a veterinarian’s office with such a severely broken front leg that it had to be amputated. The three dogs, now healthy, have just arrived in Washington, D.C., courtesy of Wings of Love, Kuwait, a nonprofit, volunteer-run organization. Each dog has made the 6,500-mile trip to begin a new life in Baltimore, Maryland. As of February this year, over 200 dogs have made this incredible journey.

A DOG’S LIFE IN KUWAIT Located at the tip of the Persian Gulf, Kuwait is a very wealthy country.

However, it is also home to hundreds of abandoned, abused and unwanted dogs. In Kuwait, dogs are considered property and many Kuwaitis do not form emotional bonds with them. They buy “designer dogs” and when they tire of them, they simply “throw them away.” They abandon them on the streets, leave them in the desert where temperatures can reach 120 degrees in the summer, or tie them to posts at the Friday market, an unregulated animal market, where they are sold.

Top from left: Ethel before, with a severely broken leg; Ethel, recovered after sugery to remove a leg; volunteer Liz Feree and Kuwaiti rescue Ruby in the KLM hangar. Above: Founder of Wings of Love, Kuwait Patricia Riska and her Kuwaiti rescue Kofta.

24 • CityDog Magazine

Many of the dogs do not survive. Those left in the streets often die of disease, dehydration or starvation. Others are killed by vicious stray dogs or by children who find it “fun” to torture, maim and kill them. Dogs left in the desert die from the intense heat and dehydration, often chained by their necks to fences and posts, or locked in boxes or crates. Those sold at the Friday market are crammed into small cages with many other dogs that often are sick, and left in the sun without food or water. In most cases, they die of neglect or disease and are then thrown out at the “wall of shame,” an area by the market piled with dead dogs and cats. The Government does little to control the stray dog population or stop the abuse. There has been little hope for these dogs.

WINGS OF LOVE, KUWAIT In late 2014, Patricia Riska, a flight attendant for a major international airline, learned about the plight of the Kuwaiti dogs from a fellow flight

attendant. During a layover on a trip to Kuwait, Patricia met several Kuwaiti women who have dedicated their lives to rescuing and rehoming abandoned cats and dogs. Patricia saw firsthand the pain and suffering of the abandoned dogs, and knew she needed to help them. In early 2015, she began bringing dogs to the U.S., and in October 2015, she and Jennifer Yoon incorporated Wings of Love, Kuwait.

THE JOURNEY The journey from Kuwait to a forever home in Baltimore is long and expensive.

Relying solely on donations or using her own money, a Kuwaiti team member rescues a dog, gets it veterinary care, and then fosters it in her home. While the dog lives with her, she shows it that it is safe and loved and works with it on socialization and basic training. It is not uncommon for each of the rescuers to have 30 foster dogs living in her home at one time.

Typically, five to ten dogs are sent to the U.S. at a time. The dogs fly to Washington, D.C. via either Frankfurt, Germany or Amsterdam, the Netherlands. During a five to six-hour layover, they are let out of their crates, fed and walked. The total flight time from Kuwait to Washington, D.C. is

about 20 hours. Transportation costs for the dogs are very high and are paid for entirely by donations and adoption fees.

Although the costs can vary depending upon many factors, on average it costs $2,500 to transport four to seven dogs with a “flyer” on board, and $1,500 to send one dog via cargo. All “flyers” are Wings of Love, Kuwait volunteers. Most often they will do a “burn and turn”—fly to Kuwait, pick up the dogs and, without leaving the airport, fly home with them. A typical “burn and turn” takes 40 to 45 hours.

When the dogs arrive at Dulles International Airport, Wings of Love, Kuwait team members (or a transport service) pick up the dogs and, after clearing customs and cleaning the crates, take them to the airport’s fenced-in grassy dog-run area to play. They then drive the dogs to their foster or adoptive homes in Baltimore, spending some time with each dog and its new family to ensure that everyone is comfortable. The pick up and delivery of the dogs generally takes about nine hours.

LIFE IN BALTIMORE Despite traumatic and often painful starts in life, most of the dogs comfortably settle right into their new homes. Although

a few go through an adjustment period (as do most rescued dogs), they, too, usually settle into their new homes once they learn they are safe and loved. If, for any reason, the home does not work out, Wings of Love, Kuwait works with other families to find the perfect forever home for the dog.

Today, Karlos, Nymeria, and Ethel are thriving. Karlos lives with his dog brother, Aspen, and his favorite activities are going to the park, and cuddling and playing with Aspen. Nymeria loves car rides, going on hikes, and “hugging” her mom when she gets home from work at the end of the day.

And three-legged Ethel finds nothing more fun than taking long walks, and running and playing with her four-legged dog friends.

For more information about Wings of Love, Kuwait, and how to foster or adopt a dog from Kuwait, visit them on their Facebook page, Wings of Love, Kuwait or go to their website at wingsoflovekuwait.com.

Top, clockwise from left: Nymeria left for dead on a beach in Kuwait; Karlos before his rescue; Kuwaiti rescuer Marlene Bou Gedeon with Bello; Karlos after his rescue, napping with buddy Aspen. Nymeria happy and healthy.

Spring 2017 • 25

{RESCUE + ADVOCACY} A PLEA FOR PITBULLS

PITBULL

PLEA

WRITTEN BY JULIA JOSEPH PHOTOS BY JULIE CLEGG

When you tell someone you own a pit bull, they often recoil; at least this has been my experience. The common stigma of pit bulls is constantly at the forefronts of people’s minds. Pit bulls are vicious, unpredictable killers that will rip anything to shreds simply because they feel like it. As I watch my pit bull, affectionately named King Wigglebutt, sleeping nearly noiselessly by the fire, I cannot help but laugh at these claims.

While my experiences have only been in the Philadelphia area, Baltimore is not much different. It is as easy to spot as people at Hampdenfest, crowding around dogs and their owners. Most will flock to the poodles, golden retrievers, and chocolate labs that pass by, but the only people willing to approach the couple of pit bulls that march the streets, are the people that have had or have worked with pit bulls before. Even then, as a small group gathers to pet the cutest blue nose pit bull I have ever seen, I hear, “oh he isn’t so bad” and “this little guy wouldn’t hurt a fly!” It is almost as though people have to constantly reiterate the defenses they announce to non-believers.

Photo by J.Nichole Smith

Kaitlyn Thomas, a Remington pit bull parent, shares my exact sentiment.

Though she remarks that more often she hears complaints or even threats about her dog. “People can be nasty. When you say you have a pit bull, it’s like ‘Voldemort’. People automatically flinch and react like they can’t believe you would do such a thing [as own a pit bull].”

26 • CityDog Magazine

Unfortunately, most pit bull owners—myself included—know this feeling all too well. I’ll never forget the look on the woman’s face when I told her that my dog, one that her four-year-old had been happily petting for the last few minutes, was a pit bull. The color drained from her face, she grabbed her son’s hand, and all but sprinted away from King and me. King turned to me, head tilted in confusion. She had been perfectly content with my dog until she found out he was a pit bull.

Thomas’ dog, Equinox (Knox for short), has sat at my feet for nearly a half hour before he gets up and walks around, sniffing in corners or kissing his other mom, Joelle.

With his calm history and demeanor, Knox is the antithesis of the violent and rancorous stereotype. He uses this power for good and trains other dogs (all breeds) to act the same.

Through the All Star Training Program with the Maryland SPCA, Knox helps to leash train dogs. All he needs to do is sit and calmly wait while the other dogs, on leashes, learn to not react dramatically when they see another dog.

The fact that any dog can perform as a “Reactive Rover” in this program shows that dogs are trained to behave the way they do.

The fact that Knox, a pit bull, performs so well proves that pit bulls’ qualities can be those of any other dog: calmness, patience, and helpfulness.

Beyond his help with the SPCA, Knox also educates elementary school children about breed discrimination and stereotypes through Project Mickey, a program with Jasmine’s House. Jasmine’s House is a pit bull rescue, developed, “for pit bulls and kids”. The goal of Project Mickey is to teach inner city elementary school children how to approach dogs, what animal cruelty is, and to debunk the stereotypes surrounding pit bulls. Knox acts as a critical part on a diverse team of dogs to show the children that pit bulls are no more dangerous than any other dog. “Starting with kids is really key,” Thomas says. “They are the ones that can end this bad reputation, so they have to know the truth.”

Knox is an alum of the Maryland SPCA, where Thomas is the Fostering Coordinator.

Nichole Miller, the Director of Operations, admits that there was some caution to admitting pit bulls into the shelter. “We’ve had to work very hard to forget the stereotypes and treat them like every other dog that comes into the shelter.” Miller says that staff and volunteers alike are now encouraged to see personality over breed.

Despite the training and understanding that the staff and volunteers of MDSPCA may have, the common person is still likely to actively avoid pit bulls. “We have so many pit bulls; they are the dogs that usually stay the longest in the shelter,” Miller notes. It is not necessarily a surprising fact, especially because, as Miller puts it, “pit bulls have been dangerous since the 90s.”

Thomas also cited other breeds that have faced the same discrimination and stigma that pit bulls now face. “First it was the Dobermans, then Rottweilers, and now it’s pit bulls. And it’s been years.” The stigma

has hit pit bull lovers harder than any other breed discrimination, though. Miller elaborates, “There are counties were pit bulls are banned [which] keeps these dogs in the shelters longer.”

In Maryland, the following towns/ counties have banned pit bulls: Port Deposit in Cecil County, Prince George’s County, and Ridgley in Caroline County.

Thomas has been able to combat this by building a resumé for Knox, citing his community involvement and extensive training. Of course the 2014 Maryland law declaring that pit bulls are not “inherently dangerous”, and the liability transference from landlords to owners, helped persuade landlords to allow pit bulls in the to live on the property.

Just like every other bias, this stigma affects lives. Not only does it limit the places these dogs can live, but it also affects the conditions in which they live, or even if they live. MDSPCA has been extremely successful with its 95% live release rate, meaning that 95% of the dogs that arrive at the shelter also leave alive. Not every organization is as successful, and not every dog is as lucky.

Above everything, Miller notes that they are completely honest about all of the animals in the shelter—especially the pit bulls. “We tell you everything we know about a dog ahead of time: medical and family history, whether they are good with cats or best with other dogs, everything we know. We just want to make the best match for people and animals.” Knowing the personality of a dog before knowing what it looks like or its breed can lead to a beautiful connection that the person had never imagined before.

To Thomas, owning a pit bull has put an extra emphasis on changing people’s minds about pit bulls. “When you adopt a bully [breed dog], you have to be prepared to fight the fight.” For Thomas, as well as the entire staff at MDSPCA, fighting has meant promoting education and reversing the stigma of pit bulls. The goal is to drive people away from the image of a snarling, rabid demon, and closer to the more realistic image of the snoring angel lying by the fire.

If you feel passionate about the lives and reputation of pit bulls, please check out the numerous pit bull dog rescues in the Baltimore area, including Maryland SPCA, Jasmine’s House and Pitties&Purrs Rescue.

Spring 2017 • 25

{RESCUE + ADVOCACY} A PLEA FOR PITBULLS

PETS ON WHEELS

WRITTEN BY GINA A. KAZIMIR PHOTOS COURTESY OF PETS ON WHEELS

Work was awful, traffic was worse and you arrive home grumpy, tired and out of sorts. Your dog comes wagging up you, and after a few minutes you start to feel better—your heart rate settles, you can feel yourself relax.

Congratulations, you’ve just experienced a therapy pet encounter!

Every dog parent knows how much better their pets make them feel. But did you know that some special pets are devoted to making total strangers feel better, too? These are the animals who serve as Therapy Pets, and in the Baltimore area there are literally hundreds of them. Maybe the next one is yours?

Pets on Wheels is one of the organizations that certifies and places therapy pet teams with appropriate facilities. The therapy pets provide affection and comfort to people in hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, schools, hospices, at reading programs in the libraries, and to those in stressful situations, such as disaster areas or even just the office, through friendly, nonjudgmental interactions.

WHAT MAKES A THERAPY PET? Pets on Wheels therapy pets must pass a temperament screening to be certified. However, they are not service animals and do not have the access to public spaces that service animals do. Therapy animals, emotional support animals and service animals are not the same, nor do they enjoy the same rights, however, Pets on Wheels is one of the few therapy pet organizations that does allow animals to be cross-certified as both service animals and therapy pets.

Top: Young children share a pose with a therapy dog.

Above: Therapy dog comforting patient.

28 • CityDog Magazine

Every therapy pet organization is different in what pets are considered for certification and what training is required. Pets on Wheels does not discriminate on breed, size, or even species. For Pets on Wheels, any animal that passes the temperament screening may qualify. While dogs make up

the majority of Pets on Wheels’ volunteer teams, there are also a number of cats, two tortoises, an alpaca, guinea pigs and more currently working as therapy pets.

Some organizations may require enrolling in a specialized course; because Pets on Wheels accepts a wide variety of animals into the program, there is no specific training requirement for a companion animal to become certified as a therapy pet. However, basic obedience training and completing the AKC’s Canine Good Citizen test is a sound base and is recommended for therapy dogs.

What’s most important in a therapy pet is temperament. The animal must be comfortable around adaptive equipment, hesitant or abrupt movement, noises and more. Testing will typically evaluate a pet’s comfort with being handled and touched, and its reactivity levels.

Therapy pets and their people represent a full spectrum of Baltimore, from young professionals to retired suburbanites. Pets from area shelters and purebred showring champions are all part of the mix, and each of them does work that matters by volunteering.

WHERE DO THERAPY PETS VISIT? Pets on Wheels visits are most often made to residents in nursing homes, assisted living communities, hospitals, and facilities for the physically and mentally challenged.

More recently, however, the visiting roster has expanded to include veterans’ hospitals,

homeless and domestic violence shelters, teen diversion programs, substance abuse facilities, incarcerational settings, programs for the homeless and children at risk of home outplacement, stress free zones at local colleges during exam time, and library programs to help promote reading.

Around town, you may find a Pets on Wheels team at a local library, at the University of Maryland Medical System, at college events or even at the Baltimore Book Festival and St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Each year over 175,000 people enjoy a visit from one of Pets on Wheels’ teams, and volunteers give a total of more than 12,000 hours of their time visiting nearly 400 facilities and special events.

35 YEARS OF LOVE In Baltimore, pet therapy has been available for thirty five years. That’s when Dr. Frank Folke Furstenberg, a retired Sinai Hospital physician, decided to measure the effectiveness of pet visitation on shut-ins.

In May of 1982 he developed a program with four volunteer teams visiting four nursing homes. Dr. Furstenberg noted that the stimulation of playing with animals benefited the patients significantly.

From that small test program, Pets on Wheels grew. Initially, Pets on Wheels was part of the Baltimore City Department of Aging. In the late 1980s, the department established Pets on Wheels as a private 501(c)3 organization, and Pets on Wheels has continued to grow and expand since then.

Top, from left: Louie the beagle gets ready for his new home; Dunbar Security employee with service dog. Above: Pets on Wheels volunteer with therapy dog.

If you’d like to explore volunteering with your dog as a therapy pet team, the Pets on Wheels website at PetsOnWheels.org is a great place to start. Therapy pet work is one of the most rewarding things you and your pet can do, and it’s a great way to get to know your pet even better.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Gina Kazimir is the Executive Director of Pets on Wheels, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that brings therapy animals to facilities across Maryland for friendly visits. You can reach her through the Pets on Wheels website at www.PetsOnWheels.org Spring 2017 • 29

{LIVE WELL} HELPING PAWS, HELPING PEOPLE

HELPING PAWS HELPING PEOPLE WHEN YOU SEE A DOG IN A BLUE COAT, IT MEANS A CHANGED LIFE FOR SOMEONE LIVING WITH A DISIBALITY OR PTSD.

WRITTEN BY REBECCA SANCHEZ PHOTOS COURTESY OF HELPING PAWS

Six-year old golden retriever Jed and his human handler pal Carl Ringberg were the first graduates of Helping Paws Veterans with PTSD, a program designed to train assistance dogs to help veterans affected with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Since 2014 Jed has been with Carl in his job as a senior district fleet manager with Waste Management helping him manage workplace stressors and fight off the emotional numbness associated with living with PTSD. Carl has what most would consider a stressful job at Waste Management, overseeing maintenance for a large fleet of trucks and a team of technicians.

Carl searched for two years to find a dog like Jed, “First and foremost, you have to apply to Helping Paws to show interest,” explains Carl,”then the veteran has an in-home interview and has to get referrals from their physician and psychologist.” The journey for a veteran with PTSD to get a dog like Jed is well worth it once there’s a match, and that’s when the veteran and dog start training to learn how to work together to manage the PTSD. “There is a training process where the dog and the veteran work one-onone, every Saturday for three months, and then the dog goes home with the veteran to live full-time,” continues Carl.

While Jed had some early separation anxiety issues, which caused Helping Paws to question if they would be able to place him, all turned out well when Carl came along. “I needed the consistent touch from the dog and so did he, Jed needed me. We were a match made in heaven and we bonded right away,” says Carl. Jed helps Carl at work, and in life, by demanding attention whenever he senses that Carl is anxious, jittery, or losing focus.

Top: One of Helping Paws’“Dog in the Blue Coat.”

Above: Veteran Carl Ringberg and Jed. 30 • CityDog Magazine

Jed also helps Carl feel safe in crowded places, and often will make himself a barrier between Carl and approaching strangers and leads Carl out of a crowd on command.

“He wakes me up from nightmares and jumps up on me to lick my face until I wake up, even if I push him off,” Carl shares.

Helping Paws worked with Jed to help him learn a lot of different skills designed to help Carl feel safe and calm, “The upmost important job Jed does for me is teaches me to fight the emotional numbness you get from PTSD. By being able to hug Jed and give him the love that he needs, he is in turn making it easier for me to give my children the hugs and love they need.”

Carl is blessed to have Jed, and together they make a special duo. According to the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs, PTSD affects between 11-20% of men and women who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and 12% of Gulf War veterans. Organizations like Helping Paws, along with supportive companies like Waste Management, make it possible for veterans to thrive at work with a little help from specially-trained dogs like Jed. To learn more about Helping Paws visit their website at helpingpaws.org.

#

“Jed does a great job hanging out with me at the Waste Management office,” Carl offers when asked about how Jed helps him at work, “all of my co-workers love having Jed at work. He tends to wander down the hall every now and then, to say hi to all the office people.” The sweet face and loving nature of a beautiful golden retriever is all Carl needs to help him remain calm as he slowly re-aclimates to life after serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Rebecca Sanchez lives in Seattle, Wash. with her three dogs and is a published author and nationally recognized leader in exploring the human-animal bond. Known as The Pet Lifestyle Guru™ Rebecca firmly believes “we need animals as much as they need us!” To showcase her love of all things dog, Rebecca is the founder, chief creative officer, and brilliant mind behind the award-winning, social media star MattieDog, who happens to be ‘A Little Dog Making A Big Impact In This World!’ See more at mattiedog.com.

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Spring 2017 • 29

{HEALTH+WELLNESS} SOUND ADVICE FOR A HOUND’S LIFE

WRITTEN BY STEVE DALE, BROUGHT TO YOU BY AMERICAN PET NUTRITION, MAKERS OF VITA BONE

BUT WHAT IS “THE BEST”?

First, you want to make sure your pet’s diet is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by AAFCO. AAFCO, or The Association of American Feed Control Officials, is a voluntary membership association of local, state and federal agencies charged by law to regulate the sale and distribution of animal food.

THE PERFECT DIET

DOES IT EXIST FOR DOGS? Pet owners tend to have strongly held beliefs regarding pet food, too often based on misinformation. The truth is that sometimes what is right for one pet isn’t for another, same as for people.

The perfect diet for an individual pet is determied by the age and health of that pet. Today, we know that puppies and kittens and also geriatric pets have different nutritional needs than an average adult pet. Some animals have medical conditions that require a therapeutic or prescription diet.

Breed might matter, and certainly lifestyle makes a difference.

A working border collie, for example, has very different energy requirements compared to a couch potato pug.

BUT NOW WHAT? The good news is that there are far more pet food choices today and more categories than ever before, many of which simply didn’t exist 10 or 20 years ago.

Overall, our pets are living longer than ever before. Pet owners want to provide the best pet care possible, and fortunately technical advances and cutting edge medicine are allowing that to happen. In many ways veterinary care is on par with human medicine.

Similarly, consumers are increasingly paying more attention than ever to their own nutrition, and understanding the link to general health. In doing so they are making discerning choices regarding what their pets eat. Trends in human nutrition are echoed in those pet food aisles—even if pets aren’t small people and may have different needs.

Interestingly, many pet owners are now passionate about nutrition. Many of the same pet owners who indulge multiple times a week in fast foods will only buy “the best” for their pets.

32 • CityDog Magazine

AAFCO helps develop and implement uniform regulations, standards, definitions and enforcement policies for distribution and sale of pet food. If you’re not sure if your pet’s diet meets these requirements, check the back of the package for a statement regarding AAFCO. Still, even with the AAFCO guidelines, the question remains:

WHAT’S BEST FOR MY PET? Pet owners rely on many sources to learn about pet food.

However, the most influential sources are not necessarily the most educated. They can vary from pet store sales clerks, trusted friends and acquaintances—like the person at the dog park—to a wide array of websites. Websites are fine if real experts, such as veterinary nutritionists, are authoring the articles. But often these sources spew invalidated information.

The primary two sources should be your veterinarian, or a veterinary technician with a special interest in nutrition.

Ultimately, the best source is what your pet tells you. If your cat coughs frequent hairballs or throws up and has erratic stools, clearly the food isn’t agreeing with your pet, or there may be a more serious medical issue.

Often, symptoms of a poor pet food match may not be as obvious. A pet with a dull coat, excessive shedding, “growly” tummy sounds, unpredictable bathroom habits, and inconsistent stool quality might be explained by the diet just not being right for your pet.

This doesn’t mean the diet is “bad.” Again, talk to your veterinarian before assuming these issues are more serious.

Switching diets isn’t easy. As challenging as it is to make heads or tails of human food labels, it’s even more complicated to read a pet food label.

Beginning with the ingredient list, all ingredients are required to be listed in order of predominance by weight. The weights of ingredients are determined as they are added in the formulation, including their inherent water content—which is the tricky part.

When products on the label read “complete and balanced,” it must be substantiated for nutritional adequacy by one of two means:

1. The first method is for the pet food to contain ingredients formulated to provide levels of nutrients that meet an established profile.

{HEALTH+WELLNESS} SOUND ADVICE FOR A HOUND’S LIFE

2. The alternative means of substantiating nutritional adequacy is for the product to be tested using the appropriate AAFCO Feeding Trial Protocol(s). This means that the product, or “lead” member of a “family” of products, has been fed to dogs or cats under strict guidelines and found to provide proper nutrition. These products should bear the nutritional adequacy statement “Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that (name of product) provides complete and balanced nutrition.”

Many terms are marketing based, such as “all natural.” It’s not bad that a product claims it is all natural, but the meaning can be ambiguous. In pet food, there are specific standards, such as no artificial preservatives or flavorings, and the food or treat cannot be subject to a chemically synthetic process. With these basic standards, many products are able to carry the “all natural” claim so product quality shouldn’t be determined by this claim alone.

However, the term “organic” refers to the conditions under which the plants were grown or animals were raised. There are no official rules governing the labeling of organic products for pets at this time, but the United States Department of Agriculture is developing regulations dictating what types of synthetic additives, such as vitamins and purified amino acids, may be used in pet food labeled as organic.

Navigating the pet food truth from marketing or Internet myths remains a challenge, but pet owners should always consult with their veterinarian in addition to doing their online homework.The good news is that pet owners care more than ever about what their pet is eating, and in the end, our pets will reap benefits.

Steve Dale, CABC (certified animal behavior consultant), reaches more pet owners than any other pet journalist in America as a magazine and newspaper columnist, radio host, blogger, television expert and author of “Good Dog.” He also is an avid animal advocate and expert in positive training.

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{SOCIAL CALENDAR} MAKE A DATE WITH YOUR DOG

April Pet Adoption Events April 1 • Catonsville, Maryland at Bark!

816 Frederick Road. 11am-3pm. Hosted by Bmore Humane.

April 2 • Owings Mills, Maryland at Petco, 10383 Reisterstown Road. 12pm-3pm.

Hosted by Bmore Humane.

April 9 • Timonium, Maryland at Petco, 1719 York Road. 12pm-3pm. Hosted by Bmore Humane.

April 15 • Pikesville, Maryland at Bark! 1809 Reisterstown Road. 12pm-3pm. Hosted by Bmore Humane.

April 16 • Owings Mills, Maryland at Petco, 10383 Reisterstown Road. 12pm-3pm.

Hosted by Bmore Humane.

April 22 • Owings Mills, Maryland at PetValu, 9110 Reisterstown Road. 11am3pm. Hosted by Bmore Humane.

April 22 •Baltimore, Maryland at PetValu, The Rotunda, 711 W 40th Street. 11am-3pm.

Hosted by Maryland SPCA. April 23 • Timonium, Maryland at Petco, 1719 York Road. 12pm-3pm. Hosted by Bmore Humane.

Pet Bereavement Support Group April 4 • Reisterstown, Maryland, at Memorial Park Office, Baltimore Humane Society, 1601 Nicodemus Rd. Free to the public, 1st Tuesday of each month. 7 p.m.

RSVP to mwilson@bmorehumane.org.

Pup Rally for the 2017 March for the Animals April 7 • Baltimore, Maryland at Downtown Dog Resort and Spa, 200 W. McComas St. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Bring your pup to Downtown Dog Resort and Spa for a paw-some Pup Rally for the 2017 March for the Animals!

Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door and include admission to event and pizza. Beer and wine will be available for purchase. Enjoy interactive photo booth, dog swimming, off-leash play and more!

Yappier Hours at Gunther & Co. April 11 • 6-8 p.m. “Yappier Hours” series is co-hosted by Tito’s Vodka and Gunther & Co., with $2 from every Tito’s drink purchased at the outdoor patio going to BARCS! Featuring giveaways, dog treats, prizes and, of course, Tito’s cocktail specials.

34 • CityDog Magazine

Well-behaved dogs are welcome on the outdoor patio. Outdoor heaters will be on if it’s chilly! Second Tuesday of each month.

Whole Foods Fundraiser for BARCS! April 6 • Baltimore, Maryland at Whole Foods, 1001 Fleet St, and the Whole Foods at 1330 Smith Ave., Mount Washington, BOTH Baltimore City Whole Foods will be donating 5% of all sales to BARCS! This includes all in-store purchases from opening to closing that day (7 a.m. - 10 p.m.), as well as catering orders and Instacart orders at both Baltimore City locations.

Yappy Hour at the Wine Bin April 7 • Ellicott City, Maryland at the Wine Bin, 8390 Main St. Yappy Hour happens the first Friday of each month April through November. Bring your well behaved dog to a wine tasting. During nice weather, Yappy Hour is in the parking lot with live music and wine. Inside the store enjoy wine and parfections chocolate tastings. winebinec.com.

Sunday Morning Dog Hike April 9 • Reisterstown, Maryland at Baltimore Humane Society, 1601 Nicodemus Road. 10am-11am. Bring your dog and hike on the grounds of the animal shelter’s forested Wildlife Sanctuary. Each hike lasts 45 minutes to an hour. Rain or Shine! Hikes will be at a moderate to advanced hiking level, so dog and hiker need to be relatively fit and able to maneuver down trees, climb hills, and cross streams. All dogs must be on a 4-6 foot leash (no retractable leashes permitted) and walked by a hiker that is 14 years of age or older (only 1 dog per person).

Bring plenty of drinking water for yourself and your dog. Appropriate hiking attire is recommended. $2 per dog participation fee and prior registration required. For additional information, email fixmypet@bmorehumane. org, call 410.833.8848 (ext. 209), or check the bmorehumane Facebook page.

Bmore Humane Kids Club Meeting April 9 • Reisterstown, Maryland, at Administration Building, Baltimore Humane Society, 1601 Nicodemus Rd. 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Topic: to be determined. Register at bmorehumane.org/education/kids-club.

Art for BARCS: A Collection to Benefit the Animals April 13 • Baltimore, Maryland at Blue Pit BBQ and Whiskey Bar, 1601 Union Ave.,

7 p.m. - 10 p.m. Art for BARCS features a collection of works by local artists to benefit the homeless pets in Baltimore. Artwork for purchase to benefit BARCS, plus Blue Pit is donating 10% of all sales that evening!

Vegan and vegetarian friendly menu.

Artwork is also being sought. For further information visit baltimoreanimalshelter.org.

March for the Animals Annual Walk-a-Thon and Festival April 15 • Baltimore, Maryland, at Camden Yards Sports Complex, 1101 Russell St. Join thousands of animal lovers and walk to benefit the homeless pets at the Maryland SPCA. Enjoy vendors, great food, pet photos, pet games, contests, kids’ crafts, and more. And, there will be plenty of pets to meet and watch! 10 a.m.-2 p.m. For more information, see support.mdspca.org.

Easter Eggstravaganza April 15 • Reisterstown, Maryland at grounds by Administration Building, Baltimore Humane Society, 1601 Nicodemus Road. 12pm-3pm. Easter Egg Hunt, four start times from noon to 3pm! Photos with the Easter Bunny for Pets & Kids (nominal fee) by John Milleker Photography. I Spy Cat Detective Game, The Snack Shack Food Truck, Kajo Pets Supplies, Today’s 101.9FM Friends & Neighbors, Bake Sale and more!

Free admission. bmorehumane.org/newsevents/easter-eggstravaganza.

Mid-Maryland Petapalooza April 29 • Frederick, Maryland at The Great Frederick Fairgrounds, 797 E Patrick St. 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. This is a wonderful event for animal lovers and anyone curious about adding an animal to their life!

Mid-Maryland Petapalooza (MMP) is a Pet Expo fundraiser that will increase awareness of pet organizations, rescues, and pet related businesses. It will be a fun filled day with the opportunity for animal lovers to view, purchase, and explore animal companies and services in the surrounding area. The public is welcome to bring pets with up-to-date rabies vaccines. The first 200 families get a swag bag. Admission is free.

For further information: http://www.midmarylandpetapalooza.com/.

Be sure to check out citydogbaltimore.com, where you will find the most comprehensive calendar of canine-centric events in the city of Baltimore and beyond!

May Pet Adoption Event May 20 • Baltimore, Maryland at PetValu, The Rotunda, 711 W 40th Street. 11am-3pm.

Hosted by Maryland SPCA.

Yappy Hour at the Wine Bin May 5 • Ellicott City, Maryland at the Wine Bin, 8390 Main Street. Yappy Hour happens the first Friday of each month April through November. Bring your well behaved dog to a wine tasting. During nice weather, Yappy Hour is held in the parking lot with live music and wine. Inside the store enjoy a wine and parfections chocolate tasting. For times and more info, see winebinec.com.

Pawject Runway May 6 • Baltimore, Maryland at the Royal Farms Arena. Pawject Runway is back for the 5th year, and it’s going to be bigger, better, more-star-studded, more-pet-haircovered than ever! Rub shoulders with famous faces from the NFL to the lacrosse field, rockers to race car drivers—all while cuddling furballs over cocktails. To date, Pawject Runway has raised more than $400,000 through cash and in-kind contributions to provide care for Baltimore’s homeless and abused animals. This year, there will be a Selfie Station and Cuddling Corner staffed with four-legged super models, along with music, food, cocktails and one of the best sports and “experience” auctions around. Family friendly! Purchase tickets at baltimoreanimalshelter.org.

Pet Bereavement Support Group May 2 • Reisterstown, Maryland, at Memorial Park Office, Baltimore Humane Society, 1601 Nicodemus Rd. Free to the public, 1st Tuesday of each month. 7 p.m.

RSVP to mwilson@bmorehumane.org.

Yappier Hours at Gunther & Co.

hike on the grounds of our animal shelter’s forested Wildlife Sanctuary. Each hike lasts 45 minutes to one hour. Rain or Shine! Hikes will be at a moderate to advanced hiking level, so dog and hiker need to be relatively fit and able to maneuver down trees, climb hills, and cross streams. All dogs must be on a 4-6 foot leash (no retractable leashes permitted) and walked by a hiker that is 14 years of age or older (only 1 dog per person).

Bring plenty of drinking water for yourself and your dog. Appropriate hiking attire is recommended. $2 per dog participation fee and prior registration required. For additional information, email fixmypet@bmorehumane. org, call 410.833.8848 (ext. 209), or check the bmorehumane Facebook page.

Dog Day Afternoon May 13 • Columbia, Maryland at Columbia Dog Park, 5901 Rivendell Lane. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Keep calm and bark on! The Columbia Association invites local canines—and their people—to a free afternoon of contests, treats, activities and lots of tail-wagging fun. Dog lovers can enter their four-legged friends into the Tail-Wagging Contest, Most Fashionable Fashion Show, Biscuit-Eating Contest, and more. Additional entertainment may include raffles, music, food—yes, for dogs and for humans—pet demos, face painting, a moon bounce (for people only) and caricature artists. Back by popular demand, there will be readings with pet communicator Emerald DuCoeur. Official Dog Day Afternoon T-shirts will be available for sale for $10, or two for $15. Pet communications readings will be $10 for 10 minutes.

Caricature drawings of your loveable fourlegged friend are $5 for a black-and-white drawing and $10 for a color drawing. Microchipping will also be available for a minimal fee. Only cash will be accepted during Dog Day Afternoon. A portion of the proceeds will benefit a local animal-related nonprofit to be announced. columbiaassociation.org

May 9 • Baltimore, Maryland at 3650 Toone Street. 6-8 p.m. “Yappier Hours” series cohosted by Tito’s Vodka and Gunther & Co., with $2 from every Tito’s drink purchased at the outdoor patio going to BARCS! Featuring giveaways, dog treats, prizes and, of course, Tito’s cocktail specials. Wellbehaved dogs are welcome on the outdoor patio. Outdoor heaters will be on if it’s chilly! Second Tuesday of each month.

Bmore Humane Kids Club Meeting

Sunday Morning Dog Hike

June 2 • Ellicott City, Maryland at the Wine Bin, 8390 Main Street. Yappy Hour happens the first Friday of each month April through November. Bring your well behaved dog to

May 14 • Reisterstown, Maryland at Baltimore Humane Society, 1601 Nicodemus Road. 10am-11am. Bring your dog and

May 14 • Reisterstown, Maryland, at Administration Building, Baltimore Humane Society, 1601 Nicodemus Rd. 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Topic: to be determined. Register at bmorehumane.org/education/kids-club.

June

a wine tasting. During nice weather, Yappy Hour is held in the parking lot with live music and wine. Inside the store enjoy a wine and parfections chocolate tasting. For times and more info, see winebinec.com.

Pet Bereavement Support Group June 6 • Reisterstown, MD, at Memorial Park Office, Baltimore Humane Society, 1601 Nicodemus Rd. Free to the public, 1st Tuesday of each month. 7 p.m. RSVP to mwilson@bmorehumane.org.

Bmore Humane Kids Club Meeting June 11 • Reisterstown, MD, at Administration Building, Baltimore Humane Society, 1601 Nicodemus Rd. 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Topic: to be determined. Register at bmorehumane.org/education/kids-club.

Sunday Morning Dog Hike June 11 • Reisterstown, MD at Baltimore Humane Society, 1601 Nicodemus Road.

10am-11am. Bring your dog and hike on the grounds of our animal shelter’s forested Wildlife Sanctuary. Each hike lasts 45 minutes to one hour. Rain or Shine! Hikes will be at a moderate to advanced hiking level, so dog and hiker need to be relatively fit and able to maneuver down trees, climb hills, and cross streams. All dogs must be on a 4-6 foot leash (no retractable leashes permitted) and walked by a hiker that is 14 years of age or older (only 1 dog per person). Bring plenty of drinking water for yourself and your dog. Appropriate hiking attire is recommended. $2 per dog participation fee and prior registration required. Second Sunday of each month. For additional information, email fixmypet@bmorehumane.org, call 410.833.8848 (ext. 209), or check the bmorehumane Facebook page.

Yappier Hours at Gunther & Co. June 13 • Baltimore, Maryland at 3650 Toone Street. 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. ”Yappier Hours” series co-hosted by Tito’s Vodka and Gunther & Co., with $2 from every Tito’s drink purchased at the outdoor patio going to BARCS! Featuring giveaways, dog treats, prizes and, of course, Tito’s cocktail specials.

Well-behaved dogs are welcome on the outdoor patio. Outdoor heaters will be on if it’s chilly! Second Tuesday of each month. facebook.com/EatAtGunther.

Yappy Hour at the Wine Bin Be sure to check out citydogbaltimore.com, where you will find the most comprehensive calendar of canine-centric events in the city of Baltimore and beyond!

Spring 2017 • 35

{ THE LAST WOOF }

Jesse 15 years old

Roslyn, Washington

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SENIOR DOGS ACROSS AMERICA Anyone who has ever loved a dog, young or old, will warm to this stirring tribute to our best animal friends. Award-winning photographer Nancy LeVine has traveled the length and breadth of America—from Kauai to Martha’s Vineyard, from Seattle to Baltimore—to meet and photograph some of our most endearing senior canine citizens.

These gallant companions ride on our tractors, doze on our couches, happy to be in our company. They remind us of the best in ourselves, and as they lose their vigor and youth, they reflect our own inevitable aging with courage and calm.

Nancy’s photographs perfectly capture the enduring appeal of these elderly dignified beings in the places where they belong—all across America. As “America’s Veterinarian,” Dr. Marty Becker, says, “These images can make you laugh, cry, and simply feel the nobility of elder dogs.” ($29.99; Schiffer Publishing.)

36 • CityDog Magazine

GinGer 121⁄2 years old

Devils Tower, Wyoming

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CeCilia 12 years old

Baltimore, Maryland

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Spring 2017 • 37

Sharing love to lick stress and loneliness, one pet at a time, since 1982 Pets on Wheels brings the joy of friendly pet therapy to people in the Baltimore area and beyond, each and every day.

Regularly visiting nursing homes and hospitals, assisted living facilities, homeless and domestic violence shelters, veterans’ hospitals, libraries, schools, colleges, corporate campuses and more, Pets on Wheels volunteers fight stress and help lick loneliness one visit at a time.

YOU CAN HELP US MAKE A DIFFERENCE

JOIN US AT OUR UPCOMING EVENTS:

Volunteers with and

Pets on Wheels is supported

without pets are needed!

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We have NO restrictions

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you are welcome!

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35th Anniversary Bull & Oyster Feast

• April 23, 2017 Pet First Aid & CPR Workshop only $75 per person (discount for PoW volunteers)

just $45 per person

To find out more, visit us online at www.PetsOnWheels.org, follow us on Facebook @PetsOnWheelsInc or give us a call at 443-977-9726.

Pets on Wheels | PO Box 44176 | Baltimore MD 21236 | 443-977-9726 | www.PetsOnWheels.org

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