July | August 2010 Volume 5 | Issue 4
Why Won’t My Dog Come to Me? Destination Charlotte Bad to the Bone Healthy Senior Pets
It’s a good doggy day
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Table of Contents p. 13
p. 20
Features
p. 21
p. 25
In Every Issue
8 That’s My Dog! A Dog Living subscriber shows off her pooch
7 Ollie’s Corner Ollie gets a love letter
11 Why Won’t My Dog Come to Me? Tips to get your dog to listen to you
8 Happenings See what pet-friendly event is coming to a location near you
13 Bad to the Bone An excerpt from Bad to the Bone: Memoir of a Rebel Doggie Blogger
9 DOGhealth Vet visits for senior pets
16 Dogs According to Jim The Dog Days of Summer
10 DOGoutings Morrow Mountain State Park
18 Dog Talk She wants a dog, he doesn’t
12 Ask August Keeping Fido out of the litterbox
21 Destination Charlotte Things to do with your dog in the Queen City
17 Unleashed Author Jeff Schettler
24 Molly Mutt Earth Friendly Bedding
20 Hot! Dog We’ve sniffed out the coolest products
26 Becoming a Runner Writer Ann Brennan attempts to slim down her couch potato pooch
25 Tail Waggers New to (green) Market 27 Dogs On Film Our puparazzi are always on the lookout for dogs about town 28 Dog Living Directory Your resource for all things dog 30 Doghouse Poll Is it easier to raise a dog or a human child? 30 DOGnews Get the scoop
On The Cover Why Won’t My Dog Come to Me?…..p11 Destination Charlotte…..p21 Bad to the Bone…..p13 Healthy Senior Pets…..p9 Cover Photo: Bryan Kupko Cover Model: Annunaki Annunaki has been a favorite of Dog Living editor Suzanne Jalot for some time now and she’s finally made her cover debut!
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July | August 2010
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July/August 2010
Volume 5, Issue 4
Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Assistant Editors
Suzanne Jalot
Art Director
Dustin Keipper
Contributing Writers
Ann Brennan Jim Clark Elysa Cooper K. Gwendolyn Sara Johnson Horst Hoefinger Mia Montagliano McKenzie Wise
Phodography
K. Gwendolyn
Sales Marketing & Promotion
Pam Gosdin Cheryl Turner-Blanco
Circulation Manager
John Leonard
Distribution
Ryan Young
Ollie and August
John Leonard Wendy Jalot
A publication of OllieDog Media, Inc. www.doglivingmagazine.com info@doglivingmagazine.com P.O. Box 1914 Wilmington, NC 28402 910-452-3775
Subscriptions: A one-year subscription is only $25. Call 910-452-3775 or go to www.doglivingmagazine.com to subscribe. Change of address? Call 910-452-3775 or email circulation@doglivingmagazine.com. Advertising: For more information, call 910-452-3775 or email sales@doglivingmagazine.com. Submissions: Please email editor@doglivingmagazine.com for submission guidelines. ©2010 by OllieDog Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved Reproduction or use in whole or in part of the contents of this magazine is prohibited without written permission of the publisher. This includes, but is not limited to Internet postings and photocopies of the magazine. Dog Living and its logotype are trademarks of OllieDog Media, Inc. The information provided by Dog Living Magazine is intended for informational, educational and/or entertainment purposes only. The content is not intended to be nor is it a substitute for professional advice. It may be necessary to consult your pet’s veterinarian regarding the applicability of any opinions or recommendations in this publication. All materials and services in this publication are provided “as is” without any representations or warranties. Neither Dog Living Magazine nor its affiliates, nor any of their respective agents, employees, advertisers or writers shall be liable to anyone for any inaccuracy, error, omission, timeliness, completeness, deletion, defect or failure of performance. OllieDog Media, Inc. reserves the right to refuse advertising for any reason.
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July | August 2010
Ollie’s Corner
Caliente! I learned that on my trip to South of the Border earlier this year. It means hot. And it describes perfectly the weather we’ve been having. I love to lie out in the sun as much as any dog, but man, these days I’d rather just curl up on the couch on my brown cushion. Funny, the other two cushions on the couch are tan, but the one I always plop on is a darker shade. I thought they all used to be the same color, but Mom must have switched out one of the cushions. I’d like to share a letter I received from a reader that made me blush:
Dear Ollie,
Ollie, would you ask Mom to let us know from time to time how you are doing? My little Beagle Sophie is about your age and I know your Mom loves you like I love my little girl. We have loved both of you for so long, it is very, very hard on Mom and me to see the white in those dear faces. I love you, Ollie. Ask Mom to give you a big kiss from me and Sophie.
Ann B.
I so love the magazine you, Mom and August have founded. When I know it’s time for another edition of Dog Living, I go to my groomer in Louisburg, to VSH in Raleigh or to wherever else I think I might find a copy. But now I have a solution, dear Ollie. Enclosed is my check so you will send me a copy and I won’t have to go hunting for one.
Oh Ann thank you for such a kind letter! Mom says the only way you can tell I’m getting older is the white on my face because I sure don’t act like an old man. I’ll be 10-years-old in October. Ann, people like you are the reason we put this magazine together. It’s for people who love dogs as much as my Mom does. We thank you so much for reading and subscribing and hope you continue to enjoy each and every issue. If we can bring a smile to just one person, educate just one person on responsible pet ownership or save just one dog, we will consider our efforts a success. Woofs and Wags,
Ollie Assistant Editor
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DOGhappenings
For an up-to-date listing of events, visit www.doglivingmagazine.com
JULY
AUGUST
OCTOBER
July 10 Coon Dog Day Festival 9am-10pm Downtown Saluda Join in the fun at the 47th Annual Coon Dog Day Festival. This event will include food, live music, a parade, crafts, street square dance, and more. For more information, visit www.saluda.com.
August 21 SPARR 5th Anniversary Celebration/Cookout 6:30pm Kildaire Farm Racquet Club, Cary For a $5 donation, enjoy hamburgers, hot dogs and sides as Sound Pet Animal Rescue (SPARR) celebrates five years of saving animals! There will be a silent auction with many items including gift certificates, jewelry, an iPod Touch and a Nintendo DS. For info, visit www.soundpet.org.
October 3 SPCA Fur Ball Save the date!
August 28 Golden on the Green Charity Golf Tournament 1:30pm River Ridge Golf Club, Raleigh This is the 8th annual Golden on the Green Golf Tournament. Proceeds will benefit the Neuse River Golden Retriever Rescue. For more information, visit www.goldenonthegreen.com.
October 16 Salty Paws Festival Noon-4pm Carolina Beach Come out for the second annual Salty Paws Festival. There will be arts and crafts, pet-owners’ education, microchipping, rescued pets for adoption, dog contests, raffles, and more. This event is sponsored for Saving Animals During Disasters.
July 18 BJ’s Dog Show Buckeye Recreation Center, Beech Mountain There are lots of prizes, and every dog goes home with a ribbon. For more information or for an application, call the Beech Mountain Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-468-5506 or (828) 397-9283 July 30 - August 1 Carolina DockDogs Event Ole Gilliam Mill Park, Sanford Join the excitement as a spectator or participant! Visit www.carolinadockdogs.com or email carolinadockdogs@gmail.com for more information. Wine and Bubbly Fundraiser/Social July 31 Barking Bubbles, Burlington, NC An indoor dog wash fundraiser followed by a social evening. More details at www.gsdrescue.org/events. July 31 Second Chance 10th Annual Auction for the Animals 7pm-10pm Delightful Inspirations, Raleigh Help support this wonderful cause and enjoy live and silent auctions at this event. Barbara Gibbs from WTVD-11 will be emceeing this special event. For more information visit www.AuctionForTheAnimals. com or call (919) 851-8404.
SEPTEMBER September 11 Strutt Your Mutt 9am-Noon Franklin Square Park, Southport Visit www.barknc.org for details. September 18 Woof-A-Palooza 10am-2pm Central Carolina Community College, Pittsboro Come out and enjoy the fun at the 9th annual Woof-A-Palooza. This event features a dog walk, contests, and more. For more information, visit www. chathamanimalrescue.org.
October 9 Coastal Hounds Walk the Town 10am-2pm Shallotte Middle School, Shallotte The 2009 event was such a success they’re doing it again! Visit www.coastalhounds.com for details.
October 23 11th Annual Mutt Strutt Historic Oak View Park, Raleigh Save the date for this exciting canine event! October 23 Howl-O-Ween Celebration Paws4Ever, Mebane This event commemorates Pit Bull Awareness Day and is full of stuff to do. There will be activities for the whole family that benefit Paws4Ever’s low-cost spay/ neuter program for pit bulls. For more information, contact Amanda at Amanda@paws4ever.org.
Got an upcoming pet-friendly event? Send your info to events@doglivingmagazine.com. Please include: Organization Name, Contact (name and phone), Brief Description of Event, Date/Time/Place.
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That’s My Dog!
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Submitted by Dog Living Magazine subscriber Bethany Kuenzi
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July | August 2010
DOGhealth Should Your Senior Pet Be Seen by Your Veterinarian Every 6-7 Years? by Iva Nusbaum, DVM
Our four legged companions age much faster than you and I. For example, a 10-year-old Golden Retriever is approximately 70-80 human years old. This age range explains why it is extremely important for pet owners to realize that their canine companions are here with us for a short period of time. We must provide high quality pet care for their entire precious life span. Wellness is a term used to describe health. Senior wellness means evaluating their health as they age by physical exam and the complete baseline blood values during their life stages. Certain medical conditions cannot be diagnosed by looking, listening, and touching. Canine guidelines include comparing current blood values to their baseline values to effectively manage and treat common diseases. For example, a senior pet requires different nutrition than a growing puppy. Keep in mind, the number one problem we see in our pets is obesity. By altering their diet, based on veterinarian expertise, you may help curb their weight by satisfying their nutrition. Obesity leads to similar medical problems that affect us. These include weakening of our bones and joints, decrease in our blood flow as well as the risk of developing diabetes in our pets too! In veterinary medicine, our pets are truly unable to explain the ins and outs of their problems. It takes a highly skilled veterinarian to be able to evaluate, diagnose, and treat our senior pets. There may be subtle clues a pet owner may notice on a daily basis. These clinical signs include: their senior pet has a change in appetite, water intake, and behavior change such as restless and agitated, unable to rise or jump. This list goes on and on. There are effective treatments for diseases of the kidney, heart, liver, and intestines. According to the recent senior wellness guidelines, a senior pet ages in three months approximately two years. Therefore, it is imperative to evaluate your senior dog every six months. The tests that should be evaluated include complete blood count, chemistry panel, urinalysis,
thyroid testing, blood pressure, and electrocardiogram. These tests are considered the minimum standard of care for our senior companions. These simple wellness steps can enable you as the pet owner to provide the best health for your companion. We see time and time again that our senior pets depend on us to keep them happy, stress free and pain free. It has been determined that pets can lower our blood pressure, keep your heart healthy and keep our spirits high. There is no reason why we can not identify their conditions and treat their issues better and faster. Wellness testing should be performed every 6 months to give us a chance to know the health status of our companions. If your senior pet has problems going up and down the stairs and seems stiff in the morning, then you should have your senior companion’s spine and joints evaluated. Veterinary medicine has many new advances similar to human medicine. The new diagnostic technologies include digital radiography and digital ultrasound. With these diagnostic tools veterinarians can pinpoint skeletal and joint abnormalities. A few common conditions include joint disease known as osteoarthritis and intervertebral disc disease. There are multiple ways to help manage these conditions. Once diagnosed, consider a natural product that follows FDA standards for joint support known as Dasuquin. The human equivalent is Cosamine. This joint support provides wonderful results. By simply discussing your senior pet’s history, a thorough veterinary physical exam and the minimum standards of tests including complete blood count, chemistry panel, urinalysis, blood pressure and electrocardiogram, your senior companion can receive the best medical care that you and I can give. Your senior companion can have a wonderful senior life if you follow the senior wellness guidelines. Your veterinarian can personalize a treatment plan and follow-up. Continue to monitor them periodically for any changes. If you could monitor them every time they age one more year, then we would have to evaluate your senior pet every 45 days. Wow, this sounds like it is too often. But in reality, your senior pet is two to three years older in only three months. Therefore at your senior pet’s annual visits, they have aged six to seven years. After all, do you go to your physician every six to seven years? Now you should understand the importance of the senior wellness.
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DOGoutings Morrow Mountain State Park
Scenery: Difficulty: Easy to Very Hard Length: Varies
49104 Morrow Mountain Road Albemarle, NC 28001 704-982-4402 www.ncparks.gov
Situated about an hour just to the northeast of Charlotte, Morrow Mountain State Park offers miles of hiking trails in a range of difficulties. What the park might lack in scenery, it makes up for in the variety of activities. Although there are some good views from the top of the mountain, most of the trails are simply through the woods. You can drive to the summit of Morrow Mountain where you’ll find some of the best views in the park. A mile-long trail will take you around the summit and although not difficult, you’ll get the “funhouse effect” as you feel as though you’re leaning throughout the entire trail. Falls Mountain Trail is a good, long hike that will give you water views of the Yadkin and Pee Dee Rivers. There are several places in the park to picnic, complete with tables and grills. Boat rentals are also available, but pets are not allowed in rented boats, so if you want to enjoy some time on the water, you’ll have to bring your own watercraft. Camping is also available within the park, including a family campground suitable for tents and RVs as well as primitive camping which is about a two-mile hike from the park office. Morrow Mountain State Park is a great day trip no matter where you are in the state and if it’s a good, long hike you’re looking for, this is a great place to do it.
Scenery Ratings: 1 paw – Nothing much to look at 2 paws – Pleasant enough 3 paws – Some great views 4 paws – Gorgeous scenery everywhere
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July | August 2010
Difficulty Ratings: Easy – Anybody can do this! Moderate – You might be sweating when you finish Hard – This could make some of you wish you were in better shape Very Hard! – Only dogs and people that exercise often should attempt
Why Won’t My Dog Come to Me? by Mia Montagliano
Dog owners tell me one of their biggest frustrations is when their dog runs away or gives chase to cars, bicycles, joggers, people or animals. These owners tell me they try in vain to recall their dogs, only to find they are ignored. So, if you are experiencing this frustration, you are not alone. Why Does Your Dog Run Away or Chase Things? Running away or chasing can cause accidents and injury to both the dog and possibly others. For this reason alone, many owners find walking their dog off-lead to be a particularly stressful experience. Before going into how you can stop this dangerous habit, it is important to know why dogs engage in such behavior. Chasing is a normal, ingrained canine instinct. Dogs chase things for a variety of reasons, such as:
1. Capturing Prey The dog’s ancestor, the Wolf, would chase and then pounce on, grab, shake and kill its prey. As a result of this ancestry, this instinct is present from birth. This is particularly true for terriers, as they were specially bred to kill vermin - my Manchester Terriers played catch and kill games with their squeaky toys, even as puppies.
2. Warding Off Intruders Dogs are territorial and will give chase to others that ‘invade’ their territory. This is particularly so if you own two or more dogs. Dogs that live together may form a strong bond that emboldens them - this can lead to the pack bravely asserting their territorial rights.
3. Thrill Seeking Dogs sometimes run or give chase for the pure thrill. Chasing can fulfill their desire for fun and games. In the absence of chase games with their owner, dogs will find their own opportunities. Some are quite opportunistic in this regard - simple things like chasing clothes that are swinging around on a hoist can be quite exciting.
4. Need for Freedom Dogs have a need to exercise regularly. If they do not get enough exercise, the dog may run off at any given opportunity.
by Mia Montagliano
5. Tips for a Good Recall The first tip is to exercise your dog regularly. The exercise should consist of both physical and mental stimulation, in the form of new games and training, as this will tire a dog and reduce its need to seek fun elsewhere. Train it to come to you when called in the safety of your backyard. The second tip is to never, ever punish your dog once it has come to you. Recall for the sake of punishment only encourages your dog to stay away. Also, if you call your dog in order to perform an activity that it considers unpleasant (such as a bath or administering medicine), it will quickly learn not to obey the recall in order to avoid unpleasant activities. Recall regularly and for no reason (at home and on walks) so the dog does not come to expect any particular outcome. The third tip is to teach the game ‘fetch’. This is an exciting game that most dogs like to play and it encourages successful recalls. Make sure you offer excitement, reward and praise when the dog comes to you. It will learn (by association) that you are a fun recall. When teaching fetch, make sure you are allowed to touch the dog’s collar before giving a reward. In this way, the dog does not learn the annoying habit of avoiding your hand (by ducking and weaving) when it approaches you. The fourth tip is to put your dog on a lead when you anticipate it may be tempted to run. My Manchester Terrier, Frodo, is keen on some cats that reside beside a particular paddock. Whenever we walk that paddock, I put Frodo on a lead. The fifth tip is to play chase with your dog. Make sure in every instance, you are the runaway and allow it to catch you. When the dog catches up, reward and play with it. If played often, the dog will come to love this game. In this way, you can use this game as a way to recall your dog. If you have a puppy start recall training early. However, if your dog is older, with time and patience, these tips assist you can to train your dog to come when called. Mia Montagliani is the owner of two Manchester Terriers, Frodo and Ziggy. Mia is committed to improving the relationship between owners and their dogs and helping dog owners train their dogs humanely, effectively and stress free. If you would like to receive regular tips, articles and updates on dog related topics, please visit www.YourDogNeedsYou.com or become a fan of “Your Dog Needs You” in facebook.
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AskAugust August loves mail from doggies and humans! If you have a question you’d like to ask, just email her at August@doglivingmagazine.com.
Dear August, After reading your response to Chewed out, I spoke with my veterinarian regarding the bullysticks & deer antlers. He definitely felt those were bad choices and said they were dangerous to the digestive tract. Nylabones, Kongs & treat filled toys would be continued safer guidance. I would like to know your thoughts on this. Thank you. Curious Wilmington, NC Dear Curious, For those that don’t know what you’re talking about, you’re referring to a question brought up in the January/February issue
where I recommended Nylabones, Kongs, bullysticks and deer antlers as acceptable things for dogs to chew on. Your vet is absolutely right, bullysticks and deer antlers can be dangerous to the digestive tract. And if your vet recommends not giving those items to your dog, we would definitely follow that advice.
Dear August,
See, the thing is, there are a lot of things that are dangerous to your dog’s digestive tract and to what degree they are dangerous can change depending on who you ask. I’d like to compare it to giving kids candy. Hard candy can be dangerous to kids. Candy can get lodged in a kid’s throat and cause them to choke. Does that mean kids should never be given hard candy? Some might say yes, but most parents are still comfortable allowing the occasional piece as a treat.
Mmmmm. Tiny doggy candy balls! Here are a few suggestions:
Our parents feel comfortable giving us bullysticks as our chew treat of choice and we only get them in moderation.
How do I get my dog to stop eating Kitty Crunchies from the litterbox? Thanks, Sarah Somewhere in North Carolina
• Place the litterbox in an elevated position, out of reach of your dog. • Use a hooded box and face it toward a wall, so only the cat can squeeze through. • Invest in a self-scooping litterbox so the “candy” gets put away immediately • Place the litterbox in a garage, or a closed-off room and install a kitty door that the dog cannot get through. • Build a wood enclosure for the litterbox with a hinged lid (so you can pull the litterbox out) and an opening only big enough for the cat. This way you’ll hide the litterbox and the dog won’t have access.
Disclaimer: Ask August is provided for entertainment purposes only. For health or behavioral problems with your pet, you should consult with your vet or a behavioral specialist.
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July | August 2010
by Bo Hoefinger
Chapter 1: Of All The Gin Joints In All The World… We met back in the early ‘90’s, December of ’92 to be exact. I just had a major blowout with my first, somewhat dysfunctional family and decided that it was best for all if I just left. My foster dad gave me a ride to nowhere and before I knew it, I was at a boarding house in upstate New York. The place was great, warm with plenty of company, and their cheesy poof biscuits were to die for. On the downside, it was loud and smelly, not unlike me. Even a lowly pug could smell her coming from miles away. It was Monday, as I recall, and the bells on the door jingled to announce her arrival. She was a beautiful blonde with a quick smile and a determined look. We’d seen this type before; they usually left with one of the pure bred puppies, but something was different about this one. My instincts told me that any canine would be darn lucky to go home with a girl like her, so I made it my top priority to be that hound. She wandered back to where we lived. Frankly, I was a bit embarrassed about the condition of the place. Some of my cage mates were not very clean and some even took to pooping where
they ate. My next cage neighbor’s lack of etiquette was particularly noteworthy as he took to eating kitty snickers (that’s slang for cat poo in the big house) openly. Sure they taste good, but you’re not getting adopted if you’re seen eating one. As she came closer to my humble accommodations, I tried everything I could to grab her attention. When she finally got to me I made direct eye contact with her, tilted my oversized cranium at a 45 degree angle and gave her my trademark ‘BoPaw™’ reach. I could see instantly she wanted me. Needed me. Had to have me. Hey who wouldn’t? She reached out and petted me with her finely manicured nails. She was clearly enjoying our encounter. How easy these humans are to manipulate, I thought. Her hands were refreshingly cool and her smell put me in a state of delight. I was in love. I could tell she loved me too. After a few gushing, “He’s so cute!” comments, she, gave me one last look and proceeded on to Pumpkin’s cage.
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Realizing I was still sitting there with a half-cocked head and a paw in the air, I felt my muzzle glow red hot under my furry face as the other dogs chuckled with delight. Hey lady, we just made a connection. You can’t move on. Our story ends here if you keep going. But that’s exactly what she did. By the time I regained my bearings, she had moved through the room, out the door and out of my life. My hope for a better life was gone as quickly as it had come. The brief glimpse of a finer existence with a loving, caring human was replaced with the stark reality that I may spend the rest of my life at this boarding house. What was once a fun and refreshing place became a dark and daunting cave. I admit this brush with love, and the subsequent loss of it, had me thinking of ending things in this world. I had heard the stories of the different ways to get to rainbow bridge, but I knew that if I were going to get there, there was only one canine to whom I could turn. His given name was Charlemagne Brutus the IV, but he was better known in the big house as the Candyman. His studded dog collar betrayed an otherwise noble and tame appearance. He was well-connected, and his lifestyle was proof of that. C’man slept on the best blankets, drank from the shiniest bowls and rarely took to begging for human food. I approached Candyman during exercise time in the yard. While the other dogs were working on their begging routines, he let on to me that he had a shipment of Hershey’s Dark Chocolate candy bars on the way. For the right price he would let me have them. I knew, as did he, chocolate will kill a canine quicker than a game of “chase the cat” in traffic. Yeah, that quickly. Death by chocolate, as it is commonly referred to in the restaurant business, was only two Hershey bars away for me. Once ingested, I would soon be patrolling the pearly gates of heaven, looking, of course, for a place to dig out. Paradise awaited me. But the price was steep; a greenie and a peanut butter filled Kong for the candy bars. I had no money and I was unemployed, so I resigned myself to the situation at hand. At least death would come seven times faster than it does for others on this lonely, desolate planet. I lowered my already slouched body onto the well worn blanket covering the cage’s tin floor. Surely there was another way out of this situation. I lay there, thinking about my options. Maybe during exercise time I could climb the fence and escape? I would be free again. The trouble was the shelter workers were on high alert ever since Hairy Houdini, the border-collie mix, escaped last month. Maybe I could steal the German Shepherd’ treats. Surely, once Ruger found out, he’d give me the business end of a chewy shiv. Hmmm, that sounds a little too painful. Maybe if I . . . I laid there for hours, searching for a solution. When I finally fell asleep, the perfect escape was still out of my paws’ grasp.
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July | August 2010
When I awoke, an angel was standing over me. The very same blonde angel that had visited me earlier in the day. Next to her was a very handsome young man. So handsome you might think he was gay, but let me assure the reader he is not. He looked at me and said, “He’s cute. Let’s get him.” “I want you to look at this one over here too,” the angel countered. What? Another dog? She’s betraying me all over again. It was Christmas season, and I felt just like a Douglas Fir being picked up, manhandled, and then tossed aside in favor of a bigger, better tree. Fortunately the man had his wits about him “No, I like this one, he’s so dopey looking. We don’t need to look at any of the others. He’s the one.” I didn’t much care for his attitude but his decision-making capability was flawless. The attendant, known as Nurse Ratchet by the inmates, lingered nearby. She was eager to get rid of me after my failed attempt at unionizing the locals to get better victuals. “Would you like to take him out for a walk, just to make sure you like him?” she offered, knowing full well that once prospective parents take a dog for a ‘test’ walk, they will adopt the pet 98% of the time. Once outside, I made a beeline for my potential owner’s car. It was easy to pick out; my sense of smell is incredible. In a show of respect I immediately peed on the front driver’s side tire. The couple tried to fawn all over me, but I ignored them. Once you have them this far, you show them you don’t want them and they’ll want you more. Remember, don’t hate the player; hate the game. The ploy worked like a charm; while they informed Ratchet they wanted me, I pranced back toward my former home to pack my belongings. “Not so fast my friend,” Ratchet cackled, “We need to make sure you get all your required shots before we can release you to these fine folks.” What do you mean I can’t leave yet? What a shot in the nads, which by the way were already gone. My new parents were told to come pick me up later in the week. As they went to put me back in my cage, I abandoned my “good boy” act and did my best to stop this course of action. I sat down and refused to move, forcing two, it might have been three, of the staff’s goons to drag me across the floor and into lockdown. As they dragged me away, I got one last look at my new owners, who stared at the commotion with shocked looks that said, “What have we gotten ourselves into?” It’s a look they would share many times in our future together. Excerpted from BAD TO THE BONE by BO HOEFINGER Copyright © 2009 by Horst Hoefinger. Excerpted by permission. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher. www.doglivingmagazine.com
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by Jim Clark
Jim doesn’t own a dog, but he has plenty to say about them! Dog Days of Summer Over time, things evolve. Walking to horseback to cars to airplanes. Newspapers to radio to TV to the internet. LPs to cassettes to CDs. You get the idea. The same thing has happened with the “Dog Days of Summer.” I think it used to refer to the time of year when the Sirius Radio satellite was visible in the sky just before sunrise. Or was it the Dog Star Sirius? Either way, it was usually in late July or early August and marked the beginning of a heat wave that would make animals crazy, wine sour and people stagnant. The Romans were believed to have sacrificed a dog to appease the Dog Star and hope for less severe hot weather. My how times have changed.
Some of my fondest dog memories are taking Max for a walk at sunset, finding a place to sit on a west-facing rise and taking Max off the leash.
Instead of blaming the dogs for the miserable heat, dogs are now part of the celebration of summer. What other animal do people dress up for the fourth of July parade? Get to go to the beach? Get to go on the boat?
I would sit, watching the colors in the sky do their color-change dance and think about something and nothing. Max would chase after whatever caught his eye. Which was ironic because Max couldn’t catch a cold. He would get his run and fun in and I would get some peace of mind.
When I managed a restaurant in Wilmington, I used to like having dog owners bring their dog onto the patio. To me, having a dog or two out there conveyed a feeling of relaxation. Most people who bring dogs to a restaurant have spent the time to make sure their dog acts appropriately. The dogs aren’t sniffing around other tables, jumping up on the employees as they walk by or barking at every dragonfly that happens by. The dogs are usually happy for some attention, but mostly want a bowl of water and the occasional morsel tossed their way. July | August 2010
Is there anything that says summer better than a dog playing frisbee on the beach? Or chasing after a tennis ball tossed into the surf? To me, dogs should be welcomed on the beach, not banned. Ever watch the faces of children watching, possibly for the first time, a dog chase after a tennis ball in the surf? Or a dog jump into the air and snag a frisbee? That kid will be talking about that for days to come.
Summer has got to be the best time to be a dog. Especially along the coast. Think about it. Now, the kids are home playing all day, the family tends to do more stuff for fun and the sun is up longer in the day.
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There are, of course, the women who think they are Paris Hilton and their pocket purse dogs are beyond reproach. That isn’t the dog’s fault. A poorly-mannered dog is usually a direct result of a poorly-mannered human.
So, as the summer days begin to wind down, the faint chill of fall nights begin to wisp around, take a little time to enjoy the time with your family and your dog. In a lot of ways, he is the anchor of the family. Find a stretch of beach at sunset, take the family and the dog for a walk and see if anything troubling your mind doesn’t fade with the blue in the sky. The new Dog Days are much better than the old ones.
Jim Clark is writer and former North Carolinian who currently resides in Florida with his two boys and two cats.
A boy and his dog
Unleashed by Pik Watson
species, infirmity, relative age, sex, and even mental conditions like fear, anger and exertion. The more we smell, the better a dog can trail. The handler’s job is to hang on and give the trailing dog the freedom to follow his nose.
His story, in many ways, is the typical tale of a boy and his dog. The “boy” – Jeff Schettler, police K-9 cop. The dog – Ronin, his bloodhound partner. Their journey began when Ronin was just 12 weeks old. They lived and worked together for more than a decade. Young, full of what Jeff calls “piss and vinegar,” strong and fearless, they faced danger together on a daily basis. Jeff Schettler wasn’t always on the right side of the law. As a kid, he lived on the street, in the toughest neighborhood, on the toughest side of town. To survive, he joined a gang. As a teenager, he befriended a street dog and discovered love and friendship. Survival became getting off the street. A stint in the army and a subsequent job in law enforcement led him to his true calling – training dogs for work in the K-9 police force in Oakland, California. Schettler and Ronin forged an unbreakable bond, sharing a mission for over 12 years – tracking down criminals and fugitives. He’s written a book about their life together as part of a K-9 police force called Red Dog Rising. As Jeff says, “Ronin’s story should be celebrated. Ronin was a special dog – both hero and companion. His humble legacy lives in the people he has saved and the criminals he jailed.” Jeff trained Ronin as a trailing, rather than a tracking dog, explaining that dogs possess quite acute olfactory abilities. It is estimated that for every drop of odor detected by a dog, the human nose would require 1,000 to 10,000 drops of odor. Understanding this uncanny sense of smell has helped Jeff to become one of the leading trailing dog trainers. From the early days of using dogs in police work, dogs were trained to track – following a scent picked up on soft ground. Jeff learned from watching and observing that trailing is a better training method, allowing the dog to follow human scent wherever it might be, on the ground or in the air. Training to discriminate is crucial, as both humans and animals produce a distinctive odor based on
The most dangerous case he ever worked on? Jeff says, “Every felony case that involved a murder or armed robbery. There were quite a few. The problem with running a trailing dog is that the handler is at the end of the lead behind a dog following a scent. In most situations the dog can alert a handler to the proximity of a suspect because the odor gets stronger. However, if the wind is blowing away from the dog’s nose, this may not happen and the dog can literally walk right into the suspect’s lap.” Jeff and Ronin worked on hundreds of case together and were involved with some of the most notorious child abduction cases. His favorite case was his first find with Ronin, involving a woman who had been missing for several days, and foul play was suspected. Ronin found her hiding in some cattails near a stream. An injury forced Jeff into retirement from the K-9 Police force. It was then he founded TacticalTrackerTeams.com and later integrated it with the Georgia K-9 National Training Center with his partner, Kelli Collins. Ronin succumbed to cancer, but the special bond Jeff shared with his longtime partner lives on these days in another endeavor – training dogs for use as companion animals for autistic children, providing greater freedom and independence for both the children and their families. Jeff, along with his partner Kelli, continue to break new ground in using trailing work in all areas of assistance dog training.
“Red Dog Rising” is available through Alpine Publications; Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble and local book stores. His next book, “K-9 Trailing…The Straightest Path” is due out in late summer, 2010. More on Jeff Schettler’s work with training dogs for use with autistic children can be found on his website: www.GAK9.com.
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Dog Talk by Sara Johnson
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I want a dog and my husband does not. My daughter Sally and I started volunteering as dog walkers at the Orange County Animal Shelter. Daughter is Sour Sixteen. Our relationship shifts like a windsock so I went through volunteer training and made this weekly commitment as an effort to spend precious and waning time with her. When Sally was five and I was still married to her father, we brought a Golden Retriever puppy into our family. How happy our golden girl made us and what an important role she played during separation and divorce. Kodie was the constant in the joint custody arrangement thrust upon my three children. Kodie would go where they would go and as I imagine, follow each in turn with wagging tail, offering soulful brown-eyed comfort and soft fur refuge. Probably raw as divorce was Kodie’s sudden death at seven years old. This wasn’t supposed to happen. My kids still needed her. I still needed her. During the divorce our nightly jaunts were often my daily high point.
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We arrived at the animal shelter for our first shift foaming at the mouth. As so often happens with the two of us, a fight sprang like a deer out of nowhere. An innocent “slow-down-sooner” comment to my daughter, a defensive retort, and we’re off chasing the mechanical rabbit of justice. I imagined us walking our first dog together but after signing in and clipping on our volunteer badges, Sally storms around the corner to the larger dogs and I stop at beagle-esque Sassy Belle’s cage. “Mom,” I hear. She is being dragged by a buoyant and burly mutt. We trade dogs, creating a fracas, and it is me who is jerked along, wondering “What was I thinking?” Kodie died on a February day and the children and I planned on adopting a new four-footed friend the following summer. I scanned Golden Retriever rescue sites when I wasn’t wrapped up in the arms of my new boyfriend. When we became engaged, the impending adoption became tangled in it’s own leash. My betrothed had recently put his first family’s elderly Border Collie down. Forrest had gathered up twenty years and three dogs worth of artifacts and donated them to his county’s animal shelter. As I was leashing up he was gearing down.
This is my theory: Forrest associates dogs with loss. Even though he calls me “My One,” I know that it was his ex-wife who desired divorce. And during his year of bewildering separation he is left with no wife, half his sons (one had started college) for half the time, and an ancient collie. He alone one morning gathers up Echo and takes her for that final trip. Like a woman with baby lust, and whose heart skips a beat at stroller sightings, the same happens to me when I see dog walkers. Now I am a dog walker too and this makes me wag. When we were engaged I told my fiancé I’d like to get a new dog. He agreed with reluctance. Later I shared his “ok” with my children. “You don’t have to ask his permission,” Sally barked. Thom, my next kennel choice, is a slim wiggly black lab who acts as if he has already been adopted. He leaps in one direction and then the other, not understanding about leashes. He leaps into my heart after our first lap. A few days into our Colorado honeymoon, I hesitantly broached the dog subject. From my journal dated August, 13, 2007: “I was speechless with shock and hurt and tears. He said yes and then he said no. He gave some BS about the yard but he really never wanted a dog. I don’t know what to do with this anger and loss.” Baby, in the kennel next to Thom’s, felt the slick linoleum and wouldn’t budge. My attempts to pull his sitting rump along were ridiculous. “I’m not going to force this dog to take a walk,” I thought. “But what if it’s just the floor surface?” I scooped up 40 quivering pounds and walked outside. Baby loved the feel of moist earth and his walk. I let Forrest be the one to tell my children and his son, during our first blended family meeting. Forrest listed his reasons. One, the steep yard is unsuitable for fencing and two, both adults work all day. Step-parenting is hard enough but starting a new family together on a reneged promise put Forrest in the doghouse and two years later, I don’t believe Sally has let him out yet. For a while we planned on spending a year in New Zealand when Sally went to college. It was this dangled biscuit that made dog-less existence tolerable. But we have re-thought our goal, based on aging mothers and children’s stability, and I have had a flare up, screaming “You had three dogs with wife number one. Why can’t you have one dog with me?” The thing about a dog is that there is no compromise. It’s obvious that I’m having trouble letting sleeping dogs lie. I’ll gnaw on the situation a while longer as I leash up this next fellow.
Porters Neck Veterinary Hospital Drs. Ron & Sharon Harris Dr. Rebecca Simmons Dr. Julie Fairbank Dr. Stan Griffith
We’ll Treat Your Pet Like One Of Our Own
686-6297 8129 Market St. th 1/10 Mile South of Porters Neck Shopping Center Hidden behind Crystal Blue Car Wash & True 2 Form
Mon.-Fri. 8am-6pm Sat. 8am-12noon
Family Owned & Operated www.portersneckvets.com
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Pet Urn This decorative urn is a beautiful way to remember your pet. The clear slot can be used for a picture, or a written message. Personalized Charm Necklace Made of recycled silver, each necklace can be personalized with names, initials or messages. The silver comes from all kinds of sources including x-rays, film stock and electronics. A very ecofriendly and chic design! $40 and up, www.heartandstonejewelry.com
$84.95, www.AllAngelGifts.com
Paul Frank Beds You know the monkey! These beds are funky, fun and they’re filled with recycled plastic bottles. Forget small, medium or large, you can order the beds in queen or king-size. Retailers Vary, www.26barsandaband.com
Advanced Canine Wellness Solutions This is a line of nutritional supplements from Weider Pet Health for dogs of all ages and activity levels. The powders can be mixed with wet or dry food to supplement your dog’s nutritional needs. $15-$19, www.weiderpethealth.com
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n o i t ts i n a
Charlotte
De
The Dog Bar 3307 North Davidson Street www.dogbarnoda.com Without a doubt, this has got to be the coolest dogfriendly place in Charlotte and is a must-see for everyone who visits! The Dog Bar is exactly what the name implies: A bar where your dog is not only welcomed, he’s superwelcomed. It’s basically an off-leash dog park with a bar. Located in the super hip NoDa Arts District, the people are friendly and there are good times to be had. Oh, and dog’s drink for free! There is a membership fee of $10, but you can get that on your very first visit and you will need to have your dog’s vaccination records with you.
The Dog Bar
Image Courtesy of
Visit Charlotte
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Insured & Bonded American Red Cross Pet CPR & First Aid Certified • Pet
Feeding & Watering • • Dog Walking • • Pet Play/Cuddle Time • • Pet Transportation • • Field Trips • • Overnight Stays •
US National W
Image Courtesy of
hitewater Cent
er
Visit Charlotte
US National Whitewater Center 820 Hawfield Road www.usnwc.org Talk about something for everyone! This place is great for outdoor enthusiasts and is extremely dog-friendly. Hike, walk, run, bike, kayak, you name it! Barbara’s Canine Café 1447 South Tryon Street www.caninecafe.net If you’re in Charlotte, you’ve got to make a stop by Barbara’s Canine Café. Once you walk in the door you’ll be greeted by smells so good, you’ll want to eat the dog treats. Visit during Yappy Hour, and score some free treat samples to eat there and take home. Angry Ale’s 1518 Montford Drive A great little bar and grill with a large patio you and your dog will enjoy. The menu has something for everyone and your dog will be treated to a bowl of water. Wine Vault 9009 J M Keynes Drive #1 www.headwino.com Nestled in the Shoppes at University Place, the Wine Vault shares a large, open patio with an ice cream and sandwich shop. The owners love dogs and your pooch may even be served with a water bowl and treats. You can also enjoy a nice walk around the nearby lake before or after your visit. Accommodations Here are a few pet-friendly listings to get you started. Pet policies can change, so make sure you ask the hotel directly to make sure your dog is welcome. Comfort Inn Executive Park 704-525-2626 Country Hearth Inn Charlotte 704-596-9390 Days Inn Charlotte Woodlawn 704-525-5500 Doubletree Guest Suites 704-364-2400 Drury Inn & Suites Charlotte North 704-593-0700
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Dog Parks To visit any of the county dog parks, you’ll have to purchase a $35 pooch pass and provide proof of vaccination. Barkingham Park (Reedy Creek Park) 2900 Rocky River Road Davie Dog Park 4635 Pineville-Matthews Road Frazier Neighborhood Dog Park 1200 West 4th Street Extension Ray’s Fetching Meadow (McAlpine Creek Park) 8711 Monroe Road Crowders Mountain State Park 522 Park Office Lane, Kings Mountain www.ncparks.gov If you’re looking for some great hiking, Crowders Mountain is the place to go. Located just outside of Charlotte, this state park offers some amazing trails and stunning views.
Okay Charlotte residents, it’s your turn to speak up! We know we left a lot out and there’s plenty more to do with your dog in Charlotte. What is your favorite spot to take your pooch? Email editor@doglivingmagazine.com.
Sparky, the top dog at Camellia Cottage Bed and Breakfast offers tips for those considering traveling with their dog. Just Because You Can Doesn’t Mean You Should… Things That Should Make You Think Twice About Bringing Fido along to the Bed and Breakfast • Your dog recently flunked obedience school…for the third time! • Your mailman won’t deliver to your house when the dog is in the yard, in the house or on the same continent! • Your dog “goes postal” whenever he sees, hears or smells another dog… or any other mammal. • Your dog’s nickname is “Godzilla.”
• Your dog punishes you by tearing up the drapery, your hat and your grandmother each time you leave him alone for more than ten minutes. • Your dog is still a puppy…no matter how old he is. • Most of your shoes have teeth marks on them…along with most of your socks and underwear! • All the carpeting in your house was chosen to “hide” yellow and brown stains. • The concept of picking up your dog’s poop with a plastic bag makes you consider suicide.
• The UPS delivery gal arrives at your door wearing hockey goalie equipment. Camellia Cottage Bed and Breakfast is located in the heart of the Historic District at 118 S. Fourth St. It features 4 charming guest rooms with private baths and fireplaces. Human guests are treated to a 3-course breakfast each morning and their animal friends receive their own bag of presents upon arrival. For more information, see us at www.camelliacottage.net or give us a call at 910-763-9171.
Molly Mutt Editor’s Pick!
Looking for a stylish, yet affordable dog bed that is also eco-friendly? Check out Molly Mutt! Created by Molly Mundt, these bed duvets and kits are durable, yet easy to wash. And, they’re keeping textiles out of our landfills. Now you can simply re-cover your pet’s favorite bed with these duvets! Has the bed gotten a little droopy? Lost it’s plushness? With the mesh “stuff sack” you can fill them with old t-shirts, socks, towels or whatever you have lying around the house. For ordering information, visit www.mollymutt.com.
bed duvets stuff sack
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New to the (Green) Market
Tail Waggers
For me, loving and caring about animals goes hand in hand with being mindful about the well-being of the planet. In trying to be a responsible human and doing my part to help the environment, I am happy to get assistance from so many companies in the pet industry that are coming out with innovative, earth friendly products. This includes pet products that are made from a multitude of recycle materials- everything from toys to collars, as well as, healthy food and treats made from ingredients raised on sustainable, local farms.
Doggles Toss-n-Tug Toys A new take on traditional rope and ball toys, these new fetch toys from Doggles are made with a BPA and Phthalate free ball and a handle of ballistic nylon made from recycled water and soda bottles. The Toss-n-Tug toy can withstand rough play and is great for hours of interactive fun. Available in one size and four bright colors.
Here are some new, eco-conscious products to help you reduce your dog’s carbon paw print!
Simply Fido Bamboo Toy Collection A great addition to Simply Fido’s organic plush dog toys is this new collection that will be available this August. Made from one of the most sustainable materials in the world, bamboo, these toys are super soft, come with a squeaker and durable rope for extra fun. Available in two sizes and a variety of adorable animals, you can feel secure giving your fur baby these toys that are certified non-toxic/ chemical-free and are colored using only plants and minerals. Retail price range: $13.99-$16.99 To find a retailer near you: www.simplyfido.com or (718) 389-8233
by Elysa Cooper
Retail price: $10.99 To order or find a retailer near you: www.doggles.com or (530) 344-1645
Cycle Dog Collars This inventive company has come up with a way to turn recycled bicycle inner tubes into attractive collars. Cycle Dog states that bike inner tubes are hard to recycle using conventional means, but make great dog collars since they are flexible, durable and nonabsorbent. These fast drying collars are great for active dogs and are available in 3 adjustable sizes and a variety of patterns and colors. They are even machine and dishwasher safe for easy cleaning. Retail price range: $21- $23 To order or find a retailer near you: www.cycledog.com
Pet Zen EnviRuff Chowpal Travel Kit Manufactured from reclaimed yoga mat remnants, this travel kit from Pet Zen is functional and stylish. Great for any road trip, the soft shell duffel is packed with 2 stainless steel bowls, a nylon food storage bag and water bottle. Available in assorted colors and either medium or large sizes, you and your dog will be prepared for whatever adventures come your way. A bed roll and travel bowl are also available in this line of products. Retail price range: $24.99-$29.99 To order or find a retailer near you: www.petzenproducts.com or (801) 866-3955
Barkwheats Dog Biscuits This Maine company uses only locally grown buckwheat milled in their own mill to create these 100% natural, grain-free treats. They support local farmers by purchasing their ingredients directly from family farms using organic agriculture. Barkwheats are great for dogs with allergies and even finicky eaters will enjoy these nutritious, low-calorie treats with flavors including Pumpkin & Sage and Blueberry & Lavender. Barkwheats are packaged using 100% biodegradable materials, making them “as healthy and safe for the earth as they are for your dog”, according to the company. Retail price: $8.49 (10 oz. box) To order or find a retailer near you: www.barkwheats.com or (207) 449-1214 www.doglivingmagazine.com
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by Ann Brennan
All winter long we have watched her expand. For months, a day hasn’t gone by when someone hasn’t remarked on how fat she has gotten. We have told her she is fat, yet she still spends her days sneaking food and lounging on the couch. It is unhealthy and all of us know it. All of us, that is, except her. She is a dog. This leaves it to me to admit that I am the one responsible for her expanding waistline, for her lack of exercise. A little over a year ago, as I sat in the middle of the road covered in scrapes and bruises, I made a conscious decision not to run with her anymore. I blamed her. She was the one who had gotten so excited to run that she had knocked me over twice in one outing. She was the one who refused to run at a reasonable pace instead of breakneck speed. She was the problem. But that isn’t true. She is the dog. I am the owner. It was my responsibility to train her to run properly. It was my responsibility to ease her into running in a way that worked for her instead of trying to bring her along for my run, expecting her to do the pace and distance I wanted the first time out. So, after a year of sitting on the couch and sneaking food, Misty is running again. But this time we started with training. This time we started with a walk to show her what was expected of her. We worked on stopping anytime she started to pull. We worked
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on rewarding her anytime she ignored the dog running toward her instead of lunging for it and pulling me along behind her. It didn’t take long for her to understand that she was able to spend more time moving if she behaved and we were able to move from walking to running. As a long distance runner, I find it hard to run short distances and had always taken her on five to eight mile runs, expecting her to maintain a reasonable pace to do that. But this time I took a different approach. This time we started slow and short. We ran a long distance pace but only for a couple of miles at a time. It made a difference. She has learned to run beside me and let me set the pace. As we have increased the distance, she has maintained the pace. She has become the running dog I had hoped for. She is still chubby, but I have noticed that even in the house she is more active. She is happier and she is thinning out a little every day. The mere mention of running and she waits by the door, not patiently but pacing from one side of the hall to the other while I search out the treats and leash. She is the dog and I am the owner and now that we have admitted that to each other, together, we are runners. Ann Brennan spends her days writing, running and dreaming of coastal living in Annapolis, Maryland. Read more of her work at www.annsrunningcommentary.com. Drop her a line at brennanannie@me.com.
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Coming in July: • Hanging Rock State Park • Hit the Trails! • Pages for Preston…Turns a Page
Which is easier: Raising a dog? Or raising a human child? 71% 6% 23%
This month’s question:
Duh! Raising a dog, of course! Raising a child is much easier. Seriously? I’m not even gonna answer this question.
If you saw someone who was not picking up after his/her dog, would you say something to him/her?
Answer online at www.doglivingmagazine.com or send your answer to editor@doglivingmagazine.com and put “Doghouse Poll” in the subject line.
DOGnews Dog Living Magazine Available in Charlotte Once again, due to reader demand, we’re increasing our distribution area and you’ll now be able to pick up a copy of Dog Living Magazine in the Charlotte area. Copies will be limited, but they’ll be out there. Of course, the best way to ensure you get a copy is to subscribe and have your magazines delivered straight to your home! You can subscribe online at www.doglivingmagazine.com. Jailhouse Rock? Sort of. Inmates at Pender Correctional Institution in Burgaw performed background music for a video released by Monty’s Home on YouTube. The video features photos taken at the Pender County Animal Shelter and was created to bring national attention to the plight of millions of shelter pets across the country. To show your support, visit www.montyshome.org and click “Video” on the homepage.
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Camp Unleashed It’s like summer camp….for you and your dog! We love this idea! You get to spend four days and three nights bonding with your dog and enjoying the great outdoors. This year’s camp takes place in Asheville September 23 through 26. There are scheduled activities for all skill levels and interests. Hiking, agility, flyball, barks and crafts, canoeing and educational seminars are all part of the experience. Organizers say camp is all about fun and not serious competition or training. We can’t think of anything more fun than this! For details, visit www.campunleashed.com or call 518-781-0446. Do you have the scoop on something we should know about? Call us at 910-452-3775 or email editor@doglivingmagazine.com.
Gourmutt’s Bakery treats available in Wilmington at Aunt Kerry’s Pet Stop or in Southport at Cool Dogs & Crazy Cats! • • • •
Officially Licensed Canine Sports Gear Water Toys Adorable Collars Cooling Bandanas
Super Premium Dog & Cat Foods • Orijen • Ziwi Peak • Acana • The Honest Kitchen • Aunt Jeni’s • The Great Life • Dr. Harvey’s • Primal
• • • • • • Evangers • Addiction • Fromm • Go
Doggie Ice Cream All-Natural Spa Products Free Range Body Parts Bar Kitty Items And Much More • Oma’s Pride • Timberwolf • Weruva