September | October 2008 Volume 3 | Issue 5
Dog Friendly Getaway: Ocracoke Island What’s the Strangest Thing Your Dog Has Eaten?
It’s a good doggy day
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Table of Contents p. 13
p. 20
Features
p. 27
p. 30
In Every Issue
Pick up the Poop p. 9 Yes, we’re talking to you
Ollie’s Corner p. 8 Did Ollie really eat a razor?
Have a What? p. 12 Havanese. Apparently it’s a small dog breed. Hmmm.
Happenings p. 9 See what pet-friendly event is coming to a location near you
Magic Bullet Fund p. 13 Working miracles for dogs with cancer
DOGhealth p. 10 Be safe this Halloween
Peternity Leave p. 16 Parents get benefits for having children, why shouldn’t pet parents get benefits too?
DOGoutings p. 11 Eno River State Park
The Dog Scene p. 18 Bark at the Park Pictures
Ask August p. 15 August quotes the Presidents of the United States of America (yeah, the band)
RVing with your Dog p. 23 He’s begging you to take him with you
Unleashed p. 20 Hal B. Klein and Lucy
Dog-Friendly Getaway: Ocracoke Island p. 27 Your dog is gonna love the Outer Banks!
Yum! p. 23 BBQ Beef Stew
Annie p. 29 Why hasn’t this dog found a home yet?
Hot! Dog p. 26 We’re howling about these products for you and your dog
Touching Medicine p. 31 Dr. Brad Kerr discusses the benefits of a simple touch
Chew On This p. 28 My Dog Loves Me More Than My Husband (Part I) Tail Waggers p. 30 Doggy Dinnerware
On The Cover Dog Friendly Getaway: Ocracoke Island…..p. 27 What’s the Strangest Thing Your Dog Has Eaten?.....p. 34 Doggy Dinnerware.....p. 30 Peternity Leave for Employees…..p. 16 Cover Photo: K. Gwendolyn Cover Model: Nacho Nacho was nervous for her first-ever photo shoot, but quickly warmed up to the camera. She may be small in size, but she’s big in personality and made this issue’s cover shoot a whole lot of fun!
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September | October 2008
DOGnews p. 32 Get the scoop Dogs On Film p. 33 Our puparazzi are always on the lookout for dogs about town Doghouse Poll p. 34 What’s the Strangest Thing Your Dog has Eaten?
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Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Suzanne Jalot Assistant Editors Ollie and August Art Director Dustin Keipper Graphic Design Mandy Brown Contributing Writers Amanda Hearring Black Michelle Cohen Elysa Cooper Lisa Fortunato K. Gwendolyn Josh Humphrey, DVM Brad Kerr, DVM Phodography K. Gwendolyn
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P.O. Box 1914 Wilmington, NC 28402 910-452-3775 Subscriptions: A one-year subscription is only $24. Please call 910-452-3775 or go to www.doglivingmagazine.com to subscribe. Advertising: Reach one of the fastest-growing demographics in America. For more information, call 910-452-3775 or check out www.doglivingmagazine.com. Submissions: We are always happy to hear from writers, photographers and illustrators. Please call 910-452-3775 or email info@doglivingmagazine.com for submission guidelines. ©2008 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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September | October 2008
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 •
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Ollie’s Corner Dogs do some pretty strange things sometimes,
including eating things they probably shouldn’t. Take poop, for example. It’s just sooooo tasty, I don’t understand why my mom yells at me when I try to sneak a bite from some morsel the neighborhood cats have left in our yard. Of course, that’s nothing compared to what she yells when she catches one of those neighborhood cats in our yard!
Did I actually eat this metal razor she was so worried about? I’ll never tell. These days it’s a little harder for me to get into the trash as mom has blocked me at every attempt. Although, I’ve been pretty crafty at sneaking a peek at the can in the kitchen by lifting up the lid. You’ll find more tales of dogs eating strange things (strange to humans maybe, but not us dogs) on the Doghouse Poll page.
Anyway, mom thinks I ate a razor once. She came home after I had been investigating all the cool stuff she left in the bathroom trash can. I had pulled out all sorts of stuff to sniff from the trash can like cardboard rolls, cotton balls and soapy-smelling boxes and I had it all expertly laid out on the bathroom floor. Mom was pretty mad when she surveyed the scene. What made her go through the roof, however, was when she spotted the twisted, shredded bits of plastic that apparently were part of a disposable razor.
August and I were lucky enough to travel with mom and dad this past summer to Ocracoke Island. I fit right in with my pirate collar because the island is rich in pirate history. Blackbeard met his demise just off the coast of Ocracoke. We didn’t see Blackbeard’s ghost, but we did stay at the dog-friendly Blackbeard’s Lodge and we had some great doggy fun on the island. You should check it out yourself sometime and read what my mom has to say about Ocracoke and Blackbeard’s Lodge in this issue.
She immediately called my aunt (her sister) for advice, who, at the time, was working at a vet’s office. Mom wasn’t sure if I had actually ingested the metal part or just the plastic. The doctor told her to make me eat! Mom was instructed to pad my stomach with food, just in case I had that metal piece in my tummy. Now I don’t know if that’s good advice, but everything came out alright at the end of the day.
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September | October 2008
Woofs and Wags,
Ollie Assistant Editor
DOGhappenings For an up-to-date listing of events, visit www.doglivingmagazine.com SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
September 6 9am-Noon 6th Annual Mutt Strutt
October 4 10am Paws for Life 5K9 Road Race and One Miles Dog Walk
Oakview Historic Park, Raleigh – Fun for people and dogs! Proceeds go toward supporting Wake County Animal Center’s foster program. $5 rabies shots and $10 microchipping will be available. Dozens of exhibits and vendors, a kiddie area, raffles, dog contests, demos and adoptable dogs. For info, call Nancy at 919-250-4474.
September 8 8am-1pm Wilmington Dog Jog Legion Stadium, Wilmington – Dog Living Magazine is a proud sponsor of the 9th Annual Wilmington Dog Jog to be held at Legion Stadium off of Carolina Beach Road. The event features a 5k run, 1.5 mile fun walk, vendors, door prizes and more! The Dog Jog also features the “Pooch Plunge” at the Legion Stadium swimming pool. For more information call (910)341-4602.
September 13 Noon-4pm GSRA Annual Reunion Fundraising Picnic Montague’s Lake, Cary – Help the folks who work so hard to see that these German Shepherds get into loving homes. Great food, contests, pet photos, pet massage and a real dog whisperer will be featured! ALL breeds of dogs are welcome at this event. For more info or to RSVP contact gsrareunionbash@hotmail.com.
Wake Forest - The 4th annual Paws for Life 5k9 Road Race and One Mile Dog Walk will be held at the Wake Forest College Birthplace. The event will feature a certified 5k road course for the serious runners and a one mile dog walk for the serious dog lovers. There will also be a $10 micro-chip clinic on site. Some proceeds from this event will benefit the Franklin Country Humane Society. Visit www.fchsnc.org for more information.
October 4 Noon-4pm Schnoctoberfest Parrish Womble Park, 1201 Grigsby Ave, Holly Springs – Animal-related vendors, raffles, door prizes, food, doggy contests and doggy cake!
October 4 11am-1pm Meet and Greet with Best Friends Rescue
Ability, The Wag Shag will be an afternoon of entertainment, dog-related demos, music, dancing, contests and an old-fashioned picnic lunch.
October 11 11am-1pm Bark in the Park Wrightsville Beach Park, Wrightsville Beach – The 2008 SkyHoundz Hyperflight Canine Disc Championship is coming to Wrightsville Beach Park! No experience necessary and admission is free to spectators and competitors. Participants can pre-register by calling 910-256-7925 or register the day of the event.
October 18 By appointment Professional Photos with Diane Lewis Gourmutt’s Bakery & Boutique, Raleigh – A portion of the proceeds will benefit Saving Grace Animal Rescue. Contact Gourmutt’s at 919-870-8220 to schedule your photo session.
October 25 11am-4pm DogFest 2008
Gourmutt’s Bakery & Boutique, Raleigh – Free doggie ice cream served as you mix and mingle with adoptable pooches from Best Friends Rescue.
Empire Park, Wilmington – Join Dog Living Magazine at the 2008 DogFest at Empire Park. There will be music, vendors, food, costume contests for the dogs and kids, games and prizes. $5 admission and proceeds benefit Cape Fear Golden Retriever Rescue.
October 5 12:30pm-4:30pm The Wag Shag
October 25 11am-4pm 5th Annual Doggie Trick or Treating
SeaTrail, Sunset Beach – Sponsored by Paws-
Gourmutt’s Bakery & Boutique, Raleigh – Free
doggie treat bags, raffles and a portion of sales will be donated to local rescue groups.
October 26 1pm-5pm Howl-o-ween Pawty Coastal K9 Bakery, Wilmington – Fun and treats for all! Human games to win treats for your doggie, doggie games, doggie cake and ghoulish doggie daiquiris. Call 866-794-4014 for more info.
DECEMBER December 6 6:30pm-10:30pm Wilmington Fur Ball Thalian Hall, Wilmington – The third annual Wilmington Fur Ball will be bigger and better and to prove it, organizers have reserved the entire upstairs and downstairs of Thalian Hall. 360 Degrees will provide musical entertainment and local restaurants will once again be catering the event. Visit www.wilmingtonfurball.com for more info.
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.
Pick up the Poop You know she saw her dog do it, so why didn’t she pick it up?
It makes us steaming mad when irresponsible owners pretend not to notice that big steaming pile their dog just left behind. Come on people, dog poo is not only disgusting to look at, it’s also a health hazard that contains bacteria and parasites. If you’re one of those people who doesn’t pick up after your dog, you’re one of the reasons dog owners can get a bad rap. On average, one dog produces around six pounds of poop per day. Multiply that times the thousands of dogs in our area and that’s one big pile! We honestly don’t know why dog owners need to be reminded of this constantly, but if you’re reading this and don’t currently ‘scoop,’ consider yourself educated now and pick up that poop. The folks at Cool Dogs & Crazy Cats in Southport would like to help you remind your neighbors of proper dog poop etiquette and they’ve got these great little signs you can put in your yard. Best of all they’re kindly giving away one “Scoop the Poop” sign to a lucky Dog Living Magazine reader! To enter, just email contests@doglivingmagazine.com and put “Scoop” in the subject line.
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DOGhealth by Josh Humphrey, DVM
Costumes
People love to dress up in costumes at Halloween, which can be stressful for pets. Spend some time in costume with your pet before Halloween to gauge their reactions. This is also a good time to try out your pet’s costume, should you have one, to make sure they will tolerate it. Your pet’s costume shouldn’t restrict their airways or have parts that can easily get caught on something. It should also never cover your pet’s face. Animals greatly depend on peripheral vision and can become disoriented if it is obscured.
At Home
Halloween brings many delightfully dressed trick-or-treaters to your door, but the constant ringing of the doorbell coupled with strangers on your porch can upset your pet. Ideally, pets should be given a safe area during the trick-or-treating hours, like a closed off room away from the front door. If you choose to allow your pets to interact with the trick-or-treaters, taking a few extra precautions can help everyone have a fun night. Even the mildest mannered dogs may show a different side when strangers come to the house. Dogs rushing at the door can frighten small children and even adults. Also, make sure the candy bowl is out of reach of curious pets.
Keeping Dogs Safe During Halloween October 31st means getting dressed up, having fun and enjoying tricks and treats. However, Halloween brings out special concerns for our four-legged friends. To avoid a trip to the emergency vet, follow these safety tips to ensure that the furry members of your family have a safe Halloween.
-If you create a haunted house at home, remember that bright lights and loud noises may scare pets. -Keep lit pumpkins and candles out of the reach of wagging tails to help prevent accidental fires or burns. -Remind children that it is never okay to intentionally sneak up on or scare an animal while they are in costume. There is no way to predict how a pet will react. -It is also a good idea to make sure pets have proper ID tags or a microchip in case they dart out the door. This will help identify your pet should they get lost.
Candy
When children come home with candy, have treats available for your pet, too. It is best to keep all candy away from pets. Candy wrappers, foils and lollipop sticks can be choking hazards. Make sure your children understand that their candy is not to be shared with the pets. Chocolate can also be dangerous for animals because it naturally contains a chemical called theobromine. Dark chocolate has 50% more theobromine than milk chocolate and is therefore more toxic. If your pet should eat any candy, please contact your emergency veterinarian by phone for advice. Depending on the type and amount of candy your pet consumed, you may simply be advised to observe them, but it is always better to be safe than sorry.
Should you take pets trick-or-treating?
In a word, no. The sights and sounds of Halloween can be disturbing to pets, so it is best to let them stay home. If you do choose to take your pet trick-or-treating, make sure they have a stout leash and collar with proper identification. Reflective collars or clip-on lights can also help others see your pet. Remember that if you aren’t paying strict attention to keeping your pet comfortable and under control, it is much easier for them to suddenly jerk the leash out of your hand. If you follow these tips, you can help ensure that the four-legged members of your family have a safe, healthy and happy Halloween. Dr. Josh Humphrey is a 2006 graduate of the NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine. He followed his degree with an internship at the University of Minnesota school of veterinary medicine where he rotated through services in the small animal hospital including emergency, neurology, internal medicine and surgery. Dr. Humphrey works as an emergency doctor at the Cary location of the Veterinary Specialty Hospital of the Carolinas and lives with his family in Durham. www.vshcarolinas.com
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September | October 2008
DOGoutings Eno River State Park 6101 Cole Mill Rd Durham, NC 919-383-1686
Scenery: Difficulty: Easy to Very Hard Length: 0.42 miles to 3+ miles Directions: The park is located northwest of Durham, in Durham and Orange counties. From Interstate 85, take exit 173. Turn onto Cole Mill Road (heading away from Durham), drive approximately five miles, the road will end and you’ll be at the park’s Few’s Ford entrance.
Eno River State Park More than 3900 acres of natural beauty form Eno River State Park. The Eno River is a swift, shallow stream flowing for 33 miles from Orange County and eventually joins with the Flat River to become the Neuse, which then flows into Falls Lake. State parks require dogs to be on a leash no longer than six feet and please remember to pick up after your pet and to never leave a pet unattended. A wide range of activities are offered in the park, but it is by far one of the best hiking spots in the area for you and your canine companion. Fall is a great time to visit the park and catch all the changing colors of the foliage. The park boasts over a dozen scenic trails, but here are a few of our favorites: Buckquarter Creek. (1.5 mile loop) This trail takes you up the river to Few’s Ford. A rock outcropping on this trail gives you a view of the best rapids on the river. This trail can get a little rocky, so watch out for your four-legged friends. Cox Mountain. (3.75 miles) Hikers get to cross an incredible suspension foot bridge on this trail. This trail can get fairly steep (be careful with your pooch!) and goes up to 270 feet in elevation. Holden Mill. (2.6 miles) Made up of two loops, the eastern loop takes you along the river and the terrain is a bit rocky, but generally flat. However, there is a strenuous 250 foot rise in elevation along the trail that will take you up and over a ridge. The western loop is an easy hike that takes you by traces of the remains of Holden’s Mill. Ridge. (1.27 miles) Hikers will get a glimpse of the remains of three 19th century homes along this trail and can expect to get wet when crossing Buckquarter Creek via large rocks or wading across. Bobbitt Hole. (1.65 mile loop) This is one of the most scenic trails in the park showcasing waterfalls and several rock outcroppings. Dunnagan. (1.8 mile loop) Hikers can access this trail via the Pea Creek Trail by crossing the creek on a footbridge. This trail takes you past a cemetery, two old home sites and the remnants of an old dam.
Scenery Ratings: 1 paw – Nothing much to look at 2 paws – Pleasant enough 3 paws – Some great views 4 paws – Gorgeous scenery everywhere
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 www.doglivingmagazine.com
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Pet Portraits by Katie Britt at Elizabeth Galecke Photography
Raleigh, NC 919.785.0620
www.elizabethgalecke.com/katie
Have a What? by Michelle Cohen
I have to be honest here I’m not a fan of the small dog; they’re over-pampered, snippy and growly.
So the day the words “I want a small dog” came out of my mouth I was stunned. My husband was enthusiastic about the idea and the kids- well they were bouncing off the walls ecstatic. So we started to research the smaller breeds and we found most small/toy dogs were too fragile and too intolerant of younger children. Just as I was on the verge of defeat we came across the Havanese. The AKC categorizes the Havanese as toy, but this toy, although small, is sturdy and durable. The breed originates from Cuba and is bred to be a companion and playmate to children, with the occasional excursion into herding poultry. The slightly wavy, silky coat of this breed is designed to act as a sunscreen and cooling agent against the harsh sun in its native land and does require daily brushing to prevent tangles and matting. There are no breed standards on the coat color. The Havanese has a mischievous face, with big brown almond-shaped eyes framed by long, droopy ears. It’s the personality of these adorable little dogs that will have you hooked. They are playful, friendly and exceptionally well-behaved around children and other pets. They are not, as a rule, yappy dogs, but will gleefully announce the arrival of a guest to your home. The Havanese epitomizes social; where you are, they are too. They attach very quickly to their extended family of adults, kids and pets and their frolicsome, gentle nature will endear them to you too. The Havanese is remarkably intelligent, easy to train and lives to please you. He responds best to a gentle tone of voice and harsh words will achieve very little. We picked up our dynamic ball of fluff, with the perpetually kissing tongue, when he was 10 weeks old and he rapidly entrenched himself in our home and hearts. Ask me now if I’m a fan of the small dog and honestly I’d have to say no, but mention the Havanese and that would be a resounding yes. Michelle Cohen was born in England, raised in South Africa and now calls Denver, Colorado home. She and her husband share their home with two young children, two hermit crabs, three cats, a Bearded Collie named Sailor Buoy and a Havanese called Miko Teddy Paws. She writes and researches mostly for her own pleasure.
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September | October 2008
Statistics show that nearly half of all companion dogs will get cancer in their lifetime. What would you do if you found
out your dog had cancer and treatment was available but you couldn’t afford it? That’s exactly what happened to Sue Coleman. Back in May, her dog Magnum was diagnosed with osteosarcoma of the skull, which, in everyday terms meant he had bone cancer. She and her husband took Magnum to Cornell University for evaluation where the doctors recommended surgery followed up with radiation therapy. The surgery was going to cost nearly $2,500 and radiation therapy would cost roughly another $3,000. Coleman says she was devastated when she got the news and kept thinking to herself that the diagnosis must be a mistake. “That’s an awful feeling to know that you [might] have to put your animal to sleep because the treatment is too expensive,” says Coleman. “I didn’t know how I was going to get the money and I didn’t want to give up without a fight.” Coleman says she was so distraught she even went for a second opinion, hoping the vet was wrong. But she never gave up hope. “There had to be something, or someone out there that could help me,” says Coleman. “My family thought I was nuts to think that there was some kind of fund to help with medical bills. So I started searching the web and found The Magic Bullet Fund.” Laurie Kaplan created The Magic Bullet Fund in 2004 because she wanted to donate to a group that provided assistance for people who could not afford cancer treatments for their dogs. “When my book Help Your Dog Fight Cancer was ready to send to the printer, I searched for an organization to which I could donate proceeds,” says Kaplan. “I found many that strive to cure cancer and support research, but none that simply help people who need help.” So she decided she would create her own organization to do just that. The Magic Bullet Fund is a program within the Perseus Foundation, which is a non-profit foundation supporting research and public education about cancer in companion animals. Since it’s inception, the fund has helped over 30 dogs and counting. “It’s very sad when the decision about whether or not to provide treatment depends on financial considerations,” remarks Kaplan. Coleman told her story to the folks at The Magic Bullet Fund and Magnum was accepted into the program. “I was overjoyed,” says Coleman. “Finally Magnum will get the treatment he so needed and at least have a chance.” Coleman says she was even more in awe of the outpouring of support from people she didn’t even know. “They were really concerned about [Magnum] and us,” says Coleman. “And they were there for us no matter what we needed.” The Coleman’s paid $1,000 for Magnum’s surgery and The Magic Bullet Fund picked up the rest.
Laurie Kaplan, Founder of the Magic Bullet Fund, with her dog Bullet, who passed away from cancer in 2004. Photo courtesy Laurie Kaplan
Magnum is doing well now and Coleman says he seems to have had no ill effects from his surgery. “He seems like his old self,” says Coleman, adding that he’s eating, sleeping and just having fun. The next step for Magnum is chemotherapy which will take about three months. Kaplan says she is inspired by both the families she’s able to help and those who donate to the fund. “The families dread losing their dog to cancer without being able to do anything to fight it,” says Kaplan. “We talk about the unpredictability of cancer and that there are no guarantees, just [by] giving treatment, that their dog will survive. I believe the more important factor is that they now know that they will be able to make a stand, to give their dog a chance at survival.” The fund is possible only through donations from individuals and businesses. Kaplan says often the veterinarians involved in the treatment will provide discounts for Magic Bullet Fund dogs. Other companies have supported the fund through pet-related product donations. “For example, Aloha Medicinals donates a monthly supply of their excellent supplements to each pup in the fund,” says Kaplan. Kaplan says whenever a selected dog goes through treatment, she hopes for a miracle. “I try to stay grounded,” she says. “Knowing that in most cases we will not get a miracle. I hope that our assistance will gain a significant amount of time for the dog and the family.” But, she says, she’s still always hoping for that miracle. Sophie is one of those miracles. A blue coat, blue nose pit bull, Sophie was born in July 2005. She was the runt of the litter and was not getting to nurse because of weakness and her size. Daryl and Jenny Swearingen were afraid she was going to die, so they took her in when she was just two days old. When she was about two weeks old, she got an infection in her left eye and
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Doctors successfully
Sophie is the Magic Bullet
removed a tumor from
Fund’s youngest recipient
Magnum’s skull and he
to date and is doing well
now has to undergo
after having her right front
chemotherapy.
leg removed in 2007.
Photo courtesy Sue Coleman
Photo courtesy Jennifer Swearingen
lost her vision in that eye. After such a rough start to life, Sophie seemed to be doing well. Then just months away from her second birthday, more bad news came her way. Sophie was diagnosed with cancer in February 2007. “I was at work when we got the call from the vet,” says Jenny Swearingen. “I absolutely crumbled and burst into tears. We couldn’t imagine our life without her.” Swearingen says when they found out how much treatment would cost, they knew there had to be a way to make it happen. “We knew that she had already been through some scary, shaky times at the start of her journey in life,” says Swearingen. It was Swearingen’s sister who found The Magic Bullet Fund while doing research on canine cancer on the Internet. “We found out very quickly that we had been accepted by The Magic Bullet Fund,” says Swearingen. “We were so relieved and felt very blessed.” Swearingen says they had already spent close to $1,200 diagnosing the problem and paying for medications. “We honestly do not know what we would’ve done without Laurie and The Magic Bullet Fund,” says Swearingen. “They not only gave us financial support, but Laurie gave so much mental and moral support.” Sophie had her right leg removed from the shoulder down. The Swearingen’s drove three and a half hours from home to have the surgery performed in March of 2007. Swearingen says she did not sleep much the night of the surgery and when they went to pick up Sophie the next morning they were amazed when Sophie walked out to them in the waiting room. “We laughed and we cried,” says Swearingen. “We were so excited to see her. That night she wanted to jump on the bed, [and] of course we did let her!” Swearingen says Sophie recovered well and adjusted immediately to life on three legs. “As for Sophie’s future, we pray that she will live a very long and healthy life,” says Swearingen. Both Swearingen and Coleman say The Magic Bullet Fund has changed their life. Coleman says she would like to be involved with The Magic Bullet Fund on a larger scale someday. “I can honestly say without hesitation that there still are wonderful, caring people in the world,” says Coleman. “For all of those who have donated to Magnum I would like to thank them from the bottom of my heart, because without them, we would not be spending time with Magnum.” Swearingen says her and her husband also thank everyone who has supported The Magic Bullet Fund. “Without [their] generosity and support, the wonderful four-legged (well, in our case threelegged) family members [they] help might not have as much time to bless our lives!”
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September | October 2008
When you read the forums on The Magic Bullet Fund website it becomes clear that this organization is much more than just a “fund” for those in need. It’s a complete support group providing comfort to dog owners going through difficult times, both financially and emotionally. How are recipients chosen? Kaplan says the first criteria she considers is the degree of need. In other words, if the dog would not be able to have any treatment at all without assistance, that would put them near the top of the list. Secondly, she considers the possible gains. “The optimal candidate is a young dog with a cancer that has a high possibility for cure or long term remission,” she says. She doesn’t automatically discount older dogs however, as she has also helped dogs at 9 or 10 years old. “The bond that develops over years is very strong and granting an additional year or two is significant.” How You Can Help The best way to help is to visit www.themagicbulletfund.org and join the Magic Bullet Fund Forum. Families needing assistance will post regular updates and Kaplan says that anyone can join in to provide moral support for the families and/or to make donations toward a particular dog’s treatment. There are many more ways to help listed on the website. It’s impossible to think anyone would disagree with what Kaplan does, but she has an answer for anyone who might question the need for such a fund. “When there are millions of dogs without homes, does it make sense to extend the life of a dog who has already had a great life? To me, this is simply paying tribute to the bond that develops between people and their dogs over years. The logic of treating supports my belief that dogs are not replaceable or interchangeable. We don't work to find dogs a good home only to discard them when they get sick and place a new one in the home.”
Ask August
Dear August,
Dear Bones packed,
There is a tree that drops these fuzzy balls in our yard each year, my Mommy calls them ‘peaches.’ I love to eat them! They taste so good and they have a rock in their center that I chew on for hours! My mommy gets upset when I do this and takes them away from me, she says they are no good for me. Are they really bad for me or is my Mommy just too strict?
These days it’s hard enough for humans to travel by plane, let alone dogs. I’d say consider yourself lucky your mom won’t let you fly! If you’re a small dog (usually under 15 pounds) and can travel in a bag small enough to be a carry-on, most airlines will let you ride with your mommy in the cabin (that’s the part of the plane where the people sit). You’ll have to remain in your travel bag the entire flight, unless you happen to get a really cool flight attendant who will let you sit in your mommy’s lap! Most airlines also restrict the number of pets allowed in the cabin on each flight.
Peachy Keen Castle Hayne, NC Dear Peachy Keen, “Movin’ to the country, I’m gonna eat a lot of peaches” - I think my mommy plays that song just to taunt me. Anyway, no, your mommy is not too strict. Now the peach itself isn’t bad for you, but she is right to take them away from you because the pits of these fuzzy balls contain a substance called cyanide, which is poisonous. As a matter of fact, our veterinarian friends tell us that with most fruits, the pits and the seeds are poisonous to dogs. Sing with me now, “If I had my little way, I’d eat peaches everyday….millions of peaches, peaches for me. Millions of peaches, peaches for free…..”
If you’re a bigger dog, you’ve only got one choice: Fly as checked baggage. Yep, in the cargo area with the rest of the baggage. It’s not a pleasant option and some airlines don’t allow this because of temperature changes that can take place in the cargo area in certain cities. Most airline websites have a “traveling with pets” section on their website that details their policies and restrictions. For example, Southwest Airlines does not allow pets at all, and Delta airlines actually has a “Delta Pet First™” program to make your travel experience as pleasant as possible.
Dear August,
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.
I really like it when my Aunt comes to visit my house - she spoils me and even lets me sleep in the big-person bed. I told my Mommy I would like to visit my Aunt, but Mommy said no because I would have to fly in an airplane. Is it really that hard for a dog to travel in an airplane, or is my Mommy just being mean?
Back to your original question, yes, it’s basically a pain in the you-know-what for dogs and humans to travel in an airplane!
August loves mail from doggies and humans! If you have a question you’d like to ask, just email her at AskAugust@doglivingmagazine.com.
Sign me: Bones packed and ready to go California
www.doglivingmagazine.com
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Peternity Leave by K. Gwendolyn
There’s a new phrase coming up in the workplace
and it’s called ‘peternity leave’. As more and more people are treating pets as family members, more employers are recognizing the importance of offering benefits to those pet parents. In a time where companies are looking for unique ways to attract and retain employees, while keeping costs down, offering pet perks is one way to do that. Tina Valgemae is Vice President of Corporate Development at Pet Assure. She says that most people in Human Resources are aware of the fact that veterinary costs have risen astronomically in the last few years. “Any savings on pet health care certainly makes the employee happier,” says Valgemae. Pet Assure has been in the game for twelve years not as pet insurance, but as an insurance alternative. Benefits include discounts at a network of vets as well as merchant discounts at pet stores (local and national). Laura Bennet, CEO of Embrace Pet Insurance agrees that there is definitely a trend for corporations to do things with their benefit packages that don’t cost a lot, but could have a big impact on employees. “I have seen employers definitely being more open to the idea and it’s coming also from the employees,” says Bennet. “There are some companies offering bereavement days for pets,” says Bennet. “It is being recognized that pets are part of the family.” Valgemae says based on her experience, when employers survey their employees as to what they’d like as far as benefits, pet perks usually come up first or second. Not surprising when statistics show that over half the workforce in any given company has a pet. Pet insurance as a benefit is very simple. Similar to other voluntary work benefits, once an employee signs up, it’s usually deducted from their paycheck. Bennet says it’s very rare for an employer to pay for the benefit, although it may happen at some companies. The advantage of getting pet insurance through your employer, however, is that it can be anywhere from five to fifteen percent cheaper than buying it directly from an insurance company. In the workplace, healthcare for employees and their dependents is expected. Many employers offer perks to parents such as daycare, time off for schoolrelated events or to care for sick children. Is it fair that employees with kids are getting benefits and single employees are being left out? Valgemae says the answer is as simple as taking a walk around your office. “If you go into the offices you’ll see that more people have pictures of pets than their family,” she says. She also adds that “more people have pets than wear glasses or contacts” which could mean that pet benefits would have a bigger impact on the workforce than vision benefits. Pet insurance may be just the beginning. That phrase ‘peternity leave’ could become commonplace as employers extend flex-time and other perks normally reserved for parents to those with four-legged kids. One Japanese business even offers a small monthly allowance for employees with pets. It may only be 1,000 yen (or nine dollars) per month, but it sends the message that pets are family members and not just something you own like a toy or other gadget. Katie Grant, VP of Marketing and Business Development for PetFirst Healthcare says there’s definitely a shift in the way employers view pet benefits. “Employers
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are looking for a high value, low cost benefit,” says Grant. “There’s a change in the American psychographic where pets are treated more as family. They’re sleeping in the bedroom, not outside.” Many dog owners would argue that having a dog (or two or three!) is just like having a child in that you have to provide food, shelter, exercise, medical care, training and whole lot of attention. So is it fair that employee Joe can take off work for a sick child with no questions asked, but employee Bob is forced to wait until his lunch break or after work to get his sick dog to the vet? Pets have a positive impact on our health and wellbeing. Some human resource managers rationalize that by granting peternity leave, employees will be better able to concentrate on the job at hand, rather than worrying about a sick dog that had to be left at home. After all, a happy employee is a productive employee and no one is going to argue with that. What do you think? Should pet parents be given the same considerations and perks as traditional parents in the workplace? Send your comments to editor@doglivingmagazine.com.
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The Dog Scene: Bark at the Park On a beautiful Sunday afternoon in July, baseball fans came out to enjoy some great baseball with their four-legged friends as the Wilmington Sharks beat the Fayetteville SwampDogs six-to-two.
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Get your little goblin to the hottest Halloween event in the Triangle! 5th Annual Doggie Trick-or-Treating Saturday, October 25th 11am-4pm
Free Doggie Treat Bags! A portion of all bakery sales that day will be donated to local rescue groups
Great Raffle Prizes!
Gourmutt’s Bakery & Boutique 6675 Falls of Neuse Rd, Suite 123 Raleigh, NC 27615 Falls Village Shopping Center (lower level) (919) 870-8220
www.gourmuttsbakery.com19 www.doglivingmagazine.com
Hal B. Klein
Unleashed By Suzanne Jalot
His first performance landed him in a groundhog suit and he never really had a dog growing up, but fast forward to today Hal B. Klein is getting more promising roles and he’s the proud dad of an Italian Greyhound. He joins Bill Pullman and Alan Rickman in Bottle Shock which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival this year and stars with Pullman and Rickman again in Nobel Son, which should be in limited release in October. Born in Queens, New York, Klein now calls Los Angeles home, and shares his apartment with his three-year-old dog, Lucy. He was kind enough to speak with us about his acting journey, his life with Lucy and his pension for reading labels.
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Photo courtesy of Sharp & Associates
DLM: You’ve come a long way since playing a groundhog in second grade, what’s it feel like to be working with your theater idol, Alan Rickman? HBK: It’s pretty amazing. I actually saw him perform when I was studying in London. I went to grad school in London and saw him perform in a play on the west end. And was like oh my god this guy is so amazing. And then a couple years later to actually be in a movie with him is a pretty incredible thing. It was cool to watch him work. DLM: Your bio says you’re making a name for yourself as that “just off center character” that everybody loves. What exactly does that mean? HBK: I think everyone has that friend that’s just a little bit quirky. Has their own unique personality. So you know, for example in Bottle Shock, Shenky is just a little bit different. DLM: Are you similar to your characters? HBK: I think every actor is similar to their character in some way. I think they all come from inside of you. But then they’re totally different people. There’s a little bit of me in everyone I play. DLM: So we’ve gotta ask. What’s the “B” for? HBK: [Klein laughs] The “B” stands for Bryan - with a “y” – B-r-y-a-n. I can’t remember, I think it must have been my senior year in high school that I was just like ‘Hal Klein, that’s just too short, only two syllables.’ So I decided to add the middle initial and it just sort of stuck. DLM: Tell me about Lucy. HBK: Lucy is my Italian Greyhound. I think she knows we’re talking about her. She was taking a little afternoon nap and now she’s staring at me. She’s being really funny right now. She’s going to turn three next week, it’s very exciting. DLM: Are you having a party for her? HBK: Oh yeah, we’ll have a special party for her. She’ll get a nice steak.
“She is the only girl in my life right now. She’s a chick magnet though.” DLM: That’s a pretty lucky dog! HBK: You know, hey, it’s your birthday so you should have something nice to eat. She actually probably eats better than me. DLM: How did she come into your life? HBK: It’s actually a pretty funny story. I really wanted a dog. I wanted a dog for a really long time. But when I lived in New York it was too hard to have a dog there. I lived on the 15th floor and would have to go up and down, up and down. So when I moved out here I thought ‘oh I’d really like a dog.’ But in my lease it says no dogs or cats. I called my landlord and I actually thought, you know, well I want a pet so I’ll just ask for a cat. Cause landlords are usually more accepting of cats than dogs, right? So I was like ‘Hey man is it cool, can I get a cat?’ and he was like ‘No! Why would you want a cat?’ And I was like what? He said ‘If you want a pet get a dog.’ I was like ‘Oh, that’s what I wanted to begin with.’ And he said ‘Why’d you ask for a cat then?’ I said ‘Well most landlords, you know, like cats.’ He’s like ‘No, cats are horrible they’ll tear up the apartment!’ DLM: Sounds like a pretty cool landlord. HBK: Yeah, pretty cool and then clearly, clearly a dog lover. Not so much a cat lover! So he [told me] just find one that’s small and quiet and won’t cause too much trouble. That’s when I looked around at a bunch of different breeds and I learned that Italian Greyhounds kinda fit the bill for pretty small, quiet dogs in general and I found a great breeder near me and met Lucy and you know from the minute I met her I was just like yep she’s mine. They were holding her out there because they thought that they were going to show her. But her ears do not flop properly. But she’s such a sweet adorable dog. DLM: Have you always been a dog person? HBK: You know I always wanted a dog growing up. And then we never had a dog. And then my family moved to California [from New York] when I was 14, and I think as a concession for us moving, to make us feel a little better about it, my parents got a Bichon named Bo. He died last Halloween. DLM: Oh I’m sorry to hear that. HBK: Yeah, you know I gotta say though that guy, he was a survivor. I think for about three and a half years I lived in New York and every time I’d go back to New York [from California] I’d be like ‘Okay Bo, I’m probably never gonna see you again, goodbye.’ And then sure enough I’d come home and next time he’d still be there. So he lived a good life. DLM: Sounds like a trooper! HBK: He really made the best of it and Lucy and Bo got to meet once which was very nice. DLM: You’re talking about steak on her birthday so what other indulgent things have you done for Lucy? HBK: For her birthday two years ago I got her this birthday cake from a dog bakery. She ate that thing and for about 8 hours afterwards she was off the wall. She was running around she’s generally pretty quiet, but she was barking like a crazy dog and running around.
DLM: Have you given her anything like that since then? HBK: No. I tend to be good about reading labels about things. DLM: Are you as particular about reading labels for your food as you are for Lucy’s food? HBK: Actually, I do a lot of food writing and you’d be amazed when you read labels what’s in a lot of your food. I think my favorite one is fat-free half and half. A lot of people would immediately think ‘Oh fat-free half and half. This must be more healthy than regular half and half.’ It turns out there’s a chemical that’s used in insecticides, that’s in your fat-free half and half. There’s an ingredient in commercial bread that I can’t even pronounce it which is probably a bad sign in general. It’s banned in Europe and Australia and if you use it in Singapore you can get 15 years in jail. DLM: And it’s in bread here in the US? HBK: Yeah, it’s in a lot of bread, especially white bread. I think the more we learn about things the more we go oh that’s not good for you. And it’s the same for dogs too you know a lot of commercial dog food it’s important to read the labels cause you find out that there are all sorts of parts of animals that aren’t very good to eat or preservatives. DLM: Yeah, we did an article once on what’s really in some of those dog foods and it’s pretty disgusting. HBK: Yeah, it’s pretty horrible. But the good news is that there’s a lot of really good foods out there if you just read the labels. You learn to tell the difference pretty quickly cause the labels that don’t have a lot of ingredients tend to be the good ones. DLM: Is Lucy the only girl in your life right now? HBK: She is the only girl in my life right now. She’s a chick magnet though. DLM: Any girl that comes into your life…Is she going to require Lucy’s approval? HBK: Oh yeah, absolutely. Actually I dated someone once and on the second date, she was talking about how dogs can’t sleep in beds and dogs should always have their own thing, blah, blah, blah. And I know different people have different opinions on that. But Lucy sleeps in bed. And I was just like if you Lucy’s not sleeping in my bed well…. DLM: What other things do you like to do with Lucy? HBK: Well she has her best friend Bucky the cat. We like to go visit Bucky. Bucky just moved which is really sad because [Lucy is] totally staring at me right now and her ears are perked up because I mentioned his name. He used to live at my friend’s place down the block and I could open the door and Lucy knew how to run right to Bucky’s house. They just moved so the other day I asked her if she wanted to go see Bucky and she was really confused because she was like ‘Why are we going in the car? Bucky doesn’t live in the car. I know where Bucky lives.’
You can catch more of Hal B. Klein at www.thismanskitchen.com. www.doglivingmagazine.com
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Yum! by Lisa Fortunato
RVing with your
g o D By K. Gwendolyn
BBQ Beef Stew Be the first on your block to offer your dog a beef stew smoothie. Process the cooked stew in a blender or a food processor, adding additional water or organic beef broth until you get the perfect consistency. Yields 16 servings Serving size: 2 Tablespoons 1 tablespoon virgin olive oil 2 cloves garlic, chopped 6 ounces beef stew meat 2 tablespoons unbleached flour 2 tablespoons tomato paste 1 teaspoon ground ginger 2 cups organic beef broth ½ cup sweet potato, cooked and mashed 1. In a heavy skillet, heat the olive oil and sauté the garlic until light brown. Cut the stew meat into bitesize bits. Spread the flour on a piece of waxed paper and thoroughly coat each cube of meat with flour. Raise the heat to medium-high and sauté the beef cubes until they have a nice brown crust on all sides, about 5 minutes. 2. Add the tomato paste and ginger and cook for another minute. Add the beef broth, stirring to combine, and bring to a boil. Lower the heat, cover, and simmer for 40 minutes, stirring occasionally. 3. Transfer 1 cup of the stew to a food processor and add the cooked sweet potato. Process until smooth and creamy, adding a bit more beef broth if the mixture is too thick. Return the pureed beef stew to the pot and stir until combined. Serve over kibble, thinning with more beef broth if desired. From Everything Cooking for Dogs, Copyright © 2007, F+W Publications, Inc. Used by permission of Adams Media, an F+W Publications, Inc. Co. All rights reserved.
WIN IT! Get your very own copy of “Everything Cooking for Dogs.” See page 32 for details.
With gas prices making headlines and many of us cutting back on vacations, it might sound crazy to talk about gassing up the RV and hitting the road. But take a hard look at the numbers, and it might not sound so crazy after all.
A study by PKF Consulting (with real numbers!) shows that RV trips are a great way to save money on your vacation. “This study re-affirms what RVers have long known, that RV vacations deliver greater economic value compared to other types of vacations,” says Richard Coon, president of the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA). Coon says the savings on air, hotel and restaurant costs offset the cost of fuel. With an RV, you never have to leave home without your pet. An RVIA survey shows that 57% of the nation’s eight million RV owners travel with their pets and dogs top the list. Dog owners can add to the list of money-saving advantages of RV travel the fact that they don’t have to pay for a pet sitter or to board their dog. Traveling with your dog may require a little extra work, but you know it’s worth the effort to be able to enjoy your vacation with your four-legged companion. If you haven’t purchased an RV yet, or are going to rent one, keep in mind your dog’s needs when shopping around. For example, if you have an older dog, you might want to find an RV with a low entry. Once you have your RV, give your pup some time to get used to it. Take him on short trips around the neighborhood before setting out on a week-long excursion. If you already have an RV and have never taken your dog on a trip, what are you waiting for? We’ve got some tips to ensure a smooth trip for both humans and canines.
Before the Trip
Not all campgrounds welcome dogs. Call ahead to find out if the campground is petfriendly and if there are any restrictions on pets. Make sure your dog is up-to-date on all shots and consider doing a pre-trip check-up at your vet’s office. You’ll also want to have copies of your dog’s health and vaccination records. Find out how to locate veterinarian’s along your travel route and at your final destination. Finally, be sure your pet’s ID tags are up to date and securely attached to his collar.
On the Road
If you are towing a trailer, never let your dog ride in the towed trailer! Just like humans, pets should always ride in the tow vehicle. It’s also a good idea to keep your dog confined when moving. Pets can become a distraction for the driver and they could be seriously injured or killed in a collision if they are roaming freely throughout www.doglivingmagazine.com
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the RV. Plan for doggy rest stops and let your dog stretch and have access to water. Just like people, pets need the occasional break for some fresh air and exercise.
At the Campground
Don’t make it easy for Fido to escape when you open the door. Block exit doors with a baby gate or make sure his leash is secure before opening the door. Give your dog a designated area inside the RV. This can be a dog bed or blanket and pillow placed out of the way with a few toys. Always put the food and water bowls in the same spot on each trip. Give your dog a designated area outside of the RV. You can do this by setting up a secured pen in the shade or under an awning. Treat the ground with flea and tick spray and then put down a mat or tarp before setting up the pen or kennel. In the winter, place extra mats on the ground for extra warmth. Try to maintain your dog’s normal activity level or better yet, up his activity level to ensure a good, tired pooch at the end of the day. Make sure there are activities that you can involve your dog in. Hiking, going to the park and outdoor restaurants all can keep your dog entertained. Make it a point to give your dog the same amount of attention he gets at home. If you have to leave your dog alone in the RV, make sure they’re safe and the temperature isn’t too hot or too cold. Remember the power could go out, so don’t rely on a generator to keep the AC running. Park in a shaded area and leave windows open so air can circulate. Leaving a dog in an RV in the hot sun is just as dangerous as leaving him in a car in the hot sun, so make sure the area is well-ventilated.
How to keep your fellow campers happy: • Always clean up after your dog. Carry waste bags every time you take your dog out. • Keep your dog on a leash in the campground. • Don’t leave him tied up outside your RV while you are not there. • Make sure your dog has enough activity/distractions to keep him from barking. Nothing ruins a peaceful evening (or day) like a dog that won’t stop barking.
Special RV Maintenance for Pet Owners
Your RV is probably going to get a little messier than it would without your dog traveling with you, so just like your home, your RV may need a little extra maintenance. Bathe your dog before each trip. Brush your dog to remove fur that’s shedding and trim his nails to prevent scratches. Place extra mats on the steps and inside and outside the door. You also might want to put down throw rugs to help protect the carpet. You’re going to need a good vacuum cleaner. Try to find one that’s specifically designed to pick up pet hair. You’ll also want to keep a supply of cleaners for pet accidents (carpet cleaner, paper towels, rags, etc.). For odors, ample ventilation is key. Air neutralizing sprays and deodorizers can help too. If you don’t want to worry about the upholstery, cover it with sheets or blankets. If you don’t want to cover your furniture but are worried about pet mess, you can order upholstery material from the original RV manufacturer and make “covers” for the couches. This will help maintain the original put together look in the RV and you won’t have sheets and blankets covering everything. You could also try using stain repellant on the upholstery.
A Campground That Caters to Your Dog
Remember when we said not all campgrounds welcome dogs? We found one that not only welcomes your dog, but insists you bring him! Four Paws Kingdom is a 32-acre campground located in the foothills of the North Carolina mountains just a short drive from Asheville, Chimney Rock and the Biltmore Estate. The campground has seven off-leash dog parks, a fully fenced dog pond (for off-leash
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swimming), a fully fenced creek (for exploring), an agility park and a rally obedience park. It also has over 16 acres of hiking trails. If you don’t have an RV, you can stay in one of their dog-friendly cabins. Owner Meik Bartoschek says he and his wife never planned to open a campground. “My wife is an artist and we traveled a lot to go to the shows,” he explains. He says after visiting a lot of campgrounds with their dog they realized dogs aren’t always welcomed at campgrounds, even if they are allowed. They thought, wouldn’t it be great if there was a campground just for people with dogs. The campground has been open for five years now and has many regular visitors. It is the first and only campground in the nation that is dedicated to dogs. There are organized events every weekend and Bartoschek says Oktoberfest is one of their most popular events. Their event calendar is packed with activities such as agility classes, cookouts, behavior workshops, doggy swim time and potluck suppers. The campground has no amenities for kids and is upfront about that fact. Bartoschek says they make it clear that this is not a place to come with your kids. “It has nothing to do with the kids,” he
explains. “It has to do with the way parents and kids approach camping.” Children and dogs don’t always mix when it comes to camping, so Bartoschek says for the happiness and safety of everyone, only four-legged kids are allowed. “Our vision was to make people and dogs happy,” says Bartoschek. And it sounds like guests at Four Paws Kingdom are very happy. You can check them out on the web at www.fourpawskingdom.com. Now is a great time to rent or buy and enjoy the RV lifestyle so go ahead and hit the road with your best friend. Your dog will be one happy camper.
GoRVing.com is a great resource for anyone who wants to get started RVing.
Cost Comparison of a Seven Day Vacation All trips originate from Raleigh, NC and figures are based on two adults and two mature children.
Fly/Drive Vacation Flight Airport Parking Hotel Rental Car Fuel Meals TOTAL
Wilmington, NC $2,034.00 $70.00 $2,065.98 $210.25 $75.00 $1,603.00 $6,058.23
Asheville, NC $2,438.00 $70.00 $1,299.06 $258.85 $75.00 $1,603.00 $5,743.91
Orlando, FL $1,042.00 $70.00 $1,146.04 $301.76 $75.00 $1,603.00 $4,237.80
(based on cheapest flight on expedia.com) ($10 per day) (2 rooms, standard accommodations) (standard size) (28 mpg at $4/gallon) (full breakfast, light lunch, nice dinner)
2008 Class C Four Winds Dutchman (Estimated Price: $73.867.00) RV Payment RV Insurance Campsite Fuel Meals TOTAL
Wilmington, NC $142.47 $3.46 $262.50 $75.84 $300.00 $784.27
Asheville, NC $142.47 $3.46 $262.50 $143.60 $300.00 $852.03
Orlando, FL $142.47 $3.46 $262.50 $340.08 $300.00 $1,048.51
($617.39/month at 240 months) ($180/year) (37.50/night) (14 mpg at $4/gallon) (one week of groceries)
2008 Travel Trailer Keystone Cougar (Estimated Price: $24,040.00) RV Payment RV Insurance Campsite Fuel Meals TOTAL
Wilmington, NC $60.02 $3.46 $262.50 $75.84 $300.00 $701.82
Asheville, NC $60.02 $3.46 $262.50 $143.60 $300.00 $769.58
Orlando, FL $60.02 $3.46 $262.50 $340.08 $300.00 $966.06
(260.09/month at 144 months) ($180/year) (37.50/night) (14 mpg at $4/gallon) (one week of groceries)
*Charts are courtesy of Hawley’s Camping Centers
www.doglivingmagazine.com
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Here’s what we’re howling about
Indognito An irresistible collection of canines in costume, Indognito features everything from Labs to Pugs. If you’re the type who thinks about dressing up your dog, but can’t bring yourself to do it, you can get your fix of dogs in costume from this book. $19.99, Available at bookstores nationwide
Bird Dog Bay Ties Who says it’s not cool to wear a dog-themed tie? Inspired by the designer’s dog Gus, these ultra-hip designs would be tasteful in any office setting. Even if you don’t want a tie, you might want to check out their website to read the quite extensive list of “Things Gus Ate.” $75, www.birddogbay.com and specialty stores nationwide
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September | October 2008
Perrito Dog Collars Proving that good things often come in small packages, a tail we could wag offers the Perrito collection for small dogs and puppies. Hand-woven in Guatemala and assembled in America, they’re colorfast and machine washable. $24, www.tailwags.com, 866-726-WAGS
Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Corded Hand Vac It’s a fast, easy and portable solution to picking up pet hair at home or in the car. It comes equipped with two specially designed cleaning nozzles: A flexible rubber nozzle to pull out dirt and hair in hard-to-reach places and a hard nozzle to pick up larger debris such as spilled dog food. $34.99, Available at Kohls, Home Depot, Bed, Bath & Beyond and Best Buy
Dog Friendly Getaway:
Ocracoke Island By Suzanne Jalot
Smaller crowds and cooler temperatures make fall a great time to visit the Outer Banks. Ocracoke Island encompasses the southernmost tip of Cape Hatteras National Seashore Park and makes for a great doggy (and human) getaway. The entire island is only 16 miles long and is accessible by ferry, private boat or private plane. A historic fishing village, the only developed part of the island is Ocracoke Village, which is home to the island’s 800 year-round residents. The beach was named the number one beach for 2007 by Dr. Beach and was listed as the number five beach in the world. Dogs are allowed on the beach year-round provided they are kept on a leash no longer than six feet. Dogs are not allowed in designated swimming areas. Island residents take a laid-back approach to life and it’s hard for visitors not to adopt that lifestyle. There’s plenty to do and see, there’s just no rushing around to do it. If you’ve got a four-wheeldrive vehicle, you can hit one of the beach accesses and drive up to your sunbathing and/or fishing spot. Surf fishing is very popular. The village offers shopping from tacky (but fun!) souvenir shops to fine boutiques. Be sure not to miss the shops on the back road. There are no strip malls here (thank goodness!) so many shops are mixed in with residential cottages. There are even several art galleries on the island. There are very few cars on the island and you’ll find the easiest form of transportation is bicycle or your own two feet. Don’t worry, everything in the village is within walking distance. If you want to check out the island by boat, there are fishing charters, boat rentals and sunset cruises. Excursions to nearby historic Portsmouth Island are also pretty popular. Attractions on the island include the Ocracoke Lighthous (built in 1823), the British Cemetery, the pony pen housing the islands wild ponies, the Ocracoke Preservation Museum and a Blackbeard exhibit.
5 Fun Things to do with your Dog on Ocracoke Island
1. Take a walk down Back Road, visit the British Cemetery, then head over to the Ocracoke Lighthouse. 2. Enjoy fresh seafood and a great view of the sunset on the deck at the Jolly Roger restaurant. 3. Groove to some live music after dark at the Creekside Café. 4. Rent a kayak from Ride the Wind Surf Shop and take a kayak tour. 5. Head over to the sound side and frolic in the water.
Restaurants on the island offer fresh-off-the-boat seafood and you’ll find a place to suit every budget. There’s even a pizza parlor and a Mexican restaurant if you’re looking for something other than seafood. Many of the shops and restaurants shut down completely in the coldest winter months, but there is at least one year-round place to get fed--Howard’s Pub.
Be a Good Doggy Guest
There are quite a few dog-friendly lodging choices, but our favorite is Blackbeard’s Lodge. It is rich in history as it was one of the first hotels on the island and it has always had dog-friendly rooms. The current owners, Chip and Helena Stevens bought the hotel in January of 2007 and Chip is actually the great grand-nephew of the original owner. The hotel offers ten pet-friendly rooms and charges an extra $20 per pet, per night. They welcome pets large and small, but do have a restriction of two pets per room.
Getting There
Owner Helena Stevens says Ocracoke is an excellent place for dogs to run and play and we would have to agree.
• Keep your dog crated when he’s in the room alone • No dogs on the bed • Don’t let your dog relieve himself in the room • Always pick up after your pet and dispose of waste properly • Don’t let your barking dog ruin someone else’s peace and quiet
The Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry is free and runs often. Crossing time is approximately 40 minutes. The Cedar Island-Ocracoke ferry is a toll ferry and reservations are recommended. Crossing time is approximately two hours and 15 minutes. The Swan Quarter-Ocracoke ferry is a toll ferry and reservations are recommended. Crossing time is approximately two hours and 45 minutes.
Leashed dogs are welcome on all outside areas of the main deck of the ferry. For ferry information, call 1-800-BY-FERRY. www.doglivingmagazine.com
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Chew on this By Amanda Hearring Black
My Dog Loves Me More Than My Husband (Part 1) It’s painfully apparent that my dog loves me so much more than he loves my husband. 1. If my husband and I are both in the living room watching TV, and we both have room on the couch/chair/floor for the dog to sit with one of us, no matter where I’m sitting the dog always sits with me. 2. If my husband and dog are sitting together in the living room, most likely because I’m nowhere in sight to sit with, the moment I walk in the room the dog jumps up to follow me. It’s especially funny to see the dog go from a very comfortable spot with my husband to a teeny tiny squished spot between my feet and the end of the couch, but hey, I must be worth it. 3. When I go to bed at night, the dog follows. Sometimes to prove a point, my husband tries to lure the dog into staying with him, tempting the dog with a belly rub or a late night snack, but the dog always comes with me. 4. When my husband comes to bed, the dog scurries from his usual position at my feet to lay in my husband’s spot on the bed. He even puts his head on my husband’s pillow. I think the dog has made it very obvious that he doesn’t want my husband sitting or sleeping anywhere near me. It makes me laugh to watch my husband push the dog back to his spot at my feet every night. 5. If I’m away overnight, the dog does not sleep in the bed with my husband. The dog sleeps on the hardwood floor in the foyer, waiting for my return. His eyes are usually bloodshot in the morning from a lack of sleep. 6. If my husband is away overnight, the dog does not sleep in the bed either. He sleeps on the floor beside the bed instead. I think his thought process is that if someone is breaking in to get me, they’ll kick him and startle him
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from his good night’s sleep because they won’t think to look down. He’s too visible on the bed. I only know this because I’ve accidentally kicked him a time or two because I didn’t see him down there in the dark. 7. If we’re leaving the house for a while, and we need the dog to go outside to pee before we leave, he obeys me more than he obeys my husband. I’ll tell the dog to get up and go, and the dog usually jumps up and runs to the door. My husband can tell the dog to get up and go, and the dog usually looks at him with a look on his face that says, “Yeah, make me.” 8. My dog gets antsy with excitement anytime I get his leash out to take him on a walk. He does circles around me while I put on my shoes, and he can barely sit still long enough to attach the leash to his collar because he gets so excited. When my husband gets the dog’s leash out, the dog usually hides. But that may be because usually the only time my husband puts the dog on a leash is to take him to the vet or the kennel. I’d run too. 9. My husband often makes my dog run and hide. But my husband’s job duties include cutting the dog’s toe nails and holding him down to look at whatever imaginary boo boo I have found on the dog. My job duties involve feeding him and giving him snacks. Yeah, life is not fair. 10. I think the main reason my dog loves me more than he loves my husband is because I’m the one who picked him up from the SPCA and brought him home. I think I had him at hello. Amanda Hearring Black is a freelance writer and graphic designer. Her dog, Jake, is thought to be a Rhodesian Ridgeback mix. Jake was adopted from the SPCA of Wake County.
Annie By K. Gwendolyn
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Annie is a pit/lab mix who was rescued from a high-kill shelter just two days after she gave birth to nine puppies. A shelter worker describes her experience on the Pawfect Match Rescue website:
“When I first saw Annie I hadn’t been working at the shelter long, and here in front of me I have a very skinny, scared, black dog with what looked like ten or more pups. My first thought was I was going to have to euthanize those beautiful sweet little babies and [then] her, after she went through labor. Then I thought, I'll not think about that right now… Well as you know, a mother dog that is in a strange place with dogs all around barking constantly and someone moving her pups she does not know may not be too friendly…So here I go inside talking and all that stuff while she just looks at me very pitiful. I spoke to her and rubbed her for a minute and reached to get the first pup and she licked me on my face as to tell me it was okay and she knew I would not hurt her or her babies. Well from that very minute I knew I had to find someone to take her and her pups.” Luckily, the folks at Pawfect Match Rescue took in Annie and her babies. That was almost two years ago and Annie still hasn’t found a permanent home. Why is it that some perfectly fine dogs are often overlooked by potential adopters? “Annie is a black, mostly pit bull terrier,” says Aida Walters, founder of Pawfect Match Rescue. “Two strikes against her right from the get go.” Walters says although Annie is wonderful around people, she doesn’t get along with cats, is picky about her doggy friends and is too exuberant for small children.
Strike One
Medium to large black dogs are often overlooked in shelters in favor of lighter-colored dogs and statistics show they are usually the last to be adopted, if at all. Shelter workers will tell you that black dogs are doomed once they get to the shelter and they are euthanized at an alarming rate. Some people attribute the discrimination to stereotypes that black dogs are meaner or unlucky. Others say their facial features are harder to see, so they seem either expressionless or appear menacing. Either way, perfectly good companion dogs are being
passed by as potential adopters head straight for the lighter-colored dogs.
Strike Two
Some shelters won’t even adopt out pit bull mixes because they deem them too dangerous. While that may be true for dogs trained to fight or raised to be aggressive, the average pit bull is not a dangerous dog. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Pit bulls are generally very mild-mannered.
Strikes Three, Four and Five
It’s going to take a special family to adopt Annie. The home can’t have cats, children or other dogs. “Annie’s ideal home would be one where she was the center of attention,” says Walters. Walters adds that it would also be good to have a home with a fenced in back yard and a very active family that can keep up with her energy and spirit. “Oh yeah, and she loves to sleep in the bed with you,” exclaims Walters. “If Annie found her special forever home I would be so excited for her,” Walters says. “I would laugh, I would cry, I would feel so good about what I do and have done for her and many like her.” Walters says Annie was a wonderful mother to her nine pups (who were all immediately adopted out) and she deserves a loving home of her own too.
On the Positive Side
Annie is fully house-trained, crate-trained and trustworthy enough to stay un-crated in her foster home. She’s been spayed and microchipped and is a healthy 55 pounds. As if that’s not enough, Pawfect Match will waive the adoption fee and pay for obedience classes for Annie and her new family. Walters has some advice for Annie’s future family. “Be ready to be loved like you have never been loved before,” she says. “She loves her people and has no problem showing it.”
Is Annie the one for you? Contact Pawfect Match Rescue at 919-552-1307 or visit www.pawfectmatch.org.
www.doglivingmagazine.com
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Tail Waggers By Elysa Cooper
Faux Paw Productions Ceramic Bowls Handcrafted in her Laguna Beach studio, artist Debby Carman creates whimsical, colorful dog bowls that are functional works of art. There are an endless number of designs and breeds available and she even does custom designs with a likeness of your pet and pet’s name, for a one of a kind treasure. These bowls are durable, lead-free, dishwasher & microwave safe. Retail price range: $35 and up To order or find a retailer near you: 949-497-4307 www.fauxpawproductions.com
Doggie Dinnerware If your home is anything like mine, dinnertime is the favorite time of day, especially for my five pups. They are strict about their schedule and always let me know if I am late getting their dinner served! And honestly, they really do not care what they eat out of - I could put their food on the floor and they would be perfectly happy. However, for many of us it is important that the items we buy for our home have a certain style and quality. Why settle for plain or unattractive dog bowls after spending so much time and money on a beautiful kitchen? The selection of dog dinnerware available today is diverse and includes a variety of designs and materials to choose from. So whether your taste is traditional, contemporary or somewhere in between, you can find doggie dinnerware that will look fashionable with any décor.
Whiner and Diner Elevated Feeders Attention wine enthusiasts…these classic, eco-friendly, raised feeders from Whiner and Diner are handcrafted out of authentic, reclaimed wooden wine boxes from vineyards around the world. Each feeder has a wine logo, a fine furniture finish and comes in several sizes and a selection of colors and styles. These feeders include removable stainless steel bowls and can be personalized with you pet’s name. There can also be health advantages for you dog from elevated eating and drinking, including minimizing digestive problems and stress on joints. Retail price range: $150 and up To order: 888-329-8879 www.whineranddiner.net
CaneVetro Glass Bowls These beautiful, hand-blown glass bowls are produced by artist Ben Coombs in his Portland, Maine studio. Each piece is created using centuriesold, Italian glass blowing techniques and are available in 2 sizes, several colors and with a bone or paw stamp. The glass bowls are made extra thick to stand up to your dog, originally tested for durability by Ben’s own pooch. Matching treat jars are also available. Retail price range: $50 and up To order or for more information: 207-409-4527 www.portlandglassblowing.com
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Bodhi’s Zen Bowls For feng shui minded people and pets, Bodhi’s Zen bowls are designed to bring tranquility and harmony to mealtimes. According to the manufacturer, these heavy weight bowls are made out of a porcelain hybrid material and are meant to be enjoyed by the way water reflects in them and the quiet peace they evoke. These elegant Zen bowls come in small, medium and large and an Asian inspired bamboo weave mat is also available. Zen bowls are lead-free and dishwasher safe. Retail price range: $16.00 and up To order or find a retailer near you: 800-296-9793 www.bodhitoys.com
New to the market! WETNoZ Metro II Scoop Bowls Form and function are the inspiration behind these striking new bowls from WETNoZ. The ultra contemporary Metro II Scoop Bowl features an innovative scoop and serve design that streamlines dog dinnertime. The bowls have a premium-grade stainless steel interior with a wrap around lip and a high grade ABS plastic exterior, making it both durable and colorful. The Metro’s two-leg design gives it a unique look, while the non-skid rubber feet provide for stable eating. Available in 2 colors and 3 sizes to accommodate any size dog. Retail price range: $19.95-39.95 To order or find a retailer near you: 888-893-8669 www.wetnoz.com
Touching Medicine
Brad Kerr, DVM
Most pet owners would agree that touching their pet has a soothing effect. Just as the presence of a dog, cat, or other pet is therapeutic, touching the animal has beneficial effects on people. What you may not realize is that the same benefit is enjoyed to the same degree by your pets. Not only is this true, but there are systems of physical manipulation that benefit pets that pet owners can learn and apply to improve their pet’s health and well-being. One such system, developed in China beginning about 5,000 years ago, is Tui-Na (pronounced twee-nah). Tui-Na consists of twenty-one different hand manipulations of muscles, skin, or joints. These practices were first developed as physical therapy for people, growing out of martial arts and acupuncture practices. They use the same basic concepts and physical landmarks, but don’t require the application of acupuncture needles. The modern practice adapted for use on animals is a great way for pet owners to increase the effectiveness of acupuncture or other holistic treatments by learning these techniques and using them as adjunctive care for pets between holistic treatments by a professional. Tui-Na techniques have interesting names such as “Rou-fa” (rotary kneading) or “Pa-fa” (patting), but despite the odd sounding names, are easy to learn and apply. Having recently returned from a course in Tui-Na at the Chi Institute for Chinese Medicine, I have been applying the techniques and training pet owners to use them on their pets at home. The results have been very impressive, extending the benefits of acupuncture and herbal medicine for longer lasting improvements. The other benefit that has been mentioned by several pet owners is that they feel better themselves after applying the techniques to their pets! Tui-Na is a simple and almost instinctive method of improving your pets physical well being and relieving pain. I plan to incorporate it into every patient’s treatment regimen at Wellspring Holistic Veterinary Care. Dr. Brad Kerr is a native of Indiana and a 1987 graduate of Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Kerr became certified in veterinary acupuncture in 2002 and completed training in Chinese Herbal Medicine in 2005. He currently co-owns Wellspring Holistic Veterinary Care along with his wife, Dr. Betsy Burbank.
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WIN IT! The Everything Cooking for Dogs Book one winner TO ENTER: Send an email to contests@doglivingmagazine.com with “Cookbook” in the subject line. You must provide your name, mailing address and phone number. You can also send a postcard with your name, address, age, email address and phone number to Dog Living Magazine, PO Box 1914, Wilmington, NC 28402. Scoop the Poop Sign one winner TO ENTER: Send an email to contests@doglivingmagazine.com with “Scoop” in the subject line. You must provide your name, mailing address and phone number. You can also send a postcard with your name, address, age, email address and phone number to Dog Living Magazine, PO Box 1914, Wilmington, NC 28402. DOG LIVING MAGAZINE CONTEST RULES: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Contest entries must be received by October 31, 2008 and winners will be notified by email and/or phone by November 30, 2008. Winners who cannot be reached because of incorrectly supplied contact information or who fail to respond to attempts to contact them in a timely manner forfeit their prize. Contests are open to legal US residents 18 and older by close of contest date. The decisions of the judges are final. One entry per person and multiple entries will not be counted. Prizes are nontransferable and may not be substituted. The odds of winning depend on the number of entries received. Taxes, if any, are the sole responsibility of the winner(s). Contest subject to all local, state and federal rules and regulations. Void where prohibited. All entries (including photographs) become the property of OllieDog Media, Inc. and will not be acknowledged or returned. Winners may be required to sign an Affidavit of Eligibility and Liability/Publicity release. Entry into a contest constitutes consent to use a winner’s name and likeness, as well as any submitted photos for editorial, advertising and publicity purposes without further compensation. For the names of winners, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to “DLM Contests”, PO Box 1914, Wilmington, NC 28402.
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DOGnews Here’s the scoop… 2009 Monty’s Home Pet Expo Seeks Vendors and Sponsors Promote your pet business to hundreds of pet owners at the 2009 Monty’s Home Pet Expo. The 2008 event at the Schwartz Center was extremely well-attended and organizers expect an even larger crowd for 2009. Double your exposure and help this great cause by becoming a sponsor. Proceeds benefit Monty’s Home, a non-profit pet education and resource organization. To reserve your spot, call 910-259-7911 or visit www.montyshome.org. Suite Paws Pet Resort Now Open! Raleigh’s newest boarding and daycare facility is ready for your dog (or cat). The owner has integrated many green elements to make the facility environmentally friendly including skylights with transitional interior lighting and rainwater capture and recycling system for irrigation. To reserve your
pooch one of their luxurious suites, call 919-231-1112. Visit them online at www.suitepaws.com Foster Parents Needed Wake County Animal Care, Control & Adoption Center invites the public to help care for animals in need until they are available for adoption. Now this is nothing new to the animal rescue world, but it is a first for a government-run facility in the area. Won’t you consider helping a shelter animal in need by serving as a foster parent? Contact Nancy Clemmons at xxx-xxxx for more information or to sign up. Do you have the scoop on something we should know about? Call us at 910-452-3775 or email editor@doglivingmagazine.com.
Dogs on Film Did your dog get caught by the puparazzi?
Bear
Destiny
Mozart
Sadie Wo
okus
Moca
Taylor and D
elta
Don’t worry, your dog isn’t the only one who’s ingested some pretty strange materials. It seems almost everyone has had at least one odd (and sometimes scary) incident. Read on for what some of your fellow dog owners have experienced.
What’s the strangest thing your dog has ever eaten? “My chocolate lab, Blue, ate ROCKS. Not just little pebbles, and not just a few. He ate seven rocks. And worse, he did it on two separate occasions. Seven rocks the first time and five rocks the second. Surgery both times! Our fantastic vet gave us the container of the rocks as a souvenir of sorts and borrows them on occasion to do lectures on surgical procedures over at the NCSU vet school.” “The strangest thing I’ve ever seen that a dog has eaten was when I took my preschoolers to a vet’s office on a field trip--he showed the children an x-ray of a dog whose stomach was filled with at least twenty large metal NAILS.
Another x-ray was of a dog’s esophagus with a small kitchen knife, point down, in place. The strangest thing MY dog ever swallowed was a piece of string about 15” long, which had to be pulled out the other end once it went through the little dog’s system. The dog’s name was J.J. and she was EXTREMELY embarrassed about it.” “Oliver has eaten through three of our doors in our house: One closet door, one bedroom door, and one kitchen door. And he eats everything in the trash as well, be it pie shells, chicken bones, any leftovers imaginable.” “When she was younger she started eating a piece of yarn and I didn’t notice it at first. Well she couldn’t stop I guess, or figure out how to spit it back out, so she kept taking in more, poor thing. So when I finally noticed she had a mouthful, I just kept pulling and pulling, it was awful. I laugh now, but it was actually kind of scary at the time. We also live at the beach and she loves nothing more than something that had washed up on the beach and died, been laying in the sand for about a week and rotting in the sun.” “My nine-pound dog ate an entire pork chop – including the plastic it was wrapped in!”
This month’s question: Should pet parents be given the same considerations and perks as traditional parents in the workplace? Send your answer to editor@doglivingmagazine.com and put “Doghouse Poll” in the subject line.
Also coming in November: • Annual Holiday Gift Guide 34
September | October 2008
• More on Holistic Medicine
• Some Very Happy Rescue Tales
www.doglivingmagazine.com
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