September/October 2007 by OllieDog Media

September | October 2007 Volume 2 | Issue 5

What Dogs Teach Us About Life Does Your Pooch Need a Trust Fund? The Furminator is put to the Test Fighting the Dog Fighters

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Table of Contents p. 20

p. 25

p. 26

p. 31

Features Get Tagged p. 13 Your dog should always carry a proper ID Fighting the Dog Fighters p. 15 A Dog Living Magazine exclusive with an undercover investigator Dog Heaven p. 18 A fiction piece from author Teri Wilson Release these Hounds p. 22 These dogs may have been ʻreleasedʼ from a service program, but they sure do make great companions Does Your Pooch Need a Trust Fund? p. 23 Planning for your dog in the event something happens to you The Furminator p. 26 Ollie and August put this tool to the test Can Dogs Detect the Paranormal? p. 27 Some people say animals are more sensitive to things science has no explanation for Itʼs Hard to say Goodbye p. 29 A tale about pet loss Paws, Wag & Love Often p. 31 Dogs can teach us a lot about life

On The Cover What Dogs Teach Us About Life…p. 31 Does Your Pooch Need a Trust Fund?…p. 23 The Furminator is put to the Test…p. 26 Fighting the Dog Fighters…p. 15 Cover Photo: Beth Williamson Cover Model: Captain Spriggs We went all the way to the West Coast to get this cover shot! Captain Spriggs is a true “pi-rat” terrier mix who was born with just one eye. He was pretty excited to be at the cover shoot (translation – he was a handful for his mother!), but he calmed down eventually and loved all the attention he was getting. Afterwards, he was so pooped out, he fell asleep in his underwear while reading the latest issue of Dog Living Magazine!

September | October 2007

In Every Issue Ollieʼs Corner p. 8 Ollie loves you Happenings p. 9 See what pet-friendly event is coming to a location near you DOGhealth p. 11 Flea invasion DOGoutings p. 12 The Loop in Wrightsville Beach Ask August p. 14 Why you should pick up poop and how to get pet hair off your furniture Unleashed p. 20 David Crabtree and Sampson People Treats p. 24 Port City Diner Hot! Dog p. 25 Weʼve sniffed out the hottest products for you and your pet Chew On This with Amanda Hearring Black p. 28 Who moved my cheese? Tail Waggers p. 30 Pet Memorials 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 Trick or Treat

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So good, even the cats are shouting about it! Get Your Subscription Today! 1 Year (6 issues) only $24 Call 910-452-3775, Subscribe online at www.doglivingmagazine.com or Fill out the form below: Name: Address: City: State: Zip: Phone: Make checks payable to: OllieDog Media P.O. Box 1914 Wilmington, NC 28402

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Publisher/Editor Suzanne Jalot Assistant Editors Ollie and August Graphic Design Dustin Keipper Contributing Writers Amanda Hearring Black Cynthia D. Burnett, DVM Elysa Cooper Carole Raphaelle Davis K. Gwendolyn Andrea Hurst Karen Jerabek Teri Wilson Phodography Katie Britt Cheryl Snyder Beth Williamson Advertising Sales Andrea Houlihan Marketing & Promotion John Leonard Wendy J. Circulation Manager John Leonard Distribution Wendy J. Ryan Young 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 $24. Please call 910452-3775 or go to www.doglivingmagazine.com to subscribe. Advertising: Reach one of the fastest-growing demographics in America. 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. Reproduction or use in whole or in part of the contents of this magazine is prohibited without written permission of the publisher ©2007 by OllieDog Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved Disclaimer: 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.

September | October 2007

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Ollieʼs

Corner

It looks like the dog days of summer are over. I never really understood that saying. I like to say every day is a dog day!

Weʼre tackling a very serious issue in this edition of Dog Living. The Michael Vick case has brought media attention to the very sick and twisted world of dog fighting. One of our writers, Carole Raphaelle Davis, was able to speak with an undercover investigator who helps put away dog fighters. She nabbed an exclusive interview and it was so top secret, she wasnʼt allowed to know his name or location. What you might not realize is that dog fighting goes on in your area. It might be easier to convince yourself that this kind of thing couldnʼt happen here, but it does. My aunt used to work at a Wilmington vetʼs office and she said Animal Control would bring in dogs on a regular basis that had to be euthanized because they were in such bad shape. These were “bait” dogs, which youʼll learn more about in Caroleʼs article. These dogs used to be someoneʼs pet until they were stolen and used to get a fighting dog all riled up. I shudder to think about it, but yes, dog fighting does happen here. This issue weʼre doing something we donʼt usually do in Dog Living - weʼre including a short fiction story. We know youʼll enjoy it and youʼll see itʼs a timely story related to the topic of dog fighting. Donʼt worry, weʼve also got some happier tales to tell, like the story of released service dogs who find really great homes and how August and I became guinea pigs for an experiment with the FURminator. We really love you guys and gals, so thanks again for reading our magazine and for coming to our events! Woof!

Ollie Assistant Editor

September | October 2007

DOGhappenings For an up-to-date listing of events, visit www.doglivingmagazine.com SEPTEMBER September 1 All Day klondike[cares] Event

klondike[shop], Wilmington – klondike[shop] will donate $1 from every sale on Saturday, September 1st to Sunburst Foundation. Representatives from the non-profit rescue group will also be on hand with adoption information on available animals and donations will be gladly accepted both September 1st and 2nd at the shop.

September 6 7pm BARK Meeting

Canine Academy, Bolivia –BARKʼs mission is to educate and promote responsible pet ownership as well as to aid and assist pet owners in need. For more information call 910-2537723 or visit www.canineacademy.us.

September 6 6pm Brunswick Search and Rescue Team

Brunswick Electric Meeting Room – Interested in learning to train a search and rescue dog? Have plenty of time and the desire to help others? Join us at our monthly meeting, the first Thursday of each month, at 6 pm, Brunswick Electric Meeting Room, Highway 17 (between Shallotte and Supply). Call 910842-7942 for more information.

September 7 6pm-9pm Mayfaire Music on the Town Series – The Schoolboys (Classic Rock Covers)

Mayfaire Town Center, Wilmington – Bring your pooch out on the lawn behind World Market for free music every Friday. Bring your blanket or lawn chairs and coolers are welcome.

September 29 10am Strutt Your Mutt

Franklin Park, Southport – Itʼs time to strut your mutt. Bring your four-legged friend out to Franklin Park for a howling good time. Proceeds benefit Brunswick Area Responsible K9s. For info call 910-253-7723.

Weekends in September 11am-5pm Adopt-an-Angel Pet Adoptions

Saturdays in September 11am-2pm Paws Place Adoptions

Cool Dogs & Crazy Cats, Southport – A shelter is no place for a dog so stop by and check out these amazing dogs from Paws Place that need a place to call home. 910-845-PAWS

Saturdays in September 9am-3pm CHS Adoptions

PetSmart, Wilmington – The Columbus Humane Society is at PetSmart with dogs who are ready to find their permanent home every Saturday.

OCTOBER October 4 7pm BARK Meeting

October 4 6pm Brunswick Search and Rescue Team

October 13 11am Bark in the Park

Wrightsville Beach – Watch the doggy athletes or participate with your dog as the 2007 Skyhoundz Hyperflight Canine Disc Championships come to Wrightsville Beach. Admission is free to spectators and competitors. For more info, call 910256-7925.

October 27 11am-3pm Dogfest

Empie Park, Wilmington – Music by Lenny Frank, vendors,

Mayfaire Town Center, Wilmington – Bring your pooch out on the lawn behind World Market for free music every Friday. Bring your blanket or lawn chairs and coolers are welcome.

September 8 8am - Noon Wilmington Dog Jog

Legion Stadium, Wilmington – Itʼs the 8th annual City of Wilmington Dog Jog. Activities include a competitive 5k run (no dogs), a 1.5 mile fun walk, door prizes, vendors and the popular Pooch Plunge! Visit www.wilmingtondogjog.com or call 910-341-4602 for more information.

September 14 6pm-9pm Mayfaire Music on the Town Series – Waterline (Flip Flop Rock)

Mayfaire Town Center, Wilmington – Bring your pooch out on the lawn behind World Market for free music every Friday. Bring your blanket or lawn chairs and coolers are welcome.

September 15 1pm-3pm CFGRR Play Date

Meadowsweet Pet Resort, Wilmington – Call 910-791-5001 for details.

September 21 6pm-9pm Mayfaire Music on the Town Series – Dung Beatles (Beatles Tribute)

Mayfaire Town Center, Wilmington – Bring your pooch out on the lawn behind World Market for free music every Friday. Bring your blanket or lawn chairs and coolers are welcome.

September 28 6pm-9pm Mayfaire Music on the Town Series – Two Step (Dave Matthews Tribute)

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education, food and drink and lots of dogs! Admission is $5 and proceeds benefit Cape Fear Golden Retriever Rescue and Morris Animal Foundationʼs Canine Cancer Campaign.

October 29 7pm CFGRR Quarterly Meeting and Social Einsteinʼs K9 – Speaker tba.

Check out www.cfgoldenrescue.com for more info.

Weekends in October 11am-5pm Adopt-an-Angel Pet Adoptions

train a search and rescue dog? Have plenty of time and the desire to help others? Join us at our monthly meeting, the first Thursday of each month, at 6 pm, Brunswick Electric Meeting Room, Highway 17 (between Shallotte and Supply). Call 910842-7942 for more information.

November 10 1pm-3pm CFGRR Play Date

Meadowsweet Pet Resort, Wilmington – Call 910-791-5001 for more information.

Saturdays in November 11am-2pm Paws Place Adoptions

Cool Dogs & Crazy Cats, Southport – A shelter is no place for a dog so stop by and check out these amazing dogs from Paws Place that need a place to call home. 910-845-PAWS

Saturdays in October 11am-2pm Paws Place Adoptions

Saturdays in November 9am-3pm CHS Adoptions

Saturdays in October 9am-3pm CHS Adoptions

Weekends in November 11am-5pm Adopt-an-Angel Pet Adoptions

Cool Dogs & Crazy Cats, Southport – A shelter is no place for a dog so stop by and check out these amazing dogs from Paws Place that need a place to call home. 910-845-PAWS

PetSmart, Wilmington – The Columbus Humane Society is at PetSmart with dogs who are ready to find their permanent home every Saturday.

NOVEMBER November 1 7pm BARK Meeting

November 1 6pm Brunswick Search and Rescue Team

Brunswick Electric Meeting Room – Interested in learning to

PetSmart, Wilmington – The Columbus Humane Society is at PetSmart with dogs who are ready to find their permanent home every Saturday.

DECEMBER December 1 7pm Wilmington Fur Ball

Thalian Hall, Wilmington – Itʼs the second annual Fur Ball with expanded space this year! This black tie, red carpet event includes champagne, beer, wine and lavish hors dʼoeuvres. Silent and live auctions, psychic entertainer, gift bags and music by 360 Degrees. Benefits Pender County Humane Society and Adopt-An-Angel. Visit www.wilmingtonfurball.com for more information.

December 6 7pm BARK Meeting

December 6 6pm Brunswick Search and Rescue Team

Saturdays in December 11am-2pm Paws Place Adoptions

Cool Dogs & Crazy Cats, Southport – A shelter is no place for a dog so stop by and check out these amazing dogs from Paws Place that need a place to call home. 910-845-PAWS

Saturdays in December 9am-3pm CHS Adoptions

PetSmart, Wilmington – The Columbus Humane Society is at PetSmart with dogs who are ready to find their permanent home every Saturday.

Weekends in December 11am-5pm Adopt-an-Angel Pet Adoptions

Petco, Wilmington – Homeless dogs, puppies, cats and kittens will be looking for that special someone to take them home. All animals have been spayed/neutered with age appropriate shots. They can always use volunteers! Call Marlo at 910616-3708. Got an upcoming pet-friendly event? Send your info to events@doglivingmagazine.com or to Happenings, P.O. Box 1914, Wilmington, NC 28402. Please include: Organization Name, Contact (name and phone), Brief Description of Event, Date/Time/Place.

Canine Academy Where dog training is FUN!

Camp Canine

Where your dog plays all day!

Please call us or go online for schedules and rates!! www.canineacademy.us 910-253-7723

September | October 2007

DOGhealth

By Cynthia D. Burnett, DVM, Burnett Veterinary Hospital

Fleas are a year round problem.

Q A

Do I need to continue flea treatment once the weather cools off? Is there a ʻflea seasonʼ? Although fleas are most noticeable during the warmer months, in our southeastern climate they can become active again even during the winter. This is especially likely when there is a stretch of warm (days above 50 degrees) during winter. Fleas have a widely variable life cycle, depending on the environmental conditions. They can exist as pupae for as little as three days or as long as two years before emerging as adults. Warm, moist environments trigger this transition to the final stage of the flea life cycle. Our temperate climate requires constant vigilance to keep dogs flea-free. Adult fleas get our attention as their bites are irritating to canine and human skin alike, and they are relatively easy to see. They transmit intestinal parasites and a heavy infestation can even cause anemia, especially in puppies or older dogs. However, adult fleas comprise only 5% of the flea population, and they spend only part of their time on their hosts. Effective flea treatment takes into account that most of the flea population is living in the environment, not on the dog. An adult female flea will lay 15-20 eggs per day, and the eggs fall deep into carpet, upholstery, and bedding. Eggs make up 50% of the flea population, and they take anywhere from two days to two weeks to hatch. Larvae emerge from the eggs and begin moving around, eating the excrement of adult fleas and other organic matter. Larvae make up 35% of the flea population, and this stage usually lasts five to eighteen days. At the end of this stage they spin a cocoon and change into the pupae, with adult fleas emerging in as little as three days or as long as two years. Pupae make up 10% of the total flea population.

with a bath and to apply a topical, spot-on treatment. The spot-on treatments that are available through your veterinarian are more effective than the ones that can be bought over the counter. I like Advantage Multi and K9 Advantix, as they both not only treat fleas (thus preventing both skin irritation from flea bites and intestinal worms), but also repel mosquitoes, giving the dog added protection against heartworms. Follow all directions for application carefully. Treating the dog is just the starting point, however. It is important to wash all pet bedding at least once per week in hot water, and to vacuum at least twice per week, especially carpets and upholstery. This helps pick up both pre-adult fleas and the organic matter on which the larvae feed. It may be necessary to use a spray or fog treatment. You may also need to treat your yard with an insecticidal dust or spray. Be sure to read labels carefully and remove people and pets during environmental treatments. In conclusion, fleas enjoy our warm climate as much as we do. As a result, using flea treatment all year around is important if we want our dogs to be free of these irritating pests. Dr. Cynthia Burnett is a 1992 graduate of NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine. In 1995 she established Burnett Veterinary Hospital in Burgaw, NC. Dr. Burnett’s practice includes small and large animals. She is an accomplished surgeon who enjoys the challenges of orthopedic surgery. Dr. Burnett is active in the community, and she served on the Pender County Board of Health for nine years. To view more pet health articles by Dr. Burnett see www. burnettvethospital.com Got a question for the Vet? Send an email to AskTheVet@doglivingmagazine.com or snail mail your question to Ask The Vet, P.O. Box 1914, Wilmington, NC 28402.

With this in mind, it is easy to see why breaking the life cycle of fleas requires multiple approaches. Of course, it is important to kill the adult fleas on the dog www.doglivingmagazine.com

DOGoutings

The Loop Wrightsville Beach

Scoop bag stations are provided

Scenery: Difficulty: Easy Length: 2.45 miles

Directions: Cross the bridge into Wrightsville Beach and take a left into the Wrightsville Beach Park parking lot.

Views from the bridge are spectacular

If you live anywhere near Wrightsville Beach, you know exactly what “The Loop” is. The 2.45 mile sidewalk trail takes you past town hall, across two bridges and just steps away from the Atlantic Ocean. Itʼs a hugely popular spot for joggers, walkers and well, everyone else for that matter.

Harbor Way Gardens is a little oasis located at one turn in the loop

The upside to the loop is itʼs a great measured trail for regular walks and/or jogs. The downside is that because of itʼs popularity with folks, it can get pretty crowded. But donʼt let that stop you from trekking out there with Fido in tow. More times than not youʼll enjoy a pleasant, ocean breeze as you breathe in the salty air. The sidewalk is pretty narrow, so the polite doggy thing to do is to have your pooch step off into the grass when confronted with other walkers/joggers. Of course, donʼt let two or three people bully you off the sidewalk either. (and they will try!) Some people walking the loop donʼt seem to get the concept of “sharing” the sidewalk. There are plenty of scoop bag stations and doggy water fountains strategically placed along the Loop, so donʼt forget to pick up those unexpected bathroom breaks and also make sure you and your dog stay hydrated. Once youʼre out there, feel free to step off the trail and head on over to the beach strand just a block away from the easternmost tip of the Loop. Keep in mind, however, that the beach is off limits to pets from April 1st through September 30th. Polite dogs are welcome!

Scenery Ratings: 1 paw – Nothing much to look at 2 paws – Pleasant enough 3 paws – Some great views 4 paws – Gorgeous scenery throughout the trail

September | October 2007

Difficulty Ratings: Easy – Relatively flat terrain with no obstacles Moderate – Some hills and/or difficult terrain Hard – Frequent elevation changes (some steep) and/or difficult terrain Very Hard! – Only dogs and people that exercise often should attempt these trails!

Get Tagged

Win a personalized tag like this from Sentimental Silver

Dogs get lost.

Even though as responsible dog owners we take precautions, it can happen to any of us. But if your beloved four-legged friend suddenly went missing, what would you do? What should you do? The single most important thing is to make sure your dog has some form of identification on him! It can be a rabies tag number, a phone number or an address, anything that can trace him back to you. And make sure you keep this ID up to date. You might also consider getting your vet to place a microchip just under his skin to identify him, but this should be a supplement to, not in place of, an ID tag on his collar. Here are some other tips for finding your lost pet: • Call your local Animal Control authority. This should be your first step. They keep a list of lost and found pets. • Place an ad in your local newspaper. If you find a lost dog, some papers will let you place “Found” ads free for a week. • Visit local shelters. • Hand out flyers in the vicinity of where you lost your pet. Somebody may have seen something that can help you trace your pet. • Give flyers to veterinarians, groomers, and pet shops. Many have bulletin boards where you can post lost pets. • Post a free listing on the lost/found board at www.craigslist.com or www.wilmingtonyardsales.com. • Canvas the neighborhood. A little footwork might yield some more clues. • Check out www.PetHarbor.com. They keep a searchable list of pets in shelters across the United States, but it is not always up-to-date.

WIN IT! Show us that your dog is tagged!

Send in a picture of your dog clearly wearing some form of identification and you’ll be entered to win a personalized tag from Sentimental Silver worth $115! (sample tag shown above) Send you pictures to editor@doglivingmagazine.com. For official contest rules, see page 32.

Want to Stand Out from the pack? Call us at 910-452-3775 or email sales@doglivingmagazine.com

Stand Out. Advertise in Dog Living.

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Ask August Dear August, I love to take my dog on all kinds of outdoor adventures and normally I take a scoop bag so I can clean up after him. But is it really necessary all the time? Why is it such a big deal? I mean, if he goes off to the side of the trail, it’s not really bothering anyone is it? I got the nastiest look from some lady at the park the other day because I just covered it up with some leaves. What gives? Part-time Pooper Scooper, Oak Island, NC Dear Part-time Pooper Scooper, Did you seriously send me this question? Is this a joke? Are you kidding me? What gives? What gives is that people like you give responsible dog owners a bad name. It also gives all those psycho “non-dog” people out there ammunition to use against us. I can hear them now, “See. See! Those nasty dog people just let their animals poop everywhere and they donʼt care if me or my child steps in it or picks it up. Dog owners are sooo irresponsible and they threaten the health of all of us! Dogs should be banned from all public places!” Alright, you should pick up after your dog every single time he or she goes number two. Yes, even in your own back yard.

Dog waste can contain bacteria and parasites. When left on the ground, those bacteria and parasites make themselves at home – for a long time. One day youʼre playing football in your backyard, you fall down and boom, youʼve just sat down in a pile of bacteria and parasites even if the actual poop is long gone. Did you know that animal waste also ends up in our water? That poop in your backyard, or on the sidewalk, is eventually swept into storm sewers, which dump into our waterways, which is where we get our drinking water. Do I really need to say anymore about this subject? Dear August, We love our dogs (naturally!), but we hate the dog hair. I just don’t have the heart to keep them off the furniture, but then our couch is covered in dog hair. The hair is also a problem in the car. It’s really tough to vacuum all that hair out. Any suggestions? Hairy Dog Lover, Topsail Beach, NC Dear Hairy Dog Lover, I just happen to have the perfect solution (warning: blatant product plug coming up here) – The Black & Decker Retriever Hand Vac. Now this isnʼt going to work for vacuuming your entire carpet, but itʼs a dream on furniture and for the car. My Mommy swears it works better than anything sheʼs tried. It sucks up all those delicate hairs that we shedders seem to leave behind on couches and chairs. It comes with a couple of different attachments that help you get into those “hard to reach” spots in your car too. Theyʼre available at most major retailers or you can check online at www.blackanddecker.com.

August loves mail from doggies and humans! If you have a question youʼd like to ask, just email her at AskAugust@doglivingmagazine.com or snail mail to Ask August, P.O. Box 1914, Wilmington, NC, 28402. 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.

September | October 2007

fighting the dog fighters By Carole Raphaelle Davis

Mike Vick and his thug friends are in a bloody mess. If the allegations against the disgraced football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons are proved at his trial in November, football fans will have inadvertently paid Vick to perform atrocities on dogs. If a jury agrees with witnesses and prosecutors that Vick participated in the fighting, bludgeoning, hanging, drowning, shooting, slamming to the ground, and electrocuting of dogs, it would mean that every ticket sold to an Atlanta Falcons game helped finance a despicable business, Vickʼs Bad Newz Kennels, where dogs were raped, bred, tortured and murdered. It means that every kid who looked up to Mike Vick as a hero and bought a shirt with Vickʼs name on it will toss that shirt in the garbage and wonder why a guy with a hundred and thirty million dollar contract would be depraved enough to want to make even more money off of dogs suffering a slow and agonizing death. Under pressure from outraged animal rights activists around the world, the Atlanta Falcons management and the NFL have forced Vick off the field this season and maybe forever. Nike, the athletic apparel giant, has suspended the release of the Mike Vick shoe.

Thereʼs nowhere to run other than in a prison yard in that shoe. Long before this story saturated the media, Chris DeRose was hard at work trying to put a stop to the barbarity of dog fighting. He is the founder and president of Last Chance for Animals (www.LCAnimal.org), a national, nonprofit animal rights organization based in Los Angeles. DeRose, a Hollywood actor and ex-New Jersey cop, is known as the Ghandi or Martin Luther King of the animal welfare movement because of his mission to abolish cruelty to animals through non-violent, direct action. His accomplishments in exposing and prosecuting cruelty to animals have won him the respect of law enforcement, legislators and animal lovers around the world. DeRose is conducting investigations all over the country—placing his undercover special investigative units deep in rural areas, infiltrating the secret underground dog fighting community. The years of hard work and determination to put an end to this brutality has finally garnered a big case—the Mike Vick case. DeRose agreed to do an interview with

“If allegations against the disgraced football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons are proved at his trial…it would mean that every ticket sold to an Atlanta Falcons game helped finance a despicable business.” Dog Living Magazine in an effort to stir up activism in the public. It is the vigilance of ordinary dog lovers that is vital to the authorities to crack down on this brutal sport. Every person engaged in this criminal activity is someoneʼs neighbor, friend or relative. Itʼs up to us to help the animals and demand that the authorities take action. These poor dogs have no voice but ours. “The Feds have stuff that can really nail Mike Vick,” says Chris. “What a lot of people donʼt know about is the ʻbait dogs.ʼ These are peopleʼs pets. These dogs are stolen and they are used for that reason and theyʼre sold to these people. They (the criminals who steal the pets) get twenty, thirty or forty dollars a dog. Fifty dollars is nothing to Mike Vick and the other garbage bags who are doing this. The bait dogs are all stolen pets—thereʼs no doubt about that. Shepherds, Collies, little dogs…some of them are ten, twelve years old. Some of them are puppies and theyʼre given to the fighting dogs to rip them apart—to give them the feeling of victory—to train them to fight. We found out that in training pit puppies to fight, theyʼll take a kitten and hang it in a bag and theyʼll have the dogs try to reach for it. Theyʼll pull the claws out of the kitten first so it

Chris DeRose, known as the Ghandi of the animal welfare movement, and a rescued, rehabilitated Pit Bull from Ace of Hearts Rescue. www.doglivingmagazine.com

doesnʼt scratch the young pup and deter it from being aggressive. Itʼs a progression. Eventually, theyʼll do the same thing with a cat. Theyʼll throw the cat in there and let it mutilate the cat and kill it. Theyʼre monsters. Anyone who would involve themselves in this kind of thing—to sit there and watch an animal ripped apart for enjoyment, is absolutely sick. There is no excuse for this. Itʼs a macho thing. I call it the small penis syndrome. Itʼs really about these guys trying to prove their manhood and thereʼs a big Pit Bull out there doing their biting for them.” Asked what kind of people engage in dog fighting, DeRose tells us, “A lot of people in positions of power, law enforcement, politicians, judges— thereʼs gambling involved in this. All kinds of people—Latino, white, black, Asian, everybody and from all socio-economic levels. There is a sadistic thing going on here. They enjoy watching animals get hurt. Iʼve confronted some of these people and theyʼre downright mean.” There is a subculture of dog fighting among professional athletes and Rap stars. Former NBA forward Qyntel Woods faced charges of dog fighting before pleading guilty to animal abuse in 2005 and former NFL running back LeShon Johnson pled guilty to three charges related to dog fighting in 2005 as well. Johnson is currently serving a five year deferred sentence. One of LCAʼs undercover investigators told this reporter, “Roy Jones Jr., the pro boxer, is a big time dog fighter and good

friends with Mike Vick. On Roy Jones Jr.ʼs property, he has around a hundred Game (killer) Pits.” Rap star DMX was convicted of thirteen counts of animal cruelty in 2002 for abusing his Pit Bulls. In a dim-witted op-ed piece, football star Deion Sanders wrote, “I believe Vick had a passion for dog fighting. I know many athletes who share his passion. The allure is the intensity and the challenge of a dog fighting to the death. Itʼs like ultimate fighting, but the dog doesnʼt tap out when he knows he canʼt win.” Maybe Neon Deion would like to tell the Feds the names of these dog fighting athletes so they can get off the field and go where they belong— prison.

pups which are “on the ground,” meaning born and ready to be sold and trained for victory or death. The more “Game bloodline” they are, meaning that they are bred with the willingness to fight to the death, the higher the price. If one delves deeper into the Pit Bull fighting Web world, one can access some very scary people who write in code and warn each other on message boards that the “Feds are watching you, watch your noisy asses!” If a dog is described as Dead Game, it means the dog is poised to kill/win in the next match.

Shamelessly, these Web sites have a disclaimer that states that “No dogs will be sold for illegal or fighting purposes.” The site builders even claim that the content of the sites is “fictional and for entertainment purposes only.” Right. And a Ferrari is only intended to be driven under the speed limit. And semi-automatic weapons are just for recreational use. Unfortunately, the Web sites, like the dogs and the blood and the cruelty are all too real.

The letters Ch., (Champion) as a prefix before a dogʼs bloodline name means that the dog has won a contracted match, killing another dog. The prefix GR. Ch. (Grand Champion) before the name signifies that the dog has won five or more matches, killing each time. These dogs are sought after for stud services and breeding services for the purpose of creating a population of disposable dogs made to kill with spectacular, lucrative and bloody results. With names like Razorʼs Edge, RedBoy, Hittler, Jocko and the Notorious Juan Gotti, these dogs are posed menacingly, their ears hacked off crudely down to the skull and shackled in enormous chains —chains that are strong enough to pull a truck. The photos are enhanced with flourishes that are identical to the art work from Hip Hop CDs and magazine covers.

On these sites, one can browse for “breedings.” These are Game bred

The dogs in the photos look joyless, which is unusual for a dog. Dogs in

A Web search of Pit Bull sites demonstrates the pervasive influence of Hip Hop and Mob “culture.” Sites are artfully Web-mastered to have the look and feel of a Hip Hop and Mafia environment.

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loving homes are naturally happy. In contrast, these poor beasts are beefed up on steroids and sadly, tethered to a large gage chain in a dirt yard. Naturally, the faces of the Dogmen (what dog fighters call themselves) are always cropped out of the picture. They donʼt want you to know who they are—not because they are ashamed but because they are hiding from the cops. Of course, none of the animals displayed have scars—that would be evidence that could tip off a raid by the “Law.” These dogs live in Spartacuslike conditions. They are there for three reasons: 1. To enhance the macho image of the brutes who own them. 2. To make money. 3. To breed and fight and die. To most people, the purse for a Game dog match is a lot of money. On the street fighting level, which is not considered professional, the purse can run around $1500. A professional match can bring in as much as $150,000— chump change for a rich guy like Vick. According to an undercover investigator who works for Last Chance for Animals, no one wants to keep an injured dog. “Youʼre gonna kill that dog because bringing that dog home is stupid,” he says. “Itʼs evidence. So you kill it. Most of the time, shoot him. Gun shot to the head. You donʼt want any injured dog on your property because that is evidence. They (dog fighters) have the most healthy dogs

in the world because they treat them like athletes—until theyʼre injured. They start fighting them at one and a half. It might live three years max. They seem to get attached to their breeding dog. If a dog does something spectacular in a fight, they might breed it. He will not go back to the property. Heʼll go to a private vet or a friendʼs house.” Shockingly, there are veterinarians who work in this business, pumping up these dogs with testosterone and other drugs to enhance aggression. “Dog fighting is the cruelest thing Iʼve ever seen and Iʼve worked in a slaughter house,” says the LCA undercover investigator. “If the dog is people-aggressive, it gets killed. Automatic loss in a dog fight. These dogs are havinʼ to trust these people. They wanna please the owner. These people are bonding with these dogs. Theyʼre playing ball with them in the yard. [The dogs] donʼt know whatʼs cominʼ. Itʼs mentally cruel to the dogs.”

Carole Raphaelle Davis is an actress, animal welfare advocate and author of “The Diary of Jinky, Dog of a Hollywood Wife.” Website: www.HollywoodJinky.com Editorʼs Note: The authorʼs original version of this article included names of the websites of Pit Bull breeders who claim to be “legitimate,” but are known to be in business for one purpose – dog fighting. For the protection of the author, these names were removed. However, Dog Living Magazine thinks it is important that the general public is aware of these sites and hopes that it will raise awareness of this illegal activity. You can reach some of these sites by searching for “Pit Bull Kennels” on the web. Itʼs important to note that there are legitimate breeders out there who are in no way associated with dog fighting activity, however, we think when you visit some of these sites, it will be obvious which kennels have questionable intentions.

Dog lovers can only hope that the prosecution team is made up of Pit Bull lawyers, who are Game enough to win. In his only statement so far on the charges against him, Mike Vick acknowledged through an attorney that he is sorry for the pain this has caused his mother. He apologized to his team mates for not being there at practice. But on the subject of manʼs best friend being torn to pieces for entertainment and profit, he is as silent as the dogs who died in agony at his house.

www.doglivingmagazine.com

Dog Heaven A short fiction story by author Teri Wilson

“You never told me it was a pit bull.” The card on the door said Staffordshire Bull Terrier Mix, but I knew what that meant. For most adoptive pet owners, it may as well have said Monster.

“I was afraid you wouldnʼt come.” Sheila, the kennel worker at our local pound, looked at me pleadingly. “Youʼre right. I donʼt rescue pit bulls. Theyʼre dangerous dogs and no one wants them.” “Please just take a peek. Itʼs her last day.” Last day. The words hung in the space between us, heavy with their sinister implications. Iʼm not sure what made me agree to see the dog. I pictured my tranquil country home sitting atop its carpet of wild sunflowers, my three rescue dogs peering beyond the white picket fence as they waited for someone to pluck them up and take them to their forever homes. Nowhere in this pastoral setting could I imagine a pit bull. Still, somehow the words escaped my mouth. “Okay, Iʼll take a quick look.” “Great. Iʼll go get the key.” I stood in the hallway and looked at all the lapdogs in their stacked cages lining the walls. Chihuahuas, Malti-poos, Cocka-poos. The sort of dogs people wanted to adopt. Tiny dogs women could carry around in their handbags. Yet, there I stood waiting to see a dog who remained behind locked doors. Sheila fumbled with the doorknob. “Sheʼs in pretty bad shape, but seems to be a real sweetheart.” Thatʼs all she said before she opened the door. Sometimes I wonder why she didnʼt try harder to warn me. But, in retrospect, nothing she could have said would have prepared me for the sight of that dog. She was curled up in a ball in the corner of the room, but rose to greet us when we entered. Her coat was covered in deep

September | October 2007

puncture wounds, swollen and purple. She would have been pure white, if not for the dried, crusty blood caked on her body. She would have been beautiful, but she was maimed. Her ears were gone, ripped from her skull by some unnamed instrument. In their place were ragged stumps. Sheila was talking, but her words barely registered in my consciousness. I heard her say something about the dog being dumped by a dog fighting ring. She was too submissive and gentle for their “sport.” I tried to speak, choking on my words. “Whatʼs her name?” “Weʼve been calling her Snow White.” Oh, the irony. Clearly life had been no fairy tale for this dog. No one would ever want her. “Iʼll take her.” And I spun on my heels to get the dog crate from my truck. I hadnʼt even touched the dog or looked her in the eyes. As I guided the truck up the drive to my house, stone-cold fear settled in the pit of my stomach. What had I done? A dog this tortured, this abused would never be capable of trusting a human again. She would be better off dead. These thoughts drifted through my mind as I heaved the dog crate through the gate of my picket fence. I plunked it down amidst the tall, golden flowers and opened the door then stood and waited. Nothing. I was hardly surprised. Who could blame the poor thing? But the trauma of seeing another living creature in that condition suddenly overwhelmed me and I sunk into the sea of sunflowers,

burying my face in my hands. I stayed there until the sunʼs rays fell from the sky and melted, soft and shimmering into the horizon, turning every petal around me into a tiny sparkling flame. Then I heard the shuffle of paws on moist earth. I felt her breath, like a whisper, against my flesh. I looked up at the pit bull in my meadow, into her eyes, one chocolate brown and the other a brilliant blue. She wagged her stump of a tail and pressed her soft, pink nose into the palm of my hand. With that first touch I knew Snow had come home. She would live here forever, in my little white house, in my field of flowers, in my life. Here where the warm summer breeze would gently blow closed her many cuts and gouges. In this place where sticks were for chewing and hands were for petting. Where majestic flowers tilted their faces toward the sun, lifted their leafy arms and stood sentry over the wounded. Where there were no dangerous dogs, no bad dogs - only happy ones.

Pet Portraits by Katie Britt at Elizabeth Galecke Photography

Raleigh, NC 919.785.0620

www.elizabethgalecke.com/katie

www.doglivingmagazine.com

David Crabtree

Unleashed By Suzanne Jalot

When we asked David Crabtree if he’s always been a dog person he gave us an immediate and enthusiastic, “Oh my gosh yeah!” Crabtree loves to talk about his dog Sampson and anything to do with dogs. But when we asked him to tell us more about himself he was hesitant and replied, “I’m a real shy person so it baffles me that people would ever want to know anything about me.” Of course we want to know about David Crabtree. Dog people make the most interesting interview subjects, don’t they? This dog lover just happens to be a familiar face in the Triangle and along the coast. Crabtree is the evening anchor for WRAL in Raleigh and folks in southeastern North Carolina will recognize him from the news simulcast found on WILM in Wilmington. Crabtree is the proud father of 11 1⁄2year-old Sampson the English Bulldog. “He’s actually a boxer/bulldog mix,” Crabtree tells us, “Being a mix makes him healthier.” He’s had Sampson since he was six weeks old and for the longest time the poor little pooch went without a name. Crabtree said he wanted a real English name, like Raleigh or Winston. But a friend of his already had a dog named Raleigh and his boss had a son named

September | October 2007

Winston, so he figured it probably wasn’t a good idea to name his dog after his boss’s son. Then one day a little girl who lived next to him at the time came home from Sunday School and told him she had been studying about Sampson and she thought that should be his name. And so the nameless pooch became Sampson. Sampson has been with Crabtree through divorce, through the death of his mother and the death of his brother. Watching them interact, it’s obvious that these two share a very special bond. “He’s just been the best companion,” Crabtree says, “I don’t care who you are or what you have going on, dogs bring animation to your life.” Crabtree says dogs seem to sense when something is weighing on your mind. He clearly recalls one of those moments that happened during an ice storm back in 2002. “I do work on death row. There was an execution at Central Prison and a guy that I’d gotten to know over the past six years was executed and I was one of the witnesses,” Crabtree says, “I came home to my house that night and I had no power. It was so cold you could see your breath, but I have a little tiny gas fireplace in the living room and I pulled my chair up

to it at five o-clock in the morning when I got home. It was pitch black outside.” Crabtree says that’s when Sampson walked up to him. “He came up to me and leaned into me and sat down. He didn’t lay down, he just sat there and he did not move until I moved two hours later. Dogs sense when there’s something going on in your life, even if you don’t tell them. Because they know you.” It’s because of moments like those, says Crabtree, that dogs absolutely animate your life. Although Sampson is not getting any younger, Crabtree says he’s not quite ready to get another dog, he just wants to spend time taking care of Sampson right now. “I have to give him a little more time than I used to,” says Crabtree, “It’s funny, I line up his medicine in the morning and he has all these pills!” Old age may have slowed him down a bit, but Sampson still has his spark. “More people say hello to Sampson than to me,” Crabtree muses. Sampson has even trained the ladies that come to clean Crabtree’s house. “I know that they always give him treats when they

get there and when they leave,” says Crabtree, “But it has gotten to where a couple of years ago that when he would hear their car, he would go to the door and slam up against the door just going nuts.” One day while the ladies were at the house, Crabtree heard them “oohing” and “ahhing” in the hallway. When he looked out from his office down the hall, he saw all three ladies hovering over Sampson giving him a massage. Crabtree says the dog just looked up at him as if to say, ‘What?’ and Crabtree just shook his head. Crabtree says having Sampson in his life has been “a blessing beyond words.” Although Crabtree admits he has cost him a lot of money in women’s shoes. It seems as though when Sampson doesn’t care for one of Crabtree’s lady friends, he shows it by chewing up her shoes. “I’ve bought a lot of shoes,” Crabtree says laughing. For now, Crabtree is content to devote all of his attention on Sampson and can’t imagine life any other way. Crabtree tells us, “I get down in his ear and tell him how much I love him at least once a day.”

MILAM HARDWARE We’ve got dog food and more! Mike Milam 910-259-5200 910-367-6005

315 Hwy 117s Burgaw, NC 28425

PURINA www.doglivingmagazine.com

Release These Hounds

by Suzanne Jalot

Organizations exist all across the country that train and place service dogs in homes where they are needed. These dogs go through a rigorous screening process and many, many months of training. Itʼs easy to find a home that needs one of these dogs. But what happens when itʼs one of these dogs who is in need of a home? What happens to a dog that doesnʼt make it through the screening process? Thatʼs where people like Michael and Diane Levine come in. Back in 1990, the Levines were living in Rhode Island and were looking for an addition to their family. Theyʼd always loved dogs, but didnʼt want to raise a puppy. Thatʼs when they heard about Guiding Eyes for the Blind, a non-profit organization in New York that provides trained guide dogs for the visually impaired. They didnʼt need a guide dog, but they were interested in adopting one of the programʼs dropouts. Dogs can be “released” from the program for many different reasons. According to the Guiding Eyes for the Blind website, the most common reason for a puppy to be released is that “the dogʼs personality trait indicates a pup who seeks human support when under pressure.” Young adult dogs who have been through training may be released if they “show signs of worry in certain situations” or “appear to lack the fortitude for guide work.” The Levines have welcomed three of these so-called “flunkies” into their home and couldnʼt be happier. “I think raising a puppy is a lot of work,” says Levine. Thatʼs why he thought this program was such a great idea. “Theyʼre already trained,” he says, “Theyʼre housebroken and they know basic commands.” Taz was the first dog they adopted after being on a waiting list for about six months. Mandy was their next addition. She didnʼt actually flunk out of the program, but rather, was released because of a medical condition. Although it was a minor problem, it is the policy of Guiding Eyes not to use guide dogs that have a health problem. Levine says Mandy is on a strict diet, but other than that, you wouldnʼt know she had any problems. A few years after they got Mandy, and after Taz had passed away, the Levines brought Jack into their home. Levine says Jack flunked out of the program. “He was chasing squirrels or something like that,” he says with a grin. Levine says they would like to adopt another dog from a similar program eventually. The demand is so high for released dogs from Guiding Eyes, they are not even accepting any more applications for young

September | October 2007

adult dogs and the anticipated wait for those who have already submitted applications is four years. Pat Nowak is with Carolina Canines for Service, a Wilmingtonbased non-profit which trains service dogs for people with functional limitations of mobility. These dogs can be trained to perform a wide variety of tasks such as opening doors, retrieving dropped objects, assisting with household tasks and general physical support. Nowak says they use both purebred and mixed breed dogs in their program. Their dogs may be donated by reputable breeders or acquired from rescue organizations and animal shelters. Nowak says dogs are released from their program for a couple of reasons. “At six months we spay/neuter and do an initial hip evaluation,” says Nowak, “Theyʼll be doing manual work, so itʼs important that they are physically healthy.” She says if theyʼre not, theyʼll be released. They may also be released because of their temperament. “If they just donʼt do well in social situations, they wonʼt make good service dogs,” Nowak says. Nowak says they never know when theyʼll have dogs available for adoption, so she suggests that anyone who is interested, go ahead and fill out an application so it will be on file. These released dogs make wonderful pets, and Mandy and Jack are proof of that. The adopted sister and brother are the best of friends, get to sleep on the bed and enjoy all the pleasures of being a dog. And Michael and Diane Levine get to enjoy all the pleasures that come with living with these two faithful companions. It is said that often the traits that make dogs unsuitable for “work” are the very traits that make them the perfect companion dogs. For more information on Carolina Canines for Service, visit www.carolinacanines.org.

Dogs released from these programs aren’t the only ones who need homes. Dogs who retire from service often need a home in which to live out the remainder of their years.

Does Your Pooch Need a Trust Fund? by Karen Jerabek

As friends of mine start to have children, Iʼve noticed that they also start planning for their childʼs future right away. Theyʼre setting up college funds, writing wills and choosing guardians. As I watch all the careful planning that my friends are doing, I begin to wonder what steps I should be taking. I donʼt actually have any children though. Well, thatʼs not exactly true. I donʼt have the human kind. I do have the furry kind. Iʼm a proud doggy mom to two great big balls of fur that give me more love than I deserve. They greet me at the door every day when I get off work with whimpers of happiness that weʼre finally reunited. They lick my tears when Iʼm upset and jump around with me when I feel like dancing. Theyʼre my girls, my fur babies. There isnʼt anything I wouldnʼt do for them. Theyʼre the most precious things in my life. I never thought about what would happen to my dogs if something were to happen to me. I always expected that they would die before I would, but I donʼt have a guarantee on that. As my friends start making plans in the event of their deaths, I wonder what would happen to my dogs if I died tomorrow? I called up a fellow dog lover, Matt Thompson, an attorney with Ward and Smith. The focus of his practice is estate planning and estate administration. Knowing that heʼs the proud papa to 5-year-old Bailey, a beautiful golden retriever, I knew he wouldnʼt find my questions foolish. In fact, I found out that heʼs actually handled several clientsʼ concerns about their pets. He explained to me that despite my feeling that my dogs were family members, the laws in North Carolina did not reflect my opinion. Dogs are viewed as property and have no assigned rights and no protection under the law. “Most of the time a family member will take on the responsibility of the pet but I encourage people to be specific when creating a will and planning their estate to ensure their pet is included,” Thompson said. “So, what things does a pet owner need to think about?” I asked. “If you already have a will and you state that all of your property goes to one designated person, your pet is included in that property,” Thompson explained. “This may not be practical or it may not be the person youʼd prefer to care for your pet.” If you donʼt have a will, then your property would follow intestate laws and go to your closest relative. As you begin your estate planning, Matt Thompson suggests you start with the following when planning for the future care of your pet.

101

Estate Planning For Pooches

First, decide if there is someone in your life such as a friend or family member who youʼd like to care for your pet in the event of your death. If not, there are services online that will match volunteer caregivers with prospective pets for a fee.

Once you choose the person youʼd like to care for your pet, discuss this with the person. It can be difficult to discuss the possibility of death with your friend or family member but it is necessary if youʼre going to protect your pet.

If the person is agreeable to the responsibility of caring for your dog, you will need a will to ensure your wishes are carried out. A statement in your will can designate a caretaker.

If youʼd like to provide funds for your petʼs care, you can do so in a will. However, you are entrusting the person to use the funds in the manner in which you specified. There is no legal course if the person uses the funds in another manner.

If you want to ensure that funds are being allocated specifically for your pet, then you should discuss a trust with an attorney. The account will be managed and money will be allocated to care for your pet. “This provides extra peace of mind,” Thompson says. Now that I know what I need to think about to plan for my dogsʼ future, I need to start planning! “Who do I want to be the guardian of my two dogs?” I ponder. I pick up the phone and call my first choice in guardians, my parents. They agree that if something happens to me, they will take care of their two “grand puppies”. The only thing left to worry about is if the “grandparents” will hand out too many treats. About the author: Karen Jerabek is a writer and the co-founder of a divorce support website, www.ScarletDivorce.com. She lives in Raleigh with Bailey, a 9-year-old Golden Retriever and Sierra, a 7-year-old Siberian Husky. www.doglivingmagazine.com

People Treats Portside Diner

Built in 1960, the building that now houses Portside Diner

has a vivid past. It’s been a bar and several different dining establishments with some very interesting owners. Today, Portside Diner has a brand new owner who has transformed the place into a cute little diner-style restaurant serving breakfast all day. It’s a very humble looking building, but don’t let that fool you – the stuff that comes from the kitchen is a real treat. The current owner, Courtney, worked at City Club for ten years before buying the restaurant. Courtney says she always wanted to own a restaurant, she just didn’t think it would be this soon. Portside Diner has been open less than six months, but has already picked up a loyal following. Oh yeah, Courtney is also a huge dog lover and supported Paw Jam this past year by providing food for hungry volunteers. Daily specials, homemade desserts and good ole country cookin’ is what you’ll get from Portside Diner. We highly recommend the fried pickles – a bargain at just 95 cents per serving. Breakfast offerings include all the usual stuff – eggs, omelets, pancakes, breakfast sandwiches and the like. The lunch menu includes everything from a BBQ pork plate to burgers to salads piled high with fresh veggies. Tucked away on Burnett Boulevard near the State Port, it’s easy to fly right by the inconspicuous looking building. But we highly recommend driving real slow, so you don’t miss this little gem of a diner.

Hours:

Open 6:30am-3:00pm Mon-Fri (soon to be open on Saturdays, we hope!)

Location:

2140 Burnett Blvd (just down from the State Port) 910-251-2777

September | October 2007

Here’s what we’re howling about

Puppy Love Dog Bone Pendant These handmade pendants are made from pure, recycled silver and each piece is one of a kind! They can be personalized with the name of your best four-legged friend. Add a sterling silver ball chain and wear it yourself to show your love for your pooch, or clip it onto your dogʼs collar for identification. $115, sentimental silver, www.sentimentalsilver.com

You Silly Monkey Collars We are in love with the design of these hip collars and leashes. With plenty of styles to choose from, one of the cool things about You Silly Monkey is that theyʼre based just up the road in Raleigh. And we didnʼt want to mention it, but yes, they also make cat collars too! $22 and up, You Silly Monkey. www.yousillymonkey.com

DogSmarts 2 Hounds Productions Notecards These notecards come in sets of six with six different designs and matching envelopes. These unique cards are perfect for staying in touch with friends and loved ones. The cards are blank inside for you to create your own message. $8.50, www.2houndsproductions.com

This game puts a whole new spin on family and friends game night. Itʼs all about the dogs with this new game for humans. Invite your fellow dog fanatics over to explore the world of dogs. The set features 60 question and answer cards with topics such as breeds, dog behavior and more. 3% of sales of DogSmarts benefits Canine Companions for Independence. $16.95, SmartsCo, Available at gift, book and pet stores or on the web at www.smartco.com

WIN IT! One lucky Dog Living Magazine reader will win a set of 2 Hounds Productions Notecards! Another lucky reader will win a Puppy Love Dog Bone Pendant! Check out page 32 for details. www.doglivingmagazine.com

The FURminator

Youʼve heard about and you might have seen it, but does it work? Assistant Editors Ollie & August gladly stepped up to test out this supposed “de-shedder.” The FURminator is made for “people who love their pets but hate the shedding.”

The claim:

• For long and short-haired dogs and cats • Removes undercoat and loose hair, the major source of shedding • Releases natural oils that provide a shiny topcoat • Unique stainless steel edge works without cutting or damaging the topcoat • Features a comfortable ergonomic grip handle • Removes dander that can become airborne and cause allergic reactions

FURminator promotional photo

The procedure:

Weʼd been hearing about the FURminator for a long time now and without actually knowing what it was, we had images of some complicated monster contraption in our heads. It turns out, itʼs just a hand tool that requires no special training! Ollie and August seemed ready to go as soon as our package arrived. Of course, they were probably more interested in the treats that came in it than the tool itself. Our complete kit consisted of deShedding shampoo, deShedding solution, waterless deShedding shampoo & conditioner (in a spray bottle) and deShedding treats. The company recommends using all the products in conjunction with one another for maximum benefit so we started with the treats. We then got to work with the shampoo, then more treats, then the deShedding solution, then more treats. It is recommended that you leave the shampoo and deShedding solution on for at least five minutes. After Ollie and August were smelling nice and clean and had dried off, we set to work with the actual FURminator. They both seemed to enjoy being “massaged” by the tool and they really enjoyed the treats they received afterwards.

The results:

Well, our floor didnʼt look like the one in the picture, but that FURminator sure did remove a lot of hair! Ollie must shed more than August because there was much more black hair on the floor than white hair.

September | October 2007

It may not look as dramatic as the promotional photo, but we still think thatʼs a lot of hair!

• For long and short-haired dogs and cats – Well, it was definitely fine for our short-haired subjects. • Removes undercoat and loose hair – Absolutely. • Releases natural oils that provide a shiny topcoat – Weʼd have to say yes. Both dogs had shinier coats afterward than when we started. This only lasted a day or two though. • Unique stainless steel edge works without cutting or damaging the topcoat –The topcoats look undamaged to us. • Features a comfortable ergonomic grip handle – True. • Removes dander that can become airborne and cause allergic reactions – Hereʼs the interesting part…Our house is normally COVERED in dog hair. The dogs rule the house and the furniture. We vacuum every other day and still canʼt seem to catch up. However, we have visibly noticed a difference in the amount of hair that ends up on the floor and the furniture since weʼve been using the FURminator. Now that alone is enough to make this product worthwhile for us! You can find the FURminator in most pet stores, but if youʼre not ready to tackle the job yourself, you can have the professionals at The Purple Groomery or Give A Dog A Bone Play Spa do the job for you. Both are FURminator authorized facilities in the Cape Fear area.

Can Dogs Detect the Paranormal? by K. Gwendolyn

I don’t believe in ghosts. Let me just say that up front. However, that doesn’t stop me from obsessing over every little thing that goes bump in the night. Did I just see a shadow in the hallway? Am I hearing voices? I knew I shouldn’t have watched that scary movie just before bedtime. One thing that keeps me from shakin’ in my boots over all these things is my dogs. If I hear a strange noise late at night, I just look over at my dogs to see if I should be worried. If they haven’t stirred from their peaceful slumber, I feel assured that I have nothing to fear.

It’s a fact that dogs can hear many frequencies that humans can’t (you’ve heard of those dog whistles used for training, right?). Some of these frequencies that dogs hear may be the same frequencies that are often related to paranormal activity. Desmond says one way to think about it is like this: We are all familiar with radio waves. We know that radio waves travel through the air even though we can’t see them. We also know that we can’t hear radio waves without a special device that can pick them up and make them audible to our own ears. So who’s to say there’s not another frequency out there that although we can’t detect it, our dogs can pick up on it.

What does scare the heck out of me, though, is when my dogs seem to think that rogue noise is something to lift their head about. On a camping trip to the South Carolina mountains, we ended up being the only tent in the campground the first night we were there. During the day, we thought it was great. We’ve got the whole place to ourselves and plenty of privacy! But as night fell, our thoughts started to wander as visions of bad horror flicks flashed through our minds.

Neuroscientists would point out that dogs are definitely able to pick out more sounds than humans. My dogs know when “Daddy” is coming down the street before I do. They are not only able to distinguish his car from other cars, but they also obviously hear it long before I do. To that effect, dogs must be able to screen out sounds that aren’t relevant, like cars that aren’t “Daddy’s.” Otherwise they’d get over stimulated with constant sounds.

We finally settled into a comfortable sleep (as comfortable as you can be with two adults and two large dogs trying to share one queen-size air mattress). Then in the wee hours of the morning, both of us woke up to the sound of leaves crunching just behind our tent. We were situated next to a tiny creek, and the sound seemed to be coming from just across the creek. Crunch. Pause. Crunch. Pause. The steps seemed slow and deliberate. It must be an animal, we thought. A very big animal by the sound of it. We tried to block the sound out of our minds and might have been able to get back to sleep if not for what happened next. One of our dogs let out a noise we had never heard from her before. It was a low, throaty growl, obviously directed at whatever was outside of our tent. It was one of the strangest noises we’ve ever heard come out of her mouth. It was as if she was sending a secret signal to whatever was out there to back off, because she was on to it.

Knowing all that, l’m comfortable thinking that dogs can detect the paranormal. And if they are screening out those paranormal sounds as not relevant, I know I’m going to sleep better at night. That is, unless I wake up to hear that low, throaty, growling noise again.

I picked up the flashlight and sheepishly shined it out of one of the tent windows in the direction of the sound. Of course I didn’t see anything, but the sound did stop. I turned the flashlight off and we all laid very still. No sound. Surely we’d hear it run away. This thing must have been scared by our light. But there were no “get away” crunch sounds. Just silence. It was as though whatever had been making those sounds had just vanished. As the sun began to rise, we both hoped the campground would be filled with campers the next night. To heck with privacy! Now while what we experienced on that camping trip was probably a wild animal and there was some sort of logical explanation for the sudden disappearance of the sound, paranormal investigators say there is also a logical explanation to why dogs may seem to “sense” things that you can’t. “It’s widely known that dogs have hearing superior to humans,” says Andrew Desmond, a paranormal researcher, “They can detect sounds that aren’t audible to the human ear.” Desmond says a lot of paranormal research centers around unusual frequency patterns and EVPs. “EVP stands for Electronic Voice Phenomenon,” Desmond tells us, “These are disembodied sounds imprinted on an audio recording device.”

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Chew on this By Amanda Hearring Black

Who Moved My Cheese?

ack before I had a child, I took my dog Jake on a walk just about every night. We walked for miles, taking in the sights of the neighborhood and getting a good workout. One warm evening on the way back from our nightly stroll, my husband Brad was outside chatting with a neighbor. Jake and I waved hello and went inside the house. We went into the kitchen where Jake lapped up most of the water in his bowl, and I chugged down a glass of water. We were both hot and exhausted from our workout. I noticed Brad was in the process of making a sandwich since there was a plate, a loaf of bread, some sandwich meat and a block of cheese sitting on the counter. It looked as if he had just finished slicing the cheese before he was distracted by the neighbor because it was spread out on the plate. I didnʼt think much about it. I finished drinking my glass of water and got in the shower. When I finished my shower, I heard a strange noise coming from the other end of the house. I donʼt know about you, but whenever I hear a strange noise I play the game “What is the dog into now?” After pondering the noise as I got dressed, I figured it was definitely the sound of Pfaltzgraff banging on the countertop. I ran to the kitchen where I caught Jake “red-pawed.” He was standing on his back legs with his front paws bracing his weight on the kitchen counter. He caught sight of me but kept licking the now-empty plate, leaving a thick film of doggie slobber behind. I pulled him down. He finished licking his lips and walked off. I looked at the counter and noticed everything was where I had left it, except the entire block of cheese was missing. That dog had eaten an entire block of cheese! Not knowing the effects of a large quantity of cheese in a dog, I reprimanded him and went about my night as usual.

September | October 2007

The next morning Jake was sluggish, but I assumed he was just still full from all of the cheese. When I came home from work that afternoon, I opened the front door and got a whiff of what reminded me of a poorly ventilated baby nursery. Jake was cowering at the back door beside a puddle (yes, a puddle) of poop. There were puddles of poop everywhere -- at each door, a path down the hallway, and even some splattered down the stairs. It was disgusting. Since the incident my husband and I have become very cautious about leaving food sitting out, and we have also learned that if we canʼt find something, give it about 24 hours and it may show up by the backdoor. About the author: Amanda Hearring Black is the Production Director for a group of regional magazines headquartered in Cary, North Carolina. Her dog, Jake, is thought to be a Rhodesian Ridgeback mix. Jake was adopted from the SPCA of Wake County.

It’s Hard to Say

Goodbye By K. Gwendolyn

www.vet.cornell.edu/public/ Pet Loss Resources on the Web petloss The Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement www.aplb.org

The Delta Society www.deltasociety.org

Cornell University

he first pet I remember losing was our German Shepherd, Max. I was only six or seven at the time and we had moved twelve hours away. Max had been left in the care of my grandparents because my parents thought the move would be too stressful on him in his old age. It turns out, us leaving him must have been just as stressful, because Max passed away shortly after we moved. The loss of a pet can be overwhelming, stressful and just plain difficult. To some non-pet owners, we look crazy. Itʼs hard for them to grasp the concept that our pets our not just animals, theyʼre our kids, our family, our lives. But for those of us who have been through it, we know. I was eight or nine when Bandit came into my life and we grew up together. Now Bandit was the “family dog,” but in my mind, he was “my dog.” He seemed to know just when I needed him by my side and he was always there. If I had a fight with my sisters, it was Bandit I would go to. If I was upset with my parents, it was Bandit who would bring me comfort. If I needed someone to talk to, Bandit never complained. Bandit saw me through the awkwardness of middle school, through high school graduation and then through every one of my four (okay, four and a half) college years. By the time I had graduated from college, Bandit was way into his canine senior years. Of course, I thought he could live forever. Fresh out of college, I wasnʼt living at home anymore, but I had heard my mom was thinking it might be time to make that final decision for Bandit.

He was having frequent seizures and he could barely move his back legs because of arthritis pain. He was old, but I swear his eyes were still full of life even if his body didnʼt agree. I went to visit Bandit at my parentsʼ house, knowing it might be one of the last times we were together. I picked him up and we drove to the beach. The ocean air and the sand beneath his feet seemed to give him an extra kick to his step, perhaps making him forget for just a moment that his poor old joints were full of pain. The next day, I received a call at work. My mother had taken Bandit into the vet to be euthanized. While I knew that this day was coming, I wasnʼt told when and I never got my chance to say my final goodbye. Tears streamed down my face as my co-workers wondered what had upset me so. I couldnʼt concentrate, I couldnʼt think, I couldnʼt do anything. I felt like the pain would never go away.

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 •

That day on the beach was nearly a decade ago and I still feel sad when I think about Bandit. I know youʼre supposed to think happy thoughts when you remember a loved one, and I do usually, but a part of me still misses that dog. Iʼm so grateful I took Bandit to the beach that day. I may have not known it was the last time I would see him alive, but Iʼd like to think that maybe he did. Maybe the zest in his step and the joy he seemed to be having as we walked along the shore was how he wanted me to remember him – As a happy, playful dog who made me smile and brought so much joy into my life.

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Tail Waggers by Elysa Cooper

Light Hearted Press - For Every Dog an Angel Author Christine Davis has written this book to celebrate the “forever” dog in your life and lift the spirits and bring comfort to anyone coping with the loss of an animal friend. She uses simple words and joyful illustrations to help remember the “magical bond that connected you and your furry friend- a bond that can never be broken”. This book is appropriate for any age and is available for cat lovers, as well. Retail Price: $9.95 To find a retailer near you: Light Hearted Press (877) 385-6837 www.lightheartedpress.com

At-Choo - Loyal Friend Treasures Artist Elaine Seamans creates these wonderful sterling silver “love token” charms to “inspire people to openly express the passion and love they feel for their pets”. Many of her sayings are meant to help with the pain of losing your best friend and honor the bond of love that you shared. A number of designs and styles are available, including 2-sided charms with inscriptions or blank on one side for your own engraved words. Retail price: $39- $81 To find a retailer near you: At-Choo (818) 505-0464 www.at-choo.com Lewis Creek Glassworks - Cremulets These beautiful and original handcrafted glass pendants are created by artist Kate Saunders. Cremulets are a way to preserve and keep a small amount of your loved ones cremains (ashes) in a fused glass amulet, which can be worn as a pendent or kept as a keepsake. Each cremulet is custom made, with many possible colors and designs available, including heart and bone shapes. Retail price: $50- $55 To order: Lewis Creek Glassworks (503) 392-3968 www.lewiscreekglassworks.com

Kay Berry - Memorial Stones Handcrafted in their Pennsylvania studio, Kay Berry has created a special collection of memorial stones to celebrate our animal companions and the place they hold in our hearts. This collection includes a variety of inspirational quotes and phrases which express many of our feelings after the loss of a loved companion. All the stones are suitable for indoor or outdoor use and are available in various sizes. Kay Berry also produces memorial benches, headstone/urns and personalized memorials. Retail price: $19.50 and up To order: Kay Berry (800) 426-1932 www.kayberry.com

Memorial Products “I know love, I had a dog” - Beth Brown

One of the most devastating times of my life was when my 17 year old dog, “Buster” died. He had truly been my best friend and loving companion since I had found him under my car 13 years before. For those of you who have lost a dog, you understand the heartache of losing a cherished member of your family. Your dog holds a special place in your heart and, as so many dog lovers know, there is really no love like a dogʼs unconditional love. Memorializing our dogs can help ease our grief and allow us to find peace. For years, finding special memorial items was difficult - often the only things available were designed for humans. Also, until recently, there was little support or sympathy for grieving the loss of a pet and you would often hear, “It was just a dog…” Thankfully, there are now some outstanding and unique pet specific items available to remember and celebrate our beloved dogs, as well as, many excellent groups and websites dedicated to helping us cope with our loss. Furry Angel - Pet Memorial Candle Created to “offer a healing light to those who are grieving over the loss of a furry friend”, these palm wax candles are a great way to pay tribute to your beloved pet. Each candle comes in a glass tumbler with a touching poem silk screened on the glass that reads, “Grieve not, nor speak to me with tears, but laugh and talk of me as if I were beside you…I loved you so- ʻtwas heaven here with you”. Included with the candle is a gift card containing a special blessing and thoughts for a candle lighting ceremony. After the candle has burned, the glass tumbler can be used as a vase. Retail price: $19.95 ($22.95 gift boxed) To find a retailer near you: Furry Angel (800) 284-0491 www.furryangel.com

From Earth to Art - Canine Hair Pottery An animal lover from a young age, artist Anna Whitworth has created unique porcelain clay pottery vases and urns to honor and memorialize our canine companions. According to the artist, by incorporating your dogʼs hair into the firing process of her pottery pieces, she is able to leave a decorative veining design comparable to the look of polished marble. Each piece will have a special look, depending on the type of hair/fur that is used. These keepsakes can be made in several shapes and sizes. Retail price: $75- $150 To order: From Earth to Art (815) 245-1627 www.fromearthtoart.org

“He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.” -Unknown September | October 2007

Paws, Wag & Love Often

By Andrea Hurst

What Your Dog Can Teach You About Inner Peace What do dogs really need to be happy? Is it a fluffy coat? A rhinestone collar? Perhaps a gourmet dog treat or designer leash? I think not. Dogs live in harmony with their essential nature just as many spiritual teachings suggest we try to do. If you look close, a good example of an enlightened master may be sitting right next to you, head in your lap, tail wagging, ready to love you. Just like humans, dogs need a home and a safe place to sleep. While most canines can sleep just about anywhere, from hanging off the couch to a dusty piece of earth, from a warm dog house to the soft grass, nothing is quite as good as their human companionʼs warm bed. They like to sleep with someone they love. And if their human companion is not home, a place with their scent will do nicely.

It’s three o’clock

in the afternoon and I sit at my desk with my afternoon pick-me-up latte in hand hoping to get through the 150 emails still needing my attention. I glance at the mirror to my right and notice that my long overdue haircut cannot wait much longer. In the reflection I also see my two contented dogs, Basil and Chloe, stretched out on the couch doing what they do best…napping. How serene they look without a concern or worry. Have you ever noticed how peacefully your dog sleeps, as if he didnʼt have a care in the world? Most dogs donʼt, because when their day ends, they let it go and do what comes naturally…sleep. Once in a while you may see their eyes and paws move frantically in response to some exciting dream about chasing a ball or hearing the treat jar, but otherwise they are out for the count. Dogs are simple. Unlike us humans, they have relatively few needs and desires. Dogs take joy in the little pleasures of life. They eat when theyʼre hungry, sleep when theyʼre tired; they run and play often, and always enjoy a good belly rub. They bark when they feel excited or threatened and when their human companion needs protection. They are wide open to receiving love and return it in full measure – and then some. When a dog loves you, he loves you forever— unconditionally!

While humans can hold a grudge for days, weeks or even decades, canines let go of unpleasant experiences from the past. They forgive us if we forget to feed them or holler at them in an unkind manner. They love us just as much as ever. Dogs live in the moment, what happened yesterday stays in yesterday. Sometimes they may carry a wound or fear from a past trauma, but a smart human can help most any dog return to his essential nature of forgiving and forgetting. Much like humans, dogs like order in their life. They want a job to do—like protecting the home and yard or herding sheep—and they want to have a feeling of belonging. Once they have a place to belong and know their position in the pack, whether canine or human, they relax and maintain faithful and loyal to those they love. You might say dogs have strong family values. Perhaps our essential human nature and that of the canine are not as different as they may first appear. Perhaps what brings our canine companions inner peace might also work for us? Humans can love deeply, but that love often comes with a multitude of conditions. We may dream of a bigger, better house than the neighbors, or a fancy car may remain high on our desires list. Can you imagine a dog peeking over the fence at the neighbor dogʼs house and asking, “How

many square feet is your place? Is that Berber carpet I see?” Not likely! We humans spend a lot of time running -- to work, to errands, to appointments and to carpools -- but when is the last time we ran out in an open field or along the ocean shore? We may toss and turn all night with racing minds and hearts. If and when we do play, itʼs often with a great deal of self-consciousness. The list goes on. Perhaps in our next life we would want to come back as a dog? But why wait for our next life when our loving canine companions are here to guide us towards enlightened living now? I look over again at the enlightened duo on the couch and remember that I have not been paying enough attention to the Seven Canine Commandments for Inner Peace. I think I will make a copy and post them on my refrigerator, screensaver, and bathroom mirror. Perhaps I will commit them to memory and share them with those I love. Afterwards, I think I will take a nap.

7 Canine Commandments for Inner Peace -Keep an open heart -Relax and play often -Exercise until you are tired -Wag often and growl only when you have to -Always let your pack know how much you care -Live in the moment and let your hurts go -Rest and sleep peacefully

Andrea Hurst is the co-author with Beth Wilson of The Lazy Dog’s Guide to Enlightenment. She can be contacted at www.lazydogsguide.com. Based on the book The Lazy Dog’s Guide to Enlightenment. Copyright  2007 by Andrea Hurst and Beth Wilson. Photographs copyright  2007 by Zachary Folk. Reprinted with permission of New World Library, Novato, CA. www.newworldlibrary.com.

WIN IT! 5 lucky readers will win a copy of The Lazy Dogʼs Guide to Enlightenment. See page 32 for details.

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DOGnews Here’s the scoop… Wellspring Holistic Veterinary Care Opens New Office Dr. Brad Kerr has settled into a beautiful brand new office at 3150 Wrightsville Avenue. The new facility is less like a doctorʼs office and more like a peaceful, inviting home. Dr. Kerr offers safe and effective treatment for pain, arthritis, immune-mediated diseases, internal organ disorders, skin conditions, allergies and more. He can be reached at 910-7631230. Dogfest 2007 Dogs, dogs and more dogs! Cape Fear Golden Retriever Rescue is hosting Dogfest 2007 on Saturday, October 27th at Empie Park. Festivities run from 11am-3pm and include music, vendors, education, doggie contests and food and drink. Admission is $5 per person and proceeds benefit both Cape Fear Golden Retriever Rescue and Morris Animal Foundationʼs Canine Cancer Campaign.

WIN IT! Lazy Dog’s Guide to Enlightenment (page 31) Five winners Pet Escentials™ Gift Pack (page 34) One winner TO ENTER: For the giveaways listed above, log onto www .doglivingmagazine.com, click on the “Contact Us” link and fill out the contact form with “Lazy Dog” or “Pet Escentials.” 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. One entry per person and multiple entries will not be counted. Sentimental Silver Jewelry Tag (pages 13, 25) One winner TO ENTER: Send a picture of your dog clearly wearing identification to editor@doglivingmagazine.com. Please include your full name and telephone number. DOG LIVING MAGAZINE CONTEST RULES: Contest entries must be received by October 31, 2007 and winners will be notified by November 30, 2007. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Contests are open to legal US residents 18 and older by close of contest date. The decisions of the judges are final. 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. Acceptance of a prize 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.

Do You Feel Lucky? The Pender County Humane Society is offering you five chances to win cash! Raffle tickets available for $100 each and only 200 tickets will be sold. Five winners will get $250-$2,000 each. The prize drawing will be at Bonefish Grill on October 6th from 1pm-4pm. Dinner and live entertainment by Celia Rivenbark and Eduardo Somech. Your ticket includes one invitation to the drawing but you donʼt have to be present to win. Get your tickets by calling 910-452-0049 or 910-799-5401. Raffle to Win a Commissioned Pastel of your Dog High Cotton Painting is sponsoring a raffle to benefit Adopt-An-Angel. Each ticket is just $1. The winner of the raffle will receive an original pastel portrait (15”x20”) of his or her pet. Hurry! The raffle ends October 1st. Contact Mary Miller-Jordan at 910-4712658 for more information. Wilmington Dog Jog On Saturday, September 8, 2007, the City of Wilmington Parks and Recreation will host the 8th annual Dog Jog. There will be a competitive 5k run and a 1.5-mile fun walk, as well as the pooch plunge. Early registration lasts until August 17 and is $20. After the 17th it will be $25, and the event benefits Cape Fear Golden Retriever Rescue (CFGRR). Info: www.wilmingtondogjog.com, or call 910-341-4602. Do you have the scoop on something we should know about? Call us at 910-452-3775 or email editor@doglivingmagazine.com.

September | October 2007

Dogs on Film

The puparazzi caught these cuties out and about.

Skeeter

Boomer

Cooper

Lovey

Maggie,

Jo-Jo, D

Sadie

ixie

Do you dress up your dog for Halloween?

Yes 62% No 38% Doghouse Poll is brought to you by

“My dog Laila is a black miniature poodle, she loves to be with people and other animals....she was in a Halloween contest....She won a $25.00 gift certificate for her outfit and being Miss personality!!!!...She wore a pink party outfit with a hat..they were impressed with the fact she kept her hat on....” “I have dressed Lucy up once for Halloween and she was the prettiest princess ever!!” “We tried to dress up Bogart one year, but he had everything off within 30 seconds.”

This monthʼs question: Do you buy your dog(s) presents during the holidays? Send your answer to editor@doglivingmagazine.com and put “Doghouse Poll” in the subject line. WIN IT! Everyone who answers the Doghouse Poll is automatically entered to win a gift pack from Pet Escentials™! See the results in the next issue!

Also coming in November: •It’s our one year anniversary!

September | October 2007

•Huge holiday gift guide

•Does she bite?

Available on Amazon.com and other retailers!

“Jinky’s Hollywood story recalls the brilliant humiliation of Fitzgerald’s Pat Hobby, the uncomfortable self awareness of Curb Your Enthusiasm, and Henry Miller’s approach to Life’s Banquet. If everyone who owns a dog or loves to laugh buys this book, the profits will spark the worst custody battle in the history of Tinseltown.” -- MARK BRAZILL, creator of That 70’s Show

“Jinky’s a star! This rescued mongrel knows what’s important in life, and his take on Hollywood is hilarious!” --GRETCHEN WYLER, Humane Society of the United States Hollywood Office and founder of the Genesis Awards

Visit our web site at HollywoodJinky.com