Downeast Dog News November 2015 by Downeast Dog News

59 sites

59 sites 48 sites

60 sites

Name: _________________________________________ Address: _______________________________________ City, State, Zip: __________________________________ Phone: ________________________________________

Month to begin: _________________________________ Email: _________________________________________

Name: _________________________________________ Address: _______________________________________ City, State, Zip: __________________________________ Phone: ________________________________________

Month to begin: _________________________________ Email: _________________________________________

Return these forms with a check for $31.65 (Maine residents) or $30 (non-Maine residents) to: Downeast Dog News 266 Meadow St. Rockport, ME 04856

YOUR FREE SUBSCRIPTION

YOUR SUBSCRIPTION

Subscribe online at www.DowneastDogNews.com/join or fill out the forms below and mail with your check.

Buy one new subscription, get one free to use as a gift for your favorite dog-lover!

BUY ONE GET ONE FREE SUBSCRIPTIONS

Mail in the form (right) or order via e-mail at katie@downeastdognews.com

Make Downeast check payable to Downeast Dog St. News and mail Dog News, 266 Meadow Rockport, MEto: 04856 Downeast Dog News, P.O. Box 725, Poland, ME 04274 To inquire about wholesale pricing, call (207) 230-0260 x6 To inquire about wholesale pricing, call (207) 988-2605.

Make check payable to Downeast Dog News and mail to:

an More th of orth ______________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ $100 w side! Phone: Phone: s in n o p u o 1 copy q ($4) ❑ 2 copies ❑ 3 copies ($11) c q 1 copy ($7) q 2 copies❑($13) tax+shipping) 3 copies ($20)($7)(includes

Yes! Send me the Ultimate Guide to Dog Parks, Beaches & Trails in Maine! Yes! Send me the Ultimate Guide to Dog Parks, Beaches & Trails in Maine! Name: ____________________________________________________________ Name: ______________________________________________ Address: __________________________________________________________ Address: ____________________________________________ City/State Zip: _____________________________________________________ City/State Zip: ________________________________________

Mail transportation the form below or order online at (ferries, buses), DowneastDogGuides.com emergency info and more.

Includes travel safety tips,

rules, contact info and more.

th of couponons insid Each listing provides or e!

More than 300 dog-friendly More than parks, beaches and $100 wortrails.

Order your guide today!

emergency info and more.

Volume 10 • Issue 11 • November 2015

Hot Dog News

8&9

Adoptable Dogs

See MUSHING on page 5

Above: Out on the trail with Mahoosuc Guide Services! Photo by Kate Sfier

with the dogs and the quiet of the wilderness.” She and Slater, who she met in Outward Bound, call their dog family, begun with her pack in Alaska, “Yukon Huskies.” Like other

and Kevin Slater opened Mahoosuc Guide Services in Newry 37 years ago, Polly recalls no other such businesses except a man who sometimes gave rides on Sugarloaf. Mahoney first had sled dogs when she lived in the Yukon. “I fell in love with mushing the first time I ran a dogsled. I remember the connection

Basic Training Helping to Say Goodbye Words, Woofs & Tips End of Pet Life Special Meows

INSIDE 2 6

Once snow covers the ground, you can head to the Maine woods and hop on a sled behind a team of eager huskies doing what were they were born to do—run and pull. While several places now offer dogsledding, when Polly Mahoney

By Jill Cournoyer

MUSHING IN MAINE

DowneastDogNews.com

DOWNEAST DOG NEWS

FRE E

Hot Dog News

Midcoast Maine’s Craft Show Supports Shelter Animals

As the days get shorter and cooler, we know that fall is here and inevitably winter will follow. Though that means cold and snow, it also means the holidays! Start off the season right with the Festival of Lights Craft Show hosted by the Pope Memorial Humane Society of Knox County. 2015 marks this Midcoast Maine tradition’s 36th year. The show takes place on Saturday, November 28th at the Rockland Elks Lodge (210 Rankin St in Rockland) from 9 am to 3 pm. Admission is $2 and children under 12 are free. Over 40 artists from all over the state of Maine will showcase amazing,one-of-akind, products such as ornaments, jewelry, pottery, candles, clothing, pet accessories, and so much more.

You will be sure to find something for everyone on your list, and feel good about supporting homeless animals this holiday season. The Pope Memorial Humane Society of Knox County was founded in 1989 to provide care, protection, and loving homes for abandoned and homeless companion animals in the Mid-Coast Maine area. Today the shelter makes a difference in the lives of 1,300 animals a year. Proceeds from the Festival of Lights Craft show will go towards feeding and providing medical attention to the homeless animals in PMHSKC’s care.

Ribbon-cutting Ceremony Marks Bare Bones Opening of Thomaston Dog Park THOMASTON - The Thomaston Dog Park Association held a ribboncutting ceremony and officially opened the new park to the public on Saturday, October 24th. The Association has been working for just over a year, planning, fundraising, clearing and prepping land, and with the help of many generous community members and businesses the double-gated fencing has been installed. Well-behaved dogs on leashes began arriving at 11:30, waiting patiently outside the newly fenced park while board members addressed the crowd, welcoming all and thanking supporters. As soon as the ribbon was cut tails were wagging and dogs made their way through the double-gated entry to lose their leashes and sniff, play, and run inside the new park. Visitors came and went throughout the day until nearly dusk. The Association would like to stress that while they are very excited about the installation of the fence and opening the park at a bare bones level to the public, work on the park is ongoing. Future developments to the parking area are needed and other important improvements are planned. These goals along with regular maintenance and care will be key to the success of the park,

and members are hopeful for the continued support of the community in its future fundraising efforts. The Association would like to acknowledge and thank its first three sponsors, The Loyal Biscuit Co., Horse & Hound Veterinary Services, and Brooks Trap Mill. Contact the Association for details on business sponsorship and commemorative display opportunities. The park is open daily from dawn until dusk; however, snow fall amounts and the status of parking area improvements will determine whether it will be possible to remain open all winter during this first year. A complete list of park rules is posted at the entrance to the park, which is located at the end of Dwight Street, off of Route 1 on the east side of the Sunrise section of the Village Cemetery. The Thomaston Dog Park Association is an official 501(c)3 non profit organization. Tax-deductible donations can be made online at thomastondogpark.org, or mail checks to: Thomaston Dog Park Association, P.O. Box 342, Thomaston, ME 04861. For more information contact: thomastondogparkmaine@gmail. com or visit facebook.com/ ThomastonDogParkAssociation.

Downeast Dog News

Wendi Smith

Graphic Designer

PlanetDog-DowneastDogNews-Ad.pdf

10/19/15

COMPANY STORE Maine's leading resource for everything dog

2:25 PM

Whe re are A dogs LWA YS welc ome !

since 2004.

Copy Editor Belinda Carter Contributors William Kunitz Diana Logan Sara Moore Judith Herman Carolyn Fuhrer Don Hanson Jill Cournoyer

NOVEMBER 8 - 22

to learn how to participate in our

FOOD DRIVE

Visit planetdog.com/Company-Store for more event info!

Our Goals

• Provide the latest in dogrelated news and information. • Encourage and support dogfriendly businesses and Mainemade pet products and services. • Cultivate a community of responsible dog guardianship/ ownership. • Support animal welfare causes.

211 Marginal Way | Portland, ME 04101, Exit 7 (Franklin Arterial) off of I-295 | 207.347.8606

Downeast Dog News

Circulation

Downeast Dog News is distributed free of charge at pet-friendly locations in Maine.

Subscriptions

Individual and gift subscriptions are available for $30 (+ tax) per year.

Ad rates (per month)

Speak!

Circulation

10,000+ issues per month are distributed in pet supply stores, veterinary offices, dog daycares, groomers and other pet-friendly establishments across Maine.

Contact

Deadline Advertising deadline is the 20th of the preceding month.

Katie Grant, Publisher, (207) 751-7786 or katie@downeastdognews.com

November 2015

COPYRIGHT 2006-2015 All contents of Downeast Dog News are protected under United States copyright law. The contents may not be reprinted or reproduced without the expressed written permission of the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within Downeast Dog News are those of its contributors and not necessarily those of the publisher. Content of ads is the sole responsibility of the advertiser. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the content and Downeast Dog News assumes no liability for any errors, omissions or claims made by its contributors or advertisers.

Downeast Dog News welcomes submissions of local news, events and photos. Email: katie@ downeastdognews.com.

Advertising Rates and Guidelines

Open Every Day: Mon-Sat: 9am-7pm, Sun: 11am-6pm

Parent & Publishing Company Maine Pet News LLC

3-month minimum recommended Business directory: $45/month 1/16 page $75 B&W, $90 color 1/8 page $135 B&W, $165 color 1/4 page $230 B&W, $275 color 1/2 page $405 B&W, $485 color Full page $705 B&W, $845 color Ask about 3, 6, and 12 month discounts

Stop in

Maine Pet News, LLC 266 Meadow St. Rockport, ME 04856 Ph: 207-751-7786 katie@downeastdognews.com www.downeastdognews.com

President

Publisher/ Katie Grant

Advertising Katie Grant 207-751-7786 katie@downeastdognews.com

Table of Contents

Hot Dog News ........................ Furry Words ............................ Ask the Vet................................. Basic Training Tips ................ Baxter ........................................ Helping to Say Goodbye .... Performance Dog Training. Words, Woofs & Meows ...... Food Allergies and Dogs .... Dogs for Adoption................. Calendar of Events ............... More Hot Dog News............. Business Directory ................

2 4 4 6 7 8 10 11 12 13 14 15 15

Furry Words

Sara Moore, Animal Communicator

Years ago, it hurt my soul to watch dogs pulling sleds or seeing working horses hooked to carriages. This was a result of my own preconceived notion that they must hate doing it, and I’m happy to report that I was, for the most part, wrong! Some animals love having a job. Many dogs even ask for one when I talk to them in a reading and often suggest ways to reward them when they do their job well. This month, I’m going to tell you a few stories from my career chatting with animals, and I hope you find them as entertaining as I did! I just did a reading for a small dog that was a mixed breed with pretty delicate features. The owner asked what would make the dog happy, and the dog instantly said, “I want to pull things.” I saw the image in my head of him at a training center wearing a harness and participating in weight pull. The dog flashed me his muscles and a huge smile. The woman laughed and said that her dog was remarkably strong and did like to pull on the leash when they went for walks. Using the reading as an opportunity to negotiate some behavior changes, I asked the dog if he would stop pulling on the regular day to day outings if his owner let him try to pull as a workout or to show off his strength. He said sure, and the woman agreed to give it a shot. He was pretty proud of himself and couldn’t wait to get going! Another dog said that he was totally bored. The way he phrased it was his mind wasn’t being used enough, and he wanted more mental stimulation to keep his mind sharp. The owner agreed that he had been cooped up more than normal due to a career change and asked the dog to give some suggestions for how to effectively remedy this situation. The dog wanted to play games, not all day, but maybe once or twice a day. He compared it to a person doing a daily crossword puzzle. He wanted to do hide and seek with treats or toys around the house. I saw the owner hiding little bits of kibble under sofa pillows, behind and under objects, in toys, and all over while the dog patiently waited. When the owner gave the command, the dog wanted to zoom around and search for them. I asked the dog if he wanted the smart toys that he had to tease the treats out of and he said no, that was “not a necessary expense.” If only my child was so thoughtful! A few days later, the owner reported back that the dog seemed more content than he had been in the past few months, and they were both enjoying the activity. When I see a sled dog race on TV, I

always ask the dogs if they are happy. I do the same thing when I’m watching horses doing carriage rides, and I’m relieved when I hear they love their jobs. Not all do, but the majority of the sled dogs think what they do is fabulous! These dogs love to run! They are little balls of energy, and they have the perfect outlet. Imagine sitting in an eight hour meeting with nothing to keep your hands busy, no paper to doodle on, no distractions out the window, and no way to talk to the people around you. By the end of the day, I would be spinning inside and need to run, scream, or drive my car with the windows down and the wind in my hair. I would need a release. Every night when these working dogs sleep, they’re taking the time to build up their energy for the next adventure. When they’re hooked to the sled, and you hear that yippy chatter, they are getting ready to pull the cork and let the energy explode. I think it would be fascinating to feel the experience from their perspectives! Let me tell you that not all dogs want a job. I was at a fundraising event at Planet Dog in Portland, Maine, and a couple were so excited for the opportunity to talk with their sweet black lab. The wife was expecting their first child, and they wanted to be sure they were all on the same page when the baby was born. The first thing the dog said was, “I don’t want to be a mom!” They were stunned and then so sad that they were almost crying. In an effort to prepare the dog, they had been telling her that she was going to be such a good mamma to their baby! The dog told them that she was excited for the new addition, but there was too much pressure for her to step up to the plate. She wanted nothing to do with diapering, protecting, soothing, or anything work related to the child. The owners swore they were all right with that, and the dog instantly relaxed and started jumping with joy. I’m so glad they had the chance to clear the air before the big day because a year later, they reported that everyone was happy in the house. When the baby would fuss, the dog would simply walk away and let the real parents do the dirty work. Have you ever asked your dog how he feels about his role in your life? Ask him if he needs a job or simply tell him that you would love for him to learn a new trick. Work with local training centers to safely introduce him to the new activity and see what happens. If you have been doing the same routine for awhile, maybe it is time for a reading to ask him directly what he’d like to do to spice things up! Sara Moore is a Psychic Medium for people and pets. Her office is in North Conway, NH and is available for in person and long distance readings. You can contact her at (603)662-2046 or at enlightenedhorizons@gmail.com. FMI go to www.enlightenedhorizons.com.

Ask the Vet . . .

Dr. Judith Herman

Sledding With Your Dog I am just getting interested Q in dog sledding. I want to have a fun winter sport to do with my dog who is a Dalmatian.

What great fun! I have dear friends that do skijoring with their Dalmatians both individually and in brace. If you have a high drive dog with some obedience training, and you take some health precautions, you can have a wonderful winter in Maine. In my case, I do believe I would be pulling my Golden Retriever, Bryan, verses the other way around. If you have a dog other than a nordic dog, look at how he is built and determine if he can handle deep snow. What kind of dog do you have? In your case, he is a Dalmatian. This breed is energetic and athletic. I know someone with English Jack Russell Terriers who pull her on a scooter. These little dogs are strong, energetic, athletic, and driven, but they would crumble in deep snow and cold. Most sturdy dogs with drive can enjoy the sport. Then you should visit your veterinarian’s office for a physical and to discuss pro’s and con’s for your dog. There isn’t a living dog or person who is put together perfectly, so we need to know the dog’s physical short comings and adjust activities, so he stays healthy and sound. There are also exercises and stretches to help keep Spot from injury. It is okay if we are weekend warriors, but it isn’t fair to ask your best friend who has been laying around all week to go and run for an hour in deep snow pulling you.

MUSHING from page 1

similar product. Look for a high quality harness that won’t bind or chafe your dog. Ask an experienced person what make he recommends and have the person help you fit the harness to your dog. Many quality manufacturers will allow returns and exchanges. My dog handles the cold well and prefers it, but Dalmatians and other short fur breeds may need to wear coats. Good quality coats can be bought online. Bring plenty of water for Spot. I carry a knapsack with a water bottle made for dogs. If your dog is panting and the tongue is hanging out, STOP! Give him a break and a drink of water. It is better to take small breaks along the way verses waiting until your dog is in trouble. Even though it is cold, dogs can become exhausted and collapse. That is why in sled races, there are veterinarians and technicians at check stops checking the dogs’ vitals. Like any new activity, take it slowly and do fun training before the season begins. Many of my friends do canicross (trail running with your dog), agility, hiking, pulling on scooters or skateboards, and swimming to get their dogs in shape for winter sports. Information is on the web to find the right harness, coat, and other gear to make this an enjoyable sport for you and your dog. There are also videos on how to condition your dog to avoid injury.

Photo by M. Dirk MacKnight

huskies, they are not a registered breed, but have been genetically bred for perhaps thousands of years to run and haul sleds for people for transportation, hunting, and protection. While some mushers mix other dogs, such as Labradors or poodles, into their lines, most stick with huskies of some sort. With the advent of snowmobiles and planes, huskies now display their skills in recreational sledding or racing. Not only the dogs but mushers

require skills. Many of them obtained their outdoor skills through Outward Bound. To take clients on overnight sled trips, they must also be Registered Maine Guides, which requires assessment of wilderness skills and experience, plus basic first aid training. Caroline Blair-Smith taught a dogsledding course, begun by Mahoosuc Guides, at Maine’s Hurricane Island Outward Bound School. She notes that since even day trips can involve going 30 miles into

the forest, using a Maine Guide is highly recommended. Blair-Smith operates Morningstar Crescent Sled Dogs with Andy Bartleet, and says the appeal of mushing is that it combines her love of dogs, sports, and winter. Morningstar’s 13 sled dogs are Alaskan huskies from various places, including the country of Norway. She explained that they have had only one litter onsite, because “as with all types of dogs, there are more sled dogs around than there are really good homes for them.” Other mushers have controlled breeding to preserve a genetic line as they replace older dogs. Monrningstar and other companies offer trips ranging from a few hours and 30 miles to several days. On overnights, clients sleep in tents, and the dogs sleep outside in hay or as Blair-Smith says, they prefer “to curl up directly on the snow.” They are kept together on picket lines or tethers, long cables attached to trees. Being pack dogs, they love to socialize and play with one another, and most enjoy petting and grooming by clients. Blair-Smith observed that clients are curious about “working dogs,” as some animal lovers worry that the dogs are pushed into it against their wills. Mushers know otherwise. When Steve Crone of New England Dogsledding raced Alaskan Huskies, they could “run 60 miles nonstop

while wagging their tails.” When people remark on how lean his dogs are – the average sled dogs weighs 45-60 pounds – he compares them to marathon runners. The average sled dog can pull its own weight. The number of dogs per sled is determined by the weight being pulled (a sled weighs about 100 pounds, and there is generally a guide plus two other people), the terrain, and the length of the trip. Thus a team can range from a few to more than a dozen. Sled pups are put in harnesses by six months old. “They see the adult dogs and want to copy them,” Mahoney explained, and by one they are “in full swing with the whole team.” Rarely do the pups fail to catch on. For those who don't make the grade, as well as for retired dogs, conscientious companies try to find them adoptive homes (Huskies are extremely gentle and friendly when not in eager “let’s run and pull because it’s fun” mode), involve them in clinics, or provide a retirement space. Most dogs can put in 10-12 years, as injuries are rare among experienced, knowledgeable mushers, since the pace is not punishing compared to racing. Sled dogs usually trot around 6-8 miles per hour, with occasional sprints to 10 miles per hour, while racing dogs go up to 14 miles per hour. Crone explains that an experienced

See MUSHING on page 7

You may also want to join a club like the Maine Highlands Sled Dog Club. It is much more fun to learn a sport from people who are experienced and happy and to have their company. Enjoy the winter with your buddy. Judith K. Herman DVM, CVH Animal Wellness Center, Augusta, ME www.mainehomeopathicvet.com officeawc@roadrunner.com

You can aid in your dog’s comfort by trimming short fur between the pads that can ball up with snow and applying a coating of Musher’s Secret or

Downeast Dog News

Please Support Our Advertisers MIDCOAST Flagship Inn.................................................... 2 Harbor Hounds .............................................. 3 Loyal Biscuit.................................................... 2 Mr. Dog Training............................................. 2 The Country Inn............................................ 6 Two Salty Dogs .......................................... 10 Yankee Clipper............................................. 10 SOUTHERN Camp Bow Wow......................................... 16 Charlie's Friends Doggy Daycare ............ 7 Maine Veterinary Medical Center........................... 6 Paws Applause.............................................. 6 Pet Connection............................................. 6 Planet Dog...................................................... 2 Pleasant Hill Kennels................................... 5 Portland Veterinary Specialists............ .. 10 Scarborough Animal Hospital................... 5 Tender Touch Veterinary............................ 7

November 2015

The Whole Dog Market............................. 10 STATEWIDE & BEYOND ASPCA Bar Harbor....................................... 13 Catahoula Rescue of New England ........ 7 Maine TV 85 ................................................. 14 Martha Dillard Pet Portraits.................... 12 Puppy Love .................................................... 2 Silver Paws Pet Tags ..................................... 5 The Evolved Dog ........................................... 2 BANGOR & DOWNEAST Ashes To Ashes Pet Crematory ................ 6 Bear Brook Kennels.................................... 16 Green Acres Kennel Shop ....................... 16 Veazie Veterinary Clinic .............................. 6 WESTERN Bee's Pet Boarding ..................................... 10 Classic Paws Yappy Holidays .................... 7 Taylor Brook Animal Hospital ................... 5

Basic Training Tips by Diana Logan

Please Keep Your Hands Out of My Food

Let’s Replace this Risky Practice!

There is a widely accepted but dangerously misplaced practice out there that says if we stick our hands into our dog’s food dish while he is eating, he won’t get possessive. The answers I inevitably get when I ask a person about it include: “to get him used to hands in his food,” “to teach him who is boss,” and “so he learns I can take things from him.” It is high time we reconsider this risky practice, what it looks like from the dog’s perspective, and how we can easily, safely, and quickly achieve the response we need through other means.* What is our ultimate goal anyway? We tend to completely overlook what we are ultimately trying to teach our dogs: to welcome our approach, even if they have something they value in their possession. This cannot be achieved by being rude or taking

things away from them. Imagine you are at a nice restaurant and the waiter keeps appearing at your side to scrape a fork around in your food or to pick your plate up while you were eating. How would you feel about his approach? My hackles go up just thinking about it! Now imagine that nice restaurant where the waiter brings you delicious dishes instead. Your ears would probably perk up when you sensed his approach. Teaching our dogs to welcome our approach requires a shift in mentality. We need

bank, your dog is much more likely to relinquish the item. It is always best to have something in exchange which you will toss off to the side to draw his attention away from the item you want to remove. If you take the item away before your dog has had enough practice, you can be sure you will be penalized with an overdraft charge – to be avoided at all costs! If we start our puppies out with the games mentioned above and we practice good exchange habits throughout their lives, it is unlikely we’ll end up with a guarding dog. Other benefits to the “adding” technique that instill relinquishing: Good recall, good retrieving skills, polite tug, happy handling, etc. These things are all tied together! *For dogs who have some guarding practice, I highly recommend that you work with a professional trainer, so they don’t escalate into something serious.* I always fear for the safety of a child who might have seen an adult do this – the child is apt to copy behaviors he observes. A guarding dog can be a very dangerous dog.

to ADD TO, not SUBTRACT FROM what they have in their possession. We have to face the facts that our dogs are faster than we are, wear knives in their mouths and are often stronger than we realize. Confrontational tactics can result in a very dangerous situation. It’s a bank account: you have to add funds before you can withdraw anything. While your dog (with no guarding history)* is busily eating or playing with a toy, casually walk by and toss a yummy treat to him. Do this multiple times. With repetition, you will see the signs of happy anticipation, and you will know you are making progress! Get a bit closer and repeat. This is a game with many variations that we should play with our dogs all their lives, whether their possession is a food bowl, a bone, a toy, a squirrel or whatever. The important thing is that they need to value whatever we are offering them, and they must have that happy expectations look on their faces. Only then can we start taking their items away. Many deposits need to be made before a withdrawal is possible! “But what if I need to take something away from him that is dangerous?” If you’ve been putting sufficient funds in the

Diana Logan, CPDT-KA Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge-Assessed Pet Connection Dog Training, North Yarmouth, Maine www.dianalogan.com 207-252-9352

MUSHING from page 5 musher knows a dog’s normal movements so can notice a change in pattern and immediately address it, such as snow packed into a paw. On the other hand, he warned, “Hotels running sled dogs using college kids might injure many dogs,” as the kids “don't know what to look for until it’s become serious.” While commercial mushers need a kennel license, which requires an annual inspection, otherwise there are no specific regulations beyond general animal welfare. A voluntary association called Mush With PRIDE (Providing Responsibility Information on a Dog’s Environment) provides detailed information about all aspects of caring for sled dogs. Since huskies require lots of exercise and space, PRIDE recommends that each dog have 100 square feet of pen space, with adequate shade in summer and sun in the winter. Most mushers need no pressure to properly care for their packs, however, as the bond among mushers and their dogs runs deep. Mahoney explained that a musher’s rapport with the lead dog becomes so strong as to become “mental telepathy. You just think of what you want them to do and they do it,” such as to change pace, direction, stop or start. Listening to the dogs on a trip is also key. One time her lead dog Hermes wasn’t following her directions across the ice but kept pulling the sled towards shore. She followed his lead, and discovered that

he had kept them from going into a water-filled hole in the ice that he had sniffed out. Every morning, as soon as Mahoney and Slater awaken in their home, the dogs in the kennel next door immediately begin howling even though they cannot see into the home, perhaps saying they're ready to run and pull across the snowy hills of Maine, just as their ancestors did in the Yukon thousands of years ago. If you are interested in a sledding adventure of your own, below are some services available in Maine. Mahoosuc Guide Services 1513 Bear River Rd, Newry, ME 04261 (207) 824-2073 www.mahoosuc.com

Photo by Kate Sfeir

Mornington Crescent Sled Dogs Bethel Area 207-824-7292 www.sledpets.com New England Dog Sledding 591 Kings Highway, Mason Township, Maine 04217 207-731-6888 www.newenglanddogsledding.com Ultimate Dog Sledding Experience 65 Main St. Oxford Maine 04270 207-890-4393 ultimatedogsleddingexperience.com

Photo by Matt DeLorme

Don’t your pets deserve a vacation too? Country Inn at Camden/Rockport has designated pet-friendly rooms and May through October there are pet cottages available as well.

8 Country Inn Way Rockport, ME 04856 countryinnmaine.com 207.236.2725

To honor to our long time contributor, Baxter, we will be reprising some of his best pieces from over the years. This month's column is one of the few unpublished pieces we have uncovered, enjoy!

Shoes

DE Dog News 4.8 x 3.5

PawsApplause

MAINE VETERINARY MEDICAL CENTER

Quality Pet Supplies & Grooming Salon Your local source for quality pet supplies and holistic foods. We are Maine’s largest supplier

We treat all pet emergencies 24/7

Open 24/7 year round Located next to Scarborough Downs in the Enterprise Business Park right off Route One.

of raw food for your pet, visit us online at: www.pawsapplause.com

Oak Hill Plaza • Scarborough, ME 04074 • pawsapplause.com

5 5 Present this coupon and receive

OFF

207.885.1290 mvmc.vet

PET GROOMING SERVICE

Present this coupon and receive

OFF

Any purchase of $30 or more (not to be combined

(not to be combined with

Call for an t appointmen today!

PawsApplause

pawsapplause.com

PawsApplause pawsapplause.com

Downeast Dog News

Do you have more than one chew? Maybe a nice marrow bone, a couple of chew flips, and a nice piece of knotted rawhide? In addition to chews, you probably have a couple of favorite plush toys to keep nearby in case of a storm. Now compare your few toys and chews to your humans’ hoard of shoes. They have shoes to walk in, shoes to run in, shoes to hike in; they have shoes that don’t cover their toes and big heavy boots. They have shoes to put on in the morning (by the way, I love these – they’re so soft and chewy). They have shoes they can slip on and shoes they have to tie. They have fancy shiny shoes for special times. They have old ratty shoes to wear around the house. And what are they doing when they aren’t wearing shoes? They’re looking for them. How often have you seen your human wandering around with one shoe in her hand? Where does the other shoe go? I’ve never seen one move by itself. When we’re puppies, they try to hide their shoes from us – which is great because once we find the hoard, it’s one-stop shopping for the best smelling, best tasting shoe to chew. It hurts my feet to think of all those shoes. Why do they do it? We do just fine running on grass, walking on the road, swimming, playing in mud and snow, climbing hills, scampering over rocks big and small, chasing cats, batting balls, digging holes, and playing with each other. What’s the point of shoes? Is it because they have only two feet? If you look at their feet, they do appear pretty useless for anything but standing on: no claws, no fur, no nice thick pads. They probably lost all those when they first put on shoes. Pity. Chow, Baxter

November 2015

HELPING TO SAY GOODBYE Ways to Honor and Memorialize Your Pet After Loss of mind and servicing our community. “

Ashes to Ashes provides private and semi-private cremations as well as a number of beautiful commemorative urns and jewelry. All cremations are supplied a complimentary urn. They will travel to pick up your deceased pet (travel fees apply), pick up from the vet or you are able to bring your pet directly to them. Ashes to Ashes also offers “standard partitioned cremation services FREE OF CHARGE for certain licensed K-9, service and rescue trained animals. This is to show our respect and support for the amazing working animals that make so many lives better with their eager, dedicated, loving service.” As long time pet owners themselves, the owners of Ashes to Ashes, are able to care for your pet with care, respect and dignity. Wildwood Pet Cremations, located in Enfield, “has served Maine pet owners since 2001. Located in Enfield, Maine, we provide cremation services for pets from goldfish to Great Danes to goats. Wildwood Pet Cremations was the first pet cremation business in Eastern Maine.”

There is a story that circulates the Internet from time to time about a very insightful young boy. The story tells of the young boy’s ailing dog. The parents are worried about how to explain that the family pet with no longer be with them. The young boy surprises them all when he simply states that he knows why our pets do not live as long as humans. He says that the point of life is to love unconditionally and dogs know how to do that already. So logically, they don’t need to live as long because they have already figured it all out.

As many of us know this to be absolutely true, the loss of a family member is one of the hardest things we have to endure in life. There are no more exuberant greetings upon returning home, quirky little tricks and habits or just the warmest and sweetest cuddles in the world. Luckily, there are many wonderful people out there to help ease the difficult time when a pet leaves us.

families. This is an excellent option if you feel comfortable with your vet and the arrangements they plan to make. Many have relationships with outside crematoriums. Some of these outside facilities even provide urns for the deceased pet’s family. While this is a great option, sometimes it might not feel that it is enough to memorialize your animal.

Many pets spend their final hours in the care of their veterinarians. Vets are of course well equipped to handle this and most offer to make final arrangements for

There are a number of privately owned cremation facilities that will work with you to make sure that your pet is honored in a personal and dignified way. From arranging for private ceremonies, to picking up your animal at home or a veterinarian, these businesses put their customers first. They understand exactly how hard losing a pet can be, this is the reason many of them work in the industry – to make sure animals are honored appropriately, and they do everything they can to ease the difficulty and pain during that time.

Wildwood “offers you the comfort of dignified and respectful final care for your treasured animal friends.” Wildwood provides private cremation services as well as same day services. They are more than happy to pick up your animal from you or your veterinarian (travel fees apply). If you wish for Wildwood to handle your

pet’s cremation, and they animal is with a veterinarian, they ask that you call to make arrangements for the pick up so that your wishes are clear and honored.

As the first pet cremation business in Eastern Maine, Wildwood Pet Cremations keeps their customers first and makes sure to respect their wishes for their pets’ final arrangements. Both Ashes to Ashes and Wildwood are available seven days a week – death is usually not predictable and they understand that during these difficult times, having someone who can help ease the transition and passing is of utmost importance. Though many crematoriums provide urns or other vessels to hold pet’s cremains, there are also companies that provide personalized and custom-built urns or memory boxes to commemorate your animal in the best way possible. Per-Pet-Ually Yours, a division of Harpswell House Inc., does just that. They create handcrafted, unique pet urns and memorials out of domestic slate and other materials. They state that “as pet lovers, we all share a special bond with our pet which continues even after their death. Anyone who has lost a pet knows first hand that losing that pet is an extremely difficult and very emotional time. We recognize that this loss of your beloved companion is painful, that healing takes time, and that each individual’s situation is unique. Choosing a way to honor and

Downeast Dog News

Per-Pet-Ually Yours provides urns that can be customized with a photo of your animal or special engraving. They also create custom memorials including treasure boxes that can hold your pet’s favorite toy, a collar and other items or plaques that can be placed in your yard or home as a special reminder of your time with that beloved animal. They hope that “we can help reduce the sadness and grief you experience with this loss by having a personalized pet urn or custom memorial for your pet and you will be reminded of the joy and happiness that your special pet brought to you and your life.”

member. Though it is easy to fall into the sadness of loss, there are so many incredible ways to honor and respect your pet and to help ease the pain during such a difficult time. Whether that is through the use professional cremation and burial services that will treat your pet with the utmost care and respect or having a customized memorial or urn to keep your happy memories

Per-Pet-Ually Yours is located in Lisbon Falls but can ship throughout the US. They are diligent in their proofing process of custom pieces to ensure that you have exactly what you want and need to honor your animal. In addition to crematoriums and custom urns, there are also a number of pet cemeteries where animals can be laid to rest. Many owners do not necessary have a yard or place to bury their deceased friends and pet cemeteries are great way to do so. Pet Haven Cemetery in Saco “provides a burial service to pet owners who wish to establish a personal resting place for their pets. Our cemetery is located on 11 acres of beautiful rustic countryside in North Saco, Maine. We welcome patrons of the cemetery to memorialize their pets resting place with headstones, favorite keepsakes and flowers. Pet Haven is a perpetual care cemetery committed to maintaining a landscape, which provides an idyllic final resting place.”

living on or seeking grief support for yourself throughout the transition. We can take solace in knowing that our animals loved unconditionally, as the wise young boy pointed out to his family, and that they achieved life’s greatest accomplishments of sharing that love.

We also all know that even after laying a friend to rest and honoring them with a beautiful memorial isn’t always enough. The emotional scars and grief from pet loss can be too much to bare for many. There is help though. Many Hospice locations provide support groups specific to pet loss and grieving. CHANS Home Health Care in Brunswick offers pet loss grief and bereavement support free to the local community. Please call the Bereavement Services Coordinator at (207) 721-1357 to learn more about the support group.

Ashes to Ashes Pet Crematory in LaGrange states on their website that they “became aware of many people’s desire to memorialize their companion pets. We chose to respond to the growing demand by pet owners for options to commemorate their animals in a dignified and cost effective manner. As a result, Ashes To Ashes Pet Crematory was established in 2014, providing peace

remember that pet may be an important element in helping you through your grieving process.”

These sorts of services are certainly worth seeking to aid in the transition and help with the incredible sadness that can accompany the loss of a family

November 2015

TRAINING YOUR PERFORMANCE DOG Agility, Obedience, Tracking By Carolyn Fuhrer

Tracking – Building Confidence and Desire Successful tracking comes from the dog wanting to follow the scent you have indicated to him.. In this case, the scent of the “start article.” You must motivate him to lock on to this scent because this scent “pays” – and ignore all the other wonderful scents he may come across along the way. You must motivate him to persevere even when the path is hard and it is easier to go another way. You must motivate him to keep working even when he is tired and would like to stop. So how do you communicate this to your dog? Some dogs find sniffing very rewarding; however, this does not mean your dog will necessarily want to follow the scent of what you have directed him to follow. In

order to create desire to follow the scent you have indicated (the start article), you must make the job of following the start article scent very rewarding in training. This is why using multiple articles on training tracks and rewarding for finding and indicating each article will teach the dog to stay on the scent you started with. I try to communicate to my dog that each article he finds is very important and will “pay” very well. I vary the value of my rewards so the dog will always keep working to find the article that will pay with high value treats. I am enthusiastic about what he finds. Just paying at articles and going on is not always enough for some dogs. Some dogs need excited input; others need sincere appreciation from the handler. This is where relationship comes in. What does your dog need? This could change as the track

progresses. This is where tracking really shows off the relationship with your dog. You must train this way with your dog so you can encourage him through the difficult parts of the track and get him to search for that elusive scent one more time. Even though at a test you cannot reward your dog with food at the article, the relationship you develop through training each time your dog finds an article will carry over into competition, and you will be able to help your dog focus and go back to tracking. Spending time at the article is a good mental break for both dog and handler. It gives

the handler a chance to assess what has been going on and where he is on the track and enables the handler through his relationship with the dog to encourage and motivate the dog to go on or to calm and focus the dog on the next section of track. What your dog needs at any particular time will depend on your dog’s personality and the difficulty of the track. When your dog finds multiple articles along the way during training, his confidence builds because he is successful and is praised for the effort. This interaction enhances his relationship with you and will build confidence and desire. Long, arduous, unrewarding tracks will not build the desire you need for a successful tracking dog. If you are struggling with focus or desire, try to put some motivation back into your tracks.

Carolyn Fuhrer has earned over 80 AKC titles with her Golden Retrievers, including 2 Champion Tracker titles. Carolyn is the owner of North Star Dog Training School in Somerville, Maine. She has been teaching people to understand their dogs for over 25 years. You can contact her with questions, suggestions and ideas for her column by e-mailing carolyn@dogsatnorthstar.com.

EARLY BIRD SALE!!!! Saturday, November 21st

OUR STORE:

5:30am - 6:00am -- 40% OFF! 6:00am - 8:00am -- 30% OFF! 8:00am - 10:00am -- 20% OFF! 10:00am - 4:00pm -- 10% OFF!

We’re the special store for dogs and their people. We offer individualized service, holistic food/treats, made in Maine products, fun toys and a self wash! 429 Preble Street, South Portland Willard Square, Across from Scratch Bakery 207-747-4284

ONLINE STORE SALE: 12am to 6am -- 30% OFF! 6am to 8am -- 25% OFF! 8am to 10am -- 20% OFF! Rest of Day -- 10% OFF!

FREE SHIPPING ON ORDERS OVER $75!!

22 McKown St. Boothbay Harbor - www.TwoSaltyDogs.Net - (207) 633-PETS

YANKEE CLIPPER

We groom the most important pets in Maine — Yours! Offering a full range of grooming services Including Hand Scissoring, Cat Grooming, Hand Stripping & Shedless Treatments

Call today and schedule an appointment with our award-winning staff Food and Supplies for Cats and Dogs Watch your pet groomed live!

www.yankeeclipperpetgrooming.com click the webcam buttons

207.593.9100

589 Commercial Street/Route 1 Rockport, ME 04856

• Doggy Daycare with NEW online camera service so you can view your pup while away! • Boarding for cats, small dogs & other critters • Grooming • Cage Free

103 Tripp Lake Rd. • Poland, ME 04274 • 207.998.3358 beespetboarding.com • Find us on

License #F628

Downeast Dog News

WORDS, WOOFS & MEOWS is when we first learned that months of ownership. That

By Don Hanson, BFRAP, CDBC, CPDT-KA

Reflections on 20 Years as a Pet Care Professional – Pet Food & Nutrition Part 1

My wife Paula and I have been part of the pet care services industry for over 20 years, and in that time, we have seen many changes. Last month, I wrote about dog training. This month I will begin to address pet food and pet nutrition. Paula and I became interested in pet nutrition long before we purchased Green Acres. Gus, our Cairn Terrier puppy, joined our family in the spring of 1991. Within a year, he was exhibiting serious health issues that his veterinarian attributed to his diet. Gus had recurring urinary tract infections aggravated or caused by crystals that formed in his urine. One type of crystal even formed into a bladder stone that was removed surgically. Gus’s case was further complicated by the fact that he had more than one type of crystal in his urine. One was normally found in acidic urine, the other when the urine was base. The pH of his urine would swing wildly throughout the day, from acid to base and back, which was very abnormal. We were constantly in search of the “perfect” food for Gus. At one point, our veterinarian had us buying multiple brands of kibble and counting the numbers of each type of kibble we fed Gus on a daily basis, all in an attempt to stabilize his urinary pH. We eventually found, purchased, and

read a book, Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats, that included several recipes for making homemade dog food. Shortly after that, Paula was making food for Gus every week. By the time we moved to Maine, about 14 months later, Gus still had UTI’s and crystals, and we were still searching for a food that would cure him. Changing Brands - When we became the owners of Green Acres Kennel Shop, we sold six brands of pet food. Our two biggest sellers were Hill’s Science Diet and IAMS/Eukanuba; however we also sold Nature’s Recipe, Bench and Field, and ANF. Eukanuba was considered to be one of the top brands, and the others were all better than what was available at the grocery store. Green Acres no longer offers any of the brands of pet food we did twenty years ago. Pet foods and pet food companies change, like everything else, and not always for the better. We now offer seventeen brands of pets food from; Bravo, California Natural, Fromm, Eagle, Evanger’s, Evo, Holistic Select, Innova, Merrick, NutriSource, Natural Planet, Pro Pac, Pure Vita, Steve’s Real Food, Wellness, Weruva, and Wysong. Some of these brands were around twenty years ago and many were not. The brands we carry twenty years from now will depend on what happens with individual companies and brands. We are constantly evaluating the pet food marketplace and change products when we find something better. Need for Knowledge Based on our experiences with pet nutrition, we knew that knowledge was important, so we scheduled training sessions with representatives from Hill’s and IAMS within the first few

the training that companies provided to retailers such as ourselves was essentially the same program they offered to veterinarians. Paula had received the same training while working at the veterinary hospital. We have continued our education about pet nutrition not only through training provided by the food companies but also by reading books and attending seminars. One of the biggest myths about nutrition, whether human or pet, is that we know all there is to know. The fact is things are changing all the time, and it is our goal to be current, so we can always provide clients with the latest information. Premium, SuperPremium, and UltraPremium – Twenty years ago, pet foods were pretty much divided into grocery store brands and premium brands. The big difference, then and now, was that premium brands were made to a set formula whereas the ingredients in a non-premium brand changed with commodity prices. The premium brands typically used higher quality ingredients. Today, we also have brands that label themselves as super-premium and ultrapremium. The problem with all of these labels is that they have no legal definition, so one has to be knowledgeable about pet food, ingredients, nutrition, and the people behind the company in order to judge whether or not the way a brand labels itself is deserved. Protein Choices - Most pet food that was made twenty years ago used chicken as its base protein. Poorer quality foods used poultry which just means there was more in the mix than just chicken. The first novel protein source was lamb, which was introduced as an alternative food for pets that were allergic to chicken. Unfortunately,

most companies promoted their lamb based formulas as the “best new thing” and pretty soon many people were feeding lamb, and it lost its value as a novel protein source. That is why today we see things like duck, turkey, bison, venison, salmon, trout, whitefish, pork, beef, ostrich, and kangaroo as protein sources for pet food. Industry Consolidation – It is estimated that 70% of all of the pet food sold in the US comes from one of three companies: Nestle, Mars Candy, or Smuckers. Most people do not realize the huge number of pet food brands owned by these three food giants. I believe that bigger companies seldom produce better products. These conglomerates own so many brands that it is difficult for me to understand how any of those brands differ from one another. Our preference at Green Acres is to offer foods that are made by small, family-owned companies that know their suppliers personally and that are committed to producing a quality product. Selecting pet food whether as a retailer or consumer involves trust, and I find it easier to trust the smaller companies. It has not just been the food companies that have been merging and buying each other. We have seen the same thing happen with the distributors that sell the food to retailers like Green Acres. When we first bought Green Acres, three of the distributors we purchased pet food from were Mainebased companies. Sadly, today there are no pet food distributors in Maine. Pet food and nutrition have seen many changes in the last twenty years. Next month I will discuss the proliferation in pet food formulas and SKUs, Pet Food Recalls, Misleading Advertising, Dietary Rotation, Raw Diets, and more.

Don Hanson is the co-owner of the Green Acres Kennel Shop (greenacreskennel.com) in Bangor and the 2014 Association of Professional Dog Trainers Dr. Ian Dunbar Member of the Year. He is a Bach Foundation Registered Animal Practitioner, Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, and Certified Professional Dog Trainer. He produces and co- hosts a weekly radio show and podcast, The Woof Meow Show heard on The Voice of Maine (103.9FM, 101.3FM, 1450AM & woofmeowshow.com) every Saturday at 7:30AM and Sunday at 8:30PM. Don also writes about pets at his blog: www.words-woofs-meows.com.

November 2015

Understanding Food Allergies in Dogs By Leah Haney Bridgton Veterinary Hospital I have been working at Bridgton Veterinary Hospital for 10 years. In that time, I've noticed that some subjects (heartworm prevention, Lyme disease and fleas) are very easy to discuss with clients. Owners are usually open to what we have to say on those topics. One issue we find a little more difficult to discuss, however, is that of food allergies. A very common response when we broach the subject is, “It's not that, I've already switched his food a bunch of times.” What many people do not understand is there are basic ground rules to follow when testing for food allergies if the test is going to provide useful information. Limiting Ingredients – The first thing you need to know is a food trial is not just about changing ingredients; it is also about limiting the ingredients your dog is getting. This is not always an easy thing to do since the dog food industry seems to be on a “the more stuff the better” type of program. For example, let's say you have been feeding your dog Taste of the Wild “Buffalo and Venison”, but you notice your dog is starting to scratch constantly. You are suspicious that your dog might be allergic to its food, so you switch him to Purina ONE “Tuna and Salmon” formula thinking there isn't a much bigger change than going from red meat to fish. Right? However, let's

compare the ingredients list on each bag: Taste of the Wild – Buffalo, Lamb, Chicken, Sweet Potatoes, Eggs, Peas, Ocean Fish Purina ONE – Salmon, Corn, Wheat, Poultry byproduct meal, Soybeans, Fish Meal, Tuna, Oatmeal. As you can see, despite what is written on the front of the food bag, you are still getting chicken and fish in both diets. Unfortunately, this does nothing to test for food allergies. To get a true picture, you would need to remove Buffalo, Lamb, Chicken, Eggs, and Fish from your dog's diet. Then, to do the trial properly, your next step would be to find a limited ingredient diet that has protein sources your dog has never been exposed to. In the case above, the doctors at our practice might suggest a prescription limited-ingredient diet such as Royal Canin “Potato and Rabbit” or Hill's “Duck and Potato”. The ingredients listed for each of these diets are shown below: Royal Canin – Dried Potato, Rabbit

Meal, Coconut Oil, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein Hill's D/D – Potatoes, Duck, Potato Protein, Pork Fat, Soybean Oil As you can see, there is one protein source and one carb source in each of these diets, thus truly limiting the amount of ingredients your dog will be eating. This makes it much easier to eliminate possible allergens in your dog's diet. How Long Should a Trial Last? - Simply switching food every time you need a new bag will not work as a test for allergens. An appropriate food trial has your dog eating nothing but the chosen diet for eight to twelve weeks with no other treats or table scraps for the entire time. Saying “No” to the usual rawhide chew or table scrap may not be easy when faced with sad puppy eyes staring up at you, but it may only take one slipup to ruin your results. (Replacing treats with pieces of the trial food may be an option for the pet used to getting handouts on a regular schedule.) On the other hand, those

of us who have dogs who keep us up all night scratching and chewing or requiring visits to the vet every two months due to chronic ear infections, sticking to the strict diet for the full three months of the food trial and getting answers and relief for your dog would be absolutely worth it. Following is an example of a food trial and its results: A study was done with dogs with a known allergy to soy. The dogs were fed their appropriate restricted diet until they were free of any of the symptoms soy would produce. They were then given a product containing soy. The product happened to be a Heartgard chewable tablet which has soy as one of its ingredients. Within 24 hours, all the dogs showed signs of scratching, and for some of the dogs, the itchy reaction lasted for 28 days! This is an example of a food trial that has gone well and provided a clear result, but it also illustrates how a slip-up during a food trial (giving an unacceptable treat) might set you back a month as you strive to get to the symptom-free level you are looking for. Food trials are indeed a helpful tool and can produce very useful information. If you think a food trial would help you get to the bottom of your pet's allergies, by all means, give it a try. However, don't jump into it casually. Work with your veterinarian to follow the rules above because without the strictness of a scientific study, you will undoubtedly be disappointed.

Dogs for Adoption Big Poppy, 2 yrs., Greyhound

Big Poppy is a wonderful companion retired from Florida looking for his forever home! Please contact Maine Greyhound Placement Service in Augusta 207-626-2893 for more info.