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Fluffy, fabulous and meaningful: www.bocadogmagazine.com Boc aD og M agazine – 3
The ALL ABOUT TRAVEL Issue 34 FEATURE ARTICLE Are We There Yet? By Penny Paine
Where to go, what to do and how to get there with your dog
IN THIS ISSUE 22 ALPHA, ALPHA, ALPHA By Gregg Sekscienski Defining the new alpha dog theory 40 HURRICANE WATCH Are you prepared?
REGULARS 6 ROVER REPORTER Out and about and abroad – attitude is everything
16
ABOUT TOWN BARKER Every dog has celebrity potential
20
ABOUT TOWN BARKER Easter Bonnet Parade at the Delray Beach Green Market
25 MADISON’S AVENUE Traveling in Style 27
8 LETTERS From the Publisher From the Editor 12 HAUTE HOT DOG Products to bark about 14 VETERINARIAN VIPs Very important points about pets and hurricanes
28
PAWtrait of Nathan Winograd by Penny Paine One man leading the pack for no-kill and animal advocacy
32 HOGAN’S CORNER The ‘scoop’ on your dog’s most compelling questions 45
LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION MAKEOVER Not a simple rescue remedy for Nelly, from the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast
51 READER RESOURCES 52 ODDS & TAIL ENDS ABOUT TOWN BARKER Florida Marlin’s Bark at the Park
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BocaDogTM Magazine JUNE/JULY2008
Publisher Jan Bond jan@bocadogmagazine.com
Managing Editor Penny Paine penny@bocadogmagazine.com
Contributing Editor Gregg Sekscienski
Contributing Photographers David Massey 850.527.6200
Advertising 561.305.3351 advertise@bocadogmagazine.com
Merchandise April Stickel 954.579.1695 april@bocadogmagazine.com
Contributors
Paul H. Jaffe, D.V.M. Dara Von Hollander Sandy Merritt Jackie Powell Scarlett Schiraldi Wendy Doscher-Smith Adrien Spano
Special Thanks to: William K. Crispin, Esq. Kim Norton
Advisor Chandra S. Mishra, Ph.D.
Pet Protection Foundation of BocaDog Magazine, Inc. foundation@bocadogmagazine.com
For subscription orders or inquiries contact: ON THE COVER Photographer, David Massey captures the best side of Nelly, from the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast. See page 45 for the Lights, Camera, Action Makeover. Visit www.visionhaus.com for more compelling photography from Massey and his team.
P.O. Box 812485, Boca Raton, FL 33431 561.305.3351, fax 954.596.5304 Email: info@bocadogmagazine.com ŠBocaDog Magazine 2008. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be duplicated or distributed without express written permission of the managing partners of BocaDog Magazine. BocaDog Magazine (ISSN# 1558-593X) is published bi-monthly. Subscription rates: one year, $18; two years $35. Unsolicited manuscripts, photos, etc. should include a SASE, otherwise they will not be returned. Send all inquires, address changes or subscriptions to: P.O. Box 812485, Boca Raton, FL 33431; 561.305.3351. BocaDog Magazine is not responsible for inaccurate information or statements made by contributors or advertisers.
Boc aD og M agazine – 5
ROVER Reporter My name is Rocket, I am a big yellow dog and I’m a member of the Doberman Rescue Drill Team. We recently performed at the Barkapalooza event at Markham Park in Sunrise, Florida. There we are at the event, Lisa, my human mom, my brother Tucker the Beagle, and Diane and Kelley, the Sheltie, Dex, the Doberman, with his mom, Barbara, Jake the Sheltie with Jackie, and me, the yellow Labrador, with my human sister, Scarlett. Of course, we dogs are all proudly showing our BocaDog Attitude. I had such a good time. I sniffed one little dog who spent the day riding around in his owner’s pocket. I wish I could do that but I am much too big. There were so many dogs there of all shapes and sizes, as well as other animals. I got to meet a mini horse and a burrow! I was a little bit jealous when Scarlett went over to the “Kiss-a-bull” booth at the Bulldog rescue table.
Rocket
I really love being on the Drill Team. We are practically the canine “Rockettes.” As a team, we sit, lie down, and heel all in unison and have to work very close to each other. We even heel around in neat patterns like pin-wheels and squares. The team’s leader, Diane, calls the commands out to the humans, who in turn, pass them on to us canine partners. It is a challenge to pay attention when I am so close to my very sniffable canine teammates but I focus very hard. It is actually my Scarlett, and partner, who has a hard time. She was asked to leave ballet class as a young girl for lack of grace, so I was surprised when she got us into an activity that requires coordination. She manages but I do have to carry our performance sometimes. Either way, it is a blast.
On the second day of the event, the human girls, decided to challenge us even further by asking us to perform in the middle of the field, rather than in our designated fenced area. I like to think that the dog half of the team handled the challenge with flying collars. Our practical demonstrations of dog training attracted lots of onlookers who were interested in giving it a try themselves. I hope to sniff them all soon at Doberman Rescue’s obedience class. Email your photojournals or comments and letters to: info@bocadogmagazine.com or snail mail to: BocaDog Magazine, P.O. Box 812485, Boca Raton, FL 33431 6 – J U N E / J U LY 2 0 0 8 www.bocadogmagazine.com
(L to R) Lisa Hamburg, Tucker, Diane Sudbury, Kelley, Barbara Kent, Dex, Jackie Powell, Jake, Scarlett Schiraldi, Rocket.
For information about Obedience, Rally O and Drill classes visit www.doberescue.net
from the
Publisher BocaDog.com
O
ver the last three years, BocaDog Magazine has developed into a product of which the BocaDog team has become very proud; a grass-roots effort that was born out of a hurricane – with the first issue being produced while sitting in the only restaurant with electricity and luckily, Wi-Fi, after Hurricane Wilma. From that point on, we lovingly produced each issue always mindful of you, our readers and all the dogs we meet along the way.
Jan Bond and Travis
We set out to provide you with useful information to help enjoy life with healthy and happy dogs. And to raise awareness about rescue organizations, the need for a solution to pet overpopulation and the wonders of pet adoption. Issue after issue your letters, emails and comments have proved to us that we continue to meet those objectives. We are so happy you approve. Now we embark on the next chapter of BocaDog. In the coming months you will see the website www.bocadogmagazine.com expand to present more products and services, news and information, pictures and humor to satisfy the most die-hard dog lover. We will continue providing the full version of BocaDog Magazine online, in a “flip-page” format with the same great content. And the website will bring more ways for us to communicate with you and for you to communicate with other readers and with us. Our weekly blog pages will give you up-to-the-minute information, Itzy Bitz in the “Dog Dish” will be sharing the latest gossip, and we ask you to upload your dog pictures and share your stories and comments on “Yap It Up” – the BocaDog forum. So stay with us and check back often to get all the BocaDog content you have come to love. We look forward to continuing to provide it in our usual “doggie” fashion – humorous, heartwarming and enlightening. All the Best,
Jan Bond Publisher
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from the
Editor Happenings...
I
f you haven’t yet read Redemption, this issue introduces you to Nathan Winograd and his mission to establish a No Kill nation. The book is a history of animal advocacy – or its sad absence – and the PAWtrait interview gives us a special insight into the man behind the mission. Gregg Sekscienski presents a historical and contemporary interpretation of “alpha” and how the term has formed a basis for training our dogs. And Paul Jaffe presents an interesting perspective on pure and mixed breed constitutions.
Penny Paine
Researching our travel article took me around the country – online. I only wish Chino, the gang and I could visit all the places and fun things I found to do. And please take care all year round, not just this summer. Some of the accident statistics I dug up are frightening and similar to those involving children. Let’s keep all the family, furry or otherwise, safe. As well as the following pages, we are now able to present you with much more information on the BocaDog Blog – an interactive and conversational medium. Wendy Doscher-Smith exposes the lurking dangers of rawhide and Jackie Powell has 20 quick tips for stress free travel with your pooches. Keep an eye on the blog for up-to-the-minute updates too. Who knows what will be happening from day to day in these fast moving times… WOOF.
Penny Paine Managing Editor
Boc aD og M agazine – 9
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Boc aD og M agazine – 11
VETERINARIAN VIPs
Dr. Paul H. Jaffe
So you are thinking about getting a dog but not sure if you should get a pure breed or a mixed breed. The constitutions of both types of dogs have their advantages and disadvantages.
Purebred
Purebred dogs have predictable physical characteristics; however, some of these characteristics have variations even within the same breed of dog – of which coat type, color and size are but a few. These characteristics can be manipulated by a skilled breeder who understands genetics and how one dog’s genes will combine with another’s to produce a particular breed standard. The temperament of a purebred is fairly predictable based on the genetics of the dog. Depending on whether you want a friendly dog, an aloof dog, a high-energy dog or a low-energy dog, you should search for a breeder who has proven they can consistently produce such dogs. A temperament that is genetically based can be difficult to change. Working behaviors, such as
chasing things, digging holes, herding or hunting, or working behaviors can be a nuisance to some people and can be hard to change. If you don’t have the knowledge or education to manage breeds with these behaviors, you might want to reconsider your choice of breed. But remember that all dogs are individuals and some purebreds may not have the temperament and behavior typical for their breed. You can avoid this pitfall by not acquiring any purebred puppy unless you can see both parents. A dog that falls outside the norm for its breed typically has one parent that also falls outside the norm. With regard to overall health, purebreds are prone to problems. Bone and
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joint disorders, eye diseases, heart disease, immune system diseases, epilepsy, skin diseases and cancer are just a few. Over 300 genetic health defects have been documented in dogs, and in many purebreds the incidence of defects is extremely high. Some of the reasons for this include a limited or closed gene pool. Without the introduction of new and unrelated genes, loss of genetic diversity will occur. This is happening right now with purebred dogs. Many are bred for a detailed standard of appearance to meet requirements of organizations such as the American Kennel Club (AKC). Show breeders limit the gene pool even more by rejecting breeding stock that might be healthy and good-tempered, but canContinued on page 20
Continued from page 20
not provide genes for a particular trait, such as the shape of the ears. Breeding the same champion dogs over and over also floods the breed not only with the same sets of good genes, but also with the same sets of bad genes. Basic laws of genetics show that if a dog has a defective gene for a particular trait, this trait may be recessive but if this dog is bred with another dog with the same defective gene, this trait will now become dominant. Some dogs are bred for unnatural traits. Breeds with short faces such as Bulldogs and Pugs are sweet dogs but can’t breathe normally. Breeds with long bodies, such as Dachshunds, are prone to crippling back problems and paralysis. There are many web sites that list the congenital problems associated with particular breeds of dogs. In addition, several pet insurance companies use lists of congenital purebred problems for exclusion from coverage. Kirk’s Current Veterinary Therapy is a specific veterinary textbook that lists the inherited problems often used on these exclusion lists. Your veterinarian can help you identify breed-specific congenital problems, before you choose a particular breed.
Hybrid
Another type of dog that has become more popular lately is the “hybrid” dog, or what is now commonly referred to as the “designer” dog. A hybrid is not a breed; the term means it is a mix of more than one purebred dog. Examples of the more common hybrids are: Cockapoo – Cocker Spaniel/Poodle Labradoodle – Labrador/Poodle Pekepoo – Pekinese/Poodle Some of these are crosses of purebreds that share similar health problems. This means the same defective gene could come over from both parents and pair up in their puppies. Someone may choose a Labradoodle because they want certain traits of the Labrador and the lack of shedding of the Poodle. Unfortunately, you may not get the traits you want from each specific breed and you will still get some of the other characteristics of each breed whether you want them or not. Some
of these hybrids are inbred just as much or more than purebreds. If the supply cannot keep up with the demand of a particular hybrid, some breeders may have only a few dogs that they keep interbreeding.
Mixed Breed
Most non-purebred dogs have good genetic diversity which tends to promote overall health. Because their genes are usually unrelated, the chances are good that the parents of a mixed breed puppy did not both have the same defective genes. You will seldom find a mixed breed dog with an elongated body, a face as short as a Pug or as tiny as a Maltese. With a mixed breed dog, the extremes of temperament and behavior often seen in purebreds are less common. Because their temperament and behavior is more middle-of-the-road, non-purebreds tend to be more flexible and often adjust more easily to a greater variety of households and living conditions. With mixed breed dogs, you can’t predict the appearance or behavior of any one puppy. This is because a mixed breed is not necessarily a purebred mix like a hybrid. It is more likely that a mixed breed dog is a product of two other mixed breed dogs. He might even be the product of many generations of mixed breeding. So unless you know for sure that a puppy had purebred parents, trying to guess what breeds are in him may be entertaining but, at best, inaccurate.
DNA
DNA testing to test for some genetic diseases is just beginning, to determine with certainty whether a dog has or carries or is completely clear of a specific disease. Currently, this DNA testing is limited to identifying only a very few diseases and only for a few breeds. Although it could help identify certain diseases, it wouldn’t eliminate genetic disease from purebred dogs because of the current breeding practices. A continuing loss of genetic diversity leads to a less healthy, less resistant animal. Do not make your decision about which dog to adopt based on guesses of which breeds are in him, even if you know the parents of the mixed breed dog very
well. What you see on the outside often doesn’t reflect the true genes on the inside. There is a DNA test available in a home kit available from MetaMorphix, Inc., which can identify up to 38 specific breeds of dog and costs about $80. This test is not intended to identify genetic diseases but to fulfill your curiosity about your dog’s inherited gene pool.
Mixed or Purebred
With all the problems purebred dogs are facing, you might not be getting a better dog no matter how much money you spend. Finding the right breeder who asks the right questions about the type of dog, disposition, use of the dog and environment it will live in is critical. Truly dedicated breeders will not sell a puppy to just anybody. They want to make sure you know what you are getting and if it will be the right choice for you. A responsible breeder is not doing it for the money; they are breeding dogs because they truly care about the breed. Rescue organizations and shelters will also be identifying the right dog for your family and environment if you decide to adopt. High-end pet stores selling purebred and designer dogs are in it for the money and buyer beware. If you spend a lot of money at a pet store or from the wrong breeder, be sure you have extra money put aside for the potential health problems that are sure to pop up long after you purchase the dog. To help eliminate uncertainty, a solution may be to look for an adult dog that already has the appearance, temperament and behavior you seek. It is important to understand that all dogs are individuals, regardless of their heritage. Because dogs are such individuals, purebred and mixed breed dogs can only be compared in general terms. If you put a mixed breed dog next to a purebred dog, either may be more beautiful, more intelligent, healthier and the very best choice for your family.
Paul H. Jaffe, DVM Past President Palm Beach County Veterinary Society, Inc. Jaffe Animal Clinic 950 N. Dixie Hwy., Boca Raton, FL 561.395.4030 www.drjaffe.com Boc aD og M agazine – 13
ABOUTTOWN Barker
Cisco, celebrating his favorite holiday Brutus and his best buddy Fritzie
Ebony, taking a break from her therapy work to have some family fun
Little Lovey, loves her work as a certified therapy dog.
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Every dog has celebrity potential and should be seen in About Town Barker. E-mail pictures to info@bocadogmagazine.com or mail (with a SASE if you would like them returned) to BocaDog Magazine, PO Box 812485, Boca Raton, FL 33431
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The Delray Beach Green Market Easter Bonnet Dog Parade March 22, 2008
Very special thanks to: Rick Schofield of Delray Beach for taking these wonderful photos of this year’s Easter Bonnet Dog Parade. To view others or purchase pictures from the parade contact Rick at photos@rschofield.net.
Boc aD og M agazine – 19
ALPHA, ALPHA, ALPHA Trying to Find the Meaning Behind the Term by Gregg Sekscienski
A
lpha — a term often used to describe dogs: “She’s the alpha”… “He just needs to be the alpha”… “You’ve got quite an alpha dog there.” In these phrases — and similar ones heard at dog parks, pet stores and adoption sites across the country everyday — dog people offer an insight into what they see or think they see in a dog’s behavior. But what does the term actually mean? And how does its use affect our view of dog behavior and training methods?
Early studies, from the first half of the 20th century, identified some “alpha” behaviors in wolf packs. And humans used these observations of “dominant behaviors” to try to gain understanding of their canine companions. These studies and the conclusions trainers made, shaped training methods for some time. Eventually, new research called into question these early insights.
In the canine world, dogs don’t use the term “alpha.” They don’t really use words. They just bark and communicate using body language. That’s not to say dogs don’t understand or recognize words. (See box Dogs and Words.) But alpha has a much stronger meaning for people.
It’s no wonder humans have different conceptions about wolves, alpha dogs and pack behavior — the terms show up in a number of cultural references:
Humans — the other species in this relationship — have a strong need to communicate, connect and understand. Words are a key to that communication. But the meaning of words is often in dispute. People may not agree on the meaning of a word; many words have different meanings in different contexts — it can all be quite confusing. According to Webster, “alpha” is the first letter of the Greek alphabet. The dictionary also offers a scientific meaning: “socially dominant especially in a group of animals — an alpha male.” And this is the meaning humans associate with dogs. There is, however, some misunderstanding when it comes to understanding how that dominant role is established.
Alpha-bet Soup
Leader of the Pack A 1964 pop song by the Shangri-Las; ranked by Rolling Stone as one of the 500 greatest songs of all time. Moonbase Alpha The name of the moon-based setting for the 1970s science fiction TV series Space 1999. Women Who Run With the Wolves – The bestselling book from the early 1990s that explores female roles through legends, folklore and a more primitive side. Pack leaders Adult leaders of Cub Scout groups, known as packs. A part of the worldwide scouting organization Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts.
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Critics pointed out that the studies, for example, focused on hunting, not all wolf pack activities, such as pulp rearing and everyday activities. And dominance and its role in the human-canine interaction, was called into question, since the early observations looked only at interaction among wolves. Essentially, most of today’s trainers base their methods on mutual trust, respect and consistency. Trainer Lee Charles Kelley concludes in the article “The Myth of Alpha” that there are three “flaws” in the alpha theory: One: Confusing a dog’s reaction with a dog understanding something symbolically. A dog might very well be acting submissively because another dog is stronger or bigger, not because the dog symbolically understands its “status” is below the other dog. Two: Dominant actions are restricted to specific same-gender encounters such as competition for mating and raising of litters, not a “pack” instinct. Three: The pack is much more about social situations and cooperation than about status and rank within it. Visit www.petstyle.com for Kelly’s more detailed analysis. The “domination” view of training led to some questionable training methods. One of the more controversial is the “alpha roll” and its variants, in which a human flips a dog onto its back and forcefully holds it down until he or she
stops resisting. While still used in some training circles, it is not used in rewardbased training – the basis of most modern training methods — in which positive reinforcement of good or preferred behaviors is emphasized. And communication between the human and dog remains the key to successful training – understanding what you are communicating and reinforcing it. (See box Finding the Right Trainer) So, it seems to boil down to a matter of two issues: understanding between humans and canines, and understanding between humans and humans. While dog owners strive to get better at the first, they often run into difficulties with the second. Humans use many terms that have a basis in observation of another species to describe themselves — “leader of the pack,“ “pack mentality” and even “pecking order” (borrowed from chicken observations). “Alpha dog” is even used to describe certain people who exhibit leadership of a group, albeit often through threat or violence.
Finding the Right Trainer •
See if the specifics of your situation are specialties of the trainers’ methods: Do you have a family? Is your dog already displaying specific problems? Do you have a puppy? Many trainers prefer to work in specialized situations.
after the trainer leaves or after you leave class.
• There are a number of resources to find trainers:
• Talk with the trainer beforehand and ask about their methods.
The Association of Pet Dog Trainers is a professional organization of individual trainers who are committed to becoming better trainers through education. Visit www.apdt.com.
•
The National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors promotes modern, humane training methods and at the same time elevate the standards of the profession.Visit www.nadoi.org.
Determine your budget. Group training classes are often cheaper, but you may need follow-up or you may need to reinforce behaviors yourself.
• The success of the training is due, in large part, to YOUR commitment. Be prepared to train
BocaDog’s resident training experts Siobhan Reilly Mullally and Jackie Powell.
Dogs certainly don’t use the word “alpha” to describe each other. Maybe it’s best we use it only to describe other humans and leave it at that.
Dogs and Words A popular children’s book is titled “I’ll Teach My Dog 100 Words.” Researchers suggest the number or words a dog can learn may be much higher. A recent article in National Geographic (March 2008) explores just how much thinking occurs in animal minds. The writer introduces us to a Border Collie named Betsy that has a vocabulary of more than 340 words. She also knows 15 people by name. But the most illuminating example of her abilities might be that she is able to look at a photograph of an object, then actually retrieve the real object. The researchers conclude that more work is needed to determine the extent of this “abstract thinking,” but most dog owners would agree that dogs can be very smart. Animal thinking, and our understanding of it, is still evolving.
Boc aD og M agazine – 21
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This latest carrier is built to last but designed to impress. What’s not to love? Madison
She’s diminutive but has great style so send your comments and suggestions to madison@bocadogmagazine.com or write to Madison, BocaDog Magazine, P.O. Box 812485, Boca Raton, FL 33431
Advertise in BocaDog Magazine Call 561.305.3351 or visit www.bocadogmagazine.com for details.
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ABOUTTOWN Barker
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Boc aD og M agazine – 25
Nathan J. Winograd
Director of the No Kill Advocacy Center You credit your wife for being ahead of you in knowing the need for action in the realm of animal advocacy. Did she have a hard job persuading you to take action? Actually, my wife and I met when we were both working separately to save the lives of cats in California. A bill was pending before the State Legislature which would have given animal control authorities the power to kill outdoor cats on sight, and we met when we joined a group of activists fighting the legislation. Both of us had been helping feral alley cats and when we met, we knew we were meant to be together. It was like a feline Brady Bunch. I had cats, she had cats, together our cats made a “colony.”
Nathan Winograd on the job in Ithaca, NY at the Tompkins County SPCA.
N
athan Winograd is a graduate of Stanford Law School and a former criminal prosecutor and attorney. As director of operations for the San Francisco SPCA and executive director of the Tompkins County SPCA – two of the most successful shelters in the nation – Winograd proved his vision of a No Kill nation. Then he founded the national No Kill Advocacy Center. Winograd speaks nationally and internationally on animal sheltering issues, and has written animal protection legislation at the state and national level. He has created successful No Kill programs in both urban and rural communities, and consults with and for a wide range of animal protection groups that include some of the largest and best known in the nation. Winograd also wrote a book, exposing the unnecessary euthanasia of millions of dogs and cats every year. Redemption reveals the historical and contemporary excuses given by humane societies and shelters, for killing so-called unwanted animals. He debunks the assertion of “public irresponsibility” as the cause. Winograd’s solution is simple and is proven to be effective. There is no excuse or reason to kill any animal other than those that are irremediably sick or dangerous.
Where she was ahead of me was in arguing that it was unethical to kill savable animals in shelter. I kept saying there were “too many” and she kept saying it was wrong. While I knew it was morally bankrupt, I could not see the alternative. But, as usual, she was right and I was wrong, and the rest as they say is history. Not only is there an alternative, it isn’t very complicated. When people ask me how I was able to create No Kill virtually overnight in Tompkins County, NY as head of the animal control shelter there, I jokingly reply that I was afraid to come home and have my wife ask me what I did at work today. What initiated your career turning point, from practicing attorney to shelter operations? It actually started before I became an attorney. I was a first year law student living on campus and one morning I heard a woman calling to cats in that high pitched baby voice we often use
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when talking to animals. I looked out my window and saw all these cats coming out of the bushes, and as a cat lover, I went downstairs to find out what she was doing. She told me about the work faculty, staff, and students were doing to protect the campus cats and the history of how they fought the University’s plans to have the cats killed. Naturally, they turned to the local humane society naively thinking that saving these cats was within their humane mission, but sadly the Humane Society of Santa Clara Valley sided with the University. Their argument was that since the cats were “wild” or “unsocialized,” they were better off dead, even though they lived in a largely wooded campus, in a good climate, with plenty of shelter, and people willing to care for them. So the group turned to the Humane Society of the United States, the nation’s largest animal welfare group for support. And this organization also concluded that despite the care, the cats should be killed. For cat lovers, these views were patently inhumane and out of step with the “humane” mission of these organizations. So they banded together, began trapping, sterilizing and releasing the cats back to their habitats on campus, set up feeding stations around the University and built make-shift shelters and the Stanford Cat Network was born. From a population of 1,500 estimated by the University, there are less than 50 cats remaining today, and none were killed. The friendly ones were adopted into homes, and the feral ones happily lived out their lives on the campus. And they died old, when conventional wisdom said they should have died young and died tragically. It was then that I learned that sheltering in the U.S. was a misnomer, that the vast majority of shelters did little more than kill animals, and did so even when the animals were not suffering. I started working with the Cat Network, then other organizations, and despite working as a prosecutor and in a corporate law firm, I never left animal work until I decided to devote all my time to it and left the law.
The conversion became complete when I was a prosecutor. I was working on an animal cruelty case and had sent someone to prison for killing a cat. I remember sitting at my desk after the sentencing hearing with the humane officer who handled the case, and it just hit me that I should be on the other side of the desk. Not just to protect animals, but to prevent them from getting hurt in the first place. It’s been a labor of love ever since. What prompted you to write Redemption? I wanted to reach the average dog and cat lover in the U.S. I wanted to inspire people and show them how the power of one person can lead to an army of compassion. We are a nation of animal lovers that is over 100 million Americans strong. Collectively, we share our homes with ninety million cats and seventy-five million dogs. We talk to them, keep their pictures in our wallets, celebrate their birthdays, travel with them, and greet them upon coming home even before saying hello to the spouse and kids. We include them in holiday celebrations and take time off from work to care for them when they get sick. And when it is time to say good-bye, we grieve. Every year, we spend more than 40 million dollars on our animal companions. And we donate billions of dollars more to charities that promise to help animals in need, with the largest of these having annual budgets in excess of one hundred million dollars. In fact, giving to animal related charities is the fastest growing segment of American philanthropy. However, the agencies that the public expects to protect animals are instead killing more than five million annually. Shelter killing is the leading cause of death for healthy dogs and cats in the United States: some five million are killed in our nation’s shelters every year. The numbers are staggering. For far too long, we have been led to believe there is no other way. More
than that, we have been told that this killing is the right thing to do. It’s not and we can do better. My hope is that the book will convince people that they should demand more, and give them the information and tools to do so. But beyond that, it is a good story, and one that I felt people would want to know. It’s the story of animal sheltering in the United States, a movement that was born of compassion and then lost its way. It is the story of the No Kill movement, which says we can and must stop the killing. It is about heroes and villains, betrayal and redemption. And it is about a social movement as noble and just as those that have come before. But in the final analysis, it is the story of hope that we can and will do better. And if we insist on it as Americans, that will mean good things for all our animal friends. The book contains much historical information. It must have been a fascinating journey of discovery. Was your research a revelation? Yes, particularly the life of Henry Bergh. He has become my hero and I believe that every kid should learn about him in school. Bergh started the nation’s first humane society in New York City just after the Civil War. He was also a big advocate for children and is responsible for propelling the child advocacy movement in the U.S. too. In fact, it was not uncommon at the time for these types of organizations to focus on preventing cruelty to both animals and children. In the U.S. today, we have about 6,000 humane societies and SPCAs and all of them owe their existence to Bergh, the person the local newspaper used to call “The Great Meddler.” His story is a fascinating one. Bergh was the aristocratic son of a wealthy New York family and a diplomatic in St. Petersburg, Russia. One day, he witnessed a peasant beating his donkey and Bergh ordered the man to stop, which the man did in deference to Bergh, who looked like a well-dressed gentleman of official Continued on page 32 Boc aD og M agazine – 27
position. According to legend, the experience completely transformed Henry Bergh and left him with an abiding sense of accomplishment. He returned to New York and devoted the rest of his life to helping animals.
tion on charges of cruelty. Although the owners of the lines complained, Bergh would carry the day.
His first encounter was described by his contemporaries as follows:
Among the noblest of the land; Though he may count himself the least; That man I honor and revere; Who, without favor, without fear; In the great city dares to stand; The friend of every friendless beast.
The driver of a cart laden with coal is whipping his horse. Passersby on the New York City street stop to gawk not so much at the weak, emaciated equine, but at the tall man, elegant in top hat and spats, who is explaining to the driver that it is now against the law to beat one’s animal. Thus, America first encounters “The Great Meddler.” For over two decades, Bergh spent each and every night tending to sick animals and hauling drivers who overworked them off to the local justice for prosecu-
Even the great Henry Wadsworth Longfellow once wrote of Bergh:
He was truly a great man. And a great champion for those who have no voice. Why did you decide to focus on the No Kill Advocacy Center rather than continue your work in shelter operations? When San Francisco became the first city in the United States to end the kill-
ing of healthy homeless dogs and cats, I would have thought that those running shelters across the country would have celebrated the achievement. I would have thought that they would have flocked to San Francisco to learn how it was done and to bring back to their own communities the cure for the disease of shelter killing since they were all still killing animals at astonishing rates. Instead, they dug in their heels and denigrated it. Their primary argument was that San Francisco was an “urban” community and therefore more educated and wealthy, and that such success could not be achieved in a “rural” community, because of what they argued was less education, more poverty, and antiquated views of animals. So, I took over the shelter in rural upstate New York. I wanted to prove that it didn’t matter if a community was ur-
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ban or rural, all it took was to put in place the programs and services which brought San Francisco rates of killing to national all-time lows. But more than that, I wanted to prove what I already knew given that San Francisco is one of the most ethnically, culturally, and economically diverse cities in the U.S., that people of all walks of life want to build a better world for animals. And I was right. Virtually overnight, Tompkins County surpassed San Francisco to save not just all healthy shelter animals, but all sick and injured but treatable ones and all feral cats, becoming the nation’s first No Kill community. We had proved that not only was No Kill possible, but the central lesson was that success required us to embrace, rather than blame the community as traditional shelters do. Saving lives requires replacing killing with life-affirming alternatives—a key series of highly functional programs, including at a minimum the extensive use of volunteers, community involvement, public relations, pet retention programs, comprehensive adoption programs, rescue groups, foster care, medical and behavior rehabilitation, a feral cat trap-neuter-release program, a high-volume, low-cost spay neuter clinic and leadership committed to these imperatives. But most of all, it means believing in the community and trusting in the power of compassion. Unfortunately, shelters seemed to be overcome with a case of what I call “collective amnesia.” When San Francisco achieved success, they argued that it could only be done in an urban community, not a rural one. When Tompkins achieved even greater success, they then argued that it could only be done in a rural community (because they are smaller and have less animals) than an urban one, exactly the opposite of what they argued earlier. But San Francisco—the second most congested urban area in the U.S. outside of Manhattan—proved that it was possible. And so I left Tompkins County to start the No Kill Advocacy Center, the na-
Redemption, by Nathan J. Winograd
tion’s first organizations solely dedicated to ending the systematic killing of dogs and cats in U.S. shelters, in order to help other communities achieve success. And that success, in places as diverse as Charlottesville, VA in the South, Reno, NV in the Wild West, and places like Southern Utah and elsewhere prove what my wife had always believed: there is enough love and compassion in every community, to overcome any obstacle. And we are proving it. Individuals trying to help the plight of shelter animals are often stonewalled by bureaucratic process. Do you have any advice to help embolden their contribution to a No Kill nation? Unfortunately, I think the primary mistake that people make is assuming that just because an organization has the name “humane society” or “SPCA” that it is filled with animal lovers who would leave no stone unturned if it held out the promise that an animal’s life could be spared. But that is not the case. We have lost our way as a movement, and the organizations who were created to save lives have largely been replaced with shelters whose primary purpose has become killing animals, regardless of whether they are suffering or not. Many of these organizations have become very large and very wealthy,
but they have none of the zeal which characterized the movement’s early founders, like Henry Bergh. As I discuss in the book, “institutions reflect the cumulative personalities of those within them, especially their leadership. They tend, unfortunately, to mirror less admirable human traits, developing and protecting self-interest and even ambition. They try to create order not by learning from others or the past, but by closing off and isolating themselves from that which does not fit. They become bureaucratic.” One of the fundamental downsides of bureaucracies is their focus on self-preservation at the expense of their mission. And in the case of animal shelters and the national allies who supported them, this bureaucracy has led to much unnecessary killing of animals. So animal lovers have to reclaim these institutions. Fortunately, we have many communities as models of compassionate success, so there is no need to recreate the wheel in our own. The tools are already at our disposal. Because at the end of the day, the power to change the status quo is in our hands. No Kill will be achieved when citizens demand that their shelters fully and rigorously implement the programs and services which have been proven to save lives. If people want to make a difference, they can do the following: Get informed: Read Building a No Kill Community. Be thorough: Follow the step-by-step guide Reforming Animal Control. Be successful: Use the proven model of the No Kill Equation. Don’t settle: Demand endorsement of the U.S. No Kill Declaration. Require accountability: Seek passage of the Companion Animal Protection Act. All of these documents are available for free on the No Kill Advocacy Center’s website at www.nokilladvocacycenter.org. Boc aD og M agazine – 29
Finally, dogs can get the ‘scoop’ on their most compelling questions.
Dear Hogan, I love pulling on the leash when we go for walks. My mom pulls back at me and then I know the game is on – I pull even harder. I love it. But my mom shouts my name a lot and yanks sharply on the leash. I’m not sure if she’s playing with me or telling me I’m doing something she doesn’t like. Can you help me understand what’s going on? Signed: Elbert, Kissimmee, FL Dear Elbert, Yes I can. The old tug-of-war is a fun game to play with a human but I don’t think walk time is the best time. I think your mom wants you to walk with what is called a “slack” leash. (See Training Tips, “Let’s Go” – October/November 2007.) That’s when the leash is not pulled tight the entire time during your walk. I am a very intelligent dog, and educated – I’m obedient and can type and read, among other things. But lots of dogs need cues and clear directions from humans to do things their way. And I think you are a little confused about your mom’s actions and what you are expected to do. There are lots of good training websites available, many good books and excellent trainers (some are even mentioned in this magazine) for your mom to consult to help you understand her. She has obviously given you some mixed signals about pulling. The key for a human is to praise you when you allow slack in the leash when you are on a walk. And we all love praise, don’t we; to get that special head rub or a smile from a human is a special thing for us. One method is for your mom to immediately walk in a different direction when you start to pull. Then, when you
start to walk to catch up with her, there will be slack on the leash and your mom will praise you. When you get out in front again and start pulling – boom –she should change direction and again the leash will slacken until you catch back up. All of this is designed to train you to leave that “slack” in the leash and not to pull. Other methods involve the human not moving when you pull and waiting you out.The human only starts walking when you aren’t pulling. Now, he or she must praise you when there is slack in the leash, so you get the idea. These training methods take time and your mom’s patience however, so don’t be disappointed if it takes a while for you to catch on. Good luck! Dear Hogan, It seems like I see more and more dogs on my daily walks. Also, the dog park seems especially crowded some days. Are there more canines in America than there used to be? Are we ever going to outnumber humans? When do we get our chance to run this place? I can imagine a country with water bowls on every corner, mandatory three-times-a-day walk laws and weekly butt-sniffing gatherings in every city, town and village. Oh, what a country that would be – the Canine States of America. Signed: Dexter, Charlotte, NC Dear Dexter, A few thoughts here...do your humans, by chance, leave the TV on when they go out without you? Is it tuned to CNN or C-SPAN or MSNBC? Have your humans asked you onto the couch to watch political debates, often, over the last few months? I hate to burst your political movement bubble but I’m pretty sure the political power structure of our current canine-human relationship will remain in place for some time.
You do, however, bring up a point worth addressing in your comment about more dogs in the world. According to statistics from the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association’s 2007-08 National Pet Owners Survey, this year there are about 45 million homes with dogs. That’s about 40 percent of the households in the country – an increase of 10 percent from 15 years ago. So indeed there are more dogs out there in more homes. As a matter of fact, there are about 75 million dogs in the country, according to the survey. And there some other interesting numbers in the survey: • About two-thirds of dog owners own one dog, 25% own two dogs and another 12% own three dogs or more. • The split among male and female dogs is about 50-50 and three-quarters are spayed or neutered. • Ten percent of dogs were adopted from animal shelters (all thanks to the work of humans, like the folks at this magazine who feature a dog available for adoption on the cover of every issue). Speaking of adoptions, ask your humans to suggest a humane society, rescue group or shelter to other humans they talk to about getting a dog. According to the Humane Society of the United States, there are between 4,000 and 6,000 animal shelters nationwide. These shelters place 3 to 4 million dogs and cats each year. But we should be howling out loud that just as many are euthanized each year. So if your humans are considering getting you a brother or sister of any age – or even a feline playmate – ask them to consider adopting.
He’s a GREAT Dane so you can ask Hogan anything. E-mail: hogan@bocadogmagazine.com or write to: Hogan, BocaDog Magazine. P.O. Box 812485, Boca Raton, FL 33431 3 0 – J U N E / J U LY 2 0 0 8 www.bocadogmagazine.com
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Are We There Yet? by Penny Paine
D
o you ever get the feeling, when taking your family pet on an outing that it doesn’t matter to them when you get there? Your pet is simply happy to be with you, wherever you are going – even for a visit to the veterinarian. It is likely that every one of you receives a guilt-trip when you leave the house without your best friends – those sad eyes implying no less than they are being abandoned. So, wherever you are and wherever you might like to go, we have sniffed out a variety of interesting locations and activities to enjoy with your furry, four-legged companions. And for a day out at an event or the beach or on the water; or a few days get-away, we have also considered the safety and comfort of all the family. Review the selection of tips and products to provide for your peace of mind when out and about with your pets. Have a safe and wonderful summer.
Cars: Most dogs love car travel, not only because they just love being with the family. They also love the rush of new smells flying into their nostrils at any speed. And now we are being made aware of all the potential hazards presented by motoring with our pets: • Eye or head injury with head ticking out of a window • Death from overheating if left in a vehicle Accidents: • Front seat air bag injury • An unsecured dog may cause an accident by distracting the driver • An unsecured dog becomes a projectile that can injure you, passengers and itself • An unsecured dog(s) can be thrown from accident vehicle • An unsecured dog can become aggressive towards emergency responders • An unsecured dog could be lost in a traffic accident Travel across state lines now includes more regulation and legislation not only for security reasons (see Planes below). And it is now important to check that your dog’s breed is welcome at your destination, not only at a state level but in individual counties. So consider your pet’s safety when traveling by car and don’t forget their drinking water too.
Boats: Even if your dogs enjoy swimming, they should be fitted with a life preserver not only for the event of an accident. Dogs can tire as easily as children and do not tend to float when they stop swimming. Also consider a pet friendly ramp to allow access back on the boat – even a small wet dog will weigh more than expected if you have to lift it out of the water. Don’t forget to attach your pets’ waterproof ID and to have plenty of drinking water for them too.
BUS or Train: Other than service or guide dogs, most states prohibit animals traveling on buses or trains. There are scenic tours to be found on some railroads where pets are allowed in carriers. www.skunktrain.com.
Planes: More airlines are offering pet travel and now there are more security restrictions to consider, especially if traveling internationally. International travel has complex requirements, so do check those with your carrier well ahead. Airlines have differing weight restrictions for in-cabin travel and each carrier should be contacted for full information well before booking. If your pet is too large to travel in the cabin, be aware that airlines will not accept pet bookings at certain times of the year – when it may be too hot or too cold. Boc aD og M agazine – 33
Take your dog
Take Your dog
Tips and products
on a cruise:
on an adventure:
Potomac Riverboat Company, in Alexandria, Virginia, offers a unique Canine Cruise every Thursday from May to September www.potomacriverboatco.com
California has an abundance of Eastex Canoes offers camping, fishing, swimming and canoeing with your dog in Big Thicket Canoe Trails – just two hours from Houston, Texas. www.eastexcanoes.com
Bark Buckle Up was founded by pet travel safety expert, Christina Selter, who has taken her road show nationally to promote awareness of safety when traveling. Bark Buckle Up also tests and endorses safety products for ease of use and effectiveness. www.barkbuckleup.com
Mercury, The Skyline Cruiseline®, in Chicago, Illinois, also offers canines and their owners views and anecdotes on their Sunday cruises from July to September. www.mercuryskylinecruiseline.com Due South Yacht Charters will take six passengers and the family pet for a cruise aboard their 35 foot motor yacht. Enjoy the views along the Intracoastal Waterway alongside Fort Lauderdale, in South Florida, and stop off at one of the pet-friendly restaurants on the way. www.duesouthyachtcharters.com Take Your dog to a winery: California has an abundance of wineries that welcome dogs. Visit www.about.com for specific information about wineries in Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, including dog parks and local leash laws. www.napavintners.com provides a list of 49 dog friendly vineyards in Napa Valley. Florida, perhaps less well known for its vintages, also has wineries to visit with your pet. Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards, close to Orlando in Clermont, offers more than wine hosting many activities including concerts – dogs welcome. www.lakeridgewinery.com. Enjoy the Gulf Coast ambiance near Manatee Springs State Park at the Dakotah Winery, in Chiefland, Fla. They suggest “innovational wellness walks” to explore their twelve acres containing much more than grapes – sheep, koi and many species of ducks and birds live there too. www.dakotahwinery.com.
You and your dog can run free on 175 acres of farmland, at the Canine Country Camp at Glen Highland Farm, in Morris, New York. Learn tracking, or water sports or even freestyle (dancing) with your furry friends. www.glenhighlandfarm.com Blue Sky Dogs specializes in dogfriendly day, weekend and customized travel in New York – not only the city. www.blueskydogsny.com At Hidden Meadow Ranch dogs are family and are invited to enjoy a high-end cowboy vacation in the heart of Arizona’s White Mountains. The ranch includes three gourmet meals a day and hiking, fly-fishing, archery, canoeing, leather-making, horseback riding and more – all within the price of your stay. www.hiddenmeadow.com
Take Your dog FOR a getaway: The Loganberry Inn welcomes you and your pet, at the B&B hotel near Columbia, Missouri, in the historic neighborhood of Fulton. www.loganberryinn.com The Paw House Inn in West Rutland, Vermont, caters to dogs and their owners, “…nothing more and nothing less.” It also boasts its proximity to some of the best hidden dog friendly spots in the world. www.pawhouseinn.com The cottages of White Gate Court are you and your pet’s home away from home, on three acres of peaceful, Gulfside paradise at Lower Matecumbe in the Florida Keys. Its motto of “Relax, relax, relax” can be alternated with a visit to the fun activities at Islamorada or a day trip to dog friendly Key West. www.whitegatecourt.com
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Furry Travelers has designed a water bowl that will fit in your car’s cup holder – the To Go Bowl. www.furrytravelers.com The Anxiety Wrap has helped many dogs that do not enjoy car travel. See the benefits and testimonials at www.anxietywrap.com. The Skamper-Ramp® not only provides pool safety for pets. It can also be fitted on many boat styles. Visit www.skamper-ramp.com for more information. Rescue Pet Supply donates 10% of your total purchase to the animal rescue organization of your choice and has a selection of life jackets, the Skamper-Ramp, a boat ladder and other safety products. www.rescuepetstore.com. Doggles® has introduced a new line of outdoor products and, notably, a waterbased spray Pet Sunscreen specially formulated for pets. Visit their website to buy online or locate your nearest store at www.doggles.com. Visit www.kyjen.com for a wide selection of Outward Hound products, from life jackets to backpacks, and where to buy them. Protect your dog from the summer heat with a Cool Vest®, using the simple scientific principle of evaporation. All you need is water and your dog does not get wet. www.coolvest4dog.com. We have confirmed that Invisible Fence is portable, so if you use that system to prevent your dog from wandering, now you can take it on your vacation too. www.invisiblefence.com.
At the Boarding Kennel: Don’t feel guilty about boarding your dogs, if you cannot take them with you. A stay at a fine resort will be a great vacation for you both if you use this guide to choosing a boarding facility, provided by Marni Lewis of Tail End Pet Resort & Spa in Davie, Florida. Lewis establish the resort after her own bad boarding experience: Ask for references and check for a license • Ask your veterinarian and pet owning friends for referrals. • Call the Better Business Bureau. • Call the city and make sure the facility has an occupational license board to pets – many cities do not allow pets to be boarded overnight in warehouses, strip malls and residential neighborhoods. • Boarding your pet in someone’s home (unless they are family or friends) is not advisable. The environment may not be set up for the sanitary care of multiple pets and most cities do not permit boarding in private homes. There are specific code requirements for kennels.
checked on frequently during the day. • Is it a busy facility or is it empty? Being busy is a sign that many other people trust that facility to care for their pets. •ª Do the dogs look happy? ª• Is it very noisy? Does the facility have special architecture or acoustical tiles or baffles to assist with the noise level? Excessive barking can cause stress on the dog that is barking and disrupts other pet guests. Stress can cause upset stomach, a hoarse voice and loss of appetite. • Is there a manager or owner that lives on-site so the facility is not left unattended at night?
• • •
drains, they are unable to hose down the floors, which is the most sanitary way to disinfect. Tile floors are porous and bacteria can settle into the grout. Are the outdoor play areas shaded and have fans? Do they have a pool for the hot summer months? Do they have an indoor play area to a commodate for heat and rain? What if any safety features do they have? What type of enclosure surrounds the outside play area? Could dogs climb over or dig under the fence? The ideal is a concrete wall. Is there a security system?
What are their policies and Observe the physical facility procedures? • Is there good ventilation and a • Do they have a strict policy on system in place to kill airborne vaccinations, flea and tick pathogens? prevention? • Are the sizes of the pet suites more • Do they have a mandatory than adequate? The ideal suite examination of pets at check in allows the pet plenty of space to and check out? walk around. If they should have • Are they open seven days a week for an accident, it should be far away pet pick up and drop off ? Do they from their sleeping and eating area. have accommodating hours on • The beds should be raised off the Sunday? floor and be made of a material that • How many times a day do they take can be sanitized. Mattresses are the dogs outside free of extra not recommended, as they cannot charge? Are the dogs only walked be washed in a machine and are on a leash or do they have free roam Make a personal visit porous, which allows bacteria to be to run off leash? • What does the facility smell like? It trapped inside. If they allow pet • Do they encourage you to bring may smell like dogs because of bedding to be brought in from your own food or do they prefer multiple dogs but it should not smell customer’s homes, be aware that feeding a standard diet for all like urine, feces or mold. It should fleas and ticks may be hiding in the the pets? smell clean and fresh. fabric. Some facilities provide • What is the earliest time in the • Are the reception staff welcoming blankets or quilts which they morning and the latest time at night and helpful? Do they seem to launder after each pet. the dogs are taken outside? genuinely love pets and demonstrate • What is the floor surface where the • Do cats have free roam in a play a high level of understanding of dogs are kept? The best surface is area at some time during the day? your concerns by their questions, a non-porous epoxy floor with floor • Do they increase their rates during animal handling and attitude? drains. If you do not see floor holidays? • Are the suites and water bowls clean? • Are there plenty of kennel staff present and are they actually with the dogs or standing around talking? For more tips on traveling with your pet, Proper supervision is the key to visit the BocaDog blog at www.bocadogmagazine.com/blog. good boarding. Pets must be Boc aD og M agazine – 35
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W O R D
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Catch up on the lastest gossip, photos and doggone fun at BocaDog Magazine online. www.bocadogmagazine.com
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FEATURE STORY Hurricane Watch by Penny Paine
P
hilip J. Klotzbach and William M. Gray, of Colorado State University’s Department of Atmospheric Science, released their first forecast for the 2008 hurricane season on December 7, 2007 (www.typhoon.atmos.colostate.edu). The forecast predicts 13 named storms, of which three are expected to be intense. Yes, hurricane season starts on June 1 and ends on November 30. No, hurricanes are not aware of those dates – as demonstrated by Hurricane Olga, which formed in the second week of December 2007. So there’s no time like the present to review or prepare your emergency plan. Veterinarian VIPs, on page 16, discusses why planning is so important and what we’ve learned from past experience. We have reproduced a comprehensive reference list for you to save on page 45. Information for family emergency planning, including pets, is also provided at www.ready.gov. If you live in an evacuation zone, your local government will provide details of local pet-friendly shelters. If you cannot take your pet or pets to a shelter and plan to evacuate to a hotel, check their pet and hurricane policies. (See box.) If you plan to board your pet, consult your veterinarian or the boarding facility for their hurricane policies and disaster plan.
• Many pet resorts do not offer hurricane boarding and, if they do, do you need to pre-register? • Is the facility built to withstand hurricanes? • Does the facility have a back-up generator for the comfort of your pet in the event of a power outage?
Just remember the 7 “P’s” – Proper Prior Preparation Prevents Potential Pet Problems Fur Seasons Resort in Jupiter, Florida, has a Hurricane Assurance Plan. The resort’s owner, Peter Einhorn, confirmed the idea grew out of his own frustration in finding a safe place for his Miniature Schnauzers during the 2004 hurricane season. “When we built The Fur Seasons, we built a hurricanesafe building. All the exterior windows are made of high-impact glass, the exterior walls are pre-cast concrete panels, and there is a stand-by generator,” said Einhorn. Amy Birkenes, owner of Chateau Poochie in Lighthouse Point, Florida, said, “A back-up generator facility was an essential item of our design. We have to keep our guests safe and in the luxury they deserve – especially in an emergency situation.” A back-up generator is one of the best forms of protection for your family – and your pet. “As the electrical demand has increased, power outages occur twelve months a year,” says Jon Andio, President of 1 Stop Generator Shop, a Guardian Premiere Dealer based in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. “Before central air became popular, many South Florida homes were built with terrazzo floors. Families – and their pets – would spend summers on the floor to keep cool. Now, so many homes have carpet, wood or laminate flooring, that natural cooling source
4 0 – J U N E / J U LY 2 0 0 8 www.bocadogmagazine.com
is covered up. If the power goes out when you are not home, your pet will heat up with the house. With an automatic back-up generator, power is restored in less than 30 seconds.” This family-owned business offers a full-line of generators, as well as four levels of maintenance plans to be sure your generator works every time. 1 Stop Generator Shop can be reached tollfree at 888.68-WATTS or on the web at www.1StopGeneratorShop.com. There are other items that may prove useful to have on hand, not only for emergencies. If your dog, or cat, suffers from anxiety during storms investigate the Anxiety Wrap at www.anxietywrap.com. The testimonials show the wrap has many other beneficial effects. For the eventuality you are without air conditioning or just walk your dog on hot days, consider investing in the innovative Cool Vest® for your pet (www.gramercydistribution.com). The lightweight garment uses the simple scientific principle of cooling through water evaporation. Its design ensures a cool and dry dog, without the need for power or the use of chemical gels. Just remember the seven “Ps” – Proper Prior Preparation Prevents Potential Pet Problems. Wishing you happy disaster planning and a safe and, hopefully, hurricane free season. For emergency operations, shelters, boarding and pet-friendly hotels in South Florida visit: www.pbcgov.com www.broward.org www.miamidade.gov www.hspb.org www.humanebroward.com www.humanesocietymiami.org For all other areas contact your local government offices or humane societies or access your U.S. State Emergency Management Agencies at www.emergencymanagement.org. Other pet friendly resources include: www.dogfriendly.com www.petswelcome.com www.pettravel.com
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Boc aD og M agazine – 43
LIGHTS, CAMERA, Action Makeover
Meet Nelly W
Yes, please throw that ball
e never know what to expect when meeting our cover stars, so we were delighted when we met Nelly, at the Fur Seasons Resort and Spa, in Jupiter, Fla. Sharie Turgeon, adoption manager, and Candace Veach, director of operations, escorted Nelly from the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast (HSTC). Nelly is a happy, gentle dog. She was found as a stray in November 2007 and soon adopted. She was with her new family for only four months before her owner was diagnosed with a debilitating disease, making it impossible to look after Nelly and she was returned to the Society’s care. The Fur Seasons Resort and Spa Our hosts, Peter Einhorn and Drue Pollack, welcomed the party and took Nelly on a tour of their facilities. Every luxurious dog suite has a unique theme, and although the dogs may not realize the significance, they will reside in either the Beach or Concierge Wing. No cages here. The most popular of five different outside play yards is the bone-shaped pool, sloping from 3 – 38 inches, like a beach. Nelly took to the water as would a purebred Labrador retriever as if she’d been swimming all her life. The largest play area is landscaped with hills and boulders, where eight-year old Nelly played ball like a puppy. Fur Seasons also has smaller yards with antimicrobial artificial turf that resists ants, bugs, and other critters – including toads, so providing for safe nighttime outings. The property perimeter is enclosed with a security fence, designed to prevent escape by the most ambitious climber or digger. Comfort and security is the order at the Fur Seasons. Einhorn confirmed the facility was built to be hurricane safe, so they can also offer a Hurricane Assurance Plan for boarding animals during a storm. The next stop was the grooming salon for Nelly’s spa treatment. The salon is an extension of Arf Arf Launder-Mutt®, the mobile grooming service established eight years ago. The service specializes in big dogs and grooms over 60 dogs a week. Manager and master groomer, Mark Cifone, primped and pampered Nelly using some of the many products researched through Launder-Mutt – everything
4 4 – J U N E / J U LY 2 0 0 8 www.bocadogmagazine.com
Ah, now I have to fetch
from dry nose creams to UV sprays for safe sun and pool play. A gleaming Nelly emerged for her cover shoot but we discovered that Nelly was not happy under the lights. The flash made her anxious so we decided outdoor action would make her more comfortable. Nelly responded to the change of location by being the perfect model, allowing photographer David Massey to capture the very best side of our star. We said our goodbyes at the resort and Nelly returned to HSTC with her very own Fur Seasons tote bag, blanket, freshening spritz, bandana and treats. The Humane Society of the Treasure Coast HSTC’s Palm City location is set back in a few acres of land that include shady, peaceful gardens around a lake. The park is thanks to a generous donation – part of which was explicitly bestowed for the landscaping. This area provides for path pavers and tree memorials for a lost loved one, and scenic walks for the animals in the Society’s care. The organization works together with Martin County Animal Control by
Special thanks to: Sharie Turgeon – Adoption Manager Candace Veach – Dir. of Operations Humane Society of the Treasure Coast 4100 SW Leighton Farm Avenue Palm City, FL 34990 772.223.8822 www.humanesociety-tc.org Peter Einhorn and Drue Pollack Mark Cifone – Master Groomer Henry Torres – Resort Manager The Fur Seasons Pet Resort & Spa 1310 SW T.C. Commerce Way Stuart, FL 34997
772.286.8283 561.745.2800 www.thefurseasonsresort.com
Hot bath, warm twoel, sleepy
Perhaps I’ll take the French manicure today
housing the stray and abused animals, picked up by the service. The HSTC was established in 1955, by a group of citizens concerned about the plight of homeless and abandoned animals in the county. Now, not only cats and dogs are rescued but you will also find small critters available for adoption; maybe a ferret or guinea pig or flop-eared rabbit. Many programs and services are extended by the HSTC. In 2007, their Animobile mobile surgery broke all records for spay/neuter, and the Humane Education Program for children and Pet Therapy Program are important parts of their community outreach. Obedience and Agility Training courses, based on positive reinforcement, are held to strengthen the bond between dogs and their owners HSTC executive director, Frank Valente, is proud of the organization. “We are very grateful to the community. Where we are today is because of their support.” He is also excited about the next stage of development for the Society – the installation of a full service veterinary facility. Valente says, “On site surgery and an isolation unit will greatly increase our ability to look after the animals in our care and find those happy, healthy pets new homes.” We look forward to hearing that our cover star Nelly has found the forever family she deserves.
The great outdoors – my favorite Boc aD og M agazine – 45
LIGHTS, CAMERA,
Action Makeover
UPDATE
Sarge - ADOPTED
S
arge has a new family and a new name, Sora. His dad, Weuton, says, “Everyone had different ideas for names and it took us quite a while to come to an agreement.” Here is an excerpt from Weuton’s letter to Siberian Husky Rescue, confirming how well Sora is settling in. “We weren’t wrong in our choice, even if we knew little about him. He’s a polite and obedient dog for most of the time, unless he enters stubborn-mode, which is usually when he’s outside and off the leash. And though he can’t stand cats, he gets along very well with all other dogs, and has made quite a few friends at the dog park. He walks well on a leash – so well I can trust my brothers and grandmother to take him for walks, while not having to fear they will struggle to hold him back. He’s also not shown any signs of escapist behavior, which is great for us. He loves to be out in the yard and it’s good to know we don’t have to be following his every step like we were doing the first few days. I was so afraid he’d go straight through that fence, I put him on a leash whenever he had to go out to do his business. Now we’re more comfortable, he’s more comfortable. He also likes to take turns with whom he sleeps. One night he’s in my room, another night he might be in bed with my mom or the kids. He’s just great.” It sounds like a match made in heaven. We are very happy for Sora and his forever family. Sora was adopted from:
South Florida Siberian Husky Rescue, Inc. (Mailing address only) 4846 N University Drive, Box #333 Lauderhill, FL 33351 Email: contactus@sibrescue.com Tel: 954.540.7373 Fax: 954.721.3795 www.sibrescue.com
4 6 – J U N E / J U LY 2 0 0 8 www.bocadogmagazine.com
A percentage of all proceeds benefits a no-kill shelter.
It’s not a name, it’s not a place, it’s what you wear. Embroidered Ball Cap white with black and pink or black with white lettering $13.95 ea. T-Shirts black with white or white with black lettering $11.95 ea. Spaghetti-Strap Top black with white or white with black lettering $13.95 ea. Wide Strap Tank Top black with white or white with black lettering $12.95 ea. all shirts available in S, M, L, XL Doggie T-Shirts black with white lettering or pink with fushia trim and lettering Available in S, M, L, XL, 2XL $15.95 ea. Doggie Sleeveless Tank Tops black with white lettering or pink with white lettering or red with white lettering Available in S, M, L, XL, 2XL $15.95 ea. Dog Bandanas pink with black lettering, black with white lettering or red with white lettering teal blue with white lettering $3.95 ea. Sales tax and shipping not included. To order visit www.bocadogmagazine.com and click on BocaDog Attitude or call 561.305.3351. Boc aD og M agazine – 47
Nelly at play
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MCL PET SITTING 22272 Calibre Ct, Boca Raton, FL 33433 (561) 929-4829 • (561) 750-8021 While your’re away.... leave your best friend in the best hands. Boc aD og M agazine – 51
ODDS & TAIL ENDS Did you know?
ANIMAL WHEELCHAIRS Custom fitted in any size and with a variety of upgrade kits, Eddie’s Wheels are a perfect solution for any dog with mobility problems. The creator of Eddie’s Wheels started the animal wheelchair company after his own dog lost use of her hind legs, as a result of a disk disease. The company’s goal is to provide mobility for dogs that otherwise would not be able to get around. The wheels on the cart can either be located on the front or back, depending on the animal’s specific needs. The cart’s aluminum and stainless steel design is accommodating for any size dog, and any level of athleticism. Since the website opened in 1999, Eddie’s Wheels has become a world-wide phenomenon. Visit www.eddieswheels.com for photos and videos of dogs that have regained their mobility. FLORIDA To quote from the Broward No Kill website, it is “… a Constituency of Broward County residents and voters who want to see the county become a NO KILL county for healthy adoptable dogs and cats.” It lays blame for euthanizing thousands of pets a year on the lack of a practical plan, and insists on a realistic timeframe to enable the change of attitude that is also needed to make the plan work. The movement is not expecting an overnight change. In five to seven years Broward No Kill intends to have established “… a model major County where healthy adoptable pets are not killed needlessly.” For comprehensive information, including a Position Paper and Action Plan, and ways to participate, visit www.browardnokill.org. THE DRIVE TO REGULATE PET FOOD The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that utilizes the power of information by sharing their research findings on health and the environment. Now they have established a project, Pets for the Environment, spear-headed by its mascot Eddie – The Furry Crusader. Eddie soon has a meeting with humans at the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine to deliver the pets’ message, “We’re sick of the crap in our pet food.” This message is to encourage the FDA to take on the safety approval of pet food and toys – currently an unregulated industry sector. Eddie’s news and other adventures can be found at www.petsfortheenvironment.org and www.ewg.org has plenty more useful information about the environment and health issues for humans.
DOG DNA MIXED BREED DOG TESTING If your mixed breed dog herds the neighborhood kids, he might be part herding dog; if she digs she might be part terrier; behaviors often reflect the purpose for which a dog was originally bred. Until recently there has been no reliable way to know the answer to “what breed is it?” Now pet lovers have access to a new testing method using DNA markers to help determine what breeds are present in the make-up of the family’s mixed breedpet. Dr. Susan Nelson, a veterinarian at Kansas State University, said K-State’s Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital has recently begun offering the blood test “Wisdom panel MX” that can determine the heritage of the family dog. “The new test uses a blood sample that looks for ‘breed signatures’ that are specific for more than 130 breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club,with more breeds being added as time goes on,” Nelson said. “Accuracy is estimated at 84 percent for first generation mixes,” she said. “Modern dogs have a lot of identical DNA as it is thought they have descended from the gray wolf. But scientists have identified 300 sites (called SNPs) in the DNA sequence where subtle changes can occur. “Specific combinations of variations at these sites are known as breed signatures. The report will present the breed signatures that are present in each dog’s DNA. In some cases a certain proportion of a dog’s genetic material will be so mixed that no breed signature match can be made. In these dogs a mixed component will be reported along with other breeds detected.” Nelson said analyzing a dog’s breed is more difficult the further back one looks. “Trying to take the results back to grandparents is difficult because the DNA changes are so subtle.” The testing process is simple, Nelson said. Owners bring their dogs in to the hospital for a blood test. “The test requires just a small amount of blood to be drawn,” she said. “Then, in a few weeks, owners can go online to get results, using the identifier number they receive when the blood sample is taken. “The results are shown in the form of icons that represent a breed. The size of the icon and distance away from your dog’s ‘ID tag’ suggest the relative prominence of each detected breed,” Nelson said. Owners are also shown pictures of the relevant breeds, along with a list of physical and behavioral traits common to that breed. “Although you can’t predict disease or behavior by this test, it provides information that may be very helpful in training and behavior modification,” Nelson said. Concintued on page 53.
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© 2008 Newswise.
DUESSELDORF, GERMANY Police dogs are now wearing boots to protect their feet from broken glass left by beer-drinking revelers in the city. The K-9 force of 20 German Shepherds and Belgian Shepherds have been outfitted with the rugged footwear and completed the month of training needed to get them used to wearing shoes.The local police force found the boots, also used by dogs in Alaska, on the internet when researching a solution to the problem.
Concintued from page 51.
Nelson said the test could potentially be used by owners in towns with breed specific legislation to prove their dog is not among the banned breeds. She said whether a community would accept the test would vary from one location to another.
Got Poop?
Nelson noted there is a test using cheek swabs available online, but it currently identifies only 38 breeds. “It is important to remember that none of these DNA tests are 100 percent accurate in detecting breed heritage and to keep this in mind when opting to have your dog tested,” Nelson said. “That being said, it is still a fun and medically relevant technological advancement which owners with a little extra cash may want to try.” © 2008 Newswise.
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“ultimate pampering for the modern pooch” Boc aD og M agazine – 53