“Rescuing one dog may not change the world, but for that dog the world will be changed forever.”
Barbie Yonce
Co-Founder,
Counselor,
AT FIRST I WAS EMBARRASSED. ME, A CAT, LIVING WITH A SINGLE GUY. BUT WHEN I WATCH HIM PICK SOMETHING UP WITH HIS HANDS AND EAT IT, I CAN’T HELP BUT LOVE HIM.
— MARU adopted 01-10-10
assistance help up
cci.org
cci.org
Canine Companions for Independence assistance dogs are there for their human partner day, 7 days a week.
Canine Companions for Independence assistance dogs are there for their human partner day, 7 days a week.
Expertly trained to perform over 40 commands, these dogs help children, veterans and adults with disabilities open doors, pick up dropped items and much more. Each life-changing dog is provided free of charge to recipients.
Expertly trained to perform over 40 commands, these dogs help children, veterans and adults with disabilities open doors, pick up dropped items and much more. Each life-changing dog is provided free of charge to recipients. Learn
and
CARMEN & PUPS PAGE 70
G GIRL COTILLION PAGE 72
PET FASHION - MOROCCO PAGE 112
PET CRUSADER PAGE 114
BEVERLY’S ADVENTURES PAGE 118
PET TRIBUTE PAGE 127
editor’s letter
Lick Magazine issue 15 features a potpourri of lovable pets to brighten your day with their innocence, down to earth sweetness and love.
Enjoy "Animal Chat" by Contributing Editor & model Daniel DiCriscio; the latest G Girl Pet Fashion photos by photographers Ashley McDonald and Kat Lawrence; "Animal Tails" with our new contributing writer Charlie Pacheco and the most breath taking wildlife and landscape photography from around the globe with award winning photographer Beverly Houwing.
Your pet can appear in Lick! Submit photos and info on your favorite pet(s) and we will do our best to include them in future issues of our publication! Licks & Kisses,
Barbara BarbaraZJayne@gmail.com Love
®
Contributor
Mark Finley
Mark is a multi-media artist currently exploring photo-collage. Mark’s compositions reference pop culture and the idols of a generation. Mark’s “muse” is his new dog, Hazel. finley1616@gmail.com
Publisher/CD/ED/CRO
Barbara Jayne
Barbara has 30 years experience in Publishing, Advertising and Media working with notable entities from Andy Warhol’s “Interview Magazine” to Conde Nast’s “Self Magazine” and her own digital pet publication “Lick Magazine”.
Editor Denise Fleck
Denise Fleck is The Pet Safety Crusader having taught 20K humans animal life-saving skills. Author of more than a dozen books, learn more about her at www.PetSafetyCrusader. com and... check her out in the pages of LICK Magazine!
Social Media
Nikki McFarling
Nikki is the founder of the podcast “Livey and Opinionated”. She loves to write short stories and poetry but is also a master at social media helping many Hollywood VIPs, including LICK, keep their latest happenings current.!
Production Director/ Contributor
Beverly Houwing
Beverly Houwing is an award winning photographer whose work appears in magazines and galleries. She is also a graphic designer.
contributors
Daniel DiCriscio is an award winning TV/Media Personality, Celebrity Hairstylist, Recording Art ist, and Model. Daniel is most widely known for his historical makeover on Paula Jones, his work on Pamela Anderson, Stevie Nicks, Barbi Twins, Anna Nicole Smith, and his TV interview with Sa cha Baron Cohen / Da Ali G Show. Daniel is active in various animal rights causes. Stay tuned for his upcoming Hollywood Tell All book. https://danieldicriscio.net
Gregg and Wendy Di Pinto
Wendy and Gregg Di Pinto own and operate the upscale (non chain rarity) pet store for pam pered pets "Gigi's Pet Market" based in Jupiter, FL. and named after their gently spoiled and very beloved pet "Gigi" of course!! Gigi's carries the "best of the best" in everything "pet‑centric" be cause this loving couple wanted the best for their "Gigi!" And they know you want the best for your pampered pets too! We welcome Wendy, Gregg and Gigi's personal product selections. And if you happen to be in Jupiter, stop by and say "hello".
Neely Elvidge Waring
Neely Elvidge Waring, aka The Diva Dog Mom, began photographing shelter dogs while working with rescues in South Florida. Her love of dogs and photography blossomed into a pet photogra phy business. She now runs Hoosier Bulldog Res cue in Indianapolis, Indiana. She currently has six Bulldogs, two Sphynx cats, and an African Grey Parrot.
https://neelywaringphotography.smugmug.com
Carmen Diaz was Lick Magazine's Summer 2016 / It’s a Super Zoo cover and “star” with her fashionista pups “Luke Skywalker” and “Darth Vader.” Carmen resides in Gran Canaria, Spain and Beverly Hills, Ca. and can be found doing the dog fashion show circuit in New York and L.A. Stay Tuned for Carmen’s latest happenings in the pages of Lick Magazine.
@carmendiazmedin
@nosinmispeluditos2022
Beverly Houwing
Beverly Houwing has had a passion for pho tography and a love for animals her whole life. She feels images have a profound effect on our perception of the world. Her photography has been exhibited at galleries and numerous curated exhibits. Her work has been featured in Smith sonian, Africa Geographic and other magazines. Check out more of her work on her web site: www.squidgallery.com
Laura is the owner and fashion impresario of G Girl Productions, West Palm Beach, Florida. She created the "Cotillion" and “HomeComing” events which took place in Palm City, Florida for this issue. You can check Laura out on her Face book page or at a G Girl fashion event coming to a town near you.
https://www.face‑book.com/Ggirlproductions/
Daniel DiCriscio
Laura Gianna Souza
Carmen Diaz
Laurren Darr
Laurren Darr is an award winning author that’s written numerous pug, children’s and pet fashion books. She’s the founder of the Pet Fashion Guild, Left Paw Press, and House of Laurren. Pet Age named her a Woman of Influence. She earned her pet fashion certification from Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in 2015. Beyond pet interests, she spends most of her time traveling to race tracks with her husband and her son, who races in the NASCAR® ARCA series. www.LeftPawPress.com
Kat Lawrence is a photographer specializing in com mercial, dance, and marketing photography, operat ing out of Charlotte, NC. Proficient in turning con cepts into reality, she thrives on applying her creative perspectives and artistic vision to her work. Currently, she works for Insight Magazine and UNC Charlotte. She puts together a wonderful magazine that helps support animals, animal events. She promotes pups photos, the designers, photographers covering dog events we attend.
Contact Kat at: 662 617 1995
contributors
From childhood snapshots to a heartfelt tribute, Ashley's passion for photography bloomed. Inspired by her father's lens-filled home, capturing moments became a way to honor his memory after his passing. Overcoming fears, her husband gifted her a camera, emboldening her to launch a business. Amidst the journey, Jax, her beloved dachshund, adds joy. Gratitude extends to supportive friends, especially Melissa Fuller, who linked her with opportunities. Each click resonates with love, transforming a hobby into a heartfelt profession.
Devin is a graduate of NYU with a BA in Film & Television. He co founded a video production company (dog army.com) that specializes in real estate and has filmed over 300 apartments in NYC, as well as web series pilots, and events. His sound work has been featured in the Sundance Film Festival, New York Film Festival: Projections, International Film Festival Rotterdam, and other film festivals. www.devinmadethis.com
Would you like to summit a story about your pet or do you have a story you'd like to see us create?
Please feel free to drop us a line at Lick Magazine.
Submissions:
Please submit only high resolution photos and universal text if you would like a picture or story considered for future publication. Please email to: BarbaraZJayne@gmail.com or Mail to:
Katy Lawrence
Devin Johnson
Ashley McDonald
lick - Featured Pet Person Blackie
Blackie is a little over a year old. He wandered into my backyard and I was quick to shoo him away... however persistent, he kept reappearing until I was convinced that he was alone and hungry. Somewhat underweight, I started feeding him regularly and he soon blossomed into this gorgeous junior cat, happy and so ever grateful.
He doesn’t leave my side. We are both winners. And he now has a home. I’ve grown to care for him so very much and he has brought me companionship and love!
Charlie Pacheco
& China
China is my eldest cat, over eight years old and one of a litter of 4 whose mother brought outside my window, meowing like crazy. When I saw that clowder, it freaked me out and I immediately went to work caring for them until I could re-home them all.. except for this one kitten with the cutest Chinese face (named China).
I knew I wasn’t parting with her. Instant love!
My Favorite Lick Louie the "Pirate"
Pet of Angy Gardner
Photo: Ashley McDonald
my favorite lick - Valentino
Pet of Angy Gardner
Photo: Ashley McDonald
my favorite lick - Etta James
Pet of Mindy Gottsman
Photo: Ashley McDonald
lick - Pets of the Month - Melvin & Henry
Pups of Michael, one of Lick's dearest friends!
Anthony Rubio, pet designer with some of his satisfied clients.
lick - Pets of the Month
Pet of Denise Schneps
lick - Pets of the Month
Pet of Ken Polk
Kami Kat
lick - Pets of the Month
Pet of Cheryl Greenberg
Animal Chat lick pet person
“Political Dog Days “
Politics is the new showbiz these day and it has consumed a lot of the public’s attention but it could be a bad idea to discuss this subject with friends, family, and whoever else has a strong POV. So, how can they, the political powers that be, calm this storm down?
We are presently facing a new presidential election coming this November with candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump and their VP choices JC Vance and Tim Walz.
So, may I ask you besides their political pitches and political party affiliations, how can they make these "politicals" friendly enough to get your vote considering the polarizing aura surrounding these choices?
Bring in the Dogs! What better way than to have a "photo op" holding a dog, walking a dog, etc. to get a sympathy vote. It worked in the past for many past presidents such as Clinton and Biden just to name a few. Makes us feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
BY DANIEL DICRISCIO
At the recent Democratic convention in Chicago, Anna Navarro from “The View” took to the podium, and also brought her dog to the convention, and had Kamala take a pic with her dog backstage before the convention which seems to have been used as a softening tool.
The photo of Kamala and the pooch took to the video screen behind Anna with Anna gushing over the pic and dogs, and guess what? The sounds of love and "awww!" coming from the audience and home viewers brought out a whole new level to this convention, and for Kamala. It even got to me, my heart, and got my attention. Kamala is animal friendly now and a known dog lover.
Even the VP choices Jim and Tim brought out their dogs to the press for a more human vibe. How can you not like someone who has a pet or loves dogs.
Trump likes dogs but doesn’t own one or have one when he was in the White House. He has been a speaker at dog events and shared his affinity for pups and even when Trump was the President he did pass the first federal animal cruelty bill to make it illegal to torture and harm animals.
Almost every president has had a dog or even a cat, remember the Clinton’s and their cat "Socks?" Lol. This dog display makes these politicians more humane and loving. A dog shows empathy and love to many and creates a loving side to an authoritative figure.
Will this help you decide who you are going to vote for? Maybe even a little bit? How can anyone not like a dog, right?! I surely love em! Dogs got my vote!! — Daniel —
Animal Chat lick pet person
“HOT
DOG DAYS”
Dogs are our best friends, and yes they really are, so we should treat them like "Best friends." A lot of people I see in public, especially when I'm exercising (I’m an avid runner) and go to Runyon Canyon in LA. (I do all kinds of athletic activities) but what I am seeing now and it is alarming is people's behavior with their dogs.
It’s great to see the dogs having some freedom out and about with a “caring” owner, are they(?), but what I’ve encountered and it really takes me to another level is seeing people exercising with a dog who has to keep up with their owner’s speed, especially on steep inclines.
We are experiencing hot sometimes scorching summer days and I've seen the scantily clad dog owner who does not have water or anything with them to cool their dog down. Their dog is panting heavily and the owner (as I’ve seen on numerous occasions) is pulling the pet on leash saying “Come on! Come on!” Whether it’s a Corgi, Shepherd, or any other type of dog breed these dogs are not in the capacity as the person with the leash! It really breaks my heart to see this and I’ve had to stop numerous times to educate the owner about their dog who is about to pass out.
One dog was actually lying on the pavement, panting so heavily while the owner was kneeling down over him saying, “What’s the matter? What’s the matter?” wearing a two-piece crop top or another incident a guy shirtless torso in shorts is exercising like a boot camp member. The dog was about to pass out. I interjected and said, “Excuse me, your dog needs water!"And then I actually went and got the dog water! I’ve also encountered this at a restaurant in Hollywood very recently on a hot sunny afternoon.
BY DANIEL DICRISCIO
A woman was sitting at a table with her daughter and her beautiful husky dog was sitting on the floor on leash, panting heavily and the dog’s eyes were like pins fixated. I looked over the woman and I said to her “I think your dog needs water” and she goes. “Oh yeah. It’s so hot. I’m overwhelmed with my child and shopping.” Again I say --“Excuse me your dog needs water” so I went and got water for the dog and the dog would not stop drinking. I had to get 2 cups of water for him. She said “Thank you” and then turned her head and resumed staring ahead at her daughter.
Dogs are not possessions, they’re living things. Just because you can handle the heat and you can walk for a long time without a drink does not necessarily mean your dog can . Plus, remember the dog is wearing fur!! Plus the hot concrete/ asphalt can burn their paw pads!
You are wearing footwear but your dog isn’t and think about it.. If you were barefoot walking on hot asphalt or concrete? Think about the hot sand at the beach too.
You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to know this. So I’m begging PLEASE, PLEASE bring water with you and think about your dogs fur and paws as well. It’s like you wearing a fur coat and being barefoot in this burning hot summer sun! Try not to be selfish and think a water fountain will be the answer so you don’t have to carry anything. Many water fountains are not in working order etc.
Be prepared, your pup may not be able to keep up with you. I’ve been told from others that some of the dogs in these situations do not make it and actually passed away while their owners are exercising.
So again please, please do us a favor and take care of your "Best friends" because they do love you and they depend on you. Maybe it’s better to leave them at home during the hot scorching day in air conditioning with food and water…or better yet wait until the sun goes down and cools off so you can do more things with your pup. — Daniel —
Lick Spotlight - pet art Art Exhibit
lick spotlight - Cat Stevens
"Cat Stevens" was not a cat guy, but no one was going to ask for a record by "Youshuf Demetre Georgiou" and his girlfriend thought he looked like a “cat," the rest is history.
Lick Spotlight - Celebrity Cats
Carole Lombard
Audrey Hepburn
Marianne Faithfull
Meryl Streep
Lauren Bacall
Brigitte Bardot
Vivien Leigh
Linda Blair World Heart http://www.lindablairworldheart.org
Bullies and Buddies
w ww.bulliesandbuddies.com
Dawg Squad
11209 National Blvd #246
Los Angeles, Ca. 90064
310-674-0477
w ww.Dawgsquad.org
NKLA Pet Adoption 1845 Pontius Ave West Los Angeles, Ca. 90025 424-208-8840 www.nkla.org
Karma Rescue
1158 26th Street #155
Santa Monica, Ca. 90403 www.Karmarescue.org
Dept of Animal Services
Administrative Office: 221 N Figueroa Street, Suite 600 Los Angeles, Ca. 99012
888-452-7381
LA Animal Services & Locations 888-452-7381 www.laAnimalservices.com
East Valley Center 14409 Van Owen Street Van Nuys, Ca. 91405
Harbor Center
957 N Gaffey Street San Pedro, Ca. 90731
North Central Center 3201 Lacey Street Los Angeles, Ca. 90032
South Los Angeles
Chesterfield Square Center 1850 W. 60th Street Los Angeles, Ca. 90047
West Los Angeles Center 11361 West Pico Los Angeles, Ca. 90064
West Valley 20655 Plummer Street Chatsworth, Ca. 91311
New Orleans, Louisiana Pit Bull Rescue:
Villalobos Rescue Center
P.O. box 771127
New Orleans, LA. 70177
504-229-4229 www.vcrpitbull.com
New York, New York Pit Bull Rescues:
Ny Bully Crew/Animal Rescue & Adoption Center 1457 Montauk Highway East Patchogue, New York 11772 Out of the Pits P.O. Box 2311 Albany, New York 12220 www.outofthepits.org
NY Pit Bull Rescue www.rescueme.org
Rescue Pit P.O. Box 10219 Rochester, New York 14610 info@rescuepit.org
Queen City Pits Queencitypitties.com Info@queencitypitties.com
CusePitCrew
P.O. Box 195 Clay, Ny 13041 www.recycle_a_bull@yahoo.com
Second Chance Rescue Nycsecondchancerescue.org AnimalAlliancenyc.org
Mayors alliance for nyc’s animals 244 5th Avenue, suite R290 New York, New York 10001-7604 #212-252-2350 Info@animalalliancenyc.org
Get your pet www.getyourpet.com/adopt-a-pitbull-or-rehome-a-pit-bull-in-newyork/
Florida Pit Bull Rescues: Luv a Bull www.luvabull.org
Adopt A Pet www.adoptapet.com
Pit Bull Happenings www.pitbullhappenings.com
PitBull Rescue Me www.pitbull.rescueme.org
Plenty of Pit Bulls www.plentyofpitbulls.org www.Popb.org gainesvillepitbulls@gmail.com
REPORT ANIMAL ABUSE. STOP DOMESTIC
Carmen lick pet person - Carmen Diaz
& Pups
G Girl International Cotillion
Photos by: Ashley McDonald
“Congratulations”
Dania Velasco & Lyla Grace
“Miss Cotillion 2024”
Angy'=' Gardner’s Mom holding “Harley” - winner of “Best Boy Design”
“Congratulations” Cindy & Jim Bethman Alexandra, Hailey and Kailee
Gowns designed by "Off the Cuff Stuff for Pets"/ Julie Lancaster
Photos: Ashley McDonald
Hailey Cotillion 2024 1st runner up Best Evening Gown
Indian Princess" “Collection” Hawaiian Nights" “Collection”
Photos by: Kat Lawrence
Lick Spotlight - Janan Bernabud Pet Fashion
Photos by: Ashley McDonald
from Morocco!
lick - pet crusader Making Senior Dogs Feel
As animal shelters and rescue groups across the country cope with an unprecedented number of homeless pets, there’s new hope for at-risk old dogs: The Grey Muzzle Organization, the largest national nonprofit focused specifically on the wellbeing of senior dogs, awarded a record-breaking $1.1 million in lifesaving grants to 100 animal welfare groups nationwide this summer.
Board of Directors President, Denise Fleck, shared her thoughts, “With an older dog, what you see is what you get, meaning older dogs have grown into their paws and personalities. They are oh so grateful for a second chance and are content lying by your side, yet...if you are looking for a walking or hiking buddy, you can also find that in an older best friend. Just like ‘50 is the new 30’ for us, senior dogs (age 7+) come with differing abilities and energy, so most still have a lot of life to live and a whole lot of love to give.”
When asked about people not wanting to adopt a senior because they fear they won’t have much time with them, Fleck replied, “It’s possible an older dog might need additional medical care, but remember, there are no guarantees with a puppy either. Before learning their manners and obedience, young dogs can get into mischief, escape into traffic, ingest something they should not, so at any age, we don’t know how long we’ll be lucky enough to share a dog’s companionship. Some dog’s have genetic defects or bad breeding will play into their lifespan. The important thing is to be in the moment with our dogs like they are with us and make every day GRRReat! Additionally, though, by giving out grants annually, Grey Muzzle strives to help local shelters and rescues take some of the guess work out of the pet you are adopting. Our grants fund dental cleanings and extractions, diagnostic testing and mass removals along with aiding in adoption fees and helping people keep the senior dogs they already love by providing vouchers for veterinary care and medicine.”
Like a Million Bucks
By Denise Fleck, The Pet Safety Crusader™
Here are a few examples of how senior dogs and the people who love them benefit from Grey Muzzle grants:
Angie and Rocky are a ten-year-old bonded pair who had nowhere to go after their special person died. Finding Shelter in Southeastern Pennsylvania gave them a safe place to land in a loving foster home. Thanks to a Grey Muzzle grant, both dogs are receiving critically needed medical and dental care. In addition to providing senior dogs with veterinary care, Finding Shelter will use their grant to expand their Finding Peace program, which educates the public on the need to plan for pets who may outlive them, supports pets of the terminally ill, and creates planning and outreach materials for pet guardians.
The Humane Society of North Texas will use their Grey Muzzle grant to help senior dogs like 12-year-old Buddy stay in loving homes. The grant will provide free primary veterinary care to 100 senior dogs of low-income older
adults through their Rae of Hope Program. This program offers essential services like vaccinations, microchipping, flea/tick prevention and heartworm medication at no cost, helping people keep their dogs happy, healthy, and out of shelters.
Nearly all senior dogs entering shelters—whether strays or owner surrenders—need veterinary care. Thanks to support from Grey Muzzle, Dorchester Paws in Dorchester County, South Carolina, can provide essential care for senior dogs, significantly improving their chances of adoption. This funding ensures that dogs like eight-year-old Birdy receive high-quality medical treatment, so they are ready to find new homes. Support from Grey Muzzle is helping Pet Savers in Spokane Valley, Washington, launch a new dental service with a special “Top Gum” promotion that will benefit up to 70 senior dogs.
This means that dogs like 11-year-old Rue will have access to highquality dental care to help make their senior years healthy ones. The Grey Muzzle Organization’s Executive Director Lisa Lunghofer thanked donors for funding more than $5.7 million in grants over the past 16 years. “We are so grateful to the donors who make these lifesaving grants possible, the shelter and rescue workers on the frontlines of saving senior dogs, and every person who opens their heart and home to an older dog. Because of you, we are closer to our vision of a world where every senior dog thrives, and no old dog dies alone and afraid.”
Grants do give old dogs new beginnings! Meet the 20242025 Grey Muzzle grantees at https://www.greymuzzle. org/events-and-webinars/news/11-million-grey-muzzlegrants-give-old-dogs-new-beginnings
Watch this adorable video showing the dogs who are being helped by The Grey Muzzle Organization: https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=u85Gh8ejH3w
lick - pet crusader Wishes Do
In the last issue of Lick Magazine, you read the story of ‘Wishy,’ a senior dog picked up on the streets of Memphis, Tennessee, rescued by the Big East Akita Rescue (B.E.A.R.) in New Jersey and now forever loved and cared for by my husband, Paul, and me. She was named “Wish” by JoAnn Dimon of B.E.A.R. because this Akita was in such bad shape, JoAnn and her village of volunteers “wished” she would make it through emergency bloat surgery.
I’m delighted to say, Wish did! And she also overcame pneumonia, heartworm disease and a severe flea infestation that robbed her of her beautiful white coat of fur.
Having recently lost our 13-years young Akita, ‘Kiko,’ my husband and I were heartbroken and heard about Wish through a friend. We drove 1,750 miles to the Jersey shore and back to bring this remarkable girl into our home and hearts. In the 8 months Wishy has been our family, she visited Colonial Williamsburg, took part in a Woofstock event, dined at several dog-friendly restaurants, participated in a Fourth of July golf cart parade, and went on a family vacation to the North Georgia Mountains.
She recently took an epigenetic test to find out exactly how old she is. We know Wish’s Gotcha Day, November 7th, which we will always celebrate, so finding her birthdate isn’t that important, yet knowing how old a dog is can help with many decisions: 1) Choosing the proper diet, type and amount of exercise; 2) Obtaining wellness testing; 3) And determining what treatments make sense for the best quality
of life. Hopefully in the next issue of Lick Magazine, we will reveal Wish’s age!
Like many rescued dogs, Wish has been through a lot, most of which we will never know. I often lament that we don’t share a common language with our canine family members, but I think it’s because actions do speak louder than words. Dogs don’t pay us lip service but rather, show us kindness and a variety of emotions through their body language and devotion to us. That is why it is so amazing to adopt a dog of any age –to make their wish come true: to become part of a family that will love and care for them unconditionally and to whom they can repay with loyalty and companionship.
For me, it is so rewarding to adopt a dog in his or her later years and do my doggone best to make those years their best years. It takes time with an animal of any age or breed, but being that my heart falls to senior Akitas, that can be more challenging but also more gratifying.
The breed is stoic and stubborn, not quick to let their guard down, yet also incredibly affectionate and loyal to their people. Becoming an Akita’s “people” is one of my greatest joys! The thing to keep in mind when bringing a pet into your life of any age or background, is to give them time. Not 2 days, not 2 weeks, not even just 2 months. Step into their paws for a moment and consider yourself taken into the home of another species, not knowing why, if it’s forever or a day, if they will be kind, and not understanding their language.
Come True
Most adopted pets need time to decompress from the trauma of being stray and/or in a unrelentingly noisy shelter situation, but on top of that, it takes time for them to trust and learn a routine and understand that this chapter in their lives is forever.
Extremely sweet, Wish kept her guard up for many months and seemed unsure of herself and her surroundings except when she was outdoors. It took almost two months before she even made a sound! We don’t know if Wish ever lived in a home. She may have but possibly wasn’t allowed near the kitchen as she seemed to fear that room of our home for several months.
She has mastered going down our carpeted stairway to the basement but is struggling with the going up part. Magically during her seventh month as our girl, Wish’s face relaxed and she has become much more expressive, her corkscrew tail wags upright at the sight of us, and she’s looking directly at us when she wants something, even doing a cute in and out of her mouth with her tongue when she wants dinner! At the sound of a thunderstorm, she now comes to us for comfort. Observing a senior dog blossom as he or she becomes more confident is a beautiful thing.
By Denise Fleck, The Pet Safety Crusader™
I give tremendous kudos and long-distance hugs daily to amazing people who make dog dreams come true! To JoAnn, Matt & Arizona Dimon of Big East Akita Rescue who saved Wish, along with Debbie DeMello, Dr. Tracy, Collin Ashe Goldacker and the village of volunteers, I give my undying thanks. Whether you rescue hands-on and give from your heart or wallet, YOU make a big difference in providing necessary care to at-risk dogs.
To Sylvia Harris, President, Friends of the Gilmer County Animal Shelter, the shelter staff and volunteers including Ernie Taylor, Heather Curvin and Elmira Alongis, my unending love and gratitude for caring for Kiko (our 13-year old Akita who crossed the Rainbow Bridge in 2023). You connected me with a truly beautiful soul.
To my Board of Directors & staff of The Grey Muzzle Organization who work tirelessly to ensure senior dogs thrive and no old dog dies alone and afraid, I’m honored to work alongside of you on behalf of senior dogs. To Wendy Schmerse who brought Haiku & Bonsai into my life, to the staff and volunteers of The Burbank Animal Shelter where I volunteered for years, and to the many animal rescuers and caregivers I’ve never met but do such amazing work, thank you! And...to those of you who adopt, thank you for making a difference in the life of an animal and making their wish come true!
Namibia's Skeleton Coast
Beverly’s Adventures in Namib-Naukluft National Park
by Beverly Houwing
Photos by: Beverly Houwing
After South Africa, I would say that Namibia is the African country I've visited the most. I often get questions from people who want to see Africa, but are not sure where they should go. My easy answer is South Africa since it’s a “hub” for accessing many southern African countries and a convenient place to fly into. It also has great places for a safari experience, fantastic restaurants, beautiful beaches, and a fabulous wine growing region.
So you really can’t go wrong if that’s the one and only place you ever get to in Africa. But once you’re ready to do a little bit more exploring of this amazing continent, the next place you should put high up on your list is Namibia.
Early morning mist makes the Shawnee Shipwreck look "ghost-like" as the tide comes in.
Magnetite mixed in with the yellow sand gets blown into the folds of the dunes creating a "tiger striped" appearance.
The areas of the Namib-Naukluft and Dorob National Parks near Walvis Bay are beautiful natural locations teeming with wildlife.
From the top of the dunes you get a sweeping view of the sand going into the Atlantic Ocean.
Watching the sunset near our campsite as the tide goes out around the Shawnee shipwreck.
Namibia is South Africa’s neighbor to the north west. It is a relatively new country and gained its independence from South African rule on March 21, 1990. My first visit there was over 10 years ago, and I was immediately hooked on it's uniqueness and beauty. The thing that people don’t realize about Namibia is that it is huge, but very sparsely populated. It’s roughly twice the size of California, Oregon and Washington combined, but has a little over 3 million people in the entire place! It does have very good infrastructure and well-maintained roads, so it’s one of the few places in Africa where a "road trip" is not a terrible option. It’s just that days can involve long drives given the distances involved in visiting many different and beautiful locations - and there are loads of them! Sometimes it’s better to focus on a more specific area and fully immerse yourself.
A few of years ago, I started visiting the Skeleton Coast area which covers 310 miles along the Atlantic Ocean. I traveled mostly along the northern end, close to the border with Angola.
On this trip, I decided to head a bit south of Walvis Bay, a fairly good sized city, nearby an extensive part of the Skeleton Coast named for whale and seal bones that litter the coast and for the many of shipwrecks, within the Namib–Naukluft National Park. This park in western Namibia is situated on the Atlantic Ocean and encompasses part of the Namib Desert (considered the world's oldest desert) and the lagoon at Sandwich Harbour, where we concentrated our trip going into the dunes.
One of the biggest reasons I wanted to visit this area was because of the incredibly well preserved shipwrecks in this part of the desert. I found a good local outfitter and got permits so we could actually camp overnight in the solitude of the beautiful dunes and take our time visiting these places. Our first stop was the Shawnee shipwreck that is beached at the edge of massive sand
dunes and ran aground under mysterious circumstances in 1976. I photographed this rusted hulk in the early morning as the fog lifted and the ship appeared like an apparition with the waves flowing around it. I had plans to photograph it later in the day as well. Our outfitter had all our tents packed up on the vehicle's roof and that evening he set up a lovely campsite, including a full kitchen, in the dunes just above the stranded Shawnee. It was absolutely beautiful, watching the sunset and enjoying a nice cocktail, a "sundowner", in this isolated part of Africa. A toast to a great day's adventure!
The other big attraction in the vastness of the desert is the Eduard Bohlen shipwreck. It ran aground on September 5th, 1909. The 310-foot-long cargo ship now lies partially buried beneath the sand. Strangely, the ship appears to be stranded within the middle of the desert. In the years after it sank, the desert began encroaching upon the shoreline. It’s now more than 1,000 feet away from the water!
On the way as we traversed the landscape we'd be driving at the edge of the waves along the coastline. As the steep dunes descended straight into the ocean or when the tide was too high, we drove inland and went up and down the massive dunes like being on a giant roller coaster, getting stuck a few times. But with some shoveling we eventually managed to free ourselves.
In addition to the relics strewn across the barren desert is an abundance of wildlife. We encountered jackals, ostriches, springbok and oryx - which are antelopes uniquely adapted to arid places. Within the dunes are small oases of fresh water, which helps sustain many desert species. The coast has large flocks of flamingos and many sea birds thriving there, as well as huge colonies of seals. This adventure was a fantastic trip and one of the most unusual experiences in Namibia. I can't wait to go back! •
A pair of Black-backed Jackals relaxing at the edge of the coast.
The wreck of the Edouard Bohlen half buried in the sand.
See more images from my Namibia trip: https://www.flickr.com/photos/squidgallery/albums/72177720318165065/
Large deposits of garnet off shore get crushed into sand and wash up creating beautiful red beaches.
Getting stuck in the sand... again!
Comfortable tents set up in between the dunes above the shipwreck.
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Senator Vest's " A Tribute to the Dog" (1869)
The best friend a man has in this world may turn against him and become his enemy. His son or daughter that he has reared with loving care may prove ungrateful. Those who are nearest and dearest to us, those whom we trust with our happiness and our good name, may become traitors to their faith. The money that a man has he may lose. It flies away from him , perhaps when he needs it the most. A man's reputation may be sacrificed in a moment of ill-considered action.
The people who are prone to fall on their knees to do us honor when success is with us may be the first to throw the stone of malice when failure settles its cloud upon our heads. The one absolutely unselfish friend that a man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him and the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous is his dog.
A man's dog stands by him in prosperity and in poverty, in health and in sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground, where the wintry winds blow and the snow drives fiercely, If only he may be near his master's side. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer, he will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounters with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince. When all other friends desert, he remains. When riches take wings and reputation falls to pieces, he is as constant in his love as the sun in its journey through the heavens. If fortune drives the master forth an outcast in the world, friendless and homeless, the faithful dog asks no higher privilege than that of accompanying him to guard against danger, to fight against his enemies, and when the last scene of all comes, and death takes the master in its embrace and his body is laid away in the cold ground, no matter if all other friends pursue their way, there by his graveside will the noble dog be found, his head between his paws, his eyes sad but open in alert watchfulness, faithful and true even to death.
