LCDM Oct/Nov 2013 by Lowcountry Dog Magazine

volume 9, issue 6

magazine

october/november 2013

the view from both sides of the bed the charleston dog training club don't bite the small hand

Love

hunting for

Publisher Leah England (843) 478-0266 leah@lowcountrydog.com

contents

Advertising Information (843) 284-3094 Communications Gillian Nicol gillian@lowcountrydog.com Contributing Writer Stratton Lawrence Staff Photographer Laura Olsen www.lauraolsen.com Accounting Carrie Clark Financial Services (843) 367-9969 carriecl@comcast.net Lowcountry Dog Magazine PO Box 22 Mt. Pleasant, SC 29465 Web: lowcountrydog.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/leahengland Facebook: facebook.com/lowcountrydog

october/november 2013 fido’s friends 4 Jennifer Heisler the view from both sides of the bed 6 charleston dog training club 8

This magazine is printed on 100% recycled paper. Continue the green process by recycling this copy. Lowcountry Dog’s mission is to be the leading local resource for dog owners regarding regional events, health and wellness information, trends, style and lifestyle choices. We also strive to be a mouthpiece to the public for various dog related non-profits and promote pet adoption and other responsible pet care practices. Dog lovers can pick up the bimonthly magazine for free at most area veterinarians and pet stores throughout the lowcountry, as well as numerous restaurants, coffee bars and retailers. A full distribution list is posted to the magazine’s web site, lowcountrydog.com. Subscriptions are also available. Please call 843-478-0266 for more information.

let's have a ball 12 hunting for love 14 calendar of events 21 let us now praise old dogs 22 health & wellness 24 Don't Bite the Small Hand you can teach owners new tricks 26

The entire contents of this magazine are copyrighted by Lowcountry Dog Magazine with all rights reserved. Reproduction of any material from this issue is expressly forbidden without permission of the publisher. Lowcountry Dog Magazine does not endorse or guarantee any product, service, or vendor mentioned or pictured in this magazine in editorial or advertising space. Views expressed by authors or advertisers are not necessarily those of the publisher.

Cover photo and Table of Contents photos by Laura Olsen Imagery.

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F ido’s Friends: Jennifer Heisler

Occupation: Dir. of Marketing & Administration,

Rosen Hagood Owner, Charleston Coastal Charters

Dogs in Household: 3 Na med: Salty, Gracie & King Lives: James Island

Jennifer and Gracie.

1. What’s the best thing about owning a dog? My pups make me smile and laugh each and every day.

2. What do you find the most frustrating about your dog, or struggle with as a dog owner? With

three dogs of varying sizes, ages, and energy levels it can be a challenge to give them the individual attention that they need.

3. All time favorite memory of your dog?

Well, I could go on all day about my furry loves, but one that really stands out in my mind is when my grandfather was in the nursing home, Gracie loved to go see him. When she was with

him it was like no one else mattered. She would lay her head on his lap and they would just be together. It was so beautiful.

4. Favorite place to hang out with your dog in Charleston? Hanging out at the marina on my charter boat,

Horizon Seeker. The dogs love to watch fellow boaters walk by on the docks and King is fascinated by the diving cormorants and the dolphins.

5. With what aspect of your dog’s personality do you most identify? Salty is quite reserved at a first meeting, but over time he relaxes into a playful joyous creature.

6. In your opinion, what’s the one item all dog owners must have? Puppy Crack! My dogs are just addicted! 7. If your dog were some other sort of animal, what would he be? Mine are all so different. King would be a Grizzly Bear, scratching his back on the trees of the forest. Gracie, well, she’d be human of course. And Salty, he’d be a coyote. He has such a wild and old soul.

8. How does your dog inspire you? Or what has Jennifer and Salty.

photos by Laura Olsen Imagery

your dog taught you about life and work? That every day is new and fresh. Being a feral dog, Salty is susceptible to the stresses of the day more so than other dogs that don’t really notice. And it’s just amazing to me that no matter what happened the day before, he always bounces out of bed with such excitement and enthusiasm! Such a great life lesson.

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9. How do you KNOW you and your dog are best friends? The first time that I ever met Salty he was totally wild and scared. But after being there for about twenty minutes, this terrified pup came over to me and sat touching my leg with his back to me. He had decided that I was his. I was safety. I have been in love with him ever since.

10. What’s your favorite thing about Lowcountry Dog Magazine? I love seeing the

Just in for Fall Lightweight Fleeces for all dogs, 1 pound to 100!

SAVE the DATE

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beautiful images of dogs from across the Lowcountry!

King strikes a pose.

Lowcountrydog

The View from Both Sides of the Bed Drs. Carrie Davis and Peter Brofman Choosing to be a veterinarian is often a life-long calling. We both have known we wanted to help animals since early childhood. It wasn’t until much later in our training that we both decided to pursue additional, post-graduate specialized training after veterinary school. After 6 additional years of training in internships and residencies, we both work in a very busy, 24 hour, state of the art specialty and emergency veterinary facility. While this environment provides constant intellectual stimulation, its drawback is that we only see sick pets and rarely get to see healthy animals for routine care. To get our fill of seeing happy, healthy pets we rely on our own personal pets to be there for us. Being pet owners AND veterinarians can result in blurred lines when our pets get sick. It becomes very difficult to think rationally and make medical recommendations while also worrying about them as our loved family members. Recently we had the misfortune of having to care for our little Chihuahua, Mulva. Mulva is a 2 pound, applehead Chihuahua we rescued about a year ago when Carrie was working her shift on the emergency service at our hospital. She is tiny in stature (most of her weight is probably eyeballs) but she has a huge personality and immediately found her way into our hearts and home. She sleeps in our bed every night. One morning, as I was brushing my teeth, Carrie pulled back the bed sheets and said to me, “I think Mulva may be dead.” Of course, she was kidding and we just thought she was fast asleep; however, when we went to pick her up she was as limp as a dish towel. Panic, of course, sets in for both of us as pet owners but we both try to remain calm as veterinarians. It is a struggle, to say the least. We immediately consider that her blood sugar is low, as this is common in small Chihuahuas. We quickly apply some syrup to her gums, get dressed, and head into work with her. She did not respond to the syrup as we had hoped she would, so our minds start racing. Did one of us roll over on her while we were sleeping? Does she have meningitis? All of the worst case scenarios we have seen so many times as veterinarians start to give me a lead foot in the car. When we arrived at the hospital we immediately drew blood for lab work and placed an IV catheter. Her blood work was normal except for a very low blood sugar. With a sigh of relief we give her a large dose of dextrose into her IV catheter and expect her to just perk right up, as this usually takes care of the problem when they only have a low blood sugar. To our dismay, she improved a little, but was still far from normal. She was still very limp, minimally responsive, and not interested in eating despite her blood sugar being normal. Once again, we start to worry about all the worst case scenarios and have to decide what to do next. It is bad enough to have two doctors taking care of her, but when those two doctors are married to each other AND also Mulva’s owners, you can guess what the conversation

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was like as we tried to make rational decisions. So we trudged ahead with many tests. We tested for a liver shunt; Addison’s disease; considered toxicities; encephalitis; etc… So, many blood tests, an MRI, and spinal tap later, everything was negative! Now what Mulva do we do? Why is she not getting better as we expected? What are we missing? So we decide to give her a little more time to recover and just keep her on IV fluids and dextrose and see how she does. The next day she was completely back to normal. Needless to say, we were very happy, of course. No two people ever respond to their pets’ health problems the same way. As veterinarians, both of us always try to understand a pet owner’s state of mind when helping guide them through making difficult and stressful decisions regarding their pet’s health and well being. One of the most difficult aspects of veterinary medicine is the consideration of cost of testing and treatment, particularly with an unknown outcome. In our case, Mulva’s response to treatment was not typical so, as veterinarians, we had to consider other less common conditions and take the next step to more advanced (and expensive) testing. Despite all the testing, the diagnosis was simply low blood sugar, likely from not eating well the previous night. The reason she did not respond to the treatment as usual is not really clear, but this is a dilemma faced quite frequently in both human and veterinary medicine. Actually experiencing it from the perspective of the pet owner, however, is an unfortunate way to get a real life lesson but we feel it only helps us to be better and more compassionate veterinarians. It reminds us to remember that there are always two sides to the hospital bed. Dr. Peter Brofman is the neurologist/neurosurgeon, and Dr. Carrie Davis is the medical director of the emergency clinic at Veterinary Specialty Care in Mt. Pleasant.

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Charleston Dog Training Club member Marion Schutt and her dog Rudy.

Charleston Dog Training Club by JIll Lundgrin

This not for profit club was founded in 1959 and is one of the oldest dog training clubs in South Carolina. Although some members of our club actively compete in a variety of dog competitions, having a dog, owning a purebred dog or competing is not required. Mixed breeds are allowed to compete in many of the performance events and attend our training classes. We are an affiliate of the American Kennel Club (AKC), sponsoring national agility, obedience and rally shows and offering regular training classes in Charleston. Responsible children can participate with a parent or guardian. We have regular puppy, obedience and specialized training classes held indoors. While the puppy and obedience classes are 6 weeks, our specialized training classes may be shorter. All our classes are taught by members who have competed in AKC trials with their dogs and earned a title. Since our member trainers are volunteers, we can offer the best quality, lowest priced training in Charleston, and you may also qualify for a discount. Our AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy class is the starting point for puppies up to one year. S.T.A.R. means socialization-training-activityresponsibility. Other than basic training and socialization, information on grooming and house training is addressed. Purebred or mixed breed pups are welcomed. When you have successfully completed S.T.A.R. Puppy you will be given a certificate and qualified to proceed into our class on manners. Your Polite Pet class accepts mixed breed or purebred dogs 5 months and older (no upper age limit). Sometimes this is known as the beginner’s class. This is also used by some of the members 8

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to fine tune their dogs for competition which makes for a good blend of dogs and handlers. You’ll learn the basic obedience/ manners for use at home, in public or for competition. After your class, you may want to take the Canine Good Citizen test. The AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test is usually offered several times a year after Your Polite Pet class by one of our approved AKC testers. These 10 exercises are done on a leash and consist of accepting a friendly stranger, sitting politely for petting, appearance and grooming, walking on a loose leash, walking through a crowd, sit and down on command and staying in place, coming when called, reaction to another dog, reaction to distraction and supervised separation. As of January 1, 2013, the AKC approved this as a title so it can appear on the title records of dogs registered or listed with AKC. Dog owners who complete the CGC as a Title process may list the suffix “CGC” after the dog’s name. You may note as you travel, more hotels and motels want to see verification your dog has successfully completed an AKC Canine Good Citizen class. Some insurance carriers may also require and may give you a discount on your insurance. This will help if you want to participate in therapy visits with your dog. Recent Specialty Classes have been on clicker training, training with distractions for competition, flatwork for agility, clicker, tricks and handling classes.

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Bella runs clean and fast through an agility course. Our next event will be our AKC Agility Trial, held November 1-3 (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) at the James Island County Park, Wappoo Shelter meadow, rain or shine. The event usually begins around 9 a.m. and ends in the afternoon. Agility trials are one of the most exciting canine sports for spectators. The handlers demonstrate their ability to signal their dog through a variety of jumps, tunnels, weave poles and other objects in this timed obstacle course. Locally owned and dogs from around the country enter. Frequently we’ve had dogs entered that will compete later on a nationally televised dog show. If you want to stay awhile, please bring your own chair and umbrella. Food will be available for purchase. You will need to pay the entrance fee into James Island County Park unless you have a pass. Our next agility trial is scheduled for the spring of 2014. You can watch local and international dogs showing off their beauty and style in the conformation ring. Don’t be surprised if you see some of these dogs competing at the famous Westminster Dog Show each year. In January we will have our two day AKC obedience and rally trial in the Creative Arts Building on the Ladson fairgrounds. We co-sponsor our national trial with the AKC Charleston Kennel Club’s conformation trial. The public is welcomed, but you will need to pay a parking fee. Food and supplies will be available for purchase. Chairs are limited, so you might want to bring your own and please leave your dogs at home. Watch these local and international dogs showing off their beauty and style in the conformation ring. Some are expected to compete in the televised Westminster Dog Show. AKC Rally is a companion sport to AKC Obedience. Both require teamwork between dog and handler along with similar performance skills. Rally is an excellent introduction for a beginner competitor as it was designed with the traditional pet owner in mind. The course includes 10-20 stations (places where signs are placed for the handler to read and perform the exercise with their dog). Scoring is more lenient than in traditional obedience. The handler can talk and encourage his dog and perfect heel work is not required. The first step in Rally is Novice where all exercises are done with the dog on the leash and no more than 15 exercises are required. One then can continue to advance to the Advanced and Excellent competition levels which are with the dog. A number of competitors choose to enter both Novice Rally and Novice Obedience at a trial. AKC obedience trials demonstrate the usefulness of the dog 10

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as a person’s companion. Beginners compete at the Novice level on heeling on leash, heeling free, stand for examination, recall and long sits and downs. After successfully qualifying three times, beginners can choose to compete in more precise exercises in Open and then Utility which includes heeling free, drop on recall, scent discrimination, directed retrieve and jumping, moving stand and examination and signal exercises. Children through senior aged men and women compete in these trials with their dogs. Your dog does not need to be a purebred dog to enter. But to be eligible to compete in AKC obedience, tracking, agility or rally a dog must be: • Registered with the AKC. • Enrolled in the AKC Canine Partners program (for mixedbreed dogs and dogs ineligible for AKC registration to participate in obedience, rally and agility. Tracking is not available for Canine Partners at this time. • Enrolled in the PAL (Purebred Alternative Listing)/ ILP program. A program for purebred dogs that cannot be fully registered with the AKC to participate in AKC events. • Be a member of a Foundation Stock Service® (FSS) recorded breed. If you are interested in performance competition for your dog, you should attend our meetings and participate in our trainings. Anyone may register to attend our trainings even if you own a mixed breed dog. Go to www.simplesite.com/ charlestondogtrainingclub for current information about our club (training classes begin in September). Or you can call (843) 764-DOGS (764-3647). If you are interested in helping us with our local dog shows or desire to learn more, you are welcomed to attend our next meeting Tuesday, August 20th at 7:30 p.m. Our Charleston Dog Training Club meets at the Danny Jones Armory, 5000 Lackawanna Blvd., North Charleston on the third Tuesday of the month (with the exception of July when we aren’t scheduled to meet and December when we have our awards program and Christmas Party. Business meetings are kept to a minimum, so we can learn more about dogs from our specialized speakers. We ask potential members to complete an application, regularly attend meetings and pay a small membership fee. We have members from the surrounding Charleston area (including Awendaw, Folly Beach, Hanahan, James Island, Johns Island, North Charleston, Mt Pleasant, Ravenel, Round O, Summerville, West Ashley) and out-of state. Some of our members have dogs that have been ranked in the top 2% of their dog breed’s sporting event. Some of the dog sports that members have or are participating in are various levels of agility, conformation, fly ball, obedience, rally hunting and tracking. We also have members who regularly participate in therapy visits and dance with their dogs. We support responsible dog breeding, ownership and training. We reach out to assist our tri-county rescue organizations and East Cooper Meals on Wheels.

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Past Fur Ball fun captured by

Let's Have a Ball!

by Kevin Ryan, Pet Helpers Executive Director

It’s that time of year again. As the air cools and fall arrives many events are brought to mind; Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Halloween and…The Fur Ball! That’s right the 9th annual Fur Ball benefiting Pet Helpers is just around the corner. This year’s event, The Fur Beach Ball, is October 19th at the Charleston Marriott on Lockwood. The Fur Ball has grown to be one of Charleston’s larger and most celebrated charity events. Stop reading right now, visit www.pethelpers.org to purchase your tickets (then come back, finish this article and read the rest of Lowcountry Dog cover to cover)! Seriously, hurry now while there’s still space, hobnob with Charleston’s animal loving elite and help raise funds that make Pet Helpers no-kill mission possible. That’s a win-win proposition – ask around, you’ll hear the Fur Ball is not to be missed! Consider this my personal invitation to you. Join us for a night of fun and inspiration. A true party with a purpose. We’re having a Ball, a Beach Ball! Surf’s up for Pet Helpers and its supporters as we celebrate The Fur Beach Ball this October. This is not your typical, run-of-the-mill stuffy black tie affair. In fact, while you can opt for the trusty black tie, you’re encouraged to wear your best old palm beach posh to retro myrtle beach maddras! While you will be hanging ten with the crème de le crème of Charleston pet lovers this is no private beach, tell Frankie, Annette and the whole gang to not miss the event of the season! As always at the Fur Ball, food and drink are included in 12

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the ticket price, with wine donated by Whole Foods Market. While seated for dinner, guests will enjoy the cutting edge dance entertainment provided by Dance FX: The Charleston Dance Project, the hugely-popular, home-grown company performing under the leadership of Jenny Broe Price, Sara Cart and Stephanie Bussell that encompasses all forms of expressive movement, from ballet and jazz to hip-hop and break dancing. When the live auction begins, no guest will be able to resist the excitement created by auctioneer Tom Crawford. Crawford’s expertise has contributed to Pet Helpers’ ability to raise a combined total of almost $500,000 at the Fur Ball Roarin’ 20’s, Fur Disco Ball and Fur Ball Royale in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The Fur Ball always includes silent and live auction items that will blow your socks off – items so exclusive the mere sight of our auction table made Gidget take flight! Items ranging from a Jazz Brunch, an African Safari, a progressive dinner, priceless art and breathtaking jewelry! It really is an event with a little bit for everyone and a lot for anybody. Join almost 400 of our community’s most philanthropic movers and shakers as we party into the night on October 19th at the Downtown Marriott 2012’s Fur Ball brought in almost $200,000 to support Pet Helpers, Charleston’s only forever shelter. For 35 years, Pet Helpers has been the voice for the underdog and has fought to protect and save every life in the Lowcountry. Last year Pet Helpers took in over 1,700 animals and provided spay and neuter

operations for almost 4,000 animals. We provide educational programming to area school-age children and offer a myriad of programs aimed at promoting animal welfare and reducing animal abuse, neglect, and abandonment. Pet Helpers is a privately funded 501(c)3 that depends on events like the Fur Ball to operate. Pet Helpers will spend almost 1.8 million dollars to save, rehabilitate and protect Charleston’s animals. Please join us – your gift is the community’s gain!

RESERVE TICKETS TODAY at www.pethelpers.org

Pet Helpers founder Carol Linville.

3484 Shelby Ray Court Charleston, SC 29414 info@charlestonvrc.com www.CharlestonVRC.com Facebook.com/CharlestonVRC

Lowcountrydog

Maybe we should blame it on Elvis. From a tendency for ‘crying all the time’ to their wild nature, misconceptions about hounds are as numerous as their various breeds. From bassets to beagles to dachshunds, hounds are among the most popular family breeds. But coonhounds, including the Treeing Walker, redbone and bluetick varieties, are often perceived as being exclusively for hunting. Unfortunately, across the Southeast, these loyal, intelligent animals are all-too-often abandoned or neglected if their tracking skills are deemed to be lacking by their hunter-owners. Luckily for the hounds, the Carolina Coonhound Rescue has stepped in to help.

text by Stratton Lawrence

Rescue Roots

Growing up on James Island, Kelly Postell earned a reputation as the neighborhood dog lover. “I used to always tell my mom, ‘When I get older and I can drive, I’m going to pick up these stray dogs on the side of the road,’” she recalls. By high school, Postell was fostering runaways and helping them to find their homes. Her father called each dog, ‘Gone,’ reminding her that these wouldn’t be permanent pets (her parents have since adopted four dogs that began as foster animals). Even as a teenager, she dreamed of opening a rescue to connect abandoned pups with foster families.

photography by Laura Olsen Imagery

Love

hunting for Cover model Jethro found a home thanks to the Carolina Coonhound Rescue

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When it came time to find a full-time companion for herself, Postell chose a coonhound, citing her love of the redbone hounds in the children’s classic, Where the Red Fern Grows. Her black and tan, Rylee, solidified a deep love for the breed-group, and soon led to her recognition of the plight many coonhounds face. Used commonly for tracking deer, raccoons (the root of their name), feral hogs and even bear, coonhounds are often kept in groups in outdoor pens. Some owners view them as a utilitarian animal with a purpose — more of a tool or piece of property than as a pet. Thus, when the ‘tool’ fails to function properly, or outlives its usefulness, the dog is often released without a collar to fend for itself. Emaciated, starving coonhounds frequently end up in shelters across South Carolina, with ailments ranging from worms to gaping

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wounds. Postell first began to realize the gravity of the problem by perusing Craigslist. In early 2010, she stumbled upon a post by a family looking to give up their black and tan coonhound, Bailey. The dog needed surgery for her hernias, and the family could not afford the medical bills. At first, Postell contacted them about raising money to help, but it became clear that the family just wanted her gone. A newlywed, she begged her husband to let her take Bailey. He agreed, but only as a temporary home. To raise funds for the surgery, Postell realized that she needed to file for non-profit status, and the Carolina Coonhound Rescue was born. Bailey now lives happily with a family in New York. She is the first of 131 coonhounds that have found ‘forever’ homes since June 2010

Jehtro, our cover model contest winner, brought along a fellow CCR friend named Jennings. Jennings is adoptable! Won't you consider giving him a home?

thanks to the rescue.

Every Dog Has a Story

Within weeks of beginning CCR and launching her website, Postell removed her phone number from the ‘contact’ page; the number of calls seeking help was simply too much to handle. Today, she fields at least 25 emails a day seeking help, and takes in dogs from shelters in Walterboro, Camden and even North Carolina. The Animal Medical West veterinary clinic in West Ashley (where CCR board member Dana Morgan is practice manager) gives the rescue dogs deeply discounted care, ensuring that each animal brought into the system is cleared of worms, spayed or neutered, and microchipped. Postell credits volunteers and board members like Morgan,

Adrienne Leino and Rachel Miller for making it possible to keep up, but even with an active network of 15 foster homes, CCR is still forced to turn down a large percentage of the requests for help that they receive, especially during the fall hunting season, when shelters are flooded with hounds. “We typically don’t know a dog’s specific history, but we assume that most of them are retired hunting dogs,” says Postell. To get the word out and encourage more foster families and adoptions, Postell brings dogs out to public events whenever possible. That’s how Leslee Gordon found Jethro, this issue’s cover model. At a St. Patrick’s Day party in Park Circle (North Charleston), Gordon, a middle school science teacher, spotted a red coonhound wearing a leprechaun top hat.

“I had just bought a house and I knew I wanted to get a dog, but I wasn’t really actively looking,” Gordon recalls. After speaking with Postell, she agreed to foster Jethro and made a plan to complete the paperwork and pick him up a few days later (Foster homes agree to a six-month commitment, although some dogs are adopted within days). Jethro came from the Camden area, where he’d shown up in the shelter with a swollen, infected eye that eventually had to be removed. After being adopted by a family, he ended up back at the shelter because of his tendency to chase their chickens. With euthanasia a looming possibility, Jethro was saved by CCR and brought to Charleston. It didn’t take long with Jethro around the house for Gordon to realize she’d found a keeper. A month later, she brought him to Pet Fest, where his photograph made Lowcountry Dog’s top 25 list for this issue’s cover model winner, ultimately winning the popular vote online. Jethro’s story is one of many CCR successes in 2013. This summer, Postell brought in an older coonhound named Gemma from the pound in Walterboro. In need of a full mastectomy for cancer and riddled with worms, Postell turned to Facebook to raise funds for Gemma’s treatment. Responses to that post began to unravel Gemma’s history as a champion United Kennel Club (UKC) show dog. After her competing days were over, Gemma was passed between

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breeders along the east coast, ultimately ending up on the side of the road in the Lowcountry at nine-years-old. “People get money from these dogs and use them to breed, and they end up in the wrong hands,” says Postell. Thanks to CCR, Gemma is now in the loving hands of foster mom Abby Puckhaber. Because her family lives in a condo, Puckharbor says they aren’t ready to take on a full-time dog, but they jumped on the opportunity to foster. “We get to help the dog out and give it a good place until it can find a home, and my daughter, who is two, gets to learn companionship,” says Puckhaber, who has nursed Gemma back to health since her

surgeries. Both Puckhaber and Gordon say that their experience with coonhounds dispels the myth that all hounds howl, or that they need to be kept outdoors and have boundless energy. “In the house, Jethro sleeps a lot,” says Gordon. “People always comment on how ‘chill’ he is. I walk him a couple times a day — otherwise he would probably be happy to do nothing — but when I’m ready to take him outside, he’s excited to play.”

BARK ART by

Lucy Weigle

Family Dogs

No other dog faces the challenge that hounds do; they’re highly in demand as hunting and show dogs, yet are often misunderstood and neglected as pets. “A lot of people think that coonhounds are bred to run, or that you have to live on a farm to have them,” says Postell. “Sure, there are some dogs that we rescue that are so far off the energy Richter scale that I wouldn’t ever think about putting them in an apartment, but most of the dogs just want to stay inside and sleep all day.” Postell emphasizes that her husband is a hunter, and she doesn’t take issue with responsible dog owners using coonhounds for the purpose they were bred for: tracking animals on a hunt. At the same time, she wants the world to know that coonhounds are equally useful as companions. “We’ve converted a lot of people in the last few years,” says Postell. “Coonhounds make great family dogs.”

Now Accepting Commissions

www.lucyweigle.com

Want to help? Learn about opportunities to foster or adopt a coonhound at www.carolinacoonhoundrescue.com

• pet supplies • DIY doggie wash • bird supplies

Hours 10am - 6pm Monday thru Saturday

843-559-5001

3575 Maybank Hwy. Ste. E Johns Island

www.barknmeow.net

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happy hounds

harper

buttercup murray

rascal

ted capt. jack stafford bella

bella sullivan mr. "bo"jangles

betsey ronin sweet pea

bandit

sampson

nesta

nestle

Upload photos of your happy hound at www.lowcountrydog.com/share/photo All breeds and mixed breeds accepted.

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lady

upcoming events recurring events

special events

every saturday & sunday pet october 17th 5:00pm-8:00pm helpers adoptions at petco, ccprc pups, yups, and food west ashley. www.pethelpers.org trucks Dog lovers, after a long day every saturday cas adopt-a- at work, pick up your pooch and thon at petsmart mt pleasant. join the fun at James Island County Parks. Mingle with friends old and www.charlestonanimalsociety.org new while your dog visits with his second sunday on king October favorite pals. Come out starting 13th and November 10th 1:00- at 4 p.m. to enjoy beverages and 5:00pm. The 2nd Sunday on King live music in the park with your Street has something for everyone. dog! The event is free with general From Calhoun to Queen walk the park admission ($1 per person or street! Bring your pooch and stroll free with Charleston County Parksâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; down King Street! enjoy the street Gold Pass)! Beverages and food are activities, outdoor cafes, incredible available for an additional fee. shopping and wonderful people. Outside alcohol and coolers are Your dog will meet the nicest dogs prohibited. www.ccprc.com and people in Charleston at this event! FREE parking vouchers! Ask at our info booth. Contact: susan@kingstreetmarketinggroup. com More Info: http:// susanlucas.typepad.com/ secondsundayonkingstreet/

october 19th 1:00pm dogtoberfest KICA's annual pet adoption event, Dogtoberfest, is back! The event, coming to Freshfields Village on Oct 19 from 1 - 5 p.m., will benefit local animal rescue organizations and feature bottles mt pleasant tastings delicious wine, seasonal beer and All tastings are dog friendly! great food. For more details, visit Beer Tap Takeovers: Every www.kica.us (Events/Dogtoberfest) Thursday 4:30pm - 7:00pm; Wine or contact 843-768-3875. Tastings: Fridays from 3:00pm - october 19th 6:30pm pet helpers 6:00pmSaturdays from 1:00pm - annual fur ball. We're having 4:00pm; Spirits Tastings: Fridays a ball, a beach ball. Surfs up for and Saturdays: 3:30pm - 6:30pm the 9th Annual Fur Ball at the For mor information visit www. Charleston Marriott, 170 Lockwood shopbottles.com Blvd. Dinner, dancing, live and silent auction. LCDM cover story will return as a premium auction item! 100% of the funds raised by the cover story auction item benefits Pet Helpers. www.pethelpers.org for tickets.

november 1st-3rd 9:00am charleston dog training club akc agility trial. Agility trials are one of the most exciting canine sports for spectators. The handlers demonstrate their ability to signal their dog through a variety of jumps, tunnels, weave poles and other objects in this timed obstacle course. James Island County Park, Wappoo Shelter meadow, rain or shine. www.simplesite.com/ charlestondogtrainingclub for more info. november 23rd 14th annual cas celebrity chili cook-off & oyster roast! Over 1,000 animal supporters from all over the Lowcountry will fill the grounds of the Joe Riley Park to witness the spirited rivalry between local celebrities and other notables for the coveted champion robe, all while tasting the award winning chili, shucking endless oysters, enjoying local beers from Palmetto Brewery, listening to music from amazing local musicians, and supporting a great cause. Tickets are just $35 in advance for adults and $25 for kids. www.charlestonanimalsociety.org

Questions? Comments? Call 843-478-0266. Want to submit event information? Visit www.lowcountrydog.com and click on Add an Event. We will do our best to include your event as space allows. Our online calendar lists all events in full.

Old age is not a disease - it is strength and survivorship, triumph over all kinds of vicissitudes and disappointments, trials and illnesses. -- Maggie Kuhn

photo by Olsen Imagery

Let Us Now Praise Old Dogs There is nothing more endearing than a puppy, and any shelter or rescue organization can tell you that an abandoned or unwanted youngster has a much better chance of finding a new home than an older one. Senior dogs that have been given up for adoption, usually but not always due to the death of an owner, seem to have a tougher time, although they make outstanding pets. In fact, there are plenty of great reasons to adopt an older dog. Seniors have spent a lifetime with human companions and therefore bonds very quickly to new owners. In most cases they require far less exercise than younger dogs and have passed through that destructive chewing stage long ago. Rather than eating your slippers, they prefer to lay on something warm and soft, like the couch, preferably as close to you as possible. Here's a few more reasons to consider giving an older dog a chance in your loving home. Older dogs are house trained. You won't have to go through the difficult stage of teaching a puppy manners and mopping up accidents. Older dogs are done with teething and won't chew your shoes and furniture. Older dogs can focus well because they've mellowed. 22

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Therefore, they learn quickly. Older dogs settle in easily because they've learned what it takes to get along with others and become part of a pack. Older dogs are good at giving love once they get into their new loving home. They are grateful for the second chance they've been given. What you see is what you get: unlike puppies, older dogs have grown into their shape, size and personality. Puppies can grow up to be quite different from what they seemed at first. Older dogs are instant companions, ready for hiking, car trips, and other things you like to do. Older dogs Leave time for yourself because they don't make the demands on your time and attention that puppies and young dogs do. Older dogs let you get a good nights sleep because they're accustomed to human schedules I don't generally need nighttime feedings, comforting, or bathroom breaks. Consider adopting one of the older dogs featured on our adoption pages, from your local shelter, or from Daisy's Place Rescue, www. daisysplace.org, a rescue for older retrievers.

DOGTOBERFEST

Dr. Cheri Hooper Dr. Lisa Lewis

186 College Park Rd Ladson, SC

- dOGS, dINE ANd WINE -

Oct. 19, 1 - 5 p.m. • freshfields village • Kiawah Kiawah Island’s only pet fundraiser! Complimentary Admission Pet Rescue Organizations $15 Wine Tasting Commemorative Wine Glass Craft Beers and Delicious Food Live Entertainment Blessing of the Animals Pet Costume Contest Exciting Prizes and Giveaways

(843) 797-1493

A Full Service Clinic Offering: • Soft Tissue and Orthopedic Surgery • Dental Cleaning & Oral Surgery • Full Service Laboratory • Large Pharmacy Book Your Pet a Stay in Our Kennel! We offer individualized care for pets with special needs.

20% Off First Exam *with mention of this ad

For more info, follow us on Facebook or contact dogtoberfest@kica.us.

College Park Road Veterinary Clinic

www.cprvcbk.vetsuite.com

M-F: 7:30am-7pm Sat: 8am-12pm

Tidewater Veterinary is a full-service integrative practice focused on keeping your pet happy and healthy.

$15 OFF

Senior Wellness Bloodwork with Exam

• Wellness Exams • Vaccines • Acupuncture • Laser Therapy • Dentistry • Surgery

Dr. Cara Daniel, DVM, CVA

$30 ! shipped

Located at the Shoppes at Seaside Farms (843) 856-7300 1964 Riviera Dr Ste G, Mount Pleasant www.tidewaterveterinary.com

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Don't Bite the Small Hand by Leslie Steele, DVM Each year in the United States more than 800,000 people seek medical care for dog bites, and typically half or more of these are children. Not only are children bitten more often, they are far more likely to be severely injured. Contrary to popular belief, most bites are incurred not from an unfamiliar dog or in an unfamiliar situation, but during everyday activities around the home and while interacting with familiar dogs. The good news is that most dog bite situations are highly preventable by not only properly training your dog, but also by showing children how to properly interact and play with dogs. Fear is one of the most powerful motivators of aggression in most animals. By far, the number one reason an otherwise gentle and docile dog will bite is startle. One of the most common situations that result in a child being bitten by a family dog is the dog being suddenly awakened or otherwise startled. An elderly dog, who may not hear or see as well as he used to, is particularly vulnerable to this scenario. A toddler falls and lands on an older dog who is sleeping soundly. The startle scares the dog. Just as we might strike out defensively if wakened abruptly from a deep sleep, some dogs will react suddenly and direct aggression toward the offending sensation. Children are small and closer to eye level with a dog than is an adult; therefore, what might result in a bruise on an adult’s ankle can become a disfiguring injury to a child’s face, upper body or hands. Another common motivator of aggression in dogs involves food. Some dogs are not necessarily motivated by food and others seem to sense that human food is not intended for them. But many dogs spend a significant amount of their time giving attention to eating whatever they can get, whenever they can get it. A dog sees string cheese moving across the room, and it just happens to be attached to a

child. The dog will make a sudden decision to try and grab that cheese by the only means he has to grab it…with his teeth. The fact that the cheese is being held by a small hand can result in an accidental bite that can be minor, or not. On a similar note, a bite can occur when a child tries to take food, or a toy, away from a dog. Like children, in general, dogs do not like to share. A perfectly mild mannered dog may run across the room, happy and excited with his new red lizard toy in his mouth. An equally excited toddler may run after him, eager to join in on the fun. If the child takes the toy out of the dog’s mouth, or tries to, the dog is going to react by trying to grab back his treasured new toy, again with his teeth. A child should be instructed to never take anything away from a dog, but always seek an adult for assistance. There is immense evidence that children benefit from being raised in a home with pets. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children who are born into a home with pets are less likely to suffer from asthma, allergies and respiratory infections. For many children, pets are a significant source of comfort and security as well as a source of motivation for physical exercise. Most parents would surely agree that they would rather see their child throwing a ball to their dog than playing yet another video game. Pets also serve as a tremendous source of education for parents to teach their children by example about responsibility, empathy and relationships. There are studies that indicate there is also benefit of having pets in the educational environment of children. Evidence exists of improved academic achievement when pets were kept in the classroom or came in on a regular basis and involved in teaching opportunities. Positive influences include better attendance rates as well as stimulation of social integration and social competence.

There are scores of programs where children with learning disabilities are paired with dogs to enhance reading and other skills as reading to a dog presents less intimidation for many children. Children in extended hospital stays have been found to benefit greatly from having therapy pets visit. So there is no arguing that children benefit from having pets in their lives. As parents and caregivers, it is our responsibility to prevent situations that are most likely to produce an unexpected or even inconceivable event in which a cherished family pet reacts with aggression toward a child. Here are a few guidelines to teach your children from an early age: *NEVER approach an unfamiliar dog *ALWAYS ask a dog’s owner for permission to pet their dog *NEVER disturb a dog that is eating or sleeping *NEVER approach a dog that is chained or tied up *NEVER put your face close to a dog’s face *ALWAYS allow the dog to approach you first *ALWAYS extend a closed hand for the dog to sniff before you touch him *ALWAYS remain quiet around dogs- no running or screaming *NEVER tease a dog with toys or food *ALWAYS respect a dog’s personal space, bed, and anything he deems his property (i.e., “hands off Bear’s red lizard”) *NEVER try to move a dog from one place to another by force There is a saying that keeps it pretty simple….”know where your kids are, know where your dog is”. Dogs and children alike depend upon those who care for them to practice safe measures for the good of all. Don’t let your dog associate your child eating, with them getting some of that same food. Feed your dog in an area other than the kitchen, and make sure continued on page 29

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your kids only eat in the kitchen. Don’t let small children walk around with food. Don’t let anyone feed your dog from the dinner table. Don’t allow your small child and any dog to be alone together. They both depend on us to keep them safe, and together. An excellent resource for parents and caregivers for maintaining harmony among kids and pets is available from the American Veterinary Association and is called The Blue Dog Parent Guide and CD: Living safely with your dog. The book and interactive CD sale for $8 and can be ordered at www. thebluedog.org. Other resources: www. avma.org and www.cdc.gov/Dog-Bites Dr. Leslie Steele attended Auburn University graduating with honors from the College of Veterinary Medicine in 1994. She also earned her degree in Microbiology prior to attending Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine. After moving to the Low Country, she opened and operated for 9 years The Charleston Cat Clinic in Peninsular Charleston. She is now practicing at Advanced Animal Care with a particular interest in internal medicine, soft tissue surgery and feline medicine.

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