Lowcountry Dog Magazine- April 2023

Publisher Brian Foster brian@lowcountrydog.com

Media Manager

Alyssa Helms alyssa@lowcountrydog.com

Canine Correspondent Lovey social@lowcountrydog.com

Copy Editor

Chelsea Salerno chelsea@lowcountrydog.com

Staff Writers

Hali Selert

Jeanne Taylor

Photographers

Southern Vintage Photography

Jeanne Taylor Photography

Web and Design Consultant

Laura Olsen

Contributing Writers

C.C Bourgeois

Emily Jagdmann

For advertising and media inquiries please email contact@lowcountrydog.com

We believe that our dogs are our best friends, and that’s why we need a reliable source to turn to for information on all things “dog” in our community. Our mission is to be the number one Charleston area resource for dog owners regarding regional dog-centric and dog-welcoming events, health & wellness information, dog training, trends, and local news. We also strive to be a mouthpiece to the public for various Lowcountry-based pet nonprofits, and we promote pet adoption and other responsible pet care practices.

Founded in Charleston, South Carolina in 2005 as a print magazine, we re-launched in 2015 as “Charleston’s Digital Dog Magazine.” We continue our mission to be the best dog friendly resource in the Lowcountry.

You Can Teach an

HEALTH & WELLNESS: Canine Dementia

FEATURE STORY: Dealing with Pet Loss

LOCAL DOG EVENTS IN THE NEWS

Lucky Dog Rescue opens Florence Rescue Campus

GO GREEN: Adopt A Recycled Dog!

Cover Photo by Laura Olsen. Above Photo by Jeanne Taylor Photography

This issue is a celebration of the life of our Chief Canine Officer

S T R O N G M I N D K 9 P r o f e s s i o n a l D o g T r a i n i n g

P e t O b e d i e n c e S e r v i c e D o g s

( 8 4 3 ) 4 0 5 - 3 2 0 6 s t r o n g m i n d k 9 @ g m a i l c o m

S t r e n g t h e n i n g t h e m i n d b e t w e e n h u m a n a n d d o g

w w w s t r o n g m i n d k 9 c o m

YOU CAN TEACH AN OLD DOG NEW TRICKS

For a Longer, Healthier, Happier Life

WRITTEN BY C.C. BOURGEOIS Wonder Dog University, CDPT-KA, CSAT, PMCT

It’s not uncommon for us to have dogs in our group classes or private lessons who are well into their senior years. We gush with joy to see a graying muzzle walk into class. They bring with them that sage wisdom only years of life experience can impart, and instill in us immediate respect and admiration. The people attached to the other end of the leash win our hearts too for their desire to enrich their dog’s life with mental stimulation and the bonding time that training brings. We know many adopters who insist on bringing only older dogs into their home to enjoy their later years smothered in love. We “downward dog” bow to these beautiful people.

Defining the Senior Dog

Knowing when your beloved dog has moved into their senior phase of life depends primarily on their breed and size, and per the AAHA Canine Life Stage Guidelines, “senior” is defined as “the last 25% of estimated lifespan through end of life.”

OK, so when does that start? To further break this down, we turn to the guidelines created by Veterinarian, Maria M. Glowaski, of Ohio State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, who provides this reference: “Veterinarians generally consider small dogs to be senior citizens at about 12 years of age, while large dogs reach the senior stage at 6 to 8 years of age.”

With this in mind, I turned to one of our trusted training mentors; trainer, prolific author of training books and Whole Dog Journal Training Editor, Pat Miller, for her always reliable wisdom in how to approach training our older friends. In her article, “Training An Older Dog,” she recommends the following:

1. Make a commitment to continue providing your aging dog with learning and training opportunities as long as he can enjoy them.

2. Be realistic in your expectations about what your senior dog can learn. Don’t ask him to perform beyond his physical capabilities.

3, Consult with your veterinarian if you see signs of canine cognitive disorder (mental aging) in your dog.

Sound advice. The more science learns about the dog brain and body, the more we realize how similar their needs and desires are to our own. Sure, dogs need physical exercise, but can burn energy via mental stimulation, which is equally satisfying. Training is a fantastic way to accomplish this. For aging dogs, this is super important when physical activity may become more limited. Also, as an added benefit, training creates what we refer to as “the halo effect,” positively encouraging better behavior and contentment for our dogs in other areas of their lives.

Consider these recommendations and take advantage of all the possibilities. Training can take place effortlessly in your daily interactions with your dog or can simply be brief, joyful moments of discovery together. Try training a new trick your dog is physically able to do (remember soft, padded surfaces are preferred by aging bones and joints). Have a super sniffer dog? Hide treats around the room and teach them the, “Find It,” cue to go sniff out tasty morsels of goodness. Allowing and encouraging your dog to use their brain to problem solve builds their confidence and keeps them thriving, just as it does for us.

“Research has shown that providing both mental and physical activity is the best way to maintain a healthy brain and body. Therefore, if your pet begins to slow down, or develops medical problems that reduce its physical activity, find new games, new toys and new ways to play, to stimulate the brain and keep the body active.”

BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Behavioural Medicine

Discover Your Dog’s Inner Einstein

Here’s a starting place that will help you discover your dog’s personal learning style and have some serious fun in the process. Dr. Brian Hare, Associate Professor of Evolutionary Anthropology at Duke University, and his fellow behavior geeks created the Dognition Assessment, which determines an individual dog’s cognition, personality and perspective on the world as they perceive it. Wha-what?! It’s a science-based assessment using simple, fun games to learn how your dog’s brain works - your dog, not just any dog. Intelligence types vary from dog to dog just as… yep, you guessed it, just as they do with humans.

Prepare to have your mind blown when you have the chance to pull the curtain back and discover that your dog’s (even aging) brain packs a mountain of intelligence just waiting to be tapped. That, once puppy, now gray muzzled couch potato is longing to have some fun with you, using their brain more often every day.

Take our beloved Peanut, for example, this magazine’s icon and cover model. It ends up that this girl was a little rock star in training classes. Her proud papa, Brian, tells us, “When I first adopted Peanut I did a group training class with her and the trainer always pulled Peanut to show the class how it’s done, which she loved, except that Peanut learned something the first time and mastered it right away.” Can you imagine if Brian had never taken Peanut to class and discovered her ability? We just never know what’s beneath that furry noggin until we venture forth and find out how brilliant our dog friends are.

Even as a seasoned professional trainer, I sat back and wished I’d completed the Dognition games ages ago with my best friend, Jasper. Yes. He’s an elder dog. Now I understand why, when he has not had enough mental stimulation daily, he gets a bit feisty. His results showed he’s an “Ace” profile. Per the profile description, “the only downside to having a dog as gifted as an Ace is that sometimes they may be too smart for their own good.” Have a peak and get started at https://www.dognition.com/how-it-works.

Have Fun!

Keep in mind your dog’s personal history when it comes to learning and discovery. Be encouraging and light hearted in your approach. I recall an experience I had with a beloved Rough Coat Collie I inherited years ago, Valentino. He had only experienced old fashioned training prior to our lives together, and had been taught he was only allowed to do what he was told to do. He wouldn’t interact with toys or, well, life very much, unless he was told what to do. I wanted to open him up a bit more to be a dog. After reading

an article about allowing dogs to have choices and how it helps them build confidence and calm, we ventured out on a walk where I planned to try the advice given in the article. We started on our usual route and came upon a cross street. Instead of choosing for us which direction we would go, I stopped, kept my body neutral, looked forward and waited. I was amazed. Valentino did not know what to do. He stood very still and kept looking at me to decide our path. I waited. After a solid minute, he slightly leaned his head in one direction. I praised him and immediately moved in that direction. His body jolted with conflicted joy that he had done a good thing. My eyes teared up to see how difficult that had been for him, making a choice - being allowed to make a choice without fear of negative consequences and then even receiving praise for having been so bold. Over time, we tried more choice games and with every step, I kept in mind his history and took patience and encouragement along with us for the ride.

Understanding your dog is an individual who has lived a full life of experiences that have shaped them into who they are today will serve you both well. Serve them well. They are your friend and rely upon you for their quality of life. Let’s give them our very best. ■

“Research has shown that providing both mental and physical activity is the best way to maintain a healthy brain and body. Therefore, if your pet begins to slow down, or develops medical problems that reduce its physical activity, find new games, new toys and new ways to play, to stimulate the brain and keep the body active.”

MANAGING CANINE DEMENTIA

WRITTEN BY JEANNE TAYLOR, Staff Writer

If you have lived with a senior dog, or especially an elderly one, you may have observed symptoms of canine dementia at some point. Just like humans, not all within the population will be afflicted; genetics, lifestyle and environmental exposures play a critical role in determining whether a dog will become affected with any degree of canine dementia.

Referred to as Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD), this degenerative condition creates symptoms similar to Alzheimer’s Disease in humans. The aging brain can cause behavioral changes and the areas that are most often affected are a dog’s comprehension, learning skills and memory.

There will be good days and bad. You’ll have moments where you see your old furry friend from years ago – and days when you feel you don’t recognize them. That’s all normal as this condition progresses.

The decline can be gradual and can go unnoticed for quite some time, with some pet parents simply chalking it up to the aging process. But the sooner we can recognize the symptoms and receive a diagnosis, the sooner we can begin to take steps to curb the advancement of the disease. Like Alzheimer’s, it is not curable, but there are measures we can take to help our beloved companions as they navigate this stage of their lives.

Who Moved My Cheese?

You may notice that your senior pet has a daily routine and may become agitated if you break it. Whether it’s a feeding schedule (don’t be one minute late!), a preferred daily walk time, or a regular bedtime, it’s important to help keep them on track with their schedule. That doesn’t mean their life has to be boring though! You can still take them to explore new places and let them get their sniff-on! Just be mindful of any physical limitations so you don’t over-do it.

Engage their brain.

Depending on your dog’s age and physical condition, making them sit to learn a new trick or even practice old ones may not be comfortable. An arthritic pup will not enjoy sitting to earn that treat – let them stand. They have earned that right. Try instead offering a snuffle mat or even a feeder puzzle to occupy their brain while being rewarded with treats. As with humans, keeping the brain engaged is key.

Keep things where they are familiar – resist the urge to move furniture and keep dog beds, food bowls and the toy box where Fido knows they have always been. In all things, consider “accommodation.”

Physical Decline.

Elderly dogs will likely experience some physical decline and your once perfectly housetrained pup may have accidents from time to time. Staying on schedule will help with that as will giving them plenty of opportunities to eliminate outside during the day and before bed. But do be prepared for the possibility and know that it can’t be helped. Bodies age, muscles weaken. Remember they aren’t doing it on purpose. Be patient and give them some grace. If they are beginning to have more accidents, check with your vet to be sure they don’t have an infection, and perhaps ask your groomer to shave the areas that are most likely to become matted from a potty accident.

Grooming will always be important too. Keep their nails well-trimmed. Any pad-fur could also be kept trimmed to prevent slipping on hardwood or tile floors. These things will improve your senior pet’s overall comfort.

Awareness and Accommodations.

If your pet has reached this stage of their sweet, long life, you are probably already blocking off stairways, and maybe even gating off room areas where it may not be safe for them. Small accommodations for seniors can be very beneficial overall.

You can strategically place nightlights in your hallways, for example, if you have a pet who doesn’t sleep through the night, as occurs with some CCD dogs. For those who like to wander the house at night, some suggest a later night walk to help them rest better and sleep longer.

Veterinary Support.

Veterinary visits may become more frequent, i.e., every six months vs. annually. Many practices now offer additional services such as cold laser therapy or acupuncture. Others may refer you for hydrotherapy. Canine massage could also be considered to help your senior remain physically comfortable and enjoy life to the fullest. Dr. Stacy Bostian of Tidewater Veterinary Hospital, who so compassionately treated Lowcountry Dog’s own Peanut for CCD late last year, states, “As veterinarians, we help pets off to a healthy start

as young animals, and get the joy of following them along the journey into their golden years. Cognitive Dysfunction affects each pet differently, and their needs and medical care will also vary by dog. Contact your veterinarian and their support staff to discuss any changes in your pet so a treatment plan can be made to assist with their health and aging needs. Nutraceuticals and nutrition that support brain health are a good place to start. Also, most senior pets are struggling with some arthritic pain. Medical management, supplements, laser therapy, and acupuncture can help relieve that. Most importantly, keep their routine the same at home to decrease confusion. I know this firsthand from experience with my own aging pets. Animals give so much love to us over the years, so in return we want to make their golden years their glory years!”

Diets and Supplements.

There are also diets that support brain health, and you may want to include antioxidants in their daily supplements along with other helpful omega-3s. Further, some CCD patients may be prescribed medication such as Anipryl to help control certain symptoms. Always work closely with your veterinarian to determine what is best for your pet.

If you are concerned that your dog may be exhibiting signs of CCD, there is an assessment that you can pursue and then can work closely with your veterinarian to develop a plan of care. Known as “DISHAA”, the key areas focused on are Disorientation, Interactions, Sleep, Housesoiling, and Activity and Anxiety. These indicators of a dog’s cognitive health will then yield a score that can help guide any prognosis and treatment plan.

Also, the Dog Aging Project offers additional reading on our aging pets’ cognition, different conditions affecting seniors, and has made a host of other interesting information available to pet parents. One of my dogs, turning nine later this year, has been a “Pack Member” of the Dog Aging Project since 2020, so we complete questionnaires annually, and participate in additional exercises where we record and submit cognitive data to measure changes. It’s quite fascinating to know that his experiences may someday help another dog! Visit dogagingproject.org to learn more.

The Bottom Line.

Always work with your veterinarian or trusted medical resources to ensure your senior pet has everything they need to live the longest, healthiest, happiest life possible with you by their side. As Sidney Jeanne Seward said, “Blessed is the person who has earned the love of an old dog.” It truly is a gift. ■

Dealing with the Loss of Your Best Friend

WRITTEN BY CHELSEA SALERNO Copy Editor

The beginning of 2023 was a difficult time for the Lowcountry Dog family. We had spent the last few months watching the decline in our dear friend Peanut’s health, and it was time to say goodbye. Peanut served as our Chief Canine Officer and the void she left at the magazine as well as in our hearts was a big one. Peanut was an amazing foster mom to puppies and kittens alike, nap buddy of both humans and fellow canines and a friend who touched so many lives in her seventeen years. One of the hardest parts of pet ownership is knowing that you will one day have to say goodbye, but rest assured that you are not alone in your grief. Though we miss Peanut every day, her legacy lives on through LCD and every dog saved through one of the many rescues featured in our magazine.

There is no timeline for grief; everyone handles loss differently and that is expected - we are all individuals. There are many resources available to help you along in this journey. Pet Rest Cemetery and Cremation Service of Charleston and McAlister-Smith Funeral and Cremation are both available in this difficult time, from cremation and burial services, to creating celebration of life keepsakes and memorials, to offering grief support for those struggling to move forward. They pride themselves on the respect and dignity they show clients and their

furry friends. Perhaps most importantly, Pet Rest and McAlister-Smith both host pet loss support groups so you will always know you are not alone. You are encouraged to move on at your own pace, and the support groups will help you do just that. Meeting with those who have or are dealing with the same heartache, and are there to lend an ear and helpful advice, can be a huge help to those really struggling with the loss of unconditional love and the companionship a furry friend offers.

There are plenty of ways to memorialize your best friend once they have crossed the Rainbow Bridge. Pet Rest posts obituaries regularly, including one for our dear Peanut, with the option to send flowers to the grieving families, for example. They offer beautiful urns, or caskets and access to their pet cemetery if you would prefer to lay your pet to rest there, as well as pet memorial stones that can be placed in your yard. They have keepsakes such as small urn necklaces and hand painted personalized ornaments with your pet’s face and name. My personal favorite is the clay paw print, featuring the name of your beloved pet and an imprint of their paw. These can be turned into ornaments or displayed somewhere in your home as a memorial. Finally, Pet Rest will take your photographs and video footage and combine them with music to create a legacy memorial video for you and your family to appreciate for years to come.

Taking care of your mental health during this time is imperative. It is a major life change so feeling depressed or anxious after losing your best friend is inevitable, but it is of the utmost importance that you do not let the darkness take hold. Try not to think of how you’re feeling in this difficult moment as bad, wrong, or unreasonable. It is natural to process your grief in your own way. Grief has no expiration date and there’s no such thing as “taking too long” to get over loss. Those who have never known the intense love a pet brings as a family member may have trouble understanding this, but that doesn’t invalidate your feelings of sorrow. Allow yourself to feel and grieve, but be sure to tend to your own well-being. Go on fresh-air walks and spend time outdoors, or immerse yourself in exercise or a hobby to distract your mind a bit. Self-care is crucial during this time, and that looks different for everyone. A support group can be extremely beneficial to those feeling alone, whereas planting a memorial garden might be more helpful for someone who would rather grieve by themselves. There is no rule book for grief and the less pressure you put on yourself, the better.

The most important step you can take in grieving the loss of a pet is to be honest about your feelings. Denying your pain, anger or feelings of guilt will only cause continued pain and only by examining and coming to terms with these emotions can you begin to work through them. There is no right or wrong path when grieving. If you are interested in visiting Pet Rest’s Pet Loss Support Group, please contact Brian Calhoun at brian.calhoun@PetRestCarolina.com or you can simply walk-in to one of their meetings every 2nd Monday of the month at 7pm at 132 Red Bank Road in Goose Creek. McAlister-Smith’s website also has many online resources for virtual support groups which can be viewed at https:// www.mcalister-smith.com/grief-support/griefresources.

Finally, please remember you are not alone. Every pet parent will likely go through this stage eventually, so never hesitate to reach out to a support group or even pursue individual counseling if that is what you need. ■

photo by Jeanne Taylor Photography

photo by Southern Vintage Photography

WRITTEN BY BRIAN FOSTER, Publisher

I wasn’t ready to get another dog. I had just lost Jasmine three months earlier. Jasmine was my best friend for 15 years and losing her was extremely difficult. It was July 29, 2009, a Wednesday. My girlfriend at the time, Laura, and I were at James Island County Park having lunch and enjoying an afternoon at the park when she suggested we go to Pet Helpers and look at the dogs because they were having an adoption special that weekend that she saw on Twitter. I was not excited about this idea because Jasmine was irreplaceable, and I didn’t think I would ever get another dog. Well, she talked me into going to just “look.” Pet Helpers had recently opened their new facility, so we headed over there. When we made our way to the dog adoption floor, I walked slowly around looking in the kennels and saw many sad hounds, pitbulls, and mix breeds. None of them spoke to me or Laura. As we were making our way towards the door, we passed 3 windows with puppies in them. I stopped at the middle window and saw this skinny yellow dog. I called to Laura and said, “did you see this one?’ She quickly replied that we were not looking at puppies. I said that this dog was not a puppy, but the mama of the 8 puppies in the window next to her. Her little blue index card said, “Hi, my name is Peanut, and the puppies next to me are mine. I am 3 to 4 years old.” We decided to meet and one of the kennel staff placed her in the meet n greet room with us. Peanut was skinny at only 17 lbs and was timid but sweet. Laura was an aspiring photographer and snapped at picture of her there that became the inspiration for the Lowcountry Dog logo and the Woofstock guitar design. Becky, the kennel tech who helped us, told us how Peanut was found at the dump on Wadmalaw Island when a concerned citizen called about her puppies running around and was worriedthey would get hit by all the big trucks going in and out. Pet Helpers went out and caught the puppies with a shrimp net because they were feral and running all over the place. After rounding up all 8 puppies, the mama appeared and walked up to them. Seeing how skinny she was and that she was obviously feral as well, they scooped her up too.

We decided to go home and think about it because the adoption special didn’t start until Friday, and it was Wednesday. Laura had to go to work that evening any way. We made it home and within seconds, Laura was telling me that we needed to go get her because someone else may adopt her and she wanted her. I still wasn’t sold, but we drove both cars back to Pet Helpers and adopted Peanut for $100. Laura went to work, and I went home with this new dog who was wearing a cat collar because she was so skinny and I had no idea what I had just signed on to.

Peanut was scared at first and hid in the kitchen. She would not go to the bathroom in the backyard and would only do so on walks to a wooded area. Over the next few days, I saw her personality blossom from a scared mama dog to a grateful dog happy to know where her next meal was coming from and a warm bed to sleep on.

Not only did something change in Peanut, but something changed in me. Within a few weeks, I found myself volunteering at Pet Helpers. I walked Peanut in a fundraising walk on Folly that Laura did photography for. I then took adoptable dogs to another event on Folly that fall. Laura would go and take pictures of dogs and I would walk them. I started learning the dogs’ behavior and found myself talking to potential adopters about them. This lead to many years of adoption counseling, running my own weekend events, and even going out to rescue other feral dogs.

In March of 2010, we decided to try fostering. We picked up 3 newborn puppies from Pet Helpers and brought them home. Peanut being an experienced mother was key to our success. She helped clean the puppies and as they grew she taught them proper socialization. Laura had begun working for Lowcountry Dog Magazine as the staff photographer and those first puppies became a cover story on their first birthday. We went on to foster many more puppies, including a beagle puppy we named Calliope. Peanut treated Calliope differently than the other fosters, more like a sister than a mother. We decided to keep Calliope and they became a powerhouse duo fostering countless litters from 2010 to 2016. In

Oh Nutty. I only knew Peanut during her last few golden years, up until the very end, but she will always have a piece of my heart! She was just so little and so smart and so sweet. I’ll miss little things like her collar jingling when she would walk around or wake up and shake off and watching her little legs go from walking to skipping then running because she was excited. She didn’t get excited by very many things, but she got excited when she saw me! Peanut was the best companion to all of us, especially to Brian. She will always be remembered from Lowcountry Dog Magazine, and the magazine wouldn’t be what it is without her being an inspiration to it and a man’s best friend to him. She was a rescue that made humans smile and rescued other dogs. She became a part of the rescue world and will always be a part of Lowcountry Dog Magazine.

-Alyssa Helms, Media Manager

photo by Jeanne Taylor Photography

photo by tara lynn & co

2016, Laura and Calliope moved to Texas, and Peanut and I moved to our condo in Mt. Pleasant.

In September of 2015, I decided to buy Lowcountry Dog Magazine from Leah England. I knew that with Peanut by my side we could really do something. Once we settled in Mt. Pleasant, we started back fostering with groups like Eunoia Rescue and Valiant Animal Rescue. Peanut was still the best foster mama to some adult dogs, senior dogs, and countless puppy mill survivors. She even fostered a litter of kittens once.

In late 2019, we rebranded the magazine, bringing back print and a new logo with Peanut’s head as the icon. As Peanut aged, we fostered less and less, but when we did, Peanut was always patient and caring of the fosters. In 2022, I noticed a severe change in Peanut’s behavior. She had slowed down tremendously and went from being very social with everyone to keeping to herself for the most part except when her favorite people were around (Alyssa, Chelsea, or Kendyl). She started having difficulty with walking and would often fall and not be able to get up. She seemed confused and lost and it was heartbreaking to watch. After a Christmas visit to Atlanta, which would normally make her very happy. This trip confirmed my worst fear: that she was suffering what could only be described as dementia and her quality of life was nonexistent. A trip to the vet confirmed our suspicions and after consulting all her people, we decided to give her the best week we could before we said goodbye. On Saturday, January 7th, Chelsea, Alyssa, and myself said our goodbyes to our dear sweet Nutty. It was truly the hardest decision to make, but we made it for her and not for us, because it would be selfish for us to let her suffer.

This story could be a novel with what Peanut brought to this world in her 17 years. There will never be another Peanut and there would not be a Lowcountry Dog Magazine without her. I for one can say that this lil yellow dog, that I didn’t want to adopt at first, changed my life forever.■

photo by Southern Vintage Photography

How do you put into words a dog like Peanut? She was all that I never knew I wanted or needed. Her heart was bigger than her tiny little body. Through her I learned compassion and patience for a little being who had a past I would never know. She loved me on hard days and made good days even better.

The scar on her nose showed me that it’s our imperfections that make us all the more adorable.

She opened me up to the world of rescue, for which I am eternally grateful. She was always an eager practice subject as I learned pet photography. On that day that I walked into the shelter “just to look”, little did I know that the trajectory of my life was about to permanently change. Life after Peanut would never… could never be the same.

-Laura Olsen

photos on page 31 - 33 by Olsen Imagery

Peanut was a friend to everyone who was lucky enough to know her. I met Peanut over a decade ago and she became fast friends with my rat terrier, Tinkerbell. Peanut, Tinkerbell, Brian, and I spent many a night hanging out at the local spot I worked at and became extremely close over the years. We would even take them to Motley Crue concerts with us! Tinkerbell is a dog filled with anxiety, but hanging out with Peanut always alleviated that for her. She had that effect on dogs and people alike. When I decided it was time to add to my little family, Peanut picked out the most perfect tripod corgi mix to join our squad! Any time Brian or I would go out of town, the three girls would stay together at one of our houses and I know they always had a good time! We lost the tripod a few years ago, but Peanut and Tinkerbell would still stay together pretty often. When it was finally time to say goodbye to Peanut, I was fortunate enough to be able to hold her paw during her final moments. I loved her so much, and it was an honor to be able to be there with her as she crossed the rainbow bridge. Peanut touched so many lives, from dogs, to cats, to people, and raised more puppies and kittens than I can count. Her legacy lives on through this magazine and through all the dogs we can adopt out through our events. Though she may be gone from this physical plane, she will never leave our hearts.

-Chelsea Salerno, Copy Editor

I don’t know about you, but I had the best cousin that a girl could ask for. Now my Uncle Brian doesn’t have any 2-legged children, but he has had some amazing 4-legged ones. I don’t remember Jasmine because I was so young, but he got Peanut when I was 3. Peanut was also 3 years old, so you could say we grew up together. One of the greatest things about visiting Uncle Brian or him visiting us was Peanut. She was the sweetest and cutest dog ever. I loved taking her for walks and taking pictures of her. She was so patient and she had such a great personality. I always loved how she would greet you with a toy when you walked in the door. I loved how she would rip around the house and then look at you with her sweet face. I miss her so very much and I hope she knows how much I loved her. I will forever cherish Peanut and the impact she had on my life.

-Kendyl Nimmons, Peanut’s Cousin

Local Dog Events

04/08/2023 Photos with the Easter Bunny at Owl’s Roost Owl’s Roost Brewing · Franklinton 2 pm

04/08/2023 Putt for Pups Islander 71 2 to 5 pm

04/21 to 04/23 BULLI-QUE Bullies 2 the Rescue, Indian Trail, NC

04/22/2023 Saving The Planet One Animal At A Time! Berkeley Animal Center 1 to 4 pm

04/25/2023 Dog Days at the Charleston Riverdogs. tickets at riverdogs.com

04/30/2023 Boxerpalooza!

Blitzburgh Sports Bar and Grill Murrells Inlet, 11 to 8 pm

05/02/2023 Dog Days at the Charleston Riverdogs. tickets at riverdogs.com

05/06/2023 Cary Dog Daze and Pet Expo, Town of Cary, NC 10 to 2 pm

05/16/2023 Dog Days at the Charleston Riverdogs. tickets at riverdogs.com

05/30/2023 Dog Days at the Charleston Riverdogs. tickets at riverdogs.com

2023 LOWCOUNTRY DOG EVENTS

05/06/2023 May the Dogs Be With You Festival, Magnolia Park

09/2023 Lowcountry Dog’s Bark in the Park, Magnolia Park

10/14/2023 Lowcountry Dogapalooza Festival, Hanahan Amphitheater

11/05/2023 Dia De Los Perros Festival Tattooed Moose Johns Island

12/09/2023 Home for the Holidays

Check out our Events page for even more local events and to check for date changes.

www.lowcountrydog.com/events

In The News

18-year-old dog reunited with owners after missing for 3 years

When an 18-year-old dog named Binky arrived at a Lowcountry animal shelter it was clear he was in desperate need of medical attention.

The staff at Dorchester Paws said Binky was severely matted and malnourished with rotting teeth and overgrown nails. The staff said Binky was covered in fleas and needed medical attention.

Sacrebleu! French bulldogs are now most popular dogs in US

The French bulldog is officially the most popular dog breed in the US — knocking Labrador retrievers off their three-decade perch as top pooch.

Woman arrested after Charleston County deputies find malnourished dog

Charleston County deputies say they arrested a Hollywood woman Thursday after they discovered a malnourished, unsheltered dog in the area. Geneva Storm Bowens, 28, was charged with illtreatment of animals, sheriff’s spokesman Andrew Knapp said. Deputies responded on Monday to a call about a dog in a crate on a property in the 4500 block of Cushing Road with no access to food or water but could not find any sign of the animal, an incident report states.

Click images above to read the full story.

For more top stories, visit www.lowcountrydog.com/top-stories

WRITTEN BY: EMILY JAGDNAMM

Lucky Dog’s new Florence, South Carolina Rescue Campus is a dream years in the making. Fourteen years ago, Lucky Dog was founded by a group of volunteers in CEO Mirah Horowitz’s living room. Since then, Lucky Dog’s vision has always been focused on how to maximize their lifesaving impact in areas where the need is greatest. In the middle of the pandemic, Lucky Dog jumped on the opportunity to purchase 22 acres in Florence, South Carolina with the goal of building a state of the art Rescue Campus.

Phase One, consisting of a veterinary clinic, an ICU, a ringworm treatment center, and Stopover Station transfer kennels, opened on March 9th, 2022 after an 11-month construction period. In the first week of operations alone, Lucky Dog welcomed 65 dogs and cats to Stopover Station, completed 11 spay/neuter surgeries, two eye surgeries, two dental cleanings and were able to get x-rays on 4 animals.

This is just the start of the plans Lucky Dog has for this Rescue Campus. A volunteer-powered

Virginia Based Rescue Opens Rescue Campus in Florence,

SC

and foster-based rescue that has saved over 24,000 lives since 2009, Lucky Dog is committed to addressing our lifesaving capacity at the source of the problem -- the Rural South. This Rescue Campus will be a place where Lucky Dog can temporarily house and care for dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens, and prepare them for transport to the Washington, DC. Metro area to find forever homes.

Phase Two of Lucky Dog’s building project will include a heartworm treatment and boarding kennel and a cat building with a kitten nursery. The goal of this rescue center will be to partner with and provide relief to overcrowded shelters across the region, saving as many lives as possible. This facility will not be accepting owner surrenders.

To learn more about Lucky Dog’s Rescue Campus and how you can support their vital work, visit luckydoganimalrescue.org. ■

THESE ADOPTABLE DOGS ARE SPONSORED BY:

THESE ADOPTABLE DOGS ARE SPONSORED BY:

BERKELEY ANIMAL CENTER PET HELPERS CAROLINA COONHOUND

THESE ADOPTABLE DOGS ARE SPONSORED BY:

EUNOIA RESCUE

CAROLINA POODLE RESCUE

THESE ADOPTABLE DOGS ARE SPONSORED BY:

LIBBY AND MACE’S PLACE

LAKESIDE ANIMAL RESCUE

SAVE THE CLEFTS

THESE ADOPTABLE DOGS ARE SPONSORED BY:

CAROLINA BOXER RESCUE