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Publisher Brian Foster brian@lowcountrydog.com Chief Canine Officer Peanut Social Media & Content Coordinator Julie Murray julie@lowcountrydog.com Editorial Columnist & Rescue Coordinator Alicia Williams alicia@lowcountrydog.com Copy Editor Chelsea Salerno Intern Fern Wooden Staff Writers Kelly Glasson Hali Selert Photographers Southern Vintage Photography Stono Tides Photography Paul Mulkey Images Web and Design Consultant Laura Olsen Contributing Writers Jenna Ley- Harrison Kate Lancaster For advertising and media inquiries please email contact@lowcountrydog.com
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Above and cover photo by Paul Muley Images
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.
In this issue
6 10 14 16 Cover Story 22 WHEN DOGS FLY 32 34 38 42 SIT, STAY... BEHAVE: To Herd or Not to Herd
HEALTH & WELLNESS: Healthy Diet, Happy Dog PEACE, LOVE & REAL TALK: with Alicia Rose Willliams FEATURE STORY: Breeders: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
Palmetto Dockdogs Take Flight at SEWE
IN THE NEWS
LOWCOUNTRY DOG ANIMAL ADVOCATE: BEAR THE THERAPY DOG GO GREEN: Adopt A Recycled Dog! LOCAL DOG EVENTS
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YO HABLA ESPANOL? As the Chief Canine Officer of Lowcountry Dog Magazine, I have a lot of things to be thankful for! I think about my past and how I used to be a homeless dog living at a dump to being rescued and now spreading the word of rescue and helping our area’s many amazing rescues. This past Christmas, my dad took a trip to Mexico without me (darn quarantine regulations). He spent his Christmas day on an adventure to the Cozumel Humane Society.
Peanut 's P O I N T
O F
V I E W
No taxis would take him to the shelter since it wasn’t in the tourist district, so he took off on foot with Google Maps. Along the way, he met a few dogs in the streets of Mexico, some friendly and some not so friendly. Once he made his way to a small building on a dirt road, he walked into the lobby of the shelter. He was welcomed and introduced to Christopher, who managed the kennel area in the back.
and Canada where they have homes waiting. All of the dogs they had were small breed dogs and many were purebred. Many Mexican breeds like Chihuahuas and hairless breeds were there for adoption. As part Chihuahua myself, I would have fit right in, if I could travel like a human. Ha!
Now, this was nothing like the typical shelter you see in America. It was small and all the animals were housed outside. The building was just an office and a medical room, but out the back there were 12 kennels for adult dogs and a few smaller kennels for cats, kittens and puppies. To enter the back area you had to step in a disinfectant wash as to clean anything off your shoes. There were about 10 dogs and half a dozen cats there at this time and Christopher said this was typical but they have had as many as 40 animals at one time. Their main mission besides finding homes for animals is educating the islanders of proper animal care because the culture for pets in Mexico is very different than in the US. A majority of the dogs are adopted locally but they also look for adoption ambassadors that will come to Mexico and help transport dogs to the US
If you ever find yourself in a foreign country, enjoy the touristy spots but also check out the local animal shelter and see what they are all about. You can learn a lot by seeing the animal rescues in other places. And you might meet some animal lovers in other countries. Kindness is a language that dogs understand all around the world. My dad said it was an amazing experience and a great way to spend Christmas. We sure do have a lot to be thankful for! ■
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T R A I N I N G
To HERD or NOT to HERD... D O E S YO U R D O G H AV E W H AT I T TA K E S ? W R I T T E N B Y : J U L I E M U R R A Y, STAFF WRITER
Once again, it’s time for the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition! SEWE is a three day celebration of wildlife and nature held in various locations throughout Charleston which features all kinds of events, exhibitions and art. While it is not “all things dog”, some of the most popular exhibitions are dogrelated. Lowcountry Dog was able to speak with master trainer Bill Coburn, who will conduct several herding demonstrations where his border collies will masterfully guide sheep and ducks through a series of obstacles. This is Bill’s third year at SEWE and something you don’t want to miss! Bill began his journey with border collies in the 1980’s when he took his granddaughter to Spartanburg to pick out a puppy from a litter of border collies. He was looking for a dog to herd sheep on his farm and they ended up with a sweet little girl named Joy. The next step was learning how to train Joy to herd. An experienced dog trainer that Bill knew in Laurens, S.C. agreed to help, but only if Bill agreed to participate in herding competitions which was something he had never considered. Joy ended up dominating the field and Bill and his dogs became a regular feature in the competition circuit for the next 20 years. While he no longer competes, he still trains dogs. Bill spends his time traveling throughout the South doing herding demonstrations with ducks and sheep at events like SEWE and then returns to his home base at Windy Knolls Farm with his border collies and his herd of Katahdin-Dorper sheep.
Bill was kind enough to speak with LCDM and tell us a little bit about his life training herding dogs. The process starts when a border collie pup is approximately eight to ten weeks old. Bill says he looks for certain traits that develop in a dog such as good manners - “things like not getting into the food bin”, he said, and generally not being too mischievous. We had a laugh when I told him that my dog Zelda would already be eliminated based on that criteria since mischievous is her middle name! The process continues with socialization. Bill takes the pup with him everywhere and makes sure they are exposed to all kinds of people, noises and scenarios. At about eight months to 1 year old, the dogs usually start out on the farm and Bill observes how they interact with the livestock. His training method is a lot like how I found him to be on the phone - pleasant and kind. “I don’t put a lot of pressure on the dogs to perform.” He uses a calm, guiding hand to bring out the natural instincts of one of the canine kingdom’s most agile, athletic and intelligent breeds. According to the American Kennel Club, a good trainer should strive to grow the dog’s confidence in them; for example, it is important that a trainer accurately determine what kind of livestock a dog can handle. Mastering all of these new skills can be stressful for a young pup, which may be why Bill Coburn’s dogs all seem to perform at such a high level - they respond well to his tranquil and steady coaching. Before the technical training begins, the dog should be able to respond to basic commands
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T R A I N I N G
easily and consistently. You should ensure that your pup gets used to being around livestock and feels comfortable in that setting. Now it’s time to learn some herding commands! I went to the United States Border Collie Handlers’ Association website before speaking to Bill to try and lay down a foundation of what being a handler entails. Before too long, I was overwhelmed with the terms and standards of technique... It is no joke! Thankfully, Bill was able to put in layman’s terms some of the standard commands he uses on the field.
“Come By” to its left;
- the dog will move around the herd
“Away To Me” herd to its right;
- the dog will move around the
“There” - used when the dog is in a place that Bill wants them to stop and turn in on the herd;
“Walk Up”
- the dog will calmly move forward towards the herd;
“In Here” - the dog will move through a gap in the herd to separate them; and
“That’ll Do” - when it’s time for the dog to come home to Bill.
There are many more commands, and I was amazed at the level of trust and communication it must require between the pair for this level of performance. But as usual, dogs prove themselves to be capable of amazing tasks. To continue the training, a handler will put the dog on a long leash and take them through the commands, while gradually reversing directions on the leash, moving further back until it’s time to let the dog off leash to try out his new skills! Practice produces consistent performance, faster reaction time and more ease and agility.
You can see Bill and his amazing border collies at Brittlebank Park on February 14th, 15th & 16th. Visit www.sewe.com for more information and herd the family out to see us! ■
JOIN THE HERD FEBRUARY 14-16 SEWE.COM #ThisIsSEWE
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Every dog has it’s day. But the best ones are here.
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H E A L T H
&
W E L L N E S S
H E A LT H Y D I E T
Happy Dog
W R ITT E N
BY :
K AT E
L A N C A ST E R
Hollywood Feed, Marketing Content Coordinator
One of the most frequent questions we at Hollywood Feed get from our customers is “What is the best food to feed my dog?” The answer is typically never simple. While we carry some of the highest quality pet foods available, there is not a one-size-fits-all formula. Does your pet have any food sensitivities or allergies? Is your dog at a healthy weight? Are your dogs picky about certain types or textures of food?
All these considerations are essential to determining the right food for your pet and the proper diet can be crucial to your dog’s health and well-being. Like with humans, a healthy digestive system generally equals a strong immune system. Feeding a nutritious, well-balanced diet will help maintain both. Today, the pet food industry is continuing to grow and the availability of healthy diet options is at an all-time high. Whether you decide to feed dry dog food, canned, raw, dehydrated or freeze-dried foods, there are benefits to each type of food. Dry dog food was developed in the mid-1800s as an alternative to raw meat and has been optimized over time. It is the easiest type of diet to feed as it requires no prep. Dry dog food is nutrient-dense and contains very little moisture, allowing for a long shelf life. It is also the most cost-effective option. Most dry dog food brands make a range of formulas with different protein sources and a similar base mix. This makes rotational feeding – switching your dog’s food to provide nutritional variety – simple. Changing the formula from one bag to the next within the same brand also decreases the likelihood your dog will get bored with the food.
Wet or canned dog food contains around 60 – 80% water. This makes it a good choice for dogs who require extra hydration. Canned food is also usually more palatable because of higher protein and fat content so it is often preferred by finicky eaters. Raw dog food was first developed in the 1990s with the goal of mirroring what dogs would eat in the wild. Over the past few decades, raw diets have been developed to also include vegetables and fruits. Raw diets are minimally processed, making them highly digestible and palatable. Dehydrated dog foods were developed as an alternative to dry foods. Dehydrated foods are slow cooked using low heat in order to preserve the nutrients in the raw ingredients. They do not require refrigeration and are easy to store. Freeze-dried foods, like raw and dehydrated foods, were designed to keep processing at a
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minimum and nutrient retention high. Freeze drying removes around 95% moisture to make freeze-dried foods shelf stable and light weight. Dogs with low appetites are often enticed by freeze-dried diets. Any of these diet options could be suitable for your pup. It’s important to note that one diet is not necessarily better than the other, but your dog might prefer one over the other. Your dog’s stool might be firmer, coat shinier, or energy level heightened on one diet versus another. Trying different options until you find the one most beneficial to your dog is worthwhile. Perhaps most important is knowing what is in your dog’s food. The quality of ingredients can play a significant role in your pup’s overall health, so take the time to look over ingredient panels. Lots of commercially available foods contain ingredients that are possible carcinogens, such as food dyes and preservatives like BHA or propylene glycol. Others contain unspecified meat ingredients, like meat and bone meal or poultry by-products. If you examine the ingredients and they don’t sound like something you or your family should eat, then they may not be good for your dog.
Using this same rule regarding treats is also important. Overall, treats with short and simple ingredient panels are best. Treats and chews that are labeled “Made in the USA” must be comprised of ingredients sourced in this country. That typically means the ingredients used are fresher as they haven’t been shipped in from other countries. Selecting a healthy, high quality food will be one of the most important decisions you make for your pet. With over 55% of American dogs being considered overweight, making sure you adhere to the feeding guidelines recommended on your dog’s food is a close second. Your dog’s serving size based on age and activity level is often a lot less than what you would expect and an easy way to avoid overfeeding is to use a measuring cup. Higher quality foods require less to be fed to meet your dog’s daily nutritional requirements. This, in turn, means less waste is produced. Regardless of the type, ensuring the food contains only wholesome ingredients makes for a healthier dog and a happy pet parent. ■
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H E A L T H
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Why are we celebrating Michael Vick? EDITORIAL BY: ALICIA ROSE WILLIAMS Founder, Eunoia Rescue
As I’m sure you’ve seen in the news… Former NFL quarterback Michael Vick served as the NFL’s honorary captain for the 2020 NFL Pro Bowl on January 26th. So what’s the big deal and what does that have to do with dog lovers like you and me? In 2007, Vick served 18 months in federal prison after confessing his participation in illegal dog fighting, the killing of dogs and operating a business enterprise that involved illegal gambling under the name of “Bad Newz Kennels.” Understandably, thousands of people have signed a petition requesting that the NFL remove Vick as Pro Ball captain. I have waited quite some time to voice my opinion about the Michael Vick situation. While I’m a firm believer in second chances there’s just something about honoring a person who committed, allowed and profited from such violent acts towards animals that doesn’t sit well with me.
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He was known to cut lips, crop ears, and trim tails so that the dogs looked more aggressive. Dog that didn’t perform to his fighting standards were killed. Many dogs were killed by electrocution; their ears were clamped by jumper cables and they were thrown into a pool of water. Other dogs were shot, drowned, hung and slammed into the ground until death. Family pets were thrown into the fighting ring and killed for the enjoyment of Vick and other bystanders. Treadmills for conditioning the dogs as well as a “rape stand” (a device in which a female dog who is too aggressive to submit to males for breeding is strapped down with her head in a restraint) were found on the premises. One dog was found with every single tooth pulled out of her head. Several of the dogs were described as “pancake dogs” - meaning that they were so traumatized, they would flatten themselves on the ground and trembled when humans approached. These are just the forerunners of the atrocities that Vick and others at Bad Newz Kennels committed. Vick claimed that he never visited the property and blamed family members for the dogfighting enterprise. However, after three co-conspirators of Bad Newz Kennels began cooperating with authorities and pled guilty, Vick decided to follow suit. Vick spent 18 months in prison and then spent the final two months of his sentence with an electronic ankle monitor in his luxury home. His electronic ankle monitor was removed on July 20, 2009. On July 27, 2009, just seven days after his federal incarceration ended, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell reinstated Vick into the NFL and he was hired to play for the Philadelphia Eagles. In September 2010, the Philadelphia Eagles named Vick as the team’s starting quarterback. Many argue that Vick was only prosecuted because of his fame; most first time offenders would have gotten off with a fine for $500. As a worker of animal welfare, I can say that this is true. Yes, animal cruelty isn’t something that the law takes seriously and any other person would probably be “let off.” Yet, any other ex-felon wouldn’t have been going back to a base salary of $1.6 million just one week after release. Any
other ex-felon would have to jump through hoops just to even be considered at a minimum wage job. The Humane Society of the United States has also pardoned Vick for his past actions (the pardon was given after he allegedly gave the organization a $50,000 “grant”). This pardon baffles me. As the founder of a rescue myself, I would absolutely refuse any donation amount from anyone connected to such an outrageous crime. The HSUS has since backed off this position and is no longer working with Michael Vick. I’m also flabbergasted that Vick is now a proud owner of a Belgian Malinois. Can someone please explain why a convicted dog killer can so easily obtain a dog, yet a law abiding homosexual has difficulty obtaining a marriage license? It’s mind boggling. Lastly, Michael Vick serving as the NFL’s honorary Pro Bowl captain is a slap in the face to animal welfare. What kind of example is set by giving Vick such a high status? Some may believe “Michael Vick lead a dog fighting ring and is now in the spotlight, so I can lead a dog fighting ring and be just fine.” It’s sick. If we can’t hold someone who did something so gruesome accountable for their actions, how are we supposed to tackle simpler offenses? How do we make Donna Lee responsible for her puppy mills? How do we hold Brad Parker responsible for his PetLand scandal? How do we make stronger tethering laws? The answer: WE CAN’T. Normalizing one heinous crime sets a new, lesser standard for society. I believe Jamie FitzGerald said it best: “The bottom line is this – When you make a conscious decision to torture another living creature simply for your own amusement, you have crossed a line that can never be uncrossed. When you make the conscious decision to summarily execute by means most foul those creatures who failed to properly amuse you while you were torturing for money, you have lost your seat at the banquet that is America’s celebrity bounty.” ■
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B R E E D E R S :
the good, the bad, & the ugly W R I T T E N BY : H A L I S E L E RT, STAFF WRITER
Most readers of Lowcountry Dog Magazine know we fully support local shelters and rescues in their mission to end animal homelessness. These organizations work daily to place dogs and puppies of all breeds, ages and sizes into loving forever homes and here’s the shocking part—they even have PUREBREDS. Even the “best” breeders have their dogs and puppies end up in shelters and rescues. That said, we have recently felt compelled to break down the different types of breeders, in the event one of our readers chooses not to get their new friend from a shelter or rescue organization. We hope you will find this guide helpful, but still encourage everyone to check out rescues and shelters before resorting to purchasing a dog from a breeder. TYPES OF BREEDERS— Breeders can be broken down into four different categories, 1. Hobby Breeders, 2. Preservation, Heritage, and Show Breeders, 3. Backyard Breeders, and 4. Commercial Breeders. Anyone who has a dog that either impregnates another dog or becomes pregnant itself can call themselves a breeder and depending on the type of operation they run, they will fall into one of the four categories. In South Carolina, there are currently no laws governing the breeding of dogs, so ethical and moral values rule
If you choose to shop for your next pet, be sure you know the types of breeders available. the day when determining whether a local breeder is up to snuff. A Hobby Breeder is someone who occasionally breeds, but does so in a planned nature. They should be able to explain how and why they chose to breed and can provide detailed information on both parents. Often times, Hobby Breeders breed their personal dogs and the dogs live in their house with them, which means the puppies are born in a safe environment. A quality Hobby Breeder will conduct health screens on any sires and dams prior to having them mate and will not breed dogs that carry the genes that will lead to health issues. Hobby Breeders typically only breed one type of dog and are well versed in the needs of that breed. A Hobby Breeder should limit the amount of litters their female dog has and ensure she is healthy prior to, during and after the pregnancy. A quality Hobby Breeder will require any families who are interested in purchasing a puppy sign a contract, and many will include health guarantees for part of, if not all of the dog’s life. Finally, a quality Hobby Breeder will include a clause in the contract that if the family cannot keep the dog for life, it must return to the
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breeder to be rehomed. The purchase price of dogs from Hobby Breeders is typically in the moderate to high range and depends on breed. Preservation, Heritage, and Show Breeders are similar to Hobby Breeders in the quality of care they provide for the dogs they are raising and the requirements they have for families interested in purchasing one of their dogs. Preservation, Heritage, and Show Breeders breed dogs with the goal of “preserving” the breed characteristics and producing the “best” of the breed possible. Special attention must be paid to the health of possible mates and screening is extensive. The offspring of these dogs is typically not your average family pet and many are used for show and as service dogs. The price point for dogs from Preservation, Heritage, and Show Breeders can be astronomically high and the dog will definitely come with “papers.” Backyard Breeders are often the people you see on Facebook offering their “Chocolate Lab” puppies for sale for $250. These are the type of the people that see their dog with strong physical breed characteristics as a get rich quick scheme and find likeminded individuals to pair their dog with to make some cash. Often times, the Backyard Breeders do not know much about breeding dogs and the work that is required for a successful litter. Health screens are not done and most times puppies do not come vaccinated or with any type of contract. “Papers” proving the puppy’s breed are rare from Backyard Breeders. Inbreeding is common with Backyard Breeders, which exacerbates the health problems with dogs that come from this type of environment. Just because your friend Karen from high school used to sell Lipsense and has since switched to selling puppies does not mean she knows what she is doing or that you should support her new side hustle. Commercial Breeders are large-scale breeding operations. These facilities are also known as puppy mills and are known for their cruel treatment of their dogs. Commercial Breeders are Backyard Breeders on steroids and often have numerous breeds of dogs and multiple litters whelping at once. The puppies as well as the parents, rarely receive any type of medical care and are usually
Above and opposite page: Animals found during a raid on a puppy mill in Johnston, SC on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012. HSUS workers found over 200 dogs, nine horses and 30-40 fowl. Photos by: Allen E. Sullivan/HSUS riddled with disease. Commercial Breeders often have their dogs locked in cages for their entire life, only interacting with the dogs when it is time to pull the puppies from the mom to sell. Often times puppies found in pet stores such as Petland come from commercial breeding facilities (ask yourself if someone who cared about their puppies would resort to selling them to a third-party to sell them to a total stranger). In 2017, a local Commercial Breeder was busted in Florence County and 133 dogs were seized by Valiant Animal Rescue from the property of Donna Lee, with 36 being born after. The dogs seized were a myriad of breeds from Toy Poodles to Miniature Pinschers. Many local rescues participated in helping rescue and rehabilitate the dogs and some are still available for adoption. Alicia Williams, founder of Eunoia Rescue said that “many of the dogs from the Florence Puppy Mill had extensive health problems, most costing the rescue at least $1000 to rehabilitate. A vast majority of the dogs had severe dental decay and many were heartworm positive.” However, even more striking than the physical ailments that the dogs had, was the mental trauma the dogs exhibited. “Ruby is still afraid of strangers and will run and hide if someone she doesn’t know comes around. She also will roll over and lay down if you try to touch her too quickly” says Beverly Poston, who adopted a Dachshund through Eunoia Rescue following the bust.
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F E A T U R E
S T O R Y
At the end of the day, Commercial Breeders are bad news. They are not in it for the integrity of the breed or because they care about where their puppies end up. Their actions are neglectful and criminal and any commercial breeder should be shut down. Although it may be tempting to “rescue” a puppy from a Commercial Breeder by purchasing one, you are really just putting more money in that breeder’s pocket and encouraging them to keep going. HOW TO CHOOSE A BREEDER— When choosing a breeder to work with, there are several things to be aware of. First and foremost, do you feel comfortable with this person? Do they seem trustworthy? Would you be okay leaving your current pet in their care for an extended amount of time? If the answer to any of those questions is no, run and run fast. Next, will the breeder allow you to come visit the parents and puppies in person? Will they let you see where they are kept and provide updates until the time comes that you can take the puppy home? Again, if the answer to any of these is no, you should probably not purchase your new pup from this person. You want a breeder who is proud of their dogs and puppies, and someone who will be transparent with you about the way they have been raised. Additionally, it is important to consider whether this breeder is going to give you a healthy puppy. What is the point in spending so much money on an animal if it is only going to be riddled with health problems? Does your breeder do health screens with the parents before choosing to breed? When does the breeder begin de-worming and vaccinating the puppies, if at all? At what age will the puppies be allowed to leave their mom and go home with you? Does the breeder require you have your new pup spayed and/or neutered by a certain age? A puppy should begin receiving de-wormer every 2 weeks starting at 2 weeks old. They should be vaccinated at either 6 or 8 weeks with boosters every 3 weeks until they are 16 weeks old. Pups should stay with their mom and siblings until they are 8 weeks old, although mom may wean the puppies around 6 weeks. The extended time with their family leads to
a better socialized pup. It is important to make sure whatever breeder you work with adheres to this schedule and can provide thorough documentation for the pup’s medical history when you pick them up. We hope this article has shed some light on the breeding industry in South Carolina and hopefully will help readers decide which path to take when choosing to add a new member to their families. Remember to check shelters and rescues for puppies of the breed you are looking for prior to turning to a breeder. If they do not currently have the breed you are looking for, ask if you can put your name on a waitlist for that type of dog. Tools such as our online database of rescues (including breed specific ones) and Petfinder.com can help narrow your search for the dog or puppy of a specific breed that you are looking for! If you suspect someone you may know is running a backyard breeding operation, or puppy mill, please contact your local Animal Control to report. ■
ABOVE: Male poodle seized from Donna Lee’s Florence Puppy Mill by Valiant Animal Rescue in November 2017. Photo by Palmetto Coast Media
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In January of 2020, 145 dogs like the above puppy were seized at a puppy mill in Laurens, SC. Photo by Kelsey Gilmore-Futeral, HSUS at Anderson PAWS. If you would like to join the fight to stop puppy mills, goto https://www. humanesociety.org/all-our-fights/stopping-puppy-mills
IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A PUREBRED DOG, CHECKOUT
LOWCOUNTRYDOG.COM/RESCUES
FOR A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF PUREBRED RESCUES.
In 2017 & 2018, Valiant Animal Rescue successfully shut down and aided in criminal convictions of 4 puppy mills in South Carolina saving over 500 dogs in the process. Learn more about their cause at valiantanimalrescue.org www.lowcountrydog.com
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In the 1950s, Hollywood Feed began on the corner of Hollywood Street and Chelsea Avenue in Memphis, TN. We started as a local feed store and ultimately grew to a trusted neighborhood purveyor of pet supplies. Today, we offer high-quality foods, USA made treats, toys, beds, and more. We continue to grow, but our philosophy never changes. We strive to provide unmatched service and honest values to our loyal customers offering only the best products that we ourselves test and believe in.
WEST ASHLEY
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CHARLESTON, SC 1129 Savannah Highway (843) 718-2680 Across from Whole Foods!
MOUNT PLEASANT, SC 921 Houston Northcutt Blvd (843) 654-9462 Next to Whole Foods!
When Dogs Fly!
Palmetto DockDogs Take Flight at SEWE WRIT TEN BY JENNA-LEY HARRISON P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y PAU L M U L K E Y I M AG ES
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They race toward a target with impressive speed. They launch through the air, defying gravity. They dive into water and paddle to victory. They are Palmetto DockDogs and part of the annual, outdoor tradition of the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition, celebrating its 37th year this month in the Lowcountry. “DockDogs has been going to SEWE for 15 years; it’s been a long time,” said Deb Feller, Johns Island resident and board president of Palmetto DockDogs. With a goal to highlight wildlife and promote conservation education, SEWE is a three-day celebration of all elements relating to the outdoors. Exhibits, including art and sporting demos, span the Lowcountry, creating the largest event of its kind in the country, and DockDogs is part of what makes SEWE a memorable affair. It was 2011 when the local organization formed. It’s an affiliate of the larger Worldwide DockDogs nonprofit, established two decades ago and Palmetto DockDogs remains the only elite club of its kind in South Carolina. At least 50 similar affiliates of Worldwide DockDogs operate around the U.S., Canada and Australia. Their goal? To spread the awareness and adventure associated with the unique aquatic canine sport. “In order to grow the sport even bigger, the CEO of DockDogs (Worldwide) had this great idea to do nonprofit clubs,” Feller said. Palmetto DockDogs, specifically, has been successful in uniting similarlyminded dog-lovers around large-scale events like SEWE and other smaller DockDogs events—all for the purpose of showing off their talented fourlegged friends and raising funds.
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“The idea of the club is to try to get people interested (in the sport) and hold practices and sell merchandise and make more money to put more events on to play with our dogs,” Feller said.
making a forever home there, during a season of personal health challenges. When doctors discovered Feller had ovarian cancer, the diagnosis rocked her world but it didn’t hold her down long.
Despite the “elite” description, there’s certainly no pretention among members of the niche activity. Simply put, Feller explained how the pooch-focused fun is really just about “people with their dogs enjoying time together.” And the camaraderie has certainly been the main ingredient gluing the group together over the years and drawing in more members. According to Feller, Palmetto DockDogs has a solid membership of about 30 people and their pups—who consider themselves as close as one, big run/jump/swim family.
Feller credited her partner Laurie Uebelhoer with helping to dissolve that tough season and restore her happiness in a unique way. Feller said Uebelhoer knew just the right trick— working with man’s best friend again—would revive her own, discouraged best friend. “I had (had) treatment (and) surgeries, and I wasn’t feeling so hot,” Feller said, “and my partner knows me well enough (that) if I have new puppies, I’m going to get out bed and train them. …I have a connection with them.” Two lab puppies later, Feller was emotionally rejuvenated and set on reclaiming her zest for life—in addition to adding “DockDogs” to her personal resume.
“The dock dog community is really tight,” Feller said. “When we go to world championships, I can stay up to date on my friends in California, in Australia, in Canada. We stay very tight and talk to each other over the course of the year.” Affection for animals is nothing new for Feller; it’s all part of her rural roots, having grown up caring for horses and dogs—but it was the latter species that pawed its way into her heart,
Jon Snow doing an extreme vertical jump at SEWE 2019. He is the top ranked black lab in the world.
She started teaching the puppies, which included yellow lab Doni—now 8 and still actively dock dog competing—in all three of the sport’s disciplines: “big air,” “speed retreat” and “extreme vertical. The training rendered Feller’s dogs even more unique in the DockDogs world
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because of their ability to individually master the entire trio of tricks—a “really unusual” and rare accomplishment, Feller said. The rest is history. That same year, Doni’s accolades started piling up—starting with a pretty prestigious feat: a qualification for the DockDog World Championships. But Feller and Doni aren’t the only ones in the family collecting awards. “My granddaughter Kaitie was a teen (at the time) and qualified as a youth handler at the same time with Doni,” Feller said. Doni has gone on to attend six total world competitions— leaving five times as the top-ranked yellow lab.
a session for
eve ryone
“There are 500 dogs that show up at World Championships by invitation only,” Feller said. “It’s kind of a big deal.” Feller further explained the sport’s three different disciplines, likening the “big air” trick—she said “what you usually see on T.V.” in a DockDogs competition—to a triathlon’s long-jump event. The goal of “big air” is for a dog, in a short 60 seconds, to sprint down a 40-foot dock—constructed on top of a semitruck trailer—jump over water and fetch a toy, dubbed a “bumper,” that’s been thrown ahead by the down’s owner. The distance of the jump is measured and scored.
n this Mentio eive c e r ad &
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“I have one minute to get the dog in motion to get to the water,” Feller said. “My idea is to keep that bumper about two feet in front of my dog’s nose, and that’ll keep him driving through the air.” And it’s only a simple release word that sets the canine in motion. “I give him a release word, and he comes running as fast as he can at me,” Feller said. “(Doni’s) been doing this for six years so he knows. I just say, ‘OK, Doni.’” Don’t forget those four-legged family members!
Reserve your session TODAY! In “extreme vertical,” one of the competition’s “biggest crowd pleasers,” Feller said, the canine’s goal is to jump off the dock and up follow us toward a bumper suspended from strings and www.southernvintagephotography.com | info@southernvintagephoto.com a magnet. According to Feller, the trick actually started out as a training exercise for DockDogs, 25 www.lowcountrydog.com
to teach them to jump high. “Because if (you’re) going fast and you go high, you will go farther,” she said. During the event, a dog is given only two tries to touch the bumper, stationed at a starting height of 4 feet, 10 inches, above the pool. With each successful touch, the bumper is raised an additional two inches. According to Feller, the current world record is 8 feet, 10 inches and is not too much higher than the “extreme vertical” record of Jon Snow, her granddaughter’s dog. Snow’s best “extreme vertical”—7 feet, 9 inches—once secured him a third place award at the world championships. Lastly, there’s the “speed retrieve” discipline, similar to that of a 50-yard dash event. A dog’s goal in this activity is to retrieve a bumper as fast as it can, in under a minute, from across the pool. Without triggering a false start, the dog, whose paws are placed in a painted box, waits his owner’s command or other signal before sprinting off the dock. “(The dog) runs 20 feet to the end of the dock, jumps into the water and swims as fast as he can…pulls down the bumper and sets the time of how fast (he) can swim,” Feller said. Perhaps, one of the most distinguished feats at a DockDogs event is taking home the “Best All-Around” athlete dog. The special “iron dog score” is generated by combining all three discipline scores. In addition to Doni, Feller’s black-and-white border collie Raylan is another DockDogs standout. But the competing canine pair aren’t the only furry friends that fill the handler’s home; the pet posse includes three others. “These are my pets; they sleep with me,” Feller said. “I love them; (it’s) unconditional love. When Doni looks at me, he just melts me. He’s the sweetest dog.” However, her mini Dachshund, though not a DockDogs standout, often attempts to swim on her own. “She won’t compete; she just plops into the water,” Feller said with a laugh.
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"When Doni looks at me, he just melts me. He's the sweetest dog." -Deb Feller
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Though perhaps not Dachshunds, many canine breeds are quite active in the DockDogs world—from Pit bulls and German shepherds to labradoodles and just about “any of the doodles,” Feller said. “If they are from a water-loving line, they will do it,” Feller said. “Every dog can train.” The only competition requirements? A canine be at least 6-months-old and its human handler at least 7-years-old. Even after years into the unique, aquatic canine hobby, Feller still vividly recalls the moment she and Uebelhoer first dreamed of a DockDogs future—naturally, SEWE the inspirational backdrop to spark the idea. “I was at SEWE and I watched a DockDogs event, and I was so fascinated,” Feller said. “I told my partner. …I said, ‘Next lab we have, I’m going to teach him to dock dive.’” The initial spark is now a flame the ladies don’t believe will soon dwindle. “The sport becomes very addicting,” Feller said. The dock dogs training facility, the only one of its kind in the area, is located at Benji’s Bed and Breakfast on Pawley’s Island. For more information, visit Palmetto DockDogs on Facebook. At this year’s SEWE showcase, set for February 14-16, registration for the DockDogs competition will open daily at 9 a.m. at Charleston’s Brittlebank Park. Dogs must be pre-registered to compete. According to the online niche exposition, it’s the only initiative of its kind, east of the Mississippi, that hosts a two-tank DockDogs® event. Come marvel at an array of breeds and their skillsets. Competitions will occur daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., except Sunday—with finals in the afternoon—when activities will conclude at 4 p.m. For more details and to pre-register, visit www.dockdogs.com. ■
TAKE A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE FEBRUARY 14-16 SEWE.COM #ThisIsSEWE
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If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and man. -Mark Twain
Lowcountry Dog Calendar Model, Winnie Miss March 2020 Image by: Southern Vintage Photography
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In The News Petland Puppies are getting sick and dying and the public wants to know why?
Many Lowcountry residents are having sick and even dying puppies they purchased from the Summerville Petland. We take a look at Petland and their puppy selling program that has garnered them plenty of bad publicity all over the country.
Michael Vick: The NFL and the HSUS are more forgiving than most.
Former NFL Quarterback is in the news again as he was chosen to be a Pro Bowl Captain in the January 26th Pro Bowl. Many people are not happy with this decision and have been less forgiving than some. Despite almost 600,000 petitioners on Change.org, commissioner Goodell still satnds by his decision to honor Vick with this opportunity.
Bulldog Day Comes to the Citadel
The Citadel Football Association and Bullies 2 the Rescue are coming together to celebrate Bulldog Day in association with the Citadel’s Division 1 football team. Join us for at the Citadel on March 7th for a full day of festivities starting with a 5kFun Run at 9:30 A.M., followed by a Bulldog Beauty Contest, and finishing up with Citadel’s Spring Football Game.
Click images above to read the full story. For more top stories, visit www.lowcountrydog.com/top-stories
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Bubba. Through Kyle’s store, Bear came to realize his fondness for seeing people smiling on good and bad days. Bear was chosen to be our animal advocate for this issue after the magazine heard about his commitment to service, celebrating 400-plus hours of therapeutic actions at MUSC.
WRITTEN BY FERN WOODEN, INTERN, LOWCOUNTRY DOG MAGAZINE
This month’s Lowcountry Dog Magazine’s Animal Advocate is ...
BEAR T HE T H E R AP Y D O G Our Animal Advocate for February 2020 is a bit different from our heroes in past issues; he is a tad more cuddly and has far more fur. It is Bear the Therapy Dog, speaking to us via his animal translator and owner, Kyle Kelly. As an only furchild, Bear not only holds the love of his father but all of his colleagues and patients at the Medical University Of South Carolina Hospitals. Bear is a seven-year-old Bernese mountain dog, and as a breed who needs a job in it’s life, he found his passion for helping people feel better. He has been certified as a therapy dog since he was five years old, as “he was too puppy in the head” to be verified earlier in his career. He will be celebrating two years with MUSC this coming April, a place he calls his “second home.” Bear’s journey to becoming a therapy dog began long before his training classes through the national organization Alliance Therapy Dogs. He noticed how much he loved to make people smile through his owner, Kyle. Kyle is the owner of Charleston’s favorite Christmas sweater store, Uncle Kyle’s Sweater Emporium, where people from all over would come not only for a one-of-a-kind sweater but to see the big cuddly dog, nicknamed Bear the Love Sponge, with no association to the radio legend
To become a therapy dog as well as work at an institution such as a hospital, one must be certified. Bear’s certification comes from the Alliance Therapy Dog organization in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina. He notes becoming a therapy dog is a lengthy process and encourages other furry friends who strive to become one to “stick with it.” He wants them to understand “it is a commitment to both humans and dogs. If your dog has the right personality and the human can make time for it, it will be worth it in the end.” Becoming a therapy dog gives Bear a sense of purpose, insisting it changed him for the better and it is the experiences that make the job worth it. Whether it be visiting a legendary military officer and thanking him for his service or helping comfort day and night staff from long and sometimes painstaking shifts or even assisting children to take away the fear of shots by being there to offer a hug, Bear has seen it all in his 400-plus hours of “work.”
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When asked what his favorite memory was from the hospital he smiled and Kyle told me there were too many to choose from, but one did stand out. A sweet older woman waiting for a heart transplant became a favorite of Bear’s. Each week that he would come to visit, he noticed she became weaker and weaker and was eventually bedridden. One Monday morning while doing his routine visit, he saw his sweet older friend’s room was empty. The nurse told him she was gone, but Bear knows the phrase “someone is gone” has two meanings in the hospital… His friend was finally getting the transplant she so desperately needed! Two days later he and Kyle went to visit her in the ICU and though still weak and heavily medicated, she gave them two thumbs up! It meant the world to her that Bear came not only to say hi but also visit. Therapy dogs make a world of a difference in a hospital setting. Bear wants people to understand that humans a lot smarter than him have conducted lots of studies and research verifying the value therapy dogs have in a medical setting. Kyle tells us that from the point of view of a patient, a hospital visit can be overwhelming. Whether it be the separation from home, financial burdens adding up, children left for treatment because their parents have to return to work to pay for it, or being in pain, there is a level of comfort only therapy dogs can provide. Alongside the award-winning staff at MUSC, it is the four-legged non-medical love that brightens up a child’s and parent’s day in a distressing hospital environment.
the grill for him. Bear would like to thank Cathy Bennet, the MUSC Pet Therapy Coordinator, and his owner Kyle for making him follow through with his training to become part of the Alliance Therapy Dog family. You can follow Kyle and Bear’s adventures on their Instagram, @doingbearthings, where they love to share stories and answer questions. If you ever do find yourself in the hospital, remember that there are animals just like Bear there to comfort you. On behalf of Lowcountry Dog Magazine, thank you Bear and Kyle for your service. Some heroes wear capes. Bear just happens to wear a bandana. ■ Do you know an animal advocate that deserves to be featured here? Reach out to contact@lowcountrydog.com
Bear celebrated his 400-plus hours of “work” at a Health Care Hero’s banquet and took home top honor, so his human Kyle also cooked up some steaks on www.lowcountrydog.com
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Events
F E B R U A R Y 2 / 0 1 / 2 0 2 0 D orchest er Paws 20th An n iversar y O yst er Roast D orch este r S hrin e Club, 5 pm
M A R C H 0 3 / 0 7 / 2 0 2 0 Woof st ock 20 20 : A Low count r y D og Music Fest ival Lowcountry Dog’s 2nd Annual Woofstock Music Fest features live music, vendors, food trucks and more. go to woofstock2020.com for more information .
2 / 0 1 / 2 0 2 0 Pup B ow l I I I Mt Pleasant Towne Centre 12 pm 2 / 0 8 / 2 0 2 0 STA R T h erapy Do g s Rea d in g Prog ram Cha r l eston Co un ty Public Libra r y, 10:30 am 2 / 1 7 / 2 0 2 0 Presi d ent al Ser vice Day Humane Education Youth Service University at Charleston Animal Society 9 am 0 2 / 2 9 / 2 0 2 0 8 t h A n n u al Oyster Ro a st & Sil ent Au c t i on f o r Carol in a Co o n ho u nd 12 pm
0 3 / 0 7 / 2 0 2 0 Bulldog Day at Th e Cit adel 9:30 am 0 3 / 1 4 / 2 0 2 0 W at er’s Edge Great Dane R escu e ’ s 2nd Annual O yst er R oast Montana’s in Goose Creek 3 p m 0 3 / 1 5 / 2 0 2 0 3rd Annual SHuck Your Paw s O ff O yst er R oast Th e Wash out on Folly 2 p m
Ch eck out our Events page for e ve n more local events. www.lowcountr ydog.com/ even ts
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F EB R UA RY 14-16 • SE WE .COM
TAKE A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE Experience the Southeast’s biggest celebration of wildlife art and the great outdoors in Charleston, SC. Hunt for your next piece of fine art or hand-crafted keepsakes, witness breathtaking live demonstrations and dance the night away at exclusive special events. #ThisIsSEWE
