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Publisher Brian Foster brian@lowcountrydog.com Chief Canine Officer Peanut peanut@lowcountrydog.com Copy Editor Chelsea Salerno chelsea@lowcountrydog.com Media Manager Alyssa Helms alyssa@lowcountrydog.com Canine Correspondent Lovey Staff Writers Hali Selert Fern Wooden Jeanne Taylor Photographers Southern Vintage Photography Jeanne Taylor Photography Web and Design Consultant Laura Olsen Contributing Writers C.C Bourgeois Kate Cappe, DVM
For advertising and media inquiries please email contact@lowcountrydog.com
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Cover and above photo by Southern Vintage Photography
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.
the lowcountry’s dog magazine since 2005!
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In this issue
SIT, STAY... BEHAVE: When You Imagine a Fearful Dog, What Do You Picture? HEALTH & WELLNESS: At Home Veterinary Care 2022 Lowcountry Dog Model Contest
LOCAL DOG EVENTS
IN THE NEWS
Rescue Spotlight: Carolina Boxer Rescue GO GREEN: Adopt A Recycled Dog!
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I wish all pups could have a do g dad like mine .
Peanut 's P O I N T
O F
V I E W
Not all packs have a mom and dad. Fur families are all different. Many homes just have one mom, some may even have 2 moms or 2 dads, but it’s just me and my dad, and we are pretty tight. He’s been around for over 13 years of my 16 years on this planet. Shortly after he adopted me, he did put me to work raising foster puppies, since I had experience as a mama dog. Then in 2015, he bought this magazine that we had worked at for 4 years prior, and made me Chief Canine Officer. It’s a lot of responsibility, so I had to retire from my foster duties to keep up with all my duties as CCO. Some may think this is cruel and unusual punishment to make me work for a living, but I honestly love what we have accomplished together. I know that a vast majority of our readers are dog moms, but I’m hoping that maybe this will send more dog dads our way, so here it goes...
Dogs dads are fun. They let you sleep in; bring you with him to fun places like the park and events; bring over dog friends he calls fosters to play with; and give extra peanut butter in your bones. They’re the best cuddly place when it’s raining outside, or when we meet a grouchy big dog on a walk. I know dad’s got my tail when I need him. And they are awesome at fetch… like fetching my leash when I wanna go walkies. Dog moms are ok too, but they can get too fussy about muddy paws. Dads don’t mind so much. I’ve been around the dog park a few times, and I know not all dog dads are cool like mine...but if you get ‘dopted by a dude…don’t worry, they’re fun! Raise your paw if you have an awesome Dog Dad like mine and Happy Father’s Day to all the Dog Dads out there.■
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T R A I N I N G
When you imagine a fearful dog, what do you picture? WRITTEN BY: C.C. BOURGEOIS, C P DT- K A , C SAT, P M C T Wonder Dog University & CHRISTINE BAKER, CPDT-KA, UW-AAB, S B A , F D M , L S H C-S
I can tell you what I don’t picture - an adolescent, intact male labrador retriever reported to be dragging his owner across the street to chase squirrels. Yet, when I walked in my client’s front door for our first visit that was exactly what I found. Not exactly the exuberant, over-the-top whirlwind on a pogo stick aiming to lick me to death I was expecting. Wally* (*name changed to protect the perfect pup from paparazzi) was barking at me with a deep boom, not growling or charging but very clearly not inviting me in for a play date either. Despite this impressive show, he had his tail plastered to his belly and was reticent to come close to me, preferring to slink around close to his owner with brief little excursions forward to investigate. Wally was telling all of us that he was not comfortable with this turn of events AT. ALL. Despite this, Wally was eager to take the treats I was tossing to him (he is a lab, after all), happy to chase them in the opposite direction every time I told him to “Find It!” Before long, he was coming up to the chair I was sitting in, eating dropped kibble out of the snuffle mat and choosing to stick around. Pretty quickly, he was laying down, settling on a hip and touching my hand with his nose, having concluded this was a pretty good option for gaining more of my Charlee Bear Dog Treats. As Wally was warming up to the situation, I
learned a bit more about him and the puzzle pieces started falling into place. Wally came from a breeder who lived on a farm, and for the first year of his life had not so much as worn a collar. Free to live an outdoor doggie’s dream, chasing squirrels and playing with other dogs, none of the training or socialization imparted to him during those formative first four months included a busy suburban environment, where one is expected to tolerate an influx of strangers and leashed walks on a sidewalk, ignoring all passersby he’d like to greet and scent trails he’d like to follow. Early socialization and training that does not match up with the environment in which dogs are expected to live inadequately prepares them for life with their humans, and often results in fearful, even defensive behaviors as the dog matures. Add to that the loss of everything they know and traveling to live with a new family, and we can understand why stressful behaviors emerge. But what can we do about it? Luckily, there were some simple tactics we could use to modify Wally’s fearful behavior, as well as teach him the skills he needed to be successful (saving his poor owner’s arm in the process). There is a simple but powerful tenet in the field of animal behavior - if you can change emotions you can change behavior (thank you, Dr. Amy Cook), and so that is what we first set out to do. Through counter-conditioning (think Pavlov and his dogs) and systematic desensitization (think gradual acclimation), we can create a conditioned emotional response. We can rewire the dog’s brain to feel happier (or at least less distressed) during experiences that are necessary for everyone’s health and welfare. This is all the more pressing if the dog will be facing such situations during day-to-day life. It is the heart and soul of the now-burgeoning field of cooperative care training, where we teach the dog what to do during all sorts of situations that would otherwise be unpleasant while helping them to feel comfortable and confident in the process. Voluntary consent, or “start-button” training, is yet another tool, teaching the dog
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to opt-in and using choice and empowerment to achieve willing, untroubled participation. Management, smart environmental choices to set the dog up for success, and positive reinforcement training (adding a desirable consequence for the dog to strengthen or increase the frequency of the resulting behavior) quickly build a dog’s repertoire and produce a dog who is consistently offering behaviors we want to see - and they want to do! So where is Wally now, and how on earth did he get there? Wally is a precious gem, a true diamond in the rough. He is perfect in my eyes and would be any trainer’s dream partner. I imagine he is every family’s dream pet as well. He responded better than I could have imagined, and made me a better trainer in the process. One of the best things a trainer can do is remain flexible, and focus on giving the dog and the family what they need. Wally learned to use his crate. Wally learned to wear his collar. Wally even learned to walk on a leash instead of running away, cowering, and pancaking after it was pulled out. Wally’s owners learned the power of play (and wet food) and were able to remove the prong collar that wasn’t even touching Wally’s freight train behavior, yet maintaining his fear of leash walks. After much time spent attempting to have Wally happily wear a front-clip harness, Wally and his owners were not yet at a functional comfortable level and had simply had enough, so we ditched it entirely. Wally learned how to walk nicely on a flat collar instead, to the point of moving off the trail and waiting calmly when dogs passed, and maintaining a sit with eye contact as two rambunctious puppies sniffed his tail. Wally has been an enthusiastic student, and the methods used to teach him could be used by anyone, whether it’s grandma, dad, or the kids. Once Wally was properly conditioned to his walking gear, it became a simple game of “catch the dog doing something right.” I used either a clicker or the word “Yes!” to mark the desirable behaviors before rewarding them, and Wally took to the clear communication like wildfire.
We began with only two main goals - capturing eye contact and being by my side. Starting with offered behaviors builds the strongest response, but we quickly were able to add verbal cues and positive interrupters (unique sounds) to ask for them when needed. Soon, Wally understood what we were doing, and so we took practice on the road. We incorporated a few games to work on Wally’s intense frustration and drive, and we employed real-life rewards like the opportunity to sniff, chase, and eliminate for his growing patience, focus, and engagement. If you haven’t yet learned the Premack Principle (a.k.a., Granny’s Law), you and your dog are soon to be in a whole new world! Everything takes on a different light when you view distractions as potential reinforcers, and your dog begins to see triggers as cues. I can summarize how far Wally has come with a brief, recent anecdote. I took my dogs camping and didn’t realize until I arrived for Wally’s walk (my first visit back) that my long lines were still packed at home with the rest of the gear. Many things were not yet back where they belonged, and the only leash I had with me was a gifted four-to-five footer I use as a drag-line because I like to step on the rubber handle. Not ideal, considering your average leash is six-feet and I often walk dogs on a 15-foot lead to practice Recalls and distance Stays safely in public. Any guesses as to how Wally handled this turn of events? The tiny radius to move in, reduced freedom, and bulky, unfamiliar leash could have induced either frustration or fear and been completely understandable, expected even. Wally, however, acted as if nothing had changed at all. He had one of his best performances yet and appeared as happy as a clam to be walking together. I even tried it out again the next day (on purpose this time), as surely it was a fluke or by some miracle, I had gotten lucky. Nope! Wally repeated the same results just as brilliantly the second time, dialed in, confident, and thoroughly enjoying
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himself. Despite the inter-species language barrier, I hope that my gratitude came across loud and clear. As a trainer, a human, and most importantly Wally’s trusted friend, I could not have been more proud. ■
C.C. Bourgeois is a nationally certified, professional dog trainer, CSAT Staff Member with Malena DeMartini and a Victoria Stilwell Trainers Academy Faculty Advisor. , the owner of Wonder Dog University (WDU), based in Charleston, South Carolina. She wants WDU to be your trusted dog behavior and training resource. Through her many years of animal behavior study and hands-on work with thousands of dogs, she and her team have created a place where you can find reliable information and Pro Resources smart dog people can trust. She wants you to know you have a team behind you, making training understandable and practical. Focused on understanding your dog’s perspective and your needs, she and her team strive to deliver training that both you and your dogs can grasp and use instantly.
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H E A L T H
&
W E L L N E S S
At Home Veterinary Care
W R I T T E N BY D R . K AT E C A P P E , DVM Pet Care Professionals
So you might be asking yourself – why would I use a mobile veterinarian? The veterinary industry is constantly progressing and changing in hopes of providing the best care for pets everywhere. Our world has changed dramatically since the start of the pandemic and this has not only changed the profession as a whole, but it has also greatly increased the demand of veterinary medicine everywhere. Throughout the pandemic, most families have become familiar with the idea of having meals, groceries, and other basic necessities delivered to their doors. While these conveniences may come at an additional cost, many families have found them to be essential to everyday life as we know it now. So why not have your veterinarian come directly to you? Many pets (and their owners) become stressed at the idea of going to the vet office, understandably so. The lobbies are full of other anxious and sometimes loud pets. There can be
very long wait times. Dealing with traffic and lost valuable time adds to the stress too, and many hospitals do not allow owners to be with pets during treatments any longer since the pandemic has greatly changed “acceptable” human interaction. The entire experience can be stressful to both owners and their pets. The concept of mobile veterinary care is nothing new, but we have seen a surge in its popularity since the pandemic. Mobile veterinary care is a great option for many pets, especially for those who become stressed by car rides and introductions to new people. This way, pets can be seen and treated in the comfort of their own home, and vaccines and blood draws can be performed while pets lay on the couch or in their favorite bed. Owners also have the benefit of more time with the doctor to ask the important questions, many of which are missed when you are stressed and can be rushed in a typical office visit. Care can be tailored to each pet, with more time and focus spent on their individual needs. Some even refer to this type of care as “concierge veterinary medicine”. Not all pets are the same, and having a trustworthy relationship with your veterinarian is the best way to ensure the best care for your loved furry friends. Mobile veterinary services allow the veterinarian to have adequate time to assess their patients and formulate treatment plans in the most personal setting. Many mobile veterinarians also offer doorstep delivery of medications and foods! While the cost of having your veterinarian come to your home may be more than a typical office visit, the benefits are well worth the expense. Mobile veterinary care can range from general wellness and surgery, to hospice and endof-life care. So many cities now have mobile veterinarians ready and available to take the best possible care of your pets. So the next time your pet is due for vaccines or needs to be seen by the veterinarian, consider a mobile veterinarian - you may even find you won’t want to visit the office again!■
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Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming Summerville 1718 State Rd #8b, Summerville, SC 29486 • (843) 899-2275
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The Model Contest Begins! 340 dogs entered, our judges picked finalists to take photos with and now these dogs are competing for model positions in our 2023 Lowcountry Dog Calendar a n d t h e c o v e r o f o u r n e x t i s s u e ! VOT E AT LOWCOUNTRYDOG.COM/MODELCONTEST until June 30th! Vote for as many dogs as you like but only once per dog!
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FOSTER. ADOPT. DONATE.
PETHELPERS.ORG 843-795-1110 1447 FOLLY RD CHARLESTON, SC 29412
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Written by Fern Wooden, Staff Writer Photography by Southern Vintage Photography www.lowcountrydog.com
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As of 2021, the French bulldog has become a status symbol, rising to the American Kennel Club’s second most popular dog breed in the United States. From Gaga to Megan Thee Stallion, “Frenchies” have become more than a loyal companion with their rise in pop culture and social media popularity. As a result, French bulldog breeding is reaching new heights, transforming itself into a must-have accessory similar to the Paris Hilton chihuahua era of the early 2000s. But, with the rise in popularity, demand for breed skyrocketing post-pandemic, and rising health risks, is America’s new primadonna dog in danger from itself? Rising a staggering 267% since 1997 in popularity, the French bulldog is becoming an American icon now more than ever. Emerging from England in the early 19th century, the Frenchie’s ancestral roots come from the English bulldog. Like most American Kennel Club breeds certified today, modern French bulldogs owe their origin to England and societal innovations. During the 1830s, England outlawed bull-baiting, one of the English bulldog’s primary purposes. Bull-baiting required these larger athletic dogs to grab a bovine by the nose while hanging on for dear life. As the sport’s traction waned in the early 1800s, breeders began to expand the breed’s potential by creating the toy English bulldog. Starring in their own Cinderella story, the toy English bulldog shifted social classes when lacemakers emigrated from England to Paris amidst the
industrial revolution. Their compact physique and spunky personality made these breeds ideal travel companions. Frenchies quickly found admiration amongst multitudes of social classes, notably France’s ladies of the night. One reason for their intrigue included their distinctive smooshy faces and cartoonlike ears. As people interacted with their vivacious human-like personalities, it was only a matter of time before their trip across the Atlantic to the United States. Making a splash in the United States, Americans recognized these “bat-eared” dogs as show-worthy, earning them a space on the AKC roster in 1911. Fast forward to 2022, and Frenchies have taken the social media world by storm. The hashtag #FrenchiesofInstagram is one of the top-grossing tags of any dog, with over 16.2 million posts. Take the blogger, Manny_the_Frenchie, known as the world’s most-followed bulldog, on Instagram. He shows the practicality of owning a Frenchie as a doting family dog. Celebrities like Megan Thee Stallion’s Frenchie have more followers than the average influencer account. Boasting 624,000 followers, Foe The Frenchie promotes the lavish lifestyle and status symbol associated with French bulldogs. Amidst the status and aesthetic appeal, these Instagram accounts fail to highlight the multitude of health issues these loveable breeds suffer. Frenchie
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enthusiasts seeking to accentuate the breed’s features for social media fame can increase poor breeding practices. The high demand for these unorthodox renditions of Frenchies leads to a rise in unethical breeding practices. Fraudulent breeding practices also impact the overall breed of an already genetically modified canine sidekick. One of the risks that comes with the increase of demand for designer colors of these dogs is the rise of backyard and puppy mill breeding. Backyard breeders include anyone who mates dogs without much planning and consideration for the animal’s well-being. An inexperienced breeder can put both the mother and puppy at risk of death or further health complications. Likewise, puppy mill breeders do not consider the dog’s health either. Each dog is mass-produced to turn a profit as quickly as possible. Kristina Contreras from Bullies 2 The Rescue, a bulldog rescue with a base in Charleston, SC, warns people of “rare” bulldogs produced by these breeders. “If you follow the rescue, you will see new color patterns in both French and English bulldogs,” says Contreras. Contreras emphasizes researching standard colors of Frenchies. “These are being portrayed as rare and with very high price tags. Please do your research about these color patterns. We are seeing really serious health issues coming into rescue.” French bulldogs fall into the Brachycephalic breed category, alongside similar canines like Boston terriers, pugs, boxers, and Cavalier King Charles spaniels. The term defines any dog with a short muzzle and flat face, leaving small airways for breathing. These breeds suffer from a multitude of issues because of this genetic trait. For example, Frenchies often have difficulty breathing in hot climates, snoring often, and unprovoked coughing, sneezing, and overheating. What may sound like a cute quirk, deeply snoring is usually a sign of something far more sinister. Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome, BOAS, is a health condition commonly overlooked by owners, resulting in breathing difficulties and compromising their dog’s quality of life. In Frenchies with this condition, vet bills rack up fast. They require thousands of dollars in surgical procedures to open up their airways in some instances. Puppy mill breeders can contribute to health issues like BOAS, providing animals far too young to leave their litter to the pet store to be sold for astronomical amounts. Petland is a privately owned operator
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and franchisor of pet stores that sell purebred and “designer” breeds puppies to interested buyers. In the past few years, the franchise received a multitude of lawsuits from pet owners after their puppies unexpectedly got severely ill or died. A current class action lawsuit is underway in South Carolina against Petland Summerville. Lowcountry Dog has presented numerous articles about Petland since they changed ownership in 2018. In May, Lowcountry Dog went undercover to Petland Summerville to inquire about a French bulldog puppy posted for sale. She was a female born on the 6th of March with a blue and tan coat, a color not recognized by the AKC’s standard breed colors. Greeted by a fantastic employee when Lowcountry Dog entered the facility, we noticed the dogs were in clear kennels, similar to a display case with a gate in the back. There were two to three puppies in a kennel, which we found odd considering there were a multitude of empty kennels. However, their facility appeared hygienic, and they informed us we needed to sit in a family area and they would bring her out to us. Petland staff told us as a result of all the recent lawsuits, they made a 180; however, they still use the same breeders they had before the lawsuits.
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Out Benji, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to ending puppy mills through research, education, and advocacy, also has Raber on their watch list and the Raber family name is infamous in puppy mill circles often investigated by the HSUS.
Emmy Rose & Luna Bean are both puppy mill survivors and rescued at auctions, where mills sell dogs to other mills. Each of their rescues was able to save them from further breeding and they now live the life in the Lowcountry. Emmy Rose is a certiffed therapy dog who has spent years comforting cancer patients in various clinics.
According to Petland, the smooshy-faced two-monthold puppy we were holding was not from a mill, despite her coming from the heartland of Amish puppy mills. After we finished the Powerpoint presentation of images that were so pristine they could have been photoshopped, the employee reminded us each puppy cost a pretty penny because they come from a verified pure bloodline and have all their shots. At just $309 a month and totaling a little over $8,000, Petland presented their offer as a steal. When Lowcountry Dog asked again if she came from a puppy mill, they told us she did not and they would not feel comfortable lying to us about something as serious as that. LCD asked to see her records and snapped a quick photo of the breeder’s name, Herman Raber, from Montgomery, Indiana. A quick Google search confirmed LCD’s worst fears. He was listed on several watch lists as a puppy mill breeder, meaning Raber was no stranger to selling French bulldog puppies to stores similar to Petland. The nonprofit site, Bailing
During one of the last years of normalcy pre-pandemic, the Humane Society of the United States, published five separate investigative reports exposing the horrid conditions of the Petland franchises. Those accounts from 2019 focused on cases all over the south, including Virginia, Florida, Texas, and Kentucky, many of which have the same franchise owner as Petland Summerville. One of the most damning reports came out of Frisco, Texas, with an undercover investigator posing as an employee finding a multitude of sick puppies, sold knowing some of them were in critical condition and malnourished when pawned off to unknowing pet owners. The expose covered several pure breed puppies and focused on Frenchies and the respiratory issues addressed in this article. On one of the last days of the case, the undercover employee noted an employee brought out a white French bulldog isolated from the sales floor due to breathing issues to a potential buyer. Other lawsuits involve former employees who have gotten ill themselves working with the sick puppies. Sadly, in South Carolina, institutions like Petland do not receive any legal repercussions for the sale of puppy mill dogs, making their health and safety hard to regulate. In 2019, Live 5 News published an article discussing a potential bill to hold puppy mill breeders responsible for distributing dogs to pet stores. Bill 3086 proposed redefining requirements for a commercial dog breeder to have a license. More importantly, the bill stated anyone who violated the new regulations would be charged with a misdemeanor and fines between $200 and $1,000. A second offense included an additional 30 days in jail. “The bill says the law would only apply to sites where dogs are being bred to be sold to pet stores,” wrote Live 5 reporter Brad Streicher. How can South Carolina residents expect to see change when these bills are proposed and not passed and do little to prevent places like Petland from acquiring animals from inhumane breeding practices? As Lowcountry Dog saw in our investigation, Petland sold the French bulldog puppy at their Summerville location for over $8,000. A $200 to $1000 fine is minuscule compared to the profit margin the company makes off each dog sold in their stores.
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If someone wants to purchase a purebred Frenchie for show or solely as a loyal companion, there is nothing wrong with that as long as it is done responsibly. Lowcountry Dog promotes the health and well-being of owners and dogs as the number one news source for pet owners in the Lowcountry and promotes the idea of adopting and shopping responsibly. One way to avoid the heartbreak of owning dogs as genetically inbred as Frenchies is to research reputable breeders and avoid fashion colors.
Don’t forget those four-legged family members! Reserve your session TODAY!
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services for the Charleston area. With an extensive background in breeding French bulldogs and breeding them for show, Dr. Sauls is one of the top Frenchie experts in the Lowcountry. When it comes to what makes a well-bred Frenchie, he states that the parents’ health is critical. Owning a French bulldog is an investment from the start, with some people spending thousands of dollars per puppy, whether it is from a rescue or a breeder like Egan and Dr. Sauls. The process of breeding French bulldogs is far from natural and includes ovulation determination, stud and semen procreation, artificial insemination, transcervical Insemination or surgical implantation, and a cesarean section at delivery time. There are also lots of clinic visits during the gestation period. The average cost of breeding a litter of puppies is between $6,000 to $7,000, producing small litters of one to three puppies and other litters having four to six. Aside from the initial expenditure, the French bulldog is prone to a life of medical bills to lead a Baxter (11 months), Hazel (8 years), and Gretta (5 years) are owned successful life. by Ann Egan who is the co founder of North Point French Bulldogs in the Lowcountry. Baxter is just beginning his show career and has already reached Champion status with the AKC, while Hazel & Gretta are retired AKC Grand Champions. All three are also at Trick Dog Novice level with the AKC. The girls are also registered in The Kennel Club as they were born in the United Kingdom.
Ann Egan, a co-founder of North Point French Bulldogs, a private breeder here in Charleston, has an extensive history as a professional Frenchie breeder. Like Contreras from Bullies 2 the Rescue, Egan discusses the genetic issues that breeders who advertise “exclusive” breed colors fail to realize. In addition, Egan speaks heavily about preservation breeders, someone dedicated to breeding purebred dogs and striving to protect their breed and continue its existence. Breeders like her are critical to maintaining the Frenchies’ integrity amongst the growing demand for these dogs. “I will say that it is a bit frustrating to me personally when I see a person selling French bulldog puppies that they say have been genetically tested for color because this almost always means to me that they are breeding the “fad colors”; colors that are not allowed by the AKC breed standard,” stated Egan. Egan is not the only one who sees the rise in “fad colors” as a red flag. Dr. Brock Sauls, DVM of Southside Veterinary Hospital, provides canine reproductive
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Ethical Breeders in New York has a differing opinion to Kristina, Ann and Dr. Sauls. They are an exotic color breeder of French bulldogs that have an extensive website of information about colors and their breeding practices and pride themselves in a full transparency when it comes to breeding.
French Bulldog Colors. The Standard and The Rare. Standard Colors (AKC) 1. Brindle 2. Cream 3. Fawn 4. Black 5. Any mix of all above + Pied Exotic Colors (non AKC) 1. Blue 2. Merle 3. Lilac 4. Isabella 5. Chocolate 6. Blue Fawn 7. *Furry 8. Any mix of all above + Tan
Lowcountry Dog advertiser and Frenchie influencer, Natasha Ann Navarro, owns a boutique brand of Frenchie-inspired clothing. Frenchie Friends Brand, based in Charleston, has over 8,600 followers. She acknowledged her current Frenchie is the most expensive dog she has ever owned. “Chewy (above) has been my most expensive Frenchie. Last October, we noticed he was having issues using his back legs and being around a lot of other Frenchies. I had an idea he may have Intervertebral Disc Disease, which he did,” said Navarro. New owners or people interested in adopting the breed need to research everything about the breed, from breathing issues to common dietary restrictions, climate restrictions, and genetic ailments from so many years of breeding. “They are more than just a status symbol,” exclaimed Navarro, reminding people they are family members and deserve to be treated as such. Frenchies are not like the latest accessory, and once you get bored of them or no longer can afford them, you can not trade them in for the newest model. As animal advocates and lovers, it is our job to protect the voiceless from exploitation alongside their social media clout. Any pet is an investment, and despite their human-like personalities, the Frenchie looks to their owners to treat them as more than an accessory. Like Cinderella, these dogs deserve their fairytale ending. It is up to the public to advocate against puppy mills, contact their representatives, research the breed, and find reputable preservation breeders. If you believe the Frenchie is the right dog for you, do you research, look at rescues, research breeders, understand the health risks and costs involved before getting America’s latest “IT” dog. ■
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Local Dog Events 0 6 / 07 / 2 02 2 D og Day Tuesday at Cha r l eston R ive rdo gs Jo e R i l ey Stad i um, r iverdo gs. co m f or t i c ke t s 0 6 / 07 / 2 02 2 Yappy Ho ur fo r B e rke ley A n imal Ce n te r Tob in ’ s Marke t , 5 pm 0 6 / 2 1 / 2 02 2 D og Day Tuesday at Cha r l eston R ive rdo gs Jo e R i l ey Stad i um, r iverdo gs. co m f or t i c ke t s
LOW CO UNTRY DO G EVENTS 202 2
07/ 1 0 / 2 02 2 Ar tce li um Festival Wo o dl a n d s N a tu re P reser ve, 2 t o 9pm
1 0 /0 8/2 02 2 Woofstock 2 02 2 : A l owcoun tr y Dog Music Festival featurin g Lit! Hanah an A m ph ith eater, 12 to 7 p m
07/ 1 6 / 2 02 2 & 7 /17 /2022 Pe tSmar t N a t i onal Ad opti o n Eve nt Pet Sm a r t Su m mer ville, 1 pm 07/ 2 6 / 2 02 2 D o g Day Tuesday at Cha r l eston R ive rdo gs Jo e R i l ey Stad i um, r iverdo gs. co m f or t i c ke t s 07/ 30 / 2 02 2 B e rke le y A ni mal Ce nter A d o p ti on Ce n te r, Pet Su p pl i es Pl us- Go ose Creek 1pm 0 8/ 0 9 / 2 02 2 Do g Day Tuesday at Cha r l eston R ive rdo gs Jo e R i l ey Stad i um, r iverdo gs. co m f or t i c ke t s 0 8/ 3 0 / 2 02 2 Do g Day Tuesday at Cha r l eston R ive rdo gs Jo e R i l ey Stad i um, r iverdo gs. co m f or t i c ke t s 0 9/ 0 8 / 2 02 2 Yappy Ho ur W a n n a m ake r D o g Pa rk , 5 : 30 pm 0 9/ 2 4 / 2 02 2 S hake Rattle & Roll Over Gal a for D orcheste r Paws D o rch est e r Sh r ine Clu b, 6 pm
0 9 /2 4/2 02 2 Rescu e Me Adop t io n Eve nt Cy p ress Gard ens, 12 to 7 p m
1 1 /0 6/2 02 2 Lowcoun tr y Dog ’s D ia D e Los Perros Festival Location T B D Ch eck out our Events page for e ve n more local events and to ch eck fo r date changes. w ww.lowcountr ydog.com/ events
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JULY 10TH 2-9 PM AT THE WOODLANDS NATURE RESERVE
LIVE MUSIC LIVE ART
SCAN FOR TICKETS & INFO
WORKSHOPS OPEN MIC FOOD TRUCKS
PET ADOPTIONS NATURE TRAILS KAYAKING PADDLE BOARDING 20% OFF CAMPING
LOCAL CRAFT VENDORS www.lowcountrydog.com
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In The News Berkeley Animal Center Begins TNVR Community Cat Program The TNVR program is a humane and effective approach to control the stray cat population throughout the County while reducing diseases and common issues related to stray cats. It will also decrease cat admissions to shelters and reduce the euthanasia rate. Berkeley Animal Center will have select dates when trapped cats can be brought in for surgeries, vaccines, ear tipping, and microchipping.
Prosecutor details horrible living conditions for dogs in suspected Modesto puppy mill A court hearing is scheduled Tuesday regarding whether a man suspected of operating a puppy mill in his west Modesto duplex can remain the owner of the roughly 150 dogs, which authorities removed from the home and said were being kept in deplorable conditions.
Over 150 Dogs Seized From Alleged Puppy Mill With ‘Poor Conditions’ in South Carolina Pickens County Sheriff’s Office seized 166 dogs from a rural Pickens County home. The animals, including many puppies, were sent to rescue organizations in three South Carolina counties. The county administrator called it “unprecedented.”
Click images above to read the full story. For more top stories, visit www.lowcountrydog.com/top-stories
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WRITTEN BY: A LY S S A H E L M S , Media Manager
What do you think of when you hear the word “boxer”? Do you think of Rocky Balboa? Mike Tyson or Muhammad Ali? Maybe not, because if a you’re a dog person, you probably think of a nubby tailed, bouncy dog breed of the same name. Well, you wouldn’t be too far off if you did think of a famous fighter, because boxers get their name from the way they play on their back two feet and “boxing” with their front feet. Some historians say the name comes it’s German heritage and from a group of dogs in Munich called Bierboxers and the now extinct breed that boxers were developed from, the Bullenbeisser, also known as the German Bulldog. Today’s boxers are friendly, lively companions that are popular as family dogs. Their suspicion of strangers, alertness, agility, and strength make them formidable guard dogs. Boxers are the 14th most popular dog breed in America according to the American Kennel Club. Because of their popularity, a breed specific rescue is a must. Enter Carolina Boxer Rescue.
Carolina Boxer Rescue was started over 20 years ago by 3 women in North Carolina. The rescue has expanded into South Carolina as well as Virginia and parts of Georgia. CBR saves dogs from high kill shelters and also takes owner surrenders when families are no longer able to keep their boxers. Every year the rescue saves hundreds of dogs from euthanasia in shelters. They are entirely volunteer run and foster based and they do not have a facility- all of the foster dogs live as family pets in volunteers’ homes until they’re medically and behaviorally cleared for adoption. Some dogs are only in foster for days to weeks, others need a couple of months, and some stay with the rescue for the rest of their lives as hospice dogs. As with any breed specific rescue, quite a few dogs come in with health issues that must be addressed. Many dogs come in as heartworm positive and need treatment before being
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adopted- this treatment is both lengthy and costly. Other dogs just need vaccines and to be spayed or neutered. Others need skin or ear infections treated, or extensive surgeries or masses removed. CBR does not have any guaranteed funding source- all of the funding comes from donations, grants, fundraisers, and adoption fees. Since they are volunteer-run, all donations go towards the vet care of the dogs. The average monthly cost of vet care is $11,000$18,000 for all the dogs in their care. Carolina Boxer helps 200 to 250 boxers every single year. Courtney McDonald is the area coordinator for the Lowcountry and been volunteering with CBR for 6 years. Her love for boxers started quite a while ago. Courtney told us, “I got my first boxer about 15 years ago and fell in love with the breed. When we wanted to add a second boxer to our family 6 years ago, I wanted to rescue a dog in order to save a life. Boxers are like potato chipsyou can’t have just one! Once we had two boxers, we decided to foster to help more dogs. We knew the rescue could only help dogs if they had fosters, so we pitched in! Over the last 6 years, we have fostered somewhere around 80 boxers, adopting a couple along the way. We now have 3 boxers of our own plus fosters who stay for weeks or months.” Courtney says their biggest need is for foster homes. The more foster homes they have the more dogs they can save. Volunteers to help with transports, events, and fundraising are needed as well. You can read all about how you can help on their website at https://carolinaboxerrescue. org/help-2/ways-to-help/ One fun way to raise money is their “Name A Nub” campaign. For a small donation, you can name a dog coming into the rescue. Their slogan “Save the Nubs” is featured on alot of their shirts, website and promotional materials and refers to the ever wiggly nubby tail of boxers. While, they have a waiting list of adopters for young and middle aged dogs, the rescue has 11 dogs that have been waiting way too long for their forever home. Whether it’s age, temperament, or
Tonks is one of 11 long term rescues at Carolina Boxer Rescue looking for their forever home. health issues, not all available boxers are puppies or young. Courtney wants people to understand that rescue dogs have a past and often have not had the best care by humans. Their dogs need adopters willing and able to give them time and TLC- to help them learn to be the dog they were always meant to be. Just like people, dogs have their own preferences and personalities- some like other dogs, some don’t. Some like crowds and outings, some don’t. Some like children, some don’t. And that’s all okay- we need to be willing to accept who a dog is and give them their best life. If a boxer is right for you, you should head over to carolinaboxerrescue.org and see who they have available. If adoption is not for you at the moment, maybe volunteer or foster as together we can all “SAVE THE NUBS”■
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T H A N K
Y O U
T O
DAYCARE
O U R
R E S C U E
S P O N S O R S
BOARDING
GROOMING
1090 Jack Primus Road (Just off Clements Ferry)
Vintage Antique Edwardian Art Deco Victorian Jewelry
Lucee's Treasure Chest
10% of sales donated to local spay & neuter efforts
etsy.com/shop/LuceesTreasureChest
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Over 35 Years Experience in the Pet Industry.
One stop shop for food, treats, supplements, grooming, and self serve dog wash Certified in pet allergy and nutrition. Corn and wheat free store. Locally Owned
440 Old Trolley Road, Ste A Summerville, SC 29485 843-871-7977
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GO GREEN | ADOPT A RECYCLED DOG
PET HELPERS
BER KELEY ANIMAL CENTER
C AROLINA COONHOUND
THESE ADOPTABLE DOGS ARE SPONSORED BY: ADOPTABLE DOGS ARE SPONSORED BY: THESE
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C AROLINA POODLE RESCUE
ALL 4 PAWS
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P EACE, LOVE & PAWS
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GO GREEN | ADOPT A RECYCLED DOG
BULLIES TO THE RESCUE
EUNOIA RESCUE
THESE ADOPTABLE DOGS ARE SPONSORED BY:
PHOENIX RISING
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LAKESIDE ANIMAL RESCUE
LIBBY AND MACE’S PLACE
WATERS EDGE
THESE ADOPTA BLE DOGS ARE SPONSORED BY:
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DORCHESTER PAWS
HALLIE HILL
THESE ADOPTABLE DOGS ARE SPONSORED BY:
C AROLINA BOXER RESCUE
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DOG PARK
AT WANNAMAKER COUNTY PARK
C H A R L E S TO N CO U N T Y PA R KS .CO M
Photo courtesy of SeamonWhiteside
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