Modern Dog Fall 2014

Fun activities to keep your dog busy, happy & engaged PLUS the Great Dane, Shih Tzu & GSP inside!

The lifestyle magazine for modern dogs and their companions

10 Secrets Your Dog Wants You to Know

FALL 2014

MUST LOVE DOGS

Meet your match online p30

How to Read Your Dog’s Tail

S STAR IR E & TH S! DOG 46 P

Dog Park Bullying What it looks like & what to do

BEST BREEDS FOR RUNNERS

It’ s Harley, winner of our

Cover Dog Contest!

FALL 14

moderndogmagazine.com DISPLAY UNTIL DEC‘14

$5.95

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The Happiest Pups in the Universe! p62

TOP 10 COSTUME IDEAS FOR DOGS MEMORY ASSISTANCE DOGS SUPER-STYLISH DÉCOR IDEAS FOR DOG PEOPLE

Take Way Better Photos of Your Dog p50

Make It! Single Ingredient Dog Treats + Super-Cute Camp-Inspired Badges You’ll Want to Stick on Everything

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P H OTO CO N T ES T W I N N E R N A H L A

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P H OTO S E T H C A S T E E L

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FEATURES 30

And They Call It Puppy Love More and more single dog lovers are finding a “new leash on love” online. BY NOA GLOUBERMAN

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Dog Park Bullies How to recognize bullying at the dog park—and what to do if your dog is targeted. BY STEVE DUNO

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Stars, They’re Just Like Us! Candid snaps of some of our favourite celebrities out and about with their pups.

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Take Way Better Photos of Your Dog 10 tips from photographer Grace Chon that will drastically improve your dog photos.

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Let's Have Fun! 74 Activities to keep your dog busy, happy, and

mentally engaged.

Take the 30-Minute Challenge!

Why you should commit to spending 30 minutes outside a day with your dog. BY ARYNE SHEPPARD

58

Dogs of the Homeless 104 For many people on the streets, dogs provide the love

and support needed to get through the day—and in

return, these dogs are loved and cared for right back.

Memory Assistance Dogs Can your dog help you remember? Turns out, the answer is yes! BY STANLEY COREN

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The Happiest Pups in the Universe These puppies, all eight to ten weeks old, are having the time of their young lives!

BY COREY VAN’T HAAFF

PHOTOGRAPHED BY SARAH DALOISE

24 72 Natural Relief For Your Dog’s Urinary Tract

Infection

Symptoms, prevention, and natural remedies from a

naturopathic vet. BY DR. LORIDAWN GORDON

THE GOODS 36

Fab Finds We share our current obsessions, from cute Corgi cupcake toppers to sassy fridge magnets.

86 When Dogs Fly 78 Style At Home

World famous adventurer Dean Potter and his

Super-stylish ideas and solutions for your dog-friendly

Australian Cattle Dog, Whisper, scale and fly from home.

unspeakable heights. We have his day-in-the-life 108 Get Outdoors! account. BY DEAN S. POTTER

Great fall gear for adventurous pups and their people.

92 10 Secrets Your Dog Wants You to Know

BY ROSE FROSEK

BREED PROFILE

BODY AND SOUL 68

Hawaiian Dream Vacation—With Your Dog; Modern Dog Poll Question; Quotable

70

Cool Volunteer Opp; Did You Know?; Bad Breath Buster!

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20 Read Your Breed

Get to know the Shih Tzu and the German Shorthaired Pointer.

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The Great Dane Gentlest of giants. BY KELLY CALDWELL

P H OTO SA R A H D A LO I S E

78

LIVING 22

We're Giving It Away!

We've got three months of groovy giveaways from treats and supplements to cozy self-warming pet mats, and winners every week!

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62 82

DIY Eat: Tasty Chicken Nugget Dog Treats This easy recipe combines the goodness of flax with chicken for irresistibly delicious little training treats!

DIY Craft: Scout’s Honour Super-cute camp-inspired badges made for adorning everything from your dog’s bandana to your sweater.

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This Year’s Top 10 Costumes for Dogs Inspired costumes for dogs. (Barking Bad, anyone?)

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10 Best Breeds for Runners Tie up those sneakers! We list the breeds best suited as running partners.

96 Make It! Single Ingredient Dog Treats Perfect

for Fall

Get the recipes for these super simple and tasty treats

containing just one ingredient.

56

Zoey and Jasper Too cute! A dog and her best friend love to play dress up.

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From Rescue Mutt to Starring Role How actress Katharine Isabelle found her leading man.

BY ROSE FROSEK

BY JOSH MURRAY

REGULAR FEATURES 6 Editor’s Letter 8 Contributors 10 Sweet Tweets 12 Stuff We Love 14 The Scoop 24 Smile! Photo Contest 123 Marketplace

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ON THE COVER

It's Harley, winner of our first ever Cover Dog Contest! Turn to page 100 to read all about how this sweet survivor is leading an anti puppy-mill movement. Harley wears an electric blue geometric print collar from Kiss My Mutt (kissmymutt.com).

Photographed by Mark Stevens.

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What’s in a Wag? How to “read” your dog’s tail. BY ROSE FROSEK

100

Meet Our Cover Dog! Meet our amazing Cover Dog, Harley, a sweet survivor and spokesdog against puppy mills

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10 Signs of a Fearful Dog What looks like aggression may be fear-based reactivity.

112

Ask a Trainer: Snapping At Treats How to deal with overly exuberant treat snatching.

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Ask a Trainer: Peeing on the Couch Getting to the bottom of site-specific "accidents."

115

Connie’s Book Club Curl up with a good dog and a good book. Editor-in-Chief Connie Wilson’s top picks for the fall season.

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Ask Dog Lady Bothered and bewildered? Crazed and confused? Dog Lady delves into your most dogged dilemmas.

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How I Met My Dog State of Grace. BY SHEILA PINDER

BY NICOLE WILDE

BY INGER MARTENS

BY TEOTI ANDERSON

BY MONICA COLLINS

In USA: MODERN DOG (ISSN 1703-812X) Volume 13, Issue 3. Published quarterly

by Modern Dog Inc. at 142 Churchill Drive, Newington, CT 06111-4003. Periodicals postage paid at Hartford, CT and additional offices. POSTMASTER: send address changes to Modern Dog, PO Box 310402, Newington, CT 06131-0402.

E D ITO R ’S LE T T E R

H

ave you noticed that this issue’s cover looks a little different than those of past issues? Rather than a celebrity/dog duo, for the first time ever we have a solo dog on Modern Dog’s cover! That dog is Harley, a one-eyed senior Chihuahua and a celebrity in his own right. Harley won our first ever Cover Dog Photo Contest and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have such a valiant, inspiring little dog grace our cover. Although there were many, many incredible submissions of absolutely adorable dogs, only one dog could be crowned the winner, and Harley, with his tale of triumph over adversity and mission to give back, was a fan favourite.

A big thank you to everyone who participated and voted. All our Cover Dog participants are worthy of a cover feature in our books!

A bit of background on Harley… He was a puppy mill stud, a dog whose sole purpose was to breed. He spent years caged in abominable conditions, never knowing any kind words or comfort. Puppymill operators don’t treat their dogs as sentient beings deserving of care, respect or even humane treatment. Instead, the dogs are considered commodities, so when they can no longer breed (read: turn a profit), they’re callously disposed of. Harley, ironically, was one of the lucky ones; when, due to age and ill treatment he was deemed to no longer be of any use, he was tossed out to die; however, fortune smiled upon him and he was saved by an employee and turned over to rescue. In an amazing turnabout, Harley, with the help of his rescue family, has gone on to become an anti-puppymill “spokesdog,” helping to educate the public about the horrors experienced by mill dogs and assisting in the rescue of hundreds of other dogs from similar situations. We are quite simply honoured to be able to showcase Harley on Modern Dog’s cover and I hope his message of “adopt, don’t shop” resonates far and wide. It’s

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only when demand for pet-store puppies (and those sold online by disreputable breeders) diminishes that we will see an end to puppy mills and their abuses.

Our dogs are inspirational in so many unique and wonderful ways.

I bet there isn’t one of us who couldn’t relate a story of how her dog has changed her life in ways big and small. We’ve dedicated this issue to our everyday heroes—our dogs—with a ton of articles focused on how to better understand, communicate, and have fun with your pup. Our round-up of toys will keep your dog happy, busy, and mentally engaged (page 54), key in a season marked by a return to work and school. We also take a look at how to read your dog’s tail (page 98); did you know the direction of your dog’s wag, right or left, indicates like or dislike? Fascinating stuff! Then we explore how our dogs can help with a failing memory (It’s true! Turn to page 104), share our super-stylish finds for your dogfriendly home, and so much more! In short, we can pretty much guarantee this issue will put a smile on your face. Don’t believe me?

Just turn to page 62.

Wishing you and your dogs a glorious fall season spent chasing through leaf piles and learning new tricks—and by the latter I mean both of you!

Love,

Connie Wilson, Publisher & Editor-in-Chief

Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.

—Anatole France

PHOTO KHAREN HILL

Saving one dog may not save the world, but it will surely change the world for that one dog.

C ON TRIBUT OR S FALL 2014

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VOL 13

NO 3

Publisher

Modern Dog Inc.

This issue’s crazy adorable photo spread, The Happiest Pups in the Universe, (p 62) was shot by very talented Sarah Daloise, a photographer with a passion for capturing the connection between people and their dogs. Sarah was inspired to create lasting memories for others through her photography business, SarahAnn Dog Photography, after the loss of her Shar Pei, Kirby. She’s also created a wholesale pet card line as well as a bereavement project to help others heal after pet loss. Sarah lives in Calgary, Alberta, with her husband and Puggle, Boomer. Check out her work at sarahanndogphotography.com.

PHOTO BENNY WILDEY

Editor-in-Chief

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Editor & Creative Director

Jennifer Nosek Audience Development & Digital Marketing Director

Lauren Cheal Social Media & Events Coordinator

Taryn Cheal Design & Production

Maxine Matishak Design & Production Assistant

Vanessa Dong Sales & Marketing

Julia Klymenko, Kara Gerlach, Gabrielle Whiteley Accounting and Subscription Services

Celine Benipayo Subscription Services Assistant

Charlie Butler

This issue sees photographer Mark Stevens’ Modern Dog debut, for which Mark captured Harley, our first ever Cover Dog Contest winner, in all his super-cuteness for the cover of this issue (p 100) and we couldn't be more thrilled with the results. Mark creates custom artwork capturing the bond between people and the animals they cherish, so he was the perfect choice for this assignment. Based in Denver, Mark travels the nation, but when not working, volunteers with animal rescues and fosters puppies—our kind of guy.

More of Mark’s work can be seen at markstevensphotography.com.

Aryne Sheppard’s love affair with dogs began at age three with a stray named Lady who was invited home and summarily adopted. Aryne serves as the Senior Public Engagement Specialist at the David Suzuki Foundation where she has been developing innovative community initiatives since 2008. As an adult educator and facilitator concerned with environmental education, personal growth and well being, her passion is simple living and spending time in nature—making her the perfect person to write on why we should commit to spending 30 minutes a day outside with our dogs. Check it out on p 74.

Connie Wilson

Controller

Cecilia de Roca Chan Honourary Editor-at-Large

Jytte Wilson Subscription inquiries call (800) 417-6289 Advertising inquiries call (866) 734-3131 In Canada: MODERN DOG (ISSN 1703-812X) Volume 13, Issue 3.

Published quarterly by Modern Dog Inc. at Suite 202–343 Railway St, Vancouver, BC Canada V6A 1A4 POSTMASTER: send address changes to Modern Dog, Suite 202–343 Railway St, Vancouver, BC Canada V6A 1A4 In USA: MODERN DOG (ISSN 1703-812X) Volume 13, Issue 3. Published quarterly by Modern Dog Inc. at 142 Churchill Drive, Newington, CT 06111-4003.

Periodicals postage paid at Hartford, CT and additional offices. POSTMASTER: send address changes to Modern Dog, PO Box 310402, Newington, CT 06131-0402.

PHONE

(604) 734-3131 OR TOLL FREE (866) 734-3131

FAX

(604) 734-3031 OR TOLL FREE (866) 734-3031

The publisher is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, images, photographs or other materials. By accepting and publishing advertising the publisher in no way recommends, guarantees or endorses the quality of services or products within those advertisements.

Copyright 2014 by Modern Dog Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced by any means, electronic or mechanical, including the Internet or photocopying without the written permission of the Publisher. Modern Dog and its logotype are the trademarks of Modern Dog Inc. Modern Dog is published four times a year. One-year subscription prices: Canada $16CAD, U.S.A. $16USD, foreign $45USD. Subscription orders and customer service inquiries should be sent to Modern Dog Subscription Services, Suite 202–343 Railway St, Vancouver, BC Canada V6A 1A4

PRINTED IN CANADA

www.moderndogmagazine.com Publications Mail Agreement Number 40743013 We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage.

We Asked...

What does your dog like best about fall?

Playing soccer and snacking on sticks!

—Beth Wiener Israel

Stealing socks from the bedroom floor. You can hear when he has done it because of his proudsounding trot as he brings his treasure to his bed.—Jen Reynolds

My four Border Collies love to romp in the fall leaves and play in the rain.—Bailey Anderson Howl-o-we’en! Mia loves getting dressed up.—Kelsey Arnold Inline skating with the whole family!

Lola loves playing in the leaves—Lisa

—Mayke Oakes-Broekhuijsen

Lardieri-Bate

Hiking and agility! Going to DOCNA Nationals!

—Jennifer Nicolle-Bowden The fall means the summer people have all gone home, and we can play ball at the beach!

—Samantha B Owen

The cooler weather!

—Sandy Weinstein

Lying outside in their blankets and sniffing the air and just watching if anything is going to happen.—Jo Peris We have two therapy dogs so fall means going back to school and participating in Reading With Rover.

—Cynthia Wendel Jensen

Pumpkin-flavoured treats!!

—Deana Brunelli

For a behind-the-scenes look at what we’re up to in the MD offices, the latest breaking stories and videos, cool contests, events, and exclusive giveaways, become a fan of Modern Dog on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Pinterest. Go to facebook.com/moderndogmagazine, twitter.com/moderndogmag & pinterest.com/moderndogmag.

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STUFF WE LOVE Modern Dog staffers’ picks of the litter 1 I love my Cover Me by Tui onesie, a post-surgical pet garment that’s a super comfy

BN

and effective alternative to “lampshade”-style Elizabethan collars. It keeps me calm and comfortable while preventing me from licking or chewing—perfect for dogs with sutures or hot spots. (Available in sizes for big and small dogs.)—Miniature Dachshund Rose (from $11, tulanescloset.com)

2 Keep track of your dog with the Tagg Pet Tracker! This GPS collar tag allows you to have peace of mind, giving you the ability to check in on your dog’s whereabouts and be able to find him if he is an escape artist. Peace of mind? Priceless!—Taryn ($100, pettracker.com)

3 Make way! The king of all dog carriers has arrived. In collaboration with Cloud7, the

luxury pet label from Berlin, this contemporary carrier for dogs up to 25 pounds has everything you need—a removable plush lining, four air vents, a side mesh window, and a top flap that unzips. Plus, the removable shoulder strap also doubles as a leash! How cool is that?!—Vanessa ($375, cloud7.de or tumi.com)

4 I heart nerdy Pugs! This super-duper cute V-neck shirt from Inkopious is made out

of 60% cotton, 40% polyester, and 100% pugtastic cuteness! And Inkopious donates a portion of every item sold to a non-profit animal rescue group, so every time you wear this shirt, you can feel extra good.—Celine ($25, inkopious.com)

$

5 Who knew that my handsome pup Nicky could look even more like a gentleman? This

BM

Matey Nautical Dog Bow collar is definitely dapper. Not only is it on-trend and cool, it's really well made and the bow can be removed for a more casual look (when he's not out charming the ladies!).—Gabbi ($40, rockyandjulio.com)

6 It can sometimes be a bit tricky getting a harness to fit my Dachshund physique, but My

%

Canine Kids' harnesses offer the ultimate in adjustable fit. Soft, flexible, and breathable, they're perfect for any time or weather and there are so many great colours and styles to choose from!—Dachshund Penny ($40, mycaninekidsinc.com)

7 My dog loves car rides so I’m thrilled to have found the Pup Saver car seat! Created for

dogs up to 30 pounds, it lets my dog ride in comfort and style and I'm happy knowing he’s safe and secure!—Kara ($120, pupsaver.com)

8 My new Pug puppy, now a few months old, is full of energy. As both of us are suckers for

BL

gadgets, the iFetch automatic ball launcher is the perfect way to keep him entertained long after my arm is tired from marathon games of fetch.—Charlie ($100, goifetch.com)

^

9 I’m loving the custom painted and hand-cut birch wood portraits created by Jennie Griffith. Both an oil painting and a sculpture, they are a truly unique homage to your dog pal.—Maxine (starting at $600, dawghead.com)

10 A proper spot to curl up and dream the afternoon away is essential for my guy Lyle,

and this Essential Comfort Bolster Bed from Alcott is just the ticket. The bed is machine washable (a huge plus!) and has a reversible inner pillow. Bring on naptime!—Lauren ($69, alcottadventures.com)

11 If you open a bag of Riley’s Organics treats and can’t resist trying one yourself, I won’t fault you. They smell like mom’s cookies and they’re human grade, made from premium organic ingredients!—Julia ($7, rileysorganics.com)

12 Isn’t Millie the Cow adorable? Her floppy body crinkles as it’s tossed about and because

it’s stuff-less it can’t be “disemboweled,” the fate so many plush toys instantly suffer.

Millie, like all of Simply Fido’s terrific toy line, is made from organic fibers and the lovely soft colours are derived from natural sources. Love it!—Connie ($13, simplyfido.com)

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& *

CANINE NEWS AND REVIEWS

Our New Favourite Coffee Company!

“Every pound saves a hound!”

When Jordan Karcher happened upon a dog adoption event in Santa Monica, California in the spring of 2012, he had no intention of adopting a dog. But when a malnourished Dalmatian crawled in his lap, it was clear he nonetheless had a new family member.

Fast forward two years and this Dalmatian is now the face of Karcher’s upstart coffee company, Grounds & Hounds Coffee Co., and the inspiration behind its mission to give back. Not only do Grounds & Hounds beans make a mean brew but 20 percent of all their revenue is donated to a rescue partner located closest to the product’s point of purchase.

Karcher created Grounds & Hounds with two goals: produce quality coffee and fund dog rescue efforts around the country.

“We strive to support the hard-working, local rescue organizations with funds generated by your purchase, which will help give our sheltered friends the second chance that they deserve,” Karcher explains.

Grounds & Hounds green coffee is 100 percent fair trade and organic certified and is carefully sourced from the best growing regions in the world. They then roast and blend each batch to ensure an “amazing experience.”

Karcher’s dedication to both dogs and coffee is abundantly clear: “Our passion for rescuing dogs is only rivaled by our passion for creating the perfect coffee.”

And that, folks, is how we ended up with a new favourite coffee company!

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Tinder For Dogs

Find your furry forever with this app!

Searching for a fluffy single in your area?

Look no further! Inspired by popular dating app Tinder, BarkBuddy is not actually for dating—it’s for adoption! Bark & Co, the makers of BarkBox, have created an app that allows you to find the perfect dog for you. As you swipe right or left (for “like” or “don’t like”) through profiles of adoptable dogs in your area, the app learns what you are looking for in a dog and helps to focus in on just the right companion for you. BarkBuddy hopes to streamline the adoption process (ensuring all the applicants are appropriate dog parents, of course, before the adoption is finalized) and hopefully help thousands of dogs find their perfect forever home. Even if you aren’t looking to adopt right now, don’t fear, you can still just browse the over 250,000 profiles of adorable pups. The free app is currently only available for iPhone; check it out in the app store!

THE SCOOP

What we’re into right now ...

LOL-Worthy Notecards

We love this hilarious boxed notecard set from cartoonist Gemma Correll, just the thing for sending a dog-loving friend a quick “thinking of you” note. $13, teneues.com

Restaurants That Welcome Dogs Austin, Texas, home to everything cool, has yet another cutting edge restaurant to recommend it—Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden. Banger’s not only has superb sausages, an amazing back area, and wide selection of beer (104 on tap), they’re very dog friendly. They offer a Doggie Sausage created especially for dogs to enjoy while their owners enjoy their own sausages from Banger’s selection, as well as an off-leash dog park area and a monthly Mega Mutt Monday event where they feature local pet charity Austin Pets Alive!, pet grooming services, and training sessions.

We know where we’ll be heading when we’re next in town!

General Silliness The bacon trend continues with this costume for dogs.

Amuse your friends, find this costume at rastaimposta.com

Portraits with a Cause We can’t get enough of artist Rosey Pickard’s acrylic dog portraits.

Rosey received her BFA from Emily Carr University but it wasn’t until recently that she combined her lifelong love of animals with her art practice. We’re so glad she did. Portraits start at $500 and a portion of proceeds are donated to Helping Homeless Pets. Commission a portrait at rmpickard.com.

THE SCOOP CAPTION THIS!

AND THE WINNING CAPTION FROM THE SUMMER ISSUE IS...

We’re definitely going to adopt this idea!

Super Cute Photo Opp

On a whim, Abby Shumka of Vancouver, BC, made a birthday hat for Grampa, her Boston Terrier/Chihuahua cross, in celebration of his first birthday. This grew into an annual tradition, with a photo of Grampa in a homemade birthday hat marking each of his ten years thus far. We can’t think of a cuter way to celebrate our dogs. Get out the construction paper, we’re making some birthday hats!

"Well, the burgers still aren't great, but at least he stopped flipping them with the pooper scooper." SUBMITTED BY DAN VOLLMAYER

MODERN DOG POLL Do you buy presents (birthday, Christmas…) for your dog?

CAST YOUR VOTE AT MODERNDOGMAGAZINE.COM 18 moderndog

RUNNER-UP CAPTIONS "This from a dog who barks at walls?"

SUBMITTED BY SHELBIE JOHNSTON

"Wait a sec...This is the guy whose favourite 'treats' come out of the cat box..."

SUBMITTED BY SUSAN KAUFFMANN

"Rocco was excited to finally feed his humans a grain free meal." SUBMITTED BY JUDY ARNOLD "Well sure he can grill a steak, but for the life of me I can't get him to roll over!" SUBMITTED BY NATALIE "Good grief, he's eating them right off the grill!"

SUBMITTED BY JUDY BENSON

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C A R T O O N S © 2014 B Y D A V I D J A C O B S O N

Exercise your funny bone. Create a caption for this cartoon and submit your entry at moderndogmagazine.com/cartooncaption.

The most comic captions will be published in the next issue.

The Shih Tzu Tibet’s gift to the world It was as gifts that small, shaggy-coated dogs were first brought out of the Tibetan mountains and into the royal court of neighbouring China, where they were prized as earthly representations of the sacred Buddhist lion and given the name “Shih Tzu,” which means “lion” in Mandarin Chinese. Living in the palace, the Shih Tzu were pampered by their own cadre of servants and slaves and jealously guarded. But with the fall of the Chinese empire, the royal dogs were killed or carried off by invaders and locals alike, bringing the Shih Tzu to the attention of the outside world. From the late 1920s through the 1930s, various visitors to China brought a Shih Tzu home with them. Today, the breed is the cheerful companion of commoners and celebrities alike.

According to breed standard, the Shih Tzu can weigh between 9 and 16 pounds, and its natural coat colour can be any shade or combination of shades. (Do note that its beautiful double coat requires daily brushing and combing.) Although small, these dogs require exercise and enjoy working with their humans. Above all, however, the charming little dogs from the Far East are born to be loved and give love in return. Could the Shih Tzu be the breed for you? Read more at moderndogmagazine.com/shihtzu.

P H OTO CH A R L I E 1©2001/ D E B O R A H SA M U E L

READ YOUR BREED

The German Shorthaired Pointer The German Shorthaired Pointer is a breed willing to take on any challenge and adapt to any situation, from pointing, flushing, and retrieving game to sitting happily at a child’s birthday party, wearing a silly pointed hat. Not really surprising, since versatility was exactly the characteristic that the developers of the all-purpose breed were seeking.

Today’s GSP is served well by the breed’s ingrained adaptability, when the only pointing and retrieving most dogs are required to do are pointing at the door at potty time and retrieving tennis balls at the park. While the breed is not a good choice for a couch potato owner in a small apartment, GSPs can fit into a variety of situations as long as they are given sufficient activity for body and brain. Owners who run, hike, bike, or are involved in agility will find the GSP a perfect companion.

This medium-sized dog is comparable in height to the Labrador Retriever but of lighter build. The Shorthair’s low-maintenance coat should be solid liver in colour or a combination of liver and white.

With its sleek good looks and eager-to-please personality, the GSP is currently the thirteenth most popular breed in the U.S. At the same time, it has maintained its reputation as a top-notch working dog. And that, say lovers of this versatile breed, is something to party about. Read more at moderndogmagazine.com/german-shorthaired-pointer.

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P H OTO © D E B O R A H SA M U E L

The “every use” dog

s y a w a e v i G t a e Gr

ENTER TO WIN

We’re giving it away! Enter to win fabulous giveaways each and every week in September, October, and November.

Go to moderndogmagazine.com/giveaways to enter! Lucky readers will win every week.

september

1st-7th

Win 1 of 7 Achy Paws Self-Warming Pet Mats (medium 30˝ x 20˝). Bodyheat activated for soothing relief of achy joints. Made with Bamboo Charcoal Technology.

8th-14th

15th-21st

22nd-30th

8th-14th

15th-21st

22nd-31st

8th-14th

15th-21st

22nd-30th

Win 1 of 10 Vetisse Metatrig, a natural herbal supplement for dogs that helps maintain glucose tolerance, stimulates insulin release, and supports the pancreas.

Win 1 of 3 gift baskets full of VitaLife All-Natural Chicken Fingers and Nuggets dog treats—made in Canada with locally sourced, farm-fresh ingredients!

Win a two-night dog-friendly stay at Hallmark Oceanfront Resorts in Cannon Beach or Newport, Oregon.

Bring your best friend! (Sunday Thursday, excluding July – Sept.)

october

1st-7th

Win 1 of 3 Farewell Pet Kits in your choice of keepsake box, casket or urn. These complete funeral kits are a lovely way to honour your best friend.

november

1st-7th

Win 1 of 12 bottles of Cetyl M Regular Strength Joint Action Formula for Dogs! Supports healthy joints and helps maintain optimal health.

Win 1 of 4 Wholistic Pet Organics superpremium supplement packs made in the USA using whole-food, certified organic, human-grade quality ingredients for total body health!

Win 1 of 10 copies of WAR DOGS: Tales of Canine Heroism, History, and Love by Rebecca Frankel, published

by Palgrave Macmillan.

Win 1 of 10 copies of Ricochet the heartwarming story about the dog who surfs with wounded warriors, the disabled, and special needs children as a SURFice dog.

Win 1 of 10 Himalayan Gold Chew Prize Packs from Barkworthies!

These all-natural chews are a super-long lasting, healthy, highly nutritious treat dogs love!

Win 1 of 4 All-Natural Pampered Pooch Packs from Complete Natural Nutrition! Winners receive 10 bags of drool-worthy grain and wheat-free treats and chews!

Win one of 15 Fur-Zoff, the new and better way to remove pet hair from your home and vehicles. Made in USA of 90% recycled material, it’s 100% durable!

No purchase necessary to enter or win. Beginning September 1, 2014 at 12:01 AM (PST) through November 30, 2014 at 11:59 PM (PST), enter each day at moderndogmagazine.com/giveaways. Each week’s giveaway ends at 11:59 PM (PST). Each week, the specified number of winners for that week’s giveaway will win the prize featured in the giveaway calendar (ARV: $200). Odds of winning depend on the number of entries received. Contest is open to legal Canadian and US residents 18 and older as of date of entry. Void in Puerto Rico and where prohibited by law. Giveaway subject to complete official rules available at moderndogmagazine.com/giveaways.

!

E L I M S

Modern Dog’s Photo Contest Winners!

Abigail

Great Pyrenees

Nahla

Weimaraner

Banelli

Boxer/Pit Bull

Daisy

Chihuahua

Trigger

Mr.Tiller & Mollie

Lab/Sheltie

Timmy

Miniature Pinscher/Pug

Artie

Keeshond

Jax

Golden Retriever

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Aiko

Border Collie & Shetland Sheepdog

Bebe

Welsh Corgi

Delta

English Springer Spaniel

Ally

Beagle

Apollo Toffo

Pomeranian

Shetland Sheepdog

Dallas

American Bulldog/Bull Terrier

Finley May

Bentley

Welsh Terrier

Labrador

Bailey Brew

Heeler Mutt

Pit Bull/Boxer

Loxley

Alaskian Klee Kai

Bashful Samoyed

Riley Sue

Tank

English Bulldog

Princess Pit Bull

Think your dog ought to be in Modern Dog? Upload your dog’s photo at moderndogmagazine.com/ photocontest.

Not only will he or she be entered to be our Dog of the Week, but a selection of the photos entered will appear on these pages!

Golden Doodle/Labradoodle Cross

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BREED PROFILE

The Great Dane Gentlest of the giants

Large Mastiff-type dogs can be seen on the walls of Egyptian tombs dating as early as 3000 BC, giving us a picture of the earliest evolution of this giant breed.

By Kelly Caldwell

L

ooking for a dog you can take for a quiet, uninterrupted stroll? The Great Dane may not fit the bill. When you’re out and about with a Great Dane, you certainly won’t be under the radar. These giant dogs—some weighing close to 200 pounds— attract a lot of attention.

Just where did this giant breed originate?

Fanciers in 1800s England and Germany were instrumental in developing this breed that was used initially to hunt wild boar. The old English Mastiff lent his genes to produce the size required to hunt the ferocious beasts, while the need for speed led early developers of the breed to sighthounds; both the Irish Wolfhound and Irish Greyhound have been cited as likely contributors to the gene pool. The breed was introduced to North America in the 1800s and was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1887.

Fanciers might tell you that no other Giant breed possesses as regal appearance as the Dane—and that point is hard to argue when you’re in the presence of this sleek, wellmuscled breed. Get those images of clumsy Scooby Doo or Marmaduke out of your head.

In reality the Great Dane is anything but awkward. This is a strong, well-balanced dog that almost gives the impression of gliding rather than walking. Simply put, the moving Great Dane is a wonder to behold.

In terms of size, the AKC standard requires males to stand a minimum of 30 inches at the shoulder; females 28 inches. Weight is not addressed, as a generally well-proportioned structure is the desired trait, but mature Danes can weigh well in excess of 150 pounds.

Accepted colours include brindle, fawn, blue, black, harlequin, and mantle (a colour pattern that looks rather like the dog is wearing a blanket).

Although today’s Great Dane is no longer used for hunting, he remains a versatile dog who excels in a number of roles, including show-stopper in conformation and an active participant in a number of canine sports. With its sweet nature, the Great Dane is also a popular choice for therapy work.

In his arguably most important role of family pet, the Great Dane is known as loyal and loving. These sweet and sensitive dogs will thrive in an environment where they are an integral part of the family. This affectionate disposition has won the breed many fans; the Great Dane now ranks as the 16th most popular breed in America, according to the AKC’s 2013 registration statistics.

There are, however, a few points to consider when determining if the Great Dane is the breed for you. Unsurprisingly, many of these relate to size.

While the Great Dane grows quickly, the breed is not considered mature until he is a few years old, and growth during the early years is particularly important. Early injuries from rough-housing or over-exertion can become lifelong issues for the Great Dane. In the puppy stage, proper nutrition and moderate exercise are important and required to set the Dane up for a lifetime of good health. And speaking of food, cost is a factor as it is with any of the Giant breeds. Feeding a dog of this size requires a healthy budget.

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Training the Great Dane is mission critical. All dogs should have a foundation in obedience so they develop good manners, but an unruly pet in excess of 150 pounds presents considerable opportunities for household calamities.

The Great Dane needs some room to roam. Can the breed work in an According to the most recent AKC registration statistics urban environment? Yes, but daily [1] Labrador Retriever walks to maintain muscle tone and some play time are a must. A second [2] German Shepherd Dog couch isn’t a bad idea, either, as this [3] Golden Retriever lovable couch potato is likely to take [4] Beagle [5] Bulldog up the entire sofa.

[6] Yorkshire Terrier As with all breeds, the Great [7] Boxer Dane comes with some health [8] Poodle considerations. Most notably, [9] Rottweiler guardians should familiarize [10] Dachshund themselves with bloat, or gastric torsion. The Great Dane is susceptible [16] Great Dane to this life-threatening condition, in which the dog’s stomach fills with gas, then twists and pinches off the supply of blood to vital organs.

But the biggest consideration and perhaps the only true downside to the Great Dane is this: your time with your beloved friend will be somewhat limited. The Dane’s average lifespan ranges from seven to ten years; some last longer—and some leave us even sooner. Their short lifespan is the indisputably difficult part of loving the canine world’s gentle giant, though when it comes to our dogs, there can never truly be enough time together, regardless of how long they live.

Affectionate, loving, sweet, loyal… these are hardly the adjectives the original developers of the Great Dane had in mind when they created a huge and powerful hunting machine. But today they are certainly the words you’re most likely to hear because, let’s be clear: to know the Great Dane is to love him. n

Most Popular Dogs in the U.S.

Profile: The Great Dane Size: Giant The AKC breed standard accepts a minimum size from 28 to 30 inches at the shoulder for females and males, respectively.

Weights are not addressed in the standard, but a mature Great Dane can range from 100 to 150 pounds or more.

Activity level: Daily walks are a must for this breed. Care should be taken not to over-exercise the Great Dane during its first year of growth.

If you like the Great Dane, you might also give some consideration to the Mastiff, Boxer, or Dogue de Bordeaux.

PHOTOS MARY BLOOM © AKC

Grooming: Basic grooming is all that is required to keep the Great Dane’s short and sleek coat looking its best.

Heritage: Developed by English and German fanciers who desired a sizable dog capable of hunting boar and guarding the homestead.

For information on Great Dane rescue in the United States, visit gdca.org/great-dane-rescue.html. In Canada, visit gdcc.ca/rescue.html.

Mastiff

Boxer

READ YOUR BREED

Dogue de Bordeaux

For more breed profiles, go to moderndogmagazine.com/breeds

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e v o L y p Pup And They Call It

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More and more single dog lovers are finding a “new leash on love” online

By Noa Glouberman Illustration by Kim Smith

T

heresia Lee had tried online dating once before, without much luck. Several years after her first foray into the world of virtual matchmaking with services like PlentyOfFish (POF), OkCupid, Match.com, eHarmony, and others, the senior communications and public affairs adviser from Vancouver, Canada, was ready for round two—only this time she was bringing her dog, a German Shorthaired Pointer named Nigel, along for the ride.

“I was looking for another dog lover this time, whereas that hadn’t been so much of a priority before,” she explains. “As a pet owner you have habits or a routine that revolve around your dog. For example, I can’t go out for drinks right after work because I have to go feed and walk Nigel. Men who don’t have a dog might not understand that.”

Lee crafted her POF profile carefully in order to reflect exactly what she was looking for, and opted to keep it “hidden” so that she could contact bachelors who met her requirements.

“On a whim, the first thing I did was an advanced search—the age range I was interested in, distance from me…you can even search specifically for users that own a dog, so I did” she says. “Keith was the very first person who popped up.”

The owner of an eco-tourism company called West Coast Aquatic Safaris, Keith Phillips had included images of his own dog, Henry, in his POF profile. And Henry just happened to be a German Shorthaired Pointer, like Nigel.

“I was totally blown away,” Lee recalls. “Not only was he a great-looking guy with all these amazing attributes, but he also had the same kind of dog as me! It isn’t the most common breed, either.”

Without hesitation, she sent Phillips a message introducing herself and Nigel.

“I think I asked him if his pup is as crazy as mine,” she laughs. “They’re a very neurotic, high-energy dog—a ‘Velcro’ breed because they’re very attached to their people.”

Phillips responded, and the two decided to meet—with GSPs in tow, of course.

“Right off the bat we were struck by how similar Nigel and Henry looked,” Lee says.

“They also had eerily similar mannerisms—they both have this habit of spinning in the same direction…and they both get easily depressed.” moderndogmagazine.com

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“I was totally blown away,” Lee recalls. “Not only was he a great-looking guy with all these amazing attributes, but he also had the same kind of dog as me!”

Animal Attraction

The following cities ranked within the top 10 in the U.S. for pet lovers on match.com:

• • • • • • • • • •

Albuquerque, NM Austin, TX Boise, ID Boulder, CO Charleston, NV Colorado Springs, CO Denver, CO Fort Collins, CO Madison, WI Reno, NV

Source: “The Truth About Pets & Dating” survey by PetSmart Charities and Match, 2014

The dogs frolicked, the conversation flowed, and a relationship flourished. Phillips and Lee eventually discovered that their pooches were, in fact, siblings, with a local breeder in common.

“I love Henry as if he were my own—knowing that they’re brothers makes it even more special,” says Lee, who celebrated her first anniversary with Phillips in June. “I would have fallen in love with Keith whether he had a dog or not, but the fact that he does and fully accepts my pet and everything that goes with that responsibility makes it sweeter.”

While this couple’s story is particularly serendipitous, the odds of two dog lovers finding each other online are better than you think. According to a 2014 survey by PetSmart Charities and Match, which asked 1,000 singles a variety of questions around dating and pets, 80 percent or four out of five Match members have or like pets, and 66 percent of respondents wouldn’t date someone who didn’t like pets.

Those figures don’t surprise Jane Carstens of Matchmaker For Hire. Asked if, in her experience, dog lovers want to be matched with other dog lovers, she says, “Absolutely! They

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even made a movie about it! It’s something quite special, the bond between humans and dogs.”

An animal lover herself (Carstens’ beloved 17-year-old poodle, Ruby, recently passed away), she says dog owners who share similar lifestyles tend to gel well and seek each other out.

She’s even matched a man and his dog with a woman who didn’t own pets but “wanted a dog as part of her life along with a partner. Well, she got the package deal—they had to make room for three in the bed when they moved in together!”

Carstens lists “nurturing, outgoing, and responsible” among the personality traits commonly associated with dog owners, and a new POF survey conducted specially for Modern Dog magazine confirms it.

When 1,000 POF users identified as dog owners were asked what traits dog owners are more likely to possess over non-dog owners, 73 percent of POF respondents answered kind, 66 percent answered loyal, 80 percent answered responsible, 19 percent answered athletic, 31 percent answered outgoing, and 45 percent answered trustworthy—all desirable dating qualities.

Having a dog may even improve your chances of meeting a mate online. According to the PetSmart/Match survey, 35 percent of single women have been more attracted to someone because of their pet, and men are four times more likely (22 percent versus 6 percent of women) to use their pet to attract a potential date. On POF, 45 percent of dog owners are more likely to date or get into a long-term relationship with other dog owners—but that doesn’t mean online daters who have pets are always perceived in a positive light.

“You have to make big changes when you own a dog— maybe you’re more active or less able to travel,” says POF advertising and PR co-ordinator Shannon Smith. “If owning a dog has a big impact on your personal time, or how much time you have to devote to dating and a relationship, that’s something to reveal up front. It’s best to be honest on your profile rather than have to tell someone later on down the line that you may be less mobile or less available than they originally thought.”

As it happens, most dog owners on POF are forthcoming. 77 percent of survey respondents mention their dog in their dating

profile and 51 percent feature at least one image of their dog. As Smith says, “Dogs make really good conversation starters.”

Despite the fact that seeking out other “dog people” is as natural online as it is off, Carstens warns that a happy photo of a fellow single with pooch posted to a dating website does not a relationship make.

“The perfect match is best to be in front of you, not on your computer screen,” she says. “Don’t get caught up in the online back and forth. You can spend months chatting and being infatuated with a made-up person—and their dog—before you meet them…so get your leash and get to the dog park!” n

Must Love Dogs...

A survey* of 1,000 singles in the U.S. and Canada conducted by PlentyOfFish specially for Modern Dog revealed the following:

53% of respondents would be extremely likely to break up with someone who didn’t like their dog; 32% would be somewhat likely.

48% of respondents would be not at all likely to date someone who their dog didn’t like; 42% would be somewhat likely.

77% of respondents mention their dog in their profile; 23% do not.

51% of respondents feature at least one image of their dog on their dating profile.

25% of respondents think that owning a dog is an asset to their dating life; 45% of people aren’t sure if owning a dog is an asset to their dating life; 6% answered that owning a dog makes dating more difficult.

33% have brought their dog on a date; 22% have cancelled a date to tend to their dog.

1% have hid the fact that they are a dog owner to a prospective date.

When asked which traits dog owners are more likely to possess over non-dog owners, answered kind, answered loyal, answered responsible, answered athletic, answered outgoing and answered trustworthy.

73% 19% 45%

66%

31%

80%

*Survey respondents ages 20-65, specified as “dog owner” in their profile.

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PET PROJECT

craft D.I.Y.

Super-cute camp-inspired badges made for adorning everything from your dog’s bandana to your sweater

Scout’s Honour!

We created this awesome set of downloadable Scout-style badges that can be used in multiple ways, all to very cool effect.

How? Use them on a bandana for your dog or as a patch for your own sweater or to decorate a jar of dog treats. Or use them simply as stickers on all and sundry in need of some pizzazz, like a package for a friend.

Get the download at moderndogmagazine.com/scoutbadge Once you've downloaded the artwork... them onto a sticky label sheet and cut them out to use ÆÆasPrintstickers on letters, gifts or on party-favour packages of candy or dog biscuits Print them onto an iron-on transfer sheet (available at craft ÆÆstores) and iron transfer the print onto clothing For sewable badges, print them onto an iron-on transfer ÆÆsheet, iron that transfer onto white cloth then cut out and sew the badges onto whatever you’d like—backpacks, bandanas, you name it! The perfect touch of dog-inspired whimsy for your fall wardrobe!

▸ Meow! We've made badges for people with cats, too! Find them at moderncat.com/scoutshonour

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This cotton-blend tee has it all— good looks, a great message, AND a charitable component: $10 from each tee purchased is donated to help animals in need.

Now how awesome is that? $26, hendrickboards.com

Barklogic’s natural deodorizing lemon tree dog shampoo hits all our sweet spots: it’s safe, effective, and natural, containing no sulfates, parabens, phthalates, nor any other baddies. And did we mention it smells great? $16, logicproductgroup.com

Made of edible icing, these Corgi Party Dessert Toppers will give your cupcakes and cookies a modern, professional, and irresistibly cute look. $13 for 15 count sheet, etsy.com/shop/ThreeCheersForCorgis

Fab Finds

Inspired by Mesoamerican design, this Mayan Mash-Up handcrafted leather and gold bead collar from Paco Collars embodies the qualities we love: superior craftsmanship, gorgeous design, and durability—this beauty is built to stand the test of time. $200, pacocollars.com

Our current obsessions Hand-crafted from colourful multifilament Derby rope and finished with beautiful brass fittings, these durable rope leashes are perfect in their classic simplicity. $30, dogrope.ca

Soft, cuddly, adorable, and durable to boot, Harvey the Rabbit stands up to rough play (think determined tugging and chewing), making him a playtime favourite! $22, charlieandme.us This “It’s All Fun Games” fridge magnet puts a smile on our faces, as does the “I Like Big Mutts” magnet that’s also available. At under $5, they make a perfect little gift. $4.50, bartleysfordogs.com

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DOG PARK BULLIES

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How to recognize bullying at the dog park and what to do if your dog is targeted

By Steve Duno Illustration Nick Craine

I

magine this scenario: while romping at the local dog park, your dog gets jumped by a four-legged tyrant who won’t play by the rules. Instead of running, chasing, and play-wrestling, the lout pounces on your sweet dog in an overly exuberant and, this is key,—clearly unwelcome way. Despite her attempts to get away/ignore him/make nice, she gets pushed around, until she finally snaps and chases the bully off. The bully promptly begins picking on another dog close by. Your good-natured pet has just become the latest victim of a dog park bully.

Anatomy of a Dog Bully Dog park bullies aren’t necessarily bad dogs; most simply don’t possess the proper social skills needed to get along with other canines in an off-leash environment. A bullying dog doesn’t usually display overt aggression, but instead acts in an extremely pushy manner, with relentless jumping and nipping or incessant chasing and barking. Unlike well-socialized dogs who know what’s acceptable (and usually have the sense to choose a compatible dog to play rough with), bullies lack this good sense.

Dog park bullies often pick on smaller, shyer animals, those who have less desire to socialize or dogs who seem different in some way. Bullies of breed types with a strong desire to chase or herd will sometimes hone in on dogs who exhibit independent or standoffish behaviour or who appear easy to manipulate. When an offended dog runs away or submits to the bullying, the offender’s conduct gets reinforced, perpetuating the nasty behaviour. In effect, the bully learns to enjoy it.

Bullying behaviour often results when a dog is denied normal socialization as a puppy.

While young, dogs learn from littermates and other dogs around them what interactions are permissible and which are rude. If denied this period of social schooling, a dog won’t be prepared to mingle later in life. She won’t necessarily be aggressive, she’ll just be clueless about what other dogs are trying to communicate with body posture, vocalizations, eye contact, or other normal behavioural cues.

A Different Energy A well-behaved dog can become a bully when paired with a dog with a different energy level. A rambunctious shepherd mix, for example, accustomed to playing hard with other high-energy dogs, might overwhelm an older, slower pet unused to such frenetic energy. Or, a well-socialized dog, when placed with a more nervous pet, might become moderndogmagazine.com

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antagonistic toward the worrisome dog, whose reluctance to socialize confuses and irritates the more outgoing pet. As is true with human children, a dog who refuses to engage with a more lively animal can often get chased and bullied.

Fear A dog who suffers from fear-based aggression will almost certainly get into a scrape or two if confronted by more sociable park attendees. This behaviour shouldn’t be confused with bullying; it is instead a defensive reaction to what she thinks is a genuine threat. A fear aggressive dog won’t go out of her way to chase after or wrestle others; she will simply lash out with little warning, growl and nip, then leave as quickly as possible. Fear aggressive dogs rarely benefit from time at a busy dog park and should not be allowed offleash around dogs or persons she does not know.

Predatory, Territorial or Possessive Aggression Like fear-aggressive dogs, dogs who display other forms of overt aggression toward friendly dogs are not necessarily lacking in social skills, but instead suffering from more deeply rooted behavioural issues. The dog who runs down smaller dogs with an intent to hurt them, for instance, is not showing bullying, but clear-cut predacious aggression. This dog is not clumsy at socializing; she is trying to hurt others. Likewise, a dog who gets into fights over toys is displaying resource guarding wrath; she loves her ball or wants another dog’s ball. Again, not bullying, per se, but a predictable response from a ball-crazed dog with resource guarding issues.

How to Spot a Dog Park Bully Dogs have varying levels of tolerance to rough play; one dog’s pal can actually be another dog’s bully. Because of this, you first need to decide on what level of interaction your dog can tolerate before deciding if another dog is bullying yours. If your dog copes well with rough play, hard wrestling, playful nipping, and the like, then it’s probably safe for you to let her work it out herself. If properly socialized, she’ll understand when to let

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another dog know it has crossed the line and thus take care of it herself.

But if another dog is relentlessly badgering your dog, and your dog can’t cope, consider it a bullying event. When you see another dog chase, jump, nip, bark, and generally be ignorant of any warning cues coming from your dog, assume that bullying is going on.

“Big on little” is often also a sign of overt bullying.

Courteous, well-socialized dogs know to be gentler with smaller pets, so if a big goofball shows your petite pal no mercy, that’s a clear indication of bullying. Most little dogs will be more quick to worry about their safety around bigger animals; because of this, the chances of her being bullied are higher than with larger pets.

Remember; it’s your dog’s reaction that often helps to define the bullying.

What to Do About Bullies You take your dog to a dog park to play, socialize, and burn off some steam, and not to get abused, scared, or hurt. So what is the right action to take if a bully begins to take advantage of your pooch?

If the offending animal appears to be not just pushy but blatantly aggressive, you’ll need to be careful for your own safety while still protective of your own dog. Odds are if the dog is showing true aggression, the dog’s guardian will already be stepping in to deal with the situation. If not, and if the dog seems dangerous, you can clap, yell, throw dirt—whatever you need to do to get the dog off of yours. Once you do, leash up your dog, leave the area, and report the incident to park officials or the police.

Luckily, most bully dogs won’t be aggressive to humans; they just want to push around their own kind. If this is the case, step in decisively while clapping and commandingly telling the abuser to “get!” At the same time, look for the bully dog’s caretaker, who should be nearby. Once the person sees you step in and object to the abusive behaviour, he or she will usually deal with the issue and be apologetic over the dog’s poor behaviour. Even so, it’s likely best for you to find an area of the park away from the bully so your dog can relax.

ILLUSTRATION NICK CRAINE

If another dog is relentlessly badgering your dog, and your dog can’t cope, consider it a bullying event.

A great way to shut down bullies at the dog park is to bring along other dogs your own dog trusts and likes. Having her own “pack” there will boost her confidence and help in dissuading bullies from stepping in. She’ll have fun, and you’ll be less worried about strange dogs spoiling the moment.

Many dog parks have size-appropriate areas, allowing smaller dogs to mix with others their own size. This ensures that a petite pooch won’t get bowled over or intimidated by the big players, who, even if friendly, could unintentionally hurt a small pet. If your dog is under twenty pounds, consider choosing the “little dog” area where she can play safely.

Is Your Dog a Bully?

Yes, it’s possible for your lovable pal to turn into a bully under the right circumstances. If you understand that bullying and aggression are not necessarily the same thing, you’ll see how it is possible for even a gentle dog to become pushy at the park. If she experienced poor litter socialization, early-on dog abuse, or a total lack of training, she could easily be unaware of proper park protocols.

To minimize the chance of this, teach basic obedience training right from the start, including a reliable off-leash recall command and a “leave-it” command. These two crucial behaviours will allow you to interrupt any dog “fixations” she may form and get her to ignore another dog’s toy. Next, take her on regular “directed” walks with other dogs and people. Directed walks are nononsense leashed walks with minimal play or interaction between pets that more resemble a group “mission” than they do a casual tour of the neighbourhood,. The object is to acclimate your dog to thinking that it’s not always playtime when other dogs are present and that there is sometimes a greater objective at hand. Directed walks will help her learn to become more thoughtful and less reactive to groups of dogs, both in and out of the park.

If your dog tends to bully, avoid off-leash activity in favour of leash or extendable lead work. Though she’ll still be able to interact, you’ll be there to instantly shut down any rough stuff as it begins. Once she halts the bad behaviour, get her attention, have her sit, then reward her ability to refocus on you. Gradually allow her more independence with the extendable lead until she gets the idea. Then try off-leash activity again, at first with dogs she knows, then with the general population.

Dog parks are a great way to get your dog the exercise and socialization she needs. But, as there is always one hooligan in the crowd, remain attentive and interactive so you can spot bullies and shut down their shenanigans before they cause your dog undue stress or harm. And when you finally find that perfect dog park filled with sweet doggie angels, stick with it! n moderndogmagazine.com

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10 Best Dog Breeds for Runners Tie up those sneakers! We asked the American Kennel Club’s Lisa Peterson which breeds are best suited as running companions. Here are the breeds making the top cut and why they make excellent running partners

Speed Runners Greyhound A fantastic race companion, the Greyhound is the fastest breed of dog and has a natural tendency to run. They’re extremely athletic and make a great workout buddy.

All-Around Running Partner German Wirehaired Pointer The German Wirehaired Pointer has a ton of energy and a weather-resistant and water-repellant wiry coat, making it a great running partner no matter the weather conditions.

Whippet If you’re looking for a

Vizsla Vizslas are

speed runner, look no further than

extremely athletic. They

the Whippet. Whippets are known

thrive on hard exercise

for their speed and power, and are

and being a part of an

capable of reaching 35 M.P.H.

active family.

Dalmatian The Dalmatian

Labrador Retrievers are fantastic

would make a great partner for

high energy running buddies.

fast, long-distance runners.

Their happy attitude will keep

They’re known for their

you going no matter what!

endurance and speed.

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Border Collie The Border Collie is the perfect choice for an active person looking for a companion on a long run. These dogs are extremely energetic and need lots of exercise.

Endurance Runners Alaskan Malamute The Alaskan Malamute is a great jogging or backpacking partner.

These dogs are strong and have tremendous endurance—they were bred to pull large loads over long distances. This breed won’t be a racing buddy, but rather a long-distance running companion.

Siberian Husky Another good long-distance runner is the Siberian Husky. These dogs would be a perfect partner for a winter run since their thick double coat keeps them insulated in cold weather.

Rhodesian Ridgeback If you’re a moderate-speed runner, the Rhodesian Ridgeback is a great companion. This breed is active with a lot of stamina, capable of running at a fair speed. n

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They take their dogs wherever they go They swoon over puppies

They us! like

Gavin Rossdale goes for a bike ride with sons Kingston and Zuma in Los Angeles

They bike with their dog!

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Justin Long walks Finn, his girlfriend Amanda Seyfried’s dog, in the East Village

They dog walk for their girlfriend!

PACIFICCOASTNEWS ; KVS/PEDRO ANDRADE, © PACIFICCOASTNEWS; © PACIFICCOASTNEWS

Zooey Deschanel is seen leaving a studio with her dogs after doing a photo shoot

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: © I-IMAGES, PACIFICCOASTNEWS ; MIGUEL AGUILAR, ©

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge hold puppies during a visit to the Royal New Zealand Police College in Wellington

Stya’rresj!ust

They make the most of a sunny afternoon

The us! like

They take their dog to work

cutie!

Parker Posey takes an afternoon stroll with her pup and a friend in New York City

They go on family outings

Pregnant Mila Kunis takes a morning walk with her dogs in Los Angeles

Hugh Jackman and daughter Ava seen out with their dog Dali in New York City

They take care of business

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PHOTOS © PACIFICCOASTNEWS

Susan Sarandon seen posing with her dog after leaving 'The Late Show with David Letterman’

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PHOTO GRACE CHON

Take Way Better Photos of Your Dog 10 tips from photographer Grace Chon that will drastically improve your dog photos

Ah, the quest for great photos of your dog, ones that capture just how adorable/goofy/sage/busy/sleepy/loved he is. Your dog, needless to say, is super photogenic, but, if you’re like most of us, attempts to capture those good looks on camera are often bedeviled by poor lighting, a cluttered background, and blurred motion. We asked the super-talented Grace Chon, an LA-based animal, lifestyle, and celebrity photographer, for 10 tips to drastically improve your dog photos. Get ready to wow your Facebook and Instagram followers with some really cute shots!

1 Follow the Light

“Always shoot where you get the best light. Usually this ends up being with your dog

facing a window, which I like to call ‘glamour lighting’ because your dog ends up being evenly lit in the front and the background can drop off into darkness. Natural light is always much more important than location! If your place is nice and bright, try to keep indoor lights off to avoid having a sickly yellow colour-cast to your images.”

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2 Models Like to Eat. Really.

“Forget dry

dog biscuits! Use high reward treats like dehydrated meat snacks or boiled chicken breast. Always reward positive behaviour like sitting still or looking directly into PHOTO GRACE CHON

the lens and give small morsels to keep the shoot fun and your pup motivated and engaged. Treats are great for controlling eye line too—hold it where you’d like your pup to be looking in the shot, and after a few frames pay your model for his hard work with a tasty bite. If you want your dog to look into the lens, hold the treat right above the camera lens. If you want him looking above

5 Change Your View

or out of the frame, hold the treat where his eyes should be.”

from a completely different angle. Have them lounge on a

“Try seeing your dog

chair and photograph them from below. Try laying down in

3 Make Some Noise

“To get shots of those

adorable head tilts and perked up ears, try making some funny sounds to get your dog’s attention. The trick is to make each sound sparingly and move onto the next one once your dog grows tired of it because new sounds get old really fast.

the grass and shoot up at your dog. If you try to see their world from a completely different view, you’ll end up with creative and interesting shots that tell your dog’s story from an unusual perspective.”

Other things you can use are whistles, kazoos, crinkly plastic

6 Use Props

bags, and squeaky toys. You can also try saying your dog’s

toys and other props. Get creative with things like a pair of

favourite words. Some sweet-talking might get you some

70s sunglasses, a sun hat,

irresistible looks.”

or maybe a heart-shaped

“Add fun flair to your shots by using

helium balloon tied to your

4 Shoot Fast and Furious

“Be sure to take

lots and lots of frames. That way you can be sure to capture a shot that’s in focus and with your dog looking where you want, doing what you want. And when you shoot a lot of frames, you end up getting images that you never could have thought of shooting. Amazing moments happen in a fraction of a second!”

dog’s collar. If sweet and silly isn’t your style, you can incorporate more meaningful props like your dog’s favourite toy, or select props that tell your dog’s story. If your dog likes swimming, try taking a shot with her wearing an inflatable water ring around her waist.”

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PHOTO GRACE CHON

7 A Meaningful Spot

confetti, and balloons. It always helps to have some colour

if you can shoot in your dog’s favourite location. Maybe this

with the decorations in your home, you’ll look like you had an

is their favourite chair, riding shotgun in your car, or at a local

art director help you get the shot.”

“It’s always extra special

coordination, so if your dog’s collar or toys can coordinate

park. Not only will she be happy and relaxed, you’ll capture moments that memorialize her in a place that’s special to you both.”

bl It’s Peanut

Butter Time! “If you

8 Up Close and Personal

want to end up with a truly

take detail shots! Shoot a close up of your dog’s nose or a

your dog a small lick of peanut

“Don’t forget to

close up of fur. Take a photo of her paw pads, or the curves of velvety ears. Remember all the little details that make up your dog and photograph all the special places you love to kiss and adore. Even shots of their dog bowls, collars, and leashes will someday make a very special memory.”

9

hilarious set of photos, give butter and snap away. (Be sure to start with a small amount so your dog doesn’t get an upset stomach and use unsalted peanut butter.) You’re guaranteed to get funny photos

Stage your Shot “Home staging can

make your photos look polished and professional. Be sure

of your dog’s tongue doing tricks you never could have

to de-clutter the background and bring in props like colour-

imagined.” n

ful pillows, a sheepskin rug or fresh flowers to create a shot

>> Be delighted. Turn to page 56 to see some of

that looks stylish and finished. You can add some extra whimsy by decorating with pennant banners, paper garlands,

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Grace’s crazy-cute photos of her ten-month-old son Jasper with their rescue dog Zoey!

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Let's have fun!

Activities to keep your dog busy, happy & mentally engaged This adorable interactive hideand-seek toy has three small, squeaky dogs hidden inside.

Dogs love to stick their noses in and dig out the critters! $16, zippypaws.com

ONE FOR THE kids!

Remember Pound Puppies? Well these adorable, plush stuffies from the ‘80s are back and cuter than ever! We of course love the rescue message they carry with them: You “rescue” a lovable puppy, write his or her name on the heart-shaped dog tag then register your pup online to get your very own printable adoption certificate. Talk about adorable! Choose from Beagle, Labrador, Bulldog, and Poodle. $18, poundpuppies.com

Nina Ottosson, maker of super-cool smart dog toys, has another hit on her hands.

Entertain your dog while exercising his brain with the Treat Maze for dogs.

It unpredictably wobbles, rocks, and spins, encouraging your dog to figure out how to manipulate it so the treats pass through the interior maze and fall out. $20, nina-ottosson.com

Mammoth Dogsavers Treat Ball is buoyant (it floats!), super durable, and has a hollow for secreting treats in, guaranteeing long lasting fun both in and out of the water! $5, mammothpet.com

The Green Slow Feeder let’s you turn meals into a challenging game, keeping boredom at bay, and slowing down fast eating, which prevents bloat. Just pour the food on! $40, companyofanimals.us

Power play. Develop your dog's core strength, balance, and endurance for better overall health with the K9FitBone. This balance platform designed especially for dogs is an awesome tool that uses instability training to improve your dog's fitness. Awesome for accompanying an agility training regimen. $70, dogtread.com

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PHOTOS GRACE CHON

DOGS + KIDS

Zoey & Jasper

A dog and her best friend love to play dress up!

T

his is one of the cutest things we have seen in a while—and

who found her along with her littermates on the streets of Taiwan,

that’s saying a lot in this line of work!

and saved them from being washed down the gutter. A foster

Seven-year-old rescue dog Zoey and her best human-friend,

“mom” named Joy stepped in to care for the rescued puppies

10-month-old Jasper, love to dress up. Lucky for us, their mom,

until homes could be found. Thanks to Zoey and Jasper’s recent

Grace Chon, a Los Angeles-based professional photographer, is

viral fame, Joy happened upon the photos online, put the pieces

devoted to documenting the adorable pair dressed in matching

together, and reached out to Grace. Sure enough, it was the very

outfits. Grace began posting the photos in a Tumblr photo series

same puppy, all grown up and now part of Grace’s family! The two

she simply called “Zoey and Jasper” and the next thing she knew,

struck up a correspondence and Grace has now had the pleasure

the photos went viral. Grace started getting calls from NBC and

of seeing photos of Zoey when she was just a homeless little pup.

the Huffington Post, but media outfits weren’t the only ones Grace

And Joy, Grace shares in a blog post, had “been waiting for seven

heard from…

years to hear more about the puppy she fell in love with.” Talk

When Zoey was just a newborn pup, she was rescued by a student

about heartwarming! Cue “It’s a Small World After All.” n

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INSPIRE

Dogs of the Homeless For many people on the streets, dogs provide the love and support needed to get through the day—and in return, these dogs are loved and cared for right back

By Corey Van’t Haaff

M

arlena was just 14 when she found herself homeless. With escalating conflict at home, she thought it would be better not to live with her family.

“I dropped out of school and was an outcast, but I found a new crowd in Vancouver [BC] and that crowd happened to be homeless,” she says. Sleeping in parks or on beaches, Marlena made most of her income panhandling or squeegying car windows.

Hygiene took a back seat to eating and sleeping. Drugs helped to fill some of the empty hours.

Then she got a dog.

“It was 1999, a year after I became homeless. He was a Pit Bull/chocolate Lab, just under 12 weeks old. I named him Dioji,” says Marlena who lived on the streets from 1998 until 2002.

It was, initially, more about what a dog could offer her rather than what she could offer the dog. Her street friends had dogs and she wanted a companion 24/7 who wouldn’t judge her and who would love her 100 percent every day. Nonetheless, “the dog always came first,” she says. “He ate first and instead of wasting my money on drugs, I put the money into the dog. In a way, he kind of saved my life.

He was more important than sitting in an alley getting high. Instead of blowing my money on stuff, I had a priority. He was my priority.”

Dioji was constantly attached to her and always at her hand. She was proactive in training him and never left him with anyone. He was, she says, the most important thing she had.

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“I didn’t even get a slice of pizza until he had food,” she says. Dioji stayed with her while on the street and then lived with her when she found housing, eventually passing away of old age and poor health just before Christmas 2013.

John Kehler, a senior support worker with Directions Youth Services, a resource program for youth in crisis, sees a lot of homeless youth with dogs. The youth typically divert their own scarce financial resources to their dogs, perhaps because many of these youth relate better to their dogs than to people—unless it’s to people who understand dogs. “A dog promotes interaction,” he notes.

As for people who worry that the dogs of the homeless are perhaps neglected or mistreated, Kehler dismisses this. “No one treats a dog poorly on the street. The street doesn’t tolerate that. They are quite comfortable calling people on poor behaviour.”

Veterinarian Dr. Shawn Llewellyn is a board member at Paws for Hope, a Vancouver-based charity committed to sustainable companion animal protection.

Through its Roxy’s Relief program, he provides support to street-involved or lowincome pet guardians through donations of food and bedding and by offering free animal health clinics.

Dr. Shawn, as he is known, sees firsthand the number of street people deeply connected to and reliant upon their dogs.

The dogs “are a huge part of their lives.

In some cases, the dogs are what keep people with us. They don’t give up [because of their dogs],” he says. “People will choose the street over shelter, rather than give up their dog. It is total devotion.”

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“No one treats a dog poorly on the street. The street doesn’t tolerate that. They are quite comfortable calling people on poor behaviour.”

Some owners have already given up on most of the supports we take for granted; without their dogs, they might give up on life.

“It’s a huge connection,” Dr. Shawn notes. “They rely on their pets to feel needed. It’s a two-way codependency. It gives them something to live for. They put the dogs before themselves.”

(Start noting how many dogs you see sitting on blankets while their owners sit on the sidewalk for a quick way to ascertain the truth of this statement.)

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“What I see in practice and at Paws for Hope is these dogs are taken care of,” Dr. Shawn says. [Owners] try their best to seek assistance. There is no increased risk of health issues. There’s no overpopulation problem. They are fed. They are taken care of.”

And because the dogs are with the owners almost constantly, the dogs are happy and calm.

Paws for Hope holds clinic days where homeless people can bring in their pets for basic veterinary care at a location they are already comfortable visiting. Usually held in a human-partner facility, dogs can get a check-up, vaccination, flea check, deworming or even blood work or even minor surgery at a partner veterinary clinic. The dogs are followed-up on if further treatment is needed.

That’s what happened with Bogatai, a very old Mastiff who limped into one clinic. His owner knew something wasn’t right and sought out Dr Shawn for help.

“We helped get him on anti-inflammatories for his painful joints. We provided supplies for enough comfort for as long as the dog had left,” he says, adding that Bogatai’s owner simply makes contact with his own human support workers who contact Dr. Shawn for more medication.

Fester is another example. The small Shih Tzu-cross had a few lumps and bumps that bothered him. He would scratch and lick and his owner was concerned about the dog’s health.

“He came to a clinic very anxious and frustrated and not able to facilitate care [of the dog on his own] but knew the dog needed it. He came to see what we offered and he accepted it readily.”

Fester ultimately went to a partner clinic and received necessary veterinary care and is now doing well.

Dr. Shawn sees his job as helping to ensure that the homeless population gets to care for and keep their dogs so those dogs don’t end up in shelters or alone on the streets.

“These dogs are well-behaved and generally healthy,” he says.

“There’s a lot more that could be done to help the human population but we don’t want to forget about the important role these dogs play in their lives,” he says.

Holly E. (she asked that we don’t use her last name) once saw a Pit Bull walking on a leash with a homeless person and wondered how the dog got fed. With a friend, she began Vancouverbased Best Friends for Life, a volunteer effort comprised of just two ladies coming together to collect food and supplies for street dogs. With eight donation bins in the City, they collect and repackage food (homeless people cannot handle large bags or multiple tins of food), as well as new or gently used leashes, collars, and other supplies.

“They don’t give up because of their dogs. People will choose the street over shelter, rather than give up their dog. It is total devotion.”

It isn’t a registered charity and they like it that way, as it is easier to build trust with the homeless population when they only see the same two women bringing food.

“They wait for us,” she says. “We go every two weeks to distribute what we have at the same time, same place.” On average they help 10 to 20 animals each visit.

“We know most dogs’ names. All are extremely well mannered and well taken care of. None are underweight or look ill. The animals come first and their owners are grateful, as they are not worried how they will feed their dogs…These dogs are really loved.”

Holly has partnered with a business close to one homeless man to hold the canned dog food so the dog owner can grab four cans a day for his two dogs.

“He can go on his own. He is very appreciative but we want him to feel independent. He takes care of his own pet,” she says.

The dogs, Rex and Roach, are about to enjoy a donated grooming, as their owner said he wanted to do something nice for his dogs.

“They’re family,” Holly says of street dogs. “They love unconditionally. The dogs don’t care if their owners haven’t bathed; haven’t brushed their teeth. They don’t care if they’re high. They don’t judge them.”

One thing is certain: for many of the homeless, having a dog changes the dynamic. As much as these dog owners care for their dogs, the greater gift is what these dogs give back to their owners. No matter what your income is, what type of home you live in, or whether you even have a home, dogs are constant friends: devoted, dependable, and determined to serve us. They see us for who we are, not how others view us, just as Marlena’s best friend Dioji did.

“He was always there for me. Through an abusive relationship, he was my rock. He knew every time I felt down and he was right there. He protected me; he loved me. He was an awesome dog.”

Wherever you live, I think this is a sentiment all dog people can relate to. n

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THE HAPPIEST PUPS IN THE UNIVERSE These puppies, all 8 to 10 weeks old, are having the time of their young lives!

Photographed by Sarah Daloise

Labrador Retriever ● Gentle ● Intelligent ● Family-friendly ● Aims to please

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English Retriever

● Intelligent ● Eager to please ● Friendly temperament ● Active & energetic moderndogmagazine.com

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Great Dane

● Gentle giant ● Strong yet elegant ● Friendly personality ● Loving disposition

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Bulldog

● Gentle ● Sweet tempered ● Protective ● Excellent family pet moderndogmagazine.com

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Border Collie

● Super smart ● High-drive ● Extremely energetic ● Loves having a job to do

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Brittany Spaniel

● Strong, quick & agile ● Energetic ● Happy & alert ● Willing attitude

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BODY & SOUL

MD ResuPoll lts

56%

of Modern Dog readers have worked with a professional dog trainer

Hawaiian Dream Vacation—With Your Dog!

Think you can’t bring your dog with you to Hawaii? Think again!

With advance planning, your dog can avoid quarantine and join you beachside Pristine shores, azure waters, awe-inspiring vistas, a balmy climate… Oahu, the third largest and most populous of the Hawaiian islands, is a dream come true. The only thing that could make it better, of course, is the company of your dog. The problem, at least where travel is concerned? Hawaii is rabies free and has strict regulations in place to keep it that way. If you’re unprepared, long quarantines are required for animals entering the state, however, with some advance planning and a clean bill of health, the quarantine can be avoided and you and your four-legged buddy can be frolicking in the sun in this little piece of heaven on the Pacific Ocean!

Go! For highlights from our recent trip to Honolulu, Oahu, including what you need to do to bring your dog to Hawaii—no quarantine required—go to moderndogmagazine.com/hawaii

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When your children are teenagers, it’s important to have a dog so someone in the house is happy to see you.—Nora Ephron

BODY & SOUL

Did You Know?

Dogs drink by curling their tongues backward to form a scoop with which to lap up water

Bad Breath?

COOL VOLUNTEER OPP! Help a puppy become a life-changing dog!

Ever wonder how Guide Dogs enter their line of work? Pups at Canada’s BC & Alberta Guide Dogs + Autism Support Dogs are bred in-house and raised in the homes of volunteer Puppy Raisers—no experience necessary.

Volunteers welcome a seven-week-old pup into their family and the dog spends just over a year with them. Their fuzzy charge then goes on to complete advanced training with his or her intended recipient and a Guide Dog Mobility Instructor, before graduating at two years of age and going on to change lives.

BC Guide Dogs has been providing professionally trained guide dogs to blind/ visually-impaired individuals for nearly 20 years. The organization has graduated 107 guide dog teams and 30 autism support dog teams to date. Guide dogs help their partners by facilitating safe navigation and increasing mobility and independence. While Autism Support Dogs help children with autism by physically anchoring the child, reducing anxiety, and improving social skills.

While dogs are provided at no cost to recipients, it takes two years and up to $35,000 to train each one. The organization relies on volunteer Puppy Raisers and Boarders as well as the generosity of donors.

Visit bcguidedog.com for more information on how to sponsor or raise a puppy, make a donation, and other ways you can help!

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Parsley is known for its breath freshening properties.

If your dog has a normal case of doggie breath, try adding parsley to her favourite treat recipe or adding a sprinkle to her dinner. Parsley keeps well in the freezer, so run the big bunch from your grocery store or garden through the food processor and freeze it—you’ll have parsley ready year round. Bad breath can be a sign of tooth or mouth problems, so if your dog has a sudden change in her breath, it’s worth a mention to your vet.—EP & LS

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BODY & SOUL

Natural Relief for Your Dog's Urinary Tract Infections

By Dr. Loridawn Gordon If you've ever had to deal with a urinary tract infection, you can definitely relate if your dog is diagnosed with a UTI. (If you haven't they're uncomfortable and painful.) Our dogs rely on us to ensure that they are being properly cared for so it is very important to be able to recognize and treat UTIs immediately.

UTI Symptoms

• Frequent urge to urinate • Scanty urine that smells strongly • Urine that stings as it is passed • Blood with urine in it • Aches in the lower abdomen How & Why UTI's Occur

Bacterial infections of the urinary tract will result in symptoms that include backache, painful and frequent urination, lethargy, and sometimes evens blood in the urine. Causes could be

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related to stress and diet, but may also include immunological deficiency or fungal or protozoan infections. Other causes could be bladder stones, injuries, or tumors.

As soon as the bladder gets inflamed for any reason, you'll notice that your dog frequently tries to urinate. He or she will often end up urinating in inappropriate places, such as throughout the home.

Poor quality dry foods are a major culprit in producing alkaline urine [more acidic urine has been found to inhibit the growth of bacteria], so one of the first steps you can take to prevent and treat urinary problems is changing your dog's food to a high quality diet, a homemade diet, or a raw diet that's properly balanced.

Natural Remedies That Can Help

Rather than attacking the problem with antibiotics, which can lead to undesirable side effects, there are several herbal remedies that are effective at treating urinary tract infections in pets.

Garlic is an antibacterial, antioxidant, and boosts the immune system Goldenseal is an astringent and supports the digestive system

Juniper berry works very well when it comes to severe urinary tract infections. It's a herb known for increasing the rate at which the kidneys filter out impurities and therefore increases urine production.

Parsley Leaf is an antimicrobial, antiseptic, and muscle relaxant. It's also an effective diuretic that can aid in the elimination of waste. In addition to being highly nutritious, parley leaves' antiseptic qualities are great for treating urinary tract infections.

Uva Ursi is an astringent. Uva Ursi leaf is one of the most powerful natural astringents available. Holistic veterinarians use it to attack a variety of pathogens that are often the cause of UTIs. It can stop bleeding and reduce the inflammation associated with these infections.

Marshmallow Root is an anti-inflammatory and a soothing agent. Marshallow root works wonderfully when there's inflammation in the urinary tract. It stimulates the immune system and attacks bacteria that cause these infections while also soothing the body and reducing irritation.

Cranberry is an antiseptic. Cranberry or blueberry will prevent the bacteria from attaching to the lining of the urinary tract and is great for the prevention of recurrent infections.

Prevention and Treatment: What You Can Do At Home • Encourage drinking more water • Supplement with: probiotics, garlic, marshmallow root, parsley leaf, uva ursi, cranberry, golden seal, and/or zinc • Supplementation with B vitamins and antioxidants in times of stress, as well as offering cooling foods such as raw fruits, vegetables, and yogurt to reduce the symptoms of urinary tract infection.

• Foods that are known to aggravate UTIs include asparagus, spinach, raw carrots, tomatoes, and dairy products. If your dog is prone to UTIs. avoid giving her these foods.

A UTI is an extremely uncomfortable condition for your dog to endure. Use these prevention tips to help avoid UTIs and seek veterinarian help as soon as possible when you suspect that your dog has an UTI. n moderndogmagazine.com

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TAKE THE 30 MINUTE CHALLENGE Why you should commit to spending 30 minutes outside a day with your dog

By Aryne Sheppard

A

fter a long walk through the woods joyfully snuffling for critters and splashing in puddles, my Golden Retriever is happy and content. Dogs thrive when they spend time outside and they’re wise enough to know it. Bailey sometimes wakes me up at 5 a.m. for the simple pleasure of sitting in the backyard and smelling the morning breeze. We have a lot to learn from our dogs.

Humans spend most of their time indoors. In fact, North American adults now spend about 9.3 hours a day sitting, most of it leashed to our electronic devices. Medical journal The Lancet estimates this unprecedented level of inactivity is causing 5.3 million premature deaths a year worldwide, similar to smoking, prompting the Harvard Business Review to suggest that “sitting is the smoking of our generation.”

The good news is that researchers have built an increasingly persuasive case for what most of us know intuitively: nature is good for us. Being regularly immersed in a natural setting can reduce stress while boosting immunity, ingenuity, and energy.

People with dogs already have a leg up. Dogs, like us, are part of nature after all! Pets provide significant physical and psychological benefits to their human companions. In the book Your Brain on Nature, authors Eva Selhub and Alan Logan explain how interacting with pets reduces stress, improves cognitive performance, and increases empathy. Plus, having a dog means you are likely outside more often—another key to human well-being.

As neuroscientist Marc Berman explains, adding a daily dose of green to your routine may be the best prescription for dealing with daily stress. His research shows that even simple, brief interactions with nature can improve mood and cognitive control.

Researchers at the University of Michigan estimate that memory performance and attention span can improve by 20 percent after an hour in nature, and University of Rochester studies conclude that being outside for 20 minutes a day is enough to boost vitality. A new study from Scotland demonstrates brain fatigue can be eased with just a 10-minute walk in the park. ▸

Humans spend most of their time indoors. In fact, North American adults now spend about 9.3 hours a day sitting, most of it leashed to our electronic devices.

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A new study from Scotland demonstrates brain fatigue can be eased with just a 10-minute walk in the park.

HEALTH BENEFITS NATURE IS THE BEST NURTURE

MANY STUDIES SHOW SIGNIFICANT HEALTH GAINS FOR THOSE IN CONTACT WITH NATURE

REDUCED ANXIETY & DEPRESSION

DECREASED STRESS

50% LOWER RISK OF DIABETES

INCREASED VITAMIN D PRODUCTION

50% LOWER RISK OF HEART ATTACK

INCREASED ENERGY

INCREASED IMMUNITY

INCREASED WEIGHT LOSS & FITNESS

REDUCED SYMPTOMS OF A.D.D.

30% LOWER RISK OF COLON CANCER

Increased exposure to nature also leads people to nurture closer relationships and build stronger community bonds. When Capilano University professor Joe Kelly spent at least an hour a day outside for one month, he observed that “free of the distractions and background noise present in the city, the serenity of nature provides a perfect venue to connect with others.”

But how can we fit more green time into our hectic schedules?

The David Suzuki Foundation has a solution. The 30×30 Nature Challenge asks to commit to spending at least 30 minutes a day in nature for 30 days every spring.

Although the official Challenge is hosted in May, the “nature habit” is meant to be lifelong. (Toolkits for schools and workplaces, along with daily tips, are available year-round at 30x30.davidsuzuki.org.)

Finding your nature fix can be easy. Hold your next work meeting outdoors—maybe make it a walking meeting. Explore city parks with your dog. Take the scenic route home and go for a walk in a neighbourhood green space along the way. Do as dogs do: stop to smell the flowers and take notice of critters, trees, and plants.

We all know that time in nature makes our animals calmer and happier. It does the same for humans. Untie your electronic “leash” and pick up your dog’s. Let's all get into the nature habit. It can make our lives better. n

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We’re crazy about this footed bowl from Dylan Kendall. Use it as an elevated dog dish or as an adorable gift for your animal-loving friends (it looks super-cute planted with succulents!) or even as a snack or serving bowl. You can’t go wrong! $26, dylankendall.com

Who doesn’t love an adorable Dachshund?

No one in the Modern Dog office, that's for sure! This super cute Cycling Sausage print by Kayla King for Minted is a delightful addition to any wall. This personalized print will definitely bring a smile to your face. $24, minted.com

There is nothing we don’t love about this rugged, vintageinspired, waxed canvas field tent for dogs, designed to appeal to design-conscious people and their adventurous pups. $200, gopetdesign.com

Keep calm and soothe your pup with Gerrard Larriett’s Relaxing Wildwoods Aromatherapy soy candle.

The cedarwood scent of this long-burning, deodorizing, de-stressing candle will help to keep you and your pooch feeling relaxed. We love the woodsy scent and apothecary-inspired glass jar! $12, gerrardlarriett.com

STYLE AT HOME

Super-stylish ideas & solutions for your dog-friendly home Newcomer Dog and Crow is making some drop dead gorgeous dog things like this luxurious yet supportive faux fur Call of the Wild Wolf bed. We can definitely imagine this in our living room, dog snoozing atop. $140, dogandcrow.ca

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“He is the greatest travel companion.

Honestly. He jumps into his little bag and pops his head out and is so excited to go see some place new.�

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From Rescue Mutt to Starring Role How actress Katharine Isabelle found her leading man

By Josh Murray

CLOT H I N G BY G U TS A N D G U I L E BY K A L I N A H O R N SBY ; P H OT O G R A P H Y BY CO N R A D P E T ZS CH - K U N Z E ( CO N R A D P K . CO M )

Photograph by Conrad Petzsch-Kunze

“H

urry up and wait” could be the maxim of film sets the world over. Canadian actress Katharine Isabelle knows this reality all too well. “There is a lot of sitting around when you're on set. They adjust lights and frame shots and change angles. Thank goodness I'm a reader,” she says.

After more than 25 years in front of the camera—including her recent turn as troubled Margot Verger on NBC's acclaimed series Hannibal, she knows a thing or two about patience. It's a talent that came in handy during the lengthy search for a dog to call her own.

Katharine spent years searching for a nonshedding breed that wouldn’t aggravate her severe asthma and allergy to dogs, combing through listing after listing on online rescue sites. The travails of the dog Katharine would come to call Eddy were certainly more harrowing. Abandoned by his original owners, the small, scruffy mutt was covered in infected wounds, suffered from mange, and sported a noticeable black eye when he was discovered living near dumpsters in East Los Angeles. Luckily, wire-haired Eddy—named for Katharine's favourite character on the Brit-com Absolutely Fabulous—was scooped up by Bichons and Buddies, a Southern California-based charitable group that specializes in finding homes for strays and pulling dogs for whom time has run out at local shelters. “I really admire what they do,” says Katharine. “I wouldn't have the emotional strength. I'd spend my entire work day bawling and hugging everything!"

Eddy was safe at last but his journey wasn’t over yet. Jeanine Curcione—the founder of Bichons and Buddies—works with other organizations, including Canada’s Dog Bless Rescue Partners, to find caring owners for the legion dogs desperately in need of homes and it was through Dog Bless that Katharine finally found her match. Little Eddy was in for a serious change of fortune—and residency.

“I've been blessed with finding some amazing homes not only locally, but out of state as well as out of country,” Jeanine

explains. “With instrumental help from the Internet and social media, we are able to keep a brisk pace of adoptions or transfers.”

The team at Bichons and Buddies may send dogs to forever homes all over the map, but they focus their energy—and limited resources—on rescuing animals in SoCal specifically. “I have devoted myself to saving death-row dogs from 19 shelters across Southern California,” explains Jeanine. “There simply isn't any room to house the multitudes pouring in the doors each day across this region. The kill rate at some of our most overcrowded shelters is 75 to 85 percent. It's truly mindboggling.” The sheer number of dogs in need of homes necessitates working with cross-border groups like the Victoria, B.C.-based Dog Bless, themselves credited with saving over 600 dogs—Eddy among them—since being founded just shy of a decade ago. It takes a village.

Thanks to both groups, Eddy's life these days couldn't be further from his earlier existence. “He should literally have his own Aeroplan number now,” Katharine says with her trademark husky laugh. He also shares her considerable patience, traveling closely at her side to film sets so he isn't left home alone during her long hours before the cameras. “It's not always an option but, when it is, he immediately becomes the ‘star’ on set. The teamsters fight over who gets to drive him around!”

In addition to Toronto production on the upcoming third season of Hannibal and continued award wins for both 2013's acclaimed horror hit American Mary and a recent guest spot on ABC's popular procedural Motive, Katharine is looking ahead to the release of the altered-state action feature 88 in which she portrays a wanted woman with two distinct—and disturbed—personalities.

With Eddy along for the ride, the sometimes-manic travel and production schedule doesn't seem to fluster either of them. “He is the greatest travel companion. Honestly. He jumps into his little bag and pops his head out and is so excited to go see some place new," she says. “We both seem to love this gypsy lifestyle!” n

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MAKE IT!

eat D.I.Y.

Tasty Chicken Nugget Dog Treats Whip up this simple, bite-size chicken treat for your dog

Bark licious-!a!-

We like a good, simple recipe as much as the next person, particularly when MODERN DOG our blender does the majority TESTED & of the work. So when we APPROVED! happened upon a super-simple recipe cooked up by the folks making Blendtec blenders, we hastened to the kitchen to whip up these tasty little treats. We put our own little spin on it with the addition of ground flax, a source of beneficial Omega-3 fatty acids, rolled them small for our pack of tiny testers, and popped them in the oven. The report? As easy as it sounds and definitely dog-approved!

INGREDIENTS • • •

½ lb chicken breasts, cubed ¾ cup water 2 ¼ cup ground flax (substitute oat bran or rice bran if you wish)

HOW-TO STEP 1 Preheat oven to 350°F. In pot, boil chicken in water; reserve cooking water.

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STEP 2 Add cooked chicken and cooking water to your blender.

Secure lid and blend into a batter-like consistency. Add ground flax and pulse until ingredients are incorporated.

STEP 3 Roll dough into 1-inch balls, and place on baking sheet.

Use back of spoon dipped in water to slightly flatten balls. Bake for 20 - 25 minutes.

Makes 30 treats. For smaller dogs, reduce ball size to ¼ or ½ inch and reduce cooking time by a few minutes. Will keep in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to two weeks. n

TRICK OR TREAT

10 FANTASTIC COSTUME IDEAS FOR DOGS From the inspired to the silly, we've got you covered

Barking Bad. Fans of

HBO’s Breaking Bad will love this Corgi’s take on Walt’s character.

Bert and Ernie. The ultimate costume for a pair of best buds.

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What should your dog be for Halloween? This question is no fooling matter for the 22 million Americans who will dress up their pets for the spookiest day of the year, spending an estimated $330 million on costumes for their furry friends according to the National Retail Federations Halloween Spending Survey.

Think this trend is going anywhere? Think again. This is a 65 percent increase from what was spent on pet costumes in 2010.

If you’re among those who will outfit your dog (guilty as charged here), read on. We turned to our readers for some fun ideas, many of them DIY. Here’s to our sweet-natured best friends for always brightening our day, no matter how silly our whims.

(Remember to always supervise dogs in costumes!)

The Frenchman.

Another easy one you can make from your own closet, this Gallic get-up will lend a debonair je ne sais quoi to any dog.

The Lion King. Simple yet

super successful, this is an excellent costume idea for anyone with a Golden Retriever.

Boo! Costumes don’t get more classic (or easy). A ghost is perfect and super funny in its simplicity.

Up. We simply adored Up, the

Disney movie about the retired balloon salesman who ties thousands of balloons to his house and sets off to the lost world of his childhood dreams. So, needless to say, we’re crazy about this amazing DIY costume inspired by the movie.

It doesn’t get much more charming or creative than this.

Where’s Waldo?

Instantly recognizable, a Where’s Waldo? costume is a sure hit for any breed.

Crayola Crayons. How

cute is this inventive costume idea?

Perfect for the whole pack!

The Chicken. There is

something undeniably funny about a dog dressed as a chicken. Don’t ask us why; there just is.

Starbarks, anyone? This funny

DIY effort is the ideal costume for the dogs of people who like their lattés. moderndogmagazine.com

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WHEN DOGS FLY If BASE jumping with a dog doesn't sound like a crazy idea, then nothing does. But this is exactly what 42-yearold American adventurer Dean Potter not only conceived of but actually does with his four-year-old, 22-pound Australian Cattle Dog, Whisper, strapped to his back.

Dean has spent two decades pushing boundaries, graduating from innovative rock climber and line walker to freeBASE climbing and BASE jumping (that would be donning a wingsuit and flying into the void, for the uninitiated).

There are people for whom this is problematic, as Whisper obviously can't give her consent, and others that are convinced this dog has it much better than most, hiking and even surfing with her family. As Dean told National Geographic, “It was mostly a matter of practicality of not wanting Whisper to miss out on incredible mountain dogwalks that led us to wing-suit flying together.” He is also adamant that Whisper is not made to do anything she does not want to do.

Two things not in question: 1) this is an intense, polarizing thing to do with your dog, and 2) Dean's deep love and affection for Whisper are matched by his commitment to their safety, such as it is in this inherently dangerous sport. Read on for Dean’s account of their time together BASE jumping in the Swiss Alps.

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Dean Potter and his girlfriend Jen Rapp, along with their Australian Cattle Dog, Whisper, in her special backpack.

World famous adventurer Dean Potter and his Australian Cattle Dog, Whisper, scale and fly from unspeakable heights. Here, Dean recounts their unbelievable adventures

By Dean S. Potter

W

e stand on the edge of the north face of the Eiger, in the Swiss Alps, and peer into swirling latté clouds. The rhythmic breathing of my mini Cattle Dog Whisper resonates behind me. Soft breaths change to faint snores; her body relaxes within the BASE-rig backpack that secures both our lives as one. My fingers run over our harness chest strap, then reach back and micro-adjust the position of our stowed pilot chute, then stretch further to scratch Miss Whisp’s forehead.

My girlfriend Jen has also made the alpine scramble and sits on the edge taking in the immense beauty while also most likely calculating the safety of her loved ones. My feet confined in the wingsuit, I penguin walk in tight circles around the Eiger Mushroom with our dog on my back, hoping the clouds will part and we’ll be able to safely fly to the grassy meadows below.

The weather doesn’t change and our little family settles into an awkward meditative perch atop the Mushroom pillar. Neither Jen nor I speak. Internally, I recount putting Whisper in the BASE-pack and securing her full-strength Ruffwear Double Back Harness to me with three separate lanyards. Though my body is warm inside the nylon suit I start to shiver and wonder if what we’re doing is right. Wingsuit BASE-jumping feels safe to me but 25 wingsuit-fliers have lost their lives this year alone. There must be some flaw in our system, a lethal secret beyond my comprehension.

Our family is all Whisper has. She hates to be separated, especially if we’re going hiking. This morning I gave her the choice of staying at camp, but she saw us packing and, true to her Queensland Heeler bloodlines, she filed into position between our heels and yipped and nipped at our shoelaces.

We’ve been staying in the Swiss Alps most of the summer. Jen and Whisper have been flying back and forth from our home in California every few weeks so that Jen can keep on top of work obligations while simultaneously holding our family together. Whisper sits at Jen’s feet for the international flights, guiding her safely through the borders. Not bad for a 22 pound pup—Whisper spends half the time along the Pacific coast and mountains of California and the other half yodeling the Sound of Music in alpine pastures and peaks.

The three of us have been living in the Swiss village of Wengen. No cars are allowed in town and we walk or take the train everywhere. It rains a fair bit and we stay at our friends’ Hotel Falken when it’s stormy, but otherwise live in our small yellow tent on the West Flank of the Eiger where we easily access some of the best trekking, climbing, and flying in the world.

These peaks are rich in mountaineering, skiing, flying, and climbing history. No matter how deep into the hills we go there are signs of the people who came centuries before. moderndogmagazine.com

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With hound in the lead, I relax. Thoughts flicker back and forth between the Alps and home, Yosemite National Park. Exhaustion seeps in to us humans but Whisper joyously trots. We keep our eyes on the white flag of her curved scorpion tail flashing in and out of our beams of light.

The Swiss are so healthy and vital. Looking around it is easy to see why, with smiling cows eating lush greens. We shop at tiny markets for organic produce, meat, and cheese. I shake my head at the contrast between the norms in America with our superstores, hormones, pesticides, and patents on GMO seeds.

My wingsuit is wet, the rock is darkening with moisture, plus I can’t see the ground, and that’s one rule to never break with BASE. It seems obvious that you have to see where you’re flying but often jumpers favour flying blind over painstakingly hiking down. They opt for a few seconds of unknown, leap into clouds, strike the wall, and die.

The clouds blacken. We accept the sun’s descent and make our decision to down-climb several hours back to our tent.

Whisp perks with a snort, sensing what’s going on. I carefully take off our wingsuit, unclip her, and she wiggles out of the confines of her flight capsule. Jen clips Whisper into the Tyrolean cable with two locking carabiners, then secures the other end of her full-strength leash to her own harness and they scoot across.

Jen pulls Whisp behind her, with the zip zip zip of metal-on-metal. Dogs aren’t huge fans of freehanging and Miss Whisp is pleased to get off her tether and start leading the way down. Jen and I file into position behind and click on our head-torches as day fades to night.

A false step and we’d slip off the side of one of the deadliest alpine rock faces on earth. Many climbers have lost their lives here, yet somehow this has become a comfortable dog walk for our untraditional family. Mist obscures the beams of our headlamps and I squint, losing the faint trail. Whisper keeps her snout down and easily leads us across slippery rock ramps.

With hound in the lead, I relax. Thoughts flicker back and forth between the Alps and home, Yosemite National Park. Exhaustion seeps in to us humans but Whisper joyously trots. We keep our eyes on the white flag of her curved scorpion tail flashing in and out of our beams of light. My mind wanders and for a minute we are next to the Merced River in Yosemite Valley, California, iconic Half Dome rock formation reflecting in tranquil pools and our family safe in tall grass and windflowers. I blink and we’re

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at the Eiger’s roped section; water streams down our Gortex but Whispy’s oily coat is barely dampened. Jen leads down the rappel line and I secure the pup to my harness with a locking biner and follow. Whisper obediently stays still and obligingly dangles.

I securely hold the rope as icy water oozes and we friction-slide down. My concentration lapses. I long to be submerged in the gurgling Hot Creek near our home on the Eastside of the Sierra Nevada with my girls, all together in the bubbling flow.

A few hours later we unzip our wet clothing, towel off Princess Whisp, crawl into our two-person tent and snuggle into toasty sleeping bags.

Whisp donkey-kicks and somehow makes herself weigh 100 pounds as we all jostle for position. I turn to kiss Jen good night and Whisp wiggles between to fend Jen off. Doggie isn’t comfortable not being the alpha and relentlessly tries to up her position.

During the night I imagine the things our family does: roping up across glaciers, taking Jen’s kids to school, climbing big walls, eating family dinners, surfing, time with grandma, picking apples, finding arrowheads and… alpine wingsuit BASEjumping.

My girls breathe soft while I toss, wondering if it’s okay to lead our family into dangerous situations under the guise of our motto, “Never leave the dog behind!”

Throughout the night I can’t sleep and I go outside and sit in the shelter of a small cave and peer at lifting clouds. Fog, stars, and mountaintops transform into a massive furry flying puppy. I imagine holding Whisper’s warm paw as she sits beside us in our van, a trusty co-pilot everywhere we go.

The sky’s edge brightens in pre-dawn light. I finally start to yawn and crawl back into our tiny tent. An hour or two later my iPhone alarm sounds with an old-fashioned car horn. The girls are already awake and the smell of espresso wafts into the tent from the flames of our camp stove. Whisper sits pretty and signals she’s ready for breakfast. Jen feeds Whisp her allotted half-cup of Bison and Venison kibbles and hands me a warm mug of caffeinated goodness. I breathe it in and stir my exact portions of wildflower honey and organic half and half. Minutes later, I’m ready to go and so is Whisper-dog.

The sky is clear and azure; air fresh, still, and chilly. We decide

Jen should meet us at the landing. She starts hiking down toward the Eigergletscher train station, while Whisper and I, Lone Wolf and Cub, grab our BASE-gear and proceed up the Eiger. Whisper hates when the dog-pack disbands. She keeps looking back for Jen but quickly takes charge and leads the way.

Glorious thoughts of unified human-dog-flight-symbiosis emerge in my anticipatory state. The physicality of the 2500-foot elevation gain requires focus on breath. Whisper knows where we are going and runs back and forth up the side of the Eiger gesturing, “…let’s go, Papa, what’s taking so long?”

Rational thoughts overtake my runners-high as Whisp and I cross the Tyrolean cable again onto the Mushroom. I pull the

Whisper is snuggled into her secure pack. I reach back and run my hands over the short hairs of her smooth muzzle. “Are you ready, Whisper? Let’s get out of here!” I call out assertively as if I’m with one of my mountainhardened BASE brothers. wingsuit from my pack and Whisper nestles in close, gesturing to me, “…don’t you dare leave me here alone.” We work together to secure her into the BASE-pack. She is so patient with my clumsy hands as she stares into my eyes, “…I trust you, Papa.”

Whisper’s warm body presses against my back. I triple check our harness attachment points, ensuring they are locked and loaded. I put technical data out of my mind and start single-focus meditative breathing and actively enter the artist’s flow. I peer into clear sky and see the inviting landing zone about three miles ahead and below. I step my feet to the abrupt limestone edge of the spire. Saliva wells in my mouth and I spit into the void and watch as the globule remains together and falls into calm morning air. “Perfect for flying, Whisp,” I say nonchalantly, hypnotizing us into a positive outlook.

Whisper is snuggled into her secure pack. I reach back and run my hands over the short hairs of her smooth muzzle. “Are you ready, Whisper? Let’s get out of here!”, I call out assertively as if I’m with one of my mountain-hardened BASE brothers.

I shake my shoulders and arms, relaxing my body. The muscles in my legs are subtly quivering. My voice pierces the silent

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mountain air. “Three,” I exhale. My arms calmly dangle on my skeleton. I stare at the horizon. “Two.” I lean forward at the torso and knees bend. “One.” I’m all the way crouched. “See ya!”—I spring with all my might away from the jagged rock face and join the air.

Escalating wind speed rushes in my ears, striped limestone streaks before my eyes. The weight of Whisper tries to take us too steep and flip us but I perform the only maneuver that works every time: relax and arch. The physicality of the Locust yoga position, Salabhasana, while in freefall brings forth an involuntary groan from my open mouth.

We level out and build forward speed. My body loosens again and I set my sights on the grassy meadow miles away with a tiny human speck waiting patiently—Jen. At near 120 mph, the speck gets clearer and clearer by the second. Over a minute passes with my focus singularly targeted on my girlfriend below. Milky mountaintops and smeared green hillsides filter in from my periphery.

Jen is now 600-feet directly below us and the ground is rushing in. I arch and slow our flight speed to half then calmly reach with my right hand, securely grip the pilot chute, and cast it into the relative airflow, which opens the parachute, bang.

“Yeeewww,” I holler and reach up, grab the steering toggles then reach further and stroke Whispy. We start spiraling down to reunite our family.

We land gently beside Jen. I take Whisper off my back and set her into the dew-strung grass. She runs to Jen and calls out with high pitch yips that indicate Whisper-happiness. Her triumphant performance is much the same as I feel but I contain mine within a beaming smile. Jen comes and gives us kisses. Whispy sprints in circles, tucking her butt and tail underneath her in animated playfulness, kicking up grass and rapid-fire barking. Jen and I congratulate her with repeated, “Good girl, good good girlie…”

Days pass and my girls fly back to California. The Alps abruptly change with the season’s first snow. Lonely, I head to high camp and take down the tent, saying goodbye for now.

Sitting under an overhanging rock, I observe icicles form, drip, drip, drip. I flash to innocent Whisper’s tongue sticking out as she bravely crossed to the BASE-exit and our flight. Appalling thoughts of losing everything overwhelm me.

An Alpine chough, a member of the crow family, sounds its metallic, almost synthesized call and swoops and lands close to where I’m sitting. My mood elevates and the black bird cackles and begs. I oblige and toss it an apple core then stand. Its bright yellow beak chisels into raw flesh. I turn away. Clouds swirl in the high peaks. The silhouettes resemble flowing brunette hair and bounding puppy midair. n

To see Dean and Whisper in action, go to modernogmagazine.com/skydivingdog

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SECRETS YOUR DOG ISN’T TELLING YOU

#1 I’m not just taking my time There is a reason why dogs spin around before going to the bathroom and it has nothing to do with endeavouring to make you late for work. A study published in the journal Frontiers in Zoology found that dogs poop in alignment with Earth’s magnetic field.

After observing 70 dogs—made up of 37 breeds—over two years, a clear preference for an alignment with the north-south axis was documented, with the east-west avoided.

Just why they instinctually prefer this positioning for defecation and how exactly they perceive the magnetic field is still unclear, but at least we know what all that spinning around is about. So patience, please. Genius at work.

#2 Different dogs prefer different types of beds When choosing a bed for me, please pay attention to how I sleep. If I like to curl up, I’d probably love a bumper bed, but if I usually sleep with my legs sticking straight out, I’d prefer a flat bed without sides or bolsters. Also, many dogs also like to have a blanket to cover themselves up with. Just sayin’.

#3 Just because I’m wagging my tail… …doesn’t mean I’m friendly or in a good mood. We dogs also sometimes wag our tails when we’re agitated, annoyed or angry. Pay attention to my tail's positioning. A loose, hip-swaying, wiggly, side-to-side wag usually means I’m happy to see you, whereas a tail held high and stiff that’s rigidly wagging means I am in a state of high excitement or agitation. Also look for tense muscles, particularly in the face, dilated pupils and pinned ears—these are not signs of a relaxed dog.

(For more tips on "reading" a tail wag, check out page 100)

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#4 I like to be challenged We dogs are smart and we like games that make us think. We would appreciate you hiding cookies around the house for us to find, giving us smart toys to play with (see page 54), and taking us to new places so we have novel environs to explore.

#5 Please, please don’t overfeed me The latest study by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention found that 53 percent of U.S. dogs were overweight or obese. All that extra weight leads to an increased risk of arthritis, heart disease, and cancer, among other ailments, so please don’t free feed us. We won’t monitor our own intake so give us an appropriately sized high quality breakfast and dinner. When choosing a dog food, look for whole meats in the ingredients list—lamb, beef, turkey, chicken—as opposed to, say, turkey meal. Whole grains are better than by-products and foods preserved with vitmanin E and vitamin C, sometimes labeled as mixed tocopherols, are much preferable to those with chemical preservatives. And dogs definitely don’t need artificial colours or flavours—those are there to appeal to you!

#6 I may be old but I still need companionship and age-appropriate exercise Yes, I sleep more (please move my bed somewhere that I have my space but am still part of things) but that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t be roused for an after dinner stroll.

I can also learn new tricks. That old adage about old dogs? Patently untrue. Modern Dog’s Creative Director taught her ten-year-old Dachshund, Esther, to sneeze on command. It took a few minutes over a few days and is now Esther’s favourite party trick. (It’s all about capturing and rewarding the behaviour—every time your dog happens to sneeze, say “good sneeze” and give her a treat.)

#7 Access to the backyard does not replace a walk Dogs are pack animals and like to be with their people. If left outside, we’re most likely just sitting and waiting for you to return and let us back indoors where we can be part of the action. moderndogmagazine.com

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#8 I’m not just being bad…

I’m bored! Studies have found dogs, on average, posses the intellect of a human two-year-old, and we can all imagine how much trouble a toddler left to their own devices all day could get up to (read: disaster). So if I’m barking, jumping or wrecking things, chances are I need a lot more exercise and attention. Please unplug and take me to the dog park or spend a minute brushing up on my trick repertoire (cookies a welcome addition).

#9 If you’re a stranger…

Let me approach you. If you crouch down a short distance from me and glance off to the side, I will be much happier and more relaxed approaching on my own terms than if you reach your hand down into my face, an action that may make me nervous or might appear threatening.

#10 I am a creature of habit and I like consistency… …particularly where training is concerned. If you let me up on the couch sometimes, I will not understand that I cannot be up there all the time. If my habits suddenly and drastically change, please take me to the vet; a sudden change in behaviour is often indicative of an underlying medical issue. n

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Style

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Matching lead and all sizes available. $70, hartmanandrose.com

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PET PROJECT

eat D.I.Y.

Yummer s!

SINGLE INGREDIENT SUPERFOOD SNACKS Prepare these single ingredient fiber- and vitamin-rich treats for your dog in 5 minutes flat!

Sweet Potato Chews

All you need is five minutes prep time and a single raw yam or sweet potato. Pure, easy, and unadulterated, dog treats don’t get any healthier, easier or less expensive than this.

DIRECTIONS •

Preheat oven to 250° F.

•

Scrub the sweet potato or yam. No need to peel.

•

Cut it into thin slices (the thinner the slice the shorter the cooking time) and place on a cookie sheet in a single layer.

•

Bake in oven at 250° F for about 3 hours for slightly chewy treats or bake slightly longer to get them crunchy. Note: timing will vary according to the thickness of your slices; just keep an eye on them.

Kale Chips

Kale, the darling of the urban farmer’s market scene, can make a welcome addition to your dog’s snack repetoire. Best of all, this is a treat you can share!

Or, better yet, if you have a dehydrator (we like the

DIRECTIONS

Excalibur Food Dehydrator excaliburdehydrator.com),

•

pop them in there instead of the oven.

then tear into bite size pieces.

•

Sweet potatoes are a source of dietary fiber and contain vitamin B6, vitamin C, beta carotene, and manganese. Most dogs love the chewy sweetness of a delish dehydrated sweet potato treat. And you can rest easy knowing there’s no additives, preservatives or anything extraneous in these.

Wash and thoroughly dry kale with a salad spinner Drizzle with a couple of teaspoons of olive oil and toss or massage to coat. Separate your dog’s portion from yours.

•

Sprinkle yours with a pinch of salt. Leave your dog’s portion unsalted.

•

Arrange leaves in a single layer on a cookie sheet or two.

•

Bake at 350°F until dark green and crispy (not brown or burnt), 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool a bit and enjoy with your dog!

Kale is very high in beta carotene, vitamin K, and vitamin C, as well as carotenoid pigments. It is also a source of calcium, magnesium, potassium, and beta carotene. You can feed your dog leafy greens such as kale raw, lightly cooked, or dried.

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g’s Your dog tail waggineveal can r e’s how h g feelin

WHAT'S IN A WAG How to “read” your dog’s tail

By Rose Frosek

I

t turns out dogs use their wagging tails to communicate far more information about their emotional state than initially thought. Italian research has found that dogs move their tail more to the right or the left depending on how happy they feel. The research, conducted by neuroscientists at the University of Trento, Italy, found that dogs wag their tails slightly to the right when they are happy or see something they like and to the left when they’re confronted with something they dislike or want to avoid. Not only are these emotional signals understood by other dogs but they affect how dogs interact with each other. When the dogs involved in the study saw otherwise expressionless dogs wagging their tails to the right, they remained perfectly relaxed. But when the test dogs saw other dog’s tails veering to the left, their heart rates rose and they became visibly anxious. Want to know how your dog is feeling? Watch which way he wags his tail!

READING YOUR DOG’S TAIL POSITION “I am rellllaxed” Natural, relaxed tail position, may wag gently “I’m happy!” "Wiggle bum" wags from side to side or in a circular motion if really happy “I’m in a state of high excitement!” Tail held very high and stiff with a rigid, almost vibrating wag

“I’m afraid” Tail tucked between legs or right up against belly

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! y e l r a H t Mee

COVER DOG WINNER

Meet our amazing Cover Dog, Harley, a sweet survivor and spokesdog against puppy mills

Harley’s M otto?

ADOPT DON’T , SHOP!

Harley wears a two-sided XX bandana collar from Wildebeest ($23, wildebeest.co).

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This inspirational dog has triumphed over extreme adversary and gone on to inspire many Photographed by Mark Stevens

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arley was born in a puppy mill. For those who don’t know, these are horrible places. Selected as breeding stock, Harley was confined to a wire cage with a wire floor that hurt his feet. He had no bed, no toys, no clean water. He never knew a kind word or loving touch. The years ran together, all ten of them spent caged, and nothing changed, save for Harley getting older and more crippled. Then the cough started; Harley was in heart failure. At this point, the puppy mill people had no more use for him. He was tossed in a bucket to die—but, for the first time in his life, fortune smiled upon him. A woman who worked for the puppy mill stepped in and rescued him, turning him over to a rescue.

This is when everything changed. Harley’s rescuer, Barbara, wrote about his first night of freedom, March 18, 2011: “He is small, but also badly crippled on the back legs and walks with his elbows out on the front legs, and he carries his head low to take weight off the back legs. His nails are so long. He has one eye missing. His mouth is full of rot. He is so very sweet. As soon as I got him, I bathed him. He was frightened but stood still. I soaped him up three times to get the stench off him. I then towel dried him and put a sweater on him to keep him warm. I cleaned his ears, which were nasty and clipped his nails as much as I dared. He is about five pounds and sable coloured. He’s loved me since the moment I took him. He slept with me—the first time he’s ever slept in a soft place or bed. He wanted to snuggle so close and he licked me over and over. I let him even though his breath was so bad! He will go to the vet the first of the week to see if he is strong enough to withstand anesthesia for a neuter and dental. In anticipation, I started him on antibiotics. He has diarrhea, parasites, and some other issues. This boy

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Harley is now a spokesdog against puppy mills and works with National Mill Dog Rescue, an amazing organization dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and re-homing mill dogs. So far, Harley has helped raise more than $150,000, every penny of which has gone toward saving mill dogs and helping with their medical expenses. And this past May, Harley and his new family spearheaded an effort to save 364 mill dogs. Most of them have already found homes. That’s what we call paying it forward, folks. We couldn’t be more thrilled to feature such an inspiring little dog on the cover of Modern Dog magazine. n

>> Learn more about National Mill Dog Rescue at milldogrescue.org. >> Follow Harley’s adventures at facebook.com/harleyfreighttraintaylor.

Harley wears a flower-charm adorned Hot Dogs All Dressed Collar (hotdogsalldressed.com).

has waited a long time for this freedom, and while we have to play games and be nice to the breeders who so badly neglect, it is necessary in order to save the dogs. We will find him a wonderful home, with someone who will adore and love him for whatever time he has left.”

To the vet Harley went. He got neutered and most of his teeth were pulled. He was X-rayed so they could figure out his spinal problems—the cramped cage he’d lived in most of his life was hard on his bones. He had congestive heart failure and his stomach and lungs were filled with fluid. It was even coming out his nose. Added to that was a level-five heart murmur, plus a few other things: a broken tail, deformed toes due to his nails never being trimmed, arthritis, an eye with cataracts—in short, he was a mess. You may have noticed Harley only has one eye? The puppy mill breeders didn’t take the dogs out of the cages to clean them; they just power washed the dogs along with the cages. Harley had a couple of buddies with no eyes.

When Rudi and Dan Taylor heard about Harley they knew he was meant to be with them. To meet Barbara, they drove to the middle of Kansas, accompanied by their two Chihuahuas Cricket and Zoie who cuddled with Harley on the long ride home.

Harley’s new vet didn’t think he’d live three months, but he’s proven her wrong. It’s been nearly three and a half years and Harley’s still going strong.

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Meet AdorableJosh Runner up in our Cover Dog Contest!

We felt we’d be remiss not to include a mention of Josh, the runner-up in our Cover Dog Contest with over 170,000 votes. This little dog has won an awful lot of hearts, and with good reason. Josh’s momma, Tina Lythgoe, has worked at Rita’s Grooming in Sun Valley, CA, for 28 years and takes in all kinds of abandoned critters: baby birds, sparrows, pigeons… whoever needs help. So when Tina got a call about a tiny puppy, just 48 hours old, that needed to be pulled from the pound or face euthanasia, she immediately dispatched her husband, Lenny, to go and pick him up. He took the wee slip of a thing straight to the vet who confirmed the little dog had a cleft palate and that there was nothing to be done but take him home and attempt to feed him. He did great with a bottle, and Tina, for her part, knew the minute she held him that she was keeping him forever. Josh has gone on to become a bit of an internet celebrity, inspiring others to overcome their difficulties, but mostly Tina wants everyone to know that birth defects are surmountable problems. Just look at happy Josh, beloved by not only his family but a ton of others too.

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It’s time to take your medicine

MEMORY ASSISTANCE DOGS Can your dog help you remember? Turns out, the answer is yes!

By Stanley Coren

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an a dog serve as a substitute for a person’s failing memory? Rather amazingly, the answer is yes.

People in developed countries are living considerably longer, which is certainly great, though not without its challenges–one of the major problems for the elderly and their caretakers is the decline of memory-related mental abilities. In the United States, it is estimated that around 15 percent of people 65 and older will suffer from some form of dementia, while an additional 10 percent will suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. This amounts to around 5.5 million people in the US alone, which presents a looming challenge for both the health care system and families.

Luckily, dogs are poised to help. Let me explain.

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It’s possible to have a dog substitute its own episodic memory to assist people with memory problems.

Not all forms of memory are affected equally in people suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Psychologists often start by dividing memory into to large groupings that they call “explicit” or “implicit” memory. The easiest way to distinguish these is to note that explicit memories are the ones that you can describe or call into your mind at will, while implicit memories are automatic and not really conscious. Learned skills are good examples of implicit memories. Thus, although you might remember how to ride a bicycle (since you can easily do it) trying to describe to someone else what you have to do to stay upright on a bicycle is virtually impossible. You know what to do, but you can’t make these actions conscious in such a way as to communicate them to others.

These implicit memories are very strong and often survive the effects of memory loss due to age.

Explicit memories are the ones which are easily brought into consciousness and which we can describe verbally. When we consider explicit memory it comes in two varieties, namely “episodic” and “semantic” memory. Episodic memory is memory for what you have personally experienced. When you answer a question about what you had for dinner last night or which clothes you wore yesterday, you are recalling episodic memories. This is different from semantic memory which involves memory for facts.

To answer a question such as “Who was George Washington?” or “What is the climate like on the moon?” will involve semantic memory. It is not episodic memory since you never met George Washington, nor have you visited the moon. Some people say that episodic memory is a sort of mental time travel in which you revisit events that you experienced by bringing them into consciousness. Episodic memory is not based upon practice or repetition, since most life events occur only once and nonetheless are remembered. Episodic memory is the most fragile form of memory and it is the most likely to be damaged by dementia.

Luckily, it’s possible to have a dog substitute its own episodic memory to assist people with memory problems.

One of the first people to use a memory assistance dog was John Dignard, a man who, when I interviewed him in 2003, was living in Wetaskiwin, a town in Alberta, Canada. Dignard was hit by a car at the age of five and the accident caused brain damage. He was left with learning difficulties and a very unreliable short-term memory. That means that before anything makes it into his long-term memory, it must be repeated and relearned many times. Early memories are still there, so that Dignard can remember his phone number from when he was four, but new ones are a problem. For instance, it took him a year after his marriage to remember his wife’s name. He told me, “When you ask someone’s name Your keys 600 times because you can’t are by remember, it’s very frustrating.” the door!

At a very pragmatic level, Dignard’s lack of short-term episodic memory made simple tasks nightmares. If Dignard went to a shopping mall, by the time he came out he usually had completely forgotten where his car was parked. It is in such situations that the episodic memory ability of a dog becomes important. Dignard can now go shopping with confidence because of a German Shepherd Dog named Goliath, who serves as his memory aide. Goliath is the third such memory assistance dog Dignard has had. Obviously Goliath can’t help with names, phone numbers or shopping lists, but the dog does serve the same purpose as the ball of string that Theseus let out as wended his way through the labyrinth in order to find his way back out after he slew the Minotaur.

Goliath’s task is to lead his master back to the places that he can’t remember, such as the way out of a building he has only visited one time. In other words, the dog must use his episodic memory to remember where an exit is or where his owner’s car was parked.

Dignard told me “I’d be lost all the time without him. Now I just tell him ‘go to the exit door,’ or I tell him ‘back to the car,’ and he takes me there.” Goliath’s episodic memory substitutes for the episodic memories that his master has such difficulty retrieving.

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Dogs love predictability and routine and this is the hook upon which much of the training of the dementia assistance dogs is based.

Fortunately, most forms of age-related dementia do not have a sudden onset, and in the beginning and middle stages of the diseases people can still have a useful, functional, and somewhat independent life if they have adequate assistance and support services. However, even in the early stages, there are intermittent problems associated with memory loss and a dimming of mental abilities. For example, dementia sufferers can forget to take their medication or even to eat. It is easy for them to get lost and not be able to find their way home and as a result they often experience feelings of frustration, isolation, anger, and a sense of helplessness. Ultimately, they can find themselves to be effectively prisoners in their own homes and are completely dependent on the assistance of other people to allow them to go outside. For such people, a memory assistance dog could make all the difference.

In the past few years two groups of individuals have started to train dogs to assist people with Alzheimer’s and dementia. The first is in Israel and was the brainchild of Dafna Golan-Shemesh, a social worker with expertise in caring for Alzheimer’s patients, and her partner, Yariv Ben-Yosef, a professional dog trainer. More recently, a similar project was initiated by students at Scotland’s Glasgow School of Art’s Product Design Department and then further developed by a partnership between Alzheimer Scotland, Dogs for the Disabled, and Guide Dogs Scotland.

These memory assistance dogs do not work on a harness the way guide dogs for the blind do but rather on a six-foot leash so that they can be out in front of the person and actually lead in an appropriate direction. The main task of the dementia service dog is to bring his charge home when the order “Home” is given. If the patient forgets to give the order to return home or is lost to the degree that he wanders far from the house and into an unfamiliar area, worried caretakers or family can activate an electronic GPS navigation device that is installed on the dog’s collar. This not only helps locate the missing pair but also emits a recognizable tone, which the dog interprets as an alternate command instructing him to lead his patient home.

If, for some reason, the patient is not capable of accompanying the dog home, the dog is trained to remain with him and to call attention to the situation by barking. In worst-case scenarios where the patient wanders out of the house without his canine

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assistant, the dog is trained to track him by his scent.

Dogs love predictability and routine and this is the hook upon which much of the training of the dementia assistance dogs is based. For example, Alzheimer’s disease can make people confuse day and night or forget basic things such as washing or drinking enough water. The dogs are trained to help guide people through the day, encouraging them to open a cupboard that contains food for the dog and also a prominent note to the owner reminding him that he has to eat as well.

In the same way that dogs respond to the sound their collar emits meaning “Go home,” they are trained to respond to other sound-triggers in the home. For example, an electronic timer can sound a tone that causes the dog to bring a bite-proof bag of medicine with a note inside reminding the patient to take it, while another tone prompts the dog to walk his owner to the bathroom where he will find a note indicating that he should wash himself and take a glass of water. The dogs are also trained to trigger an alarm in the house should the patient fall and not get up within a reasonable amount of time or if they hear a choking sound.

Almost as important as the direct services provided by these assistance dogs is the fact that these animals also provide companionship and friendship for their owner. They create a psychological anchor to reality by maintaining a meaningful daily routine that adds to the quality of life. The very fact that the dogs must be walked every day promotes exercise for the patient and encourages social interaction between the dementia sufferer and other people. Research has shown that an individual who walks with a dog is more likely to be engaged in conversation by other people along the way. A significant aspect is that such interactions are very predictable, with questions like “What is your dog’s name?” and “How old is he?”

These positive and predictable social interactions reduce the sense of loneliness and isolation experienced by people with dementia. The very fact that they are out and about with their dog also provides a sense of independence to the patient and reduces the feelings of helplessness and dependency which can lead to some of the severe forms of depression which are often encountered in Alzheimer’s and dementia sufferers.

Now if I could just find a dog that would help me remember the names of the people that I meet… n

Is your pup in need of some mid-hike sustenance? Full Moon jerky is 100% human-grade and made in the USA for a treat you can feel good about giving your dog. The chickens are raised cagefree and the jerky is slow cooked with flaxseed oil—just the thing to get you to that extra mile! $10, fullmoonpet.com

Sleepypod’s Yummy Bowls, available in a variety of gorgeous colours, fit together so you can store and transport your dog’s food and water together without spilling or mixing the contents! From $30, sleepypod.com

Keep your pup’s paws protected in any conditions with Musher’s Secret Dog Paw Wax. Safe and effective, it provides a barrier from rough terrain, hot pavement, ice build-up, and more! $16, thedogoutdoors.com

Nothing beats crawling into a cozy sleeping bag after a day of camping or backpacking. Now your furry explorer can enjoy the same feeling with this sleeping bag for smaller dogs. Its top is completely removable and the bag rolls up for easy storage and travel. Plus, it’s super-cute! $30, alcottadventures.com

GET OUTDOORS! Great fall gear for adventurous pups & their people

Have a dog that always wants more exercise? Take her for a bike ride! The Springer Dog Exerciser attaches to your bike to let you safely cycle with your dog. It absorbs 90% of the force of any unexpected tugs. $129, springeramerica.com

Keep your best bud dry and happy with Fab Dog’s bright yellow Argyle raincoat. The light nylon shell folds up into a pocket for easy travel! Available in sizes for dogs 5 – 60 pounds. $28, fabdog.com Hang this portable pet shower from your car window—or from anywhere, really—to wash the dirt, mud, and sand from your dog after a good outdoor romp. $40, portablepetshower.com

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10 SIGNS OF A FEARFUL DOG

By Nicole Wilde

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often get questions regarding “aggressive” dogs. While there are dogs who truly mean to cause harm, the vast majority of what we term “aggression” is actually fear-based reactivity. If we learn to recognize the signs that a dog is uncomfortable or afraid, we can react appropriately rather than unintentionally escalate the situation to a point where the dog feels he must defend himself.

10 COMMON SIGNS OF STRESS OR FEAR IN DOGS 1. Averted eyes 2. Turning away of the head and/or body 3. Lip licking 4. Yawning 5. Scratching 6. Sniffing 7. Weight back 8. Ears back 9. Tail lowered or tucked 10. Growling

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When a dog does not want to face something that is frightening him, whether a person, other dog, or something else, he’ll often turn his body partially away from it. Eyes may be cast to the side and down, and the dog might even turn his head and entire body away from the threat.

Lip licking and yawning are commonly referred to as cutoff signals or calming signals. Dogs display them when nervous and sometimes use them to let another dog know they are not a threat. Look around your veterinarian’s waiting room and you’re likely to see furry patients giving quick lip licks or yawns.

Scratching and sniffing are meant to diffuse tension. When my former dogs Soko and Mojo would play, I could always tell when Soko was becoming overwhelmed. I’d elbow my husband, point toward them, and count 3, 2, 1… sure enough, Soko would suddenly either develop a sudden itch or discover something fascinating on the ground. She’d turn away from Mojo, chewing furiously at her hindquarter or stand facing away, sniffing at something non-existent. Her body language created a break in the play, effectively stopping it before it escalated and boiled into aggression.

When a dog is scared, everything about him becomes smaller. He may lower his body, and the weight will shift to his back

end. The ears are likely to be back or even flattened, and the tail will be lowered or even tucked. It is important to know the dog’s normal ear and tail position so that any variations can be recognized. An Akita, for example, normally has a very high tail position while a sighthound has a low one.

Growling is a dog’s way of communicating that he’s uncomfortable with something. Many people punish dogs for growling. This is a very bad idea, because it is, in effect, removing the dog’s early warning system. Trainers see many dogs who bite with no warning due to the growl having been punished. If your dog growls at you, defuse the situation by moving away slowly and carefully. Then, when emotions have settled down for you both, formulate a plan to address the problem and seek professional help if necessary.

Of course, all of these signals can mean other things as well, depending on the context, and must be interpreted as a whole, rather than individually, but knowing how to “read” your dog will help you properly interpret your dog’s actions so you can address the true root of the behaviour. n For more on helping dogs with fear issues, check out Nicole’s book Help for Your Fearful Dog (nicolewilde. com), which contains information and photos of fearful body language and has extensive advice for helping dogs overcome fear issues.

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ASK A TRAINER

Inger Martens & Teoti Anderson To prevent snapping, the best time to give a treat is after a meal so that some of the edge is taken off.

Snapping At Treats How do I teach my puppy not to snap food from my hand when I give him a treat? I’ve tried withholding the treat until he calms down a bit, but by that time he’s forgotten that he’s getting a treat for going potty, so now the potty training has gone backwards a bit.

—Overeager in Ohio

Young puppies snap at treats due to the teething process and youthful exuberance. With training, this is not a behaviour that will last. Getting your dog to multitask by incorporating a directive such as a training command will help him focus on a positive action.

The easiest way to teach a puppy not to snap food from your hand is to change when you give treats. To prevent snapping, the best time to give a treat is after a meal so that some of the edge is taken off. Combine the act of giving the treat with a hand signal to teach your pup to sit so that you use the treat to reinforce training and focus your pup’s enthusiasm in a positive direction.

To do this, put the treat in your right hand under your thumb with your palm facing the floor. (This also means your pup will be unable to snap the treat from your hand.) Use the hand that is holding the treat to gesture the letter J while saying, “sit.” To do this, motion your palm downward toward the floor then scoop upward to form the curve of the J, which will bring your puppy’s focus up to your eyes as you say “sit.” This motion, along with the word “sit” and the scent of the treat, will create an automatic signal for your puppy to sit. Your pup’s focus will be on your hand and the verbal cue of “sit.” Repeat the gesture until he sits.

Another tip if your puppy doesn’t sit is to take one small step toward him while doing the hand signal. Once he sits, crouch down and lay the treat flat in your hand before giving him his

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tasty reward. By applying these tips, the hyper response will subside on it’s own with time.

I should note that I’m not a big fan of treat giving as a reward for going potty for the very reason you mentioned in your question. In my opinion, going potty should be rewarded with your voice only. Puppies love high-pitched sounds so rewards can be praise and touch, which are equally exciting. Treats for going potty can amount to needless distraction.

Remember too, people often attempt to hold the treat in the opposite hand from the one they’re using to motion to sit, creating a focus on the wrong place. This can also instigate jumping up for the treat. But do it right and treats plus training is the perfect way to combine leash work, focus, and learning to accept food in a graceful manner.

Inger Martens is a celebrity dog trainer and behavioural expert. An author, television and radio personality, she has been dubbed “Best Dog Trainer in LA” by Los Angeles magazine. She is currently excited to announce her new online resourcefor dog owners, pawsforaminute.com.

Peeing on the Couch I have a Boxer in rescue that pees on the couch. She had been used in a puppy mill for three years but has been out for four years and is not adapting as well as needed. She lost a forever home due to dog aggression that turned out to be improper socialization and that is being rectified... but peeing on the couch is not cool. I take her out least four to six times a day but it seems that it is something else. She has seen the vet.—Couch Problems in Pensacola You are brilliant to get your dog checked out by your veterinarian first. If this was a physical problem, no amount of training would help you. Since your vet has eliminated a physical cause, it’s time to treat this behaviourally.

This is a housetraining issue—it’s not one of spite or dominance.

Your dog isn’t “mad” at you for anything. She’s just never been properly housetrained. Puppy mill dogs can be notoriously hard to housetrain.

A mother dog licks her puppies to stimulate them to eliminate and then she licks them clean. As they get older and are able to start moving around, most puppies will instinctively move away from their dens to eliminate. But if puppies are stuck in a cage, there is nowhere else to go and they are forced to eliminate where

they live. Thus, instead of learning to pee and poop somewhere else, they learn it’s okay to live in their messes. To top that off, puppy mill puppies are taken from their mothers at extremely young ages, so that they will still be small and cute after shipment over long distances and therefore more appealing to buyers. This means they don’t get necessary lessons in staying clean from their mothers. They learn to be “dirty dogs” and it is not their fault.

To remedy this, you’ll have to housetrain your Boxer using an approach very similar to that you would use with a puppy— confinement. Except in this case, crate training is probably not going to be effective because your dog will probably eliminate in a crate as that is what she’s used to. Instead, use an exercise pen or confine her in a small room with a floor that is easy to clean, such as a laundry room. Employ vigilant supervision.

She should never be unsupervised, ever. She should never have access to your couch unless you are right there to see when she starts to eliminate. If she has an accident that you find later, the supervision is not adequate. The more she practices eliminating outside rather than inside, the better she’ll get.

Give her two scheduled meals each day. Do not leave food out at all times. This will train her body to eliminate at the same time each day. Increase her number of potty breaks and always take her out on leash so you can control the environment and be right there to praise her when she eliminates outside. When she does, praise her and give her treats.

If you catch her in the act of eliminating indoors, just use a stern voice to interrupt her, then rush her outside on leash to finish, praising her when she does. Be sure you are cleaning up all messes with an enzymatic cleaner. I also recommend getting your couch professionally cleaned. Even if you can’t still smell the pee, she might be able to, so she may continue going to the same spot over and over.

Puppy mill dogs can learn to be housetrained with your patience, supervision, and consistency in positive training. Your Boxer had a terrible start in life … but you are working to make it so much better! n Teoti Anderson, CPDT, owns Pawsitive Results (getpawsitiveresults.com), and is the past president of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. She is the author of Your Outta Control Puppy, Super Simple Guide to Housetraining, Quick and Easy Crate Training, and Puppy Care and Training.

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Connie’s Book Club From left Underwater Puppies; Paris-Chien: Adventures of an Ex-Pat Dog

Get cozy with a good dog and a good book

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF CONNIE WILSON’S SELECTION OF FALL MUST-READS.

Paris-Chien: Adventures of an Ex-Pat Dog

By Jackie Clark Mancuso Two things inspired this delightfully charming illustrated children’s book—Jackie Clark Mancuso’s own time in the City of Light and a scruffy little Norwich Terrier named Hudson. In Paris-Chien, Hudson, newly relocated from the US to France, learns that while moving to a new place and making friends can be difficult, it can also be an amazing adventure. A wonderful book to share with the children in your life.

The Mountaintop School for Dogs and Other Second Chances

By Ellen Cooney Cooney’s beautiful novel of redemption and second chances shows that rescue is really a two-way street. The titular Mountaintop School for Dogs is a sanctuary where abused dogs recover from their pasts and are helped on the road to healing. But they are not the only ones forging a path to recovery. A woman outrunning her own down-on-her-luck circumstances lands a job at the Sanctuary out of necessity but, while working to rehabilitate and rescue these wayward dogs, finds she is rescued right back.

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Underwater Puppies

By Seth Casteel Photographer Seth Casteel, the man behind national bestseller Underwater Dogs, is back with a new book guaranteed to also be a smash hit: Underwater Puppies. His surprising photographs capturing what’s happening below the surface make for arresting portraits both fascinating and funny. Simultaneously gorgeous and otherworldly, the book’s exuberant pups had us at the get-go.

Animal Stars: Behind the Scenes with Your Favorite Animal Actors

By Allen and Linda Anderson From Paris-Chien: Adventures of an Ex-Pat Dog

Sophie: Inspired by a Real Story Dog

By Y. Hoch Guaranteed to delight dog lovers of all ages, this winningly illustrated children’s book about friends, love, and self confidence follows Sophie, a Welsh Corgi, on quite the journey. After receiving an invitation from her sister in London to attend a royal wedding, Sophie and her friends embark upon an adventure in which they solve a mystery and rescue a priceless stolen cheese recipe, so the princess may marry the man she loves. Get ready for a new favourite in the bedtime story rotation!

Harlow & Sage (and Indiana): A True Story About Best Friends

By Brittni Vega This story of dog friendship might just be the cutest thing going. It made us smile, brought tears to our eyes, and made us want to go hug our dogs. There are a lot of adorable duos out there, but this pair—plus newcomer puppy Indiana— might just be our favourite.

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Learn more about the animals that enchant us on the big screen in Animal Stars. This book not only offers a look into the fascinating world of these talented animals, but also provides insights into their training and daily life, as well as their bonds with their celebrity costars who have fallen in love with them. Actors, directors, and trainers all weigh in with behind-the-scenes stories and highlights.

Animal Wisdom: Learning from the Spiritual Lives of Animals

By Linda Bender Animal advocate and veterinarian Linda Bender draws on a lifetime of experience to craft this beautiful and thoughtful exploration of the interconnectivity between people and the sentient creatures we share our world with. It’s a welcome reminder of what our animals friends can teach us, how we can better communicate with them, and the many ways they can change our lives for the better. This inspiring look at our relationships with animals—and how they deepen and enrich our lives—is filled wonderful anecdotes that will keep you turning the pages. If you’re looking for a deeper, more spiritual connection to animals, this is the book for you. n

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BOTHERED AND BEWILDERED? CRAZED AND CONFUSED? IF YOUR DOGGIE DILEMMA HAS YOU DOWN IN THE DUMPS…

ask dog lady

by Monica Collins

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Dear Dog Lady, I work with a woman who tells anybody who asks that she will never get another dog because she couldn’t stand the heartbreak of losing him. This seems like a tremendously short-sighted rationale. I thought I would ask you how you would advise this woman.—Cecily If your colleague has known the pain of losing a cherished pet and chooses not to go through the ordeal again, there is nothing anyone can say—except that fear of loss should not hold her back from experiencing life, taking chances, plunging in. Granted, after losing a dog, there is often a deep reluctance to get another so quickly because the pain is deep.

These animals are like family members.

Some people who are newly dog-less find a replacement dog right away.

They don’t want to live without four legs. Others take time to savor the newfound independence and honour the memory of the departed. They will wait until the time feels right. You don’t know where your colleague falls along this spectrum. She may stay true to her word and never get another dog. Or perhaps “the lady doth protest too much” and

A

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her adamant posture indicates she feels just the opposite of her assertion. Maybe she really wishes to be coaxed into getting another dog. Dog Lady bets your colleague has not sworn off dogs completely and will probably make a canine connection before too long. Why not try including her in a group email (so as not to single her out) containing a petfinder. com link to an adoptable cutie in your area and see what happens?

Dear Dog Lady, I have a West Highland Terrier named Murphy who is 15 years old (!). He will be 16 in April. I just love him, but because of his age I know he is living on borrowed time.

My concern: What if my sweetie passes away in my lap some evening or overnight on the bed? I’ve never had to deal with this. Shall I just wrap him in his blankie and take him to the veterinarian in the morning? —Jill A: Oh yeesh, you tug at the heart strings.

Dog Lady also has a 15 1/2 year old Westie (named Shorty). He will be 16 in July. Loving care accrues to longevity and Westies can live a long time.

Shorty’s mother was 17 when she died.

You should have a talk with your veterinarian about what to do if Murphy expires in your arms. Certainly you can wrap him in his blanket and place him in the coolest spot in the house for the night. You can bury him in his “blanky” too. Do you want him cremated or buried? Make these arrangements now so you’re prepared for the moment. In the meantime, enjoy him. Ah, hold that little guy close.

Dear Dog Lady, My old friend, a 60ish widower, has brought in a puppy to ease the loneliness. He answered an ad and went to New Hampshire where he got a Cairn Terrier, Angus, an impossibly cute and energetic dog. Angus is also very smart.

He was house-trained in what seemed like a week. But my friend cannot control him around the house. In particular, Angus jumps and barks at the TV. When my friend complains about this, I tell him to train his dog but he always has an excuse about why he can’t. Could it be my friend likes his dog’s bad behaviour?—Mona A: We all have perfect dogs—dogs perfect for us. Over the years, Dog Lady has

ask dog lady

come to believe that some owners indulge bad dog behaviour because they think it’s cute or funny or just an indelibly endearing part of their dear dog. The designer Isaac Mizrahi once gushed proudly about his dog’s rotten behaviour in an interview with People magazine.

Your friend obviously thinks Angus is the cat’s meow. So don’t overthink this. Yes, he loves Angus’ hijinks but will never admit he’s oddly tickled when the puppy yaps at the TV.

Dear Dog Lady, My new partner, whom I consider a man of taste and style, loves dogs—and me. Unfortunately, his good taste does not extend to dog art. He has a poster hanging in his living room of dogs playing poker. I am tired of looking at it. I would like to invest in a fine painting or sculpture of dogs as a gift to him.

My question is two-fold: in the art world, are there “dog collectibles?” Where would I find them?—Matthew A: Yes, there are “dog collectibles”—paintings, prints, sculptures, collars from the 19th century, ceramics, needlework, Disney cells, old dog licenses, vintage toys—you name it. There are many lovely (not to mention tasteful) ways to celebrate the animals we love so well. Domestic companions have sparked the artistic imagination through the centuries. All of this makes that poker table poster look quite primitive indeed.

For example, Dog Lady has a favourite, a Morgan Dennis print of a curious Scottish terrier perched on a chair. The dog admires its likeness as reflected in an easel where there’s a mirror image drawing. The charming dual image captures all of that terrier tenacity and curiosity. Dennis, a renowned 20th century dog artist, also did the etchings of the Scottie and West Highland white terriers for the Black and White Scotch advertising campaign of the 1950s.

As for where to go searching for dog collectibles more inline with your personal aesthetic, the William Secord Gallery specializes in the exhibition and sale of fine nineteenth and twentieth century dog and animal paintings and is the only gallery of its kind in North America. You can check out their gorgeous offerings at dogpainting.com or stop by the gallery if you’re in New York City. eBay is also a great place to begin browsing for dog oeuvre and objets.

Please go to www.askdoglady.com to read more, send questions and watch episodes of “Ask Dog Lady,” the TV show. n Write questions or comments to askdoglady@gmail; read more at askdoglady.com or facebook.com/askdoglady.

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LAST LICK

How I Met My Dog

State of Grace

By Sheila Pinder

T

he day I turned 44 I found myself living in an apartment, on my own and dog-less, each for the very first time.

What a way to spend my birthday! Over time, I nursed my heart and settled into a lonely routine. I wanted to bring a dog home to my sixth floor place but worried that might be self-serving and unfair. A colleague suggested fostering and I received my first foster from ARF (the Animal Rescue Foundation, London, Ontario) in early February 2009. Four weeks later this abandoned adult dog was re-homed with a wonderful forever family and I was alone again. I had so enjoyed my first foster dog that even ARF members expected I’d adopt the large short-haired male myself, especially as he was in every way what I’d said I wanted in a dog. In truth I can’t say why I didn’t keep him, except that clearly I was waiting for Grace.

Gracee was delivered to me on the morning of my 45th birthday. An empathetic ARF volunteer handed over the leash with a “she’s so scared. I had to let my mother drive so I could sit in the backseat with her. She’s terrified of everything.”

Underweight, and heartworm positive, Gracee was lucky to have found a rescue group prepared to take her on. One look and I knew there was no danger I’d keep her. She was small, underweight (about 35 pounds) and retriever-ish, already shedding profusely. The ARF vets had discovered that my new foster pet was close to four years old, which explained the sprinkles of white fur on her scarred muzzle. All I could give her was respite and rehabilitation. And that’s what we both got.

After several weeks in care when Grace finally, finally trusted me enough to take food from my hand and eat from a dish, I told her that she would make some lucky family a wonderful pet.

When at last I was able to take the mop from the closet without her splaying out on the floor in a puddle of urine, I explained that her new family would be impressed by her growing confidence.

When after everything she’d been through, she remained gentle and sweet with people of all ages and description, I believed she’d be the type of dog a family could take anywhere.

Though Grace became more comfortable with me, she would still lunge and bark at other dogs we passed while we walked.

Frightened and highly anxious, this Tasmanian devil at the end of my leash often convinced me to quickly change direction or cross the street. Her training focused on desensitization and counterconditioning and I began to wonder how readily she would settle into yet another new home.

Though Grace beat the heartworm, the spinal injection treatments made her quite ill. I cooked her meals of white rice, pumpkin, yogurt, and boiled chicken thighs, and after several more weeks we got her digestive system back on track. (Phew! The white shag carpet in my apartment couldn’t take too many more bouts of diarrhea.)

Eventually, Grace began to thrive.

In ARF’s care, her medical and maintenance needs were served. In my home, her need for bonding, affection, and healing was mirrored by my own.

Six months slipped by and suddenly it was time to put her up for adoption. I told myself this was for the best and that she’d be happier with a family, in a proper home. Besides, she wasn’t the extra-large, young, shorthaired male dog of my dreams. But when I allowed myself to imagine life without Grace, I found I didn’t want to. It took me much longer than it took my girl, who, from the moment she walked in the doors, knew she was home. Finally, I knew it too.

Since her adoption, we have moved into a house with a large fenced yard, close to walking trails and a conservation area.

We have welcomed two additional rescues into our family and neither of us is lonely anymore. Now Gracee runs and wrestles and plays with her canine brothers. We’ve been together nearly five years and she is finally comfortable enough to ask for the occasional belly rub. In the warmer weather, she loves to lay stretched out in the sunshine on our back deck and survey her domain. The scars on her face have nearly disappeared under a thick and luxurious coat. The scars she carries on the inside will take a little longer, but she shows me that she’s making progress every day.

Grace and I started our lives over, together, and I am grateful for her patience, her resilience and her love. I don’t know where her story began. I do know that we will write the rest of it together. n

Email submissions for Last Lick to lastlick@moderndogmagazine.com. Because of the volume of email, the magazine cannot respond to every submission.

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